High mortality at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in a referral center in the metropolitan area of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease in Latin-American countries. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in Mexico. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 333 consecutive patients who were admitted to Hospital de Especialidades "Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret" in Mexico City with COVID-19 between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data, treatment details and 30-day outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients studied included 52% men (172/233) and the median age was 45 years. Up to 75% (250/333) of patients were classified as overweight or obese. There were 185 (56%) inpatients; 85% (158/185) were hospitalized in the general ward, and 15% (27/185) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Laboratory measurements showed significant differences between inpatients and outpatients such as lymphocyte-count (median 0.8 vs 1.2×109/L, p < 0.001), LDH (median 650 vs 294 U/L, p < 0.001), CRP (median 147 vs 5 mg/L, p = 0.007), CK-MB (median, 15 vs 10 U/L, p = 0.008), ferritin (median, 860 vs 392 ng/mL, p = 0.02), and D-dimer (median, 780 vs 600 ng/mL, p = 0.15). These differences were seen between survivor and non-survivor patients as well. The rate of death in mechanically ventilated patients was 94% (67/71). Mortality at 30-day follow-up was 57% (105/185). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that majority of the non-survivors were obese and young. Complications leading to death was observed in majority of the cases.

Panhypopituitarism and cranial mononeuropathy, manifestation of NK/T lymphoma that imitates meningeal tuberculosis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El linfoma extranodal derivado de células NK/T (LNK/T) es una variedad de linfoma no Hodgkin; el tipo nasal constituye la presentación más común. Nuestro objetivo es presentar un caso de LNK/T con afección del sistema nervioso central (SNC) que simuló una tuberculosis meningea. CASO CLÍNICO: Varón de 31 años con sensación de obstrucción nasal, cefalea, fiebre, panhipopituitarismo y mononeuropatía craneal múltiple, con lesión hipofisaria por imagen de resonancia magnética y engrosamiento dural, que evolucionó con pancitopenia y úlcera en el paladar blando. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante biopsia de cornete nasal compatible con infiltración por linfoma de estirpe T maduro NK. CONCLUSIONES: La afección del LNK/T al SNC es una forma rara de presentación. El diagnóstico de LNK/T se puede ver retrasado por la presencia de síntomas heterogéneos. En nuestra población, la infección por Mycobacterium debe ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial. BACKGROUND: Lymphoma of NK/T cells (LNK/T) is a variety of non-Hodgkin lymphoma; the nasal type is the most common presentation. The aim of this article is to present a case of LNK/T with affection to central nervous system that imitates meningeal tuberculosis. CASE REPORT: 31 years old man with nasal blockage feeling, headache, fever, panhypopituitarism and multiple cranial mononeuropathy, with a pituitary injury demonstrated by magnetic resonance image and meningeal thickening, that progress with pancytopenia and soft palate ulcer. The diagnosis was made by nasal concha biopsy compatible with lymphoma infiltration, of LNK/T cell linage. CONCLUSIONS: The affectation of LNK/T cell lymphoma in central nervous system is a rare presentation. the diagnosis could be delayed for the presence of heterogeneous symptoms. Mycobacterium infection must be considered as a differential diagnosis in our population.

Validation of a predictive index of neoplasia in unexplained weight loss / Validación de un índice predictivo de neoplasia en pérdida de peso inexplicada

Background: Involuntary weight loss (IWL) is associated with a bad prognosis. A causal diagnosis is difficult and the priority is to identify those patients at risk of a serious underlying disease, such as malignant neoplasia. Objective: External validation of a prognostic index of neoplasia in patients with IWL. Methods: Patients referred for IWL from 2005 to 2014 to the Department of Internal Medicine, of a specialty care hospital in Mexico City were studied. Al of them underwent an evaluation consisting of medical history, physical examination and basic laboratory studies, those patients without an apparent cause of IWL, were included. A probability of neoplasia according to Hernández prognostic index was calculated. Complementary diagnostic studies were performed until a causal diagnosis was reached, or the cases were classified as "unknown cause", if the etiology was not possible to find after one year of follow-up. A binarian logistic model was constructed with five variables age, leucocyte count, albumin, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and a prediction rule was developed. Results: 130 Patients were included and 45 of them (30%) had a neoplastic cause of IWL. The prediction rule according to Hernández criteria, correctly classified 65% of the patients (sensitivity 29%, Specificity 85%, positive predictive value 50% and negative predictive value 69%). When the original index was modified in two categories (high and low probability), it showed a sensitivity of 84.4% and a negative predictive value of 85.7%. Conclusion: The Hernández index has a limited value as a screening tool.

Introducción: la pérdida involuntaria de peso es un factor de mal pronóstico. Su diagnóstico causal es difícil y es prioritario identificar los casos que tienen una enfermedad grave subyacente. Objetivo: validar un índice pronóstico de neoplasia en pacientes con pérdida involuntaria de peso. Métodos: pacientes referidos por pérdida involuntaria de peso de 2005 a 2014, fueron evaluados mediante historia clínica y exámenes básicos de laboratorio; en el estudio fueron incluidos los pacientes sin causa aparente después de la evaluación. Se calculó la probabilidad de neoplasia, según el índice de Hernández. Se realizaron estudios complementarios hasta identificar una causa o fueron clasificados como "causa desconocida", si no se encontró la etiología después de un año de seguimiento. Se construyó un modelo de regresión logística binaria con las variables edad, cifras de leucocitos, albúmina, deshidrogenasa láctica y fosfatasa alcalina; con la ecuación resultante se predijo neoplasia como causa de pérdida involuntaria de peso. Resultados: se incluyeron 130 pacientes, 45 tuvieron causa neoplásica (30%). La ecuación de predicción clasificó correctamente a 65% de los sujetos analizados (especificidad 85%, sensibilidad 29%, valor predictivo positivo 50%, valor predictivo negativo 69%). Al modificarse el índice original en dos categorías (probabilidad alta y baja), mostró una sensibilidad del 84.4% y un valor predictivo negativo del 85.7%. Conclusión: el índice tuvo baja sensibilidad, lo que limita su uso como prueba de tamizaje.

Púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein como manifestación inicial de mieloma múltiple / Henoch-Schonlein purpura as initial manifestation of multiple myeloma

Resumen La púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein como vasculitis paraneoplásica de tumores sólidos se encuentra en 9 a 11% de los casos reportados en adultos con carcinoma de estómago, mama, pulmón, próstata o riñón; es poco frecuente como paraneoplásico de mieloma múltiple. Se comunica el caso de una paciente que padeció púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein como manifestación inicial de mieloma múltiple.

Abstract Henoch-Schonlein purpura as paraneoplasic vasculitis of solid tumors is found in 9-11% of cases reported in adults with stomach, breast, lung, prostate and kidney carcinomas; it is little frequent as paraneoplastic of multiple myeloma. This paper reports the case of a patient that suffered from Henoch-Schonlein purpura as initial manifestation of multiple myeloma.

[IgG4-related disease: a case report]. / Enfermedad asociada a IgG4: reporte de un caso.

IgG4-related disease is an inflammatory condition characterized by high levels of IgG4. It affects salivary and lacrimal glands, pancreas, lymph nodes, lungs or kidney. The diagnosis is based on identifying a histological pattern with a dense lymphocyte and plasmacyte infiltration, focal fibrosis or phlebitis, finding more than 10 IgG4 positive cells per high power field and/or IgG4/IgG ratio in plasma higher than 40%. We present a patient with Mikulicz's disease who meets histological findings required for the diagnosis of IgG4 related disease.

La enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 es una condición fibroinflamatoria en la que existe elevación de IgG4, afección a nivel de glándulas salivares, lacrimales, páncreas, ganglios linfáticos y pulmón. Para su diagnóstico se requiere la identificación de un patrón histológico sugestivo que muestre infiltrado linfoplasmocitario denso, fibrosis focal o flebitis a nivel de una glándula, más de 10 células positivas para IgG4 por campo de gran aumento y relación de IgG4/IgG arriba de 40% en plasma. Describimos el caso de una paciente que presentó enfermedad de Mikulicz y cumplió con los datos histológicos para diagnóstico de enfermedad relacionada con IgG4.

Impact of Chronic Glucocorticoid Treatment on Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus is highly associated with premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. The origin of this subclinical atherosclerosis has been attributed mainly to the inflammatory nature of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of long-term use of glucocorticoids on cardiovascular risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a registry-based retrospective cohort study. We determined 2 periods: (1) Time 0, that is, time of diagnosis and (2) time 1, that is, when the study was finalized. At both times, the cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the Framingham scale and their scores were compared. Afterward, the change magnitude between the 2 times was evaluated and associated with the cumulative glucocorticoids dose. RESULTS: One hundred one patients were included. The mean ± SD age was 26.5 ± 5 years. Length of disease evolution was of 7.8 ± 4.9 years. There was an 8-point increase in the Framingham score, from -8.1 ± 4 to 0.8 ± 7; P < 0.0001. The correlation between the magnitude of the increase in Framingham score and their corresponding cumulative dose showed a coefficient of 0.88; P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The glucocorticoids are a primary factor that influences cardiovascular risk. There is a directly proportional relationship between the cumulative glucocorticoid dose and the increase in cardiovascular risk.

[Fever of unknown origin, comparing two series with 26 years of difference]. / Fiebre de origen oscuro, comparación de dos series con 26 años de diferencia.

INTRODUCTION: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) remains a syndrome with difficult approach and changing spectrum. Our aim was to compare two series of FUO patients seen at the Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Medico La Raza, Mexico City. METHODS: Data from FUO series from 1979-87 were compared with those from 2004-14 series. We analyzed demographic data, final diagnoses, and diagnostic tests used. We report median and range for numerical variables and frequencies for nominal data, bivariate analysis was done with chi-square or Fisher´s test as needed using SPSS version 17.0 for MAC and open-epi version 3.7. RESULTS: One hundred twenty seven patients were included in the 1979-87 series and 118 in the 2004-14 series. There were more non-infectious inflammatory diseases (p=0.0004) and less infectious diseases (p=0.024) in the 2004-14 series. We observed no significant differences in neoplastic diseases and undiagnosed cases between the two series. Laboratory tests and their diagnostic utility were similar in both series, but image studies were less useful in the 2004-14 series. Biopsy and laparotomy remained as frequent and useful tools in both series. CONCLUSIONS: The recent series had more non-infectious inflammatory diseases and less infectious causes of FUO. Invasive studies remain as useful diagnostic aids in a significant number of cases.

Introducción: la fiebre de origen oscuro (FOO) es un síndrome de abordaje difícil y espectro cambiante. El objetivo fue comparar dos series de FOO estudiadas en el departamento de Medicina Interna del Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico La Raza.Métodos: fue un estudio comparativo de datos secundarios: los datos de la serie 1979-87, que fueron publicados por Frati et al. y los de la serie 2004-14, registrados en la base de datos de FOO del departamento de Medicina Interna. Se compararon datos demográficos, diagnósticos finales y pruebas diagnósticas utilizadas. Se describen mediana y amplitud para las variables numéricas y distribución de frecuencias para las variables nominales. El análisis bivariado se hizo con chi cuadrada o prueba de Fisher con los programas SPSS versión 17.0 para MAC y open epi versión 3.7.Resultados: se incluyeron 127 pacientes en la serie 1979-87, y 118 en la 2004-14. La serie más reciente tuvo menos casos ocasionados por infecciones, (p = 0.024), y más enfermedades inflamatorias no infecciosas (p = 0.0004). Se mantuvieron constantes las enfermedades neoplásicas y los casos con diagnóstico desconocido. Variaron poco las pruebas de laboratorio realizadas y su utilidad diagnóstica; en cambio los estudios de imagen fueron menos útiles en la serie 2004-14 (p = 0.00003). Las biopsias y la laparotomía fueron frecuentemente realizadas y útiles en ambas series.Conclusiones: En la última serie hubo más enfermedades inflamatorias no infecciosas a expensas de un menor número de infecciones. Los estudios invasivos siguen siendo necesarios.