Predictive risk model of recurrence of acute diverticulitis after the first episode.

INTRODUCTION: The recurrence of acute diverticulitis (AD) of the colon is frequent and leads to hospital readmissions and the need for elective surgery in selected cases. It is important to individualize risk factors and develop predictive tools for their identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 368 patients who were diagnosed with AD between 2016 and 2021 in a tertiary general university hospital during their first episode and who had a good response to antibiotic, percutaneous, or peritoneal lavage treatment. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of the variables associated with recurrence were performed. Subsequently, a predictive risk score was developed and validated through survival studies. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 50 months, there were 71 (19.3%) cases of recurrence out of a total of 368 patients. The mean time of recurrence was 15 months, and 73.3% of cases of recurrence occurred before 2 years of follow-up. Recurrence was independently associated with presentation with colonic perforation in the antimesenteric location (HR 3.67 95% CI [1.59-8.4]) and a CRP level greater than 100 mg/dl (HR 1.69 95% CI [1.04-2.77). A score with 5 variables was created that differentiated two risk groups: intermediate risk (0-3 points), with 19% recurrence and high risk (more than 3 points), with 42% recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of recurrence after the first episode of diverticulitis can be estimated using predictive scores. The detection of high-risk patients facilitates the individualization of follow-up and treatment.

Análisis del impacto de la cirugía bariátrica en el gasto farmacológico a medio plazo / Analysis of the impact of bariatric surgery on medium-term pharmacological expenditure

Introducción: La obesidad y las enfermedades asociadas a ella suponen un importante problema, y no solo sanitario, sino también económico, ya que muchas de esas patologías son subsidiarias de tratamiento farmacológico de por vida. La cirugía bariátrica y metabólica, a priori, disminuye la demanda de medicamentos de estos pacientes, pero puede condicionar otro tipo de necesidades farmacológicas. El objetivo del estudio es demostrar si existe un descenso real del gasto farmacológico tras la cirugía bariátrica. Material y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo transversal de los pacientes intervenidos en nuestro centro entre 2012 y 2016, comparando las distintas comorbilidades y los gastos farmacológicos asociados a ellas un mes antes y a los 2años de la cirugía. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos 400 pacientes. Se presentaron los resultados mostrando para cada una de las técnicas quirúrgicas estudiadas las diferencias entre la resolución de las distintas comorbilidades y el ahorro farmacológico generado. La comorbilidad más coste-efectiva del estudio fue la diabetes mellitus tipo2 (DM2). La técnica quirúrgica con mejores resultados fue el bypass metabólico, presentando una diferencia de costes tras la cirugía de 507euros mensuales (p<0,001). Conclusiones: En un seguimiento de 2años tras la cirugía bariátrica se produce un descenso en la prevalencia de las enfermedades asociadas a la obesidad y del gasto farmacológico asociado a ellas, lo que demuestra que este tipo de intervención resulta eficiente a medio plazo. (AU)

Introduction: Obesity and associated diseases represent an important health and economic problem since pharmacological treatment for many of these pathologies needs lifelong subsidies. Theoretically, bariatric and metabolic surgery decreases the medication requirements of patients for these diseases but may result in other types of pharmacological needs. This study aims to demonstrate whether there is a real decrease in pharmacological expenditure after bariatric surgery. Material and methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who were treated in our centre between 2012 and 2016, comparing different associated comorbidities and pharmacological expenses one month before and 2years after surgery. Results: 400 patients were operated. The results were presented, showing the differences between the resolution of the different comorbidities and the pharmacological savings generated for each of the surgical techniques studied. The most cost-effective comorbidity in the study was type2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The surgical technique with the best results was metabolic bypass, presenting a cost difference after surgery of 507euros per month (P<.001). Conclusions: In a 2-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, a decreased prevalence of obesity-related diseases and associated pharmacological expenditure was observed, showing the efficiency of this intervention over the medium term. (AU)

Analysis of the impact of bariatric surgery on medium-term pharmacological expenditure.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and associated diseases represent an important health and economic problem since pharmacological treatment for many of these pathologies needs lifelong subsidies. Theoretically, bariatric and metabolic surgery decreases the medication requirements of patients for these diseases but may result in other types of pharmacological needs. This study aims to demonstrate whether there is a real decrease in pharmacological expenditure after bariatric surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who were treated in our centre between 2012 and 2016, comparing different associated comorbidities and pharmacological expenses one month before and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: 400 patients were operated. The results were presented, showing the differences between the resolution of the different comorbidities and the pharmacological savings generated for each of the surgical techniques studied. The most cost-effective comorbidity in the study was type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The surgical technique with the best results was metabolic bypass, presenting a cost difference after surgery of 507 euros per month (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a 2-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, a decreased prevalence of obesity-related diseases and associated pharmacological expenditure was observed, showing the efficiency of this intervention over the medium term.

The importance of a functional approach on benthic communities for aquaculture environmental assessment: Trophic groups - A polychaete view.

Polychaetes were studied to assess the effect of aquaculture activity on the seafloor. Very high biodiversity of species was recorded associated with aquaculture centres with Cirratulidae, Spionidae and Paraonidae families being the most diverse and abundant families. The spatial distribution of polychaete trophic groups was the best descriptor for detecting changes on the benthos. Surface and subsurface deposit-feeding species dominated the sites closest to the rafts cages, highlighting Capitella capitata and Cirratulus cirratus as opportunistic species. While replacement and species succession were observed with increasing presence of carnivores and omnivores in sites further away from the salmon cages and experiencing less impact. Analyses based on the distance of feeding modes and ecological groups from the disturbance source were better indicators of the impact that the traditional community approach or sediment biogeochemistry. Therefore, functional traits studies should always be considered on environmental assessments of benthic systems impacted by aquaculture.

Analysis of the impact of bariatric surgery on medium-term pharmacological expenditure. / Análisis del impacto de la cirugía bariátrica en el gasto farmacológico a medio plazo.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and associated diseases represent an important health and economic problem since pharmacological treatment for many of these pathologies needs lifelong subsidies. Theoretically, bariatric and metabolic surgery decreases the medication requirements of patients for these diseases but may result in other types of pharmacological needs. This study aims to demonstrate whether there is a real decrease in pharmacological expenditure after bariatric surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who were treated in our centre between 2012 and 2016, comparing different associated comorbidities and pharmacological expenses one month before and 2years after surgery. RESULTS: 400 patients were operated. The results were presented, showing the differences between the resolution of the different comorbidities and the pharmacological savings generated for each of the surgical techniques studied. The most cost-effective comorbidity in the study was type2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The surgical technique with the best results was metabolic bypass, presenting a cost difference after surgery of 507euros per month (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a 2-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, a decreased prevalence of obesity-related diseases and associated pharmacological expenditure was observed, showing the efficiency of this intervention over the medium term.

Effects of caffeine intake and exercise intensity on executive and arousal vigilance.

During physical efforts and sport practice, vigilance is responsible for maintaining an optimal state of activation, guaranteeing the ability to quickly respond and detect unexpected, but critical, stimuli over time. Caffeine and physical exercise are able to modulate the activation state, affecting vigilance performance. The aim of the present work was to assess the specific effects and modulations of caffeine intake and two physical intensities on vigilance components. Participants performed an attentional task (ANTI-Vea) to measure the executive and arousal components of vigilance, in six double-blinded counterbalanced sessions combining caffeine, placebo, or no-ingestion, with light vs. moderate cyclergometer exercise. Exercise at moderate intensity improved executive vigilance with faster overall reaction time (RT), without impairing error rates. Instead, caffeine intake generally improved arousal vigilance. In conclusion, caffeine and acute exercise seems to moderate executive and arousal vigilance in different ways.

Rare Site Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Besides more common sites such as lung or peritoneum, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can metastatize to rare sites. We report herein a new metastatic site of HCC: the nail-bed. We also review other recently reported rare site HCC metastases (RSHM). CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman with a 12-year history of resected-stage IA HCC who later presented lung, spleen and brain metastases treated with surgery, systemic therapies (sorafenib, sunitinib, capecitabine) and radiotherapy. The patient was referred to us because of a painful and rapidly evolving mass in the nail-bed of the left thumb. Biopsy confirmed nail-bed HCC metastasis, and the finger was amputated. The patient died few weeks later. CONCLUSION: This case was an opportunity for us to review RSHM. This type of metastasis seems to be an early event, in the context of advanced stage HCC with elevated protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA II). The Lee nomogram is useful in detecting patients at high risk of developing RSHM. We would suggest insisting on systemic treatment in these metastatic patients although overall survival after RSHM diagnosis is poor.

Factores de riesgo para la aparición de abscesos intrabdominales tras la apendicectomía / Risk factors for the appearance of intra-abdominal abscesses after appendectomy

RESUMEN Introducción: Los abscesos intrabdominales son las complicaciones posapendicectomía que más frecuentemente provoca ingresos hospitalarios. Objetivo: Estudiar los factores de riesgo para la aparición de abscesos intrabdominales posapendicectomía. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes mayores de 14 años, intervenidos por sospecha de apendicitis aguda mediante apendicectomía laparoscópica, desde el 1 de enero de 2007 al 31 de diciembre de 2010. Se utilizaron los tests estadísticos Chi cuadrado, Prueba exacta de Fisher, T de Student y regresión logística. Resultados: Durante los 4 años del estudio, 672 pacientes padecieron con síntomas y signos compatibles con apendicitis aguda. Apareció un absceso intrabdominal en 35 casos (5,2 por ciento). En el análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística se constataron como posibles factores de riesgo: las formas avanzadas de apendicitis (p < 0,0001), las cuales aumentaron el riesgo en unas 6 veces (IC 95 por ciento 2,2-14,9) y el sexo masculino (p = 0,033), también podrían aumentar el riesgo unas 2,5veces (IC 95 por ciento 1-6). Conclusiones: Los posibles factores de riesgo para la aparición de abscesos intrabdominales tras apendicectomía son el sexo masculino y el estadio avanzado, siendo este último el factor más influyente(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Intra-abdominal abscesses are the post-appendectomy complications that most frequently cause hospital admissions. Objective: To study the risk factors for the appearance of post-appendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses. Methods: A retrospective study of patients over 14 years of age, operated on for suspected acute appendicitis by laparoscopic appendectomy, was performed from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Chi-square statistical tests, Fisher's exact test were used. Student's t and logistic regression. Results: During the 4 years of the study, 672 patients suffered with symptoms and signs compatible with acute appendicitis. An intra-abdominal abscess appeared in 35 cases (5.2 percent). In the multivariate analysis using logistic regression, the following possible risk factors were found: advanced forms of appendicitis (p < 0.0001), which increased the risk by about 6 times (95 percent CI 2.2-14.9) and male sex (p = 0.033), could also increase the risk about 2.5 times (95 percent CI 1-6). Conclusions: Possible risk factors for the appearance of intra-abdominal abscesses after appendectomy are male sex and advanced stage, the latter being the most influential factor(AU)

Modelling the probability of erroneous negative lymph node staging in patients with colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients in who with insufficient number of analysed lymph nodes (LNs) are more likely to receive an incorrect LN staging. The ability to calculate the overall probability of undiagnosed LN involvement errors in these patients could be very useful for approximating the real patient prognosis and for giving possible indications for adjuvant treatments. The objective of this work was to establish the predictive capacity and prognostic discriminative ability of the final error probability (FEP) among patients with colon cancer and with a potentially incorrectly-staged LN-negative disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentric population study carried out between January 2004 and December 2007. We used a mathematical model based on Bayes' theorem to calculate the probability of LN involvement given a FEP test result. Cumulative sum graphs were used to calculate risk groups and the survival rates were calculated, by month, using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 548 patients were analysed and classified into three risk groups according to their FEP score: low-risk (FEP < 2%), intermediate-risk (FEP 2%-15%), and high-risk (FEP > 15%). Patients with LN involvement had the lowest overall survival rate when compared to the three risk groups. This difference was statistically significant for the low- and intermediate-risk groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively), but high-risk group presented similar survival curves to pN+ group (P = 0.505). In terms of disease-free survival, the high-risk group presented similar curves to the intermediate-risk group until approximately 60 months' follow-up (P = 0.906). After 80 months' follow-up, the curve of high-risk group coincided with that of the pN+ group (P = 0.172). Finally, we summarized the FEP according to the number of analysed LNs and accompanied by a contour plot which represents its calculation graphically. CONCLUSIONS: The application of Bayes' theorem in the calculation of FEP is useful to delimit risk subgroups from among patients without LN involvement.

Técnicas de control de calidad en cirugía. Aplicación de las gráficas de control cumulative sum / Quality control techniques in surgery: Application of cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts

Las gráficas cumulative sum (CUSUM) se engloban dentro de gráficas de control de calidad, son posiblemente las que mejor se adaptan y las más utilizadas en la monitorización de los procesos clínico-asistenciales. Una de sus principales ventajas es su empleo en casos raros y en eventos con baja incidencia, en los cuales sería necesario obtener una muestra y un tiempo de seguimiento amplio, imposible en determinados casos, mediante métodos estadísticos convencionales. También por ello, son útiles para estudiar curvas de aprendizaje, la introducción de nuevas tecnologías y, en general, para valorar la calidad de los propios resultados asistenciales, porque su perfil es sensible a cambios de tendencias (positivas o negativas) muy sutiles en los resultados, que no se observarían con otros métodos. Por otra parte, su uso se puede expandir más allá de lo que es el control o la monitorización de calidad, aspecto que resulta novedoso en investigación clínica

Cumulative sum graphs are quality control charts that are possibly the most frequently used for monitoring clinical-care processes. One of their main advantages is the use in rare cases and in events with low incidence, where it would be necessary to obtain a large sample and a long follow-up time with conventional statistical methods, which is impossible in certain cases. This is also why they are useful for studying learning curves, the introduction of new technologies and, in general, for assessing the quality of care outcomes themselves, because their profile is sensitive to very subtle changes in trends (positive or negative), which would not be observed with other methods. On the other hand, their use can be expanded beyond quality control or monitoring, which is a new aspect in clinical research

Quality control techniques in surgery: Application of cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts. / Técnicas de control de calidad en cirugía. Aplicación de las gráficas de control cumulative sum.

Cumulative sum graphs are quality control charts that are possibly the most frequently used for monitoring clinical-care processes. One of their main advantages is the use in rare cases and in events with low incidence, where it would be necessary to obtain a large sample and a long follow-up time with conventional statistical methods, which is impossible in certain cases. This is also why they are useful for studying learning curves, the introduction of new technologies and, in general, for assessing the quality of care outcomes themselves, because their profile is sensitive to very subtle changes in trends (positive or negative), which would not be observed with other methods. On the other hand, their use can be expanded beyond quality control or monitoring, which is a new aspect in clinical research.

CUSUM charts in the quality control of colon cancer lymph node analysis: a population-registry study.

BACKGROUND: The most important determinant of survival in patients with colon cancer is the presence or absence of regional lymph node metastases. This factor is consistently associated with long-term and disease-specific survival. Cumulative summation of differences (CUSUM) charts can help to discriminate abnormalities that cannot be explained by the general variability of a process. We used CUSUM charts to analyse the quality of nodal analysis in colon cancer and to use a population-registry cancer database to estimate the optimal number of lymph nodes for adequate prognostic analysis. METHODS: This was a multicentre population-registry cancer study from January 2004 to December 2007. We used these data to produce the different CUSUM curves, focusing on the main variables. To calculate survival, we used the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In this study, we examined 548 patients. The CUSUM curves were calculated for overall mortality, specific mortality, and recurrence according to (1) the number of lymph nodes analysed and affected and (2) compared the ratio of the number of lymph nodes affected to the number analysed. Finally, the lymph node ratio was compared to the overall survival CUSUM curve. DISCUSSION: This CUSUM control chart analysis reinforces the unquestionable importance of analysing at least 12 lymph nodes in patients with colon cancer in order to accurately estimate their prognosis. However, our findings indicate that the analysis of at least 20 lymph nodes is a more appropriate cutoff point for accomplishing the demanding objective of diagnosing a high-quality prognosis in colon cancer patients.

The lymph node status as a prognostic factor in colon cancer: comparative population study of classifications using the logarithm of the ratio between metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes (LODDS) versus the pN-TNM classification and ganglion ratio systems.

BACKGROUND: pN stage in the TNM classification has been the "gold standard" for lymph node staging of colorectal carcinomas, but this system recommends collecting at least 12 lymph nodes for the staging to be reliable. However, new prognostic staging systems have been devised, such as the ganglion quotients or lymph node ratios and natural logarithms of the lymph node odds methods. The aim of this study was to establish and validate the predictive and prognostic ability of the lymph node ratios and natural logarithms of the lymph node odds staging systems and to compare them to the pN nodal classification of the TNM system in a population sample of patients with colon cancer. METHODS: A multicentric population study between January 2004 and December 2007. The inclusion criteria were that the patients were: diagnosed with colon cancer, undergoing surgery with curative intent, and had a complete anatomopathological report. We excluded patients with cancer of the rectum or caecal appendix with metastases at diagnosis. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method and the Log-Rank test was implemented to estimate the differences between groups in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using Cox regression. RESULTS: We analysed 548 patients. For the overall survival, the lymph node ratios and natural logarithms of the lymph node odds curves were easier to discriminate because their separation was clearer and more balanced. For disease-free survival, the discrimination between the pN0 and pN1 groups was poor, but this phenomenon was adequately corrected for the lymph node ratios and natural logarithms of the lymph node odds curves which could be sufficiently discriminated to be able to estimate the survival prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node ratios and natural logarithms of the lymph node odds techniques can more precisely differentiate risk subgroups from within the pN groups. Of the three methods tested in this study, the natural logarithms of the lymph node odds was the most accurate for staging non-metastatic colon cancer. Thus helping to more precisely adjust and individualise the indication for adjuvant treatments in these patients.

Rendimiento del sistema Bethesda en el diagnóstico citopatológico del nódulo tiroideo / Performance of the Bethesda system in the citopathological diagnosis of the thyroid nodule

No disponible

Mortality and cardiovascular disease burden of uncontrolled diabetes in a registry-based cohort: the ESCARVAL-risk study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the epidemiological evidence about the relationship between diabetes, mortality and cardiovascular disease, information about the population impact of uncontrolled diabetes is scarce. We aimed to estimate the attributable risk associated with HbA1c levels for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization. METHODS: Prospective study of subjects with diabetes mellitus using electronic health records from the universal public health system in the Valencian Community, Spain 2008-2012. We included 19,140 men and women aged 30 years or older with diabetes who underwent routine health examinations in primary care. RESULTS: A total of 11,003 (57%) patients had uncontrolled diabetes defined as HbA1c ≥6.5%, and, among those, 5325 participants had HbA1c ≥7.5%. During an average follow-up time of 3.3 years, 499 deaths, 912 hospitalizations for coronary heart disease (CHD) and 786 hospitalizations for stroke were recorded. We observed a linear and increasingly positive dose-response of HbA1c levels and CHD hospitalization. The relative risk for all-cause mortality and CHD and stroke hospitalization comparing patients with and without uncontrolled diabetes was 1.29 (95 CI 1.08,1.55), 1.38 (95 CI 1.20,1.59) and 1.05 (95 CI 0.91, 1.21), respectively. The population attributable risk (PAR) associated with uncontrolled diabetes was 13.6% (95% CI; 4.0-23.9) for all-cause mortality, 17.9% (95% CI; 10.5-25.2) for CHD and 2.7% (95% CI; - 5.5-10.8) for stroke hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In a large general-practice cohort of patients with diabetes, uncontrolled glucose levels were associated with a substantial mortality and cardiovascular disease burden.

Evaluating the Performance of Adjudicators after a DanceSport Competition / Evaluación del rendimiento de los jueces después de una competición de baile deportivo

Cognitive and emotional ability are relevant during sport assessments and decision-making. This study explored the impact of vigilance, perceived effort, and mood state of DanceSport adjudicators during a High Level Competition. Thereby, seven international adjudicators completed Borg's Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, BRUMS questionnaire, and Attentional Task (Psychomotor Vigilance Task - PVT) before and after a dance competition. The results indicated differences in RPEs (p = .05) with a high RPE after competition (pre competition M = 9.14, SD = 2.67 and post competition M = 13.71, SD = 3.30). Furthermore, their mood tension and vigor, resulted negatively affected after competition. Moreover, younger adjudicators produced more anticipations than older ones to the reaction to external stimuli. In conclusion, DanceSport competitions entail physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that could affect the quality of decisions while judging

Las habilidades cognitivas y emocionales son relevantes durante el arbitraje deportivo. Este estudio analizó el impacto de la vigilancia, percepción del esfuerzo, y el estado de ánimo de los jueces de Baile Deportivo durante una competición de alto nivel. Así, siete jueces internacionales completaron la escala de esfuerzo percibido de Borg (RPE), cuestionario BRUMS y la tarea atencional PVT (Tarea de vigilancia psicomotora) antes y después de una competición de baile. Los resultados indicaron diferencias en RPE (p = .05) con un elevado RPE tras competición (pre competición M = 9.14, SD = 2.67 y post competición M = 13.71, SD = 3.30). Por otra parte, su estado anímico de tensión y vigor, resultó afectado negativamente después de la competición. Además, los jueces más jóvenes producen más anticipaciones que los más mayores ante estímulos externos. En conclusión, las competiciones de Baile Deportivo conllevan cambios físicos, emocionales y cognitivos que podrían afectar a la calidad de las decisiones mientras se está juzgando

Melanoma esofágico primario: descripción de un caso / Primary esophageal melanoma: report of a case

Introducción: el melanoma esofágico primario es un tumor muy poco frecuente que constituye únicamente el 0,1-0,2% de las enfermedades malignas del esófago. El objetivo del estudio fue presentar el manejo de un nuevo caso clínico diagnosticado y tratado en nuestro centro. Caso clínico: paciente de 67 años que presentaba clínica de disfagia a sólidos sin otros antecedentes ni lesiones cutáneas asociadas. Se le realizó una gastroscopia, apreciándose una formación polipoide en tercio distal esofágico sugestiva de neoplasia. La biopsia fue positiva para melanoma con marcadores inmunohistoquímicos S100 y HMB45 positivos; citoqueratinas y CEA negativos. La tomografía computarizada (TC) y la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) no mostraron infiltración local ni metástasis a distancia. Se practicó una esofaguectomía de Ivor-Lewis con linfadenectomía regional. La estancia postoperatoria fue de tres semanas sin producirse complicaciones postoperatorias reseñables. El estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza confirmó el diagnóstico de melanoma esofágico primario. Discusión: el pronóstico del melanoma primario de esófago es infausto, debido a que se trata de un tumor agresivo que suele diagnosticarse en fases avanzadas de la enfermedad, con presencia de invasión local y metástasis. El tratamiento de elección actualmente es la cirugía, obteniéndose resultados limitados con el resto de terapias adyuvantes (AU)

Introduction: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor representing only 0.1-0.2% of esophageal malignancies. The goal of the study was to report on the management of a new case diagnosed and treated in our site. Case report: A 67-year-old patient presented with dysphagia to solids with no other remarkable history or associated skin lesions. He underwent gastroscopy, which revealed a polypoid mass suggestive of neoplasm in the distal third of the esophagus. Biopsy indicated melanoma with positive immunohistochemical markers S100 and HMB45, and negative cytokeratins and CEA. Computerized tomography (CT) and positron-emission tomography (PET) scans showed no local infiltration or distant metastases. An Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy procedure was performed with regional lymphadenectomy. Postoperative stay lasted for three weeks, and no remarkable postsurgical complications arose. The pathological study of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of primary esophageal melanoma. Discussion: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus has an unfortunate prognosis as it is an aggressive tumor usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, with local invasion and metastatic disease. Currently, surgery is the treatment of choice, with the remaining adjuvant therapies obtaining limited results (AU)

Renal function and attributable risk of death and cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with cardiovascular risk factors from a registry-based cohort: the Estudio Cardiovascular Valencia-risk study.

BACKGROUND: Information about the attributable risk associated with renal dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the attributable risk associated with chronic kidney disease Epidemiology Collaboration-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), for all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular hospitalization. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective study of study participants with cardiovascular risk factors in 2008-2012. We included 52 007 cardiovascular disease-free men and women aged 30 years or older with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, who underwent routine health examinations in primary care. RESULTS: A total of 6639 (12.8%) patients had eGFR below 60 ml/min per 1.73 m and among them 1782 (3.4%) had 45 ml/min per 1.73 m or lower. During an average follow-up time of 3.2 years, 54.12 deaths, 99.98 coronary heart disease (CHD) hospitalizations, and 90.64 stroke hospitalizations/10 000 person-years were recorded. The population attributable risks associated with having a GFR lower than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m were 6.9% (95% confidence interval = 2.07, 10.65) for all-cause mortality, 6.8% (4.3, 9.4) for CHD hospitalization, and 4.1% (1.02, 7.00) for stroke hospitalization. Participants with increasing number of cardiovascular risk factors displayed increasing population attributable risks associated to a GFR less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m for all-cause mortality and CHD (P heterogeneity 0.002 and 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: In a large general practice cohort of patients with cardiovascular disease risk factors, decreasing eGFR levels were associated with additional attributed risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. Our findings underscore that intensified efforts are needed to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden associated to chronic kidney disease.

Rendimiento diagnóstico de la punción aspiración con aguja fina de tejido tiroideo / Diagnostic efficacy of fine needle aspiration of thyroid tissue

Introducción. La punción aspiración con aguja fina (PAAF) de la glándula tiroides constituye un proceso diagnóstico que permite determinar de forma segura y fiable, si un nódulo tiroideo es benigno o maligno. Objetivo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la eficacia diagnóstica de la PAAF en nuestro centro. Material y métodos. Se llevó a cabo de 2009 a 2013 un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con nódulo tiroideo sospechoso de ser maligno. Las variables del estudio fueron: edad, sexo, tamaño del nódulo tiroideo, realización de PAAF, estudio anatomo-patológico de la biopsia y diagnóstico definitivo. Se comparó el rendimiento diagnóstico de la PAAF frente a los resultados de la biopsia posoperatoria. Resultados. Durante los cinco años del estudio, se practicó PAAF de tejido tiroideo a 112 pacientes (30,2 %, hombres, y 69,8 %, mujeres), con un tamaño medio nodular de 2 cm (rango: 1 a 4). La PAAF fue positiva para neoplasia maligna en 26 casos (23,2 %) y negativa en 86 casos (76,8 %). Los resultados del rendimiento de la prueba fueron: sensibilidad de 45,5 % (intervalo de confianza 95 % [IC95%] 28,1-63,6), especificidad de 86,1 % (IC95% 76,5-92,8), valor predictivo positivo de 57,7 % (IC95% 36,9-76,6) y valor predictivo negativo de 79,1 % (IC95% 69-87,1). Conclusión. Tras este análisis, se obtiene un resultado malo con posibilidad de ser mediocre, por lo que habría que replantearse la utilidad de esta prueba invasiva en nuestro centro y la búsqueda de posibles errores.

Background: Thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe and reliable diagnostic procedure for determining if a thyroid nodule is benign or malignant. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of FNA diagnosed in our center. Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients with thyroid nodule suspicious for malignancy, in the period 2009 to 2013. The variables used in this study were: age, sex, size of thyroid nodule, FNA performance, pathology and definitive diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy of FNA was compared with the results of postoperative biopsy. Results: During the 5-year study, FNA of thyroid tissue was performed at 112 patients (30.2% men and 69.8% women), with nodules of average size of 2 cm (range 1-4). FNA was positive for malignancy in 26 cases (23.2%) and negative in 86 cases (76.8%). The performance results of the test were: sensitivity 45.5% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 28.1% -63.6%), specificity of 86.1% (95% CI: 76.5 % - 92.8%), positive predictive value of 57.7% (95% CI: 36.9% - 76.6%) and negative predictive value of 79.1% (95% CI: 69% - 87 1%) Conclusion: A bad result with the possibility of being mediocre is obtained with this analysis, which should rethink the usefulness of this invasive test in our center and search for possible errors.