Physician practices and attitudes towards atopic dermatitis in Latin America: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing in developing countries. Different worldwide guidelines have been proposed, but their applicability for AD specialists in Latin American (LA) countries is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the medical approach to treating AD in LA countries. Methods: The study population comprised AD specialists (allergists and dermatologists). They completed an electronic survey containing questions about the health system, diagnostic criteria, and pharmacotherapy approach to treating AD. The survey was constructed and validated by the Atopic Dermatitis Committee of the Latin American Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (SLAAI) in Spanish and Portuguese. Each member was responsible for distributing the questionnaire through different networks in their respective countries. Results: A total of 284 AD specialists from 13 LA countries completed the questionnaire; among them, 67% were allergists and 33% were dermatologists. Less than 50% of the AD specialists strictly followed guideline recommendations. Among the AD specialists, the European and North American guidelines were more frequently used, and only 16% followed LA guidelines. Dermatologists used the local guidelines less frequently than allergists. Most physicians did not routinely use AD assessment tools (55%). The frequency of the diagnostic tests depends on symptom severity. The availability of some systemic treatments, such as biologics and Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, is not universal in all LA countries. Conclusion: There were marked differences between the specialists, and these differences seemed to be affected by their specialty and each country's healthcare system. New AD education strategies that consider the particularities of the region could allow patients to be more accurately managed. AD assessment tools may provide a way to enhance AD treatment and allow for shared decision-making, patient empowerment, and standardized care.

Cost-utility analysis of dupilumab compared with endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Evaluation in Colombia, a developing country.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compromises respiratory function, sleep, concentration, work capacity, and quality of life, generating high costs for patients and health systems. The aim of the study was to analyze the cost utility of Dupilumab compared to endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with CRSwNP. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We developed a model-based cost-utility analysis from the perspective of the Colombian health system to compare Dupilumab vs. endoscopic nasal surgery in patients with difficult-to-treat CRSwNP. Transition probabilities were extracted from the published literature about CRSwNP, and costing was based on local tariffs. We performed probabilistic sensitivity analysis for outcomes, probabilities, and costs (10.000 Monte Carlo simulations). RESULTS: The cost of dupilumab ($ 142.919) was 7.8 times higher than nasal endoscopic sinus surgery ($ 18.347). In terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), surgery generates better results than Dupilumab: 11.78 vs. 9.05 QALYs. CONCLUSIONS: From the perspective of the health system, endoscopic sinus surgery for the management of CRSwNP is a dominant alternative in all the analyzed scenarios compared to the use of Dupilumab. From a cost-utility point of view, the use of dupilumab should be considered when the patient requires multiple surgeries or when there is a contraindication for surgery performance.

Real-world study: drug reduction in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma receiving immunotherapy.

Background: The reduction of pharmacological treatment after allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for house dust mites (HDMs) has been little studied in children. Objective: To evaluate the reduction of pharmacological treatment comparing children that receive HDM immunotherapy (AIT group) versus only pharmacotherapy. Methods: A historic cohort of children with rhinitis or asthma was assessed. The main outcome was the frequency of complete drug discontinuation. Results: 100% drug reduction was higher for rhinitis (4-year cumulative incidence: 30 vs 10.7%) and asthma (24.1 vs 10.5%) in the AIT group (n = 987) than in the pharmacotherapy group (n = 2012). Conclusion: Immunotherapy is associated with a significant reduction of pharmacotherapy in children. This is a marker of clinical control and could be associated with positive economic impact.

The benefits of allergen immunotherapy for house dust mites has been little studied in children. The usefulness of this treatment in asthma over the use of pharmacotherapy has also not been clearly evaluated. The use of immunotherapy allowed greater reductions in pharmacological treatment in children with rhinitis and asthma. Immunotherapy is a useful treatment for childhood rhinitis and asthma and reduces the risk of adverse effects from pharmacological treatments.

Prospective analysis of clinical evolution in chronic urticaria: Persistence, remission, recurrence, and pruritus alone.

Background: Population and study's methodology heterogenicity became clinical evolution of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) highly variable. Objective: In a prospective cohort, we evaluated the different pathways of clinical evolution of CSU and identified possible risk factors. Methods: A total of 685 CSU patients (>12 years) were prospectively followed over 5 years. Diagnosis and follow-up of urticaria were based on medical evaluation and photographic records. Remission was defined as at least 6 months without symptoms (hives, angioedema, or pruritus) and medication. The follow-up included at least 2 visits per year, with photographic registration and clinical evaluation. Predefined clinical and paraclinical variables were included in the regression analyses. Results: We identified four clinical evolution pathways; The cumulative prevalence of remission at 5 years was 59.1%, recurrence was 17.1%, persistence was 11.6%, and chronic pruritus without hives or angioedema was 12.2%. The probability of persistence increased with hypothyroidism diagnosis (HR 0.425, 95% CI 0.290-0.621) and each point in the UAS7 (HR 0.931 95% CI 0.918-0.945). Conclusion: Chronic urticaria has different evolutions. Disease activity and hypothyroidism predict persistence and remission. Recurrence and chronic pruritus phenotypes require further study to evaluate their causality and prognosis.

An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis with Colombian Studies on the Effect of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Parameters.

BACKGROUND: It is postulated that cocoa solids possess cardioprotective capacity by various mechanisms. In the different cocoa studies evaluating cardiovascular disease, there are no conclusive data on the role it plays in controlling the lipid profile and anthropometric variables, perhaps because the concentration of cocoa, the geographical origin of the population, and the different concentrations supplied lead to a high heterogeneity of results. This study aims to estimate the effect of consuming cocoa-rich chocolate compared to placebo on the lipid profile and anthropometric variables based on data from three clinical trials conducted in Colombia. METHODS: Meta-analysis of individual data from three randomized clinical trials conducted in Colombia. The entire population of the primary studies was included, which was reassigned into intervention groups if they consumed 50 grams of 70% concentrated cocoa or placebo, which was considered to be cocoa-free or with a concentration less than 50 grams. The variables at the beginning of the study were analyzed with medians, interquartile ranges, means, and deviations according to whether they met the normality assumption. Multiple imputations were used to manage missing data and were analyzed using the two approaches proposed for this type of study, that of one and two stages. In the two-stage approach, the data were weighted on a conventional Forrest plot, while in the one-stage approach, linear regressions with mixed models were applied. This study is governed by the regulations described in the 2013 Declaration of Helsinki and by article 11 of Resolution 8430 of 1993, which classifies it as a risk-free study. RESULTS: A total of 275 participants were included, who consumed cocoa or placebo for 81 days on average; 52.7% were female and few smoked at the time of the intervention (31/275). Physical activity performed in number of hours per week was comparable between the intervention groups. When evaluating total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol (LDL), high-density cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, abdominal circumference, and final body mass index with both the one-stage and two-stage approaches, there were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results obtained in the meta-analysis, the consumption of cocoa in the Colombian population does not seem to significantly modify variables such as lipid profile, abdominal circumference, and body mass index. This conclusion according to the quality of the evidence has a weak recommendation and a low-to-moderate certainty. However, the analysis through the two proposed approaches yielded similar results.

Systematic review about 10 interventions in dermatitis. A document from the Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

The Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (SLAAI) conducted a systematic search in the Medline and LILACS' database in order to get articles linked to 10 current questions about dermatitis. The assessment of the quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations was made through the GRADE system. The completeness and transparency of the recommendations for this clinical guide were assessed with the AGREE Reports Verification Checklist. The final document was shared with physicians, allergists, dermatologists, and pediatricians, and with patients and academic institutions such as universities and medical scientific societies for external assessment. According to the review, clinical scales should be used to measure the severity of the dermatitis, and some interventions such as the use of probiotics may benefit the patient; nevertheless, more studies are required before this management option can be used in the everyday practice. Other interventions such as dietary restrictions and the use of antihistamines seem to be well-founded only in particular cases and they should not be a general recommendation for all patients. This practical guide presents recommendations for the treatment of atopic dermatitis; these recommendations can be helpful for medical staff, patients, and health systems.

La Sociedad Latinoamericana de Asma, Alergia e Inmunología realizó una búsqueda sistemática en la base de datos de Medline y LILACS para obtener artículos relacionados con 10 preguntas actuales sobre dermatitis. La evaluación de la calidad de la evidencia y la fuerza de las recomendaciones se realizaron a través del sistema GRADE. La integridad y la transparencia de las recomendaciones se evaluaron con la lista de verificación de informes AGREE. El documento final se compartió con médicos, alergólogos, dermatólogos y pediatras, pacientes e instituciones académicas, como universidades y sociedades médicas científicas, para su evaluación externa. Conforme a la revisión, se debe usar escalas clínicas para evaluar la gravedad de la dermatitis; algunas intervenciones como el uso de probióticos pueden beneficiar al paciente, sin embargo, se requieren más estudios antes de utilizarlas en la práctica diaria. La restricción de la dieta y el uso de antihistamínicos parecen tener fundamento solo en casos particulares y no deben indicarse a todos los pacientes. Esta guía práctica presenta recomendaciones para el tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica que pueden ser útiles para el personal médico, los pacientes y los sistemas de salud.

Two case reports of desensitization in patients with hypersensitivity to iron.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia is a disease that can significantly compromise a patient's quality of life. Desensitization is a safe and effective treatment option for iron-deficient anemic patients who require intravenous iron despite their hypersensitivity to iron. This report describes a safe desensitization protocol for patients with iron hypersensitivity who require iron treatment for their clinical improvement. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients of 20 and 46-year-old diagnosed with secondary iron deficiency anemia hipermenorreas and a clinical history of fail treatment with oral iron, who presented a reaction of the anaphylactic type while they receive iron parenteral sucrose. Therefore, the patients were treated with the desensitization protocol applied for patients with hypersensitivity to iron. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency anemia is a disease that can significantly compromise the quality of life of patients. The desensitization protocol for patients with hypersensitivity to iron is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with a history of allergy to intravenous iron. This case report shows the usefulness to use the desensitization protocol for patients with hypersensitivity to iron.

Alteraciones cérvico uterinas en mujeres de Santa Marta / Cervical alterations in Santa Marta women

Introducción: la citología cérvico uterina es la prueba de cribado de bajo costo que permite identificar las alteraciones cervicales en un amplio grupo de mujeres. Objetivos: determinar las alteraciones cérvico uterinas, basadas en el análisis de pruebas citológicas, en mujeres de Santa Marta. Métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de diseño documental y enfoque cuantitativo, llevado a cabo en una entidad de primer nivel de atención en salud de la ciudad de Santa Marta, Colombia. La recogida de datos se hizo sobre 2 958 registros de pruebas citológicas, correspondientes al periodo comprendido entre 2011 - 2014. Para el análisis de la información se utilizó la hoja de cálculo de Excel, el cual permitió el diseño de las tablas para el análisis de frecuencia de las alteraciones. Resultados: presentó alteraciones cérvico uterinas 7,16 por ciento; el 54,71 por ciento, Ascus; el 22,64 por ciento, neoplasia intraepitelial cervical I; 16,50 por ciento, Virus del papiloma humano; 3,77 por ciento, neoplasia intraepitelial cervical III y 1,88 por ciento, carcinoma. El 8,72 por ciento, infecciones vaginales, compatibles con vaginitis bacteriana el 62,51 por ciento y con cándida albicans 37,20 por ciento. Conclusiones: a pesar de la existencia de programas dirigidos a la prevención y detección precoz de lesiones cérvico uterinas y de las directrices de organismos internacionales y nacionales, estas alteraciones siguen representando un problema de salud pública en la región(AU)

Introduction: The cervical cytology is the low-cost screening test that allows the identification of cervical changes in a large group of women. Objectives: To determine the cervical alterations, based on the analysis of cytological tests, in Santa Marta women. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of documentary design and quantitative approach, carried out in a first level health care institution in the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. The data collection was done from 2958 records of cytological tests, corresponding to the period between 2011 and 2014. For the analysis of the information we used an Excel processor sheet, which allowed the design of tables for the analysis of frequency of alterations. Results: 7.16 percent presented cervical alterations; 54.71 percent, ascus; 22.64 percent, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I; 16.50 percent, human papillomavirus; 3.77 percent, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III; and 1.88 percent, carcinoma. 8.72 percent presented vaginal infections, 62.51 percent compatible with bacterial vaginitis and 37.20 percent with candida albicans. Conclusions: Despite the existence of programs aimed at the prevention and early screening of cervical lesions, and the guidelines of international and national agencies, these alterations continue to represent a public health concern in the region(AU)

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de la neumonía asociada con la asistencia respiratoria mecánica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos, Cúcuta, Colombia / Prevalence and risk factors of pneumonia associated with mecha-nical ventilation in the adult intensive care unit Cúcuta, Colombia / Prevalência e fatores de risco de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica em uma unidade de terapia intensiva para adultos, Cucuta, Colômbia

Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo del uso de la asistencia respiratoria mecánica que conllevan el desarrollo de neumonía en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos de un hospital de tercer nivel de Cúcuta. Métodos. Estudio observacional, analítico, de corte transversal y con enfoque retrospectivo. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas de pacientes que ingresaron a la unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos del Hospital Universitario Erasmo Meoz de Cúcuta. Se obtuvieron 284 historias clínicas y se analizaron los datos de 69 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión establecidos. Resultados. De los 69 pacientes incluidos, 29 (42%) eran hombres. Se presentó neumonía asociada con asistencia respiratoria mecánica tardía en 28 pacientes (42%) y, con asistencia respiratoria mecánica temprana, en 12 pacientes (15,9%); los gérmenes aislados fueron Klebsiella pneumoniae y Pseudo-monas aeruginosa en un 13% de los cultivos reportados. El promedio de los días de estancia fue 29,7 y de asistencia respiratoria mecánica de 18. La probabilidad de presentar este tipo de neumonía fue 3,3 veces mayor al sufrir una enfermedad inmunosupresora y 3,2 veces mayor en los hombres, lo cual se reflejó en la prueba de ji al cuadrado (p=0,02) Conclusiones. La incidencia de la neumonía asociada con la asistencia respiratoria está en aumento, afectando de manera negativa a los pacientes que requieren soporte respiratorio en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, y eleva la mortalidad, los días de asistencia respiratoria, la estancia hospitalaria e, incluso, los gastos del sistema de salud

Objective: Determine the prevalence and risk factors of use mechanical ventilation that may lead to development pneumonia in the adults' intensive care unit of a third level hospital in Cúcuta. Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with a retrospective approach was conducted. Data were obtained from medical records of patients admitted to the adult intensive care unit of the Erasmo Meoz University Hospital in Cúcuta city. We obtained 284 clinical histories and data from 69 patients who met the established inclusion criteria were analyzed. Results: 69 patients were included, 42% (29) patients were men. Pneumonia associated with delayed mechanical ventilation was present in 28 patients (42%) and, with early mechanical ventilation was found in 12 patients (15.9%); Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated in 13% of the reported cultures. The day's average of stay was 29.7 with mechanical ventilation therapy of 18 days. Statistical analysis show that probability of presenting this type of pneumonia was 3.3 times higher when patient have an immunosuppressive disease and 3.2 times higher in men, which it was reflected in the chi-square test (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The incidence of pneumonia associated with respiratory assistance is increasing, negatively affecting patients who require respiratory support in intensive care units, and increases mortality, days of respiratory support, hospital permanence and increment the health system costs

Objetivo. Determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco do uso de ventilação mecânica que implica o desenvolvimento de pneumonia na unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital terciário de Cucuta. Métodos. Estudo observacional, analítico, transversal, com abordagem retrospectiva. Os dados foram obtidos dos prontuários de pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva de adultos do Hospital Universitário Erasmo Meoz de Cúcuta. Foram obtidos 284 históricos clínicos e analisados os dados de 69 pacientes que cumpriram com os critérios de inclusão estabelecidos. Resultados. Dos 69 pacientes incluídos, 29 (42%) foram homens. Foi apresentada pneumonia asso-ciada a ventilação mecânica retardada em 28 pacientes (42%) e com ventilação mecânica precoce em 12 pacientes (15,9%); os germes isolados foram Klebsiella pneumoniae e Pseudomonas aeruginosa em 13% das culturas relatadas. O tempo médio de permanência foi de 29,7 dias e a ventilação mecâ-nica 18. A probabilidade de apresentar esse tipo de pneumonia foi 3,3 vezes maior quando se sofre uma doença imunossupressora e 3,2 vezes maior nos homens, que foi refletido no teste qui-quadrado (p = 0,02) Conclusões. A incidência de pneumonia associada à assistência respiratória está em aumento afe-tando negativamente os pacientes que precisam de suporte respiratório em unidades de cuidados intensivos, e aumenta a mortalidade, os dias da assistência respiratória, o tempo de permanência no hospital e até mesmo despesas do sistema de saúde.

Calidad de vida laboral en trabajadores de una Empresa Social del Estado de Tunja, Colombia / Quality of work life in employees of a State Social Enterprise Tunja, Colombia

Evaluar el nivel de calidad de vida laboral en los trabajadores de una Empresa Social del Estado de Tunja, Colombia a través del instrumentoCVT-GOHISALU. Materiales y metodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, en una muestra de 91 trabajadores de la Empresa Social del Estado.Se aplicó el instrumento CVT- GOHISALO, que consta de 74 ítems y mide la calidad de vida en el trabajo en 7 dimensiones. El procesamiento y análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS. Resultados: En las dimensiones de soporte institucional para el trabajo y seguridad en el trabajo, los trabajadores se encontraron satisfechos. En las dimensiones de integración al puesto de trabajo, la satisfacción por el trabajo, el bienestar logrado mediante el trabajo y desarrollo personal alcanzaron la media normal; la dimensión administración del tiempo libre presentó vulnerabilidad. Conclusiones:Se deben mejorar aspectos como el trabajo en grupo, ambiente laboral, realizar charlas de motivación para tomar aprecio por el trabajo que desempeñan, implementar políticas para que los trabajadores puedan alcanzar beneficios a través de su trabajo, concretar logros y metas propuestas. Designar funcionesequitativamente para equilibrar la carga laboral y de esta manera puedanplanificar y administrar el tiempo libre...