Perception of Physicians Working in Chile Toward Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Assisted suicide and euthanasia are controversial issues today and have been throughout the history of humanity, mainly because there are individuals for and against them. Currently, the legalization of these practices is being discussed in Chile, and the perception of physicians regarding this issue is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess physicians' perception of Chile's euthanasia and assisted suicide. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Chile. A questionnaire of physicians' attitudes and opinions on assisted suicide and euthanasia was used. The population was the doctors who work in Chile, and the sample was convenient with a sample calculation of 384 physicians. About 20 variables were considered and included in a form created through the Google forms option, which was distributed through social networks: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. To guarantee the anonymity of the participants, the option to request and remember the participant's email was deactivated. A generated database allowed the quantitative analysis of the variables and their expression through frequencies, percentages, and graphs. The European University of the Atlantic's research ethics committee approved this study as stated in the document CE-55 of March 2021. RESULTS: A total of 410 physicians were surveyed. 50.7% (n = 208) of the participants identified themselves as men, and 69.8% (n = 286) were Chilean. The city of Santiago was the area of residence of 72.9% (n = 299) of the participants. About 34.6% (n = 142) of participants were general practitioners, and 39.3% (n = 161) of the physicians had more than 20 years of experience. About 68.7% had favorable attitudes toward euthanasia and 54.4% toward assisted suicide; However, although the majority favored legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, approximately 48.8% stated that they would not participate in an assisted suicide procedure. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence of support for the implementation and legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide by physicians in Chile. However, there are still professionals who have not yet decided on a definitive position on these practices.

Eutanasia y suicidio asistido: revisión y análisis de marcos legales internacionales comparados con Colombia / Euthanasia and assisted suicide: review and analysis of international legal frameworks compared with Colombia

El avance en materia de derechos humanos es indispensable durante el desarrollo de políticas públicas en salud y marcos legales que garanticen el cuidado integro de la salud; la eutanasia y suicidio asistido siguen siendo conceptos ampliamente discutidos desde la medicina, y especialmente en la bioética por el peso que poseen en la toma de decisiones del paciente terminal y cuidados paliativos. Estos términos, su uso, aprobación y regulación legal dependen de la influencia de diversos determinantes como la investigación biomédica, las creencias religiosas, los aspectos socioculturales, entre otros. Sin embargo, lo que permite la interpretación y observación de resultados son las practicas soportadas por las legislaciones de cada país; Colombia es el único país que ha despenalizado la eutanasia en la región y que progresa activamente en temas relacionados. En este orden de ideas, el objetivo de esta revisión consiste en analizar los marcos legales internacionales sobre la definición y uso de la eutanasia y el suicidio asistido, que permitan comprender la evolución de la normatividad sobre el cuidado al final de la vida.

Advances in human rights are indispensable during the development of public policies in health and legal frameworks that guarantee integral health care; euthanasia and assisted suicide continue to be concepts widely discussed in medicine, and especially in bioethics due to the weight they have in the decision-making process of the terminal patient and palliative care. These terms, their use, approval, and legal regulation depend on the influence of various determinants such as biomedical research, religious beliefs, and sociocultural aspects. However, what allows the interpretation and observation of results are the practices supported by the legislation of each country; Colombia is the only country that has decriminalized euthanasia in the region and is actively progressing in related issues. In this order of ideas, the objective of this review is to analyze the international legal frameworks on the definition and use of euthanasia and assisted suicide to understand the evolution of regulations on end-of-life care.

Os avanços nos direitos humanos são indispensáveis para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de saúde e marcos legais que garantam a atenção integral à saúde. A eutanásia e o suicídio assistido continuam sendo conceitos amplamente discutidos na medicina e, principalmente, na bioética, devido ao peso que têm no processo de tomada de decisão de pacientes terminais e nos cuidados paliativos. Esses termos, seu uso, aprovação e regulamentação legal dependem da influência de vários determinantes, como pesquisas biomédicas, crenças religiosas, aspectos socioculturais, entre outros. No entanto, o que permite a interpretação e a observação dos resultados são as práticas apoiadas pela legislação de cada país; a Colômbia é o único país que descriminalizou a eutanásia na região e está avançando ativamente em questões relacionadas. O objetivo desta revisão é analisar as estruturas jurídicas internacionais sobre a definição e o uso da eutanásia e do suicídio assistido a fim de compreender a evolução das regulamentações de cuidados no fim da vida.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide: An in-depth review of relevant historical aspects.

End-of-life care is an increasingly relevant topic due to advances in biomedical research and the establishment of new disciplines in evidence-based medicine and bioethics. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are two terms widely discussed in medicine, which cause displeasure on many occasions and cause relief on others. The evolution of these terms and the events associated with their study have allowed the evaluation of cases that have established useful definitions for the legal regulation of palliative care and public policies in the different health systems. However, there are still many aspects to be elucidated and defined. Based on the above, this review aimed to compile relevant historical aspects on the evolution of euthanasia and assisted suicide, which will allow understanding the use and research of these terms.

Neumomediastino en trauma contuso: ¿son siempre necesarios los estudios invasivos para descartar lesión aerodigestiva? / Pneumomediastinum in blunt trauma: Are invasive studies always necessary to rule out aerodigestive injury?

Introducción. La presencia de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso es un hallazgo común, especialmente con el uso rutinario de la tomografía computarizada. Aunque en la mayoría de los casos es secundario a una causa benigna, la posibilidad de una lesión aerodigestiva subyacente ha llevado a que se recomiende el uso rutinario de estudios endoscópicos para descartarla. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia de neumomediastino secundario a trauma contuso y de lesiones aerodigestivas asociadas y establecer la utilidad de la tomografía computarizada multidetector en el diagnóstico de las lesiones aerodigestivas. Métodos. Mediante tomografía computarizada multidetector se identificaron los pacientes con diagnóstico de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso en un periodo de 4 años en un Centro de Trauma Nivel I. Resultados. Fueron incluidos en el estudio 41 pacientes con diagnóstico de neumomediastino secundario a un trauma contuso. Se documentaron en total tres lesiones aerodigestivas, dos lesiones traqueales y una esofágica. Dos de estas fueron sospechadas en tomografía computarizada multidetector y confirmadas mediante fibrobroncoscopia y endoscopia digestiva superior, respectivamente, y otra fue diagnosticada en cirugía. Conclusión. El uso rutinario de estudios endoscópicos en los pacientes con neumomediastino secundario a trauma contuso no está indicado cuando los hallazgos clínicos y tomográficos son poco sugestivos de lesión aerodigestiva.

Introduction.The presence of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma is a common finding, especially with the use of computed tomography. Although in most cases the presence of pneumomediastinum is secondary to a benign etiology, the possibility of an underlying aerodigestive injuries has led to the recommendation of the routine use of endoscopic studies to rule them out. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma and associated injuries and to establish the role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of aerodigestive injuries. Methods.Using multidetector computed tomography, patients with a diagnosis of pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma were identified over a period of 4 years in a Level 1 Trauma Center. Results. Forty-one patients diagnosed with pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma, were included in this study. Two airway ruptures were documented: two tracheal injuries and one esophageal injury. Two of them suspected on multidetector computed tomography and confirmed on bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy, respectively, and another was diagnosed in surgery. Conclusion.The routine use of endoscopic studies in patients with pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma is not indicated when the clinical and tomographic findings are not suggestive of aerodigestive injury.

Utility and health-related quality of life measures in adult Colombian patients with solid tumours.

According to a 2020 report, the World Health Organization explained how, in 20 years, the prevalence of cancer cases will increase by 60% worldwide. In lower-middle-income countries, this figure will be 74.07%. Therefore, the authors propose a series of recommendations, such as how to address both traditional health indicators and the psychosocial environment, to improve the health system. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the impact of cancer on the quality of life (QoL) and health status of oncology patients in Colombia. An observational cross-sectional study using patient reported outcomes tools, such as European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life of Cancer Patients (QLQ-C30) and EuroQoL-5 dimensions questionnaire-3 levels (EQ5D-3L), was carried out. The information of 356 people was compiled. They were contacted by patient associations. The results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using ordinary least squares methodology. For the EORTC QLQ-C30, overall health status was 66.05 (95% confidence interval: 63.78-68.32), on the functional scales, emotional and social function were the two scales with the lowest ratings (71.57 and 71.77), without any representative differences. For the EQ5D-3L, the average utility was 0.70 (Standard deviation: 0.20); 50% of people had a utility between 0.63 and 0.82. The analysed population was most affected in the following areas: financial difficulties, insomnia, anxiety, depression and emotional functioning, establishing the need for future interventions and the creation of public policies that generate a better QoL for patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid closing pressure-guided tap test for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tap test improves symptoms of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH); hence, it is widely used as a diagnostic procedure. However, it has a low sensitivity and there is no consensus on the parameters that should be used nor the volume to be extracted. We propose draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during tap test until a closing pressure of 0 cm H2O is reached as a standard practice. We use this method with all our patients at our clinic. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where all patients with presumptive diagnosis of iNPH from January 2014 to December 2019 were included in the study. We used a univariate descriptive analysis and stratified analysis to compare the opening pressure and the volume of CSF extracted during the lumbar puncture, between patients in whom a diagnosis of iNPH was confirmed and those in which it was discarded. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the study. The mean age at the time of presentation was 79.4 years and 63 patients were male. The diagnosis of iNPH was confirmed in 73.9% patients. The mean opening pressure was 14.4 cm H2O mean volume of CSF extracted was 43.4 mL. CONCLUSION: CSF extraction guided by a closing pressure of 0 cm H2O instead of tap test with a fixed volume of CSF alone may be an effective method of optimizing iNPH symptomatic improvement and diagnosis.

Orthodontic treatment stability and periodontal condition with circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy: a systematic review / Estabilidad del tratamiento de ortodoncia y de la condición periodontal con la fibrotomía supracrestal circunferencial: revisión sistemática

ABSTRACT Introduction: stability is one of the main goals of orthodontic treatment, and circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy is an alternative to prevent relapse in cases of tooth rotation, crowding and inclined teeth. However, there are no studies demonstrating the effectiveness of this treatment and its effects on the periodontal condition. The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the effectiveness of circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy (CSF) as an adjuvant in the stability of orthodontic treatment during retention and its effects on the periodontal condition once it has been performed. Methods: the search for topic-related studies was conducted on the PubMed and EMBASE databases until October 2018. The studies were considered eligible if they covered the use of CSF during the retention period and reported the periodontal condition in a follow-up period longer than or equal to 1 year. For bias-risk assessment in the chosen studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was applied to observational studies, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool for Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) and Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs). Results: the search strategy yielded 85 potential eligible articles, of which 5 were included in the SR. Four of the five studies reported a lower irregularity rate in patients who had CSF when compared to a control group. No changes in plaque index, gingival index, insertion levels, probe depth and keratinized gingiva amount were reported. Conclusions: fiberotomy is an effective method to prevent relapse of previously rotated teeth and does not cause periodontal alterations. However, it is important to note that the studies' methodological quality was low.

RESUMEN Introducción: la estabilidad es uno de los principales objetivos del tratamiento de ortodoncia, y la fibrotomía supracrestal circunferencial es una de las alternativas para prevenir la recidiva en casos de rotaciones dentales, apiñamiento y dientes con inclinación; sin embargo, no se tienen estudios que demuestren la efectividad de este tratamiento, así como sus efectos en la condición periodontal. El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática (RS) consistió en evaluar la efectividad de la fibrotomía supracrestal circunferencial (FSC) como procedimiento coadyuvante en la estabilidad del tratamiento de ortodoncia durante la retención, así como los efectos en la condición periodontal posterior a su realización. Métodos: la búsqueda de estudios relacionados con el tema se realizó mediante las bases de datos PubMed y EMBASE hasta octubre de 2018. Los estudios fueron considerados elegibles si abarcaban el uso de la FSC durante el periodo de retención y si reportaban la condición periodontal con un tiempo de seguimiento mayor o igual a un año. Para la evaluación del riesgo de sesgos en los estudios elegidos, se aplicó la escala Newcastle-Ottawa en los estudios observacionales y la herramienta de colaboración Cochrane para los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) y ensayos clínicos controlados (ECC). Resultados: la estrategia de búsqueda arrojó 85 posibles artículos elegibles, de los cuales 5 fueron incluidos en la RS. Cuatro de los cinco estudios reportaron un índice de irregularidad menor en los pacientes que tuvieron FSC cuando se compararon con un grupo control. Con respecto a la condición periodontal, no se reportaron cambios en índice de placa, índice gingival, niveles de inserción, profundidad al sondaje y cantidad de encía queratinizada. Conclusiones: la fibrotomía es un método eficaz para evitar la recidiva de dientes previamente rotados y no genera alteraciones a nivel periodontal. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que la calidad metodológica de los estudios no fue alta.

Homelessness and HIV: A Combination Predictive of Poor Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes and in Need of Innovative Strategies to Improve Treatment Completion.

Antioquia Department is the state with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Colombia. Our aim was to determine the risk factors associated with unsuccessful TB treatment in HIV-seropositive and homeless persons, compared with non-HIV-infected and non-homeless persons with TB. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using observational, routinely collected health data from all drug-susceptible TB cases in homeless and/or HIV-seropositive individuals in Antioquia from 2014 to 2016. Unsuccessful TB treatment was defined as individuals having been lost to follow-up, having died, or treatment failure occurrence during the study period. Successful treatment was defined as cure of TB or treatment completion according to the WHO definitions. We identified 544 homeless persons with TB (432 HIV- and 112 HIV+), 835 HIV+ persons with TB and non-homeless, and 5,086 HIV-/non-homeless people with TB. Unsuccessful treatment rates were 19.3% in HIV-/non-homeless persons, 37.4% in non-homeless HIV+ patients, 61.5% in homeless HIV- patients, and 70.3% in homeless HIV+ patients; all rates fall below End TB strategy targets. More than 50% of homeless patients were lost to follow-up. Risk factors associated with unsuccessful treatment were HIV seropositivity, homelessness, male gender, age ≥ 25 years, noncontributory-type health insurance, TB diagnosis made during hospitalization, and previous treatment for TB. These results highlight the challenge of treating TB in the homeless population. These findings should put an onus on TB programs, governments, clinicians, and others involved in the collaborative care of TB patients to pursue innovative strategies to improve treatment success in this population.

Síndrome incompleto de Carney / Incomplete Carney's triad

El síndrome de Carney es una enfermedad rara, con diferentes formas de presentación, que afecta principalmente al sexo femenino y es asintomática en la mayoría de los casos. Se caracteriza por la aparición de tumores, generalmente benignos, principalmente en el pulmón, la glándula suprarrenal y el estómago; sin embargo, se pueden afectar otros órganos como el esófago. Su tratamiento es principalmente quirúrgico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con síndrome incompleto de Carney, manejada quirúrgicamente, con excelente resultado posoperatorio. Se hace una revisión de la literatura científica actual.

Carney's triad is a rare condition with multimodal presentations, which affects mainly females and remains asymptomatic in most cases. It is characterized by the appearance of tumors, usually benign, in lung, adrenal, and stomach, but it can also affect other organs like the esophagus. Treatment of these lesions is primarily surgical. The objective of this paper is to review the current literature and to report a case of an incomplete Carney's triad managed surgically with excellent postoperative results.

[Clinical Characteristics of 276 Patients Treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy at a University Clinic in Medellín, Colombia]. / Características clínicas de 276 pacientes tratados con terapia electroconvulsiva en una clínica universitaria de Medellín, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy with Anesthesia and Relaxation (ECTAR) for 10 years in a university clinic. METHODOLOGY: Review of 276 medical records of patients who had undergone ECTAR between 1997 and 2007 at the Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana de Medellín, Colombia. Data was collected through an instrument designed for that purpose and then was analyzed. RESULTS: During 10 years, more than 2000 ECT procedures were performed; most of the patients were female 67.4%, between 15 and 86 years old. The first indication was a major depressive episode without psychotic symptoms (56.5%) almost half of the patients had a minor and temporary complication, and no major complications or deaths were reported. Pre-oxygenation, intravenous anesthesia and muscular relaxation were used in all procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The ECT used in a third-level hospital with participation of a trained, interdisciplinary team (psychiatrist, anesthesiologist, nursing assistants) and the use of the modified technique (oxygenation, monitoring, general anesthesia, and relaxation is safe for certain psychiatric pathologies disorders that have not responded to medication or when medication is counter-indicated.

Neutropenia aguda en un paciente con delírium tratado con quetiapina / Acute neutropenia in a patient with delirium treated with quetiapine

Introducción: La neutropenia es reconocida como un efecto adverso observado con los medicamentos antipsicóticos, principalmente la clozapina. Aunque rara, la administración de quetiapina puede llevar a la aparición de este efecto adverso con altas tasas de morbimortalidad. Objetivo: Describir un caso de neutropenia asociada con el uso de quetiapina en un paciente con delírium, quien posteriormente con la suspensión del medicamento presenta la resolución del cuadro. Método: Reporte de caso de un hombre de 38 años de edad. Resultado y conclusiones: Aun cuando el riesgo de neutropenia asociado con quetiapina es relativamente bajo, es importante la implementación rutinaria de un cuadro hemático tanto al inicio de la administración de quetiapina como de manera periódica. Siempre que sea posible se debe evitar combinar quetiapina con medicamentos con reconocida asociación con neutropenia...

Introduction: Neutropenia is a side effect of the use of antipsychotic drugs, mainly clozapine. Although rare, the administration of quetiapine may lead to the development of this adverse effect with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To describe a case of neutropenia associated with the use of quetiapine in a patient with delirium and its subsequent resolution when the medication was withdrawn. Method: Case report. Results and conclusions: Although the risk of neutropenia associated with the use of quetiapine is relatively low, it is important to implement routine hemograms at the beginning of the treatment with quetiapine, and on a regular basis. Whenever possible, combinations of quetiapine and other drugs with netropenia as a recognized side effect must be avoided...

Reconstrucción de maxilar superior con injerto autólogo de mentón y micromalla de titanio: reporte de dos casos / Autogenous mandibular bone graft with titanium micromesh for reconstruction of the maxillary alveolar ridge: a report of two cases

Existen ciertas condiciones que pueden alterar la anatomía del reborde alveolar de los maxilares, tales como osteorradionecrosis, tumores, enfermedad periodontal y secuelas de trauma o de labio y paladar hendido, comprometiendo el patrón oclusal, la fonética y el aspecto estético y funcinal de los pacientes. En procedimientos convencionales de reconstrucción, usualmente son utilizados injertos óseos autólogos de cresta ilíaca, arcos costales, calota y tibia. Debido a la morbilidad asociada con la toma de injertos de estos lugares, se han estudiado diferentes zonas alternas de donación. El presente artículo describe una técnica de reconstrucción del reborde alveolar del maxilar superior mediante la combinación de injerto óseo autólogo de mentón más micromalla de titanio en dos casos de diferente etiología

Porfiria intermitente aguda: presentacion de un caso clinico y revision del tema / Acute intermittent porphyria: presentation of a case report and review of the topic

Se presenta el caso de un paciente con Porfiria Intermitente Aguda y se hace una revisión corta y actualizada del tema, enfocado especialmente a los aspectos etiológicos, manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico de laboratorio y tratamiento.