Analysis of the characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus who attend a tertiary hospital emergency department for a hypoglycemic event. / Análisis de las características de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus que consultan por hipoglucemia en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycemia associated to insulin or other glucose-lowering agents is one of the most common causes of visits to the emergency department for adverse drug reactions. The study objective was to analyze the characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who attend a tertiary hospital emergency department for a hypoglycemic event. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 3-year retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with DM who attended the emergency department of Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge for a hypoglycemic event. An analysis was made of epidemiological and diabetes-related characteristics, prevalence of chronic diabetic complications and other comorbidities, the glucose-lowering treatment and the result of the hypoglycemic episode. RESULTS: Of the 149 hypoglycemic events analyzed, 81.9% occurred in patients with type 2 DM. Mean age of patients with type 2 DM was 75.4 years. DM duration was longer than 10 years in 69.4% of patients. The prevalence rates of chronic kidney disease and cognitive decline were 38.5% and 19.7% respectively in patients with type 2 DM. Insulin with or without other concomitant glucose-lowering agents was associated to 78.7% of episodes in type 2 DM patients. The remaining 21.3% were associated to oral hypoglycemic agents, mainly glibenclamide. After the event, 13.4% of patients required hospital admission, and in 36.8% of these hypoglycemia was associated to use of glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of hypoglycemic events occurred in elderly patients with type 2 DM, with a high prevalence of associated comorbidities and treated with insulin and sulfonylureas, particularly glibenclamide.

[A home enteral nutrition program: 32 years of clinical experience]. / Programa de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria: 32 años de experiencia clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: home parenteral nutrition (NPD) is a complex technique that involves multidisciplinary follow-up. Objectives: descriptive analysis of all patients included in the NPD program. Methods: retrospective study of patients with NPD between 1985 and 2017 in our center, a tertiary university hospital. Results: we analyzed 61 patients (32 men, mean age: 51.2 years). The most common underlying pathology was neoplasia (32.8%), with short bowel syndrome (SIC) being the main indication of NPD (70.5%). Forty-five patients received partial NPD and 16 total. The tunnelled vein catheter was the most common venous access used. 20 patients suspended it for complete oral intake (19 the first 5 years), 26 were deceased (18 the first 5 years) and 15 maintain it. Neoplasia was the most frequent cause of death (46.2%) and in 15.4% liver disease was associated with NPD. The median duration of NPD was 25 months [1-394]; being in 24 patients longer than 5 years (8 dead, only 1 for oncologic cause not related to the NPD). Fifty-four per cent had catheter infections, being isolated 55.2% Staphylococcus coagulase negative, with an infection rate of 1.04 per 1000 days of catheterization. Conclusions: NPD is a useful therapeutic strategy in intestinal failure. The SIC is the most frequent indication in our case study. The underlying pathology, such as neoplasia, will determine the prognosis. Catheter infection is the more frequent complication, so it is necessary to strengthen health education and antiseptic prophylaxis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) es una técnica compleja que implica un seguimiento multidisciplinar. Objetivos: análisis descriptivo de todos los pacientes incluidos en el programa de NPD. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con NPD entre 1985 y 2017 en nuestro centro, un hospital universitario terciario. Resultados: analizamos 61 pacientes (32 hombres, edad media: 51,2 años). La patología de base más frecuente fue la neoplasia (32,8%), siendo el síndrome de intestino corto (SIC) la principal indicación de NPD (70,5%). Recibieron NPD parcial 45 pacientes y total, 16. El tipo de catéter más empleado fue el venoso tunelizado. Veinte pacientes la suspendieron por ingesta oral completa (19 los primeros cinco años), 26 por exitus (18 los primeros cinco años) y 15 la mantienen. La neoplasia fue la causa de muerte más frecuente (46,2%) y en un 15,4%, la hepatopatía asociada a NPD. La duración mediana de la NPD fue de 25 meses (1-394), siendo en 24 pacientes mayor a cinco años (ocho fallecidos, solo uno de causa oncológica no relacionada con la NPD). Un 54% presentaron infecciones de catéter, aislándose Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo en el 55,2%, con una tasa de infección de 1,04 por 1,000 días de cateterización. Conclusiones: la NPD es una estrategia terapéutica útil en el fracaso intestinal. El SIC es la indicación más frecuente en nuestra casuística. La patología de base, como la neoplasia, determinará el pronóstico. La infección por catéter es la complicación más frecuente, por lo que es necesario reforzar la educación sanitaria y la profilaxis antiséptica.