The importance of prevalence and pre-test probability on the microbiological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2: the case of Spain in 2020.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to estimate the conditioned probability for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), viral antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT), and antibody detection tests depending on the prevalence in the specific healthcare settings in Spain in 2020, and on the pre-test probability (PTP) according to the clinical situation, age and unknown or close contacts of the patient. METHODS: Performance parameters of tests were obtained from literature. Prevalence data and PTP were obtained from Spanish sources and a survey, respectively. The post-test probability is the positive predictive value (PPV) when test is positive. For negative result, we also calculated the probability of having the infection (false negatives). RESULTS: For both RT-PCR and viral Ag-RDT, the lowest PPV values were for the population screenings. This strategy proved to be useful in ruling out infection but generates a high number of false positives. At individual level, both tools provided high PPV (≥ 97%) when the PTP values are over 35%. In seroprevalence studies, though the specificity of IgG alone tests is high, under low seroprevalence, false positives cannot be avoided. Total antibodies tests are useful for diagnosis of COVID-19 in those doubtful cases with RT-PCR or Ag-RDT tests being repeatedly negative. CONCLUSIONS: The interpretating of results depends not only on the accuracy of the test, but also on the prevalence of the infection in different settings, and the PTP associated to the patient before performing the test.

Predictive factors of six-week mortality in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2: A multicenter prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to identify the risk factors associated with mortality at six weeks, especially by analyzing the role of antivirals and munomodulators. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive multicenter cohort study. SETTING: 26 Intensive care units (ICU) from Andalusian region in Spain. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included from March 8 to May 30. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES: Variables analyzed were demographic, severity scores and clinical condition. Support therapy, drug and mortality were analyzed. An univariate followed by multivariate Cox regression with propensity score analysis was applied. RESULTS: 495 patients were enrolled, but 73 of them were excluded for incomplete data. Thus, 422 patients were included in the final analysis. Median age was 63 years and 305 (72.3%) were men. ICU mortality: 144/422 34%; 14 days mortality: 81/422 (19.2%); 28 days mortality: 121/422 (28.7%); 6-week mortality 152/422 36.5%. By multivariable Cox proportional analysis, factors independently associated with 42-day mortality were age, APACHE II score, SOFA score at ICU admission >6, Lactate dehydrogenase at ICU admission >470U/L, Use of vasopressors, extrarenal depuration, %lymphocytes 72h post-ICU admission <6.5%, and thrombocytopenia whereas the use of lopinavir/ritonavir was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: Age, APACHE II, SOFA>value of 6 points, along with vasopressor requirements or renal replacement therapy have been identified as predictor factors of mortality at six weeks. Administration of corticosteroids showed no benefits in mortality, as did treatment with tocilizumab. Lopinavir/ritonavir administration is identified as a protective factor.

Predictive factors of six-week mortality in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2: A multicenter prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to identify the risk factors associated with mortality at six weeks, especially by analyzing the role of antivirals and munomodulators. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive multicenter cohort study. SETTING: 26 Intensive care units (ICU) from Andalusian region in Spain. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included from March 8 to May 30. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES: Variables analyzed were demographic, severity scores and clinical condition. Support therapy, drug and mortality were analyzed. An univariate followed by multivariate Cox regression with propensity score analysis was applied. RESULTS: 495 patients were enrolled, but 73 of them were excluded for incomplete data. Thus, 422 patients were included in the final analysis. Median age was 63 years and 305 (72.3%) were men. ICU mortality: 144/422 34%; 14 days mortality: 81/422 (19.2%); 28 days mortality: 121/422 (28.7%); 6-week mortality 152/422 36.5%. By multivariable Cox proportional analysis, factors independently associated with 42-day mortality were age, APACHE II score, SOFA score at ICU admission >6, Lactate dehydrogenase at ICU admission >470U/L, Use of vasopressors, extrarenal depuration, %lymphocytes 72h post-ICU admission <6.5%, and thrombocytopenia whereas the use of lopinavir/ritonavir was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: Age, APACHE II, SOFA>value of 6 points, along with vasopressor requirements or renal replacement therapy have been identified as predictor factors of mortality at six weeks. Administration of corticosteroids showed no benefits in mortality, as did treatment with tocilizumab. Lopinavir/ritonavir administration is identified as a protective factor.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices and identification of research gaps.

AIM: Despite an obstructed airway (choking) being a relatively preventable injury, it has a considerable mortality burden globally, with increasing incidence. Given new technologies in choking management, this systematic review aimed to assess current literature on the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices at relieving obstructions. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus and the English websites of the devices were searched on September 23, 2019. Studies were included if they reported the anti-choking devices' dislodgment success rate (primary outcome) or associated adverse events (secondary outcome). Articles, conference abstracts or technical reports were included if peer reviewed. Certainty of evidence was assessed in accordance with GRADE. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied the inclusion criteria for this review. Two studies (40%) reported findings of a single centre mannequin trial, one (20%) of a single centre cadaveric trial, and two (40%) were case series. Cohen's Kappa for the first and second round of screening was 0.904 and 0.674 respectively. Although several devices have been manufactured worldwide, the LifeVac© has been most extensively studied, with a combined dislodgement success rate of 94.3% on first attempt. However, certainty of evidence for the primary outcome was evaluated as very low. CONCLUSIONS: There are many weaknesses in the available data and few unbiased trials that test the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices resulting in insufficient evidence to support or discourage their use. Practitioners should continue to adhere to guidelines authored by local resuscitation authorities which align with ILCOR recommendations.

Nueva técnica de masaje cardíaco en lactantes / A new chest compression technique in infants

Objetivo: Comparar en un maniquí de lactante la calidad de las compresiones torácicas según el método tradicional (MT) o según la nueva técnica de 2pulgares con puños cerrados (NM). Diseño: Estudio controlado, aleatorizado y cruzado en profesionales. Ámbito: Hospital Universitario con UCI Pediátrica del norte de España. Participantes: Residentes y enfermeros de Pediatría, habiendo superado un curso de RCP básica y avanzada pediátrica. Intervenciones: Análisis cuantitativo de calidad de compresiones torácicas en escenario de RCP en lactante durante 2 min, mediante el sistema SimPad(R) con SkillReporter(TM) de Laerdal. Variables de interés principales: Frecuencia media y porcentaje de compresiones en rango recomendada, profundidad media y porcentaje de compresiones en rango recomendado, porcentaje de compresiones con descompresión adecuada y porcentaje de compresiones realizadas con los dedos en el centro del tórax. Resultados: La calidad global de las compresiones (NM: 84,2±23,7% vs. MT: 80,1±25,4% [p=0,25; no sig.]), el porcentaje de compresiones con profundidad correcta (NM: 59,9±35,8% vs. MT: 59,5±35,7% [p=0,76; no sig.]), la profundidad media alcanzada (NM: 37,3±3,8mm vs. MT: 36±5,3mm [p=0,06; no sig.]), el porcentaje de reexpansión completa de la caja torácica (NM: 94,4±9,3% vs. MT: 92,4±18,3% [p=0,58; no sig.]) y el porcentaje de compresiones con la frecuencia recomendada (NM: 62,2±34,6% vs. MT: 51±37,2% [p=0,13; no sig.]) fueron similares con los 2métodos. Conclusiones: La calidad de compresiones torácicas con el nuevo método (pulgares con los puños cerrados) es similar a la obtenida con el método tradicional

Objective: To compare the quality of chest compressions performed according to the classical technique (MT) versus a new technique (NM) (compression with 2thumbs with closed fists) in an infant manikin. Design: A controlled, randomized cross-over study was carried out in professionals assisting pediatric patients. Setting: A University Hospital with a Pediatric ICU in the north of Spain. Participants: Residents and nurses in Pediatrics who had completed a basic and an advanced pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. Interventions: Quantitative analysis of the variables referred to chest compression quality in a 2-minute cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario in infants. Laerdal's SimPad(R) with SkillReporter(TM) system was used. Main variables of interest: Mean rate and percentage of compressions in the recommended rate range, mean depth and percentage of compressions within the depth range of recommendations, percentage of compressions with adequate decompression, and percentage of compressions performed with the fingers in the center of the chest. Results: Global quality of the compressions (NM: 84.2±23.7% vs. MT: 80.1±25.4% [p=0.25; p=ns]), percentage of compressions with correct depth (NM: 59.9±35.8% vs. MT: 59.5±35.7% [p=0.76; p=ns]), mean depth reached (NM: 37.3±3.8mm vs. MT: 36±5.3mm [p=0.06; p=ns]), percentage of complete re-expansion of the chest (NM: 94.4±9.3% vs. MT: 92.4±18.3% [p=0.58; p=ns]), and percentage of compressions with the recommended rate (NM: 62.2±34.6% vs. MT: 51±37.2% [p=0.13; p=ns]) proved similar with both methods. Conclusions: The quality of chest compressions with the new method (thumbs with closed fists) is similar to that afforded by the traditional method

A new chest compression technique in infants. / Nueva técnica de masaje cardíaco en lactantes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of chest compressions performed according to the classical technique (MT) versus a new technique (NM) (compression with 2thumbs with closed fists) in an infant manikin. DESIGN: A controlled, randomized cross-over study was carried out in professionals assisting pediatric patients. SETTING: A University Hospital with a Pediatric ICU in the north of Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Residents and nurses in Pediatrics who had completed a basic and an advanced pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. INTERVENTIONS: Quantitative analysis of the variables referred to chest compression quality in a 2-minute cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario in infants. Laerdal's SimPad® with SkillReporter™ system was used. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Mean rate and percentage of compressions in the recommended rate range, mean depth and percentage of compressions within the depth range of recommendations, percentage of compressions with adequate decompression, and percentage of compressions performed with the fingers in the center of the chest. RESULTS: Global quality of the compressions (NM: 84.2±23.7% vs. MT: 80.1±25.4% [p=0.25; p=ns]), percentage of compressions with correct depth (NM: 59.9±35.8% vs. MT: 59.5±35.7% [p=0.76; p=ns]), mean depth reached (NM: 37.3±3.8mm vs. MT: 36±5.3mm [p=0.06; p=ns]), percentage of complete re-expansion of the chest (NM: 94.4±9.3% vs. MT: 92.4±18.3% [p=0.58; p=ns]), and percentage of compressions with the recommended rate (NM: 62.2±34.6% vs. MT: 51±37.2% [p=0.13; p=ns]) proved similar with both methods. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of chest compressions with the new method (thumbs with closed fists) is similar to that afforded by the traditional method.

[Survey on the management of acute renal failure and renal replacement techniques in Spanish intensive care units]. / Encuesta sobre el manejo del fracaso renal agudo y las técnicas de reemplazo renal en las unidades de cuidados intensivos españolas.

AIM: To analyze knowledge and experience in the diagnosis and management of acute renal failure (ARF) and the use of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in different Spanish Intensive Care Units (ICUs). DESIGN: A case series with a survey conducted by the Nephro-Intensive Care Working Group of the SEMICYUC was compiled between January and November 2011. SCOPE: Spanish national ICUs. INTERVENTIONS: A survey of 28 questions with multiple and open responses. PARTICIPANTS: The survey was sent to 99 ICUs. Volunteers consisting of the medical staff belonging to the 51 ICUs that responded. Main variables of interest General characteristics of hospitals and ICUs, definitions of ARF and RRT (indications and management). RESULTS: RIFLE/AKIN scales to define ARF (47%). ARF diagnosis: plasma creatinine (80.4%), creatinine clearance (52.9%). Protocols for RRT: 72.5%. RRT in non-renal indications: 70.6%. Indications for initiation of RRT: oliguria, increased creatinine and urea. End of RRT: increased diuresis. RRT dose: 21-35 ml/kg/h (41.2%), 36-45ml/kg/h (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: There is great variability in the ARF detection methods, and adequate incorporation of the RIFLE/AKIN systems to daily clinical practice in the ICU is still lacking. Written protocols aimed at establishing an early diagnosis of ARF are needed, based on these systems. On the other hand, there is growing interest in RRT, despite the fact that there are no definitive indications or guidelines on the use and handling of such techniques.

Renal myxoma: an unexpected differential diagnosis.

Myxomas are rare mesenchymal tumors that can appear in many anatomical locations, although they are mainly seen in heart and skin. To date, only twelve cases of pure renal myxomas have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a young Cuban woman with an asymptomatic irregular cyst lesion in her left kidney which was eventually diagnosed as renal myxoma. We also provide radiological and pathological studies.

Erupción primaveral juvenil / Juvenile spring eruption

La erupción primaveral juvenil es una fotodermatosis idiopática distintiva, que se caracteriza por la aparición de un brote autolimitado de pápulas eritematosasy vesículas en las zonas foto-expuestas del hélix de los pabellones auriculares. Se desencadena tras exposición solar, habitualmente al inicio de la primavera, sobretodo en varones adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Presentamos un caso de erupción primaveral juvenil en un niño de 9 años, atendido en atención primaria de una zona rural (AU)

Juvenile spring eruption is a distinctive idiopathic photodermatoses, characterized by the appearance of a self-limited outbreak erythematous papules and vesicles on the light-exposed helix of the ears. It occurs after sun exposure, usually at the beginning of spring, especially in male adolescents and young adults. We report a case of juvenile spring eruption in a child of 9 years, treated at the primare care from a rural area (AU)

Curso de introducción a la investigación clínica. Capítulo 8: Pruebas diagnósticas. Concordancia / Introduction course to clinical research. Chapter 8: Diagnostic tests. Concordance

Los procesos diagnósticos en la práctica clínica habitual se basan en el manejo de probabilidades que nos ayudan a la toma de decisiones ante la incertidumbre inherente a ellos. La interpretación de síntomas y signos que presentan los pacientes es el paso inicial de aproximación diagnóstica, siendo ésta la probabilidad pre-prueba o la prevalencia de una determinada enfermedad y que es conocida a priori. Al realizar una serie de pruebas diagnósticas de forma simultánea (en paralelo) o secuencial (en serie), determinamos la probabilidad posprueba de tener la enfermedad o el valor predictivo positivo. El rendimiento diagnóstico de una prueba es mayor al aumentar la diferencia entre ambas y está claramente influido por la prevalencia de la enfermedad en los individuos donde se aplicó la prueba. La sensibilidad y la especificidad definen la validez de una prueba, siendo características intrínsecas de la misma, y su relación queda definida en las curvas ROC, que indican la probabilidad de tener la prueba positiva en un enfermo con respecto a uno sano. Las tablas 2x2 son la forma básica de cálculo de la relación entre enfermedad y resultado de aplicación de una prueba; es necesario saber construirla a partir de las características de la prueba empleada y de la prevalencia de la enfermedad. Es necesario conocer el grado de acuerdo entre dos métodos diagnósticos, entre dos observadores o por un mismo observador en distintos momentos del tiempo

The diagnostic processes in the common clinical practice are based on the management of likelihoods that help us make decisions when faced with their inherent uncertainty. Interpretation of the signs and symptoms that the patients have is the initial step in the diagnostic approach, this being the pre-test likelihood or prevalence of a certain disease which is known a priori. When a series of diagnostic tests are made simultaneously (in parallel) or sequentially (in series), we determine the post-test likelihood of having the disease or the Positive Predictive Value. Diagnostic performance of a test is greater when the difference between both increases and this is clearly influenced by the prevalence of the disease in the individuals in whom the test is applied. Sensitivity and specificity define the validity of a test, these being intrinsic characteristics of it, and their relationship is defined in the ROC curves that indicate the likelihood of having a positive test in a patient compared to a healthy subject. The 2x2 tables are the basic form of calculation of the relationship between disease and the result of the application of a test. It is necessary to know how to construct them based on the characteristics of the test used and the disease prevalence. The degree of agreement between two diagnostic methods, between two observers or between the same observer at different points in time must also be known

[The biophysical foundations of the localisation of encephalogram generators in the brain. The application of a distribution-type model to the localisation of epileptic foci]. / Bases biofísicas de la localización de los generadores cerebrales del electroencefalograma. Aplicación de un modelo de tipo distribuido a la localización de focos epilépticos.

INTRODUCTION: The brain electrical activity measured as the EEG signal is a powerful tool for the understanding of normal and pathological brain function. The EEG presents a high temporal resolution but a low spatial resolution. The latter can be improved solving the so-called inverse problem, if some a priori physiological and anatomical information is included. DEVELOPMENT: The present review presents the biophysical bases that allows brain source localization in realistic head models, as well as the two basic source models used: dipolar models and distributed source models. Finally, an example of practical application for the localization of epileptic focus using the distributed solution EPIFOCUS will be presented.

[Gender-specific post-stimulus modulation in the alpha band during visual-spatial attention]. / Modulación postestímulo generoespecífica en la banda alfa durante la atención visuoespacial.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of the spontaneous activity of the EEG indicate that women present bigger absolute spectral power in the alpha band than men, but few studies have been done during cognitive activity. AIM: To check possible gender differences in the EEG frequency domain during a visuo-spatial attentional task to understand better the temporary dynamics of alpha. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A classic oddball paradigm was used whose stimuli (90% standard-10% objectives) were complex. In each block (10 with 100 trials) it was requested to the subjects (20, 10 of each gender) to attend to one of the visual fields (left and right, with random stimuli and identical probability). Power spectral density values were calculated applying the fast Fourier transform in the alpha band (9-11 Hz) in two overlapped windows (sliding windows): of 0-512 ms and of 412-924 ms. RESULTS: The normalized data were analyzed by means of ANOVAs, with the following factors: gender, attention, hemisphere, visual field and electrodes. CONCLUSIONS: Different modulations were obtained attending to the gender variable: men showed smaller alpha or bigger suppression of the rhythm in posterior electrodes and women exhibited smaller power in anterior electrodes.

[Relationship between neurological deficit and intelligence quotient in children and adolescents]. / Relación entre el déficit neurológico y el cociente de inteligencia en niños y adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between developmental and mental deficits due to genetic or acquired causes is well established. However the possible relationship between neurological signs and intellectual development has not been sufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE: We have conducted a transversal study to test the possible association between neurological signs and psychometric measures in children and young adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 123 patients were neurologically explored (ages between 54-185 months), 36 girls and 87 boys. These subjects were neurologically and psychometrically tested during a period of 3 years. Contingency tables, chi squared tests, discriminant analysis and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. This statistic allowed to establish the contingencies between neurological signs (presence or absence) and intelligence quotient (IQ) groups (low and normal scores). RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant relationship between IQ and the presence of 7 neurological signs (chi2=6.213; p=0.013). The discriminant analysis classified correctly 77.2% of subjects. The ROC curves indicated a high sensitivity and specificity if subjects presented more than 3 neurological signs. The frequency analysis established the more discriminant neurological signs. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results in children with learning and behavioural disabilities suggest comorbidity between low IQ and neurological signs. This association is more marked in the group of children than in the pre- and adolescent group.