Profiling of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and moderate-to-high risk of stroke not receiving oral anticoagulation in Spain / Perfil de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular y riesgo moderado-alto de accidente cerebrovascular que no reciben anticoagulación oral en España

OBJECTIVE: In non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with embolic risk, the guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC), although not all patients receive it. In this study, an attempt is made to identify these patients, and to study factors related to non-anticoagulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed on a population of patients ≥18 years with a NVAF diagnosis, moderate-high embolic risk (CHADS2 score≥2), not treated with OAC. Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence was also collected. RESULTS: AF prevalence was 4.5%, and 80.7% of the patients had NVAF (20.0% did not receive OAC). A total of 1310 non-OAC-treated patients were included (51.8% male, mean age: 76.0 years). The mean time since AF diagnosis was 58.4 months. The main therapeutic decision for stroke prevention was prescription of antiplatelet agents (82.4%, n=1078), and the main reasons were: patient refusal to monitoring (37.3%), high bleeding risk (31.1%), uncontrolled hypertension (27.9%), and frequent falls (27.6%). The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.6, and the HAS-BLED was 2.7 (55.9% of patients scoring HAS-BLED≥3). The most common thromboembolic risk factors were: hypertension (89.1%), age≥75 years (61.5%); the haemorrhagic factors: use of drugs increasing the bleeding risk (41.2%), uncontrolled blood pressure (33.7%). CONCLUSIONS: About 20% of Spanish NVAF patients do not receive OAC in the clinical practice and are treated with antiplatelet agents, which do not reduce haemorrhagic risk. Most patients do not clearly show a contraindication to OACs, particularly considering that there are other available options (direct oral anticoagulant drugs [DOACs])

OBJETIVO: En la fibrilación auricular no-valvular (FANV) con riesgo embólico las guías recomiendan la anticoagulación oral (ACO), aunque no todos los pacientes la reciben. En este estudio, tratamos de identificar estos pacientes y estudiar los factores relacionados con la no-anticoagulación. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, transversal y multicéntrico. Población de estudio: pacientes ≥18 años con FANV, riesgo embólico moderado-alto (puntuación CHADS2≥2), no tratados con ACO. También se recogió la prevalencia de fibrilación auricular (FA). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de FA fue del 4,5% y del 80,7% de los pacientes presentaban FANV (20,0% no recibía ACO). Se incluyeron 1.310 pacientes no tratados con ACO (51,8% varones, edad media: 76,0 años). El tiempo medio desde el diagnóstico de FA fue de 58,4 meses. La estrategia terapéutica principal para la prevención tromboembólica fue la antiagregación (82,4%; n=1.078) y las principales razones: negativa del paciente a la monitorización (37,3%), alto riesgo de sangrado (31,1%), hipertensión no controlada (27,9%) y caídas frecuentes (27,6%). La puntuación CHA2DS2-VASc media fue 4,6 y HAS-BLED 2,7 (55,9% HAS-BLED≥3). Los factores de riesgo tromboembólico más frecuentes fueron: hipertensión (89,1%) y edad ≥75 años (61,5%); los factores de riesgo hemorrágico fueron: uso de fármacos que aumentan el riesgo de sangrado (41,2%) y presión arterial no controlada (33,7%). CONCLUSIONES: En la práctica clínica en España, un 20% de los pacientes con FANV no recibe ACO, y son tratados con antiagregantes, lo que no reduce el riesgo hemorrágico. La mayoría de los pacientes no presenta una clara contraindicación para ACO, más aún considerando otras opciones disponibles (anticoagulantes orales directos [ACOD])

Referral Criteria for Asthma: Consensus Document.

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Spain. Current treatments ensure that the disease is controlled in most cases. However, disease is often uncontrolled in daily clinical practice, mainly owing to underdiagnosis, loss to follow-up, and poor adherence to therapy. In order to improve this situation, we must coordinate all those health professionals who intervene in patient care. Therefore, the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG), and the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) have drawn up a consensus document in which they establish criteria for referral and guidelines for the diagnosis, control, and follow-up of patients with asthma. The document aims to facilitate continuing and improved care in this area.

Profiling of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and moderate-to-high risk of stroke not receiving oral anticoagulation in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: In non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with embolic risk, the guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC), although not all patients receive it. In this study, an attempt is made to identify these patients, and to study factors related to non-anticoagulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed on a population of patients ≥18 years with a NVAF diagnosis, moderate-high embolic risk (CHADS2 score≥2), not treated with OAC. Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence was also collected. RESULTS: AF prevalence was 4.5%, and 80.7% of the patients had NVAF (20.0% did not receive OAC). A total of 1310 non-OAC-treated patients were included (51.8% male, mean age: 76.0 years). The mean time since AF diagnosis was 58.4 months. The main therapeutic decision for stroke prevention was prescription of antiplatelet agents (82.4%, n=1078), and the main reasons were: patient refusal to monitoring (37.3%), high bleeding risk (31.1%), uncontrolled hypertension (27.9%), and frequent falls (27.6%). The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.6, and the HAS-BLED was 2.7 (55.9% of patients scoring HAS-BLED≥3). The most common thromboembolic risk factors were: hypertension (89.1%), age≥75 years (61.5%); the haemorrhagic factors: use of drugs increasing the bleeding risk (41.2%), uncontrolled blood pressure (33.7%). CONCLUSIONS: About 20% of Spanish NVAF patients do not receive OAC in the clinical practice and are treated with antiplatelet agents, which do not reduce haemorrhagic risk. Most patients do not clearly show a contraindication to OACs, particularly considering that there are other available options (direct oral anticoagulant drugs [DOACs]).

Recursos y necesidades asistenciales en el tratamiento anticoagulante de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular. Estudio SAMOA / Healthcare resources and needs in anticoagulant therapy for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. SAMOA Study

Introducción y objetivos. Conocer, en diferentes especialidades médicas, el proceso asistencial del paciente anticoagulado con fibrilación auricular no valvular, así como determinar los recursos disponibles y necesarios e identificar áreas de mejora potenciales en la atención a estos pacientes. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta transversal a médicos de atención primaria y especializada implicados en la atención al paciente anticoagulado. Los cuestionarios se referían al proceso asistencial, a la indicación y prescripción del tratamiento anticoagulante, y a las barreras y carencias existentes en torno a estos pacientes. Resultados. Un total de 893 médicos participaron en el estudio, de los cuales 437 pertenecían a atención primaria y 456 a atención especializada (mayoritariamente cardiólogos). El 42% de los médicos de familia indicaron que ellos mismos valoraban y prescribían el tratamiento anticoagulante y el 66% realizaban el seguimiento regular de los pacientes. En ambos ámbitos asistenciales los médicos pusieron de manifiesto la ausencia de protocolos estandarizados y se evidenció una falta de control de calidad del tratamiento. Conclusiones. El papel de atención primaria en la gestión de los pacientes anticoagulados ha crecido respecto a informes anteriores. Las respuestas de los médicos participantes sugieren la existencia de notables lagunas en la estandarización del proceso asistencial y de varias áreas de mejora en el seguimiento de estos pacientes. Promover la formación sobre los fármacos anticoagulantes de acción directa sigue siendo fundamental (AU)

Introduction and objectives. To determine, in the various medical specialties, the healthcare process for anticoagulated patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, to determine the available and necessary resources and to identify potential areas of improvement in the care of these patients. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional survey of primary care and specialised physicians involved in the care of anticoagulated patients. The questionnaires referred to the healthcare process, the indication and prescription of anticoagulant therapy and the barriers and deficiencies present for these patients. Results. A total of 893 physicians participated in the study, 437 of whom worked in primary care and 456 of whom were specialists (mostly cardiologists). Forty-two percent of the family doctors indicated that they assessed and prescribed anticoagulant therapy, and 66% performed the regular follow-up of these patients. In both healthcare settings, the physicians noted the lack of standardised protocols. There was also a lack of quality control in the treatment. Conclusions. The role of primary care in managing anticoagulated patients has grown compared with previous reports. The responses of the participating physicians suggest marked gaps in the standardisation of the healthcare process and several areas for improvement in these patients’ follow-up. The promotion of training in direct-acting anticoagulant drugs remains pivotal (AU)

Control de la anticoagulación en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular en práctica clínica de atención primaria en las diferentes comunidades autónomas. Estudio PAULA / Control of anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in a primary care clinical practice setting in the different autonomous communities. PAULA study

Objetivos. Conocer las diferencias entre comunidades autónomas en el grado de control de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular, tratados con antagonistas de la vitamina K, incluidos en el estudio PAULA. Métodos. Estudio observacional retrospectivo/transversal. Participaron 139 investigadores de 99 centros de salud de todas las Comunidades Autónomas (excepto La Rioja). El grado de control se determinó mediante tiempo en rango terapéutico, por método directo (mal control<60%), y por Rosendaal (mal control<65%). Resultados. Fueron incluidos 1.524 pacientes. Se observaron pequeñas diferencias entre las características basales de los pacientes. Se apreciaron diferencias en el porcentaje de tiempo en rango terapéutico, según el método Rosendaal (media 69,0±17,7%), desde 78,1%±16,6 (País Vasco) a 61,5%±14 (Baleares), según método directo (media 63,2±17,9%), desde 73,6%±16,6 (País Vasco) al 57,5%±15,7 (Extremadura). Al comparar comunidades, donde el médico de familia asume de forma integral el control y no existen restricciones a la prescripción, el porcentaje de tiempo en rango terapéutico por el método directo fue 63,89 frente 60,95%, en las que sí existen (p=0,006), por Rosendaal, del 69,39% frente al 67,68% (p=0,1036). Conclusiones. Existen diferencias significativas en el grado de control entre comunidades siendo inadecuado en algunas. Comunidades donde el médico de familia asume la gestión integral de la anticoagulación, el tiempo en rango terapéutico es algo superior y muestra una tendencia favorable a mejor control. Estos hallazgos pueden tener implicación clínica, merecen una reflexión y un análisis específico (AU)

Aims. To determine the differences between regions in the level of control of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with vitamin K antagonists, included in the PAULA study. Methods. Observational, and coss-sectional/retrospective study, including 139 Primary Care physicians from 99 Health Care centres in all autonomous communities (except La Rioja). Anticoagulation control was defined as the time in therapeutic range assessed by either the direct method (poor control <60%), or the Rosendaal method (poor control <65%). Results. A total of 1,524 patients were included. Small differences in baseline characteristics of the patients were observed. Differences in the percentage of time in therapeutic range were observed, according to the Rosendaal method (mean 69.0±17.7%), from 78.1%±16.6 (Basque Country) to 61.5±14% (Balearic Islands), by the direct method (mean 63.2±17.9%) from 73.6%±16.6 (Basque Country) to 57.5±15.7% (Extremadura). When comparing regions, in those where the Primary Care physicians assumed full control without restrictions on prescription, the percentage of time in therapeutic range by the direct method was 63.89 vs. 60.95% in those with restrictions (p=.006), by Rosendaal method, 69.39% compared with 67.68% (p=.1036). Conclusions. There are significant differences in the level of control between some regions are still inadequate. Regions in which the Primary Care physicians assumed the management of anticoagulation and without restrictions, time in therapeutic range was somewhat higher, and showed a favourable trend for better control. These findings may have clinical implications, and deserve consideration and specific analysis (AU)

Healthcare resources and needs in anticoagulant therapy for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. SAMOA Study. / Recursos y necesidades asistenciales en el tratamiento anticoagulante de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular. Estudio SAMOA.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To determine, in the various medical specialties, the healthcare process for anticoagulated patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, to determine the available and necessary resources and to identify potential areas of improvement in the care of these patients. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of primary care and specialised physicians involved in the care of anticoagulated patients. The questionnaires referred to the healthcare process, the indication and prescription of anticoagulant therapy and the barriers and deficiencies present for these patients. RESULTS: A total of 893 physicians participated in the study, 437 of whom worked in primary care and 456 of whom were specialists (mostly cardiologists). Forty-two percent of the family doctors indicated that they assessed and prescribed anticoagulant therapy, and 66% performed the regular follow-up of these patients. In both healthcare settings, the physicians noted the lack of standardised protocols. There was also a lack of quality control in the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The role of primary care in managing anticoagulated patients has grown compared with previous reports. The responses of the participating physicians suggest marked gaps in the standardisation of the healthcare process and several areas for improvement in these patients' follow-up. The promotion of training in direct-acting anticoagulant drugs remains pivotal.

[Control of anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in a primary care clinical practice setting in the different autonomous communities. PAULA study]. / Control de la anticoagulación en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular en práctica clínica de atención primaria en las diferentes comunidades autónomas. Estudio PAULA.

AIMS: To determine the differences between regions in the level of control of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with vitamin K antagonists, included in the PAULA study. METHODS: Observational, and coss-sectional/retrospective study, including 139 Primary Care physicians from 99 Health Care centres in all autonomous communities (except La Rioja). Anticoagulation control was defined as the time in therapeutic range assessed by either the direct method (poor control <60%), or the Rosendaal method (poor control <65%). RESULTS: A total of 1,524 patients were included. Small differences in baseline characteristics of the patients were observed. Differences in the percentage of time in therapeutic range were observed, according to the Rosendaal method (mean 69.0±17.7%), from 78.1%±16.6 (Basque Country) to 61.5±14% (Balearic Islands), by the direct method (mean 63.2±17.9%) from 73.6%±16.6 (Basque Country) to 57.5±15.7% (Extremadura). When comparing regions, in those where the Primary Care physicians assumed full control without restrictions on prescription, the percentage of time in therapeutic range by the direct method was 63.89 vs. 60.95% in those with restrictions (p=.006), by Rosendaal method, 69.39% compared with 67.68% (p=.1036). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in the level of control between some regions are still inadequate. Regions in which the Primary Care physicians assumed the management of anticoagulation and without restrictions, time in therapeutic range was somewhat higher, and showed a favourable trend for better control. These findings may have clinical implications, and deserve consideration and specific analysis.

[Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations in chronic respiratory diseases]. / Recomendación de la vacuna antineumocócica en las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas.

Community-acquired pneumonia is an acute respiratory infectious disease which has an incidence of 3-8 cases/1,000 inhabitants, and increases with age and comorbidities. The pneumococcus is the organism most frequently involved in community-acquired pneumonia in the adult (30-35%). Around 40% of patients with community-acquired pneumonia require hospital admission, and around 10% need to be admitted to an intensive care unit. The most serious forms of pneumococcal infection include invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which covers cases of bacteremia (associated or not to pneumonia), meningitis, pleuritis, arthritis, primary peritonitis and pericarditis. Currently, the biggest problem with the pneumococcus is the emergence of resistance to antimicrobial agents, and its high morbimortality, despite the use of appropriate antibiotics and proper medical treatment. Certain underlying medical conditions increase the risk of IPD and its complications, especially, from the respiratory diseases point of view, smoking and chronic respiratory diseases. Pneumococcal disease, according to the WHO, is the first preventable cause of death worldwide in children and adults. Among the strategies to prevent IPD is vaccination. WHO considers that its universal introduction and implementation against pneumococcus is essential and a priority in all countries. There are currently 2 pneumococcal vaccines for adults: the 23 serotypes polysaccharide and conjugate 13 serotypes. The scientific societies represented here have worked to develop some recommendations, based on the current scientific evidence, regarding the pneumococcal vaccination in the immunocompetent adult with chronic respiratory disease and smokers at risk of suffering from IPD.

Hematuria por esquistosomiasis / Hematuria by Schistosomiasis

La inmigración es un fenómeno real en nuestro país, repercutiendo directamente en la sanidad. Al enfrentarnos ante pacientes de esta índole, no debemos olvidar la existencia de enfermedades inusuales en nuestro medio. Presentamos un caso clínico de un paciente con hematuria por esquistosomiasis urinaria. Así mismo realizamos una revisión de la literatura sobre la clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad (AU)