Cost-utility analysis of palivizumab for preventing respiratory syncytial virus in preterm neonates and infants in Colombia.

AIM: Palivizumab has proven effective in reducing hospitalizations, preventing severe illness, improving health outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs for infants at risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. We aim to assess the value of palivizumab in preventing RSV infection in high-risk infants in Colombia, where RSV poses a significant threat, causing severe respiratory illness and hospitalizations. METHODS: We conducted a decision tree analysis to compare five doses of palivizumab with no palivizumab. The study considered three population groups: preterm neonates (≤ 35 weeks gestational age), infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD). We obtained clinical efficacy data from IMpact-RSV and Cardiac Synagis trials, while we derived neonatal hospitalization risks from the SENTINEL-1 study. We based hospitalization and recurrent wheezing management costs on Colombian analyses and validated them by experts. We estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and performed 1,000 Monte Carlo simulations for probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Palivizumab is a dominant strategy for preventing RSV infection in preterm neonates and infants with BPD and CHD. Its high efficacy (78% in preventing RSV in preterm infants), the substantial risk of illness and hospitalization, and the high costs associated with hospitalization, particularly in neonatal intensive care settings, support this finding. The scatter plots and willingness-to-pay curves align with these results. CONCLUSION: Palivizumab is a cost-saving strategy in Colombia, effectively preventing RSV infection in preterm neonates and infants with BPD and CHD by reducing hospitalizations and lowering healthcare costs.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in infants and herd protection in older adults in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal diseases have a clinical and economic impact on the population. Until this year, a 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV10) used to be applied in Colombia, which does not contain serotypes 19A, 3, and 6A, the most prevalent in the country. Therefore, we aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the shift to the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A decision model was used for newborns in Colombia between 2022-2025 and adults over 65 years. The time horizon was life expectancy. Outcomes are Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPD), Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Acute Otitis Media (AOM), their sequelae, Life Gained Years (LYGs), and herd effect in older adults. RESULTS: PCV10 covers 4.27% of serotypes in the country, while PCV13 covers 64.4%. PCV13 would avoid in children 796 cases of IPD, 19,365 of CAP, 1,399 deaths, and generate 44,204 additional LYGs, as well as 9,101 cases of AOM, 13 cases of neuromotor disability and 428 cochlear implants versus PCV10. In older adults, PCV13 would avoid 993 cases of IPD and 17,245 of CAP, versus PCV10. PCV13 saves $51.4 million. The decision model shows robustness in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: PCV13 is a cost-saving strategy versus PCV10 to avoid pneumococcal diseases.

Asociación entre sarcopenia medida con el índice del psoas por tomografía abdominal y complicaciones posoperatorias tempranas en pacientes concáncer gástrico / Association between sarcopenia measured with the psoas index by abdominal tomography and early postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer

Introducción. En Colombia el cáncer gástrico representa un problema de salud pública teniendo en cuenta su alta incidencia y sus elevadas tasas de mortalidad. Cerca del 15 % de los pacientes sufren una pérdida significativa de peso, lo que se asocia con un incremento en la morbilidad y mortalidad. Método. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, con el objetivo de determinar la presencia de sarcopenia a través de la medición del índice del psoas por tomografía computarizada y su asociación con morbimortalidad postoperatoria temprana en pacientes con cáncer gástrico. Se incluyeron los pacientes con cáncer gástrico admitidos entre el 1° de enero de 2014 y el 31 de agosto de 2019 en el Hospital Militar Central, en Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo, un análisis bivariado y un análisis de regresión logística univariado para determinar la asociación de sarcopenia y complicaciones a 30 días. Todos los análisis fueron realizados en R®. Resultados. Se estudiaron 70 pacientes, encontrando una frecuencia de sarcopenia de 54,3 % (n=38), edad media de 69 años (RIC 54 - 74), mayor proporción de hombres 68,6 % (n=48), siendo menor en el grupo de sarcopenia 55,3 % (n=21), índice de psoas de 0,63 mm (RIC 0,55 - 0,7), mortalidad 2,9 % (n=2) y asociación de sarcopenia con desenlaces a 30 días (OR 1,2; IC95% 0,59 - 2,4). Discusión. Se encontraron resultados similares a los informados en la literatura mundial, con una mortalidad inferior al 3 %. En este estudio, la sarcopenia no se asoció con la aparición de complicaciones a 30 días

Introduction. Gastric cancer represents a public health problem in Colombia considering its high incidence and high mortality rates. About 15% of patients suffer a significant weight loss, which is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality.Method. A cross-sectional study was carried out in order to determine the presence of sarcopenia by measuring the psoas index by computed tomography and its association with early postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with gastric cancer. Gastric cancer patients admitted between January 1, 2014 and August 31, 2019 at Hospital Militar Central, in Bogotá, D.C., Colombia were included. Descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and univariate logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association of sarcopenia and complications at 30 days. All analyzes were performed in R®.Results. Seventy patients were studied, finding a frequency of sarcopenia of 54.3% (n=38), mean age of 69 years (IQR 54-74), higher proportion of men 68.6% (n=48), being lower in sarcopenia group 55.3% (n=21), psoas index of 0.63 mm (IQR 0.55 - 0.7), mortality 2.9% (n=2) and no association of sarcopenia with outcomes a 30 days (OR 1.2; 95% CI 0.59 - 2.4). Discussion. Similar results were found to those reported in the world literature, with a mortality of less than 3%. In this study, sarcopenia was not associated with the development of complications at 30 days

Calidad de vida de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 en Colombia. Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis acumulativo / Quality of Life of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Colombia. Systematic Review and Cumulative Meta-analysis

Resumen Antecedentes: La calidad de vida (CV) relacionada con la salud es un indicador de desempeño de los sistemas sanitarios; no obstante, se desconoce su estado en personas con diabetes tipo 2, lo que limita la implementación y evaluación de intervenciones dirigidas a mejorar su salud. Objetivo: Identificar los dominios más afectados en la CV de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Método: Búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos LILACS, Pubmed, Embase y Google Académico, de estudios observacionales que midieron de manera cuantitativa la CV de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, sin importar la comorbilidad o estado funcional, en el contexto ambulatorio u hospitalario en Colombia. Para identificar los dominios más afectados se realizó un metaanálisis acumulativo de estudios observacionales que midieron la CV con los Cuestionarios de Salud SF-36 (Short Form-36) y SF-8 (Short Form-8), y se realizó un modelo de efectos aleatorios que permitió la estimación de las medias como medida de efecto combinado. Resultados: Se identificaron siete artículos, de los cuales cuatro fueron incluidos en la síntesis cuantitativa. Los dominios de la CV de los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 más afectados según los Cuestionarios SF-36 y SF-8 fueron salud general 49,7 (IC 95%: 37,3 a 62,0), rol físico 53,6 (IC 95%: 35,6 a 71,6) y función física 53,8 (IC 95%: 34,8 a 72,8). Conclusión: Los programas preventivos y de atención a personas con diabetes tipo 2 deben enfocarse en un manejo integral que contribuya al mejoramiento de su CV relacionada con su salud.

Abstract Background: The quality of life related to health is an indicator performance of health system; however, its condition in people with type 2 diabetes is unknown, which limits the implementation and evaluation of interventions aimed at improving their health. Objectives: To identify the most affected domains in the quality of life in people with 2 type diabetes. Methods: Systematic search in LILACS, Pubmed, Embase and Google Scholar data bases for observational studies that measure quantitatively the quality of life for patients with diabetes type 2, despite comorbidity or functional status, in the ambulatory or hospital setting in Colombia. In order to identify the most affected domains, it was carried out a cumulative meta-analysis of observational studies aimed to measure life quality through the Health Questionnaires SF-36 (Short Form-36) and SF-8 (Short Form-8), and also, a Random effects model was conducted, which allowed the average as a measure of combined effect. Results: Seven articles were identified, of which four were included in the quantitative synthesis, the most affected domains according to SF-36 and SF-8 were general health 49.7 (95% CI: 37.3 to 62.0), physical role 53.6 (95% CI: 35.6 to 71.6), physical function 53.8 (95% CI: 34.8 to 72.8). Conclusion: Preventive and care programs for people with type 2 diabetes should focus on comprehensive management that contributes to quality of life improvement concerned health. It is still required to expand the investigation to account for the results in people's health.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of iStent trabecular micro-bypass stent for patients with open-angle glaucoma in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of trabecular micro bypass stent vs laser trabeculoplasty or medications only, for patients with open-angle glaucoma in a setting of the Colombian System Health. METHODS: This is a cost-effectiveness analysis that based its assumptions in external data sources, used to extrapolate the quality-of-life related to health, survival, and costs. A Markov model, with stages from 0 (ocular hypertension without glaucoma) to 5 and bilateral blindness, was developed inclusive of Colombians older than 40 years in 2018, from a societal perspective, comparing trabecular micro-bypass stents vs laser trabeculoplasty, timolol + dorzolamide + brimonidine, timolol + dorzolamide + latanoprost, or timolol + dorzolamide + brimatoprost, in terms of clinical and economic outcomes over a lifetime horizon. Both costs and health outcomes had an annual rate discount of 5%. Health outcomes were evaluated in terms of QALYs related with loss of visual acuity. Trabecular micro-bypass costs include the joint use of timolol, and the costs of laser trabeculoplasty include the combined use of timolol + dorzolamide. RESULTS: Trabecular micro-bypass stents were estimated to have 127,971 more discounted QALYs vs laser trabeculoplasty; 405,982 vs timolol + dorzolamide + brimonidine; and 378,287 vs timolol + dorzolamide + latanoprost or timolol + dorzolamide + brimatoprost. Cumulative costs with trabecular micro-bypass stents at 40 years was $13,252,318 lower than laser trabeculoplasty; $6,403,534, lower than timolol + dorzolamide + brimonidine; $22,311,064, lower than timolol + dorzolamide + latanoprost; and $29,156,113 lower than timolol + dorzolamide + brimatoprost. CONCLUSIONS: The trabecular micro-bypass stent is a highly cost-saving strategy due to more QALYs related to a lower rate of the population with loss of visual acuity in the long-term, and because the costs associated with additional medications and complications are lower with trabecular micro-bypass stents.

Sediment size distribution and composition in a reservoir affected by severe water level fluctuations.

The reservoir sediments are important sinks for organic carbon (OC), the OC burial being dependent on two opposite processes, deposition and mineralization. Hence factors such as severe water level fluctuations are expected to influence the rate of OC accumulation as they may affect both deposition and mineralization. The Barasona Reservoir has been historically threatened by siltation, whilst the use of water for irrigation involves a drastic decrease of the water level. In this context, we have studied the physical and chemical characteristics (grain size, major and minor elemental compositions, organic and inorganic carbon, and nitrogen) of the recent sediments of the Barasona Reservoir and the relationships among them in order to: a) elucidate the main processes governing OC accumulation, b) evaluate the rate of OC mineralization and c) approach the effect of drought on the sediment characteristics in this system. Our results indicated that Barasona sediments were dominated by fine silts (>60%) and clays (>20%), the mean particle size decreasing from tail to dam. Desiccation increased particle sorting and size distribution became bimodal, but no effect on average size was observed. Attending to the composition, Barasona sediments were very homogeneous with low concentrations of nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (<1.2 g kg(-1) dw and <0.6 g kg(-1) dw, respectively) and high concentration of OC (≈36 g kg(-1) dw). TN was negatively related to dry weight. Sediment mixing due to drastic changes in water level may have favoured the observed homogeneity of Barasona sediments affecting carbon, major ions and grain size. The high amount of OC deposited in Barasona sediment suggested that the adsorption of OC onto fine particles was more important than in boreal lakes. The rate of oxygen consumption by wet sediment ranged from 2.26 to 3.15 mg O2 m(-2) day(-1), values close to those compiled for Mediterranean running waters.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the available pneumococcal conjugated vaccines for children under five years in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal diseases in children under five years are common and preventable. In Colombia there are two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) that have proved clinical efficacy. The aim was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and 10-valent PCV (PCV10) in terms of prevention of Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPD), radiologically-confirmed pneumonia, and their related mortality, as well as, acute otitis media (AOM) in a cohort of newborns in Colombia. METHODS: We developed an analytical decision tree model with national data including the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes in Colombia between 2009 and 2013. A simulation of vaccination of 90% of newborns in Colombia took place with a time horizon of 5 years. The analysis was done from the Colombian health system perspective. Vaccines efficacy parameters were measured as life-years gained (LYG) and avoided morbidity by pneumococcal diseases; they were determined by a systematic review of literature. A health insurance company provided the costs. A probabilistic and a univariate sensitivity analysis for epidemiological, efficacy and cost parameters were done. RESULTS: After 5 years projection, PCV13 would prevent 437 deaths due to pneumococcal infections versus 321 that would be prevented by PCV10, compared to no vaccination. PCV13 would generate 25 396 LYG, and PCV10 would generate 18 708 LYG. Medical costs avoided would be US$ 19 479 395 for PCV13 and US$ 13 703 271 for PCV10. Compared to no vaccination, PCV13 and PCV10 were cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$ 489.26 and US$ 813.41 per additional LYG, respectively; besides, PCV13 was dominant over PCV10 due to lower costs and better outcomes. CONCLUSION: PCV13 is a cost-saving strategy compared with PCV10, as part of a universal coverage vaccination program in Colombian children under one year. PCV13 is expected to lead to a greater decrement in infant mortality from pneumococcal diseases, and a higher cost saving by preventing more pneumococcal diseases compared with PCV10 in a 5 years projection.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13-valent in older adults in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there are two vaccination strategies in Colombia to prevent pneumococcal diseases in people over 50 years. Our aim is to estimate cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13-valent (PCV13) versus pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23-valent (PPSV23) to prevent pneumococcal diseases and their related mortality in people over 50 years old in Colombia. METHODS: A Markov model was developed with national data, including pneumococcal serotypes distribution in Colombia between 2005 and 2010. Vaccination of a cohort was simulated and a five year time horizon was assumed. Analysis was done from a perspective of a third party payer. Direct costs were provided by a national insurance company; sensitive univariate and probabilistic analysis were done for epidemiological and clinical effectiveness parameters and costs. RESULTS: PCV13 avoids 3 560 deaths by pneumococcal infections versus PPSV23 and 4 255 deaths versus no vaccine. PCV13 prevents 79 633 cases by all-cause pneumonia versus PPSV23 and 81 468 cases versus no vaccine. Total costs (healthcare and vaccines costs) with PCV13 would be U.S. $ 97,587,113 cheaper than PPSV23 and it would save U.S. $ 145,196,578 versus no vaccine. CONCLUSION: PCV13 would be a cost-saving strategy in the context of a mass vaccination program in Colombia to people over 50 years old because it would reduce burden of disease and specific mortality by pneumococcal diseases, besides, it saves money versus PPSV23.

Calidad de vida de los adultos mayores de Medellín / Quality of life in institutionalized elderly people of Medellín

Introducción. Varios aspectos en el adulto mayor deterioran su calidad de vida, como son las relaciones familiares y de amigos, la soledad e, incluso, el mismo centro geriátrico. Objetivo. Explorar las condiciones asociadas con la calidad de vida de los ancianos en hogares geriátricos. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal de 276 ancianos de 39 Centros de Bienestar del Anciano de Medellín. Se excluyeron aquellos con grave deterioro cognitivo y los que no residían de forma permanente en la institución. La calidad de vida se evaluó mediante el World Health OrganizationQuality of Life of Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud; se utilizaron la escala de depresión de Yesavage, la de ansiedad de Goldberg, la de funcionalidad de Pfeffer, la minivaloración nutricional y, además, se evaluaron aspectos demográficos y sociales. La información se analizó con pruebas U de Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, la correlación de Pearson y un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados. El 59,4 % eran mujeres, la edad promedio fue de 79,2 ± 8,0 años, 71 % se consideraron independientes para realizar actividades de la vida diaria, 45,7 % presentaba sintomatología depresiva y 33 % mostraron riesgo de ansiedad, 28,3 % deterioro funcional y, 54,3 %, posible malnutrición. Se encontró una asociación negativa con la calidad de vida el ser mujer, presentar diabetes, altos puntaje sen las escalas de capacidad funcional, depresión y ansiedad; el ir voluntariamente a la institución mostró una asociación positiva. Conclusión. Se halló deterioro en la calidad de vida cuando las condiciones de funcionalidad y autonomía limitaban la realización de actividades de la vida diaria, agravado por el hecho de ser mujer, tener sintomatología depresiva y de ansiedad, y sentirse maltratado por sus familiares.

Introduction. Many factors contribute to the deteriorating quality of life of elderly people living in care institutions. Some of these problems are a consequence of few contacts with relatives and friends, and being alone with a feeling of isolation. Objective. The conditions of quality of life are explored for elderly people living in care institutions. Materials and methods. In a cross sectional study, 276 subjects were selected from 39 long term institutions located in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The sex ratio was female: male 60:40% with a mean age of 79.2±8.0. Elderly subjects with cognitive problems or not living in the institution were excluded. The World Health Organization Quality of Life of Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) questionnaire was applied; in additional, capacity and cognitive functional scales of Pfeffer, the anxiety scale of Goldberg, and the Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesavage were administered. Mininutritional assessment scalesand complementary questionnaires about demographics, health perception, social support system were also included. The information was analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression method. Results. Most (71%) considered themselves autonomous for undertaking daily, habitual activities. Other statistics included the following: 45.7% with depression, 33.0% with anxiety, 28.3% with functional problems, and 54.3% at risk of malnutrition. A negative quality-of-life assessment was associated with the following factors: female, diabetes, depression, anxiety and high functional capacity. A positive quality-of-life assessment was associated with individuals who voluntarily came to the institution. Conclusion. Quality of life for elderly people living in care institutions can become deteriorated when they are not capable to do the usual activities necessary for daily living. Exacerbating factors included sex, symptoms of depression, anxiety, or perceived mistreatment by their families.

[Quality of life in institutionalized elderly people of Medellín]. / Calidad de vida de los adultos mayores de Medellín.

INTRODUCTION: Many factors contribute to the deteriorating quality of life of elderly people living in care institutions. Some of these problems are a consequence of few contacts with relatives and friends, and being alone with a feeling of isolation. OBJECTIVE: The conditions of quality of life are explored for elderly people living in care institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 276 subjects were selected from 39 long term institutions located in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The sex ratio was female: male 60:40% with a mean age of 79.2 ± 8.0. Elderly subjects with cognitive problems or not living in the institution were excluded. The World Health Organization Quality of Life of Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) questionnaire was applied; in additional, capacity and cognitive functional scales of Pfeffer, the anxiety scale of Goldberg, and the Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesavage were administered. Mininutritional assessment scales and complementary questionnaires about demographics, health perception, social support system were also included. The information was analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression method. RESULTS: Most (71%) considered themselves autonomous for undertaking daily, habitual activities. Other statistics included the following: 45.7% with depression, 33.0% with anxiety, 28.3% with functional problems, and 54.3% at risk of malnutrition. A negative quality-of-life assessment was associated with the following factors: female, diabetes, depression, anxiety and high functional capacity. A positive quality-of-life assessment was associated with individuals who voluntarily came to the institution. CONCLUSION: Quality of life for elderly people living in care institutions can become deteriorated when they are not capable to do the usual activities necessary for daily living. Exacerbating factors included sex, symptoms of depression, anxiety, or perceived mistreatment by their families.

Driving factors of the phytoplankton functional groups in a deep Mediterranean reservoir.

The control of phytoplankton growth is mainly related to the availability of light and nutrients. Both may select phytoplankton species, but only if they occur in limiting amounts. During the last decade, the functional groups approach, based on the physiological, morphological and ecological attributes of the species, has proved to be a more efficient way to analyze seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass. We analysed the dynamics of the phytoplankton functional groups sensu Reynolds, recognising the driving forces (light, mixing regime, and nutrients) in the Sau Reservoir, based on a one-year cycle (monthly surface-water sampling). The Sau Reservoir is a Mediterranean water-supply reservoir with a canyon-shaped basin and a clear and mixed epilimnion layer. The long stratification period and high light availability led to high phytoplankton biomass (110.8 fresh-weight mg L(-1)) in the epilimnion during summer. The reservoir showed P-limitation for phytoplankton growth in this period. All functional groups included one or more species (X2-Rhodomonas spp.; Y-Cryptomonas spp.; F-Oocystis lacustris; K-Aphanocapsa spp.) selected by resources, especially phosphorus. Species of Cryptomonas (group Y) dominated during the mixing period (winter season) in conditions of low light and relatively high availability of dissolved nutrients. Increases in water-column stability during spring stratification led to phytoplankton biomass increases due to the dominance of small flagellate functional groups (X2 and X3, chrysophyceans). The colonial chlorophycean O. lacustris (group F) peaked during the mid-summer stratification, when the mixed epilimnion was clearly depleted in nutrients, especially SRP. High temperature and increases in nutrient concentration during the end-summer and mid-autumn resulted in a decrease of green algae (group F) and increase of Aphanocapsa spp. (cyanobacteria, group K) and dinoflagellates (group L(o)). The study also revealed the important role of physical processes in the seasonal gradient, in selecting phytoplankton functional groups, and consequently in the assessment of ecological status. The Q index (assemblage index) based on functional groups indicated the overall good ecological status of the Sau Reservoir, which varied as a function of the mixing regime. This is the first application of the Assemblage Index to a European water-supply reservoir.

Efectividad del Puva oral versus Uvb de banda estrecha en la Psoriasis: metanálisis / Effectiveness of oral PUVA versus narrow band UVB in: metanalysis

La psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que afecta tanto a hombres como a mujeres, y puede presentarse a cualquier edad, con una prevalencia de 1 - 3% de la población mundial. Existen múltiples modalidades terapéuticas, divididas en medicamentos tópicos y sistémicos dentro de los cuales se encuentra la fototerapia. Objetivo: establecer la efectividad de los psoralenos orales más la luz ultravioleta A versus la luz ultravioleta B de banda estrecha, en el tratamiento de la psoriasis moderada a severa. Para ello se realizó un metanálisis con base en la revisión sistemática de la literatura que incluyera ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que compararan la efectividad del tratamiento con PUVA versus el tratamiento con NB-UVB. Todos los estudios fueron evaluados por tres investigadores, tanto en la calidad metodológica como en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, y sólo se incluyeron aquellos ensayos clínicos con calificación mayor o igual a 1++ según la escala de Jadad. Resultados: La búsqueda arrojó 110 artículos, los cuales en su mayoría fueron descartados debido a que no cumplían los criterios de inclusión propuestos, quedando solo tres estudios en el análisis final: Yones et al, Markham et al y Gordon et al, y en los cuales se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas a los tres y seis meses de seguimiento a favor de PUVA, pero con poco peso estadístico. Conclusiones: La terapia con PUVA mas psoraleno oral tiene tendencia a mostrar mayor efectividad que la terapia NB-UVB, pero el reducido número de estudios impide establecer una conclusión de forma definitiva.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition with a worldwide prevalence of 1-3% that affects both men and women and may presents at any age. Multiple therapeutic modalities exist: topical and systemic medications within which phototherapy is found. Objective: to establish the efectiveness of oral psoralens plus ultraviolet A light versus narrow band ultraviolet B light in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Methods: A meta-analysis based on the systematic review of literature was performed. All clinical studies included were randomized clinical trials that compared the effectiveness of PUVA vs NB-UVB treatment. All studies were evaluated by three researchers, both according to the methodological quality and to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only those clinical trials with a score equal to or greater than 1++ according to the Jadad scale were included. Results: The search found 110 articles, of which the majority were discarded due that they did not meet the inclusion criteria proposed, leaving only three trials for the final analysis: Yones et al, Markham et al y Gordon et al. These trials compared the effectiveness of oral psoralen PUVA versus NB-UVB. Statistically significant differences were found at three and six months follow up in favor of PUVA treatment, but having a low evidence weight. Conclusions: PUVA with oral psoralen tends to show a higher efectiveness than NBUVB therapy, but the reduced number of studies does not allow for a definitive conclution.

Supervivencia en niños de muy bajo peso al nacimiento, 1996-2004 / Survival in Children with Low Birth Weights, 1996 – 2004

El objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer la probabilidad de supervivencia y la morbilidad de los neonatos con muy bajo peso al nacimiento, en un hospital de tercer nivel de Colombia. Para este fin se evaluaron todos los neonatos nacidos vivos con peso inferior a 1500g en el Hospital General de Medellín, entre 1996 y 2004. Resultados: durante el período de estudio ingresaron 1443 neonatos. 54 por cien de las madres recibió esteroides antenatales y 17.1 por cien de los neonatos recibió surfactante pulmonar. La media del tiempo de supervivencia de los neonatos con peso inferior a 1000g fue menor a un día. Ningún neonato de 23 semanas o menos egresó vivo. La probabilidad de ingresar a la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal fue significativamente menor entre los neonatos menores de 1000g, que entre los neonatos de 1000 a 1490 g, y el RR = 0.54 (IC95 por cien: 0.44-0.65). La mortalidad de este grupo fue mayor de manera estadísticamente significativa, que entre los de 1000 a 1490 g, y el RR = 3.8 (IC 95 por cien=3.3-4.3). La fracción atribuible en la población (Raptor cien) debida al extremo bajo peso al nacer fue de 47.8 por cien. Conclusiones: hay menor probabilidad de ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal en los neonatos con peso inferior a 1000 g, lo cual afecta la probabilidad de sobrevivir de esta población. La alta probabilidad de morir debido al extremo bajo peso al nacimiento debe llamar la atención de las autoridades sanitarias, porque esto evalúa de manera indirecta la calidad de atención obstétrica que reciben las pacientes. Deben diseñarse estudios de cohorte en esta población, con el fin de evaluar el pronóstico a largo plazo que permitan diseñar políticas de atención materna y neonatal.