Long Covid-19: Proposed Primary Care Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Disease Management.

Long COVID-19 may be defined as patients who, four weeks after the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection, continue to have signs and symptoms not explainable by other causes. The estimated frequency is around 10% and signs and symptoms may last for months. The main long-term manifestations observed in other coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)) are very similar to and have clear clinical parallels with SARS-CoV-2: mainly respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric. The growing number of patients worldwide will have an impact on health systems. Therefore, the main objective of these clinical practice guidelines is to identify patients with signs and symptoms of long COVID-19 in primary care through a protocolized diagnostic process that studies possible etiologies and establishes an accurate differential diagnosis. The guidelines have been developed pragmatically by compiling the few studies published so far on long COVID-19, editorials and expert opinions, press releases, and the authors' clinical experience. Patients with long COVID-19 should be managed using structured primary care visits based on the time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the current limited evidence, disease management of long COVID-19 signs and symptoms will require a holistic, longitudinal follow up in primary care, multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, and the empowerment of affected patient groups.

Los médicos de familia y el sobrediagnóstico: el reto de elegir sabiamente / Family doctors and overdiagnosis: The challenge of choosing wisely

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Características y pronóstico de pacientes ingresados en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario por traumatismo craneoencefálico y con tratamiento anticoagulante o antiagregante / Characteristics and prognosis of patients admitted to a hospital emergency department for traumatic brain injury and with anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment

Antecedentes y objetivo: Determinar la mortalidad y las complicaciones de los pacientes que presentan traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) con tratamiento antiagregante o anticoagulante en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohortes hospitalarias de los 243 pacientes que acudieron con TCE puro al servicio de urgencias del Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida entre el 1 de junio de 2015 y el 1 de junio de 2016. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y otras relacionadas con el proceso asistencial. Se registró la presencia de complicaciones y la mortalidad de los pacientes a las 24h, a las 48h y una semana después del TCE. Resultados: Un 50,2% de los pacientes fueron hombres, de mediana de edad 80,8años, y sin hallazgos en la TAC al ingreso en el 62,3% de los casos. Fallecieron un total de 14 pacientes (5,8%). La mortalidad global se asoció con la comorbilidad, con la pérdida de conocimiento y con la fluctuación de la escala de coma de Glasgow en el proceso agudo. Los pacientes tratados con anticoagulantes (39,5%) o antiagregantes (33,3%) fueron de mayor edad, mayor grado de dependencia y mayor comorbilidad, pero no presentaron mayor número de complicaciones. Sin alcanzar la significación estadística, se observó mayor mortalidad durante la primera semana en los pacientes anticoagulados (7,3% vs 4,8%, p=0,585) o antiagregados (8,6% vs 4,3%, p=0,241) respecto a los no tratados. Conclusiones: No se han observado peores resultados en complicaciones en los pacientes con TCE tratados con anticoagulantes o antiagregantes, por lo que el manejo clínico parece adecuado. La mayor mortalidad puede ser explicada por la mayor complejidad que caracteriza a estos pacientes. Sería necesario realizar más estudios, preferiblemente prospectivos con seguimiento posterior al alta, para poder establecer mecanismos causales entre el manejo clínico y la mortalidad o las complicaciones asociadas al TCE

Background and objective: To determine mortality and complications of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment in a hospital emergency department. Materials and methods: Study of hospital cohorts of the 243 patients who attended with pure TBI to the emergency service of the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016. Sociodemographic, clinical and other variables related to clinical management were collected. Presence of complications and in-hospital mortality were registered at 24hours, at 48hours and one week after TBI. Results: Overall, 50.2% of patients were men, with median age of 80.8years, and without CT-scan findings at admission in 62.3% of cases. A total of 14 patients died (5.8%). Overall mortality was associated with comorbidity, with knowledge loss and with fluctuation of the Glasgow comma scale in the acute process. Patients treated with anticoagulants (39.5%) or antiplatelet agents (33.3%) were older, with higher degree of dependency and more comorbidity, but did not present more complications. Without reaching statistical significance, higher mortality was observed during the first week in anticoagulated patients (7.3% vs 4.8%, P=.585) or with antiplatelet treatment (8.6% vs 4.3%, P=.241) with respect to those not treated. Conclusions: No worse results have been observed in number of complications in patients with TBI treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment, so clinical management seems appropriate. The higher mortality could be explained by the greater complexity of these patients. It would be necessary to carry out more studies, preferably prospective with follow-up after discharge, in order to establish causal mechanisms between clinical management and mortality or associated complications to TBI

Prevención cuaternaria: como hacer, como ensiñar / Quaternary prevention: how to do, how to teach / Prevenção quaternária: como fazer, como ensinar

La prevención cuaternaria o P4 se define como las acciones que disminuyen los efectos de las intervenciones innecesarias, generadas por el contacto de las personas con los sistemas de salud. Se planteó como objetivo general desarrollar una estrategia para promover y difundir P4 em Iberoamérica; para cumplir dicha meta se realizó una investigación bibliográfica sobre los conceptos relacionados con P4; se aplicó una encuesta exploratoria para indagar sobre el conocimiento que tenían los participantes en la Cumbre y el Congreso respecto a P4. Existe múltiple literatura que define los términos relacionados con P4, lo que facilita su delimitación. Respecto a la encuesta, de las 309 personas que contestaron; 34% tenían entre 36 y 45 años; 88% eran profesionales en medicina; 69% conocía sobre P4 y más del 50% afirmó estar informado sobre los conceptos relacionados a P4; 92% consideró que P4 no es exclusiva de medicina familiar; 15% aseguró que después de la VI Cumbre se hicieron publicaciones sobre P4 en sus países; menos del 20% consideró que los políticos conocen sobre P4; 27% afirmó que los médicos de familia educan a los pacientes sobre P4. Se recomienda ampliar las campañas de educación sobre P4; facilitar el acceso a la información sobre P4 para profesionales del campo de la salud; incluir P4 en los programas académicos de pregrado y postgrado de las profesiones de la salud; crear alianzas con las entidades políticas de cada país para incluir P4 en políticas públicas.

Quaternary prevention or P4 is defined as any action taken to diminish the effects of unnecessary interventions generated when people interact with a health system. Methodology.The general objective was to develop a strategy to promote and spread P4 in Iberoamerica; to fulfill this goal a literature research was carried out, on the concepts related to P4; an exploratory survey was applied to inquire about the knowledge of the participates in the Summit and Congress, regarding P4 Results. There multiple literature sources that define the terms related to P4, which facilitated its delimitation. Regarding the survey, 69% knew about P4 and more that 50% declared that they where informed about the concepts related to P4; 92% considered that P4 is not only limited to family medicine; 15% assured that after the VI Summit publication regarding P4 where published in their countries; less than 20% stated that politicians knew about P4; 27% affirmed that family medicine doctors educate their patients about P4 Conclusions. It is recommended to expand the educational campaigns about P4; facilitate the access to information about P4 for professionals in the health field; include P4 in the academic programs of health professional for both graduate and post-graduate students; create alliances with political entities of each country to include P4 in public health policies.

A prevenção quaternária ou P4 é definida como ações que reduzem os efeitos de intervenções desnecessárias, geradas pelo contato das pessoas com os sistemas de saúde. O objetivo geral foi desenvolver uma estratégia para promover e disseminar o P4 na Ibero-América; Para atingir este objetivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre os conceitos relacionados a P4; Uma pesquisa exploratória foi aplicada para indagar sobre o conhecimento que os participantes da Cúpula e do Congresso tinham sobre P4. Há uma diversidade de literatura que define os termos relacionados a P4, o que facilita sua delimitação. Em relação à pesquisa, das 309 pessoas que responderam; 34% tinham entre 36 e 45 anos; 88% eram profissionais de medicina; 69% conheciam o P4 e mais de 50% disseram que estavam informados sobre os conceitos relacionados ao P4; 92% consideraram que P4 não é exclusivo de medicina de família; 15% disseram que, após a VI Cúpula, foram feitas publicações sobre P4 em seus países; menos de 20% considerou que os políticos conhecem o P4; 27% disseram que os médicos de família educam os pacientes sobre o P4. Recomenda-se expandir as campanhas de educação sobre P4; facilitar o acesso à informação sobre P4 para profissionais da área da saúde; incluir P4 nos programas acadêmicos de graduação e pós-graduação das profissões de saúde; criar parceiras com as entidades políticas de cada país para incluir P4 nas políticas públicas

Characteristics and prognosis of patients admitted to a hospital emergency department for traumatic brain injury and with anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment. / Características y pronóstico de pacientes ingresados en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario por traumatismo craneoencefálico y con tratamiento anticoagulante o antiagregante.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine mortality and complications of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment in a hospital emergency department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study of hospital cohorts of the 243 patients who attended with pure TBI to the emergency service of the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016. Sociodemographic, clinical and other variables related to clinical management were collected. Presence of complications and in-hospital mortality were registered at 24hours, at 48hours and one week after TBI. RESULTS: Overall, 50.2% of patients were men, with median age of 80.8years, and without CT-scan findings at admission in 62.3% of cases. A total of 14 patients died (5.8%). Overall mortality was associated with comorbidity, with knowledge loss and with fluctuation of the Glasgow comma scale in the acute process. Patients treated with anticoagulants (39.5%) or antiplatelet agents (33.3%) were older, with higher degree of dependency and more comorbidity, but did not present more complications. Without reaching statistical significance, higher mortality was observed during the first week in anticoagulated patients (7.3% vs 4.8%, P=.585) or with antiplatelet treatment (8.6% vs 4.3%, P=.241) with respect to those not treated. CONCLUSIONS: No worse results have been observed in number of complications in patients with TBI treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment, so clinical management seems appropriate. The higher mortality could be explained by the greater complexity of these patients. It would be necessary to carry out more studies, preferably prospective with follow-up after discharge, in order to establish causal mechanisms between clinical management and mortality or associated complications to TBI.

Metabolic risk management, physical exercise and lifestyle counselling in low-active adults: controlled randomized trial (BELLUGAT).

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different doses (intensity) of supervised exercise training - concomitant with lifestyle counselling - as a primary care intervention tool for the management of metabolic syndrome risk factors in low-active adults with one or more such factors (programme name in Catalan: Bellugat de CAP a peus). METHODS/DESIGN: Three-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial implemented in the primary care setting, with a duration of 40 weeks (16 weeks intervention and 24-week follow-up). Adults aged 30 to 55 years with metabolic risk factors will be randomized into three intervention groups: 1) aerobic interval training (16 supervised training lessons) plus a healthy lifestyle counselling programme (6 group and 3 individual meetings); 2) low-to-moderate intensity continuous training (16 supervised training lessons) plus the same counselling programme; or 3) the counselling- programme without any supervised physical exercise. The main output variables assessed will be risk factors for metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, blood pressure, and levels of plasma triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins and glucose), systemic inflammation, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, dietary habits, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy and empowerment. Economic factors will also be analysed in order to determine the cost-effectiveness of the programme. These variables will be assessed three times during the study: at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at follow-up. We estimate to recruit 35 participants per group. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide insight into the immediate and medium-term effects on metabolic risk and lifestyle of a combined approach involving aerobic interval training and a multidisciplinary behavioural intervention. If effective, the proposed intervention would provide both researchers and practitioners in this field with a platform on which to develop similar intervention programmes for tackling the repercussions of an unhealthy lifestyle. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials.gov. NTC02832453 . Registered 6 July 2016 (retrospectively registered).

Use of oral bisphosphonates in primary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare incidence of first osteoporotic fracture in two cohorts of postmenopausal women, one treated with bisphosphonates and the other only with calcium and vitamin D. DESIGN: Retrospective population cohort study with paired matching based on data from electronic health records. SETTING: Women aged 60 years and older in 2005, from 21 primary care centers in a healthcare region of Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Two groups of women aged 60 years and older (n = 1208), prescribed either calcium and vitamin D (CalVitD) or bisphosphonates (BIPHOS) with or without calcium and vitamin D, were compared for the end point of first recorded osteoporotic-related fracture, with 5-years follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence of first fracture: Vertebral fracture, osteoporosis with pathological fracture, fracture of the upper humeral epiphysis, fracture of the lower radial epiphysis, or femur fracture. RESULTS: Estimated 10-year risk of fracture was 11.4% (95% confidence interval: 9.6 to 13.2), 11.8% (9.2 to 14.3) in the BIPHOS group and 11.1% (8.6 to 13.6) in the CalVitD group. No significant differences were found between groups in total fractures (Hazard ratio = 0.934 (0.67 to 1.31)) or location (vertebral, femoral, radial or humeral). CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women, bisphosphonates have not been shown to better decrease risk of first fracture compared with calcium and vitamin D therapy alone.

Evaluation of a family intervention programme for the treatment of overweight and obese children (Nereu Programme): a randomized clinical trial study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is mainly attributed to environmental factors. In developed countries, the time spent on physical activity tasks is decreasing, whereas sedentary behaviour patterns are increasing.The purpose of the intervention is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive family-based behavioural multi-component intervention (Nereu programme) and compared it to counselling intervention such as a health centre intervention programme for the management of children's obesity. METHODS/DESIGN: The study design is a randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial using two types of interventions: Nereu and Counselling. The Nereu programme is an 8-month intensive family-based multi-component behavioural intervention. This programme is based on a multidisciplinary intervention consisting of 4 components: physical activity sessions for children, family theoretical and practical sessions for parents, behaviour strategy sessions involving both, parents and children, and lastly, weekend extra activities for all. Counselling is offered to the family in the form of a monthly physical health and eating habits session. Participants will be recruited according the following criteria: 6 to 12 year-old-children, referred from their paediatricians due to overweight or obesity according the International Obesity Task Force criteria and with a sedentary profile (less than 2 hours per week of physical activity), they must live in or near the municipality of Lleida (Spain) and their healthcare paediatric unit must have previously accepted to cooperate with this study. The following variables will be evaluated: a) cardiovascular risk factors (anthropometric parameters, blood test and blood pressure), b) sedentary and physical activity behaviour and dietary intake, c) psychological aspects d) health related quality of life (HRQOL), e) cost-effectiveness of the intervention in relation to HRQOL. These variables will be then be evaluated 4 times longitudinally: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (8 months later), 6 and 12 months after the intervention. We have considered necessary to recruit 100 children and divide them in 2 groups of 50 to detect the differences between the groups. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide new evidence for the long-term effects of childhood obesity management, as well as help to know the impact of the present intervention as a health intervention tool for healthcare centres. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01878994.

Efficacy and tolerance of the topical application of potassium hydroxide (10% and 15%) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum: randomized clinical trial: research protocol.

BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum is a non-severe pediatric viral infection. Because it is highly contagious and current treatments have negative aesthetic and psychological effects, we want to test an alternative treatment in the primary care setting, consisting of two different concentrations of potassium hydroxide solution. METHODS/DESIGN: The study design is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, using three types of topical treatment. The treatment consist of daily applications of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in aqueous solution at 10% and 15% concentration, and a placebo administered in the control group. Four follow-up visits (at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days) are planned to evaluate treatment effectiveness and patient tolerance. The main outcome measure of the trial will be the healing rate, defined as lesion disappearance in the affected zones after the topic application of the experimental treatment. Secondary measures will be the principal characteristics and evolution of the affected zone (surface area, number of lesions, size and density of lesions), treatment tolerance (hyperpigmentation, itching, burning, pain), recurrence rate and the natural evolution of lesions in the control group. DISCUSSION: KOH can potentially be an effective and safe treatment for MC in primary care, and can also reduce referrals to dermatologists and hospital pediatric departments. In addition, KOH may be a valid and less expensive alternative to current invasive treatments (surgical excision).

Ischemic heart disease and primary care: identifying gender-related differences. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Gender-related differences are seen in multiple aspects of both health and illness. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a pathology in which diagnostic, treatment and prognostic differences are seen between sexes, especially in the acute phase and in the hospital setting. The objective of the present study is to analyze whether there are differences between men and women when examining associated cardiovascular risk factors and secondary pharmacological prevention in the primary care setting. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive observational study from January to December of 2006, including 1907 patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease in the city of Lleida, Spain. The clinical data were obtained from computerized medical records and pharmaceutical records of medications dispensed in pharmacies with official prescriptions. Data was analyzed using bivariate descriptive statistical analysis as well as logistic regression. RESULTS: There were no gender-related differences in screening percentages for arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipemia, and smoking. A greater percentage of women were hypertensive, obese and diabetic compared to men. However, men showed a tendency to achieve control targets more easily than women, with no statistically significant differences. In both sexes cardiovascular risk factors control was inadequate, between 10 and 50%. For secondary pharmaceutical prevention, the percentages of prescriptions were greater in men for anticoagulants, beta-blockers, lipid-lowering agents and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, with age group variations up to 10%. When adjusting by age and specific diagnoses, differences were maintained for anticoagulants and lipid-lowering agents. CONCLUSION: Screening of cardiovascular risk factors was similar in men and women with IHD. Although a greater percentage of women were hypertensive, diabetic or obese, their management of risk factors tended to be worse than men. Overall, a poor control of cardiovascular risk factors was noted. Taken as a whole, more men were prescribed secondary prevention drugs, with differences varying by age group and IHD diagnosis.