Eficacia y seguridad del rituximab en el tratamiento de la esclerosis múltiple: una postura racional en el contexto colombiano / Efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a rational position in the Colombian context

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La esclerosis múltiple es una enfermedad neuroinflamatoria, crónica, degenerativa e incurable, asociada a pérdida neuronal, grados crecientes de discapacidad y deterioro cognoscitivo. Su manejo conlleva grandes costos para los sistemas de salud y la sociedad en general. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad del uso del rituximab en el manejo de la esclerosis múltiple. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Revisión de la literatura y evaluación de la tecnología en salud tipo mini-HTA en red colaborativa con el Comité de Esclerosis Múltiple de la Asociación Colombiana de Neurología y el Instituto Global de Excelencia Clínica. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 27 referencias de texto completo para el análisis de la seguridad y la eficacia del rituximab en el manejo de la esclerosis múltiple. Se utilizaron análisis de costos, indicadores epidemiológicos y estudios pivótales de rituximab. CONCLUSIÓN: La evidencia analizada confirma que la terapia con rituximab es efectiva y segura en el manejo de las formas de esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente (EMRR) y esclerosis múltiple primaria-progresiva (EMPP), con menor tasa de eventos adversos y tasas de interrupción o abandono del tratamiento más bajas que otras terapias modificadoras de la enfermedad (TME).

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is a neuroinflammatory, chronic, degenerative, and incurable disease, associated with neuronal loss, increasing degrees of disability, and cognitive control. Its treatment causes great costs for health systems and society in general. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of rituximab in the management of multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review and evaluation of mini-HTA type health technology in a collaborative network with the Multiple Sclerosis Committee of the Colombian Association of Neurology and the Global Institute of Clinical Excellence. RESULTS: 27 full-text references were identified for the safety and efficacy analysis of rituximab in the management of multiple sclerosis. Cost analysis, epidemiological indicators, and pivotal studies of rituximab were incorporated into the analysis. CONCLUSION: The evidence analyzed confirms that rituximab therapy is effective and safe in the management of the forms of Recurrent-Remittent Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), with a lower rate of adverse events and discontinuation or withdrawal rates of treatment lower than other disease-modifying therapies.

Síndrome larva migrans cutánea en pediatría / Cutaneous Larva Migrans Syndrome in Pediatrics

La dermatosis denominada larva migrans cutánea: (LMC) es una infección cutánea secundaria a infestación parasitaria por la migración de larvas de anquilostomas animales a la epidermis humana, frecuentemente por contacto directo con suelos contaminados, especialmente en zonas tropicales. Se caracteriza por la aparición de lesiones induradas, eritematosas con patrón irregular o serpiginoso acompañado de prurito. Describimos un caso de LMC en una niña, adquirido durante unas vacaciones en Colombia y tratado inicialmente como celulitis con antibióticos (AU)

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is an infection secondary to parasitic infestation due to the migration of animal hookworm larvae into the human skin, frequently by direct contact with contaminated grounds, especially in the tropics. Clinically, it is characterized by the appearance of indurated, erythematous lesions with irregular or "creeping eruption" pattern and pruritus. This article describes a case of CLM infection in a pediatric patient, it was acquired during the holidays in Colombia, diagnosed as cellulitis and treated accordingly with antibiotics without success (AU)

Uso de resúmenes de evidencia para informar el tratamiento farmacológico de personas con sospecha o diagnóstico de infección respiratoria por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 / Use of evidence summaries to inform pharmacological treatment of people with suspected or diagnosedSARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 respiratory infection

Resumen Introducción: debido a la emergencia del coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 desde diciembre del 2019, se ha generado un gran volumen de producción científica, en algún caso incierta o controvertida especialmente en el manejo farmacológico de los pacientes con esta infección; por lo tanto, se considera relevante buscar alternativas metodológicas para realizar su síntesis rigurosa, sistemática y de calidad, pero con menor tiempo de ejecución y menor costo. Objetivo: presentar la evidencia disponible respecto al manejo farmacológico de personas con sospecha o diagnóstico de infección respiratoria por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) utilizando el método de revisiones sistemáticas rápidas (RS-R) en medicamentos poten- cialmente eficaces para su manejo. Metodología: se realizó una búsqueda sistemática y estructurada en Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials y Google Scholar en inglés. Los estudios incluidos fueron guías de práctica clínica, consensos, revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis, ensayos clínicos y otros estudios primarios. La búsqueda y extracción de datos se realizó por múltiples revisores, pero ninguna fue pareada. Resultados: dieciseis preguntas de interés clínico fueron resueltas, relacionadas con el uso en COVID-19 de lopinavir/ ritonavir, nelfinavir, oseltamivir, remdesivir, ribavirina, teicoplanina, umifenovir, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectina y plasma convaleciente; también se evaluó el uso de medicamentos de soporte e incluidos en el manejo como la dexametasona, así como el uso concomitante de medicamentos que generaron dudas como son los AINES, los IECA y los ARA II. Conclusiones: los resúmenes de evidencia se muestran dentro del escenario de la pandemia como una buena alternativa metodológica para ofrecer información de calidad a corto plazo para los tomadores de decisiones.

Abstract Introduction: Due to the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus since December 2019, a large volume of scientific production has been generated, in some cases uncertain or controversial, especially in the pharmacological management of patients with this infection; therefore, it is considered a relevant search for methodological alternatives to carry out its rigorous, systematic and quality synthesis, but with less execution time and lower cost. Objective: To present the available evidence regarding the pharmacological management of people with suspected or diagnosed respiratory SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) using the method of rapid systematic reviews (RS-R) in potentially effective drugs for their management. Methodology: A systematic and structured search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials and Google Scholar in English. Studies included clinical practice guidelines, consensus, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, and other primary studies. Data search and extraction were performed by multiple reviewers, but none were paired. Results: Sixteen questions of clinical interest were resolved, related to the use in COVID-19 of lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, oseltamivir, remdesivir, ribavirin, teicoplanin, umifenovir, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectin, convalescent plasma; the use of support management drugs such as dexamethasone were also evaluated, as well as the concomitant use of drugs that generated doubts, such as NSAIDs, ACEis, and ARA IIs. Conclusions: Summaries of evidence are within the pandemic scenario as a good methodological alternative to offer quality information in the short term for decision-makers.

Recomendaciones para el uso racional de la prueba 25-hidroxivitamina D Resumen de política

está disponible en el texto completo

The exponential increase in the request for laboratory tests of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D or [25 (OH) D has ignited the alarms and generated a strong call for attention, since it may reflect deficiencies in the standardization of clinical practice and in the use non-systematic scientific evidence for decision-making in real life, which allows to analyze the indications of the test, its frequency, interpretation and even to assess the impact for health systems, especially when contrasted with the minimum or almost. No effects of the strategy of screening or supplying indiscriminately to the general population, without considering a comprehensive clinical assessment of risks and needs of people. From a purely public health impact point of view, the consequence of massive and unspecified requests is affecting most of the health systems and institutions at the global level. The primary studies that determined average population intake values have been widely used in the formulation of recommendations in Clinical Practice Guidelines, but unfortunately misinterpreted as cut points to diagnose disease and allow the exaggerated prescription of nutritional substitution. The coefficient of variation in routine tests to measure blood levels of 25 (OH) D is high (28%), decreasing the overall accuracy of the test and simultaneously, increasing both the falsely high and falsely low values. The most recent scientific evidence analyzes and seriously questions the usefulness and the real effect of the massive and indiscriminate practice of prescribing vitamin D without an exhaustive risk analysis. The available evidence is insufficient to recommend a general substitution of vitamin D to prevent fractures, falls, changes in bone mineral density, incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, neoplasms and also to modify the growth curve of mothers' children. They received vitamin D as a substitute during pregnancy. The recommendations presented in the document are based on the critical analysis of current evidence and the principles of good clinical practice and invite to consider a rational use of 25 (OH) D tests in the context of a clinical practice focused on people and a comprehensive assessment of needs and risks. The principles of good practice suggest that clinicians may be able to justify that the results of the 25 (OH) D test strongly influence and define clinical practice and modify the outcomes that interest people and impact their health and wellness. Currently there is no clarity on how to interpret the results, and the relationship between symptoms and 25 (OH) D levels, which may not be consistent with the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency reported. For this reason, it is suggested to review the rationale of the request for tests for systematic monitoring of levels of 25 (OH) D or in all cases where substitution is performed. Consider the use of 25 (OH) D tests within the comprehensive evaluation of people with suspicion or confirmation of the following conditions: rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, hyper or hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption syndromes, sarcopenia, metabolic bone disease.