Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors / Impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo: un estudio unicéntrico de los factores epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. Objective To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. Material & methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. Results: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. Conclusions: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future. (AU)

Antecedentes: La pandemia de COVID-19 ha podido afectar negativamente el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de piel. Objetivo Comparar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas e histopatológicas en los pacientes intervenidos de carcinoma de células escamosas (CCE) cutáneo antes de la pandemia y después del inicio de la pandemia. Material y métodos: Se diseñó un estudio transversal que incluía 2 series de pacientes: 1) pacientes intervenidos de CCE el año posterior a la declaración del confinamiento general en España (15 de marzo de 2020), y 2) pacientes intervenidos de CCE el año previo. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas e histopatológicas, así como el estadio tumoral y el grado de riesgo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 248 pacientes (127 intervenidos antes de la pandemia y 121 intervenidos después de la pandemia). Tras el inicio de la pandemia, el porcentaje de CCE de alto riesgo aumentó significativamente de 32,3 a 45,5% (p=0,011). No obstante, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en el grosor tumoral, la invasión perineural o la presencia de metástasis. Conclusiones: Aunque no se produjo una reducción significativa en el número de CCE intervenidos después de la pandemia, ha habido un incremento significativo en los CCE de alto riesgo. Todo ello puede conllevar un incremento en la mortalidad por cáncer de piel en el futuro. (AU)

[Artículo traducido] Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en el carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo: un estudio unicéntrico de los factores epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos / Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors

Antecedentes: La pandemia de COVID-19ha podido afectar negativamente el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de piel. Objetivo Comparar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas e histopatológicas en los pacientes intervenidos de carcinoma de células escamosas (CCE) cutáneo antes de la pandemia y después del inicio de la pandemia. Material y métodos: Se diseñó un estudio transversal que incluía 2 series de pacientes: 1) pacientes intervenidos de CCE el año posterior a la declaración del confinamiento general en España (15 de marzo de 2020), y 2) pacientes intervenidos de CCE el año previo. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas e histopatológicas, así como el estadio tumoral y el grado de riesgo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 248 pacientes (127 intervenidos antes de la pandemia y 121 intervenidos después de la pandemia). Tras el inicio de la pandemia, el porcentaje de CCE de alto riesgo aumentó significativamente de 32,3 a 45,5% (p=0,011). No obstante, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en el grosor tumoral, la invasión perineural o la presencia de metástasis. Conclusiones: Aunque no se produjo una reducción significativa en el número de CCE intervenidos después de la pandemia, ha habido un incremento significativo en los CCE de alto riesgo. Todo ello puede conllevar un incremento en la mortalidad por cáncer de piel en el futuro. (AU)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. Objective To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. Material & methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. Results: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. Conclusions: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future. (AU)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors. / [Artículo traducido] Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en el carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo: un estudio unicéntrico de los factores epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. MATERIAL & METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. RESULTS: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Centre Study of Epidemiologic, Clinic and Histopathological Factors.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected the early diagnosis of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics in patients undergoing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) surgery before and after the beginning of the pandemic. MATERIAL & METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including two case series: (1) patients operated on for SCC in the year after the first state of alarm in Spain (15 March 2020), and (2) patients with SCC operated on in the previous year. Epidemiological, clinical and histopathological variables, tumour stage and risk grade were collected. RESULTS: 248 patients were included (127 undergoing surgery before the pandemic and 121 after the pandemic). After the beginning of the pandemic, the percentage of high-risk SCC significantly increased from 35.3% to 46.2% (p=0.011). However, no significant differences were found in thickness, perineural invasion or metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has not been a significant reduction in the number of SCC operated on after the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in high-risk SCC. All this could lead to an increase in skin cancer mortality in the future.

Long-term impact of the 2008 economic crisis in Spain on road traffic collisions mortality by socioeconomic position.

We aimed to assess the effect of the 2008 crisis on road traffic collision (RTC) mortality in Spain, by socioeconomic position (SEP) and type of road use. This prospective, country-wide study covered all adults living in Spain and aged ≥30 years in November 2001. The long-term effect of the crisis was assessed by measuring the monthly percentage change (MPC) in RTC mortality between the pre-crisis (2002-2007) and crisis period (2008-2011). During the recession, RTC mortality fell more in people with low compared to high SEP, so MPCs difference between periods were of a higher magnitude in the low compared to high SEP groups, especially among men motorcyclists. RTC mortality trends were favorable following the 2008 crisis, particularly among low-SEP groups. In men motorcyclists, the upward trend of the pre-crisis period reversed course.

Eficacia de las intervenciones formativas sobre médicos de atención primaria en la prevención de accidentes de tráfico en ancianos / Effectiveness of educational interventions on primary care physicians in the prevention of traffic accidents in the elderly

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue valorar el efecto de la implementación de programas formativos en médicos de atención primaria sobre la mejora de su práctica clínica en la prevención de accidentalidad por tráfico en ancianos. Para ello se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática siguiendo la estrategia PRISMA. Se revisaron 1.677 trabajos, de los que únicamente 5 fueron incluidos por cumplir con los criterios de inclusión. Pese a que ninguno de los trabajos era de tipo experimental con grupo control, puede concluirse que existen evidencias de que una adecuada formación en esta temática por parte de los médicos mejora sus competencias en la identificación de ancianos de riesgo al volante, bien por sus patologías, bien por el consumo de fármacos, así como su nivel de confianza para comunicar a los ancianos y/o sus familiares la necesidad de la restricción o, dado el caso, el cese definitivo de la conducción

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the implementation of training programs for Primary Care Physicians for improving their clinical practice as regards the prevention of traffic accidents in the elderly. To do this, a systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA strategy. A total of 1,677 works were reviewed, of which only 5 were included because they met the inclusion criteria. Although none of the works was of an experimental type with a control group, it can be concluded that there is evidence that an adequate training in this subject by physicians improves their skills in the identification of elderly risk drivers, due to their pathologies and/or the use of drugs, as well as their level of confidence to communicate to the elderly and/or their families the need for restriction or, if necessary, the definitive cessation of driving

Hospitalisation by tick-borne diseases in the last 10 years in two hospitals in South Spain: analysis of tick exposure data collected in the Emergency Department.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) can sometimes cause severe symptoms and lead to hospitalisation, but they often go unnoticed in the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to describe the profile of patients hospitalised by TBDs; and (ii) to evaluate the data collected in the medical records from the ED in order to analyse their potential clinical consequences. A total of 84 cases that included all TBD diagnoses registered in the ED records were identified and analysed. These corresponded to all the hospitalisations by TBDs in the last 10 years (2009-2019) in two tertiary hospitals in Granada, Spain. Statistical analyses were made using RStudio. Coinciding with the absence of patient's report of exposure to ticks, 64.3% of TBDs were not suspected in the ED. Intensive care unit admission was required in 8.3% of cases, and the mortality rate was 2.4%. Non-suspected cases showed longer hospital stay (P < 0.001), treatment duration (P = 0.02) and delay in the initiation of antibiotic treatment (P < 0.001). Our findings indicate that symptoms associated with TBDs are highly non-specific. In the absence of explicit information related to potential tick exposure, TBDs are not initially suspected. As a consequence, elective treatment administration is delayed and hospitalisation time is prolonged. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of addressing potential exposure to ticks during the ED contact with patients presenting with febrile syndrome.

[Effectiveness of educational interventions on primary care physicians in the prevention of traffic accidents in the elderly]. / Eficacia de las intervenciones formativas sobre médicos de atención primaria en la prevención de accidentes de tráfico en ancianos.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the implementation of training programs for Primary Care Physicians for improving their clinical practice as regards the prevention of traffic accidents in the elderly. To do this, a systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA strategy. A total of 1,677 works were reviewed, of which only 5 were included because they met the inclusion criteria. Although none of the works was of an experimental type with a control group, it can be concluded that there is evidence that an adequate training in this subject by physicians improves their skills in the identification of elderly risk drivers, due to their pathologies and/or the use of drugs, as well as their level of confidence to communicate to the elderly and/or their families the need for restriction or, if necessary, the definitive cessation of driving.

[Association of age and sex with intensity of exposure to bicycle use in Spain, 1993-2009]. / Asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de la exposición al uso de la bicicleta en España, 1993-2009.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the association of age and sex with the intensity of exposure of cyclists in Spain, between 1993 and 2009, in a global way and for subtypes of use. METHODS: From the distribution of cyclists passively involved in collisions with other vehicles included in the register of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate between 1993 and 2009, we have estimated the increase in intensity of exposure by age groups and sex, for global exposure and for subtypes of exposure (e.g. riding with or without a helmet, or riding on an open road or in urban areas), using males aged 45-49 as a reference. RESULTS: Males have a greater exposure than females and this difference increases with age, although it has tended to decrease in recent years. In both sexes the exposure is greater in young people and goes down with age, while in males the excess in young people has disappeared in recent years. Regarding subtypes of use, female underexposure riding on an open road should be highlighted, as well as overexposure in both women and extreme age groups among non-helmet users. CONCLUSION: There is a close association of age and sex with the intensity of bicycle use, which changes depending on the type of use and the time period considered. Consequently, estimations of the effect of factors affecting the accident rate and the morbidity and mortality of cyclists in Spain have to be adjusted by the age and sex of the cyclist.

Asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de la exposición al uso de la bicicleta en España, 1993-2009 / Association of age and sex with intensity of exposure to bicycle use in Spain, 1993-2009

Fundamento: Estimar la asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de exposición de los ciclistas en España, entre 1993 y 2009, globalmente y para subtipos de uso. Métodos: A partir de la distribución de los ciclistas pasivamente implicados en colisiones con otros vehículos, incluidos en el registro de la Dirección General de Tráfic oentre 1993 y 2009, se ha estimado el incremento en la intensidad de exposición por grupos de edad y sexo para la exposición global y para subtipos de exposición (conducción con o sin casco, en carretera o en zona urbana), tomando como referencia los varones de 45-49 años. Resultados. Los varones presentan una mayor exposición que las mujeres, diferencias que aumentan con la edad, aunque tienden a reducirse en años más recientes. En ambos sexos la exposición es mayor en jóvenes y desciende con la edad, si bien en los varones el exceso en los jóvenes desaparece en los últimos años. Por subtipos de uso, destaca la menor exposición de las mujeres en la conducción en carretera, así como la mayor exposición, en las mujeres y en los grupos de edad extremos, entre los no usuarios de casco. Conclusión: Existe una estrecha asociación entre el sexo y la edad con la intensidad de uso de la bicicleta, que cambia en función del tipo de uso y del período considerado. En consecuencia, las estimaciones del efecto de los factores que inciden sobre la accidentalidad y la morbi-mortalidad de los ciclistas en España deben ser ajustadas por la edad y el sexo del ciclista (AU)

Background: To estimate the association of age and sex with the intensity of exposure of cyclists in Spain, between 1993 and 2009, in a global way and for subtypes of use. Methods: From the distribution of cyclists passively involved in collisions with other vehicles included in the register of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate between 1993 and 2009, we have estimated the increase in intensity of exposure by age groups and sex, for global exposure and for subtypes of exposure (e.g. riding with or without a helmet, or riding on an open road or in urban areas), using males aged 45-49 as a reference. Results: Males have a greater exposure than females and this difference increases with age, although it has tended to decrease in recent years. In both sexes the exposure is greater in young people and goes down with age, while in males the excess in young people has disappeared in recent years. Regarding subtypes of use, female underexposure riding on an open road should be highlighted, as well as overexposure in both women and extreme age groups among non-helmet users. Conclusion: There is a close association of age and sex with the intensity of bicycle use, which changes depending on the type of use and the time period considered. Consequently, estimations of the effect of factors affecting the accident rate and the morbidity and mortality of cyclists in Spain have to be adjusted by the age and sex of the cyclist (AU)