Risk Factors, Presentation, and Outcome in Acute Stroke according to Social Position Indicators in Patients Hospitalised in a Referral Centre in Bogotá 2011-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of stroke is time-dependent and it challenges patients' social and demographic context for timely consultation and effective access to reperfusion therapies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to relate indicators of social position to cardiovascular risk factors, time of arrival, access to reperfusion therapy, and mortality in the setting of acute stroke. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke in a referral hospital in Bogotá was performed. A simple random sample with a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence interval was selected. Patients were characterised according to educational level, place of origin, marital status, occupation, duration of symptoms before consultation, cardiovascular risk factors, access to reperfusion therapy, and mortality during hospitalisation. RESULTS: 558 patients were included with a slight predominance of women. Diagnosis of diabetes was more common in women and smoking in men (n = 68, 28.4% vs. n = 51, 15.9%; p = 0.0004). Rural origin was associated with higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia (hypertension n = 45, 73.8% vs. n = 282, 57.4%; p = 0.007; diabetes n = 20, 33.3% vs. 109, 19.5%; p = 0.02; dyslipidaemia n = 19, 32.7% vs. n = 93, 18.9%; p = 0.02). Mortality was higher in rural patients (n = 8, 14.2% vs. n = 30, 6.1%; p = 0.03). Lower schooling was associated with higher frequency of hypertension and dyslipidaemia (hypertension n = 152, 76.0% vs. n = 94, 46.3%; p ≤ 0.0001; dyslipidaemia n = 56, 28% vs. n = 35, 17.0%; p = 0.009) as well as with late consultation (n = 30, 15% vs. n = 59, 28.7%; p = 0.0011) and lower probability of accessing reperfusion therapy (n = 12, 6% vs. n = 45, 22%; p ≤ 0.0001). Formal employment was associated with a visit to the emergency department in less than 3 h (n = 50, 25.2% vs. n = 58, 18%, p = 0.04 and a higher probability of accessing reperfusion therapy (n = 35, 17.6% vs. n = 33, 10.2%; p = 0.01). Finally, living in a household with a stratum higher than 3 was associated with a consultation before 3 h (n = 77, 25.5% vs. n = 39, 15.6%; p = 0.004) and a higher probability of reperfusion therapy (n = 57, 18.9% vs. n = 13, 5.2%; p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Indicators of socio-economic status are related to mortality, consultation time, and access to reperfusion therapy. Mortality and reperfusion therapy are inequitably distributed and, therefore, more attention needs to be directed to the cause of these disparities in order to reduce the access gap in the context of acute stroke in Bogotá.

SISPRO: La base de datos administrativa del sistema de salud colombiano / SISPRO: The administrative database of the Colombian healthcare system

RESUMEN Colombia es reconocida en la región por la universalidad tanto de su sistema de salud como de sus sistemas de información. Si bien el Sistema de Información Integral para la Protección Social (SISPRO) tiene como finalidad cumplir una función administrativa dentro del sistema de salud, se están reconociendo sus usos en investigación. SISPRO está compuesto por varias bases de datos diferentes: las estadísticas vitales, el registro individual de prestaciones en salud (RIPS) y la clasificación única de trámites en salud (CUPS), entre otras. Las estadísticas vitales registran los nacimientos y las defunciones, junto con la ubicación geográfica, la edad de la madre o la causa de la muerte, entre otra información. Los RIPS son la base de datos más utilizada en investigación en salud, ya que permiten establecer el número de contactos que las personas tienen con el sistema de salud (más de 2 mil millones en el último quinquenio) y conocer los principales diagnósticos registrados en cada uno de estos contactos. Con RIPS, ha sido posible establecer la prevalencia de esclerosis múltiple o estimar la carga de enfermedad de la epilepsia en Colombia. RIPS también tiene información útil sobre el costo de la atención médica. Finalmente, los CUPS permiten cuantificar los procedimientos de salud, por ejemplo, podemos estimar en 1879 el número de procedimientos de trombólisis de vasos intracraneales en Colombia entre 2017 y 2021. La calidad de la información es una gran limitación en toda base de datos administrativa, sin embargo, SISPRO representa una gran oportunidad para utilizar los registros oficiales para generar conocimiento, comprender la distribución geográfica de las enfermedades y contribuir al diseño de políticas públicas en nuestra población.

Corruption and its relation to prevalence and death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors: a global perspective.

Objective: To describe the relation between corruption indicators and statistics on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors by continent. Methods: An ecological study was conducted to examine the relation of the GINI coefficient, the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA), and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with noncommunicable diseases, using the Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: There is a moderate and positive correlation between Corruption Perception Index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors for these diseases (r = 0.532), prevalence of schizophrenia (r = 0.526), bipolar disorder (r = 0.520), and eating disorders (r = 0.677). There is a moderate negative association between the GINI index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases (r = -0.571) and smoking prevalence (r = -0.502), and between the Corruption Perception Index and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases between the exact ages of 30 and 70 years (r = -0.577) and malnutrition prevalence (r = -0.602). Conclusions: This study indicates a correlation between corruption and noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors. This suggests that the high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors could be related with political practices that negatively impact the population. Further research should study the weight of these associations, to take action on the way corruption is impacting on the health of societies.

Corruption and its relation to prevalence and death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors: a global perspective

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe the relation between corruption indicators and statistics on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors by continent. Methods. An ecological study was conducted to examine the relation of the GINI coefficient, the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA), and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with noncommunicable diseases, using the Spearman’s rank correlation test. Results. There is a moderate and positive correlation between Corruption Perception Index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors for these diseases (r = 0.532), prevalence of schizophrenia (r = 0.526), bipolar disorder (r = 0.520), and eating disorders (r = 0.677). There is a moderate negative association between the GINI index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases (r = –0.571) and smoking prevalence (r = –0.502), and between the Corruption Perception Index and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases between the exact ages of 30 and 70 years (r = –0.577) and malnutrition prevalence (r = –0.602). Conclusions. This study indicates a correlation between corruption and noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors. This suggests that the high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors could be related with political practices that negatively impact the population. Further research should study the weight of these associations, to take action on the way corruption is impacting on the health of societies.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir la relación entre los indicadores de corrupción y las estadísticas sobre enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo por continente. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico para examinar la relación del coeficiente de Gini, la Evaluación de las políticas e instituciones nacionales y el índice de percepción de la corrupción con las enfermedades no transmisibles, utilizando la prueba de correlación de rangos de Spearman. Resultados. Existe una correlación positiva moderada entre el índice de percepción de la corrupción y la causa de muerte debida a enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo (r = 0,532), la prevalencia de esquizofrenia (r = 0,526), el trastorno bipolar (r = 0,520) y los trastornos alimentarios (r = 0,677). Existe una asociación negativa moderada entre el índice de Gini y la causa de muerte por enfermedades no transmisibles (r = -0,571) y la prevalencia del tabaquismo (r = -0,502), y entre el índice de percepción de la corrupción y la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares, cáncer, diabetes o enfermedades respiratorias crónicas entre las edades exactas de 30 y 70 años (r = -0,577) y la prevalencia de la desnutrición (r = -0,602). Conclusiones. En este estudio se encontró correlación entre la corrupción y las enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la alta prevalencia de enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo podrían estar relacionados con prácticas políticas que impactan negativamente en la población. Se requieren investigaciones adicionales para estudiar el peso de estas asociaciones y tomar medidas sobre la forma en que la corrupción está impactando en la salud de las sociedades.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever a relação entre os indicadores de corrupção e as estatísticas sobre doenças não transmissíveis e os seus factores de risco por continente. Métodos. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico para examinar a relação do coeficiente Gini, a Avaliação das políticas e instituições nacionais, e o Índice de percepção da corrupção com doenças não transmissíveis, utilizando o teste de correlação de postos do Spearman. Resultados. Existe uma correlação positiva moderada entre o Índice de percepção da corrupção e a causa de morte devido a doenças não transmissíveis e seus factores de risco (r = 0,532), prevalência de esquizofrenia (r = 0,526), desordem bipolar (r = 0,520), e desordens alimentares (r = 0,677). Existe uma associação negativa moderada entre o índice Gini e a causa de morte devido a doenças não transmissíveis (r = -0,571) e a prevalência de tabagismo (r = -0,502), e entre o Índice de percepção da corrupção e a mortalidade causada por doenças cardiovasculares, cancro, diabetes, ou doenças respiratórias crónicas entre as idades exactas de 30 e 70 anos (r = -0,577) e a prevalência de desnutrição (r = -0,602). Conclusões. Este estudo indica uma correlação entre a corrupção e as doenças não transmissíveis e os seus factores de risco. Isto sugere que a elevada prevalência de doenças não transmissíveis e de factores de risco pode estar relacionada com práticas políticas que afectam negativamente a população. São necessárias mais pesquisas para estudar o peso dessas associações e para tomar medidas sobre como a corrupção está impactando a saúde das sociedades.

Cannabis and pain: a scoping review.

For centuries, cannabis has been used with many different purposes, including medicinal use, usually bypassing any formal approval process. However, during the last decade, interest in cannabis in medicine has been increasing, and several countries, including the United States and Canada, have produced their own legislation about marihuana and cannabis-based medicines. Because of this, interest in research has been increasing and evidence about its medical effects is becoming necessary. We conducted a review examining the evidence of cannabis in pain. Cannabis had been shown to be useful in acute and chronic pain, however recently, these results have been controverted. Within the different types of chronic pain, it has a weak evidence for neuropathic, rheumatic pain, and headache, modest evidence for multiple sclerosis related pain, and as adjuvant therapy in cancer pain. There is no strong evidence to recommend cannabis in order to decrease opioids in patients with chronic use. Even though cannabis-based medications appear to be mostly safe, mild adverse effects are common; somnolence, sedation, amnesia, euphoric mood, hyperhidrosis, paranoia, and confusion may limit the use of cannabis in clinical practice. Risks have not been systematically analyzed. Special concern arises on how adverse effect might affect vulnerable population such as elderly patients. More research is needed in order to evaluate benefits and risks, as well as the ideal administration route and dosages. As cannabis use increases in several countries, answers to these questions might be coming soon.

Corruption and its relation to prevalence and death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors: a global perspective / La corrupción y su relación con la prevalencia y mortalidad por enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo: una perspectiva mundial / Corrupção e a sua relação com a prevalência e morte devido a doenças não transmissíveis e seus factores de risco: uma perspectiva global

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe the relation between corruption indicators and statistics on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors by continent. Methods. An ecological study was conducted to examine the relation of the GINI coefficient, the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA), and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with noncommunicable diseases, using the Spearman's rank correlation test. Results. There is a moderate and positive correlation between Corruption Perception Index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors for these diseases (r = 0.532), prevalence of schizophrenia (r = 0.526), bipolar disorder (r = 0.520), and eating disorders (r = 0.677). There is a moderate negative association between the GINI index and cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases (r = -0.571) and smoking prevalence (r = -0.502), and between the Corruption Perception Index and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases between the exact ages of 30 and 70 years (r = -0.577) and malnutrition prevalence (r = -0.602). Conclusions. This study indicates a correlation between corruption and noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors. This suggests that the high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors could be related with political practices that negatively impact the population. Further research should study the weight of these associations, to take action on the way corruption is impacting on the health of societies.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir la relación entre los indicadores de corrupción y las estadísticas sobre enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo por continente. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico para examinar la relación del coeficiente de Gini, la Evaluación de las políticas e instituciones nacionales y el índice de percepción de la corrupción con las enfermedades no transmisibles, utilizando la prueba de correlación de rangos de Spearman. Resultados. Existe una correlación positiva moderada entre el índice de percepción de la corrupción y la causa de muerte debida a enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo (r = 0,532), la prevalencia de esquizofrenia (r = 0,526), el trastorno bipolar (r = 0,520) y los trastornos alimentarios (r = 0,677). Existe una asociación negativa moderada entre el índice de Gini y la causa de muerte por enfermedades no transmisibles (r = -0,571) y la prevalencia del tabaquismo (r = -0,502), y entre el índice de percepción de la corrupción y la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares, cáncer, diabetes o enfermedades respiratorias crónicas entre las edades exactas de 30 y 70 años (r = -0,577) y la prevalencia de la desnutrición (r = -0,602). Conclusiones. En este estudio se encontró correlación entre la corrupción y las enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la alta prevalencia de enfermedades no transmisibles y sus factores de riesgo podrían estar relacionados con prácticas políticas que impactan negativamente en la población. Se requieren investigaciones adicionales para estudiar el peso de estas asociaciones y tomar medidas sobre la forma en que la corrupción está impactando en la salud de las sociedades.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever a relação entre os indicadores de corrupção e as estatísticas sobre doenças não transmissíveis e os seus factores de risco por continente. Métodos. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico para examinar a relação do coeficiente Gini, a Avaliação das políticas e instituições nacionais, e o Índice de percepção da corrupção com doenças não transmissíveis, utilizando o teste de correlação de postos do Spearman. Resultados. Existe uma correlação positiva moderada entre o Índice de percepção da corrupção e a causa de morte devido a doenças não transmissíveis e seus factores de risco (r = 0,532), prevalência de esquizofrenia (r = 0,526), desordem bipolar (r = 0,520), e desordens alimentares (r = 0,677). Existe uma associação negativa moderada entre o índice Gini e a causa de morte devido a doenças não transmissíveis (r = -0,571) e a prevalência de tabagismo (r = -0,502), e entre o Índice de percepção da corrupção e a mortalidade causada por doenças cardiovasculares, cancro, diabetes, ou doenças respiratórias crónicas entre as idades exactas de 30 e 70 anos (r = -0,577) e a prevalência de desnutrição (r = -0,602). Conclusões. Este estudo indica uma correlação entre a corrupção e as doenças não transmissíveis e os seus factores de risco. Isto sugere que a elevada prevalência de doenças não transmissíveis e de factores de risco pode estar relacionada com práticas políticas que afectam negativamente a população. São necessárias mais pesquisas para estudar o peso dessas associações e para tomar medidas sobre como a corrupção está impactando a saúde das sociedades.

Toxoplasmosis en sistema nervioso central: revisión sobre la patología, abordaje diagnóstico y tratamiento / Toxoplasmosis in the central nervous system: Review of the pathology, diagnostic approach and treatment

RESUMEN La toxoplasmosis es una de las infecciones más comunes en humanos. Debido a la prevalência de la coinfección con VIH, conlleva un alto impacto en los sistemas de salud. Los seres humanos pueden infectarse de toxoplasma al consumir carne mal cocinada de cordero o cerdo que contenga los quistes tisulares, o al consumir agua o alimentos contaminados con heces de gatos. Una vez presente en el humano, el T. gondii se multiplica en los enterocitos y se disemina por el torrente sanguíneo o linfático, parasitando las células musculares, de la retina y frecuentemente el sistema nervioso central. La técnica más usada para la detección de IgG o IgM contra toxoplasma es la técnica de Elisa. Los anticuerpos IgG pueden estar elevados sin tener una infección activa, por lo que el diagnóstico con IgM y posteriormente con test de avidez es fundamental. El líquido cefalorraquídeo muestra pleocitosis leve e hiperproteinorraquia. Las neuroimágenes son de alta utilidad, ya que usualmente la punción lumbar puede estar contraindicada por lesiones que producen efecto de masa. Idealmente, los pacientes deben ser valorados con resonancia magnética en la que típicamente se observan lesiones eccéntricas en ganglios basales con realce en anillo, posteriormente a la aplicación de contraste. Se debe considerar el linfoma del sistema nervioso central como diagnóstico diferencial. El tratamiento suele iniciarse de manera empírica con pirimetamina, sulfadiazina y ácido folínico, con evaluación de la mejoría imagenológica a los 10-14 días. Si no se encuentra disponible, es posible el tratamiento con trimetoprin-sulfametoxazol. El inicio temprano del tratamiento antibiótico es fundamental para el buen pronóstico; en cuatro meses se observa recuperación neurológica completa en menos del 20 % de los casos y a los tres años de seguimiento en aproximadamente el 30 % de los pacientes.

SUMMARY Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common infections in humans. Due to the prevalence of coinfection with HIV, it carries a high impact on health systems. Humans can become infected with toxoplasma by consuming undercooked lamb or pork meat that contains tissue cysts, or by consuming water or food contaminated with cat feces. Once present in humans, T. gondii multiplies in enterocytes and spreads through the blood or lymphatic stream, parasitizing muscle cells, the retina, and frequently the Central Nervous System. The most used technique for the detection of IgG or IgM against toxoplasma is the ELISA technique. IgG antibodies can be elevated without having an active infection, so diagnosis with IgM and later with avidity test is essential. Cerebrospinal fluid shows mild pleocytosis and hyperprotein spinal cord. Neuroimaging is highly useful, since lumbar puncture can usually be contraindicated due to lesions that produce a mass effect. Ideally, patients should be evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging, which typically shows eccentric lesions in the basal ganglia with ring enhancement after the application of contrast. Central Nervous System lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Treatment is usually started empirically with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid, with evaluation of imaging improvement at 10-14 days. If not available, treatment with trimethoprine-sulfamethoxazole is possible. The early initiation of antibiotic treatment is essential for a good prognosis, in 4 months complete neurological recovery is observed in less than 20 % of cases and after 3 years of follow-up in approximately 30 % of patients.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Associated with a Suprarenal Mass.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterised by severe thunderclap headaches (with or without the presence of acute neurological symptoms) and segmental vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries that resolves spontaneously in a period of three months. Cases have been described in the literature with producing and non-producing masses of metanephrines. Within these reports, associations with cavernous haemangioma, medulloblastoma, colon cancer, paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma, uterine fibroids, among others were found. However, no association with adrenal masses which do not produce metanephrines was found. In this context, we reported the case of a woman with this type of tumour associated with RCVS which provided a treatment challenge, as well as we reviewed the literature on cases of RCVS associated with masses.

El cannabis en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: un resumen narrativo / Cannabis in inflammatory bowel disease: a narrative summary

Resumen Introducción: si bien los cannabinoides se han utilizado durante varios años, apenas recientemente se han descrito los descubrimientos sobre sus mecanismos de acción y blancos terapéuticos, así como las alteraciones en el sistema endocannabinoide, observadas en diversas enfermedades y condiciones que se manifiestan con dolor, inflamación, patologías autoinmunes y distintos desórdenes específicos de los órganos. La enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) agrupa dos condiciones idiopáticas crónicas con patogénesis incierta, en las que se ha identificado que una desregulación del sistema inmune desempeña un papel importante. Así, pues se necesita desarrollar tratamientos alternativos para estos pacientes, ya que solo una minoría de ellos alcanza una remisión de la enfermedad. Nuestro objetivo es revisar las evidencias recientes relacionadas con el uso de cánnabis en la colitis ulcerativa (CU) y en la enfermedad de Crohn (EC). Métodos: se realizó una revisión narrativa focalizada, a partir de las bases de datos de búsqueda de Pubmed y Embase. Los artículos pertinentes fueron revisados y resumidos en forma narrativa. Resultados: los dos componentes principales del cannabis, el cannabidiol (CBD) y el tetrahidrocannabinol (THC), han sido estudiados extensivamente y han probado causar efectos antiinflamatorios y antinociceptivos. Se han descrito ampliamente las propiedades de estos componentes en el control sintomático de la CU y de la EC. No obstante, se sugieren estudios de alta calidad para seguir evaluando la eficacia y la seguridad del uso del cannabis en pacientes con la EII.

Abstract Introduction: Although cannabinoids have been used for several years, only recently have their mechanisms of action and therapeutic targets been described. Alterations in the endocannabinoid system have been observed in various diseases and conditions such as pain, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and various specific disorders. Inflammatory bowel disease groups two chronic idiopathic conditions with uncertain pathogeneses in which deregulation of the immune system plays an important role. Alternative treatments need to be developed for these patients since only a minority of patients achieve disease remission. Our goal is to review recent evidence related to the use of cannabis to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Methods: This is a focused narrative review based on searches of Pubmed and Embase. Relevant articles have been reviewed and summarized in narrative form. Results: The two main components of cannabis, CBD and THC, have been extensively studied, and their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects have been tested. The effects of these components for control of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been widely described. However, high quality studies are needed to continue evaluating the efficacy and safety of cannabis use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.