3-T MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for tremor in patients with a cardiac pacemaker: case series and review of the literature.

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has proven its efficacy and safety for the treatment of essential tremor (ET) and/or Parkinson's disease (PD). However, having a cardiac pacemaker has been considered an exclusion criterion for the use of MRgFUS. Only 2 patients with a cardiac pacemaker treated with MRgFUS have been previously reported, both treated using 1.5-T MRI. In this paper, the authors present their experience performing 3-T MRgFUS thalamotomy in 4 patients with an implanted cardiac pacemaker. Treatments were uneventful regarding complications or severe side effects. MRgFUS using 3-T MRI was found to be an efficient and safe treatment for ET and/or PD in patients with an MRI-compatible pacemaker.

How Far Are We From Achieving Delabeling of False Penicillin/ß-Lactam Allergy Alerts? A Population Problem.

BACKGROUND: Interest in finding efficient ways to remove penicillin allergy alerts has grown as a result of awareness of the considerable excess of false-negative diagnoses in patients with penicillin allergy labels (90%-95%), the poorer course with non-ß-lactam antibiotics, the increase in bacterial resistance, and the fact that these problems can affect up to 20% of the population in some countries. The strategies proposed have generated many publications in countries where the number of allergists to conduct such studies is low. In many cases where delabeling is performed, the risk of ß-lactam allergy is low, and a single penicillin challenge is sufficient to delabel the alert. However, other less "ultrarapid" strategies can be used to administer a ß-lactam during an admission for infection and thus postpone delabeling until traditional drug allergy consultations. However, the definitive withdrawal of ß-lactam alerts is threatened by nonremoval of alerts in electronic health records and by the reactivation or nonsynchronization of alerts between electronic systems at different levels of care. Allergy departments need to reflect on how to implement practices that enable rapid and efficient delabeling of drug allergy alerts, especially in patients with major comorbidities.

Pure menstrual tension-type headache: demonstration of its existence.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Menstrual migraine (MM) is widely recognized among the scientific community, with diagnostic criteria included in the appendix of the third edition of the International Headache Classification. However, this classification does not include other primary headaches that may occur during menstruation. Previous retrospective studies suggest the existence of menstrual tension-type headache. Our objective is to prospectively determine the existence of this type of headache and to determine its frequency relative to that of MM. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional (case series), prospective, observational study, conducted in a hospital neurology department, using a previously validated ad hoc questionnaire. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria among women accompanying neurology outpatients, and classified into five groups: pure menstrual tension-type headache, menstrual-related tension-type headache, pure menstrual migraine, menstrual-related migraine and unclassifiable. RESULTS: Ninety-five women (median age of 38.50 years, IQR: 13) were included, with the following group distribution: 13 (13.6%) pure menstrual tension-type headache, 14 (14.7%) menstruation-related tension-type headache, 23 (24.2%) pure menstrual migraine, 44 (46.3%) menstrual-related migraine and 1 unclassifiable. Of these patients, 23% did not treat menstrual headache, but this figure rose to 30.8% in the case of pure menstrual tension-type headache. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the existence of pure menstrual tension-type headache among women who do not seek medical care for this condition. The frequency of this headache is lower than that of MM. This reduced incidence, together with its generally mild nature, may explain the lack of prior recognition.

Characteristics of the digestates from OFMSW methane production at psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic conditions under different organic loading rates.

The anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has shown to be a viable alternative since it allows energy recovery in the form of methane and generates a residue (digestate) that can be applied effectively as a soil improver or fertiliser. The potential for methane production and the digestates' characteristics depend on the substrate characteristics and the process variables such as temperature, solids retention time, and organic load. This study dealt with OFMSW anaerobic digestion under different organic loading rates and temperatures and the characteristics of the resulting digestates. Three semi-continuous reactors were operated at 20, 35, and 55°C and fed daily with ground, fresh OFMSW from Mexico City. The inoculum was temperature-adapted UASB granular sludge. The main results indicate that the anaerobic digestion was adequate, as the pH values were slightly alkaline, which is sufficient for methanization, and the alkalinity was not a limiting factor. Potassium and PO4-P increased with the organic load, and Kjeldahl nitrogen decreased. At 20°C, total organic carbon (TOC) increased substantially with the organic load; at 35°C, it remained without significant changes; and at 55°C, TOC slightly decreased with the organic load. The C/N ratio changed accordingly to TOC variations. At 20°C, the residual biogas potential increased with the organic load; at 35 and 55°C, it decreased with increasing organic load; the residual biogas potential increased with residual fatty acids concentrations. To comply with international standards for agricultural use, the digestates need only dewatering and supplementing with PO4-P.

Immunosuppression of HLA identical living-donor kidney transplant recipients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients of HLA identical siblings (HLAid) have lower immunological risk, but there are no specific recommendations for immunosuppression. Our aim was to analyze evidence about results from HLAid living-donor recipients under different immunosuppression in the current era of immunological risk assessment. METHODS: Systematic review of studies describing associations between outcomes of HLAid living-donor KT recipients according to their immunological risk and applied immunosuppression. RESULTS: From 1351 studies, 16 (5636 KT recipients) were included in the analysis. All studies were retrospective, ten comparing immunosuppression strategies, and six immunological risk strata. Of those ten, six studies were published in 1990 or earlier and only three included tacrolimus. The evidence is poor, and the inclusion of calcineurin inhibitors does not demonstrate better results. Furthermore, only few studies describe different immunosuppression regimens according to the patient immunological risk and, in general, they do not include the assessment with new solid phase assays. CONCLUSIONS: There are no studies analyzing the association of outcomes of HLAid KT recipients with current immunological risk tools. In the absence of evidence, no decision or proposal of immunosuppression adapted to modern immunological risk assessment can be made currently by the Descartes Working Group.

Bilateral subgaleal hematoma after a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: an uncommon complication.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a relatively recent technique. Its advantages include less invasiveness and better pain management, but has specific anesthesia requirements, such as steep Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. Mild complications are common, e.g., transient hypotension or soft tissue edema. We present a case of a 62-year old male who developed subgaleal hematoma associated with transient neurologic impairment after surgery. Jugular vein insufficiency was suspected as the most likely cause. The patient recovered fully. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy can be a challenging procedure due to the anesthesia requirements, but most complications are mild and transient. However, patients should be carefully assessed before surgery. We identified potential factors that may have led to this complication: the abnormal prolonged surgical time, the steep Trendelenburg, a non-assessed jugular vein insufficiency, and/or patient`s obesity.

Bilateral subgaleal hematoma after a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: an uncommon complication / Hematoma subgaleal bilateral tras prostatectomía radical robótica: una complicación infrecuente

Robotassisted radical prostatectomy is a relatively recent technique. Its advantages include less invasiveness and better pain management, but has specific anesthesia requirements, such as steep Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. Mild complications are common, e.g., transient hypotension or soft tissue edema. We present a case of a 62 year old male who developed subgaleal hematoma associated with transient neurologic impairment after surgery. Jugular vein insufficiency was suspected as the most likely cause. The patient recovered fully.Robotassisted radical prostatectomy can be a challenging procedure due to the anesthesia requirements, but most complications are mild and transient. However, patients should be carefully assessed before surgery. We identified potential factors that may have led to this complication: the abnormal prolonged surgical time, the steep Trendelenburg, a nonassessed jugular vein insufficiency, and/or patient’s obesity.(AU)

La prostatectomía robótica radical es una técnica relativamente reciente. Sus ventajas son una menor invasividad y mejor control del dolor. Tiene algunas peculiaridades anestésicas, como Trendelenburg extremo y neumoperitoneo. Son frecuentes las complicaciones leves, como la hipotensión transitoria o el edema de partes blandas. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 62 años que desarrolló un hematoma subgaleal asociado a deterioro neurológico transitorio tras la intervención. Se sospechó como causa más probable una incompetencia venosa yugular. El paciente se recuperó completamente.La prostatectomía robótica radical puede ser un reto debido a los requisitos anestésicos, pero la mayoría de las complicaciones son leves y transitorias. No obstante, los pacientes deben ser estudiados cuidadosamente antes de la intervención. En este caso podemos encontrar varios factores que pueden haber influido, como el tiempo quirúrgico anormalmente prolongado, el Trendelenburg extremo, una insuficiencia de la vena yugular no evaluada y/o la obesidad del paciente.(AU)

Effect of sugammadex on processed EEG parameters in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex has been associated with increases in the bispectral index (BIS). We evaluated the effects of sugammadex administration on quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) measures. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of adult male patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. All patients received a sevoflurane-based general anaesthetic and a continuous infusion of rocuronium, which was reversed with 2 mg kg-1 of sugammadex i.v. BIS, EEG, and EMG measures were captured with the BIS Vista™ monitor. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in this study. Compared with baseline, BIS increased at 4-6 min (ß coefficient: 3.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.22-5.04; P<0.001), spectral edge frequency 95 (SEF95) increased at 2-4 min (ß coefficient: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.05-0.52; P=0.016) and 4-6 min (ß coefficient: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.47-0.94; P<0.001), and EMG increased at 4-6 min (ß coefficient: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.00-2.81; P<0.001) after sugammadex administration. Compared with baseline, increased beta power was observed at 2-4 min (ß coefficient: 93; 95% CI: 1-185; P=0.046) and 4-6 min (ß coefficient: 208; 95% CI: 116-300; P<0.001), and decreased delta power was observed at 4-6 min (ß coefficient: -526.72; 95% CI: -778 to -276; P<0.001) after sugammadex administration. Neither SEF95 nor frequency band data analysis adjusted for EMG showed substantial differences. None of the patients showed clinical signs of awakening. CONCLUSIONS: After neuromuscular block reversal with 2 mg kg-1 sugammadex, BIS, SEF95, EMG, and beta power showed small but statistically significant increases over time, while delta power decreased.

Incidence of adverse drug reactions in COVID-19 hospitalised patients through the minimum basic data set / Incidencia de reacciones adversas a medicamentos en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 a través del conjunto mínimo básico de datos

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic many drugs were used with an uncertain benefit/risk profile that needed to be evaluated. The goal of this study was to analyse the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and describe the drugs used in COVID-19 hospitalised patients at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic through the minimum basic data set (MBDS). Methods: Retrospective observational study that included hospitalised patients with COVID-19 at our centre between March and May 2020 who had ADRs coded in discharge/death medical reports according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Those patients with ADRs ascribed to COVID therapy were selected and the causal relationship was evaluated using the Naranjo algorithm. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results: We identified 141 ADRs in 110 cases of hospitalisation due to COVID-19 that entailed an incidence of 9.66% (141/1459), CI95% 8.25-11.29. From the ADRs analysed, 60.3% (85/141) were ascribed to COVID therapy. Lopinavir/ritonavir represented 38.8% (33/85) of ADRs, glucocorticoids 23.5% (20/85) and hydroxychloroquine 9.4% (8/85). Out of the ADRs, 31.8% (27/85) were gastrointestinal disorders (probable lopinavir/ritonavir), 27.0% (23/85) blood glucose disorders (probable glucocorticoid) and 17.6% (15/85) hypertransaminasaemia (probable azithromycin, possible lopinavir/ritonavir, possible hydroxychloroquine, possible interferon). Regarding intensity, 64.7% (55/85) were mild cases, 29.4% (25/85) moderate and 5.9% (5/85) severe. The percentage of ADRs that did not require intervention were 24.7% (21/85), 32.9% (28/85) required pharmacological treatment, 40.0% (34/85) suspension of the drug, 1.2% (1/85) close monitoring and 1.2% (1/85) dose reduction. Conclusions: The incidence of ADR in COVID population that required admission at the beginning of the pandemic seems to be higher than in the general population. The MBDS proves to be a useful tool to trace ADRs. (AU)

Introducción: La llegada de la pandemia de COVID-19 supuso la utilización de muchos fármacos con un perfil de riesgo/beneficio incierto que debe ser evaluado. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la incidencia de reacciones adversas a medicamentos (RAM) y describir los medicamentos utilizados en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 al comienzo de la pandemia a través del conjunto mínimo básico de datos (CMBD). Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en nuestro centro entre marzo y mayo de 2020 que presentaban RAM codificadas en los informes médicos de alta/exitus según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10). Se seleccionaron los pacientes con RAM atribuidas a la terapia COVID-19 y se evaluó la relación causal mediante el algoritmo de Naranjo. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Identificamos 141 RAM en 110 casos de hospitalización por COVID-19 lo que supone una incidencia del 9,66% (141/1459), IC95% 8,25-11,29. De las RAM analizadas el 60,3% (85/141) se atribuyeron a la terapia COVID. Lopinavir/ritonavir representó el 38,8% (33/85) de las RAM, los glucocorticoides el 23,5% (20/85) y la hidroxicloroquina el 9,4% (8/85). De todas las RAM, el 31,8% (27/85) fueron trastornos gastrointestinales (probable lopinavir /ritonavir), el 27,0% (23/85) trastornos de la glucemia (probable glucocorticoide) y el 17,6% (15/85) hipertransaminasemia (probable azitromicina, posible lopinavir /ritonavir, posible hidroxicloroquina, posible interferón). En cuanto a la intensidad, el 64,7% (55/85) de las RAM fueron casos leves, el 29,4% (25/85) moderados y el 5,9% (5/85) graves. El porcentaje de RAM que no requirió intervención fue 24,7% (21/85), 32,9% (28/85) requirió tratamiento farmacológico, 40,0% (34/85) suspensión del fármaco, 1,2% (1/85) seguimiento estrecho y 1,2% (1/85) reducción de dosis... (AU)

Clinical utility of intraoperative arterial spin labeling for resection control in brain tumor surgery at 3 T.

Resection control in brain tumor surgery can be achieved in real time with intraoperative MRI (iMRI). Arterial spin labeling (ASL), a technique that measures cerebral blood flow (CBF) non-invasively without the use of intravenous contrast agents, can be performed intraoperatively, providing morpho-physiological information. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, image quality and potential to depict residual tumor of a pseudo-continuous ASL (PCASL) sequence at 3 T. Seventeen patients with brain tumors, primary (16) or metastatic (1), undergoing resection surgery with iMRI monitoring, were prospectively recruited (nine men, age 56 ± 16.6 years). A PCASL sequence with long labeling duration (3000 ms) and postlabeling delay (2000 ms) was added to the conventional protocol, which consisted of pre- and postcontrast 3D T1 -weighted (T1w) images, optional 3D-FLAIR, and diffusion. Three observers independently assessed the image quality (four-point scale) of PCASL-derived CBF maps. In those with diagnostic quality (Scores 2-4) they evaluated the presence of residual tumor using the conventional sequences first, and the CBF maps afterwards (three-point scale). Inter-observer agreement for image quality and the presence of residual tumor was assessed using Fleiss kappa statistics. The intraoperative CBF ratio of the surgical margins (i.e., perilesional CBF values normalized to contralateral gray matter CBF) was compared with preoperative CBF ratio within the tumor (Wilcoxon's test). Diagnostic ASL image quality was observed in 94.1% of patients (interobserver Fleiss κ = 0.76). PCASL showed additional foci suggestive of high-grade residual component in three patients, and a hyperperfused area extending outside the enhancing component in one patient. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect in the evaluation of residual tumor with the conventional sequences (Fleiss κ = 0.92) and substantial for PCASL (Fleiss κ = 0.80). No significant differences were found between pre and intraoperative CBF ratios (p = 0.578) in patients with residual tumor (n = 7). iMRI-PCASL perfusion is feasible at 3 T and is useful for the intraoperative assessment of residual tumor, providing in some cases additional information to the conventional sequences.

Effectiveness of antithrombotic prophylaxis in hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic prophylaxis in hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 acute infection has increased. Currently, most of the evidence relates to patients in intensive care units; however, there is little information on patients admitted to hospital wards and there is no consensus protocol on thromboprophylaxis during admission and after discharge. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients admitted with COVID-19 and 30 days after discharge. METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted of patients admitted with COVID-19 in which the hospital thromboprophylaxis protocol was applied, classifying the patients as having a standard or high risk of thrombosis. Pharmacists performed a daily follow-up and actively intervened during admission and at discharge. The main outcome measure was the global incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) related to hospitalisation. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included, 98.23% of whom were admitted to a hospital ward. The incidence of hospital-acquired VTE was 1.77%. In 75.22% of the subjects, thromboprophylaxis was adjusted to the protocol during admission. A total of 23 pharmaceutical interventions were conducted, with an adherence of 52.17%. At discharge, 94.28% of the patients who had no haemorrhage and ≥4 points on the Padua Prediction Score required thromboprophylaxis, aligning with the protocol. The global incidence of haemorrhagic events during the follow-up period was 0.88%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hospital-acquired VTE was lower than that described in the literature. Although it cannot be certain that it is directly related to the instituted protocol, the data can show that the management of prevention of VTE is being optimally performed at the hospital. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the incidence after discharge, as well as to agree on a specific protocol in the COVID-19 population for the prevention of these events during hospitalisation and post-discharge.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Clinical Predictive Model to Estimate the Risk of Red Blood Cell Requirements in Brain Tumor Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The identification of factors associated with perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion provides an opportunity to optimize the patient and surgical plan, and to guide perioperative crossmatch and RBC orders. We examined the association among potential bleeding risk factors and RBC requirements to develop a novel predictive model for RBC transfusion in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included 696 adults who underwent brain tumor surgery between 2008 and 2018. Multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise selection for predictor selection was used during modeling. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration was evaluated with Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit χ 2 -estimate. RESULTS: Preoperative hemoglobin level was inversely associated with the probability of RBC transfusion (odds ratio [OR]: 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.63; P <0.001). The need for RBC transfusion was also greater in patients who had a previous craniotomy (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.32-5.57; P =0.007) and in those with larger brain tumor volume (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; P =0.009). The relationship between number of planned craniotomy sites and RBC transfusion was not statistically significant (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 0.61-7.32; P =0.238). A predictive model for RBC requirements was built using these 4 variables. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87; P <0.001) showing acceptable calibration for predicting RBC transfusion requirements. CONCLUSIONS: RBC requirements in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery can be estimated with acceptable accuracy using a predictive model based on readily available preoperative clinical variables. This predictive model could help to optimize both individual patients and surgical plans, and to guide perioperative crossmatch orders.

Adaptación de las unidades de cefalea de Andalucía a la pandemia por COVID-19. Análisis del Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología / Adaptation of headache units in Andalusia to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the Andalusian Neurology Societys Headache Study Group

Introducción: La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha supuesto un gran cambio en la atención sanitaria y ha dado protagonismo a la teleconsulta. En neurología, las cefaleas constituyen el motivo más frecuente de consulta. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la estructura de las unidades de cefaleas de Andalucía y las adaptaciones asistenciales potencialmente útiles tras ella. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta en línea a los neurólogos responsables de las unidades y consultas monográficas de cefaleas de Andalucía.Resultados: Durante el estado de alarma, todos los encuestados usaron teleconsulta. El 92,8% mantuvo alguna actividad presencial, fundamentalmente para técnicas invasivas y pacientes nuevos, utilizando medidas de protección individual y para evitar aglomeraciones. El 50% mantuvo las administraciones de toxina botulínica en los tiempos adecuados y el 78,6% siguió prescribiendo anticuerpos monoclonales frente al péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina. El 78,5% se encuentra globalmente satisfecho con el uso de la teleconsulta y el 57,1% considera que podría ser bastante útil de cara al futuro. Las principales ventajas expresadas fueron evitar el desplazamiento de los pacientes y el ahorro de tiempo; los inconvenientes, la ausencia de exploración física y la dificultad de comunicación. La necesidad de mejora más expresada fue el uso de videollamada. Conclusiones: Algunos de los cambios adoptados en este tiempo podrían seguir siendo útiles en el futuro y, en el caso de las cefaleas, la teleconsulta se podría emplear como opción para el seguimiento de pacientes ya diagnosticados y que no requieran técnicas invasivas.(AU)

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has given rise to a major change in healthcare and brought teleconsultation to the forefront. In neurology, headaches are the most frequent reason for visits. Aim: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the structure of headache units in Andalusia and the adaptations made to healthcare that are potentially useful innovations that can continue to be developed when the pandemic is over. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional observational study using an online survey of neurologists responsible for headache units and specialised consultations in Andalusia. Results: During the state of alarm, all respondents used teleconsultation. The vast majority (92.8%) maintained some face-to-face activity, mostly for invasive techniques and new patients, using individual protection measures and as a way to avoid crowds. Half of them (50%) maintained botulinum toxin administrations at the scheduled times and 78.6% continued to prescribe monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide. Altogether 78.5% are generally satisfied with the use of teleconsultation and 57.1% think it could be quite useful in the future. The main advantages reported were avoiding the need for the patient to travel and time savings; the disadvantages were the absence of physical examinations and difficulties in communicating. The most frequently expressed need for improvement was the use of video-calls. Conclusions: Some of the changes adopted during this time could continue to be useful in the future and, in the case of headaches, teleconsultation could be used as an option for following up patients who have already been diagnosed and do not require any invasive techniques.(AU)

[Adaptation of headache units in Andalusia to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the Andalusian Neurology Society's Headache Study Group]. / Adaptación de las unidades de cefalea de Andalucía a la pandemia por COVID-19. Análisis del Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has given rise to a major change in healthcare and brought teleconsultation to the forefront. In neurology, headaches are the most frequent reason for visits. AIM: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the structure of headache units in Andalusia and the adaptations made to healthcare that are potentially useful innovations that can continue to be developed when the pandemic is over. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study using an online survey of neurologists responsible for headache units and specialised consultations in Andalusia. RESULTS: During the state of alarm, all respondents used teleconsultation. The vast majority (92.8%) maintained some face-to-face activity, mostly for invasive techniques and new patients, using individual protection measures and as a way to avoid crowds. Half of them (50%) maintained botulinum toxin administrations at the scheduled times and 78.6% continued to prescribe monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide. Altogether 78.5% are generally satisfied with the use of teleconsultation and 57.1% think it could be quite useful in the future. The main advantages reported were avoiding the need for the patient to travel and time savings; the disadvantages were the absence of physical examinations and difficulties in communicating. The most frequently expressed need for improvement was the use of video-calls. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the changes adopted during this time could continue to be useful in the future and, in the case of headaches, teleconsultation could be used as an option for following up patients who have already been diagnosed and do not require any invasive techniques.

TITLE: Adaptación de las unidades de cefalea de Andalucía a la pandemia por COVID-19. Análisis del Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología.Introducción. La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha supuesto un gran cambio en la atención sanitaria y ha dado protagonismo a la teleconsulta. En neurología, las cefaleas constituyen el motivo más frecuente de consulta. Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la estructura de las unidades de cefaleas de Andalucía y las adaptaciones asistenciales potencialmente útiles tras ella. Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta en línea a los neurólogos responsables de las unidades y consultas monográficas de cefaleas de Andalucía. Resultados. Durante el estado de alarma, todos los encuestados usaron teleconsulta. El 92,8% mantuvo alguna actividad presencial, fundamentalmente para técnicas invasivas y pacientes nuevos, utilizando medidas de protección individual y para evitar aglomeraciones. El 50% mantuvo las administraciones de toxina botulínica en los tiempos adecuados y el 78,6% siguió prescribiendo anticuerpos monoclonales frente al péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina. El 78,5% se encuentra globalmente satisfecho con el uso de la teleconsulta y el 57,1% considera que podría ser bastante útil de cara al futuro. Las principales ventajas expresadas fueron evitar el desplazamiento de los pacientes y el ahorro de tiempo; los inconvenientes, la ausencia de exploración física y la dificultad de comunicación. La necesidad de mejora más expresada fue el uso de videollamada. Conclusiones. Algunos de los cambios adoptados en este tiempo podrían seguir siendo útiles en el futuro y, en el caso de las cefaleas, la teleconsulta se podría emplear como opción para el seguimiento de pacientes ya diagnosticados y que no requieran técnicas invasivas.

Incidencia y características de las caídas de pacientes hospitalizados: estudio de cohortes / Incidence and characteristics of falls in hospitalized patients: A cohort study

Objetivo: Estimar la incidencia de caídas y conocer sus características en cuanto a localización, temporalidad y lesiones producidas, y analizar las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes que sufren caídas. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo, en un hospital de nivel 2 del Servicio Madrileño de Salud. Se estudiaron las caídas de pacientes hospitalizados entre el 1 de julio de 2018 y el 30 de junio de 2019. Se estimó la tasa de incidencia de caídas por 1.000 días de estancia considerando una distribución de Poisson. Se describen las características de las caídas: temporalidad, lesiones producidas, localización de las lesiones y pauta de fármacos. Se registraron características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes que sufrieron una caída. Se realizó un análisis univariante para comparar los resultados por sexos. Todos los datos se han obtenido de registros de la historia clínica electrónica. Resultados: Se estudiaron 132 caídas, que suponen una tasa de 1,61 caídas por 1.000 días de estancia. Hombres, edad avanzada e ingreso a cargo de una especialidad médica presentaron una tasa de caída significativamente mayor. Los pacientes que sufrieron una caída tienen una edad media de 77,5 años (DE 11,7), y tuvieron pautados una mediana de 12,5 fármacos (RIC 9,25-15). El 63,6% de las caídas no presentan lesión alguna. Solo se encontró diferencia en cuanto al género en la situación en la que se produce la caída. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos notifican una incidencia de caídas similar a la de centros de nuestro entorno. El perfil del paciente que sufre una caída es el de un hombre mayor, ingresado a cargo de una especialidad médica, con estancias hospitalarias más largas, con alguna comorbilidad y polimedicado, sin una asociación temporal evidente.(AU)

Objective: To estimate the incidence of falls and to know their characteristics in terms of location, temporality and injuries produced, and to analyse the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients who suffer falls. Methodology: A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out in a level 2 hospital of the Madrid Health Service. Falls in hospitalized patients between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 were studied. The incidence rate of falls per 1,000 days of stay was estimated considering a Poisson distribution. The characteristics of the falls are described: temporality, injuries produced, location of the injuries and prescribed drugs. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who suffered a fall were registered. A univariate analysis was performed to compare the results by gender. All data were obtained from the electronic medical record. Results: One hundred and thirty-two falls were studied, which represent a rate of 1.61 falls per 1,000 days of stay. Men, older age, and admission to a medical specialty showed a significantly higher fall rate. The patients who suffered a fall had a mean age of 77.5 years (SD 11.7), and had a median of 12.5 drugs prescribed (IQR: 9.25-15). Of the falls, 63.6% did not present any injury. Difference in gender was only found in the situation in which the fall occurred. Conclusions: Our data report an incidence of falls similar to other institutions in our environment. The profile of the patient who suffers a fall is an older man, admitted under the charge of a medical specialty, with longer hospital stay, with associated comorbidity and polymedicated, without an obvious temporal feature.(AU)

Incidence and characteristics of falls in hospitalized patients: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of falls and to know their characteristics in terms of location, temporality and injuries produced, and to analyse the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients who suffer falls. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out in a level 2 hospital of the Madrid Health Service. Falls in hospitalized patients between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 were studied. The incidence rate of falls per 1000 days of stay was estimated considering a Poisson distribution. The characteristics of the falls are described: temporality, injuries produced, location of the injuries and prescribed drugs. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who suffered a fall were registered. A univariate analysis was performed to compare the results by gender. All data were obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two falls were studied, which represent a rate of 1.61 falls per 1,000 days of stay. Men, older age, and admission to a medical specialty showed a significantly higher fall rate. The patients who suffered a fall had a mean age of 77.5 years (SD: 11.7), and had a median of 12.5 drugs prescribed (IQR: 9.25-15). Of the falls, 63.6% did not present any injury. Difference in gender was only found in the situation in which the fall occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our data report an incidence of falls similar to other institutions in our environment. The profile of the patient who suffers a fall is an older man, admitted under the charge of a medical specialty, with longer hospital stay, with associated comorbidity and polymedicated, without an obvious temporal feature.