Self-perceived body weight and weight status: analysis of concordance by age group and sex.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies suggest that there is discordance between actual weight status and body-weight perception. This fact has implications when it comes to designing public health interventions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the different categories of weight status and body-weight perception and to analyse their concordance in a representative Spanish population sample. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were sourced from the 2018 Galician Risk Behaviour Data System, with the target population being all persons aged 16 years and above. We collected data on self-perceived body weight and assessed weight status on the basis of body mass index (BMI). BMI was estimated using self-reported measures of weight and height. To estimate concordance, Cohen's kappa coefficient, both unweighted and weighted with Cicchetti weights, was calculated. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 7853 individuals aged 16 years and above, whereas the overall unweighted concordance was 0.393 (95%CI: 0.377-0.409), with an agreement percentage of 61.6%, weighted concordance was 0.503 (0.490-0.517), with an agreement percentage of 86.6%. The highest concordance between self-perceived body weight and weight status was observed in women. By age group, the highest concordance was observed in the youngest group (16-24 years) for the BMI categories of underweight and overweight, and in the 45-64 age group for the category of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the existence of differences between self-perceived body weight and weight status, according to sex and age.

Smoking-attributable mortality by sex in the 27 Brazilian federal units: 2019.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) in the population aged 35 years and over in Brazil's 27 federal units by sex, in 2019. STUDY DESIGN: This is an attributable mortality analysis. METHODS: We applied a method dependent on the prevalence of smoking, based on the population attributable fractions. Data on mortality due to causes causally related to smoking were derived from Brazil's Death Registry, data on prevalence of smoking from a survey conducted in Brazil in 2019, and data on relative risks from five US cohorts. Crude and age-adjusted SAM rates were calculated by sex. Estimates of SAM were calculated by specific causes of death and major mortality groups for each federal unit by sex. RESULTS: In 2019, smoking caused 480 deaths per day in Brazil. Although the SAM varied among the federal units, the pattern is not clear, with the greatest difference being between Rio Grande do Sul (crude rate: 248.8/100,000 inhabitants) and Amazonas (106.0/100,000). When the rates were adjusted by age, the greatest differences were observed between Acre (271.1/100,000) and Distrito Federal (131.1/100,000). SAM was higher in males; however, while the main specific cause of SAM in men was ischemic heart disease, in women it was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The major mortality group having the greatest impact on SAM across all federal units was the cardiometabolic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The variability in the burden of SAM in the different regions of Brazil reaffirms the need for SAM data disaggregated at the geographic level.

Appropriateness of newborn screening for classic galactosaemia: a systematic review.

Currently, there is no universal agreement on galactosaemia screening, fundamentally because of the risk-benefit uncertainties. We conducted two exhaustive systematic searches in the main electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, etc.) to recover relevant information about the disease and screening test/s in order to support decision making in Spain. All of the 45 studies identified that covered disease issues were retrospective case series or cross-sectional analysis (level-4 evidence). Studies consistently found that the majority of patients presented characteristic symptomatology before diagnosis. Long term disabilities were not significantly correlated with age of diagnosis, onset of dietary restriction or strict diet compliance. The five studies that provided accuracy data used different cut-off points and verification tests, and thus differed in their definitions of a positive case (level-3b evidence). The estimated sensitivity was 100 % and the specificity 99.9 %. The false-positive rate ranged from 0.0005 % to 0.25 %, and the PPV from 0 % to 64.3 %. The comparative clinical effectiveness in relation to not screening or implementation of other programs is unknown. In summary, existing evidence remains insufficient to establish the appropriateness of newborn screening for galactosaemia screening, although health benefits could be expected if early diagnosis and treatment is achieved. If screening is implemented in Spain, it would be important that a pilot programme be implemented to assess false positive rate and ensure that early diagnosis is not delayed.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) impairs the response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The validation of KRAS mutations as a negative marker of response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies has meant a seminal advance towards treatment individualisation of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, as a KRAS wild-type status does not guarantee a response to anti-EGFR antibodies, a current challenge is the identification of other biomarkers of response. On the basis of pre-clinical evidence, we hypothesised that mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a phosphatase that inactivates MAPKs, could be a mediator of resistance to anti-EGFR antibodies. METHODS: Tumour specimens from 48 metastatic CRC patients treated with cetuximab-based chemotherapy were evaluated for KRAS and BRAF mutational status and MKP-1 expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: As expected, clinical benefit was confined to wild-type KRAS and BRAF patients. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 was overexpressed in 16 patients (33%) and was not associated with patient baseline clinicopathological characteristics and KRAS mutational status. All patients with BRAF mutations (n=3) had MKP-1 overexpression. Among KRAS wild-type patients, MKP-1 overexpressors had a 7% response rate (RR), whereas patients not overexpressing MKP-1 had a 44% RR (P=0.03). Moreover, median time to progression was significantly longer in MKP-1 non-overexpressing patients (32 vs 13 weeks, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: These results support the concept of MKP-1 as a promising negative marker of response to cetuximab-based treatment in CRC patients with wild-type KRAS.

Effectiveness and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration: a systematic review.

The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness and safety of real time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in patients with suspected or known bronchopulmonary carcinoma, as well as in other clinical indications presented by lymphatic adenopathies. A systematic review was carried out in November 2007 and updated in April 2008 using the main databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the papers retrieved. A total of 20 publications were included. Of these, 14 were original studies that investigated the clinical usefulness of the technique in visualising and staging lymph nodes in patients with suspected or established lung cancer. Sensitivity ranged 85-100% and negative predictive value ranged 11-97.4%. Three studies assessed the clinical usefulness of the technique in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic in 88-93% of patients. One retrospective study evaluated the use of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of lymphoma. None of the studies included in the present review reported important complications. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is a safe and highly accurate procedure for the examination and staging of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in patients with known or suspected lung malignancy. The evidence is promising for sarcoidosis but is not sufficient for lymphoma.

[Clinical utility of (18)F-DOPA-PET in movement disorders. A systematic review]. / Utilidad clínica de la (18)FDOPA-PET en trastornos del movimiento. Una revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: (18)F-fluorodopa ((18)F-DOPA) is a functional tracer of presynaptic dopaminergic neuron terminations in the nigrostriatal system. This review is aimed to assess the efficacy of (18)F-DOPA-PET in the diagnosis and evaluation of the progression of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and in the differential diagnosis with other Parkinsonism Syndromes. METHODS: A review was made of the literature by searching six databases and selecting the most relevant articles according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study data were systematically extracted and included in evidence tables. RESULTS: Of the 1478 registries recovered through the search of the literature, 48 studies were extracted. Of these, only 13 were included in the systematic review. It was observed in all of them that PD is manifested by a lower striatal uptake of (18)F-DOPA, especially in the putamen with posterior predominance. Prospective studies have shown that there is loss of uptake with disease progression. One article described regional differences in (18)F-DOPA striatal pattern between PD, multisystem atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Cognitive impairment in PD seems to be related with (18)F-DOPA abnormal uptake in some regions of frontal cortex and caudate nucleus. CONCLUSION: (18)F-DOPA-PET seems to be useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of PD progression. However, the evidence is not conclusive regarding its utility in the differential diagnosis with other Parkinsonism Syndromes and in the differentiation between ex novo and advanced PD.

[Effectiveness of 123I-ioflupane (DaTSCAN) in the diagnosis of Parkinsonian syndromes. A systematic review]. / Efectividad del 123I-ioflupano (DaTSCAN) en el diagnóstico de síndromes parkinsonianos. Una revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease, affecting the 1-2 % of the population over 65. Around 20-24 % of diagnosed patients are estimated to be misdiagnosed. The aim of this paper is to assess the efficacy of DaTSCAN in the diagnosis of early PD and to determine the efficacy of 123I-FP in the differential diagnosis of vascular parkinsonism, drug-induced parkinsonism, essential tremor, Lewy body dementia (LBD) and Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS: Systematic review. Two independent investigators reviewed and selected the papers according to predefined selection criteria. The quality of the original studies was assessed using one specifically designed scale. RESULTS: Eleven original articles were included. No randomized clinical trials were found. Three papers assessed the effect of DaTSCAN in medication of patients and found that 17 to 69 % of the patients treatment changed after SPECT. Six studies assessed the change in the diagnosis for patients with parkinsonian syndromes after SPECT. Four of them showed that 123I-FP could be useful for the differential diagnosis between PD and non-degenerative disorders. One observed that ioflupane could help differentiate between PD and AD and between this last disease and LBD. The other investigation group showed that DaTSCAN could help in the differential diagnosis between PD and parkinsonian syndromes such as multisystem atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). CONCLUSIONS: The scientific evidence available indicates that 123I-FP can be useful to differentiate PD from essential tremor and vascular and drug-induced parkinsonism, and also to differentiate AD from LBD.

[Development and use of a quality assessment scale specifically constructed for the assessment of studies that compare hemodialysis modalities]. / Desarrollo y utilización de una escala de valoración de calidad construida específicamente para evaluar estudios que comparan modalidades de hemodiálisis.

There are currently many hemodialysis modalities that are believed to be superior to conventional hemodialysis. In order to compare the effectiveness and security of the different hemodialysis techniques a systematic review was carried out. Faced with the fact that the scales available mainly focus on study design and tend to ignore external validity, a quality scale was specifically developed to assess the quality of the studies included in the review. The objective of this article is to introduce the quality assessment scale developed and present the results of its usability and applicability. The following databases were searched in order to identify the studies: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, HTA, CRD and others. The articles obtained were selected based on previously established inclusion/exclusion criteria. The scale covers three issues: general aspects of the studies, specific aspects of the studies and patient characteristics. This scale allowed for a more accurate classification of the global quality of the studies and was reproducible. In general, those studies classified as high quality studies received the highest score and those studies classified as low quality studies received the lowest scores. The median value was 5,35 (53,5%). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0,96. As a conclusion of this work it can be stated that currently available scales have serious limitations for the use in studies that compare different hemodialysis modalities and that the use of a scale specifically constructed for this purpose provides more accurate information on the quality of the evidence which is fundamental to interpret results and generate inferences.

High HIV seroprevalence and increased HIV-associated mortality among hospitalized patients with deep bacterial infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate deep bacterial infections with HIV infection and evaluate the influence of HIV on clinical picture and outcome in patients with meningitis, pneumonia or pyomyositis. DESIGN: Case-control comparison of HIV seroprevalence between patients and an age- and sex-matched control group in a prospective cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and sixty-five patients admitted to hospital with either purulent meningitis, pneumonia or pyomyositis and 165 age- and sex-matched controls from orthopaedic/trauma wards. SETTING: University Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in HIV seroprevalence and mortality. RESULTS: Of 78 patients with purulent meningitis, 19 (24%) were HIV-seropositive, compared with 13 (17%) in the control group (P = 0.345). Of 36 patients with meningitis seen before a meningococcal epidemic affected Dar es Salaam, there was a statistically significant association with HIV infection (P = 0.013). Ten out of 19 (53%) HIV-seropositives died, compared with nine out of 59 (15%) seronegatives (P = 0.028). Of patients with pneumococcal meningitis, five out of six (83%) seropositives died, compared with two out of 12 (17%) seronegatives (P = 0.013). Fifteen out of 45 (33%) patients with pneumonia were HIV-seropositive, compared with four (9%) in the control group (P = 0.001). There was no difference in mortality between seropositive and seronegative patients with pneumonia. HIV seroprevalence was 62% among 42 patients with pyomyositis and 12% among 42 controls (P less than 0.0001). Eighteen out of 25 (72%) seropositive patients with pyomyositis fulfilled the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical case definition for AIDS. Response to recommended antibiotic treatment was satisfactory among patients with pneumonia and pyomyositis. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a strong association between pyomyositis, pneumonia and HIV infection. They also indicate an increased mortality associated with HIV infection in patients with pyogenic meningitis, especially pneumococcal meningitis. Pyomyositis should be considered an indicator of stage III HIV disease in the proposed WHO clinical staging system.

PIP: This study sought to correlate deep bacterial infection with HIV infection and evaluate the influence of HIV on clinical practice and outcome in patients with meningitis, pneumonia, or pyomyositis. At University Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 165 patients were admitted to the hospital with purulent meningitis, pneumonia, or pyomyositis and were evaluated in a prospective, cross-sectional study along with 165 age- and sex-matched controls from orthopedic/trauma wards to determine HIV seroprevalence. Of the 78 patients with purulent meningitis, 19 (24%) were HIV-seropositive, as compared with 13 (17%) in the control group (p=0.345). Of 36 patients with meningitis seen before a meningococcal epidemic affected Dar es Salaam, there was a statistically significant association with HIV infection (p=0.013). 10 of 19 (53%) HIV-seropositives died, compared with 9 of 59 (15%) seronegatives (p=0.028). Of patients with pneumococcal meningitis, 5 of 6 (83%) seropositives died, compared with 2 of 12 (17%) seronegatives (p=0.013). 15 of 45 (33%) patients with pneumonia were HIV-seropositive compared with 4 (9%) in the control group (p=0.001). There was no difference in mortality between seropositive and seronegative patients with pneumonia. HIV seroprevalence was 62% among 42 patients with pyomyositis and 12% among 42 controls (p0.0001). 18 of 25 (72%) seropositive patients with pyomyositis fulfilled the WHO clinical case definition of AIDS. Response to recommended antibiotic treatment was satisfactory among patients with pneumonia and pyomyositis. These results show a strong association between pyomyositis, pneumonia, and HIV infection. They also indicate an increased mortality associated with HIV infection in those patients with pyogenic meningitis, especially pneumococcal meningitis. Pyomyositis should be considered an indicator of stage III HIV disease in the proposed WHO clinical staging system.

Spindle cell ploidy and proliferation in endemic and epidemic African Kaposi's sarcoma.

Comparative studies of ploidy and proliferative activity of spindle cells in sections of 20 (skin, 17; lymph node, 3) biopsy specimens from African patients, 10 with endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) and 10 with AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (AKS) were performed by histopathology, feulgen-based DNA measurement and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/cyclin immunohistochemistry, respectively. All specimens were classified as nodular lesions with basically the same histology. In 17 cases immunostained for cyclin/PCNA, the percentage of proliferating spindle cells range between 2-18, with a higher mean rate in AKS although this was not statistically significant. In situ measurement of DNA showed no significant values greater than the diploid level of control cells indicating that spindle cells in both EKS and AKS have euploid DNA content. Our findings indicate that both EKS and AKS represent the same type of euploid low rate cell proliferations. This corroborates previous suggestions that KS could represent a reactive process to yet undefined stimulus rather than a clonal proliferation, of transformed malignant cells.

Immunological profile of endemic and epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma patients in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) presents in four clinicopathological types namely classical/sporadic (CKS), endemic African (EKS), iatrogenic (IKS) and that associated with AIDS (AKS). Recently a putative herpes virus (HHV-8) was described and shown to be present in all four types of KS. The immunological status of patients with EKS has been conflicting. In this study total leucocyte counts, total lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte subsets of patients with EKS and AKS were determined by flow cytometry and compared to those of healthy HIV-1 seronegative controls. Results show that 50% of EKS lesions were of nodular type. Patients with EKS had significantly lower levels of CD4+ T- lymphocytes and CD4:CD8 ratio but significantly higher CD8+ T-lymphocytes compared to controls. Patients with AKS had significantly lower levels of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and also CD4:CD8 ratios but significantly higher percentage of CD8+ T-lymphocytes when compared with EKS patients. These findings indicate that in both forms of KS there is a certain degree of immunological disturbance which is more conspicuous in AKS because of HIV infection and suggests that HIV-1 acts synergistically with the aetiological agent (HHV-8) to cause a more aggressive type of KS.

Surgical management of pyopericardium.

Forty three patients with pyopericardium were managed over a six year period. Pyomyositis and septic arthritis were the most common associated conditions and Staphylococcus aureus the commonest microorganism isolated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in only three of the cases. Pericardiocentesis and various forms of pericardial windows were found to be associated with high rates of recurrences, inadequate drainage and subsequent constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy should be done as an initial form of surgical treatment where the general condition of the patient permits, since this procedure is not associated with the adverse sequelae of aspiration and pericardial window procedures.

Subxiphoid pericardiostomy in the management of pericardial effusions.

Subxiphoid pericardiostomy for diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion was used in 21 patients. Total evaluation of the pericardial contents, direct inspection to break down loculations, simultaneous biopsies of the pericardium and pericardial fluid samples for diagnostic tests were achieved while avoiding the need for repeated pericardiocentesis and more invasive and difficult open drainage methods. Complete drainage without recurrence was obtained in 19 patients with one death and recurrence of effusion in another one. Two of these 19 cases developed constrictive pericarditis on follow-up and required a pericardiectomy. No other complications were encountered. The procedure can be done safely under local anaesthesia for all types of pericardial effusions providing prompt and long term relief of the abnormal haemodynamics.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: case report.

Alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease with only about 150 cases reported in the literature. Although some patients present with progressive respiratory symptoms, the discovery is in most cases an incidental finding on a chest radiograph. The management of the condition has essentially supportive in all reported cases. We describe a case first discovered in 1976 and finally diagnosed in 1985.

Operative management of achalasia of the oesophagus.

Twenty patients with achalasia of the oesophagus were managed in one thoracic surgical unit over a period of seven years. Eighteen of these were aged 16 to 40 years. There was a female:male ratio of 2:1. Dysphagia to both solids and liquids with diffuse bilateral parotid gland enlargement were the most common clinical features. All the patients had an oesophagomyotomy without an additional anti-reflux procedure. There was no mortality. The trans-thoracic approach for oesophagomyotomy was associated with better results without complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux. This approach is recommended and an additional routine anti-reflux procedure at the same sitting may be unnecessary.

Subxiphoid pericardiastomy in the management of pericardial effusions.

Subxiphoid pericardiostomy for diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion was used in 21 patients. Total evacuation of the pericardial contents, direct inspection to break down loculations, simultaneous biopsies of the pericardium and pericardial fluid samples for diagnostic tests were achieved while avoiding the need for repeated pericardiocentesis and more invasive and difficult open drainage methods. Complete drainage without recurrence was obtained in 19 patients with one death and recurrence of effusion in another one. Two of these 19 cases developed constrictive pericarditis on follow-up and required a pericardiectomy. No other complications were encountered. The procedure can be done safely under local anaesthesia for all types of pericardial effusions providing prompt and long term relief of the abnormal haemodynamics.

The management of empyema thoracis by thoracoscopy and irrigation.

A technique of irrigation for the management of empyema thoracis is described. Initial thoracoscopy using a laparoscope under general anaesthesia enabled adequate debridement and breakdown of loculi within the empyema cavity under direct vision. Following this procedure irrigation of the cavity with two tubes was started and continued until three consecutive cultures of drained irrigation fluid became sterile. The procedure was then discontinued. The results in 14 patients are presented using this method, irrigation was required for an average of 14 days. Patients remained in hospital for an average of 4.8 weeks. Tuberculous empyema was not found to be a contra-indication to the irrigation technique.

Appendicitis in Dar es Salaam, histological pattern.

Histology of 378 appendicectomy specimens submitted to the Histopathology Department of Muhimbili Medical Centre from its surgical wards over a 10 year period (1985 to 1994) were reviewed. There were 185 cases (48.9 pc) of acute appendicitis, 101 cases (26.7 pc) of chronic appendicitis, 74 (19.6 pc) normal appendices and 13 cases (3.5 pc) schistosomal appendicitis. There were two cases of tuberculous appendicitis and two cases of mucocele of the appendix. Apart from the high frequency of chronic appendicitis the histological findings in this study compare well with findings reported from other studies.

Tobacco consumption and oral and pharyngeal cancer in a Spanish male population.

The incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Spain is among the highest in Europe. A hospital-based case-control study was carried out in NW Spain to investigate the role of tobacco. The study included 92 incident male cases and 230 male controls. Tobacco smoking was strongly associated with oral and pharyngeal cancer (OR(ever smokers)=27.7). The risk for black tobacco (OR=33.1) was approximately double that of blond tobacco (OR=15.4). Alcohol drinking increased the risk posed by tobacco consumption. Risks were significantly lower for subjects that started smoking later and was significantly reduced after 10 years of leaving the habit.