Función renal al ingreso como marcador pronóstico en pacientes hospitalizados por un primer episodio de insuficiencia cardíaca. Resultados del estudio PREDICE / Renal function at admission as a prognostic marker for patients hospitalised for a first episode of heart failure. Results of the PREDICE study

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) es una enfermedad frecuente que deteriora la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen y condiciona una elevada morbimortalidad. En los últimos años, se están desarrollando gran cantidad de trabajos para determinar qué factores influyen en el pronóstico de la IC. Sin embargo, son escasos los que evalúan el pronóstico de los pacientes hospitalizados por su primer episodio de IC. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es analizar el impacto pronóstico de la función renal en pacientes hospitalizados por un primer episodio de IC. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se recogió a 600 pacientes hospitalizados por un primer episodio de IC en 3hospitales españoles de tercer nivel. Se analizó el riesgo de mortalidad durante el primer año de seguimiento en función del grado de función renal en el momento del ingreso. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con mayor grado de insuficiencia renal en el momento del ingreso presentaban edad más avanzada (p < 0,001) eran más frecuentemente mujeres (p = 0,01), presentaban un mayor grado de dependencia (p < 0,05) y mayor prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (p < 0,001), insuficiencia renal crónica (p < 0,001) y anemia (p < 0,001). En el análisis multivariante, el grado de insuficiencia renal al ingreso se mantuvo como predictor independiente de mayor riesgo de mortalidad durante el primer año de seguimiento. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de insuficiencia renal en el momento del ingreso es un marcador de mal pronóstico en nuestra cohorte de pacientes hospitalizados por un primer episodio de IC

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Heart failure (HF) is a frequent condition that deteriorates quality of life and results in high morbidity and mortality. A considerable number of studies have been implemented in recent years to determine the factors that affect the prognosis of HF; however, few studies have assessed the prognosis of patients hospitalised for their first episode of HF. The aim of our study was to analyse the prognostic impact of renal function on patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 600 patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF in 3 tertiary Spanish hospitals. We analysed the mortality risk during the first year of follow-up according to renal function at the time of admission. RESULTS: The patients with the highest degree of kidney failure at admission were older (P<.001), were more often women (p=.01) and presented a higher degree of dependence (P<.05), as well as a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (P<.001), chronic renal failure (P<.001) and anaemia (P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, the degree of kidney failure at admission remained an independent predictor of increased mortality risk during the first year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of kidney failure at admission was a marker of poor prognosis in our cohort of patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF

Tabaquismo en los estudiantes de alto nivel académico en la Comunidad de Madrid y comparación con estudio previo similar realizado en 2014 / High level of student smokers in Madrid compared with a similar previous study of 2014

El tabaquismo es un problema de salud pública que afecta a los jóvenes, influenciado por el entorno y el nivel cultural. OBJETIVOS: Determinar la prevalencia de tabaquismo en estudiantes de bachillerato de excelencia (BE) con alto nivel académico en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, en el curso 2018-2019. Valorar influencias del ambiente sociocultural en la iniciación del tabaquismo. Comparar con estudios previos realizados en alumnos de BE y la población general. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal en alumnos de BE de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Mediante encuesta anónima se interrogó sobre el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y otras sustancias tóxicas; influencia del entorno, amigos y familiares en el inicio. Comparar con estudios previos. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron 740 jóvenes de 16,57±0,61 años; eran 430 (58,1%) mujeres y fumaban 53 (7,18%). Reconocían la influencia inicial de amigos 39 (78%). Consumían alcohol 349 (47,48%); y otras sustancias 109 (15,27%). Ser fumador se relacionó con consumir alcohol y otras drogas, tener madre, hermanos y amigos fumadores. Respecto a estudios previos, no se modificó la prevalencia de tabaquismo. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia del tabaquismo en estudiantes de alto nivel académico del BE de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid continúa siendo inferior a la de jóvenes de su edad y no existen variaciones respecto a informes previos. El inicio está relacionado con el tabaquismo de amigos, hermanos y de la madre; con el consumo de alcohol y otras drogas. La educación y los programas preventivos son muy importantes en el inicio y prevención del tabaquismo

Smoking is a public health problem that affects young people, and influenced by the environment and cultural level. OBJECTIVES: To determine smoking prevalence among high-level baccalaureate students in the Autonomous Community of Madrid during the 2018-2019 academic year. To assess the influence of the socio-cultural environment on the onset of youth smoking. To compare the results with previous studies conducted on students of baccalaureate of excellence (BE) and the general population. POPULATION AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study on BE students in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Using an anonymous questionnaire, they were asked about tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption, as well as the influence of the environment, friends, and family in the beginning. To compare with previous studies. RESULTS: A total of 740 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 430 (58.1%) were female, an overall mean age of 16.57±0.61 years, and 53 (7.18%) were smokers. The majority 39 (78%) of smokers acknowledged their friends' influence at its onset. Alcohol was consumed by 349 (47.48%) and other drugs by 109 (15.27%). Being a smoker was related to alcohol, other drugs, a smoking mother, smoking siblings and smoking friends. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence among students of BE in Autonomous Community of Madrid continues to be lower than the prevalence of adolescents of their age and there are no variations from previous reports. Starting smoking is related to smoking by friends, siblings, and the mother and with the consumption of alcohol and other substances. Education is very important in the beginning and prevention of smoking, and it is necessary to implement prevention programs at early ages in order to promote their effectiveness, and aimed at young people, parents and teachers

[High level of student smokers in Madrid compared with a similar previous study of 2014]. / Tabaquismo en los estudiantes de alto nivel académico en la Comunidad de Madrid y comparación con estudio previo similar realizado en 2014.

Smoking is a public health problem that affects young people, and influenced by the environment and cultural level. OBJECTIVES: To determine smoking prevalence among high-level baccalaureate students in the Autonomous Community of Madrid during the 2018-2019 academic year. To assess the influence of the socio-cultural environment on the onset of youth smoking. To compare the results with previous studies conducted on students of baccalaureate of excellence (BE) and the general population. POPULATION AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study on BE students in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Using an anonymous questionnaire, they were asked about tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption, as well as the influence of the environment, friends, and family in the beginning. To compare with previous studies. RESULTS: A total of 740 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 430 (58.1%) were female, an overall mean age of 16.57±0.61 years, and 53 (7.18%) were smokers. The majority 39 (78%) of smokers acknowledged their friends' influence at its onset. Alcohol was consumed by 349 (47.48%) and other drugs by 109 (15.27%). Being a smoker was related to alcohol, other drugs, a smoking mother, smoking siblings and smoking friends. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence among students of BE in Autonomous Community of Madrid continues to be lower than the prevalence of adolescents of their age and there are no variations from previous reports. Starting smoking is related to smoking by friends, siblings, and the mother and with the consumption of alcohol and other substances. Education is very important in the beginning and prevention of smoking, and it is necessary to implement prevention programs at early ages in order to promote their effectiveness, and aimed at young people, parents and teachers.

Renal function at admission as a prognostic marker for patients hospitalised for a first episode of heart failure. Results of the PREDICE study. / Función renal al ingreso como marcador pronóstico en pacientes hospitalizados por un primer episodio de insuficiencia cardíaca. Resultados del estudio PREDICE.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Heart failure (HF) is a frequent condition that deteriorates quality of life and results in high morbidity and mortality. A considerable number of studies have been implemented in recent years to determine the factors that affect the prognosis of HF; however, few studies have assessed the prognosis of patients hospitalised for their first episode of HF. The aim of our study was to analyse the prognostic impact of renal function on patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 600 patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF in 3 tertiary Spanish hospitals. We analysed the mortality risk during the first year of follow-up according to renal function at the time of admission. RESULTS: The patients with the highest degree of kidney failure at admission were older (P<.001), were more often women (p=.01) and presented a higher degree of dependence (P<.05), as well as a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (P<.001), chronic renal failure (P<.001) and anaemia (P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, the degree of kidney failure at admission remained an independent predictor of increased mortality risk during the first year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of kidney failure at admission was a marker of poor prognosis in our cohort of patients hospitalised for a first episode of HF.

Predicting Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Adult Heart Transplantation: Clinical Utility of MELD-XI Score.

BACKGROUND: Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scoring system excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) has been related with worse outcomes after heart transplantation (HT). However, according to standards in prognostic models research, before implementing a risk score for daily clinical decision-making, its performance and impact on clinical practice/outcomes should be evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the MELD-XI score to predict outcomes in daily clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 190 consecutive adults undergoing HT between 2005-2015. Patients were stratified into low (MELD-XI <12) and high (MELD-XI ≥12) risk cohorts. Mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year were compared between MELD-XI groups. MELD-XI ability to predict 1-year mortality was assessed by the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) and compared to that of bilirubin, creatinine, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). RESULTS: Mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year were similar between groups (8% vs 13%; P = .28 and 21% vs 29%; P = .21, respectively). MELD-XI ability to predict 1-year mortality was poor and similar to that of bilirubin, creatinine, and PVR (0.51 vs 0.47 vs 0.50 vs 0.50, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MELD-XI score utility in HT clinical decision-making is scarce since its discrimination ability is poor and similar to other simple prognostic variables.

Valoración de parámetros clínicos del paciente politraumatizado como predictores del gasto hospitalario y de su distribución / Assessment of clinical parameters of the polytraumatized patient as predictors of hospital expenditure and of its distribution

Introducción: La enfermedad traumática continúa representando un importante problema socio-sanitario. El objetivo del estudio es valorar predictores clínicos del gasto total, así como analizar que componentes del coste se modifican con cada parámetro clínico del politraumatizado. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 131 politraumatizados registrados prospectivamente. Se llevó a cabo un análisis estadístico para valorar la relación entre parámetros clínicos, el coste total y el coste de los principales componentes del tratamiento. Resultados: El coste total del ingreso hospitalario fue de 3.791.879 euros. El gasto medio por paciente fue de 28.945 Euros. La edad y el género no fueron predictores del coste. Las escalas ISS, NISS y PS fueron predictores del coste total y del coste de diferentes facetas del tratamiento. El AIS de cráneo y tórax predijo un mayor coste de ingreso en UCI y de coste total. El AIS de miembros inferiores se asoció exclusivamente a un mayor gasto en las facetas de tratamiento relacionadas con la actividad quirúrgica. Discusión: Existen parámetros clínicos que son predictores del coste de tratamiento del paciente politraumatizado. En el estudio se describe como el tipo de traumatismo que presenta el paciente modifica el tipo de gastos que presentará en su ingreso hospitalario. Conclusiones: Los pacientes politraumatizados que presentan lesión multisistémica grave presentan incremento del gasto en múltiples componentes del coste de tratamiento. Los pacientes donde predomina el TCE o traumatismo torácico presentan un mayor coste por ingreso en la UCI y los que predomina el traumatismo ortopédico asocian un mayor gasto en actividad quirúrgica

Introduction: Traumatic pathology continues to represent an important socio-health problem. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical predictors of total expenditure, as well as to analyze which components of the cost are modified with each clinical parameter of the polytraumatized patient. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 131 polytrauma patients registered prospectively. A statistical analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between clinical parameters, the total cost and the cost of various treatment components. Results: The total cost of hospital admission was 3,791,879 euros. The average cost per patient was Euros 28,945. Age and gender were not predictors of cost. The scales ISS, NISS and PS were predictors of the total cost and of multiple treatment components. The AIS of Skull and Thorax predicted a higher cost of admission to ICU and Total Cost. The AIS of lower limbs was associated with greater spending on facets of treatment related to surgical activity. Discussion: There are clinical parameters that are predictors of the treatment cost of the polytraumatized patient. The study describes how the type of trauma that the patient suffers modifies the type of expenses that will present in their hospital admission. Conclusions: Polytraumatized patients with severe multisystem injury present increased costs in multiple components of the treatment cost. Patients with TBI or chest trauma present a higher cost for admission to ICU and those with orthopaedic trauma are associated with greater expenditure on surgical activity

Short communication: Effect of refrigerated storage on the pH and bacterial content of pasteurized human donor milk.

Once pasteurized donor milk is thawed for its administration to a preterm or sick neonate, and until it is administered, it is kept refrigerated at 4 to 6°C for 24 h. After this time, unconsumed milk is discarded. This time has not been extended, primarily because of the concern of bacterial contamination. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in pH and bacterial count when pasteurized donor milk was kept under refrigeration for a prolonged period (14 d). In this prospective study, 30 samples of pasteurized donor milk from 18 donors were analyzed. Milk was handled following the regular operating protocols established in the neonatal unit and was kept refrigerated after thawing. pH measurements and bacteriology (on blood agar and MacConkey agar plates) were performed on each sample at time 0 (immediately after thawing) and then every day for 14 d. Changes in pH of samples over time were evaluated with linear mixed-effects regression models. A slow but gradual increase in milk pH was observed starting from the first day [mean (±SD) pH of 7.30 (±0.18) at time 0 and 7.69 (±0.2) on d 14]. No bacterial growth was observed in any of the samples throughout the complete trial except in one sample, in which Bacillus flexus was isolated. In conclusion, pasteurized human donor milk maintains its microbiological quality when properly handled and refrigerated (4-6°C). The slight and continuous increase in milk pH after the first day could be due to changes in the solubility of calcium and phosphate during refrigerated storage.

Assessment of clinical parameters of the polytraumatized patient as predictors of hospital expenditure and of its distribution. / Valoración de parámetros clínicos del paciente politraumatizado como predictores del gasto hospitalario y de su distribución.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic pathology continues to represent an important socio-health problem. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical predictors of total expenditure, as well as to analyze which components of the cost are modified with each clinical parameter of the polytraumatized patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 131 polytrauma patients registered prospectively. A statistical analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between clinical parameters, the total cost and the cost of various treatment components. RESULTS: The total cost of hospital admission was 3,791,879 euros. The average cost per patient was € 28,945. Age and gender were not predictors of cost. The scales ISS, NISS and PS were predictors of the total cost and of multiple treatment components. The AIS of Skull and Thorax predicted a higher cost of admission to ICU and Total Cost. The AIS of lower limbs was associated with greater spending on facets of treatment related to surgical activity. DISCUSSION: There are clinical parameters that are predictors of the treatment cost of the polytraumatized patient. The study describes how the type of trauma that the patient suffers modifies the type of expenses that will present in their hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Polytraumatized patients with severe multisystem injury present increased costs in multiple components of the treatment cost. Patients with TBI or chest trauma present a higher cost for admission to ICU and those with orthopaedic trauma are associated with greater expenditure on surgical activity.

Impact of fluconazole susceptibility on the outcome of patients with candidaemia: data from a population-based surveillance.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical correlation of fluconazole antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) for Candida isolates and its integration with pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) parameters is unclear. We analysed the impact of fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, 24-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC24) and AUC24/MIC ratio on the outcome of candidemic patients. METHODS: We included 257 episodes of candidaemia treated with fluconazole monotherapy for ≥72 hours from a population-based surveillance conducted in 29 hospitals (CANDIPOP Project). AST was centrally performed by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) microdilution methods. Primary outcome was clinical failure (30-day mortality and/or persistent candidaemia for ≥72 hours from initiation of therapy). Secondary outcomes included early (3-7 days) and late (3-30 days) mortality. RESULTS: Rates of clinical failure, early and late mortality among evaluable episodes were 32.3% (80/248), 3.1% (8/257) and 23.4% (59/248). There was no relationship between fluconazole MIC values or PK/PD parameters and clinical failure. Although MIC values ≥2 mg/L by EUCAST (positive predictive value 32.1%, negative predictive value 68.7%) and ≥0.5 mg/L by CLSI (positive predictive value 34.8%, negative predictive value 74.4%) appeared to be optimal for predicting clinical failure, no significant associations remained after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio 1.67; 95% confidence interval 0.48-5.79; p 0.423). Lack of association was consistent for alternative thresholds (including proposed clinical breakpoints). The only association found for secondary outcomes was between an AUC24/MIC ratio >400 h by CLSI and early mortality (odds ratio 0.18; 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.98; p 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: High fluconazole MIC values did not negatively impact outcome of patients with candidaemia treated with fluconazole. No effect of PK/PD targets on the risk of clinical failure was found.

Propensity Score Analysis of the Role of Initial Antifungal Therapy in the Outcome of Candida glabrata Bloodstream Infections.

Candida glabrata isolates have reduced in vitro susceptibility to azoles, which raises concerns about the clinical effectiveness of fluconazole for treating bloodstream infection (BSI) by this Candida species. We aimed to evaluate whether the choice of initial antifungal treatment (fluconazole versus echinocandins or liposomal amphotericin B [L-AmB]-based regimens) has an impact on the outcome of C. glabrata BSI. We analyzed data from a prospective, multicenter, population-based surveillance program on candidemia conducted in 5 metropolitan areas of Spain (May 2010 to April 2011). Adult patients with an episode of C. glabrata BSI were included. The main outcomes were 14-day mortality and treatment failure (14-day mortality and/or persistent C. glabrata BSI for ≥48 h despite antifungal initiation). The impact of using fluconazole as initial antifungal treatment on the patients' prognosis was assessed by logistic regression analysis with the addition of a propensity score approach. A total of 94 patients with C. glabrata BSI were identified. Of these, 34 had received fluconazole and 35 had received an echinocandin/L-AmB-based regimen. Patients in the echinocandin/L-AmB group had poorer baseline clinical status than did those in the fluconazole group. Patients in the fluconazole group were more frequently (55.9% versus 28.6%) and much earlier (median time, 3 versus 7 days) switched to another antifungal regimen. Overall, 14-day mortality was 13% (9/69) and treatment failure 34.8% (24/69), with no significant differences between the groups. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for baseline characteristics by propensity score, fluconazole use was not associated with an unfavorable evolution (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for 14-day mortality, 1.16, with 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.22 to 6.17; adjusted OR for treatment failure, 0.83, with 95% CI of 0.27 to 2.61). In conclusion, initial fluconazole treatment was not associated with a poorer outcome than that obtained with echinocandins/L-AmB regimens in patients with C. glabrata BSI. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01236261.).

Association between maltreatment and polydrug use among adolescents.

Different studies have related sexual and physical abuse during childhood and adolescence to the development of substance abuse disorders. Nevertheless, we are not aware of the role that other more common maltreatment types, such as neglect, will play among the most risky pattern of consumption: the polydrug use. A clinical sample of 655 adolescents, divided into two groups: polydrug users and non-polydrug users, were assessed on their pattern of drug consumption, history of childhood maltreatment, current psychopathology and their family history of alcoholism. Polydrug users had a greater prevalence of all types of maltreatment, although the most associated to this group were sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Other relevant variables to adolescent consumption were: the diagnosis of depressive disorder, the presence of anxiety traits and the family history of alcohol dependence. Polydrug users have higher risks of having had problems during infancy and adolescence, such as maltreatment and other psychopathological conditions, with the addition of family history of alcoholism. Accordingly, practitioners should take into account that those variables may influence polydrug abuse because it is the most risky pattern for subsequent dependence of substances, and they should always be considered during treatment.

Importancia de la educación en la prevención del tabaquismo. Prevalencia del tabaquismo en escolares de bachillerato con alto nivel académico en la Comunidad de Madrid / No disponible

El tabaquismo suele iniciarse en la adolescencia y está influenciado por el entorno y el nivel cultural de los jóvenes. Objetivos: Valorar la prevalencia del tabaquismo en jóvenes de alto nivel académico y la influencia del entorno en el inicio del tabaquismo. Población y métodos: Estudio transversal en alumnos de Bachillerato de Excelencia, de la Comunidad de Madrid, con alto nivel académico. Mediante encuesta anónima se interrogó sobre el hábito de fumar; influencia del entorno, amigos y familiares en el inicio. Resultados: Se recogieron 322 encuestas válidas, 166 (51,55%) mujeres; edad media, 16,68 ± 2,14 años y en fumadores, 16,67 ± 0,69 años. Fumaban 18 (5,59%) jóvenes: 9 (50%) mujeres y 9 (50%) hombres; comenzaron a los 14,63 ± 1,15 años. Reconocían la influencia de los amigos 11 (64,71%) alumnos. Consumían bebidas alcohólicas 173 (53,73%) y otras sustancias tóxicas 104 (32,2%). Ser fumador se relacionó con: consumir alcohol (p=0,0095), consumir otras sustancias (p<0,0001), tener madre fumadora (p=0,0072), con que el padre tenga estudios primarios (p=0,01) y tener amigo fumador (p=0,001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia del tabaquismo en los estudiantes de bachillerato de alto nivel académico de la Comunidad de Madrid fue baja. El inicio estaba influenciado por el tabaquismo de la madre, de los amigos, con el consumo de alcohol y de otras sustancias tóxicas

The starting on smoking habit usually takes place during the adolescence and in this moment the environment influence and the cultural level have a very important role.Objectives: The aim is to value the smoking habit prevalence in a group of high cultural level students and also the role of the environment influence on the smoking habit beginning. Population and methods: Transversal study of a group of high cultural level students from “Bachillerato de Excelencia” educational program, in the Madrid Region. They answered an anonymous questionnaire about their smoking habit; environment influence, friends and relatives influence on the smoking habit starting. Results: 322 valid questionnaires were included, 166 (51.55%) were women; the average age of the group was 16.68 ± 2.14 years old, the average age of the smoker students was 16.67 ± 0.69 years old. 18 (5.59%) students were smokers: 9 (50%) of them were women and 9 (50%) were men; They started to smoke when they were 14.63 ± 1.15 years old. 11 (64.71%) students of this group recognised the friends influenced on the smoking habit starting. 173 (53.73%) students consumed alcohol and 104 (32.2%) students consumed other toxic substances. Being smoker is related with alcohol consuming (p=0.0095) and is also related with the consumption of toxic substances ( p<0.0001), having a smoker mother (p=0.0072), having a father with elementary studies (p=0.01) and having smoker friend (p=0.001). Conclusions: The smoking habit prevalence among high cultural students in the Madrid Region was low. The smoking beginning was influenced by his smoker friend, smoker mother, smoking habit and with alcohol consumption and other toxic substances consumption

Pediatric myringoplasty: Prognostic factors in surgical outcome and hearing threshold recovery.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows as decisive factors the history of tympanostomy tube insertion and surgical approach. The closure of the perforation observed at the 6th post-operative month is almost definitive, without finding significant differences ahead. The myringoplasty can be performed simultaneously in bilateral perforations and in a day-case basis with same success rates. Astatistically significant audiometric improvement area is described, after myringoplasty, undescribed previously in literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors in surgical outcome and hearing threshold after myringoplasty, in pediatric age. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of 142 myringoplasties performed by a single surgeon of the Pediatric ENT Department of 12 de Octubre University Hospital. Multiple prognostic factors were investigated, such as those related to perforation and surgery, contralateral ear status, and pre- and post-operative hearing threshold. RESULTS: The overall rate of closure of the perforation was 74.64%. The re-perforation rate was directly proportional to the number of tympanostomy tube insertion (OR = 1.64). Other determining factors were the surgical approach, the graft position and side. There was a post-operative significant improvement (p < 0.001) insuring that the more affected frequencies, low (125-500 Hz) and high frequencies (4000-8000 Hz), were the more improved after the procedure.

Prevalencia de tabaquismo en escolares de bachillerato con alto nivel académico en un instituto madrileño / No disponible

El tabaquismo suele iniciarse en la adolescencia y en el inicio del hábito tiene importancia la influencia del entorno y el nivel cultural de los jóvenes. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar la prevalencia del tabaquismo en jóvenes de nivel cultural elevado y la influencia del entorno socio-cultural en la iniciación al consumo de tabaco. Población y método: Estudio transversal en alumnos de Bachillerato de Excelencia, de la Comunidad de Madrid, con nivel cultural elevado. Mediante encuesta anónima se interrogó sobre el hábito de fumar; influencia del entorno, amigos y familiares en el inicio. Resultados: Participaron 137 alumnos, respondieron a las encuestas el 88,1%. Mujeres 65 (53,7%) y hombres 56 (46,3%); la edad media general era 16,6 ± 0,52 años, y en los fumadores de 17 ± 0,45 años. Fumaban 11 jóvenes (9,1%): 7 (63,6%) fueron mujeres y 4 (56,4%) hombres; comenzaron a fumar de media a los 13,6 ± 1,8 años. Reconocieron la influencia de los amigos en el inicio del hábito 10 (91%) alumnos. Consumían bebidas alcohólicas 62 (51%) alumnos y otras sustancias tóxicas 47 (38,8%) alumnos. En 36 (29,8%) casos los padres eran fumadores, en 34 (28,1%) lo eran las madres, en 12 (12,4%) fumaban los hermanos y, los amigos en 91 (75,2%) alumnos. La edad media de los fumadores fue superior con p= 0,016. Ser fumador se relacionó con: consumir alcohol (p= 0,036) y tener hermano fumador (p= 0,00). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de tabaquismo en los estudiantes de bachillerato de alto nivel académico de la Comunidad de Madrid fue del 9,1%; inferior a la descrita para jóvenes de su edad. El inicio estaba influenciado por el tabaquismo de hermanos y con el consumo de alcohol

The starting on smoking habit usually takes place during the adolescence and in this moment the environment influence and the cultural level have a very important role. Objectives: The aim is to value the smoking habit prevalence in a group of high cultural level students and also the role of the environment influence on the smoking habit beginning. Population and methods: Transversal study of a group of high cultural level students from "Bachillerato de Excelencia" educational program, in the Madrid Region. They answered an anonymous questionnaire about their smoking habit; environment influence, friends and relatives influence on the smoking habit starting. Results: In this study participated 137 students, answered the questionnaire an 88,1% of them. 65 (53,7%) were women and 56 (46,3%) were men ; the average age of the group was 16,6 ± 0,52 years old, the average age of the smoker students was 17 ± 0,45 years old. 11 (9,1%) students were smokers: 7 (63,6%) of them were women and 4 (56,4%) were men; They started to smoke when they were 13,6 ± 1,8 years old. 10 (91%) students of this group recognised the friends influenced on the smoking habit starting. 62 (51%) students consumed alcohol and 47 (38,8%) students consumed other toxic substances. 36 (29,8%) parents were smokers and 34 (28,1%) mothers were smokers; 12 (12,4%) student brothers were smokers, among the friends 91 (75,2%) were smokers. The average age of the smoker group was higher p=0,016. Being smoker is related with alcohol consuming (p=0,036) and is also related with having and smoker brother (p=0,00). Conclusions: The smoking habit prevalence among high cultural students in the Madrid Region was 9,1%; it is lower than the average prevalence of his age group. The smoking beginning was influenced by his brother,s smoking habit and with alcohol consumption

Frontal sinus obliteration after trauma: analysis of bone regeneration for two selected methods.

We present a prospective randomized experimental study comparing bone regeneration obtained in 60 post-traumatic frontal sinuses obliterated with either calvarial bone dust (n=30, group I) or calvarial bone and demineralized bone matrix (DBM; n=30, group II). Radiological follow-up included high-resolution computed tomography with quantitative micro-density analysis in Hounsfield units (HU), together with a volumetric evaluation of the ossification at 6 and 24 months after surgical treatment. Epidemiological information and potential drawbacks were analysed. Bone volume and density data (HU) for the regenerated areas were subjected to statistical analysis at 6 and 24 months for both groups. Results were compared with reference values obtained from frontal and temporal bone in every patient. Complications developed for 10% of operated sinuses. The resulting bone formation (HU) in group I patients was significantly better than that obtained in group II. Ossification progressed in a statistically significant manner in both groups when compared at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. The use of DBM as a biomaterial associated with calvarial bone dust for sinus obliteration shows long-term safe results, similar to autogenous bone, but with a lower final bone density.

Hypocomplementemia in kidney transplant recipients: impact on the risk of infectious complications.

The usefulness of monitoring of complement levels in predicting the occurrence of infection in kidney transplant (KT) recipients remains largely unknown. We prospectively assessed serum complement levels (C3 and C4) at baseline and at months 1 and 6 in 270 patients undergoing KT. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for infection in each posttransplant period were estimated by Cox regression. The prevalence of C3 hypocomplementemia progressively decreased from 21.5% at baseline to 11.6% at month 6 (p = 0.017), whereas the prevalence of C4 hypocomplementemia rose from 3.7% at baseline to 9.2% at month 1 (p = 0.004). Patients with C3 hypocomplementemia at month 1 had higher incidences of overall (p = 0.002), bacterial (p = 0.004) and fungal infection (p = 0.019) in the intermediate period (months 1-6). On multivariate analysis C3 hypocomplementemia at month 1 emerged as a risk factor for overall (aHR 1.911; p = 0.009) and bacterial infection (aHR 2.130; p = 0.014) during the intermediate period, whereas C3 hypocomplementemia at month 6 predicted the occurrence of bacterial infection (aHR 3.347; p = 0.039) in the late period (>6 month). A simple monitoring strategy of serum C3 levels predicts the risk of posttransplant infectious complications in KT recipients.

Monitoring of immunoglobulin levels identifies kidney transplant recipients at high risk of infection.

We aimed to analyze the incidence, risk factors and impact of hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in 226 kidney transplant (KT) recipients in which serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were prospectively assessed at baseline, month 1 (T(1) ), and month 6 (T(6) ). The prevalence of IgG HGG increased from 6.6% (baseline) to 52.0% (T(1) ) and subsequently decreased to 31.4% (T(6) ) (p < 0.001). The presence of IgG HGG at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 26.9; p = 0.012) and a positive anti-HCV status (OR 0.17; p = 0.023) emerged as risk factors for the occurrence of posttransplant IgG HGG. Patients with HGG of any class at T(1) had higher incidences of overall (p = 0.018) and bacterial infection (p = 0.004), bacteremia (p = 0.054) and acute pyelonephritis (p = 0.003) in the intermediate period (months 1-6). Patients with HGG at T(6) had higher incidences of overall (p = 0.004) and bacterial infection (p < 0.001) in the late period (>6 month). A complementary log-log model identified posttransplant HGG as an independent risk factor for overall (hazard ratio [HR] 2.03; p < 0.001) and bacterial infection (HR 2.68; p < 0.0001). Monitoring of humoral immunity identifies KT recipients at high risk of infection, offering the opportunity for preemptive immunoglobulin replacement therapy.

Comparative study of the Weil osteotomy with and without fixation.

BACKGROUND: Weil osteotomy is a technique widely used in patients with metatarsalgia which shortens the metatarsal and reduces the load under the metatarsal head. METHODS: The aim of this paper is to compare the results of the Weil osteotomy with and without any fixation system. We present a retrospective study of 92 patients (97 feet) who underwent treatment for metatarsalgia between 1999 and 2005. One hundred and six osteotomies were vixed using a screw amd no fixation was used in 92. The mean follow-up was 51.2 and 46.6 months respectively. RESULTS: All the patients were evaluated following the AOFAS LMIS scale, obtaining a mean score of 69.8 points (ranged 15-100) and 75.3 points (from 47 to 100) in each group (P=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The results of fixed and unfixed Weil osteotomies were not significantly different. Our study could not find a significant relationship between metatarsal shortening and main complications (recurrent metatarsalgia, transfer metatarsalgia and stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint).

Age of sitting unsupported and independent walking in very low birth weight preterm infants with normal motor development at 2 years.

AIMS: The aims of this study is to (i) determine the age of sitting unsupported and independent walking in preterm infants with birth weight under 1500 g (very low birth weight, VLBW); (ii) estimate differences between VLBW children and a reference population and (iii) estimate the association between clinical characteristics and late age at sitting and walking. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted of a cohort of 876 children with VLBW. The World Health Organization (WHO) motor development study population was used as a reference. Ages for both skills were established by interview with parents. Means were compared with t-test, ANOVA and Bonferroni adjustment where appropriate. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were complied with 694 patients; 50% of VLBW sat at 7 m corrected age (CA) and walked at 13 m CA. Both motor skills were acquired later (7.3 +/- 1.5 and 13.6 +/- 2.8 m) compared with the control group (6 +/- 1.1 and 12.1 +/- 1.8 m). Weight or head circumference at birth below the 10th percentile or the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were associated with delayed acquisition of both skills. CONCLUSION: Very low birth weight infants typically sit unsupported and walk later than term infants. Tables describing reference values for milestones acquisition for different categories of infants (gestational age, birth weight and other determinants) may contribute to inform the decision making process on access to available resources.