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

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

Trauma severity indices / Trauma severity scores

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anticuerpos Anti-C1q como marcadores de compromiso renal en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Anti-C1q antibodies as markers of renal compromise in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Resumen El compromiso renal en el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es uno de los mayores determinantes del curso y pronóstico de estos pacientes. Existe evidencia de la asociación de anticuerpos anti-C1q y el desarrollo de nefritis lúpica. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-C1q y su asociación con nefritis lúpica en pacientes colombianos con LES. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en el cual se incluyeron 80 pacientes con diagnóstico de LES según criterios del Colegio Americano de Reumatología. La cuantificación de anticuerpos anti-C1q séricos se realizó por ELISA, se consideraron positivas concentraciones ≥15 U/ml. Resultados: Los pacientes eran predominantemente mujeres (87%) y 43,7% tuvieron proteinuria >0,5 g/día, la cual fue más común en pacientes jóvenes y apareció tempranamente en la enfermedad. Cuarenta y cuatro (55%) de los pacientes tenían anticuerpos anti-C1q positivos, en quienes la proteinuria fue más frecuente (OR=4.3, IC95% 1.7 - 11, p=0.003). Se encontró correlación inversa débil entre los títulos de anti-C1q, el consumo de C3 (r=-0.54, p<0.001) y la depuración de creatinina (r=-0.33, p=0.035); una correlación directa débil, con la proteinuria (r=0.35, p=0.024) y la actividad de la enfermedad, la cual se determinó con el Índice de Actividad de Enfermedad (SLEDAI) (r=0.48, p<0.0001). Conclusiones: Los anticuerpos anti-C1q pueden ser útiles en la evaluación de la nefritis lúpica activa, y podrían ser implementados como un marcador diagnóstico de nefritis lúpica y como un posible marcador de actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes con LES, tal como lo ha sugerido la Liga Europea contra el Reumatismo (EULAR).

Summary Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the major determinants Anti-C1q antibodies of the course and prognosis of these patients. There is evidence of the association of Anti-DNA antibodies anti-C1q antibodies and the development of lupus nephritis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies and its association with lupus nephritis in Colombian patients with SLE. Methods: 80 SLE patients as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Quantification of anti-C1q antibodies in patients' sera was performed by ELISA and concentrations greater than 15U/ml were considered positive. Results: Patients were predominantly women (87%) and 43.7% of them had proteinuria > 0.5 g / 24 hours which was more common in younger patients and early in the course of the disease. Forty-four (55%) of patients had positive anti-C1q, in whom, proteinuria was more frequent (OR = 4.3 95% CI 1.7 - 11, p = 0.003). A weak inverse correlation between anti-C1q titers, C3 consumption (r = -0.54, p <0.001) and creatinine clearance was found (r = -0.33, p = 0.035); similarly, we also found a weak direct correlation with proteinuria (r = 0.35, p = 0.024) and disease activity ascertained with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (r = 0.48, p <0.0001). Conclusions: Anti-C1q antibodies might be valuable for the evaluation of active lupus nephritis, and might be valuable for the evaluation of active lupus nephritis, and could be included as a diagnostic marker of lupus nephritis and maybe as a marker for disease activity, as suggested by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR).

Clinical course of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in a cohort of infected patients from ten Colombian hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis has several clinical stages, and mortality rates are different for each stage. Our goal was to establish the evolution and the determinants of the progression of clinical stages, from infection to septic shock, over the first week, as well as their relationship to 7-day and 28-day mortality. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter cohort of inpatients hospitalized in general wards or intensive care units (ICUs). The general estimating equations (GEE) model was used to estimate the risk of progression and the determinants of stages of infection over the first week. Cox regression with time-dependent covariates and fixed covariates was used to determine the factors related with 7-day and 28-day mortality, respectively. RESULTS: In 2681 patients we show that progression to severe sepsis and septic shock increases with intraabdominal and respiratory sources of infection [OR = 1,32; 95%IC = 1,20-1,46 and OR = 1.21, 95%CI = 1,11-1,33 respectively], as well as according to Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) [OR = 1,03; 95%CI = 1,02-1,03] and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) [OR = 1,16; 95%CI = 1,14-1,17] scores. The variables related with first-week mortality were progression to severe sepsis [HR = 2,13; 95%CI = 1,13-4,03] and septic shock [HR = 3,00; 95%CI = 1,50-5.98], respiratory source of infection [HR = 1,76; 95%IC = 1,12-2,77], APACHE II [HR = 1,07; 95% CI = 1,04-1,10] and SOFA [HR = 1,09; 95%IC = 1,04-1,15] scores. CONCLUSIONS: Intraabdominal and respiratory sources of infection, independently of SOFA and APACHE II scores, increase the risk of clinical progression to more severe stages of sepsis; and these factors, together with progression of the infection itself, are the main determinants of 7-day and 28-day mortality.

[Serum lactate in the emergency department as a prognostic factor in patients with sepsis without hypotension]. / Lactato sérico en urgencias como factor pronóstico en pacientes con sepsis sin hipotensión.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The relationship between lactate and mortality in patients without hypotension has not been appropriately explored. Our aim was to determine the usefulness of serum lactate as a prognostic factor of 28-day mortality in patients admitted to the Emergency Department with clinical diagnosis of sepsis without septic shock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the study The epidemiology of sepsis in Colombia, a prospective cohort of patients from 10 general hospitals in 4 Colombian cities. We analyzed patients without hypotension with serum lactate available and admitted with community-acquired infections, which were confirmed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC criteria. A logistical regression was performed adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities and severity scores. RESULTS: We included 961 patients aged 57.2 ± 21.0 years, 54.2% were females, mean SOFA score was 3.0 ± 2.3 and APACHE score was 11.1±6.4. We observed a linear relationship between serum lactate and the odds of death, and after adjustment there was a significant and independent association between lactate and mortality (odds ratio 1,16, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.33). CONCLUSION: Serum lactate is independently and significantly associated with 28-day mortality among patients with infection who present to the Emergency Department without hypotension. Besides, mortality increases in a linear way with serum lactate from any detectable value.

Natalidad y fecundidad, Colombia, 2001 / Nataly and Fecundity, Colombia, 2001

Se presenta la natalidad, la fecundidad los nacimientos vivos en Colombia en el año 2001 con base en la totalidad de los registros de nacidos vivos del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadisticas (DANE)(724.236). La población de Colombia, calculada a mitad de periodo, se dividio en ocho categorias de municipios de acuerdo con el tamaño poblacional, segun la ley 617/2001. No se presentaron diferencias importantes entre las variables afines a las caracteristicas del recien nacido por categorias de municipios. En las caracteristicas de acuerdo con dichas categorias. Los nacidos vivos presentaron en su mayoria condiciones de vitalidad. Se calculo una tasa cruda de natalidad, de 16,84 nacimientos por cada mil habitantes y una tasa de fecundidad de 62,08 nacimientos por cada mil mujeres en edad reproductiva. Se observo que la natalidad y la fecundidad difieren de acuerdo con la estructura poblacional y que estarian influenciadas por factores externos, tales como: la estructura del sistema de salud y las condiciones sociales, culturales y economicas, entre otras. Se recomienda retroalimentar la información que permita la captación de los indicadores de una manera continua.