Paralysis of the external popliteal sciatic nerve associated with daptomycin administration.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Peripheral neuropathy has been associated with the administration of certain drugs. Few reports have described the association of daptomycin with the development of peripheral neuropathy, none of them with peroneal nerve involvement. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 62-year-old man who developed external popliteal sciatic nerve paralysis after 22 days of therapy with daptomycin. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We present an uncommon and not previously reported adverse event. We have also analysed a possible alteration in a metabolic pathway (ABCB1 gene polymorphisms) that, in some patients, could explain certain drug adverse events. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We present an uncommon and not previously reported adverse event. We have also analysed a possible alteration in a metabolic pathway (ABCB1 gene polymorphisms) that, in some patients, could explain certain drug adverse events.

Predictor of enhanced mortality in patients with multimorbidity and atrial fibrillation in an acute hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to hospital commonly have comorbidities. Few studies have attempted to determine factors prognostic of mortality in hospitalized AF patients with multimorbidity. AIM: To identify factors associated with mortality in hospitalized AF patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients with multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases), with or without AF, discharged from Lugo hospital (Spain) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015. Data were extracted from hospital medical records. RESULTS: Of 74 220 patients (170 978 hospitalizations), 52 939 had multimorbidity (14 181 had AF; 38 758 no AF) and were included in our study. Patients with AF were older (mean ± standard deviation 78.6 ± 10.0 vs. 71.9 ± 14.2 years) and had a higher mortality rate (27.1 vs. 20.5%) than those without AF. Gender (female), age, stroke and congestive heart failure (CHF), but not AF, were independently associated with mortality. AF significantly increased the mortality risk in women [relative risk (RR) 1.091; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021-1.165; P = 0.010] and in those aged >80 years (RR 1.153; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P < 0.001). CHF independently increased the risk of mortality across all age groups (RR 1.496; 95% CI 1.422-1.574; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized patients with AF have a higher mortality rate than those without AF. The prognostic significance of AF changes with age and gender while CHF is associated with the greatest risk of death.

Collaborative hospital models for shared care and on-demand interconsultations. Which offer the best results for Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma? / Modelos colaborativos hospitalarios de asistencia compartida e interconsultas a demanda. ¿Cuál ofrece mejores resultados en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hospitalized surgical patients are increasing in medical complexity, thereby increasing the need for support by internal medicine departments. This support is provided through interconsultations, which present problems that have resulted in the development of shared care (SC). Our objective was to compare the healthcare results achieved by the SC and interconsultation models in Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective, multicentre study of patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma recorded in the REINA-SEMI registry, treated by internal medicine departments through interconsultation or SC. We recorded the demographic characteristics, comorbidity, medical complications, hospital stay and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 697 patients, 415 with SC and 282 with interconsultations. The SC patients were older (78.9 vs. 74.3; P<.001) underwent more operations (89.9 vs. 78.7%; P<.001), had fewer medical complications (50.4 vs. 62.8%; P<.001) and had shorter hospital stays (10 vs. 18 days; P<.001), with no differences in comorbidity or mortality. The following independent factors were associated with stays longer than 15 days: heart failure (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.8-6.1; P<.001), the male sex (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2-3.1; P=.004), electrolyte disorder (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.4; P=.003), respiratory infection (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.04-3.7; P=.035), surgical delay (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.08-1.2; P<.001) and treatment using the interconsultation on demand model (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3-5.4; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: SC offers better healthcare results than interconsultations for patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma.

Analysis of the activity of interconsultations conducted by the departments of internal medicine. REINA-SEMI study: Registry of Interconsultations and Shared Care of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. / Análisis de la actividad de interconsulta realizada por los servicios de medicina interna. Estudio REINA-SEMI: Registro de Interconsultas y Asistencia Compartida de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the activity of interconsultations conducted by internal medicine (IM) departments, their formal aspects and the profile of clinical care required and to quantify the workload they represent. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted with consecutive hospitalised patients treated by IM departments using interconsultations between May 15 and June 15, 2016. We estimated the workload related to this activity (1time unit [TU]=10min). RESULTS: We recorded 1,141 interconsultations from 43 hospitals. The mean age of the patients involved was 69.4 years (SD: 16.2), and 51.2% were men. The mean Charlson index was 2.3 (SD: 2.2). The most common reasons for the consultations were general assessments (27.4%), fever (18.1%), dyspnoea (13.6%), metabolic disorder (9.6%), arterial hypertension (6.3%) and delirium (5.3%). The duration of the first visit was 4 TUs (SD: 5.9) and 7.3 (SD: 21.5) for the sum of all subsequent visits. The surgical patients were older (70.6 [SD, 15.9] vs. 64.4 [SD, 16.3] years; P=.0001) and required more follow-up time (5 [SD, 7.3] vs. 3.5 [SD, 4.2] days; P=.009). The following issues were more common in the interconsultation format performed by medical services: number of regular interconsultations (response >24h), specification of the reason for the interconsultation, minimal data regarding the medical history and agreement on the appropriateness of the time spent with the consultant. CONCLUSION: The patients treated through interconsultations by the IM departments represented a significant workload. The interconsultations from the medical departments were more in line with the request format.

[Analysis of the investigation activity of the internist from the Public Bid of Employment in Galicia]. / Análisis de la actividad investigadora de los internistas gallegos a partir de los resultados de la oferta pública de empleo.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the investigative activity of the internists. Data were collected from the Public Bid of Employment (PBE) performed in Galicia in 2005, and compared with the rest of medical subspecialities. METHODS: The results from the PBE related to internal medicine and medical subspecialities are available in the web page of the Galician Service of Health. The following data were studied: speciality, sex, method of attainment of the specialist degree, thesis, and scores obtained in Galician language exam, professional experience, professional report, postgraduate teaching and published scientific papers. RESULTS: Data from 355 specialists were analyzed: 118 (33.2%) were internists, and 237 (66.8%) were medical subspecialists. There were no differences between internal medicine and the rest of subspecialities in terms of sex, method of attainment of the specialist degree, thesis, and scores obtained in Galician language exam, professional experience and postgraduate teaching. Internists presented fewer scientific papers than subspecialists, even when they were classified according to different levels of professional experience. Degrees obtained by the MIR system were associated with more publications (p < 0.001). The attainment of the job was associated to scores obtained in the professional report, professional experience, and published scientific papers (p < 0.001). The obtaining of the job was associated to the accomplishment of the doctoral thesis in the university teaching hospitals (A Coruña, Santiago y Vigo, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The investigative activity of the internists in Galicia is inferior to the rest of the medical subspecialists. It seems necessary to stimulate the internists to developing scientific investigation and to improve those skills of the internal medicine residents.

Characteristics and temporal pattern of readmissions of patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in medical departments. / Características y patrón temporal de reingresos de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular hospitalizados en servicios médicos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of patients with auricular fibrillation (AF) in the hospital setting and their successive hospitalisations. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all hospital admissions in the medical area of hospital of Lugo between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013. The data source was the centre's minimum basic data set. RESULTS: A total of 149,271 hospital admissions corresponding to 66,286 patients were recorded. Of the total, the percentage of admissions and patients with AF was 17.3% (25,870) and 18.9% (12,512), respectively. The patients with AF were characterized by a larger proportion of women (49.7 vs. 44.3%; P<.0001), advanced age (78.3 [DE 10.2] vs. 67.1 years [DE 17.9]; P<.0001), more chronic diseases (4.2 [DE 2.1] vs. 2.9 [DE 1.9]; P<.001), longer hospital stays (12.5 [DE 12.5] vs. 10.6 [DE 19.9] days; P<.0001) and a high rate of readmissions (3.0 [DE 2.75] vs. 2.1 [DE 2.28]; P<.001), with a progressive shortening of the time between hospitalisations. The department of internal medicine was responsible for the care of more than half of the patients with AF. The most common associated secondary diagnoses were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, other respiratory system diseases and arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: AF occurs in highly complex patients, who are mostly hospitalized in internal medicine departments, and is associated with a high rate of readmissions. We need to consider the diseases associated with AF for an overall approach to these patients.

Epidemiological and sociodemographic factors associated with complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome. / Factores epidemiológicos y sociodemográficos asociados al síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica complicado.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the influence of epidemiological and sociodemographic factors in complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted on consecutively added patients with AWS hospitalised in internal medicine departments. We recorded sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and progression data. Complicated AWS was defined as that which progressed with seizures or delirium tremens. RESULTS: We studied 228 episodes of AWS in 219 patients. The mean age was 54.5 years (SD, 11.5), and 90.8% were men. AWS was the cause for hospitalisation in 39.9% of the patients. Some 27.1% of the cases presented seizures, and 32.4% presented delirium tremens. The daily quantity of alcohol ingested was 17.8 standard drink units (SD, 21.4), with 16.6 years of dependence (SD, 11.3). The pattern of alcohol abuse was regular in 82.8% of the patients. Some 38.4% of the patients were married or had a partner, and 45.6% had children. Some 72.7% of the patients were unemployed or retired. Some 68.5% had only completed primary studies. Some 4.8% consumed cannabis, 5.2% consumed cocaine and 3% consumed opioids. The independent variables related to complicated AWS were consumption of a drug other than alcohol (OR, 5.3; 95% CI 1.5-18.7), low education level (OR, 3.4; 95% CI 1.6-7.3) and hospitalisation for AWS (OR, 2.9; 95% CI 1.5-5.6). The model's receiver operating characteristic area was 0.718 (95% CI 0.643-0.793). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant drug abuse and a low educational level could help identify patients at risk of complicated AWS.

General principles of medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients.

Medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients is a regular activity among internal medicine specialists. However, despite its growing impact and importance, a model that defines its characteristics, objectives and information has not been established. This study, conducted by the Shared Care and Interconsultations Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, proposes a number of general recommendations concerning the method for requesting and responding to hospital medical interconsultations, as well as a format for these interconsultations.

Definitions of Internal Medicine activities outside of the im department. / Definiciones de la actividad de Medicina Interna fuera de su propio servicio.

The inpatient profile is changing towards patients with multiple diseases, the elderly and those with high comorbidity. The growing complexity of their care, the progressive medical superspecialization and the organizational problems that often hinder daily patient follow-up by the same physician have contributed to a progressive increase in the participation of medical departments, especially Internal Medicine, in the care of patients hospitalized in other medical and surgical specialties. The hospital activities that the departments of internal medicine perform outside of their own department do not have well-established definitions and criteria at the organizational level; their assessment and accountability are different in each hospital. In this document, we establish the definitions for shared care, advisory medicine, perioperative medicine and interconsultation, as well as their types in terms of priority, formality, care setting, timeliness, relationship with surgery and other circumstances.

Inpatient alcohol withdrawal syndrome. / Síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica en pacientes hospitalizados.

A 55-year-old man was admitted for a femur fracture; an alcohol fetor was noted on admission. The following day, the patient began to experience tremors and nervousness. Intravenous haloperidol was administered. Shortly afterwards, the patient experienced two generalized seizures and then began to experience delirium and uncontrollable agitation. The patient was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome; high doses of intravenous midazolam were prescribed and infused. A few hours later, the patient presented signs of respiratory depression, requiring a transfer to the intensive care unit. After a review of the medical history, it was determined that the patient had been admitted on 3 previous occasions due to alcohol withdrawal and had progressed to delirium tremens after experiencing seizures. Can the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the need for prophylactic treatment be assessed on admission? Were appropriate monitoring and treatment measures employed? Would it have been possible to change his outcome?

[Actinomyces as the etiology of empyema]. / Actinomyces como etiología de empiema.

Thoracic actinomycosis represents 25% of all cases of the disease, whose presentation varies greatly. Pleural involvement is unusual and only rarely is it found as an isolated sign. We describe 2 cases of empyema due to actinomycosis; both cases responded well to surgical drainage and antibiotics.

[Bacteremia in the elderly. Clinical features and prognostic factors]. / Bacteriemia en ancianos. Aspectos clínicos y factores pronósticos.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of the most relevant characteristics and prognostic factors in elderly patients with bacteremia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the period 1989-1993 a prospective study of all significant bacteremias in adult patients admitted to a General Hospital was performed. Patients were visited until their death or during at least 50 days. The most relevant findings in elderly patients (over 65 years old) are described. Overall survival probabilities were obtained by Kaplan-Merner analysis. Cox proportional models were used to examine hazards of dying. RESULTS: Of the 1,128 bacteremias studied, 603 (53.9%) were in elderly patients. In this group, the increasing age was related with higher frequency of urinary (p = 0.02) and biliary (p = 0.001) sources of infection and lower frequency of underlying neoplasia (p = 0.06), immunosuppression (p = 0.0000) and development of septic shock (p = 0.02). These differences are higher in patients over 85. Among older patients the survival probability in the day 21 after diagnosis was 0.71 (95% CI 0.66-0.74), significantly lower to the probability in younger patients (p = 0.0001). In the elderly patients, the worse prognestic was associated to shock (RR = 8; 95% CI 5.8-11), indeterminated source of infection (RR = 3.6; 95% CI 2.2-5.8), underlying neoplasia (RR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.4), neutropania (RR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1) nosocomial acquisition (RR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.0-3.1) and inappropriate treatment (RR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-3.2), but age was not an independent contributor. CONCLUSIONS: We found differences between the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of bactermia in elderly and younger patients. Among elder patients, those over 85 years old constitute a particular group with well defined characteristics.

[Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis: a benign complication of a common infection]. / Artritis reactiva postestreptocócica: una complicación benigna de una infección común.

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRe A) is a sterile synovitis associated to the evidence of previous streptococcal infection. PSRe A has different clinical features from those observed in rheumatic fever. Regarding systemic complications, PSRe has in general a good prognosis. A new case is described and the literature is reviewed in this article.

[Health status of the oldest old: functional and medical situation in centenarians]. / Estado de salud de los muy ancianos: situación clínica y funcional de la población centenaria.

OBJECTIVE: We planned a prospective and descriptive analysis of the centenarian population in Lugo sanitary area, establishing their social, functional and medical status as well as its relationship with their basic hematological and biochemical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the study period between January 2001 and September 2003, participants were visited at home by a doctor and a nurse. The following variables were assessed: social status, past medical history, physical examination, functional status (Barthel index), blood analysis. RESULTS: 54 centenarians were interviewed, 16 men and 38 women. 75.9% were widows; 87% lived with their family and 57,4% in urban areas. 79.6% had followed studies. All of them had their own incomes. Regarding past medical history, 64.8% had some visual or auditive disturbances, 81.5% were taking medical drugs, 59.3% had some surgical intervention and 46.3% had been hospitalized for medical reasons. Their vaccination status was poor. Functional status, assessed by Barthel index, showed an average of 59 +/- 36.4, higher in men (82.7 +/- 28.7) than in women (49.6 +/- 35.1) (p<0.003). Blood samples were analyzed in 51 cases, there were not significant differences among them regarding sex or physical disability. CONCLUSION: The features of the centenarian population of Lugo are similar to other countries. It is an heterogeneous group. There are more women, but their clinical and functional status are significantly worse than in males. We have not founded a relationship between hematological and nutritional parameters and the degree of functional dependence in centenarians.

[Risk factors for the development of medical complications in patients with hip fracture]. / Factores de riesgo para la presentación de complicaciones médicas en enfermos con fractura de cadera.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features and outcome of inpatients with hip fracture and to investigate the clinical variables associated with the risk of medical complications. METHODS: Prospective study of hip fracture patients aged 65 or more, admitted to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Xeral-Calde Hospital, in Lugo, Spain, in 2008. The different clinical and biochemical variables as regards the baseline health status and presentation features of the hip fracture and its complications were all recorded. The factors associated with the development of medical inpatient complications, including death, were determined, using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were studied. The mean age was 82.2 (9.5) years, and 76% were women. The fracture was osteoporotic in 96.8%, and 92.6% were treated surgically. The mean Barthel index was 72.9 (25.7) and the age adjusted Charlson comorbidity index was 5.2 (1.5). A total of 63.9% patients had a major medical complication during their hospital stay. Mortality was 5.8%. The following variables were associated with the development of medical inpatient complications: Barthel index (OR=2.21; 95% CI, 1.1-4.25; p=0,01), age (OR=1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12; p=0.006), haemoglobin at admission (OR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hip fracture are fragile elderly with a high degree of functional dependence and comorbidity. Those with a high risk of developing medical inpatient complications can be identified at admission.