[Organizational climate in management teams and its relationship with health care outcomes]. / Clima organizacional de equipos directivos y su relación con los resultados en la atención a la salud.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between organizational climate of management teams and the performance of health services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal and analytical study was designed. The Organizational Climate Scale (OCS) was utilized and performance was assessed by the achievement indicators through correlation analysis and multiple regression. Thirty four medical benefits services headquarters (JSPM) were measured of the Mexican Social Security Institute. RESULTS: Of 862 participating, 238 (27.6%) evaluated the climate of their organizations with a high level; the maximal score was 56%. Average performance value was 0.79 ± 0.07 (minimal: 0.65; maximal: 0.92). A positive correlation was demonstrated between organizational climate level and performance (r=0.4; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The organizational climate of the health services managers (JSPM) is directly related with performance in health care.

Clima organizacional de equipos directivos y su relación con los resultados en la atención a la salud / Organizational climate in management teams and its relationship with health care outcomes

Objetivo. Identificar la relación entre el clima organizacional de los equipos directivos y el desempeño de los servicios de salud. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal y analítico. Se utilizó la Escala de Clima Organizacional (EDCO). El desempeño se valoró por el logro de indicadores a través de correlación y regresión múltiple. Se evaluaron 34 jefaturas de servicios de prestaciones médicas del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Resultados. De 862 participantes, 238 (27.6%) evaluaron el clima de sus organizaciones con nivel alto. El promedio de desempeño fue 0.79±0.07 (mínimo: 0.65; máximo: 0.92). Se muestra una correlación positiva entre clima organizacional y desempeño (r=0.4; p=0.008). Conclusiones. El clima organizacional de las jefaturas de servicios de prestaciones médicas se relaciona con el desempeño en la atención a la salud.

Objective. To identify the relationship between organizational climate of management teams and the performance of health services. Materials and methods. A transversal and analytical study was designed. The Organizational Climate Scale (OCS) was utilized and performance was assessed by the achievement indicators through correlation analysis and multiple regression. Thirty four medical benefits services headquarters (JSPM) were measured of the Mexican Social Security Institute. Results. Of 862 participating, 238 (27.6%) evaluated the climate of their organizations with a high level; the maximal score was 56%. Average performance value was 0.79 ± 0.07 (minimal: 0.65; maximal: 0.92). A positive correlation was demonstrated between organizational climate level and performance (r=0.4; p=0.008). Conclusions. The organizational climate of the health services managers (JSPM) is directly related with performance in health care.

An educational strategy for improving knowledge about breast and cervical cancer prevention among Mexican middle school students.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention programs have not achieved the expected results in preventing mortality from breast and cervical cancer in Mexico. Therefore, we propose a complementary strategy. METHODOLOGY: An educational strategy for high school students in Mexico (2011-2013) was designed (longitudinal design, two measurements and a single intervention). The postintervention assessment included: 1) knowledge acquired by students about cancer prevention and 2) The performance of the student as a health promoter in their household. The strategy was based on analysis of cases and developed in three sessions. An assessment tool was designed and validated (Test-Retest). The levels of knowledge according to the qualifications expected by chance were determined. Wilcoxon test compared results before and after intervention. RESULTS: An assessment instrument with 0.80 reliability was obtained. 831 high school students were analyzed. Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed a significant learning after the intervention (Z = - 2.64, p = 0.008) with improvement of levels of knowledge in a 154.5%. 49% of students had a good performance as health promoters. CONCLUSIONS: The learning in preventive measures is important to sensitize individuals to prevention campaigns against cancer. This strategy proved to improve the level of knowledge of students in an easy and affordable way.

[Drainage time in patients submitted to radical neck dissection. Influence of peri-operative intravenous liquid perfusion]. / Tiempo de drenaje en pacientes sometidos a disección radical de cuello. La influencia de la perfusión de líquidos en el periodo perioperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Drainage after radical neck dissection (RND) is routine and several factors impact the postoperative drainage number of days (PODND). OBJECTIVE: to determine the impact of trans-operative intravenous fluid management (TOFM) in in PODND. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients subjected to some type of radical neck dissection. Variables analyzed: blood loss volume, radical neck dissection type, surgical time, anesthesia time, and trans-operative intravenous fluid management volume. RESULTS: 120 patients included: average age 58.3 years; 60 males and 60 females. Radical neck dissection most frequent indications: thyroid cancer (36.6%), laryngeal cancer (15.8%) and tongue cancer (7.5%). Radical neck dissection most frequent types: 47 modified radical (39.2%), 22 lateral (18.3%) and 16 supra-omohyoid (13.3%). Median surgical time 3.55 hours, median anesthesia time 4.3 hours, median blood loss 278 ml, related to transoperative intravenous fluid management. Classical radical neck dissection was performed in 13 patients in whom postoperative drainage number of days was greater than in the other types (p = 0.08). No difference in postoperative drainage number of days among the different types of radical neck dissection. An apparent association was found between trans-operative intravenous fluid management volume and postoperative drainage number of days: the greater the quantity of fluids, the greater the number of days (p = 0.001). Patients who had drain removed during the first seven days had an average of 1,500 ml infused. Patients who had an average of 3,000 ml of fluid had drainage of 10 days. Perfusion > 3,500 ml = postoperative drainage number of days ≥ 10 días. CONCLUSIONS: In the present series a statistically significant relationship was found between the TOFM and PODND. A meticulous surgical technique and an anesthesia procedure that carefully assesses fluid balance could decrease PODND.

Polymorphism in exon 4 of TP53 gene associated to HPV 16 and 18 in Mexican women with cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer in Mexican women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary but not sufficient for CC development. Furthermore, genetic factors as polymorphisms could be important susceptibility factors. Controversial results regarding TP53 polymorphisms specifically in codon 72 of CC have been reported. In the present work, the exon 4 sequence of TP53 gene in CC and healthy Mexican-mestizo women were analyzed. A group of 111 women with CC and 126 healthy women (control) were included. Peripheral blood cells for polymorphism analysis and cervical scrape for HPV detection were used. PCR of exon 4 of TP53 were subjected to denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) analysis and sequencing. HPV detection was subjected to PCR and sequencing. The statistical analysis was carried out using the Arlequin software. Codon 72 Arg/Arg was the most common SNP detected, and Hardy-Weinberg analysis showed equilibrium in control and CC samples (P>0.05). Wild type sequence of TP53 exon 4 was detected in 66 and 57% in control and CC samples, respectively. For codon 72 Arg/Arg, differences between control and CC women were found (P=0.043). An association between HPV 16/18 infection and 72 Arg/Arg in woman with CC was found (P=0.026). Haplotype GC (codon 36 and 72) was statistically significantly associated with CC (P=0.011). HPV 16 was the most common viral type. Codon 72 Arg/Arg is the most common polymorphism in the Mexican population and could be associated to HPV 16 and/or HPV 18 infection in CC.

Human papilloma virus in patients with epidermoid head and neck carcinoma: a prognostic factor?

BACKGROUND: The three most important prognostic factors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are tumor size, nodular histological condition and tumor origin. Recently, human papilloma virus (HPV), particularly HPV-16, has been acknowledged as a prognostic factor. HPV+ patients have better survival than HPV-. This has created a controversy because other factors may influence the prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether HPV has prognostic value in patients with HNSCC. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective evaluation of patients with HNSCC and the following variables were analyzed: survival, tumor location, stage, general condition according to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status, treatment and HPV association identified by PCR. We used a descriptive analysis of simple frequencies and central tendency and dispersion measures according to the type of variables. We used descriptive analysis for overall survival with Kaplan- Meier and Cox regression with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: There were 179 patients included: 119 (66.5%) were male. Average age of patients was 64 years; 34% of the tumors were located in the oral cavity and 33% were located in the larynx. Factors associated with survival were ECOG (RR = 11.3; 2.6-48), clinical stage (RR = 7.8; 1.7-34), age >70 years (RR = 3.5, 1.4-8.5) and nonsurgical treatment (RR = 2.3; 1.4-3.8). Average overall survival for patients with HPV16 was 22 months vs. 28 months in those with other types of viruses. HPV infection was not associated with the prognosis in this series. CONCLUSIONS: ECOG at the time of the diagnosis and clinical stage were the most significant prognostic factors in this series. HPV did not show any prognostic value.

El virus del papiloma humano como factor pronóstico en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide de cabeza y cuello / Human papilloma virus in patients with epidermoid head and neck carcinoma: a prognostic factor

Introducción: Los tres principales factores pronóstico en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide de cabeza y cuello (CECyC) son tamaño del tumor, estado histológico ganglionar y origen del tumor. Se ha reconocido al virus del papiloma humano, sobre todo la variedad 16 (VPH-16), como factor pronóstico, sin embargo, resulta controversial que los pacientes VPH+ tengan mejor supervivencia que los VPH−. El objetivo del presente es conocer si la infección por VPH tiene valor pronóstico en pacientes con CECyC. Material y métodos: Evaluación retrospectiva de pacientes con CECyC. Se analizó supervivencia, localización tumoral, estado general (ECOG), tipo de tratamiento y asociación a VPH identificado por PCR en tejido tumoral. Análisis descriptivo de frecuencias simples, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, de acuerdo con el tipo de variables. Análisis descriptivo para supervivencia con Kaplan-Meier y regresión de Cox, con intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados: Se incluyeron 179 pacientes, 119 (66.5%) hombres; promedio de edad de 64 años; 34% de los tumores se localizó en cavidad oral y 33% en laringe. Factores asociados con supervivencia: ECOG (RR = 11.3, 2.6-48), estadio clínico (RR = 7.8, 1.7-34), edad mayor a 70 años (RR = 3.5, 1.4-8.5) y tratamiento no quirúrgico (RR = 2.3, 1.4-3.8). La mediana de supervivencia para pacientes con VPH-16 fue de 22 meses versus 28 meses de quienes tuvieron otros tipos virales. La infección por VPH no se asoció con el pronóstico. Conclusiones: El ECOG en el momento del diagnóstico y la etapa clínica fueron los factores pronóstico más importantes en esta serie; el VPH no mostró valor pronóstico.

BACKGROUND: The three most important prognostic factors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are tumor size, nodular histological condition and tumor origin. Recently, human papilloma virus (HPV), particularly HPV-16, has been acknowledged as a prognostic factor. HPV+ patients have better survival than HPV-. This has created a controversy because other factors may influence the prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether HPV has prognostic value in patients with HNSCC. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective evaluation of patients with HNSCC and the following variables were analyzed: survival, tumor location, stage, general condition according to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status, treatment and HPV association identified by PCR. We used a descriptive analysis of simple frequencies and central tendency and dispersion measures according to the type of variables. We used descriptive analysis for overall survival with Kaplan- Meier and Cox regression with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: There were 179 patients included: 119 (66.5%) were male. Average age of patients was 64 years; 34% of the tumors were located in the oral cavity and 33% were located in the larynx. Factors associated with survival were ECOG (RR = 11.3; 2.6-48), clinical stage (RR = 7.8; 1.7-34), age >70 years (RR = 3.5, 1.4-8.5) and nonsurgical treatment (RR = 2.3; 1.4-3.8). Average overall survival for patients with HPV16 was 22 months vs. 28 months in those with other types of viruses. HPV infection was not associated with the prognosis in this series. CONCLUSIONS: ECOG at the time of the diagnosis and clinical stage were the most significant prognostic factors in this series. HPV did not show any prognostic value.

[Quality indicators in the early detection of cervicouterine-cancer in primary health care units]. / Indicadores de calidad en la detección oportuna de cáncer cervicouterino en unidades de primer nivel de atención.

BACKGROUND: to determine the quality of a prompt cervical cancer detection program (TDC CC) according to the indicators for prevention and diagnosis. METHODS: cross-sectional and comparative study conducted in four primary care units. We selected 400 patients who attended preventive services to participate in the study of cervical cytology (Pap). The evaluation of the Program of TDC CC was obtained by the degree of fulfillment of quality and productivity outlined by an institutional program. The seven indicators were measured by the same scale. A descriptive statistics, adjusted kappa, and chi square with a level of significance of 95 % confidence interval was used. RESULTS: the average age was 40 ± 12.6 years. Most women (92.5 %) had information about the Pap screening method in CC, even thought only 25.3 % had this test done in the last three years. The inter-observer agreement was scored low by three cytotechnologists. The degree of compliance according to indicators of the 4 units was 35.7 %, and was rated as moderate. The best indicators were great productivity among cytotechnologists, the number and proportion of re-examined cytologies. CONCLUSIONS: most indicators were below the expected values.

[The first Mexican consensus of endometrial cancer. Grupo de Investigación en Cáncer de Ovario y Tumores Ginecológicos de México]. / Primer consenso Mexicano de cancer de endometrio.

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the second most common gynecologic malignancy worldwide in the peri and postmenopausal period. Most often for the endometrioid variety. In early clinical stages long-term survival is greater than 80%, while in advanced stages it is less than 50%. In our country there is not a standard management between institutions. GICOM collaborative group under the auspice of different institutions have made the following consensus in order to make recommendations for the management of patients with this type of neoplasm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following recommendations were made by independent professionals in the field of Gynecologic Oncology, questions and statements were based on a comprehensive and systematic review of literature. It took place in the context of a meeting of four days in which a debate was held. These statements are the conclusions reached by agreement of the participant members. RESULTS: Screening should be performed women at high risk (diabetics, family history of inherited colon cancer, Lynch S. type II). Endometrial thickness in postmenopausal patients is best evaluated by transvaginal US, a thickness greater than or equal to 5 mm must be evaluated. Women taking tamoxifen should be monitored using this method. Abnormal bleeding in the usual main symptom, all post menopausal women with vaginal bleeding should be evaluated. Diagnosis is made by histerescopy-guided biopsy. Magnetic resonance is the best image method as preoperative evaluation. Frozen section evaluates histologic grade, myometrial invasion, cervical and adnexal involvement. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy should be performed except in endometrial histology grades 1 and 2, less than 50% invasion of the myometrium without evidence of disease out of the uterus. Omentectomy should be done in histologies other than endometriod. Surgery should be always performed by a Gynecologic Oncologist or Surgical Oncologist, laparoscopy is an alternative, especially in patients with hypertension and diabetes for being less morbid. Adjuvant treatment after surgery includes radiation therapy to the pelvis, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy. Patients with Stages III and IV should have surgery with intention to achieve optimal cytoreduction because of the impact on survival (51 m vs. 14 m), the treatment of recurrence can be with surgery depending on the pattern of relapse, systemic chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Follow-up of patients is basically clinical in a regular basis. CONCLUSIONS: Screening programme is only for high risk patients. Multidisciplinary treatment impacts on survival and local control of the disease, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, hormonal treatment is reserved to selected cases of recurrence. This is the first attempt of a Mexican Collaborative Group in Gynecology to give recommendations is a special type of neoplasm.

[Value of (99m)Tc tetrofosmin scan in well-differentiated thyroid cancer].

BACKGROUND: Patients with cold thyroid nodules without ultrasound malignant suspicion and with benign/undetermined cytology may be subjected to follow-up surveillance. 99mTc-tetrofosmin scan (99mTc-TS) may identify patients where this observation can be performed with more certainty. Absence of uptake never occurs in carcinoma patients. Our objective was to determine the 99mTc-TS negative predictive value (NPV) in patients with cold thyroid nodules. METHODS: An evaluation with 99mTc-TS was conducted prior to surgery in patients with thyroid gland tumor who were candidates for surgery. All patients underwent thyroidectomy according to histology; NPV and test sensitivity were evaluated when compared with the histopathological result. Then, 296-370 MBq (8-10 mCi) of 99mTc-tetrofosmin was administered, and scan images were evaluated after 120 min. Scan result was reported as a) with increased metabolic activity (IMA) or b) without increased metabolic activity (WIMA). RESULTS: Included in the study were 86 consecutive patients. In 60 patients the scan showed IMA, 20/60 (33%) with carcinoma, 67% with benign nodule. In 26 (30.2%) the scan was WIMA. In this group, 3/26 (11.5%) had carcinoma and (88.4%) had a benign neoplasia. Sensitivity = 91.43 (95% CI = 80.73-100), specificity = 45.10 (95% CI = 30.46-59.73), positive predictive value = 53.33 (95% CI = 39.8-66.79) and NPV = 88.46 (95% CI 74.26-100). Negative probability ratio = 0.19. CONCLUSIONS: IMA-99mTc-TS is less specific in thyroid cancer; nevertheless, in WIMA patients the possibility of carcinoma is 13%. Most patients (70%) showed IMA, 33% with carcinoma. WIMA-NPV = 30%. 99mTc-TS may be useful in the therapeutic decision of patients with thyroid nodule with concerns about surgery. Its usefulness lies in the NPV.

Valor de la gammagrafía con Tc-99m-tetrofosmín en el diagnóstico del cáncer bien diferenciado de tiroides / Value of (99m)Tc tetrofosmin scan in well-differentiated thyroid cancer

Introducción: Los pacientes con nódulos tiroideos hipocaptantes sin sospecha ultrasonográfica y con citología benigna o indeterminada pueden ser vigilados. El gammagrama con Tc- 99m-tetrofosmín (Tc-99m-TS) identifica pacientes en los que la vigilancia es más segura. La ausencia de captación nunca ocurre en pacientes con carcinoma. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el valor predictivo negativo del Tc-99m-TS en pacientes con nódulo tiroideo. Material y métodos: Evaluación preoperatoria con Tc-99m-TS de pacientes con nódulo tiroideo candidatos a cirugía. Tiroidectomía de acuerdo con el diagnóstico en todos. Evaluación de valor predictivo negativo y sensibilidad al comparar con el resultado histopatológico. Se administraron 296-370 MBq (8-10 mCi) de Tc-99m-TS; evaluación de imágenes a los 120 minutos. Resultado reportado con actividad metabólica aumentada (AMA) o sin actividad metabólica aumentada (SAMA). Resultados: Se incluyeron 86 pacientes consecutivos. Sesenta (69.7 %) tuvieron AMA, 20/60 con carcinoma (33 %), en 67 % el diagnóstico fue de nódulo benigno. En 26 (30.2 %) SAMA, 11.5 % tuvo carcinoma y 88.4 % neoplasia benigna. Sensibilidad de 91.43 % (IC 95 % = 80.73-100 %), especificidad de 45.10 % (IC 95 % = 30.46-59.73), valor predictivo positivo de 53.33 % (IC 95 % = 39.8-66.79), valor predictivo negativo de 88.46 % (IC 95 % = 74.26-100). Razón de verosimilitud negativa = 0.19. Conclusiones: Tc-99m-TS con AMA es poco específico en cáncer tiroideo; en pacientes SAMA 13 % tiene carcinoma. La mayoría de los pacientes (70 %) mostró AMA, 33 % con carcinoma. Valor predictivo negativo en grupo SAMA = 88 %. Tc-99m-TS podría ser útil en la decisión terapéutica de pacientes con nódulo tiroideo en los que existe duda de cirugía; su utilidad radica en el valor predictivo negativo.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cold thyroid nodules without ultrasound malignant suspicion and with benign/undetermined cytology may be subjected to follow-up surveillance. 99mTc-tetrofosmin scan (99mTc-TS) may identify patients where this observation can be performed with more certainty. Absence of uptake never occurs in carcinoma patients. Our objective was to determine the 99mTc-TS negative predictive value (NPV) in patients with cold thyroid nodules. METHODS: An evaluation with 99mTc-TS was conducted prior to surgery in patients with thyroid gland tumor who were candidates for surgery. All patients underwent thyroidectomy according to histology; NPV and test sensitivity were evaluated when compared with the histopathological result. Then, 296-370 MBq (8-10 mCi) of 99mTc-tetrofosmin was administered, and scan images were evaluated after 120 min. Scan result was reported as a) with increased metabolic activity (IMA) or b) without increased metabolic activity (WIMA). RESULTS: Included in the study were 86 consecutive patients. In 60 patients the scan showed IMA, 20/60 (33%) with carcinoma, 67% with benign nodule. In 26 (30.2%) the scan was WIMA. In this group, 3/26 (11.5%) had carcinoma and (88.4%) had a benign neoplasia. Sensitivity = 91.43 (95% CI = 80.73-100), specificity = 45.10 (95% CI = 30.46-59.73), positive predictive value = 53.33 (95% CI = 39.8-66.79) and NPV = 88.46 (95% CI 74.26-100). Negative probability ratio = 0.19. CONCLUSIONS: IMA-99mTc-TS is less specific in thyroid cancer; nevertheless, in WIMA patients the possibility of carcinoma is 13%. Most patients (70%) showed IMA, 33% with carcinoma. WIMA-NPV = 30%. 99mTc-TS may be useful in the therapeutic decision of patients with thyroid nodule with concerns about surgery. Its usefulness lies in the NPV.

The hospital appropriateness evaluation protocol in elderly patients: a technique to evaluate admission and hospital stay.

BACKGROUND: Aging of the population represents one of the main challenges for health systems because of the increase in the demand for hospital services. To be able to count on tools that allow an objective evaluation of hospital-resource use becomes indispensable for health systems. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) regarding the appropriateness of admissions and hospital stays in elderly patients. In a scenario of scarce resources, to have a valid instrument will make it possible to evaluate the process of care in our growing elderly population in a standardized way. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 144 randomly chosen elderly patients admitted to the hospital with 394 even-numbered hospital-stay days. For the reliability analysis between the pair of nurses with the AEP and the pair of specialists, the details of the hospital admissions and the stay days were obtained from the clinical files. Criteria validity was conducted by pairs of physicians, including two internists, two general surgeons and two geriatricians. Only the agreements were compared with agreements of the AEP-trained nurses. Disagreements were excluded from the final analysis. RESULTS: Inter-rater (inter-reviewer) agreement of hospital admissions and days spent by the patient presented a kappa coefficient of >0.70, while these admissions and hospital-stay days was >0.70. Sensitivity and positive predictor value to detect inappropriate admissions were not calculated because no agreement existed on inappropriate admissions. Specificity and negative predictive value to detect appropriate admission was >94.0% and >98.0%. Sensitivity and positive predictor value to detect inappropriate hospital-stay days was >44.0% and >10.0%, while specificity and negative predictor value for detecting appropriate hospital-stay days was >79.0% and >88.0%. CONCLUSIONS: AEP's high-reliability and moderate-validity results with regard to clinical judgement positions it as a useful instrument for appropriate hospitalization screening in elderly patients.

[Associated factors for women's non-compliance for cervical cancer screening]. / Factores asociados con incumplimiento para tamizaje en cáncer de cérvix.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the associated factors for non-compliance among women for the cervical cancer screening program. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out in which cases were women who were just diagnosed with cervical cancer (confirmed with pathological study); controls were women not having cervical cancer (negative pathological study). Cases and controls had the same age, lived in the same geographical area and were selected from the primary care facilities. Lack of compliance for cervical cancer screening was defined as the time since the last cytology (no previous Pap test or > or =3 years since last Pap test). A logistic regression analysis served to identify the associated factors to the lack of compliance. RESULTS: There were 279 cases and 392 controls included in the study. The rate of non-compliance among cases was 76.7% and among controls was 29.6%. Among cases 45.5% had never undergone Pap test compared with 9.9% of controls. Main risk factors for non-compliance to attend to cervical cancer screening were age > 65 years (aOR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5-3); illiteracy (aOR = 3.8, 95% CI 1.7-6); use of public transportation to attend to the preventive service (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-6.4); more than five pregnancies (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.6-5.3) and lack of knowledge about cervical cancer (aOR = 4.2, 95% CI 3.6-7.2). CONCLUSION: The rate of non-compliance close to 30% was high; social and cultural risk factors were the most relevant.

[Human papillomavirus: association with head and neck cancer]. / Virus del papiloma humano asociado a cáncer de cabeza y cuello.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide. In 2005, 400,000 cases of HNSCC were diagnosed worldwide. The most frequently affected site is the oral cavity. Alcohol/tobacco consumption is the most important risk factor for this neoplasia; nevertheless, since 1983 it has been suggested that human papilloma viruses (HPV) have a role in HNSCC, mainly in the oropharynx (level 1 evidence). We undertook this study to determine HPV prevalence and types in patients with HNSCC. METHODS: Presence of HPV was determined by polymerase chain reaction and staged by in situ hybridization. We analyzed stage, tumor site of origin, sexual practices, and alcohol/tobacco consumption. Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. We performed a multiple regression analysis for adjustment of variables. RESULTS: There were 118 patients were HPV positive and oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients were the most frequently affected (55% and 50%, respectively). HPV-16 was most frequently isolated (70%). Laryngeal cancer patients suffered the highest ratio of HPV-16 infection (68.7%). Factors associated with HPV (univariate analysis) were age >50 years, tobacco/alcohol consumption and male gender. In multivariate analysis, none of the variables showed importance (p >0.5); HPV infection was more frequent in patients with history of alcohol/tobacco consumption (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: There was HPV presence in 42% of HNSCC patients, HPV-16 in 70%, with the oropharynx and larynx being the most affected sites. No variables are associated with the virus presence. HPV is a co-factor in HNSCC etiology.

The risk of developing cervical cancer in Mexican women is associated to CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of two CYP1A1 polymorphisms (Msp1 and exon 7) with cervical cancer in Mexican women considering their smoking habit. The polymorphisms were determined in 310 individuals (155 with cervical cancer and 155 healthy controls). Women with MspI T/C or C/C showed increased risk of developing cervical cancer (3.7- and 8.3-fold increase, respectively) compared to women with T/T genotype. When smoking habit was considered, the risk for non-smokers with T/C and C/C genotypes was similar (5.2 and 4.1, respectively), whereas smoking women with C/C genotype showed a 19.4-fold increase of cervical cancer. Number of child births, number of sexual partners and marital status were strong risk factors for developing cervical cancer in women with T/T genotype; however, in women with T/C genotype, only the number of child births and sexual partners had a significant influence. These results suggest an important role of the CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism in the risk of developing cervical cancer.

[Motives for abandoning the healthcare process for precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix]. / Motivos de abandono en el proceso de atención médica de lesiones precursoras de cáncer cervicouterino.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with medical care abandon of women with CIN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nested case-control study in a cohort was done. Patients referred to clinical Dysplasia of Gyneco-Obstetrician Services in third level Hospitals were considered. CASES: Patients who abandoned medical care. CONTROLS: women who attend their medical appointments during follow-up. All subjects underwent structured interviews focused on social, clinical and health services factors in two different times, applied at the beginning of study and the end of follow-up. Clinical records were reviewed to obtain clinical information. ANALYSIS: Descriptive and inferential statistical was done. Non conditional Logistic Regression analysis was done to obtain adjusted association. RESULTS: Abandon cumulative incidence rate was 108/525 = 20.7% (I.C. 95% = 17.2-24.3); 60.2% happened in diagnosis phase, 17.7% ocured during therapeutic phase and 23.1% happened in surveillance phase. We studied 108 cases and 417 controls to analysis. Next adjusted risk factors were obtained: Afraid to death (ORa = 4.2, IC.95% = 1.8-9.5), long appointments (ORa = 6.6, I.C.95% = 3.4-13.0), lack of privacity (ORa = 12.5, I.C.95% = 2.6-59.8), reject to treatment (ORa = 40.4, I.C.95% = 2.1-785.4), lack of information (ORa = 41.9, I.C.95% =14.2-124.1) and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patient perception, access and barriers in health services were the most important factors associated with medical care abandon.

Distribution of HPV16 and 18 intratypic variants in normal cytology, intraepithelial lesions, and cervical cancer in a Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE: Several intratype variants of HPV16 and 18 have been identified. These variants are associated with populations from different geographic regions, and show a differential distribution among the severity of the cervical lesion, most likely due to different pathogenic potential. The objective of this study was to investigate the variant distribution of HPV16 and 18 in a Mexican population and its association with the severity of the cervical lesion and the histological lineage of cervical cancer. METHODS: HPV types 16 and 18 detection was performed in 412 samples of preinvasive and invasive specimens from patients attending a Primary Health-Care Center, an Early Cervical Lesion Clinic, or a Cancer Center. Distribution of HPV variants was correlated with the cytological findings and tumor cell types using contingency tables. Statistical difference was tested with the Fisher's Exact Test or its Fisher-Freeman-Halton extension for RXC tables. Alpha value was set at the P < 0.05. RESULTS: Among the 277 women included in this study without cancer, 63.5% (176 cases) had a normal cytology; from the remaining 101 women, 53.5% were LSIL (54 cases), and 46.5% HSIL (47 cases). From a total of 135 invasive carcinomas, 78.5% were squamous (106 cases); 6.6% adenocarcinoma (9 cases); 9.6% adenosquamous (ADSC) (13 cases); and 5.1% were undifferentiated carcinoma (7 cases). HPV16 E and AA-a were evenly distributed among preinvasive and invasive lesions. However, the isolate AA-c was exclusively found in cervical cancer. HPV18 Var-1(E) was almost exclusively found in invasive lesions, while the HPV18 Var-2(Af) predominated in normal or preinvasive lesions. In invasive cancer, this variant was found only in squamous tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The differential distribution of HPV16 and 18 variants in cervical lesions we found further supports experimental data on the different pathogenic potential of HPV16 and 18 variants for cervical cancer development.

The number of sentinel nodes identified as prognostic factor in oral epidermoid cancer.

In patients with oral cavity epidermoid cancer without palpable nodes, the standard cervical treatment is supraomohyoid dissection; nevertheless, lymphatic mapping with sentinel node (SN) biopsy has been useful and allows the identification of a group of patients where neck dissection may be prevented. The objective of this study was to examine which factors diagnose the possibility of metastasis in SN. A non-randomized prospective study was performed during a two year period and included patients with T1-2, N0 oral cavity cancer >4 mm thick, SN was identified by blue dye and Rhenium colloid. All patients underwent pre-operatory lymphogammagraphy and elective-selective neck dissection. Age, gender, tumor site, T, tumor thickness and number of sentinel nodes found were evaluated. In 48 patients, at least one sentinel node was found, 2 per patient on average. 10.4% showed drainage outside the supraomohyoid region, 13/48 had nodular metastasis, 4 with negative SN(8.3%). T, location, thickness and number of SN are related to non-SN metastasis. Identification of 3SN or more was related to the possibility of SN metastasis p=0 (RR 10.1, I. C. 95% 1.1 91.2). The combined technique (dye-colloid) offers a high index of success in the identification of SN in patients with oral cavity cancer, while lymphogammagraphy identifies patients with anatomically unexpected drainage. Patients with T1 less than 2cm, not located on the tongue with thickness <5 mm and more than 2 SN were less likely to have metastasis in non-sentinel nodes. The identification of at least 3 sentinel nodes decreases the possibility of identifying patients with hidden metastasis (p=0.04).

[Thyroidectomy associated with laryngectomy in laryngeal cancer treatment. Is it routinely necessary?]. / Tiroidectomía asociada a laringectomía en el tratamiento del cáncer laríngeo, ¿es necesario efectuaria rutinariamente?

INTRODUCTION: In patients with laryngeal invasive epidermoid carcinoma who are candidates for total laryngectomy, it is recommended to resect en bloc at least half of the thyroid gland on the same side as the laryngeal tumor with the objective of decreasing local recurrence associated with thyroid infiltration. Nevertheless, in the histopathologic analysis of the specimen, a minority of thyroid glands show tumor infiltration. The fact that in these patients even partial thyroid resection is associated with hypothyroidism increased by postoperative radiotherapy is well known. The study was undertaken to determine the frequency of thyroid gland invasion in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy due to laryngeal cancer and its associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated the histological results of glands resected en bloc with laryngectomy in patients who underwent total laryngectomy due to laryngeal cancer; the clinical stage was compared to the laryngeal subsite tumor origin. The glandular histological condition was compared to the local recurrence presence (peristomal). RESULTS: Ninety two patients were included, 11 (12%) showed glandular infiltration due to epidermoid carcinoma, all with tumors clinically typified as T3 and T4, 8/11 were transglottic and only 3 (27%) showed subglottic invasion. During follow-up (5-year mean) 17/92 showed peristomal recurrence (18%), only 3 (3%) showed thyroid invasion. Among patients with glandular invasion the peristoma recurrence rate was 27% (3/11). DISCUSSION: The best laryngeal cancer thyroid tumor invasion predictor is the evidence of extralaryngeal extension. Thyroid resection en bloc should not be routinely advised due to the low frequency of glandular infiltration.