[Study and management of thyroid nodes by non specialist physicians: SOCHED consensus]. / Estudio y manejo de nódulos tiroideos por médicos no especialistas. Consenso SOCHED.

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

Effect of age of initiation of mammography breast cancer screening.

Introduction: Mammography is an excellent resource to reduce the burden of premature death associated with breast cancer; however, screening is only recommended between the ages of 50 and 69 years. General objective: To compare the frequency of suspicious and non-diagnostic mammograms for breast cancer when screening Chilean women between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study nested in a breast cancer screening programme in Chilean women >40 years old, conducted between 2017 and 2021. Demographic variables and risk factors are described. To establish the effect of age on screening, we calculated the number needed to screen for a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Reporting System 4 or 5 mammogram when screening over 40 years or over 50 years. Results: We studied 137,690 women screened for breast cancer since the age of 40 years. The median age was 54 years (range 40-93 years). 64.7% of women were postmenopausal, 4.79% were nulliparous and 14% of post-menopausal women were receiving hormone replacement therapy. To find a suspicious mammogram, 170 women over 40 years and 149 women over 50 years would have to be screened. Conclusion: By changing the starting age of screening from 50 to 40 years 21 more women would have to be screened to detect a suspicious mammogram and if screened from age 50 and not from age 40 years 21% of total suspicious mammograms would remain unidentified.

Predictors of pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant treatment in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer: a retrospective analysis using real-world data.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2, HER2 or HER2/neu) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that is overexpressed in approximately 20% of breast cancers. The use of the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in association with chemotherapy has achieved a higher percentage of pathologic complete response (pCR) than conventional chemotherapy. The purpose of our study was to identify factors that could affect the therapeutic response of patients with breast cancer and HER2 overexpression treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy plus double HER2 blockade in neoadjuvant setting at Fundación Arturo López Pérez (FALP). A case-control study was designed to evaluate the effect of clinical and histopathological variables on the response to neoadjuvant therapy. Ninety-four women with non-metastatic breast cancer and HER2 overexpression received neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab at FALP during the period 2017-2020. Seventy percent of patients achieved pCR, and in the group of hormone receptor negative patients, 89% of patients achieved pCR. Different variables were analysed trying to look for clinicopathological predictors of complete response. This study provides us with real-world data on the efficacy of using this treatment combination in our population of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients.

Incidence of lung cancer and air pollution in boroughs of Chile: an ecological study.

Lung cancer frequency has been progressively increasing; this has been linked to the use of inhaled tobacco and air pollution. In Chile, air pollution has reached alarming levels due to motor vehicle traffic, firewood burning for heating and minerals in urban areas; for this reason, our objective was to evaluate the association between the incidence of lung cancer and the concentration of the main air pollutants monitored in the country. We carried out a cross-sectional ecological study that evaluated the association between the average incidence of lung cancer in a 5-year period (2015-2019) with the average annual concentration of six atmospheric pollutants in the 5 years prior in 14 Chilean boroughs, using the population of beneficiaries of the Fundación Arturo-López-Pérez Cancer Institute. The annualised incidence of lung cancer was 9.77 per 100,000 and it varied significantly within the boroughs studied. When evaluating the relationship between lung-cancer incidence and the average concentration of atmospheric pollutants, we only found a direct and significant correlation between the level of respirable particulates 2.5 and the incidence of adenocarcinomas (ß: 0.16; p: 0.023).

Relación de la actividad física medida objetivamente con dislipidemias y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de la Región de La Araucanía / Relationship of objectively measured physical activity with dyslipidemias and cardiovascular risk factors in schoolchildren from Región de La Araucanía cases

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las dislipidemias favorecen la formación precoz de placas ateroscleróticas, aumentando el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECVs). La Actividad Física (AF) es un factor protector de ECVs, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la asociación entre AF medida objetivamente y dislipidemias en población pediátrica. METODOLOGÍA: La AF fue evaluada en 159 niños (9-13 años) de la Región de La Araucanía a través de acelerometría (ActiGraph GT3X+). Por este medio se estimó el porcentaje de AF moderada a vigorosa (AFMV) y el de conducta sedentaria (CS). Sujetos con ≥60 min de AFMV se consideraron físicamente activos según recomendación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Individuos con %CS>75° percentil fueron considerados sedentarios. El perfil lipídico fue determinado usando métodos convencionales. Fueron calculados índices de aterogenicidad TG/cHDL e índice de aterogenicidad del plasma (IAP). RESULTADOS: 37,1% presentó dislipidemia, 8% hipercolesterolemia, 19,5% hipertrigliceridemia, 6,3% cLDL elevado y 25,2% cHDL disminuido. Solo un 9,4% fueron considerados físicamente activos de acuerdo a la recomendación de la OMS. En los sujetos físicamente activos no hubo caso de dislipidemias (p= 0,032) y tampoco bajos niveles de cHDL (p= 0,013). El %AFMV estaba reducido en sujetos con cHDL bajo y se correlacionó positivamente con HDL-c (r= 0,157, p=0,048). Además, el %AFMV se correlacionó con menores valores de TG/cHDL (r= -0,193, p=0,015) e IAP (r= -0,214, p=0,006). Si bien el comportamiento sedentario no estuvo asociado con riesgo de dislipidemias, el %CS se correlacionó positivamente con niveles de glucosa (r= 0,159, p=0,044) y HOMA-IR (r= 0,178, p=0,037) y negativamente con Quicki (r= -0,160, p=0,044). CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos sugieren que la AF se correlaciona a menor frecuencia de dislipidemias y la práctica de AFMV aumentaría los valores de HDL-c y reduciría los índices aterogénicos, por lo que promoverla puede significar disminuir el riesgo de ECVs en nuestra población. Además, la CS se relaciona con un aumento en valores de glucosa e índices de resistencia insulínica en escolares de la Región de La Araucanía.

Dyslipidemias cause early formation of atherosclerotic plaque, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Physical Activity (PA) is a protective factor against CVDs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between objectively measured PA with dyslipidemias in a pediatric population. METHOD: The PA was evaluated in 159 children (9-13 years old) from Región de La Araucanía using accelerometry (ActiGraph GT3X +). The percentage of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) were estimated. Subjects with ≥60 min of MVPA were considered physically active according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). Individuals with %SB >75th percentile were sedentary. The lipid profile was determined using conventional methods. TG/HDL-C ratio and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated. RESULTS: 37.1% presented dyslipidemia, 8% hypercholesterolemia, 19.5% hypertriglyceridemia, 6.3% elevated LDL-C and 25.2% decreased HDL-C. Only 9.4% were physically active according to the WHO recommendation. In physically active subjects where no cases of dyslipidemias (p =0.032) and no low HDL-C (p = 0.013). The %MVPA was reduced in subjects with low HDL-C and positively correlated with HDL-c (r = 0.157, p = 0.048). In addition, %MVPA was correlated with lower TG / HDL-C values (r = -0.193, p = 0.015) and AIP (r = -0.214, p = 0.006). SB was not associated with risk of dyslipidemia, % SB was positively correlated with glucose levels (r = 0.159, p = 0.044) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.178, p = 0.037) and negatively with Quicki (r = -0.160, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that PA is it correlates to a lower frequency of dyslipidemia and the practice of MVPA would increase HDL-c values and reduce atherogenic index, promoting it may been reducing the risk of CVDs in our population. In addition, the SB is related to an increase in glucose values and insulin resistance index in schoolchildren in Región de La Araucanía.

Estudio y manejo de nódulos tiroideos por médicos no especialistas. Consenso SOCHED / Study and management of thyroid nodes by non specialist physicians: SOCHED consensus

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

Anomalías de la esteroidogénesis suprarrenal en niños chilenos con micropene / Abnormalities in adrenal steroidogenesis in chilean boys with micropenis

Background: Mutations in type II 3ß hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (3ßHSD) are found in male children with severe undervirilized genitalia. Mild undervirilization (isolated micropenis or with distal hypospadia) can be associated with a partial deficit in 3ßHSD activity. Aim: To assess the frequency of abnormal adrenal response to ACTH, suggesting a deficit in adrenal enzymatic activity, in children with mild undervirilization. Patients and methods : We studied 26 male children with micropenis, aged one to eight years. Children with evidences of puberal development or in treatment with drugs that affect steroidal metabolism were excluded from the study. Serum levels of androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone (P), 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17 P) and the ratios DHEA/A, P/17 P, 17 P/DHEA were measured after an adrenal stimulation with 0.25 mg/m2 intramuscular ACTH. Results: Two children had DHEA y DHEA/A values suggesting a defective 3ßHSD activity. Other two children had high levels of 17 P, suggesting a deficiency of cytochrome p450c21. A CYP 21 gene mutation was found in one of the later children. Conclusions: A low proportion of children with micropenis have a deficient 3ßHSD activity

Quiste simple yuxtatiroídeo: análisis del posible origen de la lesión / Simple juxtathyroid cyst: analysis of the possible origin of the injury

We report a 34 years old female who presented a simple juxtathyroid cyst. Its content was translucent with a mPTH concentration 30 higher than in blood. This finding lead to the suspicion of a parathyroid cyst; however there were no laboratory evidence of hyperparathyroidism. Two years later and after repeated needle drainages, a surgical cystectomy was made. The immunohistochemical study of the samples was intensely positive for synaptophysis, a parathyroid tissue marker. Surprisingly, thyroglobulin was also found in some cyst wall cells

Síndrome de ovario poliquístico como expresión de déficit de la enzima 3ß hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa / Polycystic ovary syndrome as expression of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficit

Los defectos enzimáticos de expresión tardía de la esteroidogénesis suprarrenal están entre las causas más comunes de hirsutismo. Esta forma de hiperandrogenismo puede asumir las características clínicas de un síndrome de ovario poliquístico, lo que viene a confirmar la multicausalidad de esta última condición. Se comunica el caso de una mujer de 18 años con amenorrea secundaria e hirsutismo, cuya concentración sérica de testosterona y de DHEA-S eran 175 ng/dl y 7,3 *g/ml respectivamente y la relación LH/FSH de 5,9. La administración de dexametasona produjo una marcada reducción en la concentración de testosterona y DHEA-S, en tanto que el estímulo con ACTH se asoció a un aumento de 17 hidroxipregnenolona y de la relación 17 hidroxipregnenolona/17 hidroxiprogesterona en el rango descrito para el déficit de 3ß hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa

Validez de la medición rutinaria del calcio sérico / Assessment of rutinary serum calcium measurement

Subjects and methods: Serum calcium was measured in 731 subjects participating in a preventive medical examination, using an automated colorimetric method. Serum albumin was also measured. In 31 randomly chosen serum samples, calcium was also measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Normal serum calcium ranges were established as the mean ñ 1.34 SD of the sample. Results: Mean serum calcium was 9 ñ 0.7 mg/dl, serum albumin was 4.3 ñ 0.5 g/dl and albumin corrected calcium levels were 8.7 ñ 0.7 mg/dl. Excluding lipemic sera, colorimetric calcium measurement had a correlation of 6.0 with atomic absorption spectrometry and a reliability of 17.9 percent. Using the proposed normal ranges (7.3 - 10.6 mg/dl), the frequency of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia was 0.14 and 0.4 percent respectively. Conclusions: Most subjects found to have hyper or hypocalcemia in this study were asymptomatic