Niveles de hemoglobina en varones fumadores / Haemoglobin levels in smoking men

Debido a la importancia de la hemoglobina como indicador nutricional, así como su papel en la oxigenación de los tejidos, fue realizado este estudio con el objetivo de observar la existencia o no de alteraciones en los niveles de hemoglobina de individuos fumadores donantes de sangre, de tal manera que dichas alteraciones causadas por el cigarrillo sean consideradas, al evaluar el estado de salud de un individuo fumador, así como en el diagnóstico de las patologías asociadas. Fueron seleccionados 121 varones, aparentemente sanos, fumadores y no fumadores, entre 20 y 60 años de edad, donantes de cinco bancos de sangre de Asunción, Paraguay. Los niveles promedios de hemoglobina en fumadores fueron 150 ± 8 g/L y en los no fumadores 148 ± 9 g/L, no siendo la diferencia significativa (p>0.05); sin embargo dentro del grupo de fumadores, la diferencia fue significativamente mayor en aquellos que fumaban de 11 a 20 cigarrillos /día (152 ± 9 g/L) que en aquellos que fumaban de 1 a 10 cigarrillos /día (148 ± 7 g/L) (p<0.05). Por lo tanto, el nivel medio de hemoglobina se incrementa con el número de cigarrillos consumidos por día. El coeficiente de correlación hallado fue de 0,38 con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Debemos seguir investigando, en nuestra población, la influencia del cigarrillo sobre los parámetros hematológicos, y el efecto que producen dichas alteraciones en el estado de salud de los fumadores.

Due to the important role haemoglobin plays as nutritional marker and in tissue oxygenation, this study was carried out to determine if there are alterations in haemoglobin levels of smoking blood donors. In this way, these alterations caused by cigarettes should be considered when the health status of smoking men is evaluated, as well as in the diagnosis of associated pathologies. One hundred and twenty one male individuals were selected for this study. They were apparently healthy, smoking and non­smoking men, between 20 and 60 years old, blood donors from five blood banks in Asunción, Paraguay. The mean haemoglobin level in smokers was 150 ± 8 g/L and in non­smokers 148 ± 9 g/L. The difference was not significant (p>0.05) but the difference was statistically greater in individuals smoking 11 to 20 cigarettes /day (152 ± 9 g/L) than in those who smoked 1 to 10 cigarettes /day (148 ± 7 g/L) (p<0.05). Thus, the mean value of haemoglobin increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The correlation coefficient was 0.38 with a confidence interval of 95%. Further studies about the influence of cigarettes, the haematological parameters and the effect produced by alterations on the health status of smokers are necessary in this population.

Internal fixation of pelvic ring fractures.

The orthopedic care of unstable pelvic fractures requires reduction and stabilization in order to promote union in a satisfactory position and provide a satisfactory clinical result. The results of three treatment techniques, skeletal traction and/or pelvic sling, anterior frame external fixation, and internal fixation, were evaluated over a four-year period.

The management of tibial fractures in acute spinal cord injury patients.

Of 34 tibia fractures in 28 acute spinal cord injuries, 13 patients had complete and 15 had incomplete neurologic lesions. Tibia fractures were divided into three groups: Group I, nonoperative treatment; Group II, early open reduction and internal fixation; and Group III, Type III open injuries. Group I included 17 fractures, of which nine (53%) had delayed union, malunion, or nonunion. The average time to union was 6.5 months. Seven patients had pressure sores and pulmonary emboli. Eleven fractures were noted in Group II. One delayed union (9%), one superficial wound infection that healed uneventfully, and one deep vein thrombosis were noted. The average time to union was 12 weeks. All six Group III tibias had delayed and nonunions, regardless of treatment. Nonoperative fractures healed at a prolonged rate, while open reduction and internal fixation enhanced the rate and time to union. Fractures treated with early open reduction and internal fixation, excluding Group III patients, had the least orthopedic and medical complications. Open reduction and internal fixation is a justifiable alternative to nonoperative treatment in the uncomplicated tibia fracture regardless of neurologic lesion for improved medical and fracture care.