Strengthening Essential Health Services Recovery Policy after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Evidence from the Mexican Institute of Social Security.

AIM: To evaluate the progress of the Mexican Institute of Social Security Recovery Policy (IMSS-RP) in addressing the decline in essential health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed eleven indicators of essential health services from 35 IMSS state delegations. The assessment included ambulatory and hospital care indicators such as breast and cervical cancer screening, family medicine, dental and specialty visits, diabetes and hypertension visits and health outcomes, deliveries, and elective surgeries. We analyzed the period before (January 2018-March 2021) and during (April 2021-June 2023) the implementation of the IMSS-RP. Statistical analysis to determine the association of the policy with service indicators and the change in their trends included an interrupted time series analysis and Poisson Generalized Estimating Equation models. RESULTS: The volume of services showed substantial declines during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching between 11 and 81% of pre-pandemic levels. All services increased significantly during the first 27 months of the IMSS-RP implementation; specialty visits, cervical and breast cancer screening, and diabetes control exceeded pre-pandemic levels (103%,112%,103%, and 138%, respectively). However, only deliveries and the percentage of patients with controlled diabetes and hypertension showed a stable increase following the IMSS-RP implementation, whereas the remaining services showed an initial increase but began to decrease over time. CONCLUSIONS: After 27 months of implementation, IMSS-RP achieved progress in increasing the volume of essential health services and improving chronic disease control. However, declining trends in several services signal the need to focalize the policy.

[Procalcitonin as sepsis predictor in cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass]. / Procalcitonina como predictor de sepsis en cirugía cardiovascular con circulación extracorpórea.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass generates an exacerbated response that may lead to sepsis. Objective: To describe the association between procalcitonin levels and sepsis diagnosis in cardiovascular surgery subjects with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: A case-series study was conducted in 142 patients. Serum procalcitonin levels were measured at 24 hours and at 72 hours after surgery using a point of care testing based on quantitative immunochromatographic method. To assess association between procalcitonin levels and sepsis status, we calculated area under the curve (AUC) and sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for the best cut-off point. Results: From 142 patients studied, 7 developed sepsis after surgery (4.9%). For 24-hours procalcitonin levels AUC was 0.921 and best cut-off point was 3.8 ng/mL (sensitivity 0.857 and specificity 0.904). In the case of 72-hours procalcitonin levels, we observed a value of 0.868 for AUC and best cut-off point was 8.4 ng/mL (sensitivity 0.86 and specificity 0.97). Conclusions: Procalcitonin levels at 24 and 72 hours after cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass are associated with sepsis presence at cut-off points of 3.8 and 8.4 ng/mL respectively.

Introducción: la circulación extracorpórea durante la cirugía cardiovascular genera una respuesta exacerbada que puede asociarse con sepsis. Objetivo: describir la asociación entre los niveles de procalcitonina y el diagnóstico de sepsis en sujetos de cirugía cardiovascular con circulación extracorpórea. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio de serie de casos en 142 pacientes. Los niveles de procalcitonina fueron medidos a las 24 horas y a las 72 horas después de la cirugía. Para evaluar la asociación entre los niveles de procalcitonina y la identificación de sepsis, se calculó el área bajo la curva (AUC) y la sensibilidad y especificidad identificando el mejor punto de corte. Resultados: de un total de 142 pacientes estudiados, 7 desarrollaron sepsis (4.9%). En los niveles de procalcitonina en las 24 horas, el AUC fue de 0.921 y el mejor punto de corte fue 3.8 ng/mL (sensibilidad de 0.857 y especificidad de 0.904). En el caso de los niveles de procalcitonina a las 72 horas, observamos un AUC de 0.868 y el mejor punto de corte fue 8.4 ng/mL (sensibilidad de 0.86 y especificidad de 0.97). Conclusiones: los niveles de procalcitonina a las 24 y 72 horas de la cirugía cardiovascular con circulación extracorpórea se asociaron con la presencia de sepsis con los puntos de corte de 3.8 ng/mL y 8.4 ng/mL respectivamente.

Telephonic Follow-up and the Risk of Death in Ambulatory Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Primary care level close monitoring of mild COVID-19 patients has shown to provide a risk reduction in hospitalization and death. We aimed to compare the risk of all-cause death among COVID-19 ambulatory patients who received and did not receive telephonic follow-up in primary health care settings. METHODS: A secondary database analysis, 2-group comparative study, was conducted with data from the medical information systems of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. A total of 1,498,808 ambulatory patients aged 20 years old and over and with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 by PCR or rapid antigen test were analyzed. Of them, 535,898 (35.8%) where followed by telephonic calls. The cases were attended from October 14, 2020, to April 10, 2022. Death incidence was evaluated. To assess the association between death and telephonic follow-up we calculated risk ratio using a multivariate logistic model. RESULTS: Case fatality rate was 1.29% in the patients who received telephonic follow-up and 2.95% in the cases who did not receive phone calls. Medical history of chronic kidney disease, COPD, cardiovascular disease, tobacco consumption and diabetes were associated with increased risk of death. In the multivariate model, telephonic follow-up was associated with lower risk of all-cause death, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.61 (95% confidence interval from 0.59, 0.64). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that telephonic follow-up is associated with a risk of death reduction in adult outpatients with mild COVID-19, in the context of a multimodal strategy in the primary health care settings.

Análisis geográfico de nefropatía diabética e insuficiencia renal en el primer nivel de atención, IMSS 2019 / Geographic analysis of diabetic nephropathy and renal insufficiency in the primary care, IMSS 2019

Introducción: en un contexto donde la prevalencia de diabetes mellitus e hipertensión arterial ha aumentado significativamente en años recientes, las enfermedades renales adquieren importancia por la potencial demanda de atención especializada y de recursos en salud que requieren. Objetivo: analizar la distribución geográfica de la nefropatía diabética (ND) y la insuficiencia renal (IR) con base en las consultas otorgadas en unidades de primer nivel del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) durante 2019, para identificar las unidades médicas con mayor carga de atención. Material y métodos: estudio ecológico-exploratorio en el que se estimaron indicadores por cada mil derechohabientes en relación a las consultas otorgadas por ND e IR según la ocasión de servicio, la unidad médica familiar (UMF) de primer nivel y la representación. Se utilizó estadística espacial para analizar dichos indicadores. Resultados: el 45% de las consultas otorgadas fue por ND y el 52.4% por IR. La mayor carga por ND se registró en la UMF No. 50 de Cd. Juárez (Chihuahua) y en la No. 49 Gabino Barreda (Veracruz Sur), con 1.7 consultas de primera vez y 148.3 subsecuentes por mil derechohabientes, respectivamente. Mientras que en la UMF No. 40 Manlio Fabio Altamirano y No. 25 Cotaxtla, en Veracruz Norte, la mayor carga fue por IR, con 4.9 consultas de primera vez y 134.2 subsecuentes por mil derechohabientes, respectivamente. Conclusiones: los resultados podrían contribuir al fortalecimiento de las unidades médicas que así lo requieran y en la distribución eficiente de los recursos disponibles para atender la demanda de servicios de salud de ND e IR en el IMSS

Background: In a context where the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension has increased significantly in recent years, kidney diseases become important for the potential demand for specialized health care and resources required. Objective: To analyze the geographical distribution of Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) and Renal Insufficiency (RI) based on the medical consultations given in first-level units of IMSS during 2019, to identify the medical units with the highest burden of care. Material and methods: Ecological-exploratory study in which indicators were estimated for every thousand persons in relation to medical consultations given by ND and RI according to service time, first-level medical unit (UMF) and representation to analyze the magnitude and geographic distribution at the national level. Results: 45% of medical consultations were by ND and 52.4% by RI. The highest burden per DN was registered in UMF No. 50 Cd. Juarez (Chihuahua) and No. 49 Gabino Barreda (Veracruz Sur), with 1.7 first-time medical consultations and 148.3 subsequent medical consultations per 1,000 persons, respectively. While in UMF No. 40 Manlio Fabio Altamirano and No. 25 Cotaxtla, in Veracruz Norte, the highest burden was for RI, with 4.9 first-time medical consultations and 134.2 subsequent medical consultations per 1000 persons, respectively. Conclusions: The results could contribute to strengthening of medical units where it is necessary and the efficient allocation of resources available to meet the demand for health services of ND and RI in IMSS.

Malignant tumors as cause of disability at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social / Tumores malignos condicionantes de invalidez en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

Background: Cancer represents an important issue in health, with the economic impact that it takes. The aim of this paper is to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a population with social security who was diagnosed with some type of cancer and required a disability pension. Methods: Observational study, retrolective cohort type, carried out at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) with IMSS beneficiaries ruled with a state of disability due to malignancy during the period 2006 to 2012. Results: 13 633 cases were studied, observing an increasing behavior among the years mentioned. The age average of the rightful claimants ruled was 47.75 years; the main causes of disability due to malignant tumors were breast, colon and brain cancer. The definitive opinions represented the 49.66%, which are likely to generate a constituent amount for the IMSS. It is important to have data of the survival in relation to the most frequent malignant tumors, which can provide information about the severity and prognosis of these diseases. Conclusions: The results obtained lead to discuss the effectiveness of programs established on the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases, mainly in breast cancer, since the impact that has this type of suffering may involve a major financial problem for the IMSS because of the payment of constituent amounts.

Introducción: El cáncer representa una problemática importante en salud, con el impacto económico que conlleva. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las particularidades epidemiológicas de una población con seguro social en quien se diagnosticó algún tipo de cáncer y requirió una pensión de invalidez. Métodos: Estudio observacional, tipo cohorte retrolectiva, llevado a cabo en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social con derechohabientes del IMSS dictaminados con un estado de invalidez por algún tumor maligno durante el periodo 2006 a 2012. Resultados: Se estudiaron 13 633 casos, con un comportamiento ascendente en el periodo estudiado, la edad promedio de dictaminación fue de 47.75 años; las principales causas de invalidez por tumores malignos fueron cáncer de mama, de colon y de encéfalo; los dictámenes definitivos representaron el 49.66%, que son susceptibles de generar un monto constitutivo al IMSS. Resulta importante contar con datos de sobrevida en relación a los tumores malignos más frecuentes, que puedan aportar información sobre la severidad y pronóstico de estas enfermedades. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos conducen a debatir la efectividad de los programas establecidos sobre prevención y detección temprana de enfermedades no transmisibles, principalmente en cáncer de mama, debido a que el impacto que tiene este tipo de padecimientos puede implicar una problemática financiera importante para el IMSS por el pago de montos constitutivos.