Aggression, Micro-aggression, and Abuse Against Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Latin American Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous consequences globally. Notably, increasing complaints of verbal and physical violence against health care providers have been reported. A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between January 11 and February 28, 2022 to delineate the violent behavior against front-line health professionals in Latin America. A total of 3544 participants from 19 countries were included. There were 58.5% women, 70.8% were physicians, 16% were nurses, and 13.2% were other health team members. About 54.8% reported acts of abuse: 95.6% verbal abuse, 11.1% physical abuse, and 19.9% other types. Nearly half of those who reported abuse experienced psychosomatic symptoms after the event, 56.2% considered changing their care tasks, and 33.6% considered quitting their profession. In a logistic regression model, nurses (odds ratio (OR) 1.90, P < 0.001), doctors (OR 2.11, P < 0.001), and administrative staff (OR 3.53, P = 0.005) experienced more abuse than other health workers. Women more frequently reported abuse (OR 1.56, P < 0.001), as well as those who worked directly with COVID-19 patients (OR 3.66, P < 0.001). A lower probability of abuse was observed at older ages (OR 0.95, P < 0.001). There has been a high prevalence of abuse against health personnel in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those caring for COVID-19 patients, younger staff, and women were found to be at elevated risk. It is imperative to develop strategies to mitigate these acts and their repercussions on the patient-provider relationship and outcomes.

National Registry of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Paraguay (RENASCA-PY).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the initial management and in-hospital mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome who attended referral hospitals in Paraguay. METHOD: Observational, multicenter study, in patients over 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: 780 patients were included from May 2015 to February 2016; the mean age was 64.1 ± 12.3 years, 64.1% male. The clinical presentation was acute coronary syndrome with ST elevation in 40.1% and without elevation in 59.9%. In patients with ST elevation there is a high percentage of late attendance, more than 12 h of evolution in 49.8%; those with less than 12 h of evolution underwent reperfusion in 52.2% of the cases, received fibrinolytics in 36.3% of the cases, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention 15.9%. In-hospital mortality for acute coronary syndrome was 10.3%, with ST-segment elevation was 12.8%, and without ST-segment elevation was 8.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The management of acute coronary syndrome in Paraguay needs a comprehensive approach, which promotes earlier care, and increases the implementation of reperfusion therapies in the health services network, in order to improve the therapeutic response rates and decrease hospital mortality.

OBJETIVO: Determinar el tratamiento inicial y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo que acudieron a centros hospitalarios de referencia de Paraguay. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional y multicéntrico en pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico confirmado de síndrome coronario agudo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 780 pacientes desde mayo de 2015 hasta febrero de 2016; la edad media fue de 64.1 ± 12.3 años y el género masculino representó el 64.1%. La presentación clínica fue la de síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del ST en 40.1% y sin elevación del ST en 59.9%. En pacientes con elevación del ST se observó un alto porcentaje de consultas tardías, mayor de 12 h de evolución en 49.8%; en aquéllos con menos de 12 h de evolución se indicó la reperfusión en 52.2%, el 36.3% recibió fibrinolíticos y 15.9% intervención coronaria percutánea primaria. La mortalidad hospitalaria del síndrome coronario agudo fue de 10.3%, con elevación del segmento ST en 12.8% y sin elevación del segmento ST en 8.6%. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento del síndrome coronario agudo en el Paraguay requiere un abordaje integral, que promueva consultas más tempranas y aumente la institución de tratamientos de reperfusión en la red de servicios de salud; el objetivo es mejorar los índices de respuesta terapéutica y disminuir la mortalidad hospitalaria.

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination in Non-Infected Cardiometabolic Patients from the Americas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Sub-Analysis of the CorCOVID-LATAM Study.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination (IV) and Pneumococcus vaccination (PV) are recommended for patients with cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the immunization rate of ambulatory cardiometabolic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas. METHODS: Electronic surveys were collected from 13 Spanish speaking countries between 15 June and 15 July 2020. RESULTS: 4216 patients were analyzed. Mean age 60 (±15) years and 49% females. Global IV rate was 46.5% and PV 24.6%. Vaccinated patients were older (IV = 63 vs. 58 years; PV = 68 vs. 59, p < 0.01) but without gender difference. Vaccination rates were greater in higher-risk groups (65+, diabetics, heart failure), but not in coronary artery disease patients. In the Southern cone, the rate of IV and PV was approximately double that in the tropical regions of the Americas. In a multivariate model, geographic zone (IV = OR 2.02, PV = OR 2.42, p < 0.001), age (IV = OR 1.023, PV = OR 1.035, p < 0.001), and incomes (IV = OR 1.28, PV = OR 1.58, p < 0.001) were predictors for vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ambulatory patients with cardiometabolic diseases from the Americas with no evidence of COVID-19 infection had lower-than-expected rates of IV and PV. Geographic, social, and cultural differences were found, and they should be explored in depth.

Psychological Impact of the Pandemic on Ambulatory Cardiometabolic Patients Without Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. The CorCOVID Latam Psy Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic's mental health consequences remain unknown. AIM: To assess the mental health status of ambulatory cardiometabolic patients during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Spanish speaking Latin American countries. METHODS: Cardiometabolic patients without COVID-19 evidence in 13 Latin American countries answered a survey between June 15th and July 15th, 2020. The Diagnosis Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition was used to identify the presence of major depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The sample included 4216 patients, 1590 (37.71%; IC95% 36.24-39.19) were considered suffering major depression. Female gender, consuming ≥5 medications day, physical activity <100 minutes weekly, low fruits and vegetables intake, poor treatment adherence, reduced food consumption were independently associated to the presence of major depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The CorCOVID Latam Psy study showed that one-third of the Latin American Spanish speaking population is suffering from major depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con cáncer de mama ¿Existe correlación con las referencias internacionales?

RESUMEN Introducción: el cáncer y las enfermedades cardiovasculares son dos entidades patológicas separadas. Sin embargo, poseen varias similitudes y posibles interacciones, que incluyen varios factores de riesgo similares. Objetivo: determinar y correlacionar los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Metodología: estudio longitudinal, prospectivo. Población: pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama que consultan en el Hospital Nacional de Itauguá y en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Paraguay, entre marzo y agosto 2017. Se recogieron las variables relacionadas con las características basales de las pacientes y factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Resultados: se incluyeron 170 pacientes, con edad media 50±13 años. Los factores de riesgo cardiovascular detectados fueron diabetes mellitus 14,7%, hipertensión arterial 51,8%, tabaquismo 3,5%, sedentarismo 38,3%, sobrepeso/obesidad 70%. La mediana de colesterol LDL fue 131,5 mg/dL. El 26,5% tenían con score de Framingham con riesgo elevado y moderado. En la correlación por método de Spearman entre score de riesgo de Framingham y presión arterial diastólica se obtuvo significancia estadística tanto con la presión arterial en brazo (r 0,244, p 0,001) como en miembro inferior (r 0,27, p 0,0001). En la correlación entre IMC y presión arterial diastólica se obtuvo r 0,15 (p 0,03). Conclusión: se halló correlación estadística entre valores elevados de presión arterial diastólica con obesidad/sobrepeso, así como con riesgo cardiovascular moderado a alto. Se debe considerar la hipertensión arterial diastólica como factor de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con cáncer de mama.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are two separate pathological entities. However, they have several similarities and possible interactions, which include several similar risk factors. Objective: To determine and correlate cardiovascular risk factors in patients with breast cancer. Methodology: Longitudinal, prospective study. Population: patients diagnosed with breast cancer who consult at the Itauguá National Hospital and the National Cancer Institute, Paraguay, between March and August 2017. The variables related to the baseline characteristics of the patients and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Results: One hundred and seventy patients were included, with a mean age of 50±13 years. The cardiovascular risk factors detected were diabetes mellitus 14.7%, arterial hypertension 51.8%, smoking 3.5%, sedentary lifestyle 38.3%, overweight / obesity 70%. The median LDL cholesterol was 131.5 mg / dL, 26.5% had a Framingham score with high and moderate risk. In the correlation by the Spearman method between Framingham risk score and diastolic blood pressure, statistical significance was obtained with both blood pressure in the arm (r 0.244, p 0.001) and lower limb (r 0.27, p 0.0001) . In the correlation between BMI and diastolic blood pressure, r 0.15 (p 0.03) was obtained. Conclusion: Statistical correlation was found between high values ​​of diastolic blood pressure with obesity/overweight, as well as moderate to high cardiovascular risk. Diastolic arterial hypertension should be considered as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with breast cancer.