Analysis of LDL and HDL size and number by nuclear magnetic resonance in a healthy working population: The LipoLab Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Atherosclerosis is the underlying process in cardiovascular disease (CVD), the first cause of death in developed countries. We aimed to identify people with no known CVD and normal values of LDL-C and HDL-C, but with alterations in the number and size of lipoprotein particles (as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]) and to analyse their sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in occupational risks prevention centre in Castellón (Spain) in 2017 and 2018, in consecutively recruited adults (18-65 years) with no known CVD. Sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical variables were collected. Lipid profiles were analysed (Liposcale test), along with the concentration, size and number of the main types of lipoprotein particles, determined by 2D diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy. Using contingency tables, we analysed the characteristics of people with normal LDL and HDL cholesterol but abnormal levels of LDL and HDL particles. The magnitude of association between explanatory variables and abnormal levels of each kind of lipoprotein was assessed with multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 400 total participants (31.3% women; age 46.4 ± 4.3 years), 169 had normal LDL and HDL cholesterol. Abnormal lipoprotein particle values depended on the subtype: prevalence of abnormal LDL levels ranged from 8.3% to 36.7%; and of HDL, from 28.4% to 42.6%. High systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol were significantly associated with abnormal LDL levels. Male sex and high systolic blood pressure were associated with abnormalities in HDL. CONCLUSIONS: An extended lipids profile, obtained by NMR, enables the identification of people with normal HDL-C and LDL-C levels who present abnormal levels of LDL-P and/or HDL-P. Higher total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, BMI and male sex were significantly associated with these abnormal values.

Trends in premature mortality due to ischemic heart disease in Spain from 1998 to 2018.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in premature mortality due to IHD in patients younger than 75 years in Spain from 1998 to 2018 by region. METHODS: Observational study of temporal trends in premature mortality due to IHD in Spain by region and sex from 1998 to 2018. The study population included resident citizens aged between 0 and 74 years. The data sources were the continuous population register and the mortality registry of the National Institute of Statistics. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates and their average annual percent change estimated by Poisson models. RESULTS: During the study period, mortality rates due to IHD decreased, both in the country as a whole and by provinces (53% in men and 61% in women), with an average annual percent change of -3.92% and -5.07%, respectively. In the first year (1998), mortality was unequally distributed among provinces, with higher mortality in the south of Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Premature mortality due to IHD significantly decreased in Spain during the study period in both sexes to roughly half of initial cases. This decrease was statistically significant in almost all regions. Interprovincial differences in mortality and their variation also decreased in recent years.

Latent and active tuberculosis infections in migrants and travellers: A retrospective analysis from the Spanish +REDIVI collaborative network.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of infectious disease mortality worldwide. We analysed active and latent TB infections (LTBI) from the Spanish Network for the Study of Imported Infectious Diseases by Travellers and Immigrants (+REDIVI). METHODS: Observational, retrospective, multicentre study of TB and LTBI registered in the +REDIVI network from October 2009 to December 2016. RESULTS: Of 1008 cases of LTBI, 884 (87.7%) were immigrants; 93 (4.5%), immigrants visiting friends and relatives (VFR); 2 (0.9%), VFR-travellers; and 29 (1.1%), travellers. Absolute (N = 157 vs. N = 75) and relative (12.5% vs. 5.9%) frequency decreased over the study period (p = 0.003). Median time to diagnosis was 24.6 months (females 50.3 vs males 11.9; p < 0.001). Of 448 TB cases, 405 (90.4%) were in immigrants; 30 (6.7%), VFR-immigrants; 6 (1.3%), VFR-travellers; and 7 (1.6%), travellers. Median time to diagnosis was 62.5 months (females 86.6 vs males 70.1; p = 0.0075). There were 8 multidrug resistant TB cases and 1 extensively drug resistant case of TB, all in immigrants. CONCLUSION: TB was frequently diagnosed more than 5 years after arrival in Spain. Screening programmes for TB and LTBI in immigrants should be considered beyond this time point. Women showed a higher diagnostic delay for both latent and active TB.

Evaluación del dolor torácico por el servicio de cardiología en el Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo / Chest pain evaluation by the cardiology service at the Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo

El dolor torácico es frecuente en el servicio de urgencias. Las grandes series han reportado una baja incidencia de dolor torácico que es egresado, siendo realmente un síndrome coronario agudo. Diferenciar de manera precisa entre la causa de dolor torácico mejora el pronóstico y minimiza la hospitalización. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los índices diagnósticos y valores predictivos del cuestionario Geleijnse en la evaluación del dolor torácico. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con dolor torácico atendidos por el servicio de cardiología del Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo en los periodos de enero a octubre del 2010 con evaluación clínica convencional y con cuestionario de Geleijnse. Resultados: El cuestionario Geleijnse para la detección de dolor torácico de origen cardiaco muestra tener unos índices diagnósticos y predictivos adecuados para identificar de manera oportuna individuos en riesgo (sensibilidad de 97%, especificidad de 45.8%, valor predictivo positivo de 77.5% y valor predictivo negativo 91.6%). En el ajuste de la puntuación del cuestionario Geleijnse de 8 puntos o más se obtuvo un valor predictivo positivo 91.4% y predictivo negativo 95.6%. Conclusiones: El cuestionario Geleijnse mostró tener potencial para ser utilizado de manera sistemática e identificar apropiadamente a individuos con dolor torácico de origen isquémico.

Chest pain is common in the emergency department. Large series have reported that acute coronary syndrome is actually responsible for a low proportion of chest pain cases. Differentiate accurately between the cause of chest pain improves prognosis and reduces hospitalization. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic indices and predictive values of the Geleijnse questionnaire in evaluation of chest pain. Material and methods: Patients with chest pain who were seen by the cardiology Centenary Hospital Miguel Hidalgo, in the periods from January to October 2010, with conventional clinical assessment and Geleijnse questionnaire. Results: The Geleijnse questionnaire for detecting cardiac chest pain, displays adequate diagnostic, and have predictive indices timely identifying individuals at risk. (Sensitivity 97% and specificity 45.8%, positive predictive value 77.5% and negative predictive value 91.6%). The adjustment of the Geleijnse questionnaire score 8 point or more positive predictive value 91.4 % and negative predictive 95.6 % was obtained. Conclusions: The Geleijnse questionnaire must have a potential to be used consistently and properly identify individuals with chest pain of ischemic origin.