Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection in a Long-Term Hospital in Spain: Retrospective Observational Study.

Background and Objectives. The aim of this study is to compare clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes in patients with versus without nosocomial COVID-19 after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and to analyze the risk factors for severe outcomes of COVID-19 in a long-term hospital in Spain. Materials and methods. This retrospective, single-center observational study included all inpatients in a long-term hospital during a COVID-19 outbreak from 21 January to 15 March 2021. Results. Of 108 admitted patients, 65 (60.2%) were diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 disease (n = 34 women (52.3%), median age 77 years). In the univariable analysis, risk factors associated with nosocomial COVID-19 were dementia (OR 4.98 95% CI 1.58-15.75), dyspnea (OR 5.34 95% CI 1.69-16.82), asthenia (OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.40-18.60) and NECesidades PALiativas (NECPAL) (OR 1.28 95% CI 1.10-1.48). In the multivariable analysis, risk factors independently associated with nosocomial COVID-19 infection were dyspnea (aOR 7.39; 95% CI 1.27-43.11) and NECPAL (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.03-1.52). Of the 65 patients diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19, 29 (44.6%) died, compared to 7/43 (16.2%) non-infected patients (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.61-10.67). Factors associated with mortality in nosocomial COVID-19 were confusion (aOR 3.83; 95% CI 1.03-14.27) and dyspnea (aOR 7.47; 95% CI 1.87-29.82). The NECPAL tool played an important predictive role in both nosocomial COVID-19 infection and mortality (aOR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00-1.41). Conclusions. In a long-term hospital, nosocomial COVID-19 main clinical characteristics associated with infection were dyspnea and NECPAL. Mortality was higher in the group with nosocomial COVID-19; risk factors were confusion and dyspnea. The NECPAL tool may help to predict progression and death in COVID-19.

Longitudinal Correlates of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD-Inattention Symptom Dimensions with Spanish Children.

The objective was to examine the longitudinal correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-Inattention (IN) dimensions with mothers' and fathers' ratings of Spanish children. Mothers and fathers rated SCT, ADHD-IN, ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), depression, academic impairment, and social impairment on 3 occasions (twice in first-grade year [6-week separation] and once in the second-grade year [12 months after the first assessment]) in Spanish children (758, 746, and 718 children at the 3 time-points with approximately 55% boys). The results showed that (a) higher levels of SCT from earlier assessments predicted higher levels of depression, academic impairment, and social impairment at Assessment 3 after controlling for ADHD-IN at earlier assessments; (b) higher levels of ADHD-IN from earlier assessments predicted higher levels of depression, academic impairment, and social impairment at Assessment 3 after controlling for SCT at earlier assessments; (c) higher levels of ADHD-IN from earlier assessments predicted higher levels of ADHD-HI and ODD at Assessment 3 after controlling for SCT from earlier assessments; and (d) higher levels of SCT from earlier assessments either showed no unique relationship with ADHD-HI and ODD or predicted lower levels of ADHD-HI and ODD at Assessment 3 after controlling for ADHD-IN from earlier assessments. Initial evidence is provided of SCT's unique longitudinal relationships with depression and academic/social impairment and different longitudinal relationships with ADHD-HI and ODD relative to ADHD-IN, thus adding to a growing body of research underscoring the importance of SCT as distinct from ADHD-IN.

α-Thalassemia does not seem to influence erythrocyte deformability in sickle cell trait carriers.

Studies dealing with rheological red blood cell (RBC) behavior in sickle cell trait carriers are scarce. Moreover, the association with α-thalassemia (α-thal), which also modifies erythrocyte behavior, has not always been taken into account. We analyzed erythrocyte deformability by means of a shear stress diffractometer, along with hematological and biochemical parameters (glucose and plasma lipids), given their possible influence on erythrocyte deformability, in 14 sickle cell trait carriers and 23 healthy controls. Nine patients were also α-thal carriers and five were not. Among the thalassemia carriers, eight were heterozygous and one was homozygous. When compared with controls, sickle cell trait carriers showed no differences for any of the biochemical parameters analyzed (p > 0.05), but significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.003), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) (p < 0.001) levels, although no differences in erythrocyte deformability were observed at any of the shear stresses tested (p > 0.05). When comparing sickle cell trait carriers, with and without α-thal, no differences in erythrocyte deformability were observed (p > 0.05), in spite of the former showing lower MCV and MCH (p < 0.05) levels. Carriers of α-thal had lower Hb S [ß6(A3)Glu → Val; HBB: c.20A > T] levels (p = 0.013) than non carriers. The existence of a compensating mechanism seems reasonable because, despite presenting lower erythrocyte indices, which could worsen erythrocyte deformability, this rheological property improves when the percentage of Hb S is lower.

Evaluating Cerebral Perfusion in Alzheimer Patients and First-Degree Relatives: Lessons from Artemisa Province, Cuba.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer disease is related to several risk factors including aging, family history, high blood pressure and diabetes. Studies have shown specific regional cerebral perfusion changes in patients with Alzheimer disease. Some authors state that these changes could appear years before patient memory becomes impaired, enabling early diagnosis in high-risk persons who appear to be healthy. OBJECTIVE: Determine the usefulness of cerebral perfusion studies in Alzheimer patients and first-degree relatives for obtaining additional diagnostic information and detecting functional changes that may suggest elevated disease risk. METHODS: This study involved 128 persons (87 clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and 41 of their first-degree relatives with normal cognition), all from Artemisa Province, Cuba. We performed clinical, laboratory, neuropsychological and genetic (apolipoprotein E-ApoE, e4 allele) tests, as well as cerebral perfusion studies using single photon emission computed tomography after administering 740-925 MBq of 99m Tc-ECD, following internationally standardized protocols. RESULTS: In the Alzheimer disease group, the cerebral single photon emission computed tomography showed a typical Alzheimer pattern (bilateral posterior temporal-parietal hypoperfusion) in 77% (67/87) of participants; 35.9% (28/67) in stage 1; 51.3% (40/67) in stage 2; and 12.8% (10/67) in stage 3 of the disease. In this group, 12.7% (11/87) had mild or unilateral cerebral perfusion changes; 5.7% (5/87) vascular dementia; 3.4% (3/87) frontal dementia; and 1.2% (1/87) normal cerebral perfusion. Of the patients, 28.7% (25/87) received a different classification of stage and disease diagnosis after cerebral perfusion results were considered. In the relative group, 14.6% (6/41) had cerebral perfusion abnormalities. Among these, 7.1% (3/41) were mild bilateral temporal-parietal hypoperfusion; 4.8% (2/41) mild unilateral temporal-parietal hypoperfusion; and 2.4% (1/41) had perfusion defecits in their right frontal lobes. Of patients with typical Alzheimer disease patterns in the cerebral single photon emission computed tomography, 76.6% (52/67) had positive ApoE e4. All relatives with perfusion abnormalities (6/6) had positive ApoE e4. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral perfusion studies confirmed the Alzheimer disease diagnosis, classified disease stages, and differentiated between the types of dementia. The test showed perfusion changes in several asymptomatic first-degree relatives with positive ApoE e4, which could be predictors of disease. The technique was useful for evaluating patients and their relatives.

Rotavirus, vaccine failure or diagnostic error?

Immunochromatography (ICG) is highly used in clinical settings for rotavirus (RV) diagnosis. The specificity of the tests differs by brand type and is not 100%, therefore its use when the prevalence of the disease is low (i.e. in vaccinated children) may result in a proportion of false positive diagnoses. In some areas, vaccine effectiveness studies or surveillance is done using ICG. Our objective was to estimate the validity of ICG test in vaccinated children, and estimate the number of false positive results in the Valencian Region of Spain, where all RV infections are diagnosed using ICG and are not confirmed by PCR. Population based registries were used to identify all results from the RV antigen tests performed between January 2008 and June 2012 in children under 37months. Hospitalization and vaccination status of the patients were obtained by linking different databases through a unique identification number. The Positive Predictive Value of the ICG test depending on the vaccination status of the child, hospitalization and the rotavirus season was estimated by a Bayesian model of latent classes. Of the 48,833 tests with valid results, 9429 were done in vaccinated children, and of those 3963 (42%) during the rotavirus season. The prevalence of positive results in vaccinated varied from 2.9 to 21.4% of the tests depending on the hospitalization and seasonality. The estimated PPV also varied from 27.1 to 84.6% when stratified by these two parameters. Globally it is calculated that approximately 267 out of the 520 (51.3%) positives in vaccinated children were false positive tests. The large percentage of false positives, due to an excessive number of tests in vaccinated and out of the RV season, if interpreted as vaccine failures, can cause a loss of confidence in the vaccine and lower the estimates of vaccine effectiveness.

Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation in homozygous sickle cell disease.

Rheological properties of homozygous sickle cell anaemia (SCA) show marked heterogeneity, which may be explained in part by the concomitance of alpha genotypes or beta haplotypes, along with hydroxurea (HU) treatment. To further clarify this issue, in 11 homozygous patients with SCA in the steady state and in 16 healthy controls, we analysed erythrocyte deformability (ED) in a Rheodyn SSD by means of the Elongation Index (EI) at 12, 30 and 60 Pa, and erythrocyte aggregation at stasis (EA0) and at 3 sec-1 (EA1) in a Myrenne aggregometer along with fibrinogen, biochemical and haematological parameters. When compared with controls, homozygous (SS) patients showed a lower EI at all the shear stresses tested (p < 0.01) and higher EA0 (p < 0.014), but not higher EA1 (p = 0.076). Fibrinogen did not show statistical differences (p = 0.642). In the Spearman's correlation IE60 correlated inversely with Hb S (p < 0.05) and directly with MCV, MCH and Hb F levels (p < 0.01). EA0 correlated inversely with MCV, MCH, Hb F (p < 0.01) and directly with Hb S (p < 0.05). HU treatment improved EI and EA0, but not EA1. This paradoxical behaviour of HU on erythrocyte aggregation merits further research to be clarified.

Homocysteine levels in patients with primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Its association with microangiopathy severity.

The association between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) remains a matter of debate. In 18 primary RP, 23 secondary RP and 41 controls, we investigated homocysteine (Hcy) levels along with biochemical and inflammatory parameters. The Hcy levels in both primary and secondary RP were elevated when compared with controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). As age was higher in secondary RP as compared with controls (p < 0.01), both primary and secondary RP were age-matched with a corresponding control group, and with Hcy maintaining its statistical significance (p < 0.05). No differences in creatinine, B12 vitamin or folic acid were observed between groups (p > 0.05), or in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (p > 0.05). When patients were classified according to presence or absence of digital ulcers, as a sign of microangiopathy severity, the former showed higher Hcy levels than the latter (p = 0.035). Our results indicate that both primary and secondary RP patients show a mild increase in Hcy levels, which is not related to age, vitamin deficiencies or impaired renal function, but is related to microangiopathy severity. Therefore the association of HHcy and RP suggest that Hcy may contribute to endothelial dysregulation, which characterizes this disease. Specific studies should be designed to elucidate the pathogenesis of HHcy in these patients.

A cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation of the external correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD-inattention symptoms dimensions.

The objective was to determine if the external correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and ADHD-inattention (IN) dimensions were the same in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Teachers and aides rated SCT, ADHD-IN, ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and depression along with academic impairment in 758 Spanish children (55 % boys) on three occasions (twice at the end of the first grade year [6-week separation] and then again 12-months later at the end of the second grade year). Three of eight SCT symptoms showed substantial loadings on the SCT factor and substantially higher loadings on the SCT factor than the ADHD-IN factor for teachers and aides at each assessment (seems drowsy, thinking is slow, and slow moving). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses yielded similar results with SCT and ADHD-IN factors having different and unique external correlates (higher scores on SCT predicted lower scores on ADHD-HI and ODD while higher scores on ADHD-IN predicted higher scores on ADHD-HI and ODD with SCT and ADHD-IN both uniquely predicting academic impairment and depression). Developmental and methodological reasons are discussed for the failure to find an inconsistent alertness SCT factor (daydreams, alertness fluctuates, absent-minded, loses train of though, and confused).

Asociación de los resultados positivos del SPECT de Perfusión Miocárdica con 99mTc-MIBI, con la presencia de Dislipidemia en pacientes ≥40 años de edad / Association of the positive results of the myocardial perfusion SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI, with the presence of Dyslipidemia in patient with 40 years or more age

El trabajo tuvo como objetivo conocer la asociación de la dislipidemia con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica para la optimización del uso. Se analizaron 152 SPECTPM, días diferentes; la media de edad de 58,32 años; 86 (56,6%) fueron masculinos. Se dividieron en dos grupos según la presencia de dislipidemia; dislipidémicos, n=37 (24,3%) y no dislipidémicos, n=115 (75,7%). No presentaron diferencias significativas en las medias de edad (59,59/57,90 p=0,284) e índice de masa corporal (24,85/25,03, p=0,739), ni de la frecuencia de maduro/ra; por tanto el riesgo adicional solo lo aporta la dislipidemia. Los resultados 102 (67,10%) SPECT fueron positivos; en la comparación íntergrupos no se observó diferencia significativa de resultados positivos (67,60/67,00, p=0,945), que se mantuvo cuando se subdividieron los grupos en sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Se concluyó que la dislipidemia no aporta riesgo significativo de cardiopatía isquémica en pacientes en edad de riesgo, por tanto no hay asociación significativa con resultados positivos del SPECTPM en pacientes en edad de riesgo.

The paper is aimed at establishing the association of the dyslipidemia with the positive results of the myocardial perfusion SPECT, for the optimization of the use. 152 MPSPECT were analyzed, different day, for an average age: 58.32 years, 86 (56.6%), were males. Considerating the presence of dyslipidemia , the patients were divided into two groups: dyslipidemia n=37(24.3%) and not-dyslipidemia, n=115 (75.7%). No significant differences were present in the age average (59.59/57.90 p=0.284), in body mass index (24.85/25.03, p=0.739), nor in the frequency of mature. Therefore , only dyslipidemia contributes to therefore the additional risk. Result: 102 (67.1%) MPSPECT were positive. In the comparison among groups no significant difference in the incidence of positive results was observed (67.60/67.00, p=0.945) and the same situation remained when the groups were subdivided into symptomatic and asymptomatic: As a result of the study, it was concluded that dyslipidemia does not represent a significant risk of ischemic cardiopathy in patient within the ages of risk, therefore there is no significant association with the positive results of the SPECTPM, within patient in ages of risk.

Asociación del hábito de fumar con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con 99mTc-MIBI, en pacientes ≥ 40 años de edad / Correlation of the smoking habit with the positive results of myocardial perfusion SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI in patients over 40 years

Objetivo. Conocer la asociación del hábito de fumar (HF) con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica (SPECTPM), para la optimización del uso del mismo. Material y método Analizamos 99 SPECTPM, media de edad: 59,86 años, 70 (70,7 por ciento) fueron masculinos. Sólo se diferenciaron en el HF, acorde a lo cual se dividieron en F (fumadores, n=36) y NF (no-fumadores, n=63) los cuales no presentaron diferencias significativas en las medias de edad (58,31 vs. 60,75 p=0,147) ni en el índice de masa corporal (26,44 vs. 26,57 p=0.903), por tanto el riesgo adicional solo fue aportado por el HF. Resultados. Ochenta y cinco (85,90 por ciento) SPECTPM fueron positivos; en la comparación intergrupos existió mayor incidencia de resultados positivos en el grupo F (diferencia de incidencia de 13,4 por ciento), con odds ratio=4,000 y un Likelihood ratio=3,890, que se mantuvo cuando se subdividieron los grupos en sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Conclusiones. Los pacientes sintomáticos con esta triada de factores de riesgo aterosclerótico (HF, sobrepeso y edad) pueden ser explorados coronariográficamente y los asintomáticos con SPECTPM, en tanto los pacientes no-fumadores independientemente de la sintomatología podrían ser estudiados con ergometría diagnóstica.

Objective. To analyze the correlation of the smoking habit (HF) with the positive results of myocardial perfusion SPECT (SPECTPM), for the optimization of the use of this test. Material and method.We analyzed 99 SPECTPM, 70 (70.7 percent) were males, mean age of 59.86 years. They differed only by the presence of HF. With this criterion the population was divided in F (smokers, n=36) and NF (non-smokers, n=63). The groups did not present significant differences in the mean age (58.31 vs. 60.75, p=0.147) and body mass index (26.44 vs. 26.57, p=0.903), therefore the additional risk alone was contributed by HF. Results. Eighty-five (85.90 percent) SPECTPM were positive; in the comparison between groups, there was greater incidence of positive results among patients of group F (difference of incidence of 13.4 percent), with odds ratio=4.000 and a Likelihood ratio=3.890, which stayed equally abnormal when the groups were subdivided in symptomatics and asymptomatics. Conclusions The symptomatic patients with this triad of atherosclerotic risk factors (HF, overweight, age) should be possibly explored with coronariography and the asymptomatic with SPECTPM, while non-smokers could be studied with exercise test first independently of the symptomatology.

Asociación de los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con 99mTc-MIBI, con la presencia de hipertensión arterial en pacientes de 40 o más años de edad / Association of arterial hypertension with positive results on myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients over 40 years

Objetivo: Conocer la asociación de la hipertensión arterial (HTA) con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica (SPECTPM), para la optimización del uso del mismo. Material y Método: Se analizaron 227 SPECTPM, usando un protocolo de días diferentes, media de edad de 57,92 años, 119 (52,4 por ciento) fueron masculinos. La muestra se dividió en H (hipertensos) n=155 y NH (no-hipertensos) n=72. Los grupos no presentaron diferencias significativas en las medias de edad (57,34 vs. 59,17, p=0,094), aunque sí en el índice de masa corporal (H=28,98 vs. NH=26,63, p<0,001), pero no relevante (diferencia de medias=2,35), pues ambos grupos globalmente presentaron índices de sobrepeso, por lo que el riesgo adicional sólo lo aportaba la HTA. Resultados: Fueron positivos 183 (80,6 por ciento) SPECTPM; en la comparación íntergrupos no se observó diferencia significativa en la incidencia de resultados positivos (81,90 por ciento vs. 77,80 por ciento, p=0,461), que se mantuvo cuando se subdividieron los grupos en sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Conclusiones: Según estos resultados, no existe asociación alguna entre el resultado positivo del SPECTPM y la HTA, por tanto los pacientes sintomáticos con esta tríada de factores de riesgo ateroscleróticos (HTA, sobrepeso y edad >40 años), deberían ser explorados con SPECTPM y los asintomáticos con ergometría diagnóstica, en tanto los pacientes no hipertensos, independientemente de la sintomatología, podrían ser explorados solamente con ergometría diagnóstica.

To know the association of arterial hypertension (AH) with positive results on myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPSPECT), in order to optimize the use of this technique. Material and Method: We analyzed 227 MPSPECT studies, two-day protocol, average age of patients = 57.92 years, 119 (52.4 percent) males. According to the presence of AH the population was divided in H (hypertensives) n=155 and NH (non-hypertensives) n=72. Both groups did not differ in age average (57.34 vs.59.17, p=0.094), but they did in body mass index (H=28.98 vs. NH=26.63, p<0.001), however not outstandingly (difference of means = 2.35), being both groups classified as overweighted. Therefore, the only additional risk was the presence of AH. Results: One-hundred and eighty three (80.6 percent) SPECTMP studies were positive. In the intergroup comparison no significant difference was observed in the incidence of positive results (81.90 percent vs. 77.80 percent, p=0.461), which persisted when the groups were subdivided into symptomatic and asymptomatic. Conclusion: No association between AH and the result of MPSPECT was observed, therefore symptomatic patients with this triad of atherosclerotic risk factors (AH, overweight and age >40 years), should be explored with MPSPECT while asymptomatic patients should undergo exercise testing. Non-hypertensive patients should be first evaluated with exercise teststing independently of the presence of symptomatology.

Correlación de los resultados del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con 99mmTc-MIBI con la presencia de factores de riesgo aterosclerótico, en pacientes iguales o mayores a 40 años de edad: resultados preliminares / Correlation of myocardial perfusion SPECT with Tc-99m MIBI in presence of atherosclerotic risk factors

Objetivo: Conocer la combinación de Factores Mayores de Riesgo Aterosclerótico (FMRA) que nos sugeriría remitir directamente al paciente a coronariografía, para la optimización del uso del SPECT de Perfusión Miocárdica (SPECTPM). Material y Método: Se analizaron 577 SPECTPM, 345(59.8 por ciento) fueron masculinos, edad media: 62.26años y 79pacientes(13.7 por ciento) fueron asintomáticos. Resultados: 448(77.64 por ciento) SPECTPM fueron positivos y 129(22.36 por ciento) negativos, el FMRA más frecuente la HTA (68.80 por ciento) y el que más se asocio con SPECTPM positivo el habito de fumar, no existió riesgo significativo de SPECTPM positivo para ninguno de los FMRA estudiados, ni sus combinaciones. Conclusiones: La presente investigación sugiere que teniendo en cuenta la alta especificidad, valor predictivo negativo y valor pronostico del SPECTPM, deben realizarse coronariografía solo a los pacientes sintomáticos con resultado positivo de SPECTPM, por tanto todos los pacientes deben realizarse un SPECTPM previo a la realización de la angiografía, por tener alta probabilidad de tener resultados negativos.

Objective: Know the combination of FMRA that would suggest us to remit the patient directly to coronariography, for the optimization of the use of the SPECTPM. Material and Method: 577 SPECTPM were analyzed, 345(59.8 percent) they were masculine, mean age: 62.26 years and 79(13.7 percent) asymptomatic. Results: Positive SPECTPM 448(77.64 percent) and negative 129(22.36 percent), the most frequent FMRA was HTA(68.80 percent) and the one that was most associated with positive SPECTPM was the smoking habit. There wasn’t any significant risk of positive SPECTPM for none of the FMRA studied, not even in their combinations. Conclusions: Keeping in mind the high specificity, predictive negative value and prognostic value of the SPECTPM, this investigation paper recommends that only patients with a positive result of SPECTPM should undergo a coronariography. Therefore, all patients with angina pectoris should have a SPECTPM before undergoing an angiography, because there is a high probability of having negative results.