Changes in the quality of life of adults with an ostomy during the first year after surgery as part of the Best Practice Spotlight Organisation® Programme.

The aim was to analyse changes in the perceived quality of life of patients with an ostomy during the first year after surgery at two or three follow-ups. This is a prospective study of a cohort of 55 patients who were ostomised between June 2021 and September 2022 and cared for under the recommendations set out in the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario® best practice guideline Supporting Adults Who Anticipate or Live with an Ostomy as part of the Best Practice Spotlight Organisation® (BPSO®) programme. The Stoma Quality of Life tool was used. A univariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with a non-improvement in quality of life. Variables showing p < 0.1 were included in a multivariate model. Patients with an ostomy exhibited a moderate-to-good perception of quality of life in both the personal and social dimensions, with no worsening over the first year. Being female (OR = 10.32) and being younger (OR = 0.89) were associated with a higher risk of no improvement in quality of life. The most frequent complications were urinary leakage (p = 0.027) and dermatitis (p = 0.052) at first follow-up; and parastomal hernia (p = 0.009) and prolapse (p = 0.05) at third follow-up. However, they did not lead to a worsening of quality of life, suggesting that these patients were adequately supported under the BPSO® programme.

Nurses' evidence-based practice competence and hospital practice environment after specific training under the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® Programme. A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Barriers to implementing training strategies for the improvement of evidence-based practice competence of nurses in hospital practice environments still persist. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a specific training within the framework of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® programme, on nurses' evidence-based practice competence and the practice environment in two hospitals. DESIGN: This is a observational cross-sectional study assessing evidence-based practice competence and perceptions of Practice Environments. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample were 204 nurses working at medical and surgical inpatient units at two hospitals involved in the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® programme. METHODS: The study was conducted from February 2020 to May 2020. Three questionnaires were used to collect data: a sociodemographic/occupational questionnaire, a questionnaire exploring evidence-based practice skills, and a questionnaire exploring nurses' perceptions of their hospital practice environments. RESULTS: A total of 204 nurses participated. They were classified into two groups: those who had received specific training within the framework of the programme, called trained-champions (n = 66), and those who had not yet received training, control group (n = 138). The trained-champions exhibited better evidence-based practice competence values than the control group in all dimensions (p < 0.001), with a higher difference in means in the "Utilisation" dimension (-0.80; CI:-0.99,-0.60) and the "Knowledge" dimension (-0.63; CI:-0.88,-0.38). Trained-champions also had a more positive perception of the practice environments than the controls in all dimensions (p ≤ 0.001). The largest differences in means were in the "Participation" dimension (-0.48; CI:-0.66,-0.31) and in the "Leadership" dimension (-0.41; CI:-0.59,-0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Specific EBP training within the framework of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® programme has succeeded in nurses (trained-champions) obtaining better EBP competence than others without this training. This could have contributed to increase nurses' abilities to integrate evidence into decision making in their clinical practice, while positively influencing them to perceive their PEs more favorably.

Competencias autopercibidas en práctica basada en la evidencia de enfermeros clínico-docentes versus enfermeros clínicos / Self-perceived competences in evidence-based practice of clinical-teaching nurses versus clinical nurses

Objetivo: Comparar las competencias autopercibidas en práctica basada en evidencia (PBE) de enfermeras clínico-docentes (ECD) vs enfermeras clínicas (EC) para detectar áreas de mejora en formación práctica y/o pregrado. Método: Estudio transversal mediante cuestionario a las enfermeras de dos hospitales públicos de Castilla y León, recogido de febrero a mayo de 2020. Las variables de estudio fueron competencias en PBE —actitud, conocimientos, habilidades y utilización—, sociodemográficas, laborales, académicas, vinculación docente y formación en metodología de investigación y/o PBE. Se utilizó el cuestionario validado EBP-COQ prof© de 35 preguntas con respuestas tipo Likert (1: muy en desacuerdo; 5: muy de acuerdo). Se realizó análisis descriptivo y bivariante con SSPS v.24. Resultados: Se analizaron 171 cuestionarios. El 52% eran EC frente al 48% de ECD. No hubo diferencias significativas en ambos grupos respecto a las variables sociodemográficas. Las medias de edad fueron 43,6±9,9 y 42,9±8,5 para EC y ECD, respectivamente. La muestra total mostró una puntuación media de competencias en PBE de 3,54±1,00 (actitudes: 4,40±0,60; conocimientos: 3,08±0,94; habilidades: 3,57±0,66; utilización: 3,36±0,75). Las ECD obtuvieron puntuaciones medias más altas en la dimensión conocimientos, frente a las EC (p=0,02) y la muestra total (p=0,02). No hubo diferencias significativas en otras dimensiones. Conclusiones: Las ECD han mostrado mejores competencias en PBE solo en la dimensión conocimientos frente a las EC. Dada la responsabilidad que soportan sería deseable diseñar estrategias de gestión para mejorar actitudes, habilidades y utilización en PBE, ya que actúan como modelos profesionales para estudiantes y mentores de pares.(AU)

Aim: To compare the evidence-based practice (EBP) self-perceived competences of clinical teacher nurses (CTN) versus clinical nurses (CN) to detect areas for improvement in practical training. Method: A cross-sectional study by means of a self-assessment questionnaire sent to nurses of two public hospitals of Castilla y León was performed, between February to May 2020. Variables included competences in evidence based practice (EBP) — attitude, knowledge, skills and use —, sociodemographic, job, academic, teaching relations and training in investigation methodology and/or EBP. A validated questionnaire EBP-COQ prof© of 35 questions with answers type Likert (1, very disagree; 5, very agree) was used. Data analysis (descriptive and bivariate) was performed by means SPSS v.24 program. Results: 171 questionnaires were answered by nurses. CN 52%, CTN 48%. There were no significant differences between both groups regarding sociodemographic variables. Mean age was 43.6±9.9 and 42.9±8.5 for CN and CTN, respectively. Total sample showed a mean EBP competency score of 3.54±1.00 (attitudes: 4.40±0.60; knowledge: 3.08±0.94; skills: 3.57±0.66; utilization: 3.36±0.75). The CTN group obtained higher mean scores in knowledge dimension, compared with CN (P=.02) and with total sample (P=.02). There were no significant differences in other dimensions. Conclusion: CTN showed better self-perceived competences scores only in the knowledge dimension compared with CN. Taking in account the level of responsibility they support in their daily practice, it would be advisable to design management strategies in order to improve attitudes, skills and utilize EBP, acting as professional role models for students and peer mentors.(AU)

Self-perceived competences in evidence-based practice of clinical-teaching nurses versus clinical nurses.

AIM: To compare the evidence-based practice (EBP) self-perceived competences of clinical teacher nurses (CTN) versus clinical nurses (CN) to detect areas for improvement in practical training. METHOD: A cross-sectional study by means of a self-assessment questionnaire sent to nurses of two public hospitals of Castilla y León was performed, between February to May 2020. Variables included competences in evidence based practice (EBP) - attitude, knowledge, skills and use-, sociodemographic, job, academic, teaching relations and training in investigation methodology and/or EBP. A validated questionnaire EBP-COQ prof© of 35 questions with answers type Likert (1, very disagree-5, very agree) was used. Data analysis (descriptive and bivariate) was performed by means SPSS v.24 program. RESULTS: 171 questionnaires were answered by nurses. CN 52%, CTN 48%. There were no significant differences between both groups regarding sociodemographic variables. Mean age was 43.6 ±â€¯9.9 and 42.9 ±â€¯8.5 for CN and CTN, respectively. Total sample showed a mean EBP competency score of 3.54 ±â€¯1.00 (attitudes: 4.40 ±â€¯0.60; knowledge: 3.08 ±â€¯0.94; skills: 3.57 ±â€¯0.66; utilization: 3.36 ±â€¯0.75). The CTN group obtained higher mean scores in knowledge dimension, compared with CN (P = .02) and with total sample (P = .02). There were no significant differences in other dimensions. CONCLUSION: CTN showed better self-perceived competences scores only in the knowledge dimension compared with CN. Taking in account the level of responsibility they support in their daily practice, it would be advisable to design management strategies in order to improve attitudes, skills and utilize EBP, acting as professional role models for students and peer mentors.

The influence of preoperative anxiety on postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery represent a challenge in terms of pain management due to multiple factors relating to the patients and to the procedure itself. Our aim was to identify the influence of levels of preoperative anxiety on postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and explore associations between preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, and sex. We present a prospective cohort study of 116 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between January and April 2020. Preoperative anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the amount of morphine needed to keep pain intensity below 4 on the verbal numerical rating scale was recorded for 48 h post-surgery. Given the extracorporeal circulation time, type of surgery and body surface, it was observed that every percentile increase in preoperative state anxiety led to an extra 0.068 mg of morphine being administered. For each extra year of age, the amount of morphine needed decreased by 0.26 mg, no difference was observed between men and women in terms of preoperative anxiety or postoperative analgesics requirements. It may be concluded that in cardiac surgery, postoperative analgesic requirements increased with higher levels of preoperative state anxiety and decreased for every extra year of age.

Auditing completion of nursing records as an outcome indicator for identifying patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers, falling, and social vulnerability: An observational study.

AIM: To evaluate the completion of nursing records through scheduled audits to analyse risk outcome indicators. BACKGROUND: Nursing records support clinical decision-making and encourage continuity of care, hence the importance of auditing their completion in order to take corrective action where necessary. METHOD: This was an observational descriptive study carried out from February to November 2020 with a sample of 1131 electronic health records belonging to patients admitted to COVID-19 hospital units during three observation periods: pre-pandemic, first wave, and second wave. RESULTS: A significant reduction in nursing record completion rates was observed between pre-pandemic period and first and second waves: Braden scale 40.97%, 28.02%, and 30.99%; Downton scale: 43.74%, 22.34%, and 33.91%; Gijón scale: 40.12%, 26.23%, and 33.64% (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the number of records completed between the first and second waves following the measures adopted after the quality audit. CONCLUSIONS: The use of scheduled audits of nursing records as quality indicators facilitated the detection of areas for improvement, allowing timely corrective actions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Support from nursing managers at health care facilities to implement quality assessment programmes encompassing audits of clinical record completion will encourage the adoption of measures for corrective action.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Levels of Adherence to the Completion of Nursing Records for Inpatients in Isolation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased workload for nurses and organisational and structural changes, which have been necessary to meet the needs of inpatients in isolation. AIM: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of adherence to the completion of nursing records that document the risk of developing pressure ulcers, falling, and social vulnerability among hospitalised patients in isolation. METHODS: Observational pre-post comparison study. Comparison between nursing records (the Braden, Downton, and Gijón scales) belonging to 1205 inpatients took place in two phases. Phase 1: 568 patients admitted in February 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vs. phase 2: 637 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in March-April 2020, during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. This research adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies. RESULTS: The degree of completion of the Braden, Downton, and Gijón scales decreased significantly in phase 2 vs. phase 1 (p < 0.001). The mean Downton and Gijón scale scores for patients admitted in phase 1 were higher compared to those of patients admitted in phase 2 (p < 0.001). The mean Braden scale score in phase 2 was higher than in phase 1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the completion of nursing records in the clinical records of patients in isolation. The levels of risk of developing PUs, falling, and social vulnerability of patients admitted to hospital were lower during the first wave of the pandemic.

Development of critical thinking skills of undergraduate students throughout the 4 years of nursing degree at a public university in Spain: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the critical thinking skills of students enrolled in the four academic years of the nursing degree at a public university belonging to the European Higher Education Area. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study. Using the Critical Thinking Questionnaire to analyse the critical thinking skills in their substantive and dialogic dimension. SETTING: Faculty of Nursing, Valladolid Public University in Spain, belonging to the European Higher Education Area. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 215 first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year undergraduate nursing students. MAIN OUTCOMES: The students of the four academic years were positively disposed towards critical thinking. The students of the final courses obtained higher average scores. RESULTS: The study sample was 215 students, 19.1% men/80.9% women. The average score in the substantive dimension (3.81±0.53 points) was higher than that in the dialogic dimension (3.48±0.51 points) (p<0.001). They had a greater ability in listening and speaking (3.77±0.61 points) with respect to writing (3.65±0.61 points) and reading (3.52±0.43 points) (p<0.001). There are significant differences in the critical thinking average scores across academic years. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students displayed a greater critical thinking ability in its substantive dimension compared with the dialogic one. This reflects a greater ability in actions related to provide reasons and evidence that support their point of view. Identifying critical thinking skills in nursing students will help establish specific teaching methodologies focused on improving these skills.

Factors Relating to Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Management in Inpatients.

PURPOSE: To describe factors associated with nurses' attitudes or lack of knowledge regarding pain management in adult inpatients. DESIGN: Transverse descriptive survey-based study. METHODS: This was a transverse descriptive survey-based study. The population was obtained through nonprobabilistic convenience sampling. The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was made available to 470 nurses at a tertiary level hospital. Associations were sought with the unit where assigned, years of experience, specific training on pain, and postgraduate education. RESULTS: The sample included 134 nurses with a mean age of 41.6 ± 10.8 years; 87% were women, 64% worked rotating shifts, 64% had more than 10 years of experience, and 31% had specific training in pain management. The greatest number of correct responses was obtained from nurses with specific training in pain management (p = .001) and nurses who worked in units of surgical hospitalization (p = .004). The lack of training was associated with a deficit in knowledge and inadequate attitudes about pain management. In nurses with less than 10 years of experience, worse results were observed in knowledge, whereas the unit of work was decisive in the results about attitude (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the nurses surveyed, some knowledge gaps were detected, as were certain inappropriate attitudes, associated with lack of training, lack of experience, and being assigned to specific hospitalization units.

Prevalencia, manejo y registro del dolor en unidades de Medicina Interna / Prevalence, pain management and registration in Internal Medicine units

OBJETIVO: Analizar la prevalencia y el manejo de los episodios de dolor, su evaluación y registro en unidades de hospitalización de Medicina Interna en un hospital público de tercer nivel del Servicio Regional de Salud de Castilla y León. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo transversal sobre los pacientes ingresados en unidades de Medicina Interna. La prevalencia del dolor se detectó mediante el cuestionario Brief Pain Inventory. La gestión de los episodios se analizó mediante su registro en la historia clínica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 83 pacientes, el 73,5% manifestaron dolor y el 67,2% desconocían su pauta analgésica. Se identificaron más episodios de dolor en el caso de las mujeres (p = 0,006) con respecto a los hombres. La administración farmacológica se registró en todos los casos, el episodio de dolor dentro del evolutivo de la enfermera se registró en el 29,5% y en ningún caso se registró intensidad o grado de alivio con la Escala Visual Analógica, en la gráfica de constantes. CONCLUSIONES: Se ha evidenciado una alta prevalencia de dolor en los pacientes hospitalizados y una deficiencia en la gestión de los episodios de dolor por parte de las enfermeras, tanto en la evaluación como en el registro. Ello implica la necesidad de protocolizar el control del dolor implementando buenas prácticas basadas en la evidencia y dotar a las enfermeras de los medios y el apoyo necesario para poder realizar un manejo adecuado del dolor

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and management of pain episodes, their evaluation and recording in internal medicine hospitalization units in a third level public hospital of the regional health service of Castilla y León. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population comprised patients hospitalized in internal medicine units. Pain prevalence was detected by the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire. The management of pain episodes was analyzed as recorded in the clinical records. RESULTS: 83 patients were included, 73.5% of them reported pain and 67.2% did not know their analgesia regimen. More episodes of pain were identified in the women (P=.006) than in the men. The pharmacological administration was recorded in all cases; however, nurses recorded the episode in the clinical history of 29.5% of the patients. In no case, was the pain intensity or degree of relief recorded using the visual analogical scale. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of a high prevalence of pain in hospitalized patients and deficiencies in the management of pain episodes by nurses, both in evaluation and recording. This implies the need for pain control protocols and the implementation of evidence-based best practice guidelines to provide nurses with the means and support for adequate pain management

Prevalence, pain management and registration in Internal Medicine units. / Prevalencia, manejo y registro del dolor en unidades de Medicina Interna.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and management of pain episodes, their evaluation and recording in internal medicine hospitalization units in a third level public hospital of the regional health service of Castilla y León. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population comprised patients hospitalized in internal medicine units. Pain prevalence was detected by the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire. The management of pain episodes was analyzed as recorded in the clinical records. RESULTS: 83 patients were included, 73.5% of them reported pain and 67.2% did not know their analgesia regimen. More episodes of pain were identified in the women (P=.006) than in the men. The pharmacological administration was recorded in all cases; however, nurses recorded the episode in the clinical history of 29.5% of the patients. In no case, was the pain intensity or degree of relief recorded using the visual analogical scale. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of a high prevalence of pain in hospitalized patients and deficiencies in the management of pain episodes by nurses, both in evaluation and recording. This implies the need for pain control protocols and the implementation of evidence-based best practice guidelines to provide nurses with the means and support for adequate pain management.

Impact of Nursing Methodology Training Sessions on Completion of the Virginia Henderson Assessment Record.

The Virginia Henderson model, integrated in the computer application GACELA Care, helps to standardise the nursing assessment and establish precise and personalised nursing diagnoses. The aim was to determine the extent of completion of the initial patient assessment record after nurses following a training programme on nursing methodology. A quasi-experimental, retrospective, randomised, observational, single-group study was performed in two stages: pre-training and post-training. Voluntary training sessions were held for the nurses that work with GACELA Care. The completion of the initial patient assessment using the needs of Virginia Henderson and the Norton scale was evaluated before and after the training sessions. Completion of the needs of Virginia Henderson in the initial patient assessment increased from 94.2% to 100% (p = 0.014). Completion of "hygiene/skin" increased significantly from 83.3% to 95.8% (pre-training and post-training, respectively). The remaining needs did not show statistical significance. Recording of the Norton scale increased from 63.13% to 92.5% (p < 0.001). The training sessions on nursing methodology have improved the completion of records and inclusion of normal characteristics, defining characteristics and risk factors, and improving pressure ulcer risk assessment through the Norton scale.

The impact of an educational intervention on nursing students' critical thinking skills: A quasi-experimental study.

AIM: In this study, we identified the impact of educational activities that focused on improving the competence and critical thinking skills of university nursing students. DESIGN: A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted, and assessments were conducted before and after the educational intervention, which consisted of seminars, lectures, case studies, and problem-solving activities. METHODS: The Critical Thinking Questionnaire was used to collect data before and after the educational intervention between September 2017 and May 2018. The sample consisted of 112 first-year undergraduate students. To examine the data that were collected as a part of this quasi-experimental study, inferential statistics were used, and the results were tested against a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The students obtained higher scores on the substantive dimension than on the dialogic one, and women scored higher than men. The educational intervention led to an improvement in every critical thinking skill across both dimensions, except listening and speaking skills, whereby men demonstrated a greater change in average scores for critical thinking skills. CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention improved the critical thinking skills of undergraduate students and had a greater impact on men than on women. This finding underscores the need for educational interventions that can enhance critical thinking skills. Developing these skills will improve future nurses' ability to make health care management decisions in a reflective, agile, and evidence-based manner.

Efectividad del tratamiento tópico de la flebitis secundaria a la cateterización periférica: una revisión sistemática / Efectiveness of topical therapies for phlebitis related to peripheral intravenous canulation: a sistematic review

Introducción: La flebitis es la complicación más frecuente secundaria a la cateterización periférica. Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de tratamientos tópicos de la flebitis post-perfusión en pacientes portadores de catéter venoso periférico. Método: Se realizó revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticas publicados desde 1995 a 2015 en las bases de datos Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN y la BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), en inglés y español. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: paciente adulto hospitalizado, portador de vía venosa periférica, con perfusión continua o intermitente, incluyendo todo tipo de terapia de infusión que hubieran desarrollado cualquier grado de flebitis. La valoración de la calidad metodológica de los estudios seleccionados, se realizó por pares de forma independiente utilizando el Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme en su versión española. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 11 estudios: 8 ensayos clínicos y 3 revisiones sistemáticas. Analizaron los efectos de fitoterapéuticos: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita y notoginseny; pomadas heparinoides y geles de heparina; antiinflamatorios como el diclofenaco y vasodilatadores como la nitroglicerina, resultando todos ellos efectivos. Conclusiones: El aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenaco y heparina gel 1000 UI, mostraron nivel de evidencia y grado de recomendación moderado. La heparina gel es el único compuesto con indicación de la Agencia Española del Medicamento para tratar la flebitis post-perfusión, el notoginseny no está comercializado en Occidente y el diclofenaco es un antiinflamatorio utilizado en diversas patologías. Es merecedor de especial atención el tratamiento con aloe vera a la espera de estudios más concluyentes (AU)

Background: Phlebitis is the most common complication induced by peripheral intravenous catheter. Aim: To assess the best available evidence concerning the effectiveness of topical therapies in patients with peripheral venous canulation who developed phlebitis Method: The bibliographic search for clinical trials and sistematic reviews, published between 1995 and 2015, was carried out in the following databases Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN and BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), in english and spanish. Inclusion criteria were: adult inpatient with peripheral venous cateterization with continous or intermitent infusion, including all types of infusion therapy who developed any degree of superficial phlebitis. The quality of selected studies was assessed independently by peer reviewers using the Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme in its spanish version. Results: 11 studies were identified, 8 clinical trials and 3 sistematic reviews. The efectiveness of topical phytotherapeutics: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita and notoginseny; heparinoid creams and heparin gels; anti-inflamatory as diclofenac, and vasodilators as nitroglycerin was analized, showing effectivity all of them. Conclusions: Aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenac and heparine gel suggest a weak level of evidence and moderate grade of recommendation. Heparin gel is the only product provided by the Spanish Medicine Agency to treat post-infusion phlebitis, notoginseny is not marketed in Spain and diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory used for various pathologies. Deserves special attention of topical therapy with aloe vera but further studies are needed (AU)

Efectividad del tratamiento tópico en pacientes con cáncer de mama que sufren radiodermatitis. Una revisión sistemática / Efectiveness of topical therapies in patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis. A systematic review

OBJETIVO: La mayoría de los pacientes con cáncer de mama sometidos a radioterapia desarrollan algún grado de toxicidad cutánea. El propósito de esta revisión sistemática es evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de tratamientos tópicos en pacientes con cáncer de mama que sufren radiodermatitis durante el tratamiento radioterápico. MÉTODO: Se revisaron ensayos clínicos cuyo objetivo fue evaluar tratamientos tópicos para la prevención o tratamiento de la radiodermatitis aguda en mujeres con cáncer de mama publicados entre el 2009-2014. La búsqueda bibliográfica se hizo en: PubMed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus, IBECS y LILACS. Los estudios se seleccionaron por revisores pares de forma independiente utilizando el Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme en su versión en español. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 86 registros. Veinte ensayos clínicos fueron evaluados a texto completo eliminándose dos por no estar concluidos; 12 ensayos clínicos evaluaron la aplicación tópica de cremas y pomadas, tres la aplicación de corticosteroides en crema y tres la aplicación de apósitos. Demostraron efectividad la crema con factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano, la emulsión con ácido linoleico, la sulfadiacina argéntica topica, los corticoesteroides y los apósitos de poliuretano. CONCLUSIONES: Al ser la radiodermatitis un proceso dinámico, estos agentes tópicos a resultaron efectivos en distintas fases de la toxicidad. Unos retrasaron el inicio, otros disminuyeron el desarrollo y severidad de los grados de radiodermitis y otros mejoraron síntomas subjetivos (picor, dolor, ardor). Solo los apósitos de poliuretano sugieren efectividad en todas las fases de radiotoxicidad cutánea, en la prevención, manejo de los grados y mejora del bienestar

BACKGROUND: After radiation therapy most patients experience acute skin toxicity to some degree. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the available evidence concerning the effectivity of topical therapies on patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis after radiotherapy. Method: The review included clinical trials aimed to evaluate topical therapies for prevention or treatment of acute radiodermatitis in women with breast cancer, which were published between 2009 and 2014. The bibliographic search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Cinahl, Cochrane Plus, IBECS and LILACS. The studies were selected independently by peer reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in its Spanish version. RESULTS: 86 bibliographical references were identified. Twenty full-text articles of clinical trials were assessed and two were excluded because they were not completed; 12 of clinical trials evaluated topical treatment with creams and ointments, three with corticosteroid creams and other three with dressings. The effectivity of human epidermal growth factor cream, linoleic acid emulsion, topical silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids creams and polyurethane dressings has been shown in these clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Given that radiodermatitis is a dynamic process, these topical agents were effective in different stages of skin toxicity. Some of them delayed the onset, others decreased the development and severity of acute skin toxicity degree and others improved the subjective symptoms (itching, pain, burning). Only polyurethane dressings suggest effectiveness in all stages of skin toxicity, in prevention, management of the different skin toxicity degrees and improvement of wellbeing

[Efectiveness of topical therapies in patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis. A systematic review]. / Efectividad del tratamiento tópico en pacientes con cáncer de mama que sufren radiodermatitis. Una revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: After radiation therapy most patients experience acute skin toxicity to some degree. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the available evidence concerning the effectivity of topical therapies on patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis after radiotherapy. METHOD: The review included clinical trials aimed to evaluate topical therapies for prevention or treatment of acute radiodermatitis in women with breast cancer, which were published between 2009 and 2014. The bibliographic search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Cinahl, Cochrane Plus, IBECS and LILACS. The studies were selected independently by peer reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in its Spanish version. RESULTS: 86 bibliographical references were identified. Twenty full-text articles of clinical trials were assessed and two were excluded because they were not completed; 12 of clinical trials evaluated topical treatment with creams and ointments, three with corticosteroid creams and other three with dressings. The effectivity of human epidermal growth factor cream, linoleic acid emulsion, topical silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids creams and polyurethane dressings has been shown in these clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Given that radiodermatitis is a dynamic process, these topical agents were effective in different stages of skin toxicity. Some of them delayed the onset, others decreased the development and severity of acute skin toxicity degree and others improved the subjective symptoms (itching, pain, burning). Only polyurethane dressings suggest effectiveness in all stages of skin toxicity, in prevention, management of the different skin toxicity degrees and improvement of wellbeing.