Sensitivity of the SNNOOP10 list in the high-risk secondary headache detection.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the SNNOOP10 list in the detection of high-risk headaches. METHODS: Patients that visited the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (Madrid) emergency department due to headache that were allocated to a Manchester Triage System level between critical and urgent were prospectively included but retrospectively analysed. A researcher blind to the patients' diagnosis administered a standardised questionnaire and afterwards a neurologist blind to the questionnaire results diagnosed the patient according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The primary endpoint was to assess the sensitivity of the SNNOOP10 list in the detection of high-risk headaches. Secondary endpoints included the evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve of each SNNOOP10 item. RESULTS: Between April 2015 and October 2021, 100 patients were included. Patients were 44 years old (inter-quartile range: 33.6-64.7) and 57% were female. We identified 37 different diagnoses. Final diagnosis was a primary headache in 33%, secondary headache in 65% and cranial neuralgia in 2%. There were 46 patients that were considered as having high-risk headache. Patients from the primary headache group were younger and more frequently female. Sensitivity of SNNOOP10 list was 100% (95% confidence interval: 90.2%-100%). The items with higher sensitivity were neurologic deficit or disfunction (75.5%), pattern change or recent onset of the headache (64.4%), onset after 50 years (64.4%). The most specific items were posttraumatic onset of headache (94.5%), neoplasm in history (89.1%) and systemic symptoms (89%). The area under the curve of the SNNOOP10 list was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.55-0.76). CONCLUSION: The red flags from the SNNOOP10 list showed a 100% sensitivity in the detection of high-risk headache disorders.

Utilidad del modelo 5MPB-Toledo para predecir bacteriemia en el paciente anciano / Usefulness of the 5MPB-Toledo model to predict bacteremia in the elderly patient

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la utilidad del modelo predictivo de bacteriemia (5MPB-Toledo) en los mayores de 65 años atendidos por infección en el servicio de urgencias (SU). Material y Método: Estudio observacional prospectivo y multicéntrico de los hemocultivos (HC) obtenidos en pacientes mayores de 65 años atendidos por infección en 66 SU españoles desde el 1 de diciembre de 2019 hasta el 30 de abril de 2020. Se analizó la capacidad predictiva del modelo con el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la característica operativa del receptor (COR) y se calculó el rendimiento diagnóstico de los puntos de corte (PC) del modelo elegido con los cálculos de la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el valor predictivo positivo y el valor predictivo negativo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 2.401 episodios de HC extraídos. De ellos, se consideró como bacteriemia verdadera a 579 (24,11%) y como HC negativo a 1.822 (75,89%). Entre los negativos, 138 (5,74%) se consideraron contaminados. Se categorizó a los pacientes en bajo (0-2 puntos), moderado (3-5 puntos) y alto (6-8 puntos) riesgo, con una probabilidad de bacteriemia de 1,2%, 18,1% y 80,7%, respectivamente. El ABC-COR del modelo tras remuestreo fue de 0,908 (IC 95%: 0,897-0,924). El rendimiento diagnóstico del modelo, considerando un PC ≥ 5 puntos, obtiene una sensibilidad de 94% (IC 95%:92-96), especificidad de 77% (IC 95%:76-79) y un valor predictivo negativo de 97% (IC 95%:96-98). Conclusión: El modelo 5MPB-Toledo es de utilidad para predecir bacteriemia en los mayores de 65 años atendidos en el SU por un episodio de infección.

Abstract Objective: To analyse a risk score to predict bacteremia (MPB5-Toledo) in the patients aged older 65 years seen in the emergency departments (ED) due to infections. Patients and Methods: Prospective and multicenter observational cohort study of the blood cultures (BC) ordered in 66 Spanish ED for patients aged older 65 years seen from December 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020. The predictive ability of the model was analyzed with the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The prognostic performance for true bacteremia was calculated with the cut-off values chosen for getting the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Results: A total of 2.401 blood samples wered cultured. True cases of bacteremia were confirmed in 579 (24.11%). The remaining 1.822 cultures (75.89%) wered negative. And, 138 (5.74%) were judged to be contaminated. Low risk for bacteremia was indicated by a score of 0 to 2 points, intermediate risk by 3 to 5 points, and high risk by 6 to 8 points. Bacteremia in these 3 risk groups was predicted for 1.2%, 18.1%, and 80.7%, respectively. The model´s area under the receiver ope rating characteristic curve was 0.908 (95% CI, 0.897-0.924). The prognostic performance with a model´s cut-off value of ≥ 5 points achieved 94% (95% CI: 92-96) sensitivity, 77% (95% CI: 76-79) specificity, and negative predictive value of 97% (95% CI: 96-98). Conclusion: The 5MPB-Toledo score is useful for predicting bacteremia in the patients aged older 65 years seen in the emergency departments due to infections.

A case-control, multicentre study of consecutive patients with COVID-19 and acute (myo)pericarditis: incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute (myo)pericarditis (AMP) in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Case-control, retrospective review, consecutive case inclusion performed in 62 Spanish EDs. All COVID-19 patients with AMP (cases) were compared in clinical characteristics and outcomes with COVID-19 without AMP (control group A) and non-COVID patients with AMP (control group B). We estimated unadjusted standardised incidence (SI, not adjusted by population's age/sex) of AMP in COVID-19 and non-COVID populations (per 100 000/year). RESULTS: We identified 67 AMP in COVID-19 patients (SI=56.5, OR with respect to non-COVID patients=4.43, 95% CI=3.98 to 4.94). Remarkably, COVID-19 cases presented with chest pain less frequently than non-COVID patients and had less typical ECG changes, higher NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), more left and right ventricular dysfunction in echocardiography and more need of inotropic/vasopressor drugs. Admission to intensive care was higher than control group A (OR=3.22, 95% CI=1.43 to 7.23), and in-hospital mortality was higher than control group B (OR=7.75, 95% CI=2.77 to 21.7). CONCLUSION: AMP is unusual as a form of COVID-19 presentation (about 1‰ cases), but SI is more than fourfold higher than non-COVID population, and it is less symptomatic, more severe and has higher in-hospital mortality; therefore, rapid recognition, echocardiographic assessment of myopericardial inflammation/dysfunction and treatment with vasoactive drugs when needed are recommended in AMP in patients with COVID-19.

Health and economic impact of the correct diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in Spain.

Objective: To estimate the health and economic impact of the reduction in mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations, associated with correct diagnosis of cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR-CM), from the Spanish National Health System (NHS) perspective.Methods: A costs and effects analysis were performed (probabilistic Markov model) with time horizons between 1 and 15 years, comparing the correct diagnosis of ATTR-CM versus the non-diagnosis. Transition probabilities were obtained from the ATTR-ACT study (placebo arm) and from the literature. Costs and healthcare resources were obtained from Spanish sources (€ 2019) and from a panel of Spanish clinical experts.Results: After 1, 5, 10 and 15 years, the diagnosis of ATTR-CM would generate a gain of 0.031 (95%CI 0.025; 0.038); 0.387 (95%CI 0.329; 0.435); 0.754 (95%CI 0.678; 0.781) and 0.944 (95%CI 0.905; 0.983) life years per patient, respectively, with savings of € 212 (95%CI € -632; 633), € 2,289 (95%CI € 2,250; 2,517), € 2,859 (95%CI € 2,584; 3,149) and € 2,906 (95%CI € 2,669; 3,450) per patient, respectively, versus the non-diagnosis.Conclusions: Just by correctly diagnosing ATTR-CM, years of life would be gained, cardiovascular hospitalizations would be avoided, and savings would be generated for the NHS, compared to the non-diagnosis of the disease.

Profiles of patients with venous thromboembolic disease in the emergency department and their medium-term prognosis: data from the ESPHERIA registry. / Registro ESPHERIA: perfiles de pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en urgencias y su asociación con el pronóstico a medio plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the 180-day prognosis for patients of different profiles diagnosed with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in emergency departments (EDs). Secondary aims were to assess all-cause mortality and readmission rates and to describe the clinical characteristics and forms of presentation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in each patient profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from the ESPHERIA registry (Spanish acronym for Risk Profile of Patients with VTE Attended in Spanish Emergency Departments), which includes consecutive patients with symptomatic VTE treated in 53 EDs. The cases were divided according to 4 profiles: 1) unprovoked DVT, 2) DVT provoked by transient risk factors, 3)patients with cancer, and 4) patients with low cardiopulmonary reserve. The primary outcome was a composite of 180-day all-cause mortality or readmission. RESULTS: We studied 773 patients: 450 (58.2%) were classified as profile 1, 128 (16.6%) as profile 2, 115 (14.9%) as profile 3 , a nd 8 0 ( 10.3%) a s p rofile 4. We fo und di fferences be tween th e 4 pr ofiles in demographics, com orbidity, clinical presentation, type of DVT and location, management, and outcomes. One hundred ninety-five p atients (25.2%) had at least one of the adverse events included in the composite within 180 days: 69 (8.9%) died and 179 (23.2%) were readmitted. Hazard ratios (HR) indicated that DVT with low cardiopulmonary reserve (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.12-2.68; P = .01)) or DVT with cancer (HR, 3.10; 95% CI, 2.22-4.34; P .001) were the profiles t hat w ere independently associated with the 180-day composite outcome. CONCLUSION: Classifying patients with DVT according to 4 profiles ( unprovoked, provoked by t ransient r isk f actors, associated with cancer, and associated with low cardiopulmonary reserve) when making the diagnosis is useful for assessing prognosis for all-cause mortality or readmission within 180 days. This classification could be useful for establishing a care and follow-up plan when discharging patients with DVT from the ED.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el pronóstico a 180 días de los pacientes diagnosticados de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETV) en urgencias, en función de una clasificación por perfiles clínicos. Los objetivos secundarios fueron evaluar la mortalidad y el reingreso por todas las causas de manera individual, y describir las características clínicas y formas de presentación de trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) y tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP), según dichos perfiles. METODO: Análisis secundario del registro ESPHERIA que incluye pacientes consecutivos con ETV sintomática de 53 servicios de urgencias (SU). Se dividió la muestra en 4 perfiles: ETV no provocada (perfil 1), ETV provocada por factores de riesgo transitorios (perfil 2), cáncer (perfil 3) y baja reserva cardiopulmonar (perfil 4). La variable de resultado primaria fue la compuesta mortalidad o reingreso por cualquier causa a 180 días. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 773 pacientes de los cuales 450 (58,2%) fueron clasificados en el perfil 1, 128 (16,6%) en el perfil 2, 115 pacientes (14,9%) en el perfil 3 y 80 (10,3%) en el perfil 4. Se documeô€‚˜taron diferencias demográficas, de comorbilidad, presentación clínica, tipo de ETV, manejo, ubicación y resultados entre los perfiles clínicos. Ciento noventa y cinco pacientes (25,2%) presentaron un resultado adverso compuesto a los 180 días, de los cuales 69 (8,9%) fallecieron y 179 (23,2%) sufrieron un nuevo ingreso por cualquier causa. La ETV asociada a baja reserva cardiopulmonar (HR 1,73; IC 95% 1,12-2,68; p = 0,01) y la ETV asociada a cáncer (HR 3,10; IC 95% 2,22-4,34; p 0,001) se asociaron de forma independiente con sufrir un resultado adverso en los primeros 180 días. CONCLUSIONES: Clasificar a los pacientes con ETV según factores de riesgo y comorbilidades en 4 perfiles (no provocada, provocada por factores transitorios, asociada a cáncer y asociada a baja reserva cardiopulmonar) resulta útil al momento del diagnóstico de la ETV para estimar el pronóstico en términos de mortalidad y reingreso a 180 días. Esta clasificación podría ayudar a establecer un plan de cuidados y seguimiento al alta en la ETV diagnosticada en urgencias.

Factors associated with in-hospital mortality and adverse outcomes during the vulnerable post-discharge phase after the first episode of acute heart failure: results of the NOVICA-2 study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients at risk of in-hospital mortality and adverse outcomes during the vulnerable post-discharge period after the first acute heart failure episode (de novo AHF) attended at the emergency department. METHODS: This is a secondary review of de novo AHF patients included in the prospective, multicentre EAHFE (Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Department) Registry. We included consecutive patients with de novo AHF, for whom 29 independent variables were recorded. The outcomes were in-hospital all-cause mortality and all-cause mortality and readmission due to AHF within 90 days post-discharge. A follow-up check was made by reviewing the hospital medical records and/or by phone. RESULTS: We included 3422 patients. The mean age was 80 years, 52.1% were women. The in-hospital mortality was 6.9% and was independently associated with dementia (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.62-3.14), active neoplasia (1.97, 1.41-2.76), functional dependence (1.58, 1.02-2.43), chronic treatment with beta-blockers (0.62, 0.44-0.86) and severity of decompensation (6.38, 2.86-14.26 for high-/very high-risk patients). The 90-day post-discharge combined endpoint was observed in 19.3% of patients and was independently associated with hypertension (HR = 1.40, 1.11-1.76), chronic renal insufficiency (1.23, 1.01-1.49), heart valve disease (1.24, 1.01-1.51), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.22, 1.01-1.48), NYHA 3-4 at baseline (1.40, 1.12-1.74) and severity of decompensation (1.23, 1.01-1.50; and 1.64, 1.20-2.25; for intermediate and high-/very high-risk patients, respectively), with different risk factors for 90-day post-discharge mortality or rehospitalisation. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of decompensation and some baseline characteristics identified de novo AHF patients at increased risk of developing adverse outcomes during hospitalisation and the vulnerable post-discharge phase, without significant differences in these risk factors according to patient age at de novo AHF presentation.

Analysis of clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 based on a series of 1000 patients treated in Spanish emergency departments. / Evaluación de las características clínicas y evolución de pacientes con COVID-19 a partir de una serie de 1000 pacientes atendidos en servicios de urgencias españoles.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Spain, and to assess associations between characteristics and outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, nested-cohort study. Sixty-one EDs included a random sample of all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 1 and April 30, 2020. Demographic and baseline health information, including concomitant conditions; clinical characteristics related to the ED visit and complementary test results; and treatments were recorded throughout the episode in the ED. We calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios for risk of in-hospital death and a composite outcome consisting of the following events: intensive care unit admission, orotracheal intubation or mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death. The logistic regression models were constructed with 3 groups of independent variables: the demographic and baseline health characteristics, clinical characteristics and complementary test results related to the ED episode, and treatments. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of patients was 62 (18) years. Most had high- or low-grade fever, dry cough, dyspnea, and diarrhea. The most common concomitant conditions were cardiovascular diseases, followed by respiratory diseases and cancer. Baseline patient characteristics that showed a direct and independent association with worse outcome (death and the composite outcome) were age and obesity. Clinical variables directly associated with worse outcomes were impaired consciousness and pulmonary crackles; headache was inversely associated with worse outcomes. Complementary test findings that were directly associated with outcomes were bilateral lung infiltrates, lymphopenia, a high platelet count, a D-dimer concentration over 500 mg/dL, and a lactate-dehydrogenase concentration over 250 IU/L in blood. CONCLUSION: This profile of the clinical characteristics and comorbidity of patients with COVID-19 treated in EDs helps us predict outcomes and identify cases at risk of exacerbation. The information can facilitate preventive measures and improve outcomes.

OBJETIVO: Describir las características clínicas de los pacientes con COVID-19 atendidos en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) españoles y evaluar su asociación con los resultados de su evolución. METODO: Estudio multicéntrico, anidado en una cohorte prospectiva. Participaron 61 SUH que incluyeron pacientes seleccionados aleatoriamente de todos los diagnosticados de COVID-19 entre el 1 de marzo y el 30 de abril de 2020. Se recogieron características basales, clínicas, de exploraciones complementarias y terapéuticas del episodio en los SUH. Se calcularon las odds ratio (OR) asociadas a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y al evento combinado formado por el ingreso en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), la intubación orotraqueal o ventilación mecánica invasiva (IOT/ VMI), crudas y ajustadas con modelos de regresión logística para tres grupos de variables independientes: basales, clínicas y de exploraciones complementarias. RESULTADOS: La edad media fue de 62 años (DE 18). La mayoría manifestaron fiebre, tos seca, disnea, febrícula y diarrea. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron las enfermedades cardiovasculares, seguidas de las respiratorias y el cáncer. Las variables basales que se asociaron independientemente y de forma directa a peores resultados evolutivos (tanto a mortalidad como a evento combinado) fueron edad y obesidad; las variables clínicas fueron disminución de consciencia y crepitantes a la auscultación pulmonar, y de forma inversa cefalea; y las variables de resultados de exploraciones complementarias fueron infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales y cardiomegalia radiológicos, y linfopenia, hiperplaquetosis, dímero-D > 500 mg/dL y lactato-deshidrogenasa > 250 UI/L en la analítica. CONCLUSIONES: Conocer las características clínicas y la comorbilidad de los pacientes con COVID-19 atendidos en urgencias permite identificar precozmente a la población más susceptible de empeorar, para prever y mejorar los resultados.

Iron deficiency and safety of ferric carboxymaltose in patients with acute heart failure. AHF-ID study.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of iron deficiency (ID) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is high. There are few studies on the characteristics of these patients and the safety of ferric carboxymaltose administration (FCM). OBJECTIVE: Study the differences among patients with AHF based on the presence and type of ID as well as the safety of FCM administration in these patients. METHOD: The AHF-ID study is a multicentre, analytical, prospective follow-up cohort including patients admitted to six Spanish hospitals for AHF. ID was defined as serum ferritin <100 µg/L (group A) or ferritin 100-299 µg/L with a TSAT <20% (group B). In cases receiving FCM the appearance of adverse events was analysed. Adjusted Cox regression was used to determine the association with 30-days reattendance for AHF after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were recruited; 191 (86.4%) presented ID, 121 (63.4%) group A and 70 (36.6%) group B. There were scarce differences between the groups analysed. No differences were found in 30-days reattendance for AHF. FCM was administered to 158 (71.5%) patients, with 8 (5.1%) presenting adverse events, the most frequent being digestive alterations. Treatment was not discontinued in any case. CONCLUSIONS: There are scarce differences between the presence and the type of ID in patients with AHF. The administration of FCM in patients with ID and AHF is safe.

[Cross-speciality geriatrics: A health-care challenge for the 21st century]. / Geriatría transversal. Un reto asistencial para el siglo xxi.

Increasing numbers of older persons are being treated by specialties other than Geriatric Medicine. Specialists turn to Geriatric Teams when they need to accurately stratify their patients' risk and prognosis, predict the potential impact of their, often, invasive interventions, optimise their clinical status, and contribute to discharge planning. Oncology and Haematology, Cardiology, General Surgery, and other surgical departments are examples where such collaborative working is already established, to a varying extent. The use of the term "Cross-speciality Geriatrics" is suggested when geriatric care is provided in clinical areas traditionally outside the reach of Geriatric Teams. The core principles of Geriatric Medicine (comprehensive geriatric assessment, patient-centred multidisciplinary targeted interventions, and input at point-of-care) are adapted to the specifics of each specialty and applied to frail older patients in order to deliver a holistic assessment/treatment, better patient/carer experience, and improved clinical outcomes. Using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment methodology and Frailty scoring in such patients provides invaluable prognostic information, helps in decision making, and enables personalised treatment strategies. There is evidence that such an approach improves the efficiency of health care systems and patient outcomes. This article includes a review of these concepts, describes existing models of care, presents the most commonly used clinical tools, and offers examples of excellence in this new era of geriatric care. In an ever ageing population it is likely that teams will be asked to provide Cross-specialty Geriatrics across different Health Care systems. The fundamentals for its implementation are in place, but further evidence is required to guide future development and consolidation, making it one of the most important challenges for Geriatrics in the coming years.

Profile of older patients attended in the emergency department after falls: a FALL-ER registry study of the magnitude of the problem and opportunities for improving hospital emergency care. / Perfil de los pacientes ancianos atendidos en urgencias por caídas (Registro FALL-ER): magnitud del problema y posibilidades de mejora en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios.

OBJECTIVES: To profile patients aged 65 years or older who are attended in a hospital emergency department after falls. To describe the falls, their severity, and factors relevant to recommended preventive measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FALL-ER is a multipurpose, multicenter prospective registry of a systematically described cohort of patients aged 65 years or older attended in 5 hospital emergency departments on 52 days of the same year. We collected data on 68 independent variables. Patients were classified according to whether they had received recommendations related to preventing falls in any of the following categories: exercise, education on fall prevention, referral to a specialist or changes in medication. RESULTS: . A total of 1507 patients or carers were interviewed (93.6% of the 1610 patients in the registry). The cohort was of advanced age and had high rates of comorbidity, polypharmacy, and history of geriatric syndromes. The majority of falls occurred during the day and in the patients home. Half the falls were not witnessed. Forty-eight percent of the patients reported fear of falling, 22% had acute functional impairment, 16% were admitted, and 0.6% died in the hospital. Recommendations directed to preventing falls were received by 509 (33.8%) cases. Loss of hearing acuity, self-reported cognitive impairment, emergency first aid at the site of the fall, fear of falling again, acute functional impairment, and hospitalization were associated with a greater likelihood of receiving recommendations for preventing falls. Loss of visual acuity was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving recommendations. CONCLUSION: Only a third of elderly patients attended in an emergency department after falls receive recommendations that target preventing further falls. Certain patient and fall characteristics are associated with a greater likelihood of receiving such recommendations.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar el perfil de los pacientes de 65 años o más atendidos por una caída en los servicios de urgencias (SU), las características de las caídas, y el grado y los factores asociados con la realización de recomendaciones para prevenir las caídas (RPC). METODO: FALL-ER es un registro de cohortes multipropósito, prospectivo y multicéntrico, con muestreo sistemático, que incluyó todos los pacientes de 65 años o más atendidos por caída en 5 SU durante 52 días en un año. Se recogieron 68 variables independientes. Los pacientes se clasificaron en función de recibir o no RPC (cualquiera de las siguientes: ejercicio, educación sobre prevención de las caídas, derivación a especialista o modificación de fármacos relacionados con las caídas). RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 1.507 (93,6%) del total de 1.610 pacientes. Los pacientes tenían una edad muy avanzada y alto grado de comorbilidad, polifarmacia y síndromes geriátricos previos. La caída suele suceder de día, en domicilio y en la mitad de casos sin testigo. Un 48% refirió miedo a caerse, un 22% presentó deterioro funcional agudo, un 16% ingresó y un 0,6% falleció. Se realizaron RPC en 509 (33,8%) casos. La disminución de la agudeza auditiva, deterioro cognitivo autorreferido, atención médica en el lugar de la caída, miedo a volver a caerse, deterioro funcional agudo y hospitalización se asociaron con mayor probabilidad de RPC, y la disminución de la agudeza visual con menor probabilidad. CONCLUSIONES: Solo tres de cada diez pacientes ancianos atendidos por una caída en urgencias recibe RPC posteriores, aunque existen ciertas características relacionadas con el paciente y la caída que se asocian a una mayor probabilidad de recibirlas.

Infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in older patients in the emergency department: a 30-day risk model. / Modelo de riesgo a 30 días en los pacientes ancianos con infección y síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica atendidos en los servicios de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To build a model to predict 30-day mortality and compare it to prediction based on the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score in patients aged 75 years or older treated for infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of a convenience cohort of patients aged 75 years or older treated for infection and SIRS in 13 Spanish emergency departments in 2013. We recorded demographic variables; comorbidity; risk factors for poor outcome; functional dependence at baseline; site of infection; and hemodynamic, clinical and laboratory findings on start of care.The main outcome variable was 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-nine patients with a mean (SD) age of 84 (5.8) years were included; 186 (49.,1%) were women, 150 (39.6%) had a high degree of comorbidity, and 113 (34.2%) had a high level of functional dependence. Seventy-nine (20.8%) died within 30 days. The model built by the infection working group (INFURG) of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) included the presence of metastasis from a solid tumor (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% CI, 1.6-18.2; P=.006), respiratory insufficiency (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.5-6.0; P=.002), renal insufficiency (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-5.5; P=.045), arterial hypertension (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-5.0; P=.015), and altered level of consciousness (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-5.8; P=.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the INFURG-OLDER model was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.72-0.84; P<.001) (vs 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64-0.80; P<.001 for the MEDS model). CONCLUSION: The INFURG-OLDER model has good predictive ability for 30-day mortality in patients aged 75 years or older who are treated in emergency departments for SIRS.

OBJETIVO: . Diseñar un modelo de riesgo para predecir la mortalidad a los 30 días, y compararlo con la escala MEDS (Mortality in Emergency Department), en pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SIRS) en los servicios de urgencias (SU). METODO: Estudio analítico de cohortes prospectivo que incluyó por oportunidad a pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con SIRS en 13 SU españoles durante el año 2013. Se recogieron variables demográficas, comorbilidad, factores de riesgo de mala evolución, situación funcional basal, modelo de infección, y parámetros hemodinámicos, clínicos y analíticos en el momento de la primera atención. La variable de resultado principal fue mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 379 pacientes con edad media de 84 (DE 5,8) años, 186 (49,1%) fueron mujeres, 150 (39,6%) tenían alto grado de comorbilidad y 113 (34,2%) dependencia funcional grave. Setenta y nueve pacientes (20,8%) fallecieron a los 30 días. El modelo INFURG-OLDER incluyó la presencia de tumor sólido con metástasis (OR = 5,4; IC95% 1,6- 18,2; p = 0,006), la insuficiencia respiratoria (OR = 3,02; IC95% 1,5-6,0; p = 0,002), la insuficiencia renal (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,0-5,5; p = 0,045), la hipotensión arterial (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,2-5,0; p = 0,015) y la disminución del nivel de consciencia (OR = 2,9; IC95% 1,4-5,8; p = 0,003). El área bajo la curva (ABC) del modelo INFURG-OLDER fue de 0,78 (IC95% 0,72- 0,84; p < 0,001) y el ABC de la escala MEDS fue de 0,72 (IC95% 0,64-0,80; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El modelo INFURG-OLDER tiene buena capacidad para predecir la mortalidad a los 30 días en los pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con SIRS en los SU.

Genetic mutations in young patients admitted to an emergency department for syncope during sport practice. / Mutaciones genéticas en los pacientes jóvenes atendidos en un servicio de urgencias por síncope durante la práctica de deporte.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study the frequency of genetic mutations related to genetic heart disease among young patients admitted for syncope during sport practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case series study that included patients≤45 years admitted for syncope during sport practice during 2010-2011. We collected demographic and clinical variables, genetic tests mutations and final clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: A genetic test was performed in 46 (76.7%) of 60 patients evaluated. The genetic test was positive in 12 (26%; 95% CI 15.6-40.3) patients; 10 (21.7%) had PKP2 mutation related to arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia mutation, one (2.2%) KCNQ1 mutation and one (2.2%) SCN5A mutation related to channelopathies. The genetic test was positive in 11 (35.5%) cases of undetermined syncope and one (50%) case of cardiac syncope, being negative in all cases with neuromediated syncopes (P=.037). CONCLUSIONS: Gene mutations are common in young patients suffering from syncope during sports, especially in those with cardiac or undetermined aetiology.

Impact of geriatric assessment variables on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure. / Impacto de las variables geriátricas en la mortalidad a 30 días de los ancianos atendidos por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda?

OBJETIVE: To study the impact of geriatric assessment variables on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of cases in the OAK Registry (Older Acute Heart Failure Key Data), a prospectively compiled database of consecutive patients aged 65 years or older treated for AHF in 3 Spanish emergency departments over a 4-month period (November-December 2011 and January-February 2014). The patients underwent a geriatric assessment adapted for emergency department use on weekdays between 8 AM and 10 PM. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and geriatric assessment variables were recorded. The geriatric variables were concurrent diseases; polypharmacy; frailty; functional, social, and cognitive status at baseline; results of screening for confusional state, cognitive impairment, and depression; and nutritional status. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days. RESULTS: We included 565 patients with a mean (SD) age of 83 (7.1) years; 346 (61.6%) were women. Sixty-five (11.5%) died within 30 days. Independent factors associated with 30-day mortality were acute confusional state (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0­4.8; P=.04), acute illness (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9­3.4; P=.05), loss of appetite in the past 3 months (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0­3.4; P=.04), frailty (aOR, 2.0, 95% CI, 1.0­4.1; P=.05), and severe disability (aOR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.9­11.4; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Certain geriatric variables should be considered when assessing short-term risk in older patients with AHF.

OBJETIVOS: Estudiar el impacto de las variables geriátricas en la mortalidad a 30 días entre los ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). MÉTODO: Análisis retrospectivo del registro Older Acute heart failure Key data (OAK) que incluye prospectivamente a pacientes consecutivos 65 años con ICA en 3 servicios de urgencias españoles durante 4 meses (noviembre-diciembre 2011 y enero-febrero 2014). Se realizó una valoración geriátrica adaptada a urgencias durante los días laborales de 8 am a 10 pm. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas, analíticas y geriátricas (comorbilidad, polifarmacia, fragilidad, situación basal funcional, cognitiva y social, despistaje de síndrome confusional, deterioro cognitivo y depresión, y situación nutricional). La variable de resultado fue la mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 565 pacientes con edad media 83 años (DE 7,1), 346 mujeres (61,6%). Sesenta y cinco sujetos (11,5%) fallecieron a los 30 días. La presencia de síndrome confusional agudo (OR ajustada = 2,2; IC95% 1,0-4,8; p = 0,04), de enfermedad aguda (OR ajustada = 1,8; IC95% 0,9-3,4; p = 0,05) o pérdida de apetito (OR ajustada = 1,8; IC95% 1-3,4; p = 0,04) en los últimos 3 meses, y de fragilidad (OR ajustada = 2,0; IC95% 1,0-4,1; p = 0,05) o dependencia funcional grave (OR ajustada = 4,4; IC95% 1,9-11,4; p = 0,01) fueron factores independientes asociados con mortalidad a los 30 días. CONCLUSIONES: Existen ciertas variables geriátricas que debieran contemplarse en la estratificación de riesgo a corto plazo de los pacientes ancianos con ICA.

[Medication reconciliation errors according to patient risk and type of physician prescriber identified by prescribing tool used]. / Perfil de riesgo y análisis comparativo de los errores de conciliación de medicamentos según el médico prescriptor y la herramienta de prescripción.

OBJECTIVES: To study the frequency of medication reconciliation errors (MREs) in hospitalized patients and explore the profiles of patients at greater risk. To compare the rates of errors in prescriptions written by emergency physicians and ward physicians, who each used a different prescribing tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of patients admitted to medical, geriatric, and oncology wards over a period of 6 months. A pharmacist undertook the medication reconciliation report, and data were analyzed for possible associations with risk factors or prescriber type (emergency vs ward physician). RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were studied. Emergency physicians had prescribed for 68 (45.9%) and ward physicians for 80 (54.1%). A total of 303 MREs were detected; 113 (76.4%) patients had at least 1 error. No statistically significant differences were found between prescriber types. Factors that conferred risk for a medication error were use polypharmacy (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-9.0; P=.016) and multiple chronic conditions in patients under the age of 80 years (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.1-14.7; P=.039). CONCLUSION: The incidence of MREs is high regardless of whether the prescriber is an emergency or ward physician. The patients who are most at risk are those taking several medications and those under the age of 80 years who have multiple chronic conditions.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar la frecuencia y el perfil de los pacientes ingresados que tienen mayor riesgo de errores de conciliación (EC) y si las prescripciones originadas por los médicos de urgencias (MU), mediante una herramienta de prescripción electrónica de texto libre, presentan más EC que las realizadas por los médicos responsables de la planta de hospitalización (MPH) con un programa de prescripción electrónica asistida. METODO: Estudio de una serie de casos prospectivos con análisis transversal que incluyó por oportunidad a los pacientes ingresados en plantas de hospitalización convencional de los servicios de medicina interna, geriatría y oncología durante un periodo de 6 meses. Los EC detectados por un farmacéutico se analizaron en función de los factores de riesgo teóricos y del responsable de la prescripción (MU frente a MPH). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 148 pacientes, 68 (45,9%) con prescripción de los MU y 80 (54,1%) de los MPH. El farmacéutico detectó 303 EC y 113 pacientes (76,4%) presentaron al menos un EC. No hubo diferencias significativas según el responsable de la prescripción conciliada. Los EC se asociaron a la polimedicación [OR 3,4 (IC 95%:1,2-9,0; p = 0,016)] y el tener pluripatología en el grupo de pacientes menores de 80 años [OR 3,9 (IC95%:1,1-14,7; pinteracción = 0,039)]. CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia de EC es elevada indistintamente de si el responsable de la prescripción fue el MU o el MPH. Los pacientes con mayor riesgo de EC fueron los polimedicados y los menores de 80 años con pluripatología.

[Scientific publication output of Spanish emergency physicians from 2005 to 2014: a comparative study]. / Análisis comparativo y evolutivo de la producción científica de los urgenciólogos españoles (2005-2014).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the research output of Spanish emergency physicians between 2005 and 2014 and to compare it to their output in the previous 10-year period (1995-2004) as well as to that of emergency physicians in other countries and Spanish physicians in other specialties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Original articles indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science were included. Documents from Spanish emergency physicians were identified by combining the word Spain and any other search term identifying an emergency service or unit in Spain. To identify articles from 7 other Spanish specialties (hematology, endocrinology, cardiology, pneumology, digestive medicine, pediatrics, surgery and orthopedic medicine or traumatology) and emergency physicians in 8 other countries (United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium) we used similar strategies. Information about production between 1995 and 2004 was extracted from a prior publication. RESULTS: Spanish emergency physicians signed 1254 articles (mean [SD], 125 [44] articles/y) between 2005 and 2014. That level of productivity was greater than in the 1995-2004 period (mean, 26 [14] articles/y), although the annual growth rate fell from 12.5% in the previous 10-year period to 5.2% in the most recent one. Emergency medicine was among the least productive Spanish specialties we studied, but our discipline's annual growth rate of 5.2% was the highest. Spanish emergency medicine occupies an intermediate position (ranking fifth) among the 9 countries studied, although the population-adjusted rank was higher (fourth). When output was adjusted for gross domestic product, Spain climbed higher in rank, to second position. The annual growth rate was the fourth highest among countries, after Germany (9.9%), the Netherlands (7.3%), and Italy (6.0%). CONCLUSION: The research output of Spanish emergency physicians continues to be quantitatively lower than that of other Spanish specialties and of emergency physicians in other countries. The annual rate of growth in publications, although good, fell below the growth rate of the previous period.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la producción investigadora realizada por urgenciólogos españoles en el decenio 2005-2014, compararla con el decenio anterior (1995-2004), con la de urgenciólogos de otros países y con la de otras especialidades médicas en España. METODO: Se incluyeron artículos originales indexados en la base Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) de la Web of Science. Para capturar los documentos de los urgenciólogos españoles se combinó la palabra Spain y cualquier expresión que identifica un servicio-dispositivo de urgencias en España. Para analizar la producción de otras especialidades en España (hematología, endocrinología, cardiología, neumología, digestivo, pediatría, cirugía y traumatología) y de urgenciólogos de otros países (Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Irlanda, Italia, Francia, Alemania, Holanda, Bélgica) se usaron estrategias similares. La producción del decenio 1995-2004 se obtuvo de una publicación previa. RESULTADOS: Los urgenciólogos españoles firmaron 1254 artículos [media 125 (DE 44) documentos/año] durante 2005- 2014, una producción mayor que en 1995-2004 [media 26 (DE 14) documentos/año], si bien el ritmo anual de crecimiento ha disminuido (del 12,4% al 5,2% actual). Esta producción fue una de las más bajas entre las especialidades españolas estudiadas, pero la de mayor ritmo de crecimiento anual (5,2%). La producción científica de los urgenciólogos españoles ocupa una posición intermedia (5º lugar) entre los 9 países considerados, aunque mejora su posición cuando la producción se ajusta a la población (4º) y al producto interior bruto (2º). Respecto al ritmo anual de crecimiento, ocuparon el 4º lugar, después de Alemania (9,9%), Holanda (7,3%) e Italia (6,0%). CONCLUSIONES: La producción científica de los urgenciólogos españoles continúa siendo cuantitativamente baja comparada con la de otros especialistas españoles y la de urgenciólogos de otros países. El ritmo anual de crecimiento, aunque es bueno, ha descendido respecto al periodo anterior.

[Consensus guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in the elderly patient]. / Guía de consenso para el abordaje de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en el paciente anciano.

The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia increases with age and is associated with an elevated morbidity and mortality due to the physiological changes associated with aging and a greater presence of chronic disease. Taking into account the importance of this disease from an epidemiological and prognostic point of view, and the enormous heterogeneity described in the clinical management of the elderly, we believe a specific consensus document regarding this patient profile is necessary. The purpose of the present work was to perform a review of the evidence related to the risk factors for the etiology, the clinical presentation, the management and the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in elderly patients with the aim of producing a series of specific recommendations based on critical analysis of the literature. This document is the result of the collaboration of different specialists representing the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Care (SEMES), the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG), the Spanish Society of Chemotherapy (SEQ), the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), the Spanish Society of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), Spanish Society of Home Hospitalization (SEHAD) and the Spanish Society of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC).