Management of cerebral venous thrombosis in Spain: MOTIVATE descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke that mainly affects young adults. Early, accurate diagnosis can reduce the rate and severity of complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics, management, and treatment of CVT in different centres in Spain. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, descriptive study of patients hospitalised due to CVT between 2008 and 2017 at 10 Spanish centres. RESULTS: We included 256 patients, with a mean age (SD) of 49.8 (18.7) years; 51% of patients were women. The most frequent symptoms were headache (73%), focal deficits (50%), epileptic seizures (33%), and encephalopathy (21%). The most frequent localisations were the superior sagittal sinus (12.5%), the transverse sinus (10.9%), and 2 or more sinuses or veins (66.4%). Thrombophilia was the most frequent known aetiology (24%), and was most commonly associated with the prothrombin G20210A mutation (19%). Forty-six percent of patients were treated with antithrombotics for 3 to 6 months, 21% for one year, and 22.6% required indefinite anticoagulation. Endovascular therapy was performed in 5% of cases, and 33% required neurosurgery. Regarding outcomes, 75% of patients were independent at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≤ 2), with papilloedema (P =  .03), focal deficits (P = .001), and encephalopathy (P < .001) showing a statistically significant association with poor prognosis (mRS > 3). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3%, with a 3-month mortality rate of 6.3%. CONCLUSION: The diverse risk factors and variable presentation of CVT represent a challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. To improve prognosis and reduce mortality, it is essential to establish management protocols for this entity.

Management of cerebral venous thrombosis in Spain: MOTIVATE descriptive study. / Manejo de la trombosis venosa cerebral en España: estudio descriptivo MOTIVATE.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke that mainly affects young adults. Early, accurate diagnosis can reduce the rate and severity of complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics, management, and treatment of CVT in different centres in Spain. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, descriptive study of patients hospitalised due to CVT between 2008 and 2017 at 11 Spanish centres. RESULTS: We included 256 patients, with a mean age (SD) of 49.8 (18.7) years; 51% of patients were women. The most frequent symptoms were headache (73%), focal deficits (50%), epileptic seizures (33%), and encephalopathy (21%). The most frequent localisations were the superior sagittal sinus (12.5%), the transverse sinus (10.9%), and 2 or more sinuses or veins (66.4%). Thrombophilia was the most frequent known aetiology (24%), and was most commonly associated with the prothrombin G20210A mutation (19%). Forty-six percent of patients were treated with antithrombotics for 3-6 months, 21% for one year, and 22.6% required indefinite anticoagulation. Endovascular therapy was performed in 5% of cases, and 33% required neurosurgery. Regarding outcomes, 75% of patients were independent at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≤ 2), with papilloedema (P=.03), focal deficits (P=.001), and encephalopathy (P <.001) showing a statistically significant association with poor prognosis (mRS> 3). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3%, with a 3-month mortality rate of 6.3%. CONCLUSION: The diverse risk factors and variable presentation of CVT represent a challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. To improve prognosis and reduce mortality, it is essential to establish management protocols for this entity.

Partial contributions and temporal trends of leading causes of death during the last four decades in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to assess time trend shifts of leading causes of death and their partial contributions over the years 1975-2016 in Spain. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal ecological epidemiologic design was conducted to analyse linear trend period shifts using joinpoint regression as the annual percentage of change (APC) in the period 1975-2016. The partial contributions were illustrated as the rate ratio of a singular-cause to their major-cause shift periods. RESULTS: HIV/AIDS shaped the increasing trend period of infectious diseases in 1989-1995 (APC = 25.3, P < 0.05) and the decreasing trend in 1995-1999 and 1999-2016. Lung cancer fell gradually from 1994 in men (-0.4, P < 0.05); however, in women, the condition continued increasing from 1990 (P < 0.05). Dementia types influenced mental and neurological disease drifts. The recent trend for circulatory periods (1980-2016) was mainly modulated by cardiac ischaemia, with increased partial contributions (25%, 32% and 30%). Traffic accidents defined the descending tendency of external causes. CONCLUSIONS: Spain showed a Western pattern in descended rates, including non-decreasing trends in mental and neurological diseases, pancreatic cancer, drug abuse and suicide. Trend shifts and partial contributions illustrated targets for further mortality reduction.

Aparición de clínica obsesiva tras infarto cerebrovascular. a propósito de un caso / Onset of obsessive symptoms after a cerebrovascular stroke. with regard to a case

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 72 años sin antecedentes psiquiátricos previos que ingresa en el Servicio de Neurología por infarto cerebral en territorio vertebrobasilar. Durante el ingreso presenta elevada ansiedad secundaria a una ideación obsesiva de contenido erótico con intensa repercusión emocional y conductual. Se inicia tratamiento sintomático con Quetiapina, observándose mejoría progresiva del cuadro hasta la total recuperación del paciente. En el presente artículo se revisa la relación entre las diferentes áreas anatómicas cerebrales y la aparición de clínica obsesiva

A 72 year old male without previous psychiatric history is admitted to the neurology department due to vertebrobasilar stroke. During the stay, the patient manifests a high level of anxiety related to the onset of an erotic obsessive idea with an intense emotional and behavioural repercussion. Symptomatic treatment with quetiapine was started, with a progressive improvement of the symptoms until it's complete resolution. In the present article, we aim to review the relationship between the different brain anatomical areas and the onset of obsessive symptoms

Diabetes mellitus mortality in Spanish cities: Trends and geographical inequalities.

AIM: To analyze the geographical pattern of diabetes mellitus (DM) mortality and its association with socioeconomic factors in 26 Spanish cities. METHODS: We conducted an ecological study of DM mortality trends with two cross-sectional cuts (1996-2001; 2002-2007) using census tract (CT) as the unit of analysis. Smoothed standardized mortality rates (sSMR) were calculated using Bayesian models, and a socioeconomic deprivation score was calculated for each CT. RESULTS: In total, 27,757 deaths by DM were recorded, with higher mortality rates observed in men and in the period 1996-2001. For men, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 6 cities in the first study period and in 7 cities in the second period. The highest relative risk was observed in Pamplona (RR, 5.13; 95% credible interval (95%CI), 1.32-15.16). For women, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 13 cities in the first period and 8 in the second. The strongest association was observed in San Sebastián (RR, 3.44; 95%CI, 1.25-7.36). DM mortality remained stable in the majority of cities, although a marked decrease was observed in some cities, including Madrid (RR, 0.67 and 0.64 for men and women, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate clear inequalities in DM mortality in Spain. These inequalities remained constant over time are were more marked in women. Detection of high-risk areas is crucial for the implementation of specific interventions.

The appropriate axillary procedure after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer patients: the 'Hôpital Tenon' score revisited. A two-institution study

Introduction. Until recently, completion ALND has been considered the standard of care after a positive SN in breast cancer patients. However, most patients will not display further axillary involvement. The Tenon score is a simple nomogram that can be used intraoperatively to avoid completion ALND in low-risk patients. We aimed at validating the Tenon score on a SN-positive patient sample that had been preoperatively selected using axillary US examination. Patients and method. We used a retrospective analysis of our bicentric database that included 246 breast cancer patients with a positive SN. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values for each cut-off point. ROCs were constructed and corresponding AUC values were calculated as a measure of discriminative capacity. Results. At least one non-SN was positive in 52 patients (21.1 %). 118 patients (48 %) had a score up to 5. Among them, three had at least one positive non-SN. NPV was 97.5 %. Using that threshold, the ROCs analysis showed an AUC of 0.822 (95 % CI 0.764-0.880). Conclusion. Use of preoperative axillary US examination led to a modification of the proposed Tenon cut-off value from 3.5 to 5 to attain good predictive power for non-SN status. Straightforward intraoperative use of the Tenon score may be considered an advantage over other available nomograms (AU)

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The appropriate axillary procedure after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer patients: the "Hôpital Tenon" score revisited. A two-institution study.

INTRODUCTION: Until recently, completion ALND has been considered the standard of care after a positive SN in breast cancer patients. However, most patients will not display further axillary involvement. The Tenon score is a simple nomogram that can be used intraoperatively to avoid completion ALND in low-risk patients. We aimed at validating the Tenon score on a SN-positive patient sample that had been preoperatively selected using axillary US examination. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We used a retrospective analysis of our bicentric database that included 246 breast cancer patients with a positive SN. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values for each cut-off point. ROCs were constructed and corresponding AUC values were calculated as a measure of discriminative capacity. RESULTS: At least one non-SN was positive in 52 patients (21.1 %). 118 patients (48 %) had a score up to 5. Among them, three had at least one positive non-SN. NPV was 97.5 %. Using that threshold, the ROCs analysis showed an AUC of 0.822 (95 % CI 0.764-0.880). CONCLUSION: Use of preoperative axillary US examination led to a modification of the proposed Tenon cut-off value from 3.5 to 5 to attain good predictive power for non-SN status. Straightforward intraoperative use of the Tenon score may be considered an advantage over other available nomograms.

A study comparing two consecutive historical periods in breast cancer with a focus on surgical treatment, loco-regional recurrence, distant metastases and mortality

Background and aim: Recent introduction of breast units, mass-screening programmes (SP) and sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has impacted on the clinical care of breast cancer patients (BC), resulting in a significant increase of breast-conserving surgery with the goal of achieving completely free margins and good cosmetic outcome, along with significantly less axillary morbidity. In order to ascertain the combined impact of SP and SNB on BC patients, we have reviewed the primary therapeutic approach of patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma in our centre, both before and after implementation of the two new procedures. Methods: 1,942 patients operated for BC between 1997 and 2013 in two clinical centres. Two historical periods were considered: before and after the advent of the Breast Unit in our institutions and the concurrent implementation of SP and SNB (September 2002). Results: Rates of breast-conserving surgery and re-operations improved in the second period. Intraoperative margin re-excision increased in the second period. Breast-conserving surgery decreased in parallel to stage: from 79 % for stage I to 31 % for stage III. The Cox analysis, including stage as adjusted for all significant variables, showed statistically significant differences in favour of the initial stages but only for specific mortality, not overall mortality. Conclusions: Combined implementation of breast units, SP, and SNB have resulted in a significant improvement of BC treatment leading to increased rates of breast-conserving surgery and decreased disease recurrence and mortality (AU)

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Differential patterns of recurrence and specific survival between luminal A and luminal B breast cancer according to recent changes in the 2013 St Gallen immunohistochemical classification

Introduction. In 2011, the St Gallen panel introduced several changes in breast cancer classification, thereby creating the luminal B Her2− subtype. In 2013, the panel also included Ki67 overexpression and PR <20 % as risk factors, while excluding GH3 in the absence of increased Ki67. We compared the classification of 2011 modified with the new 2013 St Gallen classification. Patients and method. Consecutive breast cancer patients referred to the Breast Unit of the University Hospital Mútua Terrassa and Hospital of Terrassa for surgical treatment of either primary or recurrent tumors were prospectively included between 1997 and 2014. Eventually, 1,874 cases were included for the four-subtype analysis. The median follow-up was of 66 months. Results. Using the 2013 St Gallen classification no significant differences were found in specific mortality rates between luminal A and B subtypes. There were significant differences at 5, 10, and, 15 years if we excluded luminal A GH3 patients in the absence of increased Ki67 (p = 0.004, 0.005, and 0.007). Luminal A sub-type patients showed significantly less distant metastases than the rest, including luminal B Her2− patients (p < 0.001). Also, luminal B patients showed significantly less distant metastases than pure Her2 (0.05) and triple negative (TN) (p < 0.001). There were no differences between pure Her2 and TN patients (0.055), neither among the different luminal B sub-types. Conclusion. GH3, PR, and Ki67 may all be discriminatory factors for metastasis and specific mortality. Therefore, we suggest including GH3 in the luminal B subtype in the absence of Ki67 (AU)

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Differential patterns of recurrence and specific survival between luminal A and luminal B breast cancer according to recent changes in the 2013 St Gallen immunohistochemical classification.

INTRODUCTION: In 2011, the St Gallen panel introduced several changes in breast cancer classification, thereby creating the luminal B Her2- subtype. In 2013, the panel also included Ki67 overexpression and PR <20 % as risk factors, while excluding GH3 in the absence of increased Ki67. We compared the classification of 2011 modified with the new 2013 St Gallen classification. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Consecutive breast cancer patients referred to the Breast Unit of the University Hospital Mútua Terrassa and Hospital of Terrassa for surgical treatment of either primary or recurrent tumors were prospectively included between 1997 and 2014. Eventually, 1,874 cases were included for the four-subtype analysis. The median follow-up was of 66 months. RESULTS: Using the 2013 St Gallen classification no significant differences were found in specific mortality rates between luminal A and B subtypes. There were significant differences at 5, 10, and, 15 years if we excluded luminal A GH3 patients in the absence of increased Ki67 (p = 0.004, 0.005, and 0.007). Luminal A sub-type patients showed significantly less distant metastases than the rest, including luminal B Her2- patients (p < 0.001). Also, luminal B patients showed significantly less distant metastases than pure Her2 (0.05) and triple negative (TN) (p < 0.001). There were no differences between pure Her2 and TN patients (0.055), neither among the different luminal B sub-types. CONCLUSION: GH3, PR, and Ki67 may all be discriminatory factors for metastasis and specific mortality. Therefore, we suggest including GH3 in the luminal B subtype in the absence of Ki67.

A study comparing two consecutive historical periods in breast cancer with a focus on surgical treatment, loco-regional recurrence, distant metastases and mortality.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent introduction of breast units, mass-screening programmes (SP) and sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has impacted on the clinical care of breast cancer patients (BC), resulting in a significant increase of breast-conserving surgery with the goal of achieving completely free margins and good cosmetic outcome, along with significantly less axillary morbidity. In order to ascertain the combined impact of SP and SNB on BC patients, we have reviewed the primary therapeutic approach of patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma in our centre, both before and after implementation of the two new procedures. METHODS: 1,942 patients operated for BC between 1997 and 2013 in two clinical centres. Two historical periods were considered: before and after the advent of the Breast Unit in our institutions and the concurrent implementation of SP and SNB (September 2002). RESULTS: Rates of breast-conserving surgery and re-operations improved in the second period. Intraoperative margin re-excision increased in the second period. Breast-conserving surgery decreased in parallel to stage: from 79 % for stage I to 31 % for stage III. The Cox analysis, including stage as adjusted for all significant variables, showed statistically significant differences in favour of the initial stages but only for specific mortality, not overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Combined implementation of breast units, SP, and SNB have resulted in a significant improvement of BC treatment leading to increased rates of breast-conserving surgery and decreased disease recurrence and mortality.

Daily effects of air pollutants and pollen types on asthma and COPD hospital emergency visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena

Background: Associations found in time-series studies on hospital emergency room (ER) visits due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with single air pollutants show some lack of consistency. The respiratory effects of aeroallergens in the air pollution mix are not well established. Non-linear relationships of different airborne pollen types with certain respiratory diseases have also been described. We aim to study the short-term effects of major air pollutants and aeroallergen pollen on asthma and COPD hospital ER visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena during1995-1998. Methods: The association of asthma and COPD to ER visits with mean levels of sulphur and nitrogen dioxides (SO2 and NO2), total suspended particles (TSP), ozone (O3), and the main allergenic airborne pollen types were analysed using Poisson regression with Generalised Additive Models, taking into account delayed effects and adjusting for long-term trends, seasonality, weather conditions, holidays and flu notifications. Results: Multipollutant models showed a similar relative risk (RR) increase (in %), of around 5% in asthma and COPD ER visits per 10 microg/m3 SO2 increments. The risk of an ER visit for the sameNO2 increment was 2.6% for asthma and 3.3% for COPD. Visits to the ER due to asthma showed a positive increase with both Urticaceae and Poaceae levels, but did not substantially modify the previous percentages(AU)

Survival and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patient according to different tumour subtypes as determined by hormone receptor and Her2 immunohistochemistry. a single institution survey spanning 1998 to 2010.

As far as recent breast cancer molecular subtype classification is concerned, much work has dealt with clinical outcomes for triple negative and Her2 patients. Less is known about the course of patients in the remaining subtypes. Molecular classification based on immunohistochemistry is widely available and correlates well with genetic microarray assessment, but at a lower cost. The aim of our investigation was to correlate immunohistochemical subtypes of breast cancer with clinical characteristics and patient outcomes. Since 1998, 1167 patients operated for 1191 invasive breast tumours were included in our database. Patients were regularly followed up until March 2010. Disease-free survival, overall mortality, and breast cancer-specific mortality at 5 years were calculated for the cohort. 72% of tumours were ER+PR±HER2- group, 13% triple negative (ER-PR-HER2-), 10% ER+PR±HER2+ group, and 5% Her2 (ER-PR-HER2+). Cancer-specific survival was 94.2% for the ER+PR+HER2- subtype, 84.8% for the Her2 subtype, 83.3% for the ER+PR-HER2- subtype, and 78.6% for triple negatives. Distant metastases prevalence ranged from 7% to 22% across subtypes, increasing stepwise from ER+PR+HER2-, ER+PR+HER2+, ER+PR-HER2-, ER+PR-HER2+, ER-PR-HER2+ through triple negative. Small, low-grade tumours with low axillary burden were more likely to belong to the ER+PR±HER2- group. Conversely, larger high-grade tumours with significant axillary burden were more likely to belong to Her2 or triple negative groups. ER+PR±HER2- group patients with negative PR receptors performed more like Her2 or triple negative than like the rest of ER+PR±HER2± groups patients. Molecular classification of breast tumours based only on immunohistochemistry is quite useful on practical clinical grounds, as expected. ER+PR±HER2- group patients with negative PR receptors seem to be at high risk and deserve further consideration.

Daily effects of air pollutants and pollen types on asthma and COPD hospital emergency visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena.

BACKGROUND: Associations found in time-series studies on hospital emergency room (ER) visits due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with single air pollutants show some lack of consistency. The respiratory effects of aeroallergens in the air pollution mix are not well established. Non-linear relationships of different airborne pollen types with certain respiratory diseases have also been described. We aim to study the short-term effects of major air pollutants and aeroallergen pollen on asthma and COPD hospital ER visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena during 1995-1998. METHODS: The association of asthma and COPD to ER visits with mean levels of sulphur and nitrogen dioxides (SO(2) and NO(2)), total suspended particles (TSP), ozone (O(3)), and the main allergenic airborne pollen types were analysed using Poisson regression with Generalised Additive Models, taking into account delayed effects and adjusting for long-term trends, seasonality, weather conditions, holidays and flu notifications. RESULTS: Multipollutant models showed a similar relative risk (RR) increase (in %), of around 5% in asthma and COPD ER visits per 10 µg/m(3) SO(2) increments. The risk of an ER visit for the same NO(2) increment was 2.6% for asthma and 3.3% for COPD. Visits to the ER due to asthma showed a positive increase with both Urticaceae and Poaceae levels, but did not substantially modify the previous percentages. CONCLUSIONS: Air levels of SO(2) and NO(2) were associated with a substantial increased risk in ER visits due to asthma and COPD. The inclusion of Poaceae and Urticaceae pollen did not alter that association.

Use of axillary ultrasound, ultrasound-fine needle aspiration biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative triage of breast cancer patients considered for sentinel node biopsy.

We assessed the diagnostic yield of axillary ultrasound, alone or in combination with fine-needle aspiration axillary biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with invasive breast carcinoma compared with final axillary histology by sentinel node biopsy or by axillary lymph node dissection. From January 2003 to March 2009, 520 axillary ultrasound examinations and 105 axillary magnetic resonance imaging studies were included. Compared with final axillary histology, ultrasound fine-needle aspiration showed positive predictive value of 87%, negative predictive value of 82%, sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 100%. In cases of negative ultrasound, the rate of positive nodes was 17% (micro-metastases excluded). Ultrasound examination of the axilla, combined with fine-needle aspiration as appropriate must be included in the preoperative work-up of patients considered for sentinel node biopsy to definitively establish such an indication while minimizing the risk of false-negative sentinel node. Axillary magnetic resonance imaging did not improve the preoperative work-up.

Low-dose beta-lactam plus amikacin in febrile neutropenia: cefepime vs. piperacillin/tazobactam, a randomized trial.

Patients with fever and granulocytopenia are at risk of developing severe infection. We performed a prospective, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose cefepime plus amikacin (C-A) compared to low-dose piperacillin/tazobactam plus amikacin (PT-A). Patients received cefepime (2 g/12 h) plus amikacin (15 mg/kg/day) or piperacillin/tazobactam (4 g/500 mg/8 h) plus amikacin. A total of 317 episodes of febrile granulocytopenia in 190 patients were studied (152 in the C-A group, 165 in the PT-A group). A microbiologically documented infection was present in 53 (35%) episodes in the C-A group and 41 (25%) episodes in the PT-A group (p = ns); a clinically documented infection was observed in 39 (26%) and 47 (28%) episodes, respectively. Toxicity was observed in 6 (4%) episodes in the C-A group and in 5 (3%) episodes in the PT-A group. The antibiotic success rate (no change or addition of antibiotics) was recorded in 89 (59%) and 105 (64%) cases, respectively (p = ns). Mortality related to infection was similar in each arm (3.9% vs. 3.6%). Combination therapy of low-dose beta-lactam with an aminoglycoside achieves very good response rates and low rates of toxicity. It might be an attractive option in an environment of increasing resistance among gram-negative bacteria.

Impacto clínico de la PET con 18FDG en la selección de la terapia de los pacientes oncológicos / Clinical impact of PET-18FDG in selecting the therapy of oncologic patients

Objetivo: Determinar el impacto clínico de la PET en la actitud terapéutica de los pacientes oncológicos.Material y métodos: Hemos incluido en este trabajo los cien primeros estudios oncológicosconsecutivos de PET con 18FDG de cuerpo completo (75 varones/22 mujeres, edad media de 67 años)procedentes de un mismo hospital público de nuestra comunidad. El impacto de la PET se calculó mediantelos resultados de una encuesta enviada a cada uno de los médicos solicitantes de la prueba. Estecuestionario se diseñó fundamentalmente para valorar el tipo de cambio de tratamiento (intramodalidad/intermodalidad) ocasionado tras los hallazgos de la PET.Resultados: Las tres neoplasias estudiadas más frecuentes fueron: carcinoma broncogénico(34%), neoplasia colo-rectal (24%) y nódulo pulmonar solitario (15%). La PET cambió la actitud terapéuticainicialmente prevista en 53 (55%) de los 97 casos evaluados (tipo intramodalidad en 5 e intermodalidaden 48). Diecisiete pacientes (17.5%) candidatos a cirugía curativa fueron finalmente tratadoscon un tratamiento sistémico de quimioterapia con o sin radioterapia. Los médicos encuestadosconsideraron que la PET constituía una herramienta diagnóstica útil en el 69% de los casos y que evitabamaniobras diagnósticas agresivas en 56%.Conclusión: En nuestra serie de pacientes, la PET con FDG ha sido una herramienta diagnósticade gran utilidad. Mejora la estadificación inicial de las neoplasias, en especial del carcinoma broncogénicoy estadifica de forma más precisa la recidiva tumoral de diferentes tipos de tumores, especialmentede la neoplasia colo-rectal. De este modo, la PET ayuda a seleccionar el tratamiento óptimo encada caso, evitando cirugías innecesarias

Purpose: To determine the impact of (F18)2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emissiontomography (PET-18FDG) in cancer patients.Materials and methods: A standardized questionnaire of one hundred consecutive PET-18FDGoncologic studies (72 men and 22 women, with a median age of 67 years) was sent to all involvedreferring physicians. The questionnaire was designed to determine how the results of the PET-18FDGimaging changed the patients management. The changes were categorized as intramodality andintermodality.Results: The three leading causes of referral were lung cancer (34%), colorectal cancer (24%) andsolitary lung nodules (15%). PET changed patients management in 53 out of 97 evaluated cases (55%)(intramodality management in 5 and intermodality management in 48). Curative surgery was changedto chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in 17 patients (17.5%). PET had some decision-making value in69% patients and avoided unnecessary aggressive diagnostic procedures in 56%.Conclusions: PET has shown to be a useful diagnostic tool in the oncological setting. Itimproves the initial staging of neoplasms, especially of patients with lung cancer, and characterizesthe tumour recurrence, particularly in colorectal neoplasms. PET selects the most appropriatetreatment in each case, avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions

The EMECAM project: a multicentre study on air pollution and mortality in Spain: combined results for particulates and for sulfur dioxide.

OBJECTIVE: The EMECAM study is a collaborative effort to evaluate the impact of air pollution on mortality in Spain. In this paper the combined results are presented for the short term effects of particulates and sulfur dioxide on both daily mortality for all and for specific causes. METHODS: The relation between daily mortality for all causes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases, and air pollution for particulates (daily concentrations) and SO(2) (24 and 1 hour concentrations) was assessed in 13 Spanish cities for the period 1990-6. With a standardised method, magnitude of association in each city was estimated by Poisson regression in a generalised additive model. Local estimates were obtained from both single and two pollutant analyses. Lastly, combined estimates for each cause and pollutant were obtained. RESULTS: For combined results, in single pollutant models a 10 microg/m(3) increase in the concentration of the mean of the concurrent and one day lag for black smoke was associated with a 0.8% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.4 to 1.1%) increase in total mortality. The estimates for total suspended particles (TSPs) and particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter <10 microm (PM(10)) and total mortality were slightly lower. The same increase in concentrations of SO(2) was associated with a 0.5% increase in daily deaths. For groups of specific causes, higher estimations were found, specially for respiratory conditions. Peak concentrations of SO(2) showed significant associations with the three groups of mortality. When two pollutant analyses were performed, estimates for particulates, specially for black smoke, did not substantially change. The estimates for daily concentrations of SO(2) were greatly reduced, but, on the contrary, the association with peak concentrations of SO(2) did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between mortality and pollution through particulates among city populations in Spain. Peak rather than daily concentrations of SO(2) were related to mortality. Results suggest that populations in Spanish cities are exposed to health risks derived from air pollution.

[Usefulness of the statistical bulletin of deaths to identify extrahospital deaths in the context of a myocardial infarction population registry]. / Utilidad del boletín estadístico de defunción para la identificación de muertes extrahospitalarias en un registro poblacional de infartos agudos de miocardio.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: This paper aimed to study the usefulness of the Statistical Bulletin of Deaths (SBD) for identifying extrahospital deaths due to acute coronary ischaemia, and to determine the most efficient strategy in the selection of death causes that appear in the SBD, which are the most efficient for the identification. METHODS: Those extrahospital deaths, which, among the causes of death, recorded a diagnostic code indicating that they might have been caused by coronary ischaemia, were included. To study the usefulness of the death certificate we calculated the sensitivity and the positive predictive value of cardiac ischaemia. To determine the most efficient strategy for selecting causes of death we compared two selection strategies: the first, using only the basic cause of death; and the second using all the causes appearing in the SBD. RESULTS: Of the 395 SBD selected, 161 were classed as acute heart attacks. In those SBD in which cardiac ischaemic disease was given as the basic cause of death, we obtained a sensitivity of 82.6% (CI 95%: 75.9-88.1) and a positive predictive value of 72.7% (CI 95%: 65.6-79). The most efficient strategy in SBD selection proved to be the investigation of death certificates in which cardiac ischaemia appeared as one of all the causes of death, and death certificates in which the basic cause of death was coded as diabetes mellitus, essential arterial hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, cardiac dysrhythmia, and cardiac insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The information provided by death certificates for extrahospital deaths due to coronary ischaemia is reliable. A sensitive and efficient SBD selection strategy is proposed for the detection of cases.