Influencia de la historia de tabaquismo en la evolución de la hospitalización en pacientes COVID-19 positivos: datos del registro SEMI-COVID-19 / Influence of smoking history on the evolution of hospitalized in COVID-19 positive patients: results from the SEMI-COVID-19 registry

Introducción: El tabaquismo puede tener un papel importante en la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y en el curso de la enfermedad. Los estudios previos muestran resultados contradictorios o no concluyentes sobre la prevalencia de fumar y la severidad en la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19).Material y métodosEstudio de cohortes observacional, multicéntrico y retrospectivo de 14.260 pacientes que ingresaron por COVID-19 en hospitales españoles desde febrero hasta septiembre de 2020. Se registraron sus características clínicas y se clasificaron en el grupo con tabaquismo si tabaquismo activo o previo, o en el grupo sin tabaquismo si nunca habían fumado. Se realizó un seguimiento hasta un mes después del alta. Se analizaron las diferencias entre grupos. La relación entre tabaquismo y mortalidad intrahospitalaria se valoró mediante una regresión logística multivariante y curvas de Kapplan Meier.ResultadosLa mediana de edad fue 68,6 (55,8-79,1) años, con un 57,7% de varones. El grupo con tabaquismo presentó mayor edad (69,9 [59,6-78,0 años]), predominio masculino (80,3%) y mayor índice de Charlson (4 [2-6]). La evolución fue peor en estos pacientes, con una mayor tasa de ingreso en UCI (10,4 vs. 8,1%), mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria (22,5 vs. 16,4%) y reingreso al mes (5,8 vs. 4,0%) que el grupo sin tabaquismo. Tras el análisis multivariante, el tabaquismo permanecía asociado a estos eventos.ConclusionesEl tabaquismo de forma activa o pasada es un factor predictor independiente de mal pronóstico en los pacientes con COVID-19, estando asociado a mayor probabilidad de ingreso en UCI y a mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria. (AU)

Introduction: Smoking can play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and in the course of the disease. Previous studies have conflicting or inconclusive results on the prevalence of smoking and the severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).MethodsObservational, multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 14,260 patients admitted for COVID-19 in Spanish hospitals between February and September 2020. Their clinical characteristics were recorded and the patients were classified into a smoking group (active or former smokers) or a non-smoking group (never smokers). The patients were followed up to one month after discharge. Differences between groups were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression and Kapplan Meier curves analyzed the relationship between smoking and in-hospital mortality.ResultsThe median age was 68.6 (55.8-79.1) years, with 57.7% of males. Smoking patients were older (69.9 [59.6-78.0 years]), more frequently male (80.3%) and with higher Charlson index (4 [2-6]) than non-smoking patients. Smoking patients presented a worse evolution, with a higher rate of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (10.4 vs 8.1%), higher in-hospital mortality (22.5 vs. 16.4%) and readmission at one month (5.8 vs. 4.0%) than in non-smoking patients. After multivariate analysis, smoking remained associated with these events.ConclusionsActive or past smoking is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. It is associated with higher ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality. (AU)

Influence of smoking history on the evolution of hospitalized in COVID-19 positive patients: Results from the SEMI-COVID-19 registry.

Introduction: Smoking can play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and in the course of the disease. Previous studies have conflicting or inconclusive results on the prevalence of smoking and the severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: Observational, multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 14,260 patients admitted for COVID-19 in Spanish hospitals between February and September 2020. Their clinical characteristics were recorded and the patients were classified into a smoking group (active or former smokers) or a non-smoking group (never smokers). The patients were followed up to one month after discharge. Differences between groups were analysed. A multivariate logistic regression and Kapplan Meier curves analysed the relationship between smoking and in-hospital mortality. Results: The median age was 68.6 (55.8-79.1) years, with 57.7% of males. Smoking patients were older (69.9 (59.6-78.0 years)), more frequently male (80.3%) and with higher Charlson index (4 (2-6)) than non-smoking patients. Smoking patients presented a worse evolution, with a higher rate of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (10.4 vs. 8.1%), higher in-hospital mortality (22.5 vs. 16.4%) and readmission at one month (5.8 vs. 4.0%) than in non-smoking patients. After multivariate analysis, smoking remained associated with these events. Conclusions: Active or past smoking is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. It is associated with higher ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality.

Introducción: El tabaquismo puede tener un papel importante en la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y en el curso de la enfermedad. Los estudios previos muestran resultados contradictorios o no concluyentes sobre la prevalencia de fumar y la severidad en la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19). Material y métodos: Estudio de cohortes observacional, multicéntrico y retrospectivo de 14.260 pacientes que ingresaron por COVID-19 en hospitales españoles desde febrero a septiembre de 2020. Se registraron sus características clínicas y se clasificaron en el grupo con tabaquismo si tabaquismo activo o previo o en el grupo sin tabaquismo si nunca habían fumado. Se realizó un seguimiento hasta un mes después del alta. Se analizaron las diferencias entre grupos. La relación entre tabaquismo y mortalidad intrahospitalaria se valoró mediante una regresión logística multivariante y curvas de Kapplan Meier. Resultados: La mediana de edad fue 68,6 (55,8­79,1) años, con un 57,7% de varones. El grupo con tabaquismo presentó mayor edad (69,9 (59,6­78,0 años)), predominio masculino (80,3%) y mayor índice de Charlson (4 (2−6)). La evolución fue peor en estos pacientes, con una mayor tasa de ingreso en UCI (10,4 vs 8,1%), mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria (22,5 vs 16,4%) y reingreso al mes (5,8 vs 4,0%) que el grupo sin tabaquismo. Tras el análisis multivariante, el tabaquismo permanecía asociado a estos eventos. Conclusiones: El tabaquismo de forma activa o pasada es un factor predictor independiente de mal pronóstico en los pacientes con COVID-19, estando asociada a mayor probabilidad de ingreso en UCI y a mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria.

Influence of smoking history on the evolution of hospitalized in COVID-19 positive patients: results from the SEMI-COVID-19 registry. / Influencia de la historia de tabaquismo en la evolución de la hospitalización en pacientes COVID-19 positivos: datos del registro SEMI-COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking can play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and in the course of the disease. Previous studies have conflicting or inconclusive results on the prevalence of smoking and the severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). METHODS: Observational, multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 14,260 patients admitted for COVID-19 in Spanish hospitals between February and September 2020. Their clinical characteristics were recorded and the patients were classified into a smoking group (active or former smokers) or a non-smoking group (never smokers). The patients were followed up to one month after discharge. Differences between groups were analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression and Kapplan Meier curves analyzed the relationship between smoking and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The median age was 68.6 (55.8-79.1) years, with 57.7% of males. Smoking patients were older (69.9 [59.6-78.0 years]), more frequently male (80.3%) and with higher Charlson index (4 [2-6]) than non-smoking patients. Smoking patients presented a worse evolution, with a higher rate of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (10.4 vs 8.1%), higher in-hospital mortality (22.5 vs. 16.4%) and readmission at one month (5.8 vs. 4.0%) than in non-smoking patients. After multivariate analysis, smoking remained associated with these events. CONCLUSIONS: Active or past smoking is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. It is associated with higher ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality.

COVID-19 en imagen tomográfica por energía dual

RESUMEN En diciembre de 2019 se informaron casos de una neumonía grave en la ciudad de Wuhan, China. En enero de 2020 fue identificado el nuevo virus, SARS-CoV-2, que producía esta enfermedad altamente contagiosa denominada COVID-19, y alcanzó nivel de epidemia en marzo de ese propio año. Existe un protocolo establecido para su diagnóstico, donde se encuentran los estudios de imagen, entre ellas la tomografía de tórax con técnica de energía dual. Las características de los hallazgos anatómicos pulmonares y vasculares en las imágenes tomográficas de pacientes con COVID-19, su distribución, y la relación con el tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de los síntomas, juegan un papel importante en el control y tratamiento de esta enfermedad, lo que refleja el valor diagnóstico de esta técnica.

ABSTRACT In December 2019 some cases of a severe pneumonia were reported in the city of Wuhan, China. In January 2020, the new virus, SARS-CoV-2, which produced this highly contagious disease called COVID-19, was identified and it reached epidemic level in March 2020. There is an established protocol for its diagnosis, which includes imaging studies, including chest dual energy computed tomography. The characteristics of pulmonary and vascular anatomical findings in tomographic images of patients with COVID-19, their distribution, and their relationship with the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms, play an important role in the control and treatment of this disease, reflecting the diagnostic value of this technique.

Mortalidad por hipertensión arterial en personas mayores cubanas: Estudio de causas múltiples en 582494 casos

RESUMEN Introducción: La hipertensión arterial (HTA) constituye un problema de salud. Mediante la codificación de causas múltiples se puede estimar su papel como causa de muerte. Objetivos: Definir la ganancia cuantitativa de la HTA para determinar su aporte relativo real como causa de muerte en las personas mayores en Cuba, cuando se compara por la metodología de causas múltiples con la causa básica. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de las 582 494 defunciones ocurridas en Cuba entre 2013 y 2019. Se evaluaron las Enfermedades Hipertensivas (I10-I15) como causa de defunción según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10) y la frecuencia con que la HTA era informada como causa básica o no básica, y el total de menciones (causas múltiples). Resultados: Casi nueve de cada diez personas que fallecen con y por HTA en Cuba tienen 60 años y más, y el riesgo de morir por y con esta enfermedad evidencia un ascenso en los siete años analizados en este grupo poblacional. El análisis por causas múltiples muestra un aumento pronunciado de los casos de HTA. La razón entre causas múltiples y causa básica estuvo alrededor de 4; pero hubo un leve incremento del número absoluto de certificados de defunción donde se consideró la HTA como causa básica de muerte. La mortalidad proporcional por hipertensión, mediante el análisis de causas no básicas, fue tres veces mayor que por el análisis de causas básicas (diferencia absoluta promedio de 8,4%). Las enfermedades cerebrovasculares y del corazón son las causas básicas donde, con mayor frecuencia, aparece la enfermedad hipertensiva como padecimiento asociado. Conclusiones: La HTA, es una enfermedad de relativamente baja frecuencia como causa básica de muerte en las personas mayores en Cuba, pero muy frecuente como causa concurrente, lo que demuestra la importancia de su prevención y control en este grupo poblacional.

ABSTRACT Introduction: High blood pressure (HBP) constitutes a health problem. Its role as a cause of death can be estimated by multiple-cause coding. Objectives: To define the quantitative gain of high blood pressure to determine its real relative contribution as a cause of death in the elderly in Cuba when compared by the multiple-cause methodology with the underlying cause of death. Methods: We conducted a descriptive observational study of 582 494 deaths in Cuba between 2013 and 2019. Hypertensive Diseases (I10-I15) were evaluated as a cause of death according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the frequency with which high blood pressure was reported as an underlying/contributory cause of death and the total number of times it was mentioned (multiple causes). Results: Almost nine out of every 10 persons who die with and due to high blood pressure in Cuba are 60 years of age and older, and the risk of dying with and due to this disease has increased in the seven years analyzed in this population group. The analysis by multiple causes shows a noticeable increase in the number of high blood pressure cases. The ratio between multiple causes and underlying cause of death was around 4; but there was a slight increase in the absolute number of death certificates where high blood pressure was considered the underlying cause of death. The proportional mortality due to high blood pressure, using the analysis of contributory causes, was three times higher than that of the analysis of underlying causes of death (average absolute difference of 8.4%). Cerebrovascular and heart disease are the underlying causes where hypertensive disease most frequently appears as an associated condition. Conclusions: High blood pressure is a disease of relatively low frequency as an underlying cause of death in the elderly in Cuba, but frequent as a concurrent or contributory cause, which demonstrates the importance of its prevention and control in this population group.

Utilidad de las técnicas de deformación miocárdica (strain) para evaluar cardiotoxicidad en pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas y tratamiento quimioterápico / Usefulness of myocardial strain techniques to assess cardiotoxicity in patients with oncologic diseases undergoing chemotherapy

RESUMEN Introducción: La evaluación de la función miocárdica es fundamental para la toma de decisiones durante el seguimiento de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas que reciben quimioterapia. Con las técnicas de speckle-tracking bidimensional se puede determinar el grado de deformación de la fibra miocárdica y obtener una medida más directa de la función sistólica que la que aporta la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI). Objetivo: Evaluar la función miocárdica, mediante ecocardiografía, en pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas y tratamiento quimioterápico. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo en 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad oncoproliferativa e indicación de quimioterapia con trastuzumab, en el Hospital de Fuerteventura (España), entre enero de 2017 y mayo de 2020. A todos se les realizó ecocardiograma transtorácico con técnica de speckle-tracking (strain longitudinal global) antes del tratamiento y durante el seguimiento. Resultados: Predominaron las mujeres (95,2%) con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama (90,5%) y la edad promedio fue de 53,8 años (rango 38-75). La FEVI y el strain longitudinal global fueron normales (100%) antes del inicio de la quimioterapia. Fue necesario suspender el tratamiento en 3 pacientes (14,3%); pero solo en 2 de ellos (9,5%) por cardiotoxicidad detectada por ecocardiografía. Cinco pacientes (23,8%) presentaron síntomas de insuficiencia cardíaca, 1 (4,8%) tenía cardiotoxicidad y en los otros 4 (19,0%) se demostró ausencia de disfunción miocárdica, por lo que se pudo continuar el tratamiento con seguridad. Conclusiones: El ecocardiograma con técnica de speckle-tracking bidimensional fue de vital importancia para evaluar la función miocárdica y guiar el tratamiento quimioterápico en pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Assessment of myocardial function is critical for decision making during the follow-up of patients with oncologic diseases undergoing chemotherapy. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking techniques help to determine the degree of myocardial fiber deformation and provide a more direct measure of systolic function than left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Objective: To evaluate myocardial function by means of echocardiography in patients with oncological diseases undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A prospective longitudinal descriptive study was performed in 21 patients diagnosed with cancer and with indication for chemotherapy with trastuzumab, in the Hospital of Fuerteventura (Spain), between January 2017 and May 2020. All underwent transthoracic echocardiography with speckle-tracking technique (global longitudinal strain) before treatment and during follow-up. Results: Women (95.2%) with a diagnosis of breast cancer (90.5%) predominated and the mean age was 53.8 years (range 38-75). Left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain were normal (100%) before starting chemotherapy. It was necessary to suspend treatment in 3 patients (14.3%); but only in 2 of them (9.5%) due to cardiotoxicity detected by echocardiography. Five patients (23.8%) presented symptoms of heart failure, 1 (4.8%) had cardiotoxicity and in the other 4 (19.0%) the absence of myocardial dysfunction was demonstrated, so that treatment could be continued safely. Conclusions: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was of vital importance for assessing myocardial performance and guiding chemotherapy in patients with oncologic diseases.

Social Determinants of Health, the Family, and Children's Personal Hygiene: A Comparative Study.

Habits of personal hygiene are mostly acquired during childhood, and are, therefore, influenced by one's family. Poor hygiene habits are a risk factor for preventable disease and social rejection. Social Determinants of Health (SDH) consist of contextual factors, structural mechanisms, and the individual's socioeconomic position, which, via intermediary determinants, result in inequities of health and well-being. Dysfunctional family situations may, therefore, be generated by an unequal distribution of factors determining SDH. Little attention has been paid to the influence of the family on personal hygiene and the perception of social rejection in children. We designed a study to examine differences in personal hygiene and in the perception of social rejection between children in reception centers and children living in a family setting. A validated questionnaire on children's personal hygiene habits was completed by 51 children in reception centers and 454 children in normal families. Hygiene habits were more deficient among the children in reception centers than among the other children in all dimensions studied. Deficient hygiene habits were observed in the offspring of families affected by the main features of social inequality, who were more likely to perceive social rejection for this reason and less likely to consider their family as the greatest influence on their personal hygiene practices.

¿Doble arteria descendente anterior en Y o circulación colateral coronaria? / Y-shaped dual left anterior descending artery or coronary collateral circulation?

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Histología de la placa de ateroma en arterias coronarias de fallecidos después de una revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica / Histology of atherosclerotic plaque from coronary arteries of deceased patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Introducción y objetivos: La cardiopatía isquémica constituye un importante problema de salud. Las características de las placas de ateroma condicionan la evolución de los pacientes. El objetivo fue determinar el grado histológico de las lesiones ateroscleróticas de las coronarias en fallecidos tras una revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica e identificar las complicaciones de las placas graves. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, prospectivo, de 21 piezas anatómicas de fallecidos durante un período de 3 años. Las coronarias epicárdicas se seccionaron transversalmente cada 1cm y se seleccionaron los fragmentos impares y las regiones de la anastomosis con los injertos. Se incluyeron en parafina, se colorearon con hematoxilina-eosina y las láminas histológicas se describieron con un microscopio Olympus BHM. Resultados: Predominaron la edad mayor de 50 años (85,7%), el sexo masculino (81,0%) y el tabaquismo (66,7%). El infarto perioperatorio (38,1%) y el shock cardiogénico (33,3%) fueron las principales causas directas de muerte. La mayoría de los injertos fueron venosos (64,6%). Se detectaron 149 lesiones: 116 (77,8%) fueron placas graves y el 47,4% de ellas se localizaban en la descendente anterior. El 81,9% de las lesiones se localizaron en los segmentos arteriales proximales al injerto. Se identificaron 255 complicaciones histológicas en las placas graves; el 75,0% presentó calcificación. Los hipertensos tenían más placas con más complicaciones, pero no se encontró relación estadística significativa entre estas variables. Conclusiones: Predominaron las placas graves, localizadas mayoritariamente en los segmentos proximales de las coronarias, y la descendente anterior fue la más afectada. La calcificación fue la complicación más observada en las placas graves

Background and aim: Ischaemic heart disease is an important health problem. The characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques determine patient outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the histological grade of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in deceased patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and to identify the complications of the severe plaques. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out on 21 anatomical pieces of deceased patients over a period of 3 years. The epicardial coronary arteries were sectioned transversally every 1cm, and the odd numbered fragments and the regions of the anastomosis with the grafts were selected. They were embedded in paraffin, stained with haematoxylin-eosin, and the histological slides were studied using an Olympus BHM microscope. Results: An age over 50 years (85.7%), male gender (81.0%), and smoking (66.7%) predominated. Peri-operative infarction (38.1%) and cardiogenic shock (33.3%) were the main direct causes of death. The majority of the grafts were of venous origin (64.6%), and 149 lesions were detected, of which 116 (77.8%) were severe plaques, and 47.4% of them were located in the left anterior descending artery. The large majority (81.9%) of the lesions were located in the arterial segments proximal to the graft. A total of 255 histological complications were detected in the severe plaques, with 75.0% showing calcification. Hypertensive patients had more plaques with more complications, but no statistically significant association was found between these variables. Conclusions: Severe plaques predominated, mostly located in the proximal segments of the coronary arteries, and the left anterior descending was the most affected artery. Calcification was the most observed complication in the severe plaques