Operational characteristics of ultrasound in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the operational characteristics of salivary gland ultrasound (SGU) in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in a population of colombian patients with dry symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study of diagnostic tests in patients with dry symptoms who consecutively attended the rheumatology consultation (2018-2020). Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained through a survey, paraclinical and ophthalmological tests, minor salivary gland biopsy, unstimulated salivary flow and SGU (score 0-6 based on De Vita) were done. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values (Stata 15®) were calculated. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was developed. RESULTS: 102 patients were included (34 SS and 68 non-SS), mean age 55.69 (±11.93) years, 94% women. Positive ultrasound (score of 2 or more) was more frequent in the SS group, (70.6% vs. 22.1%, P<0.0001). The sensitivity was the same for grade 2 and 3 (70.59%), with a higher specificity (89.71%) for grade 3 (PPV 77.42% NPV 85.92). The ROC curve from the sum of the glands by means of ultrasound was better than those of the independent glands. The ROC curve of the ultrasound presented a greater area under the curve (0.72 [0.61-0.82]) than that of the histological analysis (focus score) (0.68 [0.59-0.78]), P=0.0252. CONCLUSION: Salivary gland ultrasound is a useful and reliable method for the classification of SS. Its use could be considered in the future within the SS classification criteria.

Hallazgos ecográficos para la determinación de nódulos tiroideos malignos / Ultrasound findings for the determination of malignant thyroid nodules

Resumen Introducción: Los nódulos tiroideos son un crecimiento localizado en el tejido tiroideo, aproximadamente el 8 % son malignos, y el ultrasonido es el método ideal para detectarlos. Objetivo: Determinar cuáles son los hallazgos ecográficos que pueden sugerir una mayor probabilidad de malignidad del nódulo tiroideo. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de tipo corte transversal en pacientes con nódulo tiroideo en una institución prestadora de salud de Neiva. Resultados: Se evaluaron 63 pacientes con un promedio de edad de 52 años, 95 % fueron femeninos y el 5 % masculinos. El 71 % presentaron nódulos tiroideos benignos, y el 10 % nódulos malignos. En el 100 % de los nódulos tiroideos malignos se encontró vascularidad aumentada, microcalcificaciones, adenopatías asociadas, bordes irregulares y componente sólido, y los hallazgos con respecto a hipoecogenicidad y diámetro anteroposterior mayor al transverso (más alto que ancho), se encontró en el 83 % siendo estadísticamente significativos. La sensibilidad de los hallazgos ecográficos supera el 80 %, excepto la variable "tamaño del nódulo mayor a 1 centímetro". Conclusiones: Los hallazgos ecográficos como adenopatías y el diámetro anteroposterior mayor al transverso son indicadores potenciales de nódulos tiroideos malignos, el tamaño mayor a un centímetro no siempre es predictor de malignidad, sin embargo debido al tamaño de la muestra en nuestro estudio no es posible generalizarlo como un factor determinante para la realización de biopsia, por ende recomendamos el seguimiento de los nódulos teniendo en cuenta los criterios ecográficos de malignidad y la clasificación TIRADS para tomar decisiones con respecto a las biopsias tiroideas.

Abstract Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a localized growth in the thyroid tissue, approximately 8% are malignant, and an ultrasound is the ideal method to detect them. Objective: Determine which are the ultrasound findings that may suggest an increased probability of thyroid nodule malignancy. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study amongst patients with thyroid nodule in a healthcare institution in Neiva. Results: A total of 63 patients were evaluated with an average age of 52 years, 95% were female and 5% male. Seventy-one percent had benign thyroid nodules, and 10% malignant nodules. In 100% of malignant thyroid nodules, increased vascularity, microcalcifications, associated adenopathies, irregular borders and solid component were found, and the findings regarding hypoechogenicity and anteroposterior diameter greater than the transverse (higher than wide), were found in 83%, being statistically significant. The sensitivity of ultrasound findings exceeds 80%, except for the variable nodule size greater than 1 centimetre. Conclusions: Ultrasound findings such as adenopathies and anteroposterior diameters greater than the transverse one are potential indicators of malignant thyroid nodules, the size greater than one centimetre is not always a predictor of malignancy; however, due to the size of the sample in our study it is not possible to generalize it as a determining factor for biopsy. Therefore, we recommend monitoring the nodules considering the ultrasound criteria for malignancy and the TIRADS classification to make decisions regarding thyroid biopsies.

Age determination in subadults using histological analysis of bones / Determinación de la edad en subadultos usando análisis histológico de los huesos

Abstract Introduction: According to the literature, the amount of osteons has been suggested as a good proxy to determine the age of death in adults. However in subadults research has not been carried out yet. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the histomorphometric technique predicting the age at death in subadults using bone remains. Methodology: The information of static histomorphometric parameters from about 120 iliac bones retrieved from the exhumed remains of subadults whose age at death was known was taken from the Granada collection. In order to predict the age at death we performed a step by step linear regression to estimate the fittest model. Results: The most closely and significantly associated biopsy findings with age were: the osteon count, the internal cortical width, and the trabecular bone volume. Pearson's correlation index indicated a weak linear association among these variables. To assess the accuracy of the model we used a coefficient of determination with a 0.32 value. 32% of the age variation in the subadults was explained by the three variables. Conclusion: This regression model explains a percentage of the total age variation in the subadult population. However this model is not enough to determine the age at death.

Resumen Introducción: La capacidad de predicción de las osteonas para determinar la edad de muerte de los individuos ha sido descrito en la literatura científica. No obstante, no se ha determinado dicha capacidad en individuos subadultos. Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de lo parámetros histomorfometricos en población subadulta. Metodología: Se realizaron biopsias de hueso ilíaco en los restos de 120 subadultos, de la Colección Osteológica de Granada, con edad conocida en el momento de la muerte. Para establecer la capacidad de predicción se utilizó el R2 obtenido a partir de regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Las variables con mayor nivel predictivo y significativo para la estimación de la edad fueron: recuento de osteonas tipo 2 de la cortical interna y externa, y el volumen óseo trabecular; En la evaluación del modelo, se obtuvo un coeficiente de determinación de 0.32, es decir, el 32% de la variación en la edad de los subadultos se explica por el modelo. Sin embargo, se evidenció diferencias en la capacidad de predicción por sexo. Conclusión: Este modelo de regresión explica un porcentaje sustancial de la varianza de la edad de los individuos en la muestra. No obstante, no es suficiente para garantizar una adecuada predicción de la edad al momento de muerte de los individuos subdultos.

Asociación de gastrosquisis y artrogriposis múltiple congénita / Gastroschisis and arthrogryposis: clinical case

Introducción: La gastrosquisis (GQ) es un defecto congénito de cierre de la pared abdominal, a la derecha de la inserción del cordón umbilical. Una cantidad variable del intestino, y en ocasiones, otros órganos abdominales, se hernian fuera de la pared abdominal, sin cobertura membranosa. La Artrogriposis Múltiple Congénita (AMC) comprende un grupo de trastornos reumáticos caracterizados por contracturas articulares múltiples en que se afectan los músculos dorsales y de las extremidades superiores e inferiores. Objetivo: Describir una rara asociación de estas dos malformaciones congénitas. Caso clínico: Recién nacido con GQ clásica Se realizó cierre primario del defecto de pared abdominal en las primeras horas de vida, con buena evolución postoperatoria. Al nacimiento, se apreció además Artrogriposis de articulaciones distales de ambos miembros superiores y atrofia muscular en ellos asociada a paresia severa de miembros superiores. Conclusiones: Recientemente se ha señalado que la asociación entre GQ y AMC pueda ser más frecuente de lo que clásicamente se ha descrito. Aunque la etiología de estas dos afecciones no está clara, el fenómeno que causa la disrupción o accidente vascular podría explicar la coexistencia de estas dos patologías.

Introduction: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall closure defect, usually to the right of the umbilical cord insertion. A variable amount of the intestine and occasionally other abdominal organs herniate outside of the abdominal wall without a covering membrane. Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital (AMC) consists of a group of rheumatic disorders characterized by multiple joint contractures that may affect back muscles and upper and lower extremities. Objective: To describe a rare association of these two birth defects. Case report: Newborn with classical Gastroschisis; primary closure of the abdominal wall defect was performed in the first hours of life, with good results. At birth, Arthrogryposis in distal joints of both upper limbs and muscle atrophy associated with severe upper limb paresis were observed. Conclusions: It has recently been suggested that the association between Gastroschisis and AMC may be more common than previously described. Although the etiology of these conditions is unclear, the phenomenon that causes the disruption or stroke could explain the coexistence of both pathologies.

Costos de atención de pacientes seropositivos VIH y SIDA en cuatro hospitales de Santiago de Chile / Medical care costs for HIV positive and AIDS patients in four hospitals in Santiago

Background: Medical care of HIV infected and AIDS patients may represent an important economical burden for public hospitals. Aim: To assess direct and indirect costs of medical care for HIV infected and AIDS patients in public hospitals of the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Material and methods: Between August 1994 and February 1995, information about outpatient and hospitalized medical care of 417 HIV infected patients was gathered (representing approximately 16 percent of the seropositive population). Patients were divided as having or not having AIDS. The latter were those included in groups I, II, III and category C2 of group C (group 4). The cost of medications, procedures and examinations of these patients was calculated. Results: Thirty six percent of studied patients had AIDS. The annual cost of care for AIDS patients was US$3760 compared to US$1450 for HIV infected patients without AIDS. Medication represented 75 percent and 65 percent of total costs in patients with and without AIDS respectively. The figures for examination and procedures were 17 percent and 22 percent and for medical attentions were 7.5 percent and 8.8 percent respectively. Conclusions: Medical care of patients with AIDS has higher costs than that of HIV infected patients without AIDS. Thus, the retardation of the progression of the disease would have social, humanitarian and economical benefits. Our costs are similar to those of other countries with a similar level of economic development