[Does the Electronic Health Record reflect the social determinants of health from Primary Health Care?] / ¿Refleja la historia clínica electrónica los determinantes sociales de la salud desde Atención Primaria?

OBJECTIVE: Analyze whether the use of Z codes in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) correlates with the socioeconomic reality of the population attended. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, ecological study. LOCATION: 90 health centres of two Primary Health Care (PHC) Departments of the Community of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: The total number of patients treated during 2016: 1,920,124 (54.33% women, 45.67% men). The 7.15% received some Z code (67.29% women, 32.71% men). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: As a dependent variable, the proportion of patients with Z code records in their EHRs was established. As independent variable, two socioeconomic indicators were selected that objectively reflect the differences between Basic Health Areas: Average Income Available per capita and Proportion of Economic Immigrants. To evaluate the correlation between dependent and independent variables, a multivariate correlation-regression analysis was used. RESULTS: It was observed that the higher the disposable income, the lower the proportion of Z code records in the EHRs (Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.56). However, there is a great variability in the registration of Z codes and the coding fails to make visible the socio-economic realities of the populations covered (Diagnostic Odds Ratio: 0.12. CI: 0.05-0.32). CONCLUSIONS: The use of different tools that facilitate the visualization of the health impact of social inequalities, as well as their evaluation through various research methodologies, is relevant for a community orientation of the PHC. The Z codes do not make visible in the studied area the social determinants of health of the population attended.

Functional analysis of new variants at the low-density lipoprotein receptor associated with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant disease of lipid metabolism caused by defects in the genes LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9. The prevalence of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is estimated between 1/200 and 1/250. Early detection of patients with FH allows initiation of treatment, thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. In this study, we performed in vitro characterization of new LDLR variants found in our patients. Genetic analysis was performed by Next Generation Sequencing using a customized panel of 198 genes in DNA samples of 516 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of probable or definitive FH. All new LDLR variants found in our patients were functionally validated in CHO-ldlA7 cells. The LDLR activity was measured by flow cytometry and LDLR expression was detected by immunofluorescence. Seven new variants at LDLR were tested: c.518 G>C;p.(Cys173Ser), c.[684 G>T;694 G>T];p.[Glu228Asp;Ala232Ser], c.926C>A;p.(Pro309His), c.1261A>G;p.(Ser421Gly), c.1594T>A;p.(Tyr532Asn), and c.2138delC;p.(Thr713Lysfs*17). We classified all variants as pathogenic except p.(Ser421Gly) and p.(Ala232Ser). The functional in vitro characterization of rare variants at the LDLR is a useful tool to classify the new variants. This approach allows us to confirm the genetic diagnosis of FH, avoiding the classification as "uncertain significant variants", and therefore, carry out cascade family screening.

[Psychological interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic review and meta-analysis]. / ¿Son efectivas las intervenciones psicológicas para mejorar el control de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 en adultos?: una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

Background Affordable interventions to improve metabolic control of Type 2-Diabetes Mellitus are increasingly necessary. Aim To review systematically the existing literature on the effects of psychological interventions on Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus compensation. Material and Methods We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of psychological interventions implemented for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Research included the following electronic databases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Results Most studies showed a decrease in the level of glycated hemoglobin after interventions, which applied different initiatives complementary to standard medical treatment. Mainly, these interventions encompassed training for self-monitoring and control of diabetes based on cognitive behavioral psychology, counseling, self-assessment and physical-spiritual work based on transpersonal psychology. Conclusions Psychological tools could be an adjunct to the standard medical treatment for patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, reducing glycated hemoglobin levels and improving self-regulation, disease awareness and adherence from the self-efficacy perception perspective.

[Analysis of the influence of the process of care in primary health care on avoidable hospitalizations for heart failure]. / Análisis de la influencia del proceso asistencial de la atención primaria de salud sobre la ocurrencia de hospitalizaciones evitables por insuficiencia cardíaca.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the process of care in primary health, affects the risk of avoidable hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSH) for heart failure (HF). DESIGN: Case-control study analyzing the risk of hospitalization for HF. The exposure factor was the process of care for HF in primary health. LOCATION: Health area of the region of Madrid (n=466.901). PARTICIPANTS: There were included all adult patients (14 years or older) with a documented diagnosis of HF in the electronic medical record of primary health (n=3.277). The cases were patients who were hospitalized for HF while the controls did not require admission, during 2007. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: risk of ACSH for HF related to the process of care considered both overall and for each separate standard of appropiate care. Differences in clinical complexity of the groups were measured using the Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG) classification system. RESULTS: 227 cases and 3.050 controls. Clinical complexity was greater in cases. The standards of appropriate care were met to a greater degree in the control group, but none of the two groups met all the standards that would define a process of care as fully appropriate. A significantly lower risk of ACSH was seen for only two standards of appropriate care. For each additional standard of appropriate care not met, the probability of admission was significantly greater (OR: 1,33, 95% CI: 1,19-1,49). CONCLUSION: Higher quality in the process of care in primary health was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for HF.

Frequency of hypoglycemia and its impact on length of stay, mortality, and short-term readmission in patients with diabetes hospitalized in internal medicine wards.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether hypoglycemia is associated with increases in length of stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, and readmission among patients with diabetes hospitalized in internal medicine wards. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out using the Basic Minimum Data Set registry of the Spanish National Health System, which contains clinical and administrative information for every patient discharged from system hospitals. The analysis included patients discharged between January 2005 and December 2010 and had a primary (i.e., reason for the admission) or secondary diagnosis of diabetes and a secondary diagnosis of hypoglycemia. The associations between hypoglycemia and the study outcomes (mortality, readmission, and LOS) were evaluated using multivariate and multilinear regression models that included age, sex, and the Charlson index as covariates. RESULTS: During the study period, 3,361,104 patients were admitted to internal medicine wards in the National Health System. Of these, 921,306 (27.4%) had diagnoses of diabetes, and among these patients, 46,408 (5%) had secondary hypoglycemia. A total of 4,754 (10.2%) patients with secondary hypoglycemia died during their hospital stays, compared with 83,508 (9.5%) patients without hypoglycemia. The multivariate/multilinear regression models demonstrated significant associations between the presence of secondary hypoglycemia and greater inpatient mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.28), a greater likelihood of readmission (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.17-1.23), and an increased LOS (ß 1.24, 95% CI 1.15-1.35). CONCLUSION: Hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes hospitalized in internal medicine wards is associated with increases in the LOS, inpatient mortality, and early readmission.

Professional quality of life and organizational changes: a five-year observational study in Primary Care.

BACKGROUND: The satisfaction and the quality of life perceived by professionals have implications for the performance of health organizations. We have assessed the variations in professional quality of life (PQL) and their explanatory factors during a services management decentralization process. METHODS: It was designed as a longitudinal analytical observational study in a Health Area in Madrid, Spain. Three surveys were sent out during an ongoing management decentralization process between 2001 and 2005. The professionals surveyed were divided into three groups: Group I (97.3% physicians), group II (92.5% nurses) and group III (auxiliary personnel). Analysis of the tendency and elaboration of an explanatory multivariate model was made. The PQL -35 questionnaire, based on Karasek's demand-control theory, was used to measure PQL. This questionnaire recognizes three PQL dimensions: management support (MS), workload (WL) and intrinsic motivation (IM). RESULTS: 1444 responses were analyzed. PQL increased 0.16 (CI 95% 0.04-0.28) points in each survey. Group II presents over time a higher PQL score than group I of 0.38 (IC 95% 0.18-0.59) points. There is no difference between groups I and III.For each point that MS increases, PQL increases between 0.44 and 0.59 points. PQL decreases an average of between 0.35 and 0.49 point, for each point that WL increases. Age appears to have a marginal association with PQL (CI 95% 0.00-0.02), as it occurs with being single or not having a stable relationship (CI 95% 0.01-0.41). Performing management tasks currently or in the past is related to poorer PQL perception (CI 95% -0.45 - -0.06), and the same occurs with working other than morning shifts (CI 95% -0.03 - -0.40 points).PQL is not related to sex, location of the centre (rural/urban), time spent working in the organization or contractual situation. CONCLUSION: With the improvement in work control and avoiding increases in workloads, PQL perception can be maintained despite deep organizational changes at the macro-management level. Different professional groups experience different perceptions depending on how the changes impact their position in the organization.

¿Son efectivas las intervenciones psicológicas para mejorar el control de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 en adultos?: una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Psychological interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Affordable interventions to improve metabolic control of Type 2-Diabetes Mellitus are increasingly necessary. Aim To review systematically the existing literature on the effects of psychological interventions on Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus compensation. Material and Methods We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of psychological interventions implemented for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Research included the following electronic databases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Results Most studies showed a decrease in the level of glycated hemoglobin after interventions, which applied different initiatives complementary to standard medical treatment. Mainly, these interventions encompassed training for self-monitoring and control of diabetes based on cognitive behavioral psychology, counseling, self-assessment and physical-spiritual work based on transpersonal psychology. Conclusions Psychological tools could be an adjunct to the standard medical treatment for patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, reducing glycated hemoglobin levels and improving self-regulation, disease awareness and adherence from the self-efficacy perception perspective.

Efectividad de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness para mejorar el control de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2: una revisión sistemática e integración metanalitica preliminar / Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions to improve control of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and preliminary meta-analytic integration

Resumen El propósito de este trabajo fue estudiar la efectividad de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness sobre el nivel de hemoglobina glicada —HbA1c— en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 —DM2—. Se realizó una revisión sistemática e integración metanalítica preliminar. La búsqueda de los estudios se realizó en las siguientes bases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Se identificaron 10 artículos: cuatro fueron llevados a cabo en Estados Unidos, dos en Irán, uno en Alemania, uno en Australia, uno en Tailandia y uno en Inglaterra. Se observó una reducción en los niveles de la HbA1c utilizando Mindfulness en comparación a los grupos controles (p < 0,02). Además, se observó un efecto diferenciado al analizar según número de participantes, sexo y tiempo de seguimiento. Se concluyó que el uso de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness tendría un efecto indirecto sobre la reducción de la hemoglobina glicada.

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to study the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions on the level of glycated hemoglobin —HbA1c— in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus —DM2—. A systematic review and preliminary meta-analytic integration was performed. The search of the studies was carried out in the following bases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Ten articles were identified: four were published in the United States, two in Iran, one in Germany, one in Australia, one in Thailand and one in England. A reduction in HbA1c levels was observed using Mindfulness compared to control groups (p <0,02). In addition, according to the number of participants, sex and time of follow-up a differentiated effect was found. It was concluded that the use of interventions based on Mindfulness would have an indirect effect on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

[Differences in mortality in the over-65s in a health area of the community of Madrid]. / Diferencias en la mortalidad de la población mayor de 65 años en un área sanitaria de la Comunidad de Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the possible differences in risk of mortality of the population aged 65 and over in Health Area 11 of the Community of Madrid and to explore their relationship with economic factors. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective, and ecological-style study. SETTING: Districts and boroughs in Health Area 11 of the Community of Madrid, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: People aged 65 and over. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The analysed variable was the total deaths occurring in the study population during the period 1996-2001. The standardized mortality rate (SMR) was calculated. As a social/economic indicator, mean available income, stratified in 3 groups, was used. The statistical method used was Poisson regression. RESULTS: The mortality rates oscillated between 37.33 and 91.54 deaths for every thousand inhabitants (SMR ratio, 2.47). In urban areas, in men with level 2 income, mortality was 16% less (P=.0406) than the reference group, whereas in high-income men it was 20% less (P=.0042). In women the rate was about 8% less, though this did not attain statistical significance (P=.3039). The relationship in semi-rural areas was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of inequalities in the mortality of the population aged 65 or over was demonstrated. There was an inverse relationship between mean available income and mortality in urban areas.