VALIDA project: Validation of allergy in vitro diagnostics assays (Tools and recommendations for the assessment of in vitro tests in the diagnosis of allergy).

In vitro allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) detection and quantification tests are routinely performed in clinical laboratories to diagnose patients with a suspected allergy. Numerous commercial assays are available to test for allergies, but the results can vary widely, thereby influencing both diagnosis and treatment. Given the challenges posed by differences in the various assays for in vitro determination of specific IgE, a group of experts has compiled in a document a series of recommendations on the implications that the use of a certain in vitro technique may have and the impact on the management of the allergic patient that the differences between the various techniques represent. The reading and analysis of this consensus document will help to understand the implications of the change of in vitro diagnostic method in the management of the patient with allergy, in the quality of life and in the socioeconomic costs associated with the disease.

[Underrecognized peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome: prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors]. / Enfermedad arterial periférica desconocida en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo: prevalencia y patrón diferencial de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y emergentes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently coexists with coronary artery disease. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with or without PAD. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study of 141 consecutive patients (< 70 years old) admitted to our hospital with ACS was performed. PAD was diagnosed when the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was < or = 0.9. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. C-reactive protein, homocysteine, amyloid A, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B100 serum levels, and microalbuminuria were measured. Specific genotypes were also determined. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to whether PAD was present (37 patients, 26% of total, ACS-PAD group) or absent (104 patients, ACS group). In the ACS-PAD group, patients were older, and diabetes and hypertension were significantly more common. Moreover, levels of C-reactive protein (3.1 mg/L vs 2.18 mg/L; P<.05), homocysteine (11.45 mmol/L vs 9.4 mmol/L; P<.01), amyloid A (5.2 mg/mL vs 3.7 mg/mL; P<.05), and microalbuminuria (4.89 mg/L vs 3.1 mg/L; P<.05) were significantly higher in this group. Logistic regression analysis showed that poorly controlled diabetes (OR = 6.3; 95% CI, 1.1-36.7), time-dependent tobacco exposure (OR = 1.5 per decade; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0), and high pulse pressure (OR = 1.9 per 10 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7) were independent predictors of the presence of PAD. CONCLUSIONS: Several traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease. Moreover, some factors were independent predictors of peripheral arterial disease.

Enfermedad arterial periférica desconocida en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo: prevalencia y patrón diferencial de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y emergentes / Underrecognized peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome: prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors

Introducción y objetivos. La enfermedad arterial/vascular periférica frecuentemente se asocia con enfermedad coronaria. El objetivo es evaluar la prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y emergentes entre pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) con o sin enfermedad vascular periférica. Pacientes y método. Realizamos un estudio prospectivo en 141 pacientes (< 70 años) que ingresaron consecutivamente por síndrome coronario agudo. El diagnóstico de enfermedad arterial periférica (EVP) se basó en un índice tobillo-brazo ≤ 0,9. Se evaluaron los factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y se midieron las concentraciones séricas de proteína C reactiva, homocisteína, amiloide A, lipoproteína (a), fibrinógeno, apolipoproteína A1 y B100, y microalbuminuria. Además, se determinaron varios genotipos. Resultados. Los pacientes fueron estratificados en 2 grupos de acuerdo con la presencia (n = 37, el 26% del total, grupo SCA-EVP) o ausencia (n = 104, grupo SCA) de enfermedad arterial periférica. Los pacientes del grupo SCA-EVP eran más viejos y tenían una significativa mayor prevalencia de diabetes e hipertensión. Las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva, homocisteína, amiloide A y microalbuminuria fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo SCA-EVP (3,1 frente a 2,18 mg/l [p < 0,05]; 11,45 frente a 9,4 mmol/l [p < 0,01]; 5,2 frente a 3,7 mg/ml [p < 0,05], y 4,89 frente a 3,1 mg/l [p < 0,05], respectivamente). El análisis de regresión logística mostró que la diabetes mal controlada, la exposición al tabaco tiempo-dependiente y la presión de pulso fueron predictores independientes de la presencia de EVP. Conclusiones. Varios factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y emergentes son más prevalentes en pacientes con SCA y enfermedad arterial periférica, y algunos de ellos son predictores independientes de ésta

Introduction and objectives. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently coexists with coronary artery disease. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with or without PAD. Patients and method. A prospective study of 141 consecutive patients (< 70 years old) admitted to our hospital with ACS was performed. PAD was diagnosed when the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was ≤ 0.9. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. C-reactive protein, homocysteine, amyloid A, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B100 serum levels, and microalbuminuria were measured. Specific genotypes were also determined. Results. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether PAD was present (37 patients, 26% of total, ACS-PAD group) or absent (104 patients, ACS group). In the ACS-PAD group, patients were older, and diabetes and hypertension were significantly more common. Moreover, levels of C-reactive protein (3.1 mg/L vs 2.18 mg/L; P<.05), homocysteine (11.45 mmol/L vs 9.4 mmol/L; P<.01), amyloid A (5.2 mg/mL vs 3.7 mg/mL; P<.05), and microalbuminuria (4.89 mg/L vs 3.1 mg/L; P<.05) were significantly higher in this group. Logistic regression analysis showed that poorly controlled diabetes (OR = 6.3; 95% CI, 1.1-36.7), time-dependent tobacco exposure (OR = 1.5 per decade; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0), and high pulse pressure (OR = 1.9 per 10 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7) were independent predictors of the presence of PAD. Conclusions. Several traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease. Moreover, some factors were independent predictors of peripheral arterial disease

Tendencia de la carga bacilar en sintomáticos respiratorios examinados con frotis positivo entre los años 1995-1999 Hospital Quillabamba. UBASS Santa Ana La Convención / Tendenzi of the load bacilar in symptomatic breathing examined with positive smear among the years 1995-1999 Hospital Quillamba. UBASS Santa Ana The Convention

La tuberculosis pulmonar es una enfermedad endémica en la provincia de La Convención. Existen muchos factores condicionantes tales como el escaso consumo de nutrientes (proteínas, vitaminas y minerales), la pobreza debida a una alta migración sobre todo de las Provincias Altas en busca de mejorar sus ingresos económicos. El PCT tiene como estrategia captar en forma temprana a los sintomáticos Respiratorios, en los grupos de riesgo (PEA). En el presente estudio (1995-1999), de los 1550 casos de TBPFP, existe una tendencia a ir aumentando para los casos de TB BK(+) y TB BK (++); mientras que para los casos de TB BK (+++) la tendencia es a disminuir.