Clinical-epidemiological profile of the patient attended in a fracture liaison service (FLS) of a regional hospital in north-west of Spain. / [Artículo traducido] Perfil clínico-epidemiológico del paciente atendido en una unidad multidisciplinar de fractura de cadera de un hospital de primer nivel en el noroeste de España.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures constitute a capital public health issue associated with aging and frailty because of its impact on both quality of life and morbidity and mortality in older people. Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been proposed as tools to minimize this emergent problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted with 101 patients treated for hip fracture by the FLS of a regional hospital between October 2019 and June 2021 (20 months). Epidemiological, clinical, surgical, and management variables were collected during admission and up to 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 87.6 ± 6.1 years and 77.2% were female. Some degree of cognitive impairment was detected at admission in 71.3% of patients using the Pfeiffer questionnaire, and 13.9% were nursing home residents, and 76.24% could walk independently before the fracture. Fractures were more commonly pertrochanteric (45.5%). Patients were receiving antiosteoporotic therapy in 10.9% of cases. The median surgical delay from admission was 26 h (RIC 15-46 h), the median length of stay was 6 days (RIC 3-9 days) and in-hospital mortality was 10.9%, and 19.8% at 30 days, with a readmission rate of 5%. DISCUSSION: Patients treated in our FLS at the beginning of its activity were similar to the general picture in our country in terms of age, sex, type of fracture, and proportion of patients treated surgically. A high mortality rate was observed, and low rates of pharmacological secondary prevention were followed at discharge. Clinical results of FLS implementation in regional hospitals should be assessed prospectively in order to decide their suitability.

COVID 19 and the new challenges in health management: The pilot experience of the Internal Medicine Department of a Regional hospital / COVID 19 y los nuevos retos en gestión sanitaria: la experiencia piloto del Servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital de primer nivel

No disponible

Upper Airway Video Endoscopy: Assessment of the response to positive pressure ventilation and mechanical in-exsufflation.

Upper airways (UA) include the nasal cavities, pharynx, and larynx, and its main function is to warm and filter the inspired air. UA dysfunction is in the pathogenesis of various disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and vocal cord dysfunction. In addition, in some neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS), UA dysfunction may also compromise the effective use of ventilatory support (VS). In this context, the endoscopic evaluation of UA may be useful in understanding the OSAS mechanisms, in determining the causes for treatment-induced airway obstruction and even in helping to titrate noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in ALS patients with bulbar or pseudo-bulbar (spastic) dysfunction. Specifically, in OSAS patients, when residual obstructive events persist, although an optimal ventilatory mode has been apparently achieved, along with interface and equipment, the endoscopic evaluation of UA seems to be a valuable tool in understanding its mechanisms, even assisting adjustments to NIV parameters. In addition, it has also been described as being useful in laryngeal response to mechanical in-exsufflation (MI-E) and Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO). However, no protocol has yet been published or validated for this. For this reason, a literature review was conducted on UA function and its response to positive pressure and MI-E. Special emphasis has also been given to the current indication for video endoscopy in chronically ventilated patients.

COPD and Cardiovascular Disease.

COPD is one of the major public health problems in people aged 40 years or above. It is currently the 4th leading cause of death in the world and projected to be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. COPD and cardiac comorbidities are frequently associated. They share common risk factors, pathophysiological processes, signs and symptoms, and act synergistically as negative prognostic factors. Cardiac disease includes a broad spectrum of entities with distinct pathophysiology, treatment and prognosis. From an epidemiological point of view, patients with COPD are particularly vulnerable to cardiac disease. Indeed, mortality due to cardiac disease in patients with moderate COPD is higher than mortality related to respiratory failure. Guidelines reinforce that the control of comorbidities in COPD has a clear benefit over the potential risk associated with the majority of the drugs utilized. On the other hand, the true survival benefits of aggressive treatment of cardiac disease and COPD in patients with both conditions have still not been clarified. Given their relevance in terms of prevalence and prognosis, we will focus in this paper on the management of COPD patients with ischemic coronary disease, heart failure and dysrhythmia.

Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic autosomal codominant disorder caused by mutations in SERPINA1 gene. It is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders, although it remains underdiagnosed. Whereas at international level there are several areas of consensus on this disorder, in Portugal, inter-hospital heterogeneity in clinical practice and resources available have been adding difficulties in reaching a diagnosis and in making therapeutic decisions in this group of patients. This raised a need to draft a document expressing a national consensus for AATD. To this end, a group of experts in this field was created within the Portuguese Pulmonology Society - Study group on AATD, in order to elaborate the current manuscript. The authors reviewed the existing literature and provide here general guidance and extensive recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AATD that can be adopted by Portuguese clinicians from different areas of Medicine. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency" which is sponsored by Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia.

Les corps étrangers en otorhinolaryngologie : analyse de 192 cas au centre hospitalier universitaire de Conakry

Introduction. La survenue d'un corps étranger (CE) est un motif fréquent de consultation en ORL. Le but de notre étude était d'analyser les données épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des sujets porteurs de corps étrangers à l'Hôpital National Ignace Deen (CHU de Conakry). Matériels et méthodes. Il s'agit d'une étude prospective de type descriptif, étalée de Janvier ­à décembre 2015 (un an), portant sur tous les cas de corps étrangers des conduits auditifs externes et des voies aérodigestives supérieures colligés au service d'ORL de l'Hôpital National Ignace Deen. Nos variables d'intérêt étaient les données épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques Résultats. Durant la période d'étude, 192 cas de CE ont été colligés parmi les 2177 consultations, soit une fréquence de 8,82%. L'âge des patients variait de 2 à 60 ans avec une prédominance des enfants de moins de 10 ans (42,71%). Le sex-ratio homme/femme était de deux. Le délai moyen d'admission était de 48h avec des extrêmes de 0 à 30 jours. Les circonstances de survenue des CE étaient représentées par les jeux dans 54,17 % des cas. Le conduit auditif externe était la localisation la plus fréquente (64,58%). La nature des CE était inorganique dans 76,56 % des cas et organique dans 23,44 % des cas. Tous les CE ont été extraits par la voie d'introduction, le plus souvent au fauteuil de consultation (90,10 % des cas). L'évolution a été favorable chez tous les patients. Conclusion. Les corps étrangers ORL constituent un motif fréquent de consultation et affectent surtout les enfants de sexe masculin.ils sont habituellement inorganiques et affectent surtout le conduit auditif externe. L'évolution est en règle favorable après extraction

Prevalence of late-onset pompe disease in Portuguese patients with diaphragmatic paralysis - DIPPER study.

Pompe disease is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by acid α-glucosidase enzyme (GAA) deficiency and divided into two distinct variants, infantile- and late-onset. The late-onset variant is characterized by a spectrum of phenotypic variation that may range from asymptomatic, to reduced muscle strength and/or diaphragmatic paralysis. Since muscle strength loss is characteristic of several different conditions, which may also cause diaphragmatic paralysis, a protocol was created to search for the diagnosis of Pompe disease and exclude other possible causes. METHODS: We collected a sample size of 18 patients (10 females, 8 males) with a median age of 60 years and diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis of unknown etiology, followed in the Pulmonology outpatient consultation of 9 centers in Portugal, over a 24-month study period. We evaluated data from patient's clinical and demographic characteristics as well as complementary diagnostic tests including blood tests, imaging, neurophysiologic and respiratory function evaluation. All patients were evaluated for GAA activity with DBS (dried blood test) or serum quantification and positive results confirmed by serum quantification and sequencing. RESULTS: Three patients were diagnosed with Pompe's disease and recommended for enzyme replacement therapy. The prevalence of Pompe, a rare disease, in our diaphragmatic paralysis patient sample was 16.8%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that DBS test for GAA activity should be recommended for all patients with diaphragmatic paralysis which, despite looking at all the most common causes, remains of unknown etiology; this would improve both the timing and accuracy of diagnosis for Pompe disease in this patient population. Accurate diagnosis will lead to improved care for this rare, progressively debilitating but treatable neuromuscular disease.

[Lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver]. / Pseudotumor inflamatorio hepático linfoplasmocítico.

We present the case of a middle-aged woman with antecedents of cholecystectomy and several episodes of resi-dual coledocolitiasis resolved endoscopically. She attended Emergency Services due to a new clinical picture of abdo-minal pain and alteration of hepatic enzymes. Image tests showed lesions that suggested hepatic abscesses without ruling out a malign origin. Given this doubt it was decided to carry out a thick needle biopsy obtaining a diagnosis of an inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver related to IgG4-related disease. This is an infrequent entity but must be taken into consideration because - unlike malign pathology, which is the main differential diagnosis - its behaviour is benign, with a good evolution with medical treatment. That is why a suitable diagnosis is vital to avoid aggressive, diagnostic-therapeutic procedures.

Pseudotumor inflamatorio hepático linfoplasmocítico / Lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de mediana edad con antecedentes de colecistectomía y varios episodios de coledocolitiasis residual resueltos endoscópicamente. Acude al servicio de Urgencias por un nuevo cuadro de dolor abdominal y alteración de enzimas hepáticas, apreciándose en las pruebas de imagen lesiones sugestivas de abscesos hepáticos sin poder descartarse un origen maligno. Dada esta duda se decide realizar una biopsia con aguja gruesa llegando al diagnóstico de pseudotumor inflamatorio hepático relacionada con la enfermedad por IgG4. Ésta es una entidad infrecuente pero que debe ser tenida en cuenta debido a que, a diferencia de la patología maligna, que es el principal diagnóstico diferencial, su comportamiento es benigno, con buena evolución con tratamiento médico. Por ello es vital un adecuado diagnóstico para evitar procedimientos diagnóstico-terapéuticos agresivos (AU)

We present the case of a middle-aged woman with antecedents of cholecystectomy and several episodes of residual coledocolitiasis resolved endoscopically. She attended Emergency Services due to a new clinical picture of abdominal pain and alteration of hepatic enzymes. Image tests showed lesions that suggested hepatic abscesses without ruling out a malign origin. Given this doubt it was decided to carry out a thick needle biopsy obtaining a diagnosis of an inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver related to IgG4-related disease. This is an infrequent entity but must be taken into consideration because - unlike malign pathology, which is the main differential diagnosis - its behaviour is benign, with a good evolution with medical treatment. That is why a suitable diagnosis is vital to avoid aggressive, diagnostic-therapeutic procedures (AU)

Tuberculosis in Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-treated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients After the Implementation of Preventive Measures: Compliance With Recommendations and Safety of Retreatment.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite having adopted preventive measures, tuberculosis (TB) may still occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF). Data on the causes and characteristics of TB cases in this scenario are lacking. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of TB in anti-TNF-treated IBD patients after the publication of the Spanish TB prevention guidelines in IBD patients and to evaluate the safety of restarting anti-TNF after a TB diagnosis. METHODS: In this multicentre, retrospective, descriptive study, TB cases from Spanish hospitals were collected. Continuous variables were reported as mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range. Categorical variables were described as absolute and relative frequencies and their confidence intervals when necessary. RESULTS: We collected 50 TB cases in anti-TNF-treated IBD patients, 60% male, median age 37.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 30.4-47). Median latency between anti-TNF initiation and first TB symptoms was 155.5 days (IQR 88-301); 34% of TB cases were disseminated and 26% extrapulmonary. In 30 patients (60%), TB cases developed despite compliance with recommended preventive measures; *not performing 2-step TST (tuberculin skin test) was the main failure in compliance with recommendations. In 17 patients (34%) anti-TNF was restarted after a median of 13 months (IQR 7.1-17.3) and there were no cases of TB reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis could still occur in anti-TNF-treated IBD patients despite compliance with recommended preventive measures. A significant number of cases developed when these recommendations were not followed. Restarting anti-TNF treatment in these patients seems to be safe.

Estudo etnofarmacológico em entorno de floresta urbana como subsídio para a implantação da Fitoterapia no Sistema Único de Saúde / Ethnopharmacological study surrounding urban forest as a resource for the implementation of herbal medicine in the National Health System

RESUMO O estudo etnofarmacológico pode ser definido como exploração científica interdisciplinar dos agentes biologicamente ativos, tradicionalmente utilizados por populações humanas e que fazem parte de um acervo de conhecimento compartilhado. Desta forma o presente estudo teve como objetivo o estudo etnofarmacológico de plantas medicinais, no entorno de floresta urbana na Reserva Biológica Poço D’Anta em Juiz de Fora/MG visando a implantação da fitoterapia no Sistema Único de Saúde. Para este, realizou-se levantamento com três diferentes amostras: profissionais de saúde, domicílios em geral e especialistas locais. Quanto aos profissionais de saúde, pôde-se constatar que nenhum entrevistado soube conceituar o termo “Fitoterápico” e que não conheciam as políticas vigentes. Constatou-se que há aceitabilidade da implantação de Fitoterapia na saúde pública, porém, o conhecimento do tema é limitado. A partir das entrevistas nos domicílios em geral e com os especialistas locais, selecionou-se um total de 20 espécies botânicas para análise estatística e confirmação farmacológica. Esses resultados possibilitaram confrontar o conhecimento cultural com científico, com base em 14 espécies que poderiam ser cultivadas em horto na Reserva Biologica Poço D´Anta, com base em suas relevâncias locais. Os resultados obtidos podem subsidiar a aproximação do saber popular em relação ao científico, servindo de base para manutenção e fomento da implantação da Fitoterapia no sistema único de saúde.

ABSTRACT The ethnopharmacological study can be defined as an interdisciplinary scientific exploration of biologically active agents, traditionally used by human populations and part of a shared body of knowledge. Thus, the current study focused on the ethnopharmacological research of medicinal plants, in the surroundings of the urban forest in the Biological Reserve PoçoD’Anta in Juiz de Fora / MG, aiming on the implementation of the herbal medicine in the Public Health System. For this purpose, a survey was held with three different groups: health professionals, members of the community and local experts.Concerning the health professionals, it could be verified that none of the participants were able to explain the term Phytotherapic and neither they had knowledge about the relevant and applicable policies.The acceptability for the implantation of Phytotherapy for public health use was observed, but the knowledge about this subject is limited. From the interviews with members of the community and local experts, a total of 20 plant species were selected for a statistical analysis and pharmacological confirmation. These results made possible to compare the cultural knowledge with the scientific one, defining 14 species that could be grown in the garden of the Biological Reserve Poço D’Anta, based on their local relevance. The results can support the approximation of the popular knowledge with the scientific one, providing a basis for the maintenance and promotion of the Phytotherapy in the Public Health System.

Capnografía no invasiva en la bronquiolitis aguda: utilidad clínica en urgencias / Use of noninvasive capnography in acute bronchiolitis: clinical utility in emergency

Objetivo: Analizar la utilidad de la capnografía no invasiva, o medición del dióxido de carbono espirado (EtCO2), como herramienta para evaluar la gravedad clínica de pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda que acuden a urgencias. Material y métodos: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo y observacional, en el que se incluyeron lactantes menores de 18 meses que acudían al servicio de urgencias por bronquiolitis aguda, durante 1 año. Se determinaron los valores de EtCO2 con cánulas nasales por absorción de infrarrojos (Oridion Microcap R) y se recogieron distintas variables epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes. Resultados: Se estudiaron 93 pacientes, un 59% varones, con una media de edad de 5,8 meses (desviación estándar [DE]= 4,2). El 80% fueron bronquiolitis leves y el 20% moderadas. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los valores de capnografía de ambos grupos (p= 0,96). Los valores de EtCO2 siguieron una distribución normal, con una media de 27,5 mmHg (DE= 5,34). El coeficiente de correlación entre el EtCO2 y la puntuación de gravedad fue de 0,01 (p= 0,92). Conclusiones: No se ha encontrado ninguna asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el valor de la capnografía y la gravedad de la bronquiolitis, por lo que esta herramienta no parece útil como factor pronóstico de gravedad (AU)

Introduction: This is the first study of noninvasive capnography (EtCO2) performed in nonintubated patients with acute bronchiolitis that analyzes the value of EtCO2 with clinical severity. Material and methods: We present a prospective and observational study that includes infants under 18 months who were attended over one year at Emergency Care for acute bronchiolitis. EtCO2 was determined by nasal prongs with infrared absorption (Oridion Microcap R). There were collected epidemiological and clinical variables of patients. Results: We studied 93 patients, 59% male, mean age of 5.8 months (SD 4.2). 80% were mild bronchiolitis and 20% moderate. There was no significant difference between this groups (p=0.96). EtCO2 values followed a normal distribution with a mean of 27.5 mmHg EtCO2 (SD 5.34). The correlation coefficient between EtCO2 and value of severity score was 0.01 (p= 0.92). Conclusions: We found no statistically significant association between the value of capnography and severity of bronchiolitis. This tool does not seem useful as a prognostic factor of severity (AU)

An inulin and doxorubicin conjugate for improving cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy is one of the primary treatment mechanisms for treating cancer. Current chemotherapy is systemically delivered and causes significant side effects; therefore the development of new chemotherapeutic agents or enhancing the effectiveness of current chemotherapeutic could prove vital to patients and cancer care. The purpose of this research was to develop a new conjugate composed of doxorubicin (chemotherapeutic) and inulin (polysaccharide chain) and evaluate its potential as a new therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. The synergistic effect of inulin conjugated to doxorubicin has allowed the same cytotoxic response to be maintained or improved at lower doses as compared to doxorubicin. Supporting results include cytotoxicity profiles, calf thymus DNA binding studies, confocal microscopy, and transport studies.

Hemoptisis leve en un niño inmigrante. Puesta al día diagnóstica / Mild emoptysis immigrant child: Diagnostic up-date

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 9 años de edad, de origen peruano, con antecedentes de tos crónica y expectoración hemoptoica discontinua de tres meses de evolución en el que se detecta un infiltrado pulmonar persistente en la radiografía de tórax. Describimos la norma de actuación con este tipo de pacientes así como la problemática creada en la detección de la causa subyacente del sangrado. La hemoptisis es un signo infrecuente en la práctica pediátrica pero muy angustiante para el paciente y su familia, así como para el médico, para quién supone un reto diagnóstico-terapéutico. Su baja incidencia e n el niño puede llevar a retrasos iniciales en su diagnóstico e incluso a que este signo pase inadvertido. El espectro de entidades patológicas que pueden causarla es muy amplio y habitualmente las más frecuentes son las causas infecciosas, aunque también pueden subyacer otras enfermedades potencialmente graves. Por ello es prioritario conocer su etiología exacta y decidir la consiguiente actitud terapéutica (AU)

We present the case of a 9 year-old child form Peru with a background of chronic cough and discontinuous hemotoxic expectoration of 3 months evolution in which persistent pulmonary infiltrate was detected don the chest x-ray. We describe the action guidelines with this type of patients as well as the problems created in the detection of the underlying cause of bleeding. Hemoptysis is an uncommon sign in the pediatric practice, however it produces much anxiety for the patient and their family, as well as for the physician, for whom it supposes a diagnostic-therapeutic challenge. Its low incidence in the child may lead to initial delays in its diagnosis and this sign may even go unnoticed. The spectrum of pathological conditions that may cause it is very wide and usually the most frequent ones are infectious causes, although there may be other underlying potentially severe diseases. Therefore, it is of priority to know the exact etiology and t decide the consequent therapeutic attitude (AU)

Atelectasia en niños: ¿qué es lo que parece estar detrás? / Atelectasis in children: what appears to be the cause?

Presentamos un caso de tuberculosis pulmonar en una niña de 15 meses de edad enviada a nuestra consulta para efectuar un estudio de su neumonía recurrente. La radiografía de tórax pone de manifiesto una condensación localizada en el lóbulo medio, con signos sugestivos de atelectasia. La atelectasia es un problema común en los pacientes pediátricos, generalmente secundaria a una obstrucción bronquial por tapones de moco. Se analizan los tipos de atelectasia y sus causas más comunes, y se insiste en la utilidad de ciertas técnicas consideradas agresivas, como la fibrobroncoscopia, que en realidad son pruebas sencillas y con una gran validez diagnóstica y terapéutica. El manejo de las atelectasias depende de la causa subyacente. Es primordial tratar de forma conjunta la enfermedad de base y el colapso pulmonar, y en la mayoría de los casos es suficiente mantener una actitud conservadora (AU)

We report on a case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a fifteen month-old girl who was referred to our practice for tests following recurrent pneumonia. The chest X-ray showed localized condensation in the middle lobe with signs suggestive of atelectasis. Atelectasis is a common problem in paediatric patients, and tends to be secondary to bronchial obstruction due to mucus plugs. We analyse the types of atelectasis and their most common causes. Moreover, we stress the usefulness of certain techniques that are considered to be aggressive, like the fibrobronchoscopy, but which in reality are simple tests with a high level of diagnostic and therapeutic productivity. The approach to atelectases depends on the underlying cause, and it is essential to treat both the underlying disease as well as the collapsed lung; in most cases, a conservative approach is sufficient (AU)