Management of type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries: Comparative health system assessments in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania.

AIMS: To describe and compare the health system responses for type 1 diabetes in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania. METHODS: The Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access, a multi-level assessment of the health system, was implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania using document reviews, site visits and interviews to assess the delivery of care and access to insulin. RESULTS: Despite the existence of noncommunicable or diabetes strategies and Universal Health Coverage policies including diabetes-related supplies, this has not necessarily translated into access to insulin or diabetes care for all. Insulin and related supplies were often unavailable and unaffordable. Across the four countries test strips and insulin, when paid for by the individual, represented respectively 48-82% and 25-36% of total costs. Care was mainly delivered at tertiary-level hospitals by specialists. Only Kyrgyzstan had data collection systems integrated into the Ministry of Health structure. In addition, issues with healthcare worker training and education and empowerment of people with diabetes were present in these health systems. CONCLUSIONS: People with type 1 diabetes in these countries face different barriers, including the cost of insulin and care. Given the renewed attention to diabetes on the global health agenda tailored health system responses for type 1 diabetes are needed. Insulin should be prioritized as it is the foundation of type 1 diabetes care, but other elements of care and support need to be fostered by different actors.

Health system responses for type 1 diabetes: A scoping review.

AIMS: The focus of health system interventions for noncommunicable diseases and diabetes focus mainly on primary health care responses. However, existing interventions are not necessarily adapted for the complex management of type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We aimed to identify and describe health system interventions which have been developed to improve the management of T1DM globally. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review by searching MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Health using OVID for peer-review articles published in either English, Spanish, Portuguese or French in the last 10 years. We classified the intervention strategies according to the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) taxonomy for health system interventions and the World Health Organization (WHO) health system building blocks. RESULTS: This review identified 159 health system interventions to improve T1DM management. Over half of the studies focused only on children or adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Only a small fraction of the studies were conducted in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). According to the EPOC taxonomy, the most frequently studied category was delivery arrangement interventions, while implementation strategies and financial arrangements were less frequently studied. Also, governance arrangements domains were not studied. The most common combination of intervention strategies included self-management with either telemedicine, use of information and smart home technologies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to expand potential interventions to other EPOC strategies to assess their potential effect on health outcomes in people with T1DM, as well as to involve more LMIC settings as the impact may be greater in these settings.

Factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A prospective cohort in a Peruvian national referral hospital. / Factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19: cohorte prospectiva en un hospital de referencia nacional de Perú.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and assess clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to a national referral hospital in Peru. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study that included hospitalized patients older than 18 years with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosis. Patients with a positive rapid serological test on admission but no respiratory symptoms nor compatible images were excluded. We collected the data from clinical records. RESULTS: A total of 813 adults were included, 544 (66.9%) with confirmed COVID-19. The mean age was 61.2 years (standard deviation: 15.0), and 575 (70.5%) were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (34.1%) and obesity (25.9%). On admission, the most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (82.2%) and cough (53.9%). A total of 114 (14.0%) patients received mechanical ventilation, 38 (4.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 377 (46.4%) died. The requirement for ventilatory support, greater lung involvement, and inflammatory markers were associated with higher mortality. It was found that for every 10-year age increase, the risk of dying increased 32% (relative risk: 1.32; 95% confidence interval: 1.25 to 1.38). Those who were admitted to the intensive care unit and and were placed on mechanical ventilation had 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 1.69) and 1.97 (95% confidence interval: 1.69 to 2.29) times the risk of dying compared to those who did not, respectively. CONCLUSION: We found a high mortality rate among hospitalized patients associated with older age, higher inflammatory markers, and greater lung involvement.

OBJETIVOS: Describir las características clínicas y evaluar los factores asociados con la mortalidad de los pacientes adultos con la nueva enfermedad causada por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ingresados a un hospital de referencia nacional de Perú. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyó a pacientes mayores de 18 años hospitalizados con el diagnóstico de infección por coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2). Se excluyó a quienes ingresaron con prueba rápida serológica positiva al ingreso, sin clínica sugestiva ni imágenes compatibles. Los datos se recolectaron a partir de la historia clínica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 813 adultos, 544 (66,9%) tuvieron COVID-19 confirmado. La media de la edad fue de 61,2 años (desviación estándar: 15) y 575 (70,5%) fueron de sexo masculino. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial (34,1%) y obesidad (25,9%). Los síntomas más frecuentes al ingreso fueron disnea (82,2%) y tos (53,9%). Un total de 114 (14%) pacientes recibieron ventilación mecánica, 38 (4,7%) ingresaron a unidad de cuidados intensivos y 377 (46,4%) fallecieron. Se asociaron a la mortalidad el requerimiento de soporte ventilatorio, el mayor compromiso pulmonar y los marcadores inflamatorios. Encontramos que por cada 10 años que aumentó la edad, el riesgo de morir se incrementó en 32% (riesgo relativo: 1,32; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,25 a 1,38). Aquellos pacientes que requirieron ingreso a unidad de cuidados intensivos y ventilación mecánica tuvieron 1,39 (intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,13 a 1,69) y 1,97 (intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,69 a 2,29) veces el riesgo de morir, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: La mortalidad encontrada en nuestro estudio fue alta y estuvo asociada a la edad, marcadores inflamatorios y compromiso respiratorio.

Factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19: cohorte prospectiva en un hospital de referencia nacional de Perú / Factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a prospective cohort in a Peruvian national referral hospital

Objetivos Describir las características clínicas y evaluar los factores asociados con la mortalidad de los pacientes adultos con la nueva enfermedad causada por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ingresados a un hospital de referencia nacional de Perú. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyó a pacientes mayores de 18 años hospitalizados con el diagnóstico de infección por coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2). Se excluyó a quienes ingresaron con prueba rápida serológica positiva al ingreso, sin clínica sugestiva ni imágenes compatibles. Los datos se recolectaron a partir de la historia clínica. Resultados Se incluyó un total de 813 adultos, 544 (66,9%) tuvieron COVID-19 confirmado. La media de la edad fue de 61,2 años (desviación estándar: 15) y 575 (70,5%) fueron de sexo masculino. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial (34,1%) y obesidad (25,9%). Los síntomas más frecuentes al ingreso fueron disnea (82,2%) y tos (53,9%). Un total de 114 (14%) pacientes recibieron ventilación mecánica, 38 (4,7%) ingresaron a unidad de cuidados intensivos y 377 (46,4%) fallecieron. Se asociaron a la mortalidad el requerimiento de soporte ventilatorio, el mayor compromiso pulmonar y los marcadores inflamatorios. Encontramos que por cada 10 años que aumentó la edad, el riesgo de morir se incrementó en 32% (riesgo relativo: 1,32; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,25 a 1,38). Aquellos pacientes que requirieron ingreso a unidad de cuidados intensivos y ventilación mecánica tuvieron 1,39 (intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,13 a 1,69) y 1,97 (intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,69 a 2,29) veces el riesgo de morir, respectivamente. Conclusión La mortalidad encontrada en nuestro estudio fue alta y estuvo asociada a la edad, marcadores inflamatorios y compromiso respiratorio.

Objectives To describe and assess clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to a national referral hospital in Peru. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study that included hospitalized patients older than 18 years with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosis. Patients with a positive rapid serological test on admission but no respiratory symptoms nor compatible images were excluded. We collected the data from clinical records. Results A total of 813 adults were included, 544 (66.9%) with confirmed COVID-19. The mean age was 61.2 years (standard deviation: 15.0), and 575 (70.5%) were male. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (34.1%) and obesity (25.9%). On admission, the most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (82.2%) and cough (53.9%). A total of 114 (14.0%) patients received mechanical ventilation, 38 (4.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 377 (46.4%) died. The requirement for ventilatory support, greater lung involvement, and inflammatory markers were associated with higher mortality. It was found that for every 10-year age increase, the risk of dying increased 32% (relative risk: 1.32; 95% confidence interval: 1.25 to 1.38). Those who were admitted to the intensive care unit and and were placed on mechanical ventilation had 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 1.69) and 1.97 (95% confidence interval: 1.69 to 2.29) times the risk of dying compared to those who did not, respectively. Conclusion We found a high mortality rate among hospitalized patients associated with older age, higher inflammatory markers, and greater lung involvement.

Diagnostics and monitoring tools for noncommunicable diseases: a missing component in the global response.

A key component of any health system is the capacity to accurately diagnose individuals. One of the six building blocks of a health system as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) includes diagnostic tools. The WHO's Noncommunicable Disease Global Action Plan includes addressing the lack of diagnostics for noncommunicable diseases, through multi-stakeholder collaborations to develop new technologies that are affordable, safe, effective and quality controlled, and improving laboratory and diagnostic capacity and human resources. Many challenges exist beyond price and availability for the current tools included in the Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (PEN) for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. These include temperature stability, adaptability to various settings (e.g. at high altitude), need for training in order to perform and interpret the test, the need for maintenance and calibration, and for Blood Glucose Meters non-compatible meters and test strips. To date the issues surrounding access to diagnostic and monitoring tools for noncommunicable diseases have not been addressed in much detail. The aim of this Commentary is to present the current landscape and challenges with regards to guidance from the WHO on diagnostic tools using the WHO REASSURED criteria, which define a set of key characteristics for diagnostic tests and tools. These criteria have been used for communicable diseases, but so far have not been used for noncommunicable diseases. Diagnostic tools have played an important role in addressing many communicable diseases, such as HIV, TB and neglected tropical diseases. Clearly more attention with regards to diagnostics for noncommunicable diseases as a key component of the health system is needed.

Guía de práctica clínica para el tamizaje y manejo del episodio depresivo leve en el primer nivel de atención del Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud) / Clinical practice guideline for the screening and management of the mild depressive episode at the first level of care for the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud)

El presente artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para el tamizaje y el manejo del episodio depresivo leve en el primer nivel de atención en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud). Para el desarrollo de esta GPC, se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó especialistas clínicos y metodólogos, el cual formuló 06 preguntas clínicas. Para responder cada pregunta se realizó búsquedas sistemáticas en PubMed y en repositorios de GPC, y se seleccionó la evidencia pertinente. La certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). En reuniones periódicas, el GEG usó la metodología GRADE para revisar la evidencia y emitir las recomendaciones. Se emitieron siete recomendaciones (tres fuertes y cuatro condicionales), 28 puntos de buena práctica clínica, y dos flujogramas.

This paper summarizes the clinical practice guide (CPG) for the screening and management of mild depressive episode at the first level of care in the Social Security of Peru (EsSalud). A guideline development group (GDG) was established for develop this CPG, which included clinical and methodology specialists, who formulated 06 clinical questions. Systematic searches were conducted in Pubmed and GPC repositories to answer each question, and relevant evidence was selected. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the GDG used the GRADE methodology for reviewing the evidence and for developing recommendations. At the end, this CPG formulated 07 recommendations (03 strong and 04 conditional), 28 points of good clinical practice, and 02 flow charts were formulated.

Motivos para la elección y preferencias de la especialidad médica en médicos generales del Perú / Reasons for the election and preferences of the medical specialty in general practitioners of Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo : describir los factores que influyen en la elección de la especialidad médica en médicos generales en Perú y calcular la distribución de postulantes y vacantes en el examen de residentado médico en el 2018. Materiales y métodos : estudio descriptivo en médicos generales que asistieron a un evento que tuvo por objetivo informar sobre las especialidades médicas, realizado por el Colegio Médico del Perú. Durante dicho evento, se distribuyó un cuestionario autoaplicado para recolectar las variables de interés. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron con el programa Stata v14. Resultados : se incluyeron 298 participantes, de los cuales, el 54,4% fueron mujeres, 46,3% tenían menos de 28 años, 59,8% estudió su pregrado en Lima y 52,3% culminaron sus estudios entre 2014-2016. El 49,7%, 46,6%, y 3,7% prefirió elegir una especialidad quirúrgica, clínica, y alguna otra, respectivamente. Entre los factores para elegir a qué especialidad médica postular, aquellos considerados importantes o muy importantes por la mayor parte de los encuestados fueron: la alta probabilidad de conseguir empleo (98,7%), tener retos intelectuales (94,9%), ver casos interesantes (93,2%), y tener buenos ingresos económicos (90,8%). Las especialidades con mayor cantidad de postulantes para cada vacante fueron cirugía plástica y dermatología, mientras que las que tuvieron menos postulantes que vacantes fueron medicina familiar y medicina interna. Conclusiones : los factores económicos y académicos son los más importantes para la elección de una especialidad médica, en el contexto donde las especialidades del primer nivel de atención tienen pocos postulantes. Esto permite entender mejor este proceso, informar adecuadamente a los médicos sobre las especialidades disponibles, e impulsar estrategias para aumentar el interés de los médicos en especialidades necesarias en el país.

ABSTRACT Objective : to describe the reasons that influence the choice of medical specialty in general physicians in Peru, and to calculate the applicants and vacancies in the national medical residency exam in 2018. Materials and methods : descriptive cross-sectional study in general physicians who attended an event that aimed to inform about medical specialties, carried out by the Peruvian Medical College. During this event, a self-applied questionnaire was distributed to collect the variables of interest. The statistical analyzes were performed with the Stata v.14 program. Results : surveys of 298 participants were analyzed, of which 54.4% were women, 46.3% had less than 28 years old, 59.8% studied their undergraduate studies in Lima, and 52.3% completed their career between 2014-2016. 49.7%, 46.6%, and 3.7% preferred choosing a surgical specialty, clinic, and some other, respectively. The reasons considered important or very important to choose a specialty were: the high probability of getting a job (98.7%), having intellectual challenges (94.9%), see interesting cases (93.2%), and have good economic income (90.8%). Plastic surgery and dermatology were the specialties with greatest number of applicants for each vacant, while family medicine and internal medicine had less applicants than vacancies. Conclusions : Peruvian physicians consider economic and academic reasons as the most important ones, when choosing a specialty, in a context where primary care specialties had few applicants. This allows us to better understand the process behind choosing and specialty, adequately inform to the physicians about the specialties available, and promote strategies to increase the interest of doctors in specialties needed in the country.

Cancer-related mortality in Peru: Trends from 2003 to 2016.

OBJECTIVES: In the last decade, Latin American (LA) countries, like Peru, have undergone an epidemiological transition that has changed the pattern of oncological cases. Given that Peru's oncological pattern could illustrate those of other LA countries, we aimed at determining trends and changes in cancer-related mortality by age and sex in Peru between 2003 and 2016. METHODS AND RESULTS: A secondary data analysis using national deaths registries was conducted. Categories were created according to the 27 most frequent sites of presentation of cancer. We found that deaths attributed to cancer increased from 15.4% of all deaths in 2003 to 18.1% in 2016 (p<0.001). According to the cancer site, stomach cancer (19.1%) and lung cancer (11.5%) were the most frequent causes of death overall. In childhood (0 to 14 years), the two most frequent fatal cancers were leukemia (54.6% for boys and 53.5% for girls) and brain and nervous system tumors (19.4% for boys and 20.3% for girls). For teenagers and young male adults (15-49 years), stomach cancer (18.1%) and brain cancer (17.4%) were the leading causes of death; in their female counterparts, cervix uteri (20.0%) and breast cancer (16.1%) were the most mortal cancers. In adults (≥50 years), stomach (20.9% for men and 18.6% for women) and lung (12.7% for men and 10.4% for women) were the leading contributors to the burden of cancer deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Between the years 2003 and 2016, almost one fifth of deaths were attributed to cancer in Peru. Absolute and relative number of deaths due to cancer has increased in this period for both men and women; however, standardized mortality rates due to cancer have declined.

Guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y manejo de la osteoartritis en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud) / Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis in Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud)

Este artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para el diagnóstico y manejo de pacientes con osteoartritis (OA) del Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud). Para su desarrollo se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó a especialistas clínicos y metodólogos. Para responder las 13 preguntas clínicas planteadas se realizaron búsquedas sistemáticas en PubMed y repositorios de GPC. Se usó la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) para evaluar la certeza de la evidencia. Se emitieron 11 recomendaciones: tres fuertes (no solicitar de forma rutinaria radiografías para el diagnóstico de OA, brindar un plan individualizado de medidas de educación y autocuidado, indicar la realización de ejercicio físico) y ocho débiles (intervenciones para reducir el peso en personas con obesidad o sobrepeso, evitar el uso de paracetamol para el manejo de OA, promover el uso de AINE orales para el manejo de OA, evitar el uso de condroitín sulfato para el manejo de OA, evitar el uso de proloterapia para el manejo de OA, en adultos con OA y dolor refractario a manejo farmacológico considerar terapias adyuvantes como ultrasonido o similares, evitar el uso de terapia laser como adyuvante para el manejo de OA, evitar el uso de acupuntura para el manejo de OA); además, 20 puntos de buena práctica clínica y un flujograma de trabajo.

This paper summarizes the clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the diagnosis and management of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) in the Peruvian Social Security health system (EsSalud). A working group was formed for producing this guideline, and this group included both clinical specialists and methodologists. Systematic searches in PubMed and CPG repositories were performed aiming to answer the 13 clinical questions that were asked. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) method was used aiming to determine the certainty of evidence. Eleven recommendations were issued: three were strong (do not request X-ray films as routine practice, give an individualized plan including educational and self-care measures, and prescribe physical activity; and eight were weak (weight-reducing interventions for persons with obesity or who are overweight, avoid the use of paracetamol for OA management, promote the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA management, avoid the use of chondroitin sulfate for OA management, avoid the use of prolotherapy for OA management in affected adults, particularly in those with refractory pain not responding to drug therapy, consider the use of adjuvant therapy, such as ultrasound and the like, avoid the use of laser therapies as adjuvant for OA management, and avoid the use of acupuncture for OA management); also, 20 items for good clinical practice and a workflow sheet were issued.

Aspectos básicos sobre la lectura de revisiones sistemáticas y la interpretación de meta-análisis / Some basic concepts about reading systematic reviews and interpreting meta-analysis

Las revisiones sistemáticas (RS) son estudios que buscan resumir la evidencia disponible sobre una pregunta de investigación, para lo cual pueden usar estrategias estadísticas conocidas como meta-análisis (MA). En la actualidad, las RS son fundamentales para tomar decisiones basadas en evidencias, por lo cual resulta de suma importancia que los profesionales de la salud sepan enfrentarse a este tipo de estudios. Por ello, el presente artículo tiene por objetivo familiarizar al lector con los aspectos básicos para realizar una correcta lectura de RS e interpretación de MA, para lo cual se utiliza un ejemplo hipotético de una condición ficticia llamada "Síndrome del glotón". Asimismo, se aborda la interpretación de la certeza de la evidencia según la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Systematic reviews (SR) are studies that seek to summarize the available evidence regarding a research question, for which they can use statistical strategies known as meta-analysis (MA). Currently, SRs are fundamental to making evidence-based decisions, which is why it is very important for health professionals to know how to face this type of studies. Therefore, this article aims to familiarize the reader with the basic concepts to make a correct appraisal of SRs and interpretation of MAs, for which a hypothetical example of a fictitious condition called "Glutton Syndrome" is used. In addition, the interpretation of the certainty of the evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology is addressed.

Tendencias en el número de médicos titulados anualmente en el Perú, 2007-2016 / Trends in the number of physicians annually graduating in Peru, 2007-2016

Objetivo: Describir la tendencia en el número de médicos que se titularon durante el periodo 2007-2016 en Perú, en forma general y en subgrupos de acuerdo a las características ligadas a la universidad en la que cursaron los estudios de pregrado. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo. Se obtuvo el listado de todos los médicos colegiados entre 2007-2016 por medio de la página web del Colegio Médico del Perú; mientras que la fecha de titulación y universidad de procedencia provino de la página web de la Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria (SUNEDU). Para evaluar las tendencias, se utilizó la prueba de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se colegiaron 27 611 médicos a nivel nacional, con una tendencia anual creciente en la cantidad de médicos titulados (p<0,001). Entre los egresados de universidades peruanas, se encontró un incremento del número de médicos que estudiaron en universidades de Lima (p<0,001) y de la región costa (p<0,001). Adicionalmente, se evidenció un incremento en la cantidad de titulados provenientes de universidades privadas de Lima (p<0,001) y de provincias (p<0,001). Conclusiones: El número de médicos titulados aumenta anualmente, con predominio de aquellos provenientes de universidades de Lima, la costa y universidades privadas. Se evidencia la necesidad urgente de políticas que regulen este crecimiento, con la finalidad de evitar problemas de calidad educativa y empleabilidad.

Objective. To describe the trends in the number of physicians who graduated from 2007 to 2016 in Peru, both in a general manner as well as in subgroups based on the school they studied. Materials and Methods. This is a descriptive and retrospective study. A list of all physicians who graduated during the 2007-2016 period was obtained from the Peruvian College of Physicians website. Their graduating dates and the schools where they studied were obtained from the National University Education Superintendence (SUNEDU, according to its Spanish initials). Trends were assessed using the Spearman correlation test. Results: During the study period, 27,611 physicians graduated in Peru. There was an annual increase in the total number of graduates (p<0.001). Amongst graduates from Peruvian medical schools, there was an increase in the number of physicians who studied in Lima (p<0.001) and in the Peruvian coast (p<0.001). Also, there were a greater number of graduated physicians from Lima (p<0.001) and other provinces medical schools (p<0.001). Conclusions. The number of graduated physicians annually increases, particularly those who studied in Lima, the coast, and private medical schools. We evidence an urgent need for policies for regulating this growth, aiming to avoid employability and educational quality problems.

Guía de práctica clínica para la prevención y manejo del parto pretérmino en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud), 2018 / Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud) 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for prevention and management of preterm births

El presente artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para la prevención y manejo del parto pretérmino en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud). Para el desarrollo de esta GPC, se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó especialistas clínicos y metodólogos, el cual formuló 11 preguntas clínicas. Para responder cada pregunta se realizó búsquedas sistemáticas en Pubmed y en repositorios de GPC, y se seleccionó la evidencia pertinente. La certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). En reuniones periódicas, el GEG usó la metodología GRADE para revisar la evidencia y emitir las recomendaciones. Se emitieron 20 recomendaciones (13 fuertes y 7 condicionales), 24 puntos de buena práctica clínica, una recomendación de implementación y un flujograma.

This paper features a summary of the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for prevention and management of preterm birth. A specialized group was formed for writing this CPG, which included clinical and methodology specialists, who formulated 11 clinical questions. Systematic searches in PubMed and CPG repositories were performed aiming to answer the questions, and relevant evidence was selected. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In regular work meetings, the specialized group used the GRADE approach for reviewing the evidence and for developing recommendations. At the end, this CPG formulated twenty recommendations (13 strong and 7 conditional), 24 good clinical practice points, one recommendation for implementation, and a flowchart.

Diagnostic Delay of Primary Immunodeficiencies at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peru- Brief Report.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic delay in pediatric patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) at a tertiary care hospital in Peru. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out in which patients from a third-level referral center in Peru were included. Those without a specific diagnosis of PID were excluded. Data was collected by reviewing the medical records and interviewing patients' family members. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with a mean of 7.4 years (SD = 4.3) were studied. The most frequent diagnosis was predominant antibody defects (35.5%), and the diagnostic delay had a median of 12.17 months (IQR 5.1-30.3). CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently diagnosed group of PID was predominant antibody deficiency. The overall median diagnostic delays for PID and predominant antibody deficiency were 12 and 14 months, respectively. Even though early detection of PIDs is crucial for effective treatment, current available laboratory tests required for PID diagnosis are both complex and expensive. Early detection and management of these pathologies cannot be achieved without training non-specialist health professionals in the diagnosis of PID, as well as integrating multidisciplinary and multi-center cooperation at both national and international levels.