Red flags for clinical suspicion of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is a rare ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis. Its overlapping features with other vasculitic or eosinophilic diseases, and the wide and heterogeneous range of clinical manifestations, often result in a delay to diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To identify red flags that raise a suspicion of EGPA to prompt diagnostic testing and to present an evidence-based clinical checklist tool for use in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Systematic literature review and expert consensus to identify a list of red flags based on clinical judgement. GRADE applied to generate a strength of recommendation for each red flag and to develop a checklist tool. RESULTS: 86 studies were included. 40 red flags were identified as relevant to raise a suspicion of EGPA and assessed by the experts as being clinically significant. Experts agreed that a diagnosis of EGPA should be considered in a patient aged ≥6 years with a blood eosinophil level >1000 cells/µL if untreated and >500 cells/µL if previously treated with any medication likely to have altered the blood eosinophil count. The presence of asthma and/or nasal polyposis should reinforce a suspicion of EGPA. Red flags of asthma, lung infiltrates, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, polyneuropathy, biopsy with inflammatory eosinophilic infiltrates, palpable purpura, digital ischaemia and ANCA positivity, usually anti-myeloperoxidase, among others, were identified. CONCLUSION: The identification of a comprehensive set of red flags could be used to raise a suspicion of EGPA in patients with eosinophilia, providing clinicians with an evidence-based checklist tool that can be integrated into their practice.

Cutaneous vasculitis associated with severe bacterial infections. A study of 27 patients from a series of 766 cutaneous vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical spectrum of severe bacterial infections presenting as cutaneous vasculitis (CV) in a defined population. METHODS: Unselected series of 766 patients with CV diagnosed at a single university referral center. RESULTS: An underlying severe bacterial infection was diagnosed in 27 (22 men/5 women; mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 53 ± 18 years) of 766 cases presenting with CV (3.5%). These infections were: pneumonia (n=8), endocarditis (n=6), meningitis (n=4), intra-abdominal infections (n=3), septic arthritis (n=2), septicaemia (n=2), septic bursitis (n=1), and urinary tract infection (n=1). All the patients were admitted for suspected CV. The median delay from admission to the diagnosis of infection was 4 days. A typical palpable purpura without relevant visceral vasculitic involvement was the main clinical manifestation. Patients with severe bacterial infections were older, with male predominance, had more frequently fever, constitutional symptoms, focal infectious features, and leukocytosis with left shift and anaemia than the remaining patients with CV. Although antibiotics were prescribed in all the patients, seven also required the use of low-dose corticosteroids to achieve complete resolution of the cutaneous lesions. Most patients experienced full recovery but two of them underwent prosthetic cardiac valve replacement, and another two died due to infection-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: CV may be the presenting manifestation of a severe underlying bacterial infection. Physicians should keep in mind this fact to make an early diagnosis of infection and, consequently, prevent life-threatening complications.

Applicability of the 2006 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for the classification of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. An analysis based on 766 patients with cutaneous vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: In 2006 the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) proposed new classification criteria for Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). We aimed to establish the applicability of these criteria in patients with primary cutaneous vasculitis (CV). We also compared these criteria with previously established classification criteria for HSP. METHODS: A series of 766 (346 women/420 men; mean age 34 years) consecutive unselected patients with CV was assessed. One hundred and twenty-four of them with secondary CV or with CV associated with other well defined entities were excluded from the analysis. The 2006 EULAR criteria for HSP were tested in the remaining 642 patients with primary CV. Two sets of criteria for HSP were used for comparisons: a) the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR-1990), and b) the ACR modified criteria proposed by Michel et al. in 1992 (Michel-1992). RESULTS: 451 (70.2%) of 642 patients were classified as having HSP according to the EULAR-2006 criteria, 405 (63.1%) using the ACR-1990 criteria, and 392 (61.1%) by the Michel-1992 criteria. However, only 336 patients (52.3%) met at the same time the EULAR-2006 and the ACR-1990 criteria, and only 229 patients (35.7%) fulfilled both the EULAR-2006 and Michel-1992 criteria. It is noteworthy that only 276 (43%) patients met the three set of criteria. Children fulfilled all the sets of criteria more commonly than adults (215 [66.6%] of 323 vs. 61 [19%] of 319, respectively; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the EULAR-2006 criteria show low concordance with previous sets of classification criteria used for HSP.

Non-infectious aortitis: a report of 32 cases from a single tertiary centre in a 4-year period and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Non-infectious aortitis often presents with non-specific symptoms leading to inappropriate diagnostic delay. We intend to describe the clinical spectrum and outcome of patients with aortitis diagnosed at a single centre. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of patients diagnosed with non-infectious aortitis between January 2010 and December 2013 at the Rheumatology Division from a 1.000-bed tertiary teaching hospital from Northern Spain. The diagnosis of aortitis was usually based on FDG-PET-CT scan, and also occasionally on CT or MRI angiography or helical CT-scan. RESULTS: During the period of assessment 32 patients (22 women and 10 men; mean age 68 years [range, 45-87]) were diagnosed with aortitis. The median interval from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis was 21 months. FDG-PET CT scan was the most common tool used for the diagnosis of aortitis. The underlying conditions were the following: giant cell arteritis (n=13 cases); isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (n=11); Sjögren's syndrome (n=2), Takayasu arteritis (n= 1); sarcoidosis (n=1), ulcerative colitis (n=1), psoriatic arthritis (n=1), and large-vessel vasculitis that also involved the aorta (n=2). The most common clinical manifestations at diagnosis were: PMR features, often with atypical clinical presentation (n=23 patients, 72%); diffuse lower limb pain (n=16 patients, 50%); constitutional symptoms (n=12 patients, 37%), inflammatory low back pain (n=9 patients, 28%) and fever (n=7 patients, 22%). Acute phase reactants were increased in most cases (median erythrocyte sedimentation rate 46 mm/1st hour, and a median serum C-reactive protein 1.5 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: Aortitis is not an uncommon condition. The diagnosis is often delayed. Atypical PMR features, unexplained low back or limb pain, constitutional symptoms along with increased acute phase reactants should be considered 'red flags' to suspect the presence of aortitis.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and IgA nephropathy: a comparative clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are related syndromes. In the present study we aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcome of a large and unselected series of patients diagnosed as having HSPN and IgAN. METHODS: Comparative study of a wide and unselected population of HSPN (142 patient) and IgAN (61 patients) from a teaching hospital of Northern Spain. RESULTS: All of the following comparisons were expressed between HSPN vs. IgAN, respectively. HSPN patients were younger (30.6±26.4 vs. 37.1±16.5 years, p<0.001). Precipitating events, usually an upper respiratory tract infection and/or drug intake, were more frequently observed in HSPN (38% vs. 23%, p=0.03). Extra-renal manifestations were also more common in HSPN than in IgAN; skin lesions (100% vs. 1.8%; p<0.001), gastrointestinal (62% vs. 7.4%; p<0.001), and joint involvement (61.3% vs. 3.6%; p<0.001). However, nephritis was less severe in HSPN, renal insufficiency (25% in HSPN vs. 63.4% in IgAN; p<0.001), nephrotic syndrome (12.5%, vs. 43.7%; p<0.001), and nephritic syndrome (6.8% vs. 10.7%; NS). Leukocytosis was more frequent in HSPN (22.5% vs. 8.2%; p=0.015) and anaemia in IgAN (12.7% in HSPN vs. 36% in IgAN, p<0.001). The frequency of corticosteroid (79.6% vs. 69%; NS) and cytotoxic drug (19% vs. 16.5%, NS) use was similar. The frequency of relapses was similar (38.6% in HSPN vs. 36.3% in IgAN). After a median follow-up of 120.8 (IQR; 110-132) months in HSPN and 138.6 (IQR; 117-156) in IgAN, requirement for dialysis (2.9% vs. 43.5%; p<0.001), renal transplant (0% vs. 36%, p<0.001) and residual chronic renal insufficiency (4.9% vs. 63.8%; p<0.001) was more frequently observed in patients with in IgAN. CONCLUSIONS: HSPN and IgAN represent different syndromes. IgAN has more severe renal involvement while HSPN is associated with more extra-renal manifestations.

Vascular complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: hepatic artery thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the second main cause of liver graft failure after primary nonfunction. It is the most frequent arterial complication in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The consensus for early HAT definition consists of an arterial thrombosis detected during the first month after OLT. HAT is associated with markedly increased morbidity, being the leading cause of graft loss (53%) and mortality. However, improvements in postoperative care have resulted in a marked reduction of its incidence. METHODS: We performed a review of all patients who underwent liver transplantations from January 1991 to December 2009, involving 1560 subjects who underwent 1674 OLT, excluding children. To analyze the impact of the study period on HAT, we defined 3 periods: the first between January 1991 and April 1993, the second from May 1993 to December 2003, and the last from January 2004 to December 2009. RESULTS: The total number of patients with HAT was 48 (2.8%) including 32 (1.9%) early HAT and 16 (0.9%) late HAT. The incidence of HAT diminished as the surgical team gained experience from 9.3% in the first period to 2.1% in the last. Most patients with early HAT presented acute fulminant hepatic failure (30%) and most were retransplantations (81%). DISCUSSION: In general, there are 3 modalities for HAT: revascularization, retransplantation, and observation. The choice of the treatment depended on the time of diagnosis although retransplantation was the treatment of choice for most groups. Minimizing risk factors, protocols for early detection, and good operative techniques should be the standard in all centers.

[Epidemiological study on chronic renal failure elderly patients on hemodialysis]. / Estudio epidemiológico de pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis.

Hemodialysis shows an increased prevalence in elderly patients, a population which often presents poor nutrition, high prevalence of cardiovascular, neurological and osteoarticular diseases and psycho-social problems. The objective of this epidemiological, cross-sectional and multicenter study, in patients older than 65 years (n 625) and >75 years (n 558) from 29 Spanish medical institutions was to perform an epidemiological analysis It included demographic information, as well as data regarding chronic renal failure, functional and psychological abilities (Katz Index, Lawton and Karnofsky Scales), dialysis logistics and clinical parameters. The study analyzed data from 1,183 patients (678 female), mean age 75.4+/-5.5 years; mean duration of dialysis 4.3+/-5.1 years (57.7% were referred by the GP: general practitioner). The most frequent etiologies were diabetic nephropathy (21.2%) and vascular renal disease (20.9%). The main comorbilites were high blood pressure (75.6%), Diabetes Mellitus (32.9%) and vascular (29.0%) and osteoarticular (27.3%) diseases. The great majority of patients lived at their family home (85.0%), travelled to their dialysis units alone (80.8%) and by ambulance (56.7%), and it took them less than an hour to arrive (87.5%). Over 75% of patients were fully functional (79.4% under 75 years and 71.6% over 75); meanwhile 10.5% were partially impaired and 13,8% severely impaired. Karnofsky performance scale scored less than 70 in 59.4% of the patients. Analytical parameters rated Hb >or= 11 g/dL for 81.7% of patients; ferritin >or= 100 ng/dL for 98.5%; PTH 150-300 pg/mL for 31.9%; albumin >3.5 g/dL for 75.6%; and serum phosphor <5.5 mg/dL for 70.6%. For the dialysis Kt/V the mean value was 1.4+/-0.3 with a mean duration of dialysis session of 11.7+/-4.0 hours/week. High permeability membranes were used in 52.3% of patients and internal arteriovenous fistula in 74.0%. Around 75% of elderly patients on hemodialysis fulfill age-suitable daily living activities and display adequate dialysis quality parameters.

Estudio epidemiológico de pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis / Epidemiological study on chronic renal failure elderly patients on hemodialysis

Los ancianos, una población cada vez más prevalente en hemodiálisis, suelen presentar mal estado nutricional, alta prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares, neurológicas y osteoarticulares, y problemas psicosociales. Este trabajo analiza descriptivamente la epidemiología de esta población, mediante un estudio multicéntrico epidemiológico transversal de 1.183 pacientes en 29 centros españoles con pacientes mayores de 65 (n 625) y mayores de 75 años (n 558) en hemodiálisis. En él se examinan parámetros demográficos, relativos a la insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC), valoración cognitiva- funcional (índice de Katz, Karnofsky y escala Lawton), aspectos logísticos y parámetros analíticos. 678 fueron mujeres La media de edad fue de 75,4 ± 5,5, y 4,3 ± 5,1 años desde el diagnóstico de IRC al inicio de la hemodiálisis, y el 57,7% fue remitido por el médico de familia. Las etiologías más frecuentes fueron: nefropatía diabética (21,2%) y enfermedad vascular renal (20,9%). En las comorbilidades se halló hipertensión arterial (75,6%), Diabetes Mellitus (32,9%), enfermedad vascular (29,0%) y osteoarticular (27,3%). La gran mayoría de los pacientes vivían en un domicilio familiar fijo (85,0%), acudían solos (80,8%) y en ambulancia (56,7%) a diálisis, y tardaban menos de 1 h en llegar a sus centros (87,5%). Más del 75,0% de los pacientes se encontraban en pleno funcionamiento (el 79,4% de los menores de 75 años y años el 71,6% de los mayores de 75), un 13,8% presentaban un deterioro funcional severo, y el 10,5% restante un deterioro moderado. En el análisis de la valoración cognitiva-funcional, el 59,4% de los pacientes presentaron un Karnofsky menor de 70. En la analítica, el porcentaje de pacientes con Hb ≥ 11 g/dL era del 81,7%; con ferritina sérica ≥ 100 ng/dL del 98,5%; con PTH 150-300 pg/mL del 31,9%; con albúmina > 3,5 g/dL del 75,6%; y con fósforo sérico < 5,5 mg/d del 70,6%. En la diálisis mostraron una media de Kt/V 1,4 ± 0,3 y de 11,7 ± 4 horas de tiempo de diálisis. Hubo uso de membranas de alta permeabilidad en el 52,3%, y el 74,0% de los pacientes utilizaron fístula arteriovenosa interna. Un 75% de los pacientes ancianos en hemodiálisis desarrollan actividades de la vida diaria normales para su edad, con parámetros adecuados de calidad de diálisis (AU)

Hemodialysis shows an increased prevalence in elderly patients, a population which often presents poor nutrition, high prevalence of cardiovascular, neurological and osteoarticular diseases and psycho-social problems. The objective of this epidemiological, cross-sectional and multicenter study, in patients older than 65 years (n 625) and > 75 years (n 558) from 29 Spanish medical institutions was to perform an epidemiological analysis It included demographic information, as well as data regarding chronic renal failure, functional and psychological abilities (Katz Index, Lawton and Karnofsky Scales), dialysis logistics and clinical parameters. The study analyzed data from 1,183 patients (678 female), mean age 75,4 ± 5,5 years; mean duration of dialysis 4,3 ± 5,1 years (57,7% were referred by the GP: general practitioner). The most frequent etiologies were diabetic nephropathy (21,2%) and vascular renal disease (20,9%). The main comorbilites were high blood pressure (75,6%), Diabetes Mellitus (32,9%) and vascular (29,0%) and osteoarticular (27,3%) diseases. The great majority of patients lived at their family home (85,0%), travelled to their dialysis units alone (80,8%) and by ambulance (56,7%), and it took them less than an hour to arrive (87,5%). Over 75% of patients were fully functional (79,4% under 75 years and 71,6% over 75); meanwhile 10,5% were partially impaired and 13,8% severely impaired. Karnofsky performance scale scored less than 70 in 59,4% of the patients. Analytical parameters rated Hb ≥ 11 g/dL for 81,7% of patients; ferritin ≥ 100 ng/dL for 98,5%; PTH 150-300 pg/mL for 31,9%; albumin > 3,5 g/dL for 75,6%; and serum phosphor < 5,5 mg/dL for 70,6%. For the dialysis Kt/V the mean value was 1,4 ± 0,3 with a mean duration of dialysis session of 11,7 ± 4,0 hours/week. High permeability membranes were used in 52,3% of patients and internal arteriovenous fistula in 74,0%. Around 75% of elderly patients on hemodialysis fulfill age-suitable daily living activities and display adequate dialysis quality parameters (AU)

[Old donors in liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C]. / Utilización de los donantes añosos en pacientes transplantados por cirrosis por virus C.

BACKGROUND: the natural history of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation (LT) is extremely variable, with progression to allograft failure in a substantial proportion of patients. The identification of factors associated with this poorer outcome may improve results. While donor age has been identified as one of the most important factors, the actual options to modify this variable are limited. OBJECTIVES: a) to describe the natural history of HCV(+) liver transplant recipients depending on donor age ( < or = 50 years), including clinical, biochemical, and histological outcomes; and b) to identify in the subgroup of organ recipients from aged donors (= 50 years) factors associated with an aggressive course. METHODS: a retrospective study of clinical and histological data including protocol liver biopsies for 162 HCV (+) liver transplant patients between 1997 and 2001 with at least one year of follow-up. Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C was defined as a progression to fibrosis > 1 during the first year post-LT, development of a cholestatic form of recurrent hepatitis C, and /or graft failure due to HCV during the first five years post-LT. Factors analyzed as potentially associated with recurrent hepatitis C included: a) recipient-related: demographics (age, sex), pre-transplantation (hepatocellular carcinoma, Child-Pugh classification, history of alcohol, HBV serological markers, antiviral treatment, nutritional status, biochemical variables); b) donor-related: demographics (age, sex), cause of death, grade of steatosis defined as minimal vs. moderate-severe > 10%); c) surgery-related: cold preservation and rewarming time, duration of procedure, blood transfusion; and d) post-LT management-related: immunosuppression, liver enzymes in the first 14 days post-LT, acute hepatitis post-LT, surgical complications (vascular and/or biliary). RESULTS: patients were divided into two groups according to donor age group 1 ( < 50 years), n = 83, 51%, and group 2 (= 50 years), n = 79, 49%). Median follow-up was 5 years (range: 3 months-8.5 years). Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C occurred significantly more frequently in the older donor group (64 vs. 20.5%, p < 0.0001). In this group, potent immunosuppression -triple and quadruple regimens- (p = 0.04) and acute hepatitis post-LT (p = 0.03) were the only variables associated with aggressive recurrence. Degree of donor steatosis was not associated with the prognosis of recurrent hepatitis C. CONCLUSION: the use of aged donors is partly responsible for the accelerated progression of hepatitis C after LT. When old donors are used we should avoid over-immunosuppression, and probably evaluate antiviral therapy in those with acute recurrent hepatitis C.

Utilización de los donantes añosos en pacientes trasplantados por cirrosis por virus C / Old donors in liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C

Introducción: la historia natural de la hepatitis C recurrentetras el trasplante hepático (TH) es muy heterogénea, existiendoun porcentaje no despreciable de pacientes con evolución desfavorable.La identificación de factores asociados con peor evoluciónpuede ayudar a mejorar el pronóstico de estos pacientes. Laedad del donante se perfila como uno de los factores más importantes,pero es una variable difícilmente modificable.Objetivos: a) describir la historia natural de los receptoresVHC (+) en función de la edad del donante (< o ≥ 50 años) incluyendola evolución clínica, analítica e histológica; b) identificar enel grupo de receptores de donantes >= 50 años, aquellos factoresprecoces asociados con una evolución agresiva.Métodos: estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de la evolución clínicae histológica mediante biopsias de protocolo, de 162 trasplantadosVHC (+) entre 1997-2001 con tiempo de seguimiento post-trasplantede al menos 12 meses. La hepatitis C relevante del injerto se definiópor la progresión a fibrosis mayor a 1 durante el primer año, desarrollode hepatitis colestásica fibrosante y/o pérdida del injerto por enfermedadVHC recurrente en cualquier momento durante los primeros5 años. Los factores analizados como posibles factores predictivos dehepatitis C relevante fueron: a) relacionados con el receptor: demográficos(edad, sexo), pre-trasplante (hepatocarcinoma, estadio deChild, alcohol, marcadores serológicos del VHB, tratamiento antiviral,estado nutricional, analítica); b) relacionados con el donante: demográficos(edad, sexo), causa de fallecimiento, grado de esteatosisdefinido como ausente o mínima vs. moderada-grave > 10%; c) relacionadoscon la cirugía: tiempos isquemia fría y recalentamiento,duración intervención, número de concentrados de hematíes transfundidos;y d) relacionados con el post-trasplante: inmunosupresión,analítica en el post-TH precoz (< 14 días), hepatitis aguda post-TH, complicaciones quirúrgicas precoces (vasculares y/o biliares).Resultados: los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos segúnla edad del donante (< 50 años = grupo 1, n = 83, 51% y >= 50años = grupo 2, n = 79, 49%). La mediana de seguimiento fuede 5 años (rango: 3 meses-8,5 años). El desarrollo de enfermedadrelevante fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de donanteañoso (64 vs. 20,5%, p < 0,0001). En este grupo, la inmunosupresiónpotente –triple/cuadruple terapia– (p = 0,04) y eldesarrollo de hepatitis aguda post-TH (p = 0,03) fueron las únicas variables asociadas con el desarrollo de hepatitis relevante. Elgrado de esteatosis del donante no se asoció con el pronósticode la hepatitis C recurrente.Conclusión: la utilización de donantes añosos es, en parte,responsable de la progresión acelerada de la hepatitis tras el trasplantehepático. En caso de donantes añosos, debe evitarse la sobre-inmunosupresión y valorar la posibilidad de administrar tratamientoantiviral en los pacientes con hepatitis aguda recurrente

Background: the natural history of recurrent hepatitis C afterliver transplantation (LT) is extremely variable, with progression toallograft failure in a substantial proportion of patients. The identificationof factors associated with this poorer outcome may improveresults. While donor age has been identified as one of themost important factors, the actual options to modify this variableare limited.Objectives: a) to describe the natural history of HCV(+) livertransplant recipients depending on donor age (< or >= 50 years),including clinical, biochemical, and histological outcomes; and b)to identify in the subgroup of organ recipients from aged donors(>= 50 years) factors associated with an aggressive course.Methods: a retrospective study of clinical and histological dataincluding protocol liver biopsies for 162 HCV (+) liver transplantpatients between 1997 and 2001 with at least one year of followup.Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C was defined as a progressionto fibrosis > 1 during the first year post-LT, development of acholestatic form of recurrent hepatitis C, and /or graft failure dueto HCV during the first five years post-LT. Factors analyzed aspotentially associated with recurrent hepatitis C included: a) recipient-related: demographics (age, sex), pre-transplantation (hepatocellularcarcinoma, Child-Pugh classification, history of alcohol,HBV serological markers, antiviral treatment, nutritional status,biochemical variables); b) donor-related: demographics (age, sex),cause of death, grade of steatosis defined as minimal vs. moderate-severe > 10%); c) surgery-related: cold preservation and rewarmingtime, duration of procedure, blood transfusion; and d)post-LT management-related: immunosuppression, liver enzymesin the first 14 days post-LT, acute hepatitis post-LT, surgical complications(vascular and/or biliary).Results: patients were divided into two groups according todonor age group 1 (< 50 years), n = 83, 51%, and group 2 (≥ 50years), n = 79, 49%). Median follow-up was 5 years (range: 3months-8.5 years). Aggressive recurrent hepatitis C occurred significantlymore frequently in the older donor group (64 vs.20.5%, p < 0.0001). In this group, potent immunosuppression–triple and quadruple regimens– (p = 0.04) and acute hepatitispost-LT (p = 0.03) were the only variables associated with aggressiverecurrence. Degree of donor steatosis was not associated withthe prognosis of recurrent hepatitis C. Conclusion: the use of aged donors is partly responsible forthe accelerated progression of hepatitis C after LT. When olddonors are used we should avoid over-immunosuppression, andprobably evaluate antiviral therapy in those with acute recurrenthepatitis C

[Spanish extrahospitalary hemodialysis centers survey]. / Encuesta sobre los centros de hemodiálisis extrahospitalaria en España.

BACKGROUND: Many guides and scientific recommendations about hemodialysis (HD) treatment have been developed. However, its impact and application is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe how Spanish Extrahospitalary Hemodialysis Centers work. METHODS: A transversal, descriptive study was conducted by means of a survey. An 83-items questionnaire tackled different aspects involving patients and HD characteristics, Dialysis Unit organization and anemia management. RESULTS: One hundred surveys were distributed and 91% were answered, corresponding to 6599 patients (M 4015/F 2584). Fifteen % were younger of 50 years and 45.2% older of 70 years. Seventy seven % had arteriovenous fistulas, 8.1% had polytetrafluoroethylene grafts and 14.8% had catheters. The mean number of patients per center was 72.3 (11-212). Seventy eight % were divided in 3 shifts, with a mean relationship of 38.9 patients/physician, 4.7 patients/nurse and 9 patients/auxiliary personnel. HD characteristics were: 60.1% of the HD sessions were longer than 4 hours, 97.2% were on a 3 days/week schedule; 95.4% used a conventional technique; 49.1% were performed with high-flux membranes, 89.6% with synthetic membranes, and 11.7% used Qb higher than 400 mL/min: On the other hand, 8.8% of the patients were HVC +, 0.68% were AgHBs +, and 0.09 were HIV +. There were HCV + patients in 79% of Dialysis Units, 50% of them with complete isolation, while patients with hepatitis B were attended in 13.8%, and VIH + in 3.4% of the Units, the latter always with complete isolation. Water treatment was done with simple osmosis in 46.6% of the cases, with water collection in 86.8% with pyrogen filter in the monitors in 48.9%. Surveillance of the controls was performed by the physician in 94.3% of the cases, and by technicians or nurses in the rest. Mean Hb was 11.9(1.4) g/dL, being higher of 11 g/dL in 80.2% of the patients. Ferritin higher than 100 microg/L was found in 92.4% and transferrin saturation higher than 20% in 81.9% of patients. The percentage treated with erithropoyetic stimulant agents was 90.6%. CONCLUSIONS: All information collected is relevant in order to know what is done and how to improve it.. It will be useful to evaluate the impact of the publication of the new Guides of HD Centers of SEN on medical practice in this area.

Encuesta sobre los centros de hemodiálisis extrahospitalaria en España / Spanish extrahospitalary hemodialysis centers survey

Introducción: Existen múltiples guías y recomendaciones científicas sobre el tratamiento de HD, pero se desconoce su grado de aplicación y repercusión. El Grupo de Trabajo de Hemodiálisis Extrahospitalaria se planteó describir una serie de puntos relevantes de la forma de trabajo de los centros extrahospitalarios. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal y descriptivo, mediante un cuestionario de 83 preguntas en forma de encuesta, que abordaba distintos aspectos de los pacientes (pac), de características la HD (pauta, tratamiento de agua, medidas de aislamiento de virus), de la organización y el manejo de la anemia. Resultados: Se distribuyeron encuestas a 100 centros, de los que respondieron el 91%. El número total de pacientes fue 6.599 (H 4.015 vs M 2584). El 15,7% eran menores de 50 y el 45,2% mayores de 70 años. Los accesos vasculares prevalentes eran: 77% fístulas nativas, 8,1% prótesis y el 14,8% catéteres. La media de pacientes por centro fue 72,3 (rango 11-212), en el 78% divididos 3 turnos, con una media 38,9 pac/médico, 4,7 pac/enfermera y 9 pac/auxiliar. El 60,1% se dializaban más de 4 horas, con una frecuencia de 3 días/semana en el 97,2%, por una técnica convencional el 95,4%, con membranas de alta permeabilidad el 49,1% y sintéticas el 89,6%, el 11.7% utilizaban Qb superiores a 400 mL/min. El 8,8% de los pacientes eran VHC+, 0,68% virus B + y 0,09 VIH +. El 79% de los centros dializaban pacientes portadores del virus C (con aislamiento completo el 50%), mientras que los individuos virus B + se atendían en el 13,8% y los HIV + en el 3,4% de los centros, siempre con aislamiento completo. El tratamiento de agua fue ósmosis simple en el 46,6%, con almacenamiento de agua, 86,8% y filtro de pirógenos en los monitores, 48,9%. La supervisión de los controles la realizaba el médico en el 94,3% y en el resto sólo lo supervisaban el técnico o el personal de enfermería. La hemoglobina media fue 11,9 (1,4) g/L, siendo superior a 11 g/L en el 80,2% de los pacientes, con una ferritina > 100 μg/L el 92,4% y una saturación > 20% el 81,9%. El % de tratados con agentes estimuladores de la eritropoyesis era el 90,6%. Conclusiones: Toda la información obtenida es relevante para conocer qué se hace y cómo mejorarlo. Además, proporciona una herramienta para evaluar el impacto de la publicación de la Guía de Centros de HD de la SEN sobre la práctica médica en este sector

Background: Many guides and scientific recommendations about hemodialysis (HD) treatment have been developed. However, its impact and application is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe how Spanish Extrahospitalary Hemodialysis Centers work. Methods: A transversal, descriptive study was conducted by means of a survey. An 83-items questionnaire tackled different aspects involving patients and HD characteristics, Dialysis Unit organization and anemia management. Results: One hundred surveys were distributed and 91% were answered, corresponding to 6,599 patients (M 4,015/F 2,584). Fifteen % were younger of 50 years and 45.2% older of 70 years. Seventy seven % had arteriovenous fistulas, 8.1% had polytetrafluoroethylene grafts and 14.8% had catheters. The mean number of patients per center was 72.3 (11-212). Seventy eight % were divided in 3 shifts, with a mean relationship of 38.9 patients/physician, 4.7 patients/nurse and 9 patients/auxiliary personnel. HD characteristics were: 60.1% of the HD sessions were longer than 4 hours, 97.2% were on a 3 days/week schedule; 95.4% used a conventional technique; 49.1% were performed with high-flux membranes, 89.6% with synthetic membranes, and 11.7% used Qb higher than 400 mL/min: On the other hand, 8.8% of the patients were HVC +, 0.68% were AgHBs +, and 0.09 were HIV +. There were HCV + patients in 79% of Dialysis Units, 50% of them with complete isolation, while patients with hepatitis B were attended in 13.8%, and VIH + in 3.4% of the Units, the latter always with complete isolation. Water treatment was done with simple osmosis in 46.6% of the cases, with water collection in 86.8% with pyrogen filter in the monitors in 48.9%. Surveillance of the controls was performed by the physician in 94.3% of the cases, and by technicians or nurses in the rest. Mean Hb was 11.9(1.4) g/dL, being higher of 11 g/dL in 80.2% of the patients. Ferritin higher than 100 μg/L was found in 92.4% and transferrin saturation higher than 20% in 81.9% of patients. The percentage treated with erithropoyetic stimulant agents was 90.6%. Conclusions: All information collected is relevant in order to know what is done and how to improve it. It will be useful to evaluate the impact of the publication of the new Guides of HD Centers of SEN on medical practice in this area

Long-term outcomes in liver transplant patients with hepatic C infection receiving tacrolimus or cyclosporine.

Choice of calcineurin inhibitor may be a contributing factor to deteriorating patient and graft survival following liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus (HCV). In our multicenter, open-label LIS2T study, de novo liver transplant patients stratified by HCV status were randomized to cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Follow-up data were obtained in an observational study of 95 patients. Mean follow-up was 34 and 37 months, respectively, for cyclosporine-treated (n = 47) and tacrolimus-treated (n = 48) patients. In patients not receiving antiviral therapy, 22 of 31 given cyclosporine (72%) and 24 of 29 given tacrolimus (83%) had biochemical recurrence of HCV. In 68 patients with at least one biopsy, histological evidence of HCV-related hepatitis was present in 27 of 31 (87%) cyclosporine-treated patients and 37 of 37 (100%) tacrolimus-treated patients (P = .02, chi-square test). Three-year actuarial risk of fibrosis stage 2 was 66% with cyclosporine and 90% with tacrolimus; for fibrosis stage 3 or 4 it was 46% and 80%, respectively. Three graft losses were attributed to HCV recurrence in cyclosporine-treated patients and six in tacrolimus-treated patients. Tacrolimus may be associated with increased risk of histological HCV disease recurrence compared to cyclosporine.

Liver transplantation in patients with portal vein thrombosis.

The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence, risk factors, management, and follow-up of patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) undergoing primary orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Four hundred fifteen OLTs were performed in 391 patients. In 62 patients, partial (group 1; n = 48) or complete (group 2; n = 14) PVT was found at the time of surgery. Portal flow was reestablished by venous thrombectomy. In this study, we compare 62 primary OLTs performed in patients with PVT at the time of OLT with a group of 329 primary OLTs performed in patients without PVT (group 3) and analyze the incidence of PVT, use of diagnostic methods, surgical management, and outcome. We found no significant differences among the 3 groups for length of surgery, cold and warm ischemic times, and postoperative stay in the intensive care unit. With the piggyback technique, groups 1 and 2 had greater blood losses and required more blood transfusions than group 3. The early reoperation rate was greater in group 2. The incidence of rethrombosis was 4.8% (group 1, 2%; group 2, 14.3%). Reexploration and thrombectomy (2 patients) and retransplantation (1 patient) had a 100% mortality rate. In particular, the mortality rate of patients with complete PVT with extension into the splanchnic veins is high (33%). Three-month and 4-year patient survival rates were statistically similar in the 3 groups. The presence of PVT at the time of OLT is not a contraindication for OLT. However, if PVT extends into the splanchnic veins, the outcome is guarded.

Duplicación gástrica en el adulto. Caso clínico / Gastric duplication in an adult. A case report

Presentamos un caso de duplicación quística gástrica en un paciente de 58 años de edad, de localización antral. Se analizan las características anatómicas de este tipo de malformaciones, los medios diagnósticos empleados y se revisa la bibliografía referente a dicha patología (AU)

Control de infección. Precauciones estándar. Política de aislamientos / Infection control. Standar precautions. Isolation policy

Sobre la base de la epidemiología de la infección nosocomial se realiza un recuerdo histórico de la política de control y aislamientos preconizada en las últimas décadas por el Centro de Prevención y Control de Enfermedades (CDC). Se exponen detalladamente tanto las medidas generales a adoptar ante cualquier paciente ( precauciones estándar), como aquellas medidas específicas que deben ponerse en marcha en dependencia del mecanismo de transmisión de la enfermedad ( área, por gotitas y de contacto), facilitando un listado del tipo y duración de las precauciones a adoptar según la etiología de la infección. (AU)

[Clinical utility of available diagnostic tests in prostatic carcinoma. Results of 500 biopsies. I. PSA, PSA density, and predicted PSA]. / Utilidad clínica de las pruebas diagnósticas disponibles en el carcinoma prostático. Resultados sobre 500 biopsias. Parte I: PSA, densidad de PSA y PSA predecible.

OBJECTIVE: To study the utility of PSA density and predicted PSA results in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer using gland volume. METHODS: 500 patients suspected as having prostatic cancer underwent ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsy. Prostate volume and ultrasound characteristics, serum PSA density, predicted PSA and the difference between both were determined. RESULTS: 44.8% of the patients showed evidence of cancer in the biopsy specimen. These patients had a significantly smaller prostate. The 0.1 and 0.15 PSA density cutoffs had a sensitivity of 96% and 94%, specificity of 10% and 20% and positive predictive value of 46% and 49%, respectively. The statistical values for PSA difference of 1 and 2 were 94% and 92%, 13% and 18%, 47% and 48%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PSA density and predicted PSA results could be useful to avoid biopsies in patients with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml and no malignant tumor of the prostate.