Predictors of poor outcomes in young non-comorbid patients with COVID-19

ABSTRACT Background: Prognostic factors in previously healthy young patients with COVID-19 remained understudied. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify factors associated with in-hospital death or need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in young (aged ≤ 65 years) and previously healthy patients with COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study that included patients admitted with COVID-19. The primary outcome was in-hospital death/need for IMV. Secondary outcomes included need for IMV during follow-up, days on IMV, length of stay (LOS), hospital-acquired pneumonia/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Among 92 patients, primary outcome occurred in 16 (17%), death in 12 (13%), need for IMV in 16 (17%), HAP/VAP in 7 (8%), and PE in 2 (2%). Median LOS and IMV duration were 7 and 12 days, respectively. Independent associations were found between the primary outcome and male sex (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.1, 95%CI 1.1-46.0, p < 0.05), D-dimer levels > 1000ng/mL (aOR 9.0, 95%CI 1.6-49.1, p < 0.05), and RT-PCR Ct-value ≤ 24 on initial swab samples (aOR 14.3, 95%CI 2.0-101.5, p < 0.01). Conclusions: In young and non-comorbid COVID-19 patients, male sex, higher levels of D-dimer, and low SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct-value on an initial nasopharyngeal swab were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality or need for IMV.

Problemas de visión en personas mayores de 50 años en el Perú: Estudio poblacional / Vision problems in people over 50 years old in Peru: A population-based study

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el antecedente de catarata y problemas de visión en personas mayores de 50 años en el Perú. Métodos: Análisis de base de datos secundaria de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2016. Incluimos 7970 adultos mayores de 50 años. Evaluamos los indicadores de interés a nivel nacional y regional. Asimismo, analizamos factores relacionados a estos eventos mediante un modelo multivariado de Poisson. Resultados: Se evidenció un 13,6 % (IC95 %: 12,8-14,3 %) de antecedente de catarata, 20,4 % (IC95 %: 19,5-21,3 %) de problemas de visión de larga distancia (PVLD) y 29,4 % (IC95 %: 28,4-30,4 %) de problemas de visión de corta distancia (PVCD). En el modelo multivariado observamos que las personas con antecedente de hipertensión arterial, antecedente de diabetes y los grupos de edad mayores tenían una probabilidad significativamente mayor de reportar antecedentes de cataratas y problemas de visión. Observamos también que las personas con mejor estado económico presentaron menor frecuencia de PVLD y PVCD. Conclusión: El antecedente de catarata y los problemas de visión en la población estudiada varían de acuerdo a características sociodemográficas y geográficas. La identificación de factores relacionados a estos eventos de interés permite proponer mejores intervenciones para el control de estos problemas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the history of cataract and vision problems in people over 50 years of age in Peru. Methods: Secondary database analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) 2016. We included 7970 adults over 50 years of age. We evaluated the indicators of interest at the national and regional level. Likewise, we analyzed factors related to these events using a multivariate Poisson model. Results: 13.6% (95% CI: 12.8-14.3%) had a history of cataract, 20.4% (95%CI: 19.5-21.3%) had long-distance vision problems. (LDVP) and 29.4% (95%CI: 28.4-30.4%) of short-distance vision problems (SDVP). In the multivariate model, we observed that people with a history of high blood pressure, a history of diabetes, and older age groups were significantly more likely to report a history of cataracts and vision problems. We also observed that people with a better economic status had a lower frequency of LDVP and SDVP. Conclusion: The history of cataract and vision problems in the studied population vary according to sociodemographic and geographic characteristics. The identification of factors related to these events of interest allows us to propose better interventions to control these problems.

Las posibilidades para la experiencia de la representación escénica como práctica de ocio dentro de la "nueva normalidad" mexicana pospandémica / The possibilities for the experience of the scenic representation as a leisure practice within the postpandemic mexican "new normal"

El siguiente texto tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre la posibilidad de vivenciar la representación escénica previamente concebida para el espacio físico dentro del espacio virtual establecido durante el aislamiento ocasionado por la pandemia del COVID-19 en México, con la finalidad de vislumbrar algunas de sus posibilidades dentro de su Nueva Normalidad. Esto, por medio de un dialogo entre sus características técnicas y tecnológicas, los hábitos establecidos previamente al respecto y la factibilidad del consumo digital dentro de la sociedad mexicana. Observándose como resultado, una dificultad para implementar un espacio exclusivamente virtual para su práctica dentro de la Nueva Normalidad, especialmente, cuando sólo 56.4% de los mexicanos (as) dispone de acceso a internet.

The following text aims to reflect on the possibility of experiencing the scenic representation, originally conceived for the physical space, within the virtual space established during the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, in order to infer some of its possibilities within Mexican "New Normal. This, through a dialogue between its technical and technological characteristics, the habits previously established in this regard and the feasibility of digital consumption into the Mexican reality. Observing as a result, a difficulty to implement an exclusively virtual space for its practice within the Mexican "New Normal", especially when only 56.4% of Mexicans have internet access.

Uric acid and salt intake as predictors of incident hypertension in a primary care setting / Ácido úrico e ingesta de sal como factores predictivos de la hipertensión arterial incidental en un centro de atención primaria

Abstract Background: Hypertension is responsible for a substantial number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease and stroke. A crucial step toward its control is the identification of modifiable predictors of hypertension. Objectives: To estimate the relationship between salt intake, serum uric acid and incident hypertension in a primary care setting. Methods: Retrospective cohort of the CAMELIA study in which a non-randomized sample of 1098 participants who were ≥ 20 year-old was recruited from a primary care program. Originally, the sample consisted of hypertensive, diabetic and non-diabetic/non-hypertensive subjects. For the analysis, 258 participants with blood pressure (BP) lower than 140/90 mm Hg not using antihypertensive drugs and without diabetes mellitus were included. Five years after the first visit, their medical records were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to BP in the first visit: normal BP group (systolic BP ≤ 120 mm Hg and diastolic BP ≤ 80 mm Hg) and high-normal BP group (systolic BP 121-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP 81-89 mm Hg). Results: In multivariate analysis, high-normal BP, hyperuricemia and salt intake ≥ 6 g/day predicted incident hypertension. In participants of thenormal BP group, high salt intake conferred the highest risk. In the high-normal BP group, smoking and serum uric acid were found to be the most important ones. Conclusion: In a healthy, multiethnic, and normotensive population from an urban primary care program, high-normal BP, hyperuricemia and high salt intake were found to be predictors of incident hypertension.

Resumen Antecedentes: La hipertensión es responsable de un gran número de muertes debido a cardiopatías e ictus. Un paso esencial para su control es la identificación de factores modificables predictivos de la hipertensión. Objetivos: Calcular la relación entre ingesta de sal, ácido úrico sérico e hipertensión incidental en un centro de atención primaria. Métodos: Cohorte retrospectiva del estudio CAMELIA, en el que se incluyó una muestra no aleatorizada de 1.098 participantes con edades ≥ 20 años, obtenida de un programa de atención primaria. Originalmente, la muestra incluía sujetos hipertensos, diabéticos y no diabéticos/no hipertensos. Para el análisis, se estudiaron 258 participantes con presión arterial (PA) inferior a 140/90 mm Hg, sin prescripción de fármacos antihipertensivos, y no diabéticos. Transcurridos cinco años de la primera visita, se revisaron sus historias médicas. Se dividió a los pacientes en dos grupos, con arreglo a su PA en la primera visita: grupo con PA normal (PA sistólica ≤ 120 mm Hg y PA diastólica ≤ 80 mm Hg), y grupo con PA alta-normal BP (PA sistólica 121-139 mm Hg y/o PA diastólica 81-89 mm Hg). Resultados: En el análisis multivariante, la PA alta-normal, hiperuricemia e ingesta de sal ≥ 6 g/día predijeron la hipertensión incidental. En los participantes del grupo de PA normal, la ingesta elevada de sal confirió el mayor riesgo. En el grupo de PA alta-normal, el tabaquismo y el ácido úrico sérico fueron los factores más importantes. Conclusión: En una población sana, multiétnica y normotensa, procedente de un programa de atención primaria urbana la PA alta-normal, hiperuricemia e ingesta elevada de sal constituyeron los factores predictivos de la hipertensión incidental.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with covid-19 in a tertiary care center in Mexico City: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background: Regional information regarding the characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is needed for a better understanding of the pandemic. Objective: The objective of the study to describe the clinical features of COVID-19 patients diagnosed in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City and to assess differences according to the treatment setting (ambulatory vs. hospital) and to the need of intensive care (IC). Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort, including consecutive patients with COVID-19 from February 26, 2020 to April 11, 2020. Results: We identified 309 patients (140 inpatients and 169 outpatients). The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 33-54), 59.2% men, and 18.6% healthcare workers (12.3% from our center). The median body mass index (BMI) was 29.00 kg/m2 and 39.6% had obesity. Compared to outpatients, inpatients were older, had comorbidities, cough, and dyspnea more frequently. Twenty-nine (20.7%) inpatients required treatment in the IC unit (ICU). History of diabetes (type 1 or 2) and abdominal pain were more common in ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients. ICU patients had higher BMIs, higher respiratory rates, and lower room-air capillary oxygen saturations. ICU patients showed a more severe inflammatory response as assessed by white blood cell count, neutrophil and platelet count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, procalcitonin, and albumin levels. By the end of the study period, 65 inpatients had been discharged because of improvement, 70 continued hospitalized, and five had died. Conclusions: Patients with comorbidities, either middle-age obese or elderly complaining of fever, cough, or dyspnea, were more likely to be admitted. At admission, patients with diabetes, high BMI, and clinical or laboratory findings consistent with a severe inflammatory state were more likely to require IC.

Qualidade de vida do idoso em tratamento oncológico / Quality of life in elderly oncological treatment

O câncer é uma doença de alta prevalência global com elevada taxa de mortalidade a partir dos trinta anos de idade, em especial, na população geriátrica. Os principais objetivos do diagnóstico de câncer e do programa de tratamento é curar ou prolongar a vida consideravelmente, e garantir a melhor qualidade de vida (QV) possível aos sobreviventes do câncer. Garantir boa QV tem sido um dos desafios das políticas públicas na área da gerontologia no mundo e no Brasil. Objetivo: revisar dados da literatura sobre a QV do idoso em tratamento oncológico. Metodologia: o método de pesquisa utilizado foi a revisão integrativa da literatura, que se fundamenta na prática baseada em evidências, utilizando como fonte de levantamento as bases de dados: LILACS, Scielo e MEDLINE/PubMed e os seguintes descritores: qualidade de vida (quality of life), câncer (neoplasms ou cancer), idosos (aged ou elderly) e tratamento (treatment). Foram incluídos artigos com resumos disponíveis que retratam a QV do paciente idoso com câncer e excluídos artigos que não tinha como enfoque principal o paciente idoso. Resultados: fatores como função emocional, social, cognitiva, dificuldades financeiras, assim como fatores relacionados aos efeitos colaterais dos tratamentos, interferem diretamente na qualidade de vida do idoso com câncer. Conclusão: vê-se a necessidade de uma avaliação global do paciente, realizada em conjunto entre as áreas de geriatria, oncologia e equipe multiprofissional, visando a um monitoramento para que o idoso consiga receber e seguir o tratamento sem complicações, possibilitando, assim, uma melhora da qualidade de vida.

Cancer is a global high-prevalence disease with high mortality rate from thirty years of age, especially in the geriatric population. The main goals of cancer diagnosis and treatment program is to cure or prolong life considerably, and ensure the best quality of life (QL) possible for cancer survivors. Ensure good QL has been one of the challenges of public policies in the field of gerontology in the world and in Brazil. Objective: to review the literature on QL of the elderly in cancer treatment. Methodology: the research method was an integrative literature review, which is based on evidence-based practice, using as a source of raising three databases: LILACS, Scielo and MEDLINE/PubMed and the following descriptors: quality of life, cancer, elderly and treatment. They included articles with abstracts available that depict the elderly patient QL with cancer and excluded articles that had as its main focus the elderly. Results: the results showed that factors such as emotional function, social, cognitive, financial difficulties, as well as factors related to the side effects of treatments, directly affect the quality of life of the elderly with cancer. Conclusion: it is necessary a comprehensive patient assessment, carried out jointly between the areas of geriatrics, oncology and multidisciplinary team, aiming to monitoring so that the elderly can receive and follow the treatment without complications, allowing a better quality of life.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteremia among HIV and non-HIV patients in a Mexican tertiary care center

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the factors associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-positive blood culture. Methods: Case-control study. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 2000 to 2015. Results: We reviewed medical records of 533 patients with culture-proven tuberculosis, of whom 27.2% (145/533) had blood culture available. Patients with mycobacteremia presented more frequently with abdominal tuberculosis, body mass index <18 kg/m2, and had lower hemoglobin and albumin levels. No differences were observed regarding HIV status. Conclusions: Few studies have reported on the characteristics associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteremia, especially among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-negative patients. Out of 145 tuberculosis-infected patients with blood culture results available, 21 turned out positive. Anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and a body mass index < 18 kg/m2 were associated with mycobacteremia.

Programa Vida Saudável em Contagem: a perspectiva de um gestor / Healthy Living Program in Contagem: a perspective manager

O Programa Vida Saudável visa oportunizar a prática de atividades físicas, culturais e de lazer para o cidadão idoso para melhorar a sua qualidade de vida, isto considerando, que na atualidade passou-se a viver mais tempo devido aos avanços tecnológicos que têm contribuído para o desenvolvimento humano. Dessa forma, este trabalho objetivou descrever o processo de implantação deste Programa na cidade de Contagem, Minas Gerais, para identificar as suas potencialidades e dificuldades. A metodologia utilizada foi a partir de um enfoque epistemológico fenomenológico que adota a interpretação como fundamento da compreensão dos fenômenos como eixo da explicação científica, sendo assim um estudo qualitativo transversal, do tipo descritivo-exploratório por meio do qual se realizou uma pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de campo. O resultado da pesquisa permitiu reconhecer algumas potencialidades do programa assim como dificuldades para sua implantação em Contagem, que levam a refletir, sobretudo, na importância da adoção de políticas internas que permitam oferecer um serviço social de qualidade para o cidadão idoso.

The aim of the Healthy Living Program is to create opportunities for physical activity, cultural and leisure facilities for the elderly in order to improve the quality of their life, considering that today has gone to live longer because technological advances that have contributed to human development. Thus, the following paper aims to describe the process of implementing this program in the city of Contagem, Minas Gerais, to identify their potential and difficulties. The methodology used was from a phenomenological epistemological approach that adopts the interpretation as the basis for understanding the phenomena as axis of scientific explanation, so the following is a cross-sectional qualitative study of descriptive exploratory whereby an investigation was carried from the literature and official documents available and field. The result of research helped to identify some potential of the program and the difficulties in its implementation in Contagem, leading to reflect on the importance of domestic policies exist to provide quality service to the older people.

Tendências de mortalidade por doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica no Rio de Janeiro e em Porto Alegre, 1980-2014 / Tendencias en la mortalidad por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en Rio de Janeiro y Porto Alegre, Brasil, 1980-2014 / Trends in mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre, Brazil, 1980-2014

Objetivo: analisar o efeito da idade, período e coorte de nascimento (APC) na mortalidade por doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) nos municípios de Porto Alegre, RS, e Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, entre 1980 e 2014. Métodos: estudo de séries temporais com dados corrigidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM); o efeito APC foi estimado por regressão de Poisson, em relação à coorte de 1935. Resultados: o risco relativo (RR) de morte por DPOC para os homens foi decrescente na coorte de nascimento mais recente (1970-1974), em Porto Alegre (RR=0,39; IC95% 0,32;0,48) e no Rio de Janeiro (RR=0,42; IC95% 0,38;0,48); para mulheres, no Rio de Janeiro observou-se aumento do risco relativo para as coortes mais recentes (RR=1,41; IC95% 1,20;1,67). Conclusão: entre os homens, houve a diminuição do risco por morte por DPOC, enquanto para as mulheres houve aumento do risco no Rio de Janeiro.

Objetivo: analizar el efecto de la edad período y cohorte de nacimiento (EPOC) en las ciudades de Porto Alegre, RS, y Río de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, entre 1980 y 2014. Métodos: estudio de series temporales con datos corregidos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad (SIM); el efecto APC fue estimado por regresión de Poisson, en relación a la cohorte de 1935. Resultados: el riesgo relativo (RR) de muerte para los hombres por EPOC fue disminuyendo en la cohorte de nacimiento más reciente (1970-1974), en Porto Alegre (RR=0,39; IC95% 0,32;0,48) y Rio de Janeiro (RR=0,42; IC95% 0,38;0,48); para las mujeres, en Río de Janeiro hubo un aumento del riesgo de muerte por EPOC para las cohortes más recientes (RR=1,41; IC95% 1,20;1,67). Conclusión: entre los hombres, hubo reducción del riesgo de muerte por EPOC, mientras que entre las mujeres de Rio de Janeiro hubo un aumento del riesgo.

Objective: to analyze age-period-cohort (APC) effects on mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the municipalities of Porto Alegre, RS, and Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, between 1980 and 2014. Methods: this was a time series study using corrected Mortality Information System (SIM) data; APC effects were estimated by Poisson regression, in relation to the 1935 cohort. Results: relative risk (RR) of death due to COPD for males decreased in the most recent birth cohort (1970-1974) in Porto Alegre (RR=0.39; 95%CI 0.32;0.48) and Rio de Janeiro (RR=0.42; 95%CI 0.38;0.48); while among women an increase in risk of death due to COPD was observed in Rio de Janeiro in more recent cohorts (RR=1.41; 95%CI 1.20;1.67). Conclusion: risk of death due to COPD decreased among men, while risk among women in Rio de Janeiro increased.

Supervivencia de cáncer gástrico en el occidente de Honduras, estudio piloto: 2002-2012 / Survival of Gastric Cancer in Western Honduras Pilot study: 2002-2012

Antecedentes: El cáncer gástrico es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer globalmente. En Honduras la incidencia en la década pasada fue de 39 y 21 por 100,000 habitantes para hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. En 2008 IARC (GLOBOCAN) colocó a Honduras como el país con más alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico en Latinoamérica. Objetivo: Determinar la supervivencia en pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer gástrico en el occidente de Honduras entre los años 2002-2012. Métodos: Se diseñó un es- tudio de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer gástrico en el Hospital de Occidente (2002-2012). Una muestra de 144 pacientes fue seleccionada de un total de 490 para obtener un nivel de confianza de 95%. La recolección de datos se obtuvo mediante autopsia verbal. Se analizaron los factores pronósticos de supervivencia mediante modelos de razón de riesgos proporcio - nales de Cox (CI:95%) Resultados: La relación hombre/mujer fue 2.8:1. La media de edad fue 63.29 años. La supervivencia global a cinco años fue 9.39%. Entre los pacientes que recibieron terapia dual (cirugía y quimioterapia), se encontró un aumento estadísti- camente significativo de la supervivencia (10.42%,p=0.048). Entre la localizaci ón proximal (28.95%) y distal (56.58%) se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0.03). No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre hallazgos macroscópicos (Borrmann) y microscópicos (Lauren). Discusión: Este estudio representa el primer esfuerzo para estimar la supervivencia de cáncer gástrico en Honduras. La supervivencia podría estar ligada a la localización de la lesión primaria y al tipo de tratamiento. Se espera desarrollar estudios con mayor cobertura, para responder a estas preguntas...(AU)

Validez de los métodos de predicción para riesgo cardiovascular en América Latina: revisión bibliográfica / Validity of the Methods of Prediction for Cardiovascular Risk in Latin America: Bibliographic Review

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) constituyen la principal causa de muerte en países industrializados, y en países de ingreso mediano a bajo (LMIC). La validación de métodos de predicción de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) es importante para establecer las medidas preventivas adecuadas en pacientes asintomáticos pero con alto riesgo de presentar ECV. Fuentes: Se realizó una búsqueda, en español e inglés, en las bibliotecas médicas: PubMed, Science Direct, y SCIELO, en los últimos diez años. Desarrollo: En Colombia y Cuba el método Framingham subestimó a la población al clasificarla en bajo riesgo, a pesar de que la mortalidad por ECV es alta; se considera que una de las causas es que la ecuación no incluye factores de mayor prevalencia como la obesidad e hipertrigliceridemia. En Colombia las ecuaciones de PROCAM demostraron ser una mejor opción para estimar el riesgo de ECV y encontraron una concordancia discretamente mejor al utilizar las ecuaciones de SCORE para pacientes de bajo riesgo. Conclusiones: El uso de métodos de predicción de riesgo cardiovascular provee directrices para ser implementados en los sistemas de salud, tanto en medicina preventiva como en atención primaria. Actualmente no existe un método predictivo que sea aplicable exclusivamente a población Latinoamericana. A finales del 2016, se inició un estudio transversal descriptivo en el departamento de Copán, Honduras con el objetivo de determinar la situación actual de factores de RCV, con un modelo similar al de MESA. Posteriormente esto permitirá realizar una cohorte prospectivo empleando las diferentes escalas de predicción...(AU)

Variante de ramas de la arteria axilar / Variant of axillary artery branches

Resumen:Este trabajo describe la presencia de la variante anatómica de la arteria axilar en un caso incidental de disección del Departamento de ciencias morfológicas de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, dicha variante se presenta en menos de un 0.2% de la población. Así mismo se revisa el tema y su importancia clínica.

Abstract:This work describes the presence of anatomical variant of the axillary artery in an incidental case dissecting the Department of Morphological Sciences , School of Medicine, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, said variant occurs in less than 0.2 % of the population. Also the subject and its clinical significance is reviewed.

Calcifilaxis: revisión de tema acerca de la calcifilaxis del pene / Calciphylaxis: review of the topic about penile calcifilaxis

Resumen:La calcifilaxis es una alteración vascular considerada como un síndrome multifactorial, que afecta la túnica media de las arterias más pequeñas causando isquemia del pene y esto a su vez una gangrena de rápida evolución.Su etiopatogenia aun no es muy clara y la bibliografía acerca de esta condición es escasa, a pesar de que su incidencia ha ido en aumento en los últimos años. La calcifilaxis del pene es una condición casi exclusiva para pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica que reciben diálisis y frecuentemente es subdiagnosticada por los profesionales de la salud. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son altamente agresivas y de rápida evolución, además asocia una alta morbi-mortalidad por lo que debe diagnosticarse con la mayor brevedad posible. El manejo de los pacientes con calcifilaxis es multidisciplinario, en el intervienen tanto el urólogo como el nefrólogo y su tratamiento debe personalizarse según las condiciones de cada paciente, iniciando como primera medida con un manejoconservador y posteriormente quirúrgico si no se logra la respuesta deseada.

Abstract:Calciphylaxis is a vascular disorder, considered a multifactorial syndrome that affects the media of small caliber vessels, causing penile ischemia and in turn, rapidly evolving gangrene. Despite the raising incidence rates in recent years, literary information is limited, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. This condition is almost entirely attributed to chronic kidney disease patients receiving dialysis treatment, and is often clinically underdiagnosed by health care professionals. Clinically, calciphylaxis is considered to be rapidly evolving and highly aggressive, associated with high morbility and mortality rates, making prompt diagnosis imperative.

Gender and obesity interaction in quality of life in adults assisted by family doctor program in Niterói, Brazil / Interação entre gênero e obesidade na qualidade de vida de adultos assistidos pelo programa médico de família de Niterói, Brasil

Abstract Obesity impacts the quality of life (HRQL). Studies about the effects of a possible interaction between gender and body mass are rare. The objective of the present paper is to estimate the biological interaction between gender and obesity on HRQL. This was a cross-sectional study based on data from CAMELIA study with population assisted by the Family Doctor Program of Niteroi visited between June 2006 and December 2007. HRQL was assessed by the SF-36. The exposure categories were: obese women, non-obese women, obese men and non-obese men, the reference category. Obese women showed higher percentages of low overall, physical and mental quality of life with the largest associations in the physical component. The excess risk due to interaction was statistically significant in physical dimension: RERI = 1.97 (0.40-3.52) and RERIa = 1,97 (0.40-1.7). Among the Brazilian population aged 20–64 years, obesity was independently associated with low HRQL. This association differed by gender, being significant for women. The possibility of the combined effect takes greater importance in the context of increasing incidence of obesity globally. Healthcare professionals in primary care settings should pay attention to gender differences in the impact of obesity on HRQL.

Resumo A obesidade causa impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS). Estudos sobre os efeitos de uma possível interação entre sexo e obesidade são escassos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estimar a interação biológica entre gênero e obesidade na QVRS. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com base em dados do estudo CAMELIA da população atendida pelo Programa Médico de Família de Niterói que ocorreu entre junho de 2006 e dezembro de 2007. A QVRS foi avaliada pelo SF-36. As variáveis de exposição foram: mulheres obesas, mulheres não obesas, homens obesos e homens não obesos, a categoria de referência. As mulheres obesas apresentaram maiores percentuais de baixa qualidade de vida global, física e mental com as maiores associações no componente físico. O excesso de risco devido à interação foi estatisticamente significativo na dimensão física: RERI = 1,97 (0,40-3,52) e RERIa = 1,97 (0,40-1,7). A obesidade na população brasileira com idade entre 20-64 anos foi associada com baixa QVRS. Esta associação difere por sexo, sendo significativa para as mulheres. A possibilidade de um efeito combinado assume maior importância no contexto da crescente incidência de obesidade no mundo. Os profissionais de saúde de atenção primária devem considerar as diferenças de gênero no impacto da obesidade sobre a QVRS.

Epidemiología de las infecciones intrahospitalarias por el uso de catéteres venosos centrales / Epidemiology of intrahospital infections due to the use of central venous catheters

Las infecciones intrahospitalarias por el uso de catéteres venosos centrales son causa importante de morbi-mortalidad en países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo, siendo la más frecuente la bacteriemia nosocomial. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de las infecciones intrahospitalarias relacionadas al uso de catéteres venosos centrales en pacientes del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario “Ruíz y Páez” de Ciudad Bolívar. Venezuela. Metodología: Se estudiaron 31 pacientes portadores de catéteres venosos centrales en los servicios de Cirugía, Medicina, Emergencia de Adultos, Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y Unidad de Diálisis; durante el período Mayo-Septiembre de 2008. Resultados: Se observó que 13 (41,90%) pacientes presentaron algún tipo de infección intrahospitalaria, siendo las bacteriemias nosocomiales las de mayor frecuencia en 6 (46,15%) pacientes, seguida de la infección del punto de entrada o conexión del CVC con 4 (30,80%) de los pacientes. Los microorganismos más frecuentes son bacterias Gram positivas, predominando Staphylococcus aureus y Estafilococos coagulasa negativo. El servicio con mayor incidencia de casos fue Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos con 30,80%. Los factores de riesgo más importantes fueron el tiempo de permanencia del catéter ³4 días, severidad de enfermedad de base, entre otros. Conclusiones: Las infecciones intrahospitalarias por el uso de catéteres venosos centrales son frecuentes en el complejo hospitalario, debiendo ser diagnosticadas por clínica y resultados microbiológicos. Además deben evidenciarse el uso de las técnicas adecuadas de colocación y manejo de los catéteres por el personal médico y enfermería.

Nosocomial infections due to the use of central venous catheters are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries; the most frequent is nosocomial bacteremia. Objective: To determine the frequency of nosocomial infections related to use of central venous catheters in patients at the University Hospital Complex “Ruiz y Páez” in Ciudad Bolivar, State of Bolivar, Venezuela. Methods: Thirty-one patients with central venous catheters treated in the services for Surgery, Medicine, Adult Emergency, and the Intensive Care and Dialysis Units were studied during the period May to September, 2008. Results: It was observed that 13 (41.90%) patients had some type of nosocomial infection; nosocomial bacteremia was the most frequent in 6 patients (46.15%), followed by infection of the entry point or connection of the central venous catheters (4 patients; 30.80%). The most common microorganisms were gram-positive bacteria, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci. The hospital service with the highest incidence of cases was the Intensive Care Unit with 30.80%. The most important risk factors were prolonged catheterization ³4days and the severity of the underlying disease, among others. Conclusions: Nosocomial infections occasioned by the use of central venous catheters are common and must be diagnosed by clinical and microbiological results. The placement techniques and management of catheters by medical and nursing staff must be monitored.