El tratamiento no quirúrgico de la apendicitis aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones / Nonoperative management of appendicitis increases the risk of complications

El manejo no quirúrgico de la apendicitis pediátrica no perforada ha aumentado en los hospitales infantiles de los Estados Unidos entre 2011 y 2020. Aunque la mayoría son tratados con éxito, este estudio sugiere que las tasas de reconsulta y hospitalizaciones son mayores, así como un aumento del riesgo de perforación en el momento del fracaso con ese tipo de manejo. Se necesitan estudios adicionales rigurosos y a gran escala del manejo no quirúrgico de la apendicitis en niños para determinar su uso óptimo (AU)

Nonoperative management of nonperforated pediatric appendicitis has increased in U.S.A. children's hospitals between 2011 and 2020. Although most children are successfully treated, this study suggests bigger rates of subsequent check-ups and hospitalizations, as well as an increased risk of perforation at the time of failure with that type of management. Further rigorous, large-scale studies of nonoperative management in children are needed to determine its optimal use. (AU)

Multicentre prospective study of drug-eluting bead chemoembolisation safety using tightly calibrated small microspheres in non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and tolerability of transarterial drug-eluting bead chemoembolisation (DEB-TACE) using tightly calibrated 100-µm microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHOD: This multicentre prospective study included 131 patients with a 2-year follow-up. All patients had Child-Pugh scores ≤ B7, a good performance status, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A or B. Beads were loaded with 50 mg of doxorubicin per millilitre. Overall, 223 nodules were treated (mean size: 27.6 mm, average number of nodules per patient: 1.7). Toxicity was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.03 and response according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included technical success, post-embolisation syndrome (PES), local tumour response, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: A total of 214 DEB-TACE procedures were performed (mean per patient: 1.64), with a technical success rate of 97.6 % and a PES rate of 9.3 %. Major complications occurred in 6.8 % of patients and 4.1 % of procedures. There were no treatment-related deaths. Doxorubicin dose was an independent predictor of complications (p = 0.01). Four patients were lost to follow-up and 18 received liver transplants. Objective response rates were 74.6 %, 45.7 %, and 44.1 % at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The cumulative 24-month overall survival rate was 55.96 %. Median survival was 22 months (interquartile range = 13-24). Co-morbidities and tumour response were independent predictors of survival (p = 0.0012 and 0.0052, respectively). Complications did not affect survival (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: DEB-TACE with tightly calibrated 100-µm beads is safe and not associated with increases in biliary toxicity or complications. Tumour response and survival are in the expected range for chemoembolisation therapy. (Clinical trials ID: NCT02670122).

Manejo histeroscópico de los restos ovulares con energía mecánica / Hysteroscopic management of products of conception with mechanical energy

Objetivo: Evaluar e identificar aquellas variables relacionadas con la tasa de éxito en el manejo con el histeroscopio de energía mecánica Truclear System 5.0(R) de los restos ovulares retenidos. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo prospectivo realizado en el Hospital de Igualada con periodo de inclusión de enero del 2015 a diciembre del 2016. Incluye a todas aquellas pacientes con diagnóstico de restos ovulares a las que se les realizó en el quirófano una histeroscopia diagnóstico-terapéutica con el histeroscopio de energía mecánica Truclear System 5.0(R). Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 42 pacientes de las cuales se excluyeron 12 por no cumplir los criterios de inclusión. De las 30 pacientes analizadas, 21 (70%) presentaban pérdidas discontinuas en el momento del diagnóstico, mientras que 9 (30%) permanecían asintomáticas. La morcelación completa de los restos se consiguió en el 77% de las pacientes (23). No hubo ninguna complicación evidente intraoperatoria ni en el postoperatorio inmediato. Conclusiones: La resección selectiva histeroscópica con energía mecánica parece ser un buen método terapéutico para la retención de los restos ovulares, con unos porcentajes de éxito del 77%. Esta técnica nos ofrece una alternativa al tradicional legrado uterino evacuador que minimiza los riesgos y complicaciones que supone un acto quirúrgico invasivo para la paciente. Se plantea, como futura hipótesis de trabajo, la seguridad y el beneficio en la realización de la histeroscopia ambulatoria en todas aquellas pacientes con restos ovulares que cumplan unos criterios específicos

Objective: To evaluate and identify the variables related to the success rate in managing patients diagnosed with retained products of conception, by using the Truclear System 5.0(R) Hysteroscopic Morcellator, which is powered by mechanical energy. Materials and methods: A descriptive prospective study was performed at Hospital de Igualada, with the inclusion period lasting from January 2015 to December 2016. The study included all patients diagnosed with retained products of conception who underwent diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy with the Truclear System 5.0(R) Hysteroscopic Morcellator, which uses mechanical energy. Results: A total of 42 patients were included, of whom 12 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the 30 patients analysed, 21 (70%) had low abnormal uterine bleeding at the time of diagnosis and 9 (30%) remained asymptomatic. The complete removal of the remains was achieved in 77% of the patients (23). There were no evident complications either during or immediately after surgery. Conclusions: Hysteroscopic selective resection with mechanical energy seems to be a good therapeutic method for retained products of conception, achieving a success rate of 77%. This technique offers an alternative to traditional dilatation and legrado, minimising the risks and complications involved in invasive surgical procedures for patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety of and benefit in performing hysteroscopy on an outpatient basis in all patients with retained products of conception who meet specific criteria

Migrant children's health problems, care needs, and inequalities: European primary care paediatricians' perspective.

BACKGROUND: Primary care paediatricians' perception of migrant children's health in Europe has not been explored before. Our aim was to examine European paediatricians' knowledge on migrant children's health problems, needs, inequalities, and barriers to access health care. METHODS: European primary care paediatricians were invited by the European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting Network country coordinators to complete a web-based survey concerning health care of migrant children. A descriptive analysis of all variables was performed. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 492 paediatricians. Sixty-three per cent of the respondents reported that the general health of migrant children is worse than that of nonmigrants, chronic diseases cited by 66% of the respondents as the most frequent health problem. Sixty-six per cent of the paediatricians reported that migrant children have different health needs compared to nonmigrant children, proper oral health care mentioned by 86% of the respondents. Cultural/linguistic factors have been reported as the most frequent barrier (90%).to access health care. However, only 37% of providers have access to professional interpreters and cultural mediators. Fifty-two per cent and 32% do not know whether one or more of the family members are undocumented and whether they are refugees/asylum seekers, respectively. Updated guidelines for care of migrant children are available for only 35% of respondents, and 80% of them have not received specific training on migrant children's care. CONCLUSIONS: European primary care paediatricians recognize migrant children as a population at risk with more frequent and specific health problems and needs, but they are often unaware of their legal state. Lack of interpreters augments the existing language barriers to access proper care and should be solved. Widespread lack of guidelines and specific providers' training should be addressed to optimize health care delivery to migrant children.

Diagnostic reference levels and complexity indices in interventional radiology: a national programme.

OBJECTIVES: To propose national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for interventional radiology and to evaluate the impact of the procedural complexity on patient doses. METHODS: Eight interventional radiology units from Spanish hospitals were involved in this project. The participants agreed to undergo common quality control procedures for X-ray systems. Kerma area product (KAP) was collected from a sample of 1,649 procedures. A consensus document established the criteria to evaluate the complexity of seven types of procedures. DRLs were set as the 3rd quartile of KAP values. RESULTS: The KAP (3rd quartile) in Gy cm2 for the procedures included in the survey were: lower extremity arteriography (n = 784) 78; renal arteriography (n = 37) 107; transjugular hepatic biopsies (THB) (n = 30) 45; biliary drainage (BD) (n = 314) 30; uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) (n = 56) 214; colon endoprostheses (CE) (n = 31) 169; hepatic chemoembolization (HC) (n = 269) 303; femoropopliteal revascularization (FR) (n = 62) 119; and iliac stent (n = 66) 170. The complexity involved the increases in the following KAP factors from simple to complex procedures: THB x4; BD x13; UFE x3; CE x3; HC x5; FR x5 and IS x4. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the procedure complexity in patient doses will allow the proper use of DRLs for the optimization of interventional radiology. KEY POINTS: • National DRLs for interventional procedures have been proposed given level of complexity • For clinical audits, the level of complexity should be taken into account. • An evaluation of the complexity levels of the procedure should be made.

Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la otitis media aguda / Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media

Se presenta el documento de consenso sobre otitis media aguda (OMA) de la Sociedad de Española Infectología Pediátrica (SEIP), Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y Atención Primaria (SEPEAP), Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (SEUP) y de la Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPAP).Se analizan la etiología de la enfermedad y los posibles cambios de esta después de la introducción de la vacunas antineumocócicas 7-valente, 10-valente y 13-valente. Se hace una propuesta diagnóstica basada en la clasificación de la otitis media aguda en confirmada o probable. Se considera OMA confirmada si hay coincidencia de 3 criterios: comienzo agudo, signos de ocupación del oído medio (u otorrea) y signos o síntomas inflamatorios, como otalgia o intensa hiperemia timpánica y OMA probable cuando existan solo 2 criterios. Se propone como tratamiento antibiótico de elección la amoxicilina oral a 80mg/kg/día repartido cada 8 h. El tratamiento con amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico a dosis de 80mg/kg/día se indica si el niño es menor de 6 meses, en lactantes con clínica grave (fiebre>39°C o dolor muy intenso), cuando haya historia familiar de secuelas óticas por OMA o un fracaso terapéutico de la amoxicilina(AU)

This is the consensus document on acute otitis media (AOM) of the Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediatrica (SEIP), Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y Atención Primaria (SEPEAP), Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (SEUP) and Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPAP). It discusses the aetiology of the disease and its potential changes after the introduction of the pneumococcal 7-valent, 10-valent and 13-valent vaccines. A proposal is made based on diagnostic classification of otitis media as either confirmed or likely. AOM is considered confirmed if 3 criteria are fulfilled: acute onset, signs of occupation of the middle ear (or otorrhea) and inflammatory signs or symptoms, such as otalgia or severe tympanic hyperaemia. Oral amoxicillin is the antibiotic treatment of choice (80mg/kg/day divided every 8hours). Amoxicillin-clavulanate (80mg/kg/day) is indicated in the following cases: when the child is under 6 months, in infants with severe clinical manifestations (fever>39°C or severe pain), there is family history of AOM sequels, and after amoxiciline treatment failure(AU)

Fuentes de información bibliográfica (XVII). Pediatría basada en la evidencia y bases de datos de guías de práctica clínica / Sources of bibliographic information (XVII). Evidence-based paediatrics and database of clinical practice guidelines

Las guías de práctica clínica son un conjunto de recomendaciones desarrolladas de forma sistemática para ayudar a los profesionales y los pacientes a tomar decisiones sobre la atención sanitaria más apropiada, y a seleccionar las opciones diagnósticas o terapéuticas más adecuadas a la hora de abordar un problema de salud o una afección clínica específica. Enumeramos las características de los principales centros elaboradores de guías (SIGN, NICE, GuiaSalud, etc.) y de los centros de almacenamiento para su recuperación (National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guideline International Network, GuiaSalud)(AU)

Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patient decisions about appropriate health care and to select the most appropriate therapeutic and diagnostic options for specific clinical circumstances. We describe the characteristics of the most relevant guidelines resources (SIGN, NICE, GuiaSalud, etc.) and the main databases for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guideline International Networf, GuiaSalud)(AU)

Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la otitis media aguda / Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media

Se presenta el documento de consenso sobre otitis media aguda (OMA) de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica (SEIP), la Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y Atención Primaria (SEPEAP), la Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (SEUP) y la Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPap). Se analizan la etiología de la enfermedad y los posibles cambios de esta después de la introducción de la vacunas antineumocócicas 7-valente, 10-valente y 13-valente. Se hace una propuesta diagnóstica basada en la clasificación de la OMA en confirmada o probable. Se considera OMA confirmada si hay coincidencia de tres criterios: comienzo agudo, signos de ocupación del oído medio (u otorrea) y signos o síntomas inflamatorios, como otalgia o intensa hiperemia timpánica, y OMA probable cuando existan solo dos criterios. Se propone como tratamiento antibiótico de elección la amoxicilina oral en dosis de 80 mg/kg/día repartidas cada ocho horas. El tratamiento con amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico en dosis de 80 mg/kg/día se indica si el niño es menor de seis meses, en lactantes con clínica grave (fiebre >39 ºC o dolor muy intenso), cuando haya historia familiar de secuelas óticas por OMA o un fracaso terapéutico de la amoxicilina(AU)

We present the consensus document on acute otitis media (AOM) written by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectology (SEIP), the Spanish Society of Outpatient and Primary Care Pediatrics (SEPEAP), the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergency Care (SEUP) and the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPAP). The document analyses the etiology of the disease and the possible shifts in it following the introduction of the 7-valent, 10-valent, and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines. The document proposes diagnosing AOM as confirmed or probable. The AOM diagnosis is considered confirmed if three criteria are met: acute onset, signs of fluid in the middle ear (or otorrhea), and symptoms of inflammation, such as otalgia or marked erythema in the middle ear, and considered probable when only two of these criteria are met. The proposed first choice for antibiotic treatment is 80 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin administered orally in doses at eight hour intervals. Treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in doses of 80 mg/kg/day are indicated in children younger than six months, in infants with a severe presentation (fever >39 °C or acute pain), when there is a family history of AOM sequelae, or in cases of amoxicillin treatment failure(AU)

[Consensus document on the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media]. / Documento de consenso sobre etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la otitis media aguda.

This is the consensus document on acute otitis media (AOM) of the Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediatrica (SEIP), Sociedad Española de Pediatría Extrahospitalaria y Atención Primaria (SEPEAP), Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas (SEUP) and Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPAP). It discusses the aetiology of the disease and its potential changes after the introduction of the pneumococcal 7-valent, 10-valent and 13-valent vaccines. A proposal is made based on diagnostic classification of otitis media as either confirmed or likely. AOM is considered confirmed if 3 criteria are fulfilled: acute onset, signs of occupation of the middle ear (or otorrhea) and inflammatory signs or symptoms, such as otalgia or severe tympanic hyperaemia. Oral amoxicillin is the antibiotic treatment of choice (80mg/kg/day divided every 8hours). Amoxicillin-clavulanate (80mg/kg/day) is indicated in the following cases: when the child is under 6 months, in infants with severe clinical manifestations (fever>39°C or severe pain), there is family history of AOM sequels, and after amoxiciline treatment failure.

Guías de certificación de la Sociedad Española de Radiología (SERAM) y la Sociedad Española de Radiología Vascular e Intervencionista (SERVEI) sobre requerimientos y equipamiento en radiología vascular intervencionista / No disponible

No disponible

Long-Term GH therapy: epidemiology and auxologic outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiologic and auxologic characteristics of patients treated with GH during childhood and adolescence and entered in a national registry in Catalonia were studied between 1988 and 1997. At the end of 1997, prevalence was 53.2 treatments/100,000 inhabitants aged 0-14 years. Maximum annual incidence rates were observed in 1990 and 1991 (34.0-35.6 cases/100,000 inhabitants aged 0-14 years). STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of treatments terminated in 1993 (n = 548) revealed, for the three principal reasons for cessation of treatment ('near-final height', 'adequate height but further growth potential', and 'poor growth response'), that males began and ended treatment at older ages with a better auxologic situation in SDS than girls at the beginning and end of therapy in the first two subgroups, with a similar duration of therapy. Severe GH deficiency (GHD) [both multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) and the most severe isolated GHD (IGHD-A)] was more frequent in the group ending treatment at 'near-final height', whereas cessation of therapy because of 'poor growth response' was more frequent in the group with 'other causes of short stature' and no demonstrable GHD by routine tests. In the near-final height group, after excluding Turner's syndrome, MPHD and GHD cases secondary to brain tumors and GH deficiencies associated with malformative syndromes, positive linear correlations were observed between HSDS at the end of treatment and HSDS at the beginning, predicted adult height SDS (PAHSDS) and target height SDS (THSDS). Multiple regression analysis showed that in this group of patients, 41.4% of the variability in HSDS increment can be explained by the equation: HSDS increment = -0.33 + 0.29 THSDS - 0.68 HSDS at the beginning of treatment. RESULTS: The outcome showed a reasonable use of GH, since good-response cases generally continued treatment until final height whereas therapy was suspended in doubtful cases.

Lack of association of serum lipoprotein (a) levels with type-2 diabetes mellitus in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that elevated serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels are independent predictors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects without diabetes mellitus (DM). However, their contribution in patients with DM is controversial and still requires clarification. We determined serum Lp(a) levels in 355 consecutive Caucasian patients (271 men and 84 women) with angiographically documented CAD, and in 100 control subjects (58 men and 42 women) who were clinically free of cardiovascular disease. In addition, the association of serum Lp(a) levels with type-2 DM in patients with CAD was investigated after reassigning patients according to the diagnosis of type-2 DM (61 men and 40 women with type-2 DM and 210 men and 44 women without). No gender differences in Lp(a) levels were observed between men and women (patients and control subjects). Patients with CAD had higher Lp(a) levels than the control subjects (33 (14-74) vs. 13 (9-29) mg/dl, P<0.001). Elevated Lp(a) levels (defined as >90th percentile of controls) were significantly more prevalent in men and women with CAD (35% and 28%, respectively) than in control subjects (13% and 10%, respectively). Serum Lp(a) levels correlated with LDL cholesterol (r=0.22, P<0.001) and apo B levels (r=0.18, P<0.03) in patients and control subjects. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that Lp(a) was an independent risk factor for the presence of CAD, independent of smoking, hypertension, type-2 DM, LDL and HDL cholesterol or apo A1 and B levels. When patients were studied according to the spread of CAD (evaluated as the number of narrowed vessels), no differences in serum Lp(a) levels were observed, nor was there a higher prevalence of elevated Lp(a) levels. Finally, when patients were re-assigned according to the diagnosis of type-2 DM, no effect of apo B and LDL-C levels on Lp(a) was found (r=0.06, P=n.s. and 40.14, P=n.s., respectively) and serum Lp(a) levels neither associated nor contributed to the extent of CAD. Our results showed that serum Lp(a) levels are increased in patients with angiographically documented CAD, but there were no significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, which indicates that elevated Lp(a) levels are specifically associated with CAD but not with type-2 DM.

La cesárea en cataluña: estudio de algunos factores de riesgo / Cesarean section in Catalunya (Spain): a study of risk factors

Objetivo: El incremento del porcentaje de partos por cesárea observado en Cataluña nos ha inducido a estudiar algunos de los factores asociados a este tipo de parto.Métodos: Las variables estudiadas fueron el peso, la edad gestacional y la edad materna en el momento del nacimiento, así como el día de la semana y el tipo de hospital donde tuvo lugar el parto, a las que se aplicó el modelo de regresión logística no condicional.La muestra analizada estuvo constituida por 167.720 nacimientos, correspondientes a los años 1993, 1994 y 1995.Resultados: El porcentaje de cesáreas se incrementó del 22,9 al 23,6 por 100 en el período estudiado, observándose el mayor porcentaje (41,2 por 100) cuando se presenta un peso bajo al nacer o el parto es prematuro (39,3 por 100). La edad materna superior a 39 años es el tercer factor en importancia, con un 34,8 por 100 de cesáreas. En todos los casos los hospitales de titularidad privada presentan un porcentaje ligeramente superior de cesáreas.Conclusiones: Los factores de riesgo que afectan a la elevada tasa de cesáreas observada en Cataluña son el bajo peso, el sobrepeso, la prematuridad, la edad materna avanzada y que el parto tenga lugar en un día laborable y en un hospital privado. (AU)

Mouthrinses: a comparative microbiological study.

This study was performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of different mouthrinses whose use is extended in Spain. Six different antiseptic mouthrinses were studied by means of determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Also in vivo experiments were carried out in volunteers by the use of mouthrinses and evaluation of bacterial populations before and after the treatment. Finally, the kinetics of bacterial death was determined. Results suggested that the determination of MIC values is not a reliable method to evaluate the antibacterial effect of such products. On the other hand those rinsing solutions based on the effect of oxygen, such as those containing carbamide peroxide have a greater efficacy against anaerobic bacteria compared with rinses whose active molecule is a disinfectant. Finally, the kinetics of bacterial death demonstrates that the essential oil rinse kills bacteria much faster. All tested mouthrinses were active as antibacterial although those based on oxygen production or essential oils were more active than solutions based on chlorhexidine and Triclosan.

Meningococcal disease in a large urban population (Barcelona, 1987-1992): predictors of dismal prognosis. Barcelona Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Group.

CONTEXT: Studies on meningococcal disease in large urban communities have rarely been performed and are usually based on passive epidemiologic surveillance. Active surveillance may provide new insights. OBJECTIVES: To determine epidemiologic, clinical, and bacteriological characteristics and predictors of dismal prognosis (death and sequelae) in meningococcal disease. DESIGN: Prospective, population-based study. SETTING: All the acute care hospitals (n = 24) in Barcelona, Spain. PATIENT: The 643 patients whose conditions were diagnosed from 1987 through 1992 were detected by 2 active surveillance methods. OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and notification to Public Health Service. Clinical and bacteriological features were determined. Dismal prognosis predictors were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Average annual incidence was 6.41 per 100,000 inhabitants, with no clear trend of change (P = .08). Sensitivity of the Public Health Service surveillance system was 69.1%. Children younger than 10 years from the inner city were at higher risk than those from the highest income district (relative risk, 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-5.06). Increasing annual incidence of serogroup C (0.82-1.29/100,000; P = .008) and decreasing incidence of serogroup B (5.11-2.82/100,000; P = .004) was noted. Average annual mortality was 0.40 per 100,000 inhabitants, while the annual average potential years of life lost was 18 per 100,000 inhabitants. Overall case-fatality rate was 6.4%. Independent predictors of death were hemorrhagic diathesis (odds ratio [OR], 63; 95% CI, 21-194), focal neurologic signs (OR, 10; 95% CI, 3-30), and age 60 years or older (OR, 6; 95% CI, 2-17), whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy was associated with favorable outcome (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.3). Four percent of survivors presented with sequelae. Independent predictors of sequelae were hemorrhagic diathesis (OR, 21; 95% CI, 3-131), focal neurologic signs (OR, 16; 95% CI, 5-53), age 60 years or older (OR, 7; 95% CI, 2-26), and age between 15 and 59 years (OR, 5; 95% CI, 2-14), whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy had a protective effect (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Active epidemiologic surveillance significantly improved detection of cases and allowed us to observe that meningococcal disease still causes much morbidity and mortality, especially among children living in the inner city. Hemorrhagic diathesis, focal neurologic signs, and age were independent predictors of dismal prognosis, whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy had a protective effect.

Cross-sectional growth study of the child and adolescent population of Catalonia (Spain).

A cross-sectional growth study was undertaken on a sample of 5472 school-children aged between 4 and 17. The sample was representative of the Catalan population. Results on height, weight and age at menarche are presented. Cross-sectional centile curves on height and weight were constructed using non-parametric methods. The height of Catalan children was compared with that of children from the United Kingdom (1965 and 1990), France, Greece and the Basque country (Spain). Until puberty Catalan children were similar in height to English (1990) and Greek children, and taller than children in the other studies mentioned. Only differences in final height compared with the English (1990) population were detected. Parents' place of birth and father's profession are associated with height. 'Probit analysis' revealed that the average age of menarche (12.31 years) was similar to that of other Mediterranean countries and lower than in other parts of Spain and northern European countries. There were differences in age at menarche according to the father's occupation. The secular trend of height of the Catalan child population has increased during the twentieth century, rising more than 2 cm per decade.

Prognostic factors in meningococcal disease. Development of a bedside predictive model and scoring system. Barcelona Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Group.

CONTEXT: Meningococcal disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Development of a prognostic model based on clinical findings may be useful for identification and management of patients with meningococcal infection. OBJECTIVES: To construct and validate a bedside model and scoring system for prognosis in meningococcal disease. DESIGN: Prospective, population-based study. SETTING: Twenty-four hospitals in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS: A total of 907 patients with microbiologically proven meningococcal disease. Patients diagnosed with meningococcal disease from 1987 through 1990 were used to develop the prognostic model, and those diagnosed in 1991 and 1992 were used to validate it. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical independent prognostic factors for mortality in meningococcal disease. The association between outcome and independent prognostic factors was determined by logistic regression analysis. A scoring system was constructed and tested using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Among 624 patients in the derivation set, 287 (46%) were male, the mean age was 12.4 years, and 34 patients (5.4%) died. Among 283 patients in the validation set, 124 (43.8%) were male, the mean age was 12.7 years, and 17 patients (6.0%) died. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of death were hemorrhagic diathesis (odds ratio [OR], 101; 95% confidence interval [CI], 30-333), focal neurologic signs (OR, 25; 95% CI, 7-83), and age 60 years or older (OR, 10; 95% CI, 3-34), whereas receipt of adequate antibiotic therapy prior to admission was associated with reduced likelihood of death (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.4). Hemorrhagic diathesis was scored with 2 points, presence of focal neurologic signs with 1 point, age of 60 years or older with 1 point, and preadmission antibiotic therapy was scored as -1. The clinical scores of -1, 0, 1, 2, and 3 or more points were associated with a probability of death of 0%, 2.3%, 27.3%, 73.3%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic diathesis, focal neurologic signs, and age of 60 years or older were independent predictors of death in meningococcal disease, whereas receipt of adequate antibiotic therapy was associated with a more favorable prognosis. The scoring system presented is simple, is based on findings readily available at the bedside, and may be useful to help guide aggressive therapy.

[Epidemiology of cognitive deterioration in geriatric population of 'Casals d' Avis' in the city of Barcelona]. / Epidemiología de los trastornos cognitivos en la población geriátrica de los 'Casals d'Avis' de Barcelona ciudad.

The aim of the study is to carry out a clinico-epidemiological study of the part of Barcelona's population over the age of 65 that suffers from cognitive deterioration, users of 'Casal d'Avis' (Old-folks centres). 369 users of 'Casals d'Avis' were studied. A specific questionnaire was used to collect the following data: personal details, social and family situation, health profile and a quantification of their degree of cognitive degeneration using Lobo's cognitive test. The quantitative and qualitative variables were studied statistically, and the arithmetical average and standard deviation were found, as well as which bivariant hypothesis tests and multivariant analyses, using the logistic regression method, were carried out. The degree of cognitive deterioration is 8.67%. Age, female sex, being widowed or single, and illiteracy are associated with low scoring in the MEC. It is also associated with subjective loss of memory and hearing difficulties. The multivariant analyses are influenced by length of schooling, age and sex. Early detection of cognitive deterioration and the supply of resources and services oriented towards cognitive stimulation and social integration would, if well-planned, do away with the need for their confinement.