Is there a higher frequency of anal dysplasia and infection by human papillomavirus in Crohn's disease patients?

The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of dysplasia and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the anal canal of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with a control group and assess whether there is a correlation between use of immunosuppressants and anal manifestation of CD. Patients with CD and control individuals were submitted to anal cytology and material collection for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cytology was classified as normal, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade (HSIL). PCR was considered positive or negative according to virus presence or absence. A total of 117 patients were included (54 in the control group and 63 in the CD group, being 32 without and 31 with immunosuppressants). ASCUS and LSIL were found in 25.9 and 22.2% of control patients and 28.6 and 39.7% of CD patients. HPV was identified in 14.8% of the control group and 27% of the CD group. In CD patients, HPV was found in 37.5 and 16.1% of those without and with immunosuppressants, respectively. Patients with perianal involvement had 15.6% of PCR positivity. There was no statistical difference in dysplasia and infection by HPV between the groups. Use of immunosuppressants did not influence the result, but anal manifestation was inversely proportional to viral detection.

Abdominal tumors in patients with neurofibromatosis type I: Genotype-phenotype relationships.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors have been detected in 25% of the necropsies performed on NF1 patients, but have been reported only in 7% of NF1 patients in the largest series. Such data imply an important gap between the true presence of tumors and those diagnosed. Few genotype-phenotype relationships have been described but to date none referring to abdominal tumors. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of a regular and proactive follow-up of NF1 patients to early diagnose abdominal tumors and report their mutations. METHODS: Cohort study performed between 2010 and 2020, with 43 NF1 adult patients followed at our Dermatology department. RESULTS: Eight abdominal tumors were diagnosed in six patients, meaning that 14% of the followed patients developed an abdominal tumor. Five patients (83%) were asymptomatic. Five (83.3%) had a family history of NF1 with abdominal tumors (patients 1,2 and 3,4,5 were relatives). CONCLUSIONS: Although currently gastrointestinal routine screening investigations for asymptomatic patients are not recommended in the guidelines, the family aggregation in our series suggests it should be considered a close follow-up of the relatives of a patient with an NF1-related abdominal tumor. Also, for the first time, two mutations [c.2041C > T (p.Arg681Ter) and c.4537C > T (p.Arg1513*)] have been associated with family aggregation of abdominal tumors in NF1 patients.

Is there a higher frequency of anal dysplasia and infection by human papillomavirus in Crohn's disease patients?

The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of dysplasia and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the anal canal of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with a control group and assess whether there is a correlation between use of immunosuppressants and anal manifestation of CD. Patients with CD and control individuals were submitted to anal cytology and material collection for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cytology was classified as normal, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade (HSIL). PCR was considered positive or negative according to virus presence or absence. A total of 117 patients were included (54 in the control group and 63 in the CD group, being 32 without and 31 with immunosuppressants). ASCUS and LSIL were found in 25.9 and 22.2% of control patients and 28.6 and 39.7% of CD patients. HPV was identified in 14.8% of the control group and 27% of the CD group. In CD patients, HPV was found in 37.5 and 16.1% of those without and with immunosuppressants, respectively. Patients with perianal involvement had 15.6% of PCR positivity. There was no statistical difference in dysplasia and infection by HPV between the groups. Use of immunosuppressants did not influence the result, but anal manifestation was inversely proportional to viral detection.

Evaluación de la tasa de detección incidental de cáncer cutáneo: estudio prospectivo en un servicio hospitalario / Incidental Skin Cancer Detection in a Hospital Department: A Prospective Study

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: El cáncer de piel es un motivo frecuente de derivación a dermatología, pero también puede ser un hallazgo incidental durante la exploración por otro motivo de consulta. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar las características de las lesiones diagnosticadas de un cáncer cutáneo de forma incidental y compararlas con aquellas que constituían el motivo de derivación con pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer de piel (carcinoma espinocelular, carcinoma basocelular y melanoma) durante un año en una consulta de dermatología. Se recogieron diferentes variables y se realizó el análisis estadístico mediante la prueba de la Ji cuadrado de Pearson comparando el grupo en el que el diagnóstico era el motivo de derivación frente al grupo en el que el diagnóstico fue hallazgo incidental. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron datos de 433 pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 72 años, con 233 (51,3%) pacientes del sexo femenino y un predominio de fototipos II y III. El carcinoma basocelular fue en todos los análisis la neoplasia más frecuente, representando un 68,4% (296/433). Un 26% de los tumores cutáneos malignos diagnosticados no estaban relacionados con el motivo de derivación. El análisis estadístico demostró que las diagnosticadas de forma incidental estaban localizadas en zonas no visibles, tenían un menor tamaño y menor tiempo de evolución. CONCLUSIONES: La alta tasa de cáncer de piel diagnosticado de forma incidental por el dermatólogo resalta la necesidad de realizar exploraciones exhaustivas a nuestros pacientes para facilitar la detección temprana y el tratamiento precoz

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Skin cancer is a common cause for referral to dermatology, but it may also be an incidental finding during examination of patients referred for other reasons. The objective of the study was to compare the characteristics of skin cancer lesions (squamous skin carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma) diagnosed at a dermatology department over 1 year between patients referred for suspected skin cancer and those referred for another reason but in whom skin cancer was detected as an incidental finding. Pearson's chi2 test was used to compare different study variables between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Data were collected from 433 patients with a mean age of 72 years; 233 (51.3%) of the patients were female. The most common skin types were Fitzpatrick types II and III. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent cancer in all the analyses and accounted for 68.4% of all cancers diagnosed (296/433). Twenty-six percent of the malignant skin tumors were detected incidentally. Statistical analysis revealed that these tumors tended to be located in nonvisible areas and were smaller and of more recent onset than tumors initially suspected to be malignant. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of skin cancer diagnosed incidentally by dermatologists highlights the need to carry out thorough examinations of patients in order to facilitate early detection and treatment

Incidental Skin Cancer Detection in a Hospital Department: A Prospective Study. / Evaluación de la tasa de detección incidental de cáncer cutáneo: estudio prospectivo en un servicio hospitalario.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Skin cancer is a common cause for referral to dermatology, but it may also be an incidental finding during examination of patients referred for other reasons. The objective of the study was to compare the characteristics of skin cancer lesions (squamous skin carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma) diagnosed at a dermatology department over 1 year between patients referred for suspected skin cancer and those referred for another reason but in whom skin cancer was detected as an incidental finding. Pearson's χ2 test was used to compare different study variables between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Data were collected from 433 patients with a mean age of 72 years; 233 (51.3%) of the patients were female. The most common skin types were Fitzpatrick types II and III. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent cancer in all the analyses and accounted for 68.4% of all cancers diagnosed (296/433). Twenty-six percent of the malignant skin tumors were detected incidentally. Statistical analysis revealed that these tumors tended to be located in nonvisible areas and were smaller and of more recent onset than tumors initially suspected to be malignant. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of skin cancer diagnosed incidentally by dermatologists highlights the need to carry out thorough examinations of patients in order to facilitate early detection and treatment.

Documento de consenso español para el algoritmo de tratamiento de la rosácea / Spanish Consensus Document on the Treatment Algorithm for Rosacea

Las últimas evidencias científicas y la incorporación de nuevos fármacos al arsenal terapéutico de la rosácea hacen necesario revisar y actualizar los criterios y estrategias de tratamiento. Con este fin, un grupo de 15 dermatólogos expertos en esta enfermedad aportaron y discutieron acerca de las diferentes terapias y los criterios de respuesta y cambio de tratamiento. Partiendo de la revisión crítica de la bibliografía y de la exposición de los hábitos de los dermatólogos españoles en su práctica clínica, se formularon distintas propuestas que fueron debatidas teniendo en consideración tanto la experiencia profesional como las preferencias de los pacientes o los criterios de equidad. Una vez validadas las propuestas, se formularon las recomendaciones finales que, junto con la evidencia aportada por las principales guías y estudios internacionales, dieron lugar al presente documento. El objetivo de este consenso es ofrecer al dermatólogo un enfoque práctico para abordar la rosácea

Recent scientific evidence and the incorporation of new drugs into the therapeutic arsenal against rosacea have made it necessary to review and update treatment criteria and strategies. To this end, a panel of 15 dermatologists, all experts in rosacea, was formed to share experiences and discuss treatment options, response criteria, and changes to treatment. Based on a critical review of the literature and a discussion of the routine practices of Spanish dermatologists, the panel proposed and debated different options, with consideration of the experience of professionals and the preferences of patients or equality criteria. Following validation of the proposals, the final recommendations were formulated and, together with the evidence from the main international guidelines and studies, used to produce this consensus document. The goal of this consensus document is to provide dermatologists with practical recommendations for the management of rosacea

Author Correction: Combination of KIR2DS4 and FcγRIIa polymorphisms predicts the response to cetuximab in KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Spanish Consensus Document on the Treatment Algorithm for Rosacea. / Documento de consenso español para el algoritmo de tratamiento de la rosácea.

Recent scientific evidence and the incorporation of new drugs into the therapeutic arsenal against rosacea have made it necessary to review and update treatment criteria and strategies. To this end, a panel of 15 dermatologists, all experts in rosacea, was formed to share experiences and discuss treatment options, response criteria, and changes to treatment. Based on a critical review of the literature and a discussion of the routine practices of Spanish dermatologists, the panel proposed and debated different options, with consideration of the experience of professionals and the preferences of patients or equality criteria. Following validation of the proposals, the final recommendations were formulated and, together with the evidence from the main international guidelines and studies, used to produce this consensus document. The goal of this consensus document is to provide dermatologists with practical recommendations for the management of rosacea.

Combination of KIR2DS4 and FcγRIIa polymorphisms predicts the response to cetuximab in KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

Cetuximab is a standard-of-care treatment for RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but not for those harbor a KRAS mutation since MAPK pathway is constitutively activated. Nevertheless, cetuximab also exerts its effect by its immunomodulatory activity despite the presence of RAS mutation. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of polymorphism FcγRIIIa V158F and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on the outcome of mCRC patients with KRAS mutations treated with cetuximab. This multicenter Phase II clinical trial included 70 mCRC patients with KRAS mutated. We found KIR2DS4 gene was significantly associated with OS (HR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.08-4.77; P = 0.03). In non-functional receptor homozygotes the median OS was 2.6 months longer than in carriers of one copy of full receptor. Multivariate analysis confirmed KIR2DS4 as a favorable prognostic marker for OS (HR 6.71) in mCRC patients with KRAS mutation treated with cetuximab. These data support the potential therapeutic of cetuximab in KRAS mutated mCRC carrying non-functional receptor KIR2DS4 since these patients significantly prolong their OS even after heavily treatment. KIR2DS4 typing could be used as predictive marker for identifying RAS mutated patients that could benefit from combination approaches of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and other immunotherapies to overcome the resistance mediated by mutation in RAS.

Future perspectives of circulating tumor DNA in colorectal cancer.

Tumor biopsy is currently the gold standard for diagnosis and in determining cell signaling pathways involved in the development of treatment resistance. However, there are major challenges with this technique, including the need for serial sampling to monitor treatment resistance, which is invasive and also has the potential for selection bias due to intra-tumoral and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. These challenges highlight the need for more effective methods for obtaining Tumor samples. Liquid biopsy analyzes genetic material or tumor cells shed into the blood from the primary tumor and metastatic sites and consequently provides a comprehensive, real-time picture of the tumor burden in an individual patient. Indeed, liquid biopsy has the potential to revolutionize cancer management. Here, we review recent studies on the potential clinical applications of liquid biopsy using circulating tumor DNA in colorectal cancer, including screening, diagnosis, detection of minimal residual disease after surgery, detection of recurrence, prognosis, predicting treatment response, monitoring tumor burden or response during treatment, and tracking resistance. We also discuss recent data demonstrating the utility of detecting KRAS-mutated circulating tumor DNA, both at diagnosis to determine an appropriate treatment strategy and during anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy to predict treatment resistance. The future integration of liquid biopsy into clinical practice is discussed, together with alternative approaches and key questions that need to be answered in future clinical studies before this technology can be implemented and used routinely.

¿Es útil el cribado familiar en el déficit selectivo de inmunoglobulina A? / Is familial screening useful in selective immunoglobulin A deficiency?

INTRODUCCIÓN: El déficit selectivo de IgA (DSIgA) es la inmunodeficiencia primaria más frecuente, siendo a menudo asintomática. Se ha descrito una elevada agregación familiar, sin conocerse el defecto genético causante ni su mecanismo hereditario. OBJETIVOS: Definir la utilidad del cribado de los familiares de primer grado de los pacientes con DSIgA valorando si los casos familiares presentan unas características clínicas e inmunológicas más graves que los casos esporádicos (CE) y si los familiares diagnosticados de DSIgA presentan sintomatología clínica significativa para justificar su cribado. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo (octubre del 2010-septiembre del 2011) de todos los pacientes con DSIgA controlados en nuestro centro, con revisión de datos demográficos, clínicos y analíticos. Se consideró como caso familiar (CF) todo aquel con al menos un familiar de primer grado (FPG) con DSIgA. RESULTADOS: De los 130 participantes, 42 eran pacientes con DSIgA y 88 FPG. Se diagnosticaron 13 CF (31%), 29 CE (69%) y 14 (16%) FPG enfermos (FPG-E). El número necesario a analizar para encontrar un FPG-E fue de 6 familiares. No hubo diferencias clínicas entre los pacientes. Hubo una proporción mayor de patología intestinal (p = 0,001, OR=9,57, IC del 95%, 2,59-35,3), ingresos (p = 0,045, OR=4,01; IC del 95%, 1,10-14,67) y necesidad de tratamiento crónico (p = 0,006, OR=5,5; IC del 95%, 1,57-19,54) en los FPG-E con respecto a los FPG sanos. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de no encontrar más complicaciones clínicas en los CF de DSIgA, la elevada prevalencia de familiares afectados con afectación clínica significativa podría justificar la realización sistemática de estos programas de cribado

INTRODUCTION: Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD), the most common primary immunodeficiency, is often asymptomatic. High rates of familial clustering have been described in SIgAD, but the causative genetic defect and mechanism of inheritance are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether familial SIgAD cases show more severe clinical and immunological characteristics than sporadic ones; to investigate the utility of screening first-degree relatives (FDRs) of these patients, and to determine whether symptoms in affected family members are important enough to justify screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study (October 2010-September 2011) of all patients with SIgAD and followed up in our center. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data were reviewed. A familial case was defined as an SIgAD patient with at least one affected FDR. RESULTS: Of the 130 participants, 42 were SIgAD patients and 88 FDR. There were 13 (31%) familial cases and and 14 (16%) affected FDRs. Six family members had to be analyzed in order to detect one affected one. There were no clinical differences between familial and sporadic SIgAD cases. The percentages of intestinal disease (p=001, OR=9.57, 95%CI 2.59-35.3), hospitalizations (p=045, OR=4.01; 95%CI 1.10-14.67], and need for chronic treatment (p=006, OR=5.5; 95%CI 1.57-19.54) were higher in affected FDRs than in unaffected ones. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms were not more severe in familial than sporadic SIgAD cases. Nonetheless, the elevated prevalence of affected FDRs with significant morbidity may justify routine screening of close family members of these patients

[Is familial screening useful in selective immunoglobulin A deficiency?]. / ¿Es útil el cribado familiar en el déficit selectivo de inmunoglobulina A?

INTRODUCTION: Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency (SIgAD), the most common primary immunodeficiency, is often asymptomatic. High rates of familial clustering have been described in SIgAD, but the causative genetic defect and mechanism of inheritance are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether familial SIgAD cases show more severe clinical and immunological characteristics than sporadic ones; to investigate the utility of screening first-degree relatives (FDRs) of these patients, and to determine whether symptoms in affected family members are important enough to justify screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study (October 2010-September 2011) of all patients with SIgAD and followed up in our center. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data were reviewed. A familial case was defined as an SIgAD patient with at least one affected FDR. RESULTS: Of the 130 participants, 42 were SIgAD patients and 88 FDR. There were 13 (31%) familial cases and and 14 (16%) affected FDRs. Six family members had to be analyzed in order to detect one affected one. There were no clinical differences between familial and sporadic SIgAD cases. The percentages of intestinal disease (p=001, OR=9.57, 95%CI 2.59-35.3), hospitalizations (p=045, OR=4.01; 95%CI 1.10-14.67], and need for chronic treatment (p=006, OR=5.5; 95%CI 1.57-19.54) were higher in affected FDRs than in unaffected ones. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms were not more severe in familial than sporadic SIgAD cases. Nonetheless, the elevated prevalence of affected FDRs with significant morbidity may justify routine screening of close family members of these patients.

Patología infecciosa importada en hospitales terciarios / Imported infectious diseases in tertiary hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el ańo 2009 se crea en nuestro centro una Consulta de Patología Importada. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer su aportación en cuanto a capacidad, calidad asistencial y docencia ofrecida. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo entre 2009 y 2011 donde se analizan: a) desarrollo del conocimiento mediante la valoración de protocolos y publicaciones realizadas, así como la docencia impartida; y b) capacidad y calidad asistencial ofrecida mediante el análisis de los pacientes atendidos, la adecuación a los protocolos y la accesibilidad a la consulta. Se clasifican los pacientes atendidos en 3 grupos: grupo 1 cribado del paciente inmigrante; grupo 2 consulta tras viaje a zona tropical o subtropical; grupo 3 cribado de enfermedad importada de transmisión vertical. RESULTADOS: Se han desarrollado y difundido en la web de la unidad 6 protocolos y 5 publicaciones científicas. Se han atendido 316 pacientes: 191 incluidos en el grupo 1 (29 adoptados y 162 inmigrantes); 57 en el grupo 2 (94,7% Visiting Friends and Relatives y 81,5% sin consulta previaje), que acudieron principalmente por clínica gastrointestinal (52,6%) y fiebre (43,8%); y 68 en el grupo 3 con riesgo de infección importada de transmisión vertical (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 virus linfotrópico T humano y 5 Plasmodium spp.). La adecuación global a los protocolos disponibles fue del 77,1%. DISCUSIÓN: Las unidades de patología infecciosa deben adaptarse a la realidad de la población que atienden, siendo flexibles en su estructura. Es imprescindible la valoración periódica de la calidad asistencial ofrecida, así como la valoración en la rentabilidad de los estudios complementarios a realizar (AU) - es INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility.The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studies

INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility.The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studieS

Fiebre y lesiones cutáneas en un paciente con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica / Fever and skin lesions in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease

No disponible

[Imported infectious diseases in tertiary hospital]. / Patología infecciosa importada en hospitales terciarios.

INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility. The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studies.

Evaluación de un programa de valoración de adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral / Evaluation of a program for assessing adherence to antiretroviral treatment

Introducción: Una baja adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral (TARV) es la causa más frecuente de fracaso terapéutico tanto en niños como en adultos que viven con el VIH, siendo especialmente importante durante la adolescencia. En consecuencia, cualquier análisis de la efectividad del TARV deberá considerarse incompleto si no incluye una evaluación de la adherencia. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la utilidad de un programa de valoración de la adherencia al TARV en una población de pacientes pediátricos infectados por el VIH. Pacientes y métodos: Se trata de un estudio observacional y transversal, dentro del «Programa de educación sanitaria para la optimización de la adherencia en pacientes pediátricos con VIH», que forma parte del proyecto «No estoy solo». La adherencia se estudió simultáneamente mediante una combinación de diferentes métodos: entrevista personal, evolución de la carga viral y del recuento de linfocitos TCD4+, determinación de concentraciones plasmáticas de fármacos y registros de dispensación de farmacia. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 20 pacientes (50% mujeres, edad mediana: 14,5 años). Se obtuvo un porcentaje de adherencia completa informada por el propio paciente o cuidador del 90% (IC 95%: 70-97,2%); sin embargo, el porcentaje medio de adherencia según los registros de dispensación fue significativamente inferior (83,3%; DE=32,88). La media de principios activos/día y de medicamentos/día fue de 3,5 (DE=0,83) y 5,5 (DE=2,72), respectivamente. Hubo una relación inversa entre el n.° de medicamentos/día y las puntuaciones de adherencia (F=13,8; p=0,002). Ninguno de los métodos de evaluación se relacionó de manera estadísticamente significativa con la adherencia, presentando la determinación de concentraciones plasmáticas una tendencia a la significación. Conclusiones: La adherencia global al TARV fue elevada y se vio favorecida por el uso de pautas posológicas sencillas. La adherencia informada por el paciente y/o el cuidador sobreestimó la verdadera adherencia al TARV. Recomendamos la utilización simultánea de diversos métodos de valoración de la adherencia en los niños y adolescentes que viven con el VIH (AU)

Introduction: Poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is the commonest cause of treatment failure in children and adults living with HIV, and this is especially important during adolescence. Therefore, any analysis of ART effectiveness in children should include an evaluation of adherence to ART. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of an ART adherence monitoring program in an HIV-infected paediatric population. Patients and methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was performed, within the framework of the “Health Education Program for Optimising Adherence in Paediatric Patients with HIV”, which is part of the “I am not alone” project. Adherence was assessed simultaneously by different methods: personal interview, therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacy dispensing records and evolution of viral load and T CD4+ lymphocyte count. Results: Twenty patients were included (50% female, median age 14.5 years). Percentage of self-reported full adherence was 90% (95% CI: 70-97.2%); however, the median adherence percentage according to pharmacy dispensing records was significantly lower (83.3%, SD=32.88). The average of drugs and dosage forms per day were 3.5 (SD=0.83) and 5.5 (SD=2.72), respectively. There was an inverse relationship between the number of dosage forms per day and adherence scores (F=13.8; P=0.002). No single method was statistically related to adherence, although therapeutic drug monitoring showed a trend towards significance. Conclusions: Global adherence to ART was high and was easier with simpler regimens. Self-reported adherence overestimated real adherence to ART in our cohort. The simultaneous use of different methods to assess adherence is recommended in HIV-infected children (AU)

[Evaluation of a program for assessing adherence to antiretroviral treatment]. / Evaluación de un programa de valoración de adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral.

INTRODUCTION: Poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is the commonest cause of treatment failure in children and adults living with HIV, and this is especially important during adolescence. Therefore, any analysis of ART effectiveness in children should include an evaluation of adherence to ART. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of an ART adherence monitoring program in an HIV-infected paediatric population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational and cross-sectional study was performed, within the framework of the "Health Education Program for Optimising Adherence in Paediatric Patients with HIV", which is part of the "I am not alone" project. Adherence was assessed simultaneously by different methods: personal interview, therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacy dispensing records and evolution of viral load and T CD4+ lymphocyte count. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included (50% female, median age 14.5 years). Percentage of self-reported full adherence was 90% (95% CI: 70-97.2%); however, the median adherence percentage according to pharmacy dispensing records was significantly lower (83.3%, SD=32.88). The average of drugs and dosage forms per day were 3.5 (SD=0.83) and 5.5 (SD=2.72), respectively. There was an inverse relationship between the number of dosage forms per day and adherence scores (F=13.8; P=.002). No single method was statistically related to adherence, although therapeutic drug monitoring showed a trend towards significance. CONCLUSIONS: Global adherence to ART was high and was easier with simpler regimens. Self-reported adherence overestimated real adherence to ART in our cohort. The simultaneous use of different methods to assess adherence is recommended in HIV-infected children.

Four imported cases of tungiasis in Mallorca.

Tungiasis is an endemic disease in many resource-poor communities some of which are in South America, which are visited frequently by Spanish travelers. Its diagnosis can be improved with the knowledge of the typical presentation and the correct management of its injuries. We report the first four cases identified of imported tungiasis in Mallorca. All four patients visited beaches in Brazil and presented the classical black lesions after their return. Two of the patients were diagnosed at primary care level and all were treated by dermatologists with surgical techniques. Dermoscopy was used for the initial approach to the injuries. Tungiasis can be suspected easily by examining carefully the black lesions and asking about previous travel. It can be treated readily by minor surgical techniques.