Virtual Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients With Obstetric Brachial Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric brachial palsy (OBP) is a pathology caused by complications during childbirth because of cervical spine elongation, affecting the motor and sensory innervation of the upper limbs. The most common lesion occurs on the C5 and C6 nerve branches, known as Erb-Duchenne palsy. The least common lesion is when all nerve roots are affected (C5-T1), which has the worst prognosis. Virtual reality (VR) is commonly used in neurological rehabilitation for the evaluation and treatment of physical deficits. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of VR in the rehabilitation of upper limb function in patients with OBP. METHODS: A search was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines in several scientific databases-PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane, MEDLINE, Scopus, and CINAHL-without language or date restrictions and including articles published up to April 2023. The inclusion criteria were established according to the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study (PICOS) design framework: children aged <18 years diagnosed with OBP, VR therapy used in addition to conventional therapy or isolated, VR therapy compared with conventional therapy, outcomes related to OBP rehabilitation therapy, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the RCTs, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The Review Manager statistical software (version 5.4; The Cochrane Collaboration) was used to conduct the meta-analysis. The results were synthesized through information extraction and presented in tables and forest plots. RESULTS: In total, 5 RCTs were included in this systematic review, with 3 (60%) providing information for the meta-analysis. A total of 138 participants were analyzed. All the studies used semi-immersive or nonimmersive VR systems. The statistical analysis showed no favorable results for all outcomes except for the hand-to-mouth subtest of the Mallet scoring system (functional activity; standardized mean difference -0.97, 95% CI -1.67 to -0.27; P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for the use of VR therapy for upper limb rehabilitation outcomes in patients with OBP was insufficient to support its efficacy and strongly recommend its use. Nevertheless, scientific literature supports the use of VR technologies for rehabilitation as it provides several advantages, such as enhancing the patient's motivation, providing direct feedback, and focusing the patient's attention during the intervention. Thus, the use of VR for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with OBP is still in its first stages. Small sample sizes; limited long-term analysis; lack of testing of different doses; and absence of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-related outcomes were present in the included RCTs, so further research is needed to fully understand the potential of VR technologies as a therapeutic approach for patients with OBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022314264; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=314264.

Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Motor Function Recovery in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present with different motor impairments, including a deterioration of upper limb motor function (ULMF), that limit their performance of activities of daily living and reduce their quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) is being used in neurological rehabilitation for the assessment and treatment of the physical impairments of this condition. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of VR on ULMF in patients with SCI compared with conventional physical therapy. METHODS: The search was performed from October to December 2019 in Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The inclusion criteria of selected studies were as follows: (1) comprised adults with SCI, (2) included an intervention with VR, (3) compared VR intervention with conventional physical therapy, (4) reported outcomes related to ULMF, and (5) was a controlled clinical trial. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The RevMan 5.3 statistical software was used to obtain the meta-analysis according to the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Six articles were included in this systematic review. Four of them contributed information to the meta-analysis. A total of 105 subjects were analyzed. All of the studies used semi-immersive or nonimmersive VR systems. The statistical analysis showed nonsignificant results for the Nine-Hole Peg Test (SMD -0.93, 95% CI -1.95 to 0.09), muscle balance test (SMD -0.27, 95% CI -0.82 to 0.27), Motricity Index (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.68), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) subtests (writing, SMD -0.10, 95% CI -4.01 to 3.82; simulated page turning, SMD -0.99, 95% CI -2.01 to 0.02; simulated feeding, SMD -0.64, 95% CI -1.61 to 0.32; stacking checkers, SMD 0.99, 95% CI -0.02 to 2.00; picking up large light objects, SMD -0.42, 95% CI -1.37 to 0.54; and picking up large heavy objects, SMD 0.52, 95% CI -0.44 to 1.49), range of motion of shoulder abduction/adduction (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -1.48 to 1.03), shoulder flexion/extension (SMD 0.56, 95% CI -1.24 to 2.36), elbow flexion (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -1.14 to 0.42), elbow extension (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.99 to 0.57), wrist extension (SMD 1.44, 95% CI -2.19 to 5.06), and elbow supination (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -1.80 to 1.44). Favorable results were found for the JTHFT subtest picking up small common objects (SMD -1.33, 95% CI -2.42 to -0.24). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence for VR interventions to improve ULMF in patients with SCI is limited. Future studies employing immersive systems to identify the key aspects that increase the clinical impact of VR interventions are needed, as well as research to prove the benefits of the use of VR in the rehabilitation of patients with SCI in the clinical setting.

Is Virtual Reality Effective for Balance Recovery in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool used in the neurological rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), focused on recovering balance, mobility, and motor function, among other functional outcomes. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of VR systems to recover balance in patients with SCI. The literature search was performed between October and December 2019 in the following databases: Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence (SCIRE) system and the PEDro scale, while the risk of bias was analyzed by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. A total of 12 studies, involving 188 participants, were included in the systematic review, of which two were included in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis showed favorable results for balance measured by the modified Functional Reach Test (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 3.42; 95% confidence interval: 2.54 to 4.29) and by the t-shirt test (SMD= -2.29; 95% confidence interval: -3.00 to -1.59). The results showed that VR interventions provided potential benefits, in addition to conventional physical therapy, to recover balance in patients with SCI.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality on Functional Performance after Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in a significant limitation in the functional outcomes, implying a challenge to the performance of activities of daily living. The main aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of virtual reality to improve functional performance in patients with SCI. The search was performed between October and December 2019 in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated through the PEDro scale, and the risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane collaboration's tool. Seven articles were included in this systematic review, and five of them in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis showed favorable results for functional performance in control group performing conventional therapy, measured by the functional independence measure (standardized mean difference (SMD)= -0.70; 95% confidence interval: -1.25 to -0.15). Results were inconclusive for other outcomes. Most studies have not shown beneficial effects on functional performance compared with conventional physical therapy. The results obtained showed that virtual reality may not be more effective than conventional physical therapy in improving functional performance in patients with SCI.

Efectos de la hipoterapia sobre la función motora en personas con síndrome de Down: revisión sistemática / Effects of hypotherapy on the motor function of persons with Down’s syndrome: a systematic review

Introducción. El síndrome de Down es la principal causa de discapacidad intelectual y la alteración genética humana más común. Entre las alteraciones más importantes que se presentan se encuentran las deficiencias motoras. La hipoterapia es un tratamiento sobre el caballo y con el caballo, y se usa en la actualidad como terapia en la corrección de dichas disfunciones. Objetivo. Analizar las evidencias científicas existentes sobre el efecto que la hipoterapia ejerce en la función motora de personas con síndrome de Down. Sujetos y métodos. Se efectuó una amplia búsqueda de la bibliografía en las siguientes bases de datos: CINAHL, Medline, The Cochrane Library, PEDro, Scopus y Web of Science. Además, se consultaron las revistas Fisioterapia y Cuestiones de Fisioterapia. Las búsquedas se realizaron incluyendo los artículos publicados entre los años 2000 y 2016. La estrategia de búsqueda electrónica se planteó en dos bloques temáticos: síndrome de Down e hipoterapia. La selección de artículos se llevó a cabo siguiendo unos criterios de inclusión y exclusión, y se eliminaron los artículos duplicados. Resultados. En la búsqueda realizada para esta investigación se encontraron 23 artículos, y quedaron como válidos ocho después de excluir el resto por diferentes motivos. Conclusiones. No existen evidencias sólidas sobre la mejora o no de la función motora en personas con síndrome de Down tras el tratamiento con hipoterapia. Son necesarios más estudios, y de mayor calidad metodológica, para poder constatar la efectividad de la hipoterapia en el tratamiento de la función motora gruesa en sujetos con síndrome de Down

Introduction. Down's syndrome is the main cause of intellectual disability and the most common human genetic alteration. Motor impairments are among the most important alterations presented by Down's syndrome subjects. Hippotherapy is a treatment on and with a horse, and it is currently being used as a therapy to correct those dysfunctions. Aim. To review published research literature on the effect exerted by hippotherapy on the gross motor function of people with Down's syndrome. Subjects and methods. The bibliography in the following databases has been widely searched: CINAHL, Medline, The Cochrane Library, PEDro, Scopus, and Web of Science. The journals Fisioterapia and Cuestiones de Fisioterapia have also been consulted. The electronic literature search strategy was addressed in two thematic fields: Down's syndrome and hippotherapy. Studies selection was carried out following inclusion and exclusion criteria and rejecting duplicate papers. That search included articles published between 2000 and 2016. Results. For this work, 23 articles were found, 15 of which were discarded for different reasons, leaving 8 valid ones. Conclusions. There is no strong evidence on the improvement of gross motor function in people with Down's syndrome after treatment with hippotherapy. More studies with higher methodological quality, are needed to verify the effectiveness of hippotherapy in the treatment of gross motor function in subjects with Down's syndrome

Adaptation to European Spanish and psychometric properties of the Patient Activation Measure 13 in patients with chronic diseases.

Background: The 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) is an instrument that assesses people's knowledge, skills and confidence for self-management of their health and health care. Scores on the PAM-13 have been shown to predict adherence to health behaviours, health-related outcomes and health care costs. Objectives: To develop a European Spanish adaptation of the original PAM-13 and to examine its psychometric properties in a sample of chronic patients. Methods: The PAM-13 was forward-backward translated and then completed by chronic patients attending a primary health care centre. Data were analysed with a Rasch model. We assessed the functioning of the rating scale, its reliability, the item goodness-of-fit, differential item functioning (DIF), local dependence, unidimensionality and correlation analysis. Results: A total of 208 patients (80%) completed the questionnaire. Data showed a fit to the Rasch model. More than 50% of patients endorsed all the items. Item rank for the Spanish sample was similar to the original, with few differences. We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in PAM-13 measures according to adherence to prescribed medicines and positive correlations with self-efficacy and physical quality of life. Conclusions: The European Spanish PAM-13 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing activation in patients with chronic disease in Spain. We suggest adding new items to the instrument so as to examine patients with higher activation levels in the future. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of this new Spanish PAM-13 in different settings and populations, as well as to examine the relationship between PAM-13 scores and other health-related outcomes.

Do patients and health care professionals view the communication processes of clinical research differently? A Rasch analysis from a survey.

RATIONALE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing amount of the clinical research conducted in the primary health care has enabled extending research beyond traditional settings, but this transfer has implied some trade-offs. Health care professionals who conduct research with trusted patients require assuming the ethical standards of research and communication skills to enable patients' autonomy and freedom of choice. This study aims to measure the opinions of health professionals and patients on issues of communication in clinical research. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with health care professionals and patients from primary health care centres in Barcelona (Spain). Each group completed a similar self-administered questionnaire. A Rasch model was fitted to data. After examination of goodness-of-fit, differences between groups were compared using analysis of variance, and patients' measures were calibrated to professionals' measures to compare overall mean measures. RESULTS: Professionals and patients found the ethical attitudes most difficult to endorse related to trust in clinical researchers and conflicts of interest. Patients' perceptions of professional ethical behaviour were significantly lower than professionals'. Different item functioning between nurses and family doctors was found in the item on seeking ethical collaboration when collaborating in clinical research. Effective knowledge of ethical norms was associated with greater perceived ethical values in clinical research and confidence in health care professionals among patients. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the views of the communication process between patients and professionals could alert research boards, health care institutions and researchers to the need for greater transparency, trust and ethical instruction when patients are involved in clinical research.

PEG-Interferon-α ribavirin-induced HCV viral clearance: a pharmacogenetic multicenter Spanish study.

OBJECTIVE: Dual PEGylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin therapy has been the main hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment of the last decade. Current direct-acting antiviral agents have improved the outcome of therapy but also have increased the cost and management complexity of treatment. The current study analyzes host genetics, viral and clinical predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) to dual PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy in a representative Spanish population. METHODS: Observational prospective multicentre pharmacogenetic cohort study conducted in 12 different hospitals of 12 different Spanish regions. A total of 98 patients with SVR and 106 with non-SVR in response to PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy were included. 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms located in 24 different genes related with inflammatory, immune and virus response were selected. Clinical and viral data were also analyzed as candidate of SVR predictors. RESULTS: IL-28B (rs12979860, rs7248668, rs8105790, rs8099917) and TNFRSF1B (rs1061622) genotypes, as well as TNFRSF1B/IL-10/TNFα (-308) non-TTG and TNFRSF1B/IL- 10/IL-4 non-TTC haplotypes together with lower age, lower basal HCV RNA load, higher basal serum LDL cholesterol values, VHC genotypes 2 and 3 and basal low grade fibrosis 0-2 were associated with a SVR in the univariate analysis. Independent predictors of SVR in the multivariate analysis were IL-28B rs12979860 CC, TNFRSF1B/IL-10/IL-4 non-TTC along with low baseline HCV RNA load and HCV genotypes 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: IL-28B rs12979860 CC, TNFRSF1B/ IL-10/ IL-4 non-TTC haplotype, low baseline HCV RNA load and HCV genotypes 2 and 3 may help to predict successful outcome to PEG-IFN/ribavirin therapy in Spanish population.

Objetivo: El interferon-pegilado (IFN-PEG) junto a ribavirina ha sido el principal tratamiento de la infeccion por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) de la ultima decada. Los agentes antivirales de accion directa actuales han mejorado los resultados de la terapia, pero tambien han aumentado el costo y la gestion de la complejidad del tratamiento. El presente estudio analiza factores geneticos de los pacientes, asi como predictores virales y clinicos de respuesta sostenida viral (RSV) al tratamiento con IFN-PEG y ribavirina en poblacion Espanola. Métodos: Estudio farmacogenetico, multicentrico, prospectivo, observacional de cohortes realizado en 12 hospitales diferentes de 12 comunidades autonomas diferentes. Se incluyeron un total de 98 pacientes con RVS y 106 sin SVR al tratamiento con IFNPEG y ribavirina. Se seleccionaron 33 polimorfismos de nucleotido unico ubicados en 24 genes diferentes relacionados con la respuesta inflamatoria, inmunologica y viral. Los datos clinicos y virales tambien se analizaron como candidatos predictores de RVS. Resultados: Los genotipos IL-28B (rs12979860, rs7248668, rs8105790, rs8099917) y TNFRSF1B (rs1061622), asi como los haplotipos TNFRSF1B / IL-10 / TNF(-308) no-TTG y TNFRSF1B / IL-10 / IL-4 no-TTC junto con la menor edad, menor carga de ARN-VHC basal, valores elevados de colesterol LDL en suero basal, genotipos VHC2 y 3 y bajo grado de fibrosis basal (0-2) se asociaron con una RVS en el analisis univariante. Los predictores independientes de RVS en el analisis multivariante fueron el genotipo IL-28B rs12979860 CC, el haplotipo TNFRSF1B / IL-10 / IL-4 no-TTC junto con los bajos niveles basales de VHCARN y los genotipos virales VHC2 y 3. Conclusiones: El genotipo IL-28B rs12979860 CC, el haplotipo TNFRSF1B / IL-10 / IL-4 haplotipos no-TTC, la carga viral basal baja y los genotipos del VHC2 y 3 pueden ayudar a predecir una buena respuesta a la terapia con IFN-PEG y ribavirina en poblacion espanola.

Ethical behaviour in clinical practice: a multidimensional Rasch analysis from a survey of primary health care professionals of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).

PURPOSE: Normative ethics includes ethical behaviour health care professionals should uphold in daily practice. This study assessed the degree to which primary health care (PHC) professionals endorse a set of ethical standards from these norms. METHODS: Health care professionals from an urban area participated in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. We examined the level of ethical endorsement of the items and the ethical performance of health care professionals using a Rasch multidimensional model. We analysed differences in ethical performance between groups according to sex, profession and knowledge of ethical norms. RESULTS: A total of 452 Professionals from 56 PHC centres participated. The level of ethical performance was lower in items related to patient autonomy and respecting patient choices. The item estimate across all dimensions showed that professionals found it most difficult to endorse avoiding interruptions when seeing patients. We found significant differences in two groups: nurses had greater ethical performance than family physicians (p < 0.05), and professionals who reported having effective knowledge of ethical norms had a higher level of ethical performance (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Paternalistic behaviour persists in PHC. Lesser endorsement of items suggests that patient-centred care and patient autonomy are not fully considered by professionals. Ethical sensitivity could improve if patients are cared for by multidisciplinary teams.

[Evaluation of pharmacodynamic target attainment with vancomycin treatment of bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant]. / Evaluación farmacocinética y farmacodinámica del tratamiento con vancomicina en la bacteriemia por Staphylococcusaureus resistente a meticilina.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the ability of standard vancomycin dosing strategies actually recommended to attain the pharmacodynamic target of an area under the curve of vancomycin serum concentration versus time from 0 to 24 hours (AUC(24h)) to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio greater than 400:1 for patients with a suspected or documented methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia by individual analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included all patients admitted with suspected or proven MRSA infection during the years 2007-2008, and who were initially treated with vancomycin at a dose of 30 mg/kg/ day, and underwent pharmacokinetic monitoring. The area under the curve of vancomycin serum concentration versus time from 0 to 24 hours (AUC(24h)) was calculated as daily dose/ clearance total (D(24h)/CL). Additionally, we studied 45 isolates of MRSA obtained from blood cultures in the period 2007-2008. The MIC to vancomycin was determined using Epsilon-test®. The PK-PD parameter calculated was AUC(24h)/MIC. Microsoft Excel was used to perform a 10.000 subject Monte Carlo simulation. An AUC(24h)/MIC > or =400 was assumed as the target attainment. RESULTS: In the individual study, the percentage of patients with AUC(24h)/ MIC(50/90) > or = 400 was 50%. The probability (%) of attaining AUC(24h)/MIC ratio values > or = 400 by Monte Carlo simulation was of 66%. The vancomycin MIC value from which the scenario would have to wait a suboptimal treatment (target < 90%) was >1 mg/ L. DISCUSSION: This study shows that in the population studied to achieve a vancomycin AUC(24h)/MIC > or =400 is not always attained with the standard dose. Therefore, one would expect a high probability of suboptimal vancomycin AUC(24h)/MIC ratios for patients infected with organisms with vancomycin MICs of >1 mg/ L treated with doses of 30 mg/ kg/ day.

Evaluación farmacocinética y farmacodinámica del tratamiento con vancomicina en la bacteriemia por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina / Evaluation of pharmacodynamic target attainment with vancomycin treatment of bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant

Objetivo: Evaluar la capacidad de la actual estrategia dedosificación de vancomicina de obtener un objetivo farmacocinético/farmacodinámico (FC/FD) de área bajo la curva CMImayor de 400 en pacientes con sospecha o bacteriemia documentadapor Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina(SARM) mediante análisis individual de los pacientes y simulaciónde Monte Carlo.Material y métodos: El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientesingresados con sospecha o bacteriemia documentada porSARM durante los años 2007-2008 y que inicialmente fuerontratados con una dosis de vancomicina de 30 mg/kg/día y quefueron sometidos a seguimiento farmacocinético.El área bajo la curva de la concentración sérica de vancomicinafrente al tiempo de 0 a 24 horas (ABC24h) se calculó comola dosis diaria / aclaramiento total (D24h/CL). Además, se estudiaron45 cepas de SARM obtenidas de hemocultivospertenecientes a pacientes individuales. El CMI a vancomicinafue determinada por Epsilon-test®. Además se realizó una simulaciónde Monte Carlo sobre 10.000 individuos, un ABC24h/CMI >=400 se asumió como objetivo.Resultados: en el estudio individual, el porcentaje de pacientescon ABC24h/CMI50/90 >=400 fue del 50%. La probabilidad(%) de alcanzar ABC24h/CMI >= 400 por simulación Monte Carloen la población estudiada fue de 66%. El valor de CMI a vancomicinaa partir del cual se podría inferir un escenario subóptimode tratamiento (objetivo <90%) fue de > 1 mg/L.Discusión: Este estudio muestra que en la población estudiadaconseguir un cociente ABC24h/CMI >= 400 para vancomicinano es siempre posible con la dosis estándar especialmenteen pacientes infectados con microorganismos con CMI a vancomicina> 1 mg/L y que son tratados con dosis de vancomicinade 30 mg/kg/día(AU)

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluatethe ability of standard vancomycin dosing strategiesactually recommended to attain the pharmacodynamictarget of an area under the curve of vancomycin serumconcentration versus time from 0 to 24 hours (AUC24h)to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio greaterthan 400:1 for patients with a suspected or documentedmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) bacteraemia by individual analysis and MonteCarlo simulation.Material and methods: The study included all patientsadmitted with suspected or proven MRSA infectionduring the years 2007-2008, and who were initiallytreated with vancomycin at a dose of 30mg/kg/day, and underwent pharmacokinetic monitoring.The area under the curve of vancomycin serumconcentration versus time from 0 to 24 hours (AUC24h)was calculated as daily dose/clearance total (D24h/CL).Additionally, we studied 45 isolates of MRSA obtainedfrom blood cultures in the period 2007-2008. The MICto vancomycin was determined using Epsilon-test®.The PK-PD parameter calculated was AUC24h/MIC. MicrosoftExcel was used to perform a 10.000 subjectMonte Carlo simulation. An AUC24h/MIC ≥ 400 was assumedas the target attainment. Results: In the individual study, the percentage of patientswith AUC24h/MIC50/90 >= 400 was 50%. The probability(%) of attaining AUC24h/MIC ratio values >= 400 by MonteCarlo simulation was of 66%. The vancomycin MIC valuefrom which the scenario would have to wait a suboptimaltreatment (target <90%) was >1 mg/L.Discussion: This study shows that in the populationstudied to achieve a vancomycin AUC24h/MIC >= 400 isnot always attained with the standard dose. Therefore,one would expect a high probability of suboptimal vancomycinAUC24h/MIC ratios for patients infected with organismswith vancomycin MICs of >1 mg/L treated withdoses of 30 mg/kg/day(AU)

[Pharmacological treatment adherence by older patients after hospital discharge]. / Adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes ancianos tras el alta hospitalaria.

UNLABELLED: Little information is available on drug adherence in older patients after discharge or on predictors of non-adherence. OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of treatment adherence and associated factors in elderly patients after hospital discharge with a view to identifying opportunities for improvement. METHOD: We performed a cross-sectional study of 70 patients aged over 65 years old discharged from an internal medicine unit who were self-sufficient regarding treatment management. RESULTS: Only 8.6% of patients complied with the recommended treatment. Eighty-five percent of the drugs were taken incorrectly: 67% were taken in excess, 33% were taken less than prescribed, and 54% were taken without following the recommendations concerning timetable and food intake. The most frequent reasons identified by the patients for not taking the medication correctly were lack of knowledge and forgetfulness. The most frequent risk factors were male gender, living with adult siblings, and taking a large number of prescribed medicines. Information given by the doctor about the treatment and assistance from a friend or relative at home increased adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment adherence after hospital discharge in patients aged over 65 years old is very low. Instruments should be sought to counter forgetfulness and recommendations should be adapted to improve patients' knowledge of prescriptions.

Situs ambiguo asociado a cardiopatía e interrupción de la vena cava inferior con continuidad de la ácigos / Situs ambiguus associated with congenital heart disease and interruption of the inferior vena, cava and with azygos continuation

Entre la lateralidad habitual (situs solitus) y laimagen completa en espejo (situs inversus) seencuentra el situs ambiguo o heterotaxia. Sus dosmodalidades principales son el isomerismoizquierdo (con poliesplenia) o el derecho (conasplenia). La heterotaxia implica alteraciones en lamovilidad ciliar que dificultan la migración deórganos embrionarios. Presenta malposición deórganos toracoabdominales, cardiopatías complejasy otras malformaciones. Presentamos un caso dediagnóstico ecográfico prenatal de isomerismoizquierdo, hígado a la izquierda y asplenia,asociado a cardiopatía e interrupción de la venacava inferior con continuidad de la ácigos. Lalateralidad de los órganos fetales debe ser partedel examen ultrasonográfico rutinario, por lasfrecuentes malformaciones asociadas a laheterotaxia

There is a spectrum of heterotaxic syndromesbetween normal organ distribution (situs solitus)and congenital conditions in which major organsare mirrored from their normal position (situsinversus). The two main modalities are leftisomerism (with polysplenia) and right isomerism(with asplenia). Heterotaxic defects involve ciliarydyskinesia, hampering migration of embryonicorgans and leading to malposition of thoracic andabdominal organs, complex cardiac defects, andother malformations. We present a case of prenatalechographic diagnosis of levocardia, with left-sidedliver, asplenia, congenital heart disease, andinterruption of the inferior vena cava with azygoscontinuation. Because of the malformationsfrequently associated with heterotaxy, the positionof fetal organs should form part of routineultrasonographic examination (AU)

Mejoría de la vasculopatía del injerto tras la administración de micofenolato mofetil en un niño / Improvement of graft vascuplopathy following mycophenolate mofetil administration in a child

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