Cambios en las características clínicas y desenlaces de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 durante dos años de pandemia: experiencia en un hospital venezolano / Changes in clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during two years of the pandemic: experience in a venezuelan hospital

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar los cambios en las características clínicas y desenlaces intrahospitalarios de los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en un hospital privado de Caracas durante dos años de pandemia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, observacional, de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Se investigó la correspondencia entre las olas de ingresos hospitalarios con las variantes circulantes del SARS-CoV-2 en la población general del Distrito Capital y estado Miranda. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1025 pacientes (569 hombres y 456 mujeres), con edad promedio de 62,9 DE: 16,2 años. Cuatro olas de ingresos hospitalarios fueron identificadas: primera (marzo-noviembre 2020) 150/1025 (14,6%) casos; segunda (diciembre-2020 a mayo-2021) 415/1025 (40,5%) casos; tercera (junio-diciembre 2021) 344/1025 (33,6%) casos; cuarta (enero-febrero 2022) 116/1025 (11,3%) casos. La edad promedio fue mayor en la cuarta ola (primera 64,0±15,7, segunda 61,4±15,8, tercera 62,1±16,5, y cuarta ola 68,5±16,4), mientras que la proporción de pacientes masculinos (primera 66,7%, segunda 58,8%, tercera 50,3%, y cuarta 44,8%), los pacientes con enfermedad grave-crítica (primera 65,3%, segunda 57%, tercera 51,7% y cuarta 44,8%), la estadía intrahospitalaria (primera 9,1±6,0, segunda 9,0±7,3, tercera 8,8±7,7, y cuarta 6,9±5,0 días), los ingresos a la UCI (primera 23,3%, segunda 15,7%, tercera 14,0%, y cuarta 11,2%; p=0,027) y la mortalidad (primera 21.8%, segunda 10,7%, tercera 9,1%, y cuarta 7,1%; p<0,001) disminuyeron progresivamente con el tiempo. Conclusiones. Los resultados muestran menor frecuencia de casos severos y mejoría de los desenlaces intrahospitalarios en dos años de pandemia. Es probable que los cambios en las variantes circulantes, las mejoras del manejo de la enfermedad y la vacunación hayan influido sobre estos resultados.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine changes in the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a private hospital in Caracas during two years of the pandemic. Materials and Methods. Retrospective, observational study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We evaluated the correspondence between waves of hospital admissions and circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of the Capital District and Miranda state. Results. A total of 1025 patients (569 men and 456 women) were included, with a mean age of 62.9 SD: 16.2 years. Four waves of hospital admissions were identified: first (March-November 2020) 150/1025 (14.6%) cases; second (December 2020 to May 2021) 415/1025 (40.5%) cases; third (June-December 2021) 344/1025 (33.6%) cases; fourth (January-February 2022) 116/1025 (11.3%) cases. The mean age was higher in the fourth wave (first: 64.0±15.7, second: 61.4±15.8, third: 62.1±16.5, and fourth wave: 68.5±16.4), while the proportion of male patients (first: 66.7%, second: 58.8%, third: 50.3%, and fourth wave: 44.8%), patients with severe-critical illness (first: 65.3%, second: 57%, third: 51.7%, and fourth wave: 44.8%), in-hospital stay (first: 9.1±6.0, second: 9.0±7.3, third: 8.8±7.7, and fourth wave: 6.9±5.0 days), ICU admissions (first: 23.3%, second: 15.7%, third: 14.0%, and fourth wave: 11.2%; p=0.027) and mortality (first: 21. 8%, second: 10.7%, third: 9.1%, and fourth wave: 7.1%; p<0.001) progressively decreased over time. Conclusions. The results show lower frequency of severe cases and improvement of in-hospital outcomes in two years of the pandemic. Changes in circulating variants, improvements in disease management and vaccination are likely to have influenced these results.

COVID-19: abordaje terapéutico y recomendaciones de la Sociedad Venezolana de Infectología

Alrededor del 80 % de los casos sintomáticos de COVID-19 tienen una enfermedad leve a moderada, que no suele progresar a fases más avanzadas. El 14 % de los casos pueden progresar en unos 7 a 10 días a un cuadro severo pulmonar, mientras que un 6 % siguen deteriorándose en el tiempo ante una respuesta hiperinflamatoria o de tormenta de citoquinas, que conlleva a shock y falla de múltiples órganos. En general tienen mayor riesgo de progresión los individuos con factores de riesgo como edad mayor de 60 años, género masculino, obesidad, diabetes, hipertensión, inmunosupresión, trasplante de órganos sólidos, enfermedad renal, tabaquismo; pero eso no descarta la posibilidad aislada que individuos aparentemente sanos puedan presentar una evolución severa o diversas complicaciones pulmonares, renales, cardiovasculares, neurológicas, endocrinológicas, entre otras. Este consenso busca orientar al personal de salud en Venezuela en el abordaje terapéutico y la atención de las personas con COVID-19, estableciendo recomendaciones con base a la mejor evidencia para la fecha. Las recomendaciones no solo se limitan a definir qué opciones terapéuticas han mostrado mayor eficacia y seguridad, sino que determina cuáles drogas carecen todavía de suficiente evidencia, y qué alternativas no deberían utilizarse por carecer de beneficios y/o de seguridad establecida. La medicina basada en la evidencia busca fundamentar las decisiones clínicas con base en evidencias; que son todos los elementos y hechos que demuestran jerárquicamente el nivel de veracidad y validez de diversos planteamientos en medicina. El mayor nivel de evidencia terapéutica se construye por medio de metaanálisis y revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura con base en estudios clínicos controlados, prospectivos, con asignación al azar por doble ciego, y con una muestra lo suficientemente importante; y es este tipo de evidencia la que se ha considerado más relevante para establecer las recomendaciones.

About 80 % of symptomatic COVID-19 cases have mild to moderate illness, which does not usually progress to more advanced stages. 14 % of cases can progress in about 7 to 10 days to a severe pulmonary condition, while 6 % continue to deteriorate over time in the face of a hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm, which leads to shock and failure of multiple organs. In general, individuals with risk factors such as age over 60 years, male gender, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, immunosuppression, solid organ transplantation, kidney disease, smoking, generally have a higher risk of progression. but that does not rule out the isolated possibility that apparently healthy individuals may present a severe evolution or various pulmonary, renal, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrinological complications, among others. This consensus seeks to guide health personnel in Venezuela in the therapeutic approach and care of people with COVID-19, establishing recommendations based on the best evidence to date. The recommendations are not only limited to defining which therapeutic options have shown greater efficacy and safety, but also determine which drugs still lack sufficient evidence, and which alternatives should not be used due to lack of benefits and / or established safety. Evidence-based medicine seeks to base evidencebased clinical decisions; which are all the elements and facts that hierarchically demonstrate the level of veracity and validity of various approaches in medicine. The highest level of therapeutic evidence is constructed through meta-analysis and systematic reviews of the literature based on controlled, prospective clinical studies, with double-blind randomization, and with a sufficiently large sample; and it is this type of evidence that has been considered most relevant to establish the recommendations.

Hepatitis C among blood donors: cascade of care and predictors of loss to follow-up

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the HCV cascade of care and to identify the factors associated with loss or absence to follow-up of patients identified as infected with hepatitis C through blood donation. METHODS Blood donors from 1994 to 2012, identified with positive anti- HCV by enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot tests were invited to participate in the study, through letters or phone calls. Patients who agreed to participate were interviewed and their blood samples were collected for further testing. The following variables were investigated: demographic data, data on comorbidities and history concerning monitoring of hepatitis C. Multiple regression analysis by Poisson regression model was used to investigate the factors associated with non-referral for consultation or loss of follow-up. RESULTS Of the 2,952 HCV-infected blood donors, 22.8% agreed to participate: 394 (58.2%) male, median age 48 years old and 364 (53.8%) Caucasian. Of the 676 participants, 39.7% did not receive proper follow-up or treatment after diagnosis: 45 patients referred not to be aware they were infected, 61 did not seek medical attention and 163 started a follow-up program, but were non-adherent. The main reasons for inadequate follow-up were not understanding the need for medical care (71%) and health care access difficulties (14%). The variables showing a significant association with inadequate follow-up after multiple regression analysis were male gender (PR = 1.40; 95%CI 1.15–1.71), age under or equal to 50 years (PR = 1.36; 95%CI 1.12–1.65) and non-Caucasians (PR = 1.53; 95%CI 1.27–1.84). CONCLUSIONS About 40.0% of patients did not receive appropriate follow-up. These data reinforce the need to establish strong links between primary care and reference centers and the need to improve access to specialists and treatments.

Accuracy of a probabilistic record-linkage methodology used to track blood donors in the Mortality Information System database / Acurácia da metodologia de relacionamento probabilístico de registros na identificação de doadores de sangue no banco de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade / La exactitud del método probabilístico de relación para identificar a donantes de sangre en la base de datos del Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad

The probabilistic record linkage (PRL) is based on a likelihood score that measures the degree of similarity of several matching variables. Screening test results for different diseases are available for the blood donor population. In this paper, we describe the accuracy of a PRL process used to track blood donors from the Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) in the Mortality Information System (SIM), in order that future studies might determine the blood donor’s cause of death. The databases used for linkage were SIM and the database made up of individuals that were living (200 blood donors in 2007) and dead (196 from the Hospital das Clinicas de São Paulo that died in 2001-2005). The method consists of cleaning and linking the databases using three blocking steps comparing the variables “Name/Mother’s Name/ Date of Birth” to determine a cut-off score. For a cut-off score of 7.06, the sensitivity and specificity of the method is 94.4% (95%CI: 90.0-97.0) and 100% (95%CI: 98.0-100.0), respectively. This method can be used in studies that aim to track blood donors from the FPS database in SIM.

O relacionamento probabilístico se baseia em um escore que é calculado levando em consideração a similaridade do pareamento de diversas variáveis. Dados de resultados de testes de triagem para diferentes doenças estão disponíveis para a população de doadores de sangue. Neste artigo descrevemos a acurácia de um processo de relacionamento probabilístico para identificar doadores de sangue da Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Os bancos utilizados para o relacionamento foram o SIM e o banco formado por indivíduos vivos (200 doadores de sangue em 2007) e mortos (196 pacientes do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo que morreram entre 2001-2005). O método consistiu em limpar e relacionar probabilísticamente os bancos em três passos de blocagem comparando as variáveis “Nome/Nome Mãe /Data de Nascimento” para determinar um escore de corte. Para um escore de corte de 7,06 a sensibilidade e especificidade do método é de 94,4% (IC95%: 90-97) e 100% (IC95%: 98-100), respectivamente. Este método pode ser utilizado em estudos para identificar pacientes da FPS no SIM.

La relación probabilística (RP) se basa en una puntuación que se calcula en función de la similitud entre variables de emparejamiento. Los resultados de los tests sobre diferentes enfermedades están a disposición de la población de donantes de sangre. En el presente artículo se describe la precisión de un proceso de RP para identificar a donantes de sangre de la Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) en el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad (SIM). Se llevó a cabo la RP del SIM y de un banco compuesto por individuos vivos (200 donantes de sangre en 2007) y muertos (196 pacientes del Hospital de Clínicas de São Paulo, que murieron entre 2001 y 2005). El método consistió en depurar los bancos de datos y RP en tres etapas de bloqueo, comparando las variables nombre, nombre de la madre y fecha de nacimiento para determinar un punto de corte. Para el punto de corte 7:06, la especificidad y sensibilidad del método fue de un 94,4% (IC95%: 90,0-97,0) y 100% (IC95%: 98,0-100,0), respectivamente. Este método puede ser utilizado en más estudios con el fin de identificar a los pacientes FPS en el SIM.

Aspectos sócio-trabalhistas da SIDA (Síndrome de Imuno Deficiência Adquirida) / Socio-labor aspects of AIDS (Acquired Deficiency Syndrome Immunohistochemistry)

O objetivo principal na elaboração deste trabalho não é propor normas ou leis mas sim recomendações aos empregadores em particular e a sociedade civil como um todo para que se possa estabelecer uma relação profissional e social que não fira os direitos do homem. Pretendemos repassar informações científicas, médicas e jurídicas para que através delas, consiga-se diminuir as dificuldades até agora encontradas no encaminhamento dos indivíduos com sorologia anti-HIV positiva, assintomáticos ou doentes, na sua convivência profissional e social.

Rinoliquorréia: origem múltipla? / Cerebrospinal rhinorrhea: multiple origin?

É apresentado um caso de rinoliquorréia, que surgiu 12 anos após traumatismo craniano. Tendo o paciente apresentado nos últimos anos, duas meningites. A perda líquida nasal, cessou apenas após a correçäo cirúrgica de três lesöes encontradas: a nível das células da mastóide, a nível da lâmina crivosa do etmóide e por correçäo de meningoencefalocele frontal. Trata-se de um caso peculiar, para o qual näo encontramos semelhante na literatura consultada

Hemangioma do seio maxilar: flebólitos; discussäo sobre um caso / Hemangioma of the maxillary sinus: phleboliths: discussion about a case

É estudado um caso de tumor vascular benigno do antro maxilar, o hemangioma. Säo revistos aspectos da etiopatogenia do tumor e da formaçäo de flebólitos em seu interior. É feita revisäo da literatura que demonstra ser incomum o achado desse angioma. Poucos casos estäo descritos na literatura com a demonstraçäo de formaçöes cálcicas em seu interior. A conduta terapêutica tomada e o resultado da mesma, säo comentados