Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies after First 6 Months of COVID-19 Pandemic, Portugal.

In September 2020, we tested 13,398 persons in Portugal for antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by using a quota sample stratified by age and population density. We found a seroprevalence of 2.2%, 3-4 times larger than the official number of cases at the end of the first wave of the pandemic.

Rubella in Sub-Saharan Africa and sensorineural hearing loss: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Rubella infection can affect several organs and cause birth defects that are responsible for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Congenital hearing loss is the most common symptom of this syndrome, occurring in approximately 60% of CRS cases. Worldwide, over 100 000 babies are born with CRS every year. There is no specific treatment for rubella, but the disease is preventable by vaccination. Since 1969, the rubella vaccine has been implemented in many countries, but in Africa, only a few countries routinely immunize against rubella. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of infection from the wild-type rubella virus in São Tomé and Príncipe by determining rubella seroprevalence with a DBS method. The goal of this study was to reinforce the need for implementation of the rubella vaccine in this country. As secondary objectives, the validation of a DBS method was first attempted and an association between seroprevalence and hearing loss was assessed. METHODS: We collected samples from individuals observed during humanitarian missions in São Tomé and Príncipe. All individuals underwent an audiometric evaluation, and a drop of blood was collected for the dried blood spot (DBS). We define two groups: the case group (individuals with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss (HL)) and the control group (individuals with two normal ears). Patients were excluded if they suffered from conductive HL, if they showed evidence of possible causes of HL, if they had developmental delay or if they refused to participate in the study. RESULTS: Among the 315 subjects, we found 64.1% individuals with IgG for the rubella virus, 32.1% without immunity for the rubella virus and 3.8% who were borderline. In the control group, 62.6% were positive for the rubella IgG, whereas in the case group, 72% were positive. Analyzing both groups, with ages ranging from 2 to 14 years of age and from 15 to 35 years of age, we found a seroprevalence of 50.3% to rubella in the younger group and 82.1% in the older group, with a significant difference between cases and control group noted within the younger patients (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Rubella is a disease that can be prevented. Rubella infections are still very common in São Tomé and Príncipe, and women of child-bearing age are still at risk for rubella infection during pregnancy, justifying the urgency of vaccination against rubella. A statistically significant association between the group of children under 14 years of age with HL and immunity for rubella was observed in this country, although this study did not allow us to establish a cause-effect relationship between rubella infection and SNHL.

Computerized pharmaceutical intervention to reduce reconciliation errors at hospital discharge in Spain: an interrupted time-series study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: It is well known that medication reconciliation at discharge is a key strategy to ensure proper drug prescription and the effectiveness and safety of any treatment. Different types of interventions to reduce reconciliation errors at discharge have been tested, many of which are based on the use of electronic tools as they are useful to optimize the medication reconciliation process. However, not all countries are progressing at the same speed in this task and not all tools are equally effective. So it is important to collate updated country-specific data in order to identify possible strategies for improvement in each particular region. Our aim therefore was to analyse the effectiveness of a computerized pharmaceutical intervention to reduce reconciliation errors at discharge in Spain. METHODS: A quasi-experimental interrupted time-series study was carried out in the cardio-pneumology unit of a general hospital from February to April 2013. The study consisted of three phases: pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention, each involving 23 days of observations. At the intervention period, a pharmacist was included in the medical team and entered the patient's pre-admission medication in a computerized tool integrated into the electronic clinical history of the patient. The effectiveness was evaluated by the differences between the mean percentages of reconciliation errors in each period using a Mann-Whitney U test accompanied by Bonferroni correction, eliminating autocorrelation of the data by first using an ARIMA analysis. In addition, the types of error identified and their potential seriousness were analysed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 321 patients (119, 105 and 97 in each phase, respectively) were included in the study. For the 3966 medicaments recorded, 1087 reconciliation errors were identified in 77·9% of the patients. The mean percentage of reconciliation errors per patient in the first period of the study was 42·18%, falling to 19·82% during the intervention period (P = 0·000). When the intervention was withdrawn, the mean percentage of reconciliation errors increased again to 27·72% (P = 0·008). The difference between the percentages of pre- and post-intervention periods was statistically significant (P = 0·000). Most reconciliation errors were due to omission (46·7%) or incomplete prescription (43·8%), and 35·3% of which could have caused harm to the patient. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A computerized pharmaceutical intervention is shown to reduce reconciliation errors in the context of a high incidence of such errors.

Validation of Portuguese-translated computer touch-screen questionnaires in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, compared with paper formats.

The aim of this paper was to assess the validity and reliability of the touch-screen standard Portuguese version of the following patient-reported outcomes (PROs), compared with paper format, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scale (ASQoL), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and visual analogue scales (VAS) measuring pain and burden of disease. Adult patients with RA and spondyloarthritis attending the Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology were recruited from March 2013 to January 2014. Patients filled the paper and touch-screen formats of the standard Portuguese versions of the PROs. Two groups of VAS were used, RA and psoriatic arthritis (Global VAS) and another specific for spondyloarthrites (Spa-VAS). Paper questionnaires were filled 15 min before touch-screen formats. Agreement between formats (validity) was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while internal consistency of scales (reliability) was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Overall, 134 patients were included with a mean age of 51 years, 74.6 % female and 57.5 % presenting RA. BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ and ASQoL showed high ICC between paper and touch-screen formats (0.977, 0.958, 0.974 and 0.940, respectively). ICC for Global VAS ranged from 0.906 to 0.921, while Spa-VAS ranged from 0.867 to 0.943. The mean ICC for all SF-36 domains was 0.889 (ICC for each domain ranged from 0.781 to 0.944). Touch-screen standard Portuguese formats of these PROs may be valid and reliable tools for PRO measurement in rheumatology.

Right coronary artery fistula to the coronary sinus.

We report the case of a 26-year-old asymptomatic woman, who presented for consultation after the detection of a cardiac murmur in a medical routine recognition. Doppler echocardiography and the 64-row multidetector computed tomography showed the presence of a significant enlargement of the right coronary artery winding in the contour of the right ventricle and its fistulosa connection to the coronary sinus. Although the coronary fistula in our patient had a considerable size, there was no ventricular dilation, and thus we chose, according to the desire of the patient, not to intervene, and to evaluate her regularly.

Prognostic effects of cardiovascular rehabilitation: facts and myths.

Since CR was introduced, studies have been carried out to discover the effect of CRHPs on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and on heart-disease patients' quality of life. The first meta-analyses showed improvement in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, although the studies were conducted in the coronary pre-reperfusion era, before the generalized use in secondary prevention of drugs such as statins, beta-blockers, or renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors, which have produced a decrease in cardiovascular mortality. In Europe, analyzing 25 studies with more than 200,000 patients. It concluded that, in spite of the great heterogeneity of the programs, CR clearly decreases mortality after ACS. Nevertheless, a strategy of CRHP standardization and evaluation is needed. In 2017, a study was carried out in our hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary CRHP intervention on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, recurrence of cardiovascular events, the control of RFCV and lifestyle changes in patients after ACS. A total of 442 patients were included who had presented an acute cardiovascular event in the previous six months; 306 patients from the CR group and 136 others with standard cardiology follow-up were used as controls. 405 patients completed follow-up for a median of 60 months. Compared to the usual treatments in cardiology, the patients who underwent CRHPs presented fewer readmissions for cardiovascular reasons (17% vs. 43.38%, P<0.001), fewer major cardiovascular events (11.9% vs. 27.2%, P<0.001) and new revascularizations (9.3% vs. 21.32%, P=0.001), with lower cardiovascular mortality (0 vs. 2.2%, P=0.014). It also led to better control of the RFCV (66% vs. 19.85%, P<0.001) and favored lifestyle changes in these patients (91% vs. 61%, P<0.001). Therefore, in our setting, the performance of CRHPs was shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and in the secondary prevention of coronary patients.

Physician-patient agreement at a rheumatology consultation - construction and validation of a consultation assessment instrument.

OBJECTIVES: After consultations, the physician's perceptions differ from the patient's perceptions concerning illness level, cause, and nature of the problem and content of the consultation. Agreement on problems requiring follow-up was associated with a better outcome. The primary aim of this study was to build and validate an instrument that could assess physician-patient agreement in the rheumatology consultation. The secondary objective was to assess agreement association with patient's clinical and sociodemographic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A ten-item questionnaire - "Consultation Assessment Instrument" (CAI) - was developed for this study to assess the physician-patient agreement. Ten physicians and 102 patients diagnosed with an inflammatory joint disease under biological therapy were included. The items were evaluated and the index of proportional agreement for the dichotomized answers "agree" (Ppos) and "disagree" (Pneg) was calculated. RESULTS: Consultation satisfaction was the item with the highest agreement. On the opposite end, the item about the explanation of treatment importance was the item with the lowest agreement between patient and physician. Except for one item, the high level of agreement between patient and physician was due to a higher Ppos. Index of proportional agreement was high for 9 of the 10 items (0.816≤ Iv ≤0.990). Patients with lower disease activity scores had a more positive experience. A good internal consistency was obtained for both patient's and physician's questionnaire (α = 0.88 and α = 0.80, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both patient and physician showed a positive experience towards Rheumatology consultation. Physician-patient agreement was high in the majority of the consultation aspects (mean Iv = 0,93). A good internal consistency was obtained for both patient's and physician's questionnaire. CAI could be useful as a mental checklist in daily practice or as an educational tool for training consultation skills.

[Nomogram to predict a poor outcome in emergency patients with sepsis and at low risk of organ damage according to Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)]. / Nomograma para predecir mal pronóstico en pacientes procedentes de urgencias con sepsis y bajo riesgo de daño orgánico evaluado mediante SOFA.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a nomograph to predict a poor outcome (death during hospitalization or a hospital stay longer than 15 days) in emergency patients with sepsis and at low risk of organ damage according to Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study carried out in a single universitary hospital. All patients admitted from the emergency department with sepsis and SOFA scores of 6 or lower were enrolled. We used bivariate logistic regression analysis to develop a predictive nomogram. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were included. Seventeen patients (9.8%) died during hospitalization and the average hospital stay was greater than 15 days in 29 (16.7%) patient. The outcome was poor in a total of 42 patients (24.1%);. Independent variables that were significantly associated with a poor outcome were SOFA score (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.06-1.71; P<.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.0-1.09; P<.05), N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration over 1330 ng/mL (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.17-6.22; P<.05), and septic shock (OR, 8.3; 95% CI, 1.16-166.5; P<.05). For a SOFA score of 2 or more the crude OR was 4.44 (95%, CI, 1.91-10.34) and the OR adjusted for other variables was 3.08 (95% CI, 1.24-7.69). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of patients predicted to be at low risk of organ failure had poor outcomes, associated with SOFA score, the presence of septic shock, CRP concentration, and elevated NT-proBNP concentration. The SOFA score by itself is an inadequate prognostic tool in patients at low risk of organ damage. Other clinical and analytical variables are required to complement the SOFA score.

OBJETIVO: Elaborar un nomograma que permita predecir el mal pronóstico (mortalidad durante el ingreso o estancia media > 15 días) en pacientes procedentes de urgencias con sepsis y baja probabilidad de daño orgánico evaluado por SOFA (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment). METODO: Estudio observacional prospectivo realizado en un único hospital. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva pacientes del servicio de urgencias con sepsis y SOFA igual o inferior a 6 puntos. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística binaria y se elaboró un nomograma predictivo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 174 pacientes. Diecisiete (9,8%) pacientes fallecieron durante la hospitalización y 29 (16,7%) tuvieron una estancia media prolongada. En total, 42 (24,1%) pacientes tuvieron mal pronóstico. Las variables independientes de mal pronóstico fueron: la puntuación SOFA (OR 1,3; IC 95% 1,06-1,71; p < 0,05), las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva (PCR) (OR 1,04; IC 95% 1-1,09; p < 0,05), NT-proBNP > 1.330 ng/ml (OR 2,64; IC 95% 1,17-6,22; p < 0,05) y la presencia de shock séptico (OR 8,3; IC 95% 1,16-166,5; p < 0,05). Si tenemos en cuenta el índice SOFA >= 2, la OR cruda fue 4,44 (IC 95% 1,91-10,34) y ajustada por el resto de variables fue de 3,08 (IC 95%, 1,24-7,69). CONCLUSIONES: Una elevada proporción de pacientes con baja probabilidad de tener daño orgánico tuvieron mal pronóstico en relación con la puntuación en la escala SOFA, la presencia de shock séptico, concentraciones de PCR y NTproBNP. La utilización de la escala pronóstica SOFA en pacientes con bajo riesgo es insuficiente para predecir el pronóstico en estos pacientes y se hace necesario complementarla con otras variables clínicas y analíticas.

[Assessing the magnitude of osteoarthritis disadvantage on people's lives: the MOVES study]. / Avaliação da magnitude da desvantagem da osteoartrite na vida das pessoas: estudo MOVES.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries and one of the leading causes of pain and disability over the world. Early diagnosis increases the likelihood of preventing disease progression. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported osteoarthritis and quality of life in Portuguese adults with 45 or more years old. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, implemented in households by face-to-face interview. RESULTS: 1,039 subjects with mean age of 62 years and 54.2% female were included. The prevalence of self-reported osteoarthritis was 9.9%. Knees and hands were the most frequent site of disease. The prevalence of OA was higher in women and in participants without professional activity. Presence of OA was higher in participants with comorbidities. Most subjects have done some treatment at some point in time for this disease: 94.5% had drug therapy, 49.5% physiotherapy, and 19.8% physical activity. Pain was associated with height, with some disease locations specifically neck, lower spine and shoulders, SF12 scores of quality of life, and measurements of impact in daily living, severity of disease and disability. The impact of OA in daily living was greater in subjects that had been on sick leave or stopped working due to OA, had worse physical and mental health, and with more severe of disease. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that osteoarthritis is a very relevant disease with a high potential impact on quality of life, function and work ability and because of its prevalence with a very high growing social impact.

[Recurrent syncope without angina: an uncommon presentation of coronary spasm]. / Síncope recurrente sin angina: una presentación infrecuente del espasmo coronario.

We report the case of a 64-year-old patient admitted for repetitive syncope as an isolated clinical manifestation probably due to coronary artery spasm. The patient had no history of previous cardiac disease, and was studied because of two nonspecific syncopes. Long-term electrocardiographic monitoring showed many episodes of transient ST segment elevation, associated with premature ventricular beats and runs of ventricular tachycardia. Coronary angiography during ergonovine infusion was performed to confirm the diagnosis. We discuss the incidence of coronary spasm provoking syncope and the need to establish a correct diagnosis in order to administer an effective therapy to the patient.

[The spectral analysis of the P wave in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Análisis espectral de la onda P en pacientes con fibrilación auricular paroxística.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to establish if patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have an abnormal spectrum of the P wave. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with previous documented atrial fibrillation were compared with a control group of 29 patients. A signal-averaged ECG was performed using an ART-1200-EPX system, and a segment covering the last 75 ms of the P wave and the next 25 mg was analyzed in each of three orthogonal leads (X, Y, Z) and in a combined one (C). The area under the spectral curve between 20 and 50 Hz was divided by the area between 0 and 20 Hz (x 100 = AR50). RESULTS: Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation had greater AR50 on leads Y (78.3 +/- 42.9 vs 54.4 +/- 14.8; p < 0.01) and C (82.2 +/- 52.1 vs 58.4 +/- 14.6, p < 0.05) when compared with the control group. In the subset of patients without structural heart disease AR50 in lead X was greater. The criterion "AR50 > 55 in lead Y" identified paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with a sensitivity of 77.1% and a specificity of 85%. CONCLUSIONS: This method may be useful to detect patients at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

[The anomalous origin of the left common coronary trunk in the right sinus of Valsalva with an interarterial path. Apropos a case]. / Origen anómalo del tronco coronario común izquierdo en el seno de Valsalva derecho con trayecto interarterial. A propósito de un caso.

We present the case of an old patient with coronary artery disease and two previous myocardial infarctions, admitted to the hospital by syncopal episodes, in which the coronariographic study showed the ectopic origin of the left main coronary artery in the right sinus of Valsalva with anomalous course between the aortic and pulmonary arteries. In this case the initial coronariographic diagnosis and the therapeutical attitude (initially aggressive only in cases of interarterial course) was confirmed by mean of transesophageal echocardiography, showing a better topographical definition of the ectopic vessel aberrant course, although due to the high degree of left ventricular disfunction and the diffuse disease of distal vessels in this patient, CABG surgery was avoided. The angiographic feature is described and the transesophageal approach is remarked as a complementary diagnostic tool in the correct definition of the anomalous course.

[Effect of obesity on the morphology of the left ventricle]. / Influencia de la obesidad sobre la morfología del ventrículo izquierdo.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the relationship between obesity in its different degrees and the left ventricle morphology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: M-mode echocardiography was used to estimate the mass, wall thickness and internal dimension of left ventricle in 48 obese women with different degrees of obesity, defined according to the body mass index. 25 women with normal weight were used as controls. RESULTS: The body mass index was correlated with left ventricular mass, as well as with both the wall thickness of the left ventricle and its diastolic internal dimension. The abnormalities in the heart morphology increased according to the obesity degree, ranging from a 59% in the lesser obesity group up to a 100% in the more obese women. The incidence of the left ventricular hypertrophy determined by echocardiography also increased along with the body mass index, ranging from a 29% in the lesser degree of obesity women up to an 82% in the patients with a body mass index > 35 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity, even in its lowest degrees, shows frequent alterations in the heart morphology. This is related with a left ventricular mass increase and a higher incidence of the left ventricular hypertrophy. The left ventricular mass increase is due to an increase in the left ventricular walls thickness and also to a dilatation of its cavity.

Avaliação da magnitude da desvantagem da osteoartrite na vida das pessoas: estudo MOVES / Assessing the magnitude of osteoarthritis disadvantage on people's lives: the MOVES study

Introdução A osteoartrite (OA) é uma das dez doenças mais incapacitantes nos países desenvolvidos e uma das principais causas de dor e incapacitação no mundo. O diagnóstico precoce aumenta a probabilidade de prevenção da progressão da doença. Objetivos Estimar a prevalência de osteoartrite auto-referida e a qualidade de vida em adultos portugueses com 45 ou mais anos de idade. Métodos Estudo observacional, transversal, implementado em domicílios por entrevista interpessoal. Resultados Foram incluídos no estudo 1039 indivíduos com idade média de 62 anos, sendo 54,2% do gênero feminino. A prevalência de osteoartrite auto-referida foi de 9,9%. Os joelhos e as mãos foram o local mais freqüente da doença. A prevalência de OA foi maior em mulheres e em participantes sem atividade profissional. A presença de OA foi maior em participantes com comorbidades. A maioria dos indivíduos já tinham passado por algum tratamento em alguma ocasião de suas vidas para esta doença: 94,5% tiveram tratamento farmacológico, 49,5% fisioterapia, e 19,8% atividade física. A dor estava associada com a estatura, com alguns locais da doença, especificamente pescoço, coluna lombar e ombros, pontuação do SF12 para qualidade de vida, e medidas de impacto no cotidiano dos participantes, gravidade da doença e incapacitação. O impacto da OA no dia-a-dia foi maior em indivíduos que tinham gozado licença por doença ou que pararam de trabalhar por causa da OA, apresentavam-se com pior saúde física e mental, e exibiam maior gravidade da doença. Conclusão Este estudo confirmou que a osteoartrite é uma doença muito relevante, com impacto potencial elevado na qualidade de vida, no funcionamento e na capacidade para o trabalho e, por causa de sua prevalência, exerce um impacto social muito elevado e crescente. .

Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries and one of the leading causes of pain and disability over the world. Early diagnosis increases the likelihood of preventing disease progression. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of self-reported osteoarthritis and quality of life in Portuguese adults with 45 or more years old. Methods Observational, cross-sectional study, implemented in households by face-to-face interview. Results 1039 subjects with mean age of 62 years and 54.2% female were included. The prevalence of self-reported osteoarthritis was 9.9%. Knees and hands were the most frequent site of disease. The prevalence of OA was higher in women and in participants without professional activity. Presence of OA was higher in participants with comorbidities. Most subjects have done some treatment at some point in time for this disease: 94.5% had drug therapy, 49.5% physiotherapy, and 19.8% physical activity. Pain was associated with height, with some disease locations specifically neck, lower spine and shoulders, SF12 scores of quality of life, and measurements of impact in daily living, severity of disease and disability. The impact of OA in daily living was greater in subjects that had been on sick leave or stopped working due to OA, had worse physical and mental health, and with more severe of disease. Conclusion This study confirmed that osteoarthritis is a very relevant disease with a high potential impact on quality of life, function and work ability and because of its prevalence with a very high growing social impact. .

Origin and differentiation of a sex chromosome system in Parodon hilarii (Pisces, Parodontidae). Satellite DNA, G- and C-banding.

A satellite DNA sequence of Parodon hilarii (named pPh2004) was isolated, cloned and sequenced. This satellite DNA is composed of 200bp, 60% AT rich. In situ hybridization (FISH) results revealed that the satellite DNA pPh2004 is located in the terminal regions of several chromosomes, forming highly evident blocks in some and punctual marks in others. The comparison between the FISH and C-banding results showed that the location of this satellite DNA coincides with that of most terminal heterochromatins. However, some regions are only marked by FISH whereas other regions are only marked by C-banding. The possible existence of more than one satellite DNA family could explain these partial differences. The in situ hybridization with the satellite DNA and the G- and C-bandings confirmed the presence of a sex chromosome system of the ZZ/ZW type in P. hilarii, as well as the correct identification of the Z chromosome in the karyotype. This chromosome displays a segment of terminal heterochromatin in the long arm, similar to the segment observed in the short arm of the W chromosome, also showing a G-banding pattern similar to that of the short arm and part of the long arm of the W chromosome. A hypothesis on the origin of the W chromosome from an ancestral chromosome similar to the Z chromosome is presented.

[Effect of adenosine on P50 and its relation to 2,3-diphosphoglycerate]. / Efecto de la adenosina sobre la P50 y su relación con el 2,3-difosfoglicerato.

The effects of increasing doses of intravenous adenosine upon the dissociation haemoglobin curve (DHC) and its relation to the intraerythrocytic level of 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG), were studied in 17 anesthetized dogs. The DHC moved significantly to the left in all dogs except at the dose of 120 micrograms/kg/min which induces a displacement to the right. These changes in the DHC were parallel to the intraerythrocytic levels of 2,3-DPG. We conclude that adenosine modifies the DHC, shifting it generally to the left, and that this effect seems to be related to a change in the intraerythrocytic level of 2,3-DPG.