Epidemiological, clinical and economic burden of alopecia areata in Spain: a real-world retrospective study. The PETALO study.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes non-scarring hair loss. Data are lacking on the epidemiology and clinical and economic burden of AA in Spain. To estimate the prevalence and incidence of AA in Spain and describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs. This was an observational, retrospective, descriptive study based on the Health Improvement Network (THIN®) database (Cegedim Health Data, Spain). Patients with ICD9-Code 704.01 for AA, registered between 2014 and 2021, were identified. Prevalence (%) and incidence rates per 1,000 patient-years (IR) of AA were calculated and clinical characteristics, treatment characteristics and HCRU/costs were assessed. A total of 5,488 patients with AA were identified. The point prevalence of AA in 2021 was 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.45) overall, 0.48 (0.47-0.49) in adults, and 0.23 (0.21-0.26) in children ≤12 years. The 2021 IR for AA in adults was 0.55 (0.51-0.60). Of 3,351 adults with AA, 53.4% were female, mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 43.1 (14.7) years, and 41.6% experienced comorbidities. Among adults, 2.7% used systemic treatment (0.5% immunosuppressants, 2.5% oral corticosteroids, 0.3% both). Laboratory tests and health care professional visits were the principal drivers of cost, which was €821.2 (1065.6)/patient in the first year after diagnosis. The epidemiology of AA in Spain is comparable with that reported for other countries, being more prevalent among adults. There is a significant burden of comorbidities and cost for patients, with limited use of systemic treatments, suggesting an unmet treatment need in this population.

Observational Retrospective Study in Patients Treated with Galcanezumab as Preventive Treatment for Migraine: The ORYGAM Study.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of galcanezumab has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, but evidence about its use under clinical practice conditions is still limited. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of the patients treated with galcanezumab in routine clinical practice in Spain as well as treatment patterns, persistence, and effectiveness. METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was carried out in six hospitals. Information of adults with migraine, who started treatment with galcanezumab between November 2019 and September 2021, was analyzed until end or loss of follow-up. Continuous variables were described as mean (standard deviation, SD) and median (interquartile range, IQR), and categorical variables as frequency and percentages. Persistence to treatment was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 314 patients were analyzed over median follow-up period of 17.5 months (13.8-20.7), with a mean age of 46.3 (12.6), 85% women, 80.6% chronic migraine, and reporting a mean of monthly migraine days of 16.7 (7.8). Overall, 72.9% had comorbid conditions, with anxiety and depression disorders being the most frequent. More than 60% had received ≥ 6 previous preventive drugs, the most common being antiepileptics, antidepressants, and botulinum toxin (95.2%, 89.8% and 84.1%, respectively). Overall, 60.3% of the patients with other preventive treatments maintained them after galcanezumab initiation. The median time on galcanezumab was 14.6 months (9.4-22.8); 95.7%, 82.0%, 76.2% and 59.8% of patients were persistent to treatment at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Of the patients who discontinued (151: 48.1%), 57.6% were due to lack of effectiveness and 31.1% were due to improvement in migraine. The average reduction of monthly migraine days at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 7.9 (7.2), 9.1 (7.5), 8.8 (6.6) and 9.0 (6.9) days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In real clinical practice, galcanezumab is an effective treatment and has a high persistence in patients with migraine, mostly chronic and with multiple use of previous preventive treatments.

Efectividad de la reconstrucción de la oreja con cartílago costal en el tratamiento de microtias / Effectiveness of Auricle Reconstruction with Costal Cartilage for the Treatment of Microtias

Introducción: La reconstrucción de la oreja en la actualidad es un problema difícil de solucionar. Se han propuesto varias técnicas quirúrgicas y solo las que se basan en el uso de cartílago costal autólogo son las que se aceptan a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la técnica de reconstrucción del pabellón auricular descrita por Burt Brent. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo con diseño descriptivo de corte transversal con 41 pacientes que presentaron microtia congénita o perdida adquirida de la oreja; a quienes se les realizó reconstrucción auricular con cartílago costal autólogo tratados en el Hospital "William Soler", el Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgica y Clínica Central "Cira García" en el Servicio de Cirugía Plástica desde 1994 hasta 2019. Se describió y se documentó la técnica empleada descrita por Burt Brent. Se utilizó una escala de 10 puntos que se basó en la anatomía auricular normal para la valoración de los resultados. Resultados: Se encontraron 32 pacientes portadores de microtia congénitas (78,04 %) y 9 pérdidas traumáticas (21,95 %), predominó el sexo femenino (56,09 %). La incidencia fue mayor en el lado derecho (68,75 %) en pacientes con microtia congénita. En el 95 % de los casos se alcanzaron resultados favorables y satisfactorios. Conclusiones: La reconstrucción del pabellón auricular requiere el empleo de un fragmento de cartílago costal de suficiente tamaño, forma y proyección. La clave consiste en esculpir un marco cartilaginoso de la oreja y mantener estos detalles a través de la piel lo más semejante a la oreja normal. Para un resultado satisfactorio se requiere una alta especialización.

Introduction: Auricle reconstruction is, nowadays, a difficult problem to solve. Several surgical techniques have been proposed and only those based on the use of autologous costal cartilage are accepted worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the auricle reconstruction technique described by Burt Brent. Methods: A quantitative study with a cross-sectional descriptive design was carried out with 41 patients who presented congenital microtia or acquired loss of the ear and who were performed auricle reconstruction with autologous costal cartilage in the plastic surgery service at Hospital "William Soler", Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas and Clínica Central "Cira García", from 1994 to 2019. The used technique described by Burt Brent was, in turn, described and documented. A 10-point scale based on the normal atrial anatomy was used to assess the outcomes. Results: Thirty-two patients with congenital microtia (78.04 %) and nine traumatic losses (21.95 %) were found, with a predominance of the female sex (56.09 %). The incidence was higher on the right side (68.75 %) in patients with congenital microtia. Favorable and satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 95 % of cases. Conclusions: Auricle reconstruction requires the use of a costal cartilage piece of enough size, shape and projection. The key is to sculpt a cartilaginous framework of the ear and to maintain these details through the skin as close as possible to the normal ear. A high level of specialization is required for a satisfactory outcome.

Edema de Calabar en una niña guineana: loasis / Guinean child with Calabar swelling: Loiasis

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Deep dry needling of trigger points located in the lateral pterygoid muscle: efficacy and safety of treatment for management of myofascial pain and temporomandibular dysfunction

BACKGROUND: To determine whether deep dry needling (DDN) of trigger points (TPs) in the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) would significantly reduce pain and improve function, compared with methocarbamol/paracetamol medication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with chronic myofascial pain located in the LPM were selected and randomly assigned to one of two groups (DDN test group, n=24; drug-treated control group, n=24). The test group received three applications of needling of the LPM once per week for three weeks, while control group patients were given two tablets of a methocarbamol/paracetamol combination every six hours for three weeks. Assessments were carried out pre-treatment, 2 and 8 weeks after finishing the treatment. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was detected for both groups with respect to pain reduction at rest and with mastication, but the DDN test group had significantly better levels of pain reduction. Moreover, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) up to day 70 in the test group were seen with respect to maximum mouth opening, laterality and protrusion movements compared with pre-treatment values. Pain reduction in the test group was greater as a function of pain intensity at baseline. The evaluation of efficacy as assessed both by patients/investigators was better for the test group. 41% of the patients receiving the combination drug treatment described unpleasant side effects (mostly drowsiness). CONCLUSIONS: DDN of TPs in the LPM showed better efficacy in reducing pain and improving maximum mouth opening, laterality, and protrusion movements compared with methocarbamol/paracetamol treatment. No adverse events were observed with respect to DDN

Treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain with deep dry needling

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of deep dry needling in the treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain. Study Design: We selected 36 patients with myofascial pain located in the external pterygoid muscle (30 women/6 men, mean age=27 years with SD±6,5). We studied differences in pain with a visual analog scale and range of mandibular movements before and after intervention. Results: We found a statistically significant relationship (p<0,01) between therapeutic intervention and the improvement of pain and jaw movements, which continued up to 6 months after treatment. Pain reduction was greater the higher was the intensity of pain at baseline. Conclusions: Although further studies are needed, our findings suggest that deep dry needling in the trigger point in the external pterygoid muscle can be effective in the management of patients with myofascial pain located in that muscle (AU)

Evidencias de la regulación del estado redox materno entre las 30 y 36 semanas de gestación / Evidences of the maternal redox state regulation among the 30 and the 36 weeks of pregnancy

El embarazo es un estado fisiológico caracterizado por un incremento regulado estrictamente de los procesos oxidativos. El riesgo de estrés oxidativo puede depender del estado antioxidante materno, el cual protege potencialmente a la unidad materno-fetal incrementando el crecimiento intrauterino y el peso del neonato. OBJETIVO: Mostrar evidencias de la regulación del estado redox materno entre las 30 y 36 sem de gestación fisiológica. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico y transversal que incluyó a 36 gestantes saludables con feto único, similar edad, peso y edades gestacionales entre 30 y 36 sem. Como indicadores de defensa antioxidante se determinaron el potencial reductor férrico del suero, la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa extracelular y la concentración de glutatión reducido en eritrocitos. Como indicador de lipoperoxidación se determinó la concentración de malondialdehído. Se determinó además la concentración de hemoglobina, hierro sérico y la glicemia, así como, el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y su variación. Basados en la metodología de análisis de senderos, se contrastaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales con las variables estudiadas. RESULTADOS: El potencial reductor férrico y la concentración sérica de malondialdehído correlacionaron positivamente con la actividad sérica de la superóxido dismutasa y con la concentración de glutatión reducido, contribuyendo más el malondialdehído que el potencial reductor férrico a su variación. La glicemia también se relacionó directamente con la peroxidación lipódica y con los indicadores del estado antioxidante. CONCLUSIONES: Las gestantes incluidas en el estudio tuvieron un adecuado balance redox y el malondialdehído o algún otro producto de la peroxidación lipídica pueden estar relacionados con la estimulación de respuestas protectoras para mantener el mismo

Pregnancy is a physiological status characterized by a strictly controlled increase of oxidative processes. The risk of this oxidative process may to depend on the mother antioxidant status, which to potentially protect the mother-fetus unit increasing the intrauterine growth and the neonate weight. OBJECTIVE: To show evidences of mother redox satus regulation among the 30 and the 36 weeks of physiological pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, analytical and observational study was conducted including 36 healthy pregnants wit a single-fetus, and similar weight and gestational age between 30 and 36 weeks. As antioxidant defense indicators were determined the potential serum-ferric reduction agent, the extracellular superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde concentration. It was also determined the hemoglobin ,serum ferric and glycemia, as well as the body mass index (BMI) and its variation. Based on the methodology of routes analysis there were structural equations forms with study variable. RESULTS: The ferric redactor potential and the serum concentration of malondialdehye were positively correlated to serum activity of superoxide dismutase and to the reduced glutathione concentration were the malondialdehyde contributes more than the ferric redactor potential and its variation. Glycemia also was directly related to lipid peroxidation and to antioxidant status indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnants included in present study had a suitable redox balance, and the malondialdehyde or some other product of lipid peroxidation may be related to stimulation of protective responses for its maintenance

Evidencias de la regulación del estado redox materno entre las 30 y 36 semanas de gestación / Evidences of the maternal redox state regulation among the 30 and the 36 weeks of pregnancy

El embarazo es un estado fisiológico caracterizado por un incremento regulado estrictamente de los procesos oxidativos. El riesgo de estrés oxidativo puede depender del estado antioxidante materno, el cual protege potencialmente a la unidad materno-fetal incrementando el crecimiento intrauterino y el peso del neonato. OBJETIVO: Mostrar evidencias de la regulación del estado redox materno entre las 30 y 36 sem de gestación fisiológica. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico y transversal que incluyó a 36 gestantes saludables con feto único, similar edad, peso y edades gestacionales entre 30 y 36 sem. Como indicadores de defensa antioxidante se determinaron el potencial reductor férrico del suero, la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa extracelular y la concentración de glutatión reducido en eritrocitos. Como indicador de lipoperoxidación se determinó la concentración de malondialdehído. Se determinó además la concentración de hemoglobina, hierro sérico y la glicemia, así como, el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y su variación. Basados en la metodología de análisis de senderos, se contrastaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales con las variables estudiadas. RESULTADOS: El potencial reductor férrico y la concentración sérica de malondialdehído correlacionaron positivamente con la actividad sérica de la superóxido dismutasa y con la concentración de glutatión reducido, contribuyendo más el malondialdehído que el potencial reductor férrico a su variación. La glicemia también se relacionó directamente con la peroxidación lipódica y con los indicadores del estado antioxidante. CONCLUSIONES: Las gestantes incluidas en el estudio tuvieron un adecuado balance redox y el malondialdehído o algún otro producto de la peroxidación lipídica pueden estar relacionados con la estimulación de respuestas protectoras para mantener el mismo (AU)

Pregnancy is a physiological status characterized by a strictly controlled increase of oxidative processes. The risk of this oxidative process may to depend on the mother antioxidant status, which to potentially protect the mother-fetus unit increasing the intrauterine growth and the neonate weight. OBJECTIVE: To show evidences of mother redox satus regulation among the 30 and the 36 weeks of physiological pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, analytical and observational study was conducted including 36 healthy pregnants wit a single-fetus, and similar weight and gestational age between 30 and 36 weeks. As antioxidant defense indicators were determined the potential serum-ferric reduction agent, the extracellular superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde concentration. It was also determined the hemoglobin ,serum ferric and glycemia, as well as the body mass index (BMI) and its variation. Based on the methodology of routes analysis there were structural equations forms with study variable. RESULTS: The ferric redactor potential and the serum concentration of malondialdehye were positively correlated to serum activity of superoxide dismutase and to the reduced glutathione concentration were the malondialdehyde contributes more than the ferric redactor potential and its variation. Glycemia also was directly related to lipid peroxidation and to antioxidant status indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnants included in present study had a suitable redox balance, and the malondialdehyde or some other product of lipid peroxidation may be related to stimulation of protective responses for its maintenance (AU)