Antibiotic therapy for adults with neurosyphilis.

BACKGROUND: Neurosyphilis is an infection of the central nervous system, caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete capable of infecting almost any organ or tissue in the body causing neurological complications due to the infection. This disease is a tertiary manifestation of syphilis. The first-line treatment for neurosyphilis is aqueous crystalline penicillin. However, in cases such as penicillin allergy, other regimes of antibiotic therapy can be used. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of antibiotic therapy for adults with neurosyphilis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and Opengrey up to April 2019. We also searched proceedings of eight congresses to a maximum of 10 years, and we contacted trial authors for additional information. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised clinical trials that included men and women, regardless of age, with definitive diagnoses of neurosyphilis, including HIV-seropositive patients. We compared any antibiotic regime (concentration, dose, frequency, duration), compared to any other antibiotic regime for the treatment for neurosyphilis in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected eligible trials, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias. We resolved disagreements by involving a third review author. For dichotomous data (serological cure, clinical cure, adverse events), we presented results as summary risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We identified one trial, with 36 participants​ diagnosed ​with syphilis and HIV. The participants were mainly men, with a median age of 34 years. This trial, ​funded by a pharmaceutical company, compared ceftriaxone in 18 participants (2 g daily for 10 days), with penicillin G, also in 18 participants (4 million/Units (MU)/intravenous (IV) every 4 hours for 10 days). The trial reported incomplete and inconclusive results. Three of 18 (16%) participants receiving ceftriaxone versus 2 of 18 (11%) receiving penicillin G achieved serological cure (RR 1.50; 95% CI: 0.28 to 7.93; 1 trial, 36 participants very low-quality evidence); and 8 of 18 (44%) participants receiving ceftriaxone versus 2 of 18 (18%) participants receiving penicillin G achieved clinical cure (RR 4.00; 95% CI: 0.98 to 16.30; 1 trial, 36 participants very low-quality evidence). Although more participants who received ceftriaxone achieved serological and clinical cure compared to those who received penicillin G, the evidence from this trial was insufficient to determine whether there was a difference between treatment with ceftriaxone or penicillin G.In this trial, the authors reported what would usually be adverse events as symptoms and signs in the follow-up of participants. Furthermore, this trial did not evaluate recurrence of neurosyphilis, time to recovery nor quality of life. We judged risk of bias in this clinical trial to be unclear for random sequence generation, allocation, ​and blinding of participants, and high for incomplete outcome data, potential conflicts of interest (funding bias), and other bias, due to the lack of a sample size calculation. We rated the quality of evidence as very low. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Due to low quality and insufficient evidence, it was not possible to determine whether there was a difference between treatment with ceftriaxone or Penicillin G. Also, the benefits to people without HIV and neurosyphilis are unknown, as is the ceftriaxone safety profile.Therefore, these results should be interpreted with caution. This conclusion does not mean that antibiotics should not be used for treating this clinical entity. This Cochrane Review has identified the need of adequately powered trials, which should be planned according to Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) recommendations, conducted and reported as recommended by the CONSORT statement. Furthermore, the outcomes should be based on patients' perspectives taking into account Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) recommendations.

Review of evidence based clinical practice guidelines developed in Latin America and Caribbean during the last decade: an analysis of the methods for grading quality of evidence and topic prioritization.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, efforts have been made in Latin America and the Caribbean to advance in the methodological development of evidence based clinical practice guidelines, among other strategies to improve the health provision of services and indicators. OBJECTIVES: To build an evidence map to show the regional GRADE impact in developing clinical practice guidelines and contrast the results with current needs. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in databases, developer's websites, health ministries, repositories and grey literature. Documents were included when they were evidence based clinical practice guidelines developed in Latin American and Caribbean countries in the last decade. Data from the Global Burden of Disease was used to highlight relevant health conditions. RESULTS: Nine thousand seven hundred seventy-six documents were retrieved. 98 guidelines, with specific mention of the use of GRADE methodology were identified. 81% of the guidelines were developed within the last 4 years. 68% are from Colombia, 13% from Peru, 9% from Chile, 3% from Argentina and Costa Rica and Brazil, Honduras and Dominican Republic account 1%. 67% were developed for non-communicable diseases, 10% for communicable diseases, 9% for neonatal pathologies and 5% for maternal problems, 1% injuries and 7% other topics (nutrition, oral health). DISCUSSION: Our findings show a slow and increasing incorporation of the GRADE methodology in the region. GRADE guidelines have been adopted mainly by Colombia and slowly by other countries. Topics for guidelines continue to be comparable to the high-income countries and they don't address communicable diseases or other relevant health issues in the region, such as violence or malnutrition; thus, the evidence based guidelines for clinical practice are only a tool within a complex multimodal strategy to tackle the challenges of the health determinants. CONCLUSIONS: A prioritizing strategy for relevant regional health topics and the use of robust methodological approaches must be in the political agenda in the region. GRADE methods could help to improve the quality and validity of recommendations not only for chronic pathologies but also for ancient and challenging maladies prevalent in the region, as part of a multimodalintersectoral strategy.

The p.R47H Variant of TREM2 Gene is Associated With Late-onset Alzheimer Disease in Colombian Population.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) gene in a Colombian sample of late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). METHODS: The p.Q33* (rs104894002), p.R47H (rs75932628), p.R62H (rs143332484), and p.D87N (rs142232675) variants of TREM2 gene were directly genotyped using KASPar technology in 358 cases and 329 healthy controls. Sanger sequencing was used to validate >10% of KASPar's results. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the distribution of allelic and genotype frequency between cases and controls, and the Bonferroni correction was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The minor allele frequency of rs75932628-T was 0.009 in cases and was not found in any healthy controls which suggests a significant association between rs75932628-T and LOAD risk in our sample (P=0.010). The rs143332484-T variant did not exhibit a significant association (P=0.160), whereas rs104894002 and rs142232675 were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the rs75932628-T variant of TREM2 is an important risk factor for LOAD in the Colombian population.

Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in TOMM40, CR1, PVRL2, SORL1, PICALM, and 14q32.13 Regions in Colombian Alzheimer Disease Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in different genes including APOE, TOMM40, CR1, PVRL2, SORL1, PICALM, and GWA_14q32.13 in a Colombian sample of Late-Onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) patients. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 362 individuals (181 LOADs and 181 controls) to determine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in APOE (e2, e3, and e4), TOMM40 (rs2075650), CR1 (rs665640), PVRL2 (rs6859), SORL1 (rs11218304), PICALM (rs3851179), and GWA_14q32.13 (rs11622883) with LOAD in a sample from Colombia. RESULTS: We were able to confirm the previously reported association of the APOE4 allele with AD. In addition, we report a new significant association with rs2075650 of TOMM40 for LOAD in our sample. We did not detect any significant interaction between TOMM40 and APOE4 carriers (heterozygous or homozygous) for disease risk development. However, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses suggest that AD patients with TOMM40 allele rs2075650-G have an average age of disease onset of 6 years earlier compared with carriers of the A allele. In addition, the age of disease onset is earlier if APOE4/4 is present. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that rs2075650 of TOMM40 could be involved in earlier presentation of LOAD in the Colombian population.

Cell-type Specific Protein Purification and Identification from Complex Tissues using a Mutant Methionine tRNA Synthetase Mouse Line.

Understanding protein homeostasis in vivo is key to knowing how the cells work in both physiological and disease conditions. The present protocol describes in vivo labeling and subsequent purification of newly synthesized proteins using an engineered mouse line to direct protein labeling to specific cellular populations. It is an inducible line by Cre recombinase expression of L274G-Methionine tRNA synthetase (MetRS*), enabling azidonorleucine (ANL) incorporation to the proteins, which otherwise will not occur. Using the method described here, it is possible to purify cell-type-specific proteomes labeled in vivo and detect subtle changes in protein content due to sample complexity reduction.

Exploring Signatures of Neurodegeneration in Early-Onset Older-Age Bipolar Disorder and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia.

Introduction: Older-age bipolar disorder (OABD) may involve neurocognitive decline and behavioral disturbances that could share features with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), making the differential diagnosis difficult in cases of suspected dementia. Objective: To compare the neuropsychological profile, brain morphometry, and structural connectivity patterns between patients diagnosed with bvFTD, patients classified as OABD with an early onset of the disease (EO-OABD), and healthy controls (HC). Methods: bvFTD patients (n = 25, age: 66 ± 7, female: 64%, disease duration: 6 ± 4 years), EO-OABD patients (n = 17, age: 65 ± 9, female: 71%, disease duration: 38 ± 8 years), and HC (n = 28, age: 62 ± 7, female: 64%) were evaluated through neuropsychological tests concerning attention, memory, executive function, praxis, and language. Brain morphometry was analyzed through surface-based morphometry (SBM), while structural brain connectivity was assessed through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Results: Both bvFTD and EO-OABD patients showed lower performance in neuropsychological tests of attention, verbal fluency, working memory, verbal memory, and praxis than HC. Comparisons between EO-OABD and bvFTD showed differences limited to cognitive flexibility delayed recall and intrusion errors in the memory test. SBM analysis demonstrated that several frontal, temporal, and parietal regions were altered in both bvFTD and EO-OABD compared to HC. In contrast, comparisons between bvFTD and EO-OABD evidenced differences exclusively in the right temporal pole and the left entorhinal cortex. DTI analysis showed alterations in association and projection fibers in both EO-OABD and bvFTD patients compared to HC. Commissural fibers were found to be particularly affected in EO-OABD. The middle cerebellar peduncle and the pontine crossing tract were exclusively altered in bvFTD. There were no significant differences in DTI analysis between EO-OABD and bvFTD. Discussion: EO-OABD and bvFTD may share an overlap in cognitive, brain morphometry, and structural connectivity profiles that could reflect common underlying mechanisms, even though the etiology of each disease can be different and multifactorial.

Prioritization strategies in clinical practice guidelines development: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Few methodological studies address the prioritization of clinical topics for the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). The aim of this study was to validate a methodology for Priority Determination of Topics (PDT) of CPGs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Firstly, we developed an instrument for PDT with 41 criteria that were grouped under 10 domains, based on a comprehensive systematic search. Secondly, we performed a survey of stakeholders involved in CPGs development, and end users of guidelines, using the instrument. Thirdly, a pilot testing of the PDT procedure was performed in order to choose 10 guideline topics among 34 proposed projects; using a multi-criteria analysis approach, we validated a mechanism that followed five stages: determination of the composition of groups, item/domain scoring, weights determination, quality of the information used to support judgments, and finally, topic selection. Participants first scored the importance of each domain, after which four different weighting procedures were calculated (including the survey results). The process of weighting was determined by correlating the data between them. We also reported the quality of evidence used for PDT. Finally, we provided a qualitative analysis of the process. The main domains used to support judgement, having higher quality scores and weightings, were feasibility, disease burden, implementation and information needs. Other important domains such as user preferences, adverse events, potential for health promotion, social effects, and economic impact had lower relevance for clinicians. Criteria for prioritization were mainly judged through professional experience, while good quality information was only used in 15% of cases. CONCLUSION: The main advantages of the proposed methodology are supported by the use of a systematic approach to identify, score and weight guideline topics selection, limiting or exposing the influence of personal biases. However, the methodology was complex and included a number of quantitative and qualitative approaches reflecting the difficulties of the prioritization process.

Reduction of catheter-associated bloodstream infections: Effectiveness of the continuous quality improvement method at a university hospital in Colombia / Reducción de las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter: efectividad del método de mejora continua de la calidad en un hospital universitario en Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) are preventable and potential fatal events, frequent in critical patient care. By mid-2018 an increase was noted in the incidence rate of CLABSI at a high complexity institution in Colombia, demanding immediate interventions to lower those numbers. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the continuous quality improvement methodology (CQI) to lower the incidence rate of CLABSI at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: Longitudinal, prospective study implementing a multifaceted intervention in accordance with the CQI methodology. The project was developed at a high complexity university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, between July 2018 and December 2019. A root cause analysis was consecutively conducted prioritizing contributing factors, gathering ideas for improvement, building a strategy and prioritizing the implementation plan. Results: The CQI methodology enabled the identification of areas susceptible of catheter insertion and management errors at the institution; additionally, it allowed for the prioritization of the areas requiring intervention through consecutive test cycles for improvement ideas. The reduction and sustainability of insertion-related CLABSI was accomplished three months after the start of the interventions, achieving a zero value. The implementation of improvement ideas aimed at reducing the events associated with catheter maintenance was also able to reduce the incidence to zero, until the end of the period of observation of the study. Conclusions: It is feasible to implement CQI in settings similar to the one herein described, in order to efficiently reduce CLABSIs.

Resumen Introducción: Las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter (ITS/AC) son eventos prevenibles y potencialmente fatales, comunes en el contexto del cuidado de pacientes críticos. A mediados de 2018 se presentó un incremento en la tasa de incidencia de ITS/AC en una institución colombiana de alta complejidad, obligando a realizar intervenciones inmediatas para lograr una reducción de estas cifras. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del método de mejoramiento continuo de la calidad (MCC) para la reducción de la tasa de incidencia de ITS/AC en un hospital universitario en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, en el que se implementa una intervención multifacética siguiendo la metodología de MCC. El proyecto se desarrolló en un hospital universitario de alta de complejidad de Bogotá, Colombia, entre julio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. Se realizaron consecutivamente un análisis de causa raíz, priorización de factores contribuyentes, recuperación de ideas de mejora, construcción de la estrategia y priorización del plan de implementación. Resultados: El método de MCC permitió la detección de zonas susceptibles de presentación de errores en la inserción de catéteres y su mantenimiento en la Institución, además permitió priorizar las áreas por intervenir mediante ciclos consecutivos de prueba para las ideas de mejora. Se logró la reducción y sostenibilidad de la ITS/AC asociada a inserción luego de tres meses de iniciar las intervenciones, logrando valores de cero. La implementación de ideas de mejora dirigidas a reducir los eventos relacionados con el mantenimiento de catéteres también logró reducirlos a cero hasta la terminación del periodo de observación de este estudio. Conclusiones: Es factible implementar MCC en contextos como el aquí presentado para reducir de manera eficiente las ITS/AC.

Cognitive Assessment Test: Validation of a Short Cognitive Test for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive disorders are a clinical and research challenge; in particular, the mild cognitive disorder (MiCD) requires diagnostic suspicion and tools with adequate performance for its detection. The objective of this study was the validation of a short cognitive test (CATest) for the detection of MiCD in population of 50 years or more. METHODS: A diagnostic accuracy study was assembled and performed in a prospective cohort. A consecutive sample of 200 Colombian subjects who represented the whole spectrum of the condition of interest allowed us to reach the objective. Validity was determined by concurrent criteria. The cut points were determined by the ROC curves considering the best overall performance and accuracy of the test. RESULTS: CATest was validated to detection of MiCD at a cut-off point of 18. As a result, scores lower than 18 classified the participants as MiCD. At this cut-off point, CATest showed sensitivity of 84.3% (CI 76 to 90.16), specificity of 71.4% (CI 95% 61.8 to 79.43), positive predictive value of 75% ( 95% CI 66.79 to 82.42), and area under curve AUC 0.8518 (standard error SE 0.0265). DISCUSSION: CATest has an adequate performance as a short cognitive test for the detection of MiCD. Its performance is superior to MiniMental and similar to Montreal Cognitive test (MoCA) according to the data reported in the literature. The advantages over other tests are the evaluation of all cognitive domains, time of application, and easy interpretation of results. CATest is a free use alternative for MiCD detection.

Analysis of functional polymorphisms in three synaptic plasticity-related genes (BDNF, COMT AND UCHL1) in Alzheimer's disease in Colombia.

In recent years, it has been proposed that synaptic dysfunction may be an important etiological factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This hypothesis has important implications for the analysis of AD genetic risk in case-control studies. In the present work, we analyzed common functional polymorphisms in three synaptic plasticity-related genes (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF Val66Met; catechol-O-methyl transferase, COMT Val158; ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydroxylase, UCHL1 S18Y) in a sample of 102 AD cases and 168 age and sex matched controls living in Bogotá, Colombia. There was not association between UCHL1 polymorphism and AD in our sample. We have found an initial association with BDNF polymorphism in familial cases and with COMT polymorphism in male and sporadic patients. These initial associations were lost after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Unadjusted results may be compatible with the expected functional effect of variations in these genes on pathological memory and cognitive dysfunction, as has been implicated in animal and cell models and also from neuropsychological analysis of normal subjects carriers of the AD associated genotypes. An exploration of functional variants in these and in other synaptic plasticity-related genes (a synaptogenomics approach) in independent larger samples will be important to discover new genes associated with AD.

El sistema de salud colombiano y el reconocimiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Colombian Health System and the recognition of Alzheimer's disease

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es la más común de las demencias; es un problema de salud pública en el mundo, pero en Colombia no hace parte de las prioridades del Estado. El presente ensayo aborda cómo el sistema de salud colombiano reconoce, identifica y provee servicios a los pacientes con EA, desde una óptica de la justicia social. En primera medida, se evalúa la información generada por la academia, su correlato con la normativa vigente y su articulación. Se explora la lógica utilitarista del sistema de salud colombiano y el incentivo a la maximización de ganancias de los aseguradores y cómo esto ha llevado a los pacientes a exigir la restitución de derechos a través de la acción de tutela. Se explora el sistema de codificación y diagnóstico usado para la generación de información y cómo esta es imprecisa en los canales de información consolidada. Por otra parte, se valora cómo el rol de la familia se hace parte fundamental del proceso y termina siendo víctima. Finalmente, se plantean reflexiones sobre cómo pueden abordarse las dificultades identificadas desde la perspectiva de la justicia social.

ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest of dementias; Although, it is a public health problem in the world, but in Colombia it is not a policy priority. The present essay addresses how the Colombian health system recognizes, identifies and provides services to patients with AD, using the Social Justice perspective. First, the knowledge generated by the academy and its correlation with current regula-tions are evaluated. Then, the utilitarian logic of the Colombian health system is explo-red, with an incentive to maximize insurers revenue that has led to patients demanding the restitution of rights through the "acción de tutela". Also, the diagnostic and coding system, used for the generation of information, is explored, addressing its imprecisions the information channels. On the other hand, it is valued how the role of the family becomes a fundamental part of the process, and how it ends up being a victim of it. Finally, reflections on how the identified difficulties can be addressed from a Social Justice perspective are provided.

Incorporating equity issues into the development of Colombian clinical practice guidelines: suggestions for the GRADE approach.

Objective To propose how to incorporate equity issues, using the GRADE approach, into the development and implementation of Colombian Clinical Practice Guidelines. Methodology This proposal was developed in four phases: 1. Included a literature review and the development of a preliminary proposal about how to include equity issues; 2. Involved an informal discussion to reach a consensus on improving the first proposal; 3. Was a survey of the researchers' acceptance levels of the proposal, and; 4. A final informal consensus was formed to adjust the proposal. Results A proposal on how to incorporate equity issues into the GRADE approach was developed. It places particular emphasis on the recognition of disadvantaged populations in the development and implementation of the suggested guideline. PROGRESS-Plus is recommended for use in exploring the various categories of disadvantaged people. The proposal suggests that evidence be rated differentially by giving higher ratings to studies that consider equity issues than those that do not. The proposal also suggests the inclusion of indicators to monitor the impacts of the implementation of CPGs on disadvantaged people. Conclusions A consideration of equity in the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines and quality assessments of the evidence would achieve more in the participation of potential actors in the process and reflect on the effectiveness of the proposed interventions across all social groups.

Haplogroup analysis of the risk associated with APOE promoter polymorphisms (-219T/G, -491A/T and -427T/C) in Colombian Alzheimer's disease patients.

Results analyzing the association between polymorphisms in the promoter region of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are contradictory. We studied the association of three polymorphisms in the APOE promoter (-219T/G, -491A/T and -427T/C) with AD in a sample of the Colombian population. The polymorphism -491A/T confers increased risk for AD associated with AA genotype independent of APOEe4 allele (odds ratio (OR): 2.64) and more pronounced in men (OR: 6.07). Genotypes TT and TG of -219T/G showed a significant association with AD, but this was lost in an adjusted model. We did not find any association with -427T/C polymorphism. Using a haplogroup analysis of the promoter polymorphisms, we further confirmed their independent contribution as genetic risk factors for AD.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and alpha-2-macroglobulin gene polymorphisms are not associated with Alzheimer's disease in Colombian patients.

Polymorphisms in alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes have been considered as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) independently of the risk conferred by the apolipoprotein E sigma4 allele (APOEsigma4) in diverse populations. In the present study, we have analysed the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms of ACE and A2M in 83 AD patients and 69 normal controls in Colombia. Our results showed that there is no association between the I/D polymorphisms of ACE and A2M with AD (P = 0.788 and P = 0.538, respectively). Using logistic regression and multiple correlation analysis (MCA), we confirmed that the main risk factor associated and consistently grouped with AD patients in this population is APOE4, but this association was not observed with alleles and genotypes of ACE and A2M.

[The brachial and cephalic perimeters as indicators of poverty and acute diarrhea in children under five years in Bogotá]. / Perímetros braquial y cefálico como indicadores de pobreza y enfermedad diarréica aguda en niños menores de 5 anos, en Bogotá.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between nutritional status and some factors related with poverty (acute diarrhea and overcrowding) in children less than 6 years of age in Bogotá. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional study, was conducted during 2000 in the urban area of Bogotá, using a household interview survey. 3081 adults having in their homes children under five years were interviewed. This number of participants was calculated to obtain a representative sample of the city for estimating a binomial population parameter. A multistage sampling was carried out. The sample size was reduced to 2833 with the elimination of cases missing scores on dependent variables (DVs). Cephalic and brachial perimeters (continuous variables), used as a proxy of nutritional status (DVs), were selected as the main outcome measures. A 2 x 2 x 2 multivariate analysis of variance was performed on two DVs. Independent variables were overcrowding (as a measure of marginalization) and recent acute diarrhea. The analyses included sequential adjustment for nonorthogonality. RESULTS: DVs showed a low correlation (r=0.3) and a symmetric distribution. Evaluation of assumptions of linearity and multicollinearity were satisfactory. The omnibus test, using Wilk's criterion, showed that combined DVs were significantly affected by recent acute diarrhea (F=9.65 p=0.000), age less than 1 year (F=350.81 p=0.000) and the interaction acute diarrhea x overcrowding (F=6.25 p=0.000). In order to evaluate the impact of each main effect on the individual DVs, a Roy-Bargmann stepdown analysis was carried out. Homogeneity of regression was achieved for all components of the stepdown analysis. The brachial perimeter has a unique contribution to predict recent acute diarrhea (Roy-Bargmann F(1,1)=13.1 p=0.000). The cephalic perimeter has a unique contribution to predict acute diarrhea and overcrowding (Roy-Bargmann F(1,1)=10.22 p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Recent acute diarrhea and overcrowding are related with poor nutritional status. Brachial and cephalic perimeters could be attractive indicators of different varieties of nutritional deficiency.

Devising and validating a headache diary in a series of patients with chronic daily headache from Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To devise and test the reliability and validity of a brief headache diary in a series of Colombian patients with chronic daily headache. METHODS: The study was designed in five stages: selection of domains (group of patients and experts); initial devising of the items (writing group); identification of non-understandable items (n=20); assessment of internal consistency (n=100); assessment of validity and assessment of sensitivity to change during seven consecutive days (n=25, 175 observations). RESULTS: Five domains were selected: headache presence, severity and length of pain, analgesics intake, and missing workdays. The headache diary is internally consistent (≈75% of rotated variance), correlates with the medical interview (Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau over 0.8 for each domain) and it has an adequate and stable sensitivity and specificity (82 to 96%). CONCLUSIONS: This headache diary is a reliable and valid instrument and represents the most important features affecting Colombian patients with chronic daily headache.

Incorporating equity issues into the development of Colombian clinical practice guidelines: suggestions for the GRADE approach / Incorporando equidad al desarrollo de guías de práctica clínica colombianas: sugerencias para la aproximación Grade

Objective To propose how to incorporate equity issues, using the GRADE approach, into the development and implementation of Colombian Clinical Practice Guidelines. Methodology This proposal was developed in four phases: 1. Included a literature review and the development of a preliminary proposal about how to include equity issues; 2. Involved an informal discussion to reach a consensus on improving the first proposal; 3. Was a survey of the researchers' acceptance levels of the proposal, and; 4. A final informal consensus was formed to adjust the proposal. Results A proposal on how to incorporate equity issues into the GRADE approach was developed. It places particular emphasis on the recognition of disadvantaged populations in the development and implementation of the suggested guideline. PROGRESS-Plus is recommended for use in exploring the various categories of disadvantaged people. The proposal suggests that evidence be rated differentially by giving higher ratings to studies that consider equity issues than those that do not. The proposal also suggests the inclusion of indicators to monitor the impacts of the implementation of CPGs on disadvantaged people. Conclusions A consideration of equity in the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines and quality assessments of the evidence would achieve more in the participation of potential actors in the process and reflect on the effectiveness of the proposed interventions across all social groups.(AU)

Objetivo Proponer como incorporar temas de equidad en el desarrollo e implementación de guías de práctica clínica colombianas utilizando el acercamiento GRADE. Metodología Esta propuesta fue desarrollada en 4 fases: una revisión de la literatura y desarrollo de una propuesta preliminar sobre como incluir temas de equidad, discusión informal para alcanzar un consenso que mejore la primera propuesta; una encuesta sobre los niveles de aceptación de la propuesta y un consenso informal final para ajustar la propuesta. Resultados Se desarrolló una propuesta sobre como incorporar temas de equidad con el acercamiento GRADE. Este hace énfasis especial en el reconocimiento de poblaciones en desventaja al desarrollar e implementar guías. Se recomienda el uso del PROGRESS-Plus para explorar las categorías de las poblaciones en desventaja. La propuesta sugiere una calificación diferencial de la evidencia dando clasificaciones superiores a los estudios que toman en consideración temas de equidad. Esta propuesta también sugiere la inclusión de indicadores que monitoreen el impacto de la implementación de GPC en personas en desventaja. Conclusiones Tener en cuenta la equidad en el desarrollo e implementación de las guías de práctica clínica y la evaluación de calidad de la evidencia puede lograr más en la participación de los actores potenciales del proceso y reflejarse en la efectividad de las intervenciones propuestas en todos los grupos sociales.(AU)

Guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en adultos / Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Adult Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Objetivo: brindar una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia más reciente para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylori teniendo en cuenta la efectividad y seguridad de las intervenciones dirigidas a pacientes, personal asistencial, administrativo y entes gubernamentales de cualquier servicio de atención en Colombia. Materiales y métodos: esta guía fue desarrollada por un equipo multidisciplinario con apoyo de la Asociación Colombiana de Gastroenterología, el Grupo Cochrane ITS y el Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se desarrollaron preguntas clínicas relevantes y se realizó la búsqueda de guías nacionales e internacionales en bases de datos especializadas. Las guías existentes fueron evaluadas en términos de calidad y aplicabilidad; una de ellas cumplió los criterios de adaptación, por lo que se decidió adaptar 4 preguntas clínicas y construir 10 de novo. El Grupo Cochrane realizó la búsqueda sistemática de la literatura. Las tablas de evidencia y recomendaciones fueron realizadas con base en la metodología GRADE. Las recomendaciones de la guía fueron socializadas en una reunión de expertos con entes gubernamentales y pacientes. Resultados: se desarrolló una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección de Helicobacter pylori en Colombia. Conclusiones: la erradicación de H. pylori, curará las ulceras pépticas asociadas al mismo, la gastritis crónica sin atrofia o metaplasia intestinal y contribuirá a disminuir el riesgo de cáncer gástrico, que es la primera causa de muerte por cáncer en Colombia.

Objective: To provide a clinical practice guideline with the latest evidence for diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection for patients, caregivers, administrative and government bodies at all levels of care in Colombia. Materials and Methods: This guide was developed by a multidisciplinary team with the support of the Colombian Association of Gastroenterology, Cochrane STI Group and Clinical Research Institute of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Relevant clinical questions were developed and the search for national and international guidelines in databases was performed. Existing guidelines were evaluated quality and applicability. One guideline met the criteria for adaptation, so the group decided to adapt 4 clinical questions and to develop 10 de novo clinical questions. Systematic literature searches were conducted by the Cochrane Group. The tables of evidence and recommendations were made based on the GRADE methodology. The recommendations of the guide were socialized in a meeting of experts with government agencies and patients. Results: An evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection was developed for the Colombian context. Conclusions: The opportune detection and appropriate management of Helicobacter pylori would contribute to the burden of the disease in Colombia and its associated diseases.

Guía de práctica clínica para la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica / Clinical practice guideline for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objetivo: brindar una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia más reciente para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica teniendo en cuenta la efectividad y seguridad de las intervenciones dirigidas a pacientes, personal asistencial, administrativo y entes gubernamentales de cualquier servicio de atención en Colombia. Materiales y métodos: esta guía fue desarrollada por un equipo multidisciplinario con apoyo de la Asociación Colombiana de Gastroenterología, el Grupo Cochrane ITS y el Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se desarrollaron preguntas clínicas relevantes y se realizó la búsqueda de guías nacionales e internacionales en bases de datos especializadas. Las guías existentes fueron evaluadas en términos de calidad y aplicabilidad; una guía cumplió los criterios de adaptación, por lo que se decidió adaptar 3 preguntas clínicas. El Grupo Cochrane realizó la búsqueda sistemática de la literatura. Las tablas de evidencia y recomendaciones fueron realizadas con base en la metodología GRADE. Las recomendaciones de la guía fueron socializadas en una reunión de expertos con entes gubernamentales y pacientes. Resultados: se desarrolló una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica en Colombia. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico y manejo oportuno de la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica contribuirá a disminuir la carga de la enfermedad en Colombia, así como de las enfermedades asociadas.

Objective: To provide a clinical practice guideline with the latest evidence for diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for patients, caregivers, administrative and government bodies at all levels of care in Colombia. Materials and Methods: This guide was developed by a multidisciplinary team with the support of the Colombian Association of Gastroenterology, Cochrane STI Group and Clinical Research Institute of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Relevant clinical questions were developed and the search for national and international guidelines in databases was performed. Existing guidelines were evaluated about quality and applicability. One guideline met the criteria for adaptation, so the group decided to adapt 3 clinical questions. Systematic literature searches were conducted by the Cochrane Group. The tables of evidence and recommendations were made based on the GRADE methodology. The recommendations of the guide were socialized in a meeting of experts with government agencies and patients. Results: An evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was developed for the Colombian context. Conclusions: The opportune detection and appropriate management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease would contribute to the burden of the disease in Colombia.

Guía de práctica clínica para el uso de ultrasonido endoscópico en pancreatitis crónica, lesiones quísticas y sólidas del páncreas en adultos / Clinical practice guideline for the use of endoscopic ultrasound in chronic pancreatitis, solid and cystic lesions of pancreas in adults

Objetivo: brindar una guía de práctica clínica con la evidencia más reciente para el uso de ultrasonido endoscópico en pancreatitis crónica y lesiones quísticas y sólidas en adultos, la cual está dirigida a pacientes, personal asistencial, administrativo y entes gubernamentales de los servicios de atención en Colombia. Materiales y métodos: esta guía fue desarrollada por un equipo multidisciplinario con apoyo de la Asociación Colombiana de Gastroenterología, el Grupo Cochrane ITS y el Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se desarrollaron preguntas clínicas relevantes y se realizó la búsqueda de guías nacionales e internacionales en bases de datos especializadas. Las guías existentes fueron evaluadas en términos de calidad y aplicabilidad; ninguna de ellas cumplió con el criterio de adaptación, por lo que se decidió construir una guía de novo. El Grupo Cochrane realizó la búsqueda sistemática de la literatura. Las tablas de evidencia y recomendaciones fueron realizadas con base en la metodología GRADE. Las recomendaciones de la guía fueron socializadas en una reunión de expertos con entes gubernamentales y pacientes. Resultados: se desarrolló una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia para el uso del ultrasonido endoscópico en pancreatitis crónica y lesiones quísticas y sólidas en adultos en Colombia, con recomendaciones específicas para la utilización de USE. Conclusiones: el adecuado uso del ultrasonido endoscópico permitirá el diagnóstico oportuno de lesiones del páncreas en pacientes colombianos, lo que llevará a mejorar su pronóstico.

Objective: To provide an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the use of endoscopic ultrasound in chronic pancreatitis, solid and cystic lesions of pancreas in adults which can be used by patients, caregivers, administrative and government bodies at all levels of care in Colombia. Materials and Methods: This guide was developed by a multidisciplinary team with the support of the Colombian Association of Gastroenterology, Cochrane STI Group and Clinical Research Institute of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Relevant clinical questions were developed and the search for national and international guidelines in databases was performed. Existing guidelines were evaluated for quality and applicability. None of the guidelines met the criteria for adaptation, so the group decided to develop a de novo guideline. Systematic literature searches were conducted by the Cochrane Group. The tables of evidence and recommendations were made based on the GRADE methodology. The recommendations of the guide were socialized in a meeting of experts with government agencies and patients. Results: An evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the screening of colorectal cancer was developed for the Colombian context. Conclusions: The opportune detection of colon cancer would have an impact of the disease in Colombia.