Performance of oxygenation indices and risk scores to predict invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Information on the performance of oxygenation indices (OIs) and risk scores in patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is limited. We determine the performance of the OIs and risk scores in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 to predict the requirement of IMV and death at 28 days after admission. METHODS: A retrospective study of diagnostic tests in patients admitted to the emergency department, hospitalization, and intensive care unit diagnosed with COVID-19. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-curve) were built with the OIs and risk scores to predict IMV and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1402 subjects entered the final analysis, of whom 19.5% (274/1402) received IMV and 23.0% (323/1402) died at 28 days. The ROC-curve of the delta PaO2/FiO2 ratio for the requirement of IMV and mortality at 28-day was 0.589 (95% CI: 0.546-0.632) and 0.567 (95% CI: 0.526-0.608), respectively. PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 shows a ROC curve of 0.669 (95% CI: 0.628-0.711) to predict IMV. PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 and 4 C mortality score in mortality at 28 days showed an ROC-curve of 0.624 (95% CI: 0.582-0.667) and 0.706 (95% CI: 0.669-0.742), respectively. CONCLUSION: PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300, 4 C mortality score ≥ 8, SOFA score ≥ 4 y SaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 were weak predictors of the IMV requirement from admission, and 4 C mortality score ≥ 8 was weak predictors of the mortality from admission in patients with pulmonary involvement by COVID-19.

Physical condition of Olyset® nets after five years of utilization in rural western Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are a cornerstone of malaria control at present, and millions are used each day across the globe. However, there is limited information about the durability of LLINs under different conditions of utilization and there is no consensus about when a LLIN ceases to be protective due to physical deterioration. This knowledge is important for malaria control programmes to plan for procurement and replacement. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 208 households where Olyset® nets distributed five years ago were still present was conducted in the village of Sauri, western Kenya, in the context of the Millennium Villages Project. Information on bed net utilization and maintenance was collected in each household through a structured questionnaire, and one five-year-old Olyset® net from each sampled household was randomly selected and collected for physical examination. All holes larger than 0.5 cm were measured in each net, registering their position, and a hole index was calculated following WHO guidelines. Nets were classified as in good condition, moderately damaged or badly torn based on the hole index. The analysis explored the associations between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of households, patterns of bed net utilization and maintenance and physical condition of the nets. Additional analysis was conducted using malaria prevalence data collected in a separate survey to explore if there was any association between the condition of the net collected in a household and the presence of malaria parasites in members of that household. RESULTS: 81.4% of Olyset® nets distributed five years ago were still present in the surveyed households, and 98.97% of the nets were reportedly used the previous night. Nets had an average of 34.2 holes (95% CI 30.12-38.22), and the mean hole index was 849 (95% CI 711-986), IQR 174-1,135. 15.2% of nets were still in good condition, 46.1% were moderately damaged and 38.7% were badly torn after five years of utilization. There was no association between household characteristics or patterns of bed net utilization or maintenance and physical condition of the nets. The only predictor of the physical condition of the net was the cleanliness at the time of examination. There was a difference of 17.6 percentage points in the proportion of households with at least one blood smear positive for Plasmodium falciparum between households with a net in good condition (5.3%) and those with a moderately damaged or badly torn net (22.9%), 95% CI (0.04-0.305), t=2.77 with unequal variance, p=0.009. CONCLUSIONS: Olyset® nets were used extensively in Sauri, western Kenya after five years of distribution, regardless of their physical condition. However, only 15% were found in good condition. Nets in good condition seem to be still protective after five years of utilization, while nets with more than 100 cm2 of holed surface may be associated with higher malaria parasitaemia at household level. Continued replacement of damaged nets and promotion of net maintenance and repair may be necessary to maintain the protective effectiveness of LLINs.

Association between olfactory dysfunction and COVID-19 severity: A prospective study in a highly complex hospital in Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Olfactory dysfunction has been included among the early symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Evidence suggests that a relationship exists between the duration of olfaction disorders and the probability of developing severe COVID-19. Given the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to determine the frequency of smell alteration and its association with the severity of COVID-19 in a referral hospital in Peru, which is one of the most affected countries in the Latin American region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was an observational, prospective cohort study that included patients with COVID-19 who were treated at the Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins from August to November 2020. To assess the association, the chi-square test of independence or Fisher's exact test was performed. The outcome variable was COVID-19 severity, and the exposure variable was olfactory dysfunction. The first data collection was in the emergency department and the follow-up was via telephone. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were included. The mean age was 61.6 ± 15.5 years, and 129 patients (72.1%) were male. Olfactory dysfunction was observed in 43 patients (24%). An inverse association was found between age and olfactory dysfunction (P = .002). No significant association was found between COVID-19 severity level and olfactory alteration (P = .056). However, a direct association was found between COVID-19 severity and age (P = .003), cough (P < .001), and respiratory distress (P = .003). CONCLUSION: This study did not find any association between the severity of COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction. It showed a low incidence rate of smell alteration compared with studies from other regions. Moreover, smell alteration was associated with younger age.

Information Needs of Patients with Cirrhosis of the Liver and Quality of Life / Necesidades de información de los pacientes con cirrosis hepática y calidad de vida

Abstract Introduction: Patients and their caregivers' knowledge about the disease is essential in the self-care process to prevent its progression and improve quality of life. Awareness of the information needs of these patients can help design educational strategies that will enhance clinical outcomes. Objectives: To identify the information needs of patients with cirrhosis of the liver and their relationship with quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study. We designed a questionnaire considering the information collected in focus groups and previous publications to determine the priorities of patients and health personnel regarding the educational needs of patients. To establish the relationship between educational needs and quality of life, the SF36V2 survey was conducted. The perceived need for some support services and the actual use of some of them were identified to estimate their relationship with the patient's quality of life. Results: The five needs prioritized by patients were decompensations/complications, progression/prognosis, pharmacotherapy, liver cancer, and liver transplant. There was no strong relationship between information needs and quality of life. Conclusions: The information needs of patients with cirrhosis of the liver may vary depending on the etiology, the existence of comorbidities, and other sociodemographic variables such as sex and age. There are gaps between the information needs perceived by health personnel and the needs reported by patients.

Resumen Introducción: El conocimiento que los pacientes y sus cuidadores tengan de la enfermedad es fundamental en el proceso de autocuidado para evitar la progresión de la enfermedad y mejorar la calidad de vida. Conocer las necesidades de información de estos pacientes puede ser útil para diseñar estrategias educativas que mejoren los resultados clínicos. Objetivos: Identificar las necesidades de información de los pacientes con cirrosis hepática y su relación con la calidad de vida. Métodos: Estudio observacional, de corte transversal. Se diseñó un cuestionario teniendo en cuenta la información recogida en grupos focales y en publicaciones previas para determinar la prioridad de los pacientes y del personal sanitario para las necesidades educativas de los pacientes. Para determinar la relación entre las necesidades educativas y la calidad de vida se aplicó la encuesta SF36V2. De igual manera, se determinó la necesidad percibida de algunos servicios de apoyo y la utilización real de algunos de ellos para estimar su relación con la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Resultados: Las cinco necesidades priorizadas por los pacientes fueron: descompensaciones/complicaciones, progresión/pronóstico, tratamiento farmacológico, cáncer de hígado y trasplante hepático. No se observó una relación sólida entre las necesidades de información y la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Las necesidades de información en los pacientes con cirrosis hepática pueden variar en función de la etiología, la presencia de comorbilidades y otras variables sociodemográficas como el sexo y la edad. Existen brechas entre las necesidades de información percibidas por el personal de salud y las necesidades reportadas por los pacientes.

Malaria and poverty.

Malaria is one of the most important challenges to global public health. African countries south of the Sahara bear today the heaviest burden of malaria. The relationship between poverty and malaria has long been recognized but its paths are multiple and complex. Recent studies suggest that causality works both ways, trapping communities in reinforcing cycles of poverty and disease. If malaria is to be controlled or eventually eliminated, the social and economic conditions that fuel malaria transmission need to be addressed. At the same time, malaria control should be seen as a poverty reduction strategy.

Factor de riesgo para suicidio según dos cuestionarios y factores asociados en población estudiantil de la Universidad de Manizales (Colombia), 2011 / Risk factor for suicide according to two questionnaires and factors linked to the student population of a university in Manizales (Colombia), 2011

El suicidio es una conducta producto de la interacción de muchas variables que llevan al ser humano a tratar de terminar con su vida por sus propios medios. Este estudio pretende identificar el factor de riesgo suicida; además de factores asociados en los estudiantes de pregrado de la Universidad de Manizales. Es un estudio de corte transversal, en el cual se seleccionó una muestra probabilística de 355 alumnos de programas de dicha universidad y se aplicaron los cuestionarios de Beck y Plutchik para riesgo suicida y factores asociados. El estudio mostró un factor de riesgo para suicidio según la Escala de Plutchik de 13,5% y según la Escala de Desesperanza de Beck entre riesgo suicida alto y moderado de un 16,7%. Y como factores asociados se encontraron significativos, según la Escala de Plutchik, el estrato socioeconómico (p= 0,005), presencia de un diagnóstico psiquiátrico (p=0,000), consumo de alcohol (p=0,000) y sustancias psicoactivas (p=0,000), antecedentes familiares de suicidio (p=0,034), funcionalidad familiar (p=0,000), nivel de autoestima (p=0,000), ansiedad (p=0,000) y depresión (p=0,000); según la Escala de Beck, además de los anteriores factores asociados, se encontró la asociación significativa con raza (p=0,003), estado civil (p=0,007), espiritualidad (p=0,000) y el programa de pregrado que se encuentre cursando el estudiante (p=0,000). El Factor de Riesgo para Suicidio, según Escala de Plutchik, es parecido al encontrado en otras poblaciones análogas. Las escalas de Plutchik y de Beck, aunque relacionadas, no son equivalentes.

Suicide is a conduct as a result of the interaction of many variables that lead a human being to end with his/her life through their own means. This study pretends to identify the suicidal risk factor and associated factors in undergraduate students of the Universidad de Manizales. This is a Cross-sectional study, of a probabilistic sample of 355 student of the undergraduate programs of the Universidad de Manizales. The student population that was studied consisted of three hundred and fifty five students. The Plutchik's Scale and Beck's Hopelessness Scale for suicide risk were employed, the associated factors also were measured. This study showed, according to Plutchik's Scale, a suicide risk factor of 13.5%, and a 16.7% of a high and moderate suicide risk factor according to Beck's Scale. The study also threw out important associated factors on the Plutchik's Scale: socioeconomic stratum (p= 0,005), psychiatric diagnosis (p= 0,000), intake of alcohol (p= 0,000) and psychoactive substances consumption (p=0,000), family members with suicidal background (p=0,034), family functionality (p= 0,000), self-esteem levels (p= 0,000), anxiety (p= 0,000) and depression (p= 0,000). In relation to Beck's Scale, besides the factors that were previously mentioned, the following were found race (p=0,003), marital status (p= 0,007), spirituality (p= 0,000), and the undergraduate program that each student is part of (p= 0,000). Plutchik Risk factor for suicide, is similar to that found in others similar populations. Plutchik and Beck scales are not equivalent but related.

Café y gusanos, mosquitos y petróleo: el transito desde la higiene hacia la medicina tropical y la salud pública en Colombia, 1873-1953 / Coffee and worms, mosquitoes and oil: from hygiene to tropical medicine and public health in Colombia, 1873-1953

Emprende un viaje por la historia de Colombia y sus relaciones con la economía y la política internacional, durante la última parte del siglo diecinueve y la primera mitad del veinte, vista desde la historia de la salud. Se trabajan muchos aspectos de la historia de la salud pública colombiana, como es el caso del papel de la Fundación Rockefeller y del Instituto de Asuntos Interamericanos en el desarrollo de la salud pública en el país.