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.

Epidemiology of childhood acute leukemias in marginalized populations of the central-south region of Mexico: results from a population-based registry.

Introduction: Acute leukemias (AL) are the main types of cancer in children worldwide. In Mexico, they represent one of the main causes of death in children under 20 years of age. Most of the studies on the incidence of AL in Mexico have been developed in the urban context of Greater Mexico City and no previous studies have been conducted in the central-south of the country through a population-based study. The aim of the present work was to identify the general and specific incidence rates of pediatric AL in three states of the south-central region of Mexico considered as some of the marginalized populations of Mexico (Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Oaxaca). Methods: A population-based study was conducted. Children aged less than 20 years, resident in these states, and newly diagnosed with AL in public/private hospitals during the period 2021-2022 were identified. Crude incidence rates (cIR), standardized incidence rates (ASIRw), and incidence rates by state subregions (ASIRsr) were calculated. Rates were calculated using the direct and indirect method and reported per million children under 20 years of age. In addition, specific rates were calculated by age group, sex, leukemia subtype, and immunophenotype. Results: A total of 388 cases with AL were registered. In the three states, the ASIRw for AL was 51.5 cases per million (0-14 years); in Puebla, it was 53.2, Tlaxcala 54.7, and Oaxaca de 47.7. In the age group between 0-19 years, the ASIRw were 44.3, 46.4, 48.2, and 49.6, in Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Oaxaca, respectively. B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common subtype across the three states. Conclusion: The incidence of childhood AL in the central-south region of Mexico is within the range of rates reported in other populations of Latin American origin. Two incidence peaks were identified for lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias. In addition, differences in the incidence of the disease were observed among state subregions which could be attributed to social factors linked to the ethnic origin of the inhabitants. Nonetheless, this hypothesis requires further investigation.

A Geospatial Model to Identify Areas Associated with Late- Stage Breast Cancer: A Spatial Epidemiology Approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to show how a geospatial model can be used to identify areas with a higher probability for late-stage breast cancer (BC) diagnoses. METHODS: Our study considered an ecological design. Clinical records at a tertiary care hospital were reviewed in order to obtain the place of residence and stage of the disease, which was classified as early (0-IIA) and late (IIB-IV) and whose diagnoses were made during the 2013-2017 period. Then, they were geolocated to identify the distribution and spatial trend. Subsequently, the pattern of location, i.e. scattered, random and concentrated, was statistically assessed and a geospatial model was elaborated to determine the probability of late diagnoses in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. RESULT: There were 1 954 (N) geolocated BC diagnoses: 58.3% were late. During the five-year period, a southwest-northeast trend was identified, nearly 9.5% of the surface of Jalisco, where 6 out of 10 (n= 751) late- stage diagnoses were concentrated. A concentrated and statistically significant pattern was identified in the southern, central and northern Pacific area of Jalisco, where the geospatial model delimited the places with the highest probability of late clinical stages (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The geographical differences associated with the late diagnoses of BC suggest it is necessary to adapt and focus the strategies for early detection as an alternative to create a major impact on the population. Reproducible analysis tools were used in other contexts where geolocation data are available to complement public policies and strategies aimed to control BC.

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.

Subclassification of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia according to age, immunophenotype and microenvironment, predicts MRD risk in Mexican children from vulnerable regions.

Introduction: The decisive key to disease-free survival in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, is the combination of diagnostic timeliness and treatment efficacy, guided by accurate patient risk stratification. Implementation of standardized and high-precision diagnostic/prognostic systems is particularly important in the most marginalized geographic areas in Mexico, where high numbers of the pediatric population resides and the highest relapse and early death rates due to acute leukemias are recorded even in those cases diagnosed as standard risk. Methods: By using a multidimensional and integrated analysis of the immunophenotype of leukemic cells, the immunological context and the tumor microenvironment, this study aim to capture the snapshot of acute leukemia at disease debut of a cohort of Mexican children from vulnerable regions in Puebla, Oaxaca and Tlaxcala and its potential use in risk stratification. Results and discussion: Our findings highlight the existence of a distinct profile of ProB-ALL in children older than 10 years, which is associated with a six-fold increase in the risk of developing measurable residual disease (MRD). Along with the absence of CD34+ seminal cells for normal hematopoiesis, this ProB-ALL subtype exhibited several characteristics related to poor prognosis, including the high expression level of myeloid lineage markers such as MPO and CD33, as well as upregulation of CD19, CD34, CD24, CD20 and nuTdT. In contrast, it showed a trend towards decreased expression of CD9, CD81, CD123, CD13, CD15 and CD21. Of note, the mesenchymal stromal cell compartment constituting their leukemic niche in the bone marrow, displayed characteristics of potential suppressive microenvironment, such as the expression of Gal9 and IDO1, and the absence of the chemokine CXCL11. Accordingly, adaptive immunity components were poorly represented. Taken together, our results suggest, for the first time, that a biologically distinct subtype of ProB-ALL emerges in vulnerable adolescents, with a high risk of developing MRD. Rigorous research on potential enhancing factors, environmental or lifestyle, is crucial for its detection and prevention. The use of the reported profile for early risk stratification is suggested.

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.

[Integrated Care Protocols, a strategy for chronic diseases]. / Protocolos de Atención Integral, una estrategia para las enfermedades crónicas.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) cause more than 41 million deaths each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. The main types of NCD are: cardiovascular diseases (heart attack or cerebrovascular infarction), diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma). In Mexico, NCD are responsible of more than three-quarters of deaths. This supplement describes a novel strategy by the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) to confront chronic diseases, known as Integrated Care Protocols, which aim to be a simple and easy-to-interpret reference document, but at the forefront of national and international knowledge, based on scientific evidence and normative documents. In addition, they specify the indispensable, optional actions and those that have to be avoided by the expanded health team. Therefore, this tool will guide our actions according to scientific advances and social needs.

Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) son causa de más de 41 millones de fallecimientos cada año, lo que equivale al 71% de todas las muertes a nivel mundial. Los principales tipos de ENT son: las enfermedades cardiovasculares (infarto cardíaco o cerebrovascular), la diabetes, el cáncer y las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas (enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y asma). Las ENT constituyen las tres cuartas partes de las muertes ocurridas en México. En este suplemento se describe una novedosa estrategia del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) para afrontar a las enfermedades crónicas, conocida como Protocolos de Atención Integral, los cuales tienen como objetivo ser un documento de consulta sencillo y de fácil interpretación, pero a la vanguardia de los conocimientos nacionales e internacionales, con base en la evidencia científica y documentos normativos. Además, especifican las acciones indispensables, opcionales y las que se tienen que evitar por parte del equipo ampliado de salud. Por lo tanto, esta herramienta orientará nuestras acciones conforme a los avances científicos y a las necesidades sociales.