Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Patients With Hypertension and Arrhythmia: A Multicenter Study of 264 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic adverse effects (AE) are a major concern of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) treatment, especially in patients with arterial hypertension or arrhythmia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of LDOM in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study of patients with hypertension or arrhythmia treated with LDOM for any type of alopecia. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients with hypertension [176 women (69.3%) and 78 men (30.7%)] with a mean age of 56.9 years (range 19-82) were included. From them, the dose of LDOM was titrated in 128 patients, allowing the analysis of 382 doses. Patients were receiving a mean of 1.45 (range 0-5) antihypertensive drugs. Systemic AE were detected in 26 cases (6.8%) and included lightheadedness (3.1%), fluid retention (2.6%), general malaise (0.8%), tachycardia (0.8%) and headache (0.5%), leading to LDOM discontinuation in 6 cases (1.5%). Prior treatment with doxazosin (P<0.001), or with three or more antihypertensive drugs (P=0.012) was associated with a higher risk of discontinuation of LDOM. CONCLUSIONS: LDOM treatment showed a favorable safety profile in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia, similar to general population.

Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Patients With Hypertension and Arrhythmia: A Multicenter Study of 264 Patients. / [Artíulo traducido] Seguridad de minoxidil oral a dosis bajas en pacientes con hipertensión o arritmias: estudio multicéntrico de 264 pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic adverse effects (AE) are a major concern of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) treatment, especially in patients with arterial hypertension or arrhythmia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of LDOM in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study of patients with hypertension or arrhythmia treated with LDOM for any type of alopecia. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients with hypertension [176 women (69.3%) and 78 men (30.7%)] with a mean age of 56.9 years (range 19-82) were included. From them, the dose of LDOM was titrated in 128 patients, allowing the analysis of 382 doses. Patients were receiving a mean of 1.45 (range 0-5) antihypertensive drugs. Systemic AE were detected in 26 cases (6.8%) and included lightheadedness (3.1%), fluid retention (2.6%), general malaise (0.8%), tachycardia (0.8%) and headache (0.5%), leading to LDOM discontinuation in 6 cases (1.5%). Prior treatment with doxazosin (P<0.001), or with three or more antihypertensive drugs (P=0.012) was associated with a higher risk of discontinuation of LDOM. CONCLUSIONS: LDOM treatment showed a favorable safety profile in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia, similar to general population.

Validation of the health literacy scale in patients with hypertension in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Health literacy integrates skills around health care. The measurement of health literacy is relevant for proposing improvement interventions. The European HLS-EU-Q16 scale allows to comprehensively evaluate health literacy, but its psychometric properties have not been assessed in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To validate the HLS-EU-Q16 scale in patients with hypertension in Mexico. METHODS: A validation study of a measuring instrument was carried out. The construct was evaluated by means of factor analysis; internal consistency, using Cronbach's alpha; and test-retest reliability, using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The information was collected by interviewing 349 patients with hypertension in a family medicine unit of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, from April to June 2022. RESULTS: In 23.8% of the patients, health literacy was inadequate; in 44.4%, problematic; and in 31.8%, sufficient. The scale was found to retain 12 items and two factors (HLS-EU-Q12M). Cronbach's alpha was 0.83, and ICC was 0.94. CONCLUSION: The HLS-EU-Q12M scale in Mexican Spanish is a valid instrument for assessing health literacy in adults with hypertension.

ANTECEDENTES: La alfabetización en salud integra las habilidades en torno al cuidado de la salud. La medición de la alfabetización en salud es relevante para proponer intervenciones de mejora. La escala europea HLS-EU-Q16 permite evaluar la alfabetización en salud de forma integral, pero sus propiedades psicométricas no se han evaluado en México. OBJETIVO: Validar la escala HLS-EU-Q16 en pacientes con hipertensión en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó estudio de validación de un instrumento de medición. El constructo se evaluó mediante análisis factorial, la consistencia interna mediante alfa de Cronbach y la confiabilidad prueba-reprueba mediante coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). La información fue recolectada mediante entrevistas a 349 pacientes con hipertensión en una unidad de medicina familiar del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, de abril a junio de 2022. RESULTADOS: El 23.8 % de los pacientes tuvo una alfabetización en salud inadecuada; 44.4 %, problemática; y 31.8 %, suficiente. Se encontró que la escala está conformada por 12 reactivos y dos factores (HLS-EU-Q12M). El alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.83 y el CCI, de 0.94. CONCLUSIÓN: La escala HLS-EU-Q12M es un instrumento válido en español de México para evaluar la alfabetización en salud en adultos con hipertensión arterial.

Occult renal failure and associated factors in patients with chronic conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Timely diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention reduce premature mortality associated with chronic renal failure. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with occult renal failure in patients with chronic diseases. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 1268 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension. A measuring instrument with questions about associated factors such as osteoarthritis, treatment of chronic conditions, smoking, analgesic consumption, alcoholism, body mass index, physical activity and serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13.2 % (167/1,268), 13.4 % in diabetic patients (117/876) and 14.9 % in hypertensive patients (150/1,010). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with occult renal failure were being older than 60 years (aOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.22-2.49), belonging to the female gender (aOR = 2.17, 95 % CI = 1.30-2.82), suffering from systemic arterial hypertension (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.22-2.50) and not having overweight/obesity (aOR = 0.49, 95 % CI = 0.41-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13 %. Female patients older than 60 years with overweight/obesity and systemic arterial hypertension should be examined in detail by the family doctor for occult renal failure early detection.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El diagnóstico oportuno y la intervención terapéutica temprana disminuyen la mortalidad prematura asociada con insuficiencia renal crónica. OBJETIVO: Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal de 1268 pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial sistémica. Se usó un instrumento de medición con preguntas sobre factores asociados como artrosis, tratamiento de padecimiento crónico, tabaquismo, ingesta de analgésicos, alcoholismo, índice de masa corporal, actividad física y niveles séricos de glucosa, colesterol y triglicéridos. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13.2 % (167/1268), 13.4 % en pacientes diabéticos (117/876) y 14.9 % en hipertensos (150/1010). En el analisis multivariado, los factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta fueron edad > 60 años (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.49), sexo femenino (RMa = 2.17, IC 95 % = 1.30-2.82), padecer hipertensión arterial sistémica (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.50) y no tener sobrepeso u obesidad (RMa = 0.49, IC 95 % = 0.41-0.8). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13 %. Los pacientes mayores de 60 años, con sobrepeso u obesidad e hipertensión arterial sistémica deben ser examinados detalladamente por el médico familiar para la detección temprana de insuficiencia renal oculta.

[Validity and limitations of methods to measure the intake and elimination of salt]. / Validez y limitaciones de los métodos para medir la ingesta y la eliminación de sal.

High blood pressure (HBP) is the main modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. HBP can be related to high salt intake. To measure intake, not all feeding surveys are comparable and valid. The reference procedure for assessing salt intake consists of measuring the urinary excretion of sodium in urine collected during 24hours, although alternative methods have been proposed, such as the collection of punctual and timed urine samples. In this review, we analyze which instruments allow the assessment of salt intake and which of them have provided greater validity and reliability through studies of concordance with the elimination of sodium in urine. Current food consumption surveys are inadequate because of their wide variability and relatively low correlation with the elimination of sodium in 24-hour urine. Its main limitation is the need for validation in different population groups. In primary care, salt intake should be assessed by using frequency-of-consumption questionnaires that collect foods with a high salt content, the consumption of preprepared dishes and questions that quantify the addition of salt in the preparation of food or at the table. For the validation of these questionnaires, the standard gold elimination of 24-hour urine sodium adjusted according to creatinine clearance should be used.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in the population at risk of poverty and social exclusión]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población en situación de riesgo de pobreza y exclusión social.

GOALS: Detect if there are differences in prevalence, distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and risk according to REGICOR and SCORE's function; between people belonging to different occupational classes and population at risk of social exclusion. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SITE: Occupational health unit of the City Hall of Córdoba. PARTICIPANTS: Sample availability of 628 people, excluding 59 by age or incomplete data. The group of municipal workers was obtained randomly while all contracted exclusion risk was taken. INTERVENTION: No preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic actions that modify the course of the previous situation of workers were applied. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Smoke, glucose, lipids, blood pressure and BMI as main variables. T-student were used for comparison of means and percentages for Chi2. Statistical significance attached to an alpha error <5% and confidence interval with a 95% security. Receiver operator curves (ROC) were employed to find out what explanatory variables predict group membership of workers at risk of exclusion. RESULTS: Smoking (95% CI: -.224;-.443), hypercholesterolemia (95% CI: -.127;-.320), obesity (95% CI: -.005;-0.214), diabetes (95% CI: -.060;-.211) and cardiovascular risk were higher in men at risk of exclusion. In women there were differences in the same variables except smoking (P=.053). CONCLUSIONS: The existence of inequalities in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is checked. In a context of social crisis, health promotion and primary prevention programs directing to the most vulnerable, they are needed to mit.

Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Implications in Psoriasis Associated With Cardiovascular Disease. / Implicaciones clínicas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas de la psoriasis y enfermedad cardiovascular.

In recent years the concept of psoriasis as a systemic disease has gained acceptance due to its association with numerous comorbid conditions, particularly atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown that patients with psoriasis, especially younger patients and those with more severe forms of psoriasis or with psoriatic arthritis, have a higher prevalence of risk factors and metabolic syndrome, as well as an increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Furthermore, it remains unclear which of the current treatments might be more effective in reducing cardiovascular risk in these patients. It is therefore important for dermatologists to be aware of this increased risk, to be able to detect modifiable risk factors early and, when appropriate, refer patients to other specialists for the prevention of major cardiovascular events.

[Antihypertensive prescription in type 2 diabetes patients in Andalusia and SEH-LELHA 2022 guidelines: An economic cost evaluation]. / Prescripción de antihipertensivos en personas con diabetes tipo 2 en Andalucía y recomendaciones SEH-LELHA 2022: evaluación del coste y uso.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the prescription of antihypertensive drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Andalusia, comparing it with the SEH-LELHA 2022 guidelines, and to assess the direct cost of these treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentric, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted with 385 T2D patients. Participants were randomly selected from the patient lists of 120 primary care physicians from Andalusia. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of T2D and complete clinical records for the year 2022. Demographic data and drug prescription information were collected, with the average cost per patient being calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 70.72 years, with 53.51% being male. A total of 70.9% of the patients were taking antihypertensive drugs, the most common being ACE inhibitors/ARBs (70.9%), diuretics (70.1%), beta-blockers (40.0%), and calcium channel blockers (20.0%). Each patient took an average of 2.46±1.06 antihypertendsive, and fixed association of 2 or more antihypertensive drugs were used by 40.9% of the studied patients. The annual cost per patient was 141.45€/year. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals strong adherence to the SEH-LELHA 2022 guidelines among physicians in Andalusia regarding the of antihypertensives for T2D patients, with a significant preference for Renin-Angiotensin System blockers, diuretics, and beta-blockers. However, a notable deviation in prescription practices was observed with the frequent choice of doxazosin over spironolactone, despite the latter being the recommended option for resistant hypertension. Although the overall expenditure on antihypertensives is moderate, their cost-effectiveness is enhanced by the efficacy of these treatments in preventing cardiovascular complications.

Prevalence of secondary arterial hypertension in patients with acute renal failure in a secondary-level pediatric hospital in Northwestern Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide prevalence of arterial hypertension in pediatric patients is 3.5%, and it has repercussions at renal, cardiovascular, neurological, and lifestyle levels. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension, mortality, and follow-up in patients with acute renal failure in the nephrology outpatient clinic at a second-level hospital in Northwestern Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective, and observational study. Men and women aged 1-18 years diagnosed with acute kidney injury were analyzed from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021. The medical and electronic records of the candidate patients were analyzed, and nutritional data, laboratory analysis, most frequent etiology, and follow-up in the pediatric nephrology clinic were collected. Those with exacerbated chronic kidney disease and previous diagnosis of high blood pressure were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four patients were evaluated, and only 40 were eligible for the study (22.98%), predominantly males with a mean age of 9.9 years. The degree of arterial hypertension was 50% for grade I and 50% for grade II (p = 0.007); the mortality rate was 32%. One hundred percent of hypertension cases were controlled at 6 months after discharge (p = 0.000080). CONCLUSIONS: Our results were similar to those reported in other studies. Follow-up and early detection of arterial hypertension in children need to be strengthened.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial a nivel mundial es 3.5% en los pacientes pediátricos y tiene repercusiones tanto a nivel renal, cardiovascular, neurológico y estilo de vida. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en pacientes con insuficiencia renal aguda, estimar la mortalidad y el seguimiento de los pacientes en la consulta externa de nefrología en un hospital de segundo nivel en el Noroeste de México. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo, retrospectivo. Se analizaron hombres y mujeres entre 1 a 18 años de edad con el diagnóstico de lesión renal aguda, entre 1 de enero del 2012 hasta 31 de diciembre del 2021. Se analizaron las historias clínicas y el expediente electrónico de los pacientes candidatos, se recolectaron datos nutricionales, análisis de laboratorio, etiología más frecuente y el seguimiento en la consulta de nefrología pediátrica. Se excluyeron aquellos con enfermedad renal crónica agudizada y diagnóstico previo de hipertensión arterial. RESULTADOS: 174 pacientes fueron evaluados y solamente 40 fueron candidatos al estudio (22.98%), de los cuales predominaron masculinos con una edad media de 9.9 años. El grado de hipertensión arterial fue 50% para grado I y 50% para grado II (p = 0.007); tasa de mortalidad 32%. El 100% del control de la hipertensión se logró en el seguimiento del egreso de los pacientes en 6 meses (p = 0.000080). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados fueron similares a los reportados en otros estudios. Se debe reforzar el seguimiento y detección oportuna de hipertensión arterial en los niños.

[Predictive validity of the risk SCORE model in a Mediterranean population with arterial hypertension]. / Validez en la predicción de riesgo de la escala SCORE en una población mediterránea con hipertensión arterial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor globally. Calculation of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients before initiation of treatment is recommended. This study aimed to assess the predictive value and clinical utility of the SCORE scale in preventing cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension. METHODS: Patients with hypertension from the ESCARVAL-RISK cohort were included. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the SCORE scale. All deaths and cardiovascular events were recorded during a 5-year follow-up period. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated for different cut-off points and the effect of different risk factors on the diagnostic accuracy of SCORE charts were assessed. RESULTS: In a final cohort of 9834 patients, there were 555 cardiovascular events and 69 deaths. The recommended risk value for initiating drug treatment (5%) had a specificity of 92% for death and 91% for cardiovascular events, and a sensitivity of 20% for death and 22% for cardiovascular events. In addition, the scale classified 80.4% of patients who experienced a cardiovascular event and 78.3% of those who died as low risk. Age, body mass index, retinopathy and anticoagulant therapy were associated with reduced predictive ability of the SCORE scale, while being female was associated with better risk prediction. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive ability of the SCORE scale for cardiovascular disease and total mortality in patients with hypertension is limited.