Paradoxical suboptimal vitamin D levels in a Mediterranean area: a population-based study.

Policies in sunny countries, such as those in the Mediterranean area, do not promote vitamin D supplementation despite some studies might suggest the high prevalence of sub-optimal levels. The objective was to determine the vitamin D levels by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) of a Mediterranean population and their characteristics. This population-based study included a database of public health system from all individuals living in Catalonia > 18 years who had some measure of 25(OH)D between January 2018 and April 2021. More than half million people were classified based on 25(OH)D measurements to study their characteristics. Three vitamin D categories were created: < 20 ng/ml deficiency, 20-30 ng/ml insufficiency and > 30 ng/ml optimal. Less than 10% of the population residing in Catalonia had recent 25(OH)D determinations and the majority of determinations were in ≥ 45 years and in women. Around 80% of young people with determination had sub-optimal levels but the prevalence of vitamin D supplementation prescription increased with age which was associated with better values of 25(OH)D. In a Mediterranean area 25(OH)D determinations were low despite the high prevalence of suboptimal levels in the population with recent determination. In addition, the measurements were especially concentrated in people ≥ 45 years of age and in women who were, in addition, the groups to whom the most vitamin D supplementation was prescribed. On the contrary, young people presented few determinations of 25(OH)D and, although majority of them showed sub-optimal levels, vitamin D supplementation was not prescribed in most cases.

Type 2 diabetes preventive effects with a 12-months sardine-enriched diet in elderly population with prediabetes: An interventional, randomized and controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fish could play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D) but there has been little specification about the type of fish and the preventive mechanism involved in its health claim. The sardine is a source of omega-3 and taurine that, in isolation or in synergy, would produce T2D-delaying through different molecular mechanism. HYPOTHESIS: The consumption of twice a week of sardine, during one year would reduce T2D-developing risk in a population with prediabetes (preDM) and old age. DESIGN: 152 subjects with fasting glucose between 100-124 mg/dL aged ≥65 yo were recruited from three primary care centers in Barcelona and were randomly distributed among two interventional groups: control group (CG) and sardine group (SG). Both groups received same T2D-prevention nutritional during a year but only SG had to add 200 g of sardine per week. All variables were collected before to start and at the end of the diet. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03557541). RESULTS: 152 people were randomized into CG (n=77) and SG (n=75) with 18 and 12 drop outs respectively. Subjects in SG, significantly compared to CG, decreased percentage classified-individuals in a very high risk group to develop T2D according to FINDRISC (p=0.035). In addition to increasing HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin and decreasing triglycerides (p<0.05) and blood pressure (<0.05), SG showed a lower HOMA-IR (p=0.032). The consumption of sardine characteristics nutrients as omega-3, EPA and DHA, vitamin D, fluorine and taurine were higher for SG (p<0.05). These results agreed with the increased of taurine, fatty acid (FA) omega-3 and bile acids circulating metabolites (p<0.05). Changes erythrocyte membrane FA were detected only in SG with a decrease of 5 omega-6 FA (p<0.001) and an increase of 3 omega-3 FA types (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that a year T2D-prevention diet with sardine supplementation has a greater protective effect against developing T2D and CV events.

Opioides fuertes y dolor crónico no oncológico en Cataluña. Análisis del patrón de prescripción por parte de los médicos de familia / Strong opioids and non-cancer chronic pain in Catalonia. An analysis of the family physicians prescription patterns

OBJETIVO: Conocer los patrones de prescripción de opioides fuertes en dolor crónico no oncológico por parte de médicos de familia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: diseño: estudio descriptivo mediante cuestionario autoadministrado por correo electrónico. EMPLAZAMIENTO: todos los centros de salud de Cataluña. PARTICIPANTES: 3.602 médicos de familia socios de la Sociedad Catalana de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria. INTERVENCIONES: administración de la encuesta por correo electrónico a los médicos de familia catalanes. MEDICIONES PRINCIPALESs: datos demográficos, número de pacientes que consultan por dolor crónico no oncológico tratados con opioides fuertes, opioides utilizados e indicación, patrones de prescripción, relación con la Unidad del Dolor. RESULTADOS: se obtuvieron 551 respuestas de 3.602 cuestionarios enviados (tasa de respuesta del 15,3%): 480 facultativos (87%) prescriben opioides fuertes para dolor músculo-esquelético; 268 (48,6%) prescriben fentanilo ultrarrápido; 434 (78,7%) disminuyen las dosis de benzodiacepinas al prescribir opioides fuertes. Los efectos adversos más habituales son estreñimiento y náuseas. Las principales dificultades observadas en la prescripción son su manejo (341, 71%) y la resistencia de pacientes y profesionales (87, 18,1%). La valoración de la interrelación con las Unidades de Dolor fue 2+/-1 (escala 1 al 5), siendo los problemas en la comunicación (271, 52,2%) y en la accesibilidad (141, 27,1%) los principales puntos de mejora. CONCLUSIONES: los patrones de prescripción se adecuan mayoritariamente a las guías clínicas en algunos aspectos (disminución de benzodiacepinas o titulación de dosis). Sin embargo, existen áreas de mejora como son el poco uso de laxantes o el uso de opioides ultrarrápidos para indicaciones no autorizadas y sin tratamiento opioide de base. Los médicos de familia demandan formación, perciben resistencias en su prescripción y creen necesario mejorar la relación con las Unidades del Dolor

OBJECTIVE: To identify family doctor prescription patterns for strong opioids for chronic, non-cancer-related pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Design A descriptive study based on a self-administered email questionnaire. LOCATION: All primary health care centres in Catalonia. PARTICIPANTS: 3,602 family doctors, all members of the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine. INTERVENTIONS: Email survey of Catalan family doctors. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, number of patients treated with potent opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, type of opioid used and indications, prescribing patterns and relationship with the Pain Management Unit. RESULTS: A total of 551 answers were obtained from 3,602 questionnaires sent (response rate of 15.3%), in which 480 physicians (87%) prescribed strong opioids for musculoskeletal pain, 268 (48.6%) prescribed ultra-rapid fentanyl and 434 (78.7%) reduced benzodiazepines dosage when prescribing potent opioids. The most common adverse effects were constipation and nausea. The main problems related with opioid prescription were improper use (341, 71%) and patient and/or practitioner reluctance (87, 18.1%). The assessment of the relationship with Pain Management Units was 2+/-1 (on a 1 to 5 scale), with communication (271, 52.2%) and accessibility (141, 27.1%) being the areas most in need of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid prescribing patterns generally follow clinical guidelines (e.g. reduction of benzodiazepine use or dose titration). However, there are some areas of improvement, such as sparse use of laxatives or use of ultra-rapid opioids for unapproved indications and in patients with no background opioid therapy. Family doctors perceive patient reluctance to adhere to the prescribed treatment, and call for specific training and better relationships with Pain Management Units

Healthy dietary pattern and their corresponding gut microbiota profile are linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of the presence of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes and old age are both high risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), while obesity is one of the most important factors triggering the disease. Nutritional interventions are the most effective tool for preventing T2D, as they improve different biochemical and anthropometric outcomes and growth-promoting/inhibiting gut microbiota populations. However, to date there are no specific dietary recommendations to stop the development of T2D in elderly groups, for whom hypocaloric diets and other commonly used weight-loss programs could be considered dangerous. The objective of our study, thus, was to understand the impact of dietary patterns on T2D risk as related to gut microbiota profile in obese and non-obese elderly prediabetic subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 182 subjects ≥65 years old with prediabetes, divided into obese (OB) or non-obese (NOB) subgroups, and their risk of developing T2D was measured according to FINDRISK score and biochemical parameters. Also, clusters into different dietary patterns in each group by PCA analysis was related with gut microbiota, which was analyzed from stool samples by qPCR. The creation of clusters was used to re-evaluate T2D risk. RESULTS: OB was at higher risk of developing T2D and showed worse metabolic outcomes. Unhealthier and healthier dietary pattern clusters were observed for both OB (OB-6 and OB-5 respectively) and NOB (NOB-2 and NOB-3 respectively) groups. Results obtained from the gut microbiota showed that only Prevotella was higher in NOB, but when comparisons were made between clusters, a clear relation with dietary pattern was observed; showing in healthier dietary clusters a decrease in Prevotella, an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and an increase in lactic acid bacteria. T2D risk was greater in the obese group between unhealthier dietary clusters. No difference between healthier dietary clusters was observed. CONCLUSION: A healthy dietary pattern and the growth-promoting beneficial and growth-inhibiting disadvantageous gut microbiota populations linked to it provide protection against the development of T2D in an obese population with advanced age and preDM.

Strong opioids and non-cancer chronic pain in Catalonia. An analysis of the family physicians prescription patterns. / Opioides fuertes y dolor crónico no oncológico en Cataluña. Análisis del patrón de prescripción por parte de los médicos de familia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify family doctor prescription patterns for strong opioids for chronic, non-cancer-related pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Design A descriptive study based on a self-administered email questionnaire. LOCATION: All primary health care centres in Catalonia. PARTICIPANTS: 3,602 family doctors, all members of the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine. INTERVENTIONS: Email survey of Catalan family doctors. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, number of patients treated with potent opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, type of opioid used and indications, prescribing patterns and relationship with the Pain Management Unit. RESULTS: A total of 551 answers were obtained from 3,602 questionnaires sent (response rate of 15.3%), in which 480 physicians (87%) prescribed strong opioids for musculoskeletal pain, 268 (48.6%) prescribed ultra-rapid fentanyl and 434 (78.7%) reduced benzodiazepines dosage when prescribing potent opioids. The most common adverse effects were constipation and nausea. The main problems related with opioid prescription were improper use (341, 71%) and patient and/or practitioner reluctance (87, 18.1%). The assessment of the relationship with Pain Management Units was 2±1 (on a 1 to 5 scale), with communication (271, 52.2%) and accessibility (141, 27.1%) being the areas most in need of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid prescribing patterns generally follow clinical guidelines (e.g. reduction of benzodiazepine use or dose titration). However, there are some areas of improvement, such as sparse use of laxatives or use of ultra-rapid opioids for unapproved indications and in patients with no background opioid therapy. Family doctors perceive patient reluctance to adhere to the prescribed treatment, and call for specific training and better relationships with Pain Management Units.

Pre Frail 80: Multifactorial Intervention to Prevent Progression of Pre-Frailty to Frailty in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVES: Preventing or delaying frailty has important benefits in the elderly, and in health and social services. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of multifactorial interventions in the frail elderly, but there are fewer studies on community-dwelling pre-frail individuals. Identifying pre-frail individuals susceptible to intervention could prevent or delay frailty and its consequences and associated disability and might reverse the state from pre-frail to robust. To evaluate a multifactorial, interdisciplinary primary care intervention in community-dwelling pre-frail elderly patients aged ≥ 80 years. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial in a Barcelona primary healthcare centre. SETTING: We included 200 community-dwelling subjects aged ≥ 80 years meeting the Fried pre-frailty criteria. Participants were randomized to intervention and control groups. INTERVENTION: The intervention group received a 6-month interdisciplinary intervention based on physical exercise, Mediterranean diet advice, assessment of inadequate prescribing in polypharmacy patients and social assessment, while the control group received standard primary healthcare treatment. RESULTS: 173 pre-frail participants (86.5%) completed the study; mean age 84.5 years, 64.5% female. At twelve months, frailty was lower in the intervention group (RR 2.90; 95%CI 1.45 to 8.69). Reversion to robustness was greater in the intervention group (14.1% vs.1.1%, p <0.001). Functional and nutritional status, adherence to Mediterranean diet, quality of life, and functional mobility were improved in the intervention group (p ≤0.001). CONCLUSION: A multifactorial, interdisciplinary primary healthcare intervention focused on physical exercise, nutrition, review of polypharmacy and social assessment prevented frailty in pre-frail elderly patients, and improved functional capacity, quality of life and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Método de valoración de aplicaciones móviles de salud en español: el índice iSYScore / Assessment method for mobile health applications in Spanish: the iSYScore index

La adopción generalizada de los teléfonos móviles inteligentes entre la población lleva consigo una creciente oferta de aplicaciones móviles de salud para dispositivos iOS y Android. El nivel de confianza que merecen dichas aplicaciones, así como la información sanitaria disponible en Internet dirigida a los ciudadanos, es un tema ampliamente debatido El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue desarrollar una herramienta -una escala- para evaluar la fiabilidad de las aplicaciones de salud. La escala fue desarrollada con un enfoque sistemático basado en la evidencia, y gracias al consenso de expertos, construida mediante un proceso Delphi. Seguidamente se desarrolló un catálogo de aplicaciones de salud, que fue utilizado para probar y validar nuestro método, que ayuda a recomendar las mejores aplicaciones para usuarios no sanitarios a través de 3 dimensiones diferentes: 1) popularidad e interés; 2) confianza y calidad, y 3) utilidad (AU)

The widespread of mobile smartphones among the population has resulted in a growing range of mobile applications in health using iOS and Android devices. The level of confidence that such applications deserve and the health information available online to the general population is a widely debated issue. The main objective of this work was to develop a tool -a scale-, for evaluating the reliability of health apps. The scale was developed using a systematic evidence-based approach, and with an expert consensus, built with a Delphi process. This was followed by a health app catalogue, which was used to test and validate our method that helps to recommend the best apps for non-medical experts across 3 different user interest axes: 1) popularity and interest; 2) trust and quality; and 3) usefulness (AU)

[Assessment method for mobile health applications in Spanish: The iSYScore index]. / Método de valoración de aplicaciones móviles de salud en español: el índice iSYScore.

The widespread of mobile smartphones among the population has resulted in a growing range of mobile applications in health using iOS and Android devices. The level of confidence that such applications deserve and the health information available online to the general population is a widely debated issue. The main objective of this work was to develop a tool -a scale-, for evaluating the reliability of health apps. The scale was developed using a systematic evidence-based approach, and with an expert consensus, built with a Delphi process. This was followed by a health app catalogue, which was used to test and validate our method that helps to recommend the best apps for non-medical experts across 3 different user interest axes: 1) popularity and interest; 2) trust and quality; and 3) usefulness.

Conflictos de intereses en investigación clínica en el área de atención primaria de salud / Conflicts of interests in clinical research in primary health care

En investigación biomédica los conflictos de intereses entre profesionales y pacientes pueden ser un problema ético. Ninguna de las normas legales vigentes en España menciona si el investigador debe clarificar a los participantes de un estudio clínico todos los motivos por los que le es propuesto participar. En este artículo, los conflictos de intereses en investigación se analizan en el contexto de atención primaria y se clarifica la importancia de tenerlos en cuenta. En esta área clínica los conflictos de intereses pueden afectar a la confianza terapéutica y alterar la función social que tiene. Finalmente, se sugieren algunas estrategias de carácter práctico que pueden facilitar a los participantes tomar la decisión de participar en un estudio clínico con mayor voluntariedad y autonomía (AU)

Conflicts of interests between professionals and patients in biomedical research, is an ethical problem. None of the laws in Spain mention whether the clinical researcher has to clarify to participants the reasons why it proposes them to participate in a clinical trial. In this article, conflicts of interests in research are discussed in the context of primary healthcare. In this area conflicts of interests might alter the confidence between patients and healthcare professionals. Finally, we suggest some practical strategies that can help participants make the decision to participate in a clinical trial more willingly and freely (AU)

[Conflicts of interests in clinical research in primary health care]. / Conflictos de intereses en investigación clínica en el área de atención primaria de salud.

Conflicts of interests between professionals and patients in biomedical research, is an ethical problem. None of the laws in Spain mention whether the clinical researcher has to clarify to participants the reasons why it proposes them to participate in a clinical trial. In this article, conflicts of interests in research are discussed in the context of primary healthcare. In this area conflicts of interests might alter the confidence between patients and healthcare professionals. Finally, we suggest some practical strategies that can help participants make the decision to participate in a clinical trial more willingly and freely.

Nuevo modelo de autogestión profesional en atención primaria / New model of professional self-management in primary care

Objetivo. Analizar las ventajas de un modelo organizativo en atención primaria basado en mayor autonomía de gestión de profesionales respecto al modelo habitual (equipo dirigido por director médico). Mejorar la calidad asistencial y la satisfacción de pacientes y profesionales. Material y métodos. En febrero de 2009 un grupo de 6 médicos de familia y 4 administrativos se organizaron autónomamente para atender a 10.281 usuarios de 32.318 asignados al Centro de Atención Primaria (CAP) Les Corts de Barcelona. Entre marzo y diciembre de 2010 se incorporaron 7 enfermeras, 3 médicos y 2 administrativos más, atendiendo a 16.368 usuarios de 34.423 del centro. El modelo ha priorizado la autogestión de la demanda, autocobertura de profesionales, desburocratización de la consulta, mayor eficiencia y participación en investigación y docencia. Resultados. Resultados asistenciales: 1) Etapa piloto (diciembre/2008 a diciembre/2009): incremento de población atendida, disminución de visitas presenciales, importante aumento de atención no presencial, reducción muy significativa de demora de visita; reducción destacable de productos intermedios; menor utilización de novedades terapéuticas y mayor de medicamentos genéricos. 2) Etapa de consolidación (a diciembre de 2010, respecto a resto de profesionales del CAP): menos visitas presenciales y porcentaje muy superior de no presenciales atendiendo a más población asignada; menor gasto en productos intermedios. Otros resultados: mejora de la satisfacción profesional (cuestionario QVP-35) y participación activa en docencia e investigación. Conclusiones. El modelo ha innovado, mejorando la atención al usuario, dotando la consulta de mayor profesionalidad y aumentando la satisfacción de profesionales. Ha demostrado mayor eficiencia y los resultados obtenidos muestran superioridad al modelo habitual en indicadores de salud (AU)

Objective. To analyse the benefits of a new organisational model in Primary Care based on the empowerment of professional management compared to standard model (team led by medical director). To improve the quality of care, and patient and professional satisfaction. Material and methods. In February 2009 six family physician (FP) and four administrative staff met to create a self-management group to care for the 10,281 population assigned to them. The total catchment population of the Primary Care (PC) centre was 32,318. Additionally, between March and December 2010 three FP, seven nurses and two administrative staff, were included in the self-management group making the total population served by the self-management group of 16,368, compared to 15,950 patients seen using the standard model. The model gave priority to self-demand management, professional self-coverage, to reduce clinic bureaucracy, greater efficiency and participation in research and teaching. Results. 1) Milestone in Pilot Phase (December-2008 to December-2009): increase in attended population, reduction in clinic visits, significant reduction in delay to be visited by a doctor; significant reduction of complementary tests (x-rays, laboratory tests); increase in use of generic drugs and reduction of expensive and new drugs without added value, and active participation in teaching and clinical trials. 2) Consolidation Phase (December-2010, compared to other professionals working in a standard model in the same centre): self-management group reported a lower percentage of clinic visits and a higher percentage of visits resolved through telephoning the clinic. Furthermore, the self-management group achieved better financial results than the control group (additional medical tests, pharmacy budget). The self-management group had improved job satisfaction compared to control group (measured by Professional Questionnaire QoL-35). Conclusions. The new model has increased professional satisfaction and may improve results in some health indicators (accessibility, efficiency, pharmacy budget) compared with the usual clinical practice (AU)

[New model of professional self-management in primary care]. / Nuevo modelo de autogestión profesional en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the benefits of a new organisational model in Primary Care based on the empowerment of professional management compared to standard model (team led by medical director). To improve the quality of care, and patient and professional satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In February 2009 six family physician (FP) and four administrative staff met to create a self-management group to care for the 10,281 population assigned to them. The total catchment population of the Primary Care (PC) centre was 32,318. Additionally, between March and December 2010 three FP, seven nurses and two administrative staff, were included in the self-management group making the total population served by the self-management group of 16,368, compared to 15,950 patients seen using the standard model. The model gave priority to self-demand management, professional self-coverage, to reduce clinic bureaucracy, greater efficiency and participation in research and teaching. RESULTS: 1) Milestone in Pilot Phase (December-2008 to December-2009): increase in attended population, reduction in clinic visits, significant reduction in delay to be visited by a doctor; significant reduction of complementary tests (x-rays, laboratory tests); increase in use of generic drugs and reduction of expensive and new drugs without added value, and active participation in teaching and clinical trials. 2) Consolidation Phase (December-2010, compared to other professionals working in a standard model in the same centre): self-management group reported a lower percentage of clinic visits and a higher percentage of visits resolved through telephoning the clinic. Furthermore, the self-management group achieved better financial results than the control group (additional medical tests, pharmacy budget). The self-management group had improved job satisfaction compared to control group (measured by Professional Questionnaire QoL-35). CONCLUSIONS: The new model has increased professional satisfaction and may improve results in some health indicators (accessibility, efficiency, pharmacy budget) compared with the usual clinical practice.

Uso compasivo del medicamento en la atención primaria / Compassionate use of medication in primary care

No disponnible (AU)

La semFYC y el Tercer Sector: más que una sociedad en la Sociedad / SemFYC and the third sector: more than just a society in Society

No disponible

Autoinmunidad y geriatría

El sistema inmune sufre continuos cambios morfológicos y funcionales con el transcurrir de los años y se acepta que la respuesta inmune es máxima en la pubertad y que después desciende progresivamente con la edad (inmunosenescencia). Recientes estudios en octogenarios sanos sugierenque el sistema inmune, más que un deterioro generalizado, sufre un remodelado/reajuste de sus principales funciones. En la inmunosenescencia coexisten dos fenómenos opuestos: la disminución en la capacidad de la respuesta inmune y el aumento de producción de anticuerpos. Las posibles consecuencias de la 'senilidad' progresiva del sistema inmune es el aumento de fenómenos inmunes, así como la incidencia de neoplasias y la predisposición a infecciones. El estudio de los fenómenos autoinmunes en el ámbito geriátrico debe ser prioritario en las futuras investigaciones médicas, dado el aumento del promedio de vida en todo el mundo, sobre todo en los países industrializados (AU)

Indicadores de proceso e indicadores de resultado en el control de la hipertensión arterial / Indicators of procedure and indicators of result in control of hypertension

Objetivo. Conocer si un mejor cumplimiento de los indicadores de proceso de un programa de control de la hipertensión arterial (HTA) garantiza un mejor control de las cifras de presión arterial finales. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Emplazamiento. Área Básica de Salud Gòtic de Barcelona. Pacientes. Auditoría anual mediante muestreo aleatorio del registro informatizado de todos los pacientes hipertensos atendidos en el centro en cada uno de los 5 años (1992, n = 337; 1993, n = 318; 1994, n = 322; 1995, n = 325; 1996, n = 325).Resultados. a) Indicadores de proceso: la exploración física completa se realizó, en 1996, tan sólo en un 12 por ciento de los casos, porcentaje similar al inicio del desarrollo del programa (12,2 por ciento).La existencia de al menos dos de los 3 registros protocolizados (exploración física completa, ECG y analítica) descendió durante el período y no alcanzó a la mitad de los pacientes. El cribado de los distintos factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRC) experimentó un notable incremento en el período 1992-1995. b) Indicadores de resultados: el porcentaje de pacientes menores de 66 años con PAS y PAD < 140 y 90 mmHg pasó de un 23,2 por ciento el año 1992 al 45,2 por ciento en 1996. En el grupo de edad de más de 65 años de edad el porcentaje fue del 58,9 por ciento en 1992 y del 81,2 por ciento en 1996, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Los indicadores de proceso siguen siendo útiles puesto que resultan necesarios al diseñar un nuevo programa de HTA. Sin embargo, no debemos olvidar que cualquier programa de salud se diseña para conseguir unos buenos resultados de control y de impacto poblacional (supervivencia) y el proceso es sólo una ayuda para llegar a ellos (AU)

Síndrome febril prolongado en Atención Primaria

La fiebre prolongada en Atención Primaria constituye un problema que inquieta tanto al paciente como al médico, especialmente cuando no se consigue establecer su causa. Requiere un control exhaustivo de cada caso, con reevaluaciones periódicas, y el uso de exploraciones complementarias debe ser racional e individualizado en cada caso. El tratamiento ex iuvantibus antes de establecer el diagnóstico etiológico es poco aconsejable, ya que puede exponer al paciente a toxicidades y favorecer la aparición de resistencias a los antibióticos empleados (AU)

[Process indicators and result indicators in the control of arterial hypertension]. / Indicadores de proceso e indicadores de resultado en el control de la hipertensión arterial.

OBJECTIVE: To find whether better compliance with the indicators of procedure of a hypertension monitoring programme guarantees better control in the final blood pressure figures. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Gòtic Area Health Centre, Barcelona. PATIENTS: Annual audit through random sampling of the computerised records of all the hypertense patients attended at the centre in each of 5 years (1992, n = 337; 1993, n = 318; 1994, n = 322; 1995, n = 325; 1996, n = 325). RESULTS: 1. Procedure indicators: complete physical examination took place in 1996 in only 12% of cases, proportion similar to at the start of the development of the programme (12.2%). Completion of at least two of the three records of protocols (complete physical examination, ECG and analysis) dropped during the period and did not cover half the patients. Screening of the various cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) increased markedly in the 1992-1995 period. 2. RESULTS INDICATORS: The proportion of patients under 66 with SP and DP < 140 and 99 mmHg went up from 23.2% in 1992 to 45.2% in 1996. In the over-65 age-group, it went from 58.9% in 1992 to 81.2% in 1996. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure indicators are still useful, in that they are necessary for designing a new hypertension programme. However, we must not forget that any health programme is designed in order to achieve good control and population impact (survival) results. The procedure is only an aid to reach these aims.