Baricitinib or imatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Results from COVINIB, an exploratory randomized clinical trial.

Baricitinib and imatinib are considered therapies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but their ultimate clinical impact remains to be elucidated, so our objective is to determine whether these kinase inhibitors provide benefit when added to standard care in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Phase-2, open-label, randomized trial with a pick-the-winner design conducted from September 2020 to June 2021 in a single Spanish center. Hospitalized adults with COVID-19 pneumonia and a symptom duration ≤10 days were assigned to 3 arms: imatinib (400 mg qd, 7 days) plus standard-care, baricitinib (4 mg qd, 7 days) plus standard-care, or standard-care alone. Primary outcome was time to clinical improvement (discharge alive or a reduction of 2 points in an ordinal scale of clinical status) compared on a day-by-day basis to identify differences ≥15% between the most and least favorable groups. Secondary outcomes included oxygenation and ventilatory support requirements, additional therapies administered, all-cause mortality, and safety. One hundred and sixty-five patients analyzed. Predefined criteria for selection of the most advantageous arm were met for baricitinib, but not for imatinib. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in formal analysis, but a trend toward better results in patients receiving baricitinib was found compared to standard care alone (hazard ratio [HR] for clinical improvement: 1.41, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.96-2.06; HR for discontinuing oxygen: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.94-2.28). No differences were found regarding additional therapies administered or safety. Baricitinib plus standard care showed better results for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, being the most advantageous therapeutic strategy among those proposed in this exploratory clinical trial.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among health care workers in a secondary teaching hospital in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a huge challenge to healthcare systems and their personnel worldwide. The study of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCW), through prevalence studies, will let us know viral expansion, individuals at most risk and the most exposed areas in healthcare organizations. The aim of this study is to gauge the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in our hospital workforce and identify groups and areas at increased risk. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This is a cross-sectional and incidence study carried out on healthcare workers based on molecular and serological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 3013 HCW invited to participate, 2439 (80.9%) were recruited, including 674 (22.4%) who had previously consulted at the Occupational Health Service (OHS) for confirmed exposure and/or presenting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. A total of 411 (16.9%) and 264 (10.8%) healthcare workers were SARS-CoV-2 IgG and rRT-PCR positive, respectively. The cumulative prevalence considering all studies (IgG positive HCW and/or rRT-PCR positive detection) was 485 (19.9%). SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive patients in whom the virus was not detected were 221 (9.1%); up to 151 of them (68.3%) did not report any compatible symptoms nor consult at the OHS for this reason. Men became more infected than women (25% vs 18.5%, p = 0.0009), including when data were also classified by age. COVID-19 cumulative prevalence among the HCW assigned to medical departments was higher (25.2%) than others, as well as among medical staff (25.4%) compared with other professional categories (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCW of our centre has been 19.9%. Doctors and medical services personnel have had the highest prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but many of them have not presented compatible symptoms. This emphasizes the performance of continuous surveillance methods of the most exposed health personnel and not only based on the appearance of symptoms.

Epidemiología y etiología de la candidiasis vaginal en mujeres españolas e inmigrantes en Fuenlabrada (Madrid) / Epidemiology and etiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis in Spanish and immigrants' women in Fuenlabrada (Madrid)

OBJETIVOS: La candidiasis vulvovaginal es una infección oportunista provocada por levaduras del género Candida. Los principales factores predisponentes son la gestación, los tratamientos con antibióticos y la diabetes mellitus. Candida albicans es la especie más frecuente, pero en países de África y Asia la frecuencia de Candida no C. albicans es más elevada. Hemos estudiado la distribución de las diferentes especies de Candida en mujeres españolas e inmigrantes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de los exudados vaginales recibidos en nuestro laboratorio durante los años 2015 a 2018. RESULTADOS: Se recibieron 2.283 estudios. Se detectó Candida spp. en el 25,7% en españolas y el 28,5% en extranjeras (la diferencia no es significativa). La tasa en inmigrantes es mayor que otras descritas en España. El 82,4% de los aislamientos correspondió a C. albicans. CONCLUSIONES: No hay diferencias significativas entre las tasas de los aislamientos de españolas versus extranjeras. Se observa una demanda proporcionalmente mayor de estudios en las mujeres inmigrantes

OBJECTIVES: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal infection. Risk factors include diabetes, antibiotic use and pregnancy. Candida albicans is the most common species identified but non-C. albicans species appear to be more commonly associated with VVC in some Asian and African countries. We had studied the distribution of Candida species in Spanish and immigrants' women residents in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of vaginal yeast cultures between 2015 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 2,283 vaginal yeast cultures were collected. Candida spp. was detected in 25.7% from Spanish women and in 28.5% from immigrants (no significant differences). Immigrants have higher rates of vaginal candidiasis compared other studies in Spain. C. albicans was the most common species isolated (82.4%). CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in vaginal candidiasis rate between Spanish and immigrants' women. Immigrants consulted proportionally more compared with the Spanish women

Evaluación de una pauta de detección de colonización vaginorrectal por Streptococcus agalactiae usando medio de cultivo GBS modified / Evaluation of a pattern of culture for detecting Streptococcus agalactiae carriage using GBS modified médium

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Influencia del informe de laboratorio en el diagnóstico de la disfunción tiroidea en la gestante: más allá del asterisco / The influence of the laboratory report on the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women: beyond the asterisk

Introducción: La fisiología tiroidea sufre cambios adaptativos durante la gestación, haciendo necesario conocer los límites de normalidad de las hormonas tiroideas según la edad gestacional para una correcta interpretación, principalmente en la enfermedad tiroidea subclínica. Los sistemas de información de laboratorio (SIL) encuentran dificultades para informar rangos de referencia ante diferentes situaciones fisiopatológicas. La labor del facultativo del laboratorio es importante para desarrollar y diseñar herramientas que permitan identificar estas situaciones e interpretar los resultados de forma adecuada. Objetivo: Analizar si el cambio del SIL en nuestro servicio y la emisión del informe del laboratorio con la interpretación de los resultados, habían tenido repercusión sobre la identificación y el seguimiento de la disfunción tiroidea en las gestantes de nuestra área. Material y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio retrospectivo transversal analizando los resultados de las analíticas de todas las gestantes de primer trimestre y a las que se les habían solicitado pruebas tiroideas en los siguientes 6 meses. Se realizaron 2 grupos, antes y después del cambio de SIL. Resultados: Los porcentajes de seguimiento fueron similares en los 2 grupos, excepto cuando la TSH era patológica para gestantes y normal para población general, es decir, cuando no salía asterisco. Conclusiones: Los rangos de referencia establecidos para población normal no identifican la enfermedad tiroidea subclínica en gestantes. Es imprescindible la intervención activa del facultativo del laboratorio en la valoración de estos resultados. En nuestro estudio un 50% más de las gestantes con hipotiroidismo subclínico se benefició de la estrategia que habíamos introducido

Introduction: Thyroid physiology undergoes adaptive changes during pregnancy, making it necessary to know the reference ranges of thyroid hormones according to gestational age for a correct interpretation, especially in subclinical thyroid disease. Laboratory information systems (LIS) have difficulty in reporting reference ranges (RR) in different pathophysiological situations. The work of the laboratory physician is important in developing and designing tools to identify these situations, and to make an appropriate interpretation of the results. Objective: To determine whether the change in the LIS in our department and the issue of the laboratory report with the interpretation of the results, had an impact on the identification and monitoring of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women in our area. Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out by analysing the results of all first-trimester pregnant women and those on whom thyroid tests had been requested in the following six months. The pregnant women were divided into two groups, before and after the change of the LIS. Results: Follow-up percentages were similar in the two groups, except when TSH was abnormal for pregnant women and normal for the general population, that is, when there was no asterisk. Conclusions: The RRs established for the normal population do not identify sub-clinical thyroid disease in pregnant women. The active intervention of the laboratory physician is essential in the evaluation of these results. In our study, more than 50% of the pregnant women with sub-clinical hypothyroidism benefited from the strategy introduced

La Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica-Medicina del Laboratorio aclara conceptos sobre recertificación y registro profesionales / The Spanish Association of Medical Biopathology-Laboratory Medicine clarifies concepts related with recertification as well as with professional registration

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Publicación de la segunda edición de la norma UNE-EN ISO 22870. Análisis junto al paciente. Requisitos para la calidad y la competencia / Publication of the second edition of UNE-EN ISO 22870. Point-of-care testing. Requirements for quality and competence

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Recomendación del uso de ecuaciones de corrección de valores de potasio en presencia de interferencia por hemólisis / Recommendation on the use of correction equations for potassium levels in haemolysed samples

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Características, notación y sintaxis para el diseño de indicadores claves de proceso (KPI) en sistemas de adecuación de la demanda de laboratorio: el ejemplo de las recomendaciones de no hacer de AEBM-ML / Characteristics, function and syntax for the design of key performance indicators (KPI) in laboratory adjustment of the demand systems: The example of the “not to do” recommendations of the AEBM-ML

La Medicina del Laboratorio constituye un área de conocimiento multidisciplinar en continuo cambio, siendo responsabilidad de las sociedades científicas el compendiar y difundir los últimos avances científicos, así como proporcionar herramientas para su interpretación. El establecimiento de protocolos, guías y recomendaciones constituye una actividad esencial, pero estas acciones deben ir acompañadas de la definición de indicadores claves de procesos. Los indicadores claves de procesos permiten evaluar y hacer un seguimiento del correcto cumplimiento de los objetivos propuestos, así como actuar a modo de herramienta de mejora a través de la intercomparación entre laboratorios (benchmarking). La reciente publicación realizada por la Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica-Medicina del Laboratorio Decisiones inteligentes desde el laboratorio: de elegir sabiamente a no hacer constituye, en este sentido, un buen ejemplo. Elaborada en el seno del proyecto «Compromiso por la Calidad de las Sociedades Científicas en España» promovido por el Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad, propone un total de 19 recomendaciones avaladas por un panel constituido por 26 expertos. Cada una de estas recomendaciones se acompaña de un conjunto de indicadores de proceso para evaluar el cumplimento y eficiencia de su implementación. Considerando como punto de partida la metodología y sistema de notación empleados en la citada monografía para el diseño de indicadores claves de procesos, constituye una guía de diseño útil para la evaluación de cualquier proceso de adecuación y uso efectivo del laboratorio (AU)

Laboratory Medicine is an area of multidisciplinary knowledge in continuous change. The scientific societies have the responsibility for summarising and disseminating the latest scientific advances, as well as providing tools for their interpretation. The establishment of protocols, guidelines and recommendations is an essential activity of these societies, but these actions must be accompanied by the definition of key performance indicators. The key performance indicators enable the objectives to be correctly fulfilled. Moreover, these indicators are an improvement tool based on the intercomparison between laboratories (benchmarking). Thus, the recent publication by the Spanish Medical Biopathology Society-Laboratory Medicine (Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica-Medicina del Laboratorio) entitled "Intelligent decisions since laboratory: from choose wisely till not to do" (Decisiones inteligentes desde el laboratorio: de elegir sabiamente a no hacer) is a good example. This publication, prepared within the framework of the "Commitment to Quality by the Spanish Scientific Societies" project, proposed by the Ministry of Health, makes 19 recommendations proposed by an expert panel of 26 laboratory professionals. Each recommendation includes several indicators to evaluate the compliance and effectiveness of their implementation. Taking the methodology and function used in the Spanish Medical Biopathology Association-Laboratory Medicine document for the design of key performance indicators as a basis, it becomes a useful guide for designing the evaluation of any adjustment process and its effective use in the laboratory (AU)

Consensus document on the prevention of methylmercury exposure in Spain: Study group for the prevention of Me-Hg exposure in Spain (GEPREM-Hg).

The beneficial effects of fish consumption in both children and adults are well known. However, the intake of methylmercury, mainly from contaminated fish and shellfish, can have adverse health effects. The study group on the prevention of exposure to methylmercury (GEPREM-Hg), made up of representatives from different Spanish scientific societies, has prepared a consensus document in a question and answer format, containing the group's main conclusions, recommendations and proposals. The objective of the document is to provide broader knowledge of factors associated with methylmercury exposure, its possible effects on health amongst the Spanish population, methods of analysis, interpretation of the results and economic costs, and to then set recommendations for fish and shellfish consumption. The group sees the merit of all initiatives aimed at reducing or prohibiting the use of mercury as well as the need to be aware of the results of contaminant analyses performed on fish and shellfish marketed in Spain. In addition, the group believes that biomonitoring systems should be set up in order to follow the evolution of methylmercury exposure in children and adults and perform studies designed to learn more about the possible health effects of concentrations found in the Spanish population, taking into account the lifestyle, eating patterns and the Mediterranean diet.

La formación en las especialidades del laboratorio clínico y el compromiso profesional / Specialty training in clinical laboratory and professional commitment

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Metilmercurio: Recomendaciones existentes; métodos de análisis e interpretación de resultados; evaluación económica / Methylmercury: existing recommendations; methods of analysing and interpreting the results; economic evaluation

Los efectos beneficiosos del consumo de pescado son bien reconocidos. Sin embargo, existe preocupación a nivel mundial sobre los niveles de metilmercurio en el pescado, por lo que muchos países como Estados Unidos, Australia, Nueza Zelanda, Canadá y muchos países europeos han realizado recomendaciones de consumo de pescado a la población , especialmente a los grupos vulnerables con el fin de reducir la ingesta de metilmercurio. La sangre y el pelo son las mejores muestras biológicas para medir el metilmercurio. El método de análisis más empleado ha sido la espectroscopia de absorción atómica con la técnica del vapor frío, aunque existen también métodos directos que se basan en la descomposición térmica de la muestra. En los últimos años han aumentado los laboratorios que miden el mercurio por espectrometría de masas con plasma acoplado por inducción. Además, se puede diferenciar las distintas especies de mercurio acoplando métodos de separación cromatográficos. Es necesario que los laboratorios que analizan mercurio en muestras biológicas participen en programas de garantía externa de la calidad. Aunque se logre reducir las emisiones de mercurio, el mercurio del medio ambiente altodavía puede permanecer muchos años, por lo que es fundamental el consejo dietético para disminuir la exposición. No es aconsejable el uso de terapia quelante con fines diagnósticos o en pacientes asintomáticos. Es preciso proponer medidas de salud pública encaminadas a la disminución de la exposición al mercurio y que se evalúe también los beneficios de las mismas desde el punto de vista económico y social (AU)

The beneficial effects of fish consumption are well-known. Nevertheless, there is worldwide concern regard methylmercury concentrations in fish, which is why many countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and numerous European countries have made fish consumption recommendations for their populations, particularly vulnerable groups, in order to México methylmercury intake. Blood and hair are the best biological samples for measuring methylmercury. The most widely-used method to analyse ethylmercury is cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, although there are also direct methods based on the thermal decomposition of the sample. In recent years, the number of laboratories that measure mercury by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has increased. In addition, the different kinds of mercury can be distinguished by coupling chromatography methods of separation. Laboratories that analyse mercury in biological samples need to participate in external quality control programmes. Even if mercury emissions are reduced, mercury may remain in the environment for many years, so dietary recommendations are fundamental in order to reduce exposure. It is necessary to propose public health measures aimed at decreasing mercury exposure and to evaluate the benefits of such measures from the economic and social standpoints (AU)

Documento de consenso sobre la prevención de la exposición al metilmercurio en España / Consensus document on the prevention of exposure to methylmercuty in Spain

Los efectos beneficiosos del consumo de pescado tanto en niños como en adultos han sido bien reconocidos. Sin embargo, la ingesta de metilmercurio principalmente a través del pescado y marisco contaminado puede producir efectos adversos en la salud. El grupo de estudio para la prevención de la exposición al metilmercurio (GEPREM-Hg), constituido por representantes de diferentessociedades científicas españolas, ha elaborado un documento de consenso donde se recogen en forma de preguntas y respuestas las principales conclusiones, recomendaciones y propuestas planteadas en el grupo. El objetivo del documento es profundizar en el conocimiento de los factores asociados a la exposición al metilmercurio, los posibles efectos sobre la salud en la población española, los métodos de análisis, la interpretación de los resultados, el coste económico y establecer finalmente recomendaciones de consumo de pescados y mariscos. El grupo considera acertadas todas las iniciativas encaminadas a reducir o prohibir el uso del mercurio y la necesidad de conocer los resultados de los análisis de contaminantes que se realizan en los pescados y mariscos que se comercializan en España. Además, opina que se deberían establecer sistemas de biomonitorización para conocer la evolución de la exposición al metilmercurio en niños y adultos y realizar estudios diseñados para conocer los posibles efectos sobre la salud de las concentraciones halladas en la población española, teniendo en cuenta el estilo de vida, los patrones de consumo alimentarios y la dieta mediterránea (AU)

The beneficial effects of fish consumption in both children and adults are well known. However, the intake of methylmercury, mainly from contaminated fish and shellfish, can have adverse health effects. The study group on the prevention of exposure to methylmercury (GEPREM-Hg), made up of representatives from different Spanish scientific societies, has prepared a consensus document in a question and answer format, containing the group’s main conclusions, recommendations and proposals. The objective of the document is to provide broader knowledge of factors associated with methylmercury exposure, its possible effects on health among the Spanish population, methods of analysis, interpretation of the results and economic costs, and to then set recommendations for fish and shellfish consumption. The group sees the merit of all initiatives aimed at reducing or prohibiting the use of mercury as well as the need to be aware of the results of contaminant analyses performed on fish and shellfish marketed in Spain. In addition, the group believes that biomonitoring systems should be set up in order to follow the evolution of methylmercury exposure in children and adults and perform studies designed to learn more about the possible health effects of concentrations found in the Spanish population, ta combusking into account the lifestyle, eating patterns and the Mediterranean diet (AU)

Documento de consenso sobre la prevención de la exposición al metilmercurio en España / Consensus document on the prevention of exposure to methylmercury in Spain

Los efectos beneficiosos del consumo de pescado tanto en niños como en adultos han sido bien reconocidos. Sin embargo, la ingesta de metilmercurio principalmente a través del pescado y marisco contaminado puede producir efectos adversos en la salud. El grupo de estudio para la prevención de la exposición al metilmercurio (GEPREM-Hg), constituido por representantes de diferentes sociedades científicas españolas, ha elaborado un documento de consenso donde se recogen en forma de preguntas y respuestas las principales conclusiones, recomendaciones y propuestas planteadas en el grupo. El objetivo del documento es profundizar en el conocimiento de los factores asociados a la exposición almetilmercurio, los posibles efectos sobre la salud en la población española, los métodos de análisis, la interpretación de los resultados, el coste económico y establecer finalmente recomendaciones de consumo de pescados y mariscos. El grupo considera acertadas todas las iniciativas encaminadas a reducir o prohibir el uso del mercurio y la necesidad de conocer los resultados de los análisis de contaminantes que se realizan en los pescados y mariscos que se comercializan en España. Además, opina que se deberían establecer sistemas de biomonitorización para conocer la evolución de la exposicional metilmercurio en niños y adultos y realizar estudios diseñados para conocer los posibles efectos sobre la salud de las concentraciones halladas en la población española, teniendo en cuenta el estilo de vida, los patrones de consumo alimentarios y la dieta mediterránea (AU)

The beneficial effects of fish consumption in both children and adults are well known. However, the intake of methyl mercury, mainly from contaminated fish and shellfish, can have adverse health effects. The study group on the prevention of exposure to methyl mercury (GEPREM-Hg), made up of representatives from different Spanish scientific societies, has prepared a consensus document in a question and answer format, containing the group's main conclusions, recommendations and proposals. The objective of the document is to provide broader knowledge of factors associated with methyl mercury exposure, its possible effects on health among the Spanish population, methods of analysis, interpretation of the results and economic costs, and to then set recommendations for fish and shellfish consumption. The group sees the merit of all initiatives aimed at reducing or prohibiting the use of mercury as well as the need to be aware of the results of contaminant analyses performed on fish and shellfish marketed in Spain. In addition, the group believes that biomonitoring systems should be set up in order to follow the evolution of methyl mercury exposure in children and adults and perform studies designed to learn more about the possible health effects of concentrations found in the Spanish population, taking into account the lifestyle, eating patterns and the Mediterranean diet (AU)