Development and validation of a multivariate prediction model for patients with acute pancreatitis in Intensive Care Medicine.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Development and validation of a multivariate prediction model for patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) admitted in Intensive Care Units (ICU). METHODS: A prospective multicenter observational study, in 1 year period, in 46 international ICUs (EPAMI study). PATIENTS: adults admitted to an ICU with AP and at least one organ failure. INTERVENTIONS: Development of a multivariate prediction model, using the worst data of the stay in ICU, based in multivariate analysis, simple imputation in a development cohort. The model was validated in another cohort. RESULTS: 374 patients were included (mortality of 28.9%). Variables with statistical significance in multivariate analysis were age, no alcoholic and no biliary etiology, development of shock, development of respiratory failure, need of continuous renal replacement therapy, and intra-abdominal pressure. The model created with these variables presented an AUC of ROC curve of 0.90 (CI 95% 0.81-0.94) in the validation cohort. We developed a multivariable prediction model, and AP cases could be classified as low mortality risk (between 2 and 9.5 points, mortality of 1.35%), moderate mortality risk (between 10 and 12.5 points, 28.92% of mortality), and high mortality risk (13 points of more, mortality of 88.37%). Our model presented better AUC of ROC curve than APACHE II (0.91 vs 0.80) and SOFA in the first 24 h (0.91 vs 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a multivariate prediction model, which can be applied in any moment of the stay in ICU, with better discriminatory power than APACHE II and SOFA in the first 24 h.

[Voiding syndrome of gynaecological origin: the importance of good physical examination]. / Síndrome miccional de origen ginecológico: La importancia de una Buena exploración física.

OBJECTIVES: Urologists daily evaluate many women with voiding disturbances, but proper physical examination has only rarely been previously performed. CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1: 16-year-old woman presenting augmented daytime urinary frequency and nocturia without enuresis, with drop-by-drop micturition. Case 2: 80-year-old woman with urgency. She referred normal voiding with insensitive urinary loss the hour after. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: adhesion of the labia minora. TREATMENT: Surgical section of the adhered area in the midline was performed with satisfactory aesthetic and clinical results. CONCLUSIONS: The adhesion of the labia minora is an acquired disease, more frequent in girls under 2 years. Several predisposing factors have been proposed: oestrogen deprivation, inadequate personal care, local irritants, infections or previous trauma. Differential diagnosis is required among three congenital pathologies: vaginal agenesis, imperforated hymen and ambiguous genitalia. Cases in postpubertal or postmenopausal women, or refractory to medical treatment are considered for surgery.

Análisis de coste-efectividad de la terapia de resincronización cardíaca en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca grave / Custo-efetividade da terapia de ressincronização cardíaca em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca grave / Cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with severe heart failure

Introducción. La terapia de resincronización cardíaca es un tratamiento eficaz para el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca, que reduce la mortalidad y el número de hospitalizaciones, y mejora la calidad de vida. Material y métodos. Se evalúa la eficiencia de la resincronización cardíaca comparada con el mejor tratamiento farmacológico mediante una evaluación económica adaptada a nuestro entorno sanitario. Se realizan varios modelos económicos de Markov. Se usa la perspectiva del sistema sanitario; el horizonte temporal es la duración prevista del dispositivo, estimada en 7 años. Se incluyen parámetros derivados de ensayos clínicos y estudios observacionales, tanto de pacientes ambulatorios como hospitalizados, y de un meta-análisis. Los participantes son pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca sintomática en estadios funcionales III-IV según New York Heart Association, con QRS ancho, depresión grave de la función sistólica y ritmo sinusal. Se compara la resincronización cardíaca añadida al mejor tratamiento médico, frente a ese tratamiento médico óptimo. Las variables de resultado fueron años de vida y años de vida ajustados por calidad. Resultados. La resincronización cardíaca, añadida al mejor tratamiento médico, es un tratamiento coste-efectivo, con valores de ratio coste-efectividad de € 6.627 - 8.739 por año de vida ajustado a calidad de vida. Conclusiones. La resincronización cardíaca es un tratamiento eficiente, o coste-efectiva, para estos pacientes seleccionados. Este resultado varía poco al modificar las variables incluidas en el modelo. La inclusión de dispositivos con funcionalidad desfibrilador automático implantable no se ha incluido en nuestro trabajo, pero su valor probablemente sea mucho mayor.

Introduction. The therapy of cardiac resynchronization is effective for the treatment of the heart failure, which reduces mortality and number of hospitalizations, and improves quality of life. Material and methods. We evaluate the efficiency of the cardiac resynchronization compared with the best pharmacological therapy by means of an economic evaluation adapted to our sanitary environment. We developed several economic models of Markov. The perspective of the sanitary system is used; the temporary horizon is the duration foreseen of the device, estimated in 7 years. There are included parameters derived from clinical trials and observational studies, with ambulatory and hospitalized patients, and from a meta-analysis. They are patients with symptomatic heart failure with functional class NYHA III-IV, with wide QRS, severe depression of systolic function and sinusal rhythm. We compare cardiac resynchronization added to the best medical treatment, opposite to this medical treatment. Measured variables are years of life and years of life adjusted by quality. Results. The cardiac resynchronization added to the best medical treatment, is a cost- effective treatment, with values of incremental cost - effectiveness of € 6,627 - 8,739 for year of life adjusted to quality of life. Conclusions. The cardiac resynchronization is a cost-effective treatment for these patients. This result changes little on having modified the variables included in the model. The incorporation of devices with implantable cardioverter defibrillator functionality has not been included in our work, but his value probably is greater.

Introdução. A terapia de ressincronização cardíaca é um tratamento eficaz para a insuficiência cardíaca, que reduz a mortalidade e hospitalizações, e melhora a qualidade de vida. Material e métodos. É avaliada a eficiência da terapia de ressincronização cardíaca em comparação com o melhor tratamento de drogas através de uma avaliação econômica adaptada ao nosso ambiente de saúde. Vários modelos econômicos de Markov são realizados. A perspectiva do sistema de saúde é usada; o horizonte de tempo é o tempo de vida do dispositivo, estimada em 7 anos. Parâmetros derivados de ensaios clínicos e estudos observacionais, tanto ambulatoriais e internações, e uma meta-análise está incluída. Os participantes são pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca sintomática com NYHA III- IV, com QRS largo, depressão grave da função sistólica e do ritmo sinusal estágios funcionais. Ressincronização cardíaca adicionada a melhor terapia médica é comparado com o tratamento clínico otimizado. As variáveis respostas foram anos de vida e anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade. Resultados. Terapia de ressincronização cardíaca, somada à melhor terapia médica, é um tratamento de baixo custo com valores de relação custo- eficácia dos € 6627-8739 por ano de vida ajustado por qualidade de vida. Conclusões. Terapia de ressincronização cardíaca é um tratamento de baixo custo para esses pacientes selecionados. Esse resultado varia pouco alterando as variáveis incluídas no modelo. A inclusão de dispositivos com funcionalidades cardioversor desfibrilador implantável não foi incluído em nosso trabalho, mas o seu valor é, provavelmente, muito maior.

Diagnostic accuracy of sTREM-1 to identify infection in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of plasma levels of soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells (sTREM)-1 to diagnose infection in critical patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). DESIGN AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 114 patients with SIRS criteria. The patients' plasma levels of sTREM-1 were measured within 24h of admission to the intensive care unit. The final diagnosis of infection was made independently by two investigators, who were blinded to the levels of sTREM-1. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve of sTREM-1 for the diagnosis of sepsis was 0.62 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51-0.72). The diagnostic odds ratio of sTREM-1 after adjusting for the Infection Probability Score and procalcitonin plasma levels was 1.81 (95% CI 0.66-4.98; p=0.2508). CONCLUSIONS: In critical patients admitted with SIRS, sTREM-1 has poor discriminative power to identify patients with infection, and sTREM-1 levels do not add diagnostic information to that provided by other routinely available clinical tests.

[Horseshoe kidney rupture]. / Rotura de riñón en herradura.

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of horses-hoe kidney trauma. METHODS: 67 years old man with a horseshoe kidney, which presented a fracture of the isthmus after falling. RESULTS: The diagnosis was made by IV contrast CT scan. He underwent exploratory laparotomy due to hemodynamic instability and radiologic findings on the CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: The rupture of a horseshoe kidney is a rare injury. CT scan is the test of choice to classify the degree of injury. Depending on the patient's hemodynamic stability and the findings on the CT scan the options are conservative orimmediate surgical treatment.

[Usefulness of phyto-oestrogens in reduction of blood pressure. Systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Utilidad de los fitoestrógenos en la reducción de la presión arterial. Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether treatment with phyto-oestrogens or soya protein succeeds in lowering blood pressure. DESIGN: A systematic review, evaluating all the observation studies and clinical trials, was conducted, followed by a meta-analysis to evaluate blood pressure variations in patients treated with phyto-oestrogens. SEARCH: The search strategy adopted used the terms "phyto-oestrogens," "soya meals," "hypertension," and "blood pressure." DATA SOURCES: The data bases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, OVID were used, without time or language restrictions. References in the relevant articles were searched for manually. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers analysed the studies found in the search. DATA EXTRACTION: The Jadad scale was used for the clinical trials and the numerical data in the text or referred to in tables were extracted. Evaluation was made of which observational and experimental articles showed a drop in blood pressure with phyto-oestrogens and which did not. In the meta-analysis, data on sample size, difference in blood pressure before and after intervention and standard deviation were extracted from each study. The weighted difference of means was used with the model of randomised effects. The Review Manager v4.2.9 programme was used. RESULTS: No significant variations in blood pressure were found, whether systolic (-1.20 mm Hg; 95% CI, -2.80 to 0.41 mm Hg) or diastolic (-1.31 mm Hg; 95% CI, -2.73 to 0.11). If there were any variations, they are clinically of little importance. There was also an important degree of both statistical and clinical heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: There are no statistically significant or clinically important differences in blood pressure between patients treated with phyto-oestrogens and those not treated.

Enfermedad de castleman de presentación cervical. reporte de un caso / Cervical presentation of castleman disease. case report

La enfermedad de Castleman es una enfermedad poco frecuente, caracterizada por proliferación masiva de tejido linfoide. Aparece en 70 por ciento de los casos como un tumor solitario en el mediastino. La presentación primaria en el cuello ocurre en 6 por ciento de los casos. Se reporta un caso de enfermedad de Castleman que se manifestó como un tumor cervical solitario asintomático

Micosis Nasosinusal. Espectro de la Enfermedad / Rhino-sinusal mycosis: range of the disease

Introducción. Las micosis de senos paranasales se han clasificado en invasiva y no invasiva; el tipo de micosis y su comportamiento clínico depende de la interacción entre la competencia inmunológica del paciente y la patogenicidad del microorganismo, en un determinado micro ambiente. Material y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio clínico prospectivo para evaluar las características de pacientes con sinusitis micótica. Se presentan todos los pacientes diagnosticados y tratados como sinusitis micótica en el periodo de 1994-1997. Resultados. Se encontraron 10 pacientes que correspondieron al 6 por ciento de los casos de sinusitis crónica tratados quirúrgicamente; Todos los pacientes con mucormicosis aguda invasiva recibieron tratamiento medico con anfotericina B, Insulina y refección quirúrgica con debridación extensa del tejido necrótico, resultando en control de la enfermedad subyacente y sobrevida del 50 por ciento de los pacientes. Conclusión. Es necesario diagnosticar precozmente, y dar tratamiento multi disciplinario médico y quirúrgico para lograr una mejor supervivencia de los pacientes

Angina de Ludwig: experiencia de 12 años en su diagnóstico y tratamiento / Ludwig's angina: 12 years experience en its diagnosis and treatment

En 1836 Von Ludwin describió una induración gangrenosa bilateral del tejido conectivo cervical y del piso de la boca, la cual causaba la muerte cuando se presentaba. Gracias a los avances en el desarrollo de antibióticos, así como el uso de diferentes métodos quirúrgicos para su drenaje, su morbi-mortalidad ha disminuido importantemente. En 36 pacientes atendidos en el departamento de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González durante el período 1982-1993, se demostraron como factores causales o coadyuvantes, infecciones dentarias en 72 por ciento de los pacientes, trauma facial en 19 por ciento y diabetes mellitus en 34 por ciento. Un paciente estaba inmunosuprimido. Se usaron antibióticos y drenaje quirúrgico en todos los pacientes y traqueostomía en 10 (28 por ciento). Hubo medistinitis en dos casos (5 por ciento), septicemia en tres (8 por ciento) y cinco pacientes fallecieron