Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Markers in Colorectal Cancer.

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are known to play an important role in chronic diseases, including cancer, and specifically colorectal cancer (CRC). The main objective of this study was to explore the diagnostic potential of OS markers in patients with CRC, which may translate into an early diagnosis of the disease. To do this, we compared results with those in a group of healthy controls and assessed whether there were significant differences. In addition, we explored possible correlations with the presence of tumors and tumor stage, with anemia and with inflammatory markers used in clinical practice. The study included 80 patients with CRC and 60 healthy controls. The following OS markers were analyzed: catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in serum; and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and F2-isoprotanes in urine (F2-IsoPs). Tumor markers (CEA and CA 19.9), anemia markers (hemoglobin, hematocrit and medium corpuscular volume) and inflammatory markers (leukocytes, neutrophils, N/L index, platelets, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, CRP and IL-6) were also determined. Comparison of means between patients and controls revealed highly significant differences for all OS markers, with an increase in the prooxidant markers GSSG, GSSG/GSH ratio, 8-oxodG and F2-IsoPs, and a decrease in the antioxidant markers CAT and GSH. Tumor and inflammatory markers (except CRP) correlated positively with GSSG, GSSG/GSH ratio, 8-oxodG and F2-IsoPs, and negatively with CAT and GSH. In view of the results obtained, OS markers may constitute a useful tool for the early diagnosis of CRC patients.

Influence of Loading Conditions on the Mechanical Performance of Multifilament Coreless UHMWPE Sutures Used in Orthopaedic Surgery.

This work studies the influence of loading velocity and previous cyclic loading history on the stiffness and strength of a multifilament coreless ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) surgical suture. Thread samples (n = 8) were subjected to a load-to-failure test at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mm/s without previous loading history and after 10 cycles of loading at 1-10 N, 1-30 N, and 1-50 N. The experimental data were fitted to mathematical models to compute the stress-strain relation and the strength of the suture. The bilinear model involving two stress-strain ratios for low- and high-strain intervals was the best fit. The ratio in the low-strain range rose with loading speed, showing mean increases of 5.9%, 6.5%, 7.9%, and 7.3% between successive loading speeds. Without a previous loading history, this ratio was less than half than that at high strain. However, 10 cycles of 1-30 N or 1-50 N significantly increased the stress-strain ratio at a low strain level by 135% and 228%, respectively. The effect persisted after 2 min but vanished after 24 h. No influence was found on the suture strength. In conclusion, the stiffness of the studied suture was influenced by the strain level, loading velocity, and recent cyclic loading history. Conversely, the suture strength was not affected.

Phenotypic plasticity and evolution of thermal tolerance in bacteria from temperate and hot spring environments.

Phenotypic plasticity allows individuals to respond to the selective forces of a new environment, followed by adaptive evolution. We do not know to what extent phenotypic plasticity allows thermal tolerance evolution in bacteria at the border of their physiological limits. We analyzed growth and reaction norms to temperature of strains of two bacterial lineages, Bacillus cereus sensu lato and Bacillus subtilis sensu lato, that evolved in two contrasting environments, a temperate lagoon (T) and a hot spring (H). Our results showed that despite the co-occurrence of members of both lineages in the two contrasting environments, norms of reactions to temperature exhibited a similar pattern only in strains within the lineages, suggesting fixed phenotypic plasticity. Additionally, strains from the H environment showed only two to three degrees centigrade more heat tolerance than strains from the T environment. Their viability decreased at temperatures above their optimal for growth, particularly for the B. cereus lineage. However, sporulation occurred at all temperatures, consistent with the known cell population heterogeneity that allows the Bacillus to anticipate adversity. We suggest that these mesophilic strains survive in the hot-spring as spores and complete their life cycle of germination and growth during intermittent opportunities of moderate temperatures. The limited evolutionary changes towards an increase in heat tolerance in bacteria should alert us of the negative impact of climate change on all biological cycles in the planet, which at its most basic level depends on microorganisms.

Tocilizumab in refractory Caucasian Takayasu's arteritis: a multicenter study of 54 patients and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in Caucasian patients with refractory Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) in clinical practice. METHODS: A multicenter study of Caucasian patients with refractory TAK who received TCZ. The outcome variables were remission, glucocorticoid-sparing effect, improvement in imaging techniques, and adverse events. A comparative study between patients who received TCZ as monotherapy (TCZMONO) and combined with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) (TCZCOMBO) was performed. RESULTS: The study comprised 54 patients (46 women/8 men) with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 42.0 (32.5-50.5) years. TCZ was started after a median (IQR) of 12.0 (3.0-31.5) months since TAK diagnosis. Remission was achieved in 12/54 (22.2%), 19/49 (38.8%), 23/44 (52.3%), and 27/36 (75%) patients at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The prednisone dose was reduced from 30.0 mg/day (12.5-50.0) to 5.0 (0.0-5.6) mg/day at 12 months. An improvement in imaging findings was reported in 28 (73.7%) patients after a median (IQR) of 9.0 (6.0-14.0) months. Twenty-three (42.6%) patients were on TCZMONO and 31 (57.4%) on TCZCOMBO: MTX (n = 28), cyclosporine A (n = 2), azathioprine (n = 1). Patients on TCZCOMBO were younger [38.0 (27.0-46.0) versus 45.0 (38.0-57.0)] years; difference (diff) [95% confidence interval (CI) = -7.0 (-17.9, -0.56] with a trend to longer TAK duration [21.0 (6.0-38.0) versus 6.0 (1.0-23.0)] months; diff 95% CI = 15 (-8.9, 35.5), and higher c-reactive protein [2.4 (0.7-5.6) versus 1.3 (0.3-3.3)] mg/dl; diff 95% CI = 1.1 (-0.26, 2.99). Despite these differences, similar outcomes were observed in both groups (log rank p = 0.862). Relevant adverse events were reported in six (11.1%) patients, but only three developed severe events that required TCZ withdrawal. CONCLUSION: TCZ in monotherapy, or combined with cDMARDs, is effective and safe in patients with refractory TAK of Caucasian origin.

Anti-dsDNA Antibodies Increase the Cardiovascular Risk in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Promoting a Distinctive Immune and Vascular Activation.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated to boosted atherosclerosis development and a higher cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to delineate the role of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies on the molecular profile and the activity of immune and vascular cells, as well as on their enhanced cardiovascular risk. Approach and Results: Eighty SLE patients were included. Extensive clinical/analytical evaluation was performed, including cardiovascular disease parameters (endothelial function, proatherogenic dyslipidemia, and carotid intima-media thickness). Gene and protein expression profiles were evaluated in monocytes from patients diagnosed positive or negative for anti-dsDNA antibodies by using NanoString and cytokine arrays, respectively. NETosis and circulating inflammatory profile was assessed in both neutrophils and plasma. Positivity and persistence of anti-dsDNA antibodies in SLE patients were associated to endothelial dysfunction, proatherogenic dyslipidemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis. In parallel, anti-dsDNA antibodies were linked to the aberrant activation of innate immune cells, so that anti-dsDNA(+) SLE monocytes showed distinctive gene and protein expression/activity profiles, and neutrophils were more prone to suffer NETosis in comparison with anti-dsDNA(−) patients. Anti-dsDNA(+) patients further displayed altered levels of numerous circulating mediators related to inflammation, NETosis, and cardiovascular risk. In vitro, Ig-dsDNA promoted NETosis on neutrophils, apoptosis on monocytes, modulated the expression of inflammation and thrombosis-related molecules, and induced endothelial activation, at least partially, by FcR (Fc receptor)-binding mechanisms. Conclusions: Anti-dsDNA antibodies increase the cardiovascular risk of SLE patients by altering key molecular processes that drive a distinctive and coordinated immune and vascular activation, representing a potential tool in the management of this comorbidity.

Asistencia compartida con Medicina Interna en un Servicio de Cirugía Plástica. Valoración de su influencia en la calidad asistencial / Comanagement with Internal Medicine in a Plastic Surgery Service. Assessment of its influence on care quality

Introducción y objetivo: La edad y comorbilidad de los pacientes ingresados en Cirugía Plástica están aumentando, lo que a su vez incrementa las interconsultas a Medicina Interna que no alcanzan la efectividad requerida. Una alternativa es la asistencia compartida: responsabilidad y autoridad compartidas entre dos especialistas en el manejo de un paciente hospitalizado.Estudiamos el efecto de la asistencia compartida en Cirugía Plástica.Material y método.Estudio observacional retrospectivo de los pacientes ≥16 años ingresados desde el 17/10/2017 hasta el 31/12/2019 en el Servicio de Cirugía Plástica del Hospital Ramón y Cajal en Madrid, España, con asistencia compartida con Medicina Interna desde el 17/10/2018. Analizamos edad, sexo, tipo de ingreso, si fue operado, peso administrativo asociado a GRD, número total de diagnósticos al alta, índice de comorbilidad de Charlson, exitus, reingresos urgentes y estancia hospitalaria.Resultados.Los pacientes con asistencia compartida fueron de mayor edad (2.2 años, IC 95% 0.2 a 4.1), mayor Charlson (1.3; IC 95% 0.9 a 1.6), mayor número de diagnósticos (3.9; IC 95% 3.4 a 4.4) y mayor peso administrativo (0.17; IC 95% 0.08 a 0.27). Al ajustar, observamos que la asistencia compartida redujo un 24.1% la estancia en Cirugía Plástica, -1.3 días (IC 95% -2.6 a -0.1), el 60% los reingresos urgentes (OR 0,4; IC 95% 0.2 a 0.9) y el 30% la mortalidad, esta no significativa. El descenso de la estancia supuso una disminución de costes de, como mínimo, 489.731,11€.Conclusiones.Los enfermos ingresados en Cirugía Plástica están aumentando su edad y comorbilidad. La asistencia compartida, en la que un internista además del cirujano plástico atiende a los pacientes igual a como se hace en la planta de Medicina Interna, se asocia, en nuestra experiencia, a una disminución de la estancia, los reingresos urgentes y los costes, en línea con lo observado en otros servicios quirúrgicos. (AU)

Background and objective: The age and comorbidity of patients admitted to Plastic Surgery are increasing, leading to increased consultations/referrals to Internal Medicine which do not reach the required effectiveness. An alternative is comanagement: shared responsibility and authority between two specialists in the management of a hospitalized patient.We study the effect of comanagement on Plastic Surgery.Methods.Retrospective observational study of patients ≥16 years old admitted in Plastic Surgery 17/10/2017 and 31/12/2019, with comanagement with Internal Medicine since 17/10/2018. We analyze age, sex, type of admission, whether the patient was operated, administrative weight associated with DRG, total number of diagnoses at discharge, Charlson comorbidity index, deaths, urgent readmissions and length of stay.Results.Patients with comanagement were older (2.2 years, 95% CI 0.2 to 4.1), higher Charlson (1.3; 95% CI 0.9 to 1.6), higher number of diagnoses (3.9; 95% CI 3.4 to 4.4) and higher administrative weight (0.17; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.27). On adjustment, comanagement reduced Plastic Surgery length of stay by 24.1%, -1.3 days (95% CI -2.6 to -0.1), 60% urgent readmissions (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) and 30% mortality, not significant. The decrease in length of stay implies a Plastic Surgery savings of at least € 489.731,11.Conclusions.Patients admitted to Plastic Surgery are increasing in age and comorbidity. Comanagement in which an internist in addition to the plastic surgeon treats patients just as he does in the Internal Medicine ward, is associated, in our experience, with reduced length of stay and costs similar to those observed in other surgical services. (AU)

Characterization of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Atherothrombotic Risk by Unsupervised Integrated Transcriptomic Analyses.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to characterize distinctive clinical antiphospholipid syndrome phenotypes and identify novel microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA-intracellular signaling regulatory networks in monocytes linked to cardiovascular disease. Approach and Results: Microarray analysis in antiphospholipid syndrome monocytes revealed 547 differentially expressed genes, mainly involved in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and reproductive disorders. Besides, this approach identified several genes related to inflammatory, renal, and dermatologic diseases. Functional analyses further demonstrated phosphorylation of intracellular kinases related to thrombosis and immune-mediated chronic inflammation. miRNA profiling showed altered expression of 22 miRNAs, enriched in pathways related to immune functions, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune-associated pathologies. Unbiased integrated mRNA-miRNA analysis identified a signature of 9 miRNAs as potential modulators of 17 interconnected genes related to cardiovascular disease. The altered expression of that miRNA-mRNA signature was proven to be stable along time and distinctive of nonautoimmune thrombotic patients. Transfection studies and luciferase assays established the relationship between specific miRNAs and their identified target genes and proteins, along with their involvement in the regulation of monocytes procoagulant activity and cell adhesion. Correlation analyses showed relationship among altered miRNAs and their interconnected genes with aPL (antiphospholipid antibodies)-titers, along with microvascular endothelial dysfunction. In vitro studies demonstrated modulation in healthy monocytes by IgG-aPLs of several genes/miRNAs, which further intermediated downstream effects on endothelial function. The identified transcriptomic signature allowed the unsupervised division of three clusters of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome showing distinctive clinical profiles, mainly associated with their prothrombotic risk (thrombosis, autoantibody profile, cardiovascular risk factors, and atherosclerosis). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive molecular profiling of monocytes in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome might help to identify distinctive clinical phenotypes, thus enabling new patients' tailored treatments.

Resultados de la asistencia compartida con medicina interna en un servicio de cirugía oral y maxilofacial / Results of comanagement with internal medicine in oral and maxillofacial surgery department

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: La edad de los pacientes ingresados para tratamiento por los servicios de cirugía oral y maxilofacial (COMF) es progresivamente más alta, con la comorbilidad asociada que eso conlleva, y supone un incremento sustancial de las interconsultas a los servicios de medicina interna (MI), que no alcanzan la efectividad requerida. Una alternativa para mejorar la atención a los pacientes es la colaboración entre ambos servicios mediante la asistencia compartida (AC). El objetivo de este artículo es estudiar la repercusión y el efecto del empleo de la AC en los pacientes de COMF. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de los pacientes ≥ 16 años ingresados desde el 12 de marzo de 2017 hasta el 12 de marzo de 2019 en COMF, con AC con MI desde el 12 de marzo de 2018. Las variables analizadas son edad, sexo, tipo de ingreso, si fue intervenido quirúrgicamente, peso administrativo asociado a GRD, número total de diagnósticos al alta, índice de comorbilidad de Charlson (ICh), exitus, reingresos urgentes y estancia hospitalaria. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con AC fueron de menor edad (2,8 años, intervalo de confianza del 95 % [IC 95 %] 0,1 a 5,6), pero con mayor número de diagnósticos (0,8; IC 95 % 0,4 a 1,2) y una tendencia a mayor ICh (0,3; IC 95 % -0,1 a 0,6) y peso administrativo (0,04; IC 95 % -0,03 a 0,1). Al ajustar, observamos que la AC redujo el 22,7 % la estancia en CMF, 1 día (IC 95 % -1,8 a -0,3), el 40 % los reingresos urgentes y el 50 % la mortalidad, ambos no significativos. El descenso de la estancia supone una disminución de costes de, como mínimo, 231.816,7 €. CONCLUSIONES: La edad de los enfermos ingresados para tratamiento por los servicios de cirugía oral y maxilofacial es cada vez más alta, que se asocia con una mayor comorbilidad. El empleo de la asistencia compartida con medicina interna en el manejo de los pacientes ingresados en cirugía oral y maxilofacial se asocia a una disminución de la estancia y los costes, en línea con lo observado en otros servicios quirúrgicos

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The age of patients admitted for treatment by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) services is progressively higher, with the associated comorbidity that this entails, and supposes a substantial increase in referrals to the Internal Medicine (IM) services, which do not reach the required effectiveness. An alternative to improve patient care is collaboration between both services through shared care (SC). The objective of this article is to study the repercussion and effect of the use of shared care in Oral and Maxillofacial patients. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients aged ≥ 16 years admitted from 3/12/2017 to 3/12/2019 at OMFS, with SC with IM from 3/12/2018. The variables analyzed are age, sex, type of admission, whether the patient underwent surgery, administrative weight associated with DRG, total number of diagnoses at discharge, Charlson's comorbidity index (HCI), death, urgent readmissions and hospital stay. RESULTS: Patients with AC were younger (2.8 years, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI] 0.1 to 5.6), but with a greater number of diagnoses (0.8, 95 % CI 0.4 to 1.2) and a trend towards higher CIh (0.3; 95 % CI -0.1 to 0.6) and administrative weight (0.04; 95 % CI -0.03 to 0.1 ). When adjusting, we observed that CA reduced the stay in the CMF by 22.7 %, 1 day (CI 95 % -1.8 to -0.3), 40 % the urgent readmissions and 50 % the mortality, both not significant. The decrease in the stay implies a reduction in costs of, at least, € 231,816.7. CONCLUSIONS: The age of patients admitted for treatment by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery services is increasingly higher, which is associated with greater comorbidity. The use of shared care with Internal Medicine in the management of patients admitted to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is associated with a decrease in stay and costs, in line with what was observed in other surgical services

Early restoration of immune and vascular phenotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis patients after B cell depletion.

This translational multi-centre study explored early changes in serologic variables following B lymphocyte depletion by rituximab (RTX) treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and investigated in vitro effects on the activity of other immune cells and the vascular endothelium. Eighty-five SLE patients, seventy-five RA patients and ninety healthy donors were enrolled. Two additional cohorts of selected SLE and RA patients were treated with RTX for 3 months. Changes in circulating levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and NETosis-derived bioproducts were evaluated. Serum miRNomes were identified by next-generation sequencing, and RTX-induced changes were delineated. Mechanistic in vitro studies were performed to assess activity profiles. Altered inflammatory, oxidative and NETosis-derived biomolecules were found in SLE and RA patients, closely interconnected and associated to specific miRNA profiles. RTX treatment reduced SLE and RA patients' disease activity, linked to a prominent alteration in those biomolecules and the reversal of altered regulating miRNAs. In vitro studies showed inhibition of NETosis and decline of pro-inflammatory profiles of leucocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after B cell depletion. This study provides evidence supporting an early RTX-induced re-setting of the pro-inflammatory status in SLE and RA, involving a re-establishment of the homeostatic equilibrium in immune system and the vascular wall.

Molecular Characterization of Monocyte Subsets Reveals Specific and Distinctive Molecular Signatures Associated With Cardiovascular Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: This study, developed within the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking project PRECISESADS framework, aimed at functionally characterize the monocyte subsets in RA patients, and analyze their involvement in the increased CV risk associated with RA. Methods: The frequencies of monocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of 140 RA patients and 145 healthy donors (HDs) included in the PRECISESADS study were determined by flow cytometry. A second cohort of 50 RA patients and 30 HDs was included, of which CD14+ and CD16+ monocyte subpopulations were isolated using immuno-magnetic selection. Their transcriptomic profiles (mRNA and microRNA), proinflammatory patterns and activated pathways were evaluated and related to clinical features and CV risk. Mechanistic in vitro analyses were further performed. Results: CD14++CD16+ intermediate monocytes were extended in both cohorts of RA patients. Their increased frequency was associated with the positivity for autoantibodies, disease duration, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and the presence of atheroma plaques, as well as with the CV risk score. CD14+ and CD16+ monocyte subsets showed distinctive and specific mRNA and microRNA profiles, along with specific intracellular signaling activation, indicating different functionalities. Moreover, that specific molecular profiles were interrelated and associated to atherosclerosis development and increased CV risk in RA patients. In vitro, RA serum promoted differentiation of CD14+CD16- to CD14++CD16+ monocytes. Co-culture with RA-isolated monocyte subsets induced differential activation of endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our overall data suggest that the generation of inflammatory monocytes is associated to the autoimmune/inflammatory response that mediates RA. These monocyte subsets, -which display specific and distinctive molecular signatures- might promote endothelial dysfunction and in turn, the progression of atherosclerosis through a finely regulated process driving CVD development in RA.

Multifocal avascular osteonecrosis despite appropriate anticoagulation therapy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Multifocal avascular osteonecrosis (AON) is a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Prothrombotic factors, especially antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), have been associated with the development of AON; therefore, attenuating the procoagulant state while balancing the haemorrhagic risks might have a rationale when managing this condition. We report a case of a 37-year-old patient with SLE, treated with low doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy, who was started on vitamin K antagonist following an episode of deep vein thrombosis while having persistent positivity for aPL. After 2 years, he presented with multifocal AON, involving both femurs and shoulders. The patient underwent a bilateral hip replacement, but despite appropriate anticoagulation therapy after 2 years, he developed another episode of AON at both distal epiphyses of the femurs and proximal epiphyses of the tibias. Multifocal AON should be suspected, especially in the presence of aPL positivity. Its aetiology is still unknown and is most likely multifactorial. Its management is challenging and requires combined approaches.

Pacientes quirúrgicos ingresados: asistencia compartida con Medicina Interna / Hospitalized surgical patients comanaged by Internal Medicine specialists

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[Factors that influence interdepartmental referrals between Surgical Departments and Internal Medicine]. / Factores que influyen en la solicitud de interconsultas a medicina interna por los servicios quirúrgicos.

INTRODUCTION: To analyse the long term outcome of the age and comorbidity of patients admitted to Surgical Departments, the number of referrals to Internal Medicine made by these Departments, and to assess whether there are seasonal variations and the call/reject effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared the age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the number of referrals made by Traumatology, General Surgery and Urology of patients discharged in 2000, with those discharged in 2007. Seasonal variations and the call/reject effect were studied by analysing all the interdepartmental referrals made by all the surgical departments from the year 2000 to 2007. RESULTS: Age increased by 5.6% between 2000 and 2007, the CCI by 5.8%, and interdepartmental referrals by 60%. Interdepartmental referrals decreased in July and August, whilst they increased in January, February, June and October, up to 64% more in January, although with variations of almost 50% in the same month. We detected differences of up to 68.2% in the referrals requested to different physicians. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a sharp increase in the requests for referral to Internal Medicine by Surgical Departments of our hospital, which is not explained by the increase in admissions to these Departments, and which could be associated with the increase in age and comorbidity of their patients. Requests for interdepartmental referral have marked monthly variations and also as regards the Consulting Physician.

Factores que influyen en la solicitud de interconsultas a medicina interna por los servicios quirúrgicos / Factors that influence interdepartmental referrals between Surgical Departments and Internal Medicine

Objetivo Analizar la evolución de la edad y la comorbilidad de los pacientes ingresados en los servicios quirúrgicos, el número de interconsultas pedidas por dichos servicios a medicina interna y valorar la existencia de variaciones estacionales y efecto llamada/rechazo en su solicitud. Material y métodos Comparamos la edad, el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson (ICh) y el número de interconsultas solicitadas de los pacientes dados de alta en 2000 con los de 2007, de traumatología, cirugía general y urología. Estudiamos las variaciones estacionales y el efecto llamada/rechazo analizando todas las interconsultas solicitadas por todos los servicios quirúrgicos del hospital desde 2000 hasta 2007.ResultadosEntre 2000 y 2007 la edad aumentó el 5,6%; el ICh, el 5,8% y las interconsultas, el 60%. En julio y agosto se reduce la solicitud de interconsultas, mientras que en enero, febrero, junio y octubre se incrementan, hasta un 64% más en enero, aunque con variaciones dentro de un mismo mes de hasta casi el 50%. Detectamos diferencias que alcanzan el 68,2% en la solicitud de interconsultas a los diferentes internistas. Conclusiones Observamos un fuerte ascenso en la solicitud de interconsultas a medicina interna por los servicios quirúrgicos de nuestro hospital, que no se explica por el aumento de ingresos en dichos servicios, y que puede estar en relación con el incremento de la edad y la comorbilidad de sus enfermos. La petición de interconsultas presenta marcadas variaciones mensuales y también con respecto al internista consultor (AU)

Introduction To analyse the long term outcome of the age and comorbidity of patients admitted to Surgical Departments, the number of referrals to Internal Medicine made by these Departments, and to assess whether there are seasonal variations and the call/reject effect. Material and methods We compared the age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the number of referrals made by Traumatology, General Surgery and Urology of patients discharged in 2000, with those discharged in 2007. Seasonal variations and the call/reject effect were studied by analysing all the interdepartmental referrals made by all the surgical departments from the year 2000 to 2007.ResultsAge increased by 5.6% between 2000 and 2007, the CCI by 5.8%, and interdepartmental referrals by 60%. Interdepartmental referrals decreased in July and August, whilst they increased in January, February, June and October, up to 64% more in January, although with variations of almost 50% in the same month. We detected differences of up to 68.2% in the referrals requested to different physicians. Conclusions We observed a sharp increase in the requests for referral to Internal Medicine by Surgical Departments of our hospital, which is not explained by the increase in admissions to these Departments, and which could be associated with the increase in age and comorbidity of their patients. Requests for interdepartmental referral have marked monthly variations and also as regards the Consulting Physician (AU)