Predictive Value of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors for Mortality in Septic Patients: A Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Over 170 biomarkers are being investigated regarding their prognostic and diagnostic accuracy in sepsis in order to find new tools to reduce morbidity and mortality. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors have been recently studied as promising new prognostic biomarkers in patients with sepsis. This study is aimed at determining the utility of several cutoff points of these biomarkers to predict mortality in patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, analytic cohort study was performed in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga, Colombia. A total of 289 patients with sepsis and septic shock were included. MMP-9, MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP-2, TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, and TIMP-2/MMP-2 ratio were determined in blood samples. Value ranges were correlated with mortality to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiving operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Sensitivity ranged from 33.3% (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 60.6% (TIMP-1) and specificity varied from 38.8% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio) to 58.5% (TIMP-1). As for predictive values, positive predictive value range was from 17.5% (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 70.4% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio), whereas negative predictive values were between 23.2% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio) and 80.9% (TIMP-1). Finally, area under the curve scores ranged from 0.31 (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 0.623 (TIMP-1). CONCLUSION: Although TIMP-1 showed higher sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value, with a representative population sample, we conclude that none of the evaluated biomarkers had significant predictive value for mortality.

Hallazgos gammagráficos en manos de población adulta, sin patología osteoarticular, bajo un análisis semicuantitativo / Semi-quantitative analysis of scintigraphic findings in the hands of adults without osteoarticular disease

RESUMEN Introducción: La gammagrafia ósea es uno de los estudios más frecuentemente utilizados para el abordaje diagnóstico de la patología osteoarticular, sin embargo, no se conocen patrones claros de normalidad para algunos sitios anatómicos, llevando a tasas altas de variabilidad interobservador, como es el caso de la evaluación de las manos. No se encuentra en la literatura una descripción del patrón gammagráfico normal sobre manos, por lo cual pretendemos describir el patrón de captación más frecuente en una población adulta sin enfermedad osteoarticular. Materiales y métodos: Se hizo un análisis prospectivo de 156 gammagrafías óseas sobre manos que cumplieron el criterio de inclusión. Se delinearon regiones de interés en el carpo, metacarpo, articulaciones interfalángicas proximales y distales de los dedos índice y medio de ambas manos; se tomaron las cuentas totales, se analizaron promedios y desviación estándar, y se hizo análisis semicuantitativo de la imagen. Resultados: Se incluyeron 36 hombres (23%) y 119 mujeres (77%), la edad media fue de 44,9 ± 13,9. Los promedios de las cuentas totales disminuyeron progresivamente deproximal a distal en todos los grupos de edad y en ambos géneros, siguiendo la siguiente proporción: carpo 4,4 veces más que metacarpo; metacarpo 1,7 veces más que interfalángica proximal; interfalángica proximal 1,4 veces más que distal. Conclusiones: En manos de pacientes adultos, sin enfermedad osteoarticular, sin distinción de género y edad, encontramos un patrón gammagráfico en «degradé¼ con mayor concentración isotópica en carpo, seguida del metacarpo y de las articulaciones interfalángicas proximales y distales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Bone and joint disease has a high incidence and impact on the population. The bone scan is a diagnostic tool that provides important metabolic and clinical information; therefore the interpretation of the images by the nuclear medicine physician must be very precise. The isotopic distribution pattern in hands has not yet been described. For this reason a description is presented of common scintigraphic findings in adults without osteoarticular disease. Materials and methods: A prospective analysis was conducted on 156 hands of patients whose bone scans met inclusion criteria. There were delineated regions of interest in the carpal, metacarpal, proximal, and distal interphalangeal joints of the second and third fingers of both hands. An analysis was made, including the total counts, means, and standard deviations. The cut-offs were selected using the normal distribution, which was defined as the cut at the 99th percentile of each variable. A semi-quantitative analysis was made of the images. Results: The study included 36 men (23%) and 119 women (77%), and the mean age was 44.9 ± 13.9. The mean total counts gradually decreased from proximal to distal in all age groups and in both genders in the following proportions: the activity in carpus was 4.4 fold more than the metacarpus; the metacarpus was 1.7 fold more than proximal interphalangeal joint; proximal interphalangeal joint was 1.4 fold more than distal one. Conclusions: A scintigraphic pattern consisting of a gradual decrease from proximal to dis-tal joints (degradation) was found in the hands of adults without bone and joint disease, regardless of gender and age.

TIMP1 and MMP9 are predictors of mortality in septic patients in the emergency department and intensive care unit unlike MMP9/TIMP1 ratio: Multivariate model.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases could be promising biomarkers for establishing prognosis during the development of sepsis. It is necessary to clarify the relationship between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors. We conducted a cohort study with 563 septic patients, in order to elucidate the biological role and significance of these inflammatory biomarkers and their relationship to the severity and mortality of patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentric prospective cohort was performed. The sample was composed of patients who had sepsis as defined by the International Conference 2001. Serum procalcitonin, creatinine, urea nitrogen, C-Reactive protein, TIMP1, TIMP2, MMP2 and MMP9 were quantified; each patient was followed until death or up to 30 days. A descriptive analysis was performed by calculating the mean and the 95% confidence interval for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed by the method of intentional selection of covariates with mortality at 30 days as dependent variable and all the other variables as predictors. RESULTS: Of the 563 patients, 68 patients (12.1%) died within the first 30 days of hospitalization in the ICU. The mean values for TIMP1, TIMP2 and MMP2 were lower in survivors, MMP9 was higher in survivors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, SOFA and Charlson scores, along with TIMP1 concentration, were statistically associated with mortality at 30 days of septic patients; serum MMP9 was not statistically associated with mortality of patients, but was a confounder of the TIMP1 variable. CONCLUSION: It could be argued that plasma levels of TIMP1 should be considered as a promising prognostic biomarker in the setting of sepsis. Additionally, this study, like other studies with large numbers of septic patients does not support the predictive value of TIMP1 / MMP9.

[Knowledge and practices about the prevention and the control of the influenza A H1N1 in the community of Floridablanca, Santander]. / Conocimientos y prácticas sobre la prevención y el control de la influenza AH1N1 en una comunidad de Floridablanca, Santander.

INTRODUCTION: The influenza A H1N1 generated a pandemic during 2009; governments around the world developed mitigation and control strategies to contain its spread. In Santander prevention plans in a local community were put into practice. OBJECTIVES: The knowledge and practices of the population were assessed with respect to the prevention and control of pandemic influenza A H1N1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of processed survey designed by one of the investigators, was conducted by personnel experienced with the survey method. Analysis was by univariate, bivariate and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: The sample obtained was of 340 inhabitants. Nearly the entire population (97.4%) were aware of the pandemic. Hand washing and use of surgical masks were the best known preventative actions. An association was seen between gender and level of knowledge, and between knowledge of preventative action and the media exposure. The educational level was related to symptom control measures. Age was related with the duration of hand washing and the use of quarantine. CONCLUSIONS: The community appeared to have acceptable levels of knowledge and practices for the prevention of influenza A H1N1. Continued mitigation plans at government level were recommended to prevent the spread of influenza.

Conocimientos y prácticas sobre la prevención y el control de la influenza AH1N1 en una comunidad de Floridablanca, Santander / Knowledge and practices about the prevention and the control of the influenza A H1N1 in the community of Floridablanca, Santander

Introducción. La influenza AH1N1 generó una pandemia durante el año 2009, para la cual los gobiernos de todo el mundo desarrollaron medidas de mitigación y control de la propagación. En el departamento de Santander se pusieron en práctica planes de prevención orientados a la comunidad. Objetivo. Evaluar los conocimientos y prácticas de la población sobre la prevención y control de la pandemia de influenza AH1N1. Materiales y métodos. Se trató de un estudio transversal con muestreo no probabilístico de encuesta diseñada por los investigadores y diligenciada por personal capacitado sobre el tema. Se realizaron análisis univariado, bivariado y regresión logística. Resultados. La muestra obtenida fue de 340 habitantes, los cuales se encontraban en su domicilio el día de la encuesta; de ellos, 97,4 % de la población conocía sobre la pandemia. El lavado de manos y el uso de tapabocas fueron las medidas más escuchadas. Se encontró relación entre el sexo y el nivel de conocimientos, las medidas escuchadas y los medios de difusión. El nivel de escolaridad está relacionado con las medidas de control de síntomas. La edad está relacionada con la duración del lavado de manos y el uso de la cuarentena. Conclusión. La población estudiada presenta niveles aceptables de conocimientos y prácticas de prevención de la influenza AH1N1. Se recomienda continuar con los planes de mitigación a nivel gubernamental para evitar la expansión de la influenza.

Introduction. The influenza A H1N1 generated a pandemic during 2009; governments around the world developed mitigation and control strategies to contain its spread. In Santander prevention plans in a local community were put into practice. Objectives. The knowledge and practices of the population were assessed with respect to the prevention and control of pandemic influenza A H1N1. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of a random sample of processed survey designed by one of the investigators, was conducted by personnel experienced with the survey method. Analysis was by univariate, bivariate and logistic regression methods. Results. The sample obtained was of 340 inhabitants. Nearly the entire population (97.4%) were aware of the pandemic. Hand washing and use of surgical masks were the best known preventative actions. An association was seen between gender and level of knowledge, and between knowledge of preventative action and the media exposure. The educational level was related to symptom control measures. Age was related with the duration of hand washing and the use of quarantine. Conclusions. The community appeared to have acceptable levels of knowledge and practices for the prevention of influenza A H1N1. Continued mitigation plans at government level were recommended to prevent the spread of influenza.

Síntomas autonómicos en diabéticos y su asociación con variables socioeconómicas y clínicas / Autonomic symptoms in diabetics and their association with socioeconomic and clinical variables

Introducción: la neuropatía autonómica diabética es una complicación seria y común de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus de larga evolución. Afecta numerosos sistemas y produce una gran variedad de manifestaciones clínicas. La información relacionada con la frecuencia de los síntomas y el estrato socioeconómico y el tiempo del diagnóstico es escasa.Objetivos: determinar la frecuencia de síntomas de neuropatía autonómica y evaluar su asociación con la duración de la diabetes y variables socioeconómicas y de tratamiento. Metodología: mediante un estudio de corte transversal, se estudió un grupo de 103 pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y 2 con edades entre los 15 y 65 años, residentes del área metropolitana de Bucaramanga (mediana de edad 57 años, 38 por ciento hombres, 69 por ciento diabéticos tipo 2). Se estimó la frecuencia de síntomas de neuropatía autonómica utilizando un cuestionario estandarizado. Adicionalmente, se interrogó acerca de variables como el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad, el estrato socioeconómico, el tipo de tratamiento recibido y la glucemia en ayunas. Se comparó las medias del puntaje obtenido en el cuestionario utilizando el test de la t. Resultados: se encontró que los síntomas más frecuentes fueron los de vaciamiento vesical retardado 59,4 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento 49-61), seguidos de los síntomas de hipotensión ortostática 38,8 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento 29-50) y los pupilomotores 37,9 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento 28-48). Los diabéticos residentes en estrato social bajo/medio tuvieron un puntaje mayor comparado con el estrato alto [26,1 (DE 17) vs. 16,9 (DE 19), valor p<0,05]. Y los que usan insulina, a diferencia de los que toman hipoglucemiantes orales, también refieren más síntomas [33,2 (DE 17,1) vs. 25,0 (DE 16,8), p <0,05].Conclusiones: los síntomas autonómicos son frecuentes en esta población, especialmente en aquellos con larga duración de su enfermedad, residentes en estrato socioeconómico bajo/medio y que usan insulina como tratamiento principal.

Validez de criterio y reproductividad de la lectura guiada en la citología cérvico-vaginal / Utility of a guided reading technique for cervical cancer screening

Contexto: La lectura de la citología cérvico-vaginal sigue un patrón que puede omitir sectores donde haya nidos de células anormales. Se ha diseñado una estrategia de guía de la lectura de bajo costo. Objetivo: Establecer la validez de criterio y la reproductividad de la lectura guiada sobre la capacidad de discriminar la citología cérvico-vaginal. Metodología: En 300 mujeres sin historia de cáncer de cuello uterino se tomaron dos láminas de citología cérvico-vaginal; ambas se leyeron con el método regular para posterior reevaluación oculta con técnica guiada. Se calcularon los indicadores diagnósticos de las lecturas regular y guiada de cada lámina (patrón de oro: lectura por patólogo). Resultados: Hubo 65 (21.7%) mujeres con citología positiva en la lectura regular, mientras que 64 (21.3%) lo fueron en la lectura guiada. La concordancia de la lectura regular (Kappa 0.354; IC 95% 0.250-0.457) mejoró con la lectura guiada (Kappa 0.395; IC 95% 0.285-0.505). De las placas 24.3% fueron positivas en la lectura por patólogo (2.7% con lesión de alto grado de malignidad). La lectura guiada mejoró los indicadores de validez de criterio. Conclusión: La lectura guiada mejora los indicadores de desempeño, y corrige parcialmente las fallas humanas en la lectura. Sin embargo, esto se debe verificar en estudios poblacionales.

Background: Reading of Papanicolaou test slides follows a pattern that could omit sectors with abnormal cell nests. A low-cost guided reading strategy has been designed. Aim: To establish criteria validity and reproducibility of guided reading strategy in cervical uterine Pap smear. Methodology: To each of 300 women without cervical cancer history in order to apply Papanicolaou test, two slides were taken; both slides were read by regular method, and then reevaluated in blinded conditions with a guided technique. Diagnosis accuracy of regular and guided techniques was determined using pathologist’s reading as a gold standard. Results: When regular readings were used 65 (21.7%) of women had abnormal cytology, and 64 (21.3%) had also abnormal readings with the guided technique. Concordance of the regular reading (Kappa 0.354; 95% CI 0.250-0.457) improved with the guided technique (Kappa 0.395; 95% CI 0.285-0.505), while 24.3% slides were found abnormal in gold standard (2.7% with a high degree of malignancy). The guided reading improves all criteria validity indicators. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the guided reading improves criteria validity indicators, correcting some technician mistakes; however, a populational study is necessary to confirm these results.