Diseño y Validación de una Aplicación Móvil, para el Diagnóstico de Anemia en Pre-Escolares. Estudio de Precisión Diagnóstica / Design and Validation of a Mobile Application for the Diagnosis of Anemia in Preschoolers. Diagnostic Accuracy Study

La anemia afecta a miles de niños. Para el diagnóstico se cuantifica la hemoglobina (Hb); técnica que no se encuentra al alcance de toda la población. Contar con un instrumento validado de fácil aplicación, puede ayudar al diagnóstico. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar una aplicación móvil (APP) para diagnosticar anemia en niños de 2 a 5 años, aplicable por padres o tutores. Estudio de validación de escalas. Mediante búsqueda bibliografía se recopilaron ítems y dominios relacionados con anemia en niños. Una vez reducidos, se construyó un cuestionario para pilotaje, con tres hematólogos pediatras. El resultado de este fue posteriormente validado por 22 expertos mediante aplicación de escalas tipo Likert. Los ítems validados, se contrastaron con la Hb de niños de 267 niños de 2 a 5 años de los andes ecuatorianos (2.560 msnm). Se determinó asociación de los ítems con Hb y con los resultados obtenidos y se construyó la APP. 14 ítems fueron analizados. Todos ellos puntuaron sobre la mediana de la distribución (35,5 puntos) y fueron valorados por, al menos el 50 % de los expertos. Se seleccionaron palidez palmar, astenia y sueño en horas no habituales. Todos mostraron asociación significativa con anemia (p<0,05), y fueron aplicados como preguntas a padres o tutores y contrastados con el valor de Hb. Sensibilidad y especificidad para palidez fue: 85,1 % y 85,0 %; astenia: 72,3 % y 87,7 %; sueño en horas no habituales: 68,1 % y 87,7 %; palidez más astenia o sueño: 95,7 % y 74,6 %; y debilidad más sueño: 92,5 % y 76,8 %. Se desarrolló y validó una APP para diagnóstico de anemia en niños de 2 a 5 años aplicable por padres o tutores.

SUMMARY: Anemia affects thousands of children, and to reach a diagnosis, hemoglobin (Hb) is quantified. This technique however, is not always accessible to the general population. Therefore, the availability of a validated instrument can be useful in the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to validate a mobile application (APP), to diagnose anemia in children from 2 to 5 years old, applicable by parents or guardians. Scale validation study. Through a bibliographic search, items and domains related to anemia in children were collected. Once reduced, a pilot questionnaire was constructed with three pediatric hematologists. The result was later validated by 22 experts through the application of the Likert-type scales. The validated items were contrasted with the Hb of children of 267 children from 2 to 5 years of age from the Ecuadorian Andes (2,560 meters above sea level). The association of the items with Hb and with the results obtained was determined, and the APP was constructed. 14 items were analyzed. All of them scored above the median of the distribution (35.5 points) and were valued by at least 50 % of the experts. Palmar pallor, asthenia, and sleep at unusual hours were selected. All showed a significant association with anemia (p<0.05) and were applied as questions to parents or guardians and contrasted with the Hb value. Sensitivity and specificity for pallor was: 85.1 % and 85.0 %; asthenia: 72.3 % and 87.7 %; sleep at unusual hours: 68.1 % and 87.7 %; paleness plus fatigue or sleepiness: 95.7 % and 74.6 %; and weakness plus sleep: 92.5 % and 76.8 %. An APP for the diagnosis of anemia in children from 2 to 5 years old applicable by parents or guardians was developed and validated.

Cancer Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsy for Early Detection of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women worldwide. Liquid biopsy (LB) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows the analysis of biomarkers in different body fluids, particularly in peripheral blood and also in urine, saliva, nipple discharge, volatile respiratory fluids, nasal secretions, breast milk, and tears. The objective was to analyze the available evidence related to the use of biomarkers obtained by LB for the early diagnosis of BC. Methods: Articles related to the use of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of BC due to LB, published between 2010 and 2022, from the databases (WoS, EMBASE, PubMed, and SCOPUS) were included. The MInCir diagnostic scale was applied in the articles to determine their methodological quality (MQ). Descriptive statistics were used, as well as determination of weighted averages of each variable, to analyze the extracted data. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values for specific biomarkers (individual or in panels) are described. Results: In this systematic review (SR), 136 articles met the selection criteria, representing 17 709 patients with BC. However, 95.6% were case-control studies. In 96.3% of cases, LB was performed in peripheral blood samples. Most of the articles were based on microRNA (miRNA) analysis. The mean MQ score was 25/45 points. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values for specific biomarkers (individual or in panels) have been found. Conclusions: The determination of biomarkers through LB is a useful mechanism for the diagnosis of BC. The analysis of miRNA in peripheral blood is the most studied methodology. Our results indicate that LB has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of BC, especially in early stages.

Epidemiological Indicators of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Vaccination Effectiveness on the Report of Positive Cases in the Colombian Army.

The description of the epidemiological indicators of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), such as the mortality rate (MR), the case fatality rate (CFR), and the attack rate (AR), as well as the geographical distribution and daily case reports, are used to evaluate the impact that this virus has had within the Colombian Army and its health system. As military forces around the world represent the force that defends sovereignty, independence, the integrity of the national territory, and the constitutional order, while maintaining migration controls in blocked border areas during this critical pandemic times, they must carry out strict epidemiological surveillance to control the situation among the servicemen. Up to date, the Colombian Army has faced a very high attack rate (AR = 8.55%) due, among others, to living conditions where active military personnel share bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining facilities, which facilitate the spread of the virus. However, being a mainly young and healthy population, the MR was 1.82 deaths/1,000 ha, while the CFR = 2.13% indexes consistently low if compared with those values reported for the national population. In addition, the effectiveness of vaccination is shown in daily cases of COVID-19, where, for the third peak, the active military population presented a decrease of positive patients compared to the dynamics of national transmission and the total population of the military forces (active, retired, and beneficiaries).

Resultados del tratamiento del hepatoblastoma en los Andes Ecuatorianos / Results of the treatment of hepatoblastoma in the Ecuadorian Andes

RESUMEN: El hepatoblastoma (HB), es una neoplasia maligna, que se origina en el hígado. La supervivencia (SV) depende de la extensión de avance de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar diferencias en la SV actuarial global (SVAG) y libre de enfermedad (SVLE) en pacientes con HB, según la extensión de su enfermedad. Serie de casos con seguimiento. Se incluyeron pacientes de entre 4 y 160 meses de edad tratados en un centro oncológico de Los Andes ecuatorianos (2000-2019). Las variables resultado fueron: lóbulo afectado, metástasis pulmonar, infiltración vascular, estadio PRETEXT, riesgo, histología, niveles de alfafetoproteína (AFP), remisión completa (RC), SVAG y SVLE. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y analítica (Chi2, exacto de Fisher y corrección por continuidad). Se realizaron análisis de SV con curvas de Kaplan Meier y log-rank. Fueron estudiados 28 pacientes (53,6 % hombres), con una mediana de edad de 40 meses. Se verificaron metástasis pulmonares e infiltración vascular en el 25,0 % y 35,7 % de los casos respectivamente. La histología, estadio clínico y riesgo alto fueron mayoritariamente tipo epitelial (42,8 %), PRETEXT II (50,0 %) y riesgo alto (67,8 %) respectivamente. La media de AFP al diagnóstico fue 1055712ng/ml y 9 pacientes alcanzaron RC. La SVAG y SVLE general a 19 años fue 33,1 % y 26,0 % respectivamente. Según su extensión, la SVAG y la SVLE para los pacientes de riesgo estándar y alto fueron 50,0 % y 25,4 % (p=0,148); y 50,0 % y 14,7 % (p=0,037) respectivamente. La SVAG y SVLE verificadas son menores a las reportadas en otros estudios. La SVLE según su extensión, presentó diferencia significativa, sin embargo, este resultado debe ser tomado con cautela debido al número pequeño de pacientes.

SUMMARY: Hepatoblastoma (HB), is a malignant neoplasm, which originates in the liver. Survival (SV) depends on the extent of disease progression. The objective of this study was to determine differences in overall SV (OS) and disease-free (DFS) in patients with HB, according to the extent of their disease. Case series with follow-up. Patients between 4 and 160 months of age treated at an oncology center in the Ecuadorian Andes (2000-2019) were included. The result variables were affected lobe, lung metastasis, vascular infiltration, PRETEXT stage, risk, histology, alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP), complete remission (RC), OS and DFS. Descriptive and analytical statistics (Chi2, Fisher's exact and continuity correction) were used. SV analyzes were performed with Kaplan Meier and log-rank curves. In this analysis 28 patients (53.6 % men), with a median age of 40 months, were studied. Lung metastases and vascular infiltration were verified in 25.0 % and 35.7 % of the cases, respectively. Histology, clinical stage, and high risk were mainly epithelial type (42.8 %), PRETEXT II (50.0 %), and high risk (67.8 %), respectively. The mean AFP at diagnosis was 1055712 ng / ml and 9 patients achieved CR. OS and DFS at 19 years were 33.1 % and 26.0 % respectively. According to their extension, the OS and DFS for standard and high risk patients were 50.0 % and 25.4 % (p = 0.148); and 50.0 % and 14.7 % (p = 0.037) respectively. The verified OS and DFS are lower than those reported in other studies. DFS according to its extension, presented a significant difference, however, this result should be considered with caution due to the small number of patients.

Linfangiomatosis kaposiforme: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis: a case report and literature review

La linfangiomatosis es una patología benigna, de etiología desconocida, que afecta especialmente a población pediátrica, caracterizándose por desarrollo de masas subcutáneas que involucran uno o más órganos. Cuando se asocia con coagulopatía y derrames quilosos, recibe el nombre de linfangiomatosis kaposiforme (LK), cuya evidencia disponible es escasa. El objetivo de este manuscrito es reportar un caso de LK pediátrico atendido en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA, Cuenca, Ecuador. Paciente femenina de 1 año 7 meses, con hernia inguinal bilaterales y alteración de los tiempos de coagulación. En los estudios de imagen se evidenció una masa mediastínica asociada a presencia de líquido en espacio pleural y cavidad abdomino-pélvica. Además, se evidenció la existencia de múltiples imágenes hipogénicas en el bazo. Se practicó timectomía mínima, toma de biopsia de linfonodos mediastínicos para establecer el diagnóstico, y se instaló un dren en el tórax para tratar el derrame pleural antes señalado. Se descartaron patologías similares (linfomas, lupus, inmunológicas, etc.). Dado el continúo deterioro respiratorio, coagulopatía, lesiones hipogénicas esplénicas y drenaje abundante del quilotórax por el tubo torácico, se planteó el diagnóstico de LK. Se inició apoyo nutricional vía parenteral (sin lípidos); se indicó vincristina, y se realizó una pleurodesis con bleomicina sin buena respuesta. La paciente falleció a los 16 días de su ingreso. Se trata de un caso de mal pronóstico, con evolución rápidamente progresiva hacia un desenlace fatal.

Lymphangiomatosis is a benign pathology, of unknown etiology. Affects especially to pediatric population and is characterized by development of subcutaneous masses that involve one or more organs. When it presents with coagulopathy and chylous effusions, it is called kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KL). The available evidence of KL is scarce. The objective of this manuscript was to report a case of pediatric KL treated at SOLCA Cancer Institute, Cuenca, Ecuador. Female patient of 1 year and 7 months age. She had a bilateral inguinal hernia and altered coagulation times. Imaging studies revealed a mediastinal mass associated with fluid in the pleural space and in the abdominalpelvic cavity. Furthermore, the existence of multiple hypogenic images in the spleen was evidenced. Minimal thymectomy, biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes was performed to establish the diagnosis, and a drain was installed in the chest to treat the aforementioned pleural effusion. Other pathologies like lymphomas, lupus, etc. were ruled out. Given the continuous respiratory deterioration, coagulopathy, splenic hypogenic lesions and abundant drainage of the chylothorax through the chest tube, the diagnosis of KL was raised. Parenteral nutrition (lipid-free) was started; Vincristine was indicated, and a pleurodesis with bleomycin was performed without a good response. The patient died 16 days after her admission. It is a case of very bad prognosis, with a rapidly progressive evolution towards a fatal outcome.