Relationship between Retinal Microvasculature, Cardiovascular Risk and Silent Brain Infarction in Hypertensive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to analyze the role of artery-vein ratio AVR assessment using VesselMap 2 software (Imedos Systems) and cardiovascular risk evaluation by means of REGICOR in the prediction of silent brain infarction (SBI) in middle-age hypertensive patients from the ISSYS study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 695 patients with hypertension aged 50 to 70 years who participated in the project Investigating Silent Strokes in HYpertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (ISSYS), was conducted in two Primary Care Centres of Barcelona. Participants agreed to a retinography and an MRI to detect silent brain infarction (SBI). The IMEDOS software was used for the semiautomatic caliber measurement of retinal arteries and veins, and the AVR was considered abnormal when <0.66. The REGICOR score was calculated for all patients. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of AVR and REGICOR scores on SBI. The OR (odds ratio) for a high REGICOR score and an abnormal AVR were 3.16 and 4.45, respectively. When analysing the interaction of both factors, the OR of an abnormal AVR and moderate REGICOR score was 3.27, whereas with a high REGICOR score it reached 13.07. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of AVR in patients with hypertension and with a high REGICOR score can contribute to the detection of silent brain infarction.

Fiabilidad de la retinografía para la detección de retinopatía hipertensiva en Atención Primaria / Reliability of retinography for the detection of hypertensive retinopathy in Primary Care

OBJETIVO: La hipertensión arterial es una de las enfermedades más prevalentes en la población general adulta. Su importancia reside en las complicaciones que ocasiona en el lecho vascular de órganos diana como riñón, corazón, cerebro y ojo. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la concordancia en la lectura e interpretación de retinografías de pacientes hipertensos realizadas por médicos de familia y por oftalmólogos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Es un estudio transversal multicéntrico que contó con 976 pacientes hipertensos de 50 a 70 años, participantes del proyecto «Investigating Silent Strokes in HYpertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study» (ISSYS) realizado en centros de Atención Primaria de Barcelona y que accedieron a realizarse una retinografía. Seis médicos de familia y 2 oftalmólogos valoraron la presencia de lesiones en la retina mediante los criterios de Keith-Wagener-Barker. RESULTADOS: Se analizó la concordancia Kappa inter- e intraobservador de las lecturas. La valoración de las retinografías en condiciones habituales de práctica clínica obtuvo un alto componente subjetivo, con valores de concordancia inter- e intraobservador pobres-bajos en los criterios de Keith-Wagener-Barker. Solo la valoración de los microaneurismas presentó una concordancia moderada; la ratio arteria/vena fue la menos concordante. Se recomienda la utilización de sistemas de lectura objetivos en la valoración de retinografías en pacientes hipertensos. CONCLUSIONES: La valoración de las retinografías en condiciones habituales de práctica clínica tiene un alto componente subjetivo que se refleja en unos valores de concordancia inter- e intraobservador pobres o bajos. Se recomienda la utilización de sistemas de lectura objetivos en la valoración de retinografías en pacientes hipertensos

OBJECTIVE: High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent diseases in general adult population. Its importance lies in the complications it causes in target organs such as kidney, heart, brain and eye. The aim of this work is to evaluate the agreement in the evaluation and interpretation of retinographies of hypertensive patients by family doctors and ophthalmologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a multicentric cross-sectional study in which 976 hypertensive patients from 50 to 70 years old were involved. They were participants of the «Investigating Silent Strokes in Hypertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study» (ISSYS project) carried out in primary care centers of Barcelona and who agreed to undergo retinography. Six family physicians and 2 ophthalmologists evaluated the presence of retinal lesions through the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. RESULTS: The inter/intra-observer Kappa concordance of the evaluations was analyzed. The evaluation of the retinographies under the usual conditions of clinical practice obtained a high subjective component with slight and fair intra-observer concordance values in the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. Only the assessment of the microaneurysms showed a moderate concordance and the ratio artery/vein was the worst concordant. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the retinographies in habitual conditions of clinical practice has a high subjective component that is reflected in slight and fair inter-intraobserver concordance values. The use of objective reading systems in the assessment of retinography in hypertensive patients would be useful

[Reliability of retinography for the detection of hypertensive retinopathy in Primary Care]. / Fiabilidad de la retinografía para la detección de retinopatía hipertensiva en Atención Primaria.

OBJECTIVE: High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent diseases in general adult population. Its importance lies in the complications it causes in target organs such as kidney, heart, brain and eye. The aim of this work is to evaluate the agreement in the evaluation and interpretation of retinographies of hypertensive patients by family doctors and ophthalmologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a multicentric cross-sectional study in which 976 hypertensive patients from 50 to 70 years old were involved. They were participants of the «Investigating Silent Strokes in Hypertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study¼ (ISSYS project) carried out in primary care centers of Barcelona and who agreed to undergo retinography. Six family physicians and 2 ophthalmologists evaluated the presence of retinal lesions through the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. RESULTS: The inter/intra-observer Kappa concordance of the evaluations was analyzed. The evaluation of the retinographies under the usual conditions of clinical practice obtained a high subjective component with slight and fair intra-observer concordance values in the Keith-Wagener-Barker criteria. Only the assessment of the microaneurysms showed a moderate concordance and the ratio artery/vein was the worst concordant. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the retinographies in habitual conditions of clinical practice has a high subjective component that is reflected in slight and fair inter-intraobserver concordance values. The use of objective reading systems in the assessment of retinography in hypertensive patients would be useful.

Sonologist's characteristics related to a higher quality in fetal nuchal translucency measured in primary antenatal care centers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of nuchal translucency (NT) measurements in primary care and the sonologist's characteristics related with a higher quality. METHODS: The median NT expressed in multiples of the median (MoM) was calculated for each sonologist of 14 participating antenatal primary care centers of the Catalan Institute of Health. A survey to the sonologists was used to establish variables related to higher-quality measurements. RESULTS: The median NT MoM obtained in 16 448 NT measurements, performed by 102 sonologists, was 0.94 MoM. NT underestimation was observed in 46% of the sonologists. Underestimation were less frequent among professionals who performed more than 230 ultrasounds per year (26% vs 53%;p = .022), those who completed the online Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) course (22% vs 54%; p = .021), and those who were subject to periodic audits (24% vs 56%; p = .021). Underestimation rate decreased from 60%, to 33% and 14% with the increase of the years of experience from less than 5 years, to 6 to 15 years and more than 15 years of experience, respectively (p = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Higher-quality measurements were demonstrated in sonologists who performed more ultrasounds per year, those with more years of scanning experience, those who completed the online FMF course, and those periodically audited.

Tipos de lactancia materna y factores que influyen en su abandono hasta los 6 meses. Estudio LACTEM / Types of breastfeeding and reasons that influence to stop it before 6 months. LACTEM Study

Objetivo: Conocer la evolución de la lactancia materna (LM) y la lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) desde el nacimiento hasta los 6 meses de edad. Identificar las principales dificultades, las causas de abandono y las expectativas de las usuarias sobre la lactancia. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, de seguimiento longitudinal de una cohorte de madres/hijos desde las 35 semanas de embarazo, el puerperio temprano y tardío, y hasta los 6 meses de vida en el Área Metropolitana Norte de Barcelona. Se realizó un seguimiento final de 541 sujetos. Los datos fueron recogidos por las matronas a través de un cuestionario específico. Se recogen los tipos de lactancia definidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, las dificultades, las causas de abandono y la intención de duración de ésta. Resultados: Al alta, la LM y la LME fueron del 94,8 y el 75,3%, respectivamente, y a los 6 meses del 63,3 y 16,8%. Los accesorios (chupetes, tetinas, pezoneras) son los principales elementos que dificultan la lactancia (20,2%). Las principales causas de abandono fueron la sensación subjetiva de hambre en el niño (35%) y de hipogalactia (22,8%). El 95% de las madres manifestaron la voluntad de iniciar la lactancia y una duración de ésta mayor a 1 año. Conclusiones: Por primera vez disponemos de información relativa a la LME a los 6 meses en nuestro territorio, que pone de manifiesto la necesidad de nuevas estrategias de promoción de la lactancia que permitan aumentar la LME, dirigidas a las causas evitables de destete, así como programas de información, asesoramiento, apoyo y seguimiento, antes y después del parto, para evitar destetes precoces por causas evitables y no deseados por las madres

Objective: To understand the current evolution of de breastfeeding (BF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) from birth to 6 months of age. To identify the main difficulties and causes for abandonment. Methodology: Longitudinal, observational study of a cohort of mothers/children from the Barcelona's Northern Metropolitan Area, from the 35th gestation weeks, puerperium until at 6 months of age. Final follow-up of 541 subjects. The data was collected by midwifes through a specific questionnaire. The types of lactation defined by the WHO, difficulties, causes of abandonment and the intention of its duration are listed. Results: At discharge BF and EBF were 94.8 and 75.3%, respectively, and at 6 month 63.3 and 16.8%. Accessories (pacifiers, teats, liners) are the biggest obstacle (20.2%). The main causes for abandonment were the child's subjective sensation of hungry (35%) and the subjective sensation of hypogalactia (22.8%). 95% of the mothers expressed their willingness to start breastfeeding and its duration was greater than one year. Conclusions: For the first time we have relative information on EBF at 6 months in our territory. New strategies for the promotion of breastfeeding are needed to allow increasing EBF which should be directed at avoidable causes of weaning. Breastfeeding information, good advice and follow-up and support programs, before and after delivery, to prevent early weaning unwanted by mothers and for avoidable causes

Valid screening questions useful to diagnose hand and forearm eczema are available in the Spanish language, a new tool for global research.

UNLABELLED: Hand eczema is an impacting cutaneous disease. Globally valid tools that help to diagnose hand and forearm eczema are required. OBJECTIVE: To validate the questions to detect hand and/or forearm eczema included in the "Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire" (NOSQ-2002) in the Spanish language. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective pilot study was conducted with 80 employees of a cleaning company and a retrospective one involving 2,546 individuals. The responses were analysed for sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. The final diagnosis according to the patients' hospital records, the specialty care records and the physical examination was taken as gold standard. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was also evaluated. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity, in a worst case scenario (WC) combining both questions, were 96.5% and 66.7%, respectively, and in a per protocol (PP) analysis, were 96.5% and 75.2%. CONCLUSION: The questions validated detected eczema effectively, making this tool suitable for use e.g. in multicentre epidemiological studies or clinical trials.

Continued smoking abstinence in diabetic patients in primary care: a cluster randomized controlled multicenter study.

AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of an intensive smoking cessation intervention based on the transtheoretical model of change (TTM) in diabetic smokers attending primary care. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled clinical trial was designed in which the unit of randomization (intervention vs. usual care) was the primary care team. An intensive, individualized intervention using motivational interview and therapies and medications adapted to the patient's stage of change was delivered. The duration of the study was 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 722 people with diabetes who were smokers (345 in the intervention group and 377 in the control group) completed the study. After 1 year, continued abstinence was recorded in 90 (26.1%) patients in the intervention group and in 67 (17.8%) controls (p=0.007). In patients with smoking abstinence, there was a higher percentage in the precontemplation and contemplation stages at baseline in the intervention group than in controls (21.2% vs. 13.7%, p=0.024). When the precontemplation stage was taken as reference (OR=1.0), preparation/action stage at baseline showed a protective effect, decreasing 3.41 times odds of continuing smoking (OR=0.293 95% CI 0.179-0.479, p<0.001). Contemplation stage at baseline also showed a protective effect, decreasing the odds of continuing smoking (OR=0.518, 95% CI 0.318-0.845, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: An intensive intervention adapted to the individual stage of change delivered in primary care was feasible and effective, with a smoking cessation rate of 26.1% after 1 year.

Prevalence and associated factors of silent brain infarcts in a Mediterranean cohort of hypertensives.

Silent brain infarcts (SBIs) are detected by neuroimaging in approximately 20% of elderly patients in population-based studies. Limited evidence is available for hypertensives at low cardiovascular risk countries. Investigating Silent Strokes in Hypertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (ISSYS) is aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of SBIs in a hypertensive Mediterranean population. This is a cohort study in randomly selected hypertensives, aged 50 to 70 years old, and free of clinical stroke and dementia. On baseline, all participants underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging to assess prevalence and location of silent infarcts, and data on vascular risk factors, comorbidities, and the presence of subclinical cardiorenal damage (left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria) were collected. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine SBIs associated factors. A total of 976 patients (49.4% men, mean age 64 years) were enrolled, and 163 SBIs were detected in 99 participants (prevalence 10.1%; 95% CI, 8.4%-12.2%), most of them (64.4%) located in the basal ganglia and subcortical white matter. After adjustment, besides age and sex, microalbuminuria and increasing total cardiovascular risk (assessed by the Framingham-calibrated for Spanish population risk function) were independently associated with SBIs. Male sex increased the odds of having SBIs in 2.5 as compared with females. Our results highlight the importance of considering both global risk assessment and sex differences in hypertension and may be useful to design future preventive interventions of stroke and dementia.

Economic evaluation of three populational screening strategies for cervical cancer in the county of Valles Occidental: CRICERVA clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A high percentage of cervical cancer cases have not undergone cytological tests within 10 years prior to diagnosis. Different population interventions could improve coverage in the public system, although costs will also increase. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and the costs of three types of population interventions to increase the number of female participants in the screening programmes for cancer of the cervix carried out by Primary Care in four basic health care areas. METHODS/DESIGN: A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed from the perspective of public health system including women from 30 to 70 years of age (n = 20,994) with incorrect screening criteria from four basic health care areas in the Valles Occidental, Barcelona, Spain. The patients will be randomly distributed into the control group and the three intervention groups (IG1: invitation letter to participate in the screening; IG2: invitation letter and informative leaflet; IG3: invitation letter, informative leaflet and a phone call reminder) and followed for three years. Clinical effectiveness will be measured by the number of HPV, epithelial lesions and cancer of cervix cases detected. The number of deaths avoided will be secondary measures of effectiveness. The temporal horizon of the analysis will be the life expectancy of the female population in the study. Costs and effectiveness will be discounted at 3%. In addition, univariate and multivariate sensitivity analysis will be carried out. DISCUSSION: IG3 is expected to be more cost-effective intervention than IG1 and IG2, with greater detection of HPV infections, epithelial lesions and cancer than other strategies, albeit at a greater cost. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier NCT01373723.

Análisis del conocimiento de los criterios internacionales de autoría por parte de los investigadores españoles / No disponible

No disponible

Holmium laser enucleation of prostate: outcome and complications of self-taught learning curve.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the self-learning curve of a single surgeon with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and outcome of the procedure after 2 years of experience. METHODS: The data from the first 125 patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The patient evaluations included serum prostate-specific antigen measurement, peak urinary flow rate determination, postvoid residual volume measurement, and symptom scores. To assess the effect of the learning curve on the perioperative data and complications, the patients were divided into subgroups of 25 consecutive patients. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 71.4 years. The average prostate volume was 75.8 mL, and the mean weight of the enucleated tissue was 46.7 g. The average operative time was 109.8 minutes. The operative times and enucleation and morcellation efficiency rates improved significantly during the learning process. The mean hemoglobin loss was 1.7 g/dL. The median catheter time and hospital stay was 44 and 30 hours, respectively. Compared with baseline, at 1 year postoperatively, the median postvoid residual urine volume had declined by 99 mL, the mean peak urinary flow rate had increased by 19 mL/s, and the mean American Urological Association symptom score had decreased by 16.5 points. All changes observed were significant and regardless of the prostate size. Persistent stress urinary incontinence (4.8%) occurred with the first enucleations of large-size prostates. Other complications included bladder neck contracture (4%) in small-size prostates and bulbar urethra stricture (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is a safe, reproducible and effective surgical modality. Case selection is necessary to avoid the morbidity associated with the first stages of the self-taught learning curve, mainly urinary incontinence.

Reduction in door-to-needle time to meet clinical guideline recommendations. Outcomes after 1 year.

The aim of this study was to reduce the door-to-needle time in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction by setting up a chest pain service. We compared the door-to-needle time and outcomes at the end of first year of follow-up in patients who received fibrinolysis in the 2 years before implementation of the service (Group 1) and those who received fibrinolysis in the 2 years after its creation (Group 2). In Group 1, the median door-to-needle time was 40 min (P(25-75), 23-52 min); in Group 2, it was 27 min (P(25-75), 15-43 min; P=.003). In addition, the use of reperfusion therapy increased from 55.2% in Group 1 to 64.7% in Group 2 (P< .01). After a follow-up period of 1 year, there was no difference in the rate of revascularization, hospital readmission, reinfarction or cardiovascular mortality.

Reducción del tiempo puerta-aguja a los objetivos recomendados en las guías clínicas. Pronóstico a 1 año de seguimiento / Reduction in Door-To-Needle Time to Meet Clinical Guideline Recommendations. Outcomes After 1 Year

El objetivo del estudio es disminuir el tiempo puerta-aguja en el infarto con elevación del ST mediante la creación de un box de dolor torácico. Se compara el tiempo puerta-aguja entre los pacientes que recibieron fibrinolisis en los 2 años previos a la creación del box (grupo 1) y los que se sometieron a trombolisis en los 2 años siguientes (grupo 2), y el pronóstico a 1 año de ambos grupos.En el grupo 1, la mediana de tiempo puerta-aguja fuede 40 (P25-75, 23-52) min y en el grupo 2, 27 (15-43) min(p = 0,003). Se incrementó el tratamiento de reperfusióndel 55,2% en el grupo 1 al 64,7% en el grupo 2 (p <0,01). A 1 año de seguimiento, no hubo diferencias en larevascularización, el reingreso, el reinfarto o la muerte de causa cardiovascula

The aim of this study was to reduce the door-to-needletime in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardialinfarction by setting up a chest pain service. Wecompared the door-to-needle time and outcomes at theend of first year of follow-up in patients who receivedfibrinolysis in the 2 years before implementation of theservice (Group 1) and those who received fibrinolysis inthe 2 years after its creation (Group 2). In Group 1, themedian door-to-needle time was 40 min (P25-75, 23-52min); in Group 2, it was 27 min (P25-75, 15-43 min;P=.003). In addition, the use of reperfusion therapyincreased from 55.2% in Group 1 to 64.7% in Group 2(P<.01). After a follow-up period of 1 year, there was nodifference in the rate of revascularization, hospital readmission, reinfarction or cardiovascular mortality (AU)

[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the province of Girona, Spain: the REGICOR study]. / Prevalencia de diabetes mellitus en la province de Girona, España: el estudio REGICOR.

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the 25-to-74-year-old population in the province of Gerona, Spain. History of known diabetes mellitus was recorded, and fasting glycemia was measured in venous blood. The 1997 diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association were used. Crude prevalence of known diabetes mellitus was 10.0%, and age-standardized prevalence was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3%-8.1%). Crude prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 8.6%, and age-standardized prevalence was 7.6% (95% CI, 7.25%-8.1%). Crude prevalence of known diabetes mellitus combined with diabetes mellitus according to glycemia value (total prevalence of diabetes mellitus) was 13.0%, and age-standardized prevalence was 10.0% (95% CI, 9.6%-10.5%). A higher prevalence in men and an increase in prevalence with age were observed. The figures are different from those of other studies in Spain.