[Core competencies in internal medicine]. / Competencias básicas de la medicina interna.

The working group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) on "Competencies of the Internist" has defined the basic medical knowledge, skills and attitudes that all internists in Spain should have. This list of competencies represents the Internal Medicine core curriculum within the context of the future educational framework of medical specialties in Health Sciences.

[SEMI, in the Scientific Society of the XXI Century: what we did during 2009 and what we are going to do in 2010]. / SEMI, en la sociedad científica del siglo XXI: lo que hemos hecho en el año 2009 y lo que vamos a hacer en el 2010.

The principal actions carried out by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) during the last year are reviewed in this work. The projects that are going to be developed immediately in 2010 are also announced. In 2009, it was aimed to improve the communication policy, consolidate and strengthen the structure of the Society with the creation of a permanent committee, stimulate the activities of the strategic Work Groups and the promotion of new organizational models. A new Work Group was established on Internal Medicine in private practice. New projects and initiatives were also designed, such as the project of Hospital Discharge Report, Study of Residents and Internal Medicine in the University. These projects will be established within the next months and they will strengthen us as specialists of prestige. The SEMI is continuing along a positive pathway in its projection, modernization and search for the active participation of its members. The Journal, Revista Clínica Española, official publication of the SEMI, has experienced an important impulse with the new administrative team formed in the year 2009. Our journal should be a key piece in the future of the Society.

[What has changed in the therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes mellitus?]. / Qué ha cambiado en la estrategia terapéutica de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2?

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly evolving area of medicine with the publication of new studies, the introduction of new drugs and a proliferation of clinical practice guidelines, often with subtle differences in the recommended therapeutic approach to patients with this disease. Notable among the extensive information generated on the disease in the last few years is evaluation of the studies with greatest impact on clinical practice in terms of defining glycemic targets and the preferred therapeutic strategy to achieve them. After the disappointing results of intensive glucose control in most patients revealed in the ACCORD, ADVANCE and VADT trials, recent data from the extensions of the UKPDS and STENO-2 trials have shown a new emphasis in the treatment of the disease, highlighting the importance of treatment and optimal glycemic control in the early stages. This strategy confers a long-term benefit on morbidity and mortality through a new concept which has become known as "metabolic memory" or the "legacy effect". Recently introduced drugs with action on the incretin system have been shown to have pleiotropic effects beyond their already confirmed effect on glycemic control, which could lead to their use becoming prioritized in the future. In view of these contributions, both through clinical trials and through data obtained with the new therapies, the overall management of diabetes should be modified. This need for modification is reflected in some of the most recent updates of clinical practice guidelines that incorporate some of these advances.

[Neurohormonal blockade in patients with heart failure at discharge from hospital]. / Bloqueo neurohormonal al alta en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca.

With the objective to value the degree of fulfillment of the pharmacological processing in patients with heart failure was designed the study of therapeutic adherence in heart failure (ATICA). During the period of inclusion educational, social, demographic data have been obtained, personal antecedents, analytic and physical exploration of the patients. These data mentioned are the ones that are reflected in the present pilot study. The total of patients included is 554, the majority of which are women, the middle ages is advanced and they present a fraction of eyección conserved in more than the half. In the therapeutic plan only was collected information of groups with neurohormonal action and of great recognition in the processing of the heart failure. The most utilized pharmacological group are the IECA, nevertheless medicines as the espirolactona or the betablocker continue showing a worrying degree of infrautilización, although they present a greater prescription that in other series.

Factors influencing medical treatment of heart failure patients in Spanish internal medicine departments: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The medical management of heart failure (HF) in clinical practice varies considerably by country and by medical specialty. AIM: To assess the treatment of HF patients admitted to Internal Medicine departments, and to evaluate out-patient management prior to admission, by specialty. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional multi-centre survey. METHODS: Of 55 randomly selected Spanish hospitals, 51 agreed to participate. All patients (n = 2145) consecutively admitted for decompensated HF to the Departments of Internal Medicine of these hospitals, over 5 months, were included. Twenty variables were analysed, including aspects relating to out-patient management prior to admission. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age was 77.2 +/- 10.5 years, 57.3% were female, 47% had systolic dysfunction. Prescriptions at discharge: loop diuretics 85.6%, spironolactone 29.8%, ACEIs 65.8%, beta-blockers 8.7%, cardiac glycosides 39%. At admission, 86% already had a diagnosis of HF. Of these, 53% (older patients and more women) were being treated on an out-patient basis by primary care physicians. Primary care physicians requested fewer echocardiograms than internists (38% vs. 69%, p<0.001) and prescribed fewer drugs (ACEIs 40% vs. 54%, p<0.001; spironolactone 15% vs. 23%, p<0.05; beta-blockers 6% vs. 13%, p<0.01). The internists treated more incapacitated patients than the cardiologists (p<0.001), prescribed more high-dose ACEIs (20% vs. 13%, p<0.01) and spironolactone (26% vs. 20%, p<0.05), and fewer anticoagulants (32% vs. 39%, p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Patients admitted to medical departments with HF are different to those found in clinical trials. Their management is currently suboptimal. Differences in treatment between internists and cardiologists appear to be accounted for by differences in the patients they treat.

[Spontaneous splenic rupture: surgical or conservative treatment?]. / Ruptura esplénica espontánea: tratamiento quirúrgico o conservador?

A case of Splenic Spontaneous Rupture (SSR) due to Infectious Mononucleosis is presented, occurring after a slight clinical course without significative abdominal pain. The SSR was recognized by ultrasonography and CT, with free intraperitoneal liquid. The evolution was successful with non operative management. The Medical literature concerning SSR is comment, enhancing the possibility of non operative management of SSR associated to infectious mononucleosis.

Reorganization of medical specialization. Beyond the law of management of health professions. / Reorganización de la especialización médica. Más allá de la Ley de Ordenación de Profesiones Sanitarias.

More than 30 years after the creation of postgraduate medical training program in Spain supported by the MIR system, a thorough review of it becomes essential. This was the goal of the LOPS law enacted in 2003. The development of the LOPS is being slow and difficult to enforce, because master lines have to be achieved in order to develop the training of specialists in accordance with internationals standards and, simultaneously, with the reform that is taking place in the undergraduate education. The start up of the medical core will be the cornerstone of this project. The principles of the LOPS provide an opportunity for the training of competent physician in basic general medical practice followed by a progressive specialization supported on a solid foundation. And these principles have to prevail over corporate interests.

Treatment compliance in chronic illness: Current situation and future perspectives. / Adherencia terapéutica en la enfermedad crónica: estado de la situación y perspectiva de futuro.

Long-term chronic diseases have a high mortality rate around the world, affecting both genders equally. Despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of various health problems, lack of treatment compliance remains an obstacle to improving health and patient quality of life, and it carries a high associated socio-healthcare cost. The objectives of this study were to develop the concept of «therapeutic adherence¼, which includes both pharmacological compliance as well as non-pharmacological (level of agreement and patient involvement, lifestyle changes, etc.) treatments. The study also aimed to establish the clinical and socio-health impact of non-compliance, the reasons for non-compliance, and methods and strategies to improve compliance. The results of this study support therapeutic adherence as an essential goal of the healthcare system that encompasses all stakeholders involved in patient health.

Clinical decisions in patients with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. A statement of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Although the mortality associated to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been reduced in the last decades, CVD remains the main cause of mortality in Spain and they are associated with an important morbidity and a huge economic burden. The increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes could be slowing down the mortality reduction in Spain. Clinicians have often difficulty making clinical decisions due to the multiple clinical guidelines available. Moreover, in the current context of economic crisis it is critical to promote an efficient use of diagnostic and therapeutic proceedings to ensure the viability of public health care systems. The Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) has coordinated a consensus document to answer questions of daily practice with the aim of facilitating physicians' decision-making in the management of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors from a cost-efficiency point of view.