[Encuesta Internacional de Indicadores de Salud Referidos por los Pacientes: el protocolo del Estudio PaRIS en España.] / International Patient-Reported Indicators Surveys: The PaRIS study protocol in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The PaRIS Survey is an initiative led by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in twenty-one countries, including Spain, to promote people-centred health care. The objective of the study aimed to describe PROMS and PREMS (Patient Reported Outcomes and Experience Measures, respectively) from patients who were in contact with Primary Care Centres, in order to establish a set of reliable, valid and internationally comparable indicators. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with two questionnaires will be carried out: one applied online for professionals from Primary Care Centres and another by telephone or online for patients aged forty-five and older of the same Health Care Centres. The domains covered are: characteristics of the Health Centre and of the professionals; sociodemographic characteristics of the patients; lifestyles; health care capacities; PROMs and PREMs. CONCLUSIONS: The study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the health outcomes and experiences of the care received in Primary Care from patient's perspective. This information is essential to help policymakers better understand the performance of their health system and how it could be improved, particularly in relation to chronic care in Primary Care.

OBJETIVO: La Encuesta de Indicadores Referidos por los Pacientes (PaRIS, por sus siglas en inglés) es una iniciativa liderada por la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos en veintiún países, incluyendo España, para promover una atención sanitaria centrada en las personas. El objetivo del estudio fue describir los resultados en salud y las experiencias referidas por los pacientes (PROMs y PREMs, por sus siglas en inglés Patient Reported Outcomes and Experience Measures, respectivamente) que tuvieron contacto con los Centros de Atención Primaria (CAP), con la finalidad de establecer un conjunto de indicadores confiables, válidos e internacionalmente comparables. METODOS: Se realizará un estudio transversal, con dos cuestionarios: online para profesionales de los Centros de Atención Primaria y telefónico u online para los pacientes de cuarenta y cinco años y más, que acudieron a los CAP. Los dominios abarcados son: características del Centro de Atención Primaria y de los profesionales; características sociodemográficas de los pacientes; estilos de vida; capacidades; PROMs y PREMs. CONCLUSIONES: PaRIS ofrece una oportunidad para medir resultados de salud y las experiencias en Atención Primaria desde la perspectiva del paciente. Esta información es fundamental para ayudar a los gestores a comprender mejor el desempeño del sistema de salud y detectar posibilidades de mejora, particularmente en relación con la atención crónica.

Aragon workers' health study--design and cohort description.

BACKGROUND: Spain, a Mediterranean country with relatively low rates of coronary heart disease, has a high prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and is experiencing a severe epidemic of overweight/obesity. We designed the Aragon Workers' Health Study (AWHS) to characterize the factors associated with metabolic abnormalities and subclinical atherosclerosis in a middle aged population in Spain free of clinical cardiovascular disease. The objective of this paper is to describe the study design, aims and baseline characteristics of participants in the AWHS. METHODS/DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study based on the annual health exams of 5,400 workers of a car assembly plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza, Spain). Study participants were recruited during a standardized clinical exam in 2009-2010 (participation rate 95.6%). Study participants will undergo annual clinical exams and laboratory assays, and baseline and triennial collection of biological materials for biobanking and cardiovascular imaging exams (carotid, femoral and abdominal ultrasonography, coronary calcium score, and ankle-arm blood pressure index). Participants will be followed-up for 10 years. RESULTS: The average (SD) age, body mass index, and waist circumference were 49.3 (8.7) years, 27.7 (3.6) kg/m² and 97.2 (9.9) cm, respectively, among males (N = 5,048), and 40.8 (11.6) years, 24.4 (3.8) kg/m², and 81.9 (9.9) cm, among females (N = 351). The prevalence of overweight, obesity, current smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes were 55.0, 23.1, 37.1, 40.3, 75.0, and 7.4%, respectively, among males, and 23.7, 8.3, 45.0, 12.1, 59.5, and 0.6%, respectively, among females. In the initial 587 study participants who completed all imaging exams (94.5% male), the prevalence of carotid plaque, femoral plaque, coronary calcium score >1 to 100, and coronary calcium score >100 was 30.3, 56.9, 27.0, and 8.8%, respectively. 67.7% of study participants had at least one plaque in the carotid or femoral arteries. DISCUSSION: Baseline data from the AWHS show a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and of sublinical atherosclerosis. Follow-up of this cohort will allow the assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis progression and the link of disease progression to traditional and emergent risk factors.

[Predictive value of chest X-ray and electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with pulmonary embolism in relation to mortality and recurrences]. / Papel de las alteraciones radiográficas y del electrocardiograma en la predicción de mortalidad y recidivas en pacientes con embolia de pulmón.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Radiological and electrocardiographic (EKG) abnormalities are very frequent in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Our main objective was to evaluate, in patients with PE, whether any of those abnormalities was correlated with an increased risk of relapses or mortality until 3 months after the acute episode. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Multicenter observational study of patients included in the Venous Thromboembolic Disease Register (RIETE). Demographic, clinical, radiological and EKG data were collected from all patients. Statistics was made with the Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: We found a significant but non determinant association between mortality and the presence of radiological and/or EKG abnormalities and no relation between them and relapses of PE. CONCLUSIONS: Radiological or EKG manifestations could not predict relapses or mortality 3 months after PE in our patients.

Comparison of serum lipid values in subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance is supposed to be the basis of metabolic syndrome (MS), although it is difficult to measure. The ratio of triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been proposed as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance in overweight subjects. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of the TG/HDL ratio for the diagnosis of MS. Data of 18,778 active workers (77.6% men) enrolled in 3 insurance companies in Spain were collected from their annual health examinations. Mean age was 42.2 +/- 10.7 years. MS was assessed according to modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Prevalences of MS were 18.8% in men and 6.1% in women. Mean value of the TG/HDL ratio was 2.50 +/- 2.2 and increased in parallel to the number of MS components present. Subjects with MS had a ratio that was 2 times higher compared with those without (5.10 vs 2.03, p <0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves were performed to assess the capability of the TG/HDL ratio to contribute to a diagnosis of MS and 80% sensitivity and 78% specificity were obtained for values >2.75 in men and >1.65 in women. In conclusion, the TG/HDL ratio is a feasible and accurate measurement for assessment of MS in healthy subjects. We propose cut-off values of 2.75 for men and 1.65 for women for a diagnosis of MS.

How do we measure adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment?

INTRODUCTION: Completion of anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment is of paramount importance for TB patients, as well as for the global efforts of TB control. However, there is neither a gold-standard measure to monitor adherence to TB treatment nor a widely used definition for different levels of adherence. Areas covered: in this review we aim to describe the different methods used to measure patients' adherence to anti-TB treatment, identifying their main strengths and limitations, with a focus on low resource settings. Expert commentary: there is a need for continuing the quest for a low cost, reliable and acceptable measure of adherence to TB treatment. We should harmonize treatment adherence measurement to allow adequate comparison of different interventions aimed at increasing adherence to TB treatment, although the way we ensure adherence can affect adherence endpoints themselves. The accuracy of adherence measurement is of importance in the context of drug clinical development.

Prehypertension is associated with insulin resistance state and not with an initial renal function impairment. A Metabolic Syndrome in Active Subjects in Spain (MESYAS) Registry substudy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and other surrogate markers of insulin resistance, and whether these markers are better for defining the prehypertensive state than is renal dysfunction. METHODS: Data from 19,041 healthy active workers, mean age 42.2 (10.7) years, from three health insurance companies, were prospectively collected. Presence of MS, assessed according to the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel, and the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein were considered as surrogate markers of insulin resistance. Renal function was assessed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Blood pressure was classified as normotension (NT), prehypertension (PHT), or hypertension (HT) according to the guidelines of the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. RESULTS: The global presence of MS was 11.8% The higher prevalence was found in subjects with hypertension (30%), followed by those with PHT (9.6%). The prevalence in normotensive subjects was very low (0.9%). The presence of MS and hypertension increased in parallel with age. Metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 4.3), obesity (OR 2.2), overweight (OR 1.7), impaired fasting glucose (OR 1.3), and elevated triglycerides to HDL ratio (OR 1.2), but no degree of renal dysfunction, were independent risk factors for the progression from NT to PHT. CONCLUSIONS: Prehypertension is associated with markers of insulin resistance, assessed by the presence of MS and other surrogate markers, and not with an initial renal dysfunction. In this study, MS was found to be present in almost one third of hypertensive but asymptomatic and otherwise healthy workers.

[Early complications in patients with pulmonary embolism]. / Complicaciones precoces en pacientes con embolia de pulmón.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mortality, recurrences and hemorrhages are the most serious early complications of pulmonary embolism (PE). We intended to ascertain the frequency and mechanisms of complications within the first 10 days after PE was diagnosed. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included patients suspected of suffering PE between December 2003 and August 2004 from 8 hospitals. We performed a multicenter observational prospective study of 8 Spanish hospitals with consecutive outpatients diagnosed with PE. Database of clinical variables: computerized Registry of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism (RIETE). Statistic analysis included chi2 and Student's t test to compare the 2 groups of patients (with and without complications). RESULTS: Six hundred eighty one patients were included, 336 men and 345 women (mean age 66 and 70, respectively). During the first 10 days, 33 (4.8%) of them died, and 22 (3.2%) had an hemorrhage yet no recurrences appeared. Previous immobilization and the presence of respiratory failure, cancer or renal failure were significantly associated with early complications while previous surgery and thoracic pain were not associated with those. CONCLUSIONS: Early complications and some of the associated factors were in agreement with published data. Other situations such as previous surgery or thoracic pain appeared to be protective factors.

[More than thirty years of illicit drugs in Spain: a bitter story with some messages for the future]. / Más de treinta años de drogas ilegales en España: una amarga historia con algunos consejos para el futuro.

The phenomenon of illicit drug use in Spain during the last thirty years has been marked by the extremely serious consequences of heroin use (mainly injecting). More than 300,000 persons were treated for heroin dependence, 20,000-25,000 died from overdose, 100,000 became infected with HIV through drug injection and quite more with hepatitis virus. Some of these consequences can be attributed to the delay in the implementation of effective interventions, such as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Currently, the decreasing number of injectors and the positive effects of interventions, mainly MMT, have led to an important decline of the mentioned health problems. However, overdose mortality remains very high (more than 700 deceased per year), prevalence of both HIV and HCV are still high among injectors, and consequences of chronic liver diseases are emerging. In the last years the use of cocaine and associated problems have increased a lot. Nowadays there are more than 100,000 weekly cocaine users, 25.000 persons are annually treated from cocaine abuse or dependence, and cocaine has an important impact on medical emergency services, while its impact on mortality is unknown. Both cannabis use and related problems are increasing too (there are half a million of daily users). We propose to maintain and to strengthen harm reduction programs (MMT, syringe exchange, save-use and injection rooms, hepatitis A and B vaccination, etc.), to urgently develop specific strategies targeted to reduce overdose mortality and cocaine related problems, and to re-evaluate the effectiveness of preventive and supply control strategies.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Spanish working population: MESYAS registry]. / Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en población laboral española: registro MESYAS.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the active Spanish working population and to describe differences related to work type. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Data were collected on 7256 individuals [82.4% male; mean age (SD), 45.4 (9.8) years] actively employed in a large car factory and a department store. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to modified ATP-III criteria (using body mass index instead of waist circumference). RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 10.2%. When data were adjusted to match the age and gender of the general population (age range, 20-60 years), the prevalence was 5.8% (95% CI, 4.1%-7.6%). Moreover, it was significantly higher in men than women, at 8.7% (95% CI, 7.3%-10.0%) vs 3.0% (95% CI, 0.8%-5.1%), respectively. All the components of the metabolic syndrome were significantly more common in males, except a low HDL-cholesterol level. Prevalence increased with age and male gender (OR=1.7), obesity (OR=9.6), hypertension (OR=3.4), and diabetes (OR=15.4). The prevalence was highest in manual workers (11.8%), and lower in office workers (9.3%) and managers (7.7%), which indicates an inverse relationship with social class. The likelihood of presenting with metabolic syndrome, irrespective of age or gender, was highest in manual workers (OR=1.3). This phenomenon seemed to depend on the serum triglyceride level. CONCLUSIONS: One in ten active workers had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence rose with age, male gender, and blood pressure, and was greatly increased by obesity and diabetes. Manual workers had the highest prevalence, whereas managers had a more favorable profile.

Glycated Hemoglobin, Fasting Insulin and the Metabolic Syndrome in Males. Cross-Sectional Analyses of the Aragon Workers' Health Study Baseline.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is currently used to diagnose diabetes mellitus, while insulin has been relegated to research. Both, however, may help understanding the metabolic syndrome and profiling patients. We examined the association of HbA1c and fasting insulin with clustering of metabolic syndrome criteria and insulin resistance as two essential characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We used baseline data from 3200 non-diabetic male participants in the Aragon Workers' Health Study. We conducted analysis to estimate age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) across tertiles of HbA1c and insulin. Fasting glucose and Homeostatic model assessment - Insulin Resistance were used as reference. Here we report the uppermost-to-lowest tertile ORs (95%CI). RESULTS: Mean age (SD) was 48.5 (8.8) years and 23% of participants had metabolic syndrome. The ORs for metabolic syndrome criteria tended to be higher across HbA1c than across glucose, except for high blood pressure. Insulin was associated with the criteria more strongly than HbA1c and similarly to Homeostatic model assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). For metabolic syndrome, the OR of HbA1c was 2.68, of insulin, 11.36, of glucose, 7.03, and of HOMA-IR, 14.40. For the clustering of 2 or more non-glycemic criteria, the OR of HbA1c was 2.10, of insulin, 8.94, of glucose, 1.73, and of HOMA-IR, 7.83. All ORs were statistically significant. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves for metabolic syndrome were 0.670 (across HbA1c values) and 0.770 (across insulin values), and, for insulin resistance, 0.647 (HbA1c) and 0.995 (insulin). Among non-metabolic syndrome patients, a small insulin elevation identified risk factor clustering. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c and specially insulin levels were associated with metabolic syndrome criteria, their clustering, and insulin resistance. Insulin could provide early information in subjects prone to develop metabolic syndrome.

Association of ferritin elevation and metabolic syndrome in males. Results from the Aragon Workers' Health Study (AWHS).

CONTEXT: Ferritin concentration is associated with metabolic syndrome, but the possibility of a nonlinear association has never been explored. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum ferritin levels and the metabolic syndrome in Spanish adult males. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Aragon Workers' Health Study. SETTING: Healthy workers from a factory were studied during their annual checkup. PARTICIPANTS: Spanish male adults (n = 3386) between the ages of 19 and 65 years participated. We excluded participants with ferritin > 500 µg/L, ferritin < 12 µg/L, or C-reactive protein > 10 mg/L. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2009 consensus definition from the Joint Interim Statement of several international societies. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 27.1%. We found a positive association between elevated iron stores, measured as serum ferritin concentration, and metabolic syndrome and its criteria. Participants within the highest serum ferritin quintile had a higher risk than those in the lowest quintile for central obesity (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-2.42), hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.69-2.74), and metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.48-2.49). The association was nonlinear and occurred at serum ferritin concentrations > 100 µg/L (∼ 33th percentile). Ferritin was also associated with insulin resistance, measured by homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that serum ferritin is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and its criteria (especially central obesity and hypertriglyceridemia), suggesting that ferritin could be an early marker of metabolic damage in the development of metabolic syndrome.

A genetic variant in the LDLR promoter is responsible for part of the LDL-cholesterol variability in primary hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: GWAS have consistently revealed that LDLR locus variability influences LDL-cholesterol in general population. Severe LDLR mutations are responsible for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). However, most primary hypercholesterolemias are polygenic diseases. Although Cis-regulatory regions might be the cause of LDL-cholesterol variability; an extensive analysis of the LDLR distal promoter has not yet been performed. We hypothesized that genetic variants in this region are responsible for the LDLR association with LDL-cholesterol found in GWAS. METHODS: Four-hundred seventy-seven unrelated subjects with polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH) and without causative FH-mutations and 525 normolipemic subjects were selected. A 3103 pb from LDLR (-625 to +2468) was sequenced in 125 subjects with PH. All subjects were genotyped for 4 SNPs (rs17242346, rs17242739, rs17248720 and rs17249120) predicted to be potentially involved in transcription regulation by in silico analysis. EMSA and luciferase assays were carried out for the rs17248720 variant. Multivariable linear regression analysis using LDL-cholesterol levels as the dependent variable were done in order to find out the variables that were independently associated with LDL-cholesterol. RESULTS: The sequencing of the 125 PH subjects did not show variants with minor allele frequency ≥ 10%. The T-allele from g.3131C > T (rs17248720) had frequencies of 9% (PH) and 16.4% (normolipemic), p < 0.00001. Studies of this variant with EMSA and luciferase assays showed a higher affinity for transcription factors and an increase of 2.5 times in LDLR transcriptional activity (T-allele vs C-allele). At multivariate analysis, this polymorphism with the lipoprotein(a) and age explained ≈ 10% of LDL-cholesterol variability. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the T-allele at the g.3131 T > C SNP is associated with LDL-cholesterol levels, and explains part of the LDL-cholesterol variability. As a plausible cause, the T-allele produces an increase in LDLR transcriptional activity and lower LDL-cholesterol levels.

Association of global DNA methylation and global DNA hydroxymethylation with metals and other exposures in human blood DNA samples.

BACKGROUND: The association between human blood DNA global methylation and global hydroxymethylation has not been evaluated in population-based studies. No studies have evaluated environmental determinants of global DNA hydroxymethylation, including exposure to metals. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association between global DNA methylation and global DNA hydroxymethylation in 48 Strong Heart Study participants for which selected metals had been measured in urine at baseline and DNA was available from 1989-1991 (visit 1) and 1998-1999 (visit 3). METHODS: We measured the percentage of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in samples using capture and detection antibodies followed by colorimetric quantification. We explored the association of participant characteristics (i.e., age, adiposity, smoking, and metal exposure) with both global DNA methylation and global DNA hydroxymethylation. RESULTS: The Spearman's correlation coefficient for 5-mC and 5-hmC levels was 0.32 (p = 0.03) at visit 1 and 0.54 (p < 0.001) at visit 3. Trends for both epigenetic modifications were consistent across potential determinants. In cross-sectional analyses, the odds ratios of methylated and hydroxymethylated DNA were 1.56 (95% CI: 0.95, 2.57) and 1.76 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.88), respectively, for the comparison of participants above and below the median percentage of dimethylarsinate. The corresponding odds ratios were 1.64 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.65) and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.70, 1.94), respectively, for the comparison of participants above and below the median cadmium level. Arsenic exposure and metabolism were consistently associated with both epigenetic markers in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. The positive correlation of 5-mC and 5-hmC levels was confirmed in an independent study population. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support that both epigenetic measures are related at the population level. The consistent trends in the associations between these two epigenetic modifications and the characteristics evaluated, especially arsenic exposure and metabolism, suggest the need for understanding which of the two measures is a better biomarker for environmental epigenetic effects in future large-scale epidemiologic studies.

[Score to predict hypertension in working male population]. / Escala para la predicción de la aparición de hipertensión arterial en población activa masculina.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor in the community. The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors for the progression of blood pressure (BP) from correct values. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Prospective and observational study with 7 years follow-up. BP>140/90 mmHg was considered hypertension. A multivariate model was performed to assess risk factors for BP progression and a predictive score. RESULTS: The 2,236 males, median age 42 years, had differential characteristics according to their baseline BP category. At the end of the 7-years follow-up 31.9% of baseline-normotensive subjects had an increase of their BP to the range of hypertension. Baseline-normotensive subjects who experienced a progression of BP had higher baseline BP and less favourable lipid profile. A risk score was performed using the following variables: age, hypertension familiar history, overweight and obesity, glucose>100mg/dl, triglycerides>150 mg/dl and uric acid. Total score ranged between -2 and 24; the risk of BP progression beyond normal thresholds increased linearly as the score increased. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of BP from normotension to higher BP categories into the next 7 years in young males and the risk can be estimated by a simple score.

Long-term mortality and hospital readmission after acute myocardial infarction: an eight-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Acute myocardial infarction is responsible for most of the deaths in developed countries and for a very large number of hospital admissions. Specifically in Spain, each year about 140,000 deaths and 5 million hospital stays are due to acute myocardial infarction, corresponding to health care costs reaching 15% of total expenditure. Therefore, this paper presents an exhaustive analysis of acute myocardial infarction and the related prognosis, such as recurrence and mortality. METHODS: This observational study was carried out in Spain. Data were obtained using the Hospital Discharge Administrative Database from 2000 through 2007, inclusive. Specifically, 12,096 cases of acute myocardial infarction (8606 women and 3490 men) were reported during this period, with 2395 readmissions for this diagnosis. Readmissions were analyzed for frequency and duration using logistic regression and the Wang survival model. Mortality was analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Readmission rates were 50% for patients younger than 45 years and 38% for those older than 75 years (P<.001). Men were readmitted more frequently than women throughout the follow-up period. Variables related to hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction were the presence of diabetes, previous ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term hospital readmissions are highly frequent in acute myocardial infarction survivors. Male sex, previous coronary heart disease, and the number of classical cardiovascular risk factors are the major risk predictors of this readmission. Our results highlight the need for improved medical care during acute myocardial infarction admission, integrated into secondary prevention programs.

Psychiatric morbidity as a risk factor for hospital readmission for acute myocardial infarction: an 8-year follow-up study in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Most previous studies assess the effect of depression and other psychiatric variables as risk factors for acute myocardial infarction; however, studies that assess the effect of psychiatric disorders as a whole are scarce, compared with other non-psychiatric factors. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of psychiatric morbidity, compared with other risk factors, in hospital readmission for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: This is a 8-year follow-up study in which the Hospital Discharge Administrative Database was used. RESULTS: From the total sample (11,062 patients), 590 patients (4.88%) were diagnosed with some mental disorder. Psychiatric disorders were more common in women than in men with myocardial infarction (4.76 % and 6.20%, respectively, p-value = 0.002). For those who have had recurrence of stroke, mental disease influences in the consecutive readmission for AMI with the same severity as did tobacco, diabetes, or obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study is the enormous impact of psychiatric disorders on readmissions for AMI, comparable to diabetes, obesity, cerebral vascular disease, and hypertension. Interestingly, the efforts made to treat and prevent psychiatric disorders in AMI patients are clearly lower than those health authorities make with respect to classic risk factors.

[Cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle associated with premature myocardial infarction diagnosis]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular y estilo de vida asociados a la aparición prematura de infarto agudo de miocardio.

Young and old patients with acute myocardial infarction have different risk factor profiles, clinical presentation, angiographic findings and prognosis. In the present study we investigated the clinical profile of patients aged <46 years with acute myocardial infarction.

Infrequent opioid overdose risk reduction behaviours among young adult heroin users in cities with wide coverage of HIV prevention programmes.

BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose risk reduction behaviours include some preventive behaviours to avoid overdoses (PB) and others to avoid death after overdose, such as never using heroin while alone (NUA). Few studies have examined the prevalence and predictors of these behaviours. AIM: To establish the prevalence and predictors of PBs and NUA among heroin users, both injectors and non-injectors, in three Spanish cities. METHODS: 516 injecting and 475 non-injecting heroin users aged 18-30 were street-recruited in 2001-2003 and interviewed by face-to-face computer-assisted interview. PBs and NUA in the last 12 months were explored using open-ended and precoded questions, respectively. Specific predictors for three PB categories were investigated: control of route of drug administration, control of quantity or type of heroin used, and control of co-use of other drugs. Bivariate and logistic regression methods were used. RESULTS: Overall, the most prevalent PBs were: using a stable and not excessive amount of heroin (12.7%), injecting or using the whole heroin dose slowly or dividing it into smaller doses (12.4%), reducing or stopping heroin injection (8.3%), and not mixing heroin with tranquillisers (5.1%). Most PBs were significantly more prevalent among injectors than non-injectors. No one mentioned reducing the amount of heroin after an abstinence period. Some 36.2% had NUA. In multiple regression analysis, knowledge of risk factors for opioid overdose was a predictor of specific PBs, although this was not always the case. Use of syringe exchange programmes was a predictor of PB among injectors. However, attending methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) or other drug-dependence treatment was not a predictor of any opioid overdose reduction behaviour. Only ever having witnessed or experienced an overdose predicted PB in both injectors and non-injectors. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of heroin users with opioid overdose risk reduction behaviours is very low. Additional specific measures to prevent overdose are needed, as well as increased emphasis on reducing the risk of overdose in programmes to prevent HIV and other blood-borne infections in heroin injectors.

[Inflammation markers in the exhaled air of patients with bronchiectasis unassociated with cystic fibrosis]. / Estudio de marcadores de inflamación en el aire exhalado de pacientes con bronquiectasias no asociadas a fibrosis quística.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the intensity of the respiratory tract inflammation, expressed by oxidative stress markers, and the severity of the disease in patients with bronchiectasis unassociated with cystic fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients with stable bronchiectasis (15 females and 10 males). As determining factors of severity, the following parameters were collected: degree of dyspnoea, number of exacerbations/admissions in the last year, mean daily sputum volume, sputum colour (graduated colour scale), bacterial colonisation, respiratory function tests, quality of life (St. George questionnaire) and radiological extension of the lesions (Bhalla scale). Inflammation was analysed using the measurement of nitric oxide, pH and concentration of nitrites, nitrates and isoprostane in the exhaled air condensate. The C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also determined in peripheral blood. RESULTS: There were no significant relationships between the markers in the exhaled air condensate and the clinical, radiological and functional involvement or the quality of life of the patients. Only bacterial colonisation (16 cases) was associated with higher values of nitrates in exhaled air (mean+/-standard deviation: 18+/-4 compared to 7+/-2microM; r(2)=0.6) and a higher number of exacerbations (3.1+/-1.9 compared to 1.7+/-1.9; r(2)=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the measurement of inflammation markers in exhaled air is only associated with some parameters of severity in patients with bacterial bronchiectasis.