Study to develop a waiting list prioritization score for varicose vein surgery.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop a clear-cut, objective system for prioritization of patients on the waiting list for varicose vein surgery, to enable organization of access to the health service. METHODS: During earlier phases, we selected which variables should be taken into account for the prioritization scale, such as clinical presentation, varicose vein size, complications, work situation, and influence on quality of life. In the last phase, to determine the relative weight of each variable, structured surveys (personal interviews or by e-mail) were performed of the convenience samples from the groups related to the healthcare process, including patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. RESULTS: The structured survey we utilized was administered to a sample of 762 subjects that included 290 patients, 99 relatives, 179 general practitioners, 32 nurses, and 162 vascular surgeons. The final score included clinical manifestations (46.1% of relative importance), size of the varicose veins (8.2%), complications (18.3%), influence on quality of life (18.2%), and aggravating work factors (9.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The prioritization system agreed upon by all the groups involved could allow for objective and transparent prioritization and lead to the rationalization of access to varicose vein surgery for patients on the waiting list.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic venous disease in patients seen in primary care in Spain: results of the international study Vein Consult Program.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and management of chronic venous disease (CVD) in patients seen at primary care clinics PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried-out in Spain by 999 primary care physicians. They recruited 20 consecutive patients who were attending their clinics for any reason except for a medical emergency. The following Information was collected: demographic data, CVD risk factors, physical examination, clinical characteristics of the CVD and how it was managed. RESULTS: 19,800 patients were included, predominantly women (63%), with a mean age of 53.7 ± 20 years. The prevalence of CVD (CEAP categories C1 to C6) was 48.5% (95% CI, 47.8 to 49.2), significantly higher in women (58.5%; 95% CI, 57.6 to 59.4) than in men (32.1%; 95% CI, 31.0 to 33.1). The greater the age the higher the prevalence and the more advanced the CVD. Ninety-nine percent of the patients required some form of treatment, with a greater proportion among women (72% vs. 39%, P<.0001). Sclerotherapy, endothermal ablation or surgery was required by 4% of the patients. Referral to the specialist was considered for 7% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Chronic venous disease is highly prevalent among patients seen at primary care clinics in Spain, especially in women and elderly patients. Referral to a specialist and/or the use of the more invasive treatment procedures is uncommon.

Age-adjusted D-dimer for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Objective In the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, new D-dimer cut-off values were defined by multiplying 10 µg/L × age. The objective of the present study is to define a more specific age-adjusted value, including the pre-test Wells score, without worsening sensitivity. Methods We designed a case-control study in patients attended in the emergency department with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis. Demographics, Wells score, D-dimer and ultrasound data were collected. In low and intermediate clinical probability cases for deep vein thrombosis, we determined the specificity and sensitivity (false-negative rates) for the following cut-off values of D-dimer: age × 10 µg/L, age × 15 µg/L, age × 20 µg/L, age × 25 µg/L and age × 30 µg/L. The cut-off value with maximum specificity without any false-negative result (sensitivity 100%) was identified. Results We included 138 consecutive patients, 39.9% were men and the mean age was 71.6 years. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 16.7% of patients and the Wells score was low in 69.6%, intermediate in 21% and high in 9.4% of patients. Applying the conventional cut-off value of 500 µg/L, the specificity was 21.1% with a sensitivity of 100%. Maintaining 100% sensitivity, the highest specificity was reached with a cut-off value for D-dimer equivalent to the age × 25 µg/L in low-risk patients (67.1% specificity) and the age × 10 µg/L (50% specificity) in intermediate-risk patients. Conclusions In patients with low Wells score, the cut-off value can be raised to age × 25 µg/L in order to rule out deep vein thrombosis without jeopardizing safety. In intermediate-risk patients, the D-dimer cut-off value could be raised to age × 10 µg/L as previously suggested.

Negative impact of deep venous thrombosis on chronic venous disease.

INTRODUCTION: There are several conditions that may cause chronic venous disease (CVD). It is not known whether the aetiology of CVD can predict disease severity and quality of life (QoL). Our objective is that the severity and QoL of patients with CVD secondary to DVT is different from those without prior DVT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compare patients with CVD caused by DVT (n=125) and patients with non-DVT CVD (n=1435) with respect to disease severity (CEAP and Venous Clinical Severity Score-VCSS) and quality of life (Health Survey Short-Form-SF12 y Chronic Lower Limb Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire-CIVIQ20). RESULTS: Regarding to non-thrombotic CVD, patients with CVD due to DVT showed more severe disease [C6 grade (14.4% vs 3.6%) (p<0.05); score VCSS (1,33±0,65 vs 0,84±0,49) (p<0.05)] and poorer QoL [global score CIVIQ-20 (57,84±15,57 vs 65,75±14,07) (p<0.05); global score SF-12 (45,98±18,79 vs 57,79±19,64) (p<0.05).]. These differences remained statistical significant in all parameters - attributed measured at each severity score and QoL questionnaires. CONCLUSION: A history of DVT leads to worse clinical severity and quality of life in CVD patients. These data support even more the need to implement programs to prevent DVT and/or its evolutionary consequences.

Prevalencia y características clínicas de la enfermedad venosa crónica en pacientes atendidos en Atención Primaria en España: resultados del estudio internacional Vein Consult Program / Prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic venous disease in patients seen in primary care in Spain: Results of the international study Vein Consult Program

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de la enfermedad venosa crónica (EVC), sus características clínicas y la conducta terapéutica ante estos pacientes en Atención Primaria. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado en España por 999 médicos de Atención Primaria que debían reclutar a 20 pacientes consecutivos que acudieran a su consulta, de forma programada, por cualquier motivo. Se recogieron datos demográficos, factores de riesgo y datos clínicos de la ECV, exploración física que permitiera su categorización de acuerdo con la clasificación Clínica-Etiología-Anatomía-Patofisiología (CEAP), y la atención terapéutica recomendada. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 19.800 pacientes con una edad media ± desviación estándar de 53,7 ± 20) años y con predominio de mujeres (63%). La prevalencia de EVC (categorías CEAP C1 a C6) fue del 48,5% (IC del 95%, 47,8 a 49,2), significativamente superior en mujeres (58,5%; IC del 95%, 57,6 a 59,4) respecto de los hombres (32,1%; IC del 95%, 31,0 a 33,1). La ECV era más prevalente y avanzada según se incrementaba la edad de los pacientes. En el 59% de los pacientes se consideró necesario instaurar algún tratamiento, siendo más frecuente en mujeres que en hombres (72% vs. 39%, p < 0,0001). La recomendación de escleroterapia, ablación endotérmica o cirugía constituyó el 4% de todas las recomendaciones, y en un 7% se consideró necesaria la derivación al especialista. CONCLUSIONES: La EVC es altamente prevalente en pacientes atendidos en Atención Primaria en España, especialmente en mujeres y en edades más avanzadas. La derivación al especialista o la utilización de los tratamientos más invasivos es infrecuente

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and management of chronic venous disease (CVD) in patients seen at primary care clinics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried-out in Spain by 999 primary care physicians. They recruited 20 consecutive patients who were attending their clinics for any reason except for a medical emergency. The following Information was collected: demographic data, CVD risk factors, physical examination, clinical characteristics of the CVD and how it was managed. RESULTS: 19,800 patients were included, predominantly women (63%), with a mean age of 53.7 ± 20 years. The prevalence of CVD (CEAP categories C1 to C6) was 48.5% (95% CI, 47.8 to 49.2), significantly higher in women (58.5%; 95% CI, 57.6 to 59.4) than in men (32.1%; 95% CI, 31.0 to 33.1). The greater the age the higher the prevalence and the more advanced the CVD. Ninety-nine percent of the patients required some form of treatment, with a greater proportion among women (72% vs. 39%, P<.0001). Sclerotherapy, endothermal ablation or surgery was required by 4% of the patients. Referral to the specialist was considered for 7% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Chronic venous disease is highly prevalent among patients seen at primary care clinics in Spain, especially in women and elderly patients. Referral to a specialist and/or the use of the more invasive treatment procedures is uncommon

Eficacia de la monoterapia con piperacilina-tazobactam en las infecciones del pie diabético / The effectiveness of piperacillin-tazobactam monotherapy in diabetic foot infections

Introducción. Las infecciones en el pie diabético constituyen un motivo habitual de consulta para los especialistas quirúrgicos y son en la actualidad el motivo más frecuente por el que los diabéticos ingresan en los hospitales, así como la causa principal de amputación no traumática. Objetivo. Estas infecciones son frecuentemente polimicrobianas, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio ha sido evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad de un antibiótico de amplio espectro como la piperacilina-tazobactam en pacientes con infecciones graves del pie diabético. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio multicéntrico y prospectivo en donde 150 pacientes con infecciones del pie diabético recibieron piperacilina-tazobactam como tratamiento antibiótico. Resultados. La evolución clínica fue favorable en un 92,3% de los pacientes y la eficacia microbiológica obtenida al final del tratamiento fue del 89,9%. Se presentaron reacciones adversas al tratamiento en 10 pacientes (6,6%), y 84 necesitaron amputación (56%); se realizaron amputaciones menores en 78 enfermos y mayores en 6. Conclusiones. La eficacia clínica y microbiológica, junto con la escasez de efectos adversos presentados, hace de la piperacilina-tazobactam una alternativa eficaz en el manejo de estas infecciones

Introduction. Infections of the diabetic foot are a common reason for consulting surgical specialists, and are currently the most common cause of admission to hospital for diabetics and the main cause of non-traumatic amputation. Aim. These infections are often polymicrobial, therefore the objective of the present study has been to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with severe infections of the diabetic foot. Patients and methods. Multi-centre, prospective study in which 150 patients with diabetic foot infection received piperacillin-tazobactam as antibiotic therapy. Results. Clinical outcome was favourable in 92.3% of patients and the microbiological efficacy obtained at the end of treatment was 89.9%. There were adverse reactions to treatment in 10 patients (6.6%) and 84 patients required amputation (56%), with minor amputations performed in 78 patients and major amputations in 6 patients. Conclusions. The clinical and microbiological efficacy and the lack of adverse events make piperacillin-tazobactam an efficacious alternative in the management of these infections