Ingreso en cuidados intensivos por un traumatismo relacionado con el consumo de alcohol o drogas, un «momento propicio de enseñanza» para el inicio del cambio / Admission to Intensive Care for a trauma related to alcohol or drugs, a 'teachable moment' for the beginning of a change

Objetivos: Estimar cuántos de los pacientes ingresados en la UCI por un traumatismo serían candidatos a un programa de prevención secundaria por traumatismos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol y drogas mediante intervención motivacional breve y establecer qué factores impiden la realización de esta intervención. Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio todos los pacientes de entre 16 a 70 años (n = 242) ingresados en la UCI por lesiones traumáticas en 32 meses no consecutivos (de noviembre de 2011 a marzo de 2015), coincidiendo con la implantación de un programa de cribado e intervención motivacional breve para traumatizados relacionados con el consumo de sustancias. El programa incluye el cribado de exposición a sustancias en el ingreso. Se recogieron prospectivamente variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Resultados: Del total de pacientes ingresados, a 38 (15,7%) no se les realizó la determinación a sustancias. Dieron resultado negativo 101 (49,5%) de los pacientes analizados. Las variables que en mayor proporción impedían la intervención entre los positivos fueron las secuelas neurológicas debidas al traumatismo (23 pacientes; 37,1%) y el trastorno psiquiátrico previo (18 pacientes; 29%). Ambas variables aparecieron asociadas al consumo: 9,9% negativos vs 22,3% positivos (p = 0,001) y 3% negativos vs 17,5% positivos (p = 0,016), respectivamente. El número de pacientes candidatos a intervención motivacional fue de 41, el 16,9% del total de ingresados. Conclusiones: Casi 2 de cada 10 pacientes fueron potenciales candidatos a la intervención. Los factores que en mayor proporción la impedían entre los positivos fueron los que aparecieron asociados al consumo. La mortalidad en la UCI se asoció con el incumplimiento del protocolo de cribado

Objectives: To estimate how many of the trauma patients admitted to ICU would be candidates for a secondary prevention programme for trauma related to alcohol or drug use by brief motivational intervention and to define what factors prevent that intervention being performed. Methods: All 16-70 year old trauma patients (n = 242) admitted to ICU in 32 non-consecutive months (November 2011 to March 2015) were included in the study, coinciding with the implementation of a screening and brief motivational intervention programme for trauma patients related to substance consumption. The programme includes screening for exposure to substances at admission. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected prospectively. Results: The screening for substances was not performed in 38 (15.7%) of all admitted patients. Of the patients screened, 101 (49.5%) were negative. The variables that in greater proportion impeded intervention between screening positive patients were neurological damage due to the trauma with 23 patients (37.1%) and prior psychiatric disorder with 18 (29%). Both variables were associated with substance consumption: negatives 9.9% vs positive 22.3% (P = .001) and negatives 3% vs positive 17.5% (P = .016) respectively. The number of candidates for motivational intervention was 41, 16.9% of all admitted patients. Conclusions: Almost 2 out of 10 patients were potential candidates. The factors that in a greater proportion precluded the intervention were the same as those associated with consumption. Mortality in ICU was associated with non-compliance with the screening protocol

Admission to Intensive Care for a trauma related to alcohol or drugs, a 'teachable moment' for the beginning of a change. / Ingreso en cuidados intensivos por un traumatismo relacionado con el consumo de alcohol o drogas, un «momento propicio de enseñanza¼ para el inicio del cambio.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate how many of the trauma patients admitted to ICU would be candidates for a secondary prevention programme for trauma related to alcohol or drug use by brief motivational intervention and to define what factors prevent that intervention being performed. METHODS: All 16-70year old trauma patients (n=242) admitted to ICU in 32 non-consecutive months (November 2011 to March 2015) were included in the study, coinciding with the implementation of a screening and brief motivational intervention programme for trauma patients related to substance consumption. The programme includes screening for exposure to substances at admission. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The screening for substances was not performed in 38 (15.7%) of all admitted patients. Of the patients screened, 101 (49.5%) were negative. The variables that in greater proportion impeded intervention between screening positive patients were neurological damage due to the trauma with 23 patients (37.1%) and prior psychiatric disorder with 18 (29%). Both variables were associated with substance consumption: negatives 9.9% vs positive 22.3% (P=.001) and negatives 3% vs positive 17.5% (P=.016) respectively. The number of candidates for motivational intervention was 41, 16.9% of all admitted patients. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 2 out of 10 patients were potential candidates. The factors that in a greater proportion precluded the intervention were the same as those associated with consumption. Mortality in ICU was associated with non-compliance with the screening protocol.

[Association of age and sex with intensity of exposure to bicycle use in Spain, 1993-2009]. / Asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de la exposición al uso de la bicicleta en España, 1993-2009.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the association of age and sex with the intensity of exposure of cyclists in Spain, between 1993 and 2009, in a global way and for subtypes of use. METHODS: From the distribution of cyclists passively involved in collisions with other vehicles included in the register of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate between 1993 and 2009, we have estimated the increase in intensity of exposure by age groups and sex, for global exposure and for subtypes of exposure (e.g. riding with or without a helmet, or riding on an open road or in urban areas), using males aged 45-49 as a reference. RESULTS: Males have a greater exposure than females and this difference increases with age, although it has tended to decrease in recent years. In both sexes the exposure is greater in young people and goes down with age, while in males the excess in young people has disappeared in recent years. Regarding subtypes of use, female underexposure riding on an open road should be highlighted, as well as overexposure in both women and extreme age groups among non-helmet users. CONCLUSION: There is a close association of age and sex with the intensity of bicycle use, which changes depending on the type of use and the time period considered. Consequently, estimations of the effect of factors affecting the accident rate and the morbidity and mortality of cyclists in Spain have to be adjusted by the age and sex of the cyclist.

Asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de la exposición al uso de la bicicleta en España, 1993-2009 / Association of age and sex with intensity of exposure to bicycle use in Spain, 1993-2009

Fundamento: Estimar la asociación de la edad y el sexo con la intensidad de exposición de los ciclistas en España, entre 1993 y 2009, globalmente y para subtipos de uso. Métodos: A partir de la distribución de los ciclistas pasivamente implicados en colisiones con otros vehículos, incluidos en el registro de la Dirección General de Tráfic oentre 1993 y 2009, se ha estimado el incremento en la intensidad de exposición por grupos de edad y sexo para la exposición global y para subtipos de exposición (conducción con o sin casco, en carretera o en zona urbana), tomando como referencia los varones de 45-49 años. Resultados. Los varones presentan una mayor exposición que las mujeres, diferencias que aumentan con la edad, aunque tienden a reducirse en años más recientes. En ambos sexos la exposición es mayor en jóvenes y desciende con la edad, si bien en los varones el exceso en los jóvenes desaparece en los últimos años. Por subtipos de uso, destaca la menor exposición de las mujeres en la conducción en carretera, así como la mayor exposición, en las mujeres y en los grupos de edad extremos, entre los no usuarios de casco. Conclusión: Existe una estrecha asociación entre el sexo y la edad con la intensidad de uso de la bicicleta, que cambia en función del tipo de uso y del período considerado. En consecuencia, las estimaciones del efecto de los factores que inciden sobre la accidentalidad y la morbi-mortalidad de los ciclistas en España deben ser ajustadas por la edad y el sexo del ciclista (AU)

Background: To estimate the association of age and sex with the intensity of exposure of cyclists in Spain, between 1993 and 2009, in a global way and for subtypes of use. Methods: From the distribution of cyclists passively involved in collisions with other vehicles included in the register of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate between 1993 and 2009, we have estimated the increase in intensity of exposure by age groups and sex, for global exposure and for subtypes of exposure (e.g. riding with or without a helmet, or riding on an open road or in urban areas), using males aged 45-49 as a reference. Results: Males have a greater exposure than females and this difference increases with age, although it has tended to decrease in recent years. In both sexes the exposure is greater in young people and goes down with age, while in males the excess in young people has disappeared in recent years. Regarding subtypes of use, female underexposure riding on an open road should be highlighted, as well as overexposure in both women and extreme age groups among non-helmet users. Conclusion: There is a close association of age and sex with the intensity of bicycle use, which changes depending on the type of use and the time period considered. Consequently, estimations of the effect of factors affecting the accident rate and the morbidity and mortality of cyclists in Spain have to be adjusted by the age and sex of the cyclist (AU)

Modificación del consumo de tabaco durante el embarazo: incidencia y factores asociados / No disponible

Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de abandono y reducción del hábito tabáquico durante la gestación, así como los factores asociados con ésta. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una cohorte de445 embarazadas sanas, fumadoras al inicio del embarazo, atendidas en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Virgen de las Nieves de Granada. Se recogió información acerca del consumo de tabaco, antecedentes obstétricos y variables sociodemográficas. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron modelos de regresiónmúltiple. Resultados: El 51,5% de las fumadoras continuó fumando durante el embarazo. La frecuencia de abandono fue menor en mujeres que fumaban más de1 paquete al día (odds ratio [OR] = 0,02, intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 0,01-0,04) y en las mujeres con 1 hijo (OR = 0,49; IC del 95%, 0,28-0,86) o más hijos anteriores (OR = 0,34; IC del 95%, 0,16-0,73).Conclusión: Es posible identificar grupos de embarazadas con menor probabilidad de abandono o reducción del hábito tabáquico en las que se deberían intensificar las estrategias de intervención en este sentido (AU)

Objective: To determine the incidence of smoking cessation and reduced smoking during pregnancy and to identify associated factors. Methods: A cohort of 445 healthy, pregnant women smokers at the beginning of their pregnancies and followed-up at the maternity hospital Virgen de las Nieves(Granada, Spain) was retrospectively studied. Data on their use of tobacco and alcohol before and during pregnancy, as well as obstetric and sociodemographic variables, were collected. Data were evaluated through multiple regression models. Results: A total of 51.5% of all women smoking at the beginning of pregnancy continued to smoke. Smoking cessation was lower among women who smoked more than on pack per day before conceiving (OR =0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.04) and in those with one previous child (OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28-0.86) or more(OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.73).Conclusion: Groups of expectant mothers with a lower probability of smoking cessation or reduction can be identified. In these women, intervention strategies should be intensified (AU)

[Do we agree on the technical quality of our chest X-rays? A radiologist, an expert in X-ray diagnosis, and a family doctor try to find out]. / 'Estamos de acuerdo con la calidad técnica de nuestras radiografías de tórax? Un radiólogo, un técnico especialista en radiodiagnóstico y un médico de familia intentan corroborarlo.

OBJECTIVE: To appraise the degree of concordance in the interpretation of the technical quality of chest x-rays at a health centre between an expert in x-ray diagnosis, a family doctor, and a radiologist. DESIGN: Transversal study. Setting. Primary care. Cartuja Health Centre, Granada, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Patients at the Cartuja Health Centre who had a simple chest x-ray in 2002. 150 studies were chosen by simple randomised sampling. Two were rejected because they dealt with a repeat examination of the same patient and seven because they did not reach minimum quality. The final sample was 141 x-rays. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The observers filled in independently, for each examination, an 11-item protocol on the technical quality of the images. The kappa index between pairs of observers was calculated for each item, as was the overall kappa index. RESULTS: 96% of the examinations were conducted with large x-ray plates (3543). There was only acceptable or good concordance between the 3 observers in 2 questions (kappa, 0.559-0.858). In 5 questions concordance was homogeneously low (kappa, 0.034-0.375). In some questions there was a strong discrepancy between the appraisal of the expert and that of the 2 other observers. CONCLUSIONS: General concordance can be considered low, although it is somewhat greater between the radiologist and the family doctor than between either of these and the expert. This poses the need to improve professional training in evaluation of the technical quality of images. In addition, there was unnecessary expense in large-size x-ray plates.

¿Estamos de acuerdo con la calidad técnica de nuestras radiografías de tórax? Un radiólogo, un técnico especialista en radiodiagnóstico y un médico de familia intentan corroborarlo / Do we agree on the technical quality of our chest X-ray? A radiologist, an expert in X-ray diagnosis, and a family doctor try to find out

Objetivo. Valorar el grado de concordancia en la interpretación de la calidad técnica de las radiografías de tórax de un centro de salud entre el técnico especialista en radiodiagnóstico (TER), el médico de familia y el radiólogo. Diseño. Estudio transversal. Emplazamiento. Atención primaria. Centro de Salud de Cartuja en Granada. Participantes. Pacientes del Centro de Salud de Cartuja con estudio radiológico simple de tórax durante 2002. Mediante muestreo aleatorio simple se seleccionaron 150 estudios. Se rechazaron 2 por tratarse de exploraciones repetidas del mismo paciente y 7 porque no presentaban una calidad mínima. La muestra final fue de 141 exploraciones. Mediciones principales. Los observadores cumplimentaron independientemente, para cada exploración, un protocolo de 11 ítems sobre calidad técnica de la imagen. Para cada ítem se calculó el índice kappa entre parejas de observadores, así como el índice kappa global. Resultados. El 96% de las exploraciones fue realizado con placas radiográficas de gran tamaño (35 x 43). Sólo en 2 preguntas hubo una concordancia aceptable o buena entre los 3 observadores (kappa = 0,559-0,858). En 5 preguntas, la concordancia fue homogéneamente baja (kappa = 0,034-0,375). En algunas preguntas se apreció una fuerte discrepancia entre la valoración del TER y la realizada por los otros 2 observadores. Conclusiones. La concordancia general puede considerarse baja, aunque algo mayor entre el radiólogo y el médico de familia que entre cada uno de éstos y el TER. Esto plantea la necesidad de mejorar la formación de los profesionales en cuanto a la valoración de la calidad técnica de las imágenes. Además, se detecta un gasto innecesario de placas radiográficas de gran tamaño

Objective. To appraise the degree of concordance in the interpretation of the technical quality of chest x-rays at a health centre between an expert in x-ray diagnosis, a family doctor, and a radiologist. Design. Transversal study. Setting. Primary care. Cartuja Health Centre, Granada, Spain. Participants. Patients at the Cartuja Health Centre who had a simple chest x-ray in 2002. 150 studies were chosen by simple randomised sampling. Two were rejected because they dealt with a repeat examination of the same patient and seven because they did not reach minimum quality. The final sample was 141 x-rays. Main measurements. The observers filled in independently, for each examination, an 11-item protocol on the technical quality of the images. The kappa index between pairs of observers was calculated for each item, as was the overall kappa index. Results. 96% of the examinations were conducted with large x-ray plates (35 x 43). There was only acceptable or good concordance between the 3 observers in 2 questions (kappa, 0.559-0.858). In 5 questions concordance was homogeneously low (kappa, 0.034-0.375). In some questions there was a strong discrepancy between the appraisal of the expert and that of the 2 other observers. Conclusions. General concordance can be considered low, although it is somewhat greater between the radiologist and the family doctor than between either of these and the expert. This poses the need to improve professional training in evaluation of the technical quality of images. In addition, there was unnecessary expense in large-size x-ray plates

Driver dependent factors and the risk of causing a collision for two wheeled motor vehicles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of driver dependent factors on the risk of causing a collision for two wheeled motor vehicles (TWMVs). DESIGN: Case control study. SETTING: Spain, from 1993 to 2002. SUBJECTS: All drivers of TWMVs involved in the 181 551 collisions between two vehicles recorded in the Spanish registry which did not involve pedestrians, and in which at least one of the vehicles was a TWMV and only one driver had committed a driving infraction. The infractor and non-infractor drivers constituted the case and control groups, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logistic regression analyses were used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratio estimates for each of the driver related factors recorded in the registry (age, sex, nationality, psychophysical factors, and speeding infractions, among others). RESULTS: Inappropriate speed was the variable with the greatest influence on the risk of causing a collision, followed by excessive speed and driving under the influence of alcohol. Younger and older drivers, foreign drivers, and driving without a valid license were also associated with a higher risk of causing a collision. In contrast, helmet use, female sex, and longer time in possession of a driving license were associated with a lower risk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the main driver dependent factors related to the risk of causing a collision for a TWMV were similar to those documented for four wheeled vehicles, several differences in the pattern of associations support the need to study moped and motorcycle crashes separately from crashes involving other types of vehicles.

Risk compensation theory and voluntary helmet use by cyclists in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain empirical data that might support or refute the existence of a risk compensation mechanism in connection with voluntary helmet use by Spanish cyclists. DESIGN: A retrospective case series. SETTING: Spain, from 1990 to 1999. SUBJECTS: All 22 814 cyclists involved in traffic crashes with victims, recorded in the Spanish Register of Traffic Crashes with Victims, for whom information regarding helmet use was available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Crude and adjusted odds ratios for the relation between committing a traffic violation and using a helmet. RESULTS: Fifty four percent of the cyclists committed a traffic violation other than a speeding infraction. Committing a traffic violation was associated with a lower frequency of helmet use (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.69). Cycling at excessive or dangerous speed, a violation observed in 4.5% of the sample, was not significantly associated with helmet use either alone (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.61) or in combination with any other violation (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the subgroup of cyclists with a higher risk of suffering a traffic crash are also those in which the health consequences of the crash will probably be higher. Although the findings do not support the existence of a strong risk compensation mechanism among helmeted cyclists, this possibility cannot be ruled out.

Influence of driver nationality on the risk of causing vehicle collisions in Spain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between driver nationality and the risk of causing a collision between vehicles in motion. DESIGN: Retrospective, matched by collision, case-control study. SETTING: Collisions that occurred in Spain during the period from 1990 to 1999 were studied. PARTICIPANTS: Responsible (case) and non-responsible (control) drivers identified in the databases of the Dirección General de Tráfico (General Traffic Directorate) who were involved in a collisions between two or more four wheeled vehicles in motion, in which only one of the drivers had committed a traffic violation. MAIN RESULTS: Crude odds ratios (ORs) for the effect of driver nationality on the risk of causing a collision were significantly higher for foreign drivers than for Spanish drivers, and ranged from a minimum of 1.19 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.29) for Portuguese drivers to a maximum of 2.06 (1.88 to 2.27) for British drivers. Corresponding adjusted ORs were slightly lower, but were still significantly higher than 1 for all nationalities except Italian, Belgian, and American (USA). Adjusted ORs were usually higher for collisions that occurred in urban areas than on open roads. CONCLUSIONS: Authorities responsible for traffic safety, and drivers in general, should consider foreign drivers in Spain at particularly high risk for causing collisions, especially in urban areas.

[Risk factors for cryptorchidism]. / Factores de riesgo de criptorquidia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the main risk factors for cryptorchidism in southeast Spain, and their possible association with environmental factors. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, the target population consisted of babies born in the University of Granada Hospital (UGH) in Granada, Spain, between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1999, both inclusive. All boys from the target population aged 1 year or more diagnosed at the Pediatric Urology or Endocrinology Services of the UGH as having cryptorchidism (n = 70) were included, and a random sample of 144 baby boys born without cryptorchidism or any other related genitourinary abnormality or disease formed the control group. The mother's hospital record in the obstetrics clinic was checked to record information on potential risk factors, such as residence (specific health care district), parents' occupation, obstetric antecedents, diseases during pregnancy, gestational age at birth, birth weight and type of delivery. To search for associations between cryptorchidism and each of the variables we calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios with unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Low gestational age at birth (37 weeks) and cesarian section were significantly associated with cryptorchidism. We also found an association with residence of the mother in the Costa-Alpujarra health care district, but its magnitude decreased when the association was adjusted for the father's occupation in agriculture. This last factor was also associated with cryptorchidism, although the association was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with those of other studies, except for the absence of association between low birth weight and cryptorchidism. Geographic variations in our study population suggested that environmental factors possibly related with farm work are involved in cryptorchidism.

Factores de riesgo de criptorquidia / Risk factors for cryptorchidism

Objetivos: Identificar los principales factores de riesgo de criptorquidia en nuestro ámbito geográfico y la posible asociación de ésta con factores ambientales. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. La población diana estuvo constituida por los varones nacidos en el Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada entre el 1 de enero de 1992 y el 31 de diciembre de 1999.Se seleccionaron todos los casos (n = 70) diagnosticados decriptorquidia a partir del primer año de vida en las historias clínicas de urología y endocrinología pediátrica del hospital, así como una muestra de 144 controles sin esta enfermedad, ni ninguna otra genitourinaria relacionada. A partir de la historia obstétrica materna se recogió información sobre los potenciales factores de riesgo considerados: factores previos al embarazo (p. ej., lugar de residencia, profesión de los padres);factores del embarazo (p.ej., enfermedades y tratamiento hormonal durante la gestación); y factores del parto y neonatales(p. ej., tipo de parto, edad gestacional y peso del neonato).Para cada uno de ellos se calculó su odds ratio cruda (ORc) y ajustada (ORa) mediante regresión logística no condicionada. Resultados: La baja edad gestacional 37 (..) (AU)

Objectives: To identify the main risk factors for cryptorchidism in southeast Spain, and their possible association with environmental factors. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, the target population consisted of babies born in the University of Granada Hospital (UGH) in Granada, Spain, between 1 January1992 and 31 December 1999, both inclusive. All boys from the target population aged 1 year or more diagnosed at the Pediatric Urology or Endocrinology Services of the UGH as having cryptorchidism (n = 70) were included, and a random sample of 144 baby boys born without cryptorchidism or any other related genitourinary abnormality or disease formed the control group. The mother’s hospital record in the obstetrics clinic was checked to record information on potential risk factors, such as residence (specific health care district), parents’ occupation, obstetric antecedents, diseases during pregnancy, gestational age at birth, birth weight and type of delivery. To (..) (AU)

Application of the induced exposure method to compare risks of traffic crashes among different types of drivers under different environmental conditions.

The authors used the induced exposure method to compare risks of traffic crashes among different types of Spanish drivers under different environmental conditions. The authors analyzed traffic crashes recorded by the Spanish Dirección General de Tráfico for the years 1991 and 1992 to compare proportions of drivers in different age/sex categories who were involved in single-vehicle and multivehicle crashes under different psychological and physical conditions. Crash risk was 1.42- to 2.35-fold greater in men than in women, depending on driver category and environmental factors. Risk was also significantly higher in the 18- to 24-year-old age group (1.75- to 2.87-fold greater than in drivers aged 25-49 years) and under abnormal psychological-physical conditions (1.69- to 4.10-fold greater among drivers under the influence of alcohol). Twilight and night driving, driving in urban areas, and driving on weekends and legal holidays were also associated, though nonsignificantly, with a slightly higher traffic crash risk. These findings are consistent with earlier reports, and they support the usefulness of the induced exposure method as an easy and economical tool with which to analyze data contained in traffic crash records.

Proportion of hospital deaths potentially attributable to nosocomial infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the fraction of hospital deaths potentially associated with nosocomial infection (NI). DESIGN: A matched (1:1) case-control study. SETTING: An 800-bed, tertiary-care, teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients older than 14 years who were admitted to the hospital between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 1991, were eligible. All 524 consecutive deaths that occurred in the hospital comprised the case group. For each case, a control patient was matched for primary admission diagnosis and admission date. OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of hospital deaths potentially associated with NI was estimated from the population attributable risk (PAR) adjusted for age, gender, service, severity of illness, length of stay, and quality of the medical record. RESULTS: For stays longer than 48 hours, the PAR for all NIs was estimated to be 21.3% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 16.8%-30.5%). The greatest proportion of deaths potentially associated with NIs was observed in patients with only one infection (PAR, 15.0%; CI95, 10.9%-22.6%) and bacteremia or sepsis (PAR, 7.7%; CI95, 4.6%-11.6%). CONCLUSIONS: NIs are associated with a large proportion of intrahospital deaths. This information may help clinicians and healthcare managers to assess the impact of programs for the prevention and control of NIs on intrahospital death.

Predictive value of a screen for gestational diabetes mellitus: influence of associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for solid evidence of the relative advantages of universal vs. selective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus. Our study of a broad obstetric population determines the positive predictive value of the 50-g oral glucose challenge test for screening in the presence and absence of classical gestational diabetes risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out with a total of 2,574 pregnant women. Clinical information was obtained from hospital records and each patient's medical history, and gestational diabetes risk factors were quantified for each pregnant woman. The positive predictive value of a screen was determined with respect to the number of risk factors. RESULTS: Age 30 or over, family history of diabetes, obesity (BMI > or =27) and previous fetal macrosomia were established as the most frequent risk factors. Just over half (54.2%) of our population presented one or more risk factors. Screening covered 75% of the population, and was positive in 15% of the cases. Diagnosis was confirmed in 64 cases, 57 of them at risk, and seven with no risk factors. We obtained an overall positive predictive value of 21.8% (CI 17.3-27.0). This figure increases with the number of risk factors, from 12% for the women with no risk factors, to 40% for those presenting three or more risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: A selective screening program that takes into account the clinical background and characteristics of each pregnant woman allows a high yield of true positives while reducing the possible undesirable effects associated with false positives.

[Trends in traffic accident mortality in Spain, 1962-1994]. / Evolución de la mortalidad por accidentes de tráfico en España, 1962-1994.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolution of the traffic accident mortality rate in Spain from 1962 to 1994, and the role played by its four theoretical components: motorization index (vehicles/population), accidentability index (accidents/vehicles), harmfulness index (victims/accidents) and fatality index (deaths/victims). METHODS: Data from the National Population Census and the Bulletin of the Dirección General de Tráfico were collected to estimate the above mentioned indicators for all accidents and accidents in road and urban zones. Simple and multiple partial correlation coefficients among variables were calculated. Poisson regression models were also obtained. RESULTS: An increasing trend during the whole period was observed for the national traffic accident mortality rate, especially from 1982 to 1989 in the younger age groups, followed by a decrease since 1990. The aforementioned four components were significatively associated with the mortality rate. The strength of this association was especially high for the motorization index and for the harmfulness index when all accidents and road accidents were considered. For urban accidents, the fatality index rate is the component most strongly associated with mortality rate. The role played by the accidentability index in the magnitude of the mortality rate seems less important. CONCLUSIONS: The growing exposure rate to traffic accidents observed in Spain (measured by the motorization index) is not directly influenced by public heath strategies. Therefore, it seems advisable to emphasize the development of measures focused to control the other three components of traffic accident mortality rate, especially those related with harmfulness and fatality.

[Geographical variability in the severity of traffic accidents in Spain]. / Variabilidad geográfica de la gravedad de los accidentes de tráfico en España.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the geographical variability of the severity of traffic accidents in Spain, from 1985 to 1994, and to compare several severity indicators. METHODS: The mean values --from 1985 to 1994-- of the following indicators were obtained for each province: mortality index (deaths/accidents), harmfulness rate (victims/accidents), fatality rate (deaths/victims), motorization index (vehicles/inhabitants) and population density. Variability measures among provinces were obtained for each one. Provinces were then grouped in tertiles according to the magnitude of each indicator. Simple correlation coefficients among indicators were calculated. Poisson regression models were obtained, using severity indicators as the dependent variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Geographical variability was especially high for mortality index and fatality rate. For all severity indicators, lower values were found in provinces with the highest population densities and important metropolitan areas. Harmfulness and fatality rates play an independent role upon mortality index.

Evolución de la mortalidad por accidentes de tráfico en España, 1962-1994 / Trends in traffic accident mortality in Spain, 1962-1994

Objetivo: Estudiar la evolución de la tasa de mortalidad por accidentes de tráfico en España desde 1962 hasta 1994 y la capacidad explicativa que sobre ella tienen sus cuatro componentes teóricos: la motorización (vehículos/habitantes), la accidentabilidad (accidentes/vehículos), la lesividad (víctimas/accidentes), y la letalidad (defunciones/víctimas).Métodos: A partir de los Censos de la Población Española y de los Boletines de la Dirección General de Tráfico se han obtenido los datos necesarios para calcular las variables antes referidas, para todos los años del período en estudio, globales, en carretera y en zona urbana. Se han obtenido los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson simple y parcial entre cada indicador y la tasa de mortalidad, y se han aplicado modelos de regresión de Poisson. Resultados: La tasa de mortalidad poblacional muestra una tendencia ascendente durante el período estudiado, y destaca el fuerte incremento de sus valores entre 1982 y 1989, que afectó fundamentalmente a población joven, seguido de un descenso posterior. Los cuatro componentes antes citados se asocian positivamente con la magnitud de la tasa de mortalidad. En el análisis de correlación parcial destaca su asociación con los índices de motorización y de lesividad globales y en carretera, mientras que en zona urbana es la letalidad el factor más estrechamente asociado con ella. El papel de la accidentabilidad parece relativamente menor. Conclusiones: Ya que la tasa de exposición es creciente en nuestro país y escapa a una estrategia de control, es necesario potenciar las medidas que tiendan a disminuir los otros tres componentes de la mortalidad poblacional, específicamente las relacionadas con la lesividad y la letalidad (AU)