Approximation to the economic cost of healthcare for hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Introduction: Many researchers have focused their studies on hypertension due to its over-representation among COVID-19 patients. Both retrospective and observational studies conducted close to the Wuhan area have reported that hypertension is the most common comorbidity observed in patients affected by COVID-19. Objective: Our objective is that patients with arterial hypertension have a worse prognosis in terms of evolution leading to higher costs. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 3,581 patients from La Paz University Hospital (LPUH) during the period between 15 July 2020 and 31 July 2020 were included in this study. Results: It should be noted that 40.71% of the patients were hypertensive. As expected, hypertension was associated with men, among whom we observed a higher prevalence and a higher age (median age of 77 years (IQI: 65-85) versus 52 years (IQI: 37-64), p-value < 0.001). Hypertensive patients had a higher prevalence of dyspnea (52.14% vs. 47.15%, p-value = 0.004) and altered awareness (14.89% vs. 4.30%, p-value <0.001). The non-parametric Kaplan-Meier curve estimates the survival of patients in the two study groups. We can see how patients with hypertension have a higher associated mortality, with the difference being statistically significant, p-value (log-rank) = 0.004. Only for the appearance of complications during hospitalization, the group of hypertensive patients reached the figure of €1,355,901.71 compared to the total of 421,403.48 € for normotensive patients. Conclusion: Our study shows the worse clinical evolution of patients with COVID-19 in terms of associated morbidity and mortality. It also shows that the cost of managing patients with hypertension is greater than that of managing normotensive patients.

Creación y validación de un instrumento para cuantificar actitudes, conocimientos y dificultades en el abordaje de los problemas sociales / Creation and validation of an instrument to quantify attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the approach to social problems

Objetivos: Este estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar y validar un cuestionario para evaluar actitudes, conocimientos y dificultades en el manejo de problemas sociales por parte de los profesionales de pediatría. Métodos: El desarrollo de la herramienta comenzó con una fase de conceptualización, seguida del diseño, prueba piloto y evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario tras obtener respuestas de 407 profesionales. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios (AFE) y análisis factoriales confirmatorios (AFC) para explorar la validez de constructo del cuestionario. El índice de ajuste normado (IAN), el error cuadrático medio de aproximación (ECMA), la prueba de chi-cuadrado (χ2) y el índice de ajuste comparativo (IAC) se utilizaron para probar la bondad del ajuste. La confiabilidad se exploró a través del alfa de Cronbach para la consistencia interna. Resultados: La AFE identificó doce factores. Todos los factores mostraron buena consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach 0,8434). El AFC mostró un buen ajuste al modelo (ECMA=0,037). Los valores de IAN y IAC fueron 0,742 y 0,797, respectivamente. Todos los análisis cuantitativos se llevaron a cabo con el software STATA/SE v.16.1. Conclusiones: Este cuestionario de 138 ítems distribuidos en doce factores es un instrumento fiable y válido para analizar actitudes, conocimientos y dificultades en el abordaje de problemas sociales en la infancia por parte de los pediatras, que permitirá diseñar intervenciones, de acuerdo con las necesidades y las carencias identificadas a través del mismo. (AU)

Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the management of social problems by paediatric care providers. Methods: The development of the tool started with a conceptualization phase, followed by the design, pilot testing and psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire based on the responses obtained from 407 professionals. We performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire. We used the normed fit index (NFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the χ2 test and the comparative fit index (CFI) to test the goodness of fit. We assessed reliability through the Cronbach's α coefficient of internal consistency. All quantitative analyses were performed with the Stata/SE software, version 16.1. Results: The EFA identified 12 factors. All factors exhibited a good internal consistency (Cronbach's α, .8434). The CFA showed the model was a good fit (RMSEA=.037). The NAI and CAI values were .742 and .797, respectively. Conclusions: This questionnaire comprising 138 items distributed in 12 factors is a reliable and valid instrument to analyse the attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the approach to social problems in children by paediatricians, which will allow the design of interventions according to the needs and deficiencies identified through it. (AU)

Creation and validation of an instrument to quantify attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the approach to social problems.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the management of social problems by paediatric care providers. METHODS: The development of the tool started with a conceptualization phase, followed by the design, pilot testing and psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire based on the responses obtained from 407 professionals. We performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire. We used the normed fit index (NFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the χ2 test and the comparative fit index (CFI) to test the goodness of fit. We assessed reliability through the Cronbach's α coefficient of internal consistency. All quantitative analyses were performed with the Stata/SE software, version16.1. RESULTS: The EFA identified twelve factors. All factors exhibited a good internal consistency (Cronbach's α, 0.8434). The CFA showed the model was a good fit (RMSEA=0.037). The NAI and CAI values were 0.742 and 0.797, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This questionnaire comprising 138 items distributed in twelve factors is a reliable and valid instrument to analyse the attitudes, knowledge and difficulties in the approach to social problems in children by paediatricians, which will allow the design of interventions according to the needs and deficiencies identified through it.

Clinical and Sonographic Classification of Neurofibromas in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 - A Cluster Analysis.

PURPOSE: High-frequency ultrasound allows the accurate identification of neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This study aimed to analyze the ultrasound features of neurofibromas in children with NF1, to establish a classification based on the clinical and sonographic patterns of the different types of neurofibromas, and to evaluate the interobserver correlation coefficient (κ) of this classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, single referral center observational study, clinical and ultrasound findings of neurofibromas in children diagnosed with NF 1 were analyzed. To identify the ultrasound patterns, a cluster analysis allowing the inclusion of both clinical and ultrasound data was designed. The κ coefficient was calculated using 9 external evaluators. RESULTS: 265 ultrasound scans were performed on a total of 242 neurofibromas from 108 children diagnosed with NF1. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of 9 patterns (Snedecor's F, P < 0.001) classified as "classic" cutaneous neurofibroma, blue-red neurofibroma, pseudoatrophic neurofibroma, nodular subcutaneous neurofibroma, diffuse subcutaneous neurofibroma, congenital cutaneous neurofibroma, congenital plexiform neurofibroma, congenital diffuse and plexiform neurofibroma, and subfascial neurofibroma. The κ coefficient of the interobserver ratings was 0.82. CONCLUSION: Patterns identified in the cluster analysis allow neurofibromas to be classified with a very high interobserver correlation.

Endocrine Sequelae in 157 Pediatric Survivors of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT).

Context: Successful rates of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) face paralleled escalation of late endocrine and metabolic effects. Objective: This work aimed to characterize these sequelae distinguishing between the underlying pathologies and treatments received. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in 157 children post-HSCT (hematopoietic pathology [N = 106], solid tumors [N = 40], and rare entities [N = 11]) followed at a single endocrine department between 2009 and 2019. Regression analysis was used to ascertain association. Results: Of all patients, 58.7% presented with at least one endocrine abnormality. Endocrinopathies post HSCT were most frequently developed in lymphoblastic leukemia (60.5% of them), whereas myeloid leukemias had the fewest. A total of 64% of patients presented with primary hypogonadism, 52% short stature, and 20% obesity. Endocrinopathy was associated with older age at HSCT (9.78 years [6.25-12.25] vs 6.78 years [4.06-9.75]) (P < .005), pubertal Tanner stage V (P < .001), chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) (P = .022), and direct gonadal therapy (P = .026). The incidence of endocrinopathies was higher in girls (15% more common; P < .02) and in patients who received radiotherapy (18% higher), steroids (17.4% increase), allogenic HSCT (7% higher), thymoglobulin, or cyclophosphamide. Those on busulfan presented with a 27.5% higher rate of primary hypogonadism (P = .003). Conclusion: More than half of children surviving HSCT will develop endocrinopathies. Strikingly, obesity has risen to the third most frequent endocrine disruption, mainly due to steroids, and partly adhering to the general population tendency. Lymphoblastic leukemia was the condition with a higher rate of endocrine abnormalities. Female sex, older age at HSCT, pubertal stage, allogenic transplant, radiotherapy, alkylating drugs, and GVHD pose risk factors for endocrine disturbances.

Extracorporeal photopheresis in paediatric patients: A retrospective comparison between different 'off-line' protocols.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been shown to be an effective treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). However, information regarding lymphocyte collection for ECP in children is limited. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare lymphocyte collection for ECP in children using different devices and protocols. Moreover, we have studied both safety and variables of the infused product related to treatment efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 91 patients who underwent 1524 apheresis procedures with either the COBE Spectra or Spectra Optia system. The comparison study between the Optia protocols (MNC and CMNC) was prioritized. We analysed 578 procedures using the Optia blood cell separator: 204 and 374 using the MNC and the CMNC protocol, respectively. RESULTS: The Optia CMNC protocol showed better collection efficiency, with increased lymphocyte collection per kg of body weight (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the type of protocol showed no relationship with haematocrit or platelet loss. Most procedures were well-tolerated, with the most frequent adverse events related to venous access (21.7%). Seventy-one percent of patients had either partial or complete clinical GvHD response. In the multivariate model, only two variables were associated with a better response to ECP, younger age and a greater increase of B lymphocytes after treatment. CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte collection for ECP is well-tolerated in most children, achieving complete or partial response in more than half of GvHD patients. CMNC is the optimal software to perform lymphocyte collection in children.

A Cohort Study in Intensive Care Units: Health Decisions Related to Blood Transfusion during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Critically ill polytrauma patients with hemorrhage require a rapid assessment to initiate hemostatic resuscitation in the shortest possible time with the activation of a massive transfusion or a critical hemorrhage management protocol. The hospital reality experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in all countries was critical, as it was in Spain; according to the data published daily by the Ministry of Health on its website, during the period of this study, the occupancy rate of intensive care units (ICUs) by patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rose to 23.09% in Spain, even reaching 45.23% at the end of January 2021. We aimed to analyze the changes observed during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic period regarding the effectiveness of Spanish ICUs in terms of mortality reduction. We present a cross-sectional study that compares two cohorts of patients admitted to ICUs across all autonomous communities of Spain with a diagnosis of polytrauma. Results: Only age was slightly higher at admission during the first wave of the pandemic (47.74 ± 18.65 vs. 41.42 ± 18.82 years, p = 0.014). The transfusion rate during the pandemic increased by 10.4% compared to the previous stage (p = 0.058). Regarding hemostatic components, the use of tranexamic acid increased from 1.8% to 10.7% and fibrinogen concentrates from 0.9% to 1.9%. In the case of prothrombin complex concentrates, although there was a slight increase in their use, there were no significant differences during the pandemic compared to the previous period. Conclusion: Mortality showed no difference before and during the pandemic, despite the observed change in the transfusion policy. In summary, the immediate and global implementation of patient blood management (PBM) based on clinical transfusion algorithms should be mandatory in all hospitals in our country.

Pappalysins and Stanniocalcins and Their Relationship With the Peripheral IGF Axis in Newborns and During Development.

CONTEXT: Pappalysins (PAPP-A, PAPP-A2) modulate body growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) bioavailability through cleavage of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) and are inhibited by stanniocalcins (STC1, STC2). Normative data on these novel factors, as well as on free IGF-I and uncleaved fractions of IGFBPs, are not well established. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to determine serum concentrations of PAPP-A, PAPP-A2, STC1, and STC2 in relationship with other growth hormone (GH)-IGF axis parameters during development. METHODS: Full-term newborns (150; gestational age: 39.30 ±â€…1.10 weeks), 40 preterm newborns (30.87 ±â€…3.35 weeks), and 1071 healthy individuals (aged 1-30 years) were included in the study and divided according to their Tanner stages (males and females): I:163 males, 154 females; II:100 males, 75 females; III:83 males, 96 females; IV: 77 males, 86 females; and V:109 males,128 females. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of PAPP-A, PAPP-A2, STC1, STC2, IGFBP-2, total IGFBP-4, and total IGFBP-5 were elevated at birth and declined throughout childhood. In postnatal life, PAPP-A2 concentrations decreased progressively in concomitance with the free/total IGF-I ratio; however, stanniocalcin concentrations remained stable. PAPP-A2 concentrations positively correlated with the free/total IGF-I ratio (r = +0.28; P < .001) and negatively with the intact/total IGFBP-3 ratio (r = -0.23; P < .001). PAPP-A concentrations inversely correlated with intact/total IGFBP-4 ratio (r = -0.21; P < .001), with PAPP-A concentrations being lower in females at all ages. Association studies indicate the importance of stanniocalcins and pappalysins in the control of this axis in an age-specific manner. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference values of pappalysins and stanniocalcins, which modulate IGF-I activity by changing the concentrations of cleaved and uncleaved IGFBPs.

Epidemiology and Associated Factors in Transfusion Management in Intensive Care Unit.

Severe traumatic injury is one of the main global health issues which annually causes more than 5.8 million worldwide deaths. Uncontrolled haemorrhage is the main avoidable cause of death among severely injured individuals. Management of trauma patients is the greatest challenge in trauma emergency care, and its proper diagnosis and early management of bleeding trauma patients, including blood transfusion, are critical for patient outcomes. AIM: We aimed to describe the epidemiology of transfusion practices in severe trauma patients admitted into Spanish Intensive Care Units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study in 111 Intensive Care Units across Spain. Adult patients with moderate or severe trauma were eligible. Distribution of frequencies was used for qualitative variables and the mean, with its 95% CI, for quantitative variables. Transfusion programmes, the number of transfusions performed, and the blood component transfused were recorded. Demographic variables, mortality rate, hospital stay, SOFA-score and haemoglobin levels were also gathered. RESULTS: We obtained results from 109 patients. The most transfused blood component was packet red blood cells with 93.8% of total transfusions versus 43.8% of platelets and 37.5% of fresh plasma. The main criteria for transfusion were analytical criteria (43.75%), and acute anaemia with shock (18.75%) and without haemodynamic impact (18.75%). CONCLUSION: Clinical practice shows a ratio of red blood cells, platelets, and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) of 2:1:1. It is necessary to implement Massive Transfusion Protocols as they appear to improve outcomes. Our study suggests that transfusion of RBC, platelets and FFP in a 2:1:1 ratio could be beneficial for trauma patients.

Approximation to the Consumption of Healthcare Resources and the Economic Cost of SARS-CoV-2 Patient Management: A Retrospective Study.

Spain has become one of the countries most affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the highest testing rates, and one of the worst-performing countries in the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. There are no studies related to the consumption of health resources and the economic cost of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We present a retrospective analysis of 9,811 (Primary Care and Hospital) patients which aimed to estimate public health expenditure by the consumption of health resources due to COVID-19. According to the results, the gender distribution of patients has a similar rate in both groups, with slightly higher rates in women. Similarly, age is the same in both groups, with a median of 62 years in the case of hospitalizations and 61 years in the case of primary care; using a weighted average of these rates and costs, we can estimate that the average cost of care per patient infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, regardless of the course is €2373.24. We conclude that a patient with COVID-19 without hospitalization costs €729.79, while the expenses of a hospitalized patient are between €4294.36 and €14440.68, if there is ICU admission.

Related Factors of Anemia in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Anemia is common in critically ill patients; almost 95% of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have hemoglobin levels below normal. Several causes may explain this phenomenon as well as the tendency to transfuse patients without adequate cause: due to a lack of adherence to protocols, lack of supervision, incomplete transfusion request forms, or a lack of knowledge about the indications, risks, and costs of transfusions. Daily sampling to monitor the coagulation parameters and the acid-base balance can aggravate anemia as the main iatrogenic factor in its production. We studied the association and importance of iatrogenic blood loss and other factors in the incidence of anemia in ICUs. We performed a prospective, observational, multicenter study in five Spanish hospitals. A total of 142 patients with a median age of 58 years (IQI: 48-69), 71.83% male and 28.17% female, were admitted to ICUs without a diagnosis of iatrogenic anemia. During their ICU stay, anemia appeared in 66.90% of the sample, 95 patients, (95% CI: 58.51-74.56%). Risk factors associated with the occurrence of iatrogenic anemia were arterial catheter insertion (72.63% vs. 46.81%, p-value = 0.003), venous catheter insertion (87.37% vs. 72.34%, p-value = 0.023), drainages (33.68% vs. 12. 77%, p-value = 0.038), and ICU stay, where the longer the stay, the higher the rate of iatrogenic anemia (p-value < 0.001). We concluded that there was a statistical significance in the production of iatrogenic anemia due to the daily sampling for laboratory monitoring and critical procedures in intensive care units. The implementation of patient blood management programs could address these issues.

Elevated levels of serum CDCP1 in individuals recovering from severe COVID-19 disease.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 survivors report residual lung abnormalities after discharge from the hospital. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers in serum and induced sputum samples from patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. METHODS: Patients admitted to hospitals in Spain with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited for this study. SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were divided into groups with mild/moderate and severe disease according to the severity of their symptoms during hospitalization. Levels of 92 biomarkers were measured in serum and induced sputum samples. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (46.2% severe cases) were included in this study. The median number of days after the onset of symptoms was 104. A significant difference was observed in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), an indicator of lung function, whereby DLCO <80% was significantly lower in severe cases (p <0.001). Differences in inflammatory biomarkers were observed between patients with mild/moderate and severe disease. For some biomarkers, correlations in serum and induced sputum levels were detected. Independent predictors of severe disease were DLCO <80% and the serum CDCP1 value. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CDCP1 remain after hospital discharge and are associated with the severity of COVID-19. The possible prognostic implications warrant further investigation.

Análisis del efecto a largo plazo de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en Atención Primaria: ensayo controlado aleatorizado / Long-term effect analysis of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment elderly in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial

Objetivo: Aportar evidencias de la eficacia de una intervención comunitaria en salud a través de un programa de estimulación cognitiva (PEC) implementada con el paso del tiempo en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en la comunidad. Diseño: Seguimiento de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado (normas grupo CONSORT). Emplazamiento: Centro de salud San José Norte-Centro y Fundación La Caridad (Zaragoza). Participantes: Veintinueve personas ≥65 años, con 24-27 puntos en el MEC-35 que completaron el ensayo a los 48 meses, 15 aleatorizados en el grupo intervención y 14 en el grupo control. Intervenciones: Se realizaron 10 sesiones, 45min/semana, durante 10 semanas, con el cuaderno rojo de activación mental que ejercita: memoria, orientación, lenguaje, praxis, gnosis, cálculo, percepción, razonamiento lógico, atención y funciones ejecutivas. Mediciones principales: MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel, Lawton-Brody, subescala de ansiedad Goldberg y Yesavage abreviado (GDS-15). Resultados: Analizando los incrementos sobre el nivel basal para MEC-35, el grupo intervención obtiene, de media: postintervención 3,14 puntos, a los 6 meses 3,76 puntos y a los 12 meses 2,26 puntos más que el grupo control, siendo estos incrementos estadísticamente significativos. A los 48 meses el grupo intervención sigue obteniendo 2 puntos más que el control, sin ser significativos. La intervención no mejoró el desempeño en fluidez verbal, actividades de la vida diaria ni estado de ánimo. Conclusiones:Nuestro PEC podría ser eficaz en la mejora de la cognición general, medida con el MEC-35, en postintervención, a los 6, 12 y 48 meses. No se evidencian mejoras en fluidez verbal, actividades de la vida diaria ni estado de ánimo.(AU)

Objective: To provide evidence about the efficacy of a community health intervention through a cognitive stimulation program at long term in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Design: Randomized controlled trial (CONSORT group norms). Location: San José Norte-Centro Primary Care Center and La Caridad Foundation (Zaragoza, Spain). Participants: Twenty-nine people over 65 years old with a 24-27 MEC score that completed 48 months follow up. They were randomized between the intervention group (15) and the control group (14). Interventions: The intervention was applied in 10 sessions of 45min for 10 weeks using the red notebook tool for mental activation that works memory, orientation, language, praxis, gnosis, calculation, perception, logical reasoning, attention and executive functions. Main measurements: The main outcome variables were MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel index, Lawton-Brody scale, Goldberg anxiety scale and Yesavage geriatric depression scale short form. Results: Increases of the main result variable over the baseline level of MEC-35 were analyzed. On average, the intervention group obtained higher scores than control: 3.14 points post intervention, 3.76 points after 6 months and 2.26 points more than control group after 12 months. All the differences were statistically significant. After 48 months the intervention group obtained 2 points more than control group. The intervention did not improve verbal fluency, activity daily living and mood. Conclusions: Our cognitive stimulation program seems to improve cognitive performance, measured with the variable MEC-35 at post intervention, 6, 12 and 48 months. There is no evidence of improvement in verbal fluency, activity daily livings and mood.(AU)

Outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 according to level of frailty.

BACKGROUND: The complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been the subject of study in diverse scientific reports. However, many aspects that influence the prognosis of the disease are still unknown, such as frailty, which inherently reduces resistance to disease and makes people more vulnerable. This study aimed to explore the complications of COVID-19 in patients admitted to a third-level hospital and to evaluate the relationship between these complications and frailty. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, prospective study was performed in 2020. A sample of 254 patients from a database of 3,112 patients admitted to a high-level hospital in Madrid, Spain was analyzed. To assess frailty (independent variable) the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was used. The outcome variables were sociodemographic and clinical, which included complications, length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 13.39% of the patients were pre-frail and 17.32% were frail. Frail individuals had a shorter hospital stay, less ICU admission, higher mortality and delirium, with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Frailty assessment is a crucial approach in patients with COVID-19, given a higher mortality rate has been demonstrated amongst frail patients. The CFS could be a predictor of mortality in COVID-19.

[Long-term effect analysis of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment elderly in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial]. / Análisis del efecto a largo plazo de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en Atención Primaria: ensayo controlado aleatorizado.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence about the efficacy of a community health intervention through a cognitive stimulation program at long term in older people with mild cognitive impairment. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (CONSORT group norms). LOCATION: San José Norte-Centro Primary Care Center and La Caridad Foundation (Zaragoza, Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine people over 65 years old with a 24-27 MEC score that completed 48 months follow up. They were randomized between the intervention group (15) and the control group (14). INTERVENTIONS: The intervention was applied in 10 sessions of 45min for 10 weeks using the red notebook tool for mental activation that works memory, orientation, language, praxis, gnosis, calculation, perception, logical reasoning, attention and executive functions. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome variables were MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel index, Lawton-Brody scale, Goldberg anxiety scale and Yesavage geriatric depression scale short form. RESULTS: Increases of the main result variable over the baseline level of MEC-35 were analyzed. On average, the intervention group obtained higher scores than control: 3.14 points post intervention, 3.76 points after 6 months and 2.26 points more than control group after 12 months. All the differences were statistically significant. After 48 months the intervention group obtained 2 points more than control group. The intervention did not improve verbal fluency, activity daily living and mood. CONCLUSIONS: Our cognitive stimulation program seems to improve cognitive performance, measured with the variable MEC-35 at post intervention, 6, 12 and 48 months. There is no evidence of improvement in verbal fluency, activity daily livings and mood. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03831061.

Triflusal in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Acetylsalicylic Acid Hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid hypersensitivity (ASAH) limits therapeutic options in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), who benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), especially when undergoing stent implantation. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of triflusal in patients with ACS and ASAH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two-center retrospective study of patients diagnosed with ACS and ASAH from January 1, 2000, to May 1, 2020. Sixty-six patients were treated with triflusal. ASAH was confirmed with tests in 15 patients (22.7%). Forty-nine patients (74.2%) presented history of other drug allergies. Fifty-nine patients (89.4%) underwent stent implantation. DAPT was prescribed for ≥12 months in 54 patients. No adverse reactions to triflusal were reported. During a median follow-up of 5.12 years [IQR 2.7-9.9], rate of cardiovascular (CV) mortality was 6.1%, nonfatal myocardial infarction 12.1%, and ischemic stroke 4.5%. No cases of definite stent thrombosis occurred. Bleeding Academic Research Consortium grade ≥2 was observed in 3 patients during follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this series of patients presenting with ACS and ASA hypersensitivity, triflusal showed good tolerability and was associated with a low rate of CV and bleeding events.

Cognitive and behavioral profiles of pediatric surgical candidates with frontal and temporal lobe epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to prospectively analyze memory and executive and social cognitive functioning in patients with drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with focal lesions and isolate the impact of intellectual ability on specific deficits. METHODS: A neuropsychological evaluation was performed in 23 children with FLE, 22 children with TLE, and 36 healthy pediatric controls (HCs). Patients in the epilepsy groups had a range of lesions, including low-grade epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT), focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II, and mesial temporal sclerosis (MS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between children with FLE and TLE regarding memory, executive, or social cognitive functioning. General Ability Index (GAI) was a predictor of memory, executive function, and social cognition scores and was influenced by age at onset, duration of epilepsy, and number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) prescribed at the time of assessment. Working Memory Index scores of patients with TLE, which measure verbal mnesic processing, were significantly lower than those of HCs and patients with TLE. The greatest differences in both clinical groups compared to HCs were recorded in cognitive executive functions, and patients with FLE had lower scores in this domain. Regarding behavioral executive functions, patients with TLE presented impaired emotional control and impulse inhibition and patients with FLE exhibited decreased flexibility. CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous research, our findings provide further detailed evidence of small differences in cognitive performance among children with FLE and TLE. These differences emerge on analysis of the factors with which deficits are associated.

Coagulation Parameters: An Efficient Measure for Predicting the Prognosis and Clinical Management of Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic. Since the detection of the first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, the current pandemic has affected more than 25.3 million people worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between coagulation abnormalities and prognosis in a cohort of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 3581 patients admitted to Hospital La Paz (Madrid, Spain) due to respiratory infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus from the beginning of the current pandemic to 15 July 2020. RESULTS: Of the 3581 study patients, 48.94% were men, and 19.80% were healthcare workers. The median age was 62 years. Compared with the survivors, the non-survivors had lower prothrombin activity (82.5 ( Interquartile range -IQR-, 67-95) vs. 95.25 (IQR, 87-104) for non-survivors and survivors, respectively; p < 0.001), higher fibrinogen levels (748.5 -IQR, 557-960) vs. 572.75 (IQR, 417-758; p < 0.001), and notably higher D-dimer levels (2329 -IQR, 1086.12-5670.40) vs. 635.5 (IQR, 325.5-1194.8); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of coagulation parameters could be an efficient measure for predicting the prognosis and improving the clinical management of patients with COVID-19.

The presence of Merkel cell carcinoma polyomavirus is associated with a distinct phenotype in neoplastic Merkel cell carcinoma cells and their tissue microenvironment.

AIMS: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive primary neuroendocrine tumor of the skin, associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in 49-89% of cases, depending on the country of origin and the techniques of detection. The presence of MCPyV defines heterogeneity in MCC; MCPyV-negative cases bear a much higher mutational load, with a distinct ultraviolet signature pattern featuring C > T transitions, as a consequence of exposure to ultraviolet light radiation. MCC stroma has not been thoroughly studied, although MCC patients benefit from therapy targeting PD1/PDL1. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, using Tissue Microarrays and immunohistochemistry, we have analyzed a series of 219 MCC cases in relation to the presence of MCPyV, and confirmed that the presence of MCPyV is associated with changes not only in the neoplastic cells, but also in the composition of the tumor stroma. Thus, MCPyV, found in 101/176 (57,4%) analyzable cases, exhibits changes in its tumor morphology, the density of the inflammatory infiltrate, the phenotype of the neoplastic cells, and the cell composition of the tumor stroma. MCPyV presence is negatively correlated with a higher level of p53 expression, and associated with a very high frequency (86%) of HLA-I expression loss, a higher apoptotic index, and a stroma richer in T-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, macrophages, PDL1-positive macrophages, and B-cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence of the basic heterogeneity of MCC, supporting the hypothesis that the presence of MCPyV may induce a rich inflammatory response, which is at least partially avoided through loss of HLA-I antigen expression. On the other hand, MCPyV-negative cases show a much higher frequency of stronger p53 expression and, probably, p53 alterations.

Frailty as a predictor of short- and long-term mortality in critically ill older medical patients.

PURPOSE: Frailty is a common condition among critically ill patients. Usually evaluated in a mixed population of medical, cardiac and surgical patients, we aimed to assess the impact of frailty on short- and long-term mortality exclusively in critically ill older medical patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 285 patients aged≥70 years admitted to ICU (2009-2017). Comorbidities, severity scores, treatment intensity and complications were recorded. Pre-hospital frailty, measured by Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), was defined as a score ≥ 5 according to this scale. RESULTS: Prevalence of frailty (CFS ≥ 5) of 18.6%. Frail patients were more likely to be female (64.2% vs. 35.6%, p < .001) or suffer from heart failure (17% vs. 6%,p = .021). Apache II score was higher in frail than in non-frail patients (27.4 ±â€¯7.1 vs. 24.8 ±â€¯8.6,p = .041). Age, comorbidities, treatment intensity, complications, and ICU and hospital length of stay were similar between frail and non-frail patients. Life-sustaining treatment limitation was more frequent in frail patients (47.2% vs. 20.7%,p < .001). Except for ICU mortality, frailty was an independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality after adjustment for sociodemographic, comorbidities, severity scores, treatment intensity and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty (CFS ≥ 5) was independently associated with short- and long-term mortality in older patients admitted to ICU exclusively due to a medical reason.