Attitudes of non-medical staff in hospitals in Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica towards organ donation.

INTRODUCTION: Non-medical staff members in hospitals are highly credible at population level, and are a source of opinion even though they do not have sufficient medical training. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the attitudes of non-medical professionals of Spanish and Latin American hospitals towards organ donation and identify the factors that influence these attitudes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Through the "Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante" (International Collaborative Donor Project), a stratified random sample was selected from non-medical services of eleven hospitals: 3 Spanish (n=277), 5 Mexican (n=632), 2 Cuban (n=42) and 1 Costa Rican (n=101). RESULTS: Of the 1052 professionals surveyed, 72% (n=754) were in favour of donating an organ after death. By country, 98% of Cubans, 80% of Mexicans, 66% of Costa Ricans and 52% of Spanish were in favour (P<.001). The most influential variables were: 1) country, with results being more positive in Mexico (odds ratio [OR]=2.197), 2) believing in the possibility that they will require a transplant (OR=2.202), 3) having discussed the issue with their family (OR=3.23), 4) the positive attitude of their partner towards donation (OR=3.322), 5) not being concerned about possible mutilation of their body after donation (OR=3.378), 6) preferring options other than burial (OR=2.525), 7) accepting an autopsy (OR=2.958). CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of non-medical staff members of hospitals towards the donation of their own organs varies greatly depending on the country of the respondent. Psychosocial factors that influence these attitudes are similar to those described at the population level.

Actitud hacia la donación de órganos del personal no sanitario de hospitales de España, México, Cuba y Costa Rica / Attitudes of non-medical staff in hospitals in Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica towards organ donation

Introducción: El personal no sanitario de centros hospitalarios tiene una importante credibilidad a nivel poblacional, siendo un grupo generador de opinión sin formación sanitaria adecuada. Objetivo: Analizar la actitud hacia la donación de los órganos de los profesionales no sanitarios de hospitales españoles y latinoamericanos, y determinar los factores que condicionan dicha actitud. Material y métodos: Del Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante se selecciona una muestra aleatoria y estratificada entre los servicios no sanitarios de once hospitales: 3 españoles (n = 277), 5 mexicanos (n = 632), 2 cubanos (n = 42) y 1 costarricense (n = 101). Resultados: De los 1052 profesionales encuestados, el 72 % (n = 754) está a favor de la donación de órganos tras fallecer. Por país, el 98 % de los cubanos están a favor, el 80 % de los mexicanos, el 66 % de los costarricenses y el 52 % de los españoles (p < 0,001). Las variables con más peso son: 1) país, siendo más favorable en México (odds ratio [OR] = 2,197); 2) creer en la posibilidad de necesitar un trasplante (OR = 2,202); 3) haber comentado el tema con la familia (OR = 3,23); 4) actitud favorable de la pareja hacia la donación (OR = 3,322); 5) no estar preocupado por la posible mutilación del cuerpo tras la donación (OR = 3,378); 6) preferir otras opciones distintas de la inhumación (OR = 2,525); 7) aceptar la realización de una autopsia (OR = 2,958). Conclusiones: La actitud hacia la donación de órganos propios entre el personal no sanitario de centros hospitalarios presenta variaciones importantes según el país del encuestado. Los factores psicosociales que condicionan dicha actitud son similares a los descritos a nivel poblacional (AU)

Introduction: Non-medical staff members in hospitals are highly credible at population level, and are a source of opinion even though they do not have sufficient medical training. Objectives: To analyse the attitudes of non-medical professionals of Spanish and Latin American hospitals towards organ donation and identify the factors that influence these attitudes. Material and method: Through the "Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante" (International Collaborative Donor Project), a stratified random sample was selected from non-medical services of eleven hospitals: 3 Spanish (n=277), 5 Mexican (n=632), 2 Cuban (n=42) and 1 Costa Rican (n=101). Results: Of the 1052 professionals surveyed, 72% (n=754) were in favour of donating an organ after death. By country, 98% of Cubans, 80% of Mexicans, 66% of Costa Ricans and 52% of Spanish were in favour (P<.001). The most influential variables were: 1) country, with results being more positive in Mexico (odds ratio [OR]=2.197), 2) believing in the possibility that they will require a transplant (OR=2.202), 3) having discussed the issue with their family (OR=3.23), 4) the positive attitude of their partner towards donation (OR=3.322), 5) not being concerned about possible mutilation of their body after donation (OR=3.378), 6) preferring options other than burial (OR=2.525), 7) accepting an autopsy (OR=2.958). Conclusions: The attitude of non-medical staff members of hospitals towards the donation of their own organs varies greatly depending on the country of the respondent. Psychosocial factors that influence these attitudes are similar to those described at the population level (AU)

[Institutional liability and medical research]. / Responsabilidad institucional e investigación médica.

On December 14, 2011 an addition to Article 100 of the General Health Law was published in the Federation Official Journal. The added section VII states that: "It is the responsibility of the Health Care Institution to provide medical care to the subject that is injured, if this is directly related to the investigation, without prejudice to the legally appropriate compensation", thus establishing the institution's liability in an precise way when it authorizes research. This is a relevant situation of Fundamental Rights. We will present the spirit of the ordinary legislator from the Law initiative to its enactment.

Papel del alopurinol en las adherencias peritoneales al colocar una malla de polipropileno: Estudio experimental en ratas / Role of alopurinol in peritoneal adherences when placing a polypropylene mesh: Experimental study in rats

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto del alopurinol en las adherencias peritoneales al colocar una malla de polipropileno. Sede: Cirugía Experimental de la Universidad de Guanajuato. Diseño: Estudio experimental, prospectivo, comparativo, controlado, doble ciego, con asignación al azar. Análisis estadístico: χ². Material y métodos: Se compararon dos grupos de 30 ratas Wistar cada uno, a quienes se les colocó una malla de polipropileno: el grupo A, sin tratamiento versus el grupo B, alopurinol a 25 mg/kg/día por sonda orogástrica. Resultados: Este estudio determinó que la prevalencia de adherencias protésicas-peritoneales viscerales en ratas Wistar, al colocar una malla de polipropileno, es del 100% sin tratamiento y con alopurinol. Conclusiones: No obtuvimos diferencia estadística del efecto beneficioso del alopurinol en la prevención de adherencias, esto puede hablarnos de que la acción del alopurinol sólo se ejerce en la prevención de adherencias cuando su etiología es la isquemia y no debido a la presencia de reacción a cuerpo extraño de tipo granulomatoso.

Objective: To determine the effect of allopurinol on peritoneal adhesions when placing a polypropylene mesh. Setting: Experimental Surgery Unit of the University of Guanajuato, México. Design: Experimental, prospective, comparative, controlled, double-blinded, randomized assignment study. Statistical analysis: χ². Material and Methods: We compared two groups of 30 Wistar rats each, in which we placed a polypropylene mesh: Group A, without treatment, versus group B with allopurinol at mg/kg per day administered through an orogastric catheter. Results: This study determined that the prevalence of visceral peritoneal-prosthetic adhesions in Wistar rats when placing a polypropylene mesh is of 100% with and without allopurinol treatment. Conclusions: We did not obtain statistical differences of the beneficial effect of allopurinol in preventing adhesions, this can indicate that allopurinol's effect is only exerted in preventing adhesions when they are due to ischemia but not when they are caused by a granulomatous-type foreign body reaction.

Quality control in gastrointestinal surgery.

We analyzed the Mexican legal framework, identifying the vectors that characterize quality and control in gastrointestinal surgery. Quality is contemplated in the health protection rights determined according to the Mexican Constitution, established in the general health law and included as a specific goal in the actual National Development Plan and Health Sector Plan. Quality control implies planning, verification and application of corrective measures. Mexico has implemented several quality strategies such as certification of hospitals and regulatory agreements by the General Salubrity Council, creation of the National Health Quality Committee, generation of Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Certification of Medical Specialties, among others. Quality control in gastrointestinal surgery must begin at the time of medical education and continue during professional activities of surgeons, encouraging multidisciplinary teamwork, knowledge, abilities, attitudes, values and skills that promote homogeneous, safe and quality health services for the Mexican population.

[Angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum: case report and literature review]. / Angiofibrolipoma de omento mayor. Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Primary solid tumors of the greater omentum are extremely rare. Lipomas, leiomyomas, fibromas, and neurofibromas have been described as benign tumors of the greater omentum, but angiofibrolipomas have not. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 39-year-old male with a 3-day evolution of right lower quadrant abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. McBurney, Psoas, Obturator and Markle signs were all positive. Laboratory analysis revealed leukocytosis and bandemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed free fluid and an undefined mass suggestive of complicated acute appendicitis. Emergency midline laparotomy demonstrated a tumor of the greater omentum with areas of ischemia, necrosis and hemorrhage. Histological exam revealed angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum. CONCLUSIONS: Angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum may present as a surgical emergency due to torsion. When a tumor of the omentum is found during surgery, complete excision is the treatment of choice when a definitive histology result is received.

Angiofibrolipoma de omento mayor: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum: case report and literature review

Introducción: Los tumores sólidos primarios del omento son extremadamente raros. Como tumores benignos del omento se han descrito los lipomas, leiomiomas, fibromas, y neurofibromas, pero no el angiofibrolipoma. Caso clínico: Varón de 39 años de edad, con dolor abdominal de tres días de evolución localizado en cuadrante inferior derecho del abdomen, acompañado de náusea y vómito, así como dolor en fosa iliaca derecha, signo de McBurney, psoas, obturador y Markle positivos. El laboratorio documentó leucocitosis y bandemia; el ultrasonido abdominal, líquido libre en cavidad y masa no bien definida sugestiva de apendicitis aguda complicada; la laparotomía de urgencia, tumoración de omento mayor con zonas de isquemia, necrosis y hemorragia; el examen histológico, angiofibrolipoma de omento mayor. Conclusiones: El angiofibrolipoma del omento mayor se puede presentar como una urgencia quirúrgica debido a la torsión sobre su propio eje. Ante el hallazgo transoperatorio de una tumoración del omento, la escisión completa con omentectomía es el tratamiento de elección, en tanto se recibe el examen histológico definitivo.

BACKGROUND: Primary solid tumors of the greater omentum are extremely rare. Lipomas, leiomyomas, fibromas, and neurofibromas have been described as benign tumors of the greater omentum, but angiofibrolipomas have not. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 39-year-old male with a 3-day evolution of right lower quadrant abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. McBurney, Psoas, Obturator and Markle signs were all positive. Laboratory analysis revealed leukocytosis and bandemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed free fluid and an undefined mass suggestive of complicated acute appendicitis. Emergency midline laparotomy demonstrated a tumor of the greater omentum with areas of ischemia, necrosis and hemorrhage. Histological exam revealed angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum. CONCLUSIONS: Angiofibrolipoma of the greater omentum may present as a surgical emergency due to torsion. When a tumor of the omentum is found during surgery, complete excision is the treatment of choice when a definitive histology result is received.

Device-associated nosocomial infection rates in intensive care units in four Mexican public hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Routine surveillance of nosocomial infections has become an integral part of infection control and quality assurance in US hospitals. METHODS: As part of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, we performed a prospective nosocomial infection surveillance cohort study in 5 adult intensive care units of 4 Mexican public hospitals using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system definitions. Site-specific nosocomial infection rates were calculated. RESULTS: The overall nosocomial infection rate was 24.4% (257/1055) and 39.0 (257/6590) per 1000 patient days. The most common infection was catheter-associated bloodstream infection, 57.98% (149/257), followed by ventilator-associated pneumonia, 20.23% (52/257), and catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 21.79% (56/257). The overall rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infections was 23.1 per 1000 device-days (149/6450); ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was 21.8 per 1000 device-days (52/2390); and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate was 13.4 per 1000 device-days (56/4184). CONCLUSION: Our rates are similar to other hospitals of Latin America and higher than US hospitals.

[Effect of hyaluronic acid on ureteropyelic anastomosis healing. Experimental study]. / Efecto del ácido hialurónico en la cicatrización de la anastomosis ureteropiélica. Estudio experimental.

BACKGROUND: Ureteropyelic obstruction is the most frequent congenital cause of obstructive uropathy in the newborn. Its repair is based on surgical procedures and has a very high rate of relapse of secondary stenosis to fibrosis (5-12%) in open repair and 10-20% in endo-urological pyeloplasties. Hyaluronic acid has demonstrated therapeutic utility in modulating the healing process and its effect in scar formation from ureteropyelic anastomosis is determined. METHODS: An experimental, controlled, comparative, double blind study was performed. Sample n = 20 per protocol with d = 26%, alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.80. Two groups of Wistar rats, 4 months of age and weighing between 250 and 350 g, were used. Under general anesthesia, Vision 12 x was used and bevel section was realized in the left ureteropyelic union and end-to-end anastomosis with Vicryl 7-0. Experimental group was treated with 25 microg of hyaluronic acid and group B was treated with placebo. The rats were reoperated on the 15th day and adherences in cavity were quantified. To quantify the degree of fibrosis, samples of ureteropyelic anastomosis tissue were dyed with Masson Trichrome and observed microscopically. Inferential statistics were used with a = 0.05. RESULTS: Macroscopic: there were adherences in 75 % of group A and 90 % of the group B (p >0.05). Microscopic: anastomotic fibrosis in group A (534 +/- 292 micro) was significantly lower (p = 0.043) than that of group B (728 +/- 295 micro). CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronic acid plays a role in diminishing the formation of fibrosis from ureteropyelic anastomosis in an animal model.

[Diabetic retinopathy: twelve-year incidence and progression]. / Retinopatía diabética. Incidencia y progresión a 12 años.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) it is the main cause of preventable blindness in productive-age adults. The rate of progression to blindness from DR differs among countries and populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to report the incidence and progression of DR after 12 years of follow-up in a cohort (n = 100) of adult patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, we designed an open population cohort study from April 1992 to July 2004. Main variables studied longitudinally were incidence and progression of DR, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and associated clinical parameters. RESULTS: Mean age was 54 +/- (SD) 9.2 years and the time since DM2 diagnosis was 9 +/- 6 years. Incidence rates at 3, 6 and 12 years were 23, 48 and 71%, respectively; and for progression were 56, 70 and 74%, respectively. The 12-year proliferative DR incidence and progression were 14.3 and 32%, respectively. Mean fasting blood glucose levels were 193 mg/dL and for glycated hemoglobin 11%. Mortality was 45%, half attributable to acute myocardial infarction. DISCUSSION: Diabetic retinopathy in our population has a high incidence that doubled in 3 years, and has an accelerated progression toward more severe forms. Incidence and progression are higher than that reported in white non-Hispanics. It should be high priority in our country to (a) prevent diabetes mellitus, (b) improve its metabolic control, (c) establish RD diagnostic programs and (d) give appropriate treatment.

Genotyping of Ochrobactrum spp. by AFLP analysis.

AFLP was used to analyze the genetic diversity among Ochrobactrum strains. AFLP patterns showed a great genomic variability that separated the samples into three distinct clusters. Ochrobactrum intermedium was found to be closely related to Brucella abortus S99.

Fine-scale predictions of distributions of Chagas disease vectors in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

One of the most daunting challenges for Chagas disease surveillance and control in Mexico is the lack of community level data on vector distributions. Although many states now have assembled representative domestic triatomine collections, only two triatomine specimens had been collected and reported previously from the state of Guanajuato. Field personnel from the state's Secretaría de Salud conducted health promotion activities in 43 of the 46 counties in the state and received donations of a total of 2,522 triatomine specimens between 1998 and 2002. All specimens were identified, and live insects examined for Trypanosoma cruzi. In an effort to develop fine-scale distributional data for Guanajuato, collection localities were georeferenced and ecological niches were modeled for each species by using evolutionary-computing approaches. Five species were collected: Triatoma mexicana (Herrich-Schaeffer), Triatoma longipennis (Usinger), Triatoma pallidipennis (Stål), Triatoma barberi (Usinger), and Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) from 201 communities located at elevations of 870-2,200 m. Based on collection success, T. mexicana had the broadest dispersion, although niche mapping indicates that T. barberi represents the greatest risk for transmission of Chagas disease in the state. T. dimidiata was represented in collections by a single adult collected from one village outside the predicted area for all species. For humans, an estimated 3,755,380 individuals are at risk for vector transmission in the state, with an incidence of 3,500 new cases per year; overall seroprevalences of 2.6% indicate that 97,640 individuals are infected with T. cruzi at present, including 29,300 chronic cases.

[Is endoscopy necessary to initiate medical treatment in primary-level medical care patients with not investigated dyspepsia?]. / Es necesaria la endoscopia para iniciar el tratamiento médico en pacientes en el primer nivel de atención médica con dispepsia no investigada?

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 2 to 5% of primary care consultations are patients with dyspepsia. One of the most controversial points among primary-care physicians and gastroenterologists is the diagnostic-therapeutic approach of the uninvestigated dyspeptic patient. AIMS AND METHODS: Our aim was to investigate prevalence of organic disease and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status in uninvestigated dyspeptic out-patients at a primary-care level. Two hundred two adult out-patients (130 F/72 M), > or = 18 and < 75 years, mean age 36 years (range 18-73 years), were recruited and sent for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and gastric biopsies for CLO-test due to dyspeptic symptoms according to Rome II criteria. Patients were excluded if they had previously been investigated by any means, had a background of NSAIDs or corticoesteroids intake, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or any alarm sign or symptom. All endoscopic findings were reported to primary care physicians who decided on patient management. RESULTS: A total of 86.14% (174/202 patients) showed no endoscopic lesions and only 13.86% (28/202) [95% CI = 9.1-18.6] showed evidence of non-malignant organic lesions. By age group, prevalence of organic diseases was 10.81% (16/148) [95% CI = 6.3-16.9] in patients < 45 years and 22.22% (12/54) [95% CI = 12.04-35.6] in patients > 45 years, OR = 0.424. [95% CI = 0.186-0.968]. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tract organic disease in dyspeptic out-patients selected according to Rome II criterion at a primary-care level is low, with no malignancies detected. These findings show that patients < 45 years of age with uninvestigated dyspepsia may empirically and safely receive symptom-guided antisecretory therapy.

Modelo para la enseñanza quirúrgica en la reparación de la región inguinal con la técnica de Shouldice / Surgical training model in the region repair with the Shouldice's technique

Objetivo: el propóstico de este estudio fue evaluar la utilidad de un modelo animal con similitud anatómica a la región inguinal humana con similitud anatómica a la región inguinal humana, a fin de enseñar la técnica de Shouldice. Material y método: se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo en 30 perros Criollos. La técnica de Shouldice se desarrolló en cada perro, después de la disección del canal inguinal y de la identificación de las estructuras anatómicas. Resultados: el modelo animal tuvo semejanza anatómica con la región inguinal humana y se utilizó para la enseñanza de la técnica de Shouldice. Una vena marginal proyectante se encontró como variante y fue necesaria su disección en la segunda línea de sutura. En cuatro (13 por ciento) de los primeros 10 casos, se presentaron complicaciones como lesión vascular misma que requirió la ligadura de la vena marginal no limita la técnica. Los riesgos de complicaciones se redujeron, tanto por la disección cuidadosa de los vasos epigástricos como por el conocimiento de los componentes tisulares. Conclusión: el modelo animal propuesto permite el desarrollo de la técnica y es un excelente recurso para el adiestramiento de cirujanos en formación o para aquellos cirujanos no familiarizados con la técnica

Diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos de la infección por Helicobacter pylori: solución a un problemas de salud / Diagnosis and opportune treatments for Helicobacter pylori infection: a solution for a health problems

Introducción. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) es una de las bacterias más estudiadas actualmente. Está asociada con gastritis y úlcera péptica; en 95 por ciento de las úlceras duodenales, 75 por ciento de las gástricas, con cáncer gástrico en 65 por ciento de los casos. No se conocen datos específicos en nuestra región, por lo que se pretende demostrar cuál es la utilidad, especificidad y sensibilidad de las pruebas diangósticas. Material y métodos. Se condujo un estudio clínico, observacional y descriptivo en 50 adultos; 30 mujeres y 20 varones. Se les practicaron biopsias gástricas por endoscopia, prueba de CLOtest, prueba del aliento con urea radiactiva (PA-C14), cultivo y sensibilidad antibacteriana mediante Epsilometría (î-test), laboratorio de rutina y determinación de anticuerpos vs Hp en suero (Acs vs Hp). Resultados. Todos presentaron positiva la prueba de CLOtest (100 por ciento). La PA-C14 fue positiva en 98 por ciento. Se encontró una resistencia de 34 por ciento in vitro al metronidazol. Los niveles promedio de los Acs vs Hp fueron de 75 U/mL; dos casos negativos. Conclusión. Por primera vez en nuestra región es conducido un estudio de carácter multidisciplinario, dirigido a comparar y determinar frecuencia de positividad de diferentes pruebas diagnósticas. Resalta la utilidad del antibiograma para Hp por epsilometría, en virtud de la existencia de cepas resistentes. La determinación de Acs vs Hp se manifestó como una prueba, no invasiva, con aceptable sensibilidad y especificidad (96 por ciento y 94 por ciento). Un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos para infección por Helicobacter pylori propiciará disminución de uno de los principales motivos de consulta por síndrome dispépsico, con el consecuente balance positivo para la salud, e indudablemente una positiva relación costo-beneficio