Semi-quantitative analysis with 99mTc-Besilesomab in musculoskeletal system infections.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc-Besilesomab to diagnose infectious processes by using monoclonal antibodies BW 250/183 in a semi-quantitative analysis, and to determine the effect on diagnostic capacity of different thresholds for the difference between counts in early versus delayed images. Methods: The study included 77 patients with suspected osteomyelitis who underwent scintigraphy with 99mTc-Besilesomab. After confirming the absence of human anti-mouse antibodies in all patients, early and delayed static images were acquired at 4 and 24 h post-injection, respectively. Visual and semi-quantitative analyses were conducted of regions of interest (ROIs) in areas suspected of infection on early and delayed images. Findings were considered positive when the ratio between counts in delayed and early images exceeded a given threshold after correction for decay. The definitive diagnosis was obtained by clinical follow-up, microbiological culture, or response to medical and/or surgical treatment. Results: The optimal threshold was 1.02 (i.e., positive result = count increase of >2 % in delayed image), obtaining a sensitivity of 0.864, specificity of 0.858, positive predictive value of 0.708, negative predictive value of 0.940, and accuracy of 0.860. Application of the usual threshold of 1.10 (10 %) reduced the sensitivity to 0.734. Conclusion: Semi-quantitative analysis of studies with 99mTc-Besilesomab is a useful technique for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal system infections and contributes to the definitive diagnosis when visual assessments are doubtful or non-conclusive.

Metalloproteinases 1 and 3 as Potential Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Development.

Breast cancer continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality globally and was the leading cause of cancer death in women in Spain in 2020. Early diagnosis is one of the most effective methods to lower the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer. The human metalloproteinases (MMP) mainly function as proteolytic enzymes degrading the extracellular matrix and plays important roles in most steps of breast tumorigenesis. This retrospective cohort study shows the immunohistochemical expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in 154 women with breast cancer and 42 women without tumor disease. The samples of breast tissue are assessed using several tissue matrices (TMA). The percentages of staining (≤50%->50%) and intensity levels of staining (weak, moderate, or intense) are considered. The immunohistochemical expression of the MMP-1-intensity (p = 0.043) and MMP-3 percentage (p = 0.018) and intensity, (p = 0.025) present statistically significant associations with the variable group (control-case); therefore, expression in the tumor tissue samples of these MMPs may be related to the development of breast cancer. The relationships between these MMPs and some clinicopathological factors in breast cancer are also evaluated but no correlation is found. These results suggest the use of MMP-1 and MMP-3 as potential biomarkers of breast cancer diagnosis.

Tumor Escape Phenotype in Bladder Cancer Is Associated with Loss of HLA Class I Expression, T-Cell Exclusion and Stromal Changes.

Cancer eradication and clinical outcome of immunotherapy depend on tumor cell immunogenicity, including HLA class I (HLA-I) and PD-L1 expression on malignant cells, and on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor immune infiltration and stromal reaction. Loss of tumor HLA-I is a common mechanism of immune escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes and is linked to cancer progression and resistance to immunotherapy with the inhibitors of PD-L1/PD-1 signaling. Here we observed that HLA-I loss in bladder tumors is associated with T cell exclusion and tumor encapsulation with stromal elements rich in FAP-positive cells. In addition, PD-L1 upregulation in HLA-I negative tumors demonstrated a correlation with high tumor grade and worse overall- and cancer-specific survival of the patients. These changes define common immuno-morphological signatures compatible with cancer immune escape and acquired resistance to therapeutic interventions across different types of malignancy. They also may contribute to the search of new targets for cancer treatment, such as FAP-expressing cancer-associated fibroblasts, in refractory bladder tumors.

Role of Exocrine and Endocrine Insufficiency in the Management of Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency results from the destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma and is diagnosed by using direct or indirect tests, both of which have shortcomings. Chronic pancreatitis is the most frequent cause of this pathology in adults. METHODS: Patients meeting radiological or histological diagnostic criteria of chronic pancreatitis are enrolled and the stool elastase test is conducted, considering fecal elastase levels >200 µg/g to represent normal pancreatic function, and levels <200 µg/g to indicate the presence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Additionally, we determine the body mass index of the patients and study their nutritional status and main biochemical and hematological variables, including their glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. RESULTS: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is detected in 60% of the patients. Among these, 83.3% are severe cases, and 72% of the latter also are diagnosed with endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (diabetes mellitus). During the nutritional status study, HbA1c levels are significantly higher, and magnesium and prealbumin levels are significantly lower in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency than in those without this disease. CONCLUSIONS: Exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency are highly prevalent among patients with chronic pancreatitis and an early diagnosis of these diseases is vital to improve the clinical management of these patients and reduce their risk of mortality.

miRNAs as radio-response biomarkers for breast cancer stem cells.

In breast cancer (BC), the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been related to relapse, metastasis, and radioresistance. Radiotherapy (RT) is an extended BC treatment, but is not always effective. CSCs have several mechanisms of radioresistance in place, and some miRNAs are involved in the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR). Here, we studied how IR affects the expression of miRNAs related to stemness in different molecular BC subtypes. Exposition of BC cells to radiation doses of 2, 4, or 6 Gy affected their phenotype, functional characteristics, pluripotency gene expression, and in vivo tumorigenic capacity. This held true for various molecular subtypes of BC cells (classified by ER, PR and HER-2 status), and for BC cells either plated in monolayer, or being in suspension as mammospheres. However, the effect of IR on the expression of eight stemness- and radioresistance-related miRNAs (miR-210, miR-10b, miR-182, miR-142, miR-221, miR-21, miR-93, miR-15b) varied, depending on cell line subpopulation and clinicopathological features of BC patients. Therefore, clinicopathological features and, potentially also, chemotherapy regimen should be both taken into consideration, for determining a potential miRNA signature by liquid biopsy in BC patients treated with RT. Personalized and precision RT dosage regimes could improve the prognosis, treatment, and survival of BC patients.

Tumor genetic alterations and features of the immune microenvironment drive myelodysplastic syndrome escape and progression.

The transformation and progression of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) involve genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors. Driver mutations have emerged as valuable markers for defining risk groups and as candidates for targeted treatment approaches in MDS. It is also evident that the risk of transformation to sAML is increased by evasion of adaptive immune surveillance. This study was designed to explore the immune microenvironment, immunogenic tumor-intrinsic mechanisms (HLA and PD-L1 expression), and tumor genetic features (somatic mutations and altered karyotypes) in MDS patients and to determine their influence on the progression of the disease. We detected major alterations of the immune microenvironment in MDS patients, with a reduced count of CD4+ T cells, a more frequent presence of markers related to T cell exhaustion, a more frequent presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and changes in the functional phenotype of NK cells. HLA Class I (HLA-I) expression was normally expressed in CD34+ blasts and during myeloid differentiation. Only two out of thirty-six patients with homozygosity for HLA-C groups acquired complete copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity in the HLA region. PD-L1 expression on the leukemic clone was also increased in MDS patients. Finally, no interplay was observed between the anti-tumor immune microenvironment and mutational genomic features. In summary, extrinsic and intrinsic immunological factors might severely impair immune surveillance and contribute to clonal immune escape. Genomic alterations appear to make an independent contribution to the clonal evolution and progression of MDS.

Speed of Retinal Vascularization in Retinopathy of Prematurity: Risk and Protective Factors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study the risk and protective factors involved in retinal vascular development of preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2017, 185 preterm infants were included in the protocol for retinopathy of prematurity. Risk factors associated with speed of retinal vascularization <0.5 disc diameter/week were studied in each of them. RESULTS: The statistically significant variables related to retinal vascular development <0.5 DD/w were intubation days, degree 3 of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, weight gain at 4-6 weeks, avascular temporal area, gestational age, number of transfusions, sepsis, number of risk factors, apnea at birth, presence of ductus arteriosus, and days of continuous positive airway pressure therapy. After the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only three variables were found to be significant: intubation days (p=0.005), degree 3 of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p=0.022), and weight gain at 4-6 weeks (p=0.031). CONCLUSION: In retinopathy of prematurity, degree 3 of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intubation days cause delayed retinal vascular development, whereas greater postnatal weight gain favors an appropriate rate of retinal vascularization.

HLA class I loss and PD-L1 expression in lung cancer: impact on T-cell infiltration and immune escape.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors show encouraging results in cancer treatment, but the clinical benefit is limited exclusively to a subset of patients. We analyzed the density and composition of tumor T-cell infiltration in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in relation to PD-L1 and HLA class I (HLA-I) expression. We found that positive HLA-I expression, independently on PD-L1 status, is the key factor determining the increased density of the immune infiltrate. When both markers were analyzed simultaneously, we identified four phenotypes of HLA-I and PD-L1 co-expression. They demonstrated different patterns of tumor infiltration and clinicopathologic characteristics, including the tumor size and lymphatic spread. All HLA-I+/PD-L1+ tumors had a high degree of intratumoral infiltration with CD8+T-lymphocytes, whereas HLA-I loss was associated with a significantly reduced number of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes mostly restrained in the stroma surrounding the tumor nest. HLA-I-negative/PD-L1-positive tumors had bigger size (T) and lower grade of infiltration with CD8+T-cells. It represents a cancer immune escape phenotype that combines two independent mechanisms of immune evasion: loss of HLA-I and upregulation of PD-L1. Using GCH-array analysis of human lung cancer cell lines we found that the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) with complete or partial deletion of HLA-I genes is the principal mechanism of HLA-I alterations. This irreversible defect, which could potentially decrease the clinical efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy, appears to be underestimated. In conclusion, our results suggest that the analysis of HLA-I is very important for the selection of potential responders to cancer immunotherapy.

Three-dimensional analysis of third molar development to estimate age of majority.

Third molars are one of the few biological markers available for age estimation in undocumented juveniles close the legal age of majority, assuming an age of 18years as the most frequent legal demarcation between child and adult status. To obtain more accurate visualization and evaluation of third molar mineralization patterns from computed tomography images, a new software application, DentaVol©, was developed. Third molar mineralization according to qualitative (Demirjian's maturational stage) and quantitative parameters (third molar volume) of dental development was assessed in multi-slice helical computed tomography images of both maxillary arches displayed by DentaVol© from 135 individuals (62 females and 73 males) aged between 14 and 23years. Intra- and inter-observer agreement values were remarkably high for both evaluation procedures and for all third molars. A linear correlation between third molar mineralization and chronological age was found, with third molar maturity occurring earlier in males than in females. Assessment of dental development with both procedures, by using DentaVol© software, can be considered a good indicator of age of majority (18years or older) in all third molars. Our results indicated that virtual computed tomography imaging can be considered a valid alternative to orthopantomography for evaluations of third molar mineralization, and therefore a complementary tool for determining the age of majority.

Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear bone malformations with posterior labyrinth involvement: an exploratory study.

Inner ear bone malformations are one cause of profound sensorineural hearing loss. This investigation focused on those affecting the posterior labyrinth, especially enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, which is associated with fluctuating and progressive hearing loss. The objectives of this study were to analyze the behavior of the electrical stimulation, auditory functionality and linguistic development in patients with inner ear malformations involving the posterior labyrinth. The study included ten patients undergoing cochlear implantation (cases: five with enlarged vestibular aqueduct, two with vestibular aqueduct stenosis/aplasia, and three with semicircular canal disorders). Post-implantation, data were gathered on the electrical stimulation threshold and maximum comfort levels and on the number of functioning electrodes. Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech (EARS) subtests were used to assess auditory functionality and language acquisition at 6, 12, and 24 months post-implantation. Results were compared with findings in a control group of 28 cochlear implantation patients without these malformations. No significant differences were found between case and control groups in electrical stimulation parameters; auditory functionality subtest scores were lower in cases than controls, although the difference was only statistically significant for some subtests. In conclusion, cochlear implantation patients with posterior labyrinth bone malformations and profound hearing loss, including those with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, showed no significant difference in electrical stimulation threshold with controls. Although some auditory functionality test results were lower in cases than in controls, cochlear implantation appears to be beneficial for all patients with these malformations.

Oral Calcidiol Is More Effective Than Cholecalciferol Supplementation to Reach Adequate 25(OH)D Levels in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases Chronically Treated with Low Doses of Glucocorticoids: A "Real-Life" Study.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the cornerstone of the therapy in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, it is well known that their use is a double edged sword, as their beneficial effects are associated almost universally with unwanted effects, as, for example glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Over the last years, several clinical practice guidelines emphasize the need of preventing bone mass loss and reduce the incidence of fractures associated with GC use. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation, as adjunctive therapy, are included in all the practice guidelines. However, no standard vitamin D dose has been established. Several studies with postmenopausal women show that maintaining the levels above 30-33 ng/mL help improve the response to bisphosphonates. It is unknown if the response is the same in GIO, but in the clinical practice the levels are maintained at around the same values. In this study we demonstrate that patients with autoimmune diseases, undergoing glucocorticoid therapy, often present suboptimal 25(OH)D levels. Patients with higher body mass index and those receiving higher doses of glucocorticoids are at increased risk of having lower levels of 25(OH)D. In these patients, calcidiol supplementations are more effective than cholecalciferol to reach adequate 25(OH)D levels.

Metástasis hepáticas de origen colorrectal sincrónicas: ¿intervención simultánea o secuencial? / Simultaneous or sequential treatment of liver metastases of colon cancer?: experience in 76 patients

Background: Synchronous liver metastases of colon cancer can be managed with sequential or simultaneous surgical management of the primary tumor and the metastases. Aim: To compare the evolution of patients whose liver metastases were treated sequentially or simultaneously. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 76 patients aged 63 +/- 11 years (67 percent males). In 25, metastases were managed simultaneously and in 51 there were treated sequentially after a period of chemotherapy. All interventions were performed by the same surgeon. Results: Patients treated sequentially had a higher number of metastases andmore lymph nodes involved than their counterparts treated simultaneously. The overall resectability index was 78 percent. Eighteen major and 28 minor hepatic resections were carried out. Significantly more major resections were carried out in the sequential treatment group. Mean hospital stay was 11 days and 20 percent of patients had complications, with no differences between groups. Survival at one, three and five years was 75, 45 and 36 percent in the simultaneous treatment and 76, 49 and 29 percent in the sequential treatment group (with no significant differences between groups). Conclusions: In this group of patients no differences in complications or survival were observed when liver metastases were treated simultaneously or sequentially. However groups were not homogeneous.

Introducción: Existen distintas estrategias para el tratamiento de las metástasis hepáticas de origen colorrectal sincrónicas (MHCRS): cirugía secuencial, según respuesta a quimioterapia, intervención simultá-nea del tumor y las metástasis o cirugía hepática previa al tumor primario; el uso de una u otra estrategia es aún controvertido. Objetivo: Comparar la morbimortalidad y supervivencia en dos grupos de pacientes con MHCRS intervenidos de forma simultánea versus secuencial. Pacientes y Métodos: Definimos las MHCRS como aquellas que se diagnostican antes o durante la intervención del tumor primario. Se comparan dos grupos de pacientes con MHCRS, 25 sometidos a intervención simultánea (grupo 1) y 51 tras quimioterapia (intervención secuencial: grupo 2). La cirugía hepática la realizó el mismo cirujano. Revisamos datos del paciente, del tumor primario, intervención quirúrgica, transfusión perioperatoria, morbimortalidad y supervivencia. Resultados: 76 pacientes, con edad media de 62,79 +/- 11,3 años. El número de metástasis y la invasión ganglionar del tumor primario fueron mayores en el grupo 2 de forma estadísticamente significativa. Índice de resecabilidad: 77,6 por ciento: 18 resecciones hepáticas mayores y 28 menores, con diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (p = 0,05). La estancia media (10,89 días), Índice de morbilidad (19,7 por ciento) y supervivencia actuarial a 1,3 y 5 años fueron similares (75 por ciento, 45 por ciento y 36 por ciento en el grupo 1 y de 76 por ciento, 49 por ciento y 29 por ciento en el grupo 2). Mortalidad: 1,6 por ciento. Conclusiones: Las MHCRS pueden ser intervenidas de forma simultánea al tumor primario en pacientes seleccionados siempre que el equipo sea especializado. La morbimortalidad y la supervivencia son similares tanto en la intervención simultánea como en la secuencial.

Effectiveness of cochlear implant in inner ear bone malformations with anterior labyrinth involvement.

OBJECTIVE: To study electrical stimulation, auditory functionality, and language development in patients with inner ear malformations involving the anterior labyrinth who underwent cochlear implantation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Reference hospital for cochlear implantation. PATIENTS: Review of 14 cases of severe hearing loss with major (common cavity deformity and cochlear hypoplasia) or minor (e.g., incomplete partition and basal turn aplasia) malformations. INTERVENTIONS: After cochlear implantation, data were gathered on the threshold (THR) and maximum comfort level (MCL) of the electrical stimulation and the number of functioning electrodes. Auditory responses to speech (EARS protocol) subtests were used to evaluate auditory functionality and language acquisition at 6, 12, and 24 months post-implantation. Tests used were: LIP profile, MTP (3, 6 and 12 words), OLD (open set test) and CLD (close set test). Results were compared with findings in a control group of 28 cochlear implantation patients without these malformations and with congenital hearing loss. RESULTS: The mean THR was 11.02µC in patients with malformations versus 3.5µC in those without, a significant difference. The THR also significantly differed between groups with major and minor malformations. Fewer functioning electrodes were used in patients with malformations. Auditory functionality scores were best in controls than in patients with malformations, who scored ≤50%, finding the lowest scores in those with major malformations. CONCLUSION: Patients with inner ear malformations undergoing cochlear implantation require greater stimuli to obtain an auditory response and have worse auditory functionality outcomes; these differences are greater in those with major versus minor malformations Nevertheless, cochlear implantation appears to be beneficial for all patients with these malformations to a greater or lesser extent.

Ischemic heart disease is associated with vertebral fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Discordant results about the relationship between diabetes complications and the risk of fragility fractures have been reported. Our aims were to analyze the factors related to morphometric vertebral fractures (VFs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to explore the association between the presence of VFs and the main cardiovascular risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study including 123 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and in 72 of these patients we recorded data about the risk factors for VFs and comorbidities of diabetes including diabetes-related microvascular disease and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: In the crude analysis, diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-12.5), ischemic heart disease (OR 5.02, 95% CI 1.1-9.7) and waist circumference (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.006-1.114) were related to VFs. In the full model (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index), ischemic heart disease was the only determinant of VF (OR 3.33, CI 1.02-10.91, P = 0.047); whereas diabetic retinopathy did not reached significance (OR 2.27, CI 0.71-7.27, P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, ischemic heart disease is associated with an increased risk of VFs in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Serum osteoprotegerin and sex steroid levels in patients with prostate cancer.

The relationship between sex steroids and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with prostate cancer is not well established. Our aim was to evaluate serum OPG levels in patients with prostate cancer and its relationship with sex steroids, bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, and fractures. We performed a cross-sectional study including 91 patients with prostate cancer. We determined: bone mineral density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone turnover markers, serum levels of sex steroids and osteoprotegerin, and prevalent radiographic vertebral fractures. Serum OPG levels were higher in patients with vertebral fractures (8.02 ± 2.0 vs 4.91 ± 0.28 pmol/L; P < .05). OPG level and the duration of hormonal therapy were related (r = 0.299, P = .004), but this association did not persist after adjustment for age. In patients without androgen deprivation therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated with the levels of total testosterone (r = 0.508, P = .001) and bioavailable testosterone (r = 0.311, P = .037). In patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated with levels of total estradiol (r = 0.199, P = .18), bioavailable estradiol (r = 0.37, P = .009), and free estradiol (r = 0.349, P = .016). In conclusion, in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy, serum OPG levels were correlated with the levels of total estradiol, bioavailable estradiol, and free estradiol. Our hypothesis is that in patients with androgen deprivation therapy, the higher relative estrogen levels could stimulate OPG production in response to the higher resorption state. Future prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of OPG in androgen deprivation therapy-mediated bone loss.

Postcesarean thromboprophylaxis with two different regimens of bemiparin.

Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of postcesarean thromboprophylaxis with two different regimens of bemiparin. Material and Methods. The study included 646 women with cesarean delivery in our hospital within a 1-year period, randomly assigned to one of two groups for prophylaxis with 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 5 days or 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 10 days. Results. There was one case of pulmonary embolism (first day following cesarean). An additional risk factor was present in 98.52% of the women, most frequently emergency cesarean, anemia, or obesity. The only risk factors for thromboembolic disease significantly related to pulmonary thromboembolism were placental abruption and prematurity. There were no differences in thromboembolic events among the two thromboprophylaxis regimens. Conclusions. Cesarean-related thromboembolic events were reduced in our study population due to the thromboprophylactic measures taken. Thromboprophylaxis with 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 5 days following cesarean was sufficient to avoid thromboembolic events.

Visita preoperatoria de enfermería: evaluación de la efectividad de la intervención enfermera y percepción del paciente / Pre-surgical nursing visit: Evaluating the effectiveness of nursing intervention and patient perception

Objetivo. Conocer la satisfacción del paciente con la visita prequirúrgica, explorar los contenidos específicos de las intervenciones realizadas y analizar su efectividad en los resultados postoperatorios. Método. Estudio casi experimental realizado en el Hospital Universitario de San Cecilio de Granada en pacientes mayores de 18 años a los que se realizó la visita estructurada preoperatoria de enfermería entre enero y junio de 2008. Resultados. Participaron 580 pacientes: 41,4% hombres y 58,6% mujeres de edad media 56 años, teniendo un 76% experiencias quirúrgicas previas. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la intervención enfermera realizada en el paciente quirúrgico tiene resultados positivos sobre el nivel de ansiedad, el autocontrol de miedo y ansiedad, los conocimientos de cuidados de enfermedad, el nivel de comodidad y en nivel de dolor. No se reflejan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre hombres y mujeres. Se evidencia así mismo un alto grado de satisfacción del paciente. Conclusiones. Esta intervención enfermera no solo nos permite dar una información personalizada y adecuada al paciente quirúrgico sino que mejora la satisfacción de estos pacientes teniendo efectos positivos en el postoperatorio (AU)

Objective. To determine patient satisfaction with the pre-surgical visit, explore the specific contents of interventions performed, and analyse their effectiveness in post-surgical outcomes. Method. A quasi-experimental, before-and-after, study was conducted at the San Cecilio University Hospital (Granada), in patients over 18 years. Patients in the intervention group received additional information on surgical procedures in a structured pre-surgical nursing visit between January and June 2008. Results. Of the 580 patients included, 41.4% were men, and 58.6% were women, with an average age of 56 years, and of whom 76% had received surgery in the past. The results of this study demonstrate that nursing interventions on surgical patients have positive results on, the level of anxiety, self-control of fear and anxiety, knowledge of patient care, comfort and pain level. They also indicated a high level of patient satisfaction with the pre-surgical visit. Results. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women. Conclusions. This nursing intervention not only allows us to give personalised and appropriate information to the surgical patient but also improves the satisfaction of these patients, having positive post-surgical effects (AU)

[Pre-surgical nursing visit: evaluating the effectiveness of nursing intervention and patient perception]. / Visita preoperatoria de enfermería: evaluación de la efectividad de la intervención enfermera y percepción del paciente.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient satisfaction with the pre-surgical visit, explore the specific contents of interventions performed, and analyse their effectiveness in post-surgical outcomes. METHOD: A quasi-experimental, before-and-after, study was conducted at the San Cecilio University Hospital (Granada), in patients over 18 years. Patients in the intervention group received additional information on surgical procedures in a structured pre-surgical nursing visit between January and June 2008. RESULTS: Of the 580 patients included, 41.4% were men, and 58.6% were women, with an average age of 56 years, and of whom 76% had received surgery in the past. The results of this study demonstrate that nursing interventions on surgical patients have positive results on, the level of anxiety, self-control of fear and anxiety, knowledge of patient care, comfort and pain level. They also indicated a high level of patient satisfaction with the pre-surgical visit. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: This nursing intervention not only allows us to give personalised and appropriate information to the surgical patient but also improves the satisfaction of these patients, having positive post-surgical effects.