Epidemiological characteristics of mortality from infectious intestinal diseases (diarrhea) Paraguay (2015-2019)

Introduction: Infectious intestinal diseases (diarrhea) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2015, it constituted the ninth leading cause of death for all ages. Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of mortality due to infectious intestinal diseases (diarrhea) in Paraguay from 2015 to 2019. Methods: Descriptive, ecological, cross-sectional, retrospective, and non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases was performed. ICD-10 deaths included cholera (A01), typhoid and paratyphoid fever (A01), shigellosis (A03), other bacterial intestinal infections (A04), other bacterial food poisoning (A05), amebiasis (A06), other intestinal diseases due to protozoa (A07), intestinal infections due to viruses (A08), and diarrhea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin (A09). Open access data were obtained from the WEB page of the General Directorate of Strategic Information in Health of the MSP and BS of all the Departments of the country. Crude and adjusted rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) were calculated. Excel and EPI INFO 7.0 were used. Results: 495 deaths were registered; the highest prevalence was in 2019 (adjusted rate of 1.83) and the lowest in 2017 (1.36). The months with the highest mortality rates were January and July (9.9%). 51.72% were women (256), 30.91% were over 80 years old and 28.28% (140) were under 5 years old, average age 50.8, single 56.77% (281) and without any type of education 41.82% (207). A total of 80.61% (399) of the respondents resided in urban areas. The highest rates were registered in Boquerón (33.3) and Amambay (15.2). Diarrhea and gastroenteritis of infectious origin accounted for 95.56% of the cases (473). Discussion: There was a high percentage of mortality from infectious diarrhea. Extremes of life were the most vulnerable populations.

Introducción: Las enfermedades infecciosas intestinales (diarrea) son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. En 2015, constituyeron la novena causa principal de muerte para todas las edades. Objetivo: describir las características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por enfermedades infecciosas intestinales (diarreas) en Paraguay durante los años 2015 al 2019. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, ecológico, transversal, retrospectivo, muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos. Se consideraron los óbitos del CIE - 10, que incluyen al cólera (A01), fiebres tifoidea y paratifoidea (A01), shigelosis (A03), otras infecciones intestinales bacterianas (A04), otras intoxicaciones alimentarias bacterianas (A05), amebiasis (A06), otras enfermedades intestinales debidas a protozoarios (A07), infecciones intestinales debidas a virus (A08) y diarrea y gastroenteritis de presunto origen infeccioso (A09). Se utilizaron datos de acceso abierto de la página WEB de la Dirección General de Información Estratégica en Salud del MSP y BS de todos los Departamentos del país. Se calcularon tasas crudas y ajustadas (por 100.000 habitantes). Se utilizaron Excel y EPI INFO 7.0. Resultados: Se registraron 495 muertes, la mayor prevalencia fue en 2019 (tasa ajustada de 1,83) y menor en 2017 (1,36). Los meses con mayor mortalidad fueron enero y julio (9,9%). El 51,72% fueron mujeres (256), 30,91% mayores de 80 años y 28,28% (140) menores de 5 años, edad promedio 50,8, solteros 56,77% (281) y sin ningún tipo de educación 41,82% (207). El 80,61% (399) residía en área urbana. Las mayores tasas se registraron en Boquerón (33,3) y Amambay (15,2). El 95,56% (473) fueron diarreas y gastroenteritis de origen infeccioso. Discusión: Se registra alto porcentaje de mortalidad de diarreas de origen infeccioso. Los extremos de la vida constituyen la población más vulnerable.

HIV treatment cascade in regions of Peru with the highest HIV prevalence.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the HIV treatment cascade and care continuum in regions of highest HIV prevalence in Peru. METHODS: An observational longitudinal study was carried out in 14 tertiary hospitals in Peru. These are the main hospitals that administer antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the regions that represent approximately 95% of reports of HIV/AIDS cases in Peru in 2013. We included individuals older than 18 years newly diagnosed with HIV from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012. Medical records were reviewed until 2015. RESULTS: A total of 2119 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were identified in the selected health facilities (mean age = 35.26 years, 78% male). 97.25% [1845/1897; 95% confidence interval (CI): 96.4-97.9%] of the patients attended the consultation at least once during the follow-up, but only 64.84% (885/1365; 95% CI: 62.2-67.4%) attended within a month after the diagnosis. After starting ART, 74.63% (95% CI: 71.9-77.2%) of PLHIV remained in healthcare. Regardless of the time after diagnosis, 88.40% (1837/2078; 95% CI: 86.9-89.7%) of PLHIV started ART during the observation time. However, 78.68% (95% CI: 76.8-80.4%) did so during the first post-treatment year and only 28.88% (95% CI: 27.9-31.9%) after 1 month. After starting treatment, it was observed that 51.60% (95% CI: 49.2-54%) of PLHIV reached viral suppression during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Further analysis and improvements in the definition of indicators are required to achieve conclusive results; however, these data will give us a general understanding of the progress of Peruvian health policies in achieving the goal established by the WHO.

Características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por meningitis bacteriana en Paraguay (2015 ­ 2019) / Epidemiological characteristics of mortality due to bacterial meningitis in Paraguay (2015 ­2019)

Introducción. La meningitis es una emergencia que requiere diagnóstico y tratamiento inmediato. La epidemiología cambió con las vacunas conjugadas, pero la carga de la enfermedad y las muertes siguen altas. Objetivo. Describir las características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por meningitis en Paraguay en el periodo 2015-2019. Materiales y métodos. Estudio ecológico y descriptivo en el que se obtuvieron datos de acceso abierto disponibles en la página WEB de la Dirección General de Información Estratégica en Salud del Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de todas las regiones sanitarias del país. Se calcularon las tasas crudas y ajustadas (por 100.000 habitantes) por Excel y EPI INFO 7.0. Resultados. Se registraron 125 muertes, la mayor prevalencia fue en el 2018, con una tasa ajustada de 0,55 por 100.000 habitantes y la menor en 2017, con 0,27 por 100.000 habitantes. Los meses con mayor mortalidad fueron agosto (15,2%) y diciembre (11,2%). El 58,40% de los fallecidos fueron varones (73), 21,60% (27) menores de 4 años, en su mayoría mujeres y 12% (11) adultos mayores (60-70 años), mayoría varones. La edad promedio fue 37,76 años, solteros el 67,20% (84) y no escolarizados el 26,40% (33). El 80,80% (101) residía en el área urbana. Las mayores tasas se registraron en Paraguarí (6,8 por 100.000 habitantes) y Caazapá (3,3 por 100.000 habitantes), no se registraron casos en Alto Paraguay. Conclusión. Los extremos de la vida siguen siendo una población vulnerable para la meningitis.

Introduction.Meningitis is a disease that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. The epidemiology changed over the years due to the advances in conjugate vaccines, however, the mortality rate, as well as the disease burden, are still very high. Objective.To describe the epidemiological characteristics of meningitis mortality in Paraguay in the 2015-2019 period. Materials and methods.Descriptive and ecological study in which data was obtained from the open and official website of the General Department of Strategic Information of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. Crude and adjusted rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) were calculated using Excel and EPI INFO 7.0. Results.In the study period, 125 deaths were registered with the highest prevalence in 2018 (adjusted rate of 0.55 per 100,000 inhabitants) and the lowest in 2017 (adjusted rate of 0.27 per 100,000 inhabitants). The months with the highest mortality were August and December with 15.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Males were the predominant gender with 58.40% (73 people), 21.60% (27) were under 4 years of age, mostly women, and 12% (11) were seniors (60-70 years), mostly men. Average age was 37.76 years, 67.20% single (84) and 26.40% (33)had no formal education and 80.80% (101) lived in urban areas. The highest rates were registered in Paraguarí (6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants) and Caazapa (3.3 per 100,000 inhabitants). There were no cases in Alto Paraguay. Conclusion: The extremes of life remain a vulnerable population for meningitis.

Predictores de gravedad en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en el Hospital Integrado Respiratorio del Alto Paraná, 2021 / Predictors of severity in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at the Alto Paraná Integrated Respiratory Hospital, 2021

RESUMEN Introducción. La gravedad de los pacientes internados por COVID-19 puede ser determinada por sus características sociodemográficas y las enfermedades de base, así como la alteración de los síntomas y resultados de laboratorios. Objetivo. analizar predictores de gravedad en los pacientes internados por COVID-19 en el Hospital Integrado Respiratorio de Alto Paraná. Metodología. Estudio observacional retrospectivo de corte transversal. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las fichas clínicas de los pacientes internados entre enero a marzo del año 2021. Se analizaron características sociodemográficas, clínicas y factores de riesgo de gravedad. Resultados. De los 137 pacientes estudiados, el 62,0% (n=85) era del sexo masculino. La mortalidad fue del 43,8% (n=60), similar en menores y mayores de 60 años. El ingreso a UTI estuvo asociado a mayor mortalidad 69,4% (n=43) (p<0,001). Los principales síntomas fueron disnea 63,5% (n=87), tos seca 55,47% (n=76) y fiebre 54,0% (n=74), únicamente la disnea se asoció (p<0,05) a óbito. Las enfermedades de base más frecuentes y asociadas a mayor riesgo de muerte (p<0,001) fueron la Hipertensión arterial, Diabetes mellitus y obesidad. Los parámetros laboratoriales alterados en mayor frecuencia fueron leucocitosis, neutrofilia, linfopenia, AST, Dímero D, ferritina y glicemia, pero los marcadores asociados (p<0,05) con óbito fueron linfopenia, AST y glicemia. Conclusión. Se identificaron algunos parámetros de gravedad que contribuyeron al monitoreo de la evolución del paciente, los cuales pueden ser útiles como predictores en las decisiones de los profesionales de la salud para el tratamiento.

ABSTRACT Introduction. The severity of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 can be determined by its sociodemographic characteristics and underlying diseases, as well as changes in symptoms and laboratory results. Objective. to analyze severity predictors in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at the Alto Paraná Respiratory Integrated Hospital. Methodology. Observational cros-sectional, retrospective study. Clinical charts of patients hospitalized between January and March of 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and severity risk factors were analyzed. Results. Of the 137 patients studied, 62.0% (n=85) were male. Mortality was 43.8% (n=60), similar in those under and over 60 years old. ICU admission was associated with higher mortality 69.4% (n=43) (p<0.001). The main symptoms were dyspnea 63.5% (n=87), dry cough 55.47% (n=76) and fever 54.0% (n=74), only dyspnea was associated (p<0.05) to death. The most frequent underlying diseases associated with a higher risk of death (p<0.001) were arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity. The most frequently altered laboratory parameters were leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, AST, D-dimer, ferritin and glycemia, but the markers associated (p<0.05) with death were lymphopenia, AST and glycemia. Conclusion. Some severity parameters were identified that contributed to the monitoring of the patient's evolution, which can be useful as predictors in the decisions of health professionals for treatment.