Usefulness of Lung Ultrasound Examinations Performed by Primary Care Physicians in Patients With Suspected COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) consulting primary care (PC) centers, clinical criteria may not be sensitive enough to detect many cases in which complications first occur. We intended to assess whether lung ultrasound (LUS) examinations performed by PC physicians are a useful tool to detect lung injury and may help in decisions about hospital referral. METHODS: This study included 61 patients with moderate symptoms suggesting COVID-19 who were evaluated with LUS by PC physicians and then referred to a hospital during the current pandemic peak in Madrid. We analyzed association of a simple self-designed LUS severity scale (grade 0, normal; grade 1, multiple separated B-lines, pleural irregularity, or both; and grade 2, coalescent B-lines, consolidations, pleural effusion, or a combination thereof) with the main outcome indicating adequacy of hospital referral, and also with chest x-ray (CXR) findings. RESULTS: The proposed LUS severity scale was significantly associated with the main outcome of appropriate referral (P = 0.001): the higher the scale, the higher the percentage of adequate referrals. The LUS scale was also associated with a CXR severity scale (P = 0.034). The presence of coalescent B-lines was the only independent LUS finding significantly associated with the appropriate-referral outcome (P =0 .008) and also with a higher probability of hospital admission (P = 0.02) and with several CXR findings. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of LUS in PC as a tool to assess patients with suspected COVID-19. Its use can reduce uncertainty during clinical evaluations of moderate patients, facilitate early detection of lung involvement, allow early appropriate referral, and avoid unnecessary referral.

Prevalencia de hipertrigliceridemia en adultos y factores cardiometabólicos asociados. Estudio SIMETAP-HTG / Prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia in adults and related cardiometabolic factors. SIMETAP-HTG study

OBJETIVO: Determinar en la población adulta las tasas de prevalencia brutas y ajustadas por edad y sexo de hipertrigliceridemia (HTG) y valorar su asociación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular, enfermedad renal crónica y enfermedades cardiovasculares y cardiometabólicas. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional transversal realizado en Atención Primaria, con 6.588 sujetos de estudio adultos, seleccionados aleatoriamente con base poblacional. Los pacientes tenían HTG si la concentración de triglicéridos era≥150mg/dL (≥1,7mmol/L) o estaban en tratamiento hipolipidemiante para reducir los triglicéridos. Se valoraron las asociaciones mediante análisis univariado y multivariante, y se determinaron las prevalencias brutas y ajustadas por edad y sexo. RESULTADOS: Las medias aritméticas y geométricas de las concentraciones de triglicéridos fueron respectivamente 120,5 y 104,2mg/dL en la población global, 135,7 y 116,0mg/dL en hombres, y 108,6 y 95,7mg/dL en mujeres. Las prevalencias brutas de HTG fueron 29,6% en población global, 36,9% en hombres y 23,8% en mujeres. Las prevalencias ajustadas por edad y sexo de HTG fueron 27,0% en población global, 34,6% en hombres y 21,4% en mujeres. Las variables independientes que más se asociaban con la HTG fueron hipercolesterolemia (OR: 4,6), c-HDL bajo (OR: 4,1), esteatosis hepática (OR: 2,8), diabetes (OR: 2,0) y obesidad (OR: 1,9). CONCLUSIONES: Las medias de triglicéridos y las prevalencias de HTG se encuentran intermedias entre las de otros estudios nacionales e internacionales. La quinta parte de la población adulta femenina y más de un tercio de la masculina presentaba HTG. Los factores independientes asociados con HTG fueron hipercolesterolemia y c-HDL bajo, y las variables cardiometabólicas diabetes, esteatosis hepática y obesidad

AIM: To determine in the adult population the crude and the sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) and to assess its association with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in Primary Care, with 6,588 adult study subjects, randomly selected on base-population. Patients had HTG if the triglyceride level was≥150mg/dL (≥1.7mmol/L), or were on lipid-lowering therapy to lower triglyceride. Associations were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis, and crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined. RESULTS: The arithmetic and geometric means of triglyceride levels were respectively 120.5 and 104.2mg/dL in global population, 135.7 and 116.0mg/dL in men, and 108.6 and 95.7mg/dL in women. The crude HTG prevalence rates were 29.6% in global population, 36.9% in men and 23.8% in women. The sex- and age-adjusted HTG prevalence rates were 27.0% in global population, 34.6% in men and 21.4% in women. The independent variables that were most associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia (OR: 4.6), low HDL-C (OR: 4.1), hepatic steatosis (OR: 2.8), diabetes (OR: 2.0), and obesity (OR: 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: The means of triglyceride levels and HTG prevalence rates are intermediate between those of other national and international studies. A fifth of the female adult population and more than a third of the male population had HTG. The independent factors associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C, and the cardiometabolic variables diabetes, hepatic steatosis and obesity

Prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia in adults and related cardiometabolic factors. SIMETAP-HTG study. / Prevalencia de hipertrigliceridemia en adultos y factores cardiometabólicos asociados. Estudio SIMETAP-HTG.

AIM: To determine in the adult population the crude and the sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) and to assess its association with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in Primary Care, with 6,588 adult study subjects, randomly selected on base-population. Patients had HTG if the triglyceride level was≥150mg/dL (≥1.7mmol/L), or were on lipid-lowering therapy to lower triglyceride. Associations were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis, and crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined. RESULTS: The arithmetic and geometric means of triglyceride levels were respectively 120.5 and 104.2mg/dL in global population, 135.7 and 116.0mg/dL in men, and 108.6 and 95.7mg/dL in women. The crude HTG prevalence rates were 29.6% in global population, 36.9% in men and 23.8% in women. The sex- and age-adjusted HTG prevalence rates were 27.0% in global population, 34.6% in men and 21.4% in women. The independent variables that were most associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia (OR: 4.6), low HDL-C (OR: 4.1), hepatic steatosis (OR: 2.8), diabetes (OR: 2.0), and obesity (OR: 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: The means of triglyceride levels and HTG prevalence rates are intermediate between those of other national and international studies. A fifth of the female adult population and more than a third of the male population had HTG. The independent factors associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C, and the cardiometabolic variables diabetes, hepatic steatosis and obesity.

Utilidad y fiabilidad de la ecografía clínica abdominal en medicina familiar (2): grandes vasos, bazo, nefrourológica y ginecológica / Usefulness and reliability of abdominal point of care ultrasound in family practice (2): Large abdominal vessels, spleen, nephrourological and gynecological ultrasound

Este artículo es continuación de la revisión iniciada en el número anterior sobre la utilidad de la ecografía clínica abdominal en Atención Primaria (AP), y completa los escenarios de grandes vasos abdominales, bazo, nefrourológicos y ginecológicos

This article is a continuation of the review initiated in the previous issue about the usefulness of point of care ultrasound in Primary Care, completing the scenarios of large abdominal vessels, spleen, nephrourological and gynecological ultrasound

[Usefulness and reliability of abdominal point of care ultrasound in family practice (2): Large abdominal vessels, spleen, nephrourological and gynecological ultrasound]. / Utilidad y fiabilidad de la ecografía clínica abdominal en medicina familiar (2): grandes vasos, bazo, nefrourológica y ginecológica.

This article is a continuation of the review initiated in the previous issue about the usefulness of point of care ultrasound in Primary Care, completing the scenarios of large abdominal vessels, spleen, nephrourological and gynecological ultrasound.

Utilidad y fiabilidad de la ecografía clínica abdominal en medicina familiar (1): hígado, vías biliares y páncreas / Usefulness and reliability of abdominal clinical ultrasound in family medicine (1): Liver, biliary tract and páncreas

La ecografía es una técnica segura y fiable que aumenta la capacidad diagnóstica, agiliza y mejora la toma de decisiones de los profesionales de la medicina en cualquier ámbito de ejercicio. El médico de familia (MF), que debe ser competente para abordar la práctica totalidad de los problemas de salud de las personas, es un especialista idóneo para incorporar esta herramienta a su actividad, dotándose con ella de una capacidad de manejo hasta ahora desconocida, al ser muy numerosas las situaciones clínicas de la práctica habitual en las cuales se puede beneficiar de ella de modo fiable, eficiente y eficaz. Al tratarse de una tecnología muy dependiente del explorador, se hace necesario asegurar la competencia de quienes la practican, definir los beneficios y los potenciales riesgos que su uso puede generar, así como sus escenarios de aplicación, en aras de evitar exploraciones innecesarias y minimizar el coste oportunidad que puede suponer incorporar esta actividad a una agenda de por sí desbordada. Este trabajo pretende resumir el estado actual de la ecografía clínica abdominal y su utilidad para el MF en aquellos escenarios en los que resulta fiable y eficaz

Ultrasound is a safe and reliable way to increase diagnosis capabilities, as well as an improving and speed up method for taking decisions for healthcare professionals of every medical specialty. Family doctor, who must be ready to address all kind of health problems for his patients, is the key person to incorporate this tool to his daily activity, acquiring the best managing skill, unknown nowadays, being quite large the clinical situations in the day by day practice, in which he can obtain benefit in a reliable and effective way. Due to this practice is explorer dependent, it's needed to assure the best competence of the professional who practice it, and define the benefits and potential risks its use can create, as well as its application scenarios, in order to avoid unnecessary explorations and minimize opportunity costs that this activity can add to a currently saturated agenda. This work pretends to summarize the current state of abdominal point of care ultrasound, and its utility for the family doctor, in those scenarios that can be potentially reliable and effective

[Usefulness and reliability of abdominal clinical ultrasound in family medicine (1): Liver, biliary tract and pancreas]. / Utilidad y fiabilidad de la ecografía clínica abdominal en medicina familiar (1): hígado, vías biliares y páncreas.

Ultrasound is a safe and reliable way to increase diagnosis capabilities, as well as an improving and speed up method for taking decisions for healthcare professionals of every medical specialty. Family doctor, who must be ready to address all kind of health problems for his patients, is the key person to incorporate this tool to his daily activity, acquiring the best managing skill, unknown nowadays, being quite large the clinical situations in the day by day practice, in which he can obtain benefit in a reliable and effective way. Due to this practice is explorer dependent, it's needed to assure the best competence of the professional who practice it, and define the benefits and potential risks its use can create, as well as its application scenarios, in order to avoid unnecessary explorations and minimize opportunity costs that this activity can add to a currently saturated agenda. This work pretends to summarize the current state of abdominal point of care ultrasound, and its utility for the family doctor, in those scenarios that can be potentially reliable and effective.

Grado de control del tratamiento anticoagulante oral en los centros de Atención Primaria de la Comunidad de Madrid: estudio CHRONOS-TAO / Quality control of oral anticoagulant therapy in Primary Care in Madrid City, Spain: CHRONOS-TAO study

Objetivos: Conocer el grado de control de los pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales atendidos en Atención Primaria (AP) estimando el tiempo en rango terapéutico (TRT) según el método de Rosendaal, y compararlo con el porcentaje de international normalized ratio (INR, «razón normalizada internacional») en rango y el análisis transversal (última INR). Material y método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo con datos de la historia clínica electrónica de todos los centros de AP (n = 262) de la Comunidad de Madrid. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes en tratamiento con acenocumarol con rango terapéutico de INR entre 2 y 3. Se excluyeron los pacientes con valvulopatías y aquellos con seguimiento discontinuo (< 3 determinaciones de INR, período de > 90 días o ≥ 3 períodos de > 60 días entre 2 determinaciones). La población final fue de 49.312. Las variables consideradas fueron todos los valores de INR y sus fechas respectivas. Se calculó el TRT por los 3 métodos referidos, considerando «rango terapéutico» valores de INR entre 2-3, y rango «ajustado» valores de INR entre 1,8-3,2. Consideramos «control óptimo» en cada paciente si el TRT > 60%. Resultados: El TRT por el método de Rosendaal fue del 66,8% (81,7% ajustado), el porcentaje de INR en rango, del 58,8% (66,5% ajustado), y el análisis transversal, del 70,5% (76,8% ajustado). La media (desviación estándar) de los TRT por paciente fue del 65% (20,3), y el porcentaje de pacientes con un TRT > 60% fue del 63,3% (88,1% ajustado). Conclusión: El grado de control de los pacientes anticoagulados en AP es aceptable, similar o superior respecto a otros estudios y a los ensayos pivotales de nuevos anticoagulantes. Comparados con el método de Rosendaal, el porcentaje total de INR infraestima el grado de control, y el análisis transversal lo sobrestima ligeramente (AU)

Objectives: To determine quality control of patients with oral anticoagulant treatment recruited in Primary Care (PC) using the Rosendaal method to estimate time in therapeutic range (TTR) and comparing it with fraction of international normalized ratio (INR) in range and cross-sectional analysis (last INR registred). Material and method: A retrospective observational study based on electronic medical record in routine clinical practice. Setting: PC centers (262) in Madrid. We included all patients with acenocumarol treatment, with an INR therapeutic range established between 2 and 3. We excluded patients with valvular pathology and disrupted clinical follow up in PC (< 3 INR determinations in the studied period, a period of > 90 days or ≥ 3 periods of > 60 days between 2 determinations). The final population was 49,312 patients. The variables considered were all INR values and their respective dates. TTR was calculated by the 3 methods above mentioned. We considered 'therapeutic range' INR between 2-3 and 'adjusted range' INR between 1.8-3.2. Optimal control for each patient was considered TTR > 60%. Results: By using Rosendaal method, TTR was 66.8% (81.7% adjusted), with a percentage of total INR in range was 58.8% (66.5% adjusted), and, with the cross-sectional analysis, it was 70.5% (76.8% adjusted). Mean TTR was 65% (standard deviation 20.3), and the percentage of patients with TTR > 60% was 63.3% (88.1% adjusted). Conclusion: The quality control of patients with oral anticoagulants in PC in Madrid is acceptable, similar or higher to other studies and pivotal trials of new anticoagulants. Compared to the Rosendaal method, total fraction of INR underestimates quality control, and cross-sectional analysis slightly overestimates it (AU)

[Quality control of oral anticoagulant therapy in Primary Care in Madrid City, Spain: CHRONOS-TAO study]. / Grado de control del tratamiento anticoagulante oral en los centros de Atención Primaria de la Comunidad de Madrid: estudio CHRONOS-TAO.

OBJECTIVES: To determine quality control of patients with oral anticoagulant treatment recruited in Primary Care (PC) using the Rosendaal method to estimate time in therapeutic range (TTR) and comparing it with fraction of international normalized ratio (INR) in range and cross-sectional analysis (last INR registred). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective observational study based on electronic medical record in routine clinical practice. SETTING: PC centers (262) in Madrid. We included all patients with acenocumarol treatment, with an INR therapeutic range established between 2 and 3. We excluded patients with valvular pathology and disrupted clinical follow up in PC (<3 INR determinations in the studied period, a period of>90 days or ≥ 3 periods of>60 days between 2 determinations). The final population was 49,312 patients. The variables considered were all INR values and their respective dates. TTR was calculated by the 3 methods above mentioned. We considered "therapeutic range" INR between 2-3 and "adjusted range" INR between 1.8-3.2. Optimal control for each patient was considered TTR>60%. RESULTS: By using Rosendaal method, TTR was 66.8% (81.7% adjusted), with a percentage of total INR in range was 58.8% (66.5% adjusted), and, with the cross-sectional analysis, it was 70.5% (76.8% adjusted). Mean TTR was 65% (standard deviation 20.3), and the percentage of patients with TTR>60% was 63.3% (88.1% adjusted). CONCLUSION: The quality control of patients with oral anticoagulants in PC in Madrid is acceptable, similar or higher to other studies and pivotal trials of new anticoagulants. Compared to the Rosendaal method, total fraction of INR underestimates quality control, and cross-sectional analysis slightly overestimates it.

Utilidad en la hipertrofia benigna de próstata de la ecografía clínica en atención primaria / Usefulness of ultrasound in benign prostate hypertrophy in primary care

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Fibrilación auricular en la práctica clínica: todavía faltan respuestas, pero ¿interpretamos bien las que tenemos? / Atrial fibrillation in clinical practice: More answers are required, but do we interpret properly the current evidence?

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La rotación rural: un reto y una oportunidad para mejorar / Rural rotation: a challenge and an opportunity for improvement

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