Field Testing Project to Pilot World Health Organization Eye Health Indicators in Latin America.

PURPOSE: To develop and implement mechanisms to collect, report, and assess the World Health Organization (WHO) core eye health indicators in Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. METHODS: Simple templates for a situational analysis (of data collection and reporting processes), a national data collection strategy, and a national work plan to implement the core eye health indicators were developed. Public and private sector representatives from the ministries of health (MOHs), national vision committees, and national societies of ophthalmology of each country used these tools with 2013 baseline data to improve their data collection processes and collected 2015 data. Final analysis and cross-validation were performed using intraocular lens sales data and last observation carried forward imputation. RESULTS: Study tools were effectively implemented in all five countries and resulted in improved intersectoral stakeholder collaboration and communications, which improved the data collection and reporting processes. More complete and accurate data were reported by 2015 compared to the 2013 baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Multisectoral stakeholders, including national professional societies and national vision committees, should collaborate with MOHs to improve the quality of data that are reported to WHO. This study involved these stakeholders in the data collection processes to better understand the realities of indicator implementation, better manage their expectations, and improve data quality. WHO Member States across the globe can feasibly adapt the study tools and methodologies to strengthen their data collection processes. Overall, the reliability and validity of the indicators is hampered with limitations that prevent fully accurate data from being collected.

Uveitis in adult patients with rheumatic inflammatory autoimmune diseases at a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to describe the frequency of uveitis associated with rheumatic inflammatory autoimmune diseases (RIAD) in adult patients admitted to the Rheumatology Department at a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico City. We also describe the clinical features, seasonal distribution, treatment, and ocular complications associated with this disease. METHODS: We reviewed 1332 charts of patients with RIAD and selected those that had a diagnosis of uveitis. We obtained the following data: age, sex, type of uveitis and relationship with diagnosis of RIAD, recurrences, seasonal distribution, treatment, and residual visual deficit. RESULTS: We found 57 (4.27%) cases of uveitis in 1332 charts, including 38 men and 19 women (M:F ratio 2:1), aged 47 ± 16 years. Nongranulomatous acute anterior uveitis (NGAAU) comprised 90.52% of cases (52/57). In 64.91% of cases (37/57), uveitis preceded the diagnosis of RIAD by 12 ± 9 years, more frequently in winter (35.96%; p = NS). Uveitis was found in 40/93 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in 7/11 patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP), in 8/16 patients with Behçet's disease, in 1/16 patients with polyarteritis nodosa, and in 1/590 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ninety-six percent of the patients were treated with steroids. Upon a mean followup of 60 days (range 7-4745 days), reduction of visual acuity (≤ 20/200) was associated with recurrence of uveitis in 3/7 cases with AS, in 4/8 cases with Behçet's disease, in 3/7 with RP, and in 1 case of uveitis and seronegative RA. CONCLUSION: NGAAU frequently precedes RIAD and is found predominately in men, with a tendency to occur in winter.

Quality of previous diabetes care among patients receiving services at ophthalmology hospitals in Mexico / Calidad de la atención previa de los pacientes diabéticos atendidos en hospitales de oftalmología en México

OBJECTIVE: To survey a large sample of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Mexico City to determine if patient experience, access to basic services, treatment, and outcomes differed between those with social security coverage and those without. METHODS: From 2001-2007 a total of 1 000 individuals with T2DM were surveyed in outpatient clinics of the three largest public ophthalmology hospitals in Mexico City. Patients reported information about their health status and receipt of basic diabetes services, such as laboratory glycemic monitoring and diabetes education. Rates were compared between those with (n = 461) and without (n = 539) social security. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients (46 percent) in these public facilities were social security patients that were unable to access other services and had to pay out-of-pocket for care. Half of respondents were originally identified as potentially diabetic based on symptom complaints (51 percent), including 11 percent with visual impairment. Most patients (87.9 percent) reported that their glycemic level was being monitored exclusively via fasting blood glucose testing or random capillary blood glucose tests; only 5.3 percent reported ever having a glycated hemoglobin test. While nearly all respondents reported an individual physician encounter ever, only 39 percent reported ever receiving nutrition counseling and only 21 percent reported attending one or more sessions of diabetes education in their lifetime. Processes of care and outcomes were no different in patients with and those without social security coverage. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, the quality of diabetes care is poor. Despite receiving social security, many patients still have to pay out-of-pocket to access needed care. Without policy changes that address these barriers to comprehensive diabetes management, scientific achievements in diagnosis and pharmacotherapy will have limited impact.

OBJETIVO: Determinar si hay diferencias en cuanto a las experiencias de atención de la diabetes, el acceso a los servicios básicos, el tratamiento y la evolución clínica entre las personas que disponen o no de seguro social de salud mediante la encuesta de una muestra amplia de pacientes que padecen diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en la Ciudad de México. MÉTODOS: Se encuestó a 1 000 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 en la consulta externa de los tres hospitales públicos de oftalmología más importantes de la Ciudad de México. Los pacientes proporcionaron información acerca de su estado de salud y su experiencia respecto de la atención básica de diabetes; por ejemplo, el control de la glucemia mediante análisis de laboratorio y la información que recibieron acerca de la enfermedad. Se compararon los datos estadísticos entre quienes disponían de un seguro social de salud (n = 461) y quienes carecían de este tipo de seguro (n = 539). RESULTADOS: Casi la mitad de los pacientes (46 por ciento) que se atienden en estos hospitales públicos disponen de seguro social de salud, pero no pudieron acceder a otros servicios y debieron pagar de su bolsillo para recibir atención. La mitad de los entrevistados (51 por ciento) eran pacientes que habían sido considerados presuntos diabéticos a partir de los síntomas que habían referido, de los cuales 11 por ciento presentaron discapacidad visual. La mayoría de los pacientes (87,9 por ciento) refirieron que solo se controlaban mediante análisis glucemia en ayunas o análisis aleatorios (sin ayunar) de una muestra de sangre capilar; solo 5,3 por ciento refirieron que alguna vez se habían efectuado el análisis de glucohemoglobina (HbA1c). Si bien prácticamente la totalidad de los encuestados refirieron haber tenido alguna consulta médica, solo 39 por ciento informaron haber recibido orientación nutricional en alguna ocasión y solo 21 por ciento refirieron haber asistido a una o más sesiones informativas sobre la diabetes. ...

Quality of previous diabetes care among patients receiving services at ophthalmology hospitals in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To survey a large sample of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Mexico City to determine if patient experience, access to basic services, treatment, and outcomes differed between those with social security coverage and those without. METHODS: From 2001-2007 a total of 1 000 individuals with T2DM were surveyed in outpatient clinics of the three largest public ophthalmology hospitals in Mexico City. Patients reported information about their health status and receipt of basic diabetes services, such as laboratory glycemic monitoring and diabetes education. Rates were compared between those with (n = 461) and without (n = 539) social security. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients (46%) in these public facilities were social security patients that were unable to access other services and had to pay out-of-pocket for care. Half of respondents were originally identified as potentially diabetic based on symptom complaints (51%), including 11% with visual impairment. Most patients (87.9%) reported that their glycemic level was being monitored exclusively via fasting blood glucose testing or random capillary blood glucose tests; only 5.3% reported ever having a glycated hemoglobin test. While nearly all respondents reported an individual physician encounter ever, only 39% reported ever receiving nutrition counseling and only 21% reported attending one or more sessions of diabetes education in their lifetime. Processes of care and outcomes were no different in patients with and those without social security coverage. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, the quality of diabetes care is poor. Despite receiving social security, many patients still have to pay out-of-pocket to access needed care. Without policy changes that address these barriers to comprehensive diabetes management, scientific achievements in diagnosis and pharmacotherapy will have limited impact.

[Vestibular findings in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome]. / Hallazgos vestibulares en pacientes con síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe vestibular abnormalities in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study. Patients with VKH referred by an ophthalmological center, were interrogated and physically examined in search of signs of vestibular abnormalities, and if positive, they underwent videonystagmography, computerized dynamic posturography, tonal audiometry and tympanometry. RESULTS: Out of 21 patients with VKH, only 10 were included in the study due to presenting data of vestibular abnormalities (10/10 with vestibular symptoms and 9/10 with abnormalities in the physical exploration). The age average was 37.8 years. The videonystagmography was mainly abnormal in ocular saccades test (10/10). The posturography showed a higher alteration of the visual (4/10) and vestibular (4/10) afferents. A diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was mostly concluded (6/10). None presented abnormalities of the middle ear nor data of central pathology, 6/10 presented abnormalities in tonal audiometry. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral vestibular disorder is often present in the population with VKH.

Hallazgos vestibulares en pacientes con síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada / Vestibular findings in patients with Vogt-koyanagi-harada syndrome

Objetivo: Identificar y describir alteraciones vestibulares en pacientes con síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH). Material y método: Estudio prospectivo, transversal, observacional y descriptivo. Se interrogó y exploró físicamente a pacientes con VKH referidos de un centro oftalmológico, en busca de datos de alteración vestibular. De ser positiva, se les realizó videonistagmografía, posturografía dinámica computarizada, audiometría tonal y timpanometría. Resultados: De 21 pacientes con VKH, sólo se incluyeron a 10 por presentar datos de alteración vestibular (10/10 con síntomas vestibulares, 9/10 con alteraciones en la exploración física). Media de edad, 37,8 años. Videonistagmografía principalmente alterada en prueba de sacadas oculares (10/10). Posturografía con mayor alteración de las aferencias visual (4/10) y vestibular (4/10). Se concluyó mayoritariamente el diagnóstico de vértigo postural paroxístico benigno (6/10). Ninguno presentó alteración del oído medio ni datos de afección central; 6/10 tuvieron alteraciones en la audiometría tonal. Conclusiones: La población con VKH frecuentemente sufre afección vestibular periférica (AU)

Objective: To identify and describe vestibular abnormalities in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH). Materials and method: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study. Patients with VKH referred by an ophthalmological center, were interrogated and physically examined in search of signs of vestibular abnormalities, and if positive, they underwent videonystagmography, computerized dynamic posturography, tonal audiometry and tympanometry. Results: Out of 21 patients with VKH, only 10 were included in the study due to presenting data of vestibular abnormalities (10/10 with vestibular symptoms and 9/10 with abnormalities in the physical exploration). The age average was 37.8 years. The videonystagmography was mainly abnormal in ocular saccades test (10/10). The posturography showed a higher alteration of the visual (4/10) and vestibular (4/10) afferents. A diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was mostly concluded (6/10). None presented abnormalities of the middle ear nor data of central pathology, 6/10 presented abnormalities in tonal audiometry. Conclusions: Peripheral vestibular disorder is often present in the population with VKH (AU)

Hallazgos histopatológicos en glándulas lagrimales de pacientes con uveítis crónica idiopática / Histopathologic findings of the lacrimal gland in patients with idiopathic chronic uveitis

Objetivo: Determinar si se presentan alteraciones histológicas de la glándula lagrimal que apoyen al diagnóstico etiológico de la uveítis crónica. Material y métodos: Se trata de un estudio clínico-histopatológico, observacional, prospectivo y transversal, desarrollado en el Hospital General de México. Se practicó examen oftalmológico completo a un grupo de 16 pacientes con uveítis crónica idiopática y a un grupo control de 14 pacientes sin uveítis. Se hicieron estudios de laboratorio para descartar enfermedades infecciosas o bien para enfermedades autoinmunes o procesos infiltrativos de órbita. La biopsia de glándula lagrimal se hizo bajo anestesia tópica y el estudio histopatológico con microscopia de luz. Resultados: No se encontraron alteraciones en el grupo control; en el grupo de estudio se incluyeron 14 pacientes, 13 mujeres y un hombre, con edad promedio de 44.9 años (intervalo de 25 a 66 años). Se observó infiltración linfocitaria grado II "ligera" en dos pacientes con uveitis anterior no granulomatosa, un hombre de 36 años con niveles altos de IgG y una mujer de 47 años con enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA) ligeramente elevada y prueba de Schimer positiva; observando infiltrados nodulares sin centros germinales, compuestos por linfocitos maduros y linfocitos plasmocitoides, con ensanchamiento del estroma e infiltración acinar, uno de los cortes mostró necrosis con la consiguiente pérdida focal de la glándula. En una mujer de 31 años de edad con ligera elevación de la IgG y prueba de Schirmer positiva, se observaron alteraciones compatibles con un cistadenoma. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las glándulas lagrimales de los pacientes con uveítis (85.8 por ciento) no mostraron alteraciones histológicas y fueron muy similares a las del grupo control, por lo que consideramos que la biopsia de la glándula lagrimal debe practicarse sólo en casos donde se sospeche enfermedad específica que afecta la glándula, como es la sarcoidosis o en el síndrome de Sjögren

Uveítis secundaria a tuberculosis / Uveitis secondary to tuberculosis

En estos días la tuberculosis está adquiriendo importancia, debido a su mayor incidencia y a la resistencia terapéutica que presenta, además de ser una manifestación frecuente en el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Con el propósito de reconocer la uveítis tuberculosa en nuestro medio, presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer de 66 años de edad, con Combe positivo y uveítis crónica desde 1962, que la llevó a cirugía de cataratas y frecuentes reactivaciones de uveítis crónica bilateral; presentando en ambos ojo múltiples formaciones granulomatosas y periflebitis retiniana. Los hallazgos de laboratorio de importancia, fueron: reacción dérmica a la tuberculosis positiva y baciloscopias en orina y en esputo negativas. Después de sufrir la paciente un cuadro bronconeumónico, se hizo cultivo de Lowenstein en diferentes muestras, resultando positivo en sangre. Con el diagnóstico de tuberculosis hematógena y uveítis secundaria, se administró rifampicina, isoniacida y pirazinamida; evolucionando satisfactoriamente. El diagnóstico de tuberculosis ocular se dificulta, frecuentemente los cultivos de otras áreas son negativos y en el ojo, la toma de muestras de tejido o líquidos intraoculares no son suficientes. La tuberculosis ocular por lo general es secundaria y el daño que produce, puede acabar con la visión del paciente

Pars planitis: análisis en el manejo de 50 pacientes vigilados a largo plazo / Pars planitis: analysis in the management of 50 patients evaluated at long term

Se analizan los resultados en el seguimiento de 50 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de pars planitis, 6 casos monoculares, haciendo un total de 94 ojos, por un periodo no menor de 12 meses. Se discute la persistente actividad inflamatoria, sus complicaciones más frecuentes, uso racional de antinflamatorios y recursos quirúrgicos que modifican el curso clínico