Diagnostic accuracy of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with myocardial infarction by computer-assisted electrocardiography (ELECTROPRES).

BACKGROUND: Information is limited about the classification accuracy of electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in the presence of myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We evaluated LVH classification accuracy for a set of 16 ECG criteria and some combinations derived from them in 1642 patients (105 with MI) suspected of coronary heart disease with two-dimensional echocardiography evaluation and a standard 12-lead ECG recorded at the same time. Patients with left bundle branch block had previously been excluded. Measures of classification accuracy included sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy varied widely for different LVH criteria. The criteria with the best overall performance had highest sensitivity in the presence of MI and sensitivities of approximately 30% with relatively low specificities ranging from 72% to 78%. However, the classification accuracy for them was similar to that for patients without MI. The prevalence of LVH in patients with MI was higher (56%) than in those with no MI (31%). Classification accuracy of the best single previously published LVH criteria was comparable to that of the best combinations of any three of them. CONCLUSIONS: The classification accuracy of LVH criteria in the presence of MI is comparable to that in patients without MI, in part possibly due to the higher LVH prevalence in the MI group. The presence of a well-validated computer database facilitates comparative evaluation of ECG-LVH criteria and derivation of optimal combinations of criteria for any given clinical application.

Approaching psychosocial complexity in patients with cancer. / Abordaje de la complejidad psicosocial en pacientes con cáncer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To assess emotional distress and complexity of patients referred to the Psychosocial Committee. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pre-post single group study was performed in a sample of oncological patients. From the 144 patients referred to the committee, 27 were attended by psychosocial specialists. The patients' levels of emotional distress and psychosocial complexity were reviewed one month later. RESULTS: After having been attended according to the committee's indications, the patients showed significant decreases in emotional distress. The initial mean of 8 points on the emotional distress scale decreased to 5.81 points after having been referred to the specialist. This decline was also observed in psychosocial complexity. Before attendance, 70.4% patients showed high levels of complexity, and 7.4% showed low levels. After attendance, the percentages of patients with high levels of psychosocial complexity reduced to 48.1% and patients with low complexity increased to 22.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The committee provides an instrument to refer patients who show high levels of psychosocial complexity and require preferential and multidisciplinary attention. The committee optimizes resources due to its efficiency in resolving complex cases.

Have We Improved Pain Control in Cancer Patients? A Multicenter Study of Ambulatory and Hospitalized Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Pain in cancer patients is recognized as a major health problem, yet few studies of both inpatient and outpatient populations have been carried out. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to assess the frequency, type, and characteristics of pain in adult cancer patients, including both inpatients and outpatients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1064 adult cancer patients (437 outpatients and 627 inpatients) from 44 hospitals and/or long-term-care centers in Catalonia, Spain. Cancer patients suffering from pain of any etiology for ≥2 weeks and/or under analgesic treatment ≥2 weeks were enrolled. Demographic and pain data were collected. The Spanish version of the Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess pain. RESULTS: Pain frequency was 55.3%. Pain was less frequent in outpatients than inpatients (41.6% versus 64.7%; p<0.001), although median pain duration was longer in outpatients (20 versus 6 weeks; p<0.001). Pain was assessable in 333 patients, and intensity was similar in both out- and inpatients; however, outpatients reported less improvement, less pain interference with daily life, and less pain related to the cancer per se. In both groups, patients with multiple myeloma (73%), breast (65%), and lung cancer (61%) were most likely to report pain. CONCLUSIONS: Pain in cancer patients, both ambulatory and hospitalized, remains a challenge for health care professionals, health administrators, and stakeholders. Our study reveals the high level of pain and distress that cancer patients continue to suffer, a problem that is particularly notable in outpatients due to the intensity and duration of the pain.

Diagnostic accuracy of computer-assisted electrocardiography in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in left bundle branch block.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular hypertrophy has important prognostic implications. Although electrocardiography is the technique most often recommended in the diagnosis of hypertrophy, its diagnostic accuracy is hampered in the presence of a left bundle branch block. METHODS: In 1875 consecutive patients (56±16 years) undergoing studies to rule out heart disease and/or hypertension, 2-dimensional echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed simultaneously in an outpatient clinic. Digitized electrocardiograms were interpreted using an online computer-assisted platform (ELECTROPRES). Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values of standard electrocardiographic criteria and of some diagnostic algorithms for left ventricular hypertrophy were determined and compared with the findings in patients with neither left bundle branch block nor myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Left bundle branch block was present in 233 (12%) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected more frequently in patients with left bundle branch block (60% vs 31%). In patients with left bundle branch block, sensitivities were low but similar to those observed in patients without it, and ranged from 6.4% to 70.9%, whereas specificities were high, ranging from 57.6% to 100%. Positive likelihood ratios ranged from 1.33 to 4.94, and negative likelihood ratios from 0.50 to 0.98. Diagnostic algorithms, voltage-duration products, and certain compound criteria had the best sensitivities. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular hypertrophy can be diagnosed in the presence of left bundle branch block with an accuracy at least similar to that observed in patients without this conduction defect. Computer-assisted interpretation of the electrocardiogram may be useful in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy as it enables the implementation of more accurate algorithms.

[Evaluating colorectal cancer screening strategies (immunological test vs biochemical test) in Catalonia, Spain 2008-2010]. / Evaluación de dos estrategias de cribado de cáncer colorrectal: test inmunológico versus test bioquímico. Cataluña, 2008-2010.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening strategy (quantitative immunological test vs biochemical test) in a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Catalonia. METHODS: The fourth round of a screening program for CRC with a fecal occult blood test was implemented in Hospitalet de Llobregat during 2008-2010. A biochemical test was offered to 50,227 individuals and a quantitative immunological test was offered to 12,707 individuals. We analysed differences according to the screening strategy in the following variables: acceptability of the target population (participation, dropouts, and adherence to colonoscopy), diagnostic accuracy (positive predictive value and detection rates), results (size and location of lesions, staging of CRC) and resources (number of colonoscopies needed and time interval between the positive test and colonoscopy). RESULTS: Participation was higher among individuals who used the immunological test (OR: 1.35; CI95%:1.27-1.42). Detection rates for adenomas and cancer were also higher for the immunological test, hightlighting the detection rate for high-risk adenomas (26.7‰ vs. 3.0‰). The positive predictive value for high-risk adenomas was 45.0% and 46.9% in the immunological test and guaiac test, respectively. The number of colonoscopies needed to detect cancer with the immunological test was almost two-fold than those needed with the guaiac test (13.6 vs 7.4). CONCLUSIONS: The immunological test is a good screening strategy particularly sensitive for detecting high-risk adenomas. However, it is paramount to have enough resources to assure the quality of the CRC screening due to the large number of colonoscopies that would be required.