Perfil lipoproteico por espectroscopia nuclear magnética en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica comparado con controles emparejados / 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy lipoprotein profile in patients with chronic heart failure versus matched controls

Introducción y objetivos El fenotipado avanzado de lipoproteínas es mejor predictor del riesgo aterosclerótico que el colesterol. El perfil de lipoproteínas en la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) no está completamente caracterizado. Nuestro objetivo fue describir el perfil de lipoproteínas en IC crónica en comparación con una población de control emparejada. Métodos Estudio transversal entre mayo 2006 y abril 2014, que incluyó pacientes ambulatorios con IC crónica. Las concentraciones de lípidos y el tamaño de las principales fracciones de lipoproteínas (lipoproteínas de alta densidad [HDL], lipoproteínas de baja densidad [LDL] y lipoproteínas de muy alta densidad) y concentración de sus subfracciones (grandes, medianas y pequeñas) se evaluaron mediante espectroscopia de resonancia magnética. Resultados 429 pacientes con IC crónica se compararon con 428 controles. Los pacientes con IC crónica presentaron menor colesterol total y menor concentración de partículas de LDL (1.115 frente a 1.352 nmol/L; p <0,001) y HDL (25,7 frente a 27,9μmol/L; p <0,001), esta última mediada principalmente por la reducción de la subfracción pequeña de HDL (15,2 frente a 18,6μmol/L; p <0,001). El tamaño medio de las partículas lipoproteínas de muy alta densidad, LDL y HDL fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con IC. Todas las diferencias relacionadas con la partícula HDL persistieron después del ajuste por clase funcional o índice de masa corporal. Encontramos fuertes correlaciones negativas entre biomarcadores cardiacos (fracción aminoterminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral y interleucina-1 tipo de receptor 1) con concentraciones de LDL y HDL, sus subfracciones pequeñas y el tamaño de la partícula HDL. Conclusione Los pacientes con IC crónica difieren significativamente en su perfil de lipoproteínas en comparación con controles emparejados. Se necesitan más investigaciones para comprender mejor la relevancia patogénica de esta diferencia (AU)

Introduction and objectives Advanced lipoprotein phenotyping is a better predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk than cholesterol concentration alone. Lipoprotein profiling in heart failure (HF) is incompletely characterized. We aimed to describe the lipoprotein profile in patients with chronic HF compared with a matched control population. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from May 2006 to April 2014 and included ambulatory patients with chronic HF. Lipid concentrations and the size of main lipoprotein fractions (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and very low-density lipoprotein) and the particle concentration of their 3 subfractions (large, medium and small) were assessed using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results The 429 included patients with chronic HF were compared with 428 matched controls. Patients with chronic HF had lower total cholesterol and lower mean LDL (1115 vs 1352 nmol/L; P<.001) and HDL (25.7 vs 27.9μmol/L; P <.001) particle concentrations, with this last difference being mediated by a significantly lower concentration of the small subfraction of HDL (15.2 vs 18.6μmol/L; P <.001). Mean very low-density lipoprotein, LDL, and HDL particle size was significantly higher in patients with HF vs controls. All HDL-related differences from controls persisted after adjustment for New York Heart Association functional class or body mass index. We found strong negative correlations of known cardiac biomarkers (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and interleukin-1 receptor-like 1) with total and small LDL and HDL fractions and HDL particle size. Conclusions Patients with chronic HF significantly differ in their lipoprotein profile compared with unaffected controls. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenic relevance of this difference (AU)

Evaluation of bone formation in calcium phosphate scaffolds with µCT-method validation using SEM.

There is a plethora of calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds used as synthetic substitutes to bone grafts. The scaffold performance is often evaluated from the quantity of bone formed within or in direct contact with the scaffold. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) allows three-dimensional evaluation of bone formation inside scaffolds. However, the almost identical x-ray attenuation of CaP and bone obtrude the separation of these phases in µCT images. Commonly, segmentation of bone in µCT images is based on gray scale intensity, with manually determined global thresholds. However, image analysis methods, and methods for manual thresholding in particular, lack standardization and may consequently suffer from subjectivity. The aim of the present study was to provide a methodological framework for addressing these issues. Bone formation in two types of CaP scaffold architectures (foamed and robocast), obtained from a larger animal study (a 12 week canine animal model) was evaluated by µCT. In addition, cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were acquired as references to determine thresholds and to validate the result. µCT datasets were registered to the corresponding SEM reference. Global thresholds were then determined by quantitatively correlating the different area fractions in the µCT image, towards the area fractions in the corresponding SEM image. For comparison, area fractions were also quantified using global thresholds determined manually by two different approaches. In the validation the manually determined thresholds resulted in large average errors in area fraction (up to 17%), whereas for the evaluation using SEM references, the errors were estimated to be less than 3%. Furthermore, it was found that basing the thresholds on one single SEM reference gave lower errors than determining them manually. This study provides an objective, robust and less error prone method to determine global thresholds for the evaluation of bone formation in CaP scaffolds.

A path analysis of patient dependence and caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: The concept of dependence has been proposed as an integrative measure to assess the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).This study aimed to investigate the association of patient's dependence level with the caregiver burden within a general theoretical model that includes other well-established determinants. METHODS: Observational and cross-sectional multicenter study. The sample consisted of patients with AD recruited in outpatient consultation offices by a convenience sampling procedure stratified by dementia severity. Cognitive and functional status, behavioral disturbances, dependence level, medical comorbidities, and caregiver burden were assessed by using standardized instruments. A path analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships between the caregiver burden and its determinants, including the level of dependence. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 306 patients (33.3% mild, 35.9% moderate, 30.7% severe), the mean age was 78.5 years (SD = 7.8), and 66.2% were women. The model fit was acceptable and explained 29% of the caregiver burden variance. Primary stressors were the level of dependence and the distress related to behavioral disturbances. Caregiver's age, gender, and co-residence with the patient were the contextual factors related to caregiver burden. The job status of the caregiver was a significant secondary stressor, functional disability was indirectly associated with caregiver burden via dependence, and frequency of behavioral disturbances was indirectly associated with the caregiver burden via distress. CONCLUSIONS: Dependence was, apart from behavioral disturbances, the most important primary stressor directly related to caregiver burden irrespective of the disease severity.

Pharmaceutical consumption and cost in patients with dementia: A longitudinal study by the Registry of Dementias of Girona (ReDeGi) in Catalonia (Spain).

OBJECTIVE: Drug spending increases exponentially from the age of 65-70 years, and dementia is one of the diseases significantly contributing to this increase. Our aim was to describe pharmaceutical consumption and cost in patients with dementia, using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. We also assessed the evolution of costs and consumption, and the variables associated to this evolution during three years. METHODS: Three years prospective cohort study using data from the ReDeGi and the Health Region of Girona (HRG) Pharmacy Unit database from the Public Catalan Healthcare Service (PCHS). Frequency of consumption and costs of ATC categories of drugs were calculated. RESULTS: Sample of 869 patients with dementia, most of them with a diagnosis of degenerative dementia (72.6%), and in a mild stage of the disease (68.2%). Central nervous system (CNS) drugs had the highest consumption rate (97.2%), followed by metabolic system drugs (80.1%), and cardiovascular system drugs (75.4%). Total pharmaceutical cost was of 2124.8 € per patient/year (standard deviation (SD)=1018.5 €), and spending on CNS drugs was 55.5% of the total cost. After 36 months, pharmaceutical cost increased in 694.9 € (SD=1741.9), which was associated with dementia severity and institutionalization at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical consumption and costs are high in patients with dementia, and they increase with time, showing an association with baseline dementia severity and institutionalization. CNS drugs are the pharmaceuticals with highest prescription rates and associated costs.

Olive oil has a beneficial effect on impaired glucose regulation and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Di@bet.es study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the marked increase in cardiovascular risk factors in Spain in recent years, the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular diseases have not risen as expected. Our objective is to examine the association between consumption of olive oil and the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors in the context of a large study representative of the Spanish population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional, cluster sampling study was conducted. The target population was the whole Spanish population. A total of 4572 individuals aged ≥ 18 years in 100 clusters (health centers) were randomly selected with a probability proportional to population size. The main outcome measures were clinical and demographic structured survey, lifestyle survey, physical examination (weight, height, body mass index, waist, hip and blood pressure) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (75 g). RESULTS: Around 90% of the Spanish population use olive oil, at least for dressing, and slightly fewer for cooking or frying. The preference for olive oil is related to age, educational level, alcohol intake, body mass index and serum glucose, insulin and lipids. People who consume olive oil (vs sunflower oil) had a lower risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR)=0.62 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.41-0.93, P=0.02)), impaired glucose regulation (OR=0.49 (95% CI=0.28-0.86, P=0.04)), hypertriglyceridemia (OR=0.53 (95% CI=0.33-0.84, P=0.03)) and low HDL cholesterol levels (OR=0.40 (95% CI=0.26-0.59, P=0.0001)). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that consumption of olive oil has a beneficial effect on different cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in the presence of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance or a sedentary lifestyle.

Mediterranean diet adherence in individuals with prediabetes and unknown diabetes: the Di@bet.es Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is causally related to diabetes and is a dietary pattern recommended to individuals with diabetes. We investigated MedDiet adherence in individuals with prediabetes and unknown (PREDM/UKDM) or known diabetes (KDM) compared to those with normal glucose metabolism (NORMAL). METHODS: This was a national, population-based, cross-sectional, cluster-sampling study. MedDiet adherence was scored (MedScore, mean ± SD 24 ± 5) using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between MedScore and PREDM/UKDM or KDM versus control subjects. RESULTS: We evaluated 5,076 individuals. Mean age was 50 years, 57% were female, 826 (582/244) were PREDM/UKDM, 478 were KDM and 3,772 were NORMAL. Mean age increased across MedScore tertiles (46, 51 and 56 years, p < 0.0001). Higher age-adjusted adherence to MedDiet (5-unit increment in the MedScore) was associated with lower and nondifferent odds (OR, 95% CI) of prevalent PREDM/UKDM (0.88, 0.81-0.96, p = 0.001) and KDM (0.97, 0.87-1.07, p = 0.279), respectively, compared to individuals in the NORMAL group. CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of the whole Spanish population, MedDiet adherence is independently associated with PREDM/UKDM. Therapeutic intervention may be, in part, responsible for the lack of differences in adherence observed between the KDM and NORMAL groups. However, reverse causation bias cannot be ruled out in cross-sectional studies.

Dopaminergic dysregulation, artistic expressiveness, and Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent behavioral manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) are attributed to the dopaminergic dysregulation syndrome (DDS), which is considered to be secondary to the iatrogenic effects of the drugs that replace dopamine. Over the past few years some cases of patients improving their creative abilities after starting treatment with dopaminergic pharmaceuticals have been reported. These effects have not been clearly associated to DDS, but a relationship has been pointed out. METHODS: Case study of a patient with PD. The evolution of her paintings along medication changes and disease advance has been analyzed. RESULTS: The patient showed a compulsive increase of pictorial production after the diagnosis of PD was made. She made her best paintings when treated with cabergolide, and while painting, she reported a feeling of well-being, with loss of awareness of the disease and reduction of physical limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Dopaminergic antagonists (DA) trigger a dopaminergic dysfunction that alters artistic creativity in patients having a predisposition for it. The development of these skills might be due to the dopaminergic overstimulation due to the therapy with DA, which causes a neurophysiological alteration that globally determines DDS.

Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life according to Carbohydrate Metabolism Status: A Spanish Population-Based Study (Di@bet.es Study).

Objective. To evaluate the association between diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) controlled for several sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, in a representative sample of the Spanish population. Methods. A population-based, cross-sectional, and cluster sampling study, with the entire Spanish population as the target population. Five thousand and forty-seven participants (2162/2885 men/women) answered the HRQOL short form 12-questionnaire (SF-12). The physical (PCS-12) and the mental component summary (MCS-12) scores were assessed. Subjects were divided into four groups according to carbohydrate metabolism status: normal, prediabetes, unknown diabetes (UNKDM), and known diabetes (KDM). Logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results. Mean PCS-12/MCS-12 values were 50.9 ± 8.5/ 47.6 ± 10.2, respectively. Men had higher scores than women in both PCS-12 (51.8 ± 7.2 versus 50.3 ± 9.2; P < 0.001) and MCS-12 (50.2 ± 8.5 versus 45.5 ± 10.8; P < 0.001). Increasing age and obesity were associated with a poorer PCS-12 score. In women lower PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores were associated with a higher level of glucose metabolism abnormality (prediabetes and diabetes), (P < 0.0001 for trend), but only the PCS-12 score was associated with altered glucose levels in men (P < 0.001 for trend). The Odds Ratio adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and educational level, for a PCS-12 score below the median was 1.62 (CI 95%: 1.2-2.19; P < 0.002) for men with KDM and 1.75 for women with KDM (CI 95%: 1.26-2.43; P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion. Current study indicates that increasing levels of altered carbohydrate metabolism are accompanied by a trend towards decreasing quality of life, mainly in women, in a representative sample of Spanish population.

Iodine intake in the adult population. Di@bet.es study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To date no nation-wide study has yet been undertaken in Spain to estimate the iodine deficiency. The aim was to evaluate iodine intake and its conditioning factors in a representative sample of the whole adult population. METHODS: The Di@bet.es Study is a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey conducted in 2009-2010 in Spain. RESULTS: The median urinary iodine (UI) was 117.2 µg/L. Iodized salt (IS) was consumed by 43.9% of the population. The median UI in those who consumed IS and in those who did not consume IS was 131.1 and 110.8 µg/L respectively (p<0.0001). The likelihood of having UI levels above 100 µg/L was significantly associated with the intake of IS (OR=1.47) and milk at least once a day (OR=1.22). Within each individual autonomous communities, the median UI levels in those who consumed IS correlated significantly with the median levels of those who did not consume IS (r=0.76, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Though strictly speaking, Spain should be considered within the category of a country having an adequate iodine intake, the current value is too close to the cut point and does not guarantee that those groups with a greater need for iodine will have the required intake of iodine.

Evaluación de la anosognosia en la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Evaluation of anosognosia in Alzheimer’s disease

Objetivos. Comparar la prevalencia de anosognosia en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) a partir de dos metodologías de evaluación diferentes, analizar el grado de discrepancia entre ambas y determinar las variables asociadasa esta discrepancia. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio transversal y observacional en pacientes con EA. Se administraron el Anosognosia Questionnaire- Dementia (AQ-D) y la Experimenter Rating Scale (ERS). Se registró información clínica y sociodemográfica del pacientey de su cuidador mediante instrumentos estandarizados. Se determinó la prevalencia con cada instrumento y el grado de concordancia entre ambos. Se creó una variable denominada ‘concordancia/no concordancia’ y se ajustó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar las variables asociadas a la discrepancia.Resultados. La prevalencia de anosognosia en los casos leves fue del 13,6% (intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC 95% = 5,5- 21,7) y del 17,3% (IC 95% = 8,4-26,1) y del 44,2% (IC 95% = 28,2-60,2) y 55,8% (IC 95% = 38,8-71,8) en los casos moderados, según la ERS y el AQ-D, respectivamente. El grado de concordancia entre ambas medidas obtuvo un valor kappa de 0,7. El modelo de regresión con la discrepancia entre la ERS y el AQ-D como variable dependiente se asoció a una menor capacidad funcional (odds ratio = -0,080; IC 95% = 0,855-0,997; p = 0,042). Conclusiones. Los datos mostraron un incremento de la prevalencia de anosognosia asociada a la gravedad y una discordancia en su evaluación con dos métodos diferentes cuanto mayor fue el grado de discapacidad funcional del enfermo (AU)

Aims. To compare the prevalence of anosognosia in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using two different evaluationmethodologies, to analyse the discrepancy between them and to determine the variables associated with this discrepancy. Patients and methods. The methodology involved a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in patients with AD.The Anosognosia Questionnaire-Dementia (AQ-D) and the Experimenter Rating Scale (ERS) were administered. Clinicaland sociodemographic information was recorded about both the patient and his/her caregiver by means of standardised instruments. Prevalence was determined with each instrument and the degree of agreement between them was thenestablished. A variable called ‘agreement/non-agreement’ was created and a logistic regression model was adjusted to determine the variables associated to the discrepancy. Results. The prevalence of anosognosia in the mild cases was 13.6% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 5.5-21.7) and17.3% (95% CI = 8.4-26.1), and 44.2% (95% CI = 28.2-60.2) and 55.8% (95% CI = 38.8-71.8) in the moderate cases, according to the ERS and the AQ-D, respectively. The degree of agreement between the two measurements yielded akappa-value of 0.7. The regression model with the discrepancy between the ERS and the AQ-D as the dependent variable was associated to a lower functional capacity (odds ratio = 0.080; 95% CI = 0.855-0.997; p = 0.042). Conclusions. The data from the study showed an increase in the prevalence of anosognosia linked to the severity and a higher disagreement in its evaluation with two different methods as the degree of the patient’s functional disabilityincreased (AU)

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose regulation in Spain: the Di@bet.es Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The Di@bet.es Study is the first national study in Spain to examine the prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional, cluster sampling study was carried out, with target population being the entire Spanish population. Five thousand and seventy-two participants in 100 clusters (health centres or the equivalent in each region) were randomly selected with a probability proportional to population size. Participation rate was 55.8%. Study variables were a clinical and demographic structured survey, lifestyle survey, physical examination (weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure) and OGTT (75 g). RESULTS: Almost 30% of the study population had some carbohydrate disturbance. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus adjusted for age and sex was 13.8% (95% CI 12.8, 14.7%), of which about half had unknown diabetes: 6.0% (95% CI 5.4, 6.7%). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates of isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and combined IFG-IGT were 3.4% (95% CI 2.9, 4.0%), 9.2% (95% CI 8.2, 10.2%) and 2.2% (95% CI 1.7, 2.7%), respectively. The prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation increased significantly with age (p < 0.0001), and was higher in men than in women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The Di@bet.es Study shows, for the first time, the prevalence rates of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in a representative sample of the Spanish population.

Obesity augments the age-induced increase in mitochondrial capacity for H2O2 release in Zucker fatty rats.

AIM: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested to play a significant role in obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in obesity and insulin resistance were related to similar changes in mitochondrial capacity for hydrogen peroxide release in Zucker diabetic fatty rats and their lean littermates. METHODS: Thirty-four rats were used in this study. Rats were either lean or obese Zucker rats killed at 5-6 (young) or 12-14 (adults) weeks of age. Mitochondria were isolated from soleus muscles; respiration and release of hydrogen peroxide were determined and related to citrate synthase activity to determine intrinsic mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial-specific super-oxide dismuthase (MnSOD) protein content was determined in isolated mitochondria and muscle homogenate. Catalase protein content was determined in muscle homogenate. RESULTS: Young lean and obese rats had a higher mitochondrial respiration when using palmitoyl-l-carnitine as substrate compared with adult lean and obese rats. The obese strain had higher mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release but only in the adult animals. In both lean and obese animals, increased age was associated with increased mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release. MnSOD tended to be higher in the obese strain in the isolated mitochondria. Regardless of age, catalase protein content was significantly lower in the obese rats. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the augmented increase in obesity and insulin resistance seen in Zucker diabetic fatty rats is associated with increased capacity for mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release.

[Drug consumption and cognitive function in non-institutionalized elderly: a population-based study]. / Perfil de consumo farmacológico y función cognoscitiva en edad avanzada: estudio de población general no institucionalizada.

BACKGROUND: Drug consumption in the general population is concentrated in the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacological profile of elderly people 75 years of age and older, to assess the relationship with the cognitive function and the variables associated with drug consumption. METHODS: This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, door-to-door study among the non-institutionalised population in a rural area. Participants were inhabitants aged 75 and older from the Anglès Primary Healthcare Area (Girona). Drug prescriptions were recorded from participants' medicine chest. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: A total of 875 individuals took part (82%). Participants with mild and moderate cognitive impairment consumed an average of 4.6 (SD=2.9) and 5.2 (SD=3.2) drugs, participants without cognitive impairment consumed an average of 4 (SD=2.7) drugs (P < 0.005). In the bivariate analysis, taking into account the degree of cognitive impairment, there was a change in drugs acting on the digestive tract and metabolism (P=0.003) and nervous system (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis identified four variables associated with the central nervous system drugs: age, sex, comorbidity and suspicion of depression (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with severe cognitive impairment had a higher frequency of anti-psychotic and antidepressant drug consumption. However, the multivariate analysis shows that advanced age, female sex and suspicion of depression are variables associated with a higher central nervous system drug consumption.

Perfil de consumo farmacológico y función cognoscitiva en edad avanzada: estudio de población general no institucionalizada / Drug consumption and cognitive function in non-institutionalized elderly: A population-based study

Introducción: El consumo de fármacos en la población general se concentra en las personas de edad avanzada. El objetivo del presente estudio fue valorar el perfil farmacológico en ancianos de 75 años y mayores, estimar la relación con la función cognoscitiva y las variables asociadas al consumo farmacológico. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico transversal y poblacional puerta a puerta de una muestra de población rural no institucionalizada representativa de los habitantes mayores de 74 años del Área Básica de Salud de Anglès (Girona). La prescripción farmacológica se registró a partir de los medicamentos presentes en el domicilio de los participantes. La función cognoscitiva se evaluó mediante el Mini-Mental State Examination. Resultados: Participaron 875 individuos (82%). Los participantes con deterioro cognoscitivo leve y moderado consumían una media de 4,6 (DE=2,9) y 5,2 (DE=3,2) fármacos, superior a los 4 (DE=2,7) fármacos de media consumidos por los que no sufrían deterioro cognoscitivo (p < 0,05). En el análisis bivariante, según el grado de deterioro cognoscitivo existía una variación en el consumo de fármacos del aparato digestivo y metabolismo (p=0,003) y del sistema nervioso (p=0,001). El análisis multivariante identificó cuatro variables asociadas al consumo de fármacos del sistema nervioso: edad, sexo, comorbilidad y sospecha de depresión (p<0,05).Conclusiones: Los participantes con deterioro cognoscitivo grave presentaron una mayor frecuencia de consumo de antipsicóticos y otros antidepresivos. Sin embargo, el análisis multivariante señala que son la edad avanzada, el sexo femenino y la sospecha de depresión las variables asociadas a un mayor consumo de fármacos del sistema nervioso (AU)

Background: Drug consumption in the general population is concentrated in the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacological profile of elderly people 75 years of age and older, to assess the relationship with the cognitive function and the variables associated with drug consumption.Methods: This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, door-to-door study among the non-institutionalised population in a rural area. Participants were inhabitants aged 75 and older from the Anglès Primary Healthcare Area (Girona). Drug prescriptions were recorded from participants’ medicine chest. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: A total of 875 individuals took part (82%). Participants with mild and moderate cognitive impairment consumed an average of 4.6 (SD=2.9) and 5.2 (SD=3.2) drugs, participants without cognitive impairment consumed an average of 4 (SD=2.7) drugs (P < 0.005). In the bivariate analysis, taking into account the degree of cognitive impairment, there was a change in drugs acting on the digestive tract and metabolism (P=0.003) and nervous system (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis identified four variables associated with the central nervous system drugs: age, sex, comorbidity and suspicion of depression (P <0.05).Conclusions: Participants with severe cognitive impairment had a higher frequency of anti-psychotic and antidepressant drug consumption. However, the multivariate analysis shows that advanced age, female sex and suspicion of depression are variables associated with a higher central nervous system drug consumption (AU)

Adding questions about cardiovascular risk factors improve the ability of the ADA questionnaire to identify unknown diabetic patients in Spain

Introduction: Currently, there are not specific questionnaires for Spanish population to identify people at risk of undiagnosed diabetes. When American Diabetes Association (ADA) test is validated in the Spanish population, the sensitivity and specificity values obtained are lower than those found in the USA. Objectives: To develop a screening tool based on the ADA questionnaire, to prospectively identify undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Spanish ambulatory patients. Methods: Epidemiological, transversal, multicentre study, including 2,662 ambulatory patients of Primary Care centres, mean age (SD) 61.7 (10.2) years (53% women), needing a blood test and attending follow-up protocols for chronic pathologies or periodic screening programs. Classification tree construction was achieved through classical and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values were described and compared with the ADA questionnaire. Results: The final selected classification tree included the following variables: previous impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance; recent weight gain; parents, siblings or children with diabetes; smoking habit and pharmacologic treatment for lipid disorders (sensitivity: 80.7%; specificity: 70.9%; positive predictive value: 45.3%; negative predictive value: 92.5%). This tree showed a better Receiver Operating Characteristic curve than that of the ADA test (sensitivity: 84.3%; specificity: 20.9%). Conclusions: The inclusion of questions regarding lipid disorders, smoking habit and weight gain increase the specificity of the ADA test to identify undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Spanish patients older than 45 years (AU)

Extra- and intra-articular synovial chondromatosis and malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma.

Intra- and extra-articular primary synovial chondromatosis (SC) was observed in a five-year-old, entire male German Shepherd. Thousands of small cartilaginous nodules were removed from the stifle joint as well as from several adjacent muscles. Diagnosis of SC was established based on clinical, radiographic and biopsy results. The owner declined to have a new surgery performed for complete nodule removal and partial synovectomy. Nine months after the initial presentation, a proximal pathological intra- articular tibial fracture was observed and malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma was diagnosed after limb amputation. No metastasis was observed after 1.5 years of follow-up.