Economic Impact Analysis of Incorporation of Elecsys sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio Into Routine Practice for the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Pregnant Women With Suspected Preeclampsia in Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can cause severe complications and adverse fetal/maternal outcomes. We aimed to estimate the annual economic impact of incorporating Elecsys® sFlt-1/PlGF PE ratio, which measures soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor, into routine clinical practice in Argentina to aid diagnosis of PE and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome from second trimester onward in pregnancies with clinical suspicion of PE. METHODS: A decision tree was used to estimate annual economic impact on the Argentine health system as a whole, including relevant costs associated with diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment from initial presentation of clinically suspected PE to delivery. Annual costs of a standard-of-care scenario and a scenario including PE ratio (reference year 2021) were analyzed. RESULTS: The economic model estimated that using the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio would enable the overall health system to save ∼$6987 million Argentine pesos annually (95% confidence interval $12 045-$2952 million), a 39.1% reduction in costs versus standard of care, mainly due to reduced hospitalizations of women with suspected PE. The economic impact calculation estimated net annual savings of approximately $80 504 Argentine pesos per patient with suspected PE. Based on the assumed uncertainty of the parameters, the likelihood the intervention would be cost saving was 100% for the considered scenarios. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that the implementation of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in women with suspected PE in Argentina will enable the health system to achieve significant savings, contributing to more efficient clinical management through the likely reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations, depending on assumptions. Results rest on the payers' ability to recover savings generated by the intervention.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Argentinean cohort.

Hypertension continues to be the leading cause of death and disability in the industrialized world, with a high level of unawareness and unacceptably poor control. Therefore, the Argentinian Society of Hypertension, in agreement with the May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative of the International Society of Hypertension, implemented for the second consecutive year an educational campaign during the month of May 2018. A volunteer cross-sectional survey was carried out in public spaces and health centres during the month of May 2018 across 33 cities in Argentina. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg based on the mean of the 2nd and 3rd of three consecutive BP measurements, or in those on treatment for high BP. Statistical analysis including multiple imputation followed the MMM protocol. A total of 70 418 individuals were screened during MMM18, after excluding those under 18 years old. Of the total, 43.8% of participants were classified as hypertensive, 77.7% were aware of their diagnosis, 69.1% were on pharmacological treatment, and 38.7% were controlled. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 56.0% were controlled. It is necessary to reinforce strategies not only to increase the awareness and control of hypertension but also to identify the population groups, in which these strategies would have the greatest impact, helping to reduce the enormous health burden attributed to hypertension.

Blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk profile in hypertensive patients under specialist care in Argentina: Results from the CHARTER study.

Worldwide, hypertension control rate is far from ideal. Some studies suggest that patients treated by specialists have a greater chance to achieve control. The authors aimed to determine the BP control rate among treated hypertensive patients under specialist care in Argentina, to characterize patients regarding their cardiovascular risk profile and antihypertensive drug use, and to assess the variables independently associated with adequate BP control. The authors included adult hypertensive patients under stable treatment, managed in 10 specialist centers across Argentina. Office BP was measured thrice with a validated oscillometric device. Adequate BP control was defined as an average of the three readings <140/90 mm Hg (and <150/90 in patients older than 80 years). The authors estimated the proportion of adequate BP control and the variables independently associated with it through a multiple conditional logistic regression model. Among the 1146 included patients, 48.2% were men with a mean age of 63.5 (±13.1) years old. Mean office BP was 135.3 (±14.8)/80.8 (±10) mm Hg, with a 64.8% (95% CI: 62%-67.6%) of adequate control. The mean number of antihypertensive drugs was 2.1 per participant, the commonest being angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers. In multivariable analysis, only female sex was a predictor of adequate BP control (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.02-1.72], P = .04). In conclusion, almost 65% of hypertensive patients treated in specialist centers in Argentina have adequate BP control. The challenge for future research is to define strategies in order to translate this control rate to the primary care level, where most patients are managed.

May Measurement Month 2017: analysis of the blood pressure screening results in Argentina-Americas.

Hypertension is a growing concern worldwide, causing over 10 million deaths each year. The prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in Argentina is 36.3% and 38% of these are unaware of their disease. Half of the hypertensive patients are on pharmacological treatment and only a quarter of them are controlled. The International Society of Hypertension initiated the May Measurement Month (MMM) as a global campaign to raise awareness on high BP that may also serve as a temporary solution to the lack of global screening programs worldwide. A volunteer cross-sectional survey was carried out in May 2017 across 56 health centres. Blood pressure measurement, definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the MMM protocol. For this awareness campaign, the Argentine Society of Hypertension coined the slogan: 'Know and control your blood pressure'. A total of 32 346 individuals aged at least 18 years were screened during MMM17. After imputation, 16 263 (50.4%) were hypertensive. Of the 12 156 receiving antihypertensive medication 5400 (44.4%) still had uncontrolled BP. MMM17, called in our country 'Know and control your blood pressure', was the largest BP screening campaign done in Argentina. Almost 6 out of 10 hypertensive patients were either not on treatment or were not controlled to the BP goal. These results suggest that appropriate screening can help to identify a significant number of people with high BP.

Health perception in menopausal women.

AIM: The aim of this study is to find whether the worsening of health perception was related to the menopausal (MNP) state or to its negative consequences on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) and the presence of depression/anxiety. METHODS: In this study, 2,562 women, 1,357 (53%) MNP and 1,205 (47%) non-MNP, were analyzed. Blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, waist circumference, and depression/anxiety screening using the Hospital Depression/Anxiety Scale (HADS) were measured. We collected a blood sample in fasting state for glycemia, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Logistic regression models were fitted with a backward method from the potentially confusing variables of the menopause study groups. RESULTS: Age 49.4 (±15.9) years; 10.1% belonged to semi-rural population; 87.5% had children. Regarding the educational level, 22.1% had <5 years of education, 31.3% had between 6 and 7 years, 33.4% had between 8 and 12 years, and 13.2% had >12 years of education. The prevalence of CMRF was significantly higher in MNP women, except for smoking. We did not find any differences in the prevalence of depression or anxiety between MNP and non-MNP women. Health was perceived as worse among MNP women (P<0.05) and patients over 45 years of age than patients younger than 45 years. We found a relationship between the negative health perception with metabolic syndrome, depression, and anxiety, having children, smoking, residing in rural area, and low educational level; nevertheless, it is not correlative with MNP status. CONCLUSION: Perceived health should be viewed as a multifaceted condition related to social circumstances, and various symptoms in women, including menopause symptoms, but not with MNP state itself.

Association Between Hypertension, Menopause, and Cognition in Women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cognitive state in women and its relation to menopause and hypertension (HTN). The authors included 1034 women aged 47.13±15.71 years. The prevalence of HTN was 47.1%, with 67.8% of patients treated and 48.6% controlled. Cognitive impairment was higher among hypertensive menopausal (mini-Boston Naming Test: 7.4±3.1 vs 8.5±2.4, P<.001; Clock-Drawing Test: 5.2±2 vs 5.6±1.6, P<.01). Using logistic regression adjusted by age and education level, statistical differences were found in the results from the mini-Boston Naming Test between menopausal hypertensive vs menopausal normotensive women (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.07; P=.021), and no difference between nonmenopausal hypertensive vs menopausal normotensive women (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-1.57; P=.697). The P interaction between both groups was significant (P=.038). The possibility of alteration in cortical functions in menopausal hypertensive woman showed a relative increment of 48% (P=.021). The association between HTN and menopause increases the possibility of compromising the semantic memory by 50%.

Morphological and functional effects on cardiac tissue induced by moderate zinc deficiency during prenatal and postnatal life in male and female rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether moderate zinc restriction in rats throughout fetal life, lactation, and/or postweaning growth results in early changes in cardiac morphology predisposing the onset of cardiac dysfunction in adult life as well as sex-related differences in the adaptation to this nutritional injury. Female Wistar rats received low or control zinc diets from the beginning of pregnancy up to offspring weaning. After being weaned, offspring were fed either a low or control zinc diet until 81 days. Systolic blood pressure was measured. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic examinations, morphological experiments, and apoptosis by TUNEL assay were performed in the left ventricle. In the early stages, zinc-deficient male and female offspring showed an increase in cardiomyocyte diameter, probably associated with an increase in cardiac apoptotic cells, but smaller myocyte diameters in adulthood. In adult males, this nutritional injury induced decreased contractility and dilatation of the left ventricle, not allowing the heart to compensate the higher levels of blood pressure, and hypertrophic remodeling of coronary arteries associated with increased blood pressure. Adequate zinc intake during postweaning life did not overcome blood pressure levels but reversed some of the detrimental effects of earlier zinc deficiency in cardiac morphology and function. Females were less sensitive to this deficiency, exhibiting normal levels of blood pressure and no structural or functional heart alterations in adult life. The present study demonstrates that the effects of zinc deficiency on blood pressure, cardiac morphology, and function differ between sexes, with males more predisposed to develop cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

Use of aliskiren in Latin America in a real-world setting: aliskiren in Latin America Study (ALAS).

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Western countries, and disease control is of major relevance in order to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Different approaches have shown efficacy, and one of the proven therapies for HTN control is the blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which may be accomplished by means of various drugs with different modes of action. Aliskiren is a novel direct renin inhibitor that reduces both angiotensin I and II blood levels. Different randomized clinical trials (phase II and III) have shown its safety and efficacy either alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide. However, although aliskiren has been on the market for some years, reports on the post-marketing experience with aliskiren in the real-world setting are lacking. METHODS: The Aliskiren in Latin America Study (ALAS) was designed with the aim of describing the effectiveness of aliskiren at reducing blood pressure (BP) values by prospectively assessing BP control in outpatient clinics in different countries in Latin America. A total of 435 sites in 5 Latin American countries (Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, and Venezuela) enrolled 4588 patients who had just been initiated on aliskiren (either alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide) based on their treating physicians' discretion, and they were followed for a 6-month period. Prior antihypertensive drugs could be continued if their doses were not modified along the study. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up period, a statistically significant reduction in BP values was observed, with a mean systolic BP reduction of 29.2 mmHg and a mean diastolic BP reduction of 13.78 mmHg from baseline at the 6-month visit. CONCLUSION: The BP reduction levels and the low adverse event rate demonstrate the adequate efficacy and safety profile of aliskiren (alone or with hydrochlorothiazide).

Cognition and vascular risk factors: an epidemiological study.

We conducted an epidemiological approach to identify the negative impact of the vascular risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) over cognition. The interesting aspect of this study was that the survey was conducted in all age groups through a voluntary call (n = 1365; ≥18 years old, both sexes; age 49 ± 15 y, female 75.7%). Thus, we demonstrated that the use of a Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE), a brief, simple, and easy managed neuropsychological evaluation, detected a greater number of people with cognitive decline surpassing to the Minimal Mental Statement Examination alone (14.5% of the participants showed MMSE ≤24, 34,6% showed dys-executive function, and 45,8% memory impairment. Out of the 4 studied RF, the only one that was not related to cognitive impairment was dyslipemia. Finally, we noted the importance of cognitive state early detection in all age groups, even in the youngest group. Acting in the middle of the life stages, we can prevent or delay the onset of a disease in adults, nowadays incurable: dementia.

Resultados de un estudio multicéntrico, no controlado, de seguimiento sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular: A Multicenter Uncontrolled Follow-Up Study / Cardiovascular Risk Factors / Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Multicenter Uncontrolled Follow-Up Study Background

Introducción La enfermedad cardiovascular sigue siendo una de las principales causas de muerte en nuestro país y está bien documentado que cambios adecuados en el estilo de vida son favorables tanto en términos de prevención primaria como secundaria. Sin embargo, en el mundo real, estas medidas no son de fácil instrumentación o mantenimiento. Esto llevó al desarrollo del estudio ENASE, que se concibió como un programa de entrenamiento del médico en el conocimiento de buenos hábitos de alimentación y ejercicio y en cómo ayudar al paciente a que pueda incorporarlos en forma metódica en la vida cotidiana. Objetivo Evaluar si un plan de educación del médico asistencial puede producir cambios en los pacientes. Material y métodos Estudio prospectivo, no controlado, multicéntrico, con seguimiento a 3 años en 17 provincias y en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, que incluyó 508 pacientes. Para el análisis estadístico se emplearon la prueba de la t de Student para muestras apareadas y la prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados Con la guía del médico de cabecera, esta población en estudio incrementó la actividad física y realizó cambios significativos en la alimentación. A partir del primer año y con progreso adicional hasta los 3 años, se observó una reducción significativa de la presión arterial, los triglicéridos, el colesterol LDL y de la glucemia respecto de los datos basales. El colesterol HDL se incrementó en forma significativa, en tanto que el peso sólo mostró un leve descenso, no significativo. No hubo cambios en la prescripción de fármacos durante los 3 años, con excepción de un incremento en el uso de estatinas, acorde al mayor espectro de indicaciones sugeridas por las normativas nacionales. Conclusiones Este estudio demuestra que un plan de educación y entrenamiento del médico para actuar en el paciente produce beneficios significativos en la salud cardiovascular.

Cardiovascular disease is still one of the leading causes of mortality in our country. It has been well documented that adequate changes in lifestyle are beneficial for primary and secondary prevention. However, it is difficult to apply or maintain these measures in the real world. The ENASE study was developed as a program to train physicians in the knowledge of good dietary habits and exercise to help patients to incorporate healthy behaviors in everyday life. Objective To evaluate if a plan designed to train attending physicians can produce changes in the patients. Material and Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter and uncontrolled study on 508 patients with a follow-up of three years in 17 provinces and in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student's t test and the Wilcoxon test. Results With the help of primary physicians, this population increased physical activity and made significant changes in eating habits. Blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and blood sugar levels decreased significantly and progressively from the first to the third year of follow-up. HDL-cholesterol increased significantly while body weight showed a slight and non-significant reduction. The prescription of medical treatment did not change during the three years, except for a greater use of statins in accordance with the recommendations suggested by national guidelines. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a plan focused on educating and training physicians produces significant benefits on the cardiovascular health of patients.

Resultados de un estudio multicéntrico, no controlado, de seguimiento sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular: A Multicenter Uncontrolled Follow-Up Study / Cardiovascular Risk Factors / Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Multicenter Uncontrolled Follow-Up Study Background

Introducción La enfermedad cardiovascular sigue siendo una de las principales causas de muerte en nuestro país y está bien documentado que cambios adecuados en el estilo de vida son favorables tanto en términos de prevención primaria como secundaria. Sin embargo, en el mundo real, estas medidas no son de fácil instrumentación o mantenimiento. Esto llevó al desarrollo del estudio ENASE, que se concibió como un programa de entrenamiento del médico en el conocimiento de buenos hábitos de alimentación y ejercicio y en cómo ayudar al paciente a que pueda incorporarlos en forma metódica en la vida cotidiana. Objetivo Evaluar si un plan de educación del médico asistencial puede producir cambios en los pacientes. Material y métodos Estudio prospectivo, no controlado, multicéntrico, con seguimiento a 3 años en 17 provincias y en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, que incluyó 508 pacientes. Para el análisis estadístico se emplearon la prueba de la t de Student para muestras apareadas y la prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados Con la guía del médico de cabecera, esta población en estudio incrementó la actividad física y realizó cambios significativos en la alimentación. A partir del primer año y con progreso adicional hasta los 3 años, se observó una reducción significativa de la presión arterial, los triglicéridos, el colesterol LDL y de la glucemia respecto de los datos basales. El colesterol HDL se incrementó en forma significativa, en tanto que el peso sólo mostró un leve descenso, no significativo. No hubo cambios en la prescripción de fármacos durante los 3 años, con excepción de un incremento en el uso de estatinas, acorde al mayor espectro de indicaciones sugeridas por las normativas nacionales. Conclusiones Este estudio demuestra que un plan de educación y entrenamiento del médico para actuar en el paciente produce beneficios significativos en la salud cardiovascular.(AU)

Cardiovascular disease is still one of the leading causes of mortality in our country. It has been well documented that adequate changes in lifestyle are beneficial for primary and secondary prevention. However, it is difficult to apply or maintain these measures in the real world. The ENASE study was developed as a program to train physicians in the knowledge of good dietary habits and exercise to help patients to incorporate healthy behaviors in everyday life. Objective To evaluate if a plan designed to train attending physicians can produce changes in the patients. Material and Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter and uncontrolled study on 508 patients with a follow-up of three years in 17 provinces and in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Students t test and the Wilcoxon test. Results With the help of primary physicians, this population increased physical activity and made significant changes in eating habits. Blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and blood sugar levels decreased significantly and progressively from the first to the third year of follow-up. HDL-cholesterol increased significantly while body weight showed a slight and non-significant reduction. The prescription of medical treatment did not change during the three years, except for a greater use of statins in accordance with the recommendations suggested by national guidelines. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a plan focused on educating and training physicians produces significant benefits on the cardiovascular health of patients.(AU)

Evaluación del tratamiento antihipertensivo a través del monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial (MDPA) / Evaluation of antihypertensive treatment through home monitoring of blood pressure

Introducción: el valor de corte de 135/85 mmHg utilizado en la actualidad para definir el diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial (HTA) o la falta de control con la medicación por monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial (MDPA) se ha establecido por consenso y se encuentra continuamente en debate.Objetivo: determinar el papel del monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial en la evaluación del grado de control de la HTA fuera del consultorio. Materiales y métodos: se trata de un estudio prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes hipertensos medicados mayores de 18 años, que realizaron en forma consecutiva una presurometría de 24 horas con un equipo validado Spacelabs 90207 y un MDPA con un equipo validado Omron 705 CP en distintos centros del territorio nacional. Se dividió a estos pacientes en 3 grupos, de acuerdo con el promedio de presión arterial (PA)obtenido por MDPA. Resultados: se incluyeron 108 hipertensos medicados, de los cuales el 55.6% eran mujeres, el 46.3% eran dislipidémicos, el 11.1% eran diabéticos y el 7.4% tenían antecedentes cardiovasculares o cerebrovasculares. La prevalencia de inadecuado control de la PA por presurometría de 24 horas fue del 16.7% en el grupo 1, del 29.3% en el grupo 2 y del 62.2% en el grupo 3, p < 0.001. Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos sugieren que el valor de corte actual recomendado de 135/85 mmHg para el MDPA subdiagnostica una proporción significativa de pacientes hipertensos mal controlados, utilizando la presurometría de 24 horas como método de referencia, y plantea la necesidad de realizar estudios de mayores dimensiones para determinar un valor de corte más adecuado.

Evaluación del tratamiento antihipertensivo a través del monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial (MDPA) / Evaluation of antihypertensive treatment through home monitoring of blood pressure

Introducción: el valor de corte de 135/85 mmHg utilizado en la actualidad para definir el diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial (HTA) o la falta de control con la medicación por monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial (MDPA) se ha establecido por consenso y se encuentra continuamente en debate.Objetivo: determinar el papel del monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial en la evaluación del grado de control de la HTA fuera del consultorio. Materiales y métodos: se trata de un estudio prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes hipertensos medicados mayores de 18 años, que realizaron en forma consecutiva una presurometría de 24 horas con un equipo validado Spacelabs 90207 y un MDPA con un equipo validado Omron 705 CP en distintos centros del territorio nacional. Se dividió a estos pacientes en 3 grupos, de acuerdo con el promedio de presión arterial (PA)obtenido por MDPA. Resultados: se incluyeron 108 hipertensos medicados, de los cuales el 55.6% eran mujeres, el 46.3% eran dislipidémicos, el 11.1% eran diabéticos y el 7.4% tenían antecedentes cardiovasculares o cerebrovasculares. La prevalencia de inadecuado control de la PA por presurometría de 24 horas fue del 16.7% en el grupo 1, del 29.3% en el grupo 2 y del 62.2% en el grupo 3, p < 0.001. Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos sugieren que el valor de corte actual recomendado de 135/85 mmHg para el MDPA subdiagnostica una proporción significativa de pacientes hipertensos mal controlados, utilizando la presurometría de 24 horas como método de referencia, y plantea la necesidad de realizar estudios de mayores dimensiones para determinar un valor de corte más adecuado.(AU)

Evaluación del tratamiento antihipertensivo a través del monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial (MDPA) / Evaluation of antihypertensive treatment through home monitoring of blood pressure

Introducción: el valor de corte de 135/85 mmHg utilizado en la actualidad para definir el diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial (HTA) o la falta de control con la medicación por monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial (MDPA) se ha establecido por consenso y se encuentra continuamente en debate.Objetivo: determinar el papel del monitoreo domiciliario de presión arterial en la evaluación del grado de control de la HTA fuera del consultorio. Materiales y métodos: se trata de un estudio prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes hipertensos medicados mayores de 18 años, que realizaron en forma consecutiva una presurometría de 24 horas con un equipo validado Spacelabs 90207 y un MDPA con un equipo validado Omron 705 CP en distintos centros del territorio nacional. Se dividió a estos pacientes en 3 grupos, de acuerdo con el promedio de presión arterial (PA)obtenido por MDPA. Resultados: se incluyeron 108 hipertensos medicados, de los cuales el 55.6% eran mujeres, el 46.3% eran dislipidémicos, el 11.1% eran diabéticos y el 7.4% tenían antecedentes cardiovasculares o cerebrovasculares. La prevalencia de inadecuado control de la PA por presurometría de 24 horas fue del 16.7% en el grupo 1, del 29.3% en el grupo 2 y del 62.2% en el grupo 3, p < 0.001. Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos sugieren que el valor de corte actual recomendado de 135/85 mmHg para el MDPA subdiagnostica una proporción significativa de pacientes hipertensos mal controlados, utilizando la presurometría de 24 horas como método de referencia, y plantea la necesidad de realizar estudios de mayores dimensiones para determinar un valor de corte más adecuado.(AU)

Cognitive evolution in hypertensive patients: a six-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the links between hypertension, vascular damage, and cognitive impairment. The functions most commonly involved seem to be those associated with memory and executive function. AIMS: 1) to report the cognitive evolution in a cohort of hypertensive patients, 2) to identify the affected domains, and 3) to correlate the results obtained with blood pressure measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational 6-year follow-up cohort study including both males and females aged≥65 and ≤80 years, and hypertensive patients under treatment. Patients with a history of any of the following conditions were excluded: stroke, transient ischemic attack, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgery, dementia, or depression. Four neurocognitive evaluations were performed (at baseline and every 2 years). The tests used evaluated memory and executive function domain. Blood pressure was measured on every cognitive evaluation. RESULTS: Sixty patients were followed for 76.4±2.8 months. The average age at baseline was 72.5±4.2 and 77.9±4.6 at 6 years (65% were women). Two patients were lost to follow up (3.3%) and 8 patients died (13.3%).The density incidence for dementia was 0.6% patients per year (pt/y) (n=3) and for depression was 1.6% pt/y (n=12). No changes were observed in either memory impairment or the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) results (p=ns) during follow-up. A progressive impairment of the executive function was shown regardless of the blood pressure measurements. CONCLUSION: 1) the incidence of dementia doubled to general population, 2) the initial memory impairment did not change during the evaluation period, 3) cognitive impairment worsened in the areas related to executive function (prefrontal cortex) regardless of the adequacy of anti-hypertensive treatment and blood pressure values.

Los manguitos del esfigmomanómetro son reservorio de bacterias potencialmente patógenas / Sphygmomanometer´s pressure cuffs are potentially pathogenical bacterial reservoirs

Este estudio se diseño para evaluar si los manguitos para la medición de la presión arterial pueden ser un reservorio de bacterias con potencial patogenicidad. Material y métodos: En condiciones asépticas, se obtuvo la cobertura de tela de 11 manguitos (seleccionados aleatoriamente) provenientes de consultorios externos o salas de internación de un hospital público. Resultados: El cultivo de los manguitos mostró en todos los casos desarrollo bacteriano, que abarcó 27 aislamientos: 12 Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo (4 de ellos meticilinorresistentes), 6 Staphylococcus aureus (2 meticilinorresistentes), 3 Acinetobacter spp (1 multirresistente), 1 Corynebacterium spp, 1 Streptococcus viridans, 1 Micrococcus spp, y 3 bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores (diferentes de Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter spp). Conclusiones: Los manguitos de los esfigmomanómetros constituyen un reservorio de bacterias potencialmente patógenas.