Alcohol consumption in elderly people. What is the real magnitude of the problem?

The harmful effects of alcohol consumption have been well studied in the general population, but in the group of people over 80 years of age there is not much information regarding its relevance. It is estimated than 30%-40% of this population consumes alcohol regularly and around 10% engage in high-risk consumption. Furthermore, potential interactions between this substance and commonly consumed drugs in this age group, like oral antidiabetics, anticoagulants and antibiotics, may pose a risk of serious complications. In this sense, the aim of the present work was to analyze the magnitude of alcohol consumption within people over 80 years of age and the impact it has on their health. A narrative review of the available literature on the topic was carried out, which showed that alcohol consumption in people over 80 years of age is common in our environment and is associated with multiple complications and the development of different pathologies. The correct quantification of alcohol consumption in very elderly people must be integrated into the daily clinical practice of Medicine in general and Internal Medicine in particular.

Encefalopatía de Wernicke en el paciente alcohólico / Wernicke encephalopathy in alcoholic patients

Varón de 67 años que es trasladado por su familia al hospital por presentar un cuadro de siete días de evolución consistente en: somnolencia continua, bradipsiquia e inestabilidad en la marcha. El paciente vivía solo y entre sus antecedentes personales destacaba un consumo de alcohol superior a 100-120g/día con una dieta escasa en calidad y cantidad. En la exploración general se apreciaban estigmas de hepatopatía crónica, incluyendo telangiectasias y eritema palmar bilateral. Desde el punto de vista neurológico presentaba hiporreflexia en extremidades inferiores, temblor cerebeloso de predominio derecho, dismetría bilateral en prueba talón rodilla y ataxia de la marcha. Con los datos aportados se realizó el diagnóstico al ingreso de encefalopatía de Wernicke. ¿Cómo debe ser evaluado y tratado este paciente?(AU)

A 67-year old male was brought to the hospital by his family because he had been suffering from somnolence, bradypsychia and gait disturbance for one week. He lived alone, reported an ethanol intake higher than 100-120g/day. His diet was limited in quality and amount. The physical examination showed stigmata of chronic liver disease. The neurological exam revealed right-side cerebellar tremor, bilateral dysmetria and gait ataxia as well as hyporeflexia in the lower limbs. He was diagnosed of Wernicke encephalopathy. How should this patient be evaluated and treated?(AU)

[Wernicke encephalopathy in alcoholic patients]. / Encefalopatía de Wernicke en el paciente alcohólico.

A 67-year old male was brought to the hospital by his family because he had been suffering from somnolence, bradypsychia and gait disturbance for one week. He lived alone, reported an ethanol intake higher than 100-120 g/day. His diet was limited in quality and amount. The physical examination showed stigmata of chronic liver disease. The neurological exam revealed right-side cerebellar tremor, bilateral dysmetria and gait ataxia as well as hyporeflexia in the lower limbs. He was diagnosed of Wernicke encephalopathy. How should this patient be evaluated and treated?

Satisfacción, actitudes y percepciones de los médicos internos residentes hacia su formación docente e investigadora / Satisfaction, attitudes and perceptions of resident physicians toward teaching and research training

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las actitudes y percepciones de los MIR respecto a su formación en habilidades docentes e investigadoras en nuestro hospital a través de una encuesta estructurada distribuida a los médicos residentes de tercer, cuarto y quinto año en un hospital docente de cuarto nivel. Los resultados muestran el alto grado de insatisfacción de los residentes con su formación y producción científica. Dado el interés de este colectivo por la investigación, se deben implantar medidas que permitan su participación en esta actividad (AU)

The aim of this paper is to analyze the attitudes and perceptions of residents regarding their training in teaching and research skills in our hospital through a structured survey distributed to resident doctors in third, fourth and fifth year in a teaching hospital of fourth level. The results show high level of dissatisfaction of residents with their training and scientific production. Given the collective interest of this research, it must implement measures to secure their participation in this activity (AU)

[Biological markers of alcoholism]. / Marcadores biológicos del alcoholismo.

Diagnosis of alcoholism is very important, given its high prevalence and possibility of influencing the disease course. For this reason, the so-called biological markers of alcoholism are useful. These are analytic parameters that alter in the presence of excessive alcohol consumption. The two most relevant markers are the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and carbohydrate deficient transferrin. With this clinical comment, we aim to contribute to the knowledge of these tests and promote its use in the clinical practice.

Marcadores biológicos del alcoholismo / Biological markers of alcoholism

El diagnóstico de alcoholismo es de gran importancia, dada su alta prevalencia y la posibilidad de influir sobre el curso de la enfermedad. Para este propósito son útiles los llamados marcadores biológicos del alcoholismo: parámetros analíticos que se alteran en presencia de un consumo excesivo de alcohol. Los dos marcadores más relevantes son la enzima gammaglutamiltranspeptidasa y la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos. Con este comentario clínico pretendemos contribuir al conocimiento de estas pruebas y fomentar su uso en la práctica clínica (AU)

Diagnosis of alcoholism is very important, given its high prevalence and possibility of influencing the disease course. For this reason, the so-called biological markers of alcoholism are useful. These are analytic parameters that alter in the presence of excessive alcohol consumption. The two most relevant markers are the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and carbohydrate deficient transferrin. With this clinical comment, we aim to contribute to the knowledge of these tests and promote its use in the clinical practice (AU)