[Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home increases the need for medical attention for respiratory diseases in childhood]. / La exposición al humo de tabaco en el hogar aumenta la frecuentación por patología respiratoria en la infancia.

OBJECTIVES: Children are highly vulnerable to damage from passive smoking as they are unable to avoid environmental tobacco, if present. Some reports have suggested that domestic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke can increase respiratory diseases in children. The aim of this study was to assess whether domestic passive smoking is associated with new respiratory events. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed of 410 children aged less than 14 years old. The variables studied were: a) smokers in the household, b) the number of cigarettes smoked per day, c) school attendance, d) the number of siblings, e) previous respiratory diseases among parents and siblings, f) maternal smoking in pregnancy, and g) the number of respiratory events recorded in the previous year. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 50.2 % of the children cohabited with smokers at home. The mean number of upper respiratory tract events per child living in environments free of tobacco smoke was 2.53 versus 3.52 when one of the household members smoked. For respiratory disease as a whole, an inverse association with age was found [OR = 0.83; (95 % CI: 0.76-0.90)] and a direct association was found with maternal smoking [OR = 4.56 (95 % CI; 1.84-11.34)]. With upper respiratory tract disease, the OR was 1.4 if the mother smoked 11-20 cigarettes/day, and was 1.9 if the number of cigarettes was > 20. With lower respiratory diseases, the odds ratio was 3.48 (95 % CI; 2.07-6.06) if the mother smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty percent of the children studied were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home. Younger children were at higher risk. The major risk factor for respiratory disease was maternal smoking and the risk increased with the number of cigarettes smoked. Health education is essential to protect children from tobacco smoke exposure.

[Tobacco use among young people in informal education settings: a survey of behaviors and opinions]. / Qué concenmos y qué actitud se puede tomar acerca del consumo de tabaco en la educación no formal?

OBJECTIVES: To obtain information about the tobacco use of young people in an informal educational setting. To analyze the profile of the young smoker and the associated social and health factors, and to discover the opinion of tobacco held by smokers and non-smokers. POPULATION AND METHODS An anonymous, self-administered, personal questionnaire was completed by volunteers aged 14 to 26 years old taking part in the activities of 3 youth centers. The questionnaire included items about the subjects' smoking habits, their awareness of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking and knowledge of tobacco cessation techniques. The survey also covered the health and social profile of young smokers. RESULTS: A total of 84 completed questionnaires were received (40 males and 44 females). The mean age of the sample was 18.3 years. Of the total, 15.4% had never smoked, 44% described themselves as smokers, and 16.6% as ex-smokers. Of the smokers, 40% smoked up to 10 cigarettes/day and 60% between 11 and 20. The age of initiation or experimentation was 13.1 years, and that of the onset of regular or daily use, 14.6 years. Only 23.5% of the smokers expressed a desire to stop smoking, and 50% had never tried to quit. Tobacco use was associated with weekend alcohol consumption in 59% of the smokers. None of the respondents were aware of the tobacco cessation aids and therapies available. CONCLUSIONS: According to the data collected by way of these questionnaires, a high percentage of the young people who participate in these leisure activities are smokers. They report a very early age of initiation and an accurate understanding of the serious consequences of tobacco use. Their lack of awareness about the available aids for tobacco cessation is a cause for concern, and the number of smokers who expressed a desire to quit was minimal. A disturbing increase in the association between alcohol and tobacco consumption was observed.

[A version of DSM-IV criteria adapted for adolescents and applied to young smokers]. / Aplicación en jóvenes fumadores de una versión de los criterios nosológicos DSM-IV adaptada para adolescentes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate nicotine dependence in adolescent smokers using a version of DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence adapted for adolescents (DSM-IVa). To establish its usefulness and the most relevant items for diagnosing adolescent smokers. POPULATION AND METHODS: Two thousand six hundred forty-seven schoolchildren between 10 and 17 years old were surveyed. A sample size was calculated for each year of age, using the finite population equation with the addition of 10% so that the absolute error would not increase at the end of the study if questionnaires were withdrawn. The sample was stratified by sex and type of school for each age group, with allocation to each stratum proportional to the number of individuals. Schools and students were selected using random number tables. The questionnaire collected the most significant personal data and information related to DSM-IVa criteria. RESULTS: Smokers made up 23.1% of the sample, and 63.5% of them smoked daily. According to the DSM-IVa criteria, 70.7% of the smokers were nicotine dependent. The DSM-IVa had a kappa value of 1 and internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha: 0.5598). CONCLUSIONS: The DSM-IVa is useful in the studied population, although not perfect. According to the criteria, 70.7% of those interviewed were already nicotine dependent. The key questions were those that referred to the presence of nicotine withdrawal syndrome symptoms and the need to spend a large amount of free time obtaining or smoking cigarettes.

[Anti-smoking specialist medical prescription or medical counseling in primary care: opinions from the other side of the table]. / Prescripción facultativa o consejo médico antitabaco en atención primaria: opiniones desde el otro lado de la mesa.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency, characteristics and follow-up of anti-smoking counseling given to patients using a primary care facility; to survey patient opinion of anti-smoking advice offered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive study at a primary care facility. SUBJECTS: random sample of 330 patients between 15 and 75 years of age using the primary care facility in March and April 2000. MEASUREMENTS: confidential survey by self-administered questionnaire on smoking, chronic disease related to smoking, anti-smoking advice given and patient opinion of anti-smoking counseling by health care givers. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was 31.9% (100). Among patients who were either smokers or ex-smokers (162), advice to stop smoking had been received from the primary care physician by 47 patients (29.2%), from a specialist by 19 (11.8%), from a nurse by 14 (8.7%), from a pharmacist by 5 (3.1%), and from family by 34 (21.1%). We found no statistically significant differences related to gender or age for advice to stop smoking, although the presence or absence of chronic disease did affect counseling. Fifty-four (65%) of those who had been advised to quit considered that the time spent counseling was adequate. Ten patients (12%) received an informative brochure in addition to counseling. Forty smokers (40%) stated that they would quit smoking if their doctor advised them to and 45 (45%) would do so if they had a smoking-related disease. Thirty-three smokers (33%) believed that they should receive advice about smoking at all visits to the doctor, whereas 38 (38%) believed such counseling was appropriate only if the visit was for a smoking-related disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of smoking among patients who use primary care facilities is high. The frequency of advice to quit smoking is low, and reminders and follow-up are minimal. After learning a patient's habits and studying them, professional anti-smoking advice should always be given, with appropriate monitoring and follow-up.

[Broncholithiasis secondary to active Mycobacterium avium infection]. / Broncolitiasis secundaria a infección activa por Mycobacterium avium.

The case of a 65-years-old woman with non-productive cough persisting for one year is described. The X-ray showed lower right paratracheal calcification. The diagnosis of broncholithiasis was made by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and Mycobacterium avium was isolated after analysis of the specimen collected by bronchial biopsy. We discuss the characteristics of the case, emphasizing the association of broncholithiasis and non-tubercular mycobacterial infection. The literature is reviewed.

[Drainage of loculated and/or multiloculated pleural effusions using a small caliber catheter and urokinase (pleuro-fibrinolysis)]. / Drenaje de derrames pleurales loculados y/o tabicados mediante catéter de pequeño calibre y urocinasa (pleurofibrinólisis).

The main causes of pleural fluid drainage failure are known to be the formation of fibrin septa, increased viscosity in pleural fluid and inappropriate placement of chest tubes. Reports also tell us that such problems can be solved by using ultrasound as a guide for tube placement and by infusing intrapleural fibrinolytic agents to prevent the formation of septa and reduce the viscosity of pleural fluid. To assess our experience, the role and efficacy of administering intercavitary urokinase (UK) through a small caliber catheter (SCC) implanted with ultrasound guidance as part of the treatment for pleural effusions (PE) that are multiloculated and/or loculated. Fifty multiloculated and/or loculated PE were drained through a pig-tail type SCC between 8.2 and 10 F caliber inserted with ultrasound guidance. The criteria for prescribing the procedure were as follows: PE of any etiology with ultrasound confirmation of fibrin septa and/or multiloculation and absence of contraindication off UK administration. UK was given at a dose of 100,000 i.u. every two hours until disappearance of PE. Before and after treatment the levels of D-dimer were measured in order to monitor pleural fibrinolytic activity. The SCC was properly placed in all patients. UK administration was 366,000 i.u. and time the SCC were in place was 4.7 days. All PEs were initially drained completely. We examined the patients 30 days later, finding that PE had recurred in 2 (4%), resolution was complete and without sequelae in 8 (16%), nearly complete but with slight pleural thickening in 32 (64%) and partial with pleural opacities larger than 2 mm in 8 (16%). Use of SCC and UK (pleural fibrinolysis) is a moderately invasive procedure that is effective and well tolerated and that shortens drainage time, prevents sequelae and is relatively inexpensive for the treatment of PE with fibrin septation and/or multiloculation.

[Results of a smoking cessation program among Spanish pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons]. / Resultado de un programa de cesación de tabaquismo en neumólogos y cirujanos torácicos españoles.

We evaluated the efficacy of a smoking cessation program using 16-hours nicotine patches offered by mail to physicians belonging to the Spanish Pneumological and Thoracic Surgery Society. Fifty-five subjects (21 women) with a mean age of 40 underwent treatment with 16-hours nicotine patches with different dose-time applications dependent on Fagerstrom test scores. Abstinence, which was verified by measuring carbon monoxide in expired air, was 23.6% after 6 months of follow-up. We observed a low rate of mild side effects.

[Determination of nicotine dependence in school-aged smokers through a modified Fagerström Test]. / Determinación de la dependencia nicotínica en escolares fumadores a través de un test de Fagerström modificado.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 65 % of young smokers have failed to give up smoking because of their addiction to nicotine. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is used to quantify nicotine dependence in adults but studies in teenagers are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether young smokers are nicotine-dependent, and if so, to what extent, as well as the factors linked to nicotine dependence. METHODS: A total of 2647 schoolchildren, aged 10 to 17 years old, from 41 different schools were interviewed. A sample size was calculated for each age, in years, by using the equation of finite population, but adding an extra 10 % so that if the numbers decreased, the final absolute error would not be increased. For each age the sample was stratified by sex and type of school, with proportional affixation to the number of individuals within each stratum. Schools and students were chosen by using the random numbers table. In addition to eliciting personal data, the questionnaire also included a version of the FTND adapted for use in teenagers. RESULTS: The mean age was 13.77 years and 51.5 % were male. A total of 23.1 % reported they were smokers (54.5 % of them were girls and 45.5 % were boys). Most (86.6 %) of these teenager smokers showed low-moderate nicotine dependence and 3.3 % showed high dependence. No differences were found according to sex or age. CONCLUSIONS: Most teenagers who smoke show low nicotine dependence. Campaigns to prevent smoking should be aimed at children aged less than 10 years old to delay smoking the first cigarette and the subsequent next step of becoming a daily smoker for as long as possible since both factors have proved decisive in nicotine dependence.

[Evaluation of the Program for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis during the period January 1993 - June 1996]. / Evaluación del Programa de Vigilancia y Control de la Tuberculosis durante el periodo enero 1993 - junio 1996.

In 1992 a Technical Commission was formed in Navarra with the participation of different specialists who drew up the Program of Vigilance and Control of Tuberculosis. We present the results of the evaluation of this program for the period from January 1993 to June 1996. In the 3.5 years of the study, 419 cases of tuberculosis were found, 317 belonging to respiratory forms and 102 to extra-respiratory forms. The annual rate of incidence of total tuberculosis, 22.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants observed in Navarra, is the lowest of those registered at the level of the Autonomous Communities according to the TIR study of the SEPAR (acronym for Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery) in 1996, and the second lowest, after Castilla-La Mancha, according to the multicentric study of the National Centre of Epidemiology. In Navarra the highest rates of incidence are produced in those over 65 years of age, following the pattern observed in the more developed countries. 13.9% of the patients with respiratory tuberculosis showed co-infection by HIV, and besides more than 90% of these were users of intravenous drugs. The percentage of immigrants, prisoners and the destitute observed in the Navarra series is lower than that found in areas such as Madrid, Barcelona or Zaragoza. 91% of the cases of respiratory tuberculosis showed bacteriological confirmation and 98% of the cases were diagnosed and treated in specialised care. Outstanding were the high follow-up of the cases until discharge and the high percentage of cures achieved, some 85.4%.

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia with frontal sinus agenesis]. / Discinesia ciliar primaria con agenesia del seno frontal.

A 36-year-old man had a history of recurrent respiratory infections and bilateral bronchiectasis. Sinus radiography showed absence of the frontal sinuses. Electron microscopy of the bronchial mucosa revealed ultrastructural ciliary abnormalities. The clinical features and diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia are described.