Breakfast can Affect Routine Hematology and Coagulation Laboratory Testing: An Evaluation on Behalf of COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM.

Laboratories worldwide perform both hematological and coagulation testing on patients avoiding fasting time. In 2017, the Latin America Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI) commissioned the Latin American Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) to study preanalytical variability and establish guidelines for preanalytical procedures to be applied by clinical laboratories and health care professionals. This study, on behalf of COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM, aims to evaluate the effect of the breakfast on routine hematology and coagulation laboratory testing. We studied 20 healthy volunteers who consumed a breakfast containing a standardized amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. We collected blood specimens for routine hematology and coagulation laboratory testing before breakfast and 1, 2, and 4 hours thereafter. Significant differences between samples were assessed by the Wilcoxon ranked-pairs test. Statistically significant differences ( p < 0.05) between basal and 4 hours after the breakfast were observed for red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean platelet volume, and activated partial thromboplastin time. In conclusion, the significant variations observed in several hematological parameters, and activated partial thromboplastin time due to breakfast feeding demonstrate that the fasting time needs to be carefully considered prior to performing routine hematological and coagulation testing to avoid interpretive mistakes of test results, and to guarantee patient safety. Therefore, COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM encourages laboratory quality managers to standardize the fasting requirements in their laboratory, i.e., 12 hours.

Impact of an Andean breakfast on biochemistry and immunochemistry laboratory tests: an evaluation on behalf COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM.

INTRODUCTION: In Andean countries, specifically in Ecuador, a food transition in the population has been observed because of economic growth. The Working Group for Preanalytical Phase in Latin America (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin America Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI) was established in 2017, and its main purpose is to study preanalytical variability and establish guidelines for preanalytical procedures in order to be implemented by clinical laboratories and healthcare professionals in Latin America. The aim of this study on behalf of COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM was to evaluate whether an Andean breakfast can interfere with routine biochemistry and immunochemistry laboratory tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 20 healthy volunteers who consumed an Andean breakfast containing a standardized amount of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. We collected blood specimens for laboratory tests before breakfast and 1, 2, and 4 hours thereafter. Significant differences between samples were assessed by the Wilcoxon ranked-pairs test. RESULTS: The Andean breakfast statistically (P ≤ 0.05), modified the results of the following tests: triglycerides, insulin, cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and uric acid. CONCLUSIONS: Andean breakfast can influence the routine biochemistry and immunochemistry laboratory tests and might expose patient safety to some risks. Therefore, the COLABIOCLI WG-PRE-LATAM calls attention and highlights that the fasting time needs to be carefully considered when performing blood testing in order to prevent spurious results and thus, reduce laboratory errors.

[Geometric coding and cluster analysis to assess metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Codificación geométrica y análisis de conglomerados para evaluar el control metabólico de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the frequency of combinations of higher-than-normal metabolic control parameters, using geometric coding and hierarchical cluster analysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico to assess a group of 1 051 patients with DM2. The inclusion criteria were to have one or more of the following values: fasting glucose of 130 mg/dL, total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL, total triglycerides of 200 mg/dL, Body Mass Index of 27 kg/m(2), and systolic blood pressure higher than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 85 mmHg. Through geometric coding, the frequencies of all combinations were obtained. Cluster analysis was used to determine similarities among the combinations. RESULTS: Using the proposed instrument, it was observed that the paired combinations with the highest number of subjects were hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia (7.3%) and hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia (3.6%). The most frequent polycombinations were hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertriglyceridemia (13.2%) and hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertension (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Geometric coding and cluster analysis could become a suitable instrument for assessing the metabolic control of patients with DM2, as well as for identifying parameters that will help improve their monitoring and treatment.

Codificación geométrica y análisis de conglomerados para evaluar el control metabólico de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Geometric coding and cluster analysis to assess metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de las combinaciones de los parámetros de control metabólico por arriba de lo normal, usando la codificación geométrica y el análisis jerárquico de conglomerados, en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Métodos: Se desarrolló en México un estudio transversal descriptivo para evaluar a un grupo de 1 051 pacientes con DM2, cuyos criterios de inclusión eran tener uno o más de los siguientes valores: glucosa en ayunas > 130 mg/dL, colesterol total > 240 mg/dL, triglicéridos totales > 200 mg/dL, índice de masa corporal > 27 kg/m², y presión arterial sistólica mayor de 130 mmHg o presión arterial diastólica mayor de 85 mmHg. Por medio de codificaciones geométricas se obtuvieron las frecuencias de todas las combinaciones. Para definir similitudes entre las combinaciones se utilizó el método de análisis de conglomerados. Resultados: Utilizando el instrumento propuesto, se observó que la combinación en pares con mayor número de sujetos estuvo representada por hiperglucemia-hipertrigliceridemia (7,3 por ciento) e hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia (3,6 por ciento). Las policombinaciones de mayor frecuencia fueron hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertrigliceridemia (13,2 por ciento) e hiperglucemia- hipertrigliceridemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertensión (10,5 por ciento). Conclusiones: La codificación geométrica y el análisis por conglomerados podrían llegar a ser un instrumento idóneo para evaluar el control metabólico de los pacientes con DM2, así como para identificar parámetros que contribuyan a mejorar su monitoreo y su tratamiento.

Objective: Determine the frequency of combinations of higher-than-normal metabolic control parameters, using geometric coding and hierarchical cluster analysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico to assess a group of 1 051 patients with DM2. The inclusion criteria were to have one or more of the following values: fasting glucose of 130 mg/dL, total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL, total triglycerides of 200 mg/dL, Body Mass Index of 27 kg/m², and systolic blood pressure higher than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 85 mmHg. Through geometric coding, the frequencies of all combinations were obtained. Cluster analysis was used to determine similarities among the combinations. Results: Using the proposed instrument, it was observed that the paired combinations with the highest number of subjects were hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia (7.3 percent) and hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia (3.6 percent). The most frequent polycombinations were hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertriglyceridemia (13.2 percent) and hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertension (10.5 percent). Conclusiones: Geometric coding and cluster analysis could become a suitable instrument for assessing the metabolic control of patients with DM2, as well as for identifying parameters that will help improve their monitoring and treatment.

Sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica para el paciente diabético; el uso de tecnología computacional en la calidad de la atención médica / Epidemiologic surveillance of diabetic patients; use of computer technology in the quality of medical care

Objetivo. Presentar un instrumento que permita llevar a cabo la vigilangia epidemiológica y evaluar la calidad de la atención a la diabetes mellitus en el primer nivel de atención. Material y métodos. Este estudio se realizó del 1 de enero de 1998 al 30 de junio de 1999, en la Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), en Hermosillo, Sonora. Se diseñó un formato único de resporte compuesto por los diferentes elementos que integran el sistema para la atención del paciente diabético en una Unidad de Medicina Familiar del IMSS. Resultados. Se desarrolló e implementó un paquete de computación (software)que permite la captura de los datos de dicho formato y la generación de reportes, de tipo individual y grupal, sobre el cumplimiento de citas, antecedentes personales patológicos y no patológicos, evolución de signos y síntomas, exámenes de laboratorio y el manejo terapéutico. Conclusiones. La sistematización de datos en forma electrónica favorece la obtención de información confiable y permanente para la vigilangia de los procesos en la atención integral del paciente diabético.

Infección micótica en conjuntivitis crónica / Fungi infection in chronic conjunctivitis

Los autores investigaron 180 pacientes con conjuntivitis crónica. Encontraron 27 casos con frotis y cultivo positivo para hongos y 24 casos solamente con frotis positivo. Los hongos encontrados en los cultivos fueron 15 Cándida albicans, 11 Cándida sp. y 1 Rodotórula. La edad promedio fue de 38 meses, predominando la infección micótica en pacientes jóvenes. Se caracterizó la infección por ser crónica, poco sintomática, con prurito y dolor leve, congestión conjuntival y secreción blanquecina filante. Hubo alta frecuencia de hipolacrimia. El tratamiento fue con clotrimazol al 1% con buen resultado