Feasibility and Short-Term SpO2/FiO2 Changes in Hospitalized Adults with COVID-19 Pneumonia after Chest Physiotherapy with Threshold PEP Valve: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: One of the main features of COVID-19 pneumonia is hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF), often requiring ventilatory support. The influence of chest physiotherapy in patients with ARF is not extensively studied. The aim of the study was to analyze the short-time effects of chest physiotherapy using a 10 cm H2O threshold valve in patients with COVID-19 and ARF. Methods; Quasi-experimental cross-sectional study, in hospitalized patients from March to May 2020. The fractions of inspired oxygen, oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and dyspnea were collected before and after the starting session (day 1) and after the 5th day of therapy. RESULTS: The final sample size included 125 patients. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the pre-post intervention SpO2/FiO2 ratio (250 ± 88.4 vs. 275.6 ± 97.5, p < 0.001), reaching 354.4 ± 110.2 after 5 days of therapy (p < 0.001 with respect to the baseline). The respiratory and heart rate dyspnea level did not change during the intervention. In patients needing FiO2 > 0.4, the SpO2/FiO2 ratio improvement was higher than in patients with milder severity (46.85 ± 77.69, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Chest physiotherapy with a 10 cm H2O threshold valve seems to be a safe and tolerated intervention with short-term improvement in oxygenation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Peri-operative Hemi-diaphragmatic Variations After Brachial Plexus Block Above the Clavicle: A Prospective Observational Study of the Contralateral Side.

OBJECTIVE: Hemi-diaphragm palsy after brachial plexus block above the clavicle (BPBAC) occurs frequently, but few patients develop post-operative pulmonary complications (PPC). We hypothesized that contralateral hemidiaphragm function increases after BPBAC. This contralateral function preserves global diaphragmatic function, avoiding PPC in the case of ipsilateral hemi-diaphragm palsy. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 64 adult patients undergoing shoulder surgery with planned BPBAC (interscalene brachial plexus block and supraclavicular block). The Thickening Fraction (TF) was measured by ultrasound in both hemi-diaphragms, ipsilateral (TF ipsilateral) and contralateral (TFcontralateral) to the BPBAC, before and after the surgery. TFglobal is the sum of TFipsilateral and TFcontralateral. PPC were defined as occurrences of dyspnea, tachypnea, SpO2 <90% or SpO2/FiO2 <315. RESULTS: TFcontralateral increased significantly (an average of 40%) after BPBAC (p = 0.001), and TFipsilateral decreased (an average of 72%). After BPBAC, 86% of patients had a decreased TFipsilateral and 59% of patients an increased TFcontralateral at post-operatively. Only 17% of patients have PPC. CONCLUSION: After BPBAC, global diaphragm function decreases because of ipsilateral hemi-diaphragm reduction, but less than expected because of increased contralateral hemi-diaphragm function. As a part of diaphragm function, contralateral hemi-diaphragm function must be checked.

Hipotiroidismo primario, insulinorresistencia y la aterosclerosis carotídea subclínica / Primary hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis

Introducción: El hipotiroidismo es considerado un factor de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular por su relación con la dislipidemia, la hipertensión arterial y la cardiopatía isquémica. En Cuba, después de la diabetes, ocupa el segundo lugar en la prevalencia de las enfermedades endocrinas. Objetivo: Identificar si existe relación entre la presencia de hipotiroidismo primario e insulinorresistencia y la aterosclerosis carotídea subclínica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico, multicéntrico, de corte transversal, en 150 pacientes divididos en dos grupos de comparación: 1) hipotiroidismo primario (n=75) y 2) insulinorresistencia sin hipotiroidismo (n=75) a los cuales se les realizaron procederes de laboratorio y ecográficos. Los pacientes fueron atendidos en las consultas de endocrinología de Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico 10 de Octubre, Hospital Miguel Enríquez y del Instituto Nacional de Endocrinología. Resultados: En el grupo con hipotiroidismo, los valores medios de índice de masa corporal, colesterol total, hormona estimulante de la tiroides y grosor íntima-media carotideo fueron significativamente mayores respecto a los insulinorresistentes. El HOMA-IR fue significativamente mayor en el grupo con insulinorresistencia. El valor de TSH 8805; 4,20 µmol/L mostró sensibilidad de 95,5 por ciento y especificidad de 73,3 por ciento en la predicción de aumento del GIMC. El HOMA-IR 8805;3,10 tuvo sensibilidad de 95,5 por ciento y especificidad de 73,1 por ciento. Conclusiones: El hipotiroidismo y la insulinorresistencia son predictores independientes de aterosclerosis carotídea subclínica(AU)

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease due to its relationship with dyslipidemia, high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease. In Cuba, after diabetes, it ranks second in the prevalence of endocrine diseases. Objective: To identify if there is a relationship between the presence of primary hypothyroidism and insulin resistance and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: An analytical, multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out in 150 patients separated into two comparison groups: 1) primary hypothyroidism (n = 75) and 2) insulin resistance with no hypothyroidism (n = 75). They underwent laboratory and ultrasound procedures. The patients were treated at the endocrinology consultations from 10 de Octubre Clinical Surgical Hospital, Miguel Enríquez Hospital and the National Institute of Endocrinology. Results: The hypothyroidism group showed mean values of body mass index, total cholesterol, thyroid-stimulating hormone and carotid intima-media thickness significantly higher compared to insulin-resistant drugs. HOMA-IR was significantly higher in the insulin resistance group. TSH value #8805; 4.20 µmol / L showed 95.5 and 73.3 percent specificity in predicting GIMC increase. HOMA-IR #8805; 3.10 had 95.5 percent sensitivity and 73.1 percent specificity. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism and insulin resistance are independent predictors of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis(AU)

Role of biological and non biological factors in congestive heart failure mortality: PREDICE-SCORE: a clinical prediction rule.

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (HF) is a chronic, frequent and disabling condition but with a modifiable course and a large potential for improving. The aim of this project was to develop a clinical prediction model of biological and non biological factors in patients with first diagnosis of HF that facilitates the risk-stratification and decision-making process at the point of care. METHODS AND RESULTS: Historical cohort analysis of 600 patients attended at three tertiary hospitals and diagnosed of a first episode of HF according Framingham criteria. There were followed 1 year. We analyzed sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data with potential prognostic value. The modelling process concluded into a logistic regression multivariable analysis and a predictive rule: PREDICE SCORE. Age, dependency for daily basic activities, creatinine clearance, sodium levels at admission and systolic dysfunction diagnosis (HF with left ventricular ejection fraction 〈 40%) were the selected variables. The model showed a c-statistic of 0.763. PREDICE Score, has range of 22 points to stratifications of 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up of 600 patients hospitalized by a first episode of congestive HF, allowed us to obtain a predictive 1 year mortality model from the combination of demographic data, routine biochemistry and easy handling social and functional variables at the point of care. The variables included were non-invasive, undemanding to collect, and widely available. It allows for risk stratification and therapeutical targeting and may help in the clinical decisions process in a sustainable way.

Motor complications in Parkinson's disease: ten year follow-up study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) can be symptomatically controlled with standard treatments; however, after a few years, this response typically declines and most patients develop motor complications. We carried out a prospective practice-based study to evaluate the evolution appearance and evolution of motor complications in 64 de novo PD patients over 5 years and in 38 PD patients over 10 years. We studied untreated patients from initial assessment at basal conditions and evaluated every 6 months thereafter with treatment (levodopa versus other drugs). The follow-up assessments were performed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). At each assessment, patients were monitored regarding the development of dyskinesias, motor fluctuations, freezing, loss of postural reflexes, and cognitive impairment. We observed a significant improvement in UPDRS scores during the first year, then a progressive decline, more evident after the third year. Motor complications increased after the third year, and at the end of the survey (tenth year); drug-induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations were experienced (71.1 and 94.7%, respectively). After the first decade, many complications arose from the non-levodopa-responsive features of the disease (cognitive impairment was present in 52.6% and gait freezing in 71.1%). Initial medication may influence medium-term complications but not long-term problems. Most long-term disabling problems of PD were related to non-levodopa-responsive features.

Trends from 1995 to 2006 in the prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular risk factors among elderly Spanish diabetics.

AIM: In this study, we examined the trends from 1995 to 2006 in cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in Spaniards aged 65 years or older with diabetes. METHODS: We looked at the individual data from adults aged > or =65 years from the Spanish National Health Surveys of 1995 (n=1117), 1997 (n=1111), 2001 (n=4328), 2003 (n=6134) and 2006 (n=7835). Those classified as having diabetes had answered the two following questions in the affirmative: Has your doctor told you that you currently have diabetes? Have you taken any medication to treat diabetes in the last two weeks? The CVRF of interest included high blood pressure (HBP), high cholesterol levels, obesity (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)), smoking and sedentarity, which were estimated and compared for prevalence by survey year, age group and gender. Progression over time was analyzed using logistic-regression models. RESULTS: During the study period, the prevalences of all of the CVRF of interest were significantly higher among the elderly with diabetes compared with those without diabetes, except for current smoking, which was less frequent. The percentages of diabetic patients with HBP and obesity increased from 49.6 and 17.1%, respectively, in 1995 to 64 and 30.6%, respectively, in 2006 (adjusted ORs: 1.95 for HBP; 2.22 for obesity). CONCLUSION: Overall, the self-reported prevalence of CVRF among elderly patients with diabetes did not improve during 1995-2006 but, instead, showed significant increases in self-reported obesity and HBP. This lack of improvement calls for further investigations, and the dedicated attention of both healthcare providers and the diabetic patients themselves.

Agenesia de incisivos laterales superiores: valoración estética de las distintas opciones terapéuticas / Agenesia of upper lateral incisors: aesthetic assessment of the different therapeutic options

Objetivo: Analizar la valoración estética que los ortodoncistas, odontólogos generales e individuos no vinculados a la profesión hacen de las distintas opciones con que pueden tratarse las agenesias de incisivos laterales superiores (ILS).Método: Se mostró la fotografía intraoral frontal de 12 individuos con agenesias de ILS no tratados, o tratados bien mediante cierre ortodóncico o bien mediante sustitución protética (implantes o prótesis adhesiva). Intencionadamente se incluyeron casos con resultados estéticos más o menos favorables. Los evaluadores (15ortodoncistas, 15 odontólogos generales y 15individuos no vinculados a la profesión) debían puntuar cada imagen de 0 a 5, siendo 0 “no me gusta” y 5 “resultado excelente” en función de su impresión estética (evitando el prejuicio de la valoración funcional). En las variables cuantitativas se estimaron la media y sus intervalos de confianza al 95% mediante el test de Anova. Resultados y conclusiones: No hubo diferencias significativas entre las valoraciones efectuadas entre los tres grupos de evaluadores. Las mejores puntuaciones correspondieron a los casos tratados mediante cierre de espacios (media=2,62) y las peores a los no tratados (media=1,06) (AU)

AIM: To determine the esthetic judgment of general dentists, orthodontics and laypeople of different treatment options in patients with agenesia of the maxillary lateral incisors. METHODS: Intraoral frontal photographs of 12individuals with agenesia of maxillary lateral incisors treated with prosthodontic replacement of the lateral incisors, closing spaces of the missing teeth (10) or not treated at all (2) were shown to45 evaluators. Intentionally, cases with different aesthetic outcome were included. The respondents(15 orthodontics, 15 general dentists and 15laypeople) were asked to evaluate their aesthetic impression of the photographs, avoiding the functional prejudices and scoring between 0 and5,(being 0 “ don’t like it” and 5 “excellent”).RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between the judgement made by the 3 groups of evaluators. The best scores were given to the cases treated by closing spaces(media=2,62) of the missing teeth and the worst to the ones not treated (media=1,06) (AU)

Correlation of genetic and clinical findings in Spanish patients with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is one of the most common causes of juvenile macular degeneration in males, characterized by microcystic changes, splitting within the inner retinal layer (schisis), and the presence of vitreous veils. This study was conducted to describe and further correlate specific genetic variation in Spanish patients with XLRS with clinical characteristics and additional ophthalmic complications. METHODS: The study was performed in 34 Spanish families with XLRS, comprising 51 affected males. Thorough clinical ophthalmic and electrophysiological examinations were performed. The coding regions of the RS1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. Haplotype analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Twenty different mutations were identified. Ten of the 20 were novel and 3 were de novo mutational events. The most common mutation (p.Gln154Arg; 6/20) presented a common haplotype. RS1 variants did not correlate with ophthalmic findings and were not associated with additional ophthalmic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalent p.Gln154Arg mutation is first reported in this work and presents a common origin in Spanish patients with XLRS. In addition, de novo mutations mainly occur in CG dinucleotides. Despite the large mutational spectrum and variable phenotypes, no genotype-phenotype correlations were found. Identifying the causative mutation is helpful in confirming diagnosis and counseling, but cannot provide a prognosis.

[Changes in influenza vaccination coverage in Spain from 2001 to 2003. Analysis by autonomous communities]. / Cambios en las coberturas vacunales antigripales en España entre los años 2001 y 2003. Análisis por comunidades autónomas.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in influenza vaccination coverage in Spain by autonomous communities between 2001 and 2003 and to compare the influenza vaccination coverage obtained in Spanish National Health Surveys (NHS) with other official sources. METHODS: A total of 42,722 cases from the NHS for 2001 (n = 21,072) and 2003 (n = 21,650) were analyzed. All the cases corresponded to adults aged more than 15 years old. Both surveys are representative of the autonomous communities. RESULTS: For the entire sample, vaccine coverages of 19.3% (95% CI, 18.8-19.8) and 22.1% (95% CI, 21.4-22.8) were estimated in 2001 and 2003 respectively. In the logit regression model adjusted by age, sex and associated chronic diseases, significant improvements were found in coverage in individuals aged more than 64 years (odds ratio = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.14-1.40) for Spain as a whole and for 6 autonomous communities between 2001 and 2003. For the group aged less than 65 years with associated chronic diseases, a significant improvement in coverage was found for Spain as a whole and for 3 autonomous communities. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2001 and 2003, influenza vaccination coverage in the risk groups studied significantly improved in Spain and in several autonomous communities. The information on influenza vaccination coverage obtained in the Spanish National Health Surveys was similar to that found in the Autonomous Communities Health Surveys and in the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs.

Cambios en las coberturas vacunales antigripales en España entre los años 2001 y 2003. Análisis por comunidades autónomas / Changes in influenza vaccination coverage in Spain from 2001 to 2003. Analysis by autonomous communities

Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los cambios en las coberturas antigripales en España y en cada comunidad autónoma entre 2001 y 2003 y comparar las coberturas vacunales estimadas por las Encuestas Nacionales de Salud (ENS) con otras fuentes oficiales de información. Métodos: Se han analizado un total de 42.722 registros de las ENS de los años 2001 (n = 21.072) y 2003 (n = 21.650). Todos ellos corresponden a adultos españoles mayores de 15 años no institucionalizados. Ambas encuestas son representativas en el ámbito de las comunidades autónomas. Resultados: Para el total de la muestra se estima una cobertura vacunal en 2001 del 19,3% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 18,8-19,8) y del 22,1% (IC del 95%, 21,4-22,8) en 2003. En el modelo de regresión logística, ajustado por edad, género y enfermedad crónica asociada, se observan mejoras significativas en las coberturas del grupo de mayores de 64 años (odds ratio = 1,26; IC del 95%, 1,14-1,40) para el total de España y en 6 comunidades autónomas entre 2001 y 2003. En el grupo de menores de 65 años con una enfermedad crónica asociada, se observó un aumento significativo de las coberturas en el global de España y en 3 comunidades autónomas. Conclusiones: Entre 2001 y 2003 se observaron mejorías en las coberturas de vacunación en los grupos de riesgo estudiados en España y en varias comunidades autónomas. La información sobre las coberturas vacunales aportada por las ENS es parecida a la encontrada en encuestas de salud de las comunidades autónomas y en el Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo

Objectives: To evaluate changes in influenza vaccination coverage in Spain by autonomous communities between 2001 and 2003 and to compare the influenza vaccination coverage obtained in Spanish National Health Surveys (NHS) with other official sources. Methods: A total of 42,722 cases from the NHS for 2001 (n = 21,072) and 2003 (n = 21,650) were analyzed. All the cases corresponded to adults aged more than 15 years old. Both surveys are representative of the autonomous communities. Results: For the entire sample, vaccine coverages of 19.3% (95% CI, 18.8-19.8) and 22.1% (95% CI, 21.4-22.8) were estimated in 2001 and 2003 respectively. In the logit regression model adjusted by age, sex and associated chronic diseases, significant improvements were found in coverage in individuals aged more than 64 years (odds ratio = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.14-1.40) for Spain as a whole and for 6 autonomous communities between 2001 and 2003. For the group aged less than 65 years with associated chronic diseases, a significant improvement in coverage was found for Spain as a whole and for 3 autonomous communities. Conclusions: Between 2001 and 2003, influenza vaccination coverage in the risk groups studied significantly improved in Spain and in several autonomous communities. The information on influenza vaccination coverage obtained in the Spanish National Health Surveys was similar to that found in the Autonomous Communities Health Surveys and in the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs

Influenza vaccination among the elderly Spanish population: trend from 1993 to 2003 and vaccination-related factors.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is an important public health problem that particularly affects elderly subjects and influenza vaccination is a safe, effective and efficient method for prevention of influenza-related complications in elderly individuals with or without underlying chronic conditions. This study aims to analyze adjusted time trends in the coverage of influenza vaccination among elderly Spanish subjects and to identify which variables were associated with the probability of having been vaccinated in 2003. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study using data of individuals aged >/=65 years drawn from the 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2003 Spanish National Health Surveys. The answer to the question 'Did you have a 'flu shot in the latest campaign' was used as the dependent variable, and socio-demographic and health-related characteristics were analyzed as independent variables. Coverage of vaccination for each year was adjusted by the direct method for both age and gender. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effect of variables on the receipt of influenza vaccine. RESULTS: 15 989 records were analyzed. Adjusted influenza coverage increased from 50.1% in 1993 to 63.7% in 2003 (P < 0.001). The variables that were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of being vaccinated were older age, suffering a chronic disease, residence in towns with <10 000 inhabitants, 'worse' self-perceived health and non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Coverage among the Spanish elderly has increased significantly from 1993 to 2003. Still, there is room for improvement, particularly, among the subjects with 'good' self-perceived health, those with no concomitant medical conditions, and smokers.

Influenza vaccination among cardiovascular disease sufferers in Spain: related factors and trend, 1993-2003.

Based on data drawn from the 1993 and 2003 National Health Surveys (NHS), we sought to: estimate influenza vaccination coverages among Spanish cardiovascular disease (CVD) sufferers; study which variables were associated with the likelihood of being vaccinated; analyze the time-trend in coverage for the period 1993-2003. For study purposes, a CVD sufferer was defined as any adult who reported suffering from high blood pressure and/or heart disease. The proportion of vaccinated adult CVD sufferers in 1993 and 2003 totalled 39.96% and 51.73%, respectively. The following variables increased the likelihood of being vaccinated: higher age; male gender; presence of respiratory chronic diseases; non-smoker status. Coverages for CVD sufferers had improved significantly from 1993 to 2003 but still remain below desirable levels. The improvement over time is mainly due to the subgroup aged >64 years. Strategies must be implemented to improve the use of influenza vaccine among CVD sufferers in Spain in general, and among the younger age-groups in particular.