Modelo predictivo de riesgo académico en estudiantes de medicina / A predictive model for academic risk in medicine students

BACKGROUND: Academic performance is an important issue for universities. Andrés Bello University's academic risk factors identification system focuses on performance variables, such as scores on university entrance examinations and scores in high school. Since medical students have high entrance scores, their academic risk is not detected. AIM: To create an academic risk predictive model for medical students using neuro-didactic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study with 189 first-year medical students. After signing the informed consent, questionnaires were applied to measure variables related to executive functions and reward system. These were analyzed with logistic regression models and classification trees. RESULTS: The variables that modified the probability of academic risk were identified by the logistic regression model with a global accuracy of 0.74 and by the algorithm of the classification tree, with a sensitivity and specificity of 68 and 79% respectively. The identified variables for executive functions, were the scores obtained in the science, mathematics, and emotional intelligence tests of the university entrance examination. Family pressure and who they live with, were variables associated with the reward system. CONCLUSIONS: A low score in the science test of the university entrance examination is the variable that initially determines the probability of academic risk. It is modulated by variables related to reward system. In the most complex branch, the terminal node is represented by the emotional intelligence variable of executive functions.

[A predictive model for academic risk in medicine students]. / Modelo predictivo de riesgo académico en estudiantes de medicina.

BACKGROUND: Academic performance is an important issue for universities. Andrés Bello University's academic risk factors identification system focuses on performance variables, such as scores on university entrance examinations and scores in high school. Since medical students have high entrance scores, their academic risk is not detected. AIM: To create an academic risk predictive model for medical students using neuro-didactic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study with 189 first-year medical students. After signing the informed consent, questionnaires were applied to measure variables related to executive functions and reward system. These were analyzed with logistic regression models and classification trees. RESULTS: The variables that modified the probability of academic risk were identified by the logistic regression model with a global accuracy of 0.74 and by the algorithm of the classification tree, with a sensitivity and specificity of 68 and 79% respectively. The identified variables for executive functions, were the scores obtained in the science, mathematics, and emotional intelligence tests of the university entrance examination. Family pressure and who they live with, were variables associated with the reward system. CONCLUSIONS: A low score in the science test of the university entrance examination is the variable that initially determines the probability of academic risk. It is modulated by variables related to reward system. In the most complex branch, the terminal node is represented by the emotional intelligence variable of executive functions.

COVID-19: What Iodine Maps From Perfusion CT can reveal-A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Subtraction CT angiography (sCTA) is a technique used to evaluate pulmonary perfusion based on iodine distribution maps. The aim of this study is to assess lung perfusion changes with sCTA seen in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and correlate them with clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out with 45 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients that required hospitalization at three different hospitals, between April and May 2020. In all cases, a basic clinical and demographic profile was obtained. Lung perfusion was assessed using sCTA. Evaluated imaging features included: Pattern predominance of injured lung parenchyma in both lungs (ground-glass opacities, consolidation and mixed pattern) and anatomical extension; predominant type of perfusion abnormality (increased perfusion or hypoperfusion), perfusion abnormality distribution (focal or diffuse), extension of perfusion abnormalities (mild, moderate and severe involvement); presence of vascular dilatation and vascular tortuosity. All participants were followed-up until hospital discharge searching for the development of any of the study endpoints. These endpoints included intensive-care unit (ICU) admission, initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and death. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (55.2 ± 16.5 years, 22 men) with RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and an interpretable iodine map were included. Patients with perfusion anomalies on sCTA in morphologically normal lung parenchyma showed lower Pa/Fi values (294 ± 111.3 vs. 397 ± 37.7, p = 0.035), and higher D-dimer levels (1156 ± 1018 vs. 378 ± 60.2, p < 0.01). The main common patterns seen in lung CT scans were ground-glass opacities, mixed pattern with predominant ground-glass opacities and mixed pattern with predominant consolidation in 56.1%, 24.4% and 19.5% respectively. Perfusion abnormalities were common (36 patients, 87.8%), mainly hypoperfusion in areas of apparently healthy lung. Patients with severe hypoperfusion in areas of apparently healthy lung parenchyma had an increased probability of being admitted to ICU and to initiate IMV (HR of 11.9 (95% CI 1.55-91.9) and HR 7.8 (95% CI 1.05-61.1), respectively). CONCLUSION: Perfusion abnormalities evidenced in iodine maps obtained by sCTA are associated with increased admission to ICU and initiation of IMV in COVID-19 patients.

Accuracy of point-of-care serum creatinine devices for detecting patients at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy: a critical overview.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common event in hospitals, with reported incidences ranging from 1 to 30%. Patients with underlying kidney disease have an increased risk of developing CIN. Point-of-care (POC) creatinine devices are handheld devices capable of providing quantitative data on a patient's kidney function that could be useful in stratifying preventive measures. This overview aims to synthesize the current evidence on diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of POC creatinine devices in detecting patients at risk of CIN. Five databases were searched for diagnostic accuracy studies or clinical trials that evaluated the usefulness of POC devices in detecting patients at risk of CIN. Selected articles were critically appraised to assess their individual risk of bias by the use of standard criteria; 13 studies were found that addressed the diagnostic accuracy or clinical utility of POC creatinine devices. Most studies incurred a moderate to high risk of bias. Overall concordance between POC devices and reference standards (clinical laboratory procedures) was found to be moderate, with 95% limits of agreement often lying between -35.4 and +35.4 µmol/L (-0.4 and +0.4 mg/dL). Concordance was shown to decrease with worsening kidney function. Data on the clinical utility of these devices were limited, but a significant reduction in time to diagnosis was reported in two studies. Overall, POC creatinine devices showed a moderate concordance with standard clinical laboratory creatinine measurements. Several biases could have induced optimism in these estimations. Results obtained from these devices may be unreliable in cases of severe kidney failure. Randomized trials are needed to address the clinical utility of these devices.

Análisis crítico de un artículo: adenoamigdalectomía en niños con apnea del sueño / Adenotonsillectomy for childhood sleep apnea: CAT

Introducción: el síndrome de apnea/hipopnea del sueño infantil se asocia a numerosos resultados adversos a nivel cognitivo y conductual. El factor de riesgo más comúnmente identificado para presentar síndrome de apnea/hipopnea del sueño es la hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana, para el cual el tratamiento primario es la adenoamigdalectomía. Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia de la adenoamigdalectomía temprana versus la conducta expectante, en lo que respecta a factores cognitivos, conductuales, calidad de vida y sueño, en niños con síndrome de apnea/hipopnea del sueño. Pacientes y método: se analiza críticamente el artículo de Marcus (2013), estudio multicéntrico, enmascarado simple, aleatorizado, controlado, en siete centros de estudio del sueño. Resultados: en un seguimiento a siete meses, la proporción de remisión espontánea en el grupo control de parámetros polisomnográficos sugiere que 46 por ciento de los niños revierten espontáneamente las alteraciones, efecto que se observó en 79 por ciento de los niños en el grupo intervenido. Conclusión de los revisores: la cirugía adenoamigdaliana para el tratamiento de la apnea obstructiva del sueño en escolares no mejora significativamente la atención o la función ejecutiva, pero sí mejora algunos desenlaces de comportamiento, calidad de vida y variables polisomnográficas. Sin embargo, esta mejoría se aprecia en una alta proporción de niños que no recibieron el tratamiento, mejoría principalmente evidenciada en las variables polisomnográficas. Por lo tanto, no sería un requisito indispensable el realizar esta cirugía para revertir dicho cuadro clínico.

Introduction. Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children is associated with numerous adverse cognitive and behavioral consequences. The most common risk factor identified for OSAHS is tonsillar enlargement, and primary treatment is adenotonsillectomy. Aim. To compare the efficacy of early adenotonsillectomy versus watchful waiting, on cognitive, behavioral, quality of life and sleep outcomes in children with OSAHS. Patients and Methods. We critically appraised the Marcus (2013) article, a multicenter, single masked, randomized, controlled study in seven sleep centers. Results. After a seven month follow-up, the rate of spontaneous remission in polysomnographic parameters control group shows that 46 percent of children spontaneously revert untoward outcomes, compared to 79 percent of children in the intervention group. Reviewer’s conclusion. Adenotonsillar surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in school-age children does not significantly improve attention or executive function, but it does improve some behavioral outcomes, quality of life, and polysomnographic variables. However, this improvement was also observed in a high proportion of children who received no treatment, mainly regarding polysomnographic variables. Thus surgery does not appear to be necessary to reduce symptoms.

Intervenciones multicomponente en la prevención del delirium entre adultos mayores hospitalizados: un análisis crítico de la literatura / Multicomponent interventions in preventing incident delirium in elderly inpatients: a critical appraisal of literature

Introducción: el delirium es un síndrome neuropsiquiátrico común entre adultos mayores. Se asocia a mayor mortalidad, deterioro cognitivo y aumentos en costos en salud. Las intervenciones multicomponentes parecen ser eficaces en prevenir el delirium. Objetivo: evaluar la evidencia disponible respecto del uso de intervenciones multicomponentes para prevenir delirium entre adultos mayores hospitalizados. Metodología: se realizó una revisión de la literatura en cinco bases de datos, en búsqueda de revisiones sistemáticas que informaran la utilidad de las intervenciones multicomponentes para reducir el delirium incidente. Las revisiones fueron evaluadas en cuanto a su calidad sobre la base de los criterios de la Colaboración Cochrane. Resultados: se detectaron tres revisiones sistemáticas. La estrategia de búsqueda fue adecuada en todas, aunque dos de ellas incluyeron ensayos no aleatorizados en el análisis. Los programas evaluados fueron heterogéneos, por lo que no se realizó metaanálisis en ninguna de ellas. Sin embargo, fueron descritos resultados benéficos en todas ellas. Discusión: existe evidencia de moderada calidad que sugiere que las intervenciones multicomponentes son eficaces para reducir el delirium incidente. Es necesario realizar nuevas revisiones sistemáticas restringidas a ensayos aleatorizados para obtener una respuesta definitiva sobre su utilidad.

Introduction. Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome arising among elderly inpatients. It has been associated with increased mortality, cognitive decline and increased healthcare costs. Multicomponent interventions might be useful in preventing incident delirium. Objectives. To assess the available evidence regarding multicomponent interventions in preventing incident delirium among elderly inpatients. Methods. A literature review was conducted in 5 databases in search for systematic reviews evaluating multicomponent interventions in preventing incident delirium. Included reviews were assessed by using the criteria recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results. Three systematic reviews were found. All described adequate searching methods, but two considered non-randomized designs for analyses. Important heterogeneity was seen among studies, precluding meta-analyses. However, beneficial effects were described regarding incident delirium prevention. Discussion. Moderate-quality evidence suggests that multicomponent interventions are useful in preventing delirium. New systematic reviews should restrict their methods to randomized trials in order to allow a definitive conclusion to be made.

Delirium en el hospital, una revisión narrativa / Delirium in the hospital, a narrative review

El delirium es una complicación frecuente entre pacientes hospitalizados, particularmente entre adultos mayores y aquellos con deterioro cognitivo. Se ha asociado a mayor mortalidad, estadías hospitalarias prolongadas, deterioro cognitivo, mayores tasas de institucionalización al alta y mayores costos para los sistemas de salud. Su fisiopatología es escasamente comprendida, planteándose en los últimos años un origen inflamatorio predominante. Ello explicaría su transversalidad y relación con la gravedad de cuadros subyacentes. Clínicamente se caracteriza por su inicio agudo con curso fluctuante, inatención, pensamiento desorganizado y un nivel de conciencia alterado. El enfrentamiento diagnóstico exige la búsqueda sistemática de desencadenantes en forma adicional a las manifestaciones del síndrome. Su tratamiento sintomático está basado en los neurolépticos como primera línea y el lorazepam en caso de que los primeros no puedan utilizarse o exista un escenario de indicación especial. Existe evidencia de que el cuadro puede prevenirse mediante la instauración de estrategias multicomponentes.

Delirium is a common complication in hospitalized patients, particularly the elderly and those with cognitive impairment. It has been associated with higher mortality, prolonged hospitalization, cognitive impairment, higher rates of institutionalization at discharge and higher costs for healthcare systems. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood, and more recently a predominantly inflammatory origin has been proposed, which could explain its pervasiveness and association with underlying conditions. Clinically, it is characterized by acute onset with fluctuating course, inattention, disorganized thinking and altered level of consciousness. Diagnostic approach is based on the systematic search for triggering factors as well as the manifestations of the syndrome. Symptomatic treatment is based neuroleptics as first line treatment, and lorazepam when the former cannot be used or there are special indications. There is evidence that the condition can be prevented by resorting to multi-component strategies.

Dermatitis, un enfoque desde la medicina ocupacional / Dermatitis, an approach from occupational medicine

La dermatitis ocupacional es una de las enfermedades ocupacionales más frecuentes en la práctica clínica. Su prevalencia varía en función de las actividades laborales y tipos de exposición, con cifras citadas en la literatura de hasta un 37 por ciento. Su origen puede ser irritativo o alérgico. Entre sus factores de riesgo se incluyen la atopía y el lavado de manos frecuente o la realización de trabajos húmedos, con evidencia controvertida para factores como el sexo, el consumo de tabaco, entre otros. El diagnóstico se basa en el examen físico, las pruebas etiológicas en parche y la certificación del origen ocupacional mediante criterios estandarizados. Se le ha asociado a disminución de la productividad laboral, ausentismo y cambios de ocupación, así como a disminuciones importantes de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La prevención se basa fundamentalmente en la educación y la limitación de la exposición. Estas estrategias son compartidas con el tratamiento, al que se agrega el uso de fármacos como los esteroides tópicos y los inhibidores de calcineurina.

Occupational dermatitis is one of the most common occupational diseases in clinical practice. Prevalence varies according to the job activities and types of exposure, with figures of up to 37 percent reported in the literature. Its origin may be irritant or allergic. Atopy and frequent hand washing or exposure to wetness or humidity is described has been described as risk factors, while evidence for gender and tobacco consumption, among others, is controversial. Diagnosis is based on physical examination, etiological patch testing and certification of occupational origin using standardized criteria. The condition has been associated with reduced productivity, absenteeism and occupational changes, as well as significant decreases in the quality of life of patients. Prevention is based primarily on education and restriction of exposure. These strategies are coupled with the treatment, which include the use of drugs such as topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors.