Association between Variables of Eating Habits and Gastric Trophic Changes in a Gastroenterology Institution in Medellín, Colombia

Aim: To establish the relationship between consuming foods considered risk factors for gastric cancer and trophic changes in gastric mucosa. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. We included patients older than 18 admitted for upper GI endoscopy with biopsies who adequately answered a survey of personal history and eating habits. Those with a history of gastric cancer or gastric surgical resection for any reason were excluded. The association between feeding variables and trophic changes in the gastric mucosa was estimated. Results: In a population of 1,096 patients, the average age was 51 years (standard deviation [SD]: 15.5), and 59% were women. Trophic changes in the gastric mucosa were identified in 173 patients (15.8%). No statistical association was found between the independent variables of eating habits, obesity, and positive Helicobacter pylori versus the variable "trophic changes," unlike the variable "family history of gastric cancer" (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.17, p = 0.036). One case of high-grade dysplasia was detected in the study population (0.91 cases in 1,000 patients). Conclusions: No association was established between eating habits and trophic changes in the gastric mucosa in the studied population. A family history of gastric cancer is a statistically significant risk factor for developing atrophy, metaplasia, or dysplasia changes.

Objetivo: establecer la relación entre el consumo de alimentos considerados como factores de riesgo para cáncer gástrico y la presencia de cambios tróficos de la mucosa gástrica. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron los pacientes mayores de 18 años admitidos para realización de endoscopia digestiva superior con toma de biopsias que respondieron adecuadamente una encuesta de antecedentes personales y hábitos de alimentación. Se excluyeron aquellos con antecedente de cáncer gástrico o resección quirúrgica gástrica por cualquier motivo. Se estimó la asociación entre las variables de alimentación y la presencia de cambios tróficos de la mucosa gástrica. Resultados: en una población de 1096 pacientes, el promedio de la edad fue 51 años (desviación estándar [DE]: 15,5), y correspondió en un 59% a mujeres. Se identificaron cambios tróficos de la mucosa gástrica en 173 pacientes (15,8%). No se obtuvo asociación estadística entre las variables independientes de hábitos de alimentación, obesidad y Helicobacter pylori positivo frente a la variable "cambios tróficos", a diferencia de la variable "antecedente familiar de cáncer gástrico" (odds ratio [OR]: 1,49; intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 1,03-2,17; p = 0,036). Se obtuvo 1 caso de displasia de alto grado en la población estudiada (0,91 casos en 1000 pacientes). Conclusiones: no se estableció una asociación entre los hábitos de alimentación y la presencia de cambios tróficos de la mucosa gástrica en la población estudiada. El antecedente familiar de cáncer gástrico se muestra como un factor de riesgo estadísticamente significativo para el desarrollo de cambios de atrofia, metaplasia o displasia.

Incidence and characterization of colorectal adenomas in the area of influence of a specialized institution / Incidencia y caracterización de adenomas colorrectales en el área de influencia de una institución especializada

Abstract Aim: To locate and characterize colorectal adenomas endoscopically and histologically in a cohort of patients undergoing colonoscopy in Medellín, Colombia. Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. We included patients older than 18 years who underwent colonoscopy between February and July 2020 at a specialized center in Medellín, Colombia. We determined the incidence of adenomas, their location in different segments of the colon, their endoscopic and histological characteristics, and cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD). Results: 992 colonoscopies were performed, finding colorectal polyps in 266 patients, of which 208 had adenomas. We resected 461 polyps, of which 336 were adenomas (72 %). The histological type with the highest representation was tubular (78 %). The location of adenomas was 37 % in the right colon, 25 % in the transverse colon, and 38 % in the left colon. CRC cases were nine per 1,000 patients, including advanced carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (HGD). Conclusions: Given the incidence of adenomas in the right and transverse colon, rectosigmoidoscopy is discouraged as a screening study for CRC. Tubular adenomas, sessile in appearance and tiny, predominated in the population studied. We recommend screening in the population over 40 years of age and the search for precursor lesions as strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality rates due to CRC.

Resumen Objetivo: localización y caracterización endoscópica e histológica de los adenomas colorrectales en una cohorte de pacientes sometidos a colonoscopia en Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años sometidos a colonoscopia entre febrero y julio de 2020 en un centro especializado de Medellín, Colombia. Se determinó la incidencia de adenomas, su localización en los diferentes segmentos del colon, sus características endoscópicas e histológicas, así como también los casos de cáncer colorrectal (CCR) y displasia de alto grado. Resultados: se realizaron 992 colonoscopias y se encontraron pólipos colorrectales en 266 pacientes, de los cuales 208 tenían adenomas. En total se resecaron 461 pólipos, de los cuales 336 fueron adenomas (72 %). El tipo histológico con mayor representación fue el tubular (78 %). La localización de adenomas fue del 37 % en el colon derecho, 25 % en el transverso y 38 % en el colon izquierdo. La cantidad de casos de CCR fue de 9 por 1000 pacientes, que incluyen carcinoma avanzado y carcinoma in situ (DAG). Conclusiones: dada la incidencia de adenomas en el colon derecho y transverso, no se recomienda la rectosigmoidoscopia como estudio de tamizaje para CCR. En la población estudiada fueron predominantes los adenomas tubulares, de aspecto sésil y tamaño diminuto. Se recomienda el tamizaje en la población mayor de 40 años y la búsqueda de lesiones precursoras como estrategias para disminuir las tasas de morbimortalidad por CCR.

Can We Use the Indication for a Colonoscopy as a Predictor of the Adenoma Detection Rate? / ¿Podemos utilizar la indicación de colonoscopia como predictor de la tasa de detección de adenomas?

Abstract Aim: To determine the adenoma detection rate (ADR) and identify the indications for a colonoscopy that predict adenomas. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. We included patients older than 18 years who underwent colonoscopy between February and July 2020 at a specialized center in Medellín, Colombia. We estimated the ADR and identified the indications for a colonoscopy, considered predictors for finding adenomas. Results: The overall adenoma detection was 21 % (n = 992) and ADR in the screening population was 25 %. The range of 40-49 years contributed 12 % of the total number of adenomas detected, and the male population had a higher incidence (OR 1.73; 95 % CI 1.25-2.38; p < 0.001). Personal history of polyps (OR 1.86; 95 % CI 1.25-2.78; p = 0.002) and fecal occult blood (OR 2.67; 95 % CI 1.12-6.35; p 0.026) are deemed predictors for finding adenomas. LCI filters showed better results in detecting lesions (OR 1.43; 95 % CI 1.02-2.0). Conclusions: The indications for a colonoscopy can predict the probability of detecting adenomas. Male gender, a personal history of polyps, fecal occult blood, and the search for adenomas after the age of 40 are the variables that increase the probability of finding adenomas. The use of LCI filters increases lesion detection. The suggested age to start CRC screening is 40 years.

Resumen Objetivo: determinar la tasa de detección de los adenomas (TDA) e identificar las indicaciones de colonoscopia que predicen su hallazgo. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años sometidos a colonoscopia entre febrero y julio de 2020 en un centro especializado de Medellín, Colombia. Se estimó la TDA y se identificaron las indicaciones de colonoscopia, que se consideran predictores para el hallazgo de adenomas. Resultados: la detección general de adenomas fue del 21 % (n = 992) y la TDA en la población de tamizaje fue del 25 %. El rango de 40 a 49 años aportó el 12 % del total de adenomas detectados y la población masculina tuvo mayor incidencia (OR 1,73; IC 95 % 1,25-2,38; p < 0,001). El antecedente personal de pólipos (OR 1,86; IC 95 % 1,25-2,78; p = 0,002) y la presencia de sangre oculta en heces (OR 2,67; IC 95 % 1,12-6,35; p 0,026) se consideran predictores para el hallazgo de adenomas. El uso de filtros LCI mostró mejores resultados en la detección de las lesiones (OR 1,43; IC 95 % 1,02-2,0). Conclusiones: las indicaciones de la colonoscopia pueden predecir la probabilidad de detección de adenomas. El género masculino, el antecedente personal de pólipos, la presencia de sangre oculta en heces y la búsqueda de adenomas a partir de los 40 años son las variables que aumentan la probabilidad de encontrar adenomas. El uso de filtros LCI aumenta la detección de lesiones. La edad sugerida para el inicio del tamizaje de CCR es a partir de los 40 años.

Efectividad y tolerabilidad de tres tipos de productos de preparación para colonoscopia / Effectiveness and tolerability of three types of colonoscopy preparation products

Resumen Objetivo: establecer las diferencias entre tres tipos de productos de preparación para colonoscopia, en cuanto a efectividad y tolerabilidad. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal, analítico, prospectivo, ciego para el evaluador de la escala de Boston. Se incluyeron pacientes adultos, mayores de 18 años con requerimiento de colonoscopia y diligenciamiento de la encuesta sobre el tipo de preparación realizada para la limpieza del colon. Resultados: se evaluaron 3 grupos de productos (polietilenglicol, picosulfatos, sales de sulfato) en 907 pacientes, se aplicó la escala de Boston total y por segmentos, sin encontrar diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos (Odds ratio [OR]: 1,10; intervalo de confianza [IC] 95 %: 0,6-1,8; p = 0,728). El 60 % de la población fueron mujeres y la edad promedio 52 años. Se observó el cumplimiento de la dieta en el 99 % de los participantes. La preparación dividida tuvo mejores resultados en la escala de Boston (OR: 5,06; IC 95 %: 3,2-8,01; p = 0,001). Los picosulfatos tuvieron mayor aceptabilidad (OR: 15,8; IC 95 %: 8,83-28,3; p = 0,001) y menores efectos secundarios como distensión abdominal (OR: 0,59; IC 95 %: 0,3-0,9; p = 0,033) y vómito (OR: 0,25; IC 95 %: 0,07-0,82; p = 0,015). Se observó mejor resultado cuando se realizó el examen antes de 6 horas de finalizada la preparación (OR: 6,38; IC 95 %: 3,84-10,6; p = 0,001). Conclusiones: los productos evaluados no presentaron diferencias entre sí con respecto a su efectividad. Los picosulfatos tuvieron menores efectos secundarios y mejor aceptabilidad. Se obtuvo una mejor preparación del colon con preparación dividida y si el examen es hasta 6 horas de finalizada la preparación.

Abstract Objective: To establish the differences between three types of colonoscopy preparation products in terms of effectiveness and tolerability. Materials and methods: An analytical, prospective, blind, cross-sectional study of the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale was carried out. Adult patients over 18 years of age with a requirement for colonoscopy and completion of the survey on the type of preparation carried out for colon cleansing were included. Results: Three groups of products (polyethylene glycol, picosulfates, and sulfate salts) were evaluated in 907 patients. Total and segment Boston Bowel Preparation Scale was applied, without finding statistically significant differences between them (OR 1.10; 95%CI: 0.6-1.8; p = 0.728). 60% of the population were women and the average age was 52 years. Compliance with the diet was observed in 99% of the participants. Split-dose bowel preparation performed best on the Boston scale (OR 5.06; 95%CI; 3.2-8.01; p= 0.001). Picosulfates had greater acceptability (OR 15.8; 95%CI: 8.83-28.3; p= 0.001) and fewer side effects such as abdominal distension (OR 0.59; 95%CI: 0.3-0.9; p= 0.033) and vomiting (OR 0.25; 95%CI: 0.07-0.82; p= 0.015). The best result was observed when the test was performed within 6 hours of completion of preparation (OR 6.38; 95%CI: 3.84-10.6; p = 0.001). Conclusions: The products evaluated did not show differences between them regarding their effectiveness. Picosulfates had fewer side effects and better acceptability. Split-dose and testing up to 6 hours after preparation resulted in better bowel preparation.

Effect of Anxiety on Empathy: An Observational Study Among Nurses.

Empathy, defined as an emotional ability to put oneself in the place of others, read their state of mind, and think how they are feeling, is an essential pillar of nursing care. On the other hand, anxiety is a frequent emotion that can be generated in stressful work environments, like nurses developing their activity. The aim of the present study is to explore the value of empathy and anxiety personal traits in staff nurses. The sample was comprised of 197 staff nurses from tertiary level hospitals from Madrid, Spain, where 79.2% were women and 20.8% were men in the present study. The instrument used for analysis was the Spanish adaptation of the 16PF5 questionnaire. The results showed the following measurements to warmth (5.58), lively (5.25), socially bold (5.6), privacy (5.82), open to change (5.62), self-reliance (6.12), and anxiety (6.38). Furthermore, anxiety affects positively to warmth (t: 2.66; p > 0.0001) and lively (t = 2.36; p < 0.05), but in a negative way to social bold (t = -3.17; p < 0.001) or open to change (t = -5.81; p < 0.0001). However, it was not seen to have any effect over privacy (t = 1.96; p = 0.052) and self-reliance (t = 1.19; p = 0.234). Finally, it is recommended that healthcare professionals reinforce their personal competencies to strengthen their skills to manage anxiety and improve their empathy competencies.

Continuous intraocular pressure monitoring in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using a contact lens sensor.

PURPOSE: To analyse nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using a contact lens sensor (CLS) and to identify associations between the OSAS parameters determined by polysomnographic study (PSG) and IOP changes. METHOD: Prospective, observational study. Twenty participants suspected of having OSAS were recruited. During PSG study, IOP was monitored using a CLS placed in the eye of the patient. The patients were classified according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in two categories, severe (>30) or mild/moderate (<30) OSAS. We evaluated several parameters determined by the IOP curves, including nocturnal elevations (acrophase) and plateau times in acrophase (PTs) defined by mathematical and visual methods. RESULTS: The IOP curves exhibited a nocturnal acrophase followed by PTs of varying extents at which the IOP remained higher than daytime measurement with small variations. We found significant differences in the length of the PTs in patients with severe OSAS compared to those with mild/moderate disease (P = 0.032/P = 0.028). We found a positive correlation between PTs and OSAS severity measured by the total number of apneic events (r = 0.681/0.751 P = 0.004/0.001) and AHI (r = 0.674/0.710, P = 0.004/0.002). Respiratory-related arousal and oxygen saturation also were associated significantly with the IOP PT length. CONCLUSIONS: Periods of nocturnal IOP elevation lasted longer in severe OSAS patients than those with mild/moderate OSAS and correlate with the severity of the disease. The length of the nocturnal PT is also associated to respiratory parameters altered in patients with OSAS.

Social Networking Sites and Youth Transition: The Use of Facebook and Personal Well-Being of Social Work Young Graduates.

Research on youth transitions, and the well-being of young people, has to take into consideration the digital context in which they are immersed. Digital interaction of young people increase year by year, social networking sites play a key role in their personal and professional relationships, and a very high percentage of jobs require digital skills. According to Eurostat (2019), participating on social networking sites (one of the most common online activities in the EU-28), is growing every year [more than half (56%) of individuals aged 16-74 used the internet for social networking sites], and this percentage increases among the younger generations. In this article, we present the results of our research on the digital skills and well-being of young people on Facebook, based on a survey with a sample of 126 young people graduated from the University of Málaga (School of Social Work) (Spain). Based on certain scales, the level of digital skills that students have on Facebook was measured, considering strategic aspects for information search, level of use and presence of Facebook in life, maintenance of relations and tolerance to diversity. Variables of psychosocial well-being were also measured (social capital, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and personal well-being). Variables of digital skills on Facebook were subsequently related to well-being variables. Results show that certain digital skills relate to the well-being of young people. In this sense, we deem it crucial to develop education policies that could provide young graduates with general digital skills to be used on social networking sites.

Spanish Results of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We describe the results for Spain of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II) and compare them with those of the other participating countries. METHODS: We included patients undergoing CRT device implantation between October 2015 and December 2016 in 36 participating Spanish centers. We registered the patients' baseline characteristics, implant procedure data, and short-term follow-up information until hospital discharge. RESULTS: Implant success was achieved in 95.9%. The median [interquartile range] annual implantation rate by center was significantly lower in Spain than in the other participating countries: 30 implants/y [21-50] vs 55 implants/y [33-100]; P=.00003. In Spanish centers, there was a lower proportion of patients ≥ 75 years (27.9% vs 32.4%; P=.0071), a higher proportion in New York Heart Association functional class II (46.9% vs 36.9%; P <.00001), and a higher percentage with electrocardiographic criteria of left bundle branch block (82.9% vs 74.6%; P <.00001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly lower in Spanish centers (5.8±8.5 days vs 6.4±11.6; P <.00001). Spanish patients were more likely to receive a quadripolar LV lead (74% vs 56%; P <.00001) and to be followed up by remote monitoring (55.8% vs 27.7%; P <.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The CRT-Survey II shows that, compared with other participating countries, fewer patients in Spain aged ≥ 75 years received a CRT device, while more patients were in New York Heart Association functional class II and had left bundle branch block. In addition, the length of hospital stay was shorter, and there was greater use of quadripolar LV leads and remote CRT monitoring.

Endo-epicardial versus only-endocardial ablation as a first line strategy for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial ablation has shown improvement in clinical outcomes of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. However, usually epicardial access is only performed when endocardial ablation has failed. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of endocardial+epicardial ablation versus only endocardial ablation in the first procedure in patients with IHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with IHD, referred for a first VT ablation to our institution, from 2012 to 2014, were included. They were divided in 2 groups according to enrollment time: from May 2013, we started to systematically perform endo-epicardial access (Epi-Group) as first-line approach in consecutive patients with IHD (n=15). Patients who underwent only an endocardial VT ablation in their first procedure (Endo-Group) included patients with previous cardiac surgery and the historical (before May 2013; n=35). All late-potentials in the scar zone were eliminated, and if VT was tolerated, critical isthmuses were also approached. The end point was the noninducibility of any VT. During a median follow-up of 15±10 months, the combined end point (hospital or emergency admission because of a ventricular tachycardia or reablation) occurred in 14 patients of the Endo-group and in one patient in the Epi-group (event-free survival curves by Grey-test, P=0.03). Ventricular arrhythmia recurrences occurred in 16 and in 3 patients in the Endo and Epi-Group, respectively (Grey-test, P=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: A combined endocardial-epicardial ablation approach for initial VT ablation was associated with fewer readmissions for VT and repeat ablations. Further studies are warranted.

Can an alert in primary care electronic medical records increase participation in a population-based screening programme for colorectal cancer? COLO-ALERT, a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is an important public health problem in Spain. Over the last decade, several regions have carried out screening programmes, but population participation rates remain below recommended European goals. Reminders on electronic medical records have been identified as a low-cost and high-reach strategy to increase participation. Further knowledge is needed about their effect in a population-based screening programme. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic reminder to promote the participation in a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme. Secondary aims are to learn population's reasons for refusing to take part in the screening programme and to find out the health professionals' opinion about the official programme implementation and on the new computerised tool. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a parallel randomised trial with a cross-sectional second stage. PARTICIPANTS: all the invited subjects to participate in the public colorectal cancer screening programme that includes men and women aged between 50-69, allocated to the eleven primary care centres of the study and all their health professionals. The randomisation unit will be the primary care physician. The intervention will consist of activating an electronic reminder, in the patient's electronic medical record, in order to promote colorectal cancer screening, during a synchronous medical appointment, throughout the year that the intervention takes place. A comparison of the screening rates will then take place, using the faecal occult blood test of the patients from the control and the intervention groups. We will also take a questionnaire to know the opinions of the health professionals. The main outcome is the screening status at the end of the study. Data will be analysed with an intention-to-treat approach. DISCUSSION: We expect that the introduction of specific reminders in electronic medical records, as a tool to facilitate and encourage direct referral by physicians and nurse practitioners to perform colorectal cancer screening will mean an increase in participation of the target population. The introduction of this new software tool will have good acceptance and increase compliance with recommendations from health professionals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov identifier NCT01877018.

Pharmacogenomics of multiple sclerosis: in search for a personalized therapy.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects young adults and provokes severe disability, imposing a high health and social burden. Current therapies for MS include interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab and chemotherapy. These therapies decrease the number of relapses and partially prevent disability accumulation. However, their efficacy is only moderate, they have common adverse effects and impose a high cost to health systems. The identification of biomarkers will allow responders and non-responders to therapy to be identified, increasing the efficacy and adherence to therapy, and the pharmaco-economic profile of theses drugs. OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSION: In this review we examine the pharmacogenetic studies that have evaluated the clinical response to interferon-beta, and to a lesser extent, glatiramer acetate and natalizumab. Finally, we discuss how systems biology can be used to integrate biological and clinical data in order to develop personalized medicine for MS.

La hemorragia digestiva alta en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Upper digestive bled in intensive cares

En las últimas décadas, la frecuencia del sangrado digestivo en UCI se ha incrementado, particularmente en aquellos pacientes que requieren ventilación mecánica. Desde 1960 se han tratado de explicar los mecanismos fisiopatogénicos involucrados en el sangrado; así mismo cómo determinar la profilaxis más adecuada y el mejor tratamiento de esta complicación (1). La mayoría de los pacientes críticamente enfermos desarrolla lesión de la mucosa gástrica tan pronto ingresan a la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI).Se han identificado numerosos factores de riesgo que predisponen a la hemorragia de vías digestivas altas (HVDA) en el paciente críticamente enfermo, como son la ventilación mecánica por más de 48 horas, coagulopatía, sepsis severa, trauma craneoencefálico, neurocirugía, quemaduras severas y falla orgánica múltiple (1). Aunque controvertido, la infección por H Pylori también ha sido relacionada como factor de riesgo para sangrado digestivo en UCI (5).Se ha intentado prevenir la HVDA en el paciente críticamente enfermo mediante el uso de diferentes agentes farmacológicos como son los medicamentos antiácidos, los antagonistas de los receptores H2 de histamina y los inhibidores de bomba de protones. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no hay un consenso general de cual de ellos debe ser usado, como tampoco de la vía de administración a utilizarse. Otro inconveniente es diferenciar si el sangrado digestivo es clínicamente importante pues el abordaje y desenlace es diferente (2).La terapia con antagonistas de receptores H2 de histamina ha mostrado disminuir la incidencia de HVDA en pacientes críticamente enfermos en los Estados Unidos y han sido aprobados por la FDA para profilaxis de sangrado en UCI.La evidencia actual sólo nos permite suponer que los inhibidores de bomba de protones son tan efectivos como los antagonistas de los receptores H2 en la prevención del sangrado digestivo en el paciente críticamente enfermo en UCI, pero aún no sabemos si son superiores...