Change in levothyroxine requirements after bariatric surgery in patients with hypothyroidism.

Objectives. This study aims to evaluate the need to modify the total and weight-adjusted doses of levothyroxine after bariatric surgery, identify predictors, and assess the influence of the weight loss on the levothyroxine requirements. Methods. A retrospective study in patients with treated hypothyroidism that underwent bariatric surgery. The modification of the levothyroxine dose and its association with the weight loss and other potential predictors were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery. Results. Among the 63 patients included, 82.54% needed an adjustment of levothyroxine dose during the follow-up. The total weekly dose of levothyroxine (µg) decreased post-surgery at 6 months (ß= -49.1; 95%CI-93.7 to -4.5; p=0.031) and 12 months (ß=-54.9; 95%CI-102 to -7.8; p=0.022), but did not significantly change at 24 months (p=0.114). The weekly weight-adjusted dose (µg/k) increased at 6 months (ß=1.37; 95%CI 0.91 to 1.83; p<0.001), 12 months (ß=2.05; 95%CI 1.43 to 2.67; p<0.001), and 24 months (ß=2.52; 95%CI 1.74 to 3.30; p<0.001). The weight loss showed association with the weight-adjusted dose (OR=1.07; 95%CI 1.02 to 1.12; p=0.004), but not the total dose (p=0.320). Conclusions. This study shows a significant decrease in the total dose of levothyroxine requirements change after bariatric surgery during the first year of the follow-up and an increase in the weight-adjusted dose over the first two years. No predictors of modification of the total dose of levothyroxine were identified.

Dietary folate intake and metabolic syndrome in participants of PREDIMED-Plus study: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: We examined the association between dietary folate intake and a score of MetS (metabolic syndrome) and its components among older adults at higher cardiometabolic risk participating in the PREDIMED-Plus trial. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis with 6633 with overweight/obesity participants with MetS was conducted. Folate intake (per 100 mcg/day and in quintiles) was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. We calculated a MetS score using the standardized values as shown in the formula: [(body mass index + waist-to-height ratio)/2] + [(systolic blood pressure + diastolic blood pressure)/2] + plasma fasting glucose-HDL cholesterol + plasma triglycerides. The MetS score as continuous variable and its seven components were the outcome variables. Multiple robust linear regression using MM-type estimator was performed to evaluate the association adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: We observed that an increase in energy-adjusted folate intake was associated with a reduction of MetS score (ß for 100 mcg/day = - 0.12; 95% CI: - 0.19 to - 0.05), and plasma fasting glucose (ß = - 0.03; 95% CI: - 0.05 to - 0.02) independently of the adherence to Mediterranean diet and other potential confounders. We also found a positive association with HDL-cholesterol (ß = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.04-0.10). These associations were also observed when quintiles of energy-adjusted folate intake were used instead. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a higher folate intake may be associated with a lower MetS score in older adults, a lower plasma fasting glucose, and a greater HDL cholesterol in high-risk cardio-metabolic subjects.

Efficacy of Cryoablation to Control Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review.

The use of opioids to control cancer pain could be insufficient. Interventional techniques such as a cryoablation have emerged as alternatives to opioids. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the current scientific evidence on the use of cryoablation to control cancer pain. METHODS: A systematic search of the Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was performed. All articles published before December 31, 2015, whose title or abstract specified cancer pain control as the endpoint were selected. Articles without abstracts and all nonsystematic reviews were excluded. RESULTS: 22 articles were included: 1 randomized clinical trial (RCT), 2 non-RCTs, 1 ambispective study, 9 retrospective studies, 2 nonspecified cohort studies, 3 case series, and 4 case reports. 496 patients with 580 lesions were treated. Lung cancer was the most common primary tumor. 82.8% of the metastases were bone metastases, with or without soft tissue involvement. Cryoablation decreased mean pain scores by 62.5% at 24 hours post-cryoablation, by 70% at 3 months, and by 80.9% at 6 months. Cryoablation was associated with a 44.2% improvement in quality of life after 4 weeks and a 59.6% improvement at 8 weeks. The need for opioids decreased by 75% at 24 hours and by 61.7% at 3 months. Cryoablation in combination with radiotherapy, vertebroplasty, or bisphosphonates appears to be better than cryoablation alone. Complications were highly variable among the studies, but no fatal complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation is effective in controlling cancer pain without relevant side effects. However, more studies are needed to confirm these results.

Results in mediastinal lymph node staging of surgical lung cancer: Data from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of combined computerised tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal staging of surgical lung cancer based on data obtained from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Group for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (GEVATS). METHODS: A total of 2782 patients underwent surgery for primary lung carcinoma. We analysed diagnostic success in mediastinal lymph node staging (cN2) using CT and PET. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed of the factors involved in this success. The risk of unexpected pN2 disease was analysed for cases in which an invasive testing is recommended: cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm. RESULTS: The overall success of CT together with PET was 82.9% with a positive predictive value of 0.21 and negative predictive value of 0.93. If the tumour was larger than 3 cm and for each unit increase in mediastinal SUVmax, the probability of success was lower with OR 0.59 (0.44-0.79) and 0.71 (0.66-0.75), respectively. In the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach, the probability of success was higher with OR 2.04 (1.52-2.73). The risk of unexpected pN2 increased with the risk factors cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm: from 4.5% (0 factors) to 18.8% (3 factors) but did not differ significantly as a function of whether invasive testing was performed. CONCLUSIONS: CT and PET together have a high negative predictive value. The overall success of the staging is lower in the case of tumours >3 cm and high mediastinal SUVmax, and it is higher when VATS is performed. The risk of unexpected pN2 is higher if the disease is cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm but does not vary significantly as a function of whether patients have undergone invasive testing.

Prevalence and predictors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in morbid obesity (MO). A considerable proportion of patients with MO have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver biopsy (LB) is the only procedure that reliably differentiates NASH from other stages of NAFLD, but its invasive nature prevents it from being generalisable. Hence, non-invasive assessment is critical in this group of patients. OBJECTIVES: To report NAFLD/NASH prevalence in a cohort of patients with MO and to identify predictors of NASH. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients subjected to bariatric surgery in a University hospital in Spain underwent LB. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were registered. According of the results of the LB, individuals were classified by whether they had NASH or not. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with NASH. RESULTS: NAFLD was reported in 94.2% of the patients, simple steatosis was present in 51.92% and NASH in 42.31%. Meanwhile, 17.3% of patients exhibited significant fibrosis (≥F2). HIGHT score for NASH risk was established using five independent predictors: systemic Hypertension, Insulin resistance, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, High density lipoprotein cholesterol and alanine Transaminase. This score ranges from 0 to 7 and was used to predict NASH in our cohort (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve 0.846). A score of 4 or greater implied high risk (sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 73.3%, positive predictive value 68%, negative predictive value 81.5%, accuracy 75%). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is practically a constant in MO with a considerable proportion of patients presenting NASH. The combination of five independent predictors in a scoring system may help the clinician optimise the selection of patients with MO for LB.

Predictive Model of Early Spontaneous Ductus Arteriosus Closure Based on Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in Preterm Infants.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment remains controversial. Modeling on the predictive capacity of early spontaneous PDA closure would help in decision-making. Aim: To design a predictive model of early spontaneous PDA closure. Methods: As part of a trial to assess efficacy and safety of two ibuprofen treatment schemes for PDA, infants below 29 weeks' gestation were scanned between 18 and 72 h of birth, and serially if indicated. PDA treatment was decided based on echocardiography signs of lung overflow or systemic hypoperfusion and clinical criteria. A PDA score that included the echocardiographic parameters significantly associated with treatment prescription was retrospectively applied. Perinatal variables and screening score were included in a backwards elimination model to predict early spontaneous closure. Results: Among 87 eligible infants (27 weeks' gestation; age at screening 45 h), 21 received ibuprofen at 69 h of life [screening score = 7 (IQR = 5-8.5); score at treatment = 9 (IQR = 8-9)], while 42 infants had conservative management, [screening score = 1 (IQR = 0-4)]. Twenty four infants were excluded (ibuprofen contraindication, declined consent or incomplete echocardiography). Screening score showed an AUC = 0.93 to predict early spontaneous PDA closure, [cut-off value = 4.5 (sensitivity = 0.90, specificity = 0.86)]. The predictive model for early spontaneous PDA closure followed the equation: Log (p/1-p) = -28.41 + 1.23* gestational age -0.87* PDA screening score. Conclusions: A predictive model of early spontaneous PDA closure that includes gestational age and the screening PDA score is proposed to help clinicians in the decision- making for PDA treatment. In addition, this model could be used in future intervention trials aimed to prevent PDA related morbidities to improve the eligibility criteria.

Prevalence and predictors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in morbid obesity (MO). A considerable proportion of patients with MO have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver biopsy (LB) is the only procedure that reliably differentiates NASH from other stages of NAFLD, but its invasive nature prevents it from being generalisable. Hence, non-invasive assessment is critical in this group of patients. OBJECTIVES: To report NAFLD/NASH prevalence in a cohort of patients with MO and to identify predictors of NASH. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients subjected to bariatric surgery in a University hospital in Spain underwent LB. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were registered. According of the results of the LB, individuals were classified by whether they had NASH or not. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with NASH. RESULTS: NAFLD was reported in 94.2% of the patients, simple steatosis was present in 51.92% and NASH in 42.31%. Meanwhile, 17.3% of patients exhibited significant fibrosis (≥F2). HIGHT score for NASH risk was established using five independent predictors: systemic Hypertension, Insulin resistance, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, High density lipoprotein cholesterol and alanine Transaminase. This score ranges from 0 to 7 and was used to predict NASH in our cohort (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve 0.846). A score of 4 or greater implied high risk (sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 73.3%, positive predictive value 68%, negative predictive value 81.5%, accuracy 75%). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is practically a constant in MO with a considerable proportion of patients presenting NASH. The combination of five independent predictors in a scoring system may help the clinician optimise the selection of patients with MO for LB.

Performance of Noninvasive Liver Fibrosis Scores in the Morbid Obese Patient, Same Scores but Different Thresholds.

INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. It is a spectrum of progressive alterations, with the final step in liver fibrosis which carries a high burden of long-term mortality. The scores used to predict liver fibrosis are not properly validated in morbid obesity (MO). Our aim was to evaluate the performance of seven risk scores in bariatric surgery (BS) patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis in a cohort of 60 patients with MO undergoing BS. Liver biopsy (LB) was taken and compared with fibrosis risk assessed by noninvasive scores: APRI, FIB-4, Forns, NFS (NAFLD fibrosis score), BARD, BAAT, and Hepamet. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) and measures of diagnostic accuracy were calculated; performance of fibrosis scores was evaluated at standard threshold vs those suggested by ROC analysis. RESULTS: LB was available in 50 patients; 9 (18%) had significant fibrosis (F2-F4). The BARD and Forns scores best predicted the absence of fibrosis, both with negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.5%, with AUROC of 0.761 and 0.667, respectively. Modification of standard thresholds (2 for BARD and 6.9 for Forns) to those suggested by ROC analysis (3 and 3.6, respectively) improved performance of scores. Basal glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were identified by logistic regression analysis as independent predictor of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Existing scoring systems are unable to stratify fibrosis risk in MO using established thresholds; its performance is improved if these cutoffs are modified.

[Selection of quality indicators for primary care prescription through a consensus group]. / Selección de indicadores de calidad de prescripción en atención primaria mediante un grupo de consenso.

OBJECTIVE: To work out a system of indicators for improvement of primary care prescription, by incorporating the values and views of the professionals issuing prescriptions. DESIGN: Qualitative technique to search for consensus among experts, based on nominal groups. SETTING: All primary care areas in the Health Service of Aragon, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care doctors, doctors in primary care management teams, specialists, primary care pharmacists. METHOD: Two parallel groups involving a total of 24 experts were formed. In the session these questions were posed: "what indicators focusing on the drug and what indicators relating diagnosis and treatment do you think most useful for evaluating prescription quality?" Each panellist put forward indicators that were then discussed and placed on a scale of 1 to 9. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty six indicators were generated, 81 drug-focused and 55 relating diagnosis and treatment; 56% were given a weighting above 5. The 2 groups coincided in 11 cases. The most valued indicators were generally those that brought a greater degree of consensus. CONCLUSION: It is feasible, through this technique, to produce a set of agreed indicators for evaluating primary care doctors' prescription.

Selección de indicadores de calidad de prescripción en atención primaria mediante un grupo de consenso / Selection of quality indicators for primary care prescription through a consensus group

Objetivo. Elaborar un sistema de indicadores que permita mejorar la evaluación de la prescripción en atención primaria, incorporando los valores y la opinión de los profesionales implicados en la prescripción. Diseño. Técnica cualitativa de búsqueda de consenso entre expertos basada en el grupo nominal. Emplazamiento. Todas las áreas de atención primaria del Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Participantes. Médicos de atención primaria, médicos del equipo directivo de atención primaria, médicos de atención especializada, farmacéuticos de atención primaria. Método. Se forman dos grupos paralelos en los que en total participaron 24 expertos. En la sesión se planteó la pregunta: «¿Qué indicadores centrados en el fármaco y qué indicadores que relacionen diagnóstico y tratamiento consideras más útiles para evaluar la calidad de la prescripción?» Cada panelista propuso indicadores que se discutieron y ponderaron en una escala de 1 a 9. Resultados. Se generaron 136 indicadores, 81 centrados en el fármaco y 55 que relacionan diagnóstico y tratamiento. El 56% obtuvo una ponderación mayor que 5. Ambos grupos coincidieron en 11. Los indicadores más valorados en general fueron los que suscitaron un mayor grado de consenso. Conclusión. Mediante esta técnica es factible producir un conjunto de indicadores consensuados para la evaluación de la prescripción de los médicos de atención primaria

Objective. To work out a system of indicators for improvement of primary care prescription, by incorporating the values and views of the professionals issuing prescriptions. Design. Qualitative technique to search for consensus among experts, based on nominal groups. Setting. All primary care areas in the Health Service of Aragon, Spain. Participants. Primary care doctors, doctors in primary care management teams, specialists, primary care pharmacists. Method. Two parallel groups involving a total of 24 experts were formed. In the session these questions were posed: "what indicators focusing on the drug and what indicators relating diagnosis and treatment do you think most useful for evaluating prescription quality?" Each panellist put forward indicators that were then discussed and placed on a scale of 1 to 9. Results. One hundred and thirty six indicators were generated, 81 drug-focused and 55 relating diagnosis and treatment; 56% were given a weighting above 5. The 2 groups coincided in 11 cases. The most valued indicators were generally those that brought a greater degree of consensus. Conclusion. It is feasible, through this technique, to produce a set of agreed indicators for evaluating primary care doctors' prescription

Valoración nutricional de los pacientes ingresados en hospitales de España / Nutrition assessment in hospitalized patients in Spain

No disponible

Desarrollo e implantación de una vía clínica para la cirugía bariátrica / Development and implementation of a clinical pathway for bariatric surgery

Objetivo: Elaboración e implantación de una vía clínica para la cirugía de la obesidad en el Hospital Universitario La Paz. Material y métodos: Coordinación por parte de la unidad de calidad del equipo de trabajo; revisión bibliográfica en busca de la mejor evidencia científica publicada; diseño de los documentos de la vía clínica mediante el consenso entre todos los profesionales implicados en el proceso. La implantación de la vía clínica se realizó en mayo de 2003. Resultados: Se obtienen los siguientes resultados: algoritmo de actuación en el paciente obeso; secuencia de evaluaciones prequirúrgicas; hoja de información preoperatoria para el paciente; matriz temporal para los profesionales con evaluaciones, determinaciones, tratamiento y cuidados de enfermería, actividad, dieta, objetivos y criterios; hoja de información iconográfica para el paciente durante su estancia hospitalaria; hoja de información al paciente sobre el postoperatorio inmediato; hoja de tratamientos y cuidados de enfermería en planta (preoperatorio), quirófano, reanimación y planta (postintervención); hoja de variaciones de la vía clínica; encuesta de satisfacción e indicadores para la evaluación. Conclusiones: La vía clínica facilita el consenso de este proceso multidisciplinario, y mejora el trabajo en equipo, los tiempos de espera y la implicación de los profesionales. Asimismo, mejora la información proporcionada a los pacientes y aumenta la implicación de éstos en sus cuidados (AU)