Fat digestion and absorption: Normal physiology and pathophysiology of malabsorption, including diagnostic testing.

Fat digestion and absorption play crucial roles in maintaining energy homeostasis and supporting essential physiological functions. The initial stage of fat digestion occurs in the stomach, where gastric lipase begins the hydrolysis of triglycerides. However, most fat digestion takes place in the small intestine via pancreatic enzymes and bile salts. Emulsification of fat by bile acids facilitates enzymatic action, breaking down triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides, which are then able to be absorbed by enterocytes. Fat malabsorption can result from various underlying conditions, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bile acid disorders, or intestinal diseases. The clinical manifestations of fat malabsorption include steatorrhea, malnutrition, and deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins. Diagnostic approaches involve assessing fecal fat levels, imaging studies, and various functional tests to identify the specific etiology. This review article will describe the normal physiologic process of fat digestion and absorption and discuss various pathophysiology that can lead to fat malabsorption within the gastrointestinal tract as well as their respective diagnostic testing modalities. Effective digestion of fat is essential for overall health, because it allows for absorption of many essential nutrients, plays an integral role in cellular and structural function, and supplies energy to the body. When this is dysfunctional, disorders of malabsorption can occur. This article will give a brief overview of the physiologic process of fat digestion and absorption in healthy individuals as well as review important pathophysiology that can lead to fat malabsorption within the gastrointestinal tract and current diagnostic testing modalities.

Applying WHO2013 diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus reveals currently untreated women at increased risk.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a Danish cohort comparing the current Danish versus the WHO2013 diagnostic criteria, and to evaluate adverse pregnancy outcomes among currently untreated women in the gap between the diagnostic thresholds. METHODS: Diagnostic testing was performed by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks' gestation in a cohort of pregnant women. GDM diagnosis was based on the current Danish criterion (2-h glucose ≥ 9.0 mmol/L, GDMDK) and on the WHO2013 criteria (fasting ≥ 5.1, 1 h ≥ 10.0 or 2 h glucose ≥ 8.5 mmol/L, GDMWHO2013). Currently untreated women fulfilling the WHO2013 but not the Danish diagnostic criteria were defined as New-GDM-women (GDMWHO2013-positive and GDMDK-negative). Adverse outcomes risks were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: OGTT was completed by 465 women at a median of 25.7 weeks' gestation. GDMDK prevalence was 2.2% (N = 10) and GDMWHO2013 21.5% (N = 100). New-GDM was present in 19.4% (N = 90), of whom 90.0% had elevated fasting glucose. Pregnancies complicated by New-GDM had higher frequencies of pregnancy-induced hypertension (13.3% vs 4.1%, p = 0.002), large-for-gestational-age infants (22.2% vs 9.9%, p = 0.004), neonatal hypoglycaemia (8.9% vs 1.9%, p = 0.004) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (16.7% vs 5.8%, p = 0.002) compared to pregnancies without GDM. CONCLUSIONS: GDM prevalence increased tenfold when applying WHO2013 criteria in a Danish population, mainly driven by higher fasting glucose levels. Untreated GDM in the gap between the current Danish and the WHO2013 diagnostic criteria resulted in higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

From diagnostic testing to precision medicine: the evolving role of genomics in cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies in children.

Pediatric sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the sudden unexpected death of a child or adolescent due to a presumed cardiac etiology. Heritable causes of pediatric SCD are predominantly cardiomyopathies and cardiac ion channelopathies. This review illustrates recent advances in determining the genetic cause of established and emerging channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, and how broader genomic sequencing is uncovering complex interactions between genetic architecture and disease manifestation. We discuss innovative models and experimental platforms for resolving the variant of uncertain significance as both the variants and genes associated with disease continue to evolve. Finally, we highlight the growing problem of incidentally identified variants in cardiovascular disease-causing genes and review innovative methods to determining whether these variants may ultimately result in penetrant disease. Overall, we seek to illustrate both the promise and inherent challenges in bridging the traditional role for genetics in diagnosing cardiomyopathies and channelopathies to one of true risk-predictive precision medicine.

Venous Thromboembolism During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Risk Factors, Diagnostic Testing, and Treatment.

Importance: The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Deep vein thrombosis is the most common VTE during pregnancy, but pulmonary embolism is typically of greater concern as it contributes to far higher morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and treatment of VTE during pregnancy differ substantially from the general nonpregnant population. Objective: This review describes the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of VTE during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Evidence Acquisition: First, we reviewed the VTE guidelines from professional societies in obstetrics, cardiology, hematology, emergency medicine, pulmonology, and critical care. Second, we examined references from these documents and used PubMed to identify recent articles that cited the guidelines. Finally, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published since 2018 that included terms for pregnancy and the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic imaging, or treatment of VTE. Results: Venous thromboembolism risk increases throughout pregnancy and peaks shortly after delivery. More than half of pregnancy-related VTE are associated with thrombophilia; other major risks include cesarean delivery, postpartum infection, and the combination of obesity with immobilization. Most VTE can be treated with low molecular weight heparin, but cases of limb- or life-threatening VTE require consideration of thrombolysis and other reperfusion therapies. Conclusions and Relevance: Venous thromboembolism is far more frequent in antepartum and postpartum women than age-matched controls, and clinical suspicion for VTE in this population should incorporate pregnancy-specific risks. Treatment of limb- or life-threatening antepartum or postpartum VTE requires multispecialty coordination to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.

Etiology and the challenge of diagnostic testing of community-acquired pneumonia in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in pediatric population. The etiology of pneumonia in this population is variable and changes according to age and disease severity and where the study is conducted. Our aim was to determine the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children aged 1 month to 17 years admitted to 13 Colombian hospitals. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Hospitalized children with radiologically confirmed CAP and ≤ 15 days of symptoms were included and followed together with a control group. Induced sputum (IS) was submitted for stains and cultures for pyogenic bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and multiplex PCR (mPCR) for bacteria and viruses; urinary antigens for pneumococcus and Legionella pneumophila; nasopharyngeal swabs for viruses, and paired serology for atypical bacteria and viruses. Additional cultures were taken at the discretion of primary care pediatricians. RESULTS: Among 525 children with CAP, 71.6% had non-severe pneumonia; 24.8% severe and 3.6% very severe pneumonia, and no fatal cases. At least one microorganism was identified in 84% of children and 61% were of mixed etiology; 72% had at least one respiratory virus, 28% pyogenic bacteria and 21% atypical bacteria. Respiratory syncytial virus, Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus, Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Adenovirus and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most common etiologies of CAP. Respiratory syncytial virus was more frequent in children under 2 years and in severe pneumonia. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 2.3% of children. IS was the most useful specimen to identify the etiology (33.6%), and blood cultures were positive in 3.6%. The concordance between all available diagnostic tests was low. A high percentage of healthy children were colonized by S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, or were infected by Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus, Influenza and Adenovirus. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory viruses are the most frequent etiology of CAP in children and adolescents, in particular in those under 5 years. This study shows the challenges in making an etiologic diagnosis of CAP in pediatric population because of the poor concordance between tests and the high percentage of multiple microorganisms in healthy children. IS is useful for CAP diagnosis in pediatric population.

Exactitud diagnóstica de la imagen fotográfica en la granulación de las úlceras diabéticas mediante segmentación / Diagnostic accuracy of photographic imaging in the granulation of diabetic ulcers by segmentation

Introducción: La evaluación del estado de las úlceras por imagen fotográfica se realiza cuando se encuentran los colores rojo y rosado, que corresponden a granulación. Objetivo: Determinar la sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud de la imagen fotográfica con respecto al estudio histológico en la granulación de úlceras diabéticas. Métodos: El diseño fue una prueba diagnóstica realizada a 29 pacientes diabéticos con 45 úlceras diabéticas no infectadas, en la cual se comparó la observación directa de un área de granulación por imagen fotográfica como prueba diagnóstica en la evaluación referente al estándar por anatomía patológica, a través de una biopsia sacabocado. La imagen fotográfica se obtuvo mediante un Smartphone CATS61 y se analizó a través de la segmentación en colores rojo y negro con el software ImageJ. El estudio lo autorizó un comité de ética. Las estadísticas se realizaron con el software SPSS 22 y EPIDAT 4.4. Resultados: Las úlceras diabéticas presentaron un promedio de 3,03 ± 2,39 cm de largo y 2,26 ± 1,62 cm de ancho; de la úlcera tipo 2 según Wagner en 73,3 por ciento; y de la úlcera tipo A, según la Universidad de Texas en 60 por ciento. Las pruebas de diagnóstico por imagen fotográfica mostraron una sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud en 90 por ciento, 33,3 por ciento y 61,6 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La identificación de la imagen fotográfica y el estudio histológico de las úlceras diabéticas con granulación fueron factibles. La sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud de la imagen fotográfica resultaron elevada, baja y moderada(AU)

Introduction: The evaluation of the state of the ulcers by photographic image is carried out when the red and pink colors are found, which correspond to granulation. Objective: Determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the photographic image with respect to the histological study in the granulation of diabetic ulcers. Methods: The design was a diagnostic test performed on 29 diabetic patients with 45 uninfected diabetic ulcers, in which the direct observation of an area of granulation by photographic image was compared as a diagnostic test in the evaluation referring to the standard by pathological anatomy, through a punch biopsy. The photographic image was obtained using a CATS61 Smartphone and analyzed through segmentation in red and black colors with the ImageJ software. The study was authorized by an ethics committee. Statistics were performed with SPSS 22 and EPIDAT 4.4 softwares. Results: Diabetic ulcers presented an average of 3.03 ± 2.39 cm long and 2.26 ± 1.62 cm wide; of type 2 ulcer according to Wagner in 73.3 percent, and type A ulcer, according to the University of Texas at 60 percent. Photographic imaging tests showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in 90 percent, 33.3 percent and 61.6 percent, respectively. Conclusions: The identification of the photographic image and the histological study of diabetic ulcers with granulation were feasible. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the photographic image were high, low and moderate(AU)

Lesões cervicais não cariosas: considerações etiológicas, clínicas e terapêuticas / Lesiones cervicales no cariosas: consideraciones etiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas / Non-carious cervical injuries: etiological, clinical and therapeutic considerations

RESUMO Introdução: As lesões cervicais não cariosas são lesões dentárias, que apresentam etiologia multifatorial, sem o envolvimento de bactérias. Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas, etiologia e tratamento das lesões cervicais não-cariosas. Métodos: Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica de estudos publicados nos últimos 5 anos (2014-2018) por meio da busca nas bases de dados: PubMED/Medline, Lilacs, Science Direct, SciELO (Scientific Eletronic Library) e Google Acadêmico. Para a pesquisa foram utilizados os seguintes descritores: "lesões cervicais não cariosas (non-carious cervical lesions)", "abrasão dentária (dental abrasion)", "erosão dentária (dental erosion)", "abfração dentária (dental abfraction)" e "atrição dentária (dental atrittion). Após criteriosa filtragem, foram selecionados 26 artigos e 2 livros para inclusão no estudo. Análise e integração das informações: As lesões cervicais não cariosas comumente classificadas em: abrasão, abfração, erosão e atrição. Essas lesões podem apresentar diversas formas, apesar de serem incluídas em uma classe genérica de denominação. São lesões que causam a perda gradativa dos tecidos mineralizados dentários, podendo trazer inúmeras consequências ao dente acometido. Conclusão: Para um correto diagnóstico e decisão de tratamento, essas lesões devem ser vistas sob seu aspecto etiológico multifatorial. Diversas possibilidades terapêuticas podem ser utilizadas no tratamento dessas lesões sendo necessário que o clínico conheça os principais fatores etiológicos e características clínicas que as diferenciem(AU)

RESUMEN Introducción: Las lesiones cervicales no cariosas son lesiones dentales, que presentan etiología multifactorial, sin la participación de bacterias. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, etiología y tratamiento de las lesiones cervicales no cariosas. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de estudios publicados en los últimos 5 años (2014-2018) a través de la búsqueda en las bases de datos: PubMED / Medline, Lilacs, Science Direct, SciELO (Scientific Eletronic Library) y Google Académico. Para la investigación se utilizaron los siguientes descriptores: "lesiones cervicales no cariosas", "abrasión dental", "erosión dental", "abfracción dental" y " " atrición dental. Después de un cuidadoso filtrado, se seleccionaron 26 artículos y 2 libros para su inclusión en el estudio. Análisis e integración de las informaciones: Las lesiones cervicales no cariosas comúnmente clasificadas en: abrasión, abfración, erosión y atrición. Estas lesiones pueden presentar diversas formas, aunque se incluyen en una clase genérica de denominación. Son lesiones que causan la pérdida gradual de los tejidos mineralizados dentales, pudiendo traer innumerables consecuencias al diente acometido. Conclusiones: Para un correcto diagnóstico y decisión de tratamiento, estas lesiones deben ser vistas bajo su aspecto etiológico multifactorial. Diversas posibilidades terapéuticas pueden ser utilizadas en el tratamiento de esas lesiones, por lo que resulta necesario que el clínico conozca los principales factores etiológicos y características clínicas que las diferencien(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Non-carious cervical lesions are dental lesions of a multifactorial etiology, without the involvement of bacteria. Objective: Describe the clinical characteristics, etiology and treatment of non-carious cervical lesions Methods: A bibliographic review was conducted of studies published in the last five years (2014-2018) by searching the databases PubMED / Medline, Lilacs, Science Direct, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library) and Google Scholar. The following descriptors were used: "non-carious cervical lesions", "dental abrasion", "dental erosion", "dental abfraction" and "dental attrition. After careful filtering, 26 articles and two books were selected for inclusion in the study. Data analysis and integration: Non-carious cervical lesions are commonly classified as abrasion, abfraction, erosion and attrition. These lesions may present various forms, but they are all grouped in a single generic class. They are lesions that cause the gradual loss of mineralized dental tissue, which may bring countless consequences to the affected tooth. Conclusions: For a correct diagnosis and treatment decision, these lesions must be seen under their multifactorial etiological aspect. Various therapeutic possibilities may be used in the treatment of these lesions, and it is necessary for the clinician to know the main etiological factors and clinical characteristics that differentiate them(AU)

Efectividad de la Escala RIPASA para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda / Effectiveness of the RIPASA Score for the diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

RESUMEN Introducción: La apendicitis aguda es la primera causa de atención quirúrgica en los servicios de urgencias de adultos en prácticamente todo el mundo, y la apendicectomía se ha establecido como el estándar de oro del tratamiento. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la escala RIPASA para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio observacional-prospectivo de serie de casos en los pacientes con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda a los que, se les aplicó la escala de RIPASA. Resultados: La escala de RIPASA presentó una efectividad del 90,38 por ciento de los casos estudiados con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. En la muestra obtenida, se encontraron 8 mujeres (5,13 por ciento) y 148 hombres (94,87 por ciento). Se evidenció una mayor representatividad en las edades entre 18 y 20 años. Conclusiones: Los sistemas clínicos de puntuación como, el usado en este estudio pueden ser una herramienta económica y de rápida aplicación en los servicios de urgencias para descartar la apendicitis aguda. Este sistema de puntuación es dinámico, lo que permite la observación y la reevaluación crítica de la evolución del cuadro clínico. Su aplicación mejora la precisión diagnóstica y, en consecuencia, reduce las apendicectomías negativas y la presentación de complicaciones(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical care in adult emergency services virtually worldwide. Appendectomy has been established as the gold standard of treatment. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the RIPASA score for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods: An observational-prospective study of case series was carried out in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis and who were applied the RIPASA score. Results: The RIPASA score showed an effectiveness of 90.38 percent of the cases studied with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The sample obtained consisted of eight women (5.13 percent) and 148 men (94.87 percent). Greater representativeness was evident in the ages between 18 and 20 years. Conclusions: Clinical scoring systems, such as the one used in this study, can be an inexpensive tool to be applied quickly in the emergency department to rule out acute appendicitis. This scoring system is dynamic, allowing critical observation and reassessment of the natural history of the condition. Its application improves diagnostic precision and, consequently, reduces negative appendectomies, as well as the onset of complications(AU)

Adverse Events of Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals: A Systematic Review.

Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine can cause adverse events. Information on these adverse events is available in case reports and databases but may not be readily accessible to healthcare professionals. This systematic review provides an overview of adverse events of diagnostical radiopharmaceuticals and their characteristics. A median frequency for adverse events in diagnostical radiopharmaceuticals of 1.63 (interquartile range: 1.09-2.29) per 100,000 is reported. Most common are skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, and general disorders and administration site conditions. Many adverse events reported are minor in severity, although 6.7% can be classified as important. In rare cases, adverse events are serious and potentially life-threatening. With the introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals and the increasing use of positron emission tomography-computed tomography, previously unknown adverse events may be detected in daily practice. Future work should cover the experience of the patient with adverse events from diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

Risk of bleeding in patients undergoing pulmonary procedures on antiplatelet or anticoagulants: A systematic review.

As many as 25% of all patients undergoing invasive pulmonary procedures are receiving at least one antiplatelet or anticoagulant agent. For those undergoing elective procedures, the decision-making process is uncomplicated and the procedure may be postponed until the antiplatelet or anticoagulant agent may be safely held. However, many invasive pulmonary procedures are semi-elective or emergent in nature in which case a risk-benefit calculation and discussion occur between the provider and patient or surrogate decision-maker. Therefore, it is critical for providers to have an awareness of the risk of bleeding complications with different pulmonary procedures on various antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents. This systematic review summarizes the bleeding complications associated with different pulmonary procedures in patients on various antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents in the literature and reveals a paucity of high-quality evidence across a wide spectrum of pulmonary procedures and antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents. The results of this review can help inform providers of the bleeding risk in these patients to aid in the shared decision-making process and risk vs benefit discussion.

Experiencia en dos hospitales sobre la observación de respuestas de dolor en niños prematuros internados / Experience in two hospitals about the observation of pain responses in hospitalized preterm infants

Introducción: Todo niño nacido antes de las 37 semanas de edad gestacional es considerado prematuro. Estos infantes necesitan apoyo para lograr la supervivencia; es así como, según la Sociedad Iberoamericana de Neonatología, los niños nacidos pretérmino son sometidos a diversos procedimientos que en la mayoría de los casos producen dolor. Los bebés prematuros menores de 32 semanas de edad gestacional son sometidos a entre 5 y 14 procedimientos dolorosos por día, y el 80 % de ellos no recibe analgésicos. Es importante, a su vez, considerar que el hecho de sufrir dolor podría generar consecuencias en su desarrollo, ya sea a corto o largo plazo. Objetivos generales: Observar las reacciones de dolor de niños nacidos prematuros en diferentes categorías de edades gestacionales y colaborar en la concienciación del personal de salud sobre la temática del dolor en el niño prematuro. Material y métodos: Por tal motivo se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional de 27 casos en dos hospitales de Argentina, uno de ellos privado y otro público. En el mismo se presenciaron procedimientos dolorosos realizados a infantes prematuros internados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) y se registraron tanto valores fisiológicos como comportamentales. Resultados: Los resultados demuestran que existen diferencias en las reacciones de los niños según la clasificación de edades gestacionales, sobre todo en lo que respecta a la frecuencia cardiaca y a lo gestual. Conclusiones: Se concluye que el adecuado manejo del dolor es un derecho para el prematuro que no siempre es tenido en cuenta, por lo que se postula la necesidad de seguir trabajando en la elaboración de una escala específica para estos infantes y en la concienciación del personal de salud, humanizando las intervenciones en el niño

Introduction: Every child born before 37 weeks gestation is considered preterm. These children need support to achieve survival, that is how the Iberoamerican Society of Neonatology, children born preterm undergo various procedures in most cases cause pain. All children under 32 weeks gestational age are subjected to between 5 and 14 painful procedures per day and 80 % did not receive analgesics. It is important to consider that the fact of having pain could generate consequences in its development, either in the short or long term. General objectives: To observe the pain reactions of preterm infants in different gestational age categories and to collaborate in the awareness of health personnel about the issue of pain in preterm infants. Material and methods: Therefore conducted an observational study of 27 cases in two hospitals in Argentina, one private and other public. It was observed painful procedures made to premature infants hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and recorded both physiological and behavioral values. Results: The results show that there are differences in the reactions of children as rated by gestational ages, especially in regard to Heart Rate and gestures. Conclusions: It`s concluded that the adequate pain management is a right for premature wich it is not always taken into account, so it is postulated the need for further work in developing a specific scale for these children and raising awareness of health personnel, humanizing interventions in the child

Medical Procedure-Related Transient Global Amnesia.

BACKGROUND: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is an interesting clinical syndrome characterized by sudden memory loss for recent events and an inability to retain new memories usually lasting several hours and recovering spontaneously. We conducted a literature search of medical procedure-related TGA and its predisposing conditions. METHODS: We performed PubMed searches using the keyword "transient global amnesia" combined with "procedure," "test," "therapy," or various other individual medical procedures. In addition, we described 2 cases of gastroscopy-related TGA. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with medical procedure-related TGA in 49 articles were summarized. The most common procedure was cerebral angiography (n = 45), followed by coronary angiography (n = 10) and general anesthesia (n = 9). After categorization, neurological procedures were most common (n = 46, 51.7%), followed by cardiac (n = 17, 19.1%), anesthetic (n = 11, 12.4%), gastrointestinal (n = 4, 4.5%), and pulmonary (n = 2, 2.2%) procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse cases of medical procedure-related TGA have been reported in the literature. Valsalva-associated activities, emotional stress with anxiety, and acute pain were predisposing conditions. An understanding of medical procedure-related TGA may be important for clinicians who perform such medical procedures.

Small percentage of anaphylactic reactions treated with epinephrine during food challenges in Dutch children.

BACKGROUND: Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, occur during oral food challenges (OFCs) and the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis is epinephrine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percentage of anaphylactic reactions treated with epinephrine during OFCs and to identify associated factors for the administration of epinephrine. METHODS: Children who underwent an OFC with peanut, hazelnut, cow's milk, hen's egg, or cashew nut from 2005 through 2015 in the Netherlands were evaluated. Children with reactions meeting the criteria for anaphylaxis according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology guidelines for food allergy and anaphylaxis were included. Children with an anaphylactic reaction treated with vs without epinephrine were compared. Possible factors associated with the administration of epinephrine, such as age, sex, symptoms consistent with asthma, history of an allergic reaction to the tested allergen, and symptom types during the anaphylactic reaction, were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-three children in clinical and research settings (43% boys; median age, 7 years; range, 1-17) who met the criteria for anaphylaxis were included in this study. Thirty-two of 83 children (39%) with anaphylaxis were treated with epinephrine. Respiratory symptoms during the OFC were treated significantly more often with epinephrine than gastrointestinal symptoms (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Only 39% of children with anaphylaxis, according to the guideline criteria, were treated with epinephrine during the OFC and most of these children had respiratory symptoms. There is need for an easy-to-use international guideline for the treatment of allergic symptoms during OFCs.

[Bayesian tragedy, from clinical iatrogenesis to biotechnology]. / La tragedia bayesiana desde la iatrogenia clínica hasta la biotecnología.

Diagnostic algorithms, as well as the biotechnological design, require the calculation of conditional probability, given the presence of certain positive data, in the context of prevalence, sensitivity and specificity; It is necessary to estimate the probability that the patient has a certain disease. Sometimes, with a test of scrutiny, it goes from a probability of 1/1000 to 1/20, constituting a great diagnostic advance, reducing the uncertainty spectacularly; However, the tragedy is that most doctors believe that the probability changed from 0.1% (1/1000) to more than 90%, which is outrageously wrong. Iatrogeny arises from the error in answering the question: "given that the test is positive, what is the probability that the patient has the disease?" In other cases, tragedy is to apply a test to an individual belonging to a subpopulation for which it was not designed. In addition, it is evident that the fascination for the sensitivity avoids the application of less sensitive methods in populations that are abandoned; It is not a matter of making better tests than those that the State does to the patients it attends, but of making less accurate tests for the patients that the State does not attend.

Los algoritmos diagnósticos así como el diseño biotecnológico, requieren del cálculo de la probabilidad condicional, dada la presencia de ciertos datos positivos en el contexto de la prevalencia, de la sensibilidad y de la especificidad, se necesita estimar la probabilidad de que el paciente tenga una determinada enfermedad. A veces, con una prueba de escrutinio se pasa de una probabilidad de 1/1000 a 1/20, constituyendo un gran avance diagnóstico, reduciendo la incertidumbre espectacularmente; sin embargo, la tragedia consiste en que la mayoría de los médicos creen que la probabilidad cambió de 0.1% (1/1000) a más del 90%, lo que es escandalosamente errado. La iatrogenia nace del error al contestar a la pregunta: "Dado que la prueba es positiva, ¿cuál es la probabilidad de que el paciente tenga la enfermedad?" En otros casos lo trágico consiste en aplicar una prueba a un individuo que pertenece a una subpoblación para la que esta no fue diseñada. Adicionalmente, se pone en evidencia que la fascinación por la sensibilidad evita que se apliquen métodos menos sensibles en poblaciones que están abandonadas, pues no se trata de hacer mejores pruebas que las que hace el Estado a los pacientes que atiende, sino de hacer pruebas de menor exactitud a los pacientes que no atiende el Estado.

Validez de constructo de la escala NEI-VFQ-25 en una población colombiana / Validity of NEI-VFQ scale construct in a Colombian population

Objetivo: medir la validez de constructo de la escala NEI-VFQ-25 en una población colombiana con enfermedad ocular crónica. Métodos: se evaluó la tecnología diagnóstica mediante el Modelo Rasch. Se calculó una muestra para garantizar la estabilidad en la calibración de los ítems. Se incluyeron hombres y mujeres de 40-70 años de edad, con enfermedad ocular crónica bilateral, a quienes, previo consentimiento informado, se les aplicó, vía telefónica, la escala NEI-VFQ-25. Resultados: se entrevistaron 206 personas con edad promedio de 58,1 años, quienes presentaban glaucoma (21,7 por ciento), catarata (36,9 por ciento) o algún tipo de retinopatía (35,4 por ciento). Se eliminaron dos ítems del cuestionario original, por funcionamiento diferencial (DIF) y cuatro por ajuste al modelo. Se estandarizaron todas las preguntas a tres opciones de respuesta, y quedó una escala conformada por 17 ítems que cumplía con los criterios de validez de constructo. Conclusión: la escala NEI-VFQ mostró validez sustantiva, de contenido, generalización y estructural, en personas de 40 a 70 años con diagnóstico de glaucoma, catarata y retinopatía(AU)

Objective: to measure the validity of the NEI-VFQ-25 scale construct in a Colombian population with chronic ocular disease. Methods: the diagnostic technology was evaluated through Rasch model. A sample was estimated to guarantee the stability of item gaging. Forty to seventy years-old men and women, with chronic bilateral ocular disease, participated. After informed consent, they were applied the NEI-VFQ-25 scale by phone. Results: two hundred and six persons aged 58.1 years as average, who presented with glaucoma (21.7 percent), cataract (36.9 percent) or some type of retinopathy (35.4 percent). Two items were taken out of the original questionnaire because of differential functioning and four items due to model adjustment. All the questions were then standardized to have three response options, and finally the scale was made up of 17 items which met the validity criteria for construct. Conclusions: NEI-VFQ scale showed substantial, content, generalization and structural validity for application in 40 to 70 years old people with diagnosis of glaucoma, cataract and retinopathy(AU)

Validez de constructo de la escala NEI-VFQ-25 en una población colombiana / Validity of NEI-VFQ scale construct in a Colombian population

Objetivo: medir la validez de constructo de la escala NEI-VFQ-25 en una población colombiana con enfermedad ocular crónica. Métodos: se evaluó la tecnología diagnóstica mediante el Modelo Rasch. Se calculó una muestra para garantizar la estabilidad en la calibración de los ítems. Se incluyeron hombres y mujeres de 40-70 años de edad, con enfermedad ocular crónica bilateral, a quienes, previo consentimiento informado, se les aplicó, vía telefónica, la escala NEI-VFQ-25. Resultados: se entrevistaron 206 personas con edad promedio de 58,1 años, quienes presentaban glaucoma (21,7 por ciento), catarata (36,9 por ciento) o algún tipo de retinopatía (35,4 por ciento). Se eliminaron dos ítems del cuestionario original, por funcionamiento diferencial (DIF) y cuatro por ajuste al modelo. Se estandarizaron todas las preguntas a tres opciones de respuesta, y quedó una escala conformada por 17 ítems que cumplía con los criterios de validez de constructo. Conclusión: la escala NEI-VFQ mostró validez sustantiva, de contenido, generalización y estructural, en personas de 40 a 70 años con diagnóstico de glaucoma, catarata y retinopatía(AU)

Objective: to measure the validity of the NEI-VFQ-25 scale construct in a Colombian population with chronic ocular disease. Methods: the diagnostic technology was evaluated through Rasch model. A sample was estimated to guarantee the stability of item gaging. Forty to seventy years-old men and women, with chronic bilateral ocular disease, participated. After informed consent, they were applied the NEI-VFQ-25 scale by phone. Results: two hundred and six persons aged 58.1 years as average, who presented with glaucoma (21.7 percent), cataract (36.9 percent) or some type of retinopathy (35.4 percent). Two items were taken out of the original questionnaire because of differential functioning and four items due to model adjustment. All the questions were then standardized to have three response options, and finally the scale was made up of 17 items which met the validity criteria for construct. Conclusions: NEI-VFQ scale showed substantial, content, generalization and structural validity for application in 40 to 70 years old people with diagnosis of glaucoma, cataract and retinopathy(AU)

The 2016 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference, "Shared Decision Making in the Emergency Department: Development of a Policy-relevant Patient-centered Research Agenda" Diagnostic Testing Breakout Session Report.

Diagnostic testing is an integral component of patient evaluation in the emergency department (ED). Emergency clinicians frequently use diagnostic testing to more confidently exclude "worst-case" diagnoses rather than to determine the most likely etiology for a presenting complaint. Increased utilization of diagnostic testing has not been associated with reductions in disease-related mortality but has led to increased overall healthcare costs and other unintended consequences (e.g., incidental findings requiring further workup, unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation or potentially nephrotoxic contrast). Shared decision making (SDM) presents an opportunity for clinicians to discuss the benefits and harms associated with diagnostic testing with patients to more closely tailor testing to patient risk. This article introduces the challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating SDM into emergency care by summarizing the conclusions of the diagnostic testing group at the 2016 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference on SDM. Three primary domains emerged: 1) characteristics of a condition or test appropriate for SDM, 2) critical elements of and potential barriers to SDM discussions on diagnostic testing, and 3) financial aspects of SDM applied to diagnostic testing. The most critical research questions to improve engagement of patients in their acute care diagnostic decisions were determined by consensus.