Valoración de la fragilidad en la persona con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: análisis de expertos / Assessment of frailty in the person with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Expert analysis

Introducción Las personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) tienen una prevalencia de fragilidad que se estima entre 3 y 5 veces mayor que aquellos que no la padecen, sin embargo, no existe un consenso claro sobre el diagnóstico y manejo clínico durante el itinerario de la persona frágil con DM2. Objetivos El objetivo principal de este estudio es identificar las limitaciones y necesidades actuales en el uso del concepto de fragilidad en personas con DM2 (PCDM2), así como definir y evaluar, según su importancia y novedad, las dimensiones que podrían incluirse en su valoración clínica de rutina. Métodos Se llevó a cabo un proceso basado en la técnica de grupo nominal con la participación de un equipo multidisciplinario de 8 profesionales de la salud que trabajan en diferentes hospitales de España. Resultados Se identificaron y clasificaron según su importancia un total de 8 limitaciones en la evaluación de la fragilidad en PCDM2, así como 10 necesidades no satisfechas relacionadas con el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la enfermedad. Además, se identificaron 7 dimensiones que consideramos que deben incluirse en la definición de la persona frágil con DM2, ordenadas por importancia y novedad. Conclusiones El presente artículo podría lograr aumentar el conocimiento y uso en la comunidad médica del concepto de fragilidad en la persona con DM2 y desembocar en un futuro proyecto que logre realizar, de manera consensuada, una definición de fragilidad adaptada a este colectivo (AU)

Introduction People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) have a higher prevalence of frailty compared to those without DM2. However, there is a lack of consensus on the diagnosis and clinical management of frail individuals with DM2. Objectives This study aims to identify limitations and current needs in the use of the frailty concept in PCDM2 (people with DM2), as well as define and evaluate the dimensions that should be included in its routine clinical assessment. Methods A multidisciplinary team of eight health professionals from different hospitals in Spain participated in a process based on the nominal group technique. Results The study identified eight limitations in the assessment of frailty in PCDM2, categorized by importance, and 10 unmet needs related to the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease. Additionally, seven dimensions were identified that should be included in the definition of frail individuals with DM2, prioritized by importance and novelty. Conclusions This article aims to increase knowledge and usage of the frailty concept in individuals with DM2 within the medical community. It also suggests the potential for future projects to develop a consensus definition of frailty tailored to this specific group (AU)

Assessment of frailty in the person with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Expert analysis.

INTRODUCTION: People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) have a higher prevalence of frailty compared to those without DM2. However, there is a lack of consensus on the diagnosis and clinical management of frail individuals with DM2. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify limitations and current needs in the use of the frailty concept in PCDM2 (people with DM2), as well as define and evaluate the dimensions that should be included in its routine clinical assessment. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of eight health professionals from different hospitals in Spain participated in a process based on the nominal group technique. RESULTS: The study identified eight limitations in the assessment of frailty in PCDM2, categorized by importance, and 10 unmet needs related to the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease. Additionally, seven dimensions were identified that should be included in the definition of frail individuals with DM2, prioritized by importance and novelty. CONCLUSIONS: This article aims to increase knowledge and usage of the frailty concept in individuals with DM2 within the medical community. It also suggests the potential for future projects to develop a consensus definition of frailty tailored to this specific group.

Resumen ejecutivo sobre el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en personas de edad avanzada o frágiles. Actualización 2022 del documento de consenso 2018 "Tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en el paciente anciano" / Executive summary on the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly or frail individuals. 2022 update of the 2018 consensus document "Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly"

La heterogeneidad de la población de edad avanzada con DM tipo 2 (DM2) supone un reto importante para los profesionales de la salud. La elección del régimen terapéutico debe ser individualizada, considerando el estado funcional, la fragilidad y las comorbilidades, así como las preferencias del paciente y sus cuidadores. La nueva evidencia sobre la protección cardiovascular y renal de determinados grupos terapéuticos, así como la utilidad de nuevas tecnologías en el manejo de la DM2, entre otros aspectos, hace necesaria una actualización del documento de consenso sobre la DM2 en el paciente anciano que se publicó en 2018 (AU)

The population with type 2 DM (DM2) is highly heterogeneous, representing an important challenge for healthcare professionals. The therapeutic choice should be individualized, considering the functional status, frailty, the occurrence of comorbidities, and the preferences of patients and their caregivers. New evidence on the cardiovascular and renal protection of specific therapeutic groups and on the usefulness of new technologies for DM2 management, among other aspects, warrant an update of the consensus document on the DM2 in the elderly that was published in 2018 (AU)

Executive summary on the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly or frail individuals. 2022 update of the 2018 consensus document "Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly".

The population with type 2 DM (DM2) is highly heterogeneous, representing an important challenge for healthcare professionals. The therapeutic choice should be individualized, considering the functional status, frailty, the occurrence of comorbidities, and the preferences of patients and their caregivers. New evidence on the cardiovascular and renal protection of specific therapeutic groups and on the usefulness of new technologies for DM2 management, among other aspects, warrant an update of the consensus document on the DM2 in the elderly that was published in 2018.

Actualización en el uso de insulinas para el médico de familia / Update on the use of insulins for the primary care physician

El tratamiento con insulina en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) continúa siendo fundamental y su consumo ha aumentado en los últimos años. A pesar de ello, el grado de control para esta patología continúa siendo muy deficiente. El inicio del tratamiento con insulina se realiza con cifras muy por encima de las recomendaciones de las Guías de Práctica Clínica (GPC) y los pacientes están sometidos a cifras de glucemia muy elevadas durante largos periodos de tiempo. En este artículo se revisa el papel de la insulina siguiendo las diferentes GPC, los criterios para el inicio y la intensificación con dicha terapia, los diferentes tipos de insulina comercializados en nuestro país, la insulinización en situaciones especiales (tratamiento con corticoides, en el anciano frágil, personas en situación de cuidados paliativos, enfermedad renal crónica y personas que cumplen el Ramadán) y finalmente se aborda el problema de la inercia terapéutica en la insulinización (AU)

Insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is still essential and its usage has increased during recent years. Despite this, the level of control continues to be very poor. Insulin treatment is initiated with control levels above the recommendations set by the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) and patients are exposed to very high blood glucose levels during long periods of time. This paper reviews the role of insulin in the different CPG, the criteria for therapy initiation and intensification, the beginning of the intensification and the different types of insulin which are commercialized in our country. Moreover, we discuss insulinization in special situations such as corticosteroid treatment, fragile elderly patients, palliative care situations, chronic kidney disease or during Ramadan. Finally, the problem of therapeutic inertia in insulinization is also addressed (AU)

[Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in diabetic patients]. / Prevención y tratamiento de la enfermedad infecciosa en personas con diabetes.

The bidirectional relationship between infectious diseases and diabetes is well-known. On the one hand, diabetes patients are at a higher risk of presenting with infectious diseases, possibly with more severity, and on the other hand, infectious diseases impair metabolic control in patients with diabetes. Population ageing arises partly due to an increased survival rate in chronic diseases, of which diabetes is amongst them. Improving infectious disease prevention could reduce complications arising from the former diseases, consequences of decompensated diabetes condition (morbidity, incapacity, hospital admissions, healthcare costs, and mortality rates) and result in improved quality of life in patients with diabetes. The current review presents the treatment of infectious diseases in patients with diabetes and the dealing with immuno-preventable diseases with the currently advised vaccinations.

[Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly patients]. / Tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en el paciente anciano.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) increases markedly with age. Antidiabetic treatment and the objectives of glycaemic control in elderly patients with DM2 should be individualised according to their biopsychosocial characteristics. In elderly patients for whom the benefits of intensive antidiabetic treatment are limited, the basic objectives should be to improve the quality of life, preserve functionality and avoid adverse effects, especially hypoglycaemia. Treatment of DM2 in the elderly was the subject of a consensus document published in 2012 and endorsed by several Spanish scientific societies. Since then, new therapeutic groups and evidence have emerged that warrant an update to this consensus document. The present document focuses on the therapeutic aspects of DM2 in elderly patients, understood as being older than 75 years or frail.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly patients. / Tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en el paciente anciano.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) increases markedly with age. Antidiabetic treatment and the objectives of glycaemic control in elderly patients with DM2 should be individualised according to their biopsychosocial characteristics. In elderly patients for whom the benefits of intensive antidiabetic treatment are limited, the basic objectives should be to improve the quality of life, preserve functionality and avoid adverse effects, especially hypoglycaemia. Treatment of DM2 in the elderly was the subject of a consensus document published in 2012 and endorsed by several Spanish scientific societies. Since then, new therapeutic groups and evidence have emerged that warrant an update to this consensus document. The present document focuses on the therapeutic aspects of DM2 in elderly patients, understood as being older than 75 years or frail.

Hyperspectral data processing improves PpIX contrast during fluorescence guided surgery of human brain tumors.

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) using aminolevulinic-acid (ALA) induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) provides intraoperative visual contrast between normal and malignant tissue during resection of high grade gliomas. However, maps of the PpIX biodistribution within the surgical field based on either visual perception or the raw fluorescence emissions can be masked by background signals or distorted by variations in tissue optical properties. This study evaluates the impact of algorithmic processing of hyperspectral imaging acquisitions on the sensitivity and contrast of PpIX maps. Measurements in tissue-simulating phantoms showed that (I) spectral fitting enhanced PpIX sensitivity compared with visible or integrated fluorescence, (II) confidence-filtering automatically determined the lower limit of detection based on the strength of the PpIX spectral signature in the collected emission spectrum (0.014-0.041 µg/ml in phantoms), and (III) optical-property corrected PpIX estimates were more highly correlated with independent probe measurements (r = 0.98) than with spectral fitting alone (r = 0.91) or integrated fluorescence (r = 0.82). Application to in vivo case examples from clinical neurosurgeries revealed changes to the localization and contrast of PpIX maps, making concentrations accessible that were not visually apparent. Adoption of these methods has the potential to maintain sensitive and accurate visualization of PpIX contrast over the course of surgery.

[Methodological aspects of integrated care pathways]. / Aspectos metodológicos de los procesos asistenciales integrados (PAI).

An Integrated Healthcare Pathway (PAI) is a tool which has as its aim to increase the effectiveness of clinical performance through greater coordination and to ensure continuity of care. PAI places the patient as the central focus of the organisation of health services. It is defined as the set of activities carried out by the health care providers in order to increase the level of health and satisfaction of the population receiving services. The development of a PAI requires the analysis of the flow of activities, the inter-relationships between professionals and care teams, and patient expectations. The methodology for the development of a PAI is presented and discussed in this article, as well as the success factors for its definition and its effective implementation. It also explains, as an example, the recent PAI for Hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus developed by a multidisciplinary team and supported by several scientific societies.

Position statement of the SEMI, SED, redGDPS, SEC, SEEDO, SEEN, SEMERGEN y SEMFYC.

Obesity and excess weight are the main preventable causes of type 2 diabetes (DM2). When diagnosing type 2 diabetes, clinicians should establish the degree of obesity according to the body mass index (BMI) and, for patients with excess weight, measure the waist circumference. The proper treatment of DM2 requires a simultaneous approach to excess weight/obesity and the other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking. Nondrug interventions (e.g., diet and exercise) have proven benefits in preventing and treating patients with DM2 and excess weight/obesity and should follow an individual and multidisciplinary approach, with structured programs equipped with specific resources. Weight gain associated with antidiabetic treatment can hinder glycaemic control, compromise treatment adherence, worsen the vascular risk profile and limit the cardiovascular benefits of treatment. Therefore, it is significant to avoid weight gain, a measure that can be cost-effective. Antidiabetic drugs with benefits in body weight have also demonstrated their benefit in patients with BMIs <30. In general, the treatment of patients with DM2 and obesity will depend both on the degree of obesity and the associated comorbidity. Clinical trials on DM2 intervention should consider combined objectives that include not only glycaemic control but also other variables such as the risk of hypoglycaemia and the effect of treatment on body weight.

[Blood pressure control in a population of hypertensive diabetic patients treated in primary care: PRESCAP-Diabetes Study 2010]. / Control de la presión arterial en una población hipertensa diabética asistida en atención primaria: Estudio PRESCAP-Diabetes 2010.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive diabetic patients treated in primary care and to determine the factors associated with poor control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentre study that enrolled hypertensive diabetics recruited by consecutive sampling by family doctors in Spain in June 2010. A mean BP of less than 140/90mmHg was considered as good control of arterial hypertension. The percentages of patients with<130/80mmHg PA, 140/80mmHg, and 140/85mmHg, respectively, were also determined. Sociodemographic, clinical, cardiovascular risk factors, and pharmacological treatments were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3,993 patients were enrolled (50.1% female) with a mean age (standard deviation) of 68.2 (10.2) years, of whom 73.9% received combination therapy. The figures showed good control of both blood pressure values (<140/90mmHg) in 56.4% (95% CI: 54.3 to 58.4) of the cases, with 58.5% (95% CI: 57.0-60.0) only in systolic BP, and 84.6% (95% CI, 83.2 to 85.8) only in diastolic BP. The variables with strongest association with poor control were the presence of albuminuria, elevated total cholesterol, physical inactivity, and not taking the medication on the day of the interview. CONCLUSIONS: The PRESCAP-Diabetes 2010 study results indicate that 43.6% of diabetics with hypertension seen in primary care have a poorly controlled BP, in particular, systolic BP.

[Consensus document on the treatment of dyslipidemia in diabetes]. / Recomendaciones de buena práctica en el tratamiento de la dislipemia en la diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a 2 to 4 times higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases when compared to general population of similar age and sex. This risk remains after adjustment of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus is present in up to 60% of people with diabetes and contributes greatly to increased cardiovascular, morbidity and mortality risk in these patients. Diabetic dyslipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by an excess of triglycerides, a decrease in HDL-cholesterol and altered lipoprotein composition, consisting mainly in an excess of small, dense LDL particles. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of drug treatment of dyslipidemia (mainly statins) to prevent cardiovascular events and mortality in people with diabetes, both in primary and secondary prevention. This consensus document, developed by general practitioners, members of the Diabetes Group of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), aims to assist in the management of patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia in accordance with the most recent recommendations.

[Contributions of SGLT-2 and new drugs under investigation]. / Aportaciones de los SGLT-2 y nuevos fármacos en investigación.

DeFronzo spoke of the "ominous octet", in which he referred to the existence of distinct pathways and organs related to the physiopathology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). One of these key organs is the kidney, which plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism through gluconeogenesis and through glomerular filtration and glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubules. Approximately 180 g of glucose are filtered to the renal tubule from the blood stream through the glomerulus. The filtrate is subsequently reabsorbed from the tubules to the peritubular capillaries through the action of sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLT). There are 2 main cotransporters in the kidney, SGLT1 and SGLT2, which reabsorb the glucose (10% and 90%, respectively) and return it to the blood. In persons with DM2, SGLT2 is increased, leading to greater renal absorption of glucose, which has adverse effects as it contributes to the maintenance of hyperglycemia. Selective pharmacological SGLT2 inhibition increases renal glucose excretion and secondarily reduces its plasma values. SGLT2 inhibitors act exclusively on the kidney, reduce glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by about 0.66%, decrease blood pressure, and induce a weight loss of approximately 1.8 kg. These drugs have a low risk of hypoglycemia but carry an increased risk of genitourinary infections. Several clinical trials have shown that dapagliflozin (10mg/day), the first SGLT2 inhibitor commercialized in Spain, produces a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c of 0.82-0.97%, both in monotherapy and in combination with metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, or insulin. Its use produces a weight loss of between 2 and 3 kg and reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while the risk of hypoglycemias is low.

Prevención de la diabetes mellitus 2 / Prevention of diabetes mellitus 2

La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 –DM2- es una enfermedad metabólica caracterizada por hiperglucemia. Este defecto es capaz de producir alteraciones vasculares y nerviosas que son el sustrato de sus complicaciones. La DM2 por su doble componente etiológico y su amplio período preclínico permite establecer estrategias que prevengan o demoren su aparición (prevención primaria), o que permitan su detección precoz (prevención secundaria), o que una vez diagnosticada, retrasen o eviten la aparición de las complicaciones (prevención terciaria). Del mismo modo que la aplicación o no de pruebas de cribado de la enfermedad es aún hoy un asunto controvertido, la utilización de tratamientos higiénico dietéticos o farmacológicos en prediabéticos podría recomendarse en algunas situaciones para disminuir la incidencia de esta enfermedad (AU)

Diabetes mellitus type 2, DM2-is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia. This feature causes vascular and nerve disorders that are the basis of long-term complications. The twin-DM2 due to both its aetiology and its broad preclinical period allows strategies to be made that prevent or delay its onset (primary prevention) or to allow early detection (secondary prevention), or once diagnosed, delay or prevent the onset of complications (tertiary prevention). The application or screening tests for the disease is still a controversial issue and hygienic use of dietary or pharmacological treatments in pre-diabetics is recommended to decrease the incidence of this disease (AU)

[Tuberculous peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis]. / Peritonitis tuberculosa en diálisis peritoneal.

We report a patient in Automatic Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) with tuberculous peritonitis by possible peritoneal infection due to the proximity between fallopian tube and the left ovary, a peritoneal liquid culture was constantly negative. The patient presented a bad clinic evolution. Her only medical history was hypercalcemia six months before developing a peritonitis and occasionally nausea and vomits To confirm the diagnosis it was needed a peritoneal biopsy by means of a laparoscopy with a removal of the peritoneal catheter and left anexectomy. Now, the patient is asintomatic in daily home hemodialysis.

Sealant and fluoride varnish in caries: a randomized trial.

Little is known about the effect of discontinuation of sealant or fluoride varnish. The purpose of this study was to compare sealant with fluoride varnish in the prevention of occlusal caries in permanent first molars of children over a nine-year period: 4 yrs for program evaluation plus 5 yrs of discontinuation. A clinical trial was conducted on three groups of six- to eight-year-old schoolchildren: a control group (n = 45); a group (n = 37) in which sealant was applied and reapplied up to 36 mos; and a group (n = 38) in which fluoride varnish was applied and re-applied up to 42 mos. Percent caries reduction was studied in these initially healthy molars with complete occlusal eruption: 129 (control), 113 (sealant), and 129 (varnish) molars met inclusion criteria. Of these, 76.7%, 26.6%, and 55.8% had developed occlusal caries at 9 yrs, which implies caries reductions of 65.4% (SE = 8.5%) for sealants vs. control and 27.3% (SE = 10.2%) for varnish vs. control. Furthermore, the varnish program was not effective during the discontinuation period.

Comportamiento de la vancomicina con las nuevas técnicas de diálisis / Behaviour of vancomycin with the new techniques in haemodialysis

Con el uso de técnicas de diálisis de alta convección surge la necesidad de plantearsela idoneidad de los protocolos habituales de administración de algunos fármacos,como la vancomicina.Objetivos: Confirmar si la pauta habitual de vancomicina es eficaz en pacientes atratamiento con biofiltración libre de acetato (AFB) y hemodiafiltración en línea(On-line). Proponer una pauta alternativa de administración.Materiales y métodos: Trece pacientes a tratamiento con AFB u On-line. Diez utilizabanfiltros de polisulfona y 3 de AN69. Primera parte: a 6 pacientes se les administró1 g iv de vancomicina en la última hora de diálisis. Segunda parte: a 7 pacientesse les administró una dosis de ataque de 30 mg/kg iv durante las dos últimas horas dediálisis, con un refuerzo de 500 mg post-diálisis. Se hizo un seguimiento de los nivelessanguíneos del antibiótico durante la semana siguiente a la administración.Resultados: En la primera fase se observó un descenso del 41% de los niveles séricosde vancomicina durante la diálisis, condicionando niveles subterapéuticos enel 83% de los pacientes hasta el final del estudio. Durante la segunda fase se consiguiómantener niveles terapéuticos y no tóxicos durante todo el estudio. Se confirmóla existencia de un rebote post-diálisis del 21%. Con la técnica de On-line se conseguíaun mayor aclaramiento de vancomicina que con AFB (176 vs 135 ml/min). Encontramosuna fuerte correlación entre el descenso del antibiótico y el volumen ultrafiltradocon la técnica de On-line.Conclusiones: La pauta habitual de vancomicina puede resultar insuficiente enpacientes a tratamiento con On-line y AFB. Podría ser adecuada una pauta basadaen una dosis de ataque de 30 mg/kg y un refuerzo de 500 mg al final de cada diálisis.Posiblemente el aclaramiento de este antibiótico con la técnica de On-line seproduzca por transporte convectivo

When using high convection dialysis techniques it arouses the necessity of consideringthe suitability of the regular protocols when administrating drugs, such as vancomycin. Objectives: To confirm if the usual guideline of vancomycin is efficient in patientsundergoing treatments with acetate free biofiltration (AFB) and haemodiafiltrationon-line (on-line). To propose an alternative guideline of administration.Material and methods: 13 patients treated with AFB or On-line. 10 of them usedfilters of polysulfone and 3 of them of AN69. First part: 6 patients were administered1 g iv during the last hour of dialysis. Second part: 7 patients were given a loadingdose of 30 mg/kg iv with a reinforcement of 500 mg post-dialysis. The blood levelsof the antibiotic were monitorized during the week following the administration.Outcomes: During the first phase it was noticed a decrease of 41% in the serumlevel of vancomycin during dialysis, conditioning subtherapeutic levels in the 83% ofthe patients until the end of the study. As for the second phase, therapeutic non-toxiclevels were maintained during the whole study. The existence of a post-dialysis reboundof the 21% was confirmed. A bigger clearance of vancomycin was obtainedwith the On-line technique rather than with AFB (176 vs 135 ml/min). We find astrong correlation between the decrease of the antibiotic and the volume ultrafiltratedwith the On-line technique.Conclusions: The usual guideline of vancomycin may not be enough with the newconvective dialysis techniques. A guideline based on a loading dose of 30 mg/kg anda reinforcement of 500 mg at the end of each dialysis could be adequate. The antibioticclearance with the On-line technique is probably made by convective transport

Adhesion molecule CD44 as a prognostic factor in laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Loss of expression of CD44 has been shown to be a factor of poor prognosis in some types of tumors. The purpose of this study was to analyze this event in relation to the survival of patients with laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of adhesion molecule CD44 was studied in 137 patients with laryngeal cancer. Data were gathered on clinical (primary tumor location, pyriform sinus involvement and tongue base damage) and pathologic (T, N, differentiation, inflammatory response, tumor thickness, surgical margin involvement, and CD44 expression) parameters. Immunohistochemical studies were carried out using DF1485 anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: In 29 tumors (21.1%) < 25%, in 18 (13.1%) 25%-49%, in 42 (30.6%) 50%-74%, and in 48 (35.0%) > or = 75% of the neoplastic cells expressed CD44. A Cox proportional risks multivariate analysis identified CD44 expression and surgical margin involvement as the parameters most associated with survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The reduced expression of CD44 behaves as a marker of a poor laryngeal cancer prognosis.