The use of health care services in the Great Recession: evaluating inequalities in the Spanish context

ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of the Great Recession (2008) on primary care (PC) and secondary care (SC) inequalities in Spain.MethodRepeated cross-sectional study using Spanish Health Surveys from 2001 to 2017 (n = 139,566). Prevalence of PC and SC utilization were calculated standardized by age. Chi square tests for trend were conducted to explore the evolution. We performed logistic regression analyses adjusted by the Andersen's model of demand for care to explore inequalities prior to, during and following the recession. All the analyses were stratified by sex.ResultsHealthcare use trends changed from a rapid increase in the pre-recession period to a plateau during the recession and a decrease in the post-recession period. Healthcare use was higher in women (PC: 15.8% to 32.5%; SC: 8.2% to 16.2%) than in men (PC: 11.3% to 24.1%; SC: 5.4% to 11.6%) and the gender gap increased. During the recession the likelihood of PC use was higher in disadvantaged groups, while SC had greater usage amongst more advantaged social groups. Inequalities in SC use increased during the recession and could not be attributed to factors of need.ConclusionsHealthcare use trends changed as a result of the recession. There are socioeconomic inequalities in the use of PC and SC in Spain, which increased in secondary care, during the recession and in the post-recession period. It is necessary to take into account socioeconomic determinants in health planning, in order to achieve equity in healthcare services.     

Radiation-Related Deregulation of TUBB3 and BRCA1/2 and Risk of Secondary Lung Cancer in Women With Breast Cancer

IntroductionBreast cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing unrelated primary cancers, particularly lung cancer. Evidence indicates that sex hormones as well as a deregulation of DNA-repair pathways may contribute to lung cancer onset. We investigated whether the hormone status and expression of markers involved in DNA repair (BRCA1/2, ERCC1, and P53R2), synthesis (TS and RRM1), and cell division (TUBB3) might be linked to lung cancer risk.Patients and MethodsThirty-seven breast cancer survivors with unrelated lung cancer and 84 control subjects comprising women with breast cancer (42/84) or lung cancer (42/84) were enrolled. Immunohistochemistry on tumor tissue was performed. Geometric mean ratio was used to assess the association of marker levels with patient groups.ResultsEstrogen receptor was expressed in approximately 90% of the breast cancer group but was negative in the majority of the lung cancer group, a result similar to the lung cancer control group. Likewise, ER isoform β was weakly expressed in the lung cancer group. Protein analysis of breast cancer versus control had a significantly lower expression of BRCA1, P53R2, and TUBB3. Likewise, a BRCA1 reduction was observed in the lung cancer group concomitant with a BRCA2 increase. Furthermore, BRCA2 and TUBB3 increased in ipsilateral lung cancer in women who had previously received radiotherapy for breast cancer.ConclusionThe decrease of DNA-repair proteins in breast cancer could make these women more susceptible to therapy-related cancer. The increase of BRCA2 and TUBB3 in lung cancer from patients who previously received radiotherapy for breast cancer might reflect a tissue response to exposure to ionizing radiation.     

Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as severe hypercalcemia with acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

Abstract

Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting first time with severe hypercalcemia is rare in pregnancy. We report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism due to a cystic parathyroid adenoma presenting as severe hypercalcemia with acute pancreatitis in second trimester of pregnancy. Acute pancreatitis was managed by conservative treatment. Hypercalcemia failed to respond to medical management and ultimately responded to ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation of parathyroid adenoma. The delivery was uneventful and patient continues to remain normocalcemic during follow up. As such, ethanol ablation of parathyroid adenoma may be considered during pregnancy in case of failure of response to medical management and when surgical removal of parathyroid adenoma is not safe.     

急性缺血性脑卒中的诊治

急性缺血性脑卒中的分型有助于确定治疗原则。静脉溶栓治疗及血管取栓治疗是最有效的恢复脑再灌注的特异治疗方法。抗栓治疗、改善循环、降纤、扩容、神经保护、传统医药及对并发症的管理对预后有重要影响。康复治疗是促进卒中患者功能恢复、减少并发症、提高生活质量的重要措施。卒中后应尽早开始二级预防。     

Hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy and 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy

IntroductionPrimary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) during pregnancy can be responsible for serious maternal and foetal complications and should be treated by elective low-risk, minimally invasive surgery. Preoperative assessment of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands is classically based on high-resolution neck ultrasound (US) and ^99mTc-sestamibi/¹²³I scintigraphy. However, administration of any radiopharmaceutical during pregnancy must be limited and justified and US alone may be sufficient to localize an abnormal parathyroid gland.Case reportWe report the case of a 4-month pregnant woman with severe primary hyperparathyroidism, in whom US failed to localize the abnormal parathyroid gland. ^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy was performed in preference to ¹⁸-fluorocholine (FCH)-PET/CT on the basis of a multidisciplinary decision. As ^99mTc-MIBI demonstrated an hyperfunctioning right inferior parathyroid, ¹²³I was not administered. A large right paravertebral parathyroid adenoma was successfully removed, as confirmed by decreased postoperative serum parathyroid hormone and calcium levels. The eutrophic newborn infant was delivered at term, with normal serum calcium and TSH levels.DiscussionIn pregnant women with primary hyperparathyroidism, US alone may be sufficient when it localizes the abnormal parathyroid gland, allowing elective low-risk minimally invasive surgery. Otherwise, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to select the radiopharmaceutical that can be safely used to identify the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland with minimal risks for the foetus.