Characterizing the transition from paediatric to adult care among emerging adults with Type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: The goals of the study were to describe the transition of youth with Type 1 diabetes from paediatric to adult healthcare services, examine the link of this transition with self care and glycaemic control, and distinguish youth who received medical treatment from different physicians in terms of demographic and parent relationship variables. METHODS: Youth with Type 1 diabetes (n = 118) were enrolled in a prospective study that examined the transition from the paediatric to adult healthcare systems and were evaluated during their senior year of high school (time 1) and 1 year later (time 2). Data on self care, glycaemic control and parent relationship were collected. RESULTS: The majority of youth saw a paediatric endocrinologist at both assessments (n = 64); others saw an adult care physician at both assessments (n = 26) or transitioned from a paediatric endocrinologist to an adult care physician (n = 19). Nine youth saw no physician between time 1 and time 2. There were group differences in demographic and parent relationship variables and self-care behaviour and glycaemic control related to the transition of care. Youth who remained in the paediatric healthcare system had the best self care and did not experience declines in glycaemic control over time. CONCLUSIONS: Early transition from the paediatric healthcare system to the adult healthcare system is associated with psychosocial variables and worse glycaemic control. Future research should identify factors that determine optimal timing and strategies to avoid deterioration of care and control during this transition.

Update of the PANCCO clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the adult population.

Ulcerative colitis (US) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology. It is incurable and its clinical course is intermittent, characterized by periods of remission and relapse. The prevalence and incidence of the disease has been increasing worldwide. The update presented herein includes the participation of healthcare professionals, decision-makers, and a representative of the patients, all of whom declared their conflicts of interest. Answerable clinical questions were formulated, and the outcomes were graded. The information search was conducted on the Medline/PubMed, Embase, Epistemonikos, and LILACS databases, and covered grey literature sources, as well. The search was updated on November 30, 2020, with no restrictions regarding date or language. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) classification system was implemented to establish the strength of the recommendation and quality of evidence. A formal consensus was developed, based on the RAND/UCLA methodology and the document was peer reviewed. The short version of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in the Adult Population is presented herein, together with the supporting evidence and respective recommendations. In mild-to-moderate UC, budesonide MMX is an option when treatment with 5-ASA fails, and before using systemic steroids. In moderate-to-severe UC, infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib can be used as first-line therapy. If there is anti-TNF therapy failure, ustekinumab and tofacitinib provide the best results. In patients with antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, anti-TNFs are the treatment of choice.

[Prospective assessment of medication errors in critically ill patients in a university hospital]. / Errores de medicación en pacientes críticos adultos de un hospital universitario: Estudio prospectivo y aleatorio.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are especially vulnerable to medication errors (ME) due to their severe clinical situation and the complexities of their management. AIM: To determine the frequency and characteristics of ME and identify shortcomings in the processes of medication management in an Intensive Care Unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 3 months period, an observational prospective and randomized study was carried out in the ICU of a university hospital. Every step of patient's medication management (prescription, transcription, dispensation, preparation and administration) was evaluated by an external trained professional. Steps with higher frequency of ME and their therapeutic groups involved were identified. Medications errors were classified according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. RESULTS: In 52 of 124 patients evaluated, 66 ME were found in 194 drugs prescribed. In 34% of prescribed drugs, there was at least 1 ME during its use. Half of ME occurred during medication administration, mainly due to problems in infusion rates and schedule times. Antibacterial drugs had the highest rate of ME. CONCLUSIONS: We found a 34% rate of ME per drug prescribed, which is in concordance with international reports. The identification of those steps more prone to ME in the ICU, will allow the implementation of an intervention program to improve the quality and security of medication management.

Public understandings of potential policy responses to health inequalities: Evidence from a UK national survey and citizens' juries in three UK cities.

A substantial body of research describes the distribution, causes and potential reduction of health inequalities, yet little scholarship examines public understandings of these inequalities. Existing work is dominated by small-scale, qualitative studies of the experiences of specific communities. As a result, we know very little about what broader publics think about health inequalities; and even less about public views of potential policy responses. This is an important gap since previous research shows many researchers and policymakers believe proposals for 'upstream' policies are unlikely to attract sufficient public support to be viable. This mixed methods study combined a nationally representative survey with three two-day citizens' juries exploring public views of health inequalities and potential policy responses in three UK cities (Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool) in July 2016. Comparing public opinion elicited via a survey to public reasoning generated through deliberative processes offers insight into the formation of public views. The results challenge perceptions that there is a lack of public support for upstream, macro-level policy proposals and instead demonstrate support for proposals aiming to tackle health inequalities via improvements to living and working conditions, with more limited support for proposals targeting individual behavioural change. At the same time, some macro-economic proposals, notably those involving tax increases, proved controversial among study participants and results varied markedly by data source. Our analysis suggests that this results from three intersecting factors: a resistance to ideas viewed as disempowering (which include, fundamentally, the idea that health inequalities exist); the prevalence of individualising and fatalistic discourses, which inform resistance to diverse policy proposals (but especially those that are more 'upstream', macro-level proposals); and a lack of trust in (local and national) government. This suggests that efforts to enhance public support for evidence-informed policy responses to health inequalities may struggle unless these broader challenges are also addressed.

Epidemiology of hip fracture in Tucuman, Argentina.

UNLABELLED: The incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture was studied previously in a central area of Argentina. Studying Tucuman (north area) was very useful to compare results of the different areas and detect a similar incidence in women and a slightly higher incidence in men compared with previous data for the central region. INTRODUCTION/METHODS: Epidemiology of hip fracture was studied over a 1-year period in the city of San Miguel de Tucumán (SMT) and in the whole province of Tucumán, located in the northeast of Argentina (latitudes 26° and 28° south). The results were compared with previous studies performed in the central region of Argentina. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three patients (208 women and 75 men) aged 50 years or over in SMT suffered a hip fracture. The incidence in females and males was 334.9 and 163.8 hip fractures per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively (female/male ratio 2.0). A total of 498 hip fractures were recorded in Tucuman province (367 in women and 131 in men). The results in females and males were 276.5 and 114.7 hip fractures per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively. Average age of the female and male population was 78±9 and 77±9 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that the incidence of hip fracture in female and male populations in SMT was similar to previous studies performed in the central area of the country. Further studies on the south area of Argentina should be conducted to complete the information on a large country extending from latitudes 22° to 55°S.

Manejo del cáncer de mama en tiempos de pandemia COVID-19: experiencia local / Management of breast cancer in COVID-19 pandemic: a local experience

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha generado un estancamiento mundial en la atención y resolución de todas las patologías graves y crónicas, debido al colapso de los sistemas de salud, a la dificultad de consulta, dada por la disminución de movilidad de las personas, por las cuarentenas establecidas y también por el temor de los pacientes al contagio en los centros de salud. Los enfermos oncológicos han visto canceladas sus atenciones, suspendidos o postergado sus tratamientos y diferidas sus cirugías. Esto no ha sido ajeno a las pacientes con cáncer de mama. En el presente trabajo, se reporta la experiencia de una Unidad de Patología Mamaria de un hospital público de Santiago de Chile y de las acciones realizadas para mantener la continuidad de atención en una comuna con una alta tasa de infección por SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a global stagnation in the care and medical treatment of serious and chronic illnesses due to the collapse of the health systems, the difficulty of consulting due to decreased mobility caused by forced quarantines and also because of the fear of infection when attending a health center. Cancer patients have had their medical appointments canceled, their treatments suspended or postponed, and their surgeries delayed. Breast cancer patients have not been the exception. We report the experience of a Breast Pathology Unit of a public hospital in Santiago of Chile, and the actions carried out to maintain continuity of care in a community with a high infection rate of SARS-CoV-2.

Recent advances in the treatment of childhood obesity.

The multidisciplinary, four-phase approach, which includes PSMF, BEM, and MPE is successful in treating mild, moderate, and severe degrees of childhood and adolescent obesity. The MPE program is appropriate for use with PSMF and BEM due to its progressive nature, variety of options, and moderate intensity level. In addition, the MPE program is of sufficient intensity, duration, and frequency to promote a significant increase in estimated aerobic capacity (VO2max) and to promote the maintenance of lean body mass and resting energy expenditure. The short-term intervention of PSMF, BEM, and MPE also results in an improvement in body composition, lipid profiles, and IGF-1 and T3 levels. The 1200-calorie balanced diet, MPE, and BEM also provide a successful method of weight maintenance in children and adolescents, as indicated by further improvement in body composition at the 26-week measure. Additional studies are needed to assess the contribution of exercise to the maintenance of lean body mass and resting energy expenditure in obese children and adolescents. In addition, it will be important to assess long-term weight maintenance in obese adolescents who effectively lose weight in this multidisciplinary program.

Hepatic insulin clearance increases after weight loss in obese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a rapidly increasing health problem among US youth. Hyperinsulinemia is associated with obesity and has been found to be a contributory factor for the development of cardiovascular disease in the obese. It has been suggested that hyperinsulinemia of obesity is a result of increased insulin secretion caused by insulin resistance. However, it has been shown in adults that decreased hepatic insulin clearance (HIC) is the primary cause of hyperinsulinemia in this population. METHODS: We studied 15 obese children and adolescents (11 F, 4 M; 8.6 to 18.1 years) before and 10 weeks after their enrollment in a multidisciplinary weight reduction program, which included a protein-sparing modified fast, a moderate intensity progressive exercise program, and a behavior-modification intervention. RESULTS: All patients lost weight (P < 0.05). Measurements of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and C-peptide reactivity (CPR) were performed before the program and at 10 weeks. IRI levels dropped significantly, whereas CPR levels did not change. CPR/IRI molar ratios, considered an indirect estimation of HIC, rose significantly after weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that hyperinsulinemia seen in obese children and adolescents is caused by decreased HIC. The cause for this decrease remains unknown, but it is reversible upon weight loss.

Growth hormone isoforms in a girl with gigantism.

Several previous investigations have suggested that there may be different growth hormone isoforms in patients with acromegaly. We used three different site-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to investigate growth hormone (GH) isoforms in serum from an 8 year-old girl with a GH and prolactin secreting adenoma. The pattern of GH-immunoreactivity was dependent on the circumstances of collection. Serum obtained after oral glucose had very little cross reactivity with MAb 352 although concentrations of up to 15 micrograms/l were found with two other MAbs, 033 and 665. MAb 352 does not recognize the 20,000 dalton isoform of GH (20K) while both MAb 033 and 665 do. The same pattern of GH immunoreactivity (low MAb 352, equal and higher MAb 033 and 665) was seen in other baseline samples. In contrast, samples obtained after TRH/GnRH showed immunoreactivity patterns expected for a mixture of 22,000 dalton isoform of GH (22K) with only a small amount of 20K. GH samples obtained during sleep showed both patterns with episodic peaks with equal immunoreactivity superimposed on the basal pattern (decreased activity with MAb 352). Affinity chromatography of basal samples showed that a portion of the GH immunoreactivity was neither 22K nor 20K, although in stimulated samples, over 70% of GH was 22K or 20K GH. In conclusion, the nature of GH isoforms present in serum varies with GH concentration. These differences may contribute to the known difficulty in correlating disease activity and random GH measurements in patients with GH secreting adenomas.

Dynamics of ionized magnesium and ionized calcium during recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis managed with conventional treatment.

Serial measurements of ionized magnesium (iMg), ionized calcium (iCa) and pH performed during the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in a 10 9/12-year-old female showed a progressive decrease in iMg and iCa to subnormal values which inversely correlated with the increase of pH, suggesting a state of depletion of these cations during conventional DKA management.

Errores de medicación en pacientes críticos adultos de un hospital universitario: Estudio prospectivo y aleatorio / Prospective assessment of medication errors in critically ill patients in a university hospital

Background: Critically ill patients are especially vulnerable to medication errors (ME) due to their severe clinical situation and the complexities of their management. Aim: To determine the frequency and characteristics of ME and identify shortcomings in the processes of medication management in an Intensive Care Unit. Patients and Methods: During a 3 months period, an observational prospective and randomized study was carried out in the ICU of a university hospital. Every step of patient's medication management (prescription, transcription, dispensation, preparation and administration) was evaluated by an external trained professional. Steps with higher frequency of ME and their therapeutic groups involved were identified. Medications errors were classified according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Results: In 52 of 124 patients evaluated, 66 ME were found in 194 drugs prescribed. In 34% of prescribed drugs, there was at least 1 ME during its use. Half of ME occurred during medication administration, mainly due to problems in infusion rates and schedule times. Antibacterial drugs had the highest rate of ME. Conclusions: We found a 34% rate of ME per drug prescribed, which is in concordance with international reports. The identification of those steps more prone to ME in the ICU, will allow the implementation of an intervention program to improve the quality and security of medication management.

Role of metallothionein and cysteine-rich intestinal protein in the regulation of zinc absorption by diabetic rats.

Hyperzincuria and low Zn absorption in diabetic animals and humans have prompted speculation that diabetics are more susceptible to Zn deficiency. There is little information, however, describing the effects of diabetes on the biochemical mechanisms of intestinal Zn transport. We evaluated Zn absorption in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats based on a model of Zn transport in which cysteine-rich intestinal protein serves as an intracellular carrier that is inhibited by metallothionein (MT). Apparent absorption and retention of Zn and Cu in rats fed a purified diet were measured in a balance study 15-17 d after induction of diabetes. The rate of 65Zn absorption from isolated intestinal segments, molecular distribution of 65Zn in mucosal cytosol, and tissue MT levels were measured on d 20-22. Food consumption, and thus Zn and Cu intake, by diabetic rats was twice that of controls. Although fractional absorption (percent) of Zn and Cu was lower in the diabetic rats, net absorption (micrograms/100 g body weight/d) was higher. The higher net absorption in the diabetic group was offset, however, by higher urinary excretion, so that Zn and Cu retention was similar in both groups of animals. Low fractional absorption is attributable to the down-regulation of intestinal Zn transport, as indicated by the lower rate of 65Zn absorption from isolated intestinal segments in the diabetic rats. Down-regulation of intestinal transport is in turn attributable to higher concentrations of intestinal MT, which resulted in more 65Zn in the mucosal cytosol bound to MT, an inhibitor of Zn transport, and less to cysteine-rich intestinal protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correlación histológica de las densidades asimétricas y las distorsiones de arquitectura mamográficas en un grupo de biopsias radioquirúrgicas / Histologic correlation of asimetric densities and mammographic architectural distorsions in a group of radiosurgical biopsies

Dentro de los hallazgos considerados como anormales de la mamografía están consideradas las densidades asismétricas y las distorsiones de la arquitectura, sin embargo, son poco frecuentes y su verdadero significado patológico es incierto. El objetivo de este trabjo es analizar la correlación histológica de este grupo de anomalías en nuestra cohorte de pacientes sometidas a biopsias radioquirúrgicas. Entre el 1 de julio de 1997 y el 31 de julio de 2001 se operaron 642 pacientes de las cuales, 203 fueron biopsias radioquirúrgicas. En 16 pacientes la indicación para la cirugía fueron densidades asimétricas y en 6 distorsiones de arquitectura. El motivo de consulta fue control mamográfico en 20 y nódulo palpable en la mama contralateral en 2, los que resultaron un quiste y una fibroadenoma. La ecotomografía se realizó en 16 pacientes y demostró alteraciones sospechosas en 12. La anatomía patológica reveló 7 carcinomas, una lesión con atipia y 14 lesiones benignas. De los cánceres 4 fueron infiltrantes y 3 in situ, presentándose todos éstos como densidades asimétricas y ninguno como distorsión de la arquitectura. En una cohorte de 16 pacientes con densidades asimétricas, 37,5 por ciento resultaron lesiones malignas o potencialmente malignas. En nuestro medio 33,3 por ciento de las distorsiones de la arquitectura se correlacionaron con carcinoma. La ecotomografía, que actualmente realizamos a todas nuestras pacientes con estas alteraciones mamográficas, es una herramienta indispensable que complementa y nos ayuda en la toma de decisiones

Presión arterial en niños de los 4 a 14 años Medellín – Colombia / Arterial pressure in children from 4 to 14 years of age. Medellín, Colombia. 1991

La hipertensión arterial es un problema de salud pública y su detección temprana es fundamental para evitar sus posibles consecuencias. Se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo, en la ciudad de Medellín. El objetivo del estudio fue cuantificar los valores de presión arterial en niños escolares, entre 4 ya14 años de edad, pertenecientes a entidades educativas de la ciudad. La muestra fue de 1.200 niños; 584 mujeres y 616 hombres. Se siguieron los parámetros recomendados por el 2º Task Forceo n Blood Pressure y la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se registro al presión arterial con esfingomanómetro de mercurio, tomando como presión arterial sistólica el primer ruido de Korotkoff o aparición del sonido, como presión arterial diastólica A, el apagamiento o cuarta (IV) fase y la presión arterial diastólica B, la desaparición o quinta fase...

Costo beneficio del estudio de diseminación en estadios I y II del cáncer de mama / Yield and costs of complementary examinations to study the disseminations of stage I and II breast carcinoma

Chest X ray, abdominal ultrasound and bone scintigraphy are usually requested to study a possible dissemination of breast carcinoma. Aim: To study the yield and costs of these exams in the study of dissemination of stage I and II breast carcinoma. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of patients operated for a breast carcinoma in a public surgical service. A chest X ray, abdominal ultrasound and bone scintigraphy was requested to all patients in the immediate postoperative period. Age, stage according to pathological TNM and costs per patient were registered. Results: Of 210 women operated, 40 were in stage I (19 percent) and 85 in stage II (41 percent). Dissemination study was negative in all stage I patients and in all but two patients in stage II. The yield for detection of distant metastases in these patients was 0.9 percent for chest X ray, 0 percent for abdominal ultrasound and 0.9 percent for bone scintigraphy. The total cost of the study, in Chilean pesos, was $10,369,620 in a public hospital and $16,535,400 in a private clinic. Discussion: Additional exams to detect distant metastases in early stages of breast carcinoma have a low yield and high costs

Autoexamen mamario: su aporte en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de mama: ¿Qué dice la evidencia? / Self examination of the breast: it role in early diagnosis of breast cancer: What does evidence say?

Por un largo tiempo se ha considerado la práctica del autoexamen mamario como un factor coadyuvante en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de mama, lo que ha llevado a recomendarlo y a diseñar métodos para enseñar a practicarlo. Diversos estudios han analizados estos últimos, así como el perfil de las mujeres en relación a su mayor o menor constancia para mantener el hábito del autoexamen. Numerosas publicaciones le han atribuido también beneficios desde el punto de vista de su papel en la reducción de la mortalidad. Sin embargo, las grandes series prospectivas randomizadas no han logrado demostrar una disminución de la tasa de mortalidad atribuible a este factor, y por lo tanto cuestionan el recomendar su práctica. Se revisa la evidencia científica disponible

Utero y tamoxifeno / Uterus and tamoxifen

Por sus indiscutibles beneficios, el tamoxifeno es una droga ampliamente utilizada en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, algunos de sus efectos secundarios inconvenientes ocurren a nivel del tracto genital femenino, siendo particularmente importante el aumento de la incidencia del cáncer endometrial. Se analizan en este artículo dichos efectos y la racionalización del empleo de los diversos medios de evaluación del endometrio

Cáncer de mama en pacientes mayores de 65 años: influencia de la edad en la presentación y manejo / Breast cancer in patients over 65 years: influence of the age in the presentation and management

El cáncer de mama es la segunda causa de mortalidad femenina por neoplasia en Chile. Cifras internacionales señalan que alrededor de un 50 por ciento de esta patología ocurre en pacientes mayores de 65 años, grupo etáreo en el cual son menos rigurosos el control mamográfico y el examen físico, lo que conduce a un diagnóstico en estadios más avanzados. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la influencia de la edad en la presentación y manejo del cáncer de mama en mujeres mayores de 65 años. Entre abril de 1997 y abril de 2002 se operaron 237 mujeres con cáncer de mama en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital del Salvador. Se revisaron las fichas de las pacientes mayores de 65 años para luego analizar sus motivos de consulta, tiempo de sintomatología, estadios al momento de presentación y manejo, tanto médico, como quirúrgico. Se compararon estos datos con los de las pacientes menores de 65 años operadas en el mismo período de tiempo. El total de pacientes estudiadas fue 100. La edad media fue de 73,6 años con un rango de 65 a 98 años. El motivo de consulta fue de 80 pacientes nódulos mamarios palpables (80 por ciento), en 5 dolor mamario (5 por ciento), en 2 úlcera sangrante (2 por ciento), en 2 secreción por el pezón (2 por ciento) y en una paciente eczema más retracción del pezón (1 por ciento). En esta población la consulta es tardía lo que puede explicarse por factores tanto de las pacientes como de los profesionales responsables de su cuidado.