Revisiting the public-private wage gap in Spain: new evidence and interpretation.

This paper updates the available evidence on the public-private wage gap in Spain, which dates back to 2012. Through microdata drawn from the last three waves of the Wage Structure Survey (2010, 2014 and 2018), we study how this gap and its distribution by gender and education have evolved during and after the Great Recession. Conventional Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions are used to divide the raw wage gap into a component explained by differences in characteristics and another one capturing differences in returns and endogenous selection. The main findings are: (i) a strong wage compression by skills, and (ii) a wage premium for less-skilled women in the public sector. Both empirical results can be rationalised by a monopoly union wage-setting model with monopsonistic features and the presence of female statistical discrimination.

Diferencias en la condición física y valores antropométricos en alumnado de 11 y 12 años tras un plan de intervención de hábitos saludables / Differences in physical fitness and anthropometric values in primary school students after a healthy habits intervention plan

En la etapa de Educación Primaria, sobre todo en el último ciclo, se puede observar cada vez con más frecuencia que el alumnado va cambiando sus rutinas y actividades hacia otras actividades de carácter más sedentario. Este acontecimiento, puede ser origen de enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT). El incremento del tiempo destinado al uso de dispositivos con pantalla se produce en detrimento del tiempo dedicado a la práctica de actividad física. Es por ello por lo que desde el área de Educación Física se adquiere la responsabilidad de promover la práctica de actividad física y una mejora en los hábitos alimentarios del alumnado. Esta investigación cuasiexperimental es una intervención con un grupo experimental y su posterior análisis de resultados con los obtenidos por un grupo de control. El objetivo del estudio es comprobar si existen diferencias en la condición física y valores antropométricos en alumnado de 11 y 12 años tras un plan de intervención en la escuela sobre sus hábitos saludables. Para ello, se utiliza la Batería de pruebas Alpha Fitness y un control de comidas diarias. Los resultados muestran que tras implementar el programa de hábitos saludables se incrementó el tiempo dedicado a la actividad física y la adquisición de una dieta saludable mejorando los resultados de valoración de la condición física, así como de los valores antropométricos. (AU)

At the primary school stage, especially in the last cycle, it can be observed more and more frequently that pupils are changing their routines and activities towards other more sedentary activities. This development may be a source of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The increase in time spent using screen devices is to the detriment of time devoted to physical activity. It is for this reason that the area of Physical Education takes on the responsibility of promoting the practice of physical activity and an improvement in the eating habits of students. This quasi-experimental research is an intervention with an experimental group and subsequent analysis of the results with those obtained by a control group. The aim of the study is to check if there are differences in the physical condition and anthropometric values of 11 and 12 year old students after an intervention plan at school on their healthy habits. For this purpose, the Alpha Fitness Test Battery and a daily food control were used. The results show that after implementing the healthy habits programme, the time dedicated to physical activity and the acquisition of a healthy diet increased, improving the results of physical condition assessment as well as anthropometric values. (AU)

Community-acquired pneumonia: comparison of three mortality prediction scores in the emergency department / Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad: comparación de tres puntuaciones de predicción de mortalidad en el servicio de urgencias

Abstract Background: qSOFA is a score to identify patients with suspected infection and risk of complications. Its criteria are like those evaluated in prognostic scores for pneumonia (CRB-65 - CURB-65), but it is not clear which is best for predicting mortality and admission to the ICU. Objective: Compare three scores (CURB-65, CRB-65 and qSOFA) to determine the best tool to identify emergency department patients with pneumonia at increased risk of mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Methods: Secondary analysis of three prospective cohorts of patients hospitalized with diagnosis of pneumonia in five Colombian hospitals. Validation and comparison of the score´s accuracies were performed by means of discrimination and calibration measures. Results: Cohorts 1, 2 and 3 included 158, 745 and 207 patients, with mortality rates of 32.3%, 17.2% and 18.4%, and admission to ICU was required for 52.5%, 43.5% and 25.6%, respectively. The best AUC-ROC for mortality was for CURB-65 in cohort 3 (AUC-ROC=0.67). The calibration was adequate (p>0.05) for the three scores. Conclusions: None of these scores proved to be an appropriate predictor for mortality and admission to the ICU. Furthermore, the CRB 65 exhibited the lowest discriminative ability.

RESUMEN Introducción: el qSOFA es un nuevo puntaje propuesto para ayudar a identificar pacientes con sospecha de infección y con alta probabilidad de desarrollar complicaciones graves. Los criterios del qSOFA son similares a los evaluados en los puntajes de pronóstico usados tradicionalmente en neumonía (CRB-65 y CURB-65), pero no está claro cuál es mejor para predecir la mortalidad y la admisión a la UCI en pacientes con neumonía en el servicio de urgencias Objetivo: comparar tres puntajes (CURB-65, CRB-65 y qSOFA) para determinar la mejor herramienta para identificar en servicios de urgencias a los pacientes con neumonía con mayor riesgo de mortalidad o ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: análisis secundario de datos de tres estudios de cohorte prospectivos con pacientes atendidos por urgencias con diagnóstico de neumonía en 5 hospitales de Colombia. Se realizó validación y comparación de la exactitud de los puntajes por medio de medidas de discriminación y de calibración. Resultados: las cohortes 1, 2 y 3 incluyeron 158, 745 y 207 pacientes, con mortalidad de 32.3%, 17.2% y 18.4%, respectivamente. Se requirió la admisión a la UCI para 52.5%, 43.5% y 25.6% pacientes3, respectivamente. La mejor AUC-ROC para mortalidad fue para CURB-65 en la cohorte 3 (AUC-ROC= 0.67). La calibración de los modelos fue adecuada para los tres puntajes (P>0.05). Conclusiones: Ninguno de estos puntajes demostró ser un predictor adecuado de mortalidad e ingreso en UCI. Además, el CRB 65 mostró la capacidad discriminativa más baja.

Impact of childhood and maternal vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: In Latin America, there are few studies of the impact of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. We estimate the impact of infant and maternal vaccination on the incidence of these diseases in Colombia. DESIGN AND METHODS: an interrupted time series study analyzing the incidence before and after of vaccination with DwPT (1975-2018) and with Tdap in pregnant women (2008-2018). A segmented regression model with negative binomial distribution estimated the change in level and trend of the predicted incidence ratio after vaccination in relation to the incidence if vaccination had not been started (IRR), using a Prais Winsten regression. RESULTS: The pertussis IRR decreased immediately after the start of childhood vaccination (0.91, p=0.51), but this was only significant (1.01, p<0.001) along with the trend per year, after the start of maternal vaccination (0.98, p<0.001). In the absence of vaccination, the incidence would not have been reduced. Neonatal tetanus had the highest rate of change with significant reduction -1.69 - CI 95%: -2.91, -0.48). The trend after vaccination was the highest with an annual reduction of 19% (0.81, p=0.001). The change in incidence of diphtheria was significant, although slow (-0.02 - CI 95%: -0.04, -0.004). The sustained effect in the post-vaccination period was smaller (0.95, p=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood and maternal vaccination markedly reduced the incidence of pertussis and neonatal tetanus. It is necessary to maintain optimal vaccination coverage and surveillance, within an integrated elimination plan, which prevents the resurgence of these diseases.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on evoked-potential monitoring in patients undergoing brain stem and supratentorial cranial surgery.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is used as adjuvant in total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), but there have been few studies concerning its effect on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during cranial surgery. Our aim was to study the effect of dexmedetomidine on IONM in patients undergoing brain stem and supratentorial cranial surgery. METHODS: Two prospective, randomized, double-blind substudies were conducted. In substudy 1, during TIVA with an infusion of propofol and remifentanil, 10 patients received saline solution (SS) (PR group) and another 10 (PRD group) received dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg/h). Total dosage of propofol and remifentanil, intensity, latency and amplitude of motor-evoked potentials following transcranial electrical stimulation (tcMEPs) as well as somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP) were recorded at baseline, 15, 30, 45 minutes, and at the end of surgery. In order to identify differences in the same patient after dexmedetomidine administration, we designed substudy 2 with 20 new patients randomized to two groups. After 30 minutes with TIVA, 10 patients received dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg/h) and 10 patients SS. The same variables were recorded. RESULTS: In substudy 1, propofol requirements were significantly lower (P = .004) and tcMEP intensity at the end of surgery was significantly higher in PRD group, but no statistically significant differences were observed for remifentanil requirements, SSEP and tcMEP latency or amplitude. In substudy 2, no differences in any of the variables were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of dexmedetomidine at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg/h may reduce propofol requirements and adversely affect some neuromonitoring variables. However, it can be an alternative on IONM during cranial surgeries. REDEX EudraCT: 2014-000962-23.

Community-acquired pneumonia: comparison of three mortality prediction scores in the emergency department.

Background: qSOFA is a score to identify patients with suspected infection and risk of complications. Its criteria are like those evaluated in prognostic scores for pneumonia (CRB-65 - CURB-65), but it is not clear which is best for predicting mortality and admission to the ICU. Objective: Compare three scores (CURB-65, CRB-65 and qSOFA) to determine the best tool to identify emergency department patients with pneumonia at increased risk of mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Methods: Secondary analysis of three prospective cohorts of patients hospitalized with diagnosis of pneumonia in five Colombian hospitals. Validation and comparison of the score´s accuracies were performed by means of discrimination and calibration measures. Results: Cohorts 1, 2 and 3 included 158, 745 and 207 patients, with mortality rates of 32.3%, 17.2% and 18.4%, and admission to ICU was required for 52.5%, 43.5% and 25.6%, respectively. The best AUC-ROC for mortality was for CURB-65 in cohort 3 (AUC-ROC=0.67). The calibration was adequate (p>0.05) for the three scores. Conclusions: None of these scores proved to be an appropriate predictor for mortality and admission to the ICU. Furthermore, the CRB 65 exhibited the lowest discriminative ability.

Introducción: el qSOFA es un nuevo puntaje propuesto para ayudar a identificar pacientes con sospecha de infección y con alta probabilidad de desarrollar complicaciones graves. Los criterios del qSOFA son similares a los evaluados en los puntajes de pronóstico usados tradicionalmente en neumonía (CRB-65 y CURB-65), pero no está claro cuál es mejor para predecir la mortalidad y la admisión a la UCI en pacientes con neumonía en el servicio de urgencias. Objetivo: comparar tres puntajes (CURB-65, CRB-65 y qSOFA) para determinar la mejor herramienta para identificar en servicios de urgencias a los pacientes con neumonía con mayor riesgo de mortalidad o ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: análisis secundario de datos de tres estudios de cohorte prospectivos con pacientes atendidos por urgencias con diagnóstico de neumonía en 5 hospitales de Colombia. Se realizó validación y comparación de la exactitud de los puntajes por medio de medidas de discriminación y de calibración. Resultados: las cohortes 1, 2 y 3 incluyeron 158, 745 y 207 pacientes, con mortalidad de 32.3%, 17.2% y 18.4%, respectivamente. Se requirió la admisión a la UCI para 52.5%, 43.5% y 25.6% pacientes3, respectivamente. La mejor AUC-ROC para mortalidad fue para CURB-65 en la cohorte 3 (AUC-ROC= 0.67). La calibración de los modelos fue adecuada para los tres puntajes (P>0.05). Conclusiones: Ninguno de estos puntajes demostró ser un predictor adecuado de mortalidad e ingreso en UCI. Además, el CRB 65 mostró la capacidad discriminativa más baja.

[Validation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire for Chilean patients]. / Adaptación cultural y validación del cuestionario Ocular Surface Disease Index en una población chilena.

BACKGROUND: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is the most commonly used questionnaire worldwide to detect dry eye disease. Although it is massively used in clinical practice in Chile, its use has not been validated yet in the country. AIM: To develop a cultural adaptation and to validate the OSDI questionnaire for the Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For cultural adaptation, a translation, retro-translation and an expert panel review was carried out. The resulting questionnaire was applied to a pilot group of twelve participants and their comments were considered for the final questionnaire version. The final questionnaire was applied to a non-random sample of 200 patients aged 53 ± 17 years (75% women). Internal consistency and construct validity were evaluated by Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis respectively. RESULTS: According to the OSDI score, 81% of respondents had dry eye (55% severe). Reliability was 0.91 and factor analysis resulted in three factors explaining 75.4% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The OSDI questionnaire version obtained in this study demonstrated excellent internal consistency values and adequate construct validity making it applicable to clinical practice and dry eye research.

Adaptación cultural y validación del cuestionario Ocular Surface Disease Index en una población chilena / Validation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire for Chilean patients

Background: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is the most commonly used questionnaire worldwide to detect dry eye disease. Although it is massively used in clinical practice in Chile, its use has not been validated yet in the country. Aim: To develop a cultural adaptation and to validate the OSDI questionnaire for the Chilean population. Material and Methods: For cultural adaptation, a translation, retro-translation and an expert panel review was carried out. The resulting questionnaire was applied to a pilot group of twelve participants and their comments were considered for the final questionnaire version. The final questionnaire was applied to a non-random sample of 200 patients aged 53 ± 17 years (75% women). Internal consistency and construct validity were evaluated by Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis respectively. Results: According to the OSDI score, 81% of respondents had dry eye (55% severe). Reliability was 0.91 and factor analysis resulted in three factors explaining 75.4% of the total variance. Conclusions: The OSDI questionnaire version obtained in this study demonstrated excellent internal consistency values and adequate construct validity making it applicable to clinical practice and dry eye research.

Positive Culture and Prognosis in Patients With Sepsis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prognostic role of positive cultures in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital in Medellín, Colombia. Adults older than 18 years of age with a bacterial infection diagnosis according to Centers for Disease Control criteria and sepsis (evidence of organ dysfunction) were included. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association between positive cultures and hospital mortality, and a Cox regression with a competing risk modeling approach was used to determine the association between positive cultures and hospital stay as well as secondary infections. RESULTS: Overall, 408 patients had positive cultures, of which 257 were blood culture, and 153 had negative cultures. Patients with positive cultures had a lower risk of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-0.68), but this association was not maintained after adjusting for confounding factors (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31-1.01). No association was found with the hospital stay (adjusted subhazard ratio [SHR], 1.06; 95% CI, 0.83-1.35). There was no association between positive cultures and the presence of secondary infections (adjusted SHR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.58-1.71). CONCLUSION: Positive cultures are not associated with prognosis in patients with sepsis.

A phase 1, randomized double-blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and cognitive training in adults with Fragile X syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite the wide spectrum of experimental compounds tested in clinical trials, there is still no proven pharmacological treatment available for Fragile-X syndrome (FXS), since several targeted clinical trials with high expectations of success have failed to demonstrate significant improvements. Here we tested epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a treatment option for ameliorating core cognitive and behavioral features in FXS. METHODS: We conducted preclinical studies in Fmr1 knockout mice (Fmr1-/y) using novel object-recognition memory paradigm upon acute EGCG (10 mg/kg) administration. Furthermore we conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial (TESXF; NCT01855971). Twenty-seven subjects with FXS (18-55 years) were administered of EGCG (5-7 mg/kg/day) combined with cognitive training (CT) during 3 months with 3 months of follow-up after treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: Preclinical studies showed an improvement in memory using the Novel Object Recognition paradigm. We found that FXS patients receiving EGCG + CT significantly improved cognition (visual episodic memory) and functional competence (ABAS II-Home Living skills) in everyday life compared to subjects receiving Placebo + CT. CONCLUSIONS: Phase 2 clinical trials in larger groups of subjects are necessary to establish the therapeutic potential of EGCG for the improvement of cognition and daily life competences in FXS.

Antimicrobial agent prescription: a prospective cohort study in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the true association between appropriate prescription of antibiotics and prognosis in patients with sepsis, a key issue in health care and quality improvement strategies. METHODS: Prospective cohort study in three university hospitals to determine whether the empirical prescription of antibiotics was adequate or inadequate, and to compare hospital death rates and length of stay according to different classifications of antibiotics prescription. Logistic regression models for risk estimation were fitted. RESULTS: A total of 705 patients with severe sepsis were included. No differences were found in positive-culture patients (n = 545) regarding the risk of death with insufficient spectrum antibiotics, compared to patients who received adequate spectrum antibiotics (OR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.55-1.48). Delay in initiating antibiotics was not associated with the risk of death in patients with adequate spectrum of antibiotics, either with positive (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.99-1.08) or negative cultures (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.92-1.04). There were no differences in the length of hospital stay, according to the antibiotic prescription (median 11 days, IQR = 7-18 days for the whole cohort). CONCLUSIONS: No associations were found between inadequate antibiotic prescription or delay to initiate therapy and mortality or length of stay.

Antibiotics has more impact on mortality than other early goal-directed therapy components in patients with sepsis: An instrumental variable analysis.

PURPOSE: To estimate the effect of each of the EGDT components, as well as of the antibiotics, on length-of-stay and mortality. METHODS: Prospective cohort in three hospitals. Adult patients admitted by the Emergency Rooms (ER) with infection and any of systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg or lactate >4 mmol/L. An instrumental analysis with hospital of admission as the instrumental variable was performed to estimate the effect of each intervention on hospital mortality and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Among 2587 patients evaluated 884 met inclusion criteria, with a hospital mortality rate of 17% (n = 150). In the instrumental analysis, the only intervention associated with an absolute reduction in mortality (21%) was the use of antibiotics in the first 3 h. In patients with lactate values ≥4 mmol/L in the ER, a non-decrease of at least 10% at six hours was independently associated with mortality (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.5-6.2). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients entering ER with infection and shock or hypoperfusion criteria, the use of appropriate antibiotics in the first 3 h is the measure that has the greatest impact on survival. In addition, among patients with hyperlactatemia >4 mmol/L, the clearance of >10% of lactate during resuscitation is associated with better outcomes.

Grouping of body areas affected in traffic accidents. A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Traffic accidents are considered a public health problem and, according to the World Health Organization, currently is the eighth cause of death in the world. Specifically, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists contribute half of the fatalities. Adequate clinical management in accordance with aggregation patterns of the body areas involved, as well as the characteristics of the accident, will help to reduce mortality and disability in this population. METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a cohort of patients involved in traffic accidents and admitted to the emergency room (ER) of a high complexity hospital in Medellín, Colombia. They were over 15 years of age, had two or more injuries in different areas of the body and had a hospital stay of more than 24 h after admission. A cluster analysis was performed, using Ward's method and the linfinity similarity measure, to obtain clusters of body areas most commonly affected depending on the type of vehicle and the type of victim. RESULTS: Among 2445 patients with traffic accidents, 34% (n = 836) were admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the overall hospital mortality rate was 8% (n = 201). More than 50% of the patients were motorcycle riders but mortality was higher in pedestrian-car accidents (16%, n = 34). The clusters show efficient performance to separate the population depending on the severity of their injuries. Pedestrians had the highest mortality after having accidents with cars and they also had the highest number of body parts clustered, mainly on head and abdomen areas. CONCLUSIONS: Exploring the cluster patterns of injuries and body areas affected in traffic accidents allow to establish anatomical groups defined by the type of accident and the type of vehicle. This classification system will accelerate and prioritize ER-care for these population groups, helping to provide better health care services and to rationalize available resources.

Association of Clinical Hypoperfusion Variables With Lactate Clearance and Hospital Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Lactate has shown utility in assessing the prognosis of patients admitted to the hospital with confirmed or suspected shock. Some findings of the physical examination may replace it as screening tool. We have determined the correlation and association between clinical perfusion parameters and lactate at the time of admission; the correlation between the change in clinical parameters and lactate clearance after 6 and 24 h of resuscitation; and the association between clinical parameters, lactate, and mortality. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized in the emergency room with infection, polytrauma, or other causes of hypotension. We measured serum lactate, capillary refill time, shock index, and pulse pressure at 0, 6, and 24 h after admission. A Spearman's correlation was performed between clinical variables and lactate levels, as well as between changes in clinical parameters and lactate clearance. The operative characteristics of these variables were determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and the association between lactate, clinical variables, and mortality through logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1,320 patients met the inclusion criteria, 66.7% (n = 880) confirmed infection, 19% (n = 251) polytrauma, and 14.3% (n = 189) another etiology. No significant correlation was found between any clinical variable and lactate values (r < 0.28). None of the variable had an adequate discriminatory capacity to detect hyperlactatemia (AUC < 0.62). In the multivariate model, lactate value at admission was the only variable independently associated with mortality (OR 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with hypoperfusion risk or shock, no correlation was found between clinical variables and lactate. Of the set of parameters collected, lactate at admission was the only independent marker of mortality.

Asociación de variables clínicas de hipoperfusión con el lactato y la mortalidad / Association of clinical variables of hypoperfusion with lactate and mortality

Resumen Introducción: entre los pacientes con infección la hiperlactatemia identifica una población de mayor gravedad. Este estudio pretende determinar en pacientes de urgencias la correlación y asociación entre los parámetros clínicos de perfusión y los valores de lactato en el momento de admisión; así como el cambio en los parámetros clínicos con la depuración del lactato. Además, determinar la asociación entre estas variables y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Métodos: cohorte prospectiva de pacientes que ingresaron con sospecha de infección a un hospital de tercer nivel. Se midió el lactato en la admisión a las 6 y 24 horas, concomitantemente con las variables llenado capilar, índice de choque y presión de pulso, entre otras. Se realizó correlación de Spearman entre las variables clínicas, los niveles de lactato y su depuración; así como curvas ROC para determinar la capacidad discriminativa de las variables clínicas para detectar hiperlactatemia. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística multivariable para mortalidad. Resultados: se evaluaron 2257 pacientes, 651 correspondían a infección confirmada. No se encontró ninguna correlación de utilidad entre las variables clínicas y el lactato (r<0.25); y tampoco se detectó adecuada capacidad discriminativa para la detección de hiperlactatemia con ninguna variable clínica (AUC<0.61). En el modelo de regresión logística multivariada el valor del lactato al ingreso fue la única variable que se asoció de manera independiente con mortalidad (OR=1.4, IC95%=1.3-1.6). Conclusiones: entre los pacientes que ingresan a urgencias con infección no se encontró correlación entre las variables clínicas y el lactato; sin embargo, el lactato al ingreso es un marcador pronóstico independiente de mortalidad. (Acta Med Colomb 2017: 42: 97-105).

Abstract Introduction: among patients with infection, hyperlactatemia identifies a population of greater severity. This study aims to determine the correlation and association between clinical perfusion parameters and lactate values in emergency patients at the time of admission, as well as the change in clinical parameters with lactate clearance. In addition, to determine the association between these variables and in-hospital mortality. Methods: Prospective cohort of patients admitted with suspected infection to a third level hospital. Lactate was measured at admission, at 6 and 24 hours, concomitantly with the variables capillary filling, shock index and pulse pressure, among others. Among the clinical variables, Spearman correlation, lactate levels and their clearance, as well as ROC curves to determine the discriminative ability of clinical variables to detect hyperlactatemia were performed. A multivariate logistic regression model for mortality was carried out. Results: 2257 patients were evaluated. 651 were confirmed with infections. No utility correlation was found between clinical variables and lactate (r <0.25), and no discriminative capacity was detected for the detection of hyperlactatemia with any clinical variable (AUC <0.61). In the multivariate logistic regression model the lactate value at admission was the only variable that was independently associated with mortality (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.6). Conclusions: no correlation was found between clinical variables and lactate among patients admitted to the emergency department with infection; however lactate at admission is an independent prognostic marker of mortality. (Acta Med Colomb 2017: 42: 97-105).

Validation of trauma scales: ISS, NISS, RTS and TRISS for predicting mortality in a Colombian population.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to validate the performance of the ISS, NISS, RTS and TRISS scales as predictors of mortality in a population of trauma patients in a Latin American setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects older than 15 years with diagnosis of trauma, lesions in two or more body areas according to the AIS and whose initial attention was at the hospital in the first 24 h were included. The main outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes were admission to the intensive care unit, requirement of mechanical ventilation and length of stay. A logistic regression model for hospital mortality was fitted with each of the scales as an independent variable, and its predictive accuracy was evaluated through discrimination and calibration statistics. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and July 2015, 4085 subjects were enrolled in the study. 84.2% (n = 3442) were male, the mean age was 36 years (SD = 16), and the most common trauma mechanism was blunt type (80.1%; n = 3273). The medians of ISS, NISS, TRISS and RTS were: 14 (IQR = 10-21), 17 (IQR = 11-27), 4.21 (IQR = 2.95-5.05) and 7.84 (IQR = 6.90-7.84), respectively. Mortality was 9.3%, and the discrimination for ISS, NISS, TRISS and RTS was: AUC 0.85, 0.89, 0.86 and 0.92, respectively. No one scale had appropriate calibration. CONCLUSION: Determining the severity of trauma is an essential tool to guide treatment and establish the necessary resources for attention. In a Colombian population from a capital city, trauma scales have adequate performance for the prediction of mortality in patients with trauma.

Trauma severity indices / Trauma severity scores

Introduction: Throughout the years, several methods have been developed to help determine injury severity and obtain accurate prognoses in trauma patients. Trauma scores that have been used for more than 40 years are extremely useful in clinical practice as well as in research. Objective: To conduct a review of the most relevant literature on trauma and to make a description of each of the scoring tools, focusing on their limitations and their application in clinical trials. Materials and methods: Narrative review conducted in different databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and OVID. A manual search was also conducted of articles on the subject in both English and Spanish. Results: The review articles provided an adequate description of each of the scores, the way they are calculated, the main limitations in their application, and the most relevant findings in the literature. Conclusion: There is a wide range of severity scores used in trauma patients for anticipating clinically significant outcomes with varying degrees of accuracy. Creating and validating a single, universally valid score is a huge challenge; consequently, the selection of the scoring tool is based, to a large extent, on experience, the context and the available evidence.

Introducción: a lo largo de la historia se han creado varios métodos para evaluar la gravedad de las lesiones y brindar un pronóstico exacto en pacientes con trauma. Los puntajes en trauma que se han utilizado por más de 40 años son una herramienta de gran utilidad tanto para el contexto clínico como investigativo. Objetivo: elaborar una revisión de la literatura más relevante sobre los puntajes en trauma y hacer una descripción de cada una de estas herramientas, haciendo énfasis en sus limitaciones y en la aplicación en estudios clínicos. Materiales y Métodos: revisión narrativa, se consultaron diferentes bases de datos como PubMed, ScienceDirect y OVID; además, se hizo búsqueda manual de artículos en inglés y en español sobre el tema. Resultados: los artículos revisados permitieron hacer una descripción adecuada de cada uno de los puntajes, de la forma en que se calculan, sus principales limitaciones al momento de aplicarlos y los hallazgos más notables en la literatura. Conclusión: existe una gran variedad de puntajes de gravedad para pacientes con trauma que permiten anticipar con diferente exactitud los desenlaces clínicamente significativos. La creación y validación de un único puntaje universalmente válido es todo un reto; por ello la selección de esta herramienta está basada en gran parte en la experiencia, el contexto y la evidencia disponible.

[Development and validation of a predictive model for bacteremia in patients hospitalized by the emergency department with suspected infection]. / Desarrollo y validación de un modelo predictor para bacteriemia en pacientes hospitalizados por el servicio de urgencias con sospecha de infección.

BACKGROUND: Positive blood cultures usually indicate disseminated infection that is associated with a poor prognosis and higher mortality. We seek to develop and validate a predictive model to identify factors associated with positive blood cultures in emergency patients. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from two prospective cohorts (EPISEPSIS: developing cohort, and DISEPSIS: validation cohort) of patients with suspected or confirmed infection, assembled in emergency services in 10 hospitals in four cities in Colombia between September 2007 and February 2008. A logistic multivariable model was fitted to identify clinical and laboratory variables predictive of positive blood culture. RESULTS: We analyzed 719 patients in developing and 467 in validation cohort with 32% and 21% positive blood cultures, respectively. The final predictive model included variables with significant coefficients for both cohorts: temperature > 38° C, Glasgow < 15 and platelet < 150.000 cells/mm³, with calibration (goodness-of-fit H-L) p = 0.0907 and p = 0.7003 and discrimination AUC = 0.68 (95% CI = 0.65-0.72) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.61-0.70) in EPISEPSIS and DISEPSIS, respectively. Specifically, temperature > 38 °C and platelets < 150.000 cells/mm³ and normal Glasgow; or Glasgow < 15 with normal temperature and platelets exhibit a LR between 1,9 (CI 95% = 1,2-3,1) and 2,3 (CI 95% = 1,7-3,1). Glasgow < 15 with any of low platelets or high temperature shows a LR between 2,2 (CI 95% = 1,1-4,4) and 2,6 (CI 95% = 1,7-4,3). DISCUSSION: Temperature > 38° C, platelet count < 150,000 cells/mm³ and GCS < 15 are variables associated with increased likelihood of having a positive blood culture.

[Epidemiology and prognosis of patients with bloodstream infection in 10 hospitals in Colombia]. / Epidemiología y pronóstico de pacientes con infección del torrente sanguíneo en 10 hospitales de Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the local epidemiology and etiology of bloodstream infections allows tailoring the empirical initial antimicrobial therapy to obtain a better outcome for these episodes. AIM: To describe the epidemiological and microbiological aspects as well as the factors associated with mortality in patients with bloodstream infection in Colombian hospitals. METHODS: Sub-analysis of a prospective cohort study of 375 consecutive patients with bloodstream infection in 10 hospitals in Colombia, admitted between September first 2007 and Febrnary 29, 2008. RESULTS: The most frequently isolated bacteria were Gram-negative bacilli in 54% of patients, followed by Gram-positive cocci in 38.4%. The source of infection was known in 67%, unknown in 24% and associated with intravascular catheter in 9%. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (46%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (16%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (7.8%). Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin sensitive in 82% of patients (46/56). Overall 28-day mortality was 25% and their independent associated factors were age, SOFA score and APACHE II score. CONCLUSIONS: In our study the most frequently isolated bacteria in bloodstream infections were Gram-negative bacilli, contrasting those reported in developed countries. The overall mortality rate was high and the factors associated with mortality were age and severity scores.

Epidemiología y pronóstico de pacientes con infección del torrente sanguíneo en 10 hospitales de Colombia / Epidemiology and prognosis of patients with bloodstream infection in 10 hospitals in Colombia

Background: Knowing the local epidemiology and etiology of bloodstream infections allows tailoring the empirical initial antimicrobial therapy to obtain a better outcome for these episodes. Aim: To describe the epidemiological and microbiological aspects as well as the factors associated with mortality in patients with bloodstream infection in Colombian hospitals. Methods: Sub-analysis of a prospective cohort study of 375 consecutive patients with bloodstream infection in 10 hospitals in Colombia, admitted between September first 2007 and Febrnary 29, 2008. Results: The most frequently isolated bacteria were Gram-negative bacilli in 54% of patients, followed by Gram-positive cocci in 38.4%. The source of infection was known in 67%, unknown in 24% and associated with intravascular catheter in 9%. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (46%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (16%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (7.8%). Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin sensitive in 82% of patients (46/56). Overall 28-day mortality was 25% and their independent associated factors were age, SOFA score and APACHE II score. Conclusions: In our study the most frequently isolated bacteria in bloodstream infections were Gram-negative bacilli, contrasting those reported in developed countries. The overall mortality rate was high and the factors associated with mortality were age and severity scores.

Introducción: Conocer la epidemiología y etiología regional de las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo permite orientar una terapia antimicrobiana inicial empírica mejorando el resultado final del episodio. Objetivo: Describir los aspectos epidemiológicos, microbiológicos y factores asociados a la mortalidad de pacientes con infección del torrente sanguíneo en hospitales colombianos. Métodos: Sub-análisis de cohorte prospectivo de 375 pacientes consecutivos en 10 hospitales de Colombia con diagnóstico de infección del torrente sanguíneo, hospitalizados entre 1 de septiembre de 2007 y 29 de febrero de 2008. Resultados: Los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados fueron los bacilos gramnegativos en 54% de los pacientes; seguidos por las cocáceas grampositivas en 38,4%. La fuente de infección fue secundaria a un foco conocido en 67%, desconocido en 24% y asociada a catéter intravascular en 9%. Los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados fueron: Escherichia coli 46%, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa 16%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 8,9% y Staphylococcus aureus 7,8%. Staphylococcus aureus fue sensible a meticilina en 82% de los pacientes (46/56). La mortalidad global fue de 25%. Los factores asociados con mayor mortalidad fueron: edad, puntaje SOFA y puntaje APACHE II. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio, los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados en pacientes que cursaron con bacteriemia fueron los bacilos gramnegativos, a diferencia de lo reportado en países desarrollados. La mortalidad general es alta y los factores asociados con riesgo de muerte fueron: la edad y los mayores puntajes de gravedad.