Hipótesis neuroinvasiva en un caso de delirium atípico en paciente con neumonía por COVID-19 / Neuroinvasive hypothesis in a case of atypical delirium in a patient with pneumonia caused by COVID-19

Objetivo: El delirium es la complicación neuropsiquiátrica más frecuente en pacientes con afectación grave por COVID-19. Presentamos un caso atípico, desde el punto de vista clínico y fenomenológico, y reflexionamos sobre los mecanismos etiológicos implicados. Caso clínico Varón de 55 años, médico en activo, ingresado en la unidad de hospitalización convencional, y estable clínicamente tras un ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por neumonía por COVID-19 grave. Presenta un delirium atípico, con alteraciones mnésicas y de lenguaje muy significativas, que se miden psicométricamente, mientras mantiene un buen nivel atencional y de alerta. El resto de las pruebas complementarias realizadas son normales o poco concluyentes. Resultados La evolución durante el ingreso es buena y la recuperación completa al mes del alta hospitalaria. Conclusiones La presentación atípica y la evolución clínica de este cuadro de delirium permiten plantear el papel neuroinvasivo directo de la COVID-19, en este caso. (AU)

Objective: Delirium is the most frequent neuropsychiatric complication in patients with a severe condition caused by COVID-19. We present an atypical case from a clinical and phenomenological point of view, and we reflect on the involved etiological mechanisms. Clinical case 55-year-old male, active physician, first admitted into the conventional hospitalization unit and is clinically stable after being admitted into the Intensive Care Unit for pneumonia caused by severe COVID-19. He presents an atypical delirium with very significant memory and language disorders, which are measured psychometrically, while maintaining a good attention and alertness level. The rest of the complementary tests carried out are normal or not very conclusive. Results The evolution during his admission is good and the recovery complete after one month of being discharged from the hospital.ConclusionsThe atypical presentation and clinical evolution of this framework of delirium allow us to raise the question of the direct neuroinvasive role of COVID-19 in this case. (AU)

The prediction of Metabolic Syndrome alterations is improved by combining waist circumference and handgrip strength measurements compared to either alone.

BACKGROUND: Adiposity is a major component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), low muscle strength has also been identified as a risk factor for MetS and for cardiovascular disease. We describe the prevalence of MetS and evaluate the relationship between muscle strength, anthropometric measures of adiposity, and associations with the cluster of the components of MetS, in a middle-income country. METHODS: MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. To assess the association between anthropometric variables (waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (W/H), body mass index (BMI)), strength (handgrip/kg bodyweight (HGS/BW)) and the cluster of MetS, we created a MetS score. For each alteration (high triglycerides, low HDLc, dysglycemia, or high blood pressure) one point was conferred. To evaluate the association an index of fat:muscle and MetS score, participants were divided into 9 groups based on combinations of sex-specific tertiles of WC and HGS/BW. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MetS in the 5,026 participants (64% women; mean age 51.2 years) was 42%. Lower HGS/BW, and higher WC, BMI, and W/H were associated with a higher MetS score. Amongst the 9 HGS/BW:WC groups, participants in the lowest tertile of HGS/BW and the highest tertile of WC had a higher MetS score (OR = 4.69 in women and OR = 8.25 in men;p < 0.01) compared to those in the highest tertile of HGS/BW and in the lowest tertile of WC. CONCLUSION: WC was the principal risk factor for a high MetS score and an inverse association between HGS/BW and MetS score was found. Combining these anthropometric measures improved the prediction of metabolic alterations over either alone.

Self-Reported Prevalence of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Relation to Socioeconomic and Educational Factors in Colombia: A Community-Based Study in 11 Departments.

Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases are prevalent conditions in developing countries, such as Colombia. Several socioeconomic and educational factors have been associated with these pathologies. However, there is little country-specific information regarding the self-reported prevalence of chronic diseases and their association with the aforementioned factors in Colombia. Objectives: To evaluate the current situation of chronic non-transmissible diseases in Colombia by self-report and to analyze its potential relationship with sociodemographic, economic and educational factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional baseline sub-analysis from the prospective, standardized collaborative PURE study in Colombia. Participants were recruited between 2005 to 2009, in 11 departments of the country, and included 7,485 subjects of 35 to 70 years old. Questionnaires of self-reported chronic non-communicable diseases, and demographic, socioeconomic and educational variables were applied. Results: Hypertension was the most prevalent chronic condition reported with a prevalence of 22.2% (21.2%-23.1%, 95% CI), followed by diabetes with a prevalence of 5.7% (5.1%-6.2%, 95% CI), asthma 2.7% (2.2%-3.0%, 95% CI), coronary heart disease 2.4% (2.0%-2.7%, 95% CI), stroke and heart failure 1.5% (1.2%-1.8%, 95% CI) each, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1.2% (0.6%-1.5%, 95% CI), and cancer 1.2% (1.0%-1.5%, 95% CI). Among the study sample, 23.3% (22.4%-24.3%, 95% CI) reported having one chronic NCDs, and 6.4% (5.9%-7.0%, 95% CI) reported having multiple chronic NCDs. The prevalence of multiple NCDs increased significantly with age, was more common in those from households with higher income, whereas it was significantly lower in persons with high education.The central and central-east regions of the country are those with the higher prevalence of self-reported NCDs. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate the presence of socioeconomic and educational inequalities in the distribution of chronic NCDs in the Colombian population.

The spectrum of the dyslipidemia in Colombia: The PURE study.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Worldwide, a third of ischemic heart disease is due to abnormal cholesterol levels and it is the most common cause of cardiovascular deaths in Colombia. In Colombia, no representative, large-scale study has assessed the prevalence of dyslipidemia. The aim of the present analysis was to identify the magnitude of the problem in Colombia, a middle-income-country with large regional, geographic, and socio-economical differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample comprised 6628 individuals aged 35 to 70 years (mean age 50.7 years, 64.1% women) residing in the four Colombian regions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 87.7% and was substantially higher among participants older than 50 years, male, rural residents, and those with a lower level of education (66.8%), and with a lower income (66.4%). High non HDL-c was the most common abnormality (75.3%). The values of total cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol were higher in areas with the lowest health needs index than in the areas with intermediate and highest health need index, the isolated HDL-c value was much lower. CONCLUSION: Colombia has a high prevalence of abnormalities of the lipid profile. The causes of the high rates of dyslipidemia were not well define in this study, but were more common in rural and poorer regions and among those with lower socio-economical status. Strategies to tackle the adverse lipid profile to reduce CVD are needed in Colombia, particularly in rural areas and among the areas with the higher health need index.

Epidemiology of Intracranial Hemorrhage Associated with Oral Anticoagulants in Spain: Trends in Anticoagulation Complications Registry - The TAC 2 Study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients receiving treatment with oral anticoagulants (OACs) are at risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients receiving OACs who experience ICH and compare those receiving vitamin K antagonists (ICH-VKAs) with those receiving direct OACs (ICH-DOACs). METHODS: We performed a national, multicenter, descriptive, observational, retrospective study of all adult patients receiving OACs who were admitted to the neurology department with ICH over a 1-year period. The study population was divided into 2 groups (ICH-VKAs and ICH-DOACs). Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and therapy-related variables, as well as functional outcome, were compared at 3 months. A total of 366 cases were included (331 ICH-VKAs, 35 ICH- DOACs). RESULTS: The crude annual incidence of OAC-induced ICH was 3.8 (95% CI, 2.78-3.41) per 100,000 inhabitants/year. The mean (± SD) age was greater for ICH-DOACs (81.5 ± 8.3 vs. 77.7 ± 8.3 years; p = 0.012). The median (IQR) volume of the hemorrhage was lower for ICH-DOACs (11 [30.8] vs. 25 [50.7] mL; p = 0.03). The functional independence rate at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale, mRS < 3) was similar in both groups, although stroke-related mortality was greater in ICH-VKAs (40 vs. 72.7%; p = 0.02). The most frequently indicated poststroke antithrombotic therapy was DOACs (38.7%). CONCLUSION: We found that the incidence of OAC-induced ICH was greater than in previous studies. Hemorrhage volume and mortality were lower in ICH-DOACs than in ICH-VKAs. After stroke, DOACs were the most frequently indicated antithrombotic treatment.

Social disparities explain differences in hypertension prevalence, detection and control in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is the principal risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The global Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study showed that the levels of awareness, treatment and control of this condition are very low worldwide and show large regional variations related to a country's income index. The aim of the present analysis was to identify associations between sociodemographic, geographic, anthropometric, behavioral and clinical factors and the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension within Colombia - a high-middle income country which participated in the global Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sample comprised 7485 individuals aged 35-70 years (mean age 50.8 years, 64% women). Mean SBP and DBP were 129.12 ±â€Š21.23 and 80.39 ±â€Š11.81 mmHg, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 37.5% and was substantially higher amongst participants with the lowest educational level, who had a 25% higher prevalence (<0.001). Hypertension awareness, treatment amongst those aware, and control amongst those treated were 51.9, 77.5 and 37.1%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was higher amongst those with a higher BMI (<0.001) or larger waist-hip ratio (<0.001). Being male, younger, a rural resident and having a low level of education was associated with significantly lower hypertension awareness, treatment and control. The use of combination therapy was very low (27.5%) and was significantly lower in rural areas and amongst those with a low income. CONCLUSION: Overall Colombia has a high prevalence of hypertension in combination with very low levels of awareness, treatment and control; however, we found large variations within the country that appear to be associated with sociodemographic disparities.

Hipotiroidismo y apnea del sueño / Hypothyroidism and sleep apnea

Resumen La salud es un derecho fundamental de todo ser humano, ya reconocido por la Ley Estatutaria de Salud (Ley 1751 de 2015). Esta ley devuelve la autonomía profesional al médico y para hacer buen uso de ella, debemos ejercer nuestra profesión dentro de un marco de autorregulación, ética, racionalidad y evidencia científica. Somos los médicos los llamados a liderar la identificación de los gastos innecesarios en salud, sin descuidar la calidad de la atención. Iniciamos aquí una serie de artículos en los que esperamos exponer, bajo evidencia científica, cuáles prácticas en medicina debemos continuar, mejorar o abolir con el fin de autorregularnos bajo conceptos éticos, de calidad y de racionalidad científica. El cuadro clínico del hipotiroidismo y de la apnea del sueño son bastantes similares, sin embargo cada una tiene unas características clínicas particulares que son las que debemos evaluar. ¿Se recomienda solicitar rutinariamente pruebas de función tiroidea a todos los pacientes con sospecha diagnóstica o diagnóstico confirmado de apnea del sueño?; ¿Se recomienda realizar un estudio del sueño a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de hipotiroidismo clínico o subclínico?. No se recomienda realizar pruebas de función tiroidea a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de apnea del sueño, así como tampoco hacer estudio del sueño a todos los pacientes con hipotiroidis-mo. Solo se recomienda hacer cuando la sospecha clínica lo amerite. Sugerimos la realización de investigaciones de costo/efectividad. (Acta Med Colomb 2016; 41: 138-140).

Abstract Health is a fundamental right of every human being, as recognized by the Statutory Health Law (Law 1751 of 2015). This law puts professional autonomy to the doctor, and to make good use of it we must exercise our profession within a framework of self-regulation, ethics, rationality and scientific evidence. We the physicians are the ones who are called to lead the identification of unnecessary health expenses without sacrificing quality of care. We begin here a series of articles in which we expect expose, on scientific evidence, which medical practices must we continue, improve or abolish in order to self-regulate us under ethical, quality and scientific rationality concepts. The clinical picture of hypothyroidism and sleep apnea are quite similar, yet each has unique clinical features that are what we have to assess. Is it recommended routinely request thyroid tests to all patients with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of sleep apnea?. Is it recommended to perform a sleep study to all patients diagnosed with clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism?. It is not recommended practice thyroid function tests to all patients diagnosed with sleep apnea, nor do sleep study to all patients with hypothyroidism. It is recommended only when the clinical suspicion warrants it. We suggest carry out cost / effectiveness research. (Acta Med Colomb 2016; 41: 138-140).

Epidemiology of Intracranial Haemorrhages Associated with Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Spain: TAC Registry.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (VKA-OACs) are effective for primary and secondary prevention of embolic events. The rate of haemorrhagic neurological complications in patients admitted to neurology departments in Spain is not yet known. AIMS: We aimed to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with intracranial haemorrhage secondary to VKA-OACs as well as the incidence of this severe complication. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, multi-centre study using information from the medical records of all patients admitted to neurology departments, diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage, and treated with VKA-OACs within a 1-year period. We collected demographic and care data from centres, patients' medical records [demographic data, medical history, haemorrhage origin, vascular risk factors, concomitant treatment, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores], and patients' outcome at 3 months [independence (modified Rankin Scale score <3) and mortality rate]. RESULTS: Twenty-one hospitals serving a population of 8,155,628 inhabitants participated in the study. The total number of cases was 235, the mean age was 78.2 (SD 9.4) years, and the baseline NIHSS score was 11.6 (SD 9.5; median 9; interquartile range 14). The VKA-OACs used were acenocoumarol in 95.3% (224 patients) and warfarin in 4.7% (11 patients). The haemorrhage origin was deep in 29.8%, lobar in 25.5%, intraventricular in 11.5%, extensive in 17.4% (>100 ml), cerebellar in 12.3%, and in the brainstem in 3.4%. The international normalised ratio was within therapeutic ranges at admission (according to indication) in 29.4% (69 patients). The global incidence (cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year) is 2.88. The in-hospital mortality rate was 40%, and 24.3% of the patients were independent at 3 months, while the mortality at 3 months was 42.6%. CONCLUSION: VKA-OAC treatment is associated with a large percentage of all cases of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage, an event leading to high dependence and mortality rates.