Prevalence and risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Cubal, Angola: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the Republic of Angola is one of the 14 countries figuring in the three high tuberculosis (TB) burden country lists, the true multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) situation is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients aged 16 years with a diagnosis of pulmonary TB were prospectively enrolled from June 2014 to July 2015. Sputum samples were collected for culture and drug susceptibility testing in all patients, and for Xpert® MTB/RIF testing in all previously treated patients and in new patients whose sputum remained smear-positive after 2 months of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 422 patients were included; Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 308 sputum samples. The prevalence of MDR-TB was 8.0% (18/225) in new patients and 71.1% (59/83) in previously treated patients. Male sex (OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.35-6.44, P = 0.007), previous anti-tuberculosis treatment (OR 20.86, 95%CI 9.53-45.67, P < 0.001), presence of pleural thickening (OR 7.68, 95%CI 1.57-37.43, P = 0.012) and duration of illness >4 months (OR 3.34, 95%CI 1.45-7.69, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for MDR-TB. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MDR-TB in Cubal, Angola, was higher than estimated by the World Health Organization for Angola and one of the highest worldwide. Facilities to diagnose and treat MDR-TB are urgently needed in Angola.

Meningocele de la vaina del nervio óptico asociado a coloboma / Optic nerve sheath meningocele associated with coloboma

No disponible

Manual motor speed dysfunction as a neurocognitive endophenotype in euthymic bipolar disorder patients and their healthy relatives. Evidence from a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined Manual Motor Speed (MMS) in bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this longitudinal, family study was to explore whether dysfunctional MMS represents a neurocognitive endophenotype of BD. METHODS: A sample of 291 subjects, including 131 BD patients, 77 healthy first-degree relatives (BD-Rel), and 83 genetically-unrelated healthy controls (HC), was assessed with the Finger-Tapping Test (FTT) on three occasions over a 5-year period. Dependence of FTT on participants´ age was removed by means of a lineal model of HC samples, while correcting simultaneously the time and learning effect. Differences between groups were evaluated with an ANOVA test. RESULTS: The patients' performance was significantly worse than that of HC over time (p≤0.006), and these deficits remained when non-euthymic BD patients (n=9) were excluded from analysis. Some significant differences between BD patients and BD-Rel (p≤0.037) and between BD-Rel and HC (p≤0.033) were found, but they tended to disappear as time progressed (p≥0.057). Performance of the BD-Rel group was intermediate to that of BD and HC. Most sociodemographic and clinical variables did not affect these results in patients. (p≥0.1). However, treatment with carbamazepine and benzodiazepines may exert a iatrogenic effect on MMS performance (p≤0.006). LIMITATIONS: Only right-handed subjects were included in this study. Substantial attrition over time was detected. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between the patients´ MMS performance and that of healthy relatives and controls, regardless of most clinical and sociodemographic variables. Dysfunctional MMS could be considered an endophenotype of BD. Further studies are needed to rule out possible iatrogenic effects of some psychopharmacological treatments.

Adaptación cultural y validación al español de España del MSTCQ© (Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire) / Cultural adaptation and validation of a peninsular Spanish version of the MSTCQ© (Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire)

Introducción: A pesar de la efectividad de los tratamientos inyectables para la esclerosis múltiple (EM), las reacciones adversas y el dolor pueden implicar problemas de satisfacción y adherencia. Se presenta la validación de la versión española del Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire (MSTCQ)©, que evalúa la satisfacción con el dispositivo de autoinyección (DA), 4 dimensiones: sistema de inyección (A), efectos secundarios (B) (síntomas pseudogripales, reacciones, satisfacción), experiencia con el tratamiento (C) y beneficios (D). Métodos: Dos fases de estudio: 1) Adaptación cultural con expertos (n = 6) y pacientes (n = 27). 2) Estudio observacional, transversal y multicéntrico de validación. Se evaluaron 143 pacientes adultos con EM que utilizaban el DA Extavijec(TM) 30G. Cuestionarios: MSTCQ©; Patient-Reported Indices for Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMUS©), y Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM©). Propiedades psicométricas: factibilidad (% casos válidos y distribución de puntuaciones); fiabilidad (α-Cronbach) y test-retest (n = 41, coeficiente correlación intraclase [CCI]), y validez de constructo (análisis factorial A y B, [AF]) y convergente (Spearman-rho MSTCQ© versus TSQM©). Resultados. Edad media (DT) 41,94 (10,47) años, 63% mujeres, 88,11% con EM remitente-recurrente, media (DT) EDSS 2,68 (1,82) puntos. Alta cumplimentación del MSTCQ© (perdidos 0-2,80%). Alta consistencia interna: puntuación total (A + B) α = 0,89, por dimensiones (A, B y C) α = 0,76, 0,89 y 0,92, respectivamente. Excelente concordancia test-retest en las puntuación total (CC I= 0,98), por dimensiones (A, B y C) CCI = 0,82, 0,97 y 0,89, respectivamente. El AF corroboró la estructura interna del cuestionario original. Correlación moderada (Rho = 0,42-0,74) y significativa (p < 0,05 y p < 0,01) entre las puntuación total y por dimensiones del MSTCQ© y el TSQM©. Conclusiones. Se constatan adecuadas propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del MSTCQ

Introduction: Although subcutaneous treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been shown to be effective, adverse reactions and pain may adversely affect treatment satisfaction and adherence. This study presents an adapted and validated Spanish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire© (MSTCQ), which evaluates satisfaction with the injection device (ID) across 4 domains: injection system (A), side effects (B) (flu-like symptoms, reactions, and satisfaction), experience with treatment (C) and benefits (D). Methods: Two study phases: 1) Cultural adaptation process with input from experts (n = 6) and patients (n = 30). 2) Validation obtained by means of an observational, cross-sectional, multi-centre study evaluating 143 adult MS patients using an ID. Tools employed: MSTCQ©, Patient-Reported Indices for Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMUS©), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM©). Psychometric properties: Feasibility (percentage of valid cases and floor/ceiling effects); Reliability (Cronbach α) and test-retest correlation (n = 41, intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC); and construct validity (factor analysis of domains A and B) and convergent validity (Spearman rank-order correlation for MSTCQ© vs TSQM©). Results: Mean age (SD) was 41.94 (10.47) years, 63% of the group were women, and 88.11% presented relapsing-remitting MS. Mean (SD) EDSS score was 2.68 (1.82) points. MSTCQ© completion was high (0%-2.80% missing data). Internal consistency was high at α=0.89 for the total score (A+B) and α = 0.76, 0.89, and 0.92 for domains A, B, and C, respectively. The version demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability for the total (ICC = 0.98) and for domains A, B, and C: ICC = 0.82, 0.97, and 0.89, respectively. Factor analysis corroborated the internal structure of the original questionnaire. The association between total and domain scores on both the MSTCQ© and the TSQM© was moderately strong (Rho = 0.42-0.74) and significant (P < .05 and P < .01). Conclusion: The Spanish version of MSTCQ© demonstrates appropriate psychometric properties

Cultural adaptation and validation of a peninsular Spanish version of the MSTCQ© (Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire). / Adaptación cultural y validación al español de España del MSTCQ© (Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire).

INTRODUCTION: Although subcutaneous treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been shown to be effective, adverse reactions and pain may adversely affect treatment satisfaction and adherence. This study presents an adapted and validated Spanish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire© (MSTCQ), which evaluates satisfaction with the injection device (ID) across 4 domains: injection system (A), side effects (B) (flu-like symptoms, reactions, and satisfaction), experience with treatment (C) and benefits (D). METHODS: Two study phases: 1) Cultural adaptation process with input from experts (n=6) and patients (n=30). 2) Validation obtained by means of an observational, cross-sectional, multi-centre study evaluating 143 adult MS patients using an ID. Tools employed: MSTCQ©, Patient-Reported Indices for Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMUS©), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM©). Psychometric properties: Feasibility (percentage of valid cases and floor/ceiling effects); Reliability (Cronbach α) and test-retest correlation (n=41, intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC); and construct validity (factor analysis of domains A and B) and convergent validity (Spearman rank-order correlation for MSTCQ© vs TSQM©). RESULTS: Mean age (SD) was 41.94 (10.47) years, 63% of the group were women, and 88.11% presented relapsing-remitting MS. Mean (SD) EDSS score was 2.68 (1.82) points. MSTCQ© completion was high (0%-2.80% missing data). Internal consistency was high at α=0.89 for the total score (A+B) and α=0.76, 0.89, and 0.92 for domains A, B, and C, respectively. The version demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability for the total (ICC=0.98) and for domains A, B, and C: ICC=0.82, 0.97, and 0.89, respectively. Factor analysis corroborated the internal structure of the original questionnaire. The association between total and domain scores on both the MSTCQ© and the TSQM© was moderately strong (Rho=0.42-0.74) and significant (P<.05 and P<.01). CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of MSTCQ© demonstrates appropriate psychometric properties.

[Reversible "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy]. / Síndrome del "hombre en barril" reversible causado por encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can lead to different clinical presentations, such as bilateral cortical borderzone infarctions due to cerebral hypoperfusion (especially after cardiopulmonary arrest), which would cause a "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome if the anterior circulation is affected. This syndrome has multiple etiologies, both central (bilateral frontal and/or pyramidal decussation lesions and cervical spinal cord lesions) as well as peripheral ones such as multifocal motor neuropathy. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 19-year-old man who developed a "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome with bilateral and proximal upper limb brachial diplegia after bilateral watershed infarctions involving distal fields of the middle and the anterior cerebral artery due to cerebral hypoperfusion in a comatose patient without internal carotid obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of death in this syndrome is higher than 90% and it predicts a worse outcome in comatose patients. Nevertheless, our patient has had complete clinical improvement.

Síndrome del «hombre en barril»reversible causado por encefalopatíahipóxico-isquémica / Reversible «man-in-the-barrel» syndrome caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Introducción. La encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica puede producirdiferentes cuadros clínicos, entre los que se engloban aquellosproducidos por hipoperfusión en territorio frontera que pueden originarun síndrome del «hombre en barril» si está afectada la circulaciónanterior. Este síndrome presenta múltiples etiologías, tanto centrales(lesiones frontales bilaterales y/o en la decusación piramidal ylesiones en la médula espinal cervical) como periféricas como la neuropatíamotora multifocal.Caso clínico. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente de19 años que presentó un síndrome del «hombre en barril» con diplejíabraquial bilateral de carácter proximal secundario a lesiones bilateralespor hipoperfusión en territorio frontera de la circulación anterioren el contexto de hipotensión en un estado comatoso, pero sinestenosis de arterias carótidas internas.Conclusiones. Este síndrome clínico presenta una tasa de mortalidadsuperior al 90 %, y se considera un factor de mal pronósticoen pacientes en coma. No obstante, en nuestro caso el paciente hapresentado una completa resolución clínica (AU)

Introduction. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can lead todifferent clinical presentations, such as bilateral cortical borderzoneinfarctions due to cerebral hypoperfusion (especially aftercardiopulmonary arrest), which would cause a «man-in-the-barrel» syndrome if the anterior circulation is affected. This syndromehas multiple etiologies, both central (bilateral frontal and/orpyramidal decussation lesions and cervical spinal cord lesions) aswell as peripheral ones such as multifocal motor neuropathy.Case report. We report the case of a 19 year old man whodeveloped a «man-in-the-barrel» syndrome with bilateral andproximal upper limb brachial diplegia after bilateral watershedinfarctions involving distal fields of the middle and the anteriorcerebral artery due to cerebral hypoperfusion in a comatose patientwithout internal carotid obstruction.Conclusions. The rate of death in this syndrome is higherthan 90% and it predicts a worse outcome in comatose patients.Nevertheless, our patient has had complete clinical improvement (AU)

Eficacia de la hemodiálisis precoz con membranas de alto flujo en el tratamiento de las intoxicaciones graves por alcoholes / No disponible

La intoxicación por alcoholes (metanol, etanol y etilenglicol)origina acidosis metabólica severa con hiato aniónico y osmolal elevados, alteraciones neurológicas que van desde la obnubilación al coma profundo, amaurosis y muerte. A pesar de la terapia intensiva la morbilidad y la mortalidad siguen siendo muy elevadas. En la intoxicación por etilenglicol, además, puede ocurrir la precipitación masiva de oxalato en los tejidos, sobre todo en el riñón, produciendo un fracaso renal agudo. El tratamiento establecido, en las intoxicaciones por metanol y etilenglicol, es la administración de etanol y la hemodiálisis (HD) precoz. La HD convencional puede reducir rápidamente los niveles de metanol, etanol y etilenglicol, así como los de sus metabolitos tóxicos, corrigiendo también los trastornos electrolíticos y ácido-base. Las membranas de alto flujo son capaces de eliminar más cantidad de tóxico por hora de HD pudiendo ser más eficaces en el tratamiento. En este estudio se presentan 14 casos de intoxicación por alcoholes (11metanol, 1 etanol y 2 etilenglicol) tratados precozmente con bicarbonato, infusión de etanol (para metanol y etilenglicol)y HD con membranas de alto flujo. Al ingreso el pH medio fue 7,04 ± 0,06 (rango 6,60-7,33), el bicarbonato medio de 9,9 ± 1,9 mmol/l (rango 1,4-25) y el déficit de bases medio de 18,4 ± 2,6 mmol/l (rango 2-33). El hiato aniónico inicial fue de 29,1 ± 2,3 mmol/l (rango 16-45) y el hiato osmolal de 119 ± 47 mOsm/l (rango 16-402). Existió una excelente correlación lineal entre los niveles séricos iniciales del alcohol tóxico y el hiato osmolal (R2 = 0,98, p = 0,0006). En todos los casos, el tratamiento precoz con HD corrigió la acidosis metabólica y el hiato osmolal. De los 14 casos, 11 sobrevivieron sin secuelas, 2 quedaron con amaurosis y 1 falleció (mortalidad 7 %). Se concluye que en las intoxicaciones severas por alcoholes la HD debe instaurarse precozmente. La infusión de etanol, al frenar el metabolismo del metanol y del etilenglicol, permite la eliminación rápida por HD de los alcoholes y sus metabolitos tóxicos. La prescripción de HD debe incluir un dializador de alto flujo y gran superficie, un flujo sanguíneo elevado, un baño de bicarbonato con concentraciones normales de potasio y fósforo, y debe prolongarse el tiempo necesario. La modificación del baño de HD evita la hipofosfatemia y la hipopotasemia. La HD según fue implementada en estos casos es una forma segura y efectiva de tratamiento de la intoxicación grave por alcoholes (AU)

Alcohol intoxication (methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol)may result in metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap, increased serum osmolal gap, and neurologic abnormalities ranging from drunkenness to coma, and death. The mortality and morbidity rates remain very high despite intensive care therapy. The toxicity of methanol and ethylene glycol is clearly correlated tothe degree of metabolic acidosis. The established treatment of severe methanol and ethylene glycol intoxication is ethanol administration and hemodialysis (HD). By inhibiting the main metabolic pathway of methanol and ethylene glycol (alcohol dehydrogenase), ethanol prevents the formation of major toxic metabolites (formic acid, glycolic acid and oxalic acid). Conventional HD can reduce serum methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol and its metabolites rapidly, but high-flux membranes should be capable of removing more toxic per hour of HD. In this report, we describe 14 cases of life-threatening alcohol intoxication(11 methanol, 1 ethanol, and 2 ethylene glycol) who were treated successfully with supportive care, ethanol infusion (methanol and ethylene glycol), and early HD with a high-flux dialyser. The median pH was 7.04 ± 0.06 (range 6.60-7.33), median bicarbonate 9.9 ± 1.9 mmol/l (range 1.4-25), and median base deficit 18.4 ± 2.6 mmol/l (range 2-33). The median anion gap was 29.1 ± 2.3 mmol/l (range 16-45) and the median osmolal gap was 119 ± 47 mOsm/l (range 16-402). On admission there was an excellent linear correlation between the serum toxic alcohol concentrations and the osmolal gaps (R2 = 0.98, p = 0.0006). In all cases early HD corrected metabolic acidosis and osmolal abnormalities. The mortality was 7% (1 from 14). We conclude that pre-emptive HD should be performed in severe intoxications to remove both the parent compound and its metabolites. The HD prescription should include a large surface area dialyser with high-flux membrane, a blood flow rate in excess of 250 ml/min, a modified bicarbonate bath enriched with phosphorus and potassium, and a long time session. The phosphorus and potassium- enriched bicarbonate-based dialysis solution used in patients with normal phosphorus and potassium serum levels avoided HD-induced hypophosphatemia and hypopotassemia. HD as implemented in these cases is a safe and very effective approach to the management of alcohol poisonin (AU)

[Effectiveness of pre-emptive hemodialysis with high-flux membranes for the treatment of life-threatening alcohol poisoning]. / Eficacia de la hemodiálisis precoz con membranas de alto flujo en el tratamiento de las intoxicaciones graves por alcoholes.

Alcohol intoxication (methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol) may result in metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap, increased serum osmolal gap, and neurologic abnormalities ranging from drunkenness to coma, and death. The mortality and morbidity rates remain very high despite intensive care therapy. The toxicity of methanol and ethylene glycol is clearly correlated to the degree of metabolic acidosis. The established treatment of severe methanol and ethylene glycol intoxication is ethanol administration and hemodialysis (HD). By inhibiting the main metabolic pathway of methanol and ethylene glycol (alcohol dehydrogenase), ethanol prevents the formation of major toxic metabolites (formic acid, glycolic acid and oxalic acid). Conventional HD can reduce serum methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol and its metabolites rapidly, but high-flux membranes should be capable of removing more toxic per hour of HD. In this report, we describe 14 cases of life-threatening alcohol intoxication (11 methanol, 1 ethanol, and 2 ethylene glycol) who were treated successfully with supportive care, ethanol infusion (methanol and ethylene glycol), and early HD with a high-flux dialyser. The median pH was 7.04 +/- 0.06 (range 6.60-7.33), median bicarbonate 9.9 +/- 1.9 mmol/l (range 1.4-25), and median base deficit 18.4 +/- 2.6 mmol/l (range 2-33). The median anion gap was 29.1 +/- 2.3 mmol/l (range 16-45) and the median osmolal gap was 119 +/- 47 mOsm/l (range 16-402). On admission there was an excellent linear correlation between the serum toxic alcohol concentrations and the osmolal gaps (R2 = 0.98, p = 0.0006). In all cases early HD corrected metabolic acidosis and osmolal abnormalities. The mortality was 7 % (1 from 14). We conclude that pre-emptive HD should be performed in severe intoxications to remove both the parent compound and its metabolites. The HD prescription should include a large surface area dialyser with high-flux membrane, a blood flow rate in excess of 250 ml/min, a modified bicarbonate bath enriched with phosphorus and potassium, and a long time session. The phosphorus and potassium-enriched bicarbonate-based dialysis solution used in patients with normal phosphorus and potassium serum levels avoided HD-induced hypophosphatemia and hypopotassemia. HD as implemented in these cases is a safe and very effective approach to the management of alcohol poisoning.

[Nephropathia caused by hantavirus puumala: a case report]. / Nefropatía por hantavirus puumala: a propósito de un caso.

We present a patient from Germany with Hantavirus infection, admitted in the Emergency room of our hospital, with fever, thrombocytopenia, acute renal failure, oliguria, mild proteinuria and hematuria. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed an acute interstitial nephritis without medulla haemorrhages. The virus infection confirmation was made by detection of IgM against Hantavirus Puumala. This infection should be considered in patients with thrombocytopenia, fever and acute renal failure, over all if they are from North and Central Europe.

Nefropatía por hantavirus puumala: a propósito de un caso / Nephropathia caused by hantavirus puumala: a case report

Presentamos un caso de un paciente alemán con infección por Hantavirus, queacudió al Servicio de Urgencias de nuestro hospital con fiebre, trombocitopenia,fracaso renal agudo oligúrico, proteinuria y hematuria. La biopsia renal percutaneamostró una nefritis intersticial aguda sin hemorragias medulares. El diagnósticose realizó por la positividad de IgM frente al virus Puumala. La infección porHantavirus debe tenerse en cuenta en pacientes con fracaso renal agudo y fiebrecon trombocitopenia, sobre todo si proceden del Centro y Norte de Europa

We present a patient from Germany with Hantavirus infection, admitted in theEmergency room of our hospital, with fever, thrombocytopenia, acute renal failure,oliguria, mild proteinuria and hematuria. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealedan acute interstitial nephritis without medulla haemorrhages. The virus infectionconfirmation was made by detection of lgM against Hantavirus Puumala. This infectionshould be considered in patients with thrombocytopenia, fever and acuterenal failure, over all if they are from North and Central Europe

[Cerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with oral anticoagulation]. / Hemorragia cerebral en pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) during dicumarinic treatment is a complication related to anticoagulation intensity with a high level of mortality. The aim of our study is to analize etiology, location and outcome of intracerebral haemorrhages related with anticoagulant therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 401 spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages consecutively admitted in the neurological ward, we analyzed the acenocumarol ICH by location, anticoagulation range and factors that conditioned the outcome. RESULTS: We identified 26 patients, 6.5% of total ICH. Mean age was 75.2 +/- 7.9 years-old, over the rest of ICH. International Normalized Ratio (INR) was less than 2 in 10 patients, between 2 and 3 in six and greater than 3 in ten patients. 8 patients (31%) died, three of them had multiple ICH, but none of them had a INR greater than 2. Dicumarinic haemorrhages were of lobar location in 14 cases (three of them multiples) and deep in 12 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, dicumarinic ICH are responsible of 6.5% total intracranial haemorrhages and they are not in clear relation with excessive anticoagulation. Mortality is slightly greater than the other ICH. Relatively benignity of these patients, the age and lobar location suggest that the etiology of these haemorrhages can be related to a subjacent amyloid angiopathy.

Hemorragia cerebral en pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales / Cerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with oral anticoagulation

Introducción. Se considera que la hemorragia cerebral (HIC) en pacientes en tratamiento con dicumarínicos (acenocumarol) es una complicación relacionada con el grado de anticoagulación y que comporta una alta mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la etiopatogenia, topografía y pronóstico de las HIC por anticoagulantes orales. Pacientes y métodos. Sobre 401 HIC espontáneas ingresadas consecutivamente en nuestra unidad se han analizado las HIC en pacientes en tratamiento con acenocumarol en cuanto a localización, intervalo de anticoagulación y factores que condicionan el pronóstico. Resultados. Se han identificado 26 pacientes, un 6,5% del total de HIC. La edad media fue de 75,2 ± 7,9 años, superior al resto de HIC. El INR (International Normalized Ratio) fue inferior a 2 en 10 pacientes, entre 2-3 en seis y mayor de 3 en 10. Ocho pacientes (31%) fallecieron, tres presentaban HIC múltiples, pero ninguno tenía un INR superior a 2. Las HIC por dicumarínicos fueron lobares en 14 casos (en tres múltiples) y profundas en 12 casos. Conclusiones. En nuestro estudio las HIC por acenocumarol fueron responsables del 6,5% del total de HIC y no se relacionaron claramente con una anticoagulación excesiva. La mortalidad de las HIC por anticoagulantes orales es levemente superior al del resto de las HIC. La relativa benignidad de estos pacientes, junto con la edad y la localización lobar, sugieren que la etiología de estas hemorragias pueda estar relacionada con una angiopatía amiloide cerebral subyacente

Introduction. Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) during dicumarinic treatment is a complication related to anticoagulation intensity with a high level of mortality. The aim of our study is to analize etiology, location and outcome of intracerebral haemorrhages related with anticoagulant therapy. Patients and methods. Over 401 spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages consecutively admitted in the neurological ward, we analyzed the acenocumarol ICH by location, anticoagulation range and factors that conditioned the outcome. Results. We identified 26 patients, 6.5% of total ICH. Mean age was 75.2 ±7.9 years-old, over the rest of ICH. International Normalized Ratio (INR) was less than 2 in 10 patients, between 2 and 3 in six and greater than 3 in ten patients. 8 patients (31%) died, three of them had multiple ICH, but none of them had a INR greater than 2. Dicumarinic haemorrhages were of lobar location in 14 cases (three of them multiples) and deep in 12 cases. Conclusions. In our study, dicumarinic ICH are responsible of 6.5% total intracranial haemorrhages and they are not in clear relation with excessive anticoagulation. Mortality is slightly greater than the other ICH. Relatively benignity of these patients, the age and lobar location suggest that the etiology of these haemorrhages can be related to a subjacent amyloid angiopathy

[Influence of early or late referral to nephrologist over morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis]. / Referencia precoz y tardía al nefrólogo, su influencia en la morbi-mortalidad en hemodiálisis.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the influence of early vs late referral to nephrologist of patients with chronic renal failure over clinical situation at the onset of hemodialysis and outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From january 1994 to december 1998, 139 patients started hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease at the Hospital General de Albacete, all of them included in the study and clinical follow-up concluded in december 2001. Patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis were excluded. Early (ER) and late referral (LR) were defined by the time of first nephrology encounter greater than or less than 6 months respectively, before iniciation of hemodialysis. RESULTS: 106 patients (76.25%) were referred early; mean follow-up time 6.3 +/- 4.5 years. 33 patients (23.74%) had late referral, follow-up time was less then six months, 18 patients were followed during less than 4 weeks. There were no differences in demographic data and comorbid conditions between LR and ER patients (age, cardiac and vascular disease, diabetes, neoplasia...). Mean plasma concentration of creatinine and urea was significantly greater, whereas hematocrit and albumin were less in the LRA than the ER group. Emergency dialysis through central vein catheterisation was more frequent in the LR group. Number of admissions and duration of hospital stay were higher in the LR group. No significant differences in nutrition, dialysis doses or anemia were found between the two groups after 6 and 12 months of hemodialysis. Long term outcome was similar in both groups: no significant differences were found in percentage of patients transplanted or deceased after 3 years of treatment. Survival analysis failed to show a difference between ER and LR groups (mean survival time was 73.6 +/- 4.3 months and 73.0 +/- 6 months respectively). CONCLUSION: Late referral to the nephrologist is associated with increased early morbidity vs early referral, although long term outcome is not worse if predialysis comorbid conditions are comparable and dialysis care achieve equal results in dialysis doses, nutrition and anemia in both groups in the first months of treatment. Improvement of outcome of patients referred early to the nephrologist will depend on the adoption of preventive measures over comorbidity factors that should be applied in early stages of renal disease.

Referencia precoz y tardía al nefrólogo, su influencia en la morbi-mortalidad en hemodiálisis / Influence of early or late referal to nephrologist over morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis

Objetivo: Estudiamos la influencia que la referencia precoz (RP) o tardía (RT) de los enfermos con insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC) al nefrólogo tiene sobre la situación al iniciar la hemodiálisis (HD) y sobre su pronóstico a medio y largo plazo. Pacientes y Métodos: Se incluye en el estudio a los 139 pacientes que iniciaron HD como primera forma de tratamiento de la IRC en el Hospital General de Albacete entre el 1-I-1994 y el 31-XII-1998. El seguimiento se terminó el 31-XII-2001. Se excluyeron del estudio a los enfermos que iniciaron HD como consecuencia de un fracaso renal agudo rápidamente progresivo. Resultados: El 76,25% tuvo una RP (106 pacientes), 6 meses o más de seguimiento por el nefrólogo, tiempo medio de seguimiento de 6,3 ± 4,5 años (rango 0,5-27,8). El 23,74% (33 enfermos) fueron referidos tardíamente, menos de 6 meses de seguimiento, de ellos 18 fueron seguidos durante menos de 4 semanas. Al inicio de la HD, no había diferencias significativas en lo que respecta a las características demográficas y de comorbilidad de los dos grupos (edad, cardiopatía, enfermedad vascular, diabetes, neoplasias…), sin embargo el grupo con RT empezó a dializarse significativamente más urémico, más anémico, más hipertenso y peor nutrido, precisó más diálisis urgentes, más accesos vasculares temporales para la primera diálisis y más ingresos hospitalarios que además fueron más prolongados. Tras seis meses de hemodiálisis la anemia y las cifras de albúmina habían mejorado significativamente en los dos grupos, y no existían diferencias significativas en cuanto a dosis de diálisis, parámetros nutricionales, anemia o dosis de eritropoyetina entre los enfermos referidos precoz y tardíamente al nefrólogo, esta igualdad se mantenía a los 12 meses. La evolución a largo plazo fue similar en los dos grupos. No hubo diferencias en el número de días de ingreso por paciente de riesgo año entre los dos grupos. A los tres años el porcentaje de exitus y trasplantes fue del 10,4 y del 36,8% para los pacientes con RP, para los que tenían RT fue: 6,1 y 45,5% respectivamente lo que no supone diferencias significativas. El análisis de supervivencia no mostró diferencias entre los dos grupos el tiempo medio de supervivencia fue de 73,6 ± 4,3 meses para los enfermos con RP y de 73,0 ± 6,0 meses para el grupo de RT (p = 0,85). Conclusión: La referencia tardía al nefrólogo implica una mayor morbilidad inicial con respecto a la referencia precoz pero no implica necesariamente un peor pronóstico a largo plazo, si la comorbilidad inicial es similar y los cuidados en diálisis igualan a los dos grupos en cuanto a dosis de diálisis, nutrición y anemia en un plazo de pocos meses. La mejoría del pronóstico en diálisis de los enfermos con referencia precoz al nefrólogo dependerá de la aplicación de medidas de prevención de las condiciones de comorbilidad extrarrenal asociadas a la IRC y que deben de ser instauradas en etapas precoces de su evolución

Objective: We studied the influence of early vs late referral to nephrologist of patients with chronic renal failure over clinical situation at the onset of hemodialysis and outcome. Subjects and Methods: From january 1994 to december 1998, 139 patients started hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease at the Hospital General de Albacete, all of them included in the study and clinical follow-up concluded in december 2001. Patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis were excluded. Early (ER) and late referral (LR) were defined by the time of first nephrology encounter greater than or less than 6 months respectively, before iniciation of hemodialysis. Results: 106 patients (76,25%) were referred early; mean follow-up time 6,3 ± 4,5 years. 33 patients (23,74%) had late referral, follow-up time was less then six months, 18 patients were followed during less than 4 weeks. There were no differences in demographic data and comorbid conditions between LR and ER patients (age, cardiac and vascular disease, diabetes, neoplasia…). Mean plasma concentration of creatinine and urea was significantly greater, whereas hematocrit and albumin were less in the LRA than the ER group. Emergency dialysis through central vein catheterisation was more frequent in the LR group. Number of admissions and duration of hospital stay were higher in the LR group. No significant differences in nutrition, dialysis doses or anemia were found between the two groups after 6 and 12 months of hemodialysis. Long term outcome was similar in both groups: no significant differences were found in percentage of patients transplanted or deceased after 3 years of treatment. Survival analysis failed to show a difference between ER and LR groups (mean survival time was 73,6 ± 4,3 months and 73,0 ± 6 months respectively). Conclusion: Late referral to the nephrologist is associated with increased early morbidity vs early referral, although long term outcome is not worse if predialysis comorbid conditions are comparable and dialysis care achieve equal results in dialysis doses, nutrition and anemia in both groups in the first months of treatment. Improvement of outcome of patients referred early to the nephrologist will depend on the adoption of preventive measures over comorbidity factors that should be applied in early stages of renal disease

[Monitoring dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials at the ERB point, the cervical spinal cord and the cerebral cortex in the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy]. / Registro de potenciales evocados somatosensoriales dermatómicos en punto de Erb, médula cervical y corteza cerebral en el diagnóstico de la radiculopatía cervical.

INTRODUCTION: Recording at various levels of the somatosensory pathway is often used in somatosensory evoked potentials to mixed nerve stimulation (SEP), but not in dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEP) in which only the cortical potential is usually recorded. The aim of our study was to compare the recordings of upper limb DSEP at Erb point, cervical cord, and subcortical and cortical levels with SEP recordings in healthy subjects and patients with cervical radiculopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 17 patients with clinical history, MRI and electromyography consistent with cervical radiculopathy and 17 healthy subjects were included. Median and ulnar nerves were stimulated at the wrist; and C6, C7 and C8 dermatomes at the 1st, 3rd and 5th fingers respectively. All the potentials obtained with SEP and DSEP were compared between controls and patients by t test for independent samples. We also used Pearson s correlation for height/latencies, weight/amplitude and age/peripheral nerve conduction velocity (PNCV). RESULTS: DSEP potentials were of similar morphology of those observed in SEP but had longer latencies and smaller amplitudes. We found a positive correlation between height and latencies, and a negative association of weight with amplitude of peripheral potential, and age/PNCV. No difference between controls and the neurological intact segments of patients was found. 13 patient had DSEP altered while only 5 of them had altered SEP recorded. The most common finding was prolongation of the conduction time of the segment N9 N13 on DSEP recordings. CONCLUSION: We found that it is possible to record and to identify all the potentials in DSEP as observed in the SEP. On cervical radiculopathy, DSEP with the present technique increase the sensitivity and give some additional and useful information regarding the extension and localization of the pathology. Besides, DSEP recording is a non invasive technique, non traumatic and well tolerated for our patients.

Registro de potenciales evocados somatosensoriales dermatómicos en punto de Erb, médula cervical y corteza cerebral en el diagnóstico de la radiculopatía cervical / Monitoring dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials at the Erb point, the cervical spinal cord and the cerebral cortex in the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy

Introducción. El registro de potenciales evocados somatosensoriales en puntos intermedios de la vía somatosensorial, como el punto de Erb y la médula cervical, se utiliza sólo con estimulación de nervio mixto (PESS), y no en potenciales evocados somatosensoriales con estímulo dermatómico (PESSD). El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el registro del PESSD de miembros superiores en punto de Erb, médula cervical y regiones subcorticales y corticales, con el registro del PESS convencional en sujetos sanos y pacientes con radiculopatía cervical (RC). Pacientes y métodos. Participaron 17 sujetos sanos y 17 pacientes con historia clínica consistente con RC, confirmada por electromiografía y RM. Se estimularon los nervios mediano y cubital en la muñeca, y los dermatomas C6, C7 y C8 en el 1.º, 3.º y 5.º dedos. Se compararon los componentes de los PESS con los PESSD, en controles y pacientes, por medio de la prueba t de Student para muestras independientes y se realizaron correlaciones de Pearson entre talla/latencias, peso/amplitud y edad/velocidad de conducción periférica (VCNP) para determinar los factores que correlacionaban en el estudio. Resultados. Los PESSD presentaron similar morfología, pero latencias más largas y menor amplitud, que los PESS. Se encontró una correlación directa entre talla y latencias e inversa entre peso y amplitud del potencial periférico así como entre edad y la VCNP. No hubo diferencias entre el grupo control y el lado no afectado del grupo de pacientes. En 13 pacientes se detectó alteración en los PESSD, mientras sólo se detectó en cinco en los PESS. La alteración más común fue la prolongación en la conducción del segmento N9-N13. Conclusiones. Con el presente estudio se confirma que es posible registrar e identificar adecuadamente todos los componentes de los PESSD a lo largo de la vía somato sensorial, para utilizarlos en la clínica al igual que en los PESS convencionales. En la RC, los PESSD con captaciones intermedias de la vía aumentan la sensibilidad diagnóstica y brindan información adicional referente a la extensión y localización de la lesión; ofrecen, además, la ventaja de ser un estudio no invasivo, no traumático y mejor tolerado por los pacientes (AU)

A low-complexity fuzzy activation function for artificial neural networks.

A novel fuzzy-based activation function for artificial neural networks is proposed. This approach provides easy hardware implementation and straightforward interpretability in the basis of IF-THEN rules. Backpropagation learning with the new activation function also has low computational complexity. Several application examples ( XOR gate, chaotic time-series prediction, channel equalization, and independent component analysis) support the potential of the proposed scheme.