Risk factors and topographies for self-injurious behaviour in a sample of adults with intellectual developmental disorders.

BACKGROUND: Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a prevalent form of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual developmental disorders (IDD). Existing research has yielded conflicting findings concerning the major risk factors involved, and in addition, SIB shows multiple topographies and presentations. Although presence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and severity of intellectual disability (ID) are known risk factors for SIB, there are no studies comparing SIB topographies by severity degrees of ID and ASD. The purpose of the present paper has been to identify risk factors and topographies for SIB in a representative, stratified and randomised sample of adults with IDD. METHOD: This study was conducted on the basis of data collected by the POMONA-ESP project, in a sample of 833 adults with IDD. Data concerning demographic and health information, ASD symptoms, psychopathology and ID, have been analysed to determine the presence of risk factors for SIB among participants and to explore the occurrence and topographies of SIB across different severity levels of ID and ASD symptoms. RESULTS: Self-injurious behaviour prevalence in the sample was 16.2%. Younger age, oral pain, greater severity of ID, presence of dual diagnosis, psychiatric medication intake and higher scores on Childhood Autism Rating Scale were risk factors for SIB among participants, whereas number of areas with functioning limitations, place of residence, diagnosis of epilepsy and sex were not. SIB was more frequent in participants with ASD symptoms regardless of its severity level, and they displayed a higher number of different topographies of SIB. People with profound ID without co-morbid ASD symptoms showed similar results concerning SIB prevalence and topographies. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge on risk factors and topographies of SIB might play a vital role in the development of prevention strategies and management of SIB in people with IDD. The mere presence of ASD symptoms, regardless of its severity level, can be a crucial factor to be taken into account in assessing SIB. Accordingly, the presence of SIB in people with ID, especially when presented with a varied number of topographies, might provide guidance on ASD differential diagnosis.

How do disorders related to hospitalisation influence haemodialysis patients' nutrition?

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalizations are frequent in hemodialysis patients and is often accompanied by nutritional deterioration showed by a loss of weight and a reduction of albumin serum levels. This phenomenon is related with length of stay having its origin in a complex interplay of factors. Our aim in this study was to analyze if changes in body weight and other nutritional parameters are influenced by the illnesses presented during hospitalization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of three years, we retrospectively chose chronic haemodialysis patients that were admitted for more than four days, excluding those cases that died in the hospital. We randomly chose one admission episode per patient so as to avoid excessive weighing of repeated admissions. We took data concerning weight changes, pre-admission and post-discharge analytical results, analytical results following first week of hospital stay, disorders causing hospital admission and those that developed during the hospital stay. We created a point score system to record the total of illnesses presented. RESULTS: The study included 77 patients, aged 67±12 years and having undergone haemodialysis for 31±34 months. Hospital stay was 17.8±12.6 days (median, 12 days). We observed that many patients admitted for digestive and osteoarticular disorders, heart failure or coronary syndrome lost more weight during their hospital stay, although no significant differences were reached. The total number of disorders suffered during the hospital stay was independent of the cause of hospitalisation. Anaemia,heart arrhythmias and signs of heart failure were associated with longer hospital stays, however it was only anaemia that was significantly related to greater weight loss. Weight loss was not related to surgery or infections. Albumin levels during the first week of hospital stay were different depending on the disorder upon admission. It was lower when the patients were admitted for digestive disorders (ANOVA, P=.05). Changes in albumin and creatinine levels before and after the hospital stay did not differ among disorders. We observed a relationship between having presented with more disorders during the stay and a longer stay, lower initial albumin and greater weight loss following discharge. In the multivariate analysis, we found the following weight loss predictors: stay, anaemia, and sepsis. We also found the following hospital stay predictors:Charlson's comorbidity index, heart arrhythmias, anaemia, sepsis and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition during the hospital stay depends on the duration and the number of disorders that develop during this time, the cause of admission having less impact on this. Albumin levels decrease earlier in patients that are going to develop more disorders during hospital stay.

Peripheral inflammation increases the damage in animal models of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration: possible implication in Parkinson's disease incidence.

Inflammatory processes described in Parkinson's disease (PD) and its animal models appear to be important in the progression of the pathogenesis, or even a triggering factor. Here we review that peripheral inflammation enhances the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system induced by different insults; different peripheral inflammations have been used, such as IL-1ß and the ulcerative colitis model, as well as insults to the dopaminergic system such as 6-hydroxydopamine or lipopolysaccharide. In all cases, an increased loss of dopaminergic neurons was described; inflammation in the substantia nigra increased, displaying a great activation of microglia along with an increase in the production of cytokines such as IL-1ß and TNF-α. Increased permeability or disruption of the BBB, with overexpression of the ICAM-1 adhesion molecule and infiltration of circulating monocytes into the substantia nigra, is also involved, since the depletion of circulating monocytes prevents the effects of peripheral inflammation. Data are reviewed in relation to epidemiological studies of PD.

Inflammatory Animal Model for Parkinson's Disease: The Intranigral Injection of LPS Induced the Inflammatory Process along with the Selective Degeneration of Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons.

We have developed an animal model of degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, the neuronal system involved in Parkinson's disease (PD). The implication of neuroinflammation on this disease was originally established in 1988, when the presence of activated microglia in the substantia nigra (SN) of parkinsonians was reported by McGeer et al. Neuroinflammation could be involved in the progression of the disease or even has more direct implications. We injected 2 µg of the potent proinflammatory compound lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in different areas of the CNS, finding that SN displayed the highest inflammatory response and that dopaminergic (body) neurons showed a special and specific sensitivity to this process with the induction of selective dopaminergic degeneration. Neurodegeneration is induced by inflammation since it is prevented by anti-inflammatory compounds. The special sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons seems to be related to the endogenous dopaminergic content, since it is overcome by dopamine depletion. Compounds that activate microglia or induce inflammation have similar effects to LPS. This model suggest that inflammation is an important component of the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, probably also in PD. Anti-inflammatory treatments could be useful to prevent or slow down the rate of dopaminergic degeneration in this disease.

[Loss of weight in hemodialysis patients after hospitalization is related with length of stay and degree of inflammation]. / La pérdida de peso en pacientes en hemodiálisis tras su hospitalización tiene relación con la duración de la estancia y con el grado de inflamación.

BACKGROUND: It is frequent to observe that hemodialysis patients suffer important loss of weight during hospital stay. This issue has not been investigated previously. Our aim in this study was to analyze factors associated with this loss of weight and what changes occur after admission in biochemical parameters with nutritional interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively selected patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis who were admitted at hospital for acute or chronic pathologies, with a minimum length of stay of 4 days, taking only one episode of admission per patient. We chose loss of weight observed at hospital discharge, at 2 and 4 weeks later and we also collected routine laboratory data and adequacy parameters before and after the hospital admission and basic biochemical parameters in the first week of hospital stay. RESULTS: We included 77 patients, with 67±12 years and 30±34 months in dialysis. Forty (51.9%) were female (51.9%) and 22 diabetics (28.6%). Length of stay was 17.8±12.6 days (median 12). There were 70.4% patients who suffered a loss of weight at discharge and 81.4% at 4 weeks, without differences in sex or diabetes. Weight decreased significantly with a mean of -1.09 kg (95%CI -0.73 to -1.44). After 2 weeks the loss of weight was -1.64 kg (95%CI -1.21 a -2.07 kg) and after 4 weeks was -1.94 kg (95%CI -1.47 a -2.42 kg). Comparing parameters before and after admission, we observed a significantly decrease in serum urea levels (before 134±40 vs after 119±36 mg/dl; p= 0.001), creatinine (before 8.1±2.6 vs after 7.5±2.6 mg/dl; p < 0.001), phosphate (before 5.2±1.7 vs after 4.3±1.5 mg/dl; p < 0.001) and albumin (before 3.70±0.48 vs after 3.56±0.58 g/dl; p=0.05), without changes in adequacy parameters. Greater loss of weight at 4 weeks from discharge was correlated with larger length of stay (r= 0.41; p < 0.001), greater body mass index at admission (r= -0.23; p=0.05) and lower serum albumin at admission (r= 0.39; p= 0.012). It was also correlated with a lower serum albumin (r= 0.27; p=0.05), lower creatinine (r= 0.30; p= 0.02) and lower protein intake (nPNA) (r= 0.47; p= 0.002) after discharge. Lower serum albumin levels at admission were correlated with greater decreases of creatinine after discharge (r= 0.42; p= 0.009) and larger length of stay (r= -0.61; p < 0.001). Employing multivariate analysis we found that loss of weight was associated to length of stay and serum potassium levels before admission. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization of hemodialysis patients have a negative nutritional impact causing a significant loss of weight, probably reflecting a reduction of muscle mass. We found that length of stay in hospital is a basic factor associated with this nutritional impairment. The pathologies promoting hospitalization could influence this derangement through inflammation but this hypothesis should be investigated.

Análisis de la eficacia y de los factores que influyen en la respuesta del hiperparatiroidismo secundario de pacientes en hemodiálisis a cinacalcet / Analysis of the efficacy and factors influencing the response of secondary hyperparathyroidism patients on hemodialysis to cinacalcet

Introducción: Aunque el cinacalcet ha mejorado el control del hiperparatiroidismo secundario en hemodiálisis, todavía un 50% de los pacientes no alcanzan las cifras de PTH recomendadas por las guías K/DOQI. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la eficacia del tratamiento del hiperparatiroidismo secundario con cinacalcet en pacientes no seleccionados en hemodiálisis crónica, de acuerdo con los objetivos marcados por las guías K/DOQI y KDIGO. Además, investigamos qué factores pueden influir en el grado de respuesta del hiperparatiroidismo secundario a cinacalcet. Material y métodos: Recogimos retrospectivamente la evolución de 74pacientes en hemodiálisis con hiperparatiroidismo secundario que fueron tratados con cinacalcet durante al menos 6 meses. Resultados: De acuerdo con las guías K/DOQI, la proporción de pacientes con PTHi >300 pg/ml se redujo al 50%, la presencia de hiperfosforemia descendió del 38,4 al 23,3% y el producto Ca x P >55 mg2/dl2 bajó de 37,8 a 15,1%. La prevalencia de hipocalcemia aumentó de 2,7 al 12,3%. Con respecto a las guías KDIGO, la proporción con PTHi >600 pg/mlse redujo desde 41,1 al 16,4% y la de hiperfosforemia del68,5 al 52,1%; pero al considerar a pacientes con PTHi inicial>600 pg/ml, la prevalencia de P >4,5 mg/dl descendió de 83,3 del 55,2%. Observamos un incremento de la dosis de carbonato cálcico (basal 0,61 ± 1,53 g de calcio elemento/día frente a final 0,95 ± 1,98 g de calcio elementto/día; p = 0,03), debido más a la hipocalcemia que a la necesidad de quelar el fósforo. Encontramos menores descensos de la PTHi entre los pacientes que tenían prescrito inicialmente más sevelamer, y al final del seguimiento presentan mayores niveles séricos de PTHi (no sevelamer: 312 ± 245 pg/ml; sevelamer < _ 6,4 g/día: 510 ± 490 pg/ml; sevelamer >6,4 g/día: 526 ± 393 pg/ml; p = 0,04) y de fósforo (no sevelamer: 4,5 ± 1,2 mg/dl; sevelamer < _ 6,4 g/día: 4,2 ± 1,5 mg/dl; sevelamer >6,4 g/día: 5,7 ± 0,9 mg/dl; p = 0,01). El tratamiento asociado con paricalcitol no mostró ninguna in- fluencia en el grado de respuesta. Los pacientes que alcanzaron los objetivos de PTH mostraron ya a los 3 meses de tratamiento un mayor descenso en los niveles séricos de PTHi (159 ± 84 frente a 630 ± 377 pg/ml; p <0,001), con dosis significativamente menores de cinacalcet (33,8 ± 22,5 frente a 51,1 ± 25,1 mg/día; p = 0,003). Con análisis multivariante, el grado de reducción de la PTHi dependió de sus cifras séricas iniciales y de la dosis inicial de sevelamer. Conclusiones: Ci- nacalcet mejora el control del hiperparatiroidismo secunda- rio, si bien la respuesta es menor en los casos de mayor gra- vedad, representados por niveles más altos de PTH y mayores dosis iniciales de sevelamer. Por el contrario, un descenso im- portante de PTH a los 3 meses con dosis relativamente bajas de cinacalcet sería un marcador pronóstico de buena respuesta (AU)

Background: Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with cinacalcet improves control of PTH, phosphorus, calcium and Ca X P product, enabling to achieve targets recommended by K/DOQI guidelines for PTHi in only 30-50%of patients, in studies with a very selected population. The aim of this study was to analyze its effectiveness in real clinical practice, comparing results with targets recommended by K/DOQI and KDIGO guidelines and to investigate factors having influence on PTH responsiveness to cinacalcet. Methods: We collected data of evolution of 74 patients on hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism who were treated with cinacalcet for at least 6months. Results: According K/DOQI targets we observed a reduction of proportion of patients with PTHi >300 pg/mlto 50%, a decrease of hyperphosphoremia from 38.4% to23.3% and proportion of patients with Ca x P product >55mg2/dl2 from 37.8% to 15.1%. By contrast, presence of hypocalcemia increases from 2.7% to 12.3%. Comparing with KDIGO targets, proportion of patients with PTHi >600pg/ml decreased from 41.1% to 16.4% and with hyperphosphoremia from 68.5% to 52.1%. However, when considering patients with baseline PTHi >600 pg/ml prevalence of P >4.5 mg/dl decreased from 83.3% to 55.2%. We observed significant changes of phosphate binders after cinacalcet treatment with an increase in calcium carbonate doses (pre 0.61 ± 1.53 g of calcium/day vs post-cinacalcet (..) (AU)

[Analysis of the efficacy and factors influencing the response of secondary hyperparathyroidism patients on hemodialysis to cinacalcet]. / Análisis de la eficacia y de los factores que influyen en la respuesta del hiperparatiroidismo secundario de pacientes en hemodiálisis a cinacalcet.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with cinacalcet improves control of PTH, phosphorus, calcium and Ca x P product, enabling to achieve targets recommended by K/DOQI guidelines for PTHi in only 30-50% of patients, in studies with a very selected population. The aim of this study was to analyze its effectiveness in real clinical practice, comparing results with targets recommended by K/DOQI and KDIGO guidelines and to investigate factors having influence on PTH responsiveness to cinacalcet. METHODS: We collected data of evolution of 74 patients on hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism who were treated with cinacalcet for at least 6 months. RESULTS: According K/DOQI targets we observed a reduction of proportion of patients with PTHi > 300 pg/ml to 50%, a decrease of hyperphosphoremia from 38.4% to 23.3% and proportion of patients with Ca x P product > 55 mg2/dl2 from 37.8% to 15.1%. By contrast, presence of hypocalcemia increases from 2.7% to 12.3%. Comparing with KDIGO targets, proportion of patients with PTHi > 600 pg/ml decreased from 41.1% to 16.4% and with hyperphosphoremia from 68.5% to 52.1%. However, when considering patients with baseline PTHi > 600 pg/ml prevalence of P > 4.5 mg/dl decreased from 83.3% to 55.2%. We observed significant changes of phosphate binders after cinacalcet treatment with an increase in calcium carbonate doses (pre 0.61 +/- 1.53 g of calcium/day vs post-cinacalcet 0.95 +/- 1.98 g of calcium/day; p = 0.03) that was prescribed to prevent hypocalcemia and not as phosphate binder. Responsiveness were lower in patients who were taking higher doses of sevelamer at baseline, showing at the end of the study higher PTHi (no-sevelamer: 312 +/- 245 pg/ml; sevelamer < 6.4 g/day: 510 +/- 490 pg/ml; sevelamer > 6.4 g/day: 526 +/- 393 pg/ml; p = 0.04) and phosphorus (no-sevelamer: 4.5 +/- 1.2 mg/dl; sevelamer < 6.4 g/day: 4.2 +/- 1.5 mg/dl; sevelamer > 6.4 g/day: 5.7 +/- 0.9 mg/dl; p=0.01) serum levels. Use of paricalcitol did not show any influence on PTH response. Patients achieving targets for PTH at the end of the study showed a good response early, with a significant decrease of PTHi levels at three months (159 +/- 84 vs 630 +/- 377 pg/ml; p < 0.001) with significantly lower doses of cinacalcet (33.8 +/- 22.5 vs 51.1 +/- 25.1 mg/day; p = 0.003). Using multivariate analysis we found that percent of PTHi reduction was related with baseline PTHi levels and taking sevelamer as phosphate binder at baseline. CONCLUSION: Use of cinacalcet improves grade of control of secondary hyperparathyroidism in non-selected patients in hemodialysis, showing poor response in population with higher PTHi levels and who takes higher doses of sevelamer at baseline. By contrast, a reduction of PTHi levels at 3 months of treatment with relatively lower doses is a pronostic marker of good response to cinacalcet treatment.

Psychopathology and personality traits in psychotic patients and their first-degree relatives.

Personality dimensions have been associated with symptoms dimensions in schizophrenic patients (SP). In this paper we study the relationships between symptoms of functional psychoses and personality dimensions in SP and their first-degree relatives (SR), in other psychotic patients (PP) and their first-degree relatives (PR), and in healthy controls in order to evaluate the possible clinical dimensionality of these disorders. Twenty-nine SP, 29 SR, 18 PP, 18 PR and 188 controls were assessed using the temperament and character inventory (TCI-R). Current symptoms were evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) using the five-factor model described previously (positive [PF], negative [NF], disorganized [DF], excitement [EF] and anxiety/depression [ADF]). Our TCI-R results showed that patients had different personality dimensions from the control group, but in relatives, these scores were not different from controls. With regard to symptomatology, we highlight the relations observed between harm avoidance (HA) and PANSS NF, and between self-transcendence (ST) and PANSS PF. From a personality traits-genetic factors point of view, schizophrenia and other psychosis may be initially differentiated by temperamental traits such as HA. The so-called characterial traits like ST would be associated with the appearance of psychotic symptoms.

[Preoperatory sonography efficiency in paediatric patients with cholelithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Eficacia de la ecografía preoperatoria en la colelitiasis en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary lithiasis is not much frequent in paediatric patients. The manegement of cholelithiasis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still controversial. We propose the preoperatory echographic study of the biliary tree 24-48 h before surgery, as the first choice, instead of the intraoperatory cholangiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study of 42 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to symptomatic biliary lithiasis during the last 15 years, with ages between 18 months and 17-years-old (mean age 9,6-years-old) and weight between 11 and 70 kg (mean weight 42 kg) at the moment of surgery. Six of them had haematological illnesses, 17 came to the hospital because of acute abdominal pain, 10 had been studied because of recurrent abdominal pain and 9 had casual diagnoses. Abdominal sonography was performed in all patients 24-48 hours before surgery. RESULTS: Four children were diagnosed of biliary duct lithiasis: two choledocolithiasis and two stones in the cystic duct. One of the cystic stones was extracted in the operating room and the rest resolved spontaneously. One patient presented dilatation of choledocal duct after surgery, without any stones' evidence. Also this patient resolved spontaneously. We had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary lithiasis is not frequent in children, even if it seems to be increasing. A few of these patients will suffer of choledocolithiasis. The intraoperatory exploration of the biliary tree during laparoscopic surgery is technically difficult due the small size of paediatric patients. Cholangiography is not always successful and can produce some important complications as pancreatitis. Preoperative sonography 24-48 hours before surgery is a safe and efficient method for the diagnosis and follow-up of paediatric patients with biliary lithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is safe enough to be performed without intraoperatory cholangiography.

[Family environment and expressed emotion in patients with schizophrenia or other psychoses and in their first-degree relatives]. / Ambiente familiar y emoción expresada en pacientes con esquizofrenia u otras psicosis y en sus familiares de primer grado.

INTRODUCTION: Family has always been considered a key milestone for the development of the human psyche. Furthermore, in relationship with mental disorders we know that certain aspects of family environment change the course of some of these disorders. This study has aimed to compare the family setting perception of schizophrenic patients vs. other psychotic patients, their first-degree relatives and to see if the expression of the disorder is related with that perception. METHOD: The study included 112 subjects: 41 patients, 41 first-degree relatives and 30 normal controls. Patients were included in the group of as schizophrenic (n=24) or non-schizophrenic psychosis (n=17) following DSM-IV criteria diagnosis using the SCAN interview and were evaluated with the Family Environment Scale (FES) and PANSS. Descriptive analysis, group comparisons and correlation studies were used as statistical methods. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found when comparing FES between both group of patients, nor between patients and relatives, although psychotic patients presented a tendency to score higher on almost all the FES scales and dimensions. We found significantly positive correlations between patients and their own relatives in the FES scales. CONCLUSIONS: Although not with statistical significance, non-schizophrenic psychotic patients and their relatives have a slightly different family environment perception than their schizophrenic counterparts: more conflictivity; more rule strictness and more planning needs. High levels of expressed emotion were related with a predominance of positive symptoms in psychotic patients.

Sustained and selective attention deficits as vulnerability markers to psychosis.

The first descriptions of schizophrenia emphasized attention problems patients with schizophrenia have but recent results evidence that other psychotic disorders share them. We compared the performance in sustained and selective attention between psychotic patients (P), their healthy first degree relatives (R) and healthy volunteers (C) to prove whether these alterations could be an endophenotype of vulnerability to psychosis. We also compared the performance of schizophrenic patients (SZP) and that of patients with other functional psychoses (OP) in order to prove whether these alterations are specific of any psychotic disorder. Seventy-six P, 70 R and 39 C were included in the study. A selective attention index, comprising TMT A and B and Stroop Test, and a sustained attention index comprising the Continuous Performance Test were calculated. We conducted an univariant general linear model to compare three group performances in these indexes, with age, sex and years of education as a covariables. We found significant differences between the indexes when we compared P, R and C. No differences in performance were found between SZP and OP. Our data showed that sustained and selective attention alterations could be a vulnerability factor to psychotic disorders in general, but they were not specific of schizophrenia.

[Incidence and risk factors for non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in hemodialysis patients]. / Incidencia y factores de riesgo de amputación no traumática de miembros inferiores en los pacientes en hemodiálisis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors for non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) in patients on haemodialysis (HD). METHODS: We investigated our HD population attending our clinic between Jan 1988 and Dec 2002, who had had LEA. Uni- and multivariate analyses were used to determine association of LEA with demographic characteristics such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, myocardial infarction, stroke, dyslipidaemia, haematocrit, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and albumin levels. RESULTS: Of 516 patients, 20 (3.9%) underwent 32 amputations; 21 major and 11 minor. The incidence was 1. I amputees/100 p-years. There were 11 (10.8%) diabetics and 9 (2.2%) non-diabetics; incidence of 4.2 and 0.6 amputees/100 p-years, respectively. Non-diabetic amputees were older than non-amputees: 68.9 vs 58.2 years (p = 0.013) and had been on HD longer: 71.4 +/- 44 vs 42 +/- 37 months (p = 0.019). There were 60% deaths within the first year of amputation and the causes were 60% cardiovascular. Univariate analysis indicated significant association of LEA with ageing, diabetes, smoking, myocardial infarction, stroke, high cholesterol, and low PTH levels. Multivariate Cox regression identified independent associations of amputation with diabetes, previous myocardial infarction and stroke and/or transient ischaemic attack. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of LEA in HD patients is very high and is associated with diabetes and previous cardiovascular events. Advanced age and longer time on HD are factors related to LEA in non-diabetics. With increasing numbers of diabetics and older people on HD, new strategies are needed for peripheral arterial disease management so as to avoid its progression to critical ischaemia.

Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española abreviada del TCI-R (TCI-140) y su relación con las Escalas de la Personalidad Psicopatológica (MMPI-2 PSY-5) en pacientes / Psychometric properties of the abbreviated Spanish version of TCI-R (TCI-140) and its relationship with the Psychopathological Personality Scales (MMPI-2 PSY-5) in patients

Introducción. Se presenta la versión corta del Inventario del Temperamento y Carácter-Revisada (TCI-R), el TCI-140. Este estudio tuvo varias finalidades: a) obtener las propiedades psicométricas del TCI-140; b) analizar su relación con la versión larga del TCI-R, y c) estudiar su validez convergente con el MMPI-2 PSY-5. Métodos. El TCI-R y las escalas PSY-5 del MMPI-2 fueron administradas a una muestra de pacientes psiquiátricos ingresados con diferentes diagnósticos de los Ejes I y II. Resultados. Las dimensiones del TCI-140 mostraron coeficientes de fiabilidad entre 0,67 (Dependencia de Recompensa [RD]) y 0,86 (Autotrascendencia [ST]) y las dimensiones del PSY-5 entre 0,68 (CONS) y 0,86 (EN/NE). Las correlaciones para las dimensiones con la versión original del TCI-R y su forma abreviada tuvieron un rango de 0,91 (Autodirección [SD]) a 0,97 (ST). Las dimensiones se distribuyeron de acuerdo a la normalidad. Las correlaciones del TCI-140 con las escalas del PSY-5 proveen evidencia preliminar apoyando la validez convergente de los constructos. Así, Búsqueda de Novedades (NS) estuvo asociado con baja Constricción, HA con baja Emocionalidad Positiva y Agresividad y con alta Emocionalidad Negativa/Neuroticismo y Dependencia de Recompensa (RD) con alta Emocionalidad Positiva. La persistencia (PS) fue relacionado con alta Agresividad y Emocionalidad Positiva. Por otro lado, SD con bajo Psicoticismo y Emocionalidad Negativa/Neuroticismo y con alta Emocionalidad Positiva. Cooperación mostró relaciones con alta Constricción y bajo psicoticismo. Finalmente, ST estuvo asociado con alta Emocionalidad Positiva y Psicoticismo. Conclusiones. La versión corta española del TCI-R es un inventario útil para la evaluación de las dimensiones principales del temperamento y carácter

Introduction. The short version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), the TCI-140, is presented. This study aimed: a) to obtain the psychometric properties of TCI-140; b) to analyze the relationship with the normal version of the TCI-R, and c) to study its convergent validity with the MMPI-2 PSY-5. Method. The TCI-R and MMPI-2 PSY-5 scales were administered to a sample of consecutive psychiatric inpatients with differential Axis I and II diagnoses. Results.It was found that the TCI-140 dimensions showed reliability coefficients ranging from 0.67 (Reward dependence [RD]) to 0.86 (Self-Transcendence [ST]) and the reliability coefficients of PSY-5 ranging from 0.68 (CON) to 0.86 (NE/NEU). Correlations for the dimensions with the TCI-R original 240-item version and TCI-R 140 item version ranged from 0.91 (Self-Directedness [SD]) to 0.97 (ST). The dimensions had a normal distribution. Correlations of TCI-140 scales with PSY-5 scales provided preliminary evidence supporting the convergent validity of the constructs. Then, Novelty Seeking (NS) was associated with low Constraint, Harm Avoidance (HA) was associated with low Aggressiveness and Positive Emotionality/ Extraversion, and also with high Negative Emotionality/ Neuroticism, Reward Dependence (RD) was associated with high Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. Persistence (PS) was related to high aggressiveness, and Positive Emotionality/ Extraversion. On the other hand, SD was correlated with low Psychoticism, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, and also with high Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. Cooperativeness (C) had a relationship to high constraint and low psychoticism. Finally ST was associated with high psychoticism and Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. Conclusions. The short Spanish version of TCI-R is a useful inventory for the evaluation of the principals dimensions of temperament and character

Psychometric properties of the abbreviated Spanish version of TCI-R (TCI-140) and its relationship with the Psychopathological Personality Scales (MMPI-2 PSY-5) in patients.

INTRODUCTION: The short version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), the TCI-140, is presented. This study aimed: a) to obtain the psychometric properties of TCI-140; b) to analyze the relationship with the normal version of the TCI-R, and c) to study its convergent validity with the MMPI-2 PSY-5. METHOD: The TCI-R and MMPI-2 PSY-5 scales were administered to a sample of consecutive psychiatric inpatients with differential Axis I and II diagnoses. RESULTS: It was found that the TCI-140 dimensions showed reliability coefficients ranging from 0.67 (Reward dependence [RD]) to 0.86 (Self-Transcendence [ST]) and the reliability coefficients of PSY-5 ranging from 0.68 (CON) to 0.86 (NE/NEU). Correlations for the dimensions with the TCI-R original 240-item version and TCI-R 140 item version ranged from 0.91 (Self-Directedness [SD]) to 0.97 (ST). The dimensions had a normal distribution. Correlations of TCI-140 scales with PSY-5 scales provided preliminary evidence supporting the convergent validity of the constructs. Then, Novelty Seeking (NS) was associated with low Constraint, Harm Avoidance (HA) was associated with low Aggressiveness and Positive Emotionality/ Extraversion, and also with high Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, Reward Dependence (RD) was associated with high Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. Persistence (PS) was related to high aggressiveness, and Positive Emotionality/ Extraversion. On the other hand, SD was correlated with low Psychoticism, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, and also with high Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. Cooperativeness (C) had a relationship to high constraint and low psychoticism. Finally ST was associated with high psychoticism and Positive Emotionality/Extraversion. CONCLUSIONS: The short Spanish version of TCI-R is a useful inventory for the evaluation of the principals dimensions of temperament and character.

Acceso vascular permanente en pacientes de edad avanzada que inician hemodiálisis: ¿Fístula o catéter? / Permanent vascular access in the elderly patient who starts on hemodialysis: fistulae or catheter?

Introducción: La fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) autóloga es el acceso vascular permanente (AVP) de elección en los pacientes en hemodiálisis y debería realizarse en prediálisis. Esta situación ideal no siempre es posible. La disponibilidad del cirujano vascular y las características del paciente (edad, comorbilidad...) son factores que, entre otros, determinan el acceso vascular de inicio. Objetivo: Estudiar la evolución y complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular en pacientes de edad avanzada, que comienzan hemodiálisis sin acceso vascular funcionante. Pacientes y métodos: Incluimos los pacientes mayores de 75 años que iniciaron hemodiálisis desde enero del 2000 hasta junio del 2002 sin acceso vascular permanente funcionante. Los clasificamos en dos grupos según el primer AVP realizado (Grupo I: FAV, Grupo II: Catéter Permanente). Analizamos y comparamos en ambos grupos datos epidemiológicos, analíticos, complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular y supervivencia de pacientes y del primer AVP funcionante desde su inclusión en diálisis hasta diciembre de 2002. Resultados: Estudiamos 32 pacientes. GI: n = 17 (4 hombres) y GII: n = 15 (8 hombres), edad 79,9 ± 3,8 y 81,7 ± 4 años respectivamente (ns). No existían diferencias en sexo, nefropatía de base y comorbilidad (diabetes, cardiopatía isquémica, arteriopatía periférica e HTA). El GI tardó 3 meses en conseguir un AVP funcionante y el GII 1,3 meses (p < 0,05). El número de catéteres transitorios fue mayor en GI (3,35 vs 1,87 p < 0,05). Complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular: El 70,6% de las infecciones ocurren en GI (incidencia (I): 48 infecciones/100 pacientes-año) frente al 29,4% en GII (I = 24 infecciones/100 pacientes-año) p < 0,05. El 70% de las trombosis venosas profundas se dan en GI (I: 25 TVP/100 pacientes-año) frente 30% en GII (I = 14,4/100 pacientes-año) (ns). No se encontraron diferencias en hemorragias (66,7% vs 33,3%) ni isquemia (75% vs 25%). La eficacia de diálisis (Kt/V) y el grado de anemia fue similar en ambos grupos. La supervivencia del AVP a los 2 años en GI fue 45,8% y en GII 24 % (ns). La supervivencia de los pacientes fue similar en GI y GII (72% vs 51% ns) Conclusiones: Los pacientes de edad avanzada que inician hemodiálisis sin acceso vascular tardan más tiempo en conseguir un AVP funcionante cuando se opta por una FAV frente a un catéter permanente. Como consecuencia, las complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular son mayores, siendo más frecuentes las infecciosas. Una opción para estos pacientes sería la colocación de un catéter permanente como primer acceso vascular y la realización simultánea de una FAV, manteniendo el catéter hasta el desarrollo de la misma

Autologous access is the best vascular access for dialysis also in older patients and it should be mature when patient needs hemodialysis. It is not always possible. Surgeon availability and demographic characteristics of patients (age, diabetes, vascular disease...) are factors that determine primary vascular access. Aim: To analyse outcome and vascular access complications in elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access. Patients and methods: All patients older than 75 years who initiated hemodialysis without vascular access between january 2000 and june 2002 were included, They were divided en two groups depending on primary vascular access. GI: arterio-venous fistulae. GII: Tunnelled cuffed catheter. Epidemiological and analytical data, vascular access complications related, as well as patient and first permanent vascular access survival from their inclusion in dialysis up to december 2002 were analysed and compared in both groups. Results: 32 patients were studied. GI: n = 17 (4 men) and GII: n =1 5 (8 men), age: 79.9 ± 3.8 and 81.7 ± 4 years respectively (ns). There were no differences in sex and comorbidity (diabetes, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension). It took GI 3 months to get a permanent vascular access suitable for using, while it took GII 1.3 months (p < 0.005) The number of temporary untunnelled catheters was higher in GI (3.35 vs 1.87 p < 0.05). Vascular access complications: 70.6% of infections occur in GI (incidence (I) = 48 infections/100 patients-year) while only 29.4% were detected in GII (I = 25 infections/100 patients-year). 70% of central venous thrombosis happen in GI (I: 25 CVT/100 patients-year) vs 30% in GII (I = 14.4/100 patients-year) (ns). No significant differences neither in bleeding (66.7% vs 33.3%) nor ischemia (75% vs 25%) were found. Dialysis dose (Kt/V) as well as anaemia degree were similar in both groups. Permanent vascular access survival after 2 years was 45.8% in GI and 24% in GII (ns). Patient survival was similar in GI and GII (72% vs 51% ns). Conclusions: Elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access took longer to get a suitable permanent vascular access when arterio-venous fistulae is placed than with a tunnelled cuffed hemodialysis catheter. As a consequence, vascular access complications are larger, infection ones are the most common. In these patients a tunnelled catheter should be inserted at the time a peripheral arterio- venous access is created, in order to avoid temporary untunnelled catheters

[Hypertension in hemodialysis patients in Andalucia]. / Hipertensión en los pacientes en hemodiálisis de la Comunidad Andaluza.

UNLABELLED: Hypertension is a common and difficult clinic problem in patients undergoing cronical hemodialysis and exerts a deleterious effect on mordibidy and mortality in end stage renal disease. Identification of potentially reversible factors associated with hypertension would be rational fist step in designing and effective therapeutic strategy. Our study aimed to document the prevalence of hypertension in hemodialysis patients in Andalucia and identify and characterise the demographic, epidemiological, clinical factors and dialysis regimens associated with hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 2,789 patients enrolled in 46 hemodialysis centers in Andalucia on 2002. Hypertension was defined as requiring the use of antihypertensive drugs. Patients wre classified as hypertensive and no hypertensive. Demographic, comorbidity, anaemia, inflammatory and nutritional data were collected in both groups. Hypertensive patients were divided into 4 groups of severity according to the number of antihypertensive drugs received. Comparisons between groups were done. RESULTS: Our results show a hypertension prevalence of 53.8% in comparing clinical data of no hypertensive and hypertensive patients, we observed that patients with hypertension were significantly younger (60.2 +/- 15.6 vs 63.5 +/- 15 years; p < 0.001) and had shorter time on dialysis (months) (56.5 +/- 60 vs 67.3 +/- 68.2; p = 0.001). Coronary heart disease (p < 0.001) and diabetes (p < 0.001) were associated with hypertension. Hypertensive patients had higher levels of creatinine (mg/dl) (8.8 +/- 2.3 vs 8.5 +/- 2.3; p = 0.006) and serum albumin (g/dl) (3.9 +/- 0.4 vs 3.8 +/- 0.4; p < 0.001), and lower C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/dl) (12.3 +/- 19.7 vs 16.1 +/- 25.15; p < 0.001). Hypertensive patients received less time of dialysis (233 +/- 25 vs 237 +/- 25 minutes/session; p < 0.001 and 703 +/- 85 vs 718 +/- 88 minutes/week; p < 0.001) and lower dialysis dose (urea reduction ratio (URR), Kt/V Daugirdas 2.a gen) (70.7 +/- 7.8 vs 72.0 +/- 7.8; p < 0.001; 1.33 +/- 0.28 vs 1.37 +/- 0.29; p < 0.001). A significative correlation existed between hypertension and the use of low-flux membranes. Interdialytic weight gain (kg) was higher in hypertensive patients (2.1 +/- 0.9 vs 2.0 +/- 0.9; p = 0.002). In a multiple logistic regression analysis the independent risk factors defining hypertension in hemodialysis patients were: age (OR = 0.98; CI = 0.976-0.988, p < 0.001), time on dialysis (OR = 0.99; CI = 0.997-0.999; p = 0.006), creatinine (OR = 1.07; CI = 1.024-1.116; p 0.002). CRP (OR = 0.99; CI = 0.989-0.998; p = 0.003). Albumin (OR = 1.36; CI = 1.106-1.668; p = 0.004). Interdialytic weight gain (OR = 1.11; CI = 1.000-1.224; p = 0.049), duration of the session (OR = 0.99; CI = 0.986-0.993; p < 0.001), low-flux membranes (OR = 0.74; CI = 0.618-0.883; p = 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.81; CI = 1.435-2.274; p < 0.001) and coronary hear disease (OR = 1.52; CI = 1.218-1.900; p < 0.001). There was a relationship between hypertension severity and age (p < 0.001), interdialytic weight gain (p < 0.001) and albumin (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Hypertension prevalence in hemodiaysis patients in Andalucia was 53.8%. 2) Hypertensive patients: are younger; have shorter time on dialysis; receive shorter hemodialysis sessions; show excessive interdialytic weight gain. 3) Coronary heart disease and diabetes are risk factors for hypertension. 4) There are a relationship between hypertension severity and age, interdialytic weight gain and serum albumin. 5) An effective hypertension therapeutic strategy in hemodialysis patients must include: increase time of hemodialysis, strict control of dry weight and prevention and treatment of others cardiovascular risk factors.

[Health-related quality of life in elderly patients in haemodialysis]. / Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes ancianos en hemodiálisis.

INTRODUCTION: In view of the increasing interest in measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and that is widely accepted Quality of life (QL) is a valid marker of results of treatment in chronic dialysis, we marked the aim to determine QL of the patients > or = 75 years in chronic haemodialysis and to determine the influence of different factors (comorbidity, analytical, cognitive deterioration, depression and self-sufficiency) over the results. METHODS: We used the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF), questionnaire of health that has been become an useful instrument for measuring CV into this population. Demographic and analytical data, comorbidity (Charlson Index), depression (Yesavage), self-sufficiency (Karnofsky) and impaired cognitive function (Cognitive Mini-Exam) were collected. We evaluated the influence of these factors on the different dimensions of the KDQOI-SF and compared our scores with general Spanish population scores standardised according to age and sex. RESULTS: We included 51 patients (24 men) with a mean age 79.5 +/- 3.7 years and 39 +/- 56 months in dialysis. Women had lower scores than men in all scales of KDQOL-SF. We found that months in dialysis, depression scale, Karnofsky scale and cognitive deterioration test were also influencing about these scores. Multivariate analysis showed that CV is especially associated with sex, depression, cognitive deterioration and self-sufficiency. After we calculated standardised scores according to age and gender, out population showed a level of CV lower than general population, especially in female gender. CONCLUSIONS: In our population the women had worse CV than men. The CV of the elders in HD is lower than general population of equal sex and age and it was not modified with factors related to the end-stage renal disease and its treatment. Suffering from cognitive deterioration or depression had an important impact on the well-being of our patients, which would justify a wider diagnostic and therapeutic boarding in these patients.

[Platelet antiaggregation and hemorrhagic risk in hemodialysis]. / Antiagregación plaquetaria y riesgo hemorrágico en hemodiálisis.

UNLABELLED: Although the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure is not clearly defined, the improvement in cardiovascular disease outcomes in the general population has resulted in its use in dialysis patients. The hemorrhagic risk of hemodialysis patients treated with anti-platelet agents has not been clarified. Our aim was to evaluate the risk of bleeding in hemodialysis patients treated with antiplatelet agents. We assessed haemorrhagic complications (HC) in 190 haemodialysis patients from May 1998 to August 2000. HC was defined an event that required hospitalization and/or blood product transfusion. We evaluated the bleeding events in the haemodialysis patients treated with antiplatelet agents and compare them to those not receiving this therapy to establish the relative risk of bleeding. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to establish the relationships between the haemorrhagic event and the following variables: age, gender, time on dialysis, dialysis membrane (synthetic or cellulosic), systemic anticoagulation during haemodialysis, anaemia (haematocrit), PTH, urea, dialysis efficacy (Kt/V), hypertension, diabetes, use of erythropoietin and antisecretory gastric agents. RESULTS: 81 (42.6%) were treated with antiplatelet agents. Of the 190 patients, 28 (14.7%) had 36 haemorrhagic events (10.3 episodes/100 patient-years); 31 digestive-tract haemorrhages, 4 intracranial and 1 pulmonary. Twenty (24.7%) of patients treated with antiplatelet agents had 16.2 episodes/100 patient-years and 8 (7.3%) without this therapy had 6 episodes/100 patient-years (p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis the antiplatelet therapy remained associated with higher probability of having a haemorrhagic complication (OR 3.8; CI 95%: 1.52-9.76, p = 0.004). Older age (OR 1.03; CI 95%: 1-1.06, p = 0.043), anaemia (OR 0.91; CI 95%; 0.84-0.9, p = 0.027) and hypertension (OR 2.99; CI 95%: 1.05-8.48, p = 0.039) remained associated with the risk of bleeding. 88.2% of patients that had a digestive-tract haemorrhage with antiplatelet therapy were receiving an antisecretory agent (histamine H2-receptor antagonist or a proton-pump inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS: 1) dialysis patients with antiplatelet therapy had a higher haemorrhagic risk. The relative risk of bleeding was more than three times that of the dialysis population without antiplatelet therapy, and 2) older age and hypertension were associated with the haemorrhagic risk. Optimal correction of anaemia was associated with less probability of bleeding.

Antiagregación plaquetaria y riesgo hemorrágico en hemodiálisis / Antiplatelet therapy and risk of bleeding in hemodialysis patients

La alta morbi-mortalidad cardiovascular de los pacientes en hemodiálisis condiciona una gran utilización del tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario, en ocasiones de forma empírica y con fines para los que su eficacia no ha sido suficientemente documentada. No está definido el riesgo hemorrágico que esta práctica conlleva. Nuestro objetivo ha sido valorar el riesgo hemorrágico que presentan los pacientes en hemodiálisis que son sometidos a tratamiento con antiagregantes plaquetarios. Analizamos las complicaciones hemorrágicas sufridas por 190 pacientes en hemodiálisis desde mayo de 1998 a agosto 2000. Consideramos complicación hemorrágica la que motivó hospitalización y/o transfusión. Comparamos el riesgo hemorrágico de los pacientes en tratamiento con antiagregantes con el de los no tratados y realizamos análisis uni y multivariante de factores demográficos (sexo, edad, tiempo de diálisis), relacionados con la diátesis hemorrágica urémica (anemia, hiperparatiroidismo, toxinas urémicas), con la técnica (dializador, anticoagulación del circuito), presencia de diabetes e hipertensión arterial y uso de eritropoyetina e inhibidores de la secreción ácida gástrica. Resultados: Ochenta y uno (42,6 por ciento) seguían tratamiento antiagregante. De los 190 pacientes, 28 (14,7 por ciento) presentaron 36 complicaciones hemorrágicas (10,3 episodios/100 p-año). Treinta y uno fueron digestivas, 4 intracraneales y 1 pulmonar.24,7 por ciento de los pacientes antiagregados presentaron 16,2 episodios/100 p-año y 7,3 por ciento de los que no lo estaban presentaron 6 episodios/100 p-año (p < 0,01). En el análisis multivariante la antiagregación se comportó como el mayor predictor de probabilidad de sangrado (OR 3,8; IC 95 por ciento: 1,52-9,76, p = 0,004). Mayor edad (OR 1,03; IC 95 por ciento: 1-1,06, p = 0,043), anemia (OR 0,91; IC 95 por ciento: 0,84-0,99, p = 0,027) e hipertensión arterial (OR 2,99; IC 95 por ciento: 1,05-8,48, p = 0,039) se asociaron, así mismo, de forma independiente con el riesgo hemorrágico. El 88,2 por ciento de los pacientes antiagregados que sufrieron hemorragias digestivas seguían tratamiento con inhibidores de la secreción ácida gástrica. Conclusiones: 1) el uso de los antiagregantes plaquetarios en la población en hemodálisis ha incrementado más de tres veces la aparición de complicación hemorrágica; 2) la eficacia reconocida de la antiagregación plaquetaria como terapia antitrombótica debe confrontarse al riesgo hemorrágico que conlleva, y 3) cuando se estime adecuada su indicación, debe optimizarse la corrección de la anemia y considerar mayor edad e hipertensión arterial como factores de riesgo hemorrágico añadidos (AU)

[Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure secondary to statins]. / Rabdomiolisis y fracaso renal agudo secundario a estatinas.

Statins are competitive inhibitors of hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and are the most commonly used drugs to treat hyperlipidaemia. Muscle toxicity is an adverse effect reported with a low incidence and rarely associated with acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis. We describe two patients with chronic renal failure treated with pravastatin and simvastatin who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. One patient started pravastatin several days after cessation of bezafibrate and developed acute renal failure without needing dialysis. The other was treated with simvastatin three years ago and suffered rhabdomyolysis when renal function was impaired after indomethacin was prescribed for backache. He needed hemodialysis because of acute cardiac failure and died from a respiratory infection while on mechanical ventilation. Myopathy was reversible in both patients. We recommend starting statins with the lower doses in chronic renal failure and monitoring muscle enzymes when renal function changes or when new drugs with potential interactions are prescribed.