[Internet as an information source for health in primary care patients and its influence on the physician-patient relationship]. / Internet como fuente de información sobre salud en pacientes de atención primaria y su influencia en la relación médico-paciente.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the Internet by primary care patients to seek health related information, understand how they are influenced by this information, and evaluate its impact on the doctor-patient relationship. DESIGN: Cross sectional study, through self-administered survey. SETTING: One urban health center in Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 323 questionnaires were collected from patients between 14 and 75 years old who attended a physician's office for any reason, excluding illiterate patients and those with neurological or psychiatric problems preventing them from completing the survey. MEASUREMENTS: Internet usage, ability of the internet to clarify doubts regarding health issues, patient lifestyle changes, socio-demographic variables, and physician's receptivity to the use of internet by patients. RESULTS: 61% (CI95%: 56%-67%) of patients used the Internet as a source of health information: Internet queries were able to address health doubts in 92.4% of users, 53.5% reported that the Internet changed their thinking about their health in at least one instance, 30% made behavioral changes (of which 60.1% discussed these changes with their physician), 44.3% had more questions at the physician's office, and 80.8% believe that the doctor would be willing to talk about the information found on the internet. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Internet to find information about health is very common, with positive influence on physician-patient relationship. This may be useful for achieving behavioral changes in patients and can be used as a tool in medical practice.

Enuresis: clinical evolution of patients attended at specialized unit of paediatric urology.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical evolution, the therapeutic strategies and the characteristics of the patients presenting enuresis attended at our outpatient clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients <14 years old(yo) diagnosed of enuresis attended at our outpatient clinic (2011-2019) and completed their follow-up (remission or aged 15). Urotherapy was offered to all patients as initial management. The therapeutic strategies were classified as: first line (desmopressin or clock alarm), second line (desmo-pressin+alarm) and third line(anticholinergics). The remission rate during follow-up, the number of consultations needed until remission and the treatments used were calculated. Statistical tests used:Kaplan-Meier, actuarial survival. Multivariate analysis:Cox regression.Statistical significance:p<0.05. RESULTS: Data were collected from 125 patients (mean age: 8.6±2.45yo). Family history of enuresis was present in 38.9%. The mean follow-up was 2.37±1.55yo and the average number of consultations was 7.54±5.06. The remission rate (RE) was 84%(n=105), with a median remission interval:2.66 years (2.34-2.991[95%CI]). The average number of treatments required for remission was 2.74±1.27. RE with urotherapy alone was 20%(n=25); RE with first line:19.3%(n=17) and second line:16.7(n=11). In the remaining patients, a RE of 78.18%(n=43) was achieved by adding an anticholinergic. Patients aged > 8.7 years at the beginning of the follow-up required less time to achieve remission (p=.025). These patients had a higher RE (hazard ratio 1.15 (1.05-1.25))(p=.004). No other variables were significant. CONCLUSION: Staged therapeutic strategies are necessary to achieve remission. Only 25% remitted with urotherapy as single treatment. RE are higher when patients are >8.7 yo once they initiate their follow up.

Analysis of the Predictive Capacity of the Clinical Variables That Indicate the Performance of Voiding Urosonography in the Study of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Voiding urosonography (VUS) is a dynamic imaging technique which evaluates the lower urinary tract by introducing sonographic contrast into the bladder, preferably used in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Our goals were to describe the clinical indications for performing a VUS for VUR's diagnosis and analyse its diagnostic reliability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried on patients under 15 years old with a VUS taken between November 2013-2020. Sex, age, indications (lower urinary tract infection-LUTI; dilatated lower urinary tract-DLUT; duplex collecting system-DCS), results (presence/absence of VUR, score and side) and complications were analysed. U Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared tests were used and 2 predictive capacity models for the indications used to detect VUR were employed (logistic binomial regression and multilayer perceptron neural network). Statistical significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: 415 VUS were completed correctly (male 51.8%, median age 7.3 (3.1-15.3) months). Indications were: LUTI (67.5%), DLUT (33.5%) and DCS (10.2%); presenting 1, 2 and 3 indications in 86.5%, 12.8% and 0.7% respectively. VUR was diagnosed in 34.7% cases. A tendency towards statistically significance was showed related to male sex (p = 0.052) and the only significative clinical indication for VUR was DCS (p = 0.007). Patients with 2 simultaneous indications had higher probability of VUR (p = 0.012). DCS presence or male sex were the only predictive variables of VUR: DCS = OR 1.89 (1.54-6.52) (p = 0.006) and male sex = OR 1.56 (1.03-2.35) (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: VUS is a thriving technique, radiation free and with a low complications rate. Presence of DCS, male sex or 2 simultaneous indications for VUS increase the probability of presenting VUR.

Eighteen years of experience with pediatric nutcracker syndrome: the importance of the conservative approach.

INTRODUCTION: Nutcracker syndrome (NS) defines an entity generated by the compression of the left renal vein resulting in venous hypertension, which transmitted in a retrograde direction may cause hematuria, proteinuria, and varicocele. The literature concerning exclusively pediatric patients is very rare. OBJECTIVE: To report the authors' experience with pediatric NS in the last 18 years. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of the patients followed up in the authors' center with diagnosis of NS based on clinical and imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, and phlebography). The primary outcome was the success of the conservative approach in the study patients. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 21 patients were diagnosed with NS and followed up for a mean period of 52.3 months (37.1-67.5). The mean age at diagnosis was 11.7 years (9.9-13.4). The most frequent symptom of presentation was hematuria in 16 patients (76.2%), being macroscopic in 75% patients and related to physical exercise in 42.9% patients. Other symptoms were left varicocele in 7 patients (33%) and proteinuria in 6 patients (28.6%). Mild to moderate cases received conservative treatment (change of physical activity, postural hygiene), which achieved resolution of symptoms in 16 patients (76.2%). Five cases (23.8%) finally needed a more aggressive approach. Two (9.5%) of them required endovascular procedures (intravascular stent in the renal vein in 1 case and embolization of the spermatic vein in 1 case); in one (4.8%) of the patients, transposition of the left renal vein and kidney autotransplantation were performed, and 2 (9.5%) of the patients with mild cases required surgical correction of the varicocele. CONCLUSIONS: Hematuria, usually macroscopic and related to physical exercise, is the most frequent symptom in pediatric patients with NS. The authors advocate studying the aortomesenteric junction by abdominal ultrasound in patients with varicocele or with intermittent macroscopic hematuria. Diagnosis is based on non-invasive tests; phlebography should be reserved for severe cases that require an interventionist attitude. A long period of conservative treatment is the first approach for pediatric patients with NS.

Endoscopic Cauterization with Pneumatic Distension for Piriform Fossa Sinus Tracts.

INTRODUCTION: Piriform fossa sinus tracts (PFSTs) are a cause of recurrent neck infections in the pediatric population. Conventional management required open resection, but over the last years minimally invasive approaches have been reported in an attempt to endoscopically obliterate the PFST, using different methods such as electrocautery, laser, trichloroacetic acid, or silver nitrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of the medical records of 12 children (aged 4 months to 14 years) with PFSTs treated with endoscopic sclerosis with diathermy (ESD) between 2010 and 2016 at a tertiary care children's hospital. We also present a technical modification of ESD, using continuous infusion of airflow through the gastroscopy, to distend the piriform sinus and facilitate its recognition. PFST obliteration was performed using diathermy through a guide wire. RESULTS: Clinical presentation of the 12 affected children included neck tumor (7 [58%]), neck abscesses (4 [33%]), and thyroiditis (5 [41%]). All lesions occurred on the left side. All patients underwent both ultrasonography and barium esophagography (the latter being positive only in 50%). Two patients were treated with ESD after the open approach had failed. There was no procedure-related morbidity. One patient had a recurrence (positive barium swallow without symptoms). The success rate of this procedure in our series was 91% with one attempt and 100% with two attempts. CONCLUSION: In our experience, treatment of PFST with ESD is a reproducible, noninvasive, and an effective option. ESD could be considered a primary approach and also for revision after open surgery has failed in these patients.

Analysis of the Predictive Capacity of the Clinical Variables That Indicate the Performance of Voiding Urosonography in the Study of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children

Introduction: Voiding urosonography (VUS) is a dynamic imaging technique which evaluates the lower urinary tract by introducing sonographic contrast into the bladder, preferably used in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Our goals were to describe the clinical indications for performing a VUS for VUR’s diagnosis and analyse its diagnostic reliability. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study carried on patients under 15 years old with a VUS taken between November 2013-2020. Sex, age, indications (lower urinary tract infection—LUTI; dilatated lower urinary tract—DLUT; duplex collecting system—DCS), results (presence/absence of VUR, score and side) and complications were analysed. U Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared tests were used and 2 predictive capacity models for the indications used to detect VUR were employed (logistic binomial regression and multilayer perceptron neural network). Statistical significance p < 0.05. Results: 415 VUS were completed correctly (male 51.8%, median age 7.3 (3.1-15.3) months). Indications were: LUTI (67.5%), DLUT (33.5%) and DCS (10.2%); presenting 1, 2 and 3 indications in 86.5%, 12.8% and 0.7% respectively. VUR was diagnosed in 34.7% cases. A tendency towards statistically significance was showed related to male sex (p = 0.052) and the only significative clinical indication for VUR was DCS (p = 0.007). Patients with 2 simultaneous indications had higher probability of VUR (p = 0.012). DCS presence or male sex were the only predictive variables of VUR: DCS = OR 1.89 (1.54-6.52) (p = 0.006) and male sex = OR 1.56 (1.03-2.35) (p = 0.035). Conclusions: VUS is a thriving technique, radiation free and with a low complications rate. Presence of DCS, male sex or 2 simultaneous indications for VUS increase the probability of presenting VUR (AU)

Internet como fuente de información sobre salud en pacientes de atención primaria y su influencia en la relación médico-paciente / Internet as an information source for health in primary care patients and its influence on the physician-patient relationship

Objetivo: Describir el uso que hacen los pacientes de atención primaria para buscar información sobre salud en internet, conocer cómo les influye esta información y su impacto en la relación médico-paciente. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante encuesta autoadministrada. Emplazamiento: Un centro de salud urbano de Madrid. Participantes: Se recogieron 323 cuestionarios de pacientes entre 14 y 75 años que acudieran a la consulta por cualquier motivo, excepto pacientes analfabetos o con problemas neurológicos o psiquiátricos que les impidieran contestar la encuesta. Mediciones principales: Uso de internet, utilidad, respuesta a dudas de salud, cambios de estilo de vida, variables sociodemográficas, receptividad del médico al uso de internet. Resultados: El 61% (IC95%: 56-67%) han usado internet como fuente de información sobre salud. Internet respondió a las dudas de salud en el 92,4% de los usuarios de internet; el 53,5% refirieron que alguna vez internet cambió su forma de pensar sobre su salud y el 30% realizaron algún cambio de comportamiento, comentándolos con su médico el 60,1%; el 44,3% refirieron hacer más preguntas en consulta y el 80,8% creen que su médico estaría dispuesto a conversar acerca de la información encontrada en internet. Conclusiones: El uso de internet para consultar información sobre salud es muy frecuente, con influencia positiva en la relación médico-paciente. Puede ser útil para lograr cambios de comportamiento y usarlo como un aliado en nuestra consulta(AU)

Objective: To describe the use of the Internet by primary care patients to seek health related information, understand how they are influenced by this information, and evaluate its impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Design: Cross sectional study, through self-administered survey. Setting: One urban health center in Madrid. Participants: A total of 323 questionnaires were collected from patients between 14 and 75 years old who attended a physician's office for any reason, excluding illiterate patients and those with neurological or psychiatric problems preventing them from completing the survey. Measurements: Internet usage, ability of the internet to clarify doubts regarding health issues, patient lifestyle changes, socio-demographic variables, and physician's receptivity to the use of internet by patients.Results61% (CI95%: 56%-67%) of patients used the Internet as a source of health information: Internet queries were able to address health doubts in 92.4% of users, 53.5% reported that the Internet changed their thinking about their health in at least one instance, 30% made behavioral changes (of which 60.1% discussed these changes with their physician), 44.3% had more questions at the physician's office, and 80.8% believe that the doctor would be willing to talk about the information found on the internet. Conclusions: Using the Internet to find information about health is very common, with positive influence on physician-patient relationship. This may be useful for achieving behavioral changes in patients and can be used as a tool in medical practice(AU)