Familial hypercholesterolemia in Mexico: Initial insights from the national registry.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. OBJECTIVE: Report the results of the first years (2017-2019) of the Mexican FH registry. METHODS: There are 60 investigators, representing 28 federal states, participating in the registry. The variables included are in accordance with the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) FH recommendations. RESULTS: To date, 709 patients have been registered, only 336 patients with complete data fields are presented. The mean age is 50 (36-62) years and the average time since diagnosis is 4 (IQR: 2-16) years. Genetic testing is recorded in 26.9%. Tendon xanthomas are present in 43.2%. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is 11.3% and that of premature CAD is 9.8%. Index cases, male gender, hypertension and smoking were associated with premature CAD. The median lipoprotein (a) level is 30.5 (IQR 10.8-80.7) mg/dl. Statins and co-administration with ezetimibe were recorded in 88.1% and 35.7% respectively. A combined treatment target (50% reduction in LDL-C and an LDL-C <100 mg/dl) was achieved by 13.7%. Associated factors were index case (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.69-8.73, P = .002), combination therapy (OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.23-4.90, P = .011), type 2 diabetes (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.03-7.59, P = .036) and age (OR 1.023, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, P = .033). CONCLUSION: The results confirm late diagnosis, a lower than expected prevalence and risk of ASCVD, a higher than expected prevalence of type 2 diabetes and undertreatment, with relatively few patients reaching goals. Recommendations include, the use of combination lipid lowering therapy, control of comorbid conditions and more frequent genetic testing in the future.

Treatment with α-Lipoic Acid over 16 Weeks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Symptomatic Polyneuropathy Who Responded to Initial 4-Week High-Dose Loading.

Effective treatment of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy remains a challenge. To assess the efficacy and safety of α-lipoic acid (ALA) over 20 weeks, we conducted a multicenter randomized withdrawal open-label study, in which 45 patients with type 2 diabetes and symptomatic polyneuropathy were initially treated with ALA (600 mg tid) for 4 weeks (phase 1). Subsequently, responders were randomized to receive ALA (600 mg qd; n = 16) or to ALA withdrawal (n = 17) for 16 weeks (phase 2). During phase 1, the Total Symptom Score (TSS) decreased from 8.9 ± 1.8 points to 3.46 ± 2.0 points. During phase 2, TSS improved from 3.7 ± 1.9 points to 2.5 ± 2.5 points in the ALA treated group (p < 0.05) and remained unchanged in the ALA withdrawal group. The use of analgesic rescue medication was higher in the ALA withdrawal group than ALA treated group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in type 2 diabetic patients with symptomatic polyneuropathy who responded to initial 4-week high-dose (600 mg tid) administration of ALA, subsequent treatment with ALA (600 mg qd) over 16 weeks improved neuropathic symptoms, whereas ALA withdrawal was associated with a higher use of rescue analgesic drugs. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02439879.

Frequency of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and glucose intolerance in high-risk groups identified by a FINDRISC survey in Puebla City, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: As a first step in the prevention of diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation recommends identification of persons at risk using the Finnish type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment (FINDRISC) survey. The frequency of diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose, and glucose intolerance in high-risk groups identified by FINDRISC is unknown in our country. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose, and glucose intolerance in higher-risk groups using a FINDRISC survey in an urban population. METHODS: We used a television program to invite interested adults to fill out a survey at a television station. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all persons with a FINDRISC score ≥ 15 points (high-risk and very high-risk groups). Patients were classified as normal (fasting glucose < 100 mg/dL and 2-hour glucose < 140 mg/dL), or having impaired fasting glucose (fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL and 2-hour glucose < 140 mg/dL), glucose intolerance (fasting glucose < 126 mg/dL and 2-hour glucose 140-199 mg/dL), and diabetes mellitus (fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or 2-hour glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL). We describe the frequency of each diagnostic category in this selected population according to gender and age. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients had a score ≥ 15. The frequencies of diabetes mellitus, impaired fasting glucose, glucose intolerance, and normal glucose levels were 28.6%, 25.9%, 29.2%, and 16.2%, respectively. We found a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose in men than in women (33% versus 27% and 40% versus 21%, respectively) and more glucose intolerance in women than in men (34% versus 16%, P < 0.05). Patients with diabetes mellitus (52.55 ± 9.2 years) were older than those with impaired fasting glucose (46.19 ± 8.89 years), glucose intolerance (46.15 ± 10.9 years), and normal levels (41.9 ± 10.45 years, P < 0.05). We found a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus in those aged over 50 years than in younger subjects (46.15% versus 15.88%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The FINDRISC survey is a very useful tool for identifying individuals at high risk of developing diabetes and prediabetic states, especially in those older than 50 years.

Effect of the method to measure levels of glycated hemoglobin on individual clinical decisions: comparison of an immunoassay with high-performance liquid chromatography.

Our objective was to compare in a prospective study the clinical performance of the reference and an alternative method to measure blood levels of glycated hemoglobin. A total of 178 samples from patients with diabetes were tested by both methods, and results were analyzed for correlation and comparison of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values to classify patients according to glycemic control. There was a significant linear correlation between methods (r = 0.645; P < .0001); the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the alternative method to identify patients with controlled and uncontrolled status were as follows: controlled, 88%, 78%, 77%, and 88%; and uncontrolled, 78%, 88%, 88%, and 77%, respectively. Results show that although the results of both methods show a statistically significant correlation, the ability of the alternative method to correctly classify individual patients according to glycemic control status is far from optimal.

Diabetes mellitus. Enfoques fisiopatológicos moderados para una epidemia mundial / Diabetes mellitus. Modern physiopathological approaches for a world epidemic

En la actualidad la diabetes es una causa principal de morbilidad y mortalidad. Cálculos recientes sugieren que la diabetes se está acercando con rapidez a proporciones endémicas y se estima que el número de diabéticos será de 220 millones hacia el año 2010. La diabetes tipo 2 representa alrededor del 95 por ciento de los casos. Este trabajo revisa nuevos enfoques para el manejo de la diabetes mellitus, a fin de reducir la incidencia de complicaciones.

La toracoscopia temprana en el empiema poneumónico / Early thoracoscopy in post-pnemonic empyema

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la toracoscopia temprana en la evolución de pacientes con empiema posneumónico. Sede Hospital General de Puebla, SSA, ®Dr. Eduardo Vázquez Navarro¼, Puebla, México. Diseño. Ensayo clínico con control histórico. Para el análisis estadístico se usó T de Student, análisis de varianza y chi cuadrada. Material y métodos. De septiembre de 1995 a diciembre de 1998, a los pacientes con empiema posneumónico (EPN) se les realizó toracoscopia en las primeras 48 h del ingreso (TT). Se clasificaron en fases: 1) derrame seroso, 2) líquido purulento libre o tabicado, 3) engrosamiento pleural, pus y pulmón colapsado. Como grupo control: pacientes con EPN de octubre 1993 a agosto 1995, sin toracoscopia (NT); el EPN se clasificó de acuerdo a la evolución clínica: 1) seroso con expansión pulmonar, 2) purulento con expansión pulmonar (sonda de toracostomía), 3) purulento sin expansión pulmonar (toracotomía decorticación). El tratamiento se instituyó de acuerdo a la fase. Resultados. En total 42 pacientes con EPN, (TT 17 y NT 25), fueron similares en sexo, edad, fases del empiema, número de defunciones, resultados de laboratorio, enfermedades asociadas y esquemas antibióticos. La estancia hospitalaria global fue 12.76 ñ 5.36 días para el grupo

Estudio comparativo de apendicectomía laparoscópica con endoasas preatadas vs apendicectomía abierta / Comparative study of laparoscopic appendectomy with pretied endoloops vs open appendectomy

La laparoscopia disminuye apendicectomía inecesaria y permite la apendicectomía con las ventajas de invasión mínima. Reportamos nuestra experiencia con apendicectomía abieta (grupo A) comparada con apendicectomía laparoscópica (grupo B). Material y métodos: 20 pacientes en cada grupo. Registramos: sexo, eded, tiempo de evolución, síntomas, signos, laboratorio, fase de apendicitis, drenajes, tiempo operatorio, antibióticos, reinicio de vía oral, dolor a las 24, 48 y 72 horas, complicaciones, alta hospitalaria, alta definitiva y efecto estético. El análisis estadístico se realizó con t de Student de dos colas y chi cuadrada con corrección de Yates. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica. Resultados: Los grupos fueron comparables en la mayoría de las variables analizadas. El reinicio de la vía oral fue más temprana en el grupo B (p< 0.001), así como menor el dolor (por escala visual análoga) a las 24 (p < 0.001), 48 (p < 0.01) y 72 horas (p < 0.01). El alta hospitalaria fue más rápido en el B (p < 0.001), la definitiva (p < 0.001), así como el efecto estético (16 ®excelente¼ vs. O- p < 0.001). Conclusiones: El abordaje laparoscópico permite evitar apendicectomías innecesarias y realizar la apendicectomía en forma segura y efectiva, con reinicio casi inmediato de la vía oral, menos dolor postoperatorio, menor tiempo de hospitalización, regreso más rápido al trabajo y mejor resultado cosmético