The pupillary dilation reflex to a nociceptive stimulus as a tool for analgesia management: A diagnostic study.

BACKGROUND: More than 70% of patients demonstrate pain after endotracheal aspiration. Tools are needed to objectify the need for analgesia in non-communicative critically ill patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the lowest intensity electrical stimulus for detecting pain before daily care interventions. METHODS: Study of diagnostic tests to assess pupillometry to detect pain through the pupillary dilation response to noxious stimuli versus the Behavioural Pain Scale. Patients older than 18 years, under analgosedation, subjected to invasive ventilation, baseline Behavioural Pain Scale of 3, and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale between -1 and -4 were studied. We assessed the Behavioural Pain Scale and the pupillary dilation response to 10, 20, 30, and 40 mA stimuli. We studied the diagnostic performance based on sensitivity and specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of the selected points after the different stimulations. AlgiScan® Pupillometer measured the pupillary dilation response. The presence of pain was considered as a Behavioural Pain Scale score of ≥4. Significance was defined as p <0.05. RESULTS: Measurements were performed on 31 patients. In the 20 mA stimulus, we found an area under the curve of 0.85 (0.69-1.0). The cut-off point of pupillary dilation was 11.5%, with a sensitivity of 100% (34.2-100) and a specificity of 75.9% (57.9-87.8). This point had an accuracy of 77.4 (60.2-88.6) and a Youden's Index of 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Pupillary variation measurement during a 20 mA stimulus could help assess the need for analgesia before potentially painful interventions. Further studies are needed to confirm this. REGISTRATION: Phase 1 of the project PUPIPAIN ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04078113.

Pupillary dilation reflex and behavioural pain scale: Study of diagnostic test.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the value of the pupillary dilation reflex as an assessment pain tool in critically ill patients. It is important to continue working for the well-being and security of critically ill patients. METHODS: We studied the diagnostic accuracy of the pupillary dilation reflex against the Behavioral Pain Scale. Inclusion criteria were: age greater than 18, receiving mechanical ventilation, with a basal score of the Behavioural Pain Scale of three and a Richmond Agitation and Sedation score between -1 and -4. We studied the responses to a non-painful stimulus, four calibrated stimuli, after a tracheal aspiration and with and without pain. The receiver operating curve was plotted and we calculated the area under the curve. We identified the cut-off points showing the highest sensitivity and specificity and studied diagnostic performance based on negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy. These were reported with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 183 measurements were performed. An AUC of 0.88(95% CI 0.83-0.94) was obtained. The pupillary dilation reflex of 11.5% had a sensitivity of 89.8%(95% CI 78.2-95.6) and a specificity of 78.4%(95% CI 70.6-84.5) with an accuracy of 81.4(75.2-86.4). The pupillary dilation reflex detected nociceptive pain response in 15.8% of the measurements that did not show pain according to the Behavioural Pain Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Pupillometry may be a valid alternative for identifying pain in critically ill patients.

Elimination of hepatitis C virus in a prison: An 18-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the decrease of hepatitis C in Spanish prisons in the last years, it still remains a reservoir for infection. The aim of this work is to analyze the characteristics of these patients and the response to antiviral treatment over the last 18 years. METHODS: Retrospective observational study in inmates of Araba penitentiary center diagnosed with HCV infection between 2002 and 2020. A descriptive analysis of patient characteristics and the response to the three antiviral treatment modalities was performed: peg-interferon and ribavirin, peg-interferon, ribavirin and a first-generation protease inhibitor and different combinations of direct-acting antivirals. RESULTS: A total of 248 antiviral treatments were prescribed. Treatment response rate up to 2015 was 65% and 93,7% after that year. Interferon non-responders were the main cause of non-response to treatment in periods 1 and 2 (40%-50%). Conversely, in period 3 viral breakthrough (67%) was the main culprit. CONCLUSION: After 18 years, active hepatitis C infection in prison inmates has resolved with treatment according to clinical criteria. Therefore, the stay in prison may represent an opportunity to reduce the reservoir of the disease in the community, together with continued health care for those released from prison.

The Impact of Digital Health on Smoking Cessation.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones have become useful tools for medicine, with the use of specific apps making it possible to bring health care closer to inaccessible areas, continuously monitor a patient's pathology at any time and place, promote healthy habits, and ultimately improve patients' quality of life and the efficiency of the health care system. Since 2020, the use of smartphones has reached unprecedented levels. There are more than 350,000 health apps, according to a 2021 IQVIA Institute report, that address, among other things, the management of patient appointments; communication among different services or professionals; the promotion of lifestyle changes related to adopting healthy habits; and the monitoring of different pathologies and chronic conditions, including smoking cessation. The number of mobile apps for quitting smoking is high. As early as 2017, a total of 177 unique smoking cessation-relevant apps were identified in the iPhone App Store, 139 were identified in Google Play, 70 were identified in the BlackBerry app store, and 55 were identified in the Windows Phone Store, but very few have adequate scientific support. It seems clear that efforts are needed to assess the quality of these apps, as well as their effectiveness in different population groups, to have tools that offer added value to standard practices. OBJECTIVE: This viewpoint aims to highlight the benefits of mobile health (mHealth) and its potential as an adjuvant tool in health care. METHODS: A review of literature and other data sources was performed in order to show the current status of mobile apps that can offer support for smoking cessation. For this purpose, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were explored between May and November 2022. RESULTS: In terms of smoking cessation, mHealth has become a powerful coadjuvant tool that allows health workers to perform exhaustive follow-ups for the process of quitting tobacco and provide support anytime and anywhere. mHealth tools are effective for different groups of smokers (eg, pregnant women, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients with mental illness, and the general population) and are cost-effective, generating savings for the health system. However, there are some patient characteristics that can predict the success of using mobile apps in the smoking cessation process, such as the lower age of patients, dependence on tobacco, the number of quit attempts, and the previous use of mobile apps, among others. Therefore, it is preferable to offer these tools to patients with a higher probability of quitting tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth is a promising tool for helping smokers in the smoking cessation process. There is a need for well-designed clinical studies and economic evaluations to jointly assess the effectiveness of new interventions in different population groups, as well as their impact on health care resources.

Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability among priority groups defined for vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Araba/Alava, Spain, before the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: The acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine varies depending on the time, place, type of vaccine and information available at the time. Knowledge of attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among the population at high risk of developing the disease would help to tailor the strategy to improve adherence to vaccination recommendations. Aim: To analyze the willingness, knowledge and risk perception of patients and health care workers (HCW) to get the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Cross-sectional survey in Araba/Álava province (Spain). Subjects who met the criteria for the influenza vaccination in 2019 and HCWS from the Basque Public Health Service were included. The participants answered a questionnaire on the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 before starting vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The intention to vaccinate was compared using the chi-squared test. Results: 316 HCWs and 389 patients responded to the survey. Around 90% of the patients and 80% of HCW would accept vaccination in all scenarios according to the questionnaire (p < 0.001). Only 3-12% hesitated about the COVID-19 vaccines. Compared to 40-70% of patients, 60-80% of HCWs perceived a high risk of COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were found in 10 of the 17 questions regarding the mechanism of transmission and symptoms. Conclusion: HCWs had a better knowledge and risk perception of COVID-19 than the surveyed patients. They had a higher proportion of hesitancy to get COVID-19 vaccine, probably related to doubts about the effectiveness of the new vaccines and the scientific evidence.

Factors associated with the workload of health professionals in hospital at home: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the factors related to workload, could help hospital at home (HaH) managers to make decisions on the most appropriate and efficient use of the HaH services. Published studies on this topic are scarce, so we have conducted a systematic review to identify such factors according to published evidence. METHODS: Due to the heterogeneity of HaH models, HaH was defined as a care that provides a set of medical and nursing care and attention of hospital rank to patients at home, when they no longer require hospital infrastructure but still need active monitoring and complex care. The electronic data base literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Cinahl (EBSCOhost) from inception to December 2021, including grey literature. Search terms related to `hospital at home´, `workload´ and `care time´ were used. There was no restriction on language, type of study or year of publication. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and certainty in the body of evidence was assessed using the GRADE Pro Tool. Results were summarised in a tabulated format. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with 56,706 patients were included. Workload was measured as time, number of visits or both. The predictive factors of the workload included variables related to patient characteristics and other valid and reliable patient classification systems, as well as characteristics of the institutions where the studies were conducted. The factors associated with higher workloads were: being older, male, living in a rural environment, presenting a higher number of diagnoses, having worse functional status and being unable to assume self-care. CONCLUSIONS: The identified predictors of workload are mostly associated with home nursing care. The results could be useful and applicable to different organisational models of HaH health systems. More studies that include physicians and proxy measures of workload are needed.

Effectiveness of Text Messaging as an Adjuvant to Health Advice in Smoking Cessation Programs in Primary Care. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking remains a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Health advice is considered one of the most cost-effective interventions; however, changes produced by counseling tend not to persist over time, it is necessary to implement enforcement mechanisms. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined program that includes health advice and text messaging to mobile phone (SMSalud®). Patients were randomized to one of two interventions: health advice (control group) or health advice and text messaging (intervention group). We included 320 smoker patients who met the inclusion criteria: being motivated, aged over 18 years, having a mobile phone, being able to read and send messages. Patients were excluded if they had a history of mental or behavioral disorders, or depression. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who had stopped smoking by 6 months and confirmed by CO breath test. RESULTS: By 6 months after the start of the program, 24.4% (39/160) of patients in the intervention group and 11.9% (19/160) of controls had stopped smoking (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3-4.3, p = .007). Patients with no dependence or mild dependence were more likely to stop (28.3%, 36/127 vs. 11.4%, 22/193; OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.7-5.5, p < .001). The rate of continuous abstinence at 12 months was 16.3% (26/160) in intervention group patients and 5.6% (9/160) in controls (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3-5.9).]. CONCLUSIONS: The combined program is effective for smoking cessation. Patients with less tobacco dependence have a higher probability of success. IMPLICATIONS: Health advice is effective for promoting changes in lifestyle but these changes do not persist over time, so we have to use strengthening mechanisms, as e-health, and specifically, mobile phone based interventions. SMSalud® is an innovate program that includes text messaging and health advice, and it's effective for smoking cessation. The only feature that seems to affect the probability of smoking cessation is the degree of tobacco dependence.

Platelet-rich plasma in skin ulcer treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic vascular ulcers are associated with a high use of resources. Conventional treatment consists of wound cleansing, necrotic tissue debridement, prevention, diagnosis, and, if necessary, treatment of infection and dressing application; although conventional treatment has limited effectiveness with wound healing (around 15-30%).8-11 Platelet-rich plasma, used in various fields of medicine, improves chronic vascular ulcer results, but is more expensive. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a 48-week period comparing plateletrich plasma with standard care. A meta-analysis of papers identified by a literature search was done. RESULTS: A combined measure of effectiveness at 12 weeks for each treatment option was calculated and served as the basis for estimating the probability of healing at 48 weeks with a Markov model. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of healing and associated costs were 56% and €5224 using platelet-rich plasma and 31% and €5133 with usual care. The incremental cost that must be assumed to achieve additional healing with platelet-rich plasma is €364. .

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of health professionals in relation to A/H1N1 influenza and its vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intention of health professionals, doctors and nurses, concerning whether or not to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus, and their perception of the severity of this pandemic compared with seasonal flu. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on an questionnaire e-mailed to health professionals in public healthcare centres in Vitoria between 6 and 16 November 2009; the percentage of respondents who wanted to be vaccinated and who perceived the pandemic flu to carry a high risk of death were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 115 people completed the questionnaire of whom 61.7% (n=71) were doctors and 38.3% (n=44) were nurses. Of these, 33.3% (n=23) of doctors and 13.6% (n=6) of nurses intended to be vaccinated (p=0.019). Even among those who considered themselves to be at a high risk, 70.6% (n=48) of doctors and 31.7% (n=13) of nurses participating in the study (p=0.001) planned to have the vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Most health professionals, and in particular nurses, had no intention to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus at the beginning of the vaccination campaign.

Estudio transversal basado en la población sobre la aceptabilidad de la vacuna y la percepción de la gravedad de la gripe A/H1N1: opinión de la población general y de los profesionales sanitarios / Population-based cross sectional study about vaccine acceptability and perception of the severity of A/H1N1 influenza: Opinion of the general population and health professionals

ObjetivosDeterminar la intención de la población general y de los profesionales sanitarios de vacunarse contra la gripe A/H1N1, así como la percepción que tienen de la gravedad de la gripe A/H1N1 en comparación con la gripe estacional.MétodosEstudio transversal mediante encuesta telefónica a una muestra de población general, a partir de la guía telefónica, y electrónica a profesionales sanitarios de los centros asistenciales públicos de Vitoria-Gasteiz, entre los días 6 y 16 de noviembre de 2009. En ambos colectivos se calcularon las frecuencias absolutas y relativas de los que se querían vacunar y de los que perciben la gripe como un riesgo alto para la vida.ResultadosContestaron al cuestionario el 33% (n=219) de las 637 personas contactadas y se obtuvieron 109 respuestas de profesionales. El 63,0% (n=138) de la población general y el 73,4% (n=80) de la población sanitaria no se vacunaría si la vacuna fuese gratis (p=0,595). En caso de pertenecer a alguno de los grupos de riesgo no se vacunaría el 14,6% (n=32) de la población ni el 40,4% (n=44) de los sanitarios (p<0,001). El porcentaje de indecisos entre la población general es del 25,6%, frente al 6,4% de los profesionales sanitarios.ConclusionesLa mayoría de la población no tiene, al inicio de la campaña de vacunación, intención de vacunarse contra la gripe A. La proporción es similar a la del colectivo de profesionales sanitarios, salvo bajo el supuesto de pertenecer a grupos de riesgo, en cuyo caso hay un importante grupo de indecisos entre la población (AU)

ObjectivesTo determine the intention of general population and health professionals to vaccinate against the H1N1 influenza A virus. To determine the perception of severity of the H1N1 influenza A in both groups compared to that of seasonal influenza.MethodsCross-sectional telephone survey performed to a sample of population (obtained randomly from the Vitoria-Gasteiz telephone directory) and cross-sectional electronically-administered survey to a sample of health professionals from public health centres in Vitoria-Gasteiz, conducted between 6th and 16th November 2009. The relative and absolute frecuency of persons willing to be vaccinated and the proportion of those considering the H1N1 influenza A as a life-threatening risk were calculated in both groups.Results219 (33%) persons out of 637 contacted telephone numbers answered the questionnaire, as well as 109 health professionals. 63.0% (n=138) of general population and 73.4% (n=80) of the professional group would not undergo vaccination, even if it was for free (p=0.595). If belonging to a high-risk group, the corresponding proportions of unwillingness were 14.6% (n=32) for general population and 40.4 (n=44) for professionals (p<0.001). The proportion of undecided persons is 25.6% (n=56) in general population, against 6.4% (n=7) among the professionals.ConclusionsAt the beginning of the vaccination campaign, the majority of population is unwilling to undergo immunization against the H1N1 influenza A virus. The proportion in general population is similar to that among the health professionals. However, when belonging to a high-risk group, there is a high proportion of undecided persons in general population (AU)

[Population-based cross sectional study about vaccine acceptability and perception of the severity of A/H1N1 influenza: opinion of the general population and health professionals]. / Estudio transversal basado en la población sobre la aceptabilidad de la vacuna y la percepción de la gravedad de la gripe A/H1N1: opinión de la población general y de los profesionales sanitarios.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the intention of general population and health professionals to vaccinate against the H1N1 influenza A virus. To determine the perception of severity of the H1N1 influenza A in both groups compared to that of seasonal influenza. METHODS: Cross-sectional telephone survey performed to a sample of population (obtained randomly from the Vitoria-Gasteiz telephone directory) and cross-sectional electronically-administered survey to a sample of health professionals from public health centres in Vitoria-Gasteiz, conducted between 6th and 16th November 2009. The relative and absolute frecuency of persons willing to be vaccinated and the proportion of those considering the H1N1 influenza A as a life-threatening risk were calculated in both groups. RESULTS: 219 (33%) persons out of 637 contacted telephone numbers answered the questionnaire, as well as 109 health professionals. 63.0% (n=138) of general population and 73.4% (n=80) of the professional group would not undergo vaccination, even if it was for free (p=0.595). If belonging to a high-risk group, the corresponding proportions of unwillingness were 14.6% (n=32) for general population and 40.4 (n=44) for professionals (p<0.001). The proportion of undecided persons is 25.6% (n=56) in general population, against 6.4% (n=7) among the professionals. CONCLUSIONS: At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, the majority of population is unwilling to undergo immunization against the H1N1 influenza A virus. The proportion in general population is similar to that among the health professionals. However, when belonging to a high-risk group, there is a high proportion of undecided persons in general population.

Factores de riesgo de mortalidad postoperatoria en el cáncer colorrectal: seguimiento de una cohorte en una unidad especializada / Postoperative mortality risk factors in colorectal cancer: Follow up of a cohort in a specialised unit

Introducción El tratamiento del cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es habitualmente quirúrgico y conlleva una morbimortalidad. El objetivo de este estudio es cuantificar la mortalidad postoperatoria en nuestro hospital y determinar sus factores de riesgo. Material y método Estudio prospectivo observacional de los 1.017 pacientes operados en nuestro hospital por CCR desde 1996 hasta 2007. Identificación de factores de riesgo independientes de mortalidad postoperatoria mediante estudio multivariante. Resultados La edad media era de 67,8 años. La cirugía se programó en 879 pacientes (86,5%) y se consideró curativa en 878 (86,1%). La mortalidad postoperatoria fue del 3,6% (37 pacientes) (el 2,5% en la cirugía programada y el 10,9% en la cirugía urgente). Los factores de riesgo independientes identificados fueron el tipo de cirugía (odds ratio [OR] para urgente versus programada=2,8), el grado de la American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) (OR para ASA III–IV versus ASA I–II=2,4) y la edad (OR para edad ≥85 versus ≤74=7,6 y edad 75–84 versus ≤74=2,4).Conclusiones Tenemos una baja mortalidad postoperatoria que se asocia principalmente a una edad mayor de 75 años, a los grados ASA III–IV y a la cirugía urgente (AU)

Introduction The treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is usually surgical and involves morbidity-mortality. The aim of this study is to quantify the postoperative mortality in our hospital and to determine their risk factors. Materials and methods Prospective observational study from 1996 to 2007 included 1017 patients who underwent surgery for CRC in our hospital. Identification of independent risk factors for postoperative mortality by multivariate analysis. Results The mean age was 67.8 years. The surgery was elective in 879 (86.5%) and was considered curative in 878 (86.1%). The postoperative mortality was 3.6% (37 patients), 2.5% in the elective surgery and 10.9% in the urgent. Results The independent risk factors identified were: type of surgery (odds ratio for urgent vs. elective=2.8), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (odds ratio for ASA III–IV vs. I–II=2.4), age (odds ratio for age ≥ 85 vs. ≤ 74=7.6 and age 75–84 vs. ≤ 74=2.4).Conclusions We found a low postoperative mortality, which was mainly associated with age over 75 years, ASA III or IV stages and urgent surgery (AU)

[Postoperative mortality risk factors in colorectal cancer: follow up of a cohort in a specialised unit]. / Factores de riesgo de mortalidad postoperatoria en el cáncer colorrectal: seguimiento de una cohorte en una unidad especializada.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is usually surgical and involves morbidity-mortality. The aim of this study is to quantify the postoperative mortality in our hospital and to determine their risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study from 1996 to 2007 included 1017 patients who underwent surgery for CRC in our hospital. Identification of independent risk factors for postoperative mortality by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.8 years. The surgery was elective in 879 (86.5%) and was considered curative in 878 (86.1%). The postoperative mortality was 3.6% (37 patients), 2.5% in the elective surgery and 10.9% in the urgent. The independent risk factors identified were: type of surgery (odds ratio for urgent vs. elective=2.8), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (odds ratio for ASA III-IV vs. I-II=2.4), age (odds ratio for age > or = 85 vs. < or = 74=7.6 and age 75-84 vs. < or = 74=2.4). CONCLUSIONS: We found a low postoperative mortality, which was mainly associated with age over 75 years, ASA III or IV stages and urgent surgery.