Secondary fracture prevention in Spanish primary care: results of the PREFRAOS Study.

This study demonstrated a large treatment gap in elderly subjects experiencing fragility fracture in Spanish primary care, a low treatment persistence among subjects who do receive treatment, and more than one-quarter having no follow-up visits post-fracture. These data highlight the need to improve secondary fracture prevention in primary care. PURPOSE: To describe osteoporosis (OP) treatment patterns and follow-up in subjects with fragility fracture seen in Spanish primary care (PC). METHODS: This observational, retrospective chart review included subjects aged ≥ 70 years listed in the centers' records (November 2018 to March 2020), with ≥ 1 fragility fracture and prior consultation for any reason; subjects who had participated in another study were excluded. Outcomes included OP treatments and follow-up visits post-fragility fracture. RESULTS: Of 665 subjects included, most (87%) were women; overall mean (SD) age, 82 years. Fewer than two thirds (61%) had received any prior OP treatment (women, 65%; men, 38%); of these, 38% had received > 1 treatment (women, 25%; men, 13%). Among treated subjects, the most frequent first-line treatments were alendronate (43%) and RANKL inhibitor denosumab (22%), with a higher discontinuation rate and shorter treatment duration observed for alendronate (discontinuation, 42% vs 16%; median treatment duration, 2.5 vs 2.1 years). Over one-quarter (26%) of subjects had no follow-up visits post-fragility fracture, with this gap higher in women than men (35% versus 25%). The most common schedule of follow-up visits was yearly (43% of subjects with a fragility fracture), followed by half-yearly (17%) and biennial (10%), with a similar trend in men and women. Most OP treatments were prescribed by PC physicians, other than teriparatide and zoledronate. CONCLUSIONS: Across Spanish PC, we observed a large gap in the treatment and follow-up of elderly subjects experiencing a fragility fracture. Our data highlights the urgent need to improve secondary fracture prevention in PC.

Initial management of intraabdominal abscesses and preventive strategies for abscess recurrence in penetrating Crohn's disease: a national multicenter study based on ENEIDA registry.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal abscesses complicating Crohn's disease (CD) are a challenging situation. Their management, during the hospitalization and after resolution, is still unclear. METHODS: Adult patients with CD complicated with intraabdominal abscess who required hospitalization were included from the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry from GETECCU. Initial strategy effectiveness and safety to resolve abscess was assessed. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate recurrence risk. Predictive factors associated with resolution were evaluated by multivariate regression and predictive factors associated with recurrence were assessed by Cox regression. RESULTS: 520 patients from 37 Spanish hospitals were included; 322 (63%) were initially treated with antibiotics alone, 128 (26%) with percutaneous drainage, and 54 (17%) with surgical drainage. The size of the abscess was critical to the effectiveness of each treatment. In abscesses < 30mm, the antibiotic was as effective as percutaneous or surgical drainage. However, in larger abscesses, percutaneous or surgical drainage was superior. In abscesses > 50mm, surgery was superior to percutaneous drainage, although it was associated with a higher complication rate. After abscess resolution, luminal resection was associated with a lower 1-year abscess recurrence risk (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24-0.76). However, those patients who initiated anti-TNF therapy had a similar recurrence risk whether luminal resection had been performed. CONCLUSIONS: Small abscesses (<30mm) can be managed with antibiotics alone, while larger ones require drainage. Percutaneous drainage will be effective and safer than surgery in many cases. After discharge, anti-TNF therapy reduces abscess recurrence risk in a similar way to bowel resection.

Real-world outcomes of switching from adalimumab originator to adalimumab biosimilar in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: The ADA-SWITCH study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data on the outcomes after switching from adalimumab (ADA) originator to ADA biosimilar are limited. The aim was to compare the treatment persistence, clinical efficacy, and safety outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients who maintained ADA originator vs. those who switched to ADA biosimilar. METHODS: Patients receiving ADA originator who were in clinical remission at standard dose of ADA originator were included. Patients who maintained ADA originator formed the non-switch cohort (NSC), and those who switched to different ADA biosimilars constituted the switch cohort (SC). Clinical remission was defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw index ≤4 in Crohn's disease and a partial Mayo score ≤2 in ulcerative colitis. To control possible confounding effects on treatment discontinuation, an inverse probability treatment weighted proportional hazard Cox regression was performed. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty-four patients were included: 211 in the SC and 313 in the NSC. The median follow-up was 13 months in the SC and 24 months in the NSC (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of ADA discontinuation was 8% and 7% per patient-year in the SC and in the NSC, respectively (p > 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, switching from ADA originator to ADA biosimilar was not associated with therapy discontinuation. The incidence rate of relapse was 8% per patient-year in the SC and 6% per patient-year in the NSC (p > 0.05). Six percent of the patients had adverse events in the SC vs. 5% in the NSC (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Switching to ADA biosimilar did not impair patients' outcomes in comparison with maintaining on the originator.

Prevalence and treatment of fragility fractures in Spanish primary care: PREFRAOS study.

In Spanish primary care (PC), the prevalence of fragility fractures (FF) in subjects ≥ 70 years old is high, especially in women. One-third of subjects with an FF lacked osteoporosis (OP) diagnosis and >50% were not currently receiving OP medication. An improvement of the FF management in this population is needed. PURPOSE: In Spanish PC, the prevalence of FF is high, especially in women. One-third of subjects with a FF lacked an OP diagnosis and more than half were not currently receiving OP medication. Several studies reported underdiagnosis/undertreatment of OP in PC among elderly subjects with FF. To date, no such data exist for Spain. The purpose is to estimate the prevalence of FF in the elderly population (≥ 70 years old) and to describe the characteristics, risk factors, comorbidities, and OP diagnosis and treatment rates of subjects with FF in Spanish PC centers. METHODS: This is an observational, retrospective study in Spain consisting of two phases. Phase A included all subjects ≥ 70 years old listed in the center's medical records from November 2018 to March 2020. Phase B included subjects with FF and prior consultation at the center for any reason. Subjects were excluded only if they had previously participated in another study. Primary outcomes were prevalence of FF (phase A) and characteristics of subjects with at least one FF (phase B). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of FF was 17.7% among subjects visiting medical centers for any reason (24.1% women vs. 8.0% men) (30 PC centers from 14 Spanish regions). Vertebral (5.1%) was the most prevalent fracture. Of 665 subjects in phase B, most (87%) were women and ≥ 80 years old (57%), suffered mainly major OP fracture (68%), and had multiple comorbidities (≥ 2, 89.2%). While two-thirds had OP diagnosis and 61.1% received OP medication anytime in the past, 56.8% were not currently receiving OP medication. Diagnosis and treatment rates were lower among men (43% and 38% vs. 70% and 65%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of FF was high, especially in women. One-third of subjects lacked OP diagnosis and ≥ 50% were not receiving OP treatment; diagnosis and treatment gaps were larger among men. This reinforces the need to improve the management of FF in the elderly population. However, as PC centers participating in this study had high OP experience that have the potential to do better in terms of diagnosis and treatment, caution in the generalization of these data should be taken.

Multicentre study of ceftazidime/avibactam for Gram-negative bacteria infections in critically ill patients.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam (C/A) in the treatment of infections due to Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in critically ill patients. A multicentre, retrospective, observational study was conducted in critically ill patients receiving C/A for GNB infections. We evaluated demographic data, localisation and severity of infection, clinical and microbiological outcomes, and mortality. A total of 68 patients received C/A for serious GNB infections. The main infections were respiratory (33.8%), intra-abdominal (22.1%) and urinary tract infections (10.3%); bacteraemia was found in 22 cases (32.4%). Most infections were complicated by septic shock (58.8%) or sepsis (36.8%) and most of them required life-supporting therapies. Enterobacterales (79.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.1%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria; 84.2% of isolates were carbapenem-resistant. Thirty-four patients (50.0%) received C/A in combination with other antimicrobials. Fifty patients (73.5%) presented a favourable clinical response. Microbiological eradication was documented in 25 cases (36.8%). No significant differences were found in clinical response between patients treated with monotherapy or combined therapy (79.4% vs. 67.6%; P = 0.27). Overall intensive care unit (ICU) mortality was 41.2%. Univariate analysis showed that 30-day all-cause mortality was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with bacteraemia, previous corticosteroid use and the need of life-supporting therapies. C/A appears to be an effective therapy for severe infections due to GNB, including carbapenem-resistant isolates, in critically ill patients. C/A combination therapy was not associated with a higher clinical response. Mortality correlated significantly with the presence of bacteraemia, previous corticosteroid use and the need for life-supporting therapies.

Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin, Methemoglobin and Carboxyhemoglobin as Prognosis Biomarkers in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: An Observational Prospective Study.

Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), methemoglobin (MetHb), and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels have been associated with sepsis. In this study, we assessed the role of this potential biomarkers in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Outcomes were mortality and a combined event (mortality, venous or arterial thrombosis, and orotracheal intubation (OTI)) during a 30-day follow-up. A total of 95 consecutive patients were included, 51.6% required OTI, 12.6% patients died, 8.4% developed VTE, and 3.1% developed arterial thrombosis. MetHb and COHb levels were not associated with mortality nor combined event. Higher MR-proADM levels were found in patients with mortality (median of 1.21 [interquartile range-IQR-0.84;2.33] nmol/L vs. 0.76 [IQR 0.60;1.03] nmol/L, p = 0.011) and combined event (median of 0.91 [IQR 0.66;1.39] nmol/L vs. 0.70 [IQR 0.51;0.82] nmol/L, p < 0.001); the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) for mortality were 2.40 and 0.46, respectively. The LR+ and LR- for combined event were 3.16 and 0.63, respectively. MR-proADM ≥1 nmol/L was the optimal cut-off for mortality and combined event prediction. The predictive capacity of MR-proADM showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.62-0.81) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.81) for mortality and combined event, respectively. In conclusion, elevated on-admission MR-proADM levels were associated with higher risk of 30-day mortality and 30-day poor outcomes in a cohort of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Reflections throughout the COVID-19 Lockdown: What Do I Need for Successful Learning of Engineering?

The intention of this study was to identify the elements that engineering students consider fundamental for successful learning on engineering courses. The aim was to provide generic guidelines suitable for any engineering course with which the teaching may be adapted in the light of comments from students, while student learning improves. The abrupt transition from face-to-face to asynchronous online teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted reflection among students on both teaching methods. Students were invited to evaluate each method through a survey of open-ended questions, identifying useful elements for their learning. The survey was repeated over nine weeks, to obtain the views of students after they had accepted the change and had critically analyzed how to improve online teaching. A cross-coded qualitative and mixed (word counting) analysis showed that the explanation of engineering concepts should be organized, hierarchical, repetitive, and exemplified. Furthermore, the teacher should link all the activities and projects to the concepts explained and quickly solve any doubts that they raised. As a consequence of the online teaching resulting from COVID-19, the need of independent student learning and peer support was also very evident. Teaching functions are essential on engineering courses, as teachers have to explain the overall concepts carefully, identify the key concepts, and demonstrate their industrial and professional applications. Furthermore, teaching methodologies that balance these aspects with autonomy and peer support for learning on engineering courses should be promoted.

Caracterización de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago / Characterization of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions

Introducción: Los tumores de esófago constituyen lesiones benignas o malignas, que afectan las diferentes capas del órgano. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago halladas en endoscopia bucal, según variables seleccionadas. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por 57 pacientes de 20 años y más, con diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de lesión premaligna de esófago. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, lesiones premalignas de esófago, grado de esofagitis y diagnóstico histológico. Resultados: La endoscopia mostró un predominio de la esofagitis por reflujo en los pacientes de 62 años y más (61,7 %), así como del grado A de la clasificación de los Ángeles en ambos sexos (39,7 y 30,1 % de mujeres y hombres, respectivamente). Según el diagnóstico histológico primaron la esofagitis crónica (48,4 %) y la esofagitis crónica con displasia (17,1 %). Conclusiones: La identificación de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago constituye el punto de partida para futuras acciones preventivas e intervencionistas, con vistas a disminuir la incidencia del cáncer de esófago.

Introduction: The esophagus malignancies constitute benign or malignant lesions that affect the different layers of the organ. Objective: To characterize patients with esophagus premalignant lesions found in oral endoscopy, according to selected variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gastroenterology Service of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, during 2015. The universe was constituted by 57 patients aged 20 and over, with endoscopic and histologic diagnosis of esophagus premalignant lesion. The analyzed variables were: age, sex, esophagus premalignant lesions, degree of esophagitis and histologic diagnosis. Results: The endoscopy showed a prevalence of the esophagitis by reflux in patients aged 62 and over (61.7 %), as well as of the grade A of Los Angeles classification in both sexes (39.7 and 30.1% of women and men, respectively). According to the histologic diagnosis there was a prevalence of chronic esophagitis (48.4 %) and chronic esophagitis with dysplasia (17.1 %). Conclusions: The identification of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions constitutes the starting point for future preventive and interventionists actions, aimed at diminishing the incidence of esophagus cancer.

Clinical course of severe patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab: report from a cohort study in Spain.

Background: We report the long-term outcomes, changes in laboratory parameters, the incidence of secondary nosocomial infections and treatment cost of a Spanish cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 that received tocilizumab (TCZ).Methods: Retrospective cohort of PCR confirmed adult patients who received TCZ from March 1 to 24, 2020 in a tertiary hospital was analyzed. Patients were followed up until 10 May 2020.Results: We included 162 patients (median age 64 years; 70.4% male). At time of TCZ administration, 48.1% of patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Over a median follow-up of 53 days, 46.9% of patients were discharge in good conditions and 19.8% were still hospitalized. The overall mortality was 33.3%, being higher in patients on IMV than those who did not (46.2% vs 26.7%, P < 0.001). A significant improvement in the lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer was observed. Overall, 43.2% patients presented nosocomial infections, causing death in 8%. Infections were more prevalent in ICU units (63.0% vs 17.1%, P < 0.001). The total cost of TCZ was €371,784.Conclusions: Among the patients who used TCZ, one third died, regardless the improvement in some inflammatory biomarkers. The incidence of secondary nosocomial infections was high.

COVID-19 in hospitalised patients in Spain: a cohort study in Madrid.

Few large series describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and costs of COVID-19 in Western countries. This cohort reports the first 1255 adult cases receiving anti-COVID-19 treatment at a Spanish hospital (1-24 March 2020). Treatment costs were calculated. A logistic regression model was used to explore risk factors on admission associated with ARDS. A bivariate Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) model was employed to determine the HR between individual factors and death. We included 1255 patients (median age 65 years; 57.8% male), of which 92.3% required hospitalisation. The prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) was 45.1%, 31.4% and 19.9%, respectively. Lymphocytopenia (54.8%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (33.0%) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (58.5%) were frequent. Overall, 36.7% of patients developed ARDS, 10.0% were admitted to an ICU and 21.3% died. The most frequent antiviral combinations were lopinavir/ritonavir plus hydroxychloroquine (44.2%), followed by triple therapy with interferon beta-1b (32.7%). Corticosteroids and tocilizumab were used in 25.3% and 12.9% of patients, respectively. Total cost of anti-COVID-19 agents was €511 825 (€408/patient). By multivariate analysis, risk factors associated with ARDS included older age, obesity, DM, severe hypoxaemia, lymphocytopenia, increased creatine kinase and increased C-reactive protein. In multivariate Cox model, older age (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.06-1.09), cardiovascular disease (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.01-1.79), DM (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09-1.92), severe hypoxaemia (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.49-2.72), lymphocytopenia (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.20-2.20) and increased C-reactive protein (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06) were risk factors for mortality.

Multicenter study of ceftolozane/tazobactam for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) for treating infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in critically ill patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective and observational study was conducted in critically ill patients receiving different C/T dosages and antibiotic combinations for P. aeruginosa infections. Demographic data, localisation and severity of infection, clinical and microbiological outcome, and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients received C/T for P. aeruginosa serious infections. The main infections were nosocomial pneumonia (56.2%), intra-abdominal infection (10.5%), tracheobronchitis (8.4%), and urinary tract infection (6.3%). Most infections were complicated with sepsis (49.5%) or septic shock (45.3%), and bacteraemia (10.5%). Forty-six episodes were treated with high-dose C/T (3 g every 8 hours) and 38 episodes were treated with standard dosage (1.5 g every 8 hours). Almost half (44.2%) of the patients were treated with C/T monotherapy, and the remaining group received combination therapy with other antibiotics. Sixty-eight (71.6%) patients presented a favourable clinical response. Microbiological eradication was documented in 42.1% (40/95) of the episodes. The global ICU mortality was 36.5%. Univariate analysis showed that 30-day mortality was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with Charlson Index at ICU admission and the need of life-supporting therapies. CONCLUSIONS: C/T appeared to be an effective therapy for severe infections due to P. aeruginosa in critically ill patients. Mortality was mainly related to the severity of the infection. No benefit was observed with high-dose C/T or combination therapy with other antibiotics.

Implementation experience of a guideline on fall prevention in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care®. / Experiencia en la implantación de la Guía de prevención de caídas en Centros Comprometidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados®.

AIM: To describe the progress of implementing the «Preventing falls¼ Guideline of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO®) Programme and fall outcomes in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care (CCEC®). METHOD: A Quasi-experimental study pre-post test from a multicentric approach carried out between 2012-2018. The study is focused on patients aged 65 or older, discharged from guideline implementation units, analysing sociodemographic variables (sex, age, hospitalization days; fall risk assessment on admission and patient in risk; fall prevention plan; incidence of falls. Data was compared from CCEC® programme indicators measured over the periods: baseline (T1), candidate during the first three years (T2), and sustainability (T3). Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed. RESULTS: 31,486 patients were evaluated in 7 centres (T1=465; T2=14,255; T3=16,766). Of the patients, 51.87% were men and average age was 79.06 years. Hospitalization was 8.15 days. Fall risk assessment on admission was performed in 81.96% of patients (T1=44.30%, T2=81.11%, T3=83.73%) and 52.31% patients had high risk. A prevention falls plan was registered in 47.75% of patients (T1=24.73%, T2=42.43%, T3=52.90%). Four hundred and twenty-three falls were recorded, 62.17% without injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the differences between hospitals, such as structural characteristics, strategies, assessment tools and data progression pace; adherence to recommendations is proving successful, improving widely. Guideline implementation has allowed fall problems to be addressed, producing positive changes in the process and encouraging the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based nursing practice.

Factores de riesgo asociados a la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en ancianos / Risk factors associated with the intestinal inflammatory disease in elderly

Introducción: Las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales representan un importante problema de salud pública por el aumento en su prevalencia e incidencia a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Identificar los principales factores de riesgo asociados a la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en ancianos. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación analítica, de casos y controles, de pacientes de 60 y más años, con diagnóstico y confirmación histológica de alguna enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, ingresados en el Servicio de Medicina del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2015. El grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 61 pacientes y el de control por 122 integrantes (2 por cada caso), seleccionados de los consultorios de procedencia de los afectados. En el análisis estadístico se calculó el porcentaje para las variables cualitativas y, a fin de comprobar la existencia de asociación, se aplicó la prueba de independencia de la Χ2, con 95 % de confiabilidad. Cada variable se analizó calculando la oportunidad relativa, con intervalos límite de confianza superior e inferior. Resultados: Se obtuvo una asociación causal de 5,4 veces más posibilidades de padecer alguna enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal si estaba presente el antecedente familiar de colitis. Asimismo, existió una asociación significativa (p<0,05) entre el antecedente familiar de enfermedad de Crohn y la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (9,8 %), y fue 9,7 veces más posible que apareciera algún trastorno inflamatorio de los intestinos si se consumían alimentos inadecuados. Conclusiones: Los factores de riesgo mayormente relacionados con la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal fueron los antecedentes familiares de colitis y de enfermedad de Crohn, así como el consumo inadecuado de alimentos, el uso prolongado de antibióticos y el tabaquismo.

Introduction: The intestinal inflammatory diseases represent an important problem of public health due to the increase in their prevalence and incidence worldwide. Objective: To identify the main risk factors associated with the intestinal inflammatory disease in elderly. Methods: An analytic cases and controls investigation of 60 years and over patients, with diagnosis and histological confirmation of some intestinal inflammatory disease was carried out. They were admitted to the Medicine Service of Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, during 2015. The study group was conformed by 61 patients and the control group by 122 members (2 for each case), belonging to the family doctor´s office of the affected patients. In the statistical analysis the percentage for the qualitative variables was calculated and, in order to check the existence of any association, the chi-square test was implemented, with 95 % of confidence. Each variable was analyzed calculating the relative opportunity, with upper and lower limit intervals of confidence. Results: There was a causal association of 5.4 times more possibilities of suffering some intestinal inflammatory disease if the family history of colitis was present. Also, a significant association existed (p <0.05) between the family history of Crohn disease and the intestinal inflammatory disease (9.8 %), and it was 9.7 times more possible that some inflammatory disorder of the bowels appeared if inadequate foods were eaten. Conclusions: The risk factors mostly related to the intestinal inflammatory disease were the family history of colitis and Crohn disease, as well as the inadequate consumption of foods, the long use of antibiotics and nicotine addiction.

The contribution of telemedicine to hepatitis C elimination in a correctional facility.

BACKGROUND: micro-elimination has been recently proposed as an efficient strategy to achieve global hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. The Spanish Health Ministry Strategic Plan for hepatitis C infection highlighted intervention in prisons as a priority action. However, there are important barriers associated with the specialized care provision to the penitentiary population. AIMS: to assess the contribution of telemedicine for HCV elimination in a correctional facility in Spain. METHODS: an open label program of HCV elimination via telemedicine was started on February 3rd, 2015 in a large penitentiary of 1,200 inmates, as an alternative to referring patients to specialists. An anonymous satisfaction survey was performed among a random sample of inmates and all participating doctors. RESULTS: the prevalence of HCV viremia prior to program initiation was 12.4%. One hundred and thirty-one patients received DAA HCV treatment during the period 2015-2018; 42.74% had a HCV-HIV co-infection. Overall, 97% achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). A second regime of DAA successfully rescued non-responder patients and the HCV prevalence was zero at the end of the program. Satisfaction was high or very high according to 67% of inmates and all participating doctors. CONCLUSION: telemedicine is an effective tool for HCV elimination in penitentiary correctional facilities where referral to specialists is difficult. The extensive use of this technology should be recommended in this setting in order to facilitate equitable access to specialized care.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la morbilidad del paciente en hemodiálisis periódica / Quality of Life related to health in the morbidity of periodic hemodialysis patient

RESUMEN Fundamento: La insuficiencia renal crónica tiene un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida y esta constituye un predictor de morbilidad en los pacientes en hemodiálisis periódica. Objetivo: evaluar la influencia de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la morbilidad de pacientes en hemodiálisis periódica intermitente. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, en pacientes con tres meses y más de tratamiento con hemodiálisis periódica intermitente en el servicio de Nefrología, del Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos J. Finlay, de La Habana, en un período de seguimiento de 12 meses. Se analizaron las variables: edad, sexo, tiempo de tratamiento sustitutivo de la función renal, índice de morbilidad, tipo de morbilidad en hemodiálisis e índice de ingreso hospitalario. Se aplicó el Cuestionario para calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad renal (versión 1.3). Resultados: predominaron los pacientes menores de 60 años, masculinos, de nivel escolar alto, con hipertensión arterial como causa principal de la insuficiencia renal. Las morbilidades más frecuentes fueron: escalofríos, hipotensión arterial, hipertensión arterial y complicaciones asociadas al acceso vascular. El índice de hospitalización fue bajo. El sumario componente físico fue el de menor puntuación, seguido por el sumario componente mental. Entre estos y la edad se encontró correlación inversamente proporcional; así como entre índice de morbilidad y el sumario componente físico. Conclusión: los resultados obtenidos guardan relación con los de estudios precedentes. El sumario componente físico resulta el de mayor afectación, sobre todo, en el adulto mayor, teniendo una relación negativa con el índice de morbilidad y de hospitalización.

ABSTRACT Foundation: chronic renal failure has a negative impact in the quality of life and constitutes a morbidity predictor in patients with periodic hemodialysis. Objective: to evaluate the influence of quality of life related to health in the morbidity of patients in intermittent periodic hemodialysis. Methods: a descriptive study was done in patients with three or more time of intermittent periodic hemodialysis at the Nephrology service of the Military Hospital Dr. Carlos J. Finlay. Havana, in a 12 month follow up period. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, time with the substituting renal function treatment, morbidity rate, type of morbidity in hemodialysis and hospital admission rate. A questionnaire for quality of life in patients with renal disease (version 1.3) was applied. Results: patients under 60 years old predominated, of high schooling level, with blood hypertension mainly due to renal failure. The most frequent morbidities were: chills, arterial Hypotension, and complications related to vascular access. The admission rate was low. The summary physical component had the lower punctuation followed by the summary mental component. Among these and age there was found an inversely proportional correlation, so as the morbidity rate and the summary physical component. Conclusion: the results obtained are related to preceding studies. The physical component summary results with higher involvement, mainly in the older adult, considering the negative relation with the morbidity rate and hospital admission.

Heavy-metal extraction from sewage sludge using phosphorous-based salts: optimization process with Na2H2P2O7.

Land application is one of the important disposal alternatives for sewage sludge, but availability of potential toxic metals often restricts its uses. Three phosphorous-based salts (Na2H2P2O7, K4P2O7, KH2PO4) were studied as potential metal extractants. The conclusions of the research were that greater extractive efficiency is achieved through a 30-min process of vertical shaking with disodium diacid pyrophosphate - Na2H2P2O7 - at a concentration of 0.2 M at pH 2. Alternatively, the optimized process with oscillating shaking equipment would require 60 min. In both cases the average of set of extracted metals is around 50%. A second extraction process with potassium pyrophosphate - K4P2O7 at pH 6 achieved the reduction of further total amounts of metal, upper 65% with respect to the initial content. In this way the sludge could be used in land applications, with restrictions on each soil, according to the limit values specified in the future regulations.

Sofosbuvir for chronic hepatitis C virus infection genotype 1-4 in patients coinfected with HIV.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Sofosbuvir is a first-in-class HCV NS5B inhibitor with potent pan-genotypic antiviral activity. We report a 2-part study that assessed the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients. Part A examined potential drug interactions between sofosbuvir and antiretrovirals (efavirenz, emtricitabine, tenofovir, zidovudine, lamivudine, atazanavir, ritonavir, darunavir, and raltegravir). Part B was a pilot study of sofosbuvir plus peginterferon-ribavirin administered for 12 weeks. METHODS: We enrolled noncirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infection (genotype, 1-6) and stable HIV. Part A followed a 5-cohort, open-label, multiple-dose, single-sequence design; part B followed an open-label, single-arm design. The primary end point of part B was sustained virologic response (defined as undetectable HCV RNA) 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01565889. FINDINGS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in part A and 23 in part B. In part A, no clinically significant drug interactions were observed between sofosbuvir and any of the antiretrovirals evaluated. In part B, 21 (91.3%) patients achieved SVR12. Two patients relapsed but none experienced on-treatment HCV virologic failure. Two patients discontinued study treatment because of adverse events (altered mood and anemia). No serious adverse events, HIV viral breakthrough, or decreases in CD4 percentage were reported in either part A or part B. INTERPRETATION: Sofosbuvir may be coadministered safely with many commonly used antiretrovirals. The addition of sofosbuvir to peginterferon-ribavirin was highly effective as assessed by SVR in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients.

Comparison between two different platelet-rich plasma preparations and control applied during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Is there any evidence to support their use?

INTRODUCTION: To compare the clinical, analytical and graft maturation effects of two different platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations applied during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 patients with ACL disruption were included in the study. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft was conducted on all knees using the same protocol. One hundred patients were prospectively randomised to either a group to receive double-spinning platelet-enriched gel (PRP) with leukocytes (n=50) or to a non-gel group (n=50). Finally, we included 50 patients treated with a platelet-rich preparation from a single-spinning procedure (PRGF Endoret(®) Technology) without leukocytes. Inflammatory parameters, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and knee perimeters (PER), were measured 24 hours and 10 days after surgery. Postoperative pain score (visual analogue score [VAS]) was recorded the day after surgery. Follow-up visits occurred postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months. The International Knee Documentation Committee scale (IKDC) was included to compare functional state, and MRI was conducted 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The PRGF group showed a statistically significant improvement in swelling and inflammatory parameters compared with the other two groups at 24 hours after surgery (p<0.05). The results did not show any significant differences between groups for MRI and clinical scores. CONCLUSIONS: PRGF used in ACL allograft reconstruction was associated with reduced swelling; however, the intensity and uniformity of the graft on MRI were similar in the three groups, and there was no clinical or pain improvement compared with the control group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.