Comparison of rivaroxaban and low molecular weight heparin in the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: a Swedish national population-based register study.

BACKGROUND: Treating cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT) with anticoagulation prevents recurrent venous thromboembolism (rVTE), but increases bleeding risk. OBJECTIVES: To compare incidence of rVTE, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality for rivaroxaban versus low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with CAT. METHODS: We developed a cohort study using Swedish national registers 2013-2019. Patients with CAT (venous thromboembolism within 6 months of cancer diagnosis) were included. Those with other indications or with high bleeding risk cancers were excluded (according to guidelines). Follow-up was from index-CAT until outcome, death, emigration, or end of study. Incidence rates (IR) per 1000 person-years with 95% confidence interval (CI) and propensity score overlap-weighted hazard ratios (HRs) for rivaroxaban versus LMWH were estimated. RESULTS: We included 283 patients on rivaroxaban and 5181 on LMWH. The IR for rVTE was 68.7 (95% CI 40.0-109.9) for rivaroxaban, compared with 91.6 (95% CI 81.9-102.0) for LMWH, with adjusted HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.43-1.35). The IR for major bleeding was 23.5 (95% CI 8.6-51.1) for rivaroxaban versus 49.2 (95% CI 42.3-56.9) for LMWH, with adjusted HR 0.62 (95% CI 0.26-1.49). The IR for all-cause mortality was 146.8 (95% CI 103.9-201.5) for rivaroxaban and 565.6 (95% CI 541.8-590.2) for LMWH with adjusted HR 0.48 (95% CI 0.34-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban performed similarly to LMWH for patients with CAT for rVTE and major bleeding. An all-cause mortality benefit was observed for rivaroxaban which potentially may be attributed to residual confounding. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05150938 (Registered 9 December 2021).

Seek COVER: using a disease proxy to rapidly develop and validate a personalized risk calculator for COVID-19 outcomes in an international network.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether we could use influenza data to develop prediction models for COVID-19 to increase the speed at which prediction models can reliably be developed and validated early in a pandemic. We developed COVID-19 Estimated Risk (COVER) scores that quantify a patient's risk of hospital admission with pneumonia (COVER-H), hospitalization with pneumonia requiring intensive services or death (COVER-I), or fatality (COVER-F) in the 30-days following COVID-19 diagnosis using historical data from patients with influenza or flu-like symptoms and tested this in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We analyzed a federated network of electronic medical records and administrative claims data from 14 data sources and 6 countries containing data collected on or before 4/27/2020. We used a 2-step process to develop 3 scores using historical data from patients with influenza or flu-like symptoms any time prior to 2020. The first step was to create a data-driven model using LASSO regularized logistic regression, the covariates of which were used to develop aggregate covariates for the second step where the COVER scores were developed using a smaller set of features. These 3 COVER scores were then externally validated on patients with 1) influenza or flu-like symptoms and 2) confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis across 5 databases from South Korea, Spain, and the United States. Outcomes included i) hospitalization with pneumonia, ii) hospitalization with pneumonia requiring intensive services or death, and iii) death in the 30 days after index date. RESULTS: Overall, 44,507 COVID-19 patients were included for model validation. We identified 7 predictors (history of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease) which combined with age and sex discriminated which patients would experience any of our three outcomes. The models achieved good performance in influenza and COVID-19 cohorts. For COVID-19 the AUC ranges were, COVER-H: 0.69-0.81, COVER-I: 0.73-0.91, and COVER-F: 0.72-0.90. Calibration varied across the validations with some of the COVID-19 validations being less well calibrated than the influenza validations. CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrated the utility of using a proxy disease to develop a prediction model. The 3 COVER models with 9-predictors that were developed using influenza data perform well for COVID-19 patients for predicting hospitalization, intensive services, and fatality. The scores showed good discriminatory performance which transferred well to the COVID-19 population. There was some miscalibration in the COVID-19 validations, which is potentially due to the difference in symptom severity between the two diseases. A possible solution for this is to recalibrate the models in each location before use.

Chile's public healthcare sector hypertension control rates before and during the pandemic and HEARTS implementation.

Hypertension (arterial blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, with the greatest burden of attributable deaths in Chile, having a national prevalence of 27.6%. In 2018, the implementation of HEARTS begun in primary health care centers of the Public Health System, with the aim of achieving increase in control rates, by raising the proportion of hypertensive individuals who meet blood pressure goals (< 140/90 mmHg for individuals 15-79 years old and of 150/90 mmHg for individuals 80 years and older), and thus contributing to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. This is a descriptive study that follows average treatment and control rates from the Public Health System between 2017-2021 obtained from health centers statistics reports during HEARTS implementation. Treatment and control rates remained at 57% and 39% respectively between 2017-2019. Between 2020 and 2021, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, treatment and control rates decreased very significantly, reaching 46% and 26%, respectively, in December 2021, even though the number of centers reporting the implementation of HEARTS increased from 227 to 387 in this same period. Prior to the pandemic, during the last quarter of 2019, a decrease in cardiovascular health controls was already observed as a result of social protests. In light of the results, the technical pillars of the HEARTS Initiative have an important role in helping to recover the population control rates reached in 2019 and increasing the speed to achieve better hypertension control rates.

La hipertensión arterial (presión arterial ≥ 140/90 mmHg) es un factor de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares, que tienen la mayor carga de muertes atribuibles en Chile. En este país, la hipertensión tiene una prevalencia nacional del 27,6%. En el 2018 se inició la aplicación del paquete técnico HEARTS en los centros de atención primaria de salud del sistema público de salud de Chile, con el objetivo de lograr un aumento de las tasas de control, al elevar la proporción de personas hipertensas que cumplen con las metas de presión arterial (< 140/90 mmHg para personas de 15 a 79 años y de 150/90 mmHg para personas de 80 años o más) y así contribuir a reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad cardiovascular asociadas a esta enfermedad. En este estudio descriptivo se realiza un seguimiento de las tasas promedio de tratamiento y control del sistema público de salud entre el 2017 y el 2021 obtenidas de los informes estadísticos de los centros de salud durante la aplicación de la iniciativa HEARTS. Las tasas de tratamiento y control se mantuvieron en 57% y 39%, respectivamente, en el período entre el 2017 y el 2019. Entre el 2020 y el 2021, en el contexto de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, las tasas de tratamiento y control disminuyeron de manera muy significativa, y se ubicaron en 46% y 26%, respectivamente, en diciembre del 2021, a pesar de que el número de centros que notificaron la aplicación de HEARTS aumentó de 227 a 387 en el mismo período. Antes de la pandemia, en el último trimestre del 2019, ya se había observado una disminución en los controles de salud cardiovascular debido a las protestas sociales. En vista de estos resultados, los pilares técnicos de la iniciativa HEARTS desempeñan un papel importante para ayudar a recuperar las tasas de control que se habían alcanzado en el 2019 y acelerar la consecución de mejores tasas de control de la hipertensión.

A hipertensão (pressão arterial ≥ 140/90 mmHg) é um fator de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, com a maior carga de mortes atribuíveis no Chile, onde a prevalência nacional é de 27,6%. Em 2018, teve início a implementação da iniciativa HEARTS em centros de atenção primária à saúde do sistema de saúde pública, com o objetivo de elevar as taxas de controle, pelo aumento da proporção de indivíduos hipertensos que alcançam as metas de pressão arterial (< 140/90 mmHg para pessoas de 15-79 anos e de 150/90 mmHg para pessoas a partir de 80 anos), e, assim, contribuir para a redução da morbimortalidade cardiovascular associada a essa condição. Este é um estudo descritivo que acompanha as taxas médias de tratamento e controle no sistema de saúde pública entre 2017 e 2021, obtidas de relatórios estatísticos dos centros de saúde durante a implementação da iniciativa HEARTS. Entre 2017 e 2019, as taxas de tratamento e de controle foram, respectivamente, de 57% e 39%. Entre 2020 e 2021, no contexto da pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2, houve uma diminuição muito significativa das taxas de tratamento e de controle, que chegaram, respectivamente, a 46% e 26% em dezembro de 2021, embora o número de centros que informaram ter implementado o pacote HEARTS tenha aumentado de 227 para 387 no mesmo período. Antes da pandemia, durante o último trimestre de 2019, já se observava uma diminuição dos controles da saúde cardiovascular em consequência de uma onda de protestos sociais. Os resultados mostram que os pilares técnicos da iniciativa HEARTS são importantes para ajudar a recuperar as taxas de controle na população alcançadas em 2019 e aumentar a velocidade para atingir melhores taxas de controle da hipertensão.

[Profile of Blood pressure measurement devices purchased in Chile 2018-2020Perfil de compra de dispositivos para aferição da pressão arterial, Chile, 2018-2020.] / Perfil de compra de dispositivos de medición de presión arterial, Chile 2018-2020.

Objective: To describe the types of blood pressure measurement devices marketed through the Mercado Público platform between 2018 and 2020. Methods: This is a descriptive study based on transactions on the Mercado Público platform for the purchase of blood pressure measurement devices in the 2018-2020 period. A search was made for any validation granted by international organizations for automatic devices. The results are expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Results: Between 2018 and 2020, purchases of automatic devices increased from 15% to 75%, while purchases of mercury-based devices dropped from 40.9% to 7.5%, and aneroid devices fell from 38.7% to 15.8%. Of the 772 automatic devices, 52.6% were validated for accuracy. Conclusions: Given that Chile is committed to the HEARTS Initiative in the Americas, and that prevention and control of hypertension is critical to reducing mortality from noncommunicable diseases, it is crucial to ensure accurate blood pressure measurement. This document provides relevant information on transactions and the purchase profile of blood pressure measurement devices on the Mercado Público platform. A growing trend was observed in the purchase of validated automatic equipment during the evaluation period.

Objetivo: Descrever os tipos de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial comercializados por meio da plataforma Mercado Público, entre 2018 e 2020. Métodos: Estudo descritivo das transações realizadas por meio do Mercado Público, no período de 2018 a 2020, para a compra de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial. No caso de dispositivos automáticos, foi verificado se possuíam validação concedida por organizações internacionais. Os resultados são apresentados na forma de frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados: Entre 2018 e 2020, a aquisição de dispositivos automáticos aumentou de 15% para 75%. Houve uma redução de 40,9% para 7,5% na compra de esfigmomanômetros de mercúrio e de 38,7% para 15,8% na compra de esfigmomanômetros aneroides. Dos 772 dispositivos automáticos, 52,6% tinham exatidão validada. Conclusões: Considerando que o Chile está comprometido com a Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas e que a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica é fundamental para reduzir a mortalidade por doenças não transmissíveis, é essencial garantir a aferição exata da pressão arterial. Este documento fornece informações relevantes sobre as transações realizadas e o perfil de compra de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial por meio da plataforma Mercado Público, mostrando uma tendência crescente na aquisição de dispositivos automáticos validados durante o período de avaliação.

Cleaning products and short-term respiratory effects among female cleaners with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the short-term effects of exposure to cleaning products on lung function and respiratory symptoms among professional cleaning women. METHODS: Twenty-one women with current asthma and employed as professional cleaners participated in a 15-day panel study. During 312 person-days of data collection, participants self-reported their use of cleaning products and respiratory symptoms in daily diaries and recorded their forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) three times per day using a handheld spirometer. We evaluated associations of cleaning product use with upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms using Poisson mixed regression models and with changes in FEV1 and PEF using linear mixed regression analyses. RESULTS: Participants reported using an average of 2.4 cleaning products per day, with exposure to at least one strong irritant (eg, ammonia, bleach, hydrochloric acid) on 56% of person-days. Among participants without atopy, lower respiratory tract symptoms were associated with the use of hydrochloric acid and detergents. Measurements of FEV1 and PEF taken in the evening were 174 mL (95% CI 34 to 314) and 37 L/min (CI 4 to 70), respectively, lower on days when three or more sprays were used. Evening and next morning FEV1 were both lower following the use of hydrochloric acid (-616 and -526 mL, respectively) and solvents (-751 and -1059 mL, respectively). Diurnal variation in FEV1 and PEF increased on days when ammonia and lime-scale removers were used. CONCLUSIONS: The use of specific cleaning products at work, mainly irritants and sprays, may exacerbate asthma.

Development of Measures to Assess Personal Recovery in Young People Treated in Specialist Mental Health Services.

BACKGROUND: Recovery has become a central concept in mental health service delivery, and several recovery-focused measures exist for adults. The concept's applicability to young people's mental health experience has been neglected, and no measures yet exist. Aim The aim of this work is to develop measures of recovery for use in specialist child and adolescent mental health services. METHOD: On the basis of 21 semi-structured interviews, three recovery measures were devised, one for completion by the young person and two for completion by the parent/carer. Two parent/carer measures were devised in order to assess both their perspective on their child's recovery and their own recovery process. The questionnaires were administered to a UK sample of 47 young people (10-18 years old) with anxiety and depression and their parents, along with a measure used to routinely assess treatment progress and outcome and a measure of self-esteem. RESULTS: All three measures had high internal consistency (alpha ≥ 0.89). Young people's recovery scores were correlated negatively with scores on a measure used to routinely assess treatment progress and outcome (r = -0.75) and positively with self-esteem (r = 0.84). Parent and young persons' reports of the young person's recovery were positively correlated (r = 0.61). Parent report of the young person's recovery and of their own recovery process were positively correlated (r = 0.75). CONCLUSION: The three measures have the potential to be used in mental health services to assess recovery processes in young people with mental health difficulties and correspondence with symptomatic improvement. The measures provide a novel way of capturing the parental/caregiver perspective on recovery and caregivers' own wellbeing. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: No tools exist to evaluate recovery-relevant processes in young people treated in specialist mental health services. This study reports on the development and psychometric evaluation of three self-report recovery-relevant assessments for young people and their caregivers. Findings indicate a high degree of correspondence between young person and caregiver reports of recovery in the former. The recovery assessments correlate inversely with a standardized symptom-focused measure and positively with self-esteem.

Study of parental models: building an instrument for their exploration.

OBJECTIVE: This research presents the construction of an attributional questionnaire concerning the different parental models and factors that are involved in family interactions. METHOD: A mixed methodology was used as a foundation to develop items and respective pilots that allowed checking the validity and internal consistency of the instrument using expert judgment. RESULTS: An instrument of 36 statements was organized into 12 categories to explore the parental models according to the following factors: parental models, breeding patterns, attachment bonds and guidelines for success, and promoted inside family contexts. Analyzing these factors contributes to the children's development within the familiar frown, and the opportunity for socio-educational intervention. CONCLUSION: It is assumed that the family context is as decisive as the school context; therefore, exploring the nature of parental models is required to understand the features and influences that contribute to the development of young people in any social context.

Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Reduced Doses of Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: This Nordic observational cohort study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of reduced-dose direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban compared to standard warfarin for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS: The study, utilizing nationwide administrative databases from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, spanned from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2018 (2017 for Sweden). The cohort included 26,883 patients initiating reduced-dose DOACs and 108,014 comparable warfarin patients. Effectiveness was measured by the composite endpoint of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism, while safety was assessed through intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: The meta-analysis across countries revealed similar or lower incidences of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients on reduced-dose DOACs compared to standard warfarin (rivaroxaban: HR 0.93, dabigatran: HR 0.88, apixaban: HR 0.79). Incidences within warfarin groups ranged from 2.16 to 3.71 per 100 person-years, comparable to DOAC recipients. Intracranial hemorrhage rates were generally low, ranging from 0.16 to 1.85 per 100 person-years. In comparison with warfarin patients, meta-analyses yielded HRs for rivaroxaban (1.41), dabigatran (0.35), and apixaban (0.72). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, atrial fibrillation patients initiating reduced-dose rivaroxaban and dabigatran exhibited incidences of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism similar to warfarin, and for apixaban, even lower. Rates of intracranial hemorrhage were comparable to or lower for patients on DOACs compared to warfarin.

Measurement error in epidemiologic studies of air pollution based on land-use regression models.

Land-use regression (LUR) models are increasingly used to estimate air pollution exposure in epidemiologic studies. These models use air pollution measurements taken at a small set of locations and modeling based on geographical covariates for which data are available at all study participant locations. The process of LUR model development commonly includes a variable selection procedure. When LUR model predictions are used as explanatory variables in a model for a health outcome, measurement error can lead to bias of the regression coefficients and to inflation of their variance. In previous studies dealing with spatial predictions of air pollution, bias was shown to be small while most of the effect of measurement error was on the variance. In this study, we show that in realistic cases where LUR models are applied to health data, bias in health-effect estimates can be substantial. This bias depends on the number of air pollution measurement sites, the number of available predictors for model selection, and the amount of explainable variability in the true exposure. These results should be taken into account when interpreting health effects from studies that used LUR models.

Quality of life, self-reported outcomes and impact of education among people with moderate and severe hemophilia A: An integrated perspective from a Latin American country.

Collecting and interpreting self-reported outcomes among people with hemophilia A supports the understanding of the burden of the disease and its treatment to improve holistic care. However, in Colombia, this information is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the knowledge, perception and burden of hemophilia A from the patients' perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the context of a hemophilia educational bootcamp held from November 29th to December 1st, 2019, in Medellin, Colombia. The bootcamp was organized by a hemophilia patient association responsible for contacting and inviting patients with hemophilia A (PwHA). Information on patients' health beliefs, treatment experiences, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was obtained through focus groups, individual interviews and the Patient Reported Outcomes, Burdens and Experiences (PROBE) questionnaire. A total of 25 moderate or severe PwHA were enrolled in this study and completed the PROBE questionnaire. Acute pain was the most frequently reported symptom, with 88% of the patients reporting the use of pain medication. Difficulty with activities of daily living was reported by 48%. Furthermore, 52% reported having more than 2 spontaneous bleeding events in the last year. Treatment was administered at home for 72% of patients, with regular prophylaxis as the most common treatment regimen. In terms of overall HRQoL, the median EQ-5D VAS score was 80 (IQR: 50-100). PwHA in Colombia still suffer from disease complications related to bleeding events, pain and disability that affect their HRQoL, which highlights the need to develop patient-centered initiatives to improve the wellness of this population.

Rivaroxaban Versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins in a Broad Cohort of Patients With Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism: An Analysis of the OSCAR-US Program.

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT) guidelines recommend direct oral anticoagulants as alternatives to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in most patients. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban versus LMWH for a broad CAT cohort. The cohort study used electronic health data from January 2012 to December 2020 to evaluate patients with active cancer experiencing acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) and treated with rivaroxaban or LMWH. Propensity score-overlap weighted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for VTE, bleeding-related hospitalization, and all-cause mortality were calculated. In total, 4935 patients were identified (27.9% on rivaroxaban and 72.1% on LMWH). The cancer types included gastrointestinal (29.4%), genitourinary (26.2%), lung (24.0%), breast (19.7%), and hematologic (14.4%). Rivaroxaban was associated with a reduction in recurrent VTE versus LMWH among all patients with cancer (HR = 0.78; 95%CI = 0.61-0.99) at 3 months. No differences in bleeding-related hospitalization or all-cause mortality were observed. Directionally similar results to those at 3 months were observed at 6 months for all outcomes. In conclusion, we observed fewer recurrent VTE cases and no increase in bleeding-related hospitalizations with rivaroxaban versus LMWH at 3 months in this patient cohort with various cancer types.

Rivaroxaban versus Apixaban for Treatment of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism in Patients at Lower Risk of Bleeding.

This retrospective study, utilizing U.S. electronic health record (EHR) data from January 2013 to December 2020, sought to assess whether rivaroxaban and apixaban had similar effectiveness and safety in the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a cancer type not associated with a high risk of bleeding. We included adults diagnosed with active cancer, excluding esophageal, gastric, unresected colorectal, bladder, noncerebral central nervous system cancers and leukemia, who experienced VTE and received a therapeutic VTE dose of rivaroxaban or apixaban on day 7 post-VTE, and were active in the EHR ≥12 months prior to the VTE. Primary outcome was the composite of recurrent VTE or any bleed resulting in hospitalization at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included recurrent VTE, any bleed resulting in hospitalization, any critical organ bleed, and composites of these outcomes at 3 and 6 months. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We included 1,344 apixaban and 1,093 rivaroxaban patients. At 3 months, rivaroxaban was found to have similar hazard to apixaban for developing recurrent VTE or any bleed resulting in hospitalization (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.60-1.27). No differences were observed between cohorts for this outcome at 6 months (HR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.71-1.40) or for any other outcome at 3 or 6 months. In conclusion, patients receiving rivaroxaban or apixaban showed similar risks of the composite of recurrent VTE or any bleed resulting in hospitalization in patients with cancer-associated VTE. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05461807. Key Points Rivaroxaban and apixaban have similar effectiveness and safety for treatment of cancer-associated VTE through 6 months.Clinicians should therefore consider patient preference and adherence when choosing the optimal anticoagulant.

Effectiveness and Safety of Rivaroxaban and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are alternatives to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in most cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) patients. Objectives: This study sought to compare the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban and LMWH for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment in patients with an active cancer type not associated with a high risk of DOAC bleeding. Methods: An analysis of electronic health records from January 2012 to December 2020 was performed. Patients were adults, had active cancer, experienced an index CAT event, and were treated with rivaroxaban or LMWH. Patients with cancers with an established high risk of bleeding on DOACs were excluded. Baseline covariates were balanced using propensity score-overlap weighting. HRs with 95% CIs were calculated. Results: We identified 3,708 CAT patients treated with rivaroxaban (29.5%) or LMWH (70.5%). The median (25th-75th percentiles) time on anticoagulation was 180 (69-365) and 96 (40-336) days for rivaroxaban and LMWH patients. At 3 months, rivaroxaban was associated with a 31% reduced risk of recurrent VTE vs LMWH (4.2% vs 6.1%; HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51-0.92). No difference in bleeding-related hospitalizations or all-cause mortality was observed (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.55-1.13 and HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.85-1.35, respectively). Rivaroxaban reduced the recurrent VTE risk (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57-0.97) but not bleeding-related hospitalizations or all-cause mortality at 6 months. At 12 months, no difference was observed between cohorts for any of the previously mentioned outcomes. Conclusions: Among active cancer patients experiencing VTE and not at high risk of bleeding on DOACs, rivaroxaban was associated with a reduced risk of recurrent VTE versus LMWHs at 3 and 6 months but not 12 months. (Observational Study in Cancer-Associated Thrombosis for Rivaroxaban-United States Cohort [OSCAR-US]; NCT04979780).

Local determinants of road traffic noise levels versus determinants of air pollution levels in a Mediterranean city.

BACKGROUND: Both traffic-related noise and air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Spatial correlations between these environmental stressors may entail mutual confounding in epidemiological studies investigating their long-term effects. Few studies have investigated their correlation - none in Spain - and results differ among cities. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the contribution of urban land-use and traffic variables to the noise-air pollution correlation in Girona town, where an investigation of the chronic effects of air pollution and noise on CVD takes place (REGICOR-AIR). METHODOLOGY: Outdoor annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) derived from monthly passive sampler measurements were obtained at 83 residential locations. Long-term average traffic-related noise levels from a validated model were assigned to each residence. Linear regression models were fitted both for NO(2) and noise. RESULTS: The correlation between NO(2) and noise (L(24h)) was 0.62. However, the correlation differed across the urban space, with lower correlations at sites with higher traffic density and in the modern downtown. Traffic density, distance from the location to the sidewalk and building density nearby explained 35.6% and 73.2% of the variability of NO(2) and noise levels, respectively. The correlation between the residuals of the two models suggested the presence of other unmeasured common variables. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial correlation between traffic-related noise and NO(2), endorsed by common determinants, and the dependence of this correlation on complex local characteristics call for careful evaluations of both factors to ultimately assess their cardiovascular effects.

Periodontal Treatment Protocol for Decompensated Diabetes Patients.

Background: Decompensated diabetes is associated with a higher prevalence and severity of periodontitis and poorer response to periodontal therapy. It is conceivable that periodontal therapy may cause systemic and local complications in this type of patients. The aim of the present study was to identify and describe the best available evidence for the treatment of periodontitis in decompensated diabetics. Material and methods: An expert committee including participants from different areas gathered to discuss and develop a treatment guideline under the guidance of the Cochrane Associate Center, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile. In total, four research questions were prepared. The questions prepared related to decompensated diabetic patients (glycated hemoglobin >8) were, (1) Does the exposure to periodontal treatment increase the risk of infectious or systemic complications? (2) Does the antibiotic treatment or prophylaxis, compared to not giving it, reduce infectious complications? (3) Does the exposure to periodontal treatment, compared to no treatment, reduce the glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c)? Last question was related to diabetic patients, (4) Does the exposure to a higher level of HbA1c, compared to stable levels, increase the risk of infectious complications? Based on these questions, a search strategy was developed using MEDLINE and EPISTEMONIKOS. Only systematic reviews were considered. Results: For question 1, the search yielded 12 records in EPISTEMONIKOS and 23 in MEDLINE. None of these studies addressed the question. For question 2, the search yielded 58 records in EPISTEMONIKOS and 11 in MEDLINE. None of these studies addressed the question. For question 3, the search yielded 16 records in EPISTEMONIKOS and 11 in MEDLINE. Thirteen addressed the question. For question 4, the search yielded 7 records in EPISTEMONIKOS and 9 in MEDLINE. One addressed the question. Conclusions: In decompensated diabetic patients, there is lack of scientific information about risk of infectious or systemic complications as a result of periodontal treatment and about the impact of antibiotic treatment or prophylaxis on reduction if infectious complications. A defined HbA1c threshold for dental and periodontal treatment in diabetic patients has yet to be determined. Finally, periodontal treatment does have an impact on HbA1c levels.

Measurement of open apices in tooth roots in Colombian children as a tool for human identification in asylum and criminal proceedings.

Dental age estimation was recognized as an imperative issue in clinical and medico-legal practice. However, very few studies on dental age estimation in children have been published in Colombia. This study evaluated the accuracy of Cameriere's method of measurement of open apices on tooth roots in a sample of 526 digital panoramic radiographs (OPTs) of children (274 boys and 252 girls), aged between 6 and 14 years, from Bogotá, Valle del Cauca, Buga and Villavicencio, in Southwest Colombia. Only first seven permanent lower teeth, except third molar, from the left side of mandible were studied. Difference between dental age and chronological age was evaluated for boys and girls across nine age classes. Intra-class correlation coefficient and Kappa score was used to test intra- and inter-observer agreement error rate. Dental age was overestimated by 0.08 years and standard deviation (±SD) of 0.68 years in boys which was not statistically significant (p = 0.06), while in girls dental age underestimated by -0.25 ± 0.65 years which was statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The absolute difference between DA and CA or mean prediction error (ME) was 0.57 ± 0.38 years in boys and 0.57 ± 0.41 in girls (p = 0.966) which implies that Cameriere's European formula is similarly accurate in both sexes in this sample of Colombian children.

Perfil de compra de dispositivos de medición de presión arterial, Chile 2018-2020 / Profile of Blood pressure measurement devices purchased in Chile 2018-2020 / Perfil de compra de dispositivos para aferição da pressão arterial, Chile, 2018-2020

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir los tipos de dispositivos de medición de presión arterial comercializados a través de la plataforma Mercado Público entre los años 2018 y 2020. Métodos. Estudio de tipo descriptivo procedente de las transacciones realizadas a través de Mercado Público en el periodo 2018 y 2020, para la adquisición de dispositivos de medición de presión arterial. Para los equipos automáticos, se buscó el estado de validación otorgado por organismos internacionales. Los resultados se presentan en frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados. Entre los años 2018-2020, aumentó la adquisición de dispositivos automáticos de un 15% a un 75%, y se presentó una reducción del 40,9% al 7,5% en equipos mercuriales y de 38,7% al 15,8% en equipos aneroides. De los 772 dispositivos automáticos, el 52,6% contó con validación de precisión. Conclusiones. Considerando que Chile está comprometido con la Iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas, y que la prevención y control de la HTA es fundamental para reducir la mortalidad por enfermedades no trasmisibles, resulta crucial garantizar una medición de presión arterial precisa. El presente documento aporta información relevante respecto de las transacciones realizadas y el perfil de compra de dispositivos de medición de presión arterial a través de la plataforma Mercado Público, observándose una tendencia creciente en la obtención de equipos automáticos validados durante el periodo evaluado.

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe the types of blood pressure measurement devices marketed through the Mercado Público platform between 2018 and 2020. Methods. This is a descriptive study based on transactions on the Mercado Público platform for the purchase of blood pressure measurement devices in the 2018-2020 period. A search was made for any validation granted by international organizations for automatic devices. The results are expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Results. Between 2018 and 2020, purchases of automatic devices increased from 15% to 75%, while purchases of mercury-based devices dropped from 40.9% to 7.5%, and aneroid devices fell from 38.7% to 15.8%. Of the 772 automatic devices, 52.6% were validated for accuracy. Conclusions. Given that Chile is committed to the HEARTS Initiative in the Americas, and that prevention and control of hypertension is critical to reducing mortality from noncommunicable diseases, it is crucial to ensure accurate blood pressure measurement. This document provides relevant information on transactions and the purchase profile of blood pressure measurement devices on the Mercado Público platform. A growing trend was observed in the purchase of validated automatic equipment during the evaluation period.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever os tipos de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial comercializados por meio da plataforma Mercado Público, entre 2018 e 2020. Métodos. Estudo descritivo das transações realizadas por meio do Mercado Público, no período de 2018 a 2020, para a compra de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial. No caso de dispositivos automáticos, foi verificado se possuíam validação concedida por organizações internacionais. Os resultados são apresentados na forma de frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados. Entre 2018 e 2020, a aquisição de dispositivos automáticos aumentou de 15% para 75%. Houve uma redução de 40,9% para 7,5% na compra de esfigmomanômetros de mercúrio e de 38,7% para 15,8% na compra de esfigmomanômetros aneroides. Dos 772 dispositivos automáticos, 52,6% tinham exatidão validada. Conclusões. Considerando que o Chile está comprometido com a Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas e que a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica é fundamental para reduzir a mortalidade por doenças não transmissíveis, é essencial garantir a aferição exata da pressão arterial. Este documento fornece informações relevantes sobre as transações realizadas e o perfil de compra de dispositivos de aferição da pressão arterial por meio da plataforma Mercado Público, mostrando uma tendência crescente na aquisição de dispositivos automáticos validados durante o período de avaliação.

Chile's public healthcare sector hypertension control rates before and during the pandemic and HEARTS implementation / Tasas de control de la hipertensión en el sector de salud pública en Chile antes y durante la pandemia y aplicación de la iniciativa HEARTS / Taxas de controle da hipertensão arterial no setor de saúde pública do Chile antes e durante a pandemia e implementação da iniciativa HEARTS

ABSTRACT Hypertension (arterial blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, with the greatest burden of attributable deaths in Chile, having a national prevalence of 27.6%. In 2018, the implementation of HEARTS begun in primary health care centers of the Public Health System, with the aim of achieving increase in control rates, by raising the proportion of hypertensive individuals who meet blood pressure goals (< 140/90 mmHg for individuals 15-79 years old and of 150/90 mmHg for individuals 80 years and older), and thus contributing to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. This is a descriptive study that follows average treatment and control rates from the Public Health System between 2017-2021 obtained from health centers statistics reports during HEARTS implementation. Treatment and control rates remained at 57% and 39% respectively between 2017-2019. Between 2020 and 2021, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, treatment and control rates decreased very significantly, reaching 46% and 26%, respectively, in December 2021, even though the number of centers reporting the implementation of HEARTS increased from 227 to 387 in this same period. Prior to the pandemic, during the last quarter of 2019, a decrease in cardiovascular health controls was already observed as a result of social protests. In light of the results, the technical pillars of the HEARTS Initiative have an important role in helping to recover the population control rates reached in 2019 and increasing the speed to achieve better hypertension control rates.

RESUMEN La hipertensión arterial (presión arterial ≥ 140/90 mmHg) es un factor de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares, que tienen la mayor carga de muertes atribuibles en Chile. En este país, la hipertensión tiene una prevalencia nacional del 27,6%. En el 2018 se inició la aplicación del paquete técnico HEARTS en los centros de atención primaria de salud del sistema público de salud de Chile, con el objetivo de lograr un aumento de las tasas de control, al elevar la proporción de personas hipertensas que cumplen con las metas de presión arterial (< 140/90 mmHg para personas de 15 a 79 años y de 150/90 mmHg para personas de 80 años o más) y así contribuir a reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad cardiovascular asociadas a esta enfermedad. En este estudio descriptivo se realiza un seguimiento de las tasas promedio de tratamiento y control del sistema público de salud entre el 2017 y el 2021 obtenidas de los informes estadísticos de los centros de salud durante la aplicación de la iniciativa HEARTS. Las tasas de tratamiento y control se mantuvieron en 57% y 39%, respectivamente, en el período entre el 2017 y el 2019. Entre el 2020 y el 2021, en el contexto de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, las tasas de tratamiento y control disminuyeron de manera muy significativa, y se ubicaron en 46% y 26%, respectivamente, en diciembre del 2021, a pesar de que el número de centros que notificaron la aplicación de HEARTS aumentó de 227 a 387 en el mismo período. Antes de la pandemia, en el último trimestre del 2019, ya se había observado una disminución en los controles de salud cardiovascular debido a las protestas sociales. En vista de estos resultados, los pilares técnicos de la iniciativa HEARTS desempeñan un papel importante para ayudar a recuperar las tasas de control que se habían alcanzado en el 2019 y acelerar la consecución de mejores tasas de control de la hipertensión.

RESUMO A hipertensão (pressão arterial ≥ 140/90 mmHg) é um fator de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, com a maior carga de mortes atribuíveis no Chile, onde a prevalência nacional é de 27,6%. Em 2018, teve início a implementação da iniciativa HEARTS em centros de atenção primária à saúde do sistema de saúde pública, com o objetivo de elevar as taxas de controle, pelo aumento da proporção de indivíduos hipertensos que alcançam as metas de pressão arterial (< 140/90 mmHg para pessoas de 15-79 anos e de 150/90 mmHg para pessoas a partir de 80 anos), e, assim, contribuir para a redução da morbimortalidade cardiovascular associada a essa condição. Este é um estudo descritivo que acompanha as taxas médias de tratamento e controle no sistema de saúde pública entre 2017 e 2021, obtidas de relatórios estatísticos dos centros de saúde durante a implementação da iniciativa HEARTS. Entre 2017 e 2019, as taxas de tratamento e de controle foram, respectivamente, de 57% e 39%. Entre 2020 e 2021, no contexto da pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2, houve uma diminuição muito significativa das taxas de tratamento e de controle, que chegaram, respectivamente, a 46% e 26% em dezembro de 2021, embora o número de centros que informaram ter implementado o pacote HEARTS tenha aumentado de 227 para 387 no mesmo período. Antes da pandemia, durante o último trimestre de 2019, já se observava uma diminuição dos controles da saúde cardiovascular em consequência de uma onda de protestos sociais. Os resultados mostram que os pilares técnicos da iniciativa HEARTS são importantes para ajudar a recuperar as taxas de controle na população alcançadas em 2019 e aumentar a velocidade para atingir melhores taxas de controle da hipertensão.

Accuracy of cut-off value by measurement of third molar index: Study of a Colombian sample.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to test the accuracy of cut-off value of 0.08 by measurement of third molar index (I3M) in assessing legal adult age of 18 years in a sample of Colombian children and young adults. Digital orthopantomographs of 288 Colombian children and young adults (163 girls and 125 boys), aged between 13 and 22 years, were analysed. Concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) and κ statistics (Cohen's Kappa coefficient) showed that repeatability and reproducibility are high for both intra- and inter-observer error. κ statistics for intra- and inter-observer agreement in decision on adult or minor was 0.913 and 0.877, respectively. Age distribution gradually decreases as I3M increases in both girls and boys. For girls, the sensitivity test was 95.1% (95% CI 87.1%-95%) and specificity was 93.8% (95% CI 87.1%-98.8%). The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 95.1%. For boys, the sensitivity test was 91.7% (95% CI 85.1%-96.8%) and specificity was 90.6% (95% CI 82.1%-97.8%). The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 89.7%. The cut-off value of 0.08 is highly useful to determine if a subject is 18 years of age or older or not.

Application of land use regression modelling to assess the spatial distribution of road traffic noise in three European cities.

Noise prediction models and noise maps are used to estimate the exposure to road traffic noise, but their availability and the quality of the noise estimates is sometimes limited. This paper explores the application of land use regression (LUR) modelling to assess the long-term intraurban spatial variability of road traffic noise in three European cities. Short-term measurements of road traffic noise taken in Basel, Switzerland (n=60), Girona, Spain (n=40), and Grenoble, France (n=41), were used to develop two LUR models: (a) a "GIS-only" model, which considered only predictor variables derived with Geographic Information Systems; and (b) a "Best" model, which in addition considered the variables collected while visiting the measurement sites. Both noise measurements and noise estimates from LUR models were compared with noise estimates from standard noise models developed for each city by the local authorities. Model performance (adjusted R(2)) was 0.66-0.87 for "GIS-only" models, and 0.70-0.89 for "Best" models. Short-term noise measurements showed a high correlation (r=0.62-0.78) with noise estimates from the standard noise models. LUR noise estimates did not show any systematic differences in the spatial patterns when compared with those from standard noise models. LUR modelling with accurate GIS source data can be a promising tool for noise exposure assessment with applications in epidemiological studies.