Encuesta internacional on-line sobre el manejo de la hemorragia digestiva baja grave. ¿Lo tenemos claro? / International on-line questionnaire about severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding management: Do we have it clear?

Introducción: La estrategia diagnóstico-terapéutica en la hemorragia digestiva baja (HDB) grave varía según la situación clínica del paciente. Las guías de práctica clínica actuales proponen diferentes estrategias de manejo. Objetivo: Conocer la toma de decisiones de los gastroenterólogos de distintos centros hospitalarios en el manejo de esta enfermedad. Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo mediante una encuesta on-line, dirigida a facultativos de aparato digestivo de España y Latinoamérica, en diciembre de 2021. Resultados: Se incluyeron 281 encuestas anónimas de facultativos de España y Latinoamérica. El manejo diagnóstico-terapéutico de la HDB grave fue heterogéneo entre los encuestados. Con respecto a los estudios iniciales mostraron variabilidad entre la solicitud de angiografía por tomografía computarizada (angio-TC) (44,5%), gastroscopia (33,1%), colonoscopia (20,6%) y arteriografía (1,1%). La decisión terapéutica tras angio-TC positiva variaba mayoritariamente entre la solicitud de arteriografía (38,1%) y colonoscopia (44,1%). Si la angio-TC era negativa se realizaba gastroscopia en la mayoría de los casos. Si el paciente ingresaba en una unidad de cuidados intensivos y precisaba colonoscopia, la mayor parte de los encuestados la realizaban urgente (<24h) (31% siempre, 43,4% en la mayoría de los casos); mientras que, si no requerían ingreso en intensivos este porcentaje se reducía (10% siempre, 33,8% en la mayoría de los casos). Reconocían tener dudas en el manejo de estos pacientes el 40,9% de los encuestados, y consideraban necesario la creación de un protocolo de actuación el 98,2% de los participantes. Conclusiones: Existe una gran variabilidad interhospitalaria en el manejo de la HDB grave entre los gastroenterólogos. Es necesario unificar la actuación diagnóstico-terapéutica en esta enfermedad.(AU)

Background and aims: The diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) varies depending on the patient's clinical situation. Actual clinical practice guidelines propose different management strategies. We aim to know the attitude of the gastroenterologists from different hospitalary centers in the management of this entity. Methods: Descriptive and observational study using an on-line questionnaire, addressed to gastroenterologists in Spain and Latin America, in December 2021. Results: We included 281 anonymous questionnaires of gastroenterologists from Spain and Latin America. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of severe LGIB was heterogeneous among the participants. Regarding to the first diagnostic modalities they showed variability between performing computed tomography angiography (CTA) (44.5%), gastroscopy (33.1%), colonoscopy (20.6%) and arteriography (1.1%). The therapeutic attitude after a positive CTA mostly varied between performing arteriography (38.1%) and colonoscopy (44.1%). If negative CTA, in the majority of cases a gastroscopy was performed. If the patient needed intensive critical unit (ICU) care and to undergo colonoscopy, most participants performed an urgent colonoscopy (<24h) (31% always, 43.4% in most cases); while if the patient did not require ICU admission this percentage was lower (10% always, 33.8% in most cases). The 40.9% of the participants admitted having doubts about the management of this patients and the 98.2% considered the need for a creation of an action protocol. Conclusions: There is a high interhospitalary variability on the management of severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding among gastroenterologists. It is necessary to unify the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this pathology.(AU)

Consumo de calcio en mujeres jóvenes y factores de riesgo que favorecen la osteoporosis en la postmenopausia / Calcium consumption in young women and risk factors that favor osteoporosis in postmenopause

Fundamentos: La osteoporosis es una enfermedad crónica ósea considerada un problema de salud pública, cuya prevalencia es mayor en mujeres que en hombres. Debido a ello el objetivo fue evaluar el consumo de calcio diario en 138 mujeres jóvenes de la localidad de Makallé, Chaco, teniendo en cuenta sus requerimientos y señalar los factores de riesgo. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, una vez obtenido el consentimiento de los encuestados, se aplicó una encuesta online estructurada con preguntas cerradas y abiertas dividida en dos secciones, para determinar elnivel de conocimiento de calcio y su frecuencia de consumo. Se analizó la distribución de frecuencias y se realizaron análisis de varianza para ver las diferencias entre grupos. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 136 respuestas, que evidenciaron que el 60% de las mujeres conoce la importancia del consumo de calcio y el momento fundamental de su consumo; el 82% conoce los alimentos fuentes del mineral y sus factores inhibidores como el alcohol el 42% y las bebidas cola el 39%. Por otra parte, demostraron desconocer cómo prevenir pérdidas del mineral un 40% siendo solo el 28% de respuestas correctas. El 50% conocía la enfermedad de osteoporosis y el 49% cómo prevenirla. Conclusiones: Se pudo determinar en las encuestadas que muchas mujeres no cubren el requerimiento diario promedio de calcio a través de la alimentación, teniendo en cuenta los factores que inhiben su absorción lo cual predispone a mayor riesgo de osteoporosis a edad avanzada. Esto señala la necesidad de establecer un programa de prevención sobre la osteoporosis. (AU)

Background: Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disease considered a public health problem and being more prevalent in women than in men. Therefore, the importance of studying young women in the age range in which they are closeto the maximum bone peak since it is a preventable disease. Due to this problem, the main objective is to evaluate the daily calcium consumption in 138 young women from the town of Makallé, Chaco, taking into account their requirements and pointing out the risk factors. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, once the consent of the respondents was obtained, a structured online survey with closed and open questions was applied, divided into two sections, to determine the level of knowledge of calcium and its frequency of consumption. The results are presented in tables and graphs of frequency distribution and being significant when the value of p was less than 0.05. Results: 136 responses were obtained, which showed that 60% of the women know the importance of calciumconsumption and the fundamental moment of its consumption; 82% know the food sources of the mineral and its inhibitory factors such as alcohol 42% and cola drinks 39%. In addition, they demonstrated not knowing how to prevent mineral losses by 40%, with only 28% being correct. 50% know about osteoporosis disease and 49% know how to prevent it. Conclusions: It was determined that the surveyed women do not meet their average daily calcium requirementthrough food, taking into account the factors that inhibit its absorption, which predisposes them to a higher risk of osteoporosis in advanced age. This point to the need to establish a prevention program on osteoporosis since it iscurrently considered a public health problem. (AU)

International on-line questionnaire about severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding management: Do we have it clear? / Encuesta internacional on-line sobre el manejo de la hemorragia digestiva baja grave. ¿Lo tenemos claro?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) varies depending on the patient's clinical situation. Actual clinical practice guidelines propose different management strategies. We aim to know the attitude of the gastroenterologists from different hospitalary centers in the management of this entity. METHODS: Descriptive and observational study using an on-line questionnaire, addressed to gastroenterologists in Spain and Latin America, in December 2021. RESULTS: We included 281 anonymous questionnaires of gastroenterologists from Spain and Latin America. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of severe LGIB was heterogeneous among the participants. Regarding to the first diagnostic modalities they showed variability between performing computed tomography angiography (CTA) (44.5%), gastroscopy (33.1%), colonoscopy (20.6%) and arteriography (1.1%). The therapeutic attitude after a positive CTA mostly varied between performing arteriography (38.1%) and colonoscopy (44.1%). If negative CTA, in the majority of cases a gastroscopy was performed. If the patient needed intensive critical unit (ICU) care and to undergo colonoscopy, most participants performed an urgent colonoscopy (<24h) (31% always, 43.4% in most cases); while if the patient did not require ICU admission this percentage was lower (10% always, 33.8% in most cases). The 40.9% of the participants admitted having doubts about the management of this patients and the 98.2% considered the need for a creation of an action protocol. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high interhospitalary variability on the management of severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding among gastroenterologists. It is necessary to unify the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this pathology.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento del lipedema en España. Resultados de encuesta online / Diagnosis and treatment of lipedema in Spain. Results of an online survey

Introducción: El lipedema es el depósito de tejido graso doloroso fundamentalmente en miembros inferiores. Afecta casi siempre a mujeres, y está infradiagnosticado e infratratado. El objetivo del estudio es describir las características del diagnóstico y los tipos de tratamientos realizados por los pacientes con lipedema en España. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante encuesta online anónima realizada entre noviembre-diciembre 2019. Se calculó el tamaño muestral mínimo para un nivel de confianza del 95% y margen de error del 5%. Se recogieron las variables sociodemográficas (edad, sexo y comunidad de residencia), aspectos diagnósticos y la mejoría percibida con diferentes opciones de tratamiento. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 463 respuestas válidas. La edad media de inicio de la sintomatología fue de 18,2 años (DE: 9,0). El 69% de los pacientes comenzaron con clínica entre los 10-19 años. Transcurrieron 19,9 años (DE: 10,1) desde el inicio de la clínica, y se necesitaron 4,9 visitas médicas (DE: 3,3) para obtener un diagnóstico. El diagnóstico se realizó con más frecuencia en la medicina privada por cirujanos. El 78,4% de los pacientes probaron, al menos, 3 tipos diferentes de tratamientos. La pérdida de peso fue el tratamiento más utilizado y las prendas de compresión la opción percibida como más efectiva. Un 34% de los pacientes tienen acceso a la prescripción de prendas de compresión. Conclusiones: Actualmente el lipedema carece de un tratamiento estandarizado, y las diferentes terapias realizadas no son percibidas como satisfactorias por los pacientes. Es necesario mejorar su conocimiento para obtener un diagnóstico temprano y proporcionar a los pacientes tratamientos adecuados.(AU)

Introduction: Lipedema is a chronic and progressive disease. Most studies agree that it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic characteristics and types of treatment for lipedema in the Spanish population. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out through an anonymous 10-item online survey in November- December 2019. The minimum sample size was calculated for a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Information was collected on sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of residence), diagnostic characteristics and perceived improvement with distinct treatment options. Results: A total of 463 valid responses were obtained. The mean age at first manifestation was 18.2 (SD: 9.0) years. Onset occurred between the ages of 10 and 19 years in 69% of the patients. It took an average of 19.9 (SD: 10.1) years to receive a diagnosis and 4.9 medical visits. Diagnosis was most frequently made in private clinics by surgeons. Most patients (78.4%) had tried at least three different types of treatment. Weight loss was the most frequent treatment (92%) and compression garments were perceived to be the most effective. Only 34% of respondents had access to financing for compression garments. Conclusions: Currently, there is no standard treatment for lipedema and patients perceive current treatments to be unsatisfactory. Better knowledge of this entity is needed to allow early diagnosis and provide adequate treatment.(AU)

[Diagnosis and treatment of lipedema in Spain. Results of an online survey]. / Diagnóstico y tratamiento del lipedema en España. Resultados de encuesta online.

INTRODUCTION: Lipedema is a chronic and progressive disease. Most studies agree that it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic characteristics and types of treatment for lipedema in the Spanish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out through an anonymous 10-item online survey in November- December 2019. The minimum sample size was calculated for a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Information was collected on sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of residence), diagnostic characteristics and perceived improvement with distinct treatment options. RESULTS: A total of 463 valid responses were obtained. The mean age at first manifestation was 18.2 (SD: 9.0) years. Onset occurred between the ages of 10 and 19 years in 69% of the patients. It took an average of 19.9 (SD: 10.1) years to receive a diagnosis and 4.9 medical visits. Diagnosis was most frequently made in private clinics by surgeons. Most patients (78.4%) had tried at least three different types of treatment. Weight loss was the most frequent treatment (92%) and compression garments were perceived to be the most effective. Only 34% of respondents had access to financing for compression garments. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there is no standard treatment for lipedema and patients perceive current treatments to be unsatisfactory. Better knowledge of this entity is needed to allow early diagnosis and provide adequate treatment.

[Online surveys and the false illusion of the large n. On a survey on euthanasia among medical practitioners]. / Las encuestas online y la falsa ilusión de la n grande. A propósito de una encuesta sobre la eutanasia en profesionales médicos.

The use of studies based on online surveys has expanded significantly. Despite having particularly small response rates, they allow a large sample size to be easily obtained. However, this strategy may entail a selection bias that significantly compromises the results. The results of two surveys on the regulation of euthanasia and assisted suicide are compared. One is an online survey with a self-selected sample and the other a survey with random sampling, conducted in 2018 among the members of the Medical Association of Bizkaia. The response rates were 10.4% (online survey) and 87.8% (random survey). No differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics, although there were differences in the opinion variables, so that the percentage of people who opposed euthanasia regulation was overestimated. The results of this study show that this sampling strategy generates biases in the results, some of which are difficult both to detect and to repair.

Utilización de probióticos, antisecretores y zinc en la gastroenteritis aguda en pediatría en Uruguay / Use of probiotic, antisecretory drugs and zinc for acute gastroenteritis in Uruguayan pediatric patients / Uso de probióticos, drogas anti-secretoras e zinco em gastroenterite aguda em pediatria no Uruguai

Resumen: Introducción: luego de la difusión de las sales de rehidratación oral, que resultó en una radical disminución en la morbimortalidad por gastroenteritis aguda (GEA), existe interés creciente en tratamientos destinados a reducir su duración. Objetivo: conocer la utilización de los tratamientos para disminuir la duración de la GEA (probióticos, antisecretores, zinc) por los pediatras uruguayos. Método: encuesta online difundida a través de la Sociedad Uruguaya de Pediatría. Resultados: n=245 encuestas de pediatras procedentes de 17/19 departamentos del país (59% Montevideo). El 39,4% no indica probióticos en tratamiento de GEA; 5,8% lo indica siempre, y 49% en algunas situaciones (15,2% ingreso hospitalario; 21,2% inmunodeprimidos). La elección se basa en 13% en evidencia científica y 47,9% por disponibilidad en el lugar de cobertura. El 32,2% conoce adecuadamente el impacto en la duración de la diarrea. El 61,4% nunca utiliza antisecretores y 24,9% lo utiliza (96,6% racecadotrilo; 3,4% loperamida) en algunas situaciones (56,7% <5 años; 41,6% >5 años; 21,6% en pacientes que requieren internación). El 22% conoce adecuadamente el impacto de su utilización en la duración de la diarrea. En relación con el uso de zinc, 76,3% lo utiliza en algunas situaciones (64% pacientes desnutridos; 46% pacientes internados; 31% >6 meses y 26% <6 meses), y 6,9% lo utiliza siempre). Conclusiones: existe una amplia utilización de probióticos y zinc y un escaso uso de antisecretores en nuestro medio. Los pediatras uruguayos reconocen el posible rol de estos fármacos en la GEA. Un alto porcentaje de los pediatras no conoce la evidencia que fundamenta su uso. Es necesaria la implementación de programas de educación médica continua para guiar su uso.

Summary: Introduction: there is an increasing interest regarding treatments that shorten the duration of acute gastroenteritis (AG) in children, although little is known about it in Uruguay. Aim: that Uruguayan pediatricians get acquainted with probiotics, antisecretory drugs and zinc treatments. Methods: online survey sent to pediatricians members of the Uruguayan Pediatrics Association. Results: n=245 surveys carried out by pediatricians at 17/19 departments in Uruguay (59% from Montevideo). 39.4% stated they had not used probiotics to treat AG, 5.8% had always used it and 49% used it depending on the situation (15.2% used it with inpatients and 21.2% with immune depressed children). The choice of probiotics was based: 13% on scientific evidence and 47.9% on availability. 32.2% of pediatricians knew the real impact of probiotics on the duration of AG. 61.4% did not use antisecretory drugs and 24.9% used them depending on the situation (56.7% <5 years old, 41.6% >5 years, 21.6% inpatients). 96.6% of them chose Racecadotril and 3.4% Loperamide. 22% were aware of the real impact of the duration of AG. 76.3% of pediatricians used zinc to treat GEA in some situations (64% malnourished children, 46% inpatients, 31% >6 months, 26% <6 months) and 6.9% always used it. Conclusion: while probiotics and zinc are widely used, antisecretory drugs are slightly used as AG treatments in Uruguay. Uruguayan pediatricians identify the potential useful role of these treatments for AG, although many of them are not aware of its real use, so it is necessary to offer permanent medical training programs in this respect.

Resumo: Introdução: há um interesse crescente em tratamentos para reduzir a duração da gastroenterite aguda (GA) em pediatria, embora ainda há pouco conhecimento do tratamento no Uruguai. Objetivo: que os pediatras uruguaios se familiarizem com os tratamentos com probióticos, medicamentos anti-secretores e zinco. Métodos: pesquisa online enviada aos pediatras da Sociedade Uruguaia de Pediatria. Resultados: n = 245 pesquisas realizadas por pediatras em 17/19 departamentos do Uruguai (59% de Montevidéu). 39,4% afirmaram não ter usado probióticos para tratar a GEA, 5,8% sempre usaram e 49% usaram dependendo da situação (15,2% usaram com pacientes internados e 21,2% com imunossuprimidos). A escolha dos probióticos foi baseada: 13% na evidência científica e 47,9% na disponibilidade. 32,2% dos pediatras conheciam o real impacto dos probióticos na duração da GA. 61,4% não faziam uso de drogas antisecretoras e 24,9% usaram dependendo da situação (56,7% <5 anos, 41,6% ± 5 anos, 21,6% internados). 96,6% deles escolheram Racecadotril e 3,4% Loperamida. 2% conheciam o impacto real na duração da GA. 76,3% dos pediatras usaram zinco para tratar a GA em algumas situações (64% das crianças desnutridas, 46% dos pacientes internados, 31% >6 meses, 26% <6 meses) e 6,9% sempre usaram. Conclusão: os probióticos e o zinco são amplamente utilizados, enquanto os antisecretores são pouco usados no Uruguai. Pediatras uruguaios tem identificado o potencial papel útil desses tratamentos para a GA, embora muitos deles ainda não conheçam seu uso real, por isso é necessário oferecer programas permanentes de capacitação médica nesse assunto.

Ley de etiquetado de alimentos: opiniones de una muestra de chilenos / FOOD LABELING LAW: OPINIONS OF A CHILEAN SAMPLE

Frente a la expansión de la obesidad en Chile, se promulgó la ley de etiquetado de alimentos, que consiste en agregar en la cara frontal del producto etiquetas negras que señalen si excede en uno o más aspectos las indicaciones nutricionales recomendadas (sodio, azúcares, grasa saturada y calorías). El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las opiniones de personas acerca de la ley. Es un estudio mixto, con 296 participantes de ambos sexos, de distintas regiones de Chile, y de 15 o más años, que contestaron un cuestionario online. Un 53% sugería como mejora que se entregara más información acerca de las implicaciones concretas, un 43,9% señaló que la ley no impactaría sus conductas alimentarias y un 45,6% que sí las cambiaría. Existe consenso de que aún falta más información; los participantes, en su mayoría, estaban interesados en tener más conocimiento sobre lo que significa la alimentación saludable

Faced with the expansion of obesity in Chile, the food labeling law was enacted. Which consists in adding on the front of the product black labels that indicate if it exceeds in one or more aspects the recommended nutritional indications (sodium, sugars, saturated fat and calories). The aim of this study is to identify the opinions of people about this law. This study is upon a population of 296 participants of both genders and 15 years old and above, from different regions of Chile, who answered an online questionnaire. A further 53% suggested that more information be given about the specific implications, 43.9% said that the law would not switch their dietary behaviors and 45.6% would change them. The majority of participants think that they need more information and they would like to know the real meaning of healthy eating.