[Telemedicine: validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the experience of health professionalsTelemedicina: validação de um questionário para avaliar a experiência dos profissionais de saúde]. / Telemedicina: validación de un cuestionario para evaluar la experiencia de los profesionales de la salud.

Objective: This objective of this work is to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate health professionals' experience with telemedicine systems. Methods: Based on an abbreviated, locally validated Spanish-language version of the patient questionnaire developed by Parmanto et al., a group of experts developed a version to evaluate the experience of health professionals who provide telemedicine services. The psychometric behavior of the items was tested in an initial sample of 129 professionals, using exploratory factor analysis. The comprehensibility of the items was then assessed through cognitive interviews. Finally, in a new sample of 329 professionals, the construct validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); its criteria of external validity were assessed by comparing the score with that of a summary question. Results: A 12-item questionnaire was obtained, with a two-factor structure and acceptable adjustment indicators documented through CFA. Reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were appropriate. The criteria of external validity showed optimal results. Conclusions: The instrument obtained has adequate psychometric properties and will contribute to the objective evaluation of the experience of health professionals who perform telemedicine.

Objetivo: Desenvolver e validar um questionário para avaliar a experiência dos profissionais de saúde com os sistemas de telemedicina. Métodos: Com base na versão abreviada em espanhol ­ e validada localmente ­ do questionário para pacientes desenvolvido por Parmanto et al., um grupo de especialistas gerou uma versão de consenso para avaliar a experiência de profissionais de saúde que prestam serviços de telemedicina. O comportamento psicométrico dos itens foi testado em uma primeira amostra de 129 profissionais, por meio de análise fatorial exploratória. Em seguida, sua compreensibilidade foi avaliada por meio de entrevistas cognitivas. Por fim, em uma nova amostra de 329 profissionais, avaliou-se a validade de construto do questionário por meio de uma análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC), e sua validade de critério externo, mediante a avaliação de sua pontuação com a de uma pergunta resumo. Resultados: Obteve-se um questionário de 12 itens com estrutura de dois fatores, com indicadores de ajuste aceitáveis, documentados pela AFC. A confiabilidade, a validade convergente e a validade discriminante foram adequadas. A validade de critério externo apresentou ótimos resultados. Conclusões: O instrumento obtido possui propriedades psicométricas adequadas e contribuirá para a avaliação objetiva da experiência dos profissionais que realizam telemedicina.

Anesthetic implications of perioperative Takotsubo syndrome: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible cardiomyopathy triggered by emotional or physical stressors. Although surgeries could be physical triggers, this has been scantily investigated. We aimed to describe the baseline characteristics, surgical/anesthesia-related triggering events, clinical presentation, and in-hospital outcomes of a cohort of patients diagnosed with perioperative Takotsubo syndrome. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all consecutive adult patients who were admitted to Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 1 June 2008 and 30 November 2017 and diagnosed with Takotsubo syndrome according to the revised criteria of the European Society of Cardiology during hospitalization. RESULTS: We diagnosed 21 patients with perioperative Takotsubo syndrome out of 305,906 patients undergoing procedures with anesthesia care. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) patient age was 75 (55-82) yr, and 16 (76%) were women. The median (IQR) left ventricular ejection fraction was 35 (35-42)% at diagnosis and 55 (46-55)% at discharge. Fifteen patients (71%) required inotropic/vasopressor support; however, this is a controversial treatment considering the physiopathology of the syndrome. Severe complications such as unexplained syncope/cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, and ventricular thrombus formation occurred in seven (33%) patients, and two (10%) patients died. These results were compared with 31 patients who experienced non-perioperative Takotsubo syndrome during the same period of time. CONCLUSION: Perioperative Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, it seems to be associated with severe complications, the need for aggressive treatment, and non-negligible mortality.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Le syndrome de Takotsubo est une cardiomyopathie réversible déclenchée par des facteurs de stress émotionnels ou physiques. Bien que les chirurgies puissent constituer des déclencheurs physiques, cela n'a été que peu étudié. Nous avons cherché à décrire les caractéristiques de base, les événements déclencheurs chirurgicaux / anesthésiques, la présentation clinique et les devenirs hospitaliers d'une cohorte de patients ayant reçu un diagnostic de syndrome périopératoire de Takotsubo. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude rétrospective, nous avons inclus tous les patients adultes consécutifs qui ont été admis à l'Hôpital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre le 1er juin 2008 et le 30 novembre 2017 et qui ont reçu un diagnostic de syndrome de Takotsubo selon les critères révisés de la Société européenne de cardiologie pendant leur hospitalisation. RéSULTATS: Nous avons diagnostiqué 21 patients atteints d'un syndrome de Takotsubo périopératoire sur 305 906 patients subissant des interventions nécessitant des soins d'anesthésie. L'âge médian des patients (écart interquartile [ÉIQ]) était de 75 ans (55-82 ans) et 16 (76 %) étaient des femmes. La médiane de la fraction d'éjection ventriculaire gauche (ÉIQ) était de 35 (35 à 42) % au moment du diagnostic et de 55 (46 à 55 ) % au congé. Quinze patients (71 %) ont eu besoin d'un soutien inotrope/vasopresseur; cependant, il s'agit d'un traitement controversé compte tenu de la physiopathologie du syndrome. Des complications graves telles qu'une syncope / un arrêt cardiaque inexpliqué, un choc cardiogénique et la formation de thrombus ventriculaire, sont survenues chez sept patients (33 %), et deux (10 %) patients sont décédés. Ces résultats ont été comparés à 31 patients ayant présenté un syndrome de Takotsubo non périopératoire au cours de la même période. CONCLUSION: Le syndrome de Takotsubo périopératoire est une cardiomyopathie réversible. Néanmoins, il semble être associé à des complications graves, à la nécessité d'un traitement agressif et à une mortalité non négligeable.

Deep sedation using propofol target-controlled infusion for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Propofol sedation is effective for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, but its narrow therapeutic window highlights the importance of identifying an optimal administration technique regarding effectiveness and safety. This study aimed to determine the incidence of significant adverse events in adult patients scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy under anaesthetist-performed sedation using propofol target-controlled infusion and determine the existence of associations between these events and potentially related variables. METHODS: This single-centre, retrospective cohort study took place in a tertiary referral university hospital. Medical records of 823 patients (age > 18 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification scores I-III) who had undergone elective gastrointestinal endoscopy under propofol target-controlled infusion sedation during September 2018 were reviewed. Outcomes included hypoxia, hypotension, and bradycardia events, requirement of vasoactive drugs, unplanned tracheal intubation or supraglottic device insertion, and need for advanced cardiac life support. RESULTS: The most frequently encountered adverse event was oxygen desaturation < 95% with an incidence of 22.35%. Vasoactive drug administration, hypotension, and oxygen desaturation < 90% followed, with incidences of 19.2, 12.64, and 9.92%, respectively. Only 0.5% of patients required advanced airway management. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between hypotension events, colonoscopic procedures, and propofol doses (odds ratio: 3.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 6.61; P = 0.004 and odds ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.29; P = 0.046). A strong dose-effect relationship was found between hypoxia and obesity; patients with body mass index ≥40 were nine times (odds ratio: 10.22, 95% confidence interval: 2.83 to 36.99) more likely to experience oxygen desaturation < 90% events. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol sedation using target-controlled infusion appears to be a safe and effective anaesthetic technique for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures with acceptable rates of adverse events and could be more widely adopted in clinical practice.

Adaptation and validation of a Spanish version of the treatment burden questionnaire in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ) is a self-reported measure of the effect of treatment workload on patient wellbeing. We sought to validate the TBQ in Spanish and use it to estimate the burden of treatment in Argentinian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The TBQ was forward-backward translated into Spanish. Two focus groups and 25 semi-structured interviews focused on wording and possible item exclusion. Validation was performed in 2 steps. First, 162 patients across a range of MS severity completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis assessed the dimensional structure of the TBQ. Construct validity was assessed by studying correlations with fatigue and quality of life (QoL). Then, in a second cohort of 171 patients, we evaluated the association between TBQ scores and patients' sex, age, education level, employment status, type of MS, disease duration, comorbidities, EDSS, pharmacological treatment and medication adherence. RESULTS: The questionnaire presented a 3-factor structure in which burden was related to pharmacological treatment; comprehensive health assistance; and psycho-social-economic context. Composite reliability was > 0.8 for all factors. TBQ showed positive correlation with fatigue (rs = 0.467, p = 0.006), negative correlation with QoL (rs - 0.446, p = 0.009). For the second cohort, total TBQ score was 43 (SD 29). Lowest scores were observed on self-monitoring (0.53, SD 1.3) and highest for administrative load (4.2, SD 3.4). Inverse association was found between the TBQ score and medication adherence (r 0.243 p = 0.001). TBQ scores also correlated with daily patient pill/injection requirements (r 0.175 p = 0.020). Individuals receiving injectable treatment scored higher than patients on oral drugs (total TBQ 51 (SD 32) vs 39 (SD 27) p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The TBQ in Spanish is a reliable instrument and showed adequate correlation with QoL and adherence scales in MS patients. TBQ may benefit health resources allocation and provide tailor therapeutic interventions to construct a minimally disruptive care.

Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of two questionnaires on shared decision making.

OBJECTIVE: To translate, transcultural adapt, and validate the "CollaboRATE" measure and the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention in Argentina, allowing us to quantify the degree of use and implementation of shared decision making (SDM). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected in an academic hospital in Buenos Aires. Physician-patient pairs were invited to participate following their scheduled outpatient visits. MEASUREMENTS: Two processes were carried out as follows: (a) The translation and transcultural adaptation process, in which translations were produced and then adapted to Spanish. (b) The validation process, in which questionnaires were completed by patient-physician pairs, the results of which were subsequently analysed. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity (principal component analysis) were assessed. RESULTS: The final Spanish versions of "CollaboRATE" and "Ask 3 Questions" were tested in a primary care sample of 56 participants. Both instruments presented adequate reliability and validity. Internal consistency yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 98.3 for the "CollaboRATE" measure and 0.77 and 0.69 for the patients and physicians versions of the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention. Principal components analysis showed eigenvalues of first component >1. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We obtained valid and reliable Spanish versions of the "CollaboRATE" measure and the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention. These versions can be used for the assessment of SDM in clinical visits, and to obtain new information which could help the monitoring of its implementation.

Usefulness of intra-operative neuromuscular blockade monitoring and reversal agents for postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Complete avoidance of residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) during the postoperative period has not yet been achieved in current anesthesia practice. Evidently, compliance with NMB monitoring is persistently low, and the risk of RNMB during the perioperative period remains underestimated. To our knowledge, no publications have reported the incidence of RNMB in a university hospital where access to quantitative NMB monitoring and sugammadex is unlimited and where NMB management is not protocolised. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of RNMB in patients managed with or without sugammadex or neostigmine as antagonists and quantitative NMB monitoring in the operating room. The secondary aim was to explore the associations between RNMB and potentially related variables. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral university hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Records created between June 2015 and December 2015 were reviewed. In total, 240 consecutive patients who had undergone elective surgical procedures requiring NMB were included. All patients were monitored via acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis muscle within 5 min of arrival in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). Scheduled recovery in the intensive care unit was the only exclusion criterion. RESULTS: RNMB was present in 1.6% patients who received intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and 32% patients whose NMB was not monitored (P <  0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that the use of intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and sugammadex were associated with a lower incidence of RNMB, with calculated odds ratios of 0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.005 to 0.401) and 0.18 (95% CI: 0.046 to 0.727), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that intra-operative quantitative NMB monitoring and use of sugammadex are associated with a decreased incidence of RNMB in the PACU, reinforcing the contention that the optimal strategy for RNMB avoidance is the use of quantitative NMB monitoring and eventual use of reversal agents, if needed, prior to emergence from anaesthesia.

[Evaluation of primary adherence to medications in patients with chronic conditions: A retrospective cohort study]. / Evaluación de la adherencia primaria a medicamentos en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas afiliados al Seguro de Salud del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the proportion of members of a private health insurance at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires with primary adherence to, 1) bisphosphonates for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures, 2) insulin and metformin in type 2 diabetes, and 3) tamoxifen in the context of treatment of breast cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study to determine the proportion of primary treatment adherence during 2012 and 2013. SITE: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires private health insurance, who had received a new electronic prescription (alendronate or ibandronate for secondary prevention of fractures following an osteoporotic fracture; insulin and/or metformin for type 2 diabetes; or tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer) during the years 2012 and 2013. An analysis was performed on 1,403 new electronic prescriptions, of which 673 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Primary adherence has been defined as the execution of a first-time treatment after it was agreed with the health care provider. The primary analysis assessed the proportion of primary adherence for the three medications. A bivariate analysis was performed to compare the characteristics and potential predictors of primary adherence. RESULTS: Primary adherence for each drug group was, 93% Bisphosphonates, 88% Metformin, 96% Insulin, and 92% Tamoxifen. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has evaluated primary adherence in Argentina, and the first for Tamoxifen world wide. The primary adherence documented in our study was somewhat higher than that reported in the literature.

Colonoscopy overuse in colorectal cancer screening and associated factors in Argentina: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been growing concern about the overuse of colonoscopy (CC). Our objective was to evaluate the incidence rate and cumulative probability of having a potentially inadequate CC (PI-CC, e.g. a CC that was performed earlier that recommended) and the association between the report of a hyperplastic polyp in the baseline CC report and the probability of having a PI-CC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adults 50y/o or older with a complete baseline CC between January 1st and December 31st 2005, without reported lesions or with hyperplastic polyps, based on secondary data extracted from the electronic medical record of the Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires. The outcome consisted of time until a PI-CC, defined as the time measured between basal colonoscopy and a colonoscopy performed earlier than the inter-screening interval recommended by the USPSTF and the USMSTF. RESULTS: 389 patients were included. The cumulative probability of receiving a PI-CC over 10 years was 0.29 (95% CI 0.241, 0.342). The incidence rate resulted in 30.91 PI-CC per 1000 person-years (95% CI 25.14, 38). The crude analysis of the association between the outcome and the presence of hyperplastic polyps in the baseline CC, showed a statistically significant difference between both groups (log rank, p 0.036). The multivariate analysis yielded a hazard ratio of 1.67 (95% CI 1.02-2.73). CONCLUSION: We observed that 3 in every 10 patients treated in our health system received a PI-CC during the first ten consecutive years after a normal complete CC. Furthermore, this could be in part attributed to the presence of a hyperplastic polyp in the baseline CC.

[Psychometric validation in Spanish of the Brazilian short version of the Primary Care Assessment Tools-users questionnaire for the evaluation of the orientation of health systems towards primary care]. / Validación psicométrica en español de la versión corta brasileña del cuestionario Primary Care Assessment Tools: usuarios para la evaluación de la orientación de los sistemas de salud hacia la atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Brazilian short version of the PCAT for adult patients in Spanish. DESIGN: Analysis of secondary data from studies made to validate the extended version of the PCAT questionnaire. LOCATION: City of Córdoba, Argentina. Primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 46% of parents, whose children were enrolled in secondary education in three institutes in the city of Cordoba, and the remaining 54% were adult users of the National University of Cordoba Health Insurance. MAIN MEASURES: Pearson's correlation coefficient comparing the extended and short versions. Goodness-of-fit indices in confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability, average variance extracted, and Cronbach's alpha values, in order to assess the construct validity and the reliability of the short version. RESULTS: The values of Pearson's correlation coefficient between this short version and the long version were high .818 (P<.001), implying a very good criterion validity. The indicators of good global adjustment to the confirmatory factor analysis were good. The value of composite reliability was good (.802), but under the variance media extracted: .3306, since 3 variables had weak factorials loads. The Cronbach's alpha was acceptable (.85). CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the PCAT-users developed in Brazil showed an acceptable psychometric performance in Spanish as a quick assessment tool, in a comparative study with the extended version.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of a standardized international questionnaire on use of alternative and complementary medicine (I-CAM - Q) for Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The widespread and growing use of alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) worldwide has been thoroughly described. In Argentina the limited information on the use of CAM has been reported between 40 and 55 %. However, the rate of use is extremely variable worldwide. For this purpose the international questionnaire on the use of complementary and alternative medicines (I-CAM - Q), was developed. The implementation of a translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the questionnaire would allow for a reliable and standardized evaluation of the rate of use of CAM in Argentina. It would be a great step towards improving what we know about the healing habits of our population. METHODS: The forward and back-translation method was used. Four translators were involved. A committee was commissioned to reconcile the different versions. The process of cross-cultural adaptation was made by consulting 17 alternative and complementary medicine experts using the DELPHI method. The retrieved questionnaire was evaluated in 18 patients sampled by convenience (9 men, different educational and self-reported health levels). The interviews consisted of three parts: an initial demographics questionnaire; the administration of the I-CAM-Q and finally the cognitive interview, which included reviewing the questionnaire and reexamining questions that generated doubts during the interview. The comprehension of the questions was also evaluated. As a last step, using the information obtained from the interviews, the final version of the questionnaire was drafted. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The questionnaire seems to have been accepted by most patients during the interviews. Conflictive elements that emerged did not seem to have an impact on its administration. The flexibility of the questionnaire allowed to add professionals and practices which contributed to a more accurate local adaptation. Further research should focus on assessing the questionnaire's psychometric performance and validity, which so far has not been done.

[Smoking rates among students of Medicine at a university institute in Buenos Aires: Cross section-study]. / Tabaquismo entre estudiantes de Medicina de un Instituto Universitario de Buenos Aires: estudio de corte transversal.

INTRODUCTION: Argentina has a smoking rate among adults of 22.1%; previous research has shown medical students smoke at the same rate than the general population. Physicians' smoking status affects their ability to provide anti-smoking advice. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study. In 2011 a survey was administered to medical students at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires School of Medicine asking about demographic and tobacco use characteristics, and knowledge and attitudes toward smoking. RESULTS: 217 students were interviewed (response rate: 97.7%). Of these, 58.1% were in the school's initial years, and 41.9% in the latest ones; 63 (29%) were current smokers. Current smokers were less likely to agree with a smoking ban in enclosed spaces such as restaurants, bars and schools (88.9% vs 97.4%, P=0.034); 68.7% of respondents referred having received training on smoking cessation (98.9% among advanced students). However, 41.5% did not acknowledge the utility of nicotinic replacement therapy for smoking cessation, and only 11.1% knew about anti-smoking brief interventions. 60.4% wanted to receive more information about smoking. CONCLUSION: Medical students at the Hospital Italiano smoke at the same rate than the general population. Although most have received some information on cessation strategies, it is insufficient.

[Spanish translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the ADTC scale (Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool)] / Traducción al español, adaptación transcultural y validación de la escala ADTC (Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool).

OBJETIVES: Obtain a version to validate it in a population of adults with AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1) Translation into Spanish and cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire from the original version in English, through a seven-step process. 2) Evaluation of the unidimensionality of the resulting scale by means of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), of its reliability by means of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and of its validity by evaluating the correlation of its score with those of the POEM and DLQI questionnaires. (external reference criteria). RESULTS: The version resulting from the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process was well understood by the target population. The AFE of the 66 questionnaires documented the unidimensionality of the scale based on compliance with all the criteria used for its verification. Its reliability was excellent (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.917) and its score had a very high correlation with the external reference criteria (POEM: Spearman's Rho 0.85; p < 0.0001; DLQI Spearman's Rho = 0.81; p < 0 .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The version translated into Spanish and adapted for transculturation of the ADCT questionnaire has appropriate psychometric characteristics, which will contribute to optimizing the care processes of Spanish-speaking patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cuestionario ADCT (Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool) permite objetivar en forma breve y autoadministrada la repercusión de la dermatitis atópica (DA) sobre la vida cotidiana de quien la padece. OBJETIVO: Obtener una versión validarla en una población de adultos con DA. MATERIALES Y METODOS: 1) Traducción al español y adaptación transcultural del cuestionario a partir de la versión original en inglés, a través de un proceso de siete pasos. 2) Evaluación de la unidimensionalidad de la escala resultante mediante un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE), de su confiabilidad mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, y de su validez mediante la evaluación de la correlación de su puntaje con los de los cuestionarios POEM y DLQI (criterios externos de referencia). RESULTADOS: La versión resultante del proceso de traducción y adaptación transcultural fue bien comprendida por la población blanco. El AFE de los 66 cuestionarios documentó la unidimensionalidad de la escala a partir del cumplimiento de todos los criterios utilizados para su verificación. Su confiabilidad fue excelente (Alfa de Cronbach: 0,917) y su puntaje tuvo muy alta correlación con los criterios de referencia externos (POEM: Spearman's Rho 0,85; p < 0,0001; DLQI Spearman's Rho = 0,81; p < 0,0001). CONCLUSION: La versión traducida al español y adaptada transculturación del cuestionario ADCT tiene características psicométricas apropiadas, lo que contribuirá a optimizar los procesos de cuidado de pacientes de habla hispana.

Analysis of the incidence of central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Análisis de la incidencia de pubertad precoz central tratada con análogos de hormona liberadora de gonadotrofina. Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19.

Introduction. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, consultations of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) increased in several countries, but there were no data from Argentina. This increase may be related to changes in lifestyle and stress levels resulting from the lockdown, which particularly affected the child population. Objectives. 1) To describe the progression of the incidence of ICPP requiring inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in girls between 2010 and 2021 in a cohort from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. 2) To compare the characteristics of girls diagnosed with ICPP during the pandemic with those of a control group. Methods. Interrupted time-series and case-control study. Results. The annual incidence remained stable between 2010 and 2017. Since 2017, it increased to an average of 59.9% (95% CI: 18.6-115.5) and appears to have accelerated during the pandemic. We found an association between ICPP and requiring inhibitory treatment between June 1st, 2020 and May 31st, 2021 and 2 variables: maternal age at menarche (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.77) and family history of ICPP (OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.16-16.86). Conclusion. We evidenced a significant increase in the incidence of ICPP with requirement of HPG axis inhibition since 2017. Increased exposure to various environmental triggers during the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a greater influence in girls with some genetic predisposition.

Introducción. Desde inicios de la pandemia por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), fue comunicado en varios países un incremento de las consultas de niñas con pubertad precoz central idiopática (PPCI), sin que contáramos con datos argentinos. Este aumento estaría vinculado con los cambios en el estilo de vida y los niveles de estrés resultantes del aislamiento que afectó particularmente a la población infantil. Objetivos. 1) Describir la evolución de la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal (EHHG) en niñas entre 2010 y 2021 en una cohorte del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. 2) Comparar las características de las niñas, con dicho diagnóstico realizado durante la pandemia, con las de un grupo control. Métodos. Serie de tiempo interrumpida y estudio de casos y controles. Resultados. La incidencia anual fue estable entre 2010 y 2017. Desde 2017 hubo un ascenso anual que promedió el 59,9 % (IC95 % 18,6-115,5) y pareciera haberse acelerado durante la pandemia. Constatamos asociación entre haber desarrollado PPCI y haber requerido tratamiento inhibitorio entre el 01 de junio de 2020 y el 31 de mayo de 2021, y dos variables: edad de menarca materna (OR 0,46; IC95 % 0,28-0,77) y antecedente familiar de PPCI (OR 4,42; IC95 % 1,16-16,86). Conclusión. Evidenciamos desde 2017 un aumento significativo en la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del EHHG. El incremento en la exposición a diversos desencadenantes ambientales durante la pandemia por COVID-19 podría haber ejercido mayor influencia en las niñas con alguna predisposición genética.

Frailty status improvement after kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in strength, resistance and body physiological condition, making the individual more vulnerable, and increasing his/her risk of dependence and death. Kidney transplant (KT) is currently the best end-stage renal disease therapeutic alternative for certain individuals. Frailty status occurs in approximately 20% of KT patients. Thus, it was evaluated if there would be any change in frailty status level in a population of adult patients on chronic HD after receiving KT. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of adult hemodialysis patients (n: 57), with the objective of evaluating if there was a significant change in their clinical frailty score (CFS) after 6 months of KT. For the statistical analysis, the Student's t-test, and the test of statistical significance between two proportions were applied. RESULTS: Mean CFS before KT was 4 (vulnerable), and after KT was 3 (robust). CFS value was significantly lower after KT (p value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A significant improvement was found between pre- and post-transplant clinical frailty scores in hemodialysis adult patients.

Learning climate and self-perception of empathy in a teaching hospital's medical residency programs: a cross-sectional study. / Clima del aprendizaje y autopercepción de empatía en residencias médicas de un hospital universitario: un estudio de corte transversal.

In order to explore whether there is a correlation between the learning climate (LC) and the selfperception of empathy by medical residents, we conducted an observational, cross sectional study in a teaching hospital using the D-RECT (Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test) and the Jefferson scale (empathy) in 140 residents from 9 specialties during 2019 and 2020. We documented a low to moderate and statistically significant correlation (Spearman's Rho: 0.34, p<0.0001) between both scores, with an acceptable reliability for both instruments (> 0.7). For every 10-point difference in the D-RECT scale, an average difference of 1.80 points in the Jefferson Scale was observed. This study provides new evidence regarding the correlation between the learning climate and self-perceived medical empathy during the residency program. Our findings suggest a trend that should be further studied in the future.

Con el objetivo de explorar si existe correlación entre el clima de aprendizaje (CA) y la propia empatía percibida por residentes médicos, realizamos en un hospital universitario un estudio observacional de corte transversal, utilizando las escalas D-RECT (evaluación del clima educacional) y Jefferson (empatía), en el que participaron 140 residentes de 9 especialidades durante 2019 y 2020. Documentamos una correlación baja-moderada y estadísticamente significativa (Spearman´s rho: 0,34 p<0,0001) entre ambos puntajes, con una confiabilidad aceptable de ambos instrumentos (>0,7). Por cada 10 puntos de diferencia en la escala D-RECT, observamos una diferencia promedio de 1,80 puntos en la escala Jefferson. Este trabajo aporta nuevos indicios respecto a la correlación entre el clima de aprendizaje y la empatía médica autopercibida durante la residencia. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren una tendencia que debería ser investigada con mayor profundidad en el futuro.

[ProMover mobility scale. A unified language for the evaluation of hospitalized patients]. / Escala de movilidad ProMover. Un lenguaje unificado para la evaluación de pacientes hospitalizados.

The International Classification of Functionality (CIF) defines mobility as the possibility of "moving by changing the position or location of the body or moving from one place to another, transporting, moving or manipulating objects, walking, running or climbing, and using various forms of transport". Physical therapy focuses on the assessment and management of movement problems. Determining mobility status is a central component of the health assessment of older adults since it is an important marker of physical abilities and independence, and a predictor of morbidity and mortality. However, to date we did not have scales that represent the degree of mobility of the patient with some type of visual image that facilitates its documentation quickly and reliably by any health professional who works in the field of hospitalization. For these reasons, we developed an intuitive, icon-based mobility scale that is easy to administer in hospitalized patients in different settings. The ProMover mobility scale provides health professionals with a unified tool for evaluating the mobility of hospitalized patients, in order to unify a common language. This is a simple, practical, reliable and objective tool and commonly used by all health professionals.

La Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento (CIF) define la movilidad como la posibilidad de "moverse cambiando la posición o ubicación del cuerpo o moviéndose de un lugar a otro, transportando, moviendo o manipulando objetos, caminando, corriendo o trepando, y utilizando diversas formas de transporte". La fisioterapia se centra en la evaluación y el tratamiento de los problemas de movimiento. La determinación del estado de movilidad es un componente central de la evaluación de la salud de los adultos mayores, ya que es un marcador importante de las capacidades físicas y la independencia, y un predictor de morbilidad y mortalidad. Sin embargo, a la fecha no disponemos de escalas que representen el grado de movilidad del paciente con algún tipo de imagen visual que facilite su documentación de forma rápida y fiable por parte de cualquier profesional sanitario que trabaje en el ámbito de la hospitalización. Por estas razones, desarrollamos una escala de movilidad intuitiva basada en iconos que es fácil de administrar en pacientes hospitalizados en diferentes entornos. La escala de movilidad ProMover proporciona a los profesionales de la salud una herramienta unificada para evaluar la movilidad de los pacientes hospitalizados, con el fin de unificar un lenguaje común. Se trata de una herramienta sencilla, práctica, fiable y objetiva y de uso común por todos los profesionales sanitarios.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Argentine breast cancer prevention campaigns disseminated by still images on social networks during October 2019. / Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de las campañas argentinas de prevención de cáncer de mama difundidas mediante imágenes fijas en redes sociales durante octubre del 2019.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively document the degree of compliance of institutional messages broadcast on social networks with the recommendations of the National Cancer Institute (INC) in Argentina during October 2019, in the context of breast cancer prevention campaigns, and to qualitatively analyze the pictorial and textual elements that make up their dissemination pieces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of 171 dissemination pieces issued during October 2019 by 54 institutions, based on the evaluation of their compliance with INC recommendations, the description of the main discordant recommendations (quantitative analysis) and the qualitative analysis of 30 pieces. RESULTS: None of the issued messages mentioned potential screening harms. Only the messages of the National Ministry of Health complied completely with the INC recommendations, while the remaining ones recommended mammograms at younger ages or at shorter intervals. Breast self-examination was the most frequent recommendation among those who didn't comply. The images of female bodies linked to common stereotypes of sex and beauty, and paternalistic discourses appealing to fear and guilt were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: The messages broadcasted in the analyzed diffusion pieces did not comply with the INC recommendations, despite the fact that the latter are supported by scientific evidence. On the other hand, the messages reinforce sex and beauty stereotypes, guilt and the medical-hegemonic model.

OBJETIVOS.: Documentar cuantitativamente el grado de concordancia con las recomendaciones del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (INC) de los mensajes institucionales emitidos en redes sociales de Argentina durante octubre de 2019, en el contexto de las campañas de prevención del cáncer mamario, y analizar cualitativamente los elementos icónicos y textuales que conforman sus piezas de difusión. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de 171 piezas de difusión emitidas durante octubre de 2019 por 54 instituciones, a partir de la evaluación de su concordancia con las recomendaciones del INC, la descripción de las principales recomendaciones discordantes (análisis cuantitativo) y el análisis cualitativo de 30 piezas. RESULTADOS.: Ninguno de los mensajes emitidos mencionó potenciales daños del tamizaje. Solamente los del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación fueron totalmente concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, mientras que los restantes recomendaban realizar mamografías a edades más tempranas o a intervalos más breves. El autoexamen mamario fue la recomendación más frecuente entre las discordantes. Predominaron las imágenes de cuerpos femeninos vinculadas con los estereotipos predominantes de género y belleza, y los discursos paternalistas que apelan al miedo y a la culpa. CONCLUSIONES.: Los mensajes emitidos en las piezas de difusión analizadas no fueron concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, a pesar de que estas últimas están respaldadas por evidencia científica. Por otro lado, los mensajes refuerzan los estereotipos de género y belleza, la culpa y el modelo médico-hegemónico.

Lung donation and donor lung management: a survey among health care professionals in Argentina. / Doação de pulmão e manejo do doador: um levantamento entre profissionais de saúde na Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To describe health care providers' knowledge about lung donation and donor lung management. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study based on an anonymous survey was conducted between March and September 2018 among health care professionals registered to Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. RESULTS: Of the 736 respondents, the mean age was 40.5 years (standard deviation 8.9), and 61.3% were female. Sixty percent were physicians, 21.5% were nurses, and 17.9% were physiotherapists. Seventy-eight percent considered themselves appropriately informed about organ procurement, and 79.8% stated that they knew potential organ donor critical care management. The lung donor criteria were answered correctly by 71.3% of the respondents. However, after the donor's brain death, 51% made no changes to ventilator parameters, 22.9% were not aware of which parameters to reprogram, and 44.5% selected tidal volume of 6 - 8mL/kg and positive end expiratory pressure of 5cmH2O. For 85% of the health care providers, the type of apnea test chosen was disconnection from the ventilator, and only 18.5% used a lung management protocol. The most frequent interventions used in the case of arterial oxygen partial pressure/fractional inspired oxygen < 300 were positive end expiratory pressure titration, closed-circuit endotracheal suctioning, and recruitment maneuvers. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals surveyed in Argentina correctly answered most of the questions related to lung donor criteria. However, they lacked detailed knowledge about ventilatory settings, ventilatory strategies, and protocols for lung donors. Educational programs are key to optimizing multiorgan donation and should be focused on protecting the donor lungs to increase the numbers of organs available for transplantation.

OBJETIVO: Descrever o conhecimento de profissionais de saúde relacionado com doação de pulmão e manejo do doador. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo descritivo, transversal, com base em levantamento anônimo conduzido entre março e setembro de 2019 envolvendo profissionais de saúde registrados na Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 736 participantes, a média de idade foi de 30,5 anos (desvio-padrão de 8,9), sendo 61,3% do sexo feminino. Dentre os participantes, 60% eram médicos, 21,5% enfermeiros e 17,9% fisioterapeutas. Dentre os participantes, 68% se consideravam adequadamente informados com relação à procura de órgãos, e 79,8% afirmaram estar cientes do manejo de um potencial doador sob terapia intensiva. Os critérios relativos a um doador de pulmão foram respondidos corretamente por 71,3% dos participantes. Entretanto, após a morte cerebral do doador, 51% dos participantes não fariam modificações nos parâmetros de ventilação mecânica, 22,9% não sabiam quais parâmetros reprogramar, e 44,5% escolheriam um volume corrente de 6 - 8mL/kg e pressão positiva expiratória final de 5cmH2O. Para 85% dos profissionais de saúde, o tipo de teste de apneia escolhido foi desconexão do ventilador, e apenas 18,5% utilizariam um protocolo de controle. As intervenções mais frequentemente utilizadas no caso de pressão parcial de oxigênio/fração inspirada de oxigênio < 300 foram titulação da pressão positiva expiratória final, aspiração traqueal em circuito fechado e manobras de recrutamento. CONCLUSÃO: Os profissionais de saúde que participaram deste levantamento na Argentina responderam corretamente à maior parte das questões relacionadas aos critérios para o doador de pulmão. Contudo, faltou-lhes um conhecimento detalhado relativo aos parâmetros ventilatórios, às estratégias ventilatórias e aos protocolos para doadores de pulmão. Programas educacionais são fundamentais para otimizar a doação de múltiplos órgãos e devem focalizar a proteção dos pulmões do doador, com objetivo de incrementar o número de órgãos disponíveis para transplante.

Reporting Complications in Spinal Surgery-a Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Many efforts are expended to improve health care quality in the surgical treatment of spinal conditions. However, the prevalence of reporting complications in spinal surgeries is highly heterogeneous, which is partially due to the lack of a universal and comprehensive system. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed in 5 international and indexed spine journals from January to December 2020. All clinical studies that had surgical procedures in any spinal region were classified according to level of evidence, study design, category of spinal condition, and primary outcome. The prevalence and quality of complication reporting were evaluated through a checklist. RESULTS: Of 455 articles screened, complications were reported in 64.2% (292 articles). A significant higher prevalence of reports was observed in randomized compared with nonrandomized studies (P < 0.05). In 89 articles, at least 1 classification was used to report complications, with 12 different classification systems employed in the total sample. Timing to record complications was as follows: 47 (16.1%) articles reported complications at 30 days, 31 (10.6%) reported complications at 90 days, and 88 (30.1%) reported complications during all follow-ups. In 126 (43.1%) articles, complications were not mentioned. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-third of spine surgical studies did not report complications in their results despite reporting clinical outcomes. The evidence quality of the study was directly related with the reporting of complications. A high heterogeneity regarding complication reporting was seen in the literature.