Talus fractures. Functional results for polytraumatized patients. / Fracturas de astrágalo. Resultados funcionales en pacientes politraumatizados.

Talar fractures are uncommon lesions (0.1-0.9%) and have a high rate of complications. One of the situations in which a fracture of the talus can occur is in the context of polytrauma which may further compromise the functional prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional results in patients with talar fractures whether or not they occurred in the context of polytrauma. Observational study on a retrospective cohort of 24 patients operated in our centre (2008-2016). They were grouped according to whether they were polytraumatized (ISS>16) or not (ISS≤16). Review of sociodemographic, radiographic, functional variables (VAS pain scale and FADI -Foot and Ankle Disability Index-) and the onset of complications such as arthrosis, arthrodesis or avascular necrosis. Review of 25 talar fractures in 24 patients with a mean age of 38 years (19-75) and a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (0.5-9). According to the ISS, 44% of patients (11) were polytraumatized and 56% (14) were not. The average score according to the FADI scale was 62 points for the polytraumatized patients and 76.9 for the non-polytraumatized patients. The pain according to the VAS scale was 5.8 points in the group of polytraumatized patients and 4.3 in the non-polytraumatized patient group. Regarding complications, 64% of the polytraumatized patients and 43% of the non-traumatized patients had a complication. 36% of the polytraumatized patients had clinical and radiological signs of subtalar arthrosis compared to 35% of the non-traumatized patients, of whom 27% underwent arthrodesis compared to 28% of the non-traumatized patients. 27% of the polytraumatized patients were diagnosed with avascular necrosis as opposed to 0% of the non-polytraumatized patients.

Soluble or soluble/membrane TNF-α inhibitors protect the brain from focal ischemic injury in rats.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an immunomodulatory and proinflammatory cytokine implicated in neuro-inflammation and neuronal damage in response to cerebral ischemia. The present study tested the hypothesis that anti-TNF-α agents may be protective against cerebral infarction. Transient focal ischemia was artificially induced in anesthetized adult male Wistar rats (300-350 g) by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with an intraluminal suture. TNF-α function was interfered with either a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF-α (infliximab-7 mg/kg) aiming to TNF-α soluble and membrane-attached form; or a chimeric fusion protein of TNF-α receptor-2 with a fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of IgG1 (etanercept-5 mg/kg) aiming for the TNF-α soluble form. Both agents were administered intraperitoneally 0 or 6 h after inducing ischemia. Infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Cerebral infarct volume was significantly reduced in either etanercept or infliximab-treated group compared with non-treated MCAO rats 24 h after reperfusion. These results suggest that anti-TNF-α agents may reduce focal ischemic injury in rats.

The cost-effectiveness of paliperidone extended release in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Paliperidone Extended Release OROS (ER) is a new atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia. The objective is, based on a previously published model, to analyze the clinical and economic effects of Paliperidone ER in a Spanish setting compared to olanzapine oral and aripiprazole. METHODS: An existing discrete event simulation model was adapted to reflect the treatment of schizophrenia in Spain in terms of costs, resource use, and treatment patterns. Inputs for the model were derived from clinical trial data, literature research, database analysis and interviews with local clinical experts. The time horizon is 5 years and Spanish discount rate was applied. Outputs include direct medical costs and Quality Adjusted Life-Years (QALYs). Extensive sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the robustness of the results, using ordinary least squares analysis and cost-effectiveness scatter plots. RESULTS: The results show that the mean incremental QALYs (95% CI) compared to olanzpine is 0.033 [-0.143, 0.304] and compared to aripiprazole 0.029 [-0.107, 0.300]. The corresponding mean incremental costs and corresponding confidence intervals are -€1425 [-€10,247, €3084] and -€759 [-€10,479, €3404], respectively. The probability that paliperidone ER is cost-saving and health gaining compared to olanzapine and aripiprazole is 76% and 72%, respectively. Paliperidone ER was estimated to have 80% and 81% probability of being cost-effective compared to olanzapine at a willingness to pay of €20,000 and €30,000 and 73% and 74% compared to aripiprazole, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Some of the modeled inter-relationships had to be based on expert opinion due to a lack of information. Also, foreign sources for the disutility of adverse events had been used due to a lack of Spanish data. Prolactin-related side-effects, indirect costs, and potential compliance advantages of paliperidone ER were not considered. It is unlikely that these limitations affected the conclusions. CONCLUSION: Based on differences in drug acquisition costs, side-effects, and risk of relapse, the model predicts that, in the Spanish healthcare setting, paliperidone ER dominates oral olanzapine and aripiprazole, with a probability of 76% and 72%, respectively.

Individualizing antipsychotic treatment selection in schizophrenia: characteristics of empirically derived patient subgroups.

Treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs is frequently sub-optimal. One reason for this may be heterogeneity between patients with schizophrenia. The objectives of this study were to identify patient, disease and treatment attributes that are important for physicians in choosing an antipsychotic drug, and to identify empirically subgroups of patients who may respond differentially to antipsychotic drugs. The survey was conducted by structured interview of 744 randomly-selected psychiatrists in four European countries who recruited 3996 patients with schizophrenia. Information on 39 variables was collected. Multiple component analysis was used to identify dimensions that explained the variance between patients. Three axes, accounting for 99% of the variance, were associated with disease severity (64%), socioeconomic status (27%) and patient autonomy (8%). These dimensions discriminated between six discrete patient subgroups, identified using ascending hierarchical classification analysis. The six subgroups differed regarding educational level, illness severity, autonomy, symptom presentation, addictive behaviors, comorbidities and cardiometabolic risk factors. Subgroup 1 patients had moderately severe physician-rated disease and addictive behaviours (23.2%); Subgroup 2 patients were well-integrated and autonomous with mild to moderate disease (6.7%); Subgroup 3 patients were less well-integrated with mild to moderate disease, living alone (11.2%); Subgroup 4 patients were women with low education levels (5.4%), Subgroup 5 patients were young men with severe disease (36.8%); and Subgroup 6 patients were poorly-integrated with moderately severe disease, needing caregiver support (16.7%). The presence of these subgroups, which require confirmation and extension regarding potentially identifiable biological markers, may help individualizing treatment in patients with schizophrenia.

Country differences in patient characteristics and treatment in schizophrenia: data from a physician-based survey in Europe.

Schizophrenia is a frequent psychiatric disorder whose prevalence appears to be relatively stable across different patient groups. However, attitudes to care and resources devoted to mental health care may differ between countries. The objective of this analysis was to compare sociodemographic and psychopathological features of patients, antipsychotic treatment and frequency of hospitalisation between four European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain) collected as part of a large survey of the characteristics of patients with schizophrenia. The survey was conducted by structured interview of 744 randomly-selected psychiatrists in four European countries who recruited 3996 patients. Information on 39 variables was collected. A number of between-country differences were observed which tended to distinguish Germany on the one hand, from the Mediterranean countries, and Greece in particular, on the other. While demographic features and clinical features were essentially similar, more patients in Germany were considered to have severe disease by their psychiatrist (59.0% versus 35.9% in Greece) and to be hospitalised (49.3% versus 15.0%). 46.7% of German patients were living alone compared to less than 20% in the Mediterranean countries and 50.2% were living with their family (versus over 70% elsewhere). Smoking and addictive behaviours were more frequently reported for patients in Spain. With regard to empirically derived patient subgroups, Subgroup 2, corresponding to well-integrated and autonomous patients with mild to moderate disease severity was most highly represented in Greece (23.6% of patients compared to less than 10% elsewhere) elsewhere, Subgroup 6 (poorly-integrated patients with moderately severe disease who require caregiver support) was under-represented in Germany (4.5% versus over 17% elsewhere). Patterns of treatment were essentially similar, although quetiapine was more frequently prescribed and paliperidone less frequently prescribed in Germany than elsewhere. Reasons for treatment choice were comparable between countries, primarily related to good tolerability and control of positive symptoms. The differences observed may be attributed to differences in mental health care resource provision, socio-cultural or educational differences or to resource issues.

Prevalence and awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study in a low cardiovascular disease risk geographical area.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of cardiovascular disease is high in schizophrenia. Our aim is to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) among schizophrenia patients. METHOD: National cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia under treatment with second generation antipsychotics and admitted to short-stay hospitalisation units. RESULTS: A sample of 733 consecutively admitted patients was enrolled; the most prevalent CVRFs were smoking 71% (95% CI: 67-74%) and hypercholesterolemia 66% (61-70%) followed by hypertriglyceridemia 26% (26-32%), hypertension 18% (15-21%) and diabetes 5% (4-7%). Metabolic syndrome showed 19% (95% CI: 16-23%) prevalence or, according to updated definitions (Clin Cornerstone 7 [2005] 36-45), 24% (95% CI: 20-28%). The rate of patients within the high-risk range of a 10-year fatal cardiovascular event was 6.5%. CVRFs under routine management were diabetes (60%), hypertension (28%) and, to a lesser extent, dyslipemia (14%). Treatment for CVRFs was associated to gender, men for hypertension OR = 25.34, p < 0.03 and women for diabetes OR = 0.02, p < 0.03. CONCLUSION: We found that CVRFs in schizophrenia were prevalent and under-diagnosed, and thus with insufficient therapeutic management.

[Sporotrichoid cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum in an AIDS patient]. / Infección cutánea esporotricoide por Mycobacterium haemophilum en un paciente con sida.

We report a case of primary cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum after the bite of an aquarium fish in a severely immunodepressed AIDS patient. Clinical features consisted in nodular and ulcerative lesions that followed a sporotrichoid pattern. Histological study of nodular lesions showed a granulomatous dermatitis with numerous acid-fast bacilli. The mycobacterium was identified 3 months later by genetic hybridization from a cultive in solid medium. Combined therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, clarithromycin, ethambutol, amikacin and ciprofloxacin resulted in complete resolution of the lesions. Infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum is a rare mycobacteriosis that usually affects immunodepressed patients. The most common clinical manifestations are cutaneous lesions but the development of sporotrichoid nodular lymphangitis is exceptional.

Infección cutánea esporotricoide por Mycobacterium haemophilum en un paciente con sida / Sporotrichoid cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum in an aids patient

Presentamos un caso de infección primaria cutánea por Mycobacterium haemophilum tras la mordedura de un pez de acuario en un paciente con sida, gravemente inmunodeprimido. Las manifestaciones cutáneas consistieron en lesiones nodulares y ulcerativas que seguían un trayecto esporotricoide. El estudio histológico de las lesiones nodulares mostró una dermatitis granulomatosa con numerosos bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes. La micobacteria se identificó tres meses después mediante hibridación genética a partir de un cultivo en medio sólido. Se instauró terapia combinada con isoniazida, rifampicina, claritromicina, etambutol, amikacina y ciprofloxacino con curación de las lesiones. La infección por Mycobacterium haemophilum es una micobacteriosis poco frecuente que aparece habitualmente en el paciente inmunodeprimido. Las lesiones cutáneas son las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes, pero la presentación en forma de linfangitis nodular esporotricoide es excepcional

We report a case of primary cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum after the bite of an aquarium fish in a severely immunodepressed AIDS patient. Clinical features consisted in nodular and ulcerative lesions that followed a sporotrichoid pattern. Histological study of nodular lesions showed a granulomatous dermatitis with numerous acid-fast bacilli. The mycobacterium was identified 3 months later by genetic hybridization from a cultive in solid medium. Combined therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, clarithromycin, ethambutol, amikacin and ciprofloxacin resulted in complete resolution of the lesions. Infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum is a rare mycobacteriosis that usually affects immunodepressed patients. The most common clinical manifestations are cutaneous lesions but the development of sporotrichoid nodular lymphangitis is exceptional

Adherencia al Tratamiento en la Esquizofrenia: Consenso Clínico Español / Treatment Adherence in Schizophrenia. Spanish Clinical Consensus

Objetivo. Establecer un consenso español sobre la adherencia terapéutica en la esquizofrenia. Material y métodos. Un comité de expertos diseñó un cuestionario específico de 40 preguntas con 293 opciones. Las preguntas se referían a: definición y valoración general de la adherencia en la esquizofrenia; factores implicados; estrategias de intervención en pacientes ambulatorios y en unidades de agudos y manejo de fármacos antipsicóticos orales e inyectables de larga duración y otras terapias no farmacológicas. Se asignaron valores de estrategia de elección, primera, segunda o tercera línea, según las respuestas obtenidas para cada ítem. Se envió el cuestionario a 383 psiquiatras de un Grupo de Trabajo sobre Adherencia Terapéutica. Se recibieron 326 respuestas a través de un sistema electrónico que garantizaba su confidencialidad. Resultados y conclusiones. Existe máximo acuerdo en considerar la gravedad del problema de la adherencia, su repercusión en las recaídas, la evolución del paciente y el aumento de costes sanitarios. Las estrategias preferidas para evaluar la adherencia son: el registro de la administración de inyectables y la determinación de concentraciones plasmáticas. El Consenso considera que es preciso intervenir de manera específica cuando el paciente ha sufrido ya varias recaídas a causa del bajo cumplimiento terapéutico, se detecta una nula conciencia de enfermedad o existe una comorbilidad con consumo de tóxicos. La psicoeducación es la estrategia no farmacológica con un mayor grado de consenso en caso de necesidad de intervención. Tratamientos con fármacos antipsicóticos atípicos inyectables de larga duración obtienen el mayor grado de acuerdo como estrategia farmacológica de primera elección en diversas situaciones clínicas para evitar o mejorar la baja adherencia terapéutica

Objective. Establish a Spanish Consensus on Therapeutic Compliance in Schizophrenia. Material and methods. An experts committee designed a specific questionnaire having 40 questions and 293 options. The questions referred to the definition and general assessment of compliance in schizophrenia, factors involved, intervention strategies in outpatients and in acute units and management of oral and long duration injectable antipsychotic drugs and other non-pharmacological therapies. First, second or third line strategy values of choice were assigned according to the answers obtained for each item. The questionnaire was sent to 383 psychiatrists of a Therapeutic Compliance Work Group. A total of 326 answers were received with an electronic system that guaranteed their confidentiality. Results and conclusions. There is maximum agreement on considering the seriousness of the compliance problem, its repercussion in relapses, the patient's course and increase in health care costs. The strategies preferred to evaluate compliance are: counting of the injectable drug administration and determination of plasma concentrations. The Consensus considers that specific intervention is necessary when the patient has already suffered several relapses due to low therapeutic compliance, when null awareness of disease is detected or if there is comorbidity with toxic consumption. Psychoeducational is the non-pharmacological strategy having the greatest consensus grade if intervention is needed. Treatments with atypical injectable, long acting, antipsychotic drugs obtain the best grade in accordance with pharmacological strategies of first choice, in different clinical situations to avoid or improve therapeutic adherence

Treatment adherence in schizophrenia. Spanish clinical consensus.

Objective. Establish a Spanish Consensus on Therapeutic Compliance in Schizophrenia.

Material and methods. An experts committee designed a specific questionnaire having 40 questions and 293 options. The questions referred to the definition and general assessment of compliance in schizophrenia, factors involved, intervention strategies in outpatients and in acute units and management of oral and long duration injectable antipsychotic drugs and other non-pharmacological therapies. First, second or third line strategy values of choice were assigned according to the answers obtained for each item. The questionnaire was sent to 383 psychiatrists of a Therapeutic Compliance Work Group. A total of 326 answers were received with an electronic system that guaranteed their confidentiality.

Results and conclusions. There is maximum agreement on considering the seriousness of the compliance problem, its repercussion in relapses, the patient's course and increase in health care costs. The strategies preferred to evaluate compliance are: counting of the injectable drug administration and determination of plasma concentrations. The Consensus considers that specific intervention is necessary when the patient has already suffered several relapses due to low therapeutic compliance, when null awareness of disease is detected or if there is comorbidity with toxic consumption. Psychoeducational is the non-pharmacological strategy having the greatest consensus grade if intervention is needed. Treatments with atypical injectable, long duration, antipsychotic drugs obtain the best grade in accordance with pharmacological strategies of first choice, in different clinical situations to avoid or improve therapeutic adherence.

Key words:
Adherence. Compliance. Schizophrenia. Consensus.

Treatment of schizophrenia with paliperidone extended-release tablets: a 6-week placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Paliperidone extended-release tablet (paliperidone ER) is an investigational oral psychotropic developed for schizophrenia treatment. It utilizes OROS technology to provide a unique pharmacokinetic profile, eliminating the need for titration and potentially leading to improved tolerability. Furthermore, paliperidone undergoes limited hepatic metabolism. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of once-daily paliperidone ER (6 mg, 9 mg and 12 mg) were assessed versus placebo in 628 patients with acute schizophrenia in a 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. RESULTS: All doses of paliperidone ER demonstrated significant improvement in PANSS score, all PANSS Marder factor scores (p<0.001) and personal and social functioning versus placebo (p<0.001). The PANSS total score also improved significantly in the olanzapine treatment arm. Significantly higher percentages of paliperidone ER patients demonstrated a > or =30% reduction in PANSS total score versus placebo (p<0.001). The incidence of movement disorder-related AEs and rating scales measurements were similar to placebo for the paliperidone ER 6 mg group and higher in the 9 mg and 12 mg groups. In the paliperidone ER groups there were no reports of glucose-related AEs or clinically relevant changes in plasma lipid levels and changes in mean bodyweight<1 kg. CONCLUSION: In this study, all doses of paliperidone ER were effective in significantly improving the symptoms of schizophrenia and personal and social functioning and were generally well tolerated. Paliperidone ER offers a distinctive treatment profile and may provide a valuable new treatment option for patients with schizophrenia.

Adherencia terapéutica en la esquizofrenia: una comparación entre las opiniones de pacientes, familiares y psiquiatras / Treatment adherence in schizophrenia. A comparison between patient's, relative's and psychiatrist's opinions

Introducción. Habitualmente los pacientes con enfermedades mentales presentan grandes dificultades a la hora de seguir las prescripciones médicas, pero también poseen el mejor potencial para beneficiarse de la adherencia. Debido a la falta de introspección propia de la esquizofrenia, la adherencia al tratamiento resulta especialmente importante. El trabajo analiza y compara la opinión respecto a la adherencia y el cumplimiento de una amplia muestra de psiquiatras, enfermos diagnosticados de esquizofrenia y sus familiares. Método. Encuesta directa y anónima diseñada específicamente para este proyecto, administrada a psiquiatras, enfermos y familiares de toda España a través de distintas asociaciones de enfermos y familiares legalmente constituidas en todo el territorio español. El análisis de los datos se llevó a cabo de forma separada para las variables correspondientes a los tres grupos. Resultados. Los psiquiatras (n = 844) consideran que el 56,8% de sus pacientes evaluados (n=7.439) fueron incumplidores en el último mes, en contraposición al 43,2% de estos pacientes que se consideran buenos cumplidores (n=3.215 pacientes). El 95% de los pacientes (n=938) afirmaron haber seguido la medicación regularmente, mientras que el 5% contestó negativamente a esta cuestión. El 82% de los familiares (n=796) piensan que los pacientes toman regularmente su medicación, aunque el 47% indica que a veces la olvidan. Conclusiones. La adherencia al tratamiento debería ser evaluada en ensayos clínicos, así como en las investigaciones de tratamiento de enfermedades, particularmente las enfermedades mentales crónicas como la esquizofrenia. Parece evidente que sólo los programas dirigidos a la detección y resolución de problemas relacionados con la adherencia al tratamiento serán capaces de mejorar el pronóstico a medio y largo plazo de los pacientes con esquizofrenia

Introduction. Patients with psychiatric illness typically have great difficulty following a medication regimen, but they also have the greatest potential for benefiting from adherence. Due to the lack of insight in schizophrenia, adherence to treatment is especially important. We try to analyze and compare the opinion on adherence and compliance of psychiatrists, patients with schizophrenia and relatives. Method. A direct, anonymous survey specifically designed for the project was administered to psychiatrists, patients and relatives from all over Spain through different associations of patients and family legally constituted in Spain. Analysis was done separately for variables corresponding to the three groups. Results. The psychiatrists (n = 844) considered that 56.8 % of their evaluated patients (n = 7.439) were noncompliers in the past month, as opposed to 43.2% of these patients who were considered good compliers (3,215 patients). Ninety-five percent of the patients (n = 938) stated that they took their medication regularly, while 5 % answered no to this question. Eighty-two percent of relatives (n = 796) think that patients regularly take their medication, but 47% state that they sometimes forget to take it. Conclusions. Treatment adherence should be evaluated in clinical trials and in research on treatment of diseases, particularly in chronic mental diseases such as schizophrenia. It seems clear that only programs aimed at detection and resolution of the problems involved in treatment adherence will be able to improve the mid- and long-term prognosis of patients with schizophrenic disorders

[Treatment adherence in schizophrenia. A comparison between patient's, relative's and psychiatrist's opinions]. / Adherencia terapeutica en la esquizofrenia: una comparacion entre las opiniones de pacientes, familiares y psiquiatras.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with psychiatric illness typically have great difficulty following a medication regimen, but they also have the greatest potential for benefiting from adherence. Due to the lack of insight in schizophrenia, adherence to treatment is especially important. We try to analyze and compare the opinion on adherence and compliance of psychiatrists, patients with schizophrenia and relatives. METHOD: A direct, anonymous survey specifically designed for the project was administered to psychiatrists, patients and relatives from all over Spain through different associations of patients and family legally constituted in Spain. Analysis was done separately for variables corresponding to the three groups. RESULTS: The psychiatrists (n = 844) considered that 56.8 % of their evaluated patients (n = 7.439) were noncompliers in the past month, as opposed to 43.2% of these patients who were considered good compliers (3,215 patients). Ninety-five percent of the patients (n = 938) stated that they took their medication regularly, while 5 % answered no to this question. Eighty-two percent of relatives (n = 796) think that patients regularly take their medication, but 47% state that they sometimes forget to take it. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment adherence should be evaluated in clinical trials and in research on treatment of diseases, particularly in chronic mental diseases such as schizophrenia. It seems clear that only programs aimed at detection and resolution of the problems involved in treatment adherence will be able to improve the mid- and long-term prognosis of patients with schizophrenic disorders.

Lesiones cutáneas hipopigmentadas en un inmigrante de raza negra / Cutaneous hypopigmented lesions in a black inmigrant

No disponible

Epidemiology of tuberculosis on Gran Canaria: a 4 year population study using traditional and molecular approaches.

BACKGROUND: In recent years several population based studies using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis have shown a higher rate of recent transmission of tuberculosis than previously thought. This study was undertaken to determine the transmission patterns of tuberculosis and the potential causes of recent transmission on the island of Gran Canaria (Spain). METHODS: The strains of all patients diagnosed with tuberculosis confirmed by culture between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 1996 were typed by RFLP using the insertion sequence IS6110. A cluster was defined as two or more isolates with an identical RFLP pattern. Epidemiological linkage through contact tracing was investigated. RESULTS: Of the total of 719 patients, 153 (21.3%) were excluded because there was inadequate bacterial DNA for genotyping (n=129) or the isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis had less than five copies of IS6110 (n=24). The isolates from 409 patients (72.3%) were grouped into 78 different clusters with an estimated 58.5% of the cases being due to recent transmission. Young age was the only significant predictor of clustering. Only in 147 (35.9%) of the 409 patients belonging to a cluster could an epidemiological link be found. 111 patients (19.6%) were identified as having had previous contact with a tuberculosis patient and 81 of them (72.9%) belonged to a cluster. The three largest clusters included 75, 49 and 20 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recent transmission is frequent among patients with tuberculosis on Gran Canaria and could be associated with certain aspects of control measures. Some of the clusters described in the study could be due to the prevalence of particular strains of M tuberculosis on the island.

Treatment of severely psychotic inpatients with schizophrenia: olanzapine versus other antipsychotic drugs.

Nine hundred and ten schizophrenic inpatients suffering from acute psychotic episodes were included in a naturalistic study. Patients were prescribed treatment with olanzapine (OLZ) or with typical antipsychotic (TYP) drugs. Patients receiving another atypical antipsychotic were excluded. Of the whole sample, 483 (53.4%) were treated with olanzapine and 421 (46.6%) with typical antipsychotics. Three specific subpopulations of greater severity were defined: patients with prominent psychotic symptoms, agitated patients, and patients initially treated with intramuscular (i.m.) medication because of their acute clinical condition. Severity of illness was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale for severity, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Nursing Observational Scale for Inpatient Evaluation. Baseline differences were adjusted per data analysis. The mean change from baseline to endpoint of overall symptomatology (total BPRS score) was significantly greater in the olanzapine group compared to the typical antipsychotic-treated group, both in the sample of patients with prominent positive symptoms (P < 0.001) and in the sample of agitated patients (P =0.015). Significant differences were also found in BPRS positive scores, BPRS negative scores and CGI scores in these two populations. Patients who had received previous i.m. drugs showed no statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement between both treatments groups, except for a more favourable response of BPRS negative subscores in the olanzapine group (P =0.015). The results suggest that olanzapine may be considered as a first line treatment for severely psychotic inpatients with schizophrenia.

[Hygiene, architecture and autopsy]. / Hygiène, architecture et autopsie.

The 24(th) August 1998 decree related to technical prescriptions applicable to hospital mortuaries, to be enacted as of September 11(th) 2001, compels hospital administrations and involved personnel to consider architectural concepts of autopsy room. Nevertheless, the technical prescriptions of this decree seem to be inadequate because an autopsy room requires specific functional and technical organization such as adequate flooring, adapted air-conditioning system and plumbing and of course appropriate autopsy tables. Due to imminent enactement of accreditation procedures, it is likely that in the near future, autopsies will only be performed in centres combining scientific competence and sanitary requirements.

Sustaining short-term gains for future progress.

Management of patients with acute psychosis represents a considerable challenge for many reasons. As acute psychosis is considered to be a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate and effective intervention, pharmacotherapy with antipsychotic drugs is the mainstay of treatment. The key treatment goals are to calm the agitated, assaultive, violent or disruptive patient, to minimize the danger to self and others and to achieve a smooth transition from intramuscular to oral maintenance treatment with mimimal side-effects. In most circumstances intramuscular formulations of antipsychotic drugs are the optimal treatment choice. However, only the conventional antipsychotics are currently available as intramuscular formulations and unfavourable tolerability profiles reduce the benefit/risk ratio and may make future transition to oral treatment problematic. An intramuscular formulation of an atypical antipsychotic medication would have significant advantages, not only during the acute psychotic phase but also during transition to oral maintenance treatment by enabling an effective and well-tolerated changeover from intramuscular to oral drug treatment.