Rendimiento y validación del puntaje NoSAS en la evaluación inicial del síndrome de apnea/hipopnea del sueño / Performance and validation of NoSAS score in sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome initial assessment

Introducción: El método de referencia para diagnosticar el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS) es la polisomnografía, esta no es diagnóstica en otros trastornos respiratorios del sueño, por lo que es necesario la implementación de puntajes predictivos para diferenciar aquellos pacientes que tienen más riesgos de padecer SAHOS y necesiten de una polisomnografía. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar el puntaje NoSAS y la escala de Berlín frente a la polisomnografía tipo 1 en pacientes con sospecha de SAHOS. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de pruebas diagnósticas. A 264 pacientes se les realizó una polisomnografía basal, la aplicación del puntaje NoSAS y la escala de Berlín; luego, se hizo el análisis de las pruebas diagnósticas y se calculó el rendimiento de cada una en relación con el índice de apnea hipopnea (IAH). Resultados: La sensibilidad del puntaje NoSAS para un IAH ≥ 20 fue 88,57% con intervalo de confianza (IC) 95% 80,4-96,74; especificidad 56,70 %; IC 95% 49,47-63,93 y valor predictivo negativo (VPN) de 93,22, IC 95% 91,70- 99,82. Para la escala de Berlín, la sensibilidad fue de 81,43%, IC 95% 71,60-91,25; especificidad de 58,76%, IC 95% 51,58-65,95 y VPN 89,76%, IC 95% 89,08-98,32. Conclusión: Se demostró que el puntaje NoSAS y la escala de Berlín tienen una buena sensibilidad para descartar a las personas con un menor riesgo de SAHOS. Un paciente clasificado de bajo riesgo probablemente está sano o tiene bajo riesgo para SAHOS moderado a severo y no requeriría de una polisomnografía inicial.

Introduction: The gold standard for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is the polysomnography, and it is not a diagnostic tool for another sleep breathing disorders, so that it is necessary to implement predictive scores to differentiate those patients who have more risk of suffering OSAHS, therefore they need a polysomnography. The aim to this study was to validate the NoSAS score and Berlin scale in relation to the polysomnography type 1, in patients who have the clinical suspicion of OSAHS. Material and methods: Diagnostic tests study. 264 patients underwent polysomnography, and the NoSAS score and Berlin scale were applied to them. After that, the diagnostic tests analysis was done and the performance of each one of them was calculated in relation to the apnea- hypopnea index (AHI). Results: The sensitivity of the NoSAS score for an AHI ≥ 20 was 88.57%, confidence interval (CI) 95% (80.4-96.74), specificity 56.70 %, CI 95% (49.47-63.93), and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 93.22, CI 95% (91.70-99.82). For Berlin scale the sensitivity was 81.43%, CI 95% (71.60-91.25), specificity 58.76%, CI 95% (51.58-65.95) and NPV 89.76%, CI 95% (89.08-98.32). Conclusions: It was shown that NoSAS score and Berlin scale have a good sensitivity to rule out people who have less OSAHS risk. A patient classified as low risk, probably is healthy or at low risk for moderate to severe OSAHS and would not require an initial polysomnography.

Demodex and rosacea: Is there a relationship?

Purpose: The objective of the study is to compare the frequency of Demodex on the eyelash follicle of patients with rosacea and referents without rosacea or ophthalmological disorders. Methods: This is a comparative, open, observational, and cross-sectional study that included 41 patients diagnosed with rosacea and 41 referents without rosacea diagnosis or ophthalmic alterations. The individuals underwent a slit-lamp examination in which two eyelashes per eyelid were removed with fine forceps. The presence of Demodex was sought by direct visualization under a light microscope. The results were expressed as “positive” when at least one mite on one lash was found and “negative” when no mite was identified. Chi-square test was used to compare the presence of mites in both groups. Results: Eighty-two study individuals (45 females and 37 males) were included, of which 41 patients were diagnosed with rosacea and 41 were without rosacea or ophthalmic alterations. The average mean age was 37 years with a minimum of 19 and a maximum of 87 years. Of the 41 patients with rosacea, 31 had erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and 10 had papulopustular rosacea. There were no patients with phymatous or ocular rosacea. The presence of Demodex was found in 32 patients: 24 patients with rosacea diagnosis (16 of the erythematotelangiectatic subtype and 8 of papulopustular subtype) and 8 patients without rosacea or ophthalmic alterations (P ? 0.001). Conclusion: Rosacea was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for Demodex infestation in eyelashes, irrespective of age and sex, with a higher prevalence in papulopustular variety.

The role of the collagenous and elastic system fibers in modulating bronchoconstriction

The distribution and conformational changes of the fibers of the collagenous and elastic systems in guinea pig airways after a contractile agonist challenge are described. We observed a distinct pattern of behavior within the mucosal fibers during bronchoconstriction. Part of the fibers of the two systems tend to follow the epithelial invaginations towards the airway lumen, while the remaining ones seem to be attached to the internal smooth muscle. These layers of fibers in the mucosa are interconnected to one another and to the adventitial network by slender fibers. We suggest that the configuration and behavior of these fibers during bronchoconstriction may contribute to airway reopening after the contractile stimulus has ceased. The possible role of this mechanism in the pathophysiology of human asthma is discussed.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de neuritis hansenianas / Surgical treatment of hansenian neuritis

Los autores analizan los problemas del tratamiento quirúrgico de las neuritis hansenianas. Se establecen los criterios que deben ser utilizados. Ubican la cirugía en el contexto terapéutico. Presentan ejemplos de su casuística. Se sugiere uniformar los criterios a fin de tornar comparativos los resultados