Analysis of hospitalizations by cardiovascular disease in the population with diabetes in Spain. / Análisis de las hospitalizaciones por enfermedad cardiovascular en población diabética en España.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a marked increase in cardiovascular disease. In this study, we analysed the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in hospitalised patients in Spain in 2015 and the burden of associated cardiovascular disease. METHODS: By analysing the 2015 minimum basic data set (MBDS) of the Spanish Ministry of Health, we included all patients discharged with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. We describe the epidemiological characteristics, distribution by the various hospital departments and the presence of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: In 2015, there was 3,727,583 hospital discharges in Spain, 619,188 of which involved patients with diabetes (16.7%), 56.8% of whom were men and with a mean age of 73.2years. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was 40.8%, distributed among congestive heart failure (20.1%), cerebrovascular disease (10.3%), coronary artery disease (9.4%) and peripheral arterial disease (9.1%). Most of the patients were admitted to internal medicine (34.2%), cardiology (9.5%) and general surgery (8.9%) departments. The mean overall stay was 8.2days, the readmission rate at 30days was 14%, and the mortality rate was 6.8%. The patients hospitalized in internal medicine had higher severity levels (3-4) than those hospitalized in other medical departments (41.9% vs. 31.6%, respectively; P<.01) and those hospitalized in surgical departments (11.2%; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus is a significant comorbidity for patients hospitalized in internal medicine. A significant proportion of these patients present cardiovascular disease, mostly heart failure.

Prevalence of obesity according to Edmonton staging in the Internal Medicine consultations. Results of the OBEMI study. / Prevalencia de obesidad según la estadificación de Edmonton en las consultas de Medicina Interna. Resultados del estudio OBEMI.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of obesity in patients treated by departments of Internal Medicine and to classify the patients according to the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study included outpatients older than 18 years, with a body mass index (BMI)>30, from 38 hospitals between the 1st and 14th of February, 2016. We classified the patients according to the EOSS and analysed their clinical, laboratory and demographic variables. A value of P<.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 1,262 patients treated in consultations, we recruited 298 and analysed 265. The prevalence of obesity was 23.6%, the mean age was 62.47±15.27 years, and the mean BMI was 36.1±5.3kg/m2. According to EOSS stage (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4), the prevalence was 4.9, 14.7, 62.3, 15.5 and 2.64%, respectively. Those patients with EOSS>2 were significantly older and had significantly more comorbidities. The multivariate analysis related age (OR 1.06; P<.0003), blood glucose (OR 1.04; P<.0006), total cholesterol (OR 0.98; P<.02) and uric acid (OR 1.32; P<.02) levels with an EOSS>2. An analysis of correspondence grouped, with an explanatory percentage of 78.2%, the patients according to their EOSS, comorbidity, education level, employment status and functional capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity in the patients treated by Internal Medicine departments is similar to that of the general population, although the patients are older and have a higher BMI. EOSS is useful for implementing a comprehensive approach for patients with obesity, regardless of the BMI, which can help achieve better health and quality-of-life results.

[Methodological aspects of integrated care pathways]. / Aspectos metodológicos de los procesos asistenciales integrados (PAI).

An Integrated Healthcare Pathway (PAI) is a tool which has as its aim to increase the effectiveness of clinical performance through greater coordination and to ensure continuity of care. PAI places the patient as the central focus of the organisation of health services. It is defined as the set of activities carried out by the health care providers in order to increase the level of health and satisfaction of the population receiving services. The development of a PAI requires the analysis of the flow of activities, the inter-relationships between professionals and care teams, and patient expectations. The methodology for the development of a PAI is presented and discussed in this article, as well as the success factors for its definition and its effective implementation. It also explains, as an example, the recent PAI for Hypoglycaemia in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus developed by a multidisciplinary team and supported by several scientific societies.

[Primary prevention and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection with isoniazid: efficacy of a control program, 1997-2002]. / Prevención primaria y tratamiento de la infección tuberculosa latente con isoniacida: eficacia de un programa de control, 1997-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of a specific program for the study and follow up of tuberculosis contacts. To study factors related to low adherence to treatment and to the development of liver toxicity caused by isoniazid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 1996 and December 2002, we found 458 contacts of 79 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients uninfected by human immunodeficiency virus. The contacts were screened for tuberculosis infection and chemoprophylaxis was prescribed according to the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). RESULTS: We identified 3 cases of tuberculosis among the contacts (prevalence 0.8%). Chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid was prescribed for 215 contacts. One hundred sixty-nine (79%) completed the prophylaxis protocol. The rate of adherence to treatment was lower in immigrants than in nonimmigrants (odds ratio, 3.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-11.04; P=.02). Forty-three patients (22%) developed liver toxicity during treatment, which had to be suspended in 3 cases. Duration of chemoprophylaxis was the only independent variable associated with liver toxicity (odds ratio, 3.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-13.13; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of a specific program of study and follow up of tuberculosis contacts. Immigrants require tailored strategies to improve their adherence to the program. The duration of chemo-prophylaxis plays an important role in the development of liver toxicity.

[Usefulness of cholinesterase determination in ascitic fluid in the differential diagnosis of ascites]. / Utilidad de la determinación de la colinesterasa en líquido ascítico en el diagnóstico diferencial de la ascitis.

BACKGROUND: Cholinesterase is an enzyme mainly synthesized in the liver that might play a role in the differential diagnosis of ascites. We prospectively compared the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic usefulness of the ascites cholinesterase and the classical parameters, ascites total protein concentration and serum-ascites albumin gradient in the differential diagnosis of ascites. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between those parameters and the degree of liver failure. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with ascites were analyzed. According the final diagnosis, patients were classified in two groups, patients with signs of portal hypertension [n = 78] (60 with chronic liver disease, 5 chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 chronic liver disease and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, 3 chronic liver disease and secondary peritonitis, 7 malignancy with liver involvement) and patients with no signs of portal hypertension [n = 13] (12 patients with peritoneal neoplasia without liver involvement and 1 tuberculous peritonitis). RESULTS: The sensitivity of the test for detecting portal hypertensive ascites was lowest for ascites cholinesterase less than 600 U/L (71.7%); intermediate with ascites total protein concentration less than 25 g/l (87.2%) and highest with serum-ascites albumin gradient at least 11 g/l (93.6%). The specificity for ruling out portal hypertensive ascites was 100 percent for ascites total protein > or = 25 g/l and ascites cholinesterase > or = 600 U/L and, 76.9 percent for serum-ascites albumin gradient < 11 g/l). Diagnostic efficiency (percentage of patients accurately classified) was greater for serum-ascitis albumin gradient (91.2%; IC95: 83-95.8), and lower for ascites total protein content (89%, IC95: 80.3-94.3) and, ascites cholinesterase (75.8%; IC95: 65.5-83.9). Ascites cholinesterase showed a significant relationship (p = 0.007) with the degree of liver failure measured by Pugh's classification. CONCLUSION: Serum-ascites albumin gradient was the test with best performance characteristics to identify patients with ascites related with portal hypertension. Our results suggest that ascites cholinesterase is more associated with the degree of liver failure than with the presence of portal hypertension.

[Appropriate hospitalization in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection according to the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol criteria. Factors related to the inappropriateness]. / Adecuación del ingreso hospitalario en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana según los criterios del Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. Factores implicados con la inadecuación.

BASIS: To know the factors associated with the inadequate admissions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The adaptation of 710 hospital admissions of patients with HIV infection through the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol criteria in two hospitals of the Comunidad Valenciana since 1995 to 1997 was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight (18%) admissions were considered inadequate. The proportion of inadequate admissions was significantly higher in patients admitted because of constitutional syndrome (OR: 4.12; CI 95%: 2.11-8.05), or because of digestive symptoms (OR: 2.33; CI 95%: 1.46-3.88), and in patients admitted in facilities without day hospital (OR: 2.38; CI 95%: 1.39-3.89). Furthermore, other situations associated with the inappropriateness were the patients with a disease not related to AIDS (OR: 3.13; CI 95%: 1.93-5.08), the patients with oral or esophageal candidiasis (OR: 6.25; CI 95%: 3.08-12.7), the patients with a hospital stay less than 8 days (OR: 2.55; CI 95%: 1.57-4.01), or the patients who no died (OR: 3.61; IC 95%: 1.20-10.82). CONCLUSIONS: The reason for the admission and the availability of a day hospital unit had influence in the inadequate hospital admissions in this study.

[Fever of unknown origin in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus]. / Fiebre de origen desconocido en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinical features and the final diagnosis of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus who presented fever of unknown origin. METHODS: Retrospective study, from November 1989 to January 1994, of all patients infected with HIV who had fever of unknown origin and who were admitted to a community hospital in a Mediterranean area in Alicante (Spain). Fever of unknown origin was defined as fever exceeding 38.3 degrees C lasting for at least three weeks with no diagnosis in the first three days of hospitalization after fulfilling clinical exam, three blood cultures, acid-fast bacilli stain in sputum and chest-X-ray. RESULTS: Of a cohort of 231 patients, 27 (12%) were evaluated because of fever of unknown origin during their follow-up. Patients' mean age was 31 years (interval, 22-75) and intravenous drug use (81%) was the most common risk factor for HIV infection. A total of 31 episodes of fever of unknown origin were reviewed. Twenty-three (74%) episodes occurred in patients with less than 200 CD4 lymphocytes/mm3. A final diagnosis of fever of unknown origin was achieved in 24 (77%) episodes: visceral leishmaniasis (n = 11), tuberculosis (n = 9), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 1), CNS toxoplasmosis (n = 1), cryptococcal meningitis (n = 1) and drug adverse reaction (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients with fever of unknown origin very often show severe immunodeficiency. Cryptococcal antigen testing should be carried out in the initial evaluation of fever of unknown origin in HIV-infected patients. In our area, 64% of episodes of fever of unknown origin were caused by visceral leishmaniasis or tuberculosis.