Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February 2020, who had been discharged or died up to 29th April 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) y cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335 UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345 IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345 IU/L and age≥65 years, are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts.

Comorbilidad y factores pronósticos al ingreso en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general / Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital

Antecedentes y objetivo Describir el perfil clínico, la comorbilidad y los factores pronósticos de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general. Material y métodos Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados desde el 26 de febrero, y dados de alta o fallecidos hasta el 29 de abril de 2020; estudio descriptivo y análisis de factores asociados a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados De los pacientes ingresados (N=101), se analizaron 96: 79 (82%) dados de alta por curación y 17 (18%) fallecidos. En 92 casos (92,5%) se confirmó COVID-19 por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa a SARS-CoV-2. La edad media fue de 63 años, y el 66% eran varones. La comorbilidad previa más frecuente fue hipertensión arterial (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) y cardiopatía (14%). Los pacientes que fallecieron tenían significativamente más edad (media 77 vs. 60 años), hipertensión arterial (71% vs. 33%), cardiopatía previa (47% vs. 6%), y niveles más elevados de lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) (662 vs. 335UI/L) y proteína C reactiva (PCR) (193 vs. 121mg/L) al ingreso. En el análisis multivariante, se asociaron significativamente a mayor riesgo de muerte la presencia de cardiopatía (IC 95% OR 2,58-67,07), los niveles de LDH≥345UI/L (IC 95% OR 1,52-46,00), y la edad≥65 años (IC 95% OR 1,23-44,62). Conclusiones El antecedente de cardiopatía, los niveles de LDH≥345UI/L al ingreso y una edad≥65 años se asocian a una mayor mortalidad durante el ingreso por COVID-19. Hay que validar este modelo pronóstico en cohortes prospectivas (AU)

Antecedents and objective To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. Material and methods Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February, who had been discharged or died, up to 29th April, 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. Results Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) and cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). Conclusions The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345IU/L and age ≥65 years are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts (AU)

The value of telephone consultations during COVID-19 pandemic. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Many Spanish hospitals converted scheduled in-person visits to telephone visits during the COVID-19 lockdown. There is scarce information about the performance of those visits. AIM: To compare telephone visits during the COVID-19 lockdown period with previous in-person visits. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. METHODS: Telephone visits from 15 March to 31 May 2020 were compared with in-person visits during the same period in 2019. MAIN MEASURES: The proportions of both groups were compared in term of failure to contact patient, requested diagnostic tests/referrals, discharges, admissions and emergency visits within 30-60 days. A sample of patients, and all participating physicians completed surveys. Z-score test was used (statistical significance P<0.05). RESULTS: A total of 5602 telephone visits were conducted. In comparison to in-person visits, telephone visits showed higher rates of visit compliance (95.9% vs. 85.2%, P<0.001) and discharges (22.12% vs. 11.82%; P<0.001), and lower number of ancillary tests and referrals. During the 30- and 60-day periods following the telephone visit, a reduction of 52% and 47% in the combined number of emergency department visits and hospital admissions was observed compared to in-person visits (P<0.01). Of the 120 patients surveyed, 95% were satisfied/very satisfied with the telephone visits. Of the 26 physicians, 84.6% considered telephone visits were useful to prioritize patients. CONCLUSIONS: During health emergencies, previously scheduled outpatient in-person visits can be converted to telephone visits, reducing absenteeism, increasing the rate of discharges and reducing ancillary tests and referrals without increasing the rate of hospital admissions or emergency department visits.

Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital. / Comorbilidad y factores pronósticos al ingreso en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February, who had been discharged or died, up to 29th April, 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) and cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345IU/L and age ≥65 years are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts.

Comorbilidad y factores pronósticos al ingreso en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general / Comorbidity and prognostic factors on admission in a COVID-19 cohort of a general hospital

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: Describir el perfil clínico, la comorbilidad y los factores pronósticos de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en una cohorte COVID-19 de un hospital general. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados desde el 26 de febrero, y dados de alta o fallecidos hasta el 29 de abril de 2020; estudio descriptivo y análisis de factores asociados a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. RESULTADOS: De los pacientes ingresados (N=101), se analizaron 96: 79 (82%) dados de alta por curación y 17 (18%) fallecidos. En 92 casos (92,5%) se confirmó COVID-19 por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa a SARS-CoV-2. La edad media fue de 63 años, y el 66% eran varones. La comorbilidad previa más frecuente fue hipertensión arterial (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) y cardiopatía (14%). Los pacientes que fallecieron tenían significativamente más edad (media 77 vs. 60 años), hipertensión arterial (71% vs. 33%), cardiopatía previa (47% vs. 6%), y niveles más elevados de lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) (662 vs. 335UI/L) y proteína C reactiva (PCR) (193 vs. 121mg/L) al ingreso. En el análisis multivariante, se asociaron significativamente a mayor riesgo de muerte la presencia de cardiopatía (IC 95% OR 2,58-67,07), los niveles de LDH≥345UI/L (IC 95% OR 1,52-46,00), y la edad≥65 años (IC 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONES: El antecedente de cardiopatía, los niveles de LDH≥345UI/L al ingreso y una edad≥65 años se asocian a una mayor mortalidad durante el ingreso por COVID-19. Hay que validar este modelo pronóstico en cohortes prospectivas

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, comorbidity, and prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality in a cohort of COVID-19 admitted to a general hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted from 26th February, who had been discharged or died, up to 29th April, 2020. A descriptive study and an analysis of factors associated with intrahospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, 96 were analysed. Of these, 79 (82%) recovered and were discharged, and 17 (18%) died in the hospital. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 in 92 (92.5%). The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (40%), diabetes mellitus (16%) and cardiopathy (14%). Patients who died were older (mean 77 vs 60 years), had higher prevalence of hypertension (71% vs 33%), and cardiopathy (47% vs 6%), and higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive C protein (mean 662 vs 335UI/L, and 193 vs 121mg/L respectively) on admission. In a multivariant analysis the variables significantly associated to mortality were the presence of cardiopathy (CI 95% OR 2,58-67,07), levels of LDH≥345IU/L (CI 95% OR 1,52-46,00), and age≥65 years (CI 95% OR 1,23-44,62). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiopathy, levels of LDH≥345IU/L and age ≥65 years are associated with a higher risk of death during hospital stay for COVID-19. This model should be validated in prospective cohorts

Análisis de pacientes compartidos en consultas de medicina interna y otras especialidades médicas / Analysis of patients shared in consultations of internal medicine and other medical specialties

OBJETIVO: El envejecimiento poblacional hace que cada vez más pacientes presenten pluripatología y sean atendidos por diferentes especialidades. Estudiamos la evolución de consultas y del porcentaje de pacientes atendidos por varias especialidades médicas. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron las consultas de medicina interna (MI) y otras especialidades médicas en un hospital durante los años 1997, 2007 y 2017 en población general y mayores de 65 años. RESULTADOS: A lo largo de 20 años, la tasa de primeras consultas de MI por 1.000 habitantes aumentó en un 44% y la de otras especialidades médicas en un 137%. Los pacientes vistos en más de una especialidad pasaron del 13,8% en 1997 al 32,6% en 2017 y alcanzaron el 45,5% en los mayores de 65 años. CONCLUSIONES: La atención a poblaciones con creciente comorbilidad tiene un alto impacto en los sistemas de salud e implica la necesidad de cambios organizativos para su asistencia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aging population is resulting in an increasing number of patients with multiple diseases that require treatment by various specialties. We examined the evolution of consultations and of the percentage of patients treated by several medical specialties. METHODS: We analysed internal medicine (IM) consultations and those of other medical specialties in a hospital during 1997, 2007 and 2017 for the general population and for those older than 65 years. RESULTS: Over the course of 20 years, the rate of first IM consultations per 1000 inhabitants increased 44%, and that of other medical specialties increased 137%. The percentage of patients seen by more than one specialty went from 13.8% in 1997 to 32.6% in 2017 and reached 45.5% for those older than 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The care for populations with growing comorbidity has a major impact on health systems and requires organisational changes for their care

Validation of the PROFUND index to predict early post-hospital discharge mortality.

BACKGROUND: The PROFUND index (PI) is a prognostic scale for polypathological patients at 12 months. The objective of the study was to validate the PI as a predictor of 1-year mortality in a current cohort of polypathological patients and analyse its prognostic usefulness in the short-term (1 month and 3 months) after discharge from Internal Medicine. DESIGN: We conducted a prospective observational study and all polypathological patients discharged from an Internal Medicine Department between 01 March 2016 and 28 February 2017 were enrolled. METHODS: The variables recorded for each patient were age, sex, diseases and diagnostic categories defining patients as polypathological patients, PI at discharge, number of hospital admissions, length of stay, vital status at 1 year, and date and place of death if applicable. Follow-up lasted 1 year from the time of enrolment. RESULTS: Six hundred and ten polypathological patients were enrolled. Mortality was 41% and the patients who died were older, their length of stay was longer and their PI was higher compared with those who survived. The discrimination of the PI for predicting mortality was good, with a C-statistic of 0.718 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.76]. In addition, a subgroup of patients with early mortality after discharge was identified, with a C-statistic of 0.74 (95% CI 0.67-0.80) at 30 days and 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.78) at 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: The PI is a valid tool for predicting early and 1-year mortality in polypathological patients after discharge from Internal Medicine.

Analysis of patients shared in consultations of internal medicine and other medical specialties. / Análisis de pacientes compartidos en consultas de medicina interna y otras especialidades médicas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aging population is resulting in an increasing number of patients with multiple diseases that require treatment by various specialties. We examined the evolution of consultations and of the percentage of patients treated by several medical specialties. METHODS: We analysed internal medicine (IM) consultations and those of other medical specialties in a hospital during 1997, 2007 and 2017 for the general population and for those older than 65 years. RESULTS: Over the course of 20 years, the rate of first IM consultations per 1000 inhabitants increased 44%, and that of other medical specialties increased 137%. The percentage of patients seen by more than one specialty went from 13.8% in 1997 to 32.6% in 2017 and reached 45.5% for those older than 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The care for populations with growing comorbidity has a major impact on health systems and requires organisational changes for their care.

[Priority of prescribed medication in patients with heart failure in an Internal Medicine Department]. / Prioridad de las prescripciones farmacéuticas a pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca en un Servicio de Medicina Interna.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prescriptions provided to elderly patients with comorbidity on hospital discharge are usually complex. This study has aimed to know what proportion of drugs is considered essential by the prescribing doctors and the existing agreement on this qualification. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: general acute care hospital. STUDY SUBJECTS: random sample of 60 hospital discharges in patients hospitalized due to heart failure between 2004 to 2006 with 540 prescribed drugs. INTERVENTIONS: independent review by two internal medicine specialists and qualification of each of prescribed drugs as essential, advisable or not indicated. Calculation of the proportion of prescriptions according to priority, global and by therapeutic groups, and of the agreement between reviewers. RESULTS: An average of 9 drugs (statistical deviation [SD] 2.4) and 13.5 daily takings (SD 4.6) by patient were prescribed on hospital discharge. The reviewers considered 68.4% of the prescriptions essential (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.5-71.2), advisable 25% (95% CI, 22.4-27.6) and not indicated 6.6% (95% CI, 5.1-8.1). An inverse relation between number of prescribed drugs and their proportion considered as essential was observed. Global agreement between reviewers in the classification of priority was relatively low: weighed Kappa 0.27 (95% CI, 0.19-0.36). More than 90% of the prescriptions were considered as essential in only 6 of the 15 therapeutic groups prescribed most, and good agreements in the qualification of their priority was only reached in 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of the prescribed medication on hospital discharge in patients with heart failure was not considered essential. Agreement reached between the reviewers in this qualification was low.

Presentación simultánea de actinomicosis y carcinoma faríngeo metastásico / Coincidental occurrence of actinomycosis and metastatic oropharinx cancer

Si bien es frecuente que la actinomicosis se manifieste clínicamente como un cuadro seudotumoral, la presentación sincrónica de actinomicosis y cáncer es excepcional. La actinomicosis puede aparecer como una infección oportunista que complica el tratamiento antineoplásico, o bien el cáncer puede actuar como factor etiopatogénico favorecedor de la actinomicosis. Describimos un paciente con cáncer orofaríngeo avanzado (T4 N1 M0) que en el momento del diagnóstico presentaba una infección actinomicótica asociada. Lo excepcional de la asociación y la importancia de su detección precoz creemos justifican la comunicación del caso (AU)

[Simultaneous presentation of actinomycosis and metastatic pharyngeal carcinoma]. / Presentación simultánea de actinomicosis y carcinoma faríngeo metastásico.

Although actinomycosis frequently presents as a pseudotumoral syndrome, the simultaneous diagnosis of actinomycosis and cancer is exceptional. Actinomycosis can occur as an opportunistic infection secondary to the antineoplastic treatment and even the cancer itself can act as facilitating factor. We report a patient who was diagnosed simultaneously of advanced oropharinx cancer (T4-N1-M0) and actinomycosis associated to the tumoral mass. This exceptional association and the importance of its early diagnosis justify the communication of the case.

[Massive tumorous pulmonary embolism in hepatocarcinoma]. / Embolismo pulmonar masivo tumoral por hepatocarcinoma.

Tumoral pulmonary embolism is among the causes of acute dyspnea in patients with neoplasia. This phenomenon, different to thrombotic embolism, occurs frequently in patients with lung, gastrointestinal, liver, breast and uterus neoplasia. It is usually asymptomatic and usually constitutes an autopsy finding in these patients. More rarely it manifests as a cor pulmonale which evolves subacutely. Exceptionally large tumoral emboli spread from a primary tumoral mass, and obstruct main pulmonary arterial vessels, causing a clinical picture indistinguishable from massive pulmonary thromboembolism. We present case of massive tumoral pulmonary embolism by an hepatocarcinoma. In spite of an early thrombolytic treatment the patient died from acute pulmonary hypertension.

[The clinical and evolutional characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in patients with HIV infection]. / Características clínicas y evolutivas de la leishmaniasis visceral en pacientes con infección por VIH.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features, yield of the diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic response of HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and compare the initial episodes to the relapses. METHODS: Forty-one episodes of leishmaniasis visceral, diagnosed in 31 HIV-positive patients between 1st February 1992 and 31st January 1996 were reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of VL in HIV-positive patients in our center was 4.2%. Fifty-eight percent of the patients had AIDS prior to the diagnosis of VL. Fever was more frequent in the initial episodes than in the relapses (90.3% versus 60%; p < 0.05; OR: 6.2; IC 95%: 0.8-51.5), splenomegaly was more frequent in the relapses (100% versus 71%; p = 0.05). The diagnostic delay was longer in the initial episodes (27.2 +/- 22.7 versus 5 +/- 4.8 days; p < 0.05). The diagnostic yield of bone marrow biopsy was 82.1%, of liver biopsy 72.7% and of splenic fine-needle aspiration 87.5%. The indirect immunofluorescence test for Leishmania antibodies was positive in 5.9% of cases. Therapeutic failure occurred in 47.6% of patients treated with antimonials and 3.3% of patients treated with amphotericin B. Those patients who received secondary prophylaxis had less relapses than those who did not (17.6% versus 66.7%; p < 0.05; OR: 0.11; IC 95%: 0.01-1.28). Of the 31 patients, twenty-six (83.8%) died, and in none of them was the cause of the death directly related to LV. CONCLUSION: HIV-associated VL manifests clinically in a similar fashion to the immunocompetent's disease. It appears in advanced immunosuppression phases, behaving like other AIDS-defining illnesses. In spite of a good therapeutic response the relapse rate is high.