Evolution of polypharmacy in a spanish population (2005-2015): A database study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the evolution of the prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in a Spanish population, and to improve the identification of patients with polypharmacy. METHODS: A descriptive, annual cross-sectional observational study was carried out. PATIENTS: individuals over 14 years of age included in a multiregional primary care database of the Spanish population (BIFAP). ANALYSIS: prescription data. Period 2005-2015. VARIABLES: proportion of patients with polypharmacy (simultaneous prescription of ≥5 drugs) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) for at least 6 months, according to sex and age groups. A trend analysis of the studied period was performed (overall, and by sex and age groups). RESULTS: The data are reported on a comparative basis (2005 vs 2015). Number of patients analyzed: 2664743 vs 4 002 877. The prevalence of polypharmacy increased significantly (2.5% vs 8.9%, P-value for trend <0.001), being greater in females throughout the study period and in the group aged ≥80 years (P-value for trends <0.001). The prevalence of excessive polypharmacy also increased significantly (0.1% vs 1%, P-value for trend <0.001), being higher in the group aged ≥80 years (P-value for trend <0.001). The proportion of patients with no chronic treatment decreased (80.2% vs 63.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of polypharmacy in this Spanish population has tripled in the period 2005-2015, while excessive polypharmacy has increased 10-fold. These increments are seen in both sexes and in all age groups, particularly in individuals over 80 years of age. The proportion of patients without chronic treatments has decreased.

[Variability in the autonomous communities of the clinical recommendations in the service portfolios in primary care]. / Variabilidad en las recomendaciones clínicas en las carteras de servicios de atención primaria de las comunidades autónomas.

The quality guidelines established in Primary Care Service Portfolios of Autonomous Communities were analysed. It was observed that there were similarities in the number and content of the controls in children over 2 years-old, time intervals of cardiovascular risk and breast cancer mammography screening. Variability was observed in the number of controls (from 2 to 8) recommended for infants less than 2 years old, in the time intervals of monitoring parameters of patients with risk factors (for example, glycosylated haemoglobin in the diabetic every 2, 6, or 12 months), in the time intervals in cervical cytology (every 3 or 5 years) and in the age periods of performing the cytology (from 15, 20, 25, or 30 years up to 55 or 60 years) or mammography (from 45 or 50 years up to 60 or 65 years).

Drug Prescription Profiles in Patients with Polypharmacy in Spain: A Large-Scale Pharmacoepidemiologic Study Using Real-World Data.

We aimed to identify and compare medication profiles in populations with polypharmacy between 2005 and 2015. We conducted a cross-sectional study using information from the Computerized Database for Pharmacoepidemiologic Studies in Primary Care (BIFAP, Spain). We estimated the prevalence of therapeutic subgroups in all individuals 15 years of age and older with polypharmacy (≥5 drugs during ≥6 months) using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system level 4, by sex and age group, for both calendar years. The most prescribed drugs were proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), statins, antiplatelet agents, benzodiazepine derivatives, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The greatest increases between 2005 and 2015 were observed in PPIs, statins, other antidepressants, and ß-blockers, while the prevalence of antiepileptics was almost tripled. We observed increases in psychotropic drugs in women and cardiovascular medications in men. By patient´s age groups, there were notable increases in antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiepileptics (15-44 years); antidepressants, PPIs, and selective ß-blockers (45-64 years); selective ß-blockers, biguanides, PPIs, and statins (65-79 years); and in statins, selective ß-blockers, and PPIs (80 years and older). Our results revealed important increases in the use of specific therapeutic subgroups, like PPIs, statins, and psychotropic drugs, highlighting opportunities to design and implement strategies to analyze such prescriptions' appropriateness.

[Cardiovascular prevention according to CEIPC: a critical appraisal]. / La prevención según el Comité Español Interdisciplinario para la Prevención Cardiovascular: una valoración crítica.

We present a critical appraisal of the adaptation to the 4th European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice carried out by The Spanish Interdisciplinary Committee for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (CEIPC), which is based on: 1) the removal, by the CEIPC, of important restrictions on the start of drug therapy that are contained in the European guide 2) the existence of internal contradictions and differing recommendations regarding the goals of LDL in the several publications of the CEIP adaptation; and 3) and the almost total lack of necessary discussion about risk tables in Spain. Therefore, it makes a critical appraisal of some of the most important clinical recommendations shared by the CEIPC and the European guide that are not supported by clinical evidence, like the implicit proposal of using the estimated cardiovascular risk as a target for treatment, the criteria to begin the antihypertensive drug therapy and therapeutic goals for blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol and HbA1c. The public health administration and also the scientific society must ensure transparency and independence in the drafting of documents endorsed by them, including the management and declaration of potential conflicts of interest among editors and group members. The public health administration and also the scientific society must guarantee a framework of honesty and transparency in the documents endorsed by them, with a complete declaration of the authors conflict of interests.

Radiotherapy versus laser microsurgery in the treatment of early glottic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in stages I or II can be treated by transoral CO2 laser microsurgery (TLM) or exclusive radiotherapy (RT). OBJECTIVES: To compare the oncological results of patients treated with TLM, to those treated with RT, in a tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with glottic SCC in stages I and II between 2004 and 2018 were analyzed. Response to treatment was studied in terms of recurrence, local control and laryngeal preservation. RESULTS: Of 164 patients, 63.41% received treatment with TLM and 36.58% with RT. 26.21% presented a recurrence or progression of the tumor. Both treatments obtained good local control rates (84.15% in the case of TLM and 89.6% in the case of RT) and no significant association was found between tumor recurrence and type of treatment, nor with the involvement of the anterior commissure. However, treatment with RT obtained worse laryngeal preservation rate compared to TLM (81.6% and 100% respectively) (p < .001LR). Conclusions and significance: Both treatments obtained good oncological results. There were no significant differences regarding local control. However, TLM obtained a better laryngeal preservation rate. The involvement of the anterior commissure was not a poor prognosis factor for tumor recurrence.

[Abscess of cavum and ophthalmoplegia secondary to malignant external otitis]. / Absceso de cavum y oftalmoplejía secundarios a otitis externa maligna.

We present a rare case of ophthalmoplegia, labyrinthitis and abscess of cavum secondary to skull base osteomyelitis by malignant external otitis. Since symptoms persisted in spite of antibiotic therapy, surgical drainage using a transnasal endoscopic approach was performed.

Tonsillectomy in adults: Analysis of indications and complications.

OBJECTIVE: Tonsillectomy is one of the surgical techniques most practiced by otolaryngologists, and despite being a relatively simple technique; it presents a considerable percentage of complications, such as postoperative bleeding. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical indications and most frequent complications, analyze whether surgical suture of the tonsillar pillars has an influence on bleeding, and study the data of hospital stay and its importance for the control of complications. METHODS: A retrospective study of 326 patients who underwent a tonsillectomy in our Department of Otolaryngology from 2006 to 2014 was conducted. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using the Excel and SPSS 21.0 programs. RESULTS: The most frequent indication was recurrent tonsillitis, with a 74.85% (244) occurrence, and the most recurrent complication was bleeding, in 5.21% (17) of the tonsillectomies, requiring surgical revision 13 of the 17 patients. No statistically significant differences in the risk of bleeding were observed in patients in whom tonsil pillars were sutured comparing to those that were not. No statistically significant differences were detected associating surgical indication and oropharyngeal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. All operated patients were admitted, with a postoperative average hospital stay of 2.17 days, gaining a quick and effective control of the immediate complications. CONCLUSION: Bleeding is the most common and important complication. No statistically significant association between bleeding and tonsil pillar suture or surgical indication was found. Tonsillectomy was not set as outpatient surgery at the time.

[Subacute necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis. An almost unknown condition]. / Linfadenitis histiocitaria necrotizante subaguda. Una entidad poco conocida.

The etiology of neck masses is multifactorial, including genetical troubles, infections or tumoral lesions. A detailed medical history and a thorough physical check-up with the aid of analyses and imaging pictures properly selected, provide the doctor with the needle information in order to establish a correct diagnosis (table 1). We present the case of a young woman with lateral neck and supraclavicular adenopathies which diagnosis although sporadic must be keep in mind in daily clinic owing its growing incidence in last years.

[Emergency care in the autonomous regions of Spain. Improvement in pre-hospital emergency care and welfare coordination. SESPAS Report 2012]. / La atención a la urgencia en las comunidades autónomas. Mejoras en las urgencias prehospitalarias y la coordinación asistencial. Informe SESPAS 2012.

The present article describes the general organization of pre-hospital emergency care in the autonomous regions and provides data on activity corresponding to 2010, drawn from the information available in the Primary Care Information System of the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. Emergency care is provided through various organizational structures covering 24-hour periods. Family medicine attended 17.8 million emergency consultations and nursing attended 10.2 million (year 2010, 14 autonomous communities, 79.7% of the National Health System population). Emergency department utilization ranged between 0.11 and 0.83 urgent family physician consultations per inhabitant/year and between 0.05 and 0.57 nursing consultations per inhabitant/year. Any reform in the management of pre-hospital emergency care will involve organizational changes and aims to produce measurable improvements in healthcare coordination. In the new organizational designs, most of the responsibility lies with human resources in order to achieve the new goals for the future aims to be presented in an operational teamwork structure. Undoubtedly, the main challenge is to achieve optimal coordination with other welfare levels, including the police, social services, nursing homes, etc. If optimal care of the population needs to count on the efforts of all these groups, mobility, individual differences, consistent achievement of high standards, and -most of all- the use of these services by citizens will determine the final result. The results can be quantified in various ways, but evaluation should concentrate on the resources used, the degree of satisfaction among all the parties involved and optimal management of demand, which will help to disseminate the need for a rational resource use.

CO2 laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma: our experience over 6 years.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The study goal was to analyze the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients were included in this retrospective review between 2000 and 2006. The follow-up period was more than 2 years and the mean follow-up for all patients was 49 months. RESULTS: Tumour extension was as follows: T1 in 12 (22.6%), T2 in 37 (69.8%) and T3 in 4 (7.5%). Forty-seven patients (88.7%) had neck dissections. Nineteen patients (35.8%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier estimates for disease-specific survival were 80%, 74.11% and 65%, at 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The overall functional laryngeal preservation rate was 90.56%. (48 of 53), and local control 81.13%. During follow up, 13.2% of patients developed local recurrence, 11.3% regional recurrence and 5.7% loco-regional recurrence. Patients started swallowing early after surgery, with a mean time of 5.83 days, and the mean hospital stay was 14.69 days. Complications included 20.75% who suffered pneumonia and 11.32% with bleeding. Only one patient (1.88%) received total laryngectomy due to the impossibility of swallowing. CONCLUSIONS: With careful selection of patients, laser supraglottic laryngectomy is a safe and effective treatment for cancer of the supraglottic larynx.

La prevención cardiovascular según CEIPC: una valoración crítica / Cardiovascular prevention according to CEIPC: a critical appraisal

Se realiza una valoración crítica de la adaptación que ha realizadoel Comité Español Interdisciplinario para la Prevención Cardiovascular(CEIPC) de la Cuarta Guía Europea de Prevención Cardiovascularen la Práctica Clínica, que se fundamenta en: 1) la eliminaciónpor parte del CEIPC de importantes restricciones para el iniciodel tratamiento farmacológico que contiene la guía europea; 2) laexistencia de contradicciones internas y de distintas recomendacionesen las distintas publicaciones de la adaptación CEIPC respecto alos objetivos de LDL; y 3) la casi total ausencia de la necesaria discusiónsobre las tablas de riesgo en España. Además se realiza unavaloración crítica de algunas de las recomendaciones clínicas másimportantes que CEIPC y guía europea comparten y que no se sustentanen evidencias, como la propuesta implícita de la utilizacióndel riesgo cardiovascular estimado como objetivo de tratamiento, loscriterios de inicio del tratamiento farmacológico antihipertensivo ylos objetivos terapéuticos de presión arterial, LDL-colesterol yHbA1c. Sociedades científicas y Administración Pública han degarantizar la transparencia e independencia en la redacción de losdocumentos avalados por ellas, que incluya el manejo y declaraciónde los potenciales conflictos de interés de redactores y miembros degrupos(AU)

We present a critical appraisal of the adaptation to the 4th EuropeanGuidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in ClinicalPractice carried out by The Spanish Interdisciplinary Committee forCardiovascular Disease Prevention (CEIPC), which is based on: 1)the removal, by the CEIPC, of important restrictions on the start ofdrug therapy that are contained in the European guide 2) the existenceof internal contradictions and differing recommendations regardingthe goals of LDL in the several publications of the CEIP adaptation;and 3) and the almost total lack of necessary discussion about risktables in Spain. Therefore, it makes a critical appraisal of some of themost important clinical recommendations shared by the CEIPC andthe European guide that are not supported by clinical evidence, likethe implicit proposal of using the estimated cardiovascular risk as atarget for treatment, the criteria to begin the antihypertensive drugtherapy and therapeutic goals for blood pressure, LDL-cholesteroland HbA1c. The public health administration and also the scientificsociety must ensure transparency and independence in the drafting ofdocuments endorsed by them, including the management and declarationof potential conflicts of interest among editors and group members.The public health administration and also the scientific societymust guarantee a framework of honesty and transparency in the documentsendorsed by them, with a complete declaration of the authorsconflict of interests(AU)

La atención a la urgencia en las comunidades autónomas. Mejoras en las urgencias prehospitalarias y la coordinación asistencial. Informe SESPAS 2012 / Emergency care in the autonomous regions of Spain. Improvement in pre-hospital emergency care and welfare coordination. SESPAS Report 2012

Se describe la organización general de la atención urgente extrahospitalaria en las comunidades autónomas y se recogen datos de actividad correspondientes a 2010, a partir de la información disponible en el Sistema de Información de Atención Primaria del Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad. La atención urgente se presta a través de dispositivos diversos que cubren las 24 horas. Medicina de familia atendió 17,8 millones de consultas urgentes y enfermería 10,2 millones (año 2010, 14 comunidades autónomas, 79,7% de la población del Sistema Nacional de Salud). La frecuentación a urgencias oscila entre 0,11 y 0,83 consultas urgentes por habitante y año a medicina de familia, y entre 0,05 y 0,57 consultas por habitante y año a enfermería. Toda reforma en la gestión de las urgencias prehospitalarias comporta cambios organizativos y pretende mejoras valorables en la coordinación asistencial. Respecto a los nuevos diseños organizativos, el mayor peso específico recae en la parcela de recursos humanos para poder conseguir los nuevos objetivos de futuro que se planteen en una estructura de trabajo en equipo en su significado más operativo. No cabe duda de que el reto principal que se plantea es una óptima coordinación con otros niveles asistenciales, sin olvidar otros colectivos de servicios al ciudadano, como cuerpos policiales, servicios sociales, residencias geriátricas, etc. Si la mejor atención al usuario tiene que centrar todos estos esfuerzos, su contrapartida, con su movilidad, variabilidad individual, nivel de exigencia y, sobre todo, según su uso de los servicios disponibles, es la que determinará el resultado final. La cuantificación de los logros puede medirse de diversas maneras, pero principalmente como los recursos empleados, el grado de satisfacción de todos los actores implicados y la óptima gestión de la demanda que contribuya a difundir la necesidad de un uso racional de los servicios sanitarios (AU)

The present article describes the general organization of pre-hospital emergency care in the autonomous regions and provides data on activity corresponding to 2010, drawn from the information available in the Primary Care Information System of the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. Emergency care is provided through various organizational structures covering 24-hour periods. Family medicine attended 17.8 million emergency consultations and nursing attended 10.2 million (year 2010, 14 autonomous communities, 79.7% of the National Health System population). Emergency department utilization ranged between 0.11 and 0.83 urgent family physician consultations per inhabitant/year and between 0.05 and 0.57 nursing consultations per inhabitant/year. Any reform in the management of pre-hospital emergency care will involve organizational changes and aims to produce measurable improvements in healthcare coordination. In the new organizational designs, most of the responsibility lies with human resources in order to achieve the new goals for the future aims to be presented in an operational teamwork structure. Undoubtedly, the main challenge is to achieve optimal coordination with other welfare levels, including the police, social services, nursing homes, etc. If optimal care of the population needs to count on the efforts of all these groups, mobility, individual differences, consistent achievement of high standards, and -most of all- the use of these services by citizens will determine the final result. The results can be quantified in various ways, but evaluation should concentrate on the resources used, the degree of satisfaction among all the parties involved and optimal management of demand, which will help to disseminate the need for a rational resource use (AU)

Laringectomía horizontal supraglótica láser CO2: nuestra experiencia en seis años / CO2 laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma: Our experience over 6 years

Introducción y objetivos: El objetivo del estudio es analizar los resultados oncológicos y funcionales de la microcirugía láser en el tratamiento del carcinoma supraglótico de laringe. Material y métodos: Cincuenta y tres pacientes fueron incluidos en este estudio retrospectivo entre el año 2000 y 2006. El periodo de seguimiento fue superior a 2 años y la media fue de 49 meses. Resultados: La extensión tumoral fue T1 en 12 pacientes (22,6%), T2 en 37 (69,8%) y T3 en 4 pacientes (7,5%). En 47 pacientes (88,7%) se realizaron vaciamientos cervicales ganglionares. Diecinueve pacientes (35,8%) recibieron radioterapia (RT) postoperatoria. Las estimaciones de la supervivencia causa-específica con el método de Kaplan-Meier fueron de 80%, 74,11% y 65% a los 2, 3 y 5 años, respectivamente. La preservación de la función laríngea fue posible en el 90,56% (48 de 53) y el control local fue del 81,13%. Durante el periodo de seguimiento 13,2% de los pacientes desarrollaron recidiva local, 11,3% recidiva regional y 5,7% recidiva locorregional. Los pacientes comenzaron a deglutir de forma temprana tras la cirugía con un tiempo medio de 5,83 días y la estancia media hospitalaria fue de 14,69 días. El 20,75% sufrieron neumonía y el 11,32% hemorragia. Únicamente un paciente (1,88%) precisó una laringectomía total por imposibilidad para la deglución. Conclusiones: Con una selección cuidadosa de pacientes, la laringectomia supraglótica con láser es un tratamiento seguro y efectivo para el cáncer supraglótico de laringe (AU)

Introduction and objetives: The study goal was to analyze the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. Material and methods: A total of 53 patients were included in this retrospective review between 2000 and 2006. The follow-up period was more than 2 years and the mean follow-up for all patients was 49 months. Results: Tumour extension was as follows: T1 in 12 (22.6%), T2 in 37 (69.8%) and T3 in 4 (7.5%). Forty-seven patients (88.7%) had neck dissections. Nineteen patients (35.8%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier estimates for disease-specific survival were 80%, 74.11% and 65%, at 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The overall functional laryngeal preservation rate was 90.56%. (48 of 53), and local control 81.13%. During follow up, 13.2% of patients developed local recurrence, 11.3% regional recurrence and 5.7% loco-regional recurrence. Patients started swallowing early after surgery, with a mean time of 5.83 days, and the mean hospital stay was 14.69 days. Complications included 20.75% who suffered pneumonia and 11.32% with bleeding. Only one patient (1.88%) received total laryngectomy due to the impossibility of swallowing. Conclusions: With careful selection of patients, laser supraglottic laryngectomy is a safe and effective treatment for cancer of the supraglottic larynx (AU)

La fascinación por popper en la epidemiología contemporánea / Facinarion with popper in contemporary epidemiology

No disponible

Absceso de cavum y oftalmoplejía secundarios a otitis externa maligna / Abscess of cavum and ophthalmoplegia secondary to malignant external otitis

Presentamos un caso excepcional de oftalmoplejía, laberintitis y absceso de cavum secundario a osteomielitis de base de cráneo por una otitis externa maligna. Ante la persistencia de los síntomas a pesar de la terapia antibiótica, se practicó un drenaje quirúrgico mediante un abordaje endoscópico transnasal (AU)

We present a rare case of ophthalmoplegia, labyrinthitis and abscess of cavum secondary to skull base osteomyelitis by malignant external otitis. Since symptoms persisted in spite of antibiotic therapy, surgical drainage using a transnasal endoscopic approach was performed (AU)

Normas técnicas sobre tratamiento farmacológico en la cartera de servicios de atención primaria / Technical norms on drug treatment in the catalogue of services in primary care

El objetivo de este trabajo es describir el procedimiento seguido para el diseño de normas técnicas de tratamiento (NTT) para su inclusión en la cartera de servicios de atención primaria, presentar la redacción de las 4 normas incluidas y los resultados del estudio de concordancia en su evaluación. Se recogió el fundamento científico técnico del contenido de la norma en un informe técnico que incluyó un repertorio bibliográfico y una copia de los principales artículos. La propuesta inicial de las normas se publicó en un número especial del boletín Ojo de Markov, dirigido a profesionales sanitarios. Se promovió un debate entre los profesionales, tanto acerca del contenido como de la pertinencia de este tipo de normas. Las opiniones y sugerencias se recogieron mediante una encuesta. Se realizó un estudio para valorar la concordancia en la evaluación de las normas entre 3 observadores independientes, en una muestra de 300 historias clínicas. Un grupo de expertos valoró el respaldo científico, las sugerencias de los profesionales y redactó la versión final de las normas. La propuesta de inclusión de NTT en la cartera de servicios de atención primaria como herramienta de calidad y de apoyo a las decisiones clínicas se recibió por los profesionales con distinto nivel de acuerdo. El cuerpo de la norma define el tratamiento de elección, y como aclaraciones a la evaluación se incluyen otras variantes clínicas admitidas en los consensos. Las NTT propuestas han mostrado buena concordancia entre evaluadores

This study aims to describe the procedure followed to design treatment technical norms (TTN) to be included in the catalogue of services in primary care, the wording of the four TTN included, and interobserver agreement. The technical-scientific bases of the TTN were written in a technical report that included a list of references and a copy of the most important articles. The initial proposals were published in a special issue of the bulletin Ojo de Markov (Markov's Eye), which is aimed at health professionals. Simultaneously, a debate among professionals was fostered on both the contents and the pertinence of this kind of norms. Suggestions and opinions were collected by means of a poll. A study to estimate the level of agreement among three independent observers was performed in a sample of 300 clinical records. The scientific evidence and health professionals' suggestions were evaluated by panel of experts who wrote the final version of the TTN. The proposal to include the TTN in the catalogue of services in primary care as a tool for measuring quality and supporting clinical decisions was received by health professionals with different degrees of agreement. The main part of each norm defines the treatment of choice, while other clinical situations based on guidelines were included as an explanation for the evaluation. The NTT defined showed good interobserver agreement