Chronic viral hepatitis C micro-elimination program using telemedicine. The Mexican experience.

BACKGROUND: hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. Chronic infection induces the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis together with all the related complications. The use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has proven highly effective. Telemedicine is a present-day resource that brings treatment closer to distant areas and may result in cost savings. OBJECTIVE: to implement a microelimination program for HCV using DAAs with the support of a telemedicine program to minimize expenses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the program was developed at the Medical Services department of Petróleos Mexicanos (SMPM) with a national coverage; patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C were included. These were classified into locals and outsiders. Treatment for foreign patients was indicated, monitored and completed via telemedicine. Thus, avoiding their travel to the country's capital city, in order to save on transportation costs and travel allowances. RESULTS: a total of 136 patients, 74 locals and 62 outsiders, participated in the study. Transfer was avoided for 62 patients (45.5 %), which meant that telemedicine resulted in savings of 3,176.20 USD per patient, with overall savings of 196,924.40 USD from cost minimization. A total of 30 patients remained untreated due to lack of medication, hence the coverage amounted to 86 %. Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 99 % of cases. Only two patients had treatment failure. Adverse events included headache and fatigue in 5 % of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: with the aid of a telemedicine approach, significant savings were achieved by minimizing costs, since nearly half of patients were outsiders. Coverage reached 86 % and treatment with DAAs was successful for 99 % of our cases.

Overweight and obesity as poor prognostic factors in locally advanced breast cancer patients.

Obesity and overweight are established risk factors for the development of breast cancer. They are also associated with poor prognosis for higher risk of disease recurrence and lower overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of overweight and obesity in OS in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This is a retrospective analysis that included 819 patients diagnosed with LABC between January 2004 and December 2008. The patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) based on anthracyclines, taxanes, or both, followed by surgery. For comparison, patients were divided into the normal weight (NW) group or the overweight/obesity (OW/OB) group. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 74 %. General characteristics of the patients, including age, tumor size, clinical stage, nuclear grade, hormone receptors, and HER2 expression, were similar between both groups. At a median follow-up of 28 months, we found a statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups, achieving a 91.5 % in NW patients versus 85.9 % in the OW/OB group (P = 0.050). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity was an independent factor for poor prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 1.79 (95 % CI (Confidence Interval) 1.09-2.96; P = 0.022). This is the first Mexican study that confirms the role of OW/OB as a risk factor for poor outcome among patients with LABC. Obesity in our country is a public health problem and requires strong preventive intervention strategies for its control, especially among patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Long-term efficacy of anti-CD20 antibodies in refractory lupus nephritis.

Eight patients with refractory lupus nephritis received rituximab after failing standard sequential therapy and were followed for 104 weeks after the infusion. One patient died secondary to a complicated pregnancy but had stable renal function. Three patients received a re-infusion of rituximab approximately 12 months apart due to a renal flare; during the second year of follow-up, those patients progressed toward ESRD. The four remaining patients demonstrated improvements in SLEDAI score, CrCl, and proteinuria with maintenance of their standard immunosuppressive therapy and did not require a re-infusion of rituximab. Although rituximab as induction therapy for refractory lupus nephritis has been shown to have a good response, its efficacy in long-term assessments demonstrates disappointing results.

[Association between influenza vaccination and mortality due to COVID-19]. / Asociación entre la vacunación contra influenza y la mortalidad por COVID-19.

Background: It has recently been suggested that influenza vaccination may be a factor associated with decreased COVID-19 mortality. Methods: An age-matched case-control study based on hospital cases. We included subjects aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of moderate to severe COVID-19. Infection was corroborated by RT-PCR test for SARS-COV-2. Deceased subjects were considered cases, controls were patients discharged due to improvement of acute symptoms. We used bivariate analysis to determine factors associated with death from COVID-19, and calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 560 patients were included in the study, 214 (38.2%) were considered cases and 346 (61.7%) controls. A significant difference was observed with the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus [54% vs. 39.3% between cases and controls, respectively (p=.04)] and having received influenza vaccination (p= .02). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with higher COVID-19 mortality [OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.2-2.5) p=.01], whereas having been immunised against influenza in 2019 was associated with lower mortality in this group of patients [OR .6 (95% CI .4-.9) p=.02]. Conclusions: Influenza vaccination in the previous year appears to be associated with lower mortality from COVID-19; whereas type 2 diabetes mellitus is confirmed as a condition associated with higher mortality.

Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir in Mexican patients with hepatitis C: A retrospective review.

INTRODUCTION: The sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination is a direct-acting antiviral therapy that is authorized and available in Mexico, making the performance of a real-world multicenter study that evaluates the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment a relevant undertaking. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case records of 241 patients seen at 20 hospitals in Mexico was conducted to assess hepatitis C treatment with the SOF/VEL combination (n = 231) and the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/ribavirin (SOF/VEL/RBV) combination (n = 10). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients that achieved SVR at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Overall SVR was 98.8% (95% CI 97.35-100%). Only three patients did not achieve SVR, two of whom had cirrhosis and a history of previous treatment with peg-IFN. Of the subgroups analyzed, all the patients with HIV coinfection, three patients with genotype 3, and the patients treated with the SOF/VEL/RBV combination achieved SVR. The subgroups with the lower success rates were patients that were treatment-experienced (96.8%) and patients with F1 fibrosis (95.5%). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, headache, and insomnia. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Treatments with SOF/VEL and SOF/VEL/RBV were highly safe and effective, results coinciding with those of other international real-world studies.

Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir in Mexican patients with hepatitis C: A retrospective review. / Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir en pacientes mexicanos con hepatitis C: una revisión retrospectiva.

INTRODUCTION: The sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination is a direct-acting antiviral therapy that is authorized and available in Mexico, making the performance of a real-world multicenter study that evaluates the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment a relevant undertaking. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case records of 241 patients seen at 20 hospitals in Mexico was conducted to assess hepatitis C treatment with the SOF/VEL combination (n = 231) and the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/ribavirin (SOF/VEL/RBV) combination (n = 10). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients that achieved SVR at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Overall SVR was 98.8% (95% CI 97.35-100%). Only three patients did not achieve SVR, two of whom had cirrhosis and a history of previous treatment with peg-IFN. Of the subgroups analyzed, all the patients with HIV coinfection, three patients with genotype 3, and the patients treated with the SOF/VEL/RBV combination achieved SVR. The subgroups with the lower success rates were patients that were treatment-experienced (96.8%) and patients with F1 fibrosis (95.5%). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, headache, and insomnia. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Treatments with SOF/VEL and SOF/VEL/RBV were highly safe and effective, results coinciding with those of other international real-world studies.

Mucormycosis complications in systemic lupus erythematosus.

This case involved a 75-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. Two months previously, she had a flare that was treated successfully by increasing the dosages of prednisone and azathioprine. A sudden onset of ocular pain, diplopia, and loss of vision suggestive of optical neuritis or vascular involvement confused the issue, and rhinocerebral zygomycosis was demonstrated later. We review the presentations of this fungal infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with emphasis on its initial features.

Fat embolism syndrome secondary to injection of large amounts of soft tissue filler in the gluteal area.

There are no reports in the literature of an association between soft tissue filler (STF) injection and fat embolism syndrome (FES). The authors present the case of a 26-year-old woman who was injected in the gluteal area with approximately 200 cc of STF on each side for aesthetic purposes. After this procedure, she presented with the triad of hypoxemia, neurological impairment, and petechiae consistent with the diagnosis of FES. After advanced support measures, she recovered completely. This article reviews the presence of FES after a cosmetic procedure with STF.

[Bacterial drug resistance and etiology of non-complicated urinary tract infections]. / Patrones de resistencia antimicrobiana y etiología en infecciones urinarias no complicadas.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is associated with morbidity, mortality, and an increase in cost. Our objective was to assess bacterial resistance from cultures of patients with non-complicated urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: We analyzed antibiotic resistance using the VITEK-II system among patients attending the internal medicine unit with non-complicated UTI. RESULTS: 1,479 urine cultures were performed; we excluded: 98 due to contamination, 924 had no bacterial growth, and 57 had missing data. Among the 404 samples that were positive, 240 were found among out patients and 164 among hospitalized patients. E coli were the most frequent pathogen, followed by Enterococcus, and K pneumonia, in out patients; E coli, P aeruginosa, and fungal infections (23% of cases) in hospitalized patients. Samples with E coli among out patients displayed resistance of 50% to fluoroquinolones and 55% to sulfas. Among hospitalized patients, resistance was observed in 71 and 66% respectively. Resistance to P aeruginosa was 38% for amynoglucosides and carbapenems and 100% for piperacillin; Enterococcus had 50% for fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSION: E. coli is the most common pathogen among UTI patients. We must adapt guidelines to recommend antibiotics and design a comprehensive control program to reduce the high levels of bacterial antibiotic resistance among our population.

Complete atrioventricular block as initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Only a few cases of complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in adult lupus patients have been previously described, but only one as the initial manifestation. A 19-year-old woman who presented with seizures and loss of consciousness, was diagnosed with complete ABV and underwent pacemaker placement. Over the next weeks she developed serositis, joint, cutaneous, and renal involvement; positive antinuclear antibodies and high anti-SSA/Ro titers. This is the second case with AVB as a feature of SLE at onset. A review of previous complete AVB cases of adult SLE patients is presented.

[Diagnostic performance of biliary ultrasound vs. magnetic resonance cholangiogram in patients with recurrent biliary obstruction.]. / Ultrasonido biliar o colangiorresonancia. Comparación de su rendimiento diagnóstico en coledocolitiasis recurrente.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice in patients with previous cholecystectomy requires a precise diagnosis. In the diagnostic algorithm, biliary ultrasound (BUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiogram (MRC) are used, although the accuracy of each method is unknown in our setting. No previous comparison of US and MRC in subjects with cholecystectomy has been made. AIM: To determine diagnostic accuracy of BUS and MRC in patients with recurrent biliary obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography (ERCP) demonstrating recurrent biliary obstruction by stones were included. All patients underwent BUS and MRC. We determined the diagnostic performance of each image study compared with ERCP. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with a mean age of 62.9 +/- 17.3 years-old were included. Sensitivity and specificity of BUS were 0.12 and 0.58, respectively. Figures for MRC were 0.88 and 0.82. Diagnostic agreement between ERCP and MRC was k= 0.66 whereas BUS had a k of only 0.26. DISCUSSION: MRC had good diagnostic performance for recurrent choledocolithiasis. BUS demonstrated lower accuracy compared with previous reports, so should not be considered in the initial approach of recurrent choledocus obstruction.

[Evaluation of postoperative results short and long term of percutaneous liberation vs open technique for trigger finger]. / Evaluación de resultados clínicos postoperatorios a corto y largo plazo de liberación percutánea con aguja vs técnica abierta de dedo en gatillo.

INDRODUCTION: Trigger finger is very common in the population, with a life-threatening risk of developing the disease of 2.6% in the general population and increasing to 4 to 10% in diabetics. Since there is no standard gold of surgical treatment and there is still controversy in this, it is important to evaluate the results of the different surgical techniques. The objective of this study is to evaluate postoperative results of both surgical techniques in patients with follow-up of 1 to 12 months postoperative. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and observational study carried out in a period from January 2015 to December 2017. Postoperative open (group 1) and percutaneous needle (group 2) patients were included. All patients were reviewed and surveyed by telephone. The comparison results of both techniques were analyzed using 2 for parametric results and by the Fisher test for nonparametric results. RESULTS: It was found that patients in group 2 expressed greater satisfaction, where 21.8% (n = 12) were fully satisfied with the percutaneous procedure, unlike those in group 1 where total satisfaction was only manifested at 3.8% (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: In this study we can conclude that both techniques are effective for the treatment of trigger finger, with percutaneous needle release offering the highest degree of satisfaction in patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El dedo en gatillo es muy frecuente en la población, con un riesgo de vida de padecer la enfermedad de 2.6% en la población general y con un aumento de 4 a 10% en diabéticos. Dado que no hay un estándar de oro de tratamiento quirúrgico y aún hay controversia en ello, es importante evaluar los resultados de las distintas técnicas quirúrgicas. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar resultados postoperatorios de ambas técnicas quirúrgicas en pacientes con seguimiento de uno a 12 meses de postoperatorio. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo y observacional realizado en un período de Enero de 2015 a Diciembre de 2017. Se incluyeron pacientes postoperados de liberación con técnica abierta (grupo 1) y percutánea con aguja (grupo 2). Se llevó a cabo la revisión de expedientes de todos los pacientes y se les hizo una encuesta mediante vía telefónica. Los resultados de la comparación de ambas técnicas se analizaron mediante 2 para resultados paramétricos y mediante la prueba de Fisher para los no paramétricos. RESULTADOS: Se encontró que los pacientes del grupo 2 manifestaron mayor satisfacción, de los cuales 21.8% (n = 12) estuvieron totalmente satisfechos con el procedimiento percutáneo, a diferencia de los del grupo 1 quienes manifestaron satisfacción total sólo en 3.8% (n = 2). CONCLUSIONES: En este estudio podemos concluir que ambas técnicas son efectivas para el tratamiento de dedo en gatillo, siendo la liberación percutánea con aguja la que ofrece mayor grado de satisfacción en los pacientes.

[Factors associated with microalbuminuria in non-hypertensive type-2 diabetes patients]. / Factores asociados con microalbuminuria en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 no hipertensos.

INTRODUCTION: Microalbuminuria is a well known risk factor for renal damage and for cardiovascular disease in type-2 diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anthropometric, laboratory, and diet factors related to the presence of microalbuminuria in non-hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carry-out an assessment of a group of non-hypertensive diabetic patients with or without microalbuminuria. Some anthropometric measures, physical fitness, tobacco and alcohol consumption, creatinine clearance, HbA1c, lipid profile, the mean fast serum glucose levels in last two years, 24 h urine protein, and caloric intake were all measured. RESULTS: From 86 included patients, 19 had microalbuminuria; it was related with the length of diabetes mellitus duration (114 +/- 55 vs. 84 +/- 67 months; p = 0.03), higher HbA1c level (8.9 vs. 7.1%; p = 0.001), and lower HDL-cholesterol levels (37.7 +/- 11 vs. 42.9 +/- 12 mg/dL; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis HbA1c level, and mean fast glucose remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: In non-hypertensive diabetic subjects, poor glucose control, and longer disease duration were both related with microalbuminuria. Moreover, caloric intake, exercise, tobacco or alcohol consumption, or BMI did not show association with microalbuminuria.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pregnancy in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases of the Mexican College of Rheumatology. Part II.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases is associated with several maternal and fetal complications. The development of clinical practice guidelines with the best available scientific evidence may help standardize the care of these patients. OBJECTIVES: To provide recommendations regarding prenatal care, treatment, and a more effective monitoring of pregnancy in women with lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODOLOGY: Nominal panels were formed for consensus, systematic search of information, development of clinical questions, processing and staging of recommendations, internal validation by peers and external validation of the final document. The quality criteria of the AGREE II instrument were followed. RESULTS: The panels answered 37 questions related to maternal and fetal care in lupus erythematosus, RA and APS, as well as for use of antirheumatic drugs during pregnancy and lactation. The recommendations were discussed and integrated into a final manuscript. Finally, the corresponding algorithms were developed. In this second part, the recommendations for pregnant women with RA, APS and the use of antirheumatic drugs during pregnancy and lactation are presented. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the Mexican clinical practice guidelines for the management of pregnancy in women with RA and APS integrate the best available evidence for the treatment and follow-up of patients with these conditions.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pregnancy in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases of the Mexican College of Rheumatology. Part I.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases is associated with several maternal and fetal complications. The development of clinical practice guidelines with the best available scientific evidence may help standardize the care of these patients. OBJECTIVES: To provide recommendations regarding prenatal care, treatment, and a more effective monitoring of pregnancy in women with lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). METHODOLOGY: Nominal panels were formed for consensus, systematic search of information, development of clinical questions, processing and grading of recommendations, internal validation by peers, and external validation of the final document. The quality criteria of the AGREE II instrument were followed. RESULTS: The various panels answered the 37 questions related to maternal and fetal care in SLE, RA, and APS, as well as to the use of antirheumatic drugs during pregnancy and lactation. The recommendations were discussed and integrated into a final manuscript. Finally, the corresponding algorithms were developed. We present the recommendations for pregnant women with SLE in this first part. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the Mexican clinical practice guidelines for the management of pregnancy in women with SLE integrate the best available evidence for the treatment and follow-up of patients with these conditions.

[Whipple's disease. A case report and review of the literature]. / Enfermedad de Whipple. Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

A 19 year-old man had a clinical history of volvulus, ascites and abdominal pain; later, malabsorption syndrome was recognized. Jejunal biopsies obtained by endoscopic technique show changes consistent in Whipple's disease with minimal intestinal involvement and atrophy. This case report is the first in which volvulus, minimal intestinal involvement and malabsorption syndrome were recognized together. Treatment was successful with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A literature review with emphasis in recent topics, was made.

Factors associated with fetal losses in severe systemic lupus erythematosus.

We evaluated factors associated with fetal losses in patients with severe lupus in a nested case-control study. We assessed separately 73 pregnancies that occurred in 46 women from a cohort of 633 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. They had at least one pregnancy after SLE diagnosis, one or more of our severity criteria and all had taken immunosuppressive drugs. Included data were related to disease severity, anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), anticardiolipin antibodies (a-CL ab), and drugs received during pregnancy. Cases were pregnancies with fetal wastage; controls were pregnancies with live-born children. The mean age at pregnancy was 26.6 +/- 4.5 years. Cases had longer disease duration, 6.1 +/- 3.5 years vs 4.5 +/- 4.3 of controls (p = 0.02); higher prevalence of renal involvement, hemolysis and recurrent venous thrombosis (p < 0.05); they also tended to have a greater prevalence of a-CL ab, and previous fetal losses (p = 0.06). Cases used azathioprine more frequently than controls (p = 0.04). Univariate analysis showed an association of renal involvement, hemolytic anemia, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide prescription during pregnancy, previous fetal losses and APS with fetal wastage. Immunosuppressive drugs and the APS remained significant in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.05; F = 0.01). Factors related with fetal losses in women with severe SLE were: longer disease duration, ingestion of immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy and any related manifestation of APS. We did not find macroscopic malformations in live-children of women that took azathioprine during pregnancy.