Validation of the Delirium Diagnostic Tool-Provisional (DDT-Pro) With Medical Inpatients and Comparison With the Confusion Assessment Method Algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium remains underdetected as a result of its broad constellation of symptoms and the inadequate neuropsychiatric expertise of most medical-surgical clinicians. Brief, accurate tools are needed to enhance detection. METHODS: The authors extended validation of the Delirium Diagnostic Tool-Provisional (DDT-Pro), originally validated in a study of inpatients with traumatic brain injury for diagnosis of delirium by nonexpert clinicians, for 200 general medical inpatients in Colombia. The three structured, quantitatively rated items in DDT-Pro represent the three core delirium domains. RESULTS: High interrater reliability between physician and nurse (0.873) administrators, internal consistency (>0.81), and content validity were found. Compared with independent reference standard diagnosis with DSM-5 or the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (global diagnostic accuracy) range was 93.8%-96.3%. ROC analysis revealed the same cutoff score (≤6) as that for the original study, with somewhat lower sensitivities of 88.0%-90.0% and specificities of 85.3%-81.2% (independent expert physician or nurse ratings). Even when rated by a trained expert physician, the original version of the Confusion Assessment Method algorithm (CAM-A) performed moderately, with lower sensitivities (61.8%-70.0%) than the DDT-Pro (88.0%-100%) and somewhat higher specificities (84.8%-95.3% versus 67.4%-86.7%), with values depending on dementia status, reference standard, and rater type. Accuracies for the DDT-Pro and CAM-A were comparable (DDT-Pro: 83.0%-87.5% versus CAM-A: 87.5%-88.5%), although lower in the dementia subgroup, especially for CAM-A. However, these tools were significantly discordant, especially in negative cases, which suggests that they do not detect diagnosis of patients in the same way. CONCLUSIONS: The DDT-Pro had high validity and reliability in provisional delirium diagnosis by physicians and nonexpert clinicians, although further validation is warranted before widespread use can be recommended.

Discriminant Performance of Dysexecutive and Frontal Release Signs for Delirium in Patients With High Dementia Prevalence: Implications for Neural Network Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of signs of abnormal executive function (EF) and primitive reflexes (PR) with delirium in older hospitalized patients with or without comorbid dementia has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe prevalence of signs of EF deficits and PR in older inpatients and their discriminant value for delirium while accounting for dementia. METHODS: Participants were evaluated for delirium using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition and the Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98, dementia using Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, and signs of PR (n = 5) and EF deficits (n = 3) using bedside neuropsychiatric examination. Three indices (PR, EF, and Combined) and 4 diagnostic groups were created for correlational and discriminant analyses. RESULTS: Correlations of indices were higher with the Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98 than with the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and even higher in those with dementia, especially the Combined index (Delirium Frontal Index). Among individual signs, glabellar and Simple Luria Hand Sequence were most common in delirium and the best for delirium discrimination irrespective of dementia status. The Combined index had about 80% sensitivity and specificity at the ≥2 cutoff in the whole cohort (positive and negative predictive values and likelihood ratios: PPV 50.0%, NPV 93.8%, +LR 3.82, -LR 0.25). The Combined index also had the best performance on discriminating delirium in dementia patients at the ≥3 cutoff, with about 80% for both sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: PR and EF deficit signs are consistent with reduced neural network integration during delirium, even worse in those with dementia whose baseline structural injury impairs network connectivity with frontal regions. We recommend simple bedside assessment of PR and EF signs to help assess for delirium as an indicator of cerebral cortical neural network impairment in older persons.

Delirium diagnostic tool-provisional (DDT-Pro) scores in delirium, subsyndromal delirium and no delirium.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the Delirium Diagnostic Tool-Provisional (DDT-Pro), a 0-9 point scale with three items each representing symptoms from delirium's three core domains, differentiates subsyndromal delirium (SSD) from delirium and no delirium. METHODS: We applied cluster analyses of DDT-Pro scores from 200 consecutive inpatients using three reference standards for delirium diagnosis to determine DDT-Pro cutoff values for delirium, SSD and no delirium groups. Clinical validators and DDT-Pro item scores were compared among groups. RESULTS: DDT-Pro SSD range was 6-7 (n = 54), with no delirium having higher scores (n = 98) and delirium lower (n = 48). Dementia prevalence in the SSD group (40.7%) was intermediate between no delirium (20.4%) and delirium (66.7%). SSD and delirium groups were more affected than no delirium regarding medical comorbidities, hospital stay (no delirium <1 week, SSD and delirium >1 week) and mortality (SSD = 7.4%, delirium = 18.8%, no delirium = 1%). Values for motor subtypes, frontal lobe signs, and DRS-R98 in the SSD group were intermediate between no delirium and delirium, as well as for the DDT-Pro items (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All DDT-Pro items, which represent the three delirium core domains, are important for SSD diagnosis. Patients scoring in the SSD 6-7 range have significant clinical and prognostic features and deserve clinical attention.

[Detecting poliovirus in wastewater from Armenia, Colombia]. / Detección de poliovirus en Aguas residuales de Armenia, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Implementing environmental surveillance for poliovirus circulating from wastewater. METHODS: Six wastewater samples were collected from each final site within a wastewater collection system in Armenia, Quindío. Virus was extracted and concentrated by a method using polyethylenglycol and sodium chloride as concentrating agent. Polioviruses were identified by polymerase chain reaction assay with group-specific, serotype-specific and Sabin vaccine-specific primers. RESULTS: It was confirmed that the viral detection method is highly efficient. Poliovirus was detected in 5 of 6 (83%) samples collected. Serotype-specific identification revealed the presence of type 1 and type 3 polioviruses in the samples. All of them were of the vaccine type, which provided evidence regarding the non-circulation of wild poliovirus in the country. CONCLUSION: Wastewater surveillance can be a sensitive tool for detecting poliovirus circulation.

[Seroprevalence of antibodies to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B viruses and all three poliovirus serotypes among children in Quindío, Colombia]. / Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos a virus del sarampión, rubeola, parotiditis, hepatitis B y los tres serotipos de poliovirus, en niños de Quindío, Colombia.

Objective The main goal of this research was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B and all three poliovirus serotypes among children in the Quindío Department, Colombia. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 170 healthy children aged 5-9 years from nine municipalities in Quindío. The presence of serum IgG antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps and Hepatitis B were determined using commercial indirect ELISA kits. Immunity to poliomyelitis was assessed through the presence of neutralizing antibodies following the method recommended by the World Health Organization. Results Among the 170 children enrolled, 169 (99.41%), 170 (100 %), and 167 (98.2 %) were seropositive to poliovirus 1, poliovirus 2, and poliovirus 3, respectively. The average reciprocal antibody titers were 178 for poliovirus type 1, 120 for type 2 and 56 for type 3. Of the 170 children, 96.47 % were protected against mumps and rubella, and 86.47 % against measles. Only 106 (62.35 %) of the studied subjects were proved to be seropositive to hepatitis B. Conclusion The immunization program in Quindío has provided seroprotection against all three poliomyelitis serotypes, rubella and mumps. However, the child population is not fully protected against measles and hepatitis B virus infections.

Time to and factors associated with initiation of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Colombia / Tiempo y factores asociados con el inicio de terapia biológica con antirreumáticos modificadores de enfermedad en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoide en Colombia

ABSTRACT Aims: To determine the time Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are treated with non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) before changing to biological therapy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study that collected information about the start of antirheumatic treatment in patients of all ages with a diagnosis of RA until the change to biological DMARD therapy. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves, from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013 by SPSS 23.0 for Windows, was made. Results: A total of 3880 patients (75.3% women) with a mean age of 51.3 years started non-biological DMARDs. After 5 years, 234 patients (6.0%) initiated biological DMARD therapy in 17.5 ± 13.9 months. The use of glucocorticoids (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.658-3.732), having any comedication (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.135-2.966) and being treated in the city of Bogota (OR: 2.30; 95%CI: 1.585-3.355) or in the cities of the Colombian Atlantic coast (OR: 2.848; 95%CI: 1.468-5.524) were associated with a higher likelihood of biological DMARD initiation. Whereas the initiation of therapy with methotrexate (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.014-0.108; p < 0.001) or chloroquine (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.092-0.187; p < 0.001) or receiving antihypertensive medication (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.421-0.960; p = 0.031) was associated with a significant reduce in likelihood. Conclusion: After 5 years of non-biological DMARD therapy, 6.0% of people with RA started biological DMARDs. Receiving glucocorticoids, having any comedication, being treated in Bogota City or cities of the Colombian Atlantic coast affected the probability of switching to biological therapy in these patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar el tiempo transcurrido desde que pacientes de Colombia con artritis reumatoide (AR) en tratamiento con fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de enfermedad no biológicos (FAMEs) cambian a terapia con biológicos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva que recogió información sobre inicio de tratamiento antirreumático en pacientes de todas las edades con diagnóstico de AR hasta que pasaron a terapia con FAMEs biológicos. Se hizo un análisis de sobrevida, utilizando curvas de Kaplan-Meier, desde el 1 de enero de 2007 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2013 mediante SPSS 23.0 para Windows. Resultados: Un total de 3880 pacientes iniciaron terapia con FAMEs no biológicos, (75,3% fueron mujeres) con una edad media de 51,3 anos. Tras cinco años de seguimiento, 234 pacientes (6,0%) iniciaron FAMEs biológicos en promedio a los 17,5 ± 13,9 meses. El uso de corticoides (OR: 2,49; IC95%: 1,658-3,732; p<0,001), recibir alguna comedicación (OR: 1,83; IC95%: 1,135-2,966), ser tratado en Bogotá (OR: 2,30; IC95%: 1,585-3,355), en las ciudades de la costa Atlántica (OR: 2,848; IC95%: 1,468-5,524) estuvieron asociados con una mayor probabilidad de inicio de biológicos mientras que el uso de metotrexate (OR: 0,04; IC95%: 0,014-0,108) o cloroquina (OR: 0,13; IC95%: 0,092-0,187) o recibir medicación antihipertensiva (OR: 0,64; IC95%: 0,421-0,960) redujeron la posibilidad. Conclusiones: Después de cinco años de terapia antirreumática convencional, un 6,0% de pacientes con AR inició terapia con FAMEs biológicos. Recibir corticoides, recibir comedicación, ser tratado en Bogotá o la costa Atlántica afectan la probabilidad de cambiar a terapia biológica.

Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos a virus del sarampión, rubeola, parotiditis, hepatitis B y los tres serotipos de poliovirus, en niños de Quindío, Colombia / Seroprevalence of antibodies to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B viruses and all three poliovirus serotypes among children in Quindío, Colombia

Objetivo Determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos a virus de sarampión, rubeola, parotiditis, hepatitis B y los tres serotipos de poliovirus en población infantil del Departamento del Quindío, Colombia. Métodos Se colectaron muestras de sangre de 170 niños en edades comprendidas entre los cinco y nueve años de nueve departamentos del Quindío. Se determinó la presencia de anticuerpos tipo IgG para sarampión, rubeola y parotiditis mediante un ELISA indirecto comercial. La inmunidad contra la poliomielitis se determinó por la presencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes a poliovirus según los métodos recomendados por OMS. Resultados De los 170 niños estudiados, 169 (99,41 %), 170 (100 %), and 167 (98,2 %) fueron seropositivos a poliovirus 1, poliovirus 2, y poliovirus 3, respectivamente. El título promedio geométrico de anticuerpos fue 178 para poliovirus tipo 1, 120 para el tipo 2 y 56 para el tipo 3. De los 170 niños, el 96,47 % estuvo protegido contra parotiditis y rubeola y el 86,47 % contra sarampión. Se demostró respuesta serológica positiva contra el virus de la hepatitis B solamente en el 62,35 % de las muestras. Conclusiones El programa de inmunización en el Quindío permitió la seroprotección contra los tres serotipos de la polio, rubeola y parotiditis. Sin embargo, la población infantil no está completamente protegida contra la infección con sarampión y virus de la hepatitis B.(AU)

Objective The main goal of this research was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B and all three poliovirus serotypes among children in the Quindío Department, Colombia. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 170 healthy children aged 5-9 years from nine municipalities in Quindío. The presence of serum IgG antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps and Hepatitis B were determined using commercial indirect ELISA kits. Immunity to poliomyelitis was assessed through the presence of neutralizing antibodies following the method recommended by the World Health Organization. Results Among the 170 children enrolled, 169 (99.41%), 170 (100 %), and 167 (98.2 %) were seropositive to poliovirus 1, poliovirus 2, and poliovirus 3, respectively. The average reciprocal antibody titers were 178 for poliovirus type 1, 120 for type 2 and 56 for type 3. Of the 170 children, 96.47 % were protected against mumps and rubella, and 86.47 % against measles. Only 106 (62.35 %) of the studied subjects were proved to be seropositive to hepatitis B. Conclusion The immunization program in Quindío has provided seroprotection against all three poliomyelitis serotypes, rubella and mumps. However, the child population is not fully protected against measles and hepatitis B virus infections.(AU)

Patrones de prescripción del ácido acetilsalicílico / Prescribing patterns of acetylsalicylic acid

Objetivo: Determinar los patrones de prescripción del ácido acetilsalicílico, además de los costos y variables asociados a su utilización en una población de pacientes afiliados al Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS) de Colombia en el año 2014. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Mediante una base de datos de aproximadamente 3,5 millones de pacientes afiliados al SGSSS de Colombia en 88 ciudades, se seleccionaron pacientes a quienes se les dispensó ácido acetilsalicílico entre el 1.° de enero el30 de marzo de 2014 de manera ininterrumpida. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, farmacológicas y de comedicación. Resultados: Un total de 69.807 pacientes recibieron aspirina durante el periodo evaluado, con una edad promedio de 66,7 ± 12,1 años; el 57,1% eran hombres; el 99,8% tomaban alguna comedicación: el 94,8% antihipertensivos; el 22,4% antihipertensivos, antidiabéticos e hipolipemiantes de manera concomitante; el 95,4% estaban en monoterapia con aspirina, y el 4,6% recibían terapia combinada con 2 o más antiagregantes plaquetarios. El análisis multivariado encontró mayor probabilidad de recibir terapia combinada en Bogotá, Barranquilla y Cartagena. La dosis usual fue 100 mg/día y la dosis diaria, definida por 1.000 habitantes/día, fue 19,9. Conclusiones: La prescripción de ácido acetilsalicílico en Colombia se realizó a las dosis recomendadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la prevención del riesgo cardiovascular, y su proporción de uso es inferior cuando se compara con la de otras poblaciones.

Objective: Determine the prescribing patterns of acetylsalicylic acid, costs and variables associated with its use in a population of patients affiliated to the Colombian Health System in 2014. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Using a database of approximately 3.5 million patients beneficiaries of the Colombian Health System in 88 cities; patients who were dispensed with acetylsalicylic acid continuously since 1st of January to 30th of March 2014 were selected. Sociodemographic, co-medication and pharmacologic variables were analyzed. Results: A total of 69,807 patients were receiving aspirin during the assessment period with a mean age of 66.7 ± 12.1 years; 57.1% were male; 99.8% received some co-medication: 94.8% received antihypertensive agents; 22.4% were receiving antihypertensive, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering drugs concomitantly; 95.4% were receiving monotherapy with aspirin, and 4.6% received combination therapy with 2 or more antiplatelet agents. Multivariate analysis found that it was more likely to receive combination therapy in Bogota, Barranquilla and Cartagena. The usual dose was 100 mg and defined daily dose/1,000 inhabitants/day was 19.9. Conclusions: The prescription of acetylsalicylic acid in Colombia was made at recommended doses by the WHO for the prevention of cardiovascular risk; and their frequency of use was lower when compared with other populations.

Actividad de la proteína transportadora de ésteres de colesterol. Polimorfismos del gen en pacientes colombianos con enfermedad coronaria / Activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Gene polymorphism in colombian patients with coronary artery disease

Introducción: la literatura relaciona la actividad de la proteína transportadora de ésteres de colesterol (CETP) con enfermedad coronaria, por reducir el colesterol en las lipoproteínas de alta densidad. Adicionalmente, estudios recientes han identificado variaciones en el gen de la CETP, aunque el papel funcional de algunas de estas variantes sobre la actividad enzimática y la enfermedad coronaria, es desconocido. Objetivos: examinar la asociación de los polimorfismos TaqIB, MspI y RsaI del gen de la CETP y la actividad de la enzima con enfermedad coronaria. Métodos: se evaluó la asociación entre la actividad de la enzima y los polimorfismos TaqIB, MspI y RsaI, en pacientes con obstrucción coronaria documentada por angiografía. Resultados: la angiografía permitió clasificar a los pacientes en dos grupos: uno (213 individuos) con obstrucción coronaria no significativa (OC < 50%) y otro (346 individuos) con obstrucción coronaria significativa (OC > 50%). La edad fue significantemente mayor en el último grupo en comparación con el primero. La actividad de la CETP fue 95,8 y 94,7 pmol/μL.h, para los grupos OC< 50% y OC > 50%, respectivamente. Solo se encontró diferencia significativa entre los alelos M1 y M2 en la población general. Conclusión: no se halló asociación entre la actividad de la CETP, los polimorfismos TaqBI, MspI, Rsal y la obstrucción coronaria. En este trabajo se describen por primera vez los niveles de CETP en los polimorfismos TaqIB, MspI, Rsal para un grupo de pacientes colombianos. Se debe refinar la descripción del evento coronario, el contexto metabólico de los pacientes y el estudio de haplotipos para encontrar relaciones con enfermedad coronaria.

Introduction: literature links the activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) with coronary heart disease by lowering cholesterol in high density lipoproteins. Additionally, recent studies have identified variations in the CETP gene, although the functional role of some of these variants on enzyme activity and coronary heart disease is unknown. Objective: to examine the association of polymorphisms TaqIB, MspI and RsaI in CETP gene, and the enzyme activity with coronary disease. Methods: we assessed the association between enzyme activity and polymorphisms TaqIB, MspI and RsaI in patients with coronary obstruction documented by angiography. Results: angiography allowed classification of patients into two groups: one (213 patients) with no significant coronary obstruction (CO <50%) and one (346 patients) with significant coronary obstruction (> 50% CO). Age was significantly higher in the latter group compared to the first. CETP activity was 95.8 and 94.7 pmol/μL.h for groups CO <50% and > 50% CO, respectively. Significant difference was found only between the alleles M1 and M2 in the general population. Conclusion: no association was found between the activity of CETP, TaqIB, MspI, RsaI polymorphisms and coronary obstruction. In this paper we describe for the first time CETP levels in TaqIB polymorphisms, MspI, RsaI for a group of Colombian patients. The description of the coronary event, the metabolic context of patients and the study of haplotypes must be improved in order to find relations with coronary disease.

Detección de Poliovirus en Aguas Residuales de Armenia, Colombia / Detecting poliovirus in wastewater from Armenia, Colombia

OBJETIVOS: Implementar un método para la vigilancia ambiental de poliovirus circulante a partir de aguas residuales. MÉTODOS: Se colectaron 6 muestras de aguas residuales en los sitios finales de descarga del acueducto de Armenia, Quindío. Los virus fueron concentrados y extraídos por un método que usa el polietilenglicol y cloruro de sodio como agentes concentradores. La identificación de poliovirus se realizó mediante la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa empleando cebadores específicos de grupo, de serotipo y de cepa vacunal sabin. RESULTADOS: Se demostró la eficiencia de los métodos de detección viral empleados. Se encontró la presencia de poliovirus en 5 de las 6 (83 %) muestras colectadas. La identificación serotipo-específica reveló la presencia de poliovirus tipo 1 y 3 en las muestras estudiadas. Todos los poliovirus detectados resultaron ser del tipo vacunal lo cual aporta una evidencia más a favor de la no circulación de poliovirus salvaje en la región. CONCLUSIÓN El sistema de vigilancia a partir de aguas residuales puede ser una herramienta sensible para la detección de la circulación de poliovirus.