Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Evolution of Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use among First-Year University Students in Spain-UniHcos Project.

Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 2012. Data from 10,522 first-year university students (73.3% female, Mage 19 (SD = 1.6)) from eleven Spanish universities collected between 2012 and May 2022 was analysed. Prevalences of cannabis use and their differences by sex were studied, as well as changes in patterns of use and its use for coping during the pandemic. It was found that during lockdown, all prevalence rates of cannabis use decreased in both sexes, showing no statistically significant differences and increasing again in the new normal period in both. Among regular cannabis users, 79.7% reported maintaining or increasing their cannabis use during the pandemic, and of these, half reported using cannabis to cope. Moreover, cannabis use in the usual household increased during the lockdown. These results show that although the overall prevalence of cannabis use was reduced during the lockdown, regular users tended to maintain or increase cannabis use. This could imply two different patterns of use among students, one social and occasional versus the other regular, providing new lines of research for prevention and the implementation of social policies.

Developing a simple and practical decision model to predict the risk of incident type 2 diabetes among the general population: The Di@bet.es Study.

AIMS: To develop a simple multivariate predictor model of incident type 2 diabetes in general population. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the Spanish Di@bet.es cohort study with 2570 subjects meeting all criteria to be included in the at-risk sample studied here. Information was collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, followed by physical and clinical examination. CHAID algorithm, which collects the information of individuals with and without type 2 diabetes, was used to develop a decision tree based type 2 diabetes prediction model. RESULTS: 156 individuals were identified as having developed type 2 diabetes (6.5% incidence). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at the beginning of the study was the main predictive variable for incident type 2 diabetes: FPG ≤ 92 mg/dL (ref.), 92-106 mg/dL (OR = 3.76, 95%CI = 2.36-6.00), > 106 mg/dL (OR = 13.21; 8.26-21.12). More than 25% of subjects starting follow-up with FPG levels > 106 mg/dL developed type 2 diabetes. When FPG <106 mg/dL, other variables (fasting triglycerides (FTGs), BMI or age) were needed. For levels ≤ 92 mg/dL, higher FTGs levels increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes (FTGs > 180 mg/dL, OR = 14.57; 4.89-43.40) compared with the group of FTGs ≤ 97 mg/dL (FTGs  = 97-180 mg/dL, OR = 3.12; 1.05-9.24). This model correctly classified 93.5% of individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The type 2 diabetes prediction model is based on FTGs, FPG, age, gender, and BMI values. Utilizing commonly available clinical data and a simple blood test, a simple tree diagram helps identify subjects at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in apparently low risk subjects with normal FPG.

Suspected-screening assessment of the occurrence of organic compounds in sewage sludge.

The profiling of emerging organic pollutants present in sludge and generated during wastewater treatment is much more limited than in water. This is mainly due to the difficulty of sludge analysis because of its high content of organic matter and interfering compounds. In this study, a generic extraction method using a mixture of buffered water (pH 4.1) and solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up was applied to samples of sludge obtained in different treatment plants. This extraction was followed by determination of the contaminants by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), using suspected screening to detect the most relevant organic compounds that access the environment through sludge application. This screening (including >3000 substances, such as, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metabolites and industrial chemicals) tentatively identified 122 compound and assigned most probable structure to 39. The set of compounds assigned to a probable structure was increased in 14 compounds by searching in a free database of metabolites. Fifteen compounds were unequivocally confirmed against the analytical standard. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), with 31 substances identified and 8 confirmed were the main group of compounds. Compounds frequently detected in all sludge samples include nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate, amino acids such as phenylalanine, or peptides such as leu-phe. Altogether, the results of this work highlight the interest of HRMS to draw the profile of organic compounds in complex matrices.

Barriers to the care of febrile patients in a malaria endemic area. El Bagre (Antioquia, Colombia) 2016 / Barreras para la atención de pacientes febriles en una zona endémica de malaria. El Bagre (Antioquia, Colombia) 2016 / Barreiras para a atenção de pacientes febriles em uma zona endemica de malaria. O Bagre

Objective: identify constraints of patients with acute febrile syndrome to institutional care services access, emphasizing the identification of communication barriers. Method: this is a descriptive study that involves qualitative research techniques including malaria care service patients as well as assistance and administrative personnel of El Bagre town in Antioquia, Colombia in 2016. Semi-structured individual surveys, interviews and focus groups were used. Results: users listed difficulties including transportation, insufficient number of appointments and absence of personnel to access healthcare. Communication difficulties were related to the information provided in the paperwork and documents filled out to attend healthcare facilities, scarce information about diagnostic, control, and adherence to antimalarial treatment; additionally some patients did not use Spanish to communicate in oral or write form. Conclusion: the creation of health models based on structural transformations that encompass the needs of Healthcare System actors and communities is a must, which allows the establishment of foundations for a multicultural society project

Objetivo: Identificar limitaciones de los pacientes con síndrome febril agudo para acceder a los servicios de atención institucional, con énfasis en la identificación de barreras de comunicación.Método: Estudio descriptivo que involucra técnicas de investigación cualitativa con pacientes de los servicios de atención de la malaria y con personal asistencial y administrativo del municipio de El Bagre Antioquia, Colombia en el 2016. Se aplicaron encuestas semiestructuradas individuales, entrevistas y grupos focales. Los usuarios señalaron dificultades con el transporte, insuficiente número de citas y falta de personal para acceder a la atención. Resultados: Las dificultades de comunicación se relacionaron con la información suministrada sobre trámites y documentación para asistir a los puestos de salud, poca información sobre el diagnóstico, control y adherencia al tratamiento antimalárico y el no uso de algunos pacientes del español para comunicarse en forma verbal o escrita. Conclusiones: Esto exige crear modelos de salud basados en transformaciones estructurales que abarquen las necesidades de los actores del sistema de salud y las comunidades, permitiendo establecer las bases para un proyecto multicultural de sociedad.

Objetivo: Identificar limitações dos pacientes com síndrome febril agudo para aceder aos serviços de atenção institucional, com ênfase na identificação de barreiras de comunicação. Método: Estudo descritivo que involucra técnicas de pesquisa qualitativa com pacientes dos serviços de atenção da malária e com equipe assistencial e administrativo do município do Bagre Antioquia, Colômbia no 2016. Fizeram-se enquetes semiestruturadas individuais, entrevistas e grupos focais. Os usuários sinalaram dificuldades com o transporte, insuficiente número de horas marcadas e falta de pessoal para aceder à atenção. Resultados: As dificuldades de comunicação se relacionaram com a informação subministrada sobre trâmites e documentação para chegar aos SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), pouca informação sobre o diagnóstico, controle e aderência ao tratamento antimalárico e o não uso de alguns pacientes do espanhol para comunicar-se em forma verbal ou escrita. Conclusões: Isto exige criar modelos de saúde baseados em transformações estruturais que abarquem as necessidades dos atores do sistema de saúde e as comunidades, permitindo estabelecer as bases para um projeto multicultural de sociedade.

Vertigo and dizziness in hospital: Attendance, flow and characteristics of patients. / Vértigo y mareo en el hospital: frecuentación, flujo y características de los pacientes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Vertigo and dizziness as symptoms are frequent in the population. They are present in a wide range of pathologies and it is usually difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. The general objective of this study is to obtain the information to evaluate vertigo and dizziness in the hospital setting. The specific objectives are: to estimate the burden of these symptoms at the hospital; to study patients' conditions and to detail the flow of these patients inside the hospital. METHODS: Observational descriptive study. We made a search of the referral proposals made in 2011 and 2012 to the hospital because of vertigo symptoms. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, and the administrative details of the referrals were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 558 proposals were analysed corresponding to 494 patients. Vertigo accounted for 0.5% of all referrals made from Primary Care to the hospital. Sixty-three percent of the sample were women; the average age was 58 years. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were evaluated by Otorhinolaryngology, 24% by Neurology. Thirty point eight percent consulted on 3 or more occasions for the symptom. Sixteen percent were assessed for psychiatric conditions in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Vertigo as a symptom is a significant burden in the hospital setting. The patients who suffer it consult on several occasions and are assessed by different specialties. This implies in some cases an excessive and ineffective flow of patients. In our setting, otorhinolaryngology is the main department to treat vertigo and dizziness patients.

Relationship between the level of physical activity and markers of cardiovascular health in Valencian adolescents (Spain).

INTRODUCTION: A sedentary lifestyle is not only a major cardiovascular risk factor from an early age, it also contributes to the development of other cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study was to determine the level of physical activity and relate it to cardiovascular risk markers in Valencian adolescents according to their anthropometric characteristics and gender. POPULATION AND METHODS: The following variables were assessed in a randomized sample of 583 Valencian adolescents (Spain) aged 12-18 years: level of physical activity, using a validated questionnaire; weight, height and waist circumference; aerobic capacity, using the multi-stage ftness test (Course-Navette test); and muscle strength, using a manual dynamometry. RESULTS: In total, 57.60% of male adolescents and 14% of female adolescents complied with the recommendations for physical activity. The prevalence of excessive weight, waist circumference with risk, and aerobic capacity with risk was 24.90%, 29.30% and 20.60%, respectively among boys, and 15.10%, 23.20% and 24.70% among girls (p <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A higher level of physical activity in adolescents is related to a lower body mass index, a smaller waist circumference and less excessive weight in male adolescents, and to a higher aerobic capacity and a lower cardiovascular risk in both male and female adolescents. Aerobic capacity and waist circumference with risk are signifcantly higher among subjects with excessive weight.

Relationship between the level of physical activity and markers of cardiovascular health in Valencian adolescents (Spain) / Relación del nivel de práctica de actividad física con marcadores de salud cardiovascular en adolescentes valencianos (España)

Introduction. A sedentary lifestyle is not only a major cardiovascular risk factor from an early age, it also contributes to the development of other cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study was to determine the level of physical activity and relate it to cardiovascular risk markers in Valencian adolescents according to their anthropometric characteristics and gender. Population and Methods. The following variables were assessed in a randomized sample of 583 Valencian adolescents (Spain) aged 12-18 years: level of physical activity, using a validated questionnaire; weight, height and waist circumference; aerobic capacity, using the multi-stage ftness test (Course-Navette test); and muscle strength, using a manual dynamometry. Results. In total, 57.60% of male adolescents and 14% of female adolescents complied with the recommendations for physical activity. The prevalence of excessive weight, waist circumference with risk, and aerobic capacity with risk was 24.90%, 29.30% and 20.60%, respectively among boys, and 15.10%, 23.20% and 24.70% among girls (p <0.005). Conclusions. A higher level of physical activity in adolescents is related to a lower body mass index, a smaller waist circumference and less excessive weight in male adolescents, and to a higher aerobic capacity and a lower cardiovascular risk in both male and female adolescents. Aerobic capacity and waist circumference with risk are signifcantly higher among subjects with excessive weight.

Introducción. El sedentarismo no solo es un factor de riesgo cardiovascular importante desde edades tempranas, sino que además contribuye al desarrollo de otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el nivel de práctica de actividad física y relacionarlo con marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes valencianos, según las características antropométricas y el género. Población y métodos. En una muestra aleatoria de 583 adolescentes valencianos (España), de 12 a 18 años, se evaluó el nivel de práctica de actividad física mediante un cuestionario validado; el peso, la talla y la circunferencia abdominal; la capacidad aeróbica mediante la prueba de Course-Navette y la fuerza muscular mediante la dinamometría manual. Resultados. Cumplían las recomendaciones de práctica de actividad física el 57,60% de los varones y el 14% de las mujeres. La prevalencia de exceso de peso, circunferencia abdominal con riesgo y capacidad aeróbica con riesgo fue de 24,90%, 29,30% y 20,60%, respectivamente en los varones y de 15,10%, 23,20% y 24,70% en las mujeres (p < 0,005). Conclusiones. Un mayor nivel de práctica de actividad física en los adolescentes se relaciona con menor índice de masa corporal, menor circunferencia abdominal y menor exceso de peso en los varones, y con mayor capacidad aeróbica y menor riesgo cardiovascular en ambos sexos. La capacidad aeróbica con riesgo y la circunferencia abdominal con riesgo son signifcativamente mayores en los sujetos con exceso de peso.

Occupational exposure to chlorinated and petroleum solvents and mycosis fungoides.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential association between occupational exposure to chlorinated and petroleum solvents and mycosis fungoides (MF). METHODS: A questionnaire on lifetime job history was administered to 100 patients diagnosed with MF and 2846 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated as the measure of the association between exposure to each specific solvent and MF. RESULTS: In the total sample and in men, cases and controls did not differ in relation to exposure to any of the solvents studied. In women, an association with MF was seen for the highest level of estimated exposure to perchloroethylene (OR = 11.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 124.85) and for exposure less than the median to kerosene/fuel/gasoil (OR = 8.53; 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 65.62). CONCLUSIONS: These results do not provide conclusive evidence that exposure to solvents may increase risk of MF because they were not found in men.

Vitamin D status and hypercholesterolemia in Spanish general population.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels have been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. A possible relation between lipids and 25(OH)D might explain this association. This investigation aimed to determine the association between vitamin D and cholesterol, as well as the influence of statins on this association. This was a cross-sectional population-based study with 177 subjects aged 18-84 years. We collected demographics and data on sun exposure, sun protection habits, current medication including lipid-lowering drugs, and estimated vitamin D intake. Serum measurements included levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose. The mean 25(OH)D level was 24 ± 9 ng/ml. Young age (P = 0.04) and spending more than 1 h outdoors (P = 0.04) were independently associated with higher 25(OH)D levels. The 25(OH)D concentrations correlated negatively with total cholesterol (P = 0.01) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.04) levels. The adjusted OR for total cholesterol > 200 mg/ml was 2.8 (range, 1.1-7.5). Receiving statins was associated with higher 25(OH)D levels (P = 0.04). In conclusion, this study supports an association between 25(OH)D levels and cholesterol. Further studies are required to explain this association.

Interaction of cerebrovascular disease and contralateral carotid occlusion in prediction of shunt insertion during carotid endarterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the possible role and the interaction of cerebrovascular disease and vascular stenosis on the necessity of shunt insertion during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients undergoing CEA under regional anaesthesia were prospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they were shunted or not. The measured end-points were co-morbidities degree of contralateral and carotid stenosis and other intra- and postoperative outstanding parameters. ANOVA, Student's t and χ(2) tests were used (p<0.05). Variables differing significantly between groups and potential confounders were used in backward stepwise logistic regression to estimate the relative risk (RR, 95% CI) of shunt. In addition Wald's test (p<0.05) with and without adjustments for potential confounders was used with various different multivariate analysis models. RESULTS: Contralateral stenosis and cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) were more frequently observed in shunted patients. The RR for patients with contralateral stenosis ≥ 50% was 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.5) and for patients with previous CVA was 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.4). For contralateral stenosis and CVA together the RR increased to 7.7 (95% CI 1.0-14.4). A model based on contralateral stenosis and CVA was found to be statistically significant (p=0.003) for shunt (RR=1.1, 95% CI 1.0-2.1). Relative excess risk due to interaction of both factors was 6.2. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that patients with contralateral stenosis ≥ 50% and previous CVA have a higher risk of requiring shunt use during CEA than patients with these risk factors separately.

Static posturography with dynamic tests. Usefulness of biomechanical parameters in assessing vestibular patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Posturography allows evaluating postural control. This study showed the posturographic parameters that were useful for assessing the functional ability to maintain balance in our sample of vestibular patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of a total of 89 patients, 59 were healthy subjects and 30 had a peripheral vestibular disorder. The subjects were studied using the posturographic NedSVE/IBV system, combining static (Romberg) and dynamic (stability limits and rhythmic weight shifts) tests. We then compared the measurements found in the groups. RESULTS: Normal subjects showed significantly lower oscillations than our patients in all of the posturographic parameters studied (except the displacement angle). In testing the limits of stability, although normal subjects achieved maximum displacements greater than the subjects with the disorder, the differences found were not significant. In rhythmic weight shift tests, normal subjects showed more favourable results than did the vestibular patients, with significant differences in 3 of the 4 parameters studied: 1) anteroposterior ability, 2) mediolateral ability, and 3) anteroposterior control and efficiency. CONCLUSION: Rhythmic weight shift tests and the static posturography test parameters used were useful in discriminating among the normal and pathological subjects in this study.

Inefficient arterial hypertension control in patients with metabolic syndrome and its link to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system polymorphisms.

There is evidence that uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AHT) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) increases cardiovascular risks. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and its polymorphisms apparently confer a genetic risk for uncontrolled AHT. This study aims to investigate the influence of RAAS polymorphisms on AHT control in patients diagnosed with MS. This is a two-stage population-based nested case-control pilot study (n=1514). We differentiated between MS-diagnosed patients and non-MS patients (ATP-III criteria) and selected those individuals diagnosed with AHT from each group (n=161 and n=156, respectively). Those who successfully controlled their AHT (controls) and those who did not were compared. In the MS population, the C/G and G/G genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1040288 (NR3C2) and A/G and G/G of rs11099680 (NR3C2) were associated with uncontrolled AHT (odds ratio (OR)=2.94 (1.34-6.47) and OR=2.54 (1.09-5.93), respectively). According to Akaike's information criteria, the best adjusted model included gender and age as confounding variables (adjusted OR (ORa)=2.91 (1.31-6.46) and ORa=2.67 (1.13-6.31), respectively). Regarding rs1040288, an ORa of 4.03 (1.44-11.26) was obtained for the saturated model (adjusted for gender, age, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, biochemical profile, renal damage, smoking habit and anti-AHT treatment). Yet, when the same analysis was performed on the non-MS population, no association was found between rs11099680 and the failure to control AHT. The results reveal a possible association between the rs11099680 RAAS polymorphism and uncontrolled AHT in MS-diagnosed patients. rs1040288 appears to be associated with uncontrolled blood pressure regardless of MS profile.

[Myringoplasties. A retrospective analysis of our surgical outcomes]. / Miringoplastias. Un análisis retrospectivo de nuestros resultados.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present, myringoplasty case results in our department. Different factors were studied to confirm their prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 126 myringoplasties from 2006 until 2010 were reviewed, collecting patient-related details, descriptions of the anatomical defect and the most interesting surgical aspects. RESULTS: Subtotal perforations (35.7%) were the most frequently observed. In 89.7% of the operations, the transcanal approach was preferred. The medial technique (underlay) to the tympanic membrane was the most performed (97.6%). Cartilage was the principal graft used (82.5%). Complete closure of the perforation was obtained in 71.1% of the cases at 6 months follow-up. Recurrences of the perforations were of minimal size in 11.9% of the cases, partial in 11.1% and with a cartilage fragment gap in 4.8%. The mean time in which these defects were registered was 3.82 months. The mean post-operative auditory gain was 12.8 decibels at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Myringoplasty is an appropriate technique for restoring tympanic integrity and obtaining functional benefit. Dried middle ear mucosa and posterior perforations seem to be related with better functional results.

Parental occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and male genital malformations: a study in the Danish National Birth Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sex hormones closely regulate development of the male genital organs during fetal life. The hypothesis that xenobiotics may disrupt endogenous hormonal signalling has received considerable scientific attention, but human evidence is scarce. OBJECTIVES: We analyse occurrence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism according to maternal and paternal occupational exposure to possible endocrine disrupting chemicals. METHODS: We conducted a follow-up study of 45,341 male singleton deliveries in the Danish National Birth Cohort during 1997-2009. Information on work during pregnancy was obtained by telephone interviews around gestational week 16. Parents' job titles were classified according to DISCO-88. A job exposure matrix for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was implemented to assess occupational exposures. The Medical Birth and National Hospital Register provided data on congenital anomalies diagnosed at birth or during follow-up, which ended in 2009. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were obtained from Cox regression models. RESULTS: Among all pregnancies, 6.3% were classified as possibly or probably exposed to EDCs. The most prevalent occupations conferring possible exposure were cleaners, laboratory technicians, hairdressers and agricultural workers (58% of all potentially exposed). The final cumulative incidence of cryptorchidism in boys was 2.2% (1002 cases), and of hypospadias 0.6% (262 cases). The occurrence of hypospadias increased when mothers were probably [HRa = 1.8 (95% CI 1.0-2.6)] or possibly exposed to one or more EDCs [HRa = 2.6 (95% CI 1.8-3.4). Possible paternal exposure to heavy metals increased the risk of hypospadias [HRa 2.2 (95% CI: 1.0-3.4)] and cryptorchidism [HRa 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-2.7)]. None of the exposure groups reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The study provides some but limited evidence that occupational exposure to possible endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy increases the risk of hypospadias.

Association between AT C573T polymorphism and cardiovascular risk factors in myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in the AT1 gene have been associated with various parameters related to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and to myocardial infarction. This study analyzed the relationship between two polymorphisms of the angiotensin II AT-1 receptor gene (AT1_1166 and AT1_573) and the risk of ischemic heart disease by studying their association with several cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: The sample population comprised 356 subjects: 174 patients who had survived myocardial infarction (61.01 ± 8.15 years), and 182 age- and gender-matched controls (mean age of 60.25 ± 9.43). The polymorphisms of the angiotensin II AT1-receptor gene (C573T and A1166C) were studied by polymerase chain reaction and DNA restriction analysis. We compared the patients' genetic polymorphism with their risk of ischemic heart disease. RESULTS: The A1166C polymorphism did not show any significant differences between the groups. However, with respect to C573T, genotypes tended to differ significantly between cases and controls in the CC and TT types, remaining significant when the CC and CT+TT were grouped. Through analysis of the fit of various multivariate models, we found that the CC genotype is a risk factor for myocardial infarction. This risk remains significant after being adjusted for gender, age, homeostasis model assessment, and anthropometric variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the C573T polymorphism and the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction that seems to be due to its relationship with some risk factors. However, given the multifactorial nature of this pathology, further studies are needed to confirm the evidence that we report herein.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation in splanchnic vein thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: The role that hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) and the C677T mutation in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play in splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) remains unclear due to this unusual thrombotic location. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the possible association of HH with the C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene in SVT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We determined homocysteine levels and the C677T MTHFR mutation, along with classical cardiovascular risk factors, in 48 patients with SVT (18 Budd-Chiari syndrome, 11 mesenteric vein thrombosis, 19 portal vein thrombosis) and 84 controls. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, patients with SVT showed statistically higher homocysteine levels (P =0.044). After adjusting for total cholesterol, differences disappeared (P =0.256). However, no differences in homocysteine levels were observed when comparing the three SVT types (P =0.199), even after adjusting for age and total cholesterol (P =0.095). In addition, the prevalence of the TT genotype was no different when controls were compared with patients with SVT (P =0.253) or with SVT subtypes (P =0.885). No association was found between HH (>15 µm) and the TT genotype in cases (P =0.404), controls (P =0.178), or in the different SVT subtypes (P =0.495). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HH and the homozygous genotype in the MTHFR C677T mutation do not seem to play a role in SVT development.

How ineffective hypertension control in subjects treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is related to polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

PURPOSE: To investigate how genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) influence hypertension (HT) control with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs (ACEI). METHODS: A case-control, cross-sectional population-based nested study (n=1514) included hypertensive patients treated with ACEI drugs, either alone or with other antihypertensive drugs. We differentiated between those who did not control their HT (cases) with those who did (controls). Each group's characteristics were compared to determine the risk of non-controlled HT associated with RAAS polymorphisms by adjusting for different variables. RESULTS: rs11571074 obtained an ORa of 5.26 for T/T (1.25-20). rs5945377 obtained an ORa 16.16 (1.61-162.62) for genotypes G/G-G/C. rs909383, rs275649 and rs4681444 obtained an ORa of 4.00 (1.19-14.28), 5.89 (1.53-25) and 3.89 (1.53-25) when genotypes C/C and A/A were expressed for the first and for the other two, respectively. For rs2272089, rs13117325 and rs11099680, a higher non-control risk was seen in A/G-G/G carriers (ORa: 4.9 (1.3-18.3); ORa: 3.7 (1.0-13.4); ORa: 6.5 (1.7-24.7). Finally, rs6535598 obtained an ORa of 10.4 (1.2-92.9) in T/T carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study shows a possible association of polymorphisms of RAAS genes with the risk of non-control of HT in ACEI-treated patients and indicates the importance of all this system's components in regulating HT, it needs to be replicated in other data sources.