Sex-dependent effect of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular event risk in a population-based cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) factors often result in profound health inequalities among populations, and their impact may differ between sexes. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the effect of socioeconomic status indicators on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events among males and females with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: A population-based cohort from a southern European region including 24,650 patients with T2D was followed for five years. The sex-specific associations between SES indicators and the first occurring CVD event were modeled using multivariate Fine-Gray competing risk models. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and stroke were considered secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Patients without a formal education had a significantly higher risk of CVD than those with a high school or university education, with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) equal to 1.24 (95%CI: 1.09-1.41) for males and 1.50 (95%CI: 1.09-2.06) for females. Patients with <18 000€ income had also higher CVD risk than those with ≥18 000€, with HRs equal to 1.44 (95%CI: 1.29-1.59) for males and 1.42 (95%CI: 1.26-1.60) for females. Being immigrant showed a HR equal to 0.81 (95%CI: 0.66-0.99) for males and 1.13 (95%CI: 0.68-1.87) for females. Similar results were observed for stroke, but differed for CHD when income is used, which had higher effect in females. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequalities in CVD outcomes are present among T2D patients, and their magnitude for educational attainment is sex-dependent, being higher in females, suggesting the need to consider them when designing tailored primary prevention and management strategies.

Cohort Profile: CArdiovascular Risk in patients with DIAbetes in NAvarra (CARDIANA cohort).

PURPOSE: The CArdiovascular Risk in patients with DIAbetes in Navarra (CARDIANA cohort) cohort was established to assess the effects of sociodemographic and clinical variables on the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 (T2D) diabetes, with a special focus on socioeconomic factors, and to validate and develop cardiovascular risk models for these patients. PARTICIPANTS: The CARDIANA cohort included all patients with T1D and T2D diabetes registered in the Public Health Service of Navarra with prevalent disease on 1 January 2012. It consisted of 1067 patients with T1D (ages 2-88 years) and 33842 patients with T2D (ages 20-105 years), whose data were retrospectively extracted from the Health and Administrative System Databases. FINDINGS TO DATE: The follow-up period for wave 1 was from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. During these 5 years, 9 patients (0.8%; 95% CI (0.4% to 1.6%)) in the T1D cohort developed a cardiovascular disease event, whereas for the T2D cohort, 2602 (7.7%; 95% CI (7.4% to 8.0%)) had an event. For the T2D cohort, physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, with adjusted estimated ORs equal to 0.84 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.07) for the partially active group and 0.71 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.91) for the active group, compared with patients in the non-active group. FUTURE PLANS: The CARDIANA cohort is currently being used to assess the effect of sociodemographic risk factors on CV risk at 5 years and to externally validate cardiovascular predictive models. A second wave is being conducted in late 2022 and early 2023, to extend the follow-up other 5 years, from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2021. Periodic data extractions are planned every 5 years.

Cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review of prediction models.

AIMS: To identify all cardiovascular disease risk prediction models developed in patients with type 2 diabetes or in the general population with diabetes as a covariate updating previous studies, describing model performance and analysing both their risk of bias and their applicability METHODS: A systematic search for predictive models of cardiovascular risk was performed in PubMed. The CHARMS and PROBAST guidelines for data extraction and for the assessment of risk of bias and applicability were followed. Google Scholar citations of the selected articles were reviewed to identify studies that conducted external validations. RESULTS: The titles of 10,556 references were extracted to ultimately identify 19 studies with models developed in a population with diabetes and 46 studies in the general population. Within models developed in a population with diabetes, only six were classified as having a low risk of bias, 17 had a favourable assessment of applicability, 11 reported complete model information, and also 11 were externally validated. CONCLUSIONS: There exists an overabundance of cardiovascular risk prediction models applicable to patients with diabetes, but many have a high risk of bias due to methodological shortcomings and independent validations are scarce. We recommend following the existing guidelines to facilitate their applicability.

Effect of Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Event Risk in a Population-Based Cohort of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Physical activity (PA) is one of the few modifiable factors that can reduce this risk. The aim of this study was to estimate to what extent PA can contribute to reducing CVD risk and all-cause mortality in patients with T2D. Information from a population-based cohort including 26,587 patients with T2D from the Navarre Health System who were followed for five years was gathered from electronic clinical records. Multivariate Cox regression models were fitted to estimate the effect of PA on CVD risk and all-cause mortality, and the approach was complemented using conditional logistic regression models within a matched nested case-control design. A total of 5111 (19.2%) patients died during follow-up, which corresponds to 37.8% of the inactive group, 23.9% of the partially active group and 12.4% of the active group. CVD events occurred in 2362 (8.9%) patients, which corresponds to 11.6%, 10.1% and 7.6% of these groups. Compared with patients in the inactive group, and after matching and adjusting for confounders, the OR of having a CVD event was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.66-1.07) for the partially active group and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.56-0.91) for the active group. A slightly more pronounced gradient was obtained when focused on all-cause mortality, with ORs equal to 0.72 (95% CI: 0.61-0.85) and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.42-0.59), respectively. This study provides further evidence that physically active patients with T2D may have a reduced risk of CVD-related complications and all-cause mortality.

Observatorio de Salud Comunitaria de Navarra: puesta en marcha y primeras experiencias / Community Health Observatory of Navarre: implementation and first experiences

FUNDAMENTOS: El Observatorio de Salud Comunitaria de Navarra se creó en 2016 para estudiar los determinantes, resultados y desigualdades en salud. El objetivo de este artículo fue describir la metodología y el proceso seguidos para su puesta en marcha, así como analizar la variabilidad de los indicadores seleccionados entre Zonas Básicas de Salud.MÉTODOS: Se especificó la configuración del observatorio y se describieron estadísticamente los indicadores seleccionados y su variabilidad entre zonas. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo considerado, el observatorio interactuó con diferentes instituciones, unas como proveedoras de información y otras como usuarias de la misma. Uno de sus principales productos fueron los Informes de Perfil de Zona Básica de Salud, que incluyeron para cada zona una selección de 21 indicadores agrupados en: factores sociodemográficos, estilos de vida, morbilidad, sistema de salud y mortalidad. Los coeficientes de variación entre zonas de los indicadores se encontraron entre 0,01 y 0,7, siendo los que aluden a factores sociodemográficos los de mayor variabilidad.CONCLUSIONES: Esta experiencia comparte con otras similares el establecimiento de un sistema de comparación de determinantes y resultados de salud en áreas pequeñas. Los indicadores seleccionados captan la variabilidad entre zonas, devolviendo una imagen específica de las mismas. A partir de sus productos se abren posibilidades de intervención en coordinación con Atención Primaria, los agentes sociales y los activos de salud

BACKGROUND: The Community Health Observatory of Navarre (Observatorio de Salud Comunitaria de Navarra) was created in 2016 to study health determinants, results and inequalities. The objective of this article was to describe the methodology and the process followed to launch it, and to analyse the variation of the selected indicators among Basic Health Zones.METHODS: The observatory configuration was specified and the selected indicators and their variation among zones were described. RESULTS: During the period under consideration, the observatory interacted with many institutions, some of them provide information and others receive it. One of the main outcomes was the Profile Reports by Basic Health Zone, which included a selection of 21 indicators by zone related to socio-demographic factors, lifestyles, morbidity, Health System and mortality. The coefficients of variation among zones ranged between 0.01 and 0.7, showing the socio-demographic factors the greatest variation.CONCLUSIONS: This project, in line with other observatories, sets a system of comparison with health determinants and results in small areas. The selected indicators capture variation among zones, generating specific pictures. This is the starting point for future interventions in coordination with Primary Health Care, social agents and health assets

Achievement of cardiovascular risk factor targets according to sex and previous history of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: A population-based study.

AIMS: The main objective was to assess, using real-practice primary care records, the degree of control of cardiovascular risk factor targets. Records were stratified by the presence of previous history or cardiovascular disease (CVD), and sex differences in the fulfillment profile were analyzed. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Spain. Type 2 diabetes patients over 20 years old (n = 32,638) were identified from primary care electronic health records, and the following information was extracted: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, triglycerides, BMI and smoking history. RESULTS: Patients with CVD had worse control of HbA1c than patients without it, (HbA1c < 7% 56.9% vs. 61.2%) but better control of BP (<130/80: 43.5% vs 38.2%) and lipids. In the group without prior CVD history, women had worse control of HbA1c, LDL, HDL, BMI and triglycerides and better control of blood pressure and smoking. These differences were maintained or accentuated in the group with previous CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Women had poorer control of CV risk factors in both groups, and the sex-gap is accentuated in patients with previous CVD.

Cross-national health care database utilization between Spain and France: results from the EPICHRONIC study assessing the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: The EPICHRONIC (EPIdemiology of CHRONIC diseases) project investigated the possibility of developing common procedures for French and Spanish electronic health care databases to enable large-scale pharmacoepidemiological studies on chronic diseases. A feasibility study assessed the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Navarre and the Basque Country (Spain) and the Midi-Pyrénées region (France). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We described and compared database structures and the availability of hospital, outpatient, and drug-dispensing data from 5.9 million inhabitants. Due to differences in database structures and recorded data, we could not develop a common procedure to estimate T2DM prevalence, but identified an algorithm specific to each database. Patients were identified using primary care diagnosis codes previously validated in Spanish databases and a combination of primary care diagnosis codes, hospital diagnosis codes, and data on exposure to oral antidiabetic drugs from the French database. RESULTS: Spanish and French databases (the latter termed Système National d'Information Inter-Régimes de l'Assurance Maladie [SNIIRAM]) included demographic, primary care diagnoses, hospital diagnoses, and outpatient drug-dispensing data. Diagnoses were encoded using the International Classification of Primary Care (version 2) and the International Classification of Diseases, version 9 and version 10 (ICD-9 and ICD-10) in the Spanish databases, whereas the SNIIRAM contained ICD-10 codes. All data were anonymized before transferring to researchers. T2DM prevalence in the population over 20 years was estimated to be 6.6-7.0% in the Spanish regions and 6.3% in the Midi-Pyrénées region with ~2% higher estimates for males in the three regions. CONCLUSION: Tailored procedures can be designed to estimate the prevalence of T2DM in population-based studies from Spanish and French electronic health care records.

Socioeconomic inequalities in cardiometabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if the achievement of control targets in patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with personal socioeconomic factors and if these associations were sex-dependent. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in Spain. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level and other clinical parameters were obtained from electronic primary care records (n = 32,638 cases). Socioeconomic status was determined using education level and yearly income. Among patients, having their HbA1c level checked during the previous year was considered as an indirect measure of the process of care, whereas tobacco use and clinical parameters such as HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and blood pressure (BP) were considered intermediate control outcomes. General linear mixed effect models were used to assess associations. RESULTS: The achievement of metabolic and cardiovascular control targets in patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with educational level and income, and socioeconomic gradients differed by sex. The probability of having had an HbA1c test performed in the previous year was higher in patients with lower education levels. Patients in the lowest income and education level categories were less likely to have reached the recommended HbA1c level. Males in the lowest education level categories were less likely to be non-smokers or to have achieved the blood pressure targets. In contrast, patients within the low income categories had a higher probability of reaching the recommended LDL-c level. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in the achievement of cardiovascular and metabolic control that differed in direction and magnitude depending on the measured outcome and sex of the patient. These findings may help health professionals focus on high-risk individuals to decrease health inequalities.

Estudio comparativo entre tres sistemas de cuantificación del índice de punta-onda en pacientes con punta-onda continua del sueño lento / A comparative study of three systems for quantifying the spike and wave index in patients with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep

Introducción. La punta-onda continua del sueño lento (POCS) es una encefalopatía epileptiforme infantil con un patrón de descargas epileptiformes durante el sueño que, prolongadas en el tiempo, producen un grave deterioro neuropsicológico. La cuantificación de los paroxismos mediante el índice de punta-onda (SWI) > 85% establece un diagnóstico de sospecha y permite iniciar una terapia precoz que puede evitar dicho deterioro. Objetivos. Comparar los resultados del método clásico de cálculo del SWI con dos propuestas que optimicen la relación entre el tiempo de análisis empleado y la sensibilidad diagnóstica. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudiaron los registros electroencefalográficos nocturnos de 17 pacientes con POCS. Dos observadores calcularon el SWI con el método clásico, así como con otros dos métodos, M2 y M3, primero en la fase activa y posteriormente en la fase de remisión de la POCS. Se comparó el tiempo consumido por cada método, los valores individuales de SWI y la concordancia entre métodos y observadores. Resultados. Con el M3 dos pacientes no alcanzaron el corte del SWI > 85%. La concordancia en la fase activa de la POCS tras el M2 y el M3 fue de 0,762 y 0,704, respectivamente, mientras que en la fase de remisión fue de 0,951 y 0,830. La concordancia entre observadores superó el 0,905 en todos los casos. Conclusiones. Los dos métodos abreviados se pueden utilizar tanto en la fase activa de la POCS como en la fase de remisión, con una sustancial reducción del tiempo de análisis empleado. Nuestros resultados apoyan la tendencia actual de considerar el SWI > 60% como sugestivo de POCS. El método M2 arroja resultados más cercanos a los del método clásico que los de M3 (AU)

Introduction. Continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) is an epileptic encephalopathy of childhood with a pattern of epileptiform discharges during sleep, which, if prolonged over time, produce severe neuropsychological impairment. Quantification of the paroxysms by means of a spike and wave index (SWI) > 85% establishes a presumptive diagnosis and allows early therapy to be started to prevent such impairment. Aims. To compare the results of the classic method for calculating the SWI against two proposals that optimise the relation between the analysis time employed and the diagnostic sensitivity. Patients and methods. The nocturnal electroencephalographic registers of 17 patients with CSWS were studied. Two observers calculated the SWI with the classic method, as well as with two other methods, M2 and M3, first in the active phase and then in the remission phase. The time required by each method, the individual SWI values and the agreement between methods and observers were compared. Results. With M3 two of the patients failed to reach the cut-off point of SWI > 85%. Agreement in the active phase of CSWS after M2 and M3 was 0.762 and 0.704, respectively, while in the remission phase it was 0.951 and 0.830. Interobserver agreement exceeded 0.905 in all cases. Conclusions. The two abbreviated methods can be used in both the active and the remission phases, with a substantial reduction in the analysis time that is needed. Our results support the current tendency to consider SWI > 60% as suggestive of CSWS. Method M2 yields results that are closer to those of the classic method than those of M3 (AU)

Quality of life in long-term premenopausal early-stage breast cancer survivors from Spain. Effects of surgery and time since surgery.

PURPOSE: More research is needed into Quality of Life (QoL) in young early-stage breast cancer patients in the long-term. Knowledge of long-term effects of surgery on QoL in breast cancer patients is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess QoL in premenopausal Spanish early- stage breast cancer patients over a long follow-up period and evaluate differences among surgery-treated groups and the influence of time on patient QoL. METHODS: 243 premenopausal stage I-III relapse-free breast cancer patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaire once during follow-up (5-20 years after surgery). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the results. RESULTS: QoL mean scores were high in most areas (>80 points in functioning: <20 points in symptoms areas). Limitations were moderate (>30 points) in global QoL, sleep disturbance, future perspective, sexual areas, and hot flashes. Mastectomized patients had a 4-fold greater risk of low scores in body image. Patients with a longer follow-up showed lower systemic side effects, hot flashes and breast symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: QoL in Spanish premenopausal early-stage breast cancer patients in a long follow-up after surgery is high. Differences in QoL among surgery-treated groups are limited. Time since surgery influences treatment side effects.

Prevalencia de alteración de expresión nuclear de proteínas reparadoras con inmunohistoquímica sobre adenomas con displasia de alto grado y características asociadas a dicho riesgo en un estudio de base poblacional / Prevalence of altered mismatch repair protein nuclear expression detected by immunohistochemistry on adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and features associated with this risk in a population-based study

INTRODUCCIÓN: La alteración en la expresión nuclear de proteínas de los genes reparadores del ADN valorada mediante inmunohistoquímica (IHQ) en el tejido tumoral es una técnica útil como cribado de síndrome de Lynch (SL). Una revisión reciente propone realizar este cribado no solo sobre todos los cánceres colorrectales (CCR) diagnosticados, sino también sobre adenomas avanzados (AA), especialmente en pacientes jóvenes. OBJETIVO: Evaluación de la prevalencia de IHQ alterada realizada sobre todos los adenomas con displasia de alto grado (DAG) diagnosticados en nuestra comunidad durante 2011, y descripción de las variables asociadas a su alteración. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron todos los casos de pólipos adenomatosos con DAG diagnosticados desde los 3 laboratorios de anatomía patológica públicos de Navarra durante el año 2011, y se realizó un estudio estadístico para medir la asociación de diferentes variables, tanto de los pacientes como de las lesiones con la presencia de IHQ alterada. RESULTADOS: Se diagnosticaron 213 adenomas de colon con DAG, excluyéndose del análisis posterior 26 (12,2%) casos (2 SL ya diagnosticados, 22 casos sin estudio IHQ y 2 casos con IHQ no valorable), siendo el número final 187. Se encontraron hallazgos patológicos en 10 casos, suponiendo el 5,35%: 6 casos en MLH1 y PMS2, 2 casos en PMS2, un caso en MSH6 y un caso en MSH2 y MSH6. La presencia sincrónica de CCR, la presencia de un único AA, la localización proximal de la DAG y la edad < 50 años resultaron estadísticamente significativos en la asociación de dichas variables, con la expresión anómala de proteínas nucleares. CONCLUSIONES: El porcentaje de expresión nuclear patológica hallado en la IHQ es elevado, por lo que podría estar indicado realizar screening de rutina con IHQ en todas las DAG diagnosticadas, especialmente en pacientes jóvenes, con un único AA y con DAG proximal

INTRODUCTION: Alteration of mismatch repair system protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) in tumoural tissue is a useful technique for Lynch Syndrome (LS) screening. A recent review proposes LS screening through immunohistochemical study not only in all diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) but also in advanced adenomas, especially in young patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of altered IHQ carried out in all adenomas with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) diagnosed in our community in 2011, as well as the variables associated with this alteration. METHODS: We included all the cases of adenomatous polyps with HGD diagnosed in the three public pathology laboratories of Navarre during 2011 and performed a statistical study to assess the association between different patient and lesion characteristics and altered IHQ results. RESULTS: A total of 213 colonic adenomas with HGD were diagnosed, and 26 (12.2%) cases were excluded from the final analysis (2 known LS, 22 without IHQ study and 2 with inconclusive IHQ studies). The final number of adenomas included was 187. Pathologic results were found in 10 cases (5.35%)-6 cases in MLH1 and PMS2, 2 cases in PMS2, 1 case in MSH6 and 1 case in MSH2 and MSH6. The factors showing a statistically significant association with the presence of abnormal proteins were the synchronous presence of CRC, the presence of only one advanced adenoma, proximal location of HGD and age < 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of pathologic nuclear expression found in IHQ is high. Consequently, screening of all diagnosed HGD could be indicated, especially in young patients, with a single AA and proximal HGD

Quality of Life in Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients: determinants of global QL and survival analyses.

PURPOSE: This paper studies the Quality of Life (QL) of Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy, compares our results with those from studies from other cultural areas, and identifies factors associated with global QL and survival prognostic variables. METHODS: EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 questionnaires were completed three times by 39 patients along treatment and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to study global QL determinants (≤50 points considered low global-QL score). Analyses of prognostic variables for death were performed (Cox proportional hazards models). RESULTS: QL mean scores in the whole sample were moderately high, with limitations (>30) in physical, role, social functioning, emotional areas, fatigue, pain, neuropathy and global QL. Differences with studies from other cultural areas were mainly found in the lower score for dyspnoea (≥15 points). There were no significant differences in QL scores between the first and second assessments. In six areas, the third assessment was lower than the first and second: fatigue, hair loss (>20 points); physical, social functioning, neuropathy (10-20 points); emotional functioning (5-10 points). The best model to explain the chances of low QL includes, as explanatory variables, high emotional functioning as protective factor and fatigue as risk factor (R(2) = 0.70). Eight QL areas (four pain-related) and performance status showed a statistically significant association with survival. CONCLUSION: Patients adapted well to their disease and treatments. Platinum-doublet can be administered in advanced NSCLC patients. Our QL data are in line with those from other cultural areas.

Influence of Age at Diagnosis and Time-Dependent Risk Factors on the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Aim. To determine the influence of age at onset of type 1 diabetes and of traditional vascular risk factors on the development of diabetic retinopathy, in a cohort of patients who have been followed up after onset. Methods. Observational, retrospective study. The cohort consists of 989 patients who were followed up after diagnosis for a mean of 10.1 (SD: 6.8) years. The influence of age at diagnosis, glycemic control, duration of diabetes, sex, blood pressure, lipids, BMI, and smoking is analyzed using Cox univariate and multivariate models with fixed and time-dependent variables. Results. 135 patients (13.7%) developed diabetic retinopathy. The cumulative incidence was 0.7, 5.9, and 21.8% at 5-, 10-, and 15-year follow-up, respectively. Compared to the group with onset at age <10 years, the risk of retinopathy increased 2.5-, 3-, 3.3-, and 3.7-fold in the groups with onset at 10-14, 15-29, 30-44, and >44 years, respectively. During follow-up we also observed an association between diabetic retinopathy and HbA1c levels, HDL-cholesterol, and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion. The rate of diabetic retinopathy is higher in patients who were older at type 1 diabetes diagnosis. In addition, we confirmed the influence of glycemic control, HDL-cholesterol, and diastolic blood pressure on the occurrence of retinopathy.

Quality of life in elderly patients with localized breast cancer treated with radiotherapy. A prospective study.

PURPOSE: There is a debate on the role of adjuvant Radiotherapy (RT) in elderly breast cancer patients. The aim is to study Quality of Life (QL) throughout the treatment and follow-up periods in early stages breast cancer patients who have started radiotherapy, and to compare the QL of axillary surgery groups. METHODS: 173 patients, ≥65 years completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, and the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia(IDDD) questionnaires three times throughout treatment and follow-up periods. Linear mixed effect models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in QL, and whether these changes differed among axillary surgery groups. RESULTS: QL scores were high (>70/100 points) in most QL areas, with moderate limitations (>30) in sexual functioning and enjoyment, future perspective and global QL. In six areas there was a decline at the RT sessions end, that after 6 weeks was recovered. For three areas, there was an improvement in the follow-up measurement compared to the previous assessments. Changes in seven areas were <5 points. Axillary node dissection patients had a body image decrease (6 points) in the follow up period. The lymphadenectomy group had more fatigue (10 points, p = 0.078) than the other two axillary surgery groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results orientate towards good patients' adaptation to their disease and treatments, and to administering RT in early stages breast cancer patients. QL differences between the axillary surgery groups and in their evolutions were few but have appeared in key QL areas.

Incidence and Risk Factors Involved in the Development of Nephropathy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Follow Up Since Onset.

OBJECTIVES: Estimation of the incidence of nephropathy as well as potential risk factors involved in its onset in a cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes who were followed from diagnosis. METHODS: We studied 716 patients, who were followed for a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 10.1 (SD: 5.3) years. We analyzed the influence of demographic characteristics and levels of glycated hemoglobin (A1C), lipids and blood pressure during the course of the disease by univariate and multivariate survival methods. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of nephropathy was 2.6%, 6.3% and 11.9% at 5, 10 and 15 years of evolution, respectively. The factors associated with increased risk for nephropathy were systolic blood pressure and A1C levels. An increment of 10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure increases the risk by 36%, and an increment of 1% in A1C levels raises the risk by 13% at 5 years since onset and 68% at 10 years, and it doubles the risk at 15 years. Women have higher risk than men (hazard ratio 1.79; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that female gender and high levels of A1C and systolic blood pressure throughout the course of the disease are the main factors associated with an increased risk for development of nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

[Prevalence of altered mismatch repair protein nuclear expression detected by immunohistochemistry on adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and features associated with this risk in a population-based study]. / Prevalencia de alteración de expresión nuclear de proteínas reparadoras con inmunohistoquímica sobre adenomas con displasia de alto grado y características asociadas a dicho riesgo en un estudio de base poblacional.

INTRODUCTION: Alteration of mismatch repair system protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) in tumoural tissue is a useful technique for Lynch Syndrome (LS) screening. A recent review proposes LS screening through immunohistochemical study not only in all diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) but also in advanced adenomas, especially in young patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of altered IHQ carried out in all adenomas with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) diagnosed in our community in 2011, as well as the variables associated with this alteration. METHODS: We included all the cases of adenomatous polyps with HGD diagnosed in the three public pathology laboratories of Navarre during 2011 and performed a statistical study to assess the association between different patient and lesion characteristics and altered IHQ results. RESULTS: A total of 213 colonic adenomas with HGD were diagnosed, and 26 (12.2%) cases were excluded from the final analysis (2 known LS, 22 without IHQ study and 2 with inconclusive IHQ studies). The final number of adenomas included was 187. Pathologic results were found in 10 cases (5.35%)-6 cases in MLH1 and PMS2, 2 cases in PMS2, 1 case in MSH6 and 1 case in MSH2 and MSH6. The factors showing a statistically significant association with the presence of abnormal proteins were the synchronous presence of CRC, the presence of only one advanced adenoma, proximal location of HGD and age <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of pathologic nuclear expression found in IHQ is high. Consequently, screening of all diagnosed HGD could be indicated, especially in young patients, with a single AA and proximal HGD.

An exercise program with patient's involvement and family support can modify the cognitive and affective trajectory of acutely hospitalized older medical patients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Most hospitalized older adults have reduced functional and physiological reserves, rendering them more vulnerable to the effects of a series of circumstances beyond the existence of health conditions unrelated to the reason for the hospitalization, usually worsening the hospitalization outcome. Despite the theoretical support for the idea that mobility improvement in the hospitalized patient carries multiple benefits, this idea has not been fully translated into clinical practice. AIMS: Our objective was to assess if an exercise intervention involving patients and families could modify the cognitive and affective progression of hospitalized older patients, from admission to discharge and 30 days after discharge. METHODS: This was a prospective intervention study with blinded outcome progression. Patients were recruited over a 3-month period and prospectively followed up. The intervention consisted in a supervised individualized graduated exercise program and education of ward and team staff, patients and caregivers to actively encourage mobility and functional independence. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were recruited. Mean age was 86.1 (SD 4.92), and 18 (62 %) were women. At discharge, we found a significant improvement in Mini-mental State Examination (p = 0.008), Trail making Test-A (p = 0.03), and verbal fluency (p = 0.019). One month after discharge, Geriatric Depression Scale-Yesavage and Delirium Rating Scale-revised-98 remained statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that an exercise program is feasible, and can be suitable to prevent cognitive and affective decline during acute hospitalization of older adults. It is a challenge for the new models of hospitalization to change the actual disease-centered view to the patient-centered view, optimizing traditionally neglected aspects such as functional, cognitive and affective recovery after hospitalization.

Optimal duration of allergen immunotherapy in children with dust mite respiratory allergy.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) discontinuation data in children remain scarce. OBJECTIVE: We sought for differences in the clinical efficacy of 3 vs. 5 yr of SCIT in children with dust mite respiratory allergy. METHODS: We performed a 5-yr, phase IV prospective study. After the first year, the patients were randomized to 3 (IT3) or 5 yr of treatment (IT5). Efficacy was assessed at 3rd and 5th year by symptom and medication scores and visual analog scales (VAS). Skin tests with common allergens and in vitro assessments were also performed. RESULTS: Eighty-one children (mean age: 9 yr) were randomly assigned to 3 (IT3: 41) or 5 yr (IT5: 40) of immunotherapy. After 3 years, rhinitis global scores decreased in IT3 (44%; p = 0.002) and in IT5 (50%; p = 0.001). Asthma global, symptom and medication scores decreased by 100% in IT3 (p = 0.001) and IT5 (p = 0.001). VAS scores also diminished significantly (IT3: 70%, p = 0.001; IT5: 62.5%; p = 0.001). At 5th year, global rhinitis scores were reduced an additional 30% in IT5 children. Comparisons between both groups did not show differences in rhinitis (p = 0.055), asthma global scores (p = 0.948) or VAS scores at 5th year. Twenty percent of IT5 (p = 0.002) and 7% of IT3 children (p = 0.705) developed new sensitizations. At 5th year, sIgG4 determinations decreased in IT3 without significant variations in IT5. CONCLUSIONS: Three years of SCIT induced significant improvement in children with dust mite respiratory allergy, but a 5-yr course added clinical improvement in rhinitis.

The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire: validation study for Spanish bone metastases patients.

PURPOSE: Quality of life (QL) is a key outcome for advanced disease cancer patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has developed the QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire, a short version of the QLQ-C30 for palliative care. The aim of the present study is to validate the QLQ-C15-PAL for use with Spanish patients with bone metastasis. METHODS: For this study, we used a consecutive sample of stage IV cancer patients with bone metastases who started radiotherapy with palliative intention. Two assessments were proposed for each patient: one on the first day of treatment and one a month after the end of the radiotherapy sessions. Psychometric evaluation of the structure, reliability, and validity was undertaken. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients completed the first questionnaire and seventy five completed the second. Multitrait scaling analysis showed that all items met the standards for convergent validity, and all except the fatigue scale met the standards for divergent validity. Cronbach's coefficient met the 0.7 alpha criterion on all scales except pain (second assessment). Most QLQ-C15-PAL areas had low-to-moderate correlations with the other areas. Significant differences appeared in the comparisons between groups with regard to: patients who died before the second assessment (six areas); patients receiving chemotherapy before starting radiotherapy in the two assessments (three and four areas, respectively); the performance status in the two assessments (nine and eight areas); and the number of RT sessions received (four). Quality of life was better in the second assessment in nine areas. CONCLUSION: The QLQ-C15-PAL is a reliable and valid instrument when applied to a sample of Spanish patients. These results are in line with those of other validation studies.