Poder diagnóstico y pronóstico de los biomarcadores para mejorar el manejo de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en los servicios de urgencias

Objectives

To analyse the usefulness and performance of several biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP), mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), procalcitonin (PCT)] and lactate in predicting short- and medium-term mortality compared with the prognostic severity scales (PSS) usually employed for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in assessing the aetiological suspicion of infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae and bacteraemia.

Methods

Observational, prospective and analytical study was conducted on patients who were diagnosed with CAP in our emergency department (ED). The data collected included socio-demographic and comorbidity variables, Charlson index, priority level according to the Spanish Triage System (STS), stage in the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and in the CURB-65 (confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age ≥ 65 years), criteria of severe CAP, microbiological studies, and biomarkers determinations. The patients were followed-up for 180 days to calculate the prognostic power and the diagnostic performance for bacteraemia and aetiology.

Results

A total of 127 patients were finally enrolled in the study. The 30-day mortality was 10.3% (13), and 22.6% (28) at 180 days. Blood cultures were positive in 29 patients (23%) and S. pneumoniae was identified as the responsible pathogen in 28 cases (22.2%). The area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) for lactate and MR-proADM to predict 30-day mortality was 0.898 (95% CI: 0.824-0.973; P < .0001) and 0.892 (95% CI: 0.811-0.974; P < .0001), respectively, and for MR-proADM at 180 days it was 0.921 (95% CI: 0.874-0.968; P < .0001). The AUC-ROC for PCT to predict bacteraemia was 0.952 (95% CI: 0.898-1.000; P < .0001) and, considering a cut-off value ≥ 0.95 ng/ml, the negative predictive value (NPV) and the likelihood ratio (LR+) were 97.8% and 9.03, respectively. Using a PCT cut-off value > 0.85 ng/ml, the NPV and the LR+ were 96.6% and 5.89%, respectively, to predict a S. pneumoniae infection.

Conclusions

MR-proADM and lactate showed a similar or even better performance for 30-day intra-hospital mortality than PSI, CURB-65, STS and CAP severity criteria in patients diagnosed with CAP (P > .05). Furthermore, the MR-proADM capacity to predict 180-day mortality was higher than PSS and the rest of biomarkers (P > .05), and its AUC-ROC increased if it was used in combination with PSI, CURB65 and STS. The determination of PCT has a remarkable diagnostic performance to rule out bacteraemia and to orientate the aetiology towards a S. pneumoniae infection.     

El laboratorio de Microbiología en la vigilancia y el control de las infecciones nosocomiales

The most relevant activities of clinical microbiologist and the laboratory in the surveillance and the control of nosocomial infections (NI) are mainly focused on the collection, analysis and management of the information obtained in the Microbiology Laboratory; the design, development and validation of microbiological techniques, particularly rapid tests for the early detection of nosocomial pathogens, especially those multi-drug resistant ones, and the study of the genetic relationship between them. It also assists in the design of specific programs for the prevention of the NI, and the evaluation of their impact, as well as taking part in educational and training programs on topics related to NI. The management of laboratory resources, and communications with hospital information systems is also important.     

Problemas frecuentes en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad de Wilson

The present article aims to provide answers to questions frequently asked by physicians attending patients with Wilson's disease (WD) or those with a suspected diagnosis of WD. The article is divided into 2 parts: a first part with answers to questions relating to the diagnosis of this entity and a second with answers to questions concerning treatment. A brief appendix is included with responses to questions not falling into either of these 2 categories.     

El cáncer de pulmón en España. Epidemiología,supervivencia y tratamiento actuales

In 2005, 19 115 people died of lung cancer in Spain. In spite of the increase since 1950 in absolute mortality rates, the adjusted rate for men has declined. The incidence among women is lower in Spain than in other countries but it has increased (with a ratio of 1 woman for every 8.5 men). More than 50% of the patients are over 70 years of age. While the proportion of adenocarcinomas relative to other histological types has increased worldwide, squamous cell carcinoma still predominates in Spain (ranging from 24%–50.5%). The number of patients treated by surgical resection has not increased (14.8% in Spain in 2003).     

Prevalencia de obesidad infantil y juvenil en España en 2012

Introduction and objectives

Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. In Spain, few studies have physically measured height and weight to estimate the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of child and adolescent obesity in Spain in 2012.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional probability sample of 1018 children, representative of the Spanish population aged between 8 and 17 years old, with objectively measured height and weight, along with other sociodemographic variables. We calculated the prevalence of overweight and obesity according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, the International Obesity Task Force, and the enKid study.

Results

In the group aged 8 to 17 years old, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 12.6%, respectively; 4 in 10 young people were overweight or obese. Excess weight was found in 45% of the group aged 8 to 13 years and in 25.5% of that aged 14 to 17 years. This cardiovascular risk factor was associated with lower social class and lower educational level.

Conclusions

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Spain remains high (close to 40%), but has not increased in the last 12 years.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en.     

Epidemiología general de las infecciones nosocomiales. Sistemas y programas de vigilancia

Infections related to the health-care system are those associated with health care practices in hospitalized patients as well as in out-patients with health-care contact. Nosocomial infections affect 5% of in-patients, and carry a high morbidity, mortality and economic cost. The main types of nosocomial infections are related to invasive procedures, and include respiratory tract infection, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and vascular catheter bacteremia. It has been shown that the application of checklists and a bundle of measures are useful in preventing these infections. Epidemiological surveillance, defined as the gathering of information to take actions, is the basis of infection control programs. These have evolved from a global surveillance targeted at processes and indicators of nosocomial infection. The comparison of these indicators can be useful in establishing preventive measures.     

Seguridad biológica en la preservación y el transporte de muestras biológicas obtenidas en el ámbito de las enfermedades respiratorias y destinadas a la investigación

Major advances in genomics and proteomics have prompted the creation of biological specimen collections and biobanks for use in biomedical research. These specimen collections and the wealth of data they generate will allow longitudinal studies to be conducted and subproducts such as DNA or RNA to be obtained. They may even be used in future studies.     

Recomendaciones del Club Español Pancreático para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la pancreatitis crónica: parte 1 (diagnóstico)

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a relatively uncommon, complex and highly heterogeneous disease. There is no clear pattern applicable to the initial stages of CP, which hampers its early diagnosis. Some of the complications of CP, especially chronic pain, can be difficult to manage. There is wide variation in the diagnosis and treatment of CP and its complications among centers and health professionals. The Spanish Pancreatic Club has developed a consensus document on the management of CP. Two coordinators chose a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts in this disease. A list of questions was drawn up. Each question was reviewed by two experts. These questions were then used to produce a draft, which was discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all the participants. The first part of the consensus document focusses on the diagnosis of CP and its complications.     

Pulsioximetría en el diagnóstico de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda

Introduction and objectives

Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is commonly used for monitoring critical patients, but its utility as a diagnostic marker of acute heart failure has not been assessed. This study analyzed the diagnostic role of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in a series of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods

In a prospective observational cohort study of 220 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction, data collection included baseline oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (without oxygen), physiologic measurements, Killip class and data from portable chest radiography, recorded at the same hour on each of the first three days after admission. Patients were followed up for one year.

Results

There were 612 assessments. Baseline oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry decreased progressively in relation to the presence and the severity of acute heart failure assessed by Killip classes 1 to 3 (mean: 95, 92 and 85, respectively; P<.001) or by Radiology Score 0 to 4 (95, 94, 92, 89 and 83, respectively; P<.001), with a correlation coefficient of 0.66 and 0.63, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves disclosed the cut-off of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry<93 to have the greatest area, with a sensitivity of 65%, specificity 90%, and overall test accuracy 83%. Patients grouped according to lowest oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry showed significantly different rates of one-year mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure.

Conclusions

Baseline oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is useful in establishing the diagnosis and severity of heart failure in acute settings such as myocardial infarction and may have prognostic implications.The diagnosis may be suspected when baseline oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is <93.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Epidemiología y prevención de las infecciones nosocomiales causadas por especies de hongos filamentosos y levaduras

Knowledge of the epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases in health care settings helps to establish the action levels necessary for its prevention. A first step is to identify groups of patients at high risk of invasive fungal diseases, establish accurate risk factors, observing the periods of greatest risk, and analyze the epidemiological profile in genera and species, as well as the patterns of antifungal resistance. Secondly, mechanisms to avoid persistent exposure to potential fungal pathogens must be established, protecting areas and recommending measures, such as the control of the quality of the air and water inside and outside the hospital, and determining and promoting appropriate architectural designs of health institutions. Finally, apart from the correct implementation of these measures, the use of antifungal prophylaxis should be considered in selected patients at very high risk, following the guidelines published.     

Baja prevalencia de resistencias primarias frente al virus de la hepatitis B en el sur de España

Introduction

To know the prevalence of primary resistance in chronic hepatitis B naïve patients is essential to decide on the need of routine laboratory testing.

Patients and methods

The genetic sequence of the HBV polymerase from 105 naïve patients was analysed.

Results

rtV173L, a lamivudine compensatory mutation, was detected in two patients (1.9%), rtI233V in one patient, and another one carried the sG145R vaccine escape mutation.

Conclusion

Our study shows that studying HBV resistance in naïve patients should not be recommended in the routine laboratory setting, for the time being     

Epidemiología de la insuficiencia cardiaca en España en los últimos 20 años

Heart failure is a major health care problem in Spain, although its precise impact is unknown due to the lack of data from appropriately designed studies. In contrast with the 2% prevalence of heart failure elsewhere in Europe and in the United States, studies in Spain report figures of 5%, probably because of methodological limitations. Heart failure consumes enormous quantities of health care resources; it is the first cause of hospitalization in persons aged 65 years or older and represents 3% of all hospital admissions and 2.5% of health care costs. There are two patterns of heart failure: one with preserved systolic function, more often associated with high blood pressure, and another with depressed systolic function, more often associated with ischemic heart disease. In 2010, heart failure accounted for 3% of all deaths in men and for 10% of all deaths in women. In recent years, the mortality rate from heart failure has gradually fallen. The rise in hospital admissions for heart failure and the decrease in mortality from this cause could partly be explained by temporary changes in diagnostic coding, but there is evidence that the reduced mortality could also be due to adherence to clinical practice guidelines.     

Calprotectina fecal en el diagnóstico de enfermedades inflamatorias

The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases has classically been based on assessment of digestive symptoms. The development of these symptoms usually results in colonoscopy, which has a low diagnostic yield. Likewise, there is an increasing tendency to base treatment of inflammatory bowel disease on objective data, since the disappearance of signs of activity on colonoscopy (called «mucosal cure») has been associated with sustained clinical remission and reduced rates of hospitalization and surgery. Consequently, there is a need for biomarkers that would aid the selection of those patients who would derive most benefit from an endoscopic examination. One substance that has been proposed as a biomarker of bowel inflammation is fecal calprotectin. This substance allows inflammatory bowel disease to be distinguished from irritable bowel syndrome and shows a better correlation with the degree of inflammation than clinical indicators and serological markers. In addition, it could also be useful to predict mucosal cure and the risk of recurrence.