Temporal trends in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Argentina between 2009 and 2018: A collaborative study by GATMO-TC and INCUCAI

Special Article Introduction Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for many disorders and international data shows a growing trend. Method We aimed to evaluate the temporal trends in HSCT transplant rates in Argentina. A time-series analysis was performed for the period 2009 to 2018 using the national database from the National Central Coordinating Institute for Ablations and Implants. Crude and standardized transplant rates were calculated. A permutation joinpoint regression model analysis was used to identify significant changes over time. Results Altogether, 8,474 transplants were reported to INCUCAI by 28 centers (autologous 67.5%); the main indication was multiple myeloma (30%). The WHO age-sex standardized HSCT rates for the entire country were 153.3 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 141.7-165.8) in 2009 and 260.1 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 245.5-275.5) in 2018. There was a large gap in HSCT rates among the states and regions. The transplant rate was higher for autologous transplants throughout the years. Within the allogeneic group, the related donor transplant rate was higher than the unrelated donor transplant rate. The joinpoint regression analysis of HSCT rates for the whole country over time showed an observed annual percentage change of 6.3% (95% CI 5.4-7.3; p< 0.01). No changes were observed for unrelated donors during the study period. Conclusions Age-sex standardized HSCT rates in Argentina are increasing, mainly due to autologous and family donor allogeneic transplants. A wide variation across the country was found, demonstrating differences in the access to transplantation among Argentine regions.

Encuesta de infección por coronavirus tipo 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2), a nivel comunitario en habitantes de un barrio vulnerable urbano de la ciudad de Buenos Aires: un ejemplo de muestreo probabilístico / Survey of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), community level in inhabitants of a marginal urban neighborhood of the city of Buenos Aires: an example of a probability sampling

Entre el 1 y el 26 de junio se llevó a cabo el estudio de investigación "Encuesta de infección por coronavirus tipo 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2), nivel comunitario en habitantes de un barrio vulnerable urbano de la ciudad de Buenos Aires", que determinó que un 54,3% de los habitantes del barrio presentaban anticuerpos inmunoglobulina tipo G para SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar un ejemplo de un muestreo probabilístico que fue utilizado para estimar la prevalencia de seropositividad en este estudio. (AU)

Between 1st and 26th of june, a research named "Survey of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), community level in inhabitants of a marginal urban neighborhood of the city of Buenos Aires" was carried on. The study showed that 54.3% of the that 54.3% of the people of the neighborhood had antibodies immunoglobulin type G for SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this article is to provide an example of a probability sampling carried out in the study, to measuring the prevalence of seropositivity. (AU)

Medición del subtriaje como indicador de calidad y seguridad en un servicio de urgencias / Undertriage as quality of care parameter in an emergency department

Background: Undertriage or the underestimation of the urgency of the condition of a person arriving in an emergency department (ED) represents a measure of quality care. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of undertriage in a high complexity hospital of Argentina; to describe characteristics and mortality of these patients. Material and Methods: All consultations admitted to the ED during 2014 were analyzed. Those assigned to a lower level of admission risk (classified as Emergency Severity Index -ESI- 3 to 5) but required hospitalization in intensive care units (ICU) as the first hospitalization place were considered as an undertriage. A random sample of correctly categorized admissions (ESI 1 or 2), who were subsequently hospitalized in the ICU, was selected as a comparison group. Results: The global undertriage prevalence was 0.30% (316/104,832). Among patients admitted to the ICU, the prevalence was 21% (316/1,461; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 19-24). The 316 patients whose severity was underestimated had a median age of 73 years, and admitted between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. in a greater proportion. Overall hospital mortality was 8.9% (95% CI 6.78-11.38), and all deaths occurred after the patient was transferred from the emergency room. There were no differences in mortality between patients with correct triage or undertriage (11 and 7% respectively, p = 0.09). No differences were observed either in the total number of critical interventions during care in the first 24 hours. Significant differences were observed in requirements for mechanical ventilation (11 and 4% respectively, p = 0.01), orotracheal intubation (10 and 5% respectively p = 0.01) and non-invasive ventilation (8 and 4% respectively, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Undertriage rate in this series was low, but it can be improved.

Prevalencia de dolor en la internación en un hospital de alta complejidad de Argentina / Prevalence of pain among patients admitted to a clinical hospital

Background: Pain prevalence during hospital admission is variable, with estimates ranging from 32 to 77%. Aim: To determine pain prevalence during admission to a clinical hospital. Material and Methods: Patients admitted to medical and surgical wards were interrogated about the presence of pain within 48 to 72 hours after admission. Subjective pain was analyzed using a scale ranging from 0 to 10. Data was analyzed separately for medical, surgical, and obstetrical patients. Results: A total of 736 patients aged 18 to 94 years (416 women) were recruited. Pain prevalence at 48 hours after admission was 56% (95% confidence intervals (CI (52.7 to 60.1). Pain prevalence in medical, surgical and obstetric patients was 37% (95% CI 31.4 to 42.1), 70% (95% CI 64.5 to 75.5) and 77% (95% CI 68.6 to 84), respectively. The median pain intensities in medical, surgical, and obstetrical patients were 7 (interquartile range (IQR) 6-8), 7 (IQR 5-8) y 7 (IQR 5-8), respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of pain among patients admitted to the hospital is high, especially in obstetric and surgical units.

Descripción de las características del fenómeno Crowding en la Central de Emergencia de Adultos, en un hospital universitario de alta complejidad: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva / Analysis of Crowding in an Adult Emergency Department of a tertiary university hospital

Background: Crowding in Emergency Departments (ED), results from the imbalance between the simultaneous demand for health care and the ability of the system to respond. The NEDOCS scale (National Emergency Department Crowding Scale) measures the degree of crowding in an ED. Aim: To describe ED Crowding characteristics, using the NEDOCS scale, in an Argentinean hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with all adult patient consultations between July 2013 and July 2014 at the ED of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. We included all hours in the analysis period (365 days x 24 h = 8,760). The NEDOCS value was calculated for each hour using an automatic algorithm and was quantified in a six points score. Levels 4 (overcrowded), 5 (severely overcrowded) and 6 (dangerously overcrowded) were defined as overcrowding. Contour plots analysis was applied to identify patterns. Results: During the study period, 124,758 visits to the ED were registered. Overcrowding was present in 57.7% (5,055) of the analyzed hours. A predominance of scores between four and five was observed between 10:00 and 24:00 hours. The months with predominance of overcrowding were June, July and August (southern winter). Conclusions: The calculation of the NEDOCS score and the analysis of its temporal distribution are highly relevant to identify opportunities for improvement and to develop mechanisms to prevent the highest categories of overcrowding.

Incidence and prevalence of clinically relevant pituitary adenomas: retrospective cohort study in a Health Management Organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT Objectives The main purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence rate and prevalence of clinically relevant pituitary adenomas (PAs) within the Hospital Italiano Medical Care Program (HIMCP), a well-defined population of 150,000 members living in the urban and suburban area of the city of Buenos Aires. We defined clinically relevant PAs as those associated with endocrine dysfunction and/or mass effect. Subjects and methods A retrospective open cohort study was conducted, including all members of the HIMCP over 18 years old, with active memberships during the period of the study, from January 1st 2003, to January 1, 2014. The incidence rates (IRs) were standardized (SIR) to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2000 standard population and were expressed per 100,000 members/year. Prevalence was estimated at January 1, 2014, and was expressed per 100,000 persons. The clinical records have been electronically managed since 2001. All lab and imaging studies were done in-house. Results The overall SIR was 7.39/100,000/year (95% CI 4.47-10.31). Female patients had a specific IR significantly higher than male patients (5.85 vs.1.54) and represented 73% of the affected members. Regarding tumor size, 61.4% were microadenomas, and the mean age at diagnosis was 46.4 years. Prolactinomas had the highest SIR (5.41), followed by acromegaly (Acro) and non-functioning adenomas (NFAs) with overlapping 95% CIs (0.44-1.41 and 0.31-0.99, respectively). Microprolactinomas were more frequent in female (72.6%) (p < 0.01) and younger members (38 vs.60 years; p < 0.04). The overall prevalence rate was 97.76/100,000. Prolactinomas had the highest prevalence (56.29), followed by NFAs (21.48), Acro (14.07) and CD (5.93). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that clinically relevant PAs are more common than usually suspected, especially prolactinomas and growth-hormone secreting PAs. These data highlight the need to increase the awareness of PAs, thereby enabling early diagnosis and treatment.

Utilidad de una Evaluación geriátrica integral dirigida a la determinación de riesgos para prácticas y procedimiento (DRIPP) en el adulto mayor / Performance of a comprehensive geriatric assessment aimed at the determination of risks for practices and procedures (DRIPP) in the elderly

La edad está asociada con un aumento de la prevalencia de múltiples enfermedades y también con un deterioro de la reserva funcional y fisiológica. Los pacientes adultos mayores tienen un riesgo aumentado para el desarrollo de complicaciones frente a cirugías y diversas prácticas oncológicas. Los procesos de toma de decisiones en muchos casos son complejos, y la detección de toda esta comorbilidad geriátrica no está contemplada en muchos de los modelos clásicos para predicción de riesgo. En este artículo se describe una herramienta de evaluación geriátrica integral dirigida a la detección de riesgos para prácticas y procedimientos (DRIPP) en el adulto mayor, que fue desarrollada y se utiliza en el ámbito del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. El objetivo de DRIPP es la detección de factores de riesgo clínicos y geriátricos asociados con malos resultados, a partir del cual se generan recomendaciones específicas de manejo, que aportan mayor información para el buen desarrollo del proceso de consentimiento informado y la toma de decisiones. Su integración transversal y longitudinal con las diferentes disciplinas e instancias para el seguimiento del paciente es una característica esencial que se traduce en ventajas asistenciales y académicas. (AU)

Aging is associated with an increased prevalence of multiple diseases, and also with decline in functional and physiologic reserve. Elderly patients have an increased risk to develop complications after surgeries and various oncological interventions. Decision-making processes are complex in several cases, and detection of all this geriatric comorbidity is not covered by many of the classic models for risk prediction. This article describes a comprehensive geriatric assessment tool for detection of risks for practices and procedures (DRIPP) in the elderly, which was developed and is used in the setting of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. The aim of DRIPP is the systematic detection of clinical and geriatric risk factors associated with poor outcomes, and from which specific management recommendations are generated, as well as provides more information for the proper development of the informed consent and decision making processes. The transverse and longitudinal integration with different disciplines and instances for patient's follow up, are an essential feature, resulting in healthcare and academic advantages. (AU)