A critical analysis of national plans for climate adaptation for health in South America.

Climate adaptation measures are critical for protecting human health. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Communications (NCs) play a crucial role in helping countries identify, analyze, and address their vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, while also assessing available resources and capacities. This study aimed to assess the comprehensiveness of South American countries' NAPs, NDCs, and NCs in addressing the effects of climate change on health. A total of 38 NAPs, NDCs, and NCs of 12 South American countries were analysed. Ad hoc scores were developed to assess baseline information, adaptation proposals, identification of involved institutions, funding needs and allocation, measurable progress indicators, and coherence. Overall, all South American countries have NDCs and NCs, and seven have NAPs. In most countries, the intersectoral health analysis revealed a lack of linkage to health issues related to that sector. Additionally, most planning documents lack detailed information to guide policymakers in taking practical actions; areas with low scores include allocation of funds, involvement of health-related institutions, and measurable indicators. While South American countries acknowledge the health impacts of climate change in their plans, enhancing public health protection requires maximizing climate policy benefits and including health-related issues across all relevant sectors. Funding: This study was not funded. However, three co-authors received funding for some of their time: AV and KC were supported by the Wellcome Trust (209734/Z/17/Z); RCN was funded by K01AI139284 (NIH-NIAID). Funding for the publication was provided by Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.

Clinicopathological Features and Mortality in Patients With Kaposi Sarcoma and HIV: A Retrospective Analysis of a Thirty-Year Study From a Peruvian Oncologic Center.

PURPOSE: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal angioproliferative disease. In Peru, the implementation of the highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) program was in 2005, the model for treating patients with HIV-positive KS shifted to a potential cure. In this study, we aim to compare clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors associated with outcomes in patients with HIV-positive KS. METHODS: We developed a retrospective cohort study that includes patients with HIV/AIDS and KS seen in the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas between 1987 and 2017. Patients were divided into two groups according to the implementation of HAART in our country: the non-HAART group and those treated with HAART after 2005. Multivariate analysis for overall survival (OS) was performed with the Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: There was a greater visceral compromise and more extensive oral cavity involvement in the non-HAART group (60% 31.7%, P < .01). Regarding the immune status, there was a significant difference from the CD4 count at 1-year follow-up (73 v 335, P = .01). The CD4/CD8 rate were significant different before QT (0.23 v 0.13, P = .01) and at 1-year follow-up (0.12 v 0.32, P = .03.). The estimated 5-year OS rate was significantly lower (P = .0001) for the non-HAART group (41.7%; 95% CI, 25.9 to 56.9) compared with the HAART group (79.3%; 95% CI, 66.8 to 87.5). In the multivariate model for OS, full-HAART regimen and previous diagnosis of HIV/AIDS (P < .01) were significantly associated with longer survival. CONCLUSION: Clinical and demographic characteristics of our patients are compatible with the literature, but we report a higher rate of gastrointestinal involvement. Furthermore, our findings provide evidence for the importance of HAART and its ability to reduce KS-related mortality.

Asociación entre la necesidad de cuidados paliativos y enfermedades crónicas en pacientes atendidos en un hospital peruano / Association between the need for palliative care and chronic diseases in patients treated in a peruvian hospital

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la asociación entre las enfermedades crónicas (EC) y la necesidad de cuidados paliativos (NCP). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en un hospital peruano durante el 2019. Se incluyó a pacientes hospitalizados con EC y se excluyó gestantes y a los hospitalizados en unidades críticas. En la evaluación de la NCP se aplicó el instrumento SPICT-ESTM, adicionalmente se evaluaron características sociodemográficas y clínicas. La fuerza de asociación se calculó con regresiones de Poisson con varianza robusta para estimar razones de prevalencia crudas (RP) y ajustadas (RPa) por confusores. Resultados. Se evaluó 172 pacientes, la media de edad fue 61 años, donde el 54,7% eran varones y 123 pacientes tenían NCP. En el modelo crudo se encontró asociación con tener enfermedad cerebrovascular (RP: 1,23; p=0,028), cualquier tipo de cáncer (RP: 1,38; p<0,001), cardiopatías (RP: 1,29; p=0,007), nefropatía (RP: 1,42, p<0,001) y enfermedad de Alzheimer (RP: 1,42; p<0,001). La asociación se mantuvo en la mayoría de EC evaluadas en el modelo ajustado, excepto para cardiopatía (RPa: 1,11; p=0,320). La fuerza de asociación fue menor en el caso de diabetes mellitus (RP: 0,78; p=0,044). Conclusión. La NCP en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas hospitalizados es alta y más frecuente en pacientes con cáncer, enfermedad cerebrovascular, problemas renales y enfermedad de Alzheimer. Los programas de cuidado de pacientes con diabetes mellitus pueden disminuir la NCP.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To assess the association between chronic disease (CD) and the need for palliative care (NPC). Materials and methods. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in a Peruvian hospital during 2019. Patients hospitalized with CD were included, and pregnant women and those hospitalized in critical units were excluded. The SPICT-ESTM instrument was used to assess the NPC; sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were also evaluated. The strength of association was calculated with Poisson regressions with robust variance to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) by confounders. Results. A total of 172 patients were evaluated, the mean age was 61 years, where 54.7% were male and 123 patients had NPC. In the crude model, we found an association with having cerebrovascular disease (PR: 1.23; p=0.028), any type of cancer (PR: 1.38; p<0.001), heart disease (PR: 1.29; p=0.007), nephropathy (PR: 1.42, p<0.001) and Alzheimer's disease (PR: 1.42; p<0.001). The association was maintained for most of the evaluated CDs in the adjusted model, except for heart disease (aPR: 1.11; p=0.320). The association strength was lower for diabetes mellitus (PR: 0.78; p=0.044). Conclusion. NPC in hospitalized chronically ill patients is high and more frequent in patients with cancer, cerebrovascular disease, renal problems and Alzheimer's disease. Care programs for patients with diabetes mellitus may decrease NPC.

COVID-19 case fatality rate and tuberculosis in a metropolitan setting.

In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between tuberculosis case rate and COVID-19 case fatality rate (CFR) among districts within a tuberculosis-endemic metropolitan area. We analyzed data from 43 districts in Lima, Peru. We used districts as the units of observation. Linear regressions were used to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 CFRs and tuberculosis case rates. The mean COVID-19 CFR in each district for reporting Weeks 5-32 was used as the dependent variable. Independent variable was the mean rate of confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis cases for 2017-2019 period. Analyses were adjusted by population density, socioeconomic status, crowded housing, health facility density, and case rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and HIV infection. The mean COVID-19 CFR in Lima was 4.0% ± 1.1%. The mean tuberculosis rate was 16.0 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. In multivariate analysis, tuberculosis case rate was associated with COVID-19 CFR (ß = 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.24-2.28; p = .02), after adjusting for potential confounders. We found that Lima districts with a higher burden of tuberculosis exhibited higher COVID-19 CFRs, independent of socioeconomic, and morbidity variables.

Association between the need for palliative care and chronic diseases in patients treated in a peruvian hospital. / Asociación entre la necesidad de cuidados paliativos y enfermedades crónicas en pacientes atendidos en un hospital peruano.

OBJECTIVES.: To assess the association between chronic disease (CD) and the need for palliative care (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in a Peruvian hospital during 2019. Patients hospitalized with CD were included, and pregnant women and those hospitalized in critical units were excluded. The SPICT-ESTM instrument was used to assess the NPC; sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were also evaluated. The strength of association was calculated with Poisson regressions with robust variance to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) by confounders. RESULTS.: A total of 172 patients were evaluated, the mean age was 61 years, where 54.7% were male and 123 patients had NPC. In the crude model, we found an association with having cerebrovascular disease (PR: 1.23; p=0.028), any type of cancer (PR: 1.38; p<0.001), heart disease (PR: 1.29; p=0.007), nephropathy (PR: 1.42, p<0.001) and Alzheimer's disease (PR: 1.42; p<0.001). The association was maintained for most of the evaluated CDs in the adjusted model, except for heart disease (aPR: 1.11; p=0.320). The association strength was lower for diabetes mellitus (PR: 0.78; p=0.044). CONCLUSION.: NPC in hospitalized chronically ill patients is high and more frequent in patients with cancer, cerebrovascular disease, renal problems and Alzheimer's disease. Care programs for patients with diabetes mellitus may decrease NPC.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la asociación entre las enfermedades crónicas (EC) y la necesidad de cuidados paliativos (NCP). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en un hospital peruano durante el 2019. Se incluyó a pacientes hospitalizados con EC y se excluyó gestantes y a los hospitalizados en unidades críticas. En la evaluación de la NCP se aplicó el instrumento SPICT-ESTM, adicionalmente se evaluaron características sociodemográficas y clínicas. La fuerza de asociación se calculó con regresiones de Poisson con varianza robusta para estimar razones de prevalencia crudas (RP) y ajustadas (RPa) por confusores. RESULTADOS.: Se evaluó 172 pacientes, la media de edad fue 61 años, donde el 54,7% eran varones y 123 pacientes tenían NCP. En el modelo crudo se encontró asociación con tener enfermedad cerebrovascular (RP: 1,23; p=0,028), cualquier tipo de cáncer (RP: 1,38; p<0,001), cardiopatías (RP: 1,29; p=0,007), nefropatía (RP: 1,42, p<0,001) y enfermedad de Alzheimer (RP: 1,42; p<0,001). La asociación se mantuvo en la mayoría de EC evaluadas en el modelo ajustado, excepto para cardiopatía (RPa: 1,11; p=0,320). La fuerza de asociación fue menor en el caso de diabetes mellitus (RP: 0,78; p=0,044). CONCLUSIÓN.: La NCP en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas hospitalizados es alta y más frecuente en pacientes con cáncer, enfermedad cerebrovascular, problemas renales y enfermedad de Alzheimer. Los programas de cuidado de pacientes con diabetes mellitus pueden disminuir la NCP.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Unfavorable Outcomes in Patients With Acute Respiratory Syndromes Due to Coronaviruses Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Only 3 types of coronavirus cause aggressive respiratory disease in humans (MERS-Cov, SARS-Cov-1, and SARS-Cov-2). It has been reported higher infection rates and severe manifestations (ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and death) in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM). For this reason, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes comorbidity and its associated unfavorable health outcomes in patients with acute respiratory syndromes for coronavirus disease according to virus types. METHODS: Systematic review of literature in Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scielo until April of 2020. We included cohort and cross-sectional studies with no restriction by language or geographical zone. The selection and extraction were undertaken by 2 reviewers, independently. The study quality was evaluated with Loney's instrument and data were synthesized by random effects model meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was quantified using an I 2 statistic. Funnel plot, Egger, and Begg tests were used to evaluate publication biases, and subgroups and sensitivity analyses were performed. Finally, we used the GRADE approach to assess the evidence certainty (PROSPERO: CRD42020178049). RESULTS: We conducted the pooled analysis of 28 studies (n = 5960). The prevalence analysis according to virus type were 451.9 diabetes cases per 1000 infected patients (95% CI: 356.74-548.78; I 2 = 89.71%) in MERS-Cov; 90.38 per 1000 (95% CI: 67.17-118.38) in SARS-Cov-1; and 100.42 per 1000 (95% CI: 77.85, 125.26 I 2 = 67.94%) in SARS-Cov-2. The mortality rate were 36%, 6%, 10% and for MERS-Cov, SARS-Cov-1, and SARS-Cov-2, respectively. Due to the high risk of bias (75% of studies had very low quality), high heterogeneity (I 2 higher than 60%), and publication bias (for MERS-Cov studies), we down rate the certainty to very low. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DM in patients with acute respiratory syndrome due to coronaviruses is high, predominantly with MERS-Cov infection. The unfavorable health outcomes are frequent in this subset of patients. Well-powered and population-based studies are needed, including detailed DM clinical profile (such as glycemic control, DM complications, and treatment regimens), comorbidities, and SARS-Cov-2 evolution to reevaluate the worldwide prevalence of this comorbidity and to typify clinical phenotypes with differential risk within the subpopulation of DM patients.