Evolução do atraso diagnóstico na doença inflamatória intestinal em idade pediátrica e o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 / Evolution of diagnostic delay in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and the impact of the covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasingly prevalent, but diagnosis can still be challenging. Diagnostic delay is particularly deleterious in this age group. Objective This study explores the evolution of diagnostic delay in pediatric IBD and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Retrospective study including all pediatric IBD patients diagnosed during 2014, 2019 and 2020 in a tertiary hospital. Diagnostic delay, time to first medical visit, time to pediatric gastroenterologist (PG) visit and time to diagnosis were calculated and compared within a gap of five years (2019 and 2014) and with the year of onset of the pandemic (2020 and 2019). Results A total of 93 participants were included (2014: 32, 2019: 30, 2020: 31). No significant differences were observed in diagnostic delay, time to first medical visit in Crohn's disease (CD), time to PG visit and time to diagnosis when comparing 2019-2014 and 2020-2019. Time to first visit in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Undetermined-IBD increased in 2019 (P=0.03), with new decrease in 2020 (P=0.04). Diagnostic delay was longer in DC compared to UC plus Undetermined-IBD. Conclusion Diagnostic delay is still an important matter in pediatric IBD, with no significant change over the last years. The time to the first PG visit and the time for diagnosis seem to have the greatest impact on diagnostic delay. Thus, strategies to enhance recognition of IBD symptoms among first-line physicians and to improve communication, facilitating referral, are of utmost importance. Despite the restraints in the health care system caused by the pandemic, time to diagnosis in pediatric IBD was not impaired during 2020 in our center.

RESUMO Contexto Apesar da prevalência crescente da doença inflamatória intestinal (DII) em idade pediátrica, o seu diagnóstico pode ser desafiante. Um atraso no diagnóstico é particularmente deletério nesta faixa etária. Objetivo Este estudo investiga a evolução do atraso diagnóstico na DII pediátrica e o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 no mesmo. Métodos Estudo retrospetivo que incluiu todos os doentes em idade pediátrica diagnosticados com DII durante 2014, 2019 e 2020 num hospital terciário. O atraso diagnóstico, o tempo para a primeira visita médica, o tempo para a primeira visita ao gastroenterologista pediátrico (GP) e o tempo para o diagnóstico foram calculados e comparados num intervalo de cinco anos (2019 e 2014) e com o ano marcado pelo surgimento da pandemia COVID-19 (2020 e 2019). Resultados Foram incluídos 93 participantes (2014: 32, 2019: 30, 2020: 31). Não se observou diferença significativa no atraso diagnóstico, no tempo para a primeira visita médica na doença de Crohn (DC), no tempo para a primeira visita ao GP e no tempo para o diagnóstico após comparação entre 2019-2014 e 2020-2019. Na colite ulcerosa e colite indeterminada, o tempo para a primeira visita médica aumentou em 2019 (P=0,03), com nova diminuição em 2020 (P=0,04). O atraso diagnóstico foi superior na DC comparativamente com a colite ulcerosa e colite indeterminada. Conclusão O atraso diagnóstico na DII pediátrica continua a ser um tema importante, que não sofreu alteração significativa ao longo dos últimos anos. O tempo para a primeira visita ao GP e o tempo para o diagnóstico parecem ter maior impacto no atraso diagnóstico, pelo que são necessárias estratégias para aumentar o reconhecimento dos sintomas da DII entre os médicos de primeira linha, bem como melhorar a comunicação e a referenciação. Apesar das restrições causadas pela pandemia no sistema de saúde, o tempo para o diagnóstico na DII pediátrica não foi comprometido no nosso centro em 2020.

Nutritional status and its influencing factors in children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the nutritional status and its influencing factors in children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children who were diagnosed with IBD for the first time in Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021. Diagnostic delay was defined as the time from the symptom onset to IBD diagnosis being in the upper quartile (P76-P100) of all IBD children in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for emaciation and growth retardation.@*RESULTS@#A total of 125 children with newly diagnosed IBD were included, with Crohn's disease being the main type (91.2%). The rates of emaciation and growth retardation were 42.4% (53 cases) and 7.2% (9 cases), respectively, and the rate of anemia was 77.6% (97 cases). Diagnostic delay was noted in 31 children (24.8%), with the time from the symptom onset to IBD diagnosis of 366 to 7 211 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diagnostic delay was a risk factor for emaciation and growth retardation (OR=2.73 and OR=4.42, respectively; P<0.05) and that age was positively associated with emaciation (OR=1.30, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Children with newly diagnosed IBD have poor nutritional status, and the rates of anemia, emaciation, and growth retardation are high. Diagnostic delay is associated with malnutrition in children with IBD.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN SEEKING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF DEHRADUN– A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent. When a person progresses from infection to disease, they may not experience obvious symptoms for a long time, (e.g cough, fever, hemoptysis, weight loss etc). This might lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment seeking. One of the components of timely diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is estimating the delay in diagnosis of TB and assessing the factors contributing to the delay. To Aim and Objectives: describe the delays in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary Tuberculosis and to study the socio demographic determinants responsible for the same. A time bound institution based study was conducted in a tertiary care Methodology: hospital in department of pulmonary medicine. A total of 50 patients were included in the study by means of total enumeration. diagnosti Result: c and consultation delays were the most common cause of delays in seeking diagnosis and treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Retraso en el diagnóstico como factor pronóstico de discapacidad en pacientes con lepra en Paraguay: estudio de casos y controles / Delay in diagnosis as a prognostic factor for disability in patients with leprosy in Paraguay: case and control study

INTRODUCCIÓN: La lepra, una infección crónica, es una de las mayores causas de discapacidad prevenible. El inicio temprano del tratamiento previene el desarrollo de discapacidad. OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores pronóstico de discapacidad en individuos con lepra multibacilar y paucibacilar que culminaron el tratamiento farmacológico entre el 2011 y 2017 en Paraguay. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles, con 34 pacientes, 9 casos, 25 controles. Los casos fueron pacientes con discapacidad Grado 1 que presentaban falta de sensibilidad en miembros inferiores o superiores, y los de Grado 2, lagoftalmos, rigidez, ulceraciones, garra pasiva, garra activa. Los controles no presentaron discapacidad. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los pacientes fue 53 ± 15,2 años, el 55,9% fue de sexo masculino y 58,9% tenía educación primaria o no tenía educación formal. El 58,8% de los pacientes presentó lepra multibacilar; y el 64,7% fue diagnosticado tras consultar con dos o más médicos. Retraso en el diagnóstico mayor a un año fue significativamente (p = 0,047) mayor en los casos que en los controles (77,8 vs 12%; OR: 7,44; IC95%: 1,02-67,86). CONCLUSIÓN: El retraso en el diagnóstico mayor a un año es un factor pronóstico de discapacidad.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is one of the major causes of preventable disability. Early treatment prevents neurological damage and disability. AIM: To identify prognostic factors of disability in individuals with multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy who completed a drug treatment between 2011 and 2017 in Paraguay. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on 34 patients, of them 9 were cases and 25 controls. Cases were those patients with Grade 1, presented lack of sensation in lower or upper limbs, and those of Grade 2 lagophthalmos, rigidity, visible deformity ulcerations, passive claw, active claw. Controls had no disabilities. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 53 ± 15.2 years, 55.9% were male, and 58.9% had primary education or no formal education. Multibacillary leprosy was found in 58.8% of patients; and 64.7% were diagnosed after consulting with two or more physicians. Diagnosis delay of more than one year was significantly (p = 0.047) greater in the cases than in the controls (77.8% vs 12%; OR: 7.44; 95% CI: 1.02-67.86). CONCLUSION: In this study, a diagnosis delay of more than one year is a prognostic factor for disability.

Patient and health provider factors affecting diagnostic delays of pulmonary tuberculosis in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Delay in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) causes patients to have more severe disease, more complications and lead to higher mortality with disease spread. The aim of the study was to estimate patient proportion having delayed diagnosis of PTB and to estimate patient’ and health providers’ delay and associated factors.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on sample of 135 new sputum positive PTB patients from nine designated microscopy centres of Jabalpur district. Data collected on modified world health organization questionnaire. The criterion for defining delay was formulated keeping in mind the Revised TB Control Programme algorithm for diagnosis of PTB in PTB suspects. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used (α=5%).Results: Mean age was 33.87 (14.3) years. Males constituted 66.7%. Proportion of diagnostic delay was 87.4%. Median patient and health care personnel (HCP) interval were 39 days (IQR 22-75) and 34 days (IQR 12-79) respectively. Factors significantly associated with patient delay were poor knowledge about TB, smoking, symptoms perceived non serious, first action with symptom onset, and mode of transport patient used to reach the nearest public health facility. Stigma didn’t affected patient interval. Factors significantly associated with health providers’ delay were first consultations with; a non-formal HCP, private health facility, non-allopathic practitioner; consultation with multiple HCP’s; living more than half an hour away from public health facility.Conclusions: Unacceptable high delay in diagnosis, more from patient side. More attempts at increasing awareness are needed.

Higher rate of rheumatic manifestations and delay in diagnosis in Brazilian Fabry disease patients

Abstract Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal disorder due to mutations in the GLA gene resulting in defective enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. FD patients are frequently misdiagnosed, commonly for rheumatic diseases. Determining pathogenicity of a mutation depends of in silico predictions but mostly on available clinical information and interpretation may change in light of evolving knowledge. Similar signs and symptoms in carriers of GLA gene genetic variants of unknown significance or of benign variants may hamper diagnosis. This study reviews rheumatic and immune-mediated manifestations in a cohort of Brazilian FD patients with classic mutations and also in subjects with GLA gene A143T and R118C mutations. Misdiagnoses, time to correct diagnosis or determination of GLA gene status, time to treatment initiation and reasons for treatment prescription in A143T and R118C subjects are reviewed. Methods: Genotype confirmed classic FD patients (n = 37) and subjects with GLA gene mutations A143T and R118C (n = 19) were referred for assessment. Subjects with R118C and A143T mutations had been previously identified during screening procedures at hemodialysis units. All patients were interviewed and examined by a rheumatologist with previous knowledge of disease and/or mutation status. A structured tool developed by the authors was used to cover all aspects of FD and of common rheumatic conditions. All available laboratory and imaging data were reviewed. Results: Thirty-seven consecutive FD patients were interviewed - 16 male / 21 female (mean age: 43.1 years) and 19 consecutive subjects with GLA gene mutations R118C and A143T were evaluated - 8 male / 11 female (mean age: 39.6 years); 15 [R118C] / 4 [A143T]. Misdiagnosis in FD patients occurred in 11 males (68.8%) and 13 females (61.9%) of which 10 males and 9 females were previously diagnosed with one or more rheumatic conditions, most frequently rheumatic fever or "rheumatism" (unspecified rheumatic disorder). Median time for diagnosis after symptom onset was 16 years (range, 0-52 years). Twenty-two patients were treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) - 13 male and 9 female. Median time to ERT initiation after FD diagnosis was 0.5 years (range, 0-15 years). Rheumatic manifestations occurred in 68.4% of R118C and A143T subjects. Two subjects had been prescribed ERT because of renal disease [R118C] and neuropsychiatric symptoms [A143T]. Conclusion: Misdiagnoses occurred in 64.8% of FD patients, most frequently for rheumatic conditions. Median time for correct diagnosis was 16 years. Rheumatic manifestations are also frequent in subjects with GLA gene R118C and A143T mutations. These results reinforce the need to raise awareness and increase knowledge about Fabry disease among physicians, notably rheumatologists, who definitely have a role in identifying patients and determining disease burden. Decision to start treatment should consider expert opinion and follow local guidelines.(AU)

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with suspected primary immunodeficiency disorders attending Alexandria University Children's Hospital

Background: Current study was conducted to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with suspected primary immunodeficiencies (PID) seen at Alexandria University Children's Hospital.Methods: Eighty one patients with suspected PID were seen at Alexandria University Children's Hospital in one year in the period from September 2016 to October 2017. Demographic data of the patients as well as data related to their disease status were taken and evaluation sheet was developed for all patients.Results: About 61.7% of patients satisfied the criteria of PID based on WHO Scientific Committee. According to modified IUIS classification predominant antibody deficiency was the commonest (34%) followed by other well defined immunodeficiency syndromes (30%), combined immunodeficiencies (16%), phagocytic defects (14%), diseases of immune dysregulation 4% and complement deficiencies (2%). The most frequent disorder was X-linked agammagloulinemia (XLA) (22%). The mean age at diagnosis was 27.4 months. The consanguinity rate was 55.5%. A positive Family history was a strong pointer to diagnosis for PID (46.9%). The commonest clinical presentation was pneumonia (82.7%). 28.4% of patients died from infections. As observed in other patient registries, diagnostic delay remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality.Conclusions: Primary immunodeficiency disorders are not rare in Egyptian children. Creating awareness of PID should be targeted at hospital pediatricians and families with history of PID and this may reveal more cases within the community. The observed high frequency of combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies in this cohort made it a health issue in Egypt as in other developing countries.

Factores que influyen en la demora diagnóstica de la neoplasia de pulmón en egresados vivos / Factors that influence the diagnostic delay of lung neoplasia in patients discharged alive

Introducción: el cáncer de pulmón es el tumor maligno más frecuente en el mundo, en Cuba es la segunda causa de muerte, su pronóstico depende de diferentes factores entre ellos el intervalo entre el primer síntoma y el inicio del tratamiento. Objetivo: determinar los factores que influyen en la demora en el diagnóstico de los pacientes con neoplasia de pulmón. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal de los pacientes egresados vivos con diagnóstico de neoplasia de pulmón en el Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos J. Finlay en el período comprendido entre enero 2016 a enero 2017. Resultados: la neoplasia de pulmón fue más frecuente en mayores de 50 años, del sexo masculino y con estrecha relación con el hábito de fumar, la falta de aire fue el principal síntoma por el que acudieron los pacientes después de un mes de inicio de la sintomatología. La estadía hospitalaria fue superior a los 20 días y se realizó el diagnóstico histológico en pocos pacientes. Conclusiones: la demora en el diagnóstico de la neoplasia de pulmón influye en su supervivencia, pues no se les puede realizar un tratamiento oncoespecífico(AU)

Introduction: lung cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in the world, in Cuba it is the second cause of death, its prognosis depends on different factors including the interval between the first symptom and the start of treatment. Objective: to determine the factors that influence the delay in the diagnosis of patients with lung neoplasia. Methods: a descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study of live patients with diagnosis of lung neoplasm was performed at the Military Hospital Dr. Carlos J. Finlay in the period from January 2016 to January 2017. Results: lung neoplasia was more frequent in men over 50 years of age, and with a close relationship with smoking, lack of air was the main symptom for which patients came after a month of onset of smoking symptomatology. The hospital stay was longer than 20 days and the histological diagnosis was made in a few patients. Conclusions: the delay in the diagnosis of lung neoplasia influences their survival, since they cannot be treated onco-specific(AU)

Effects of diagnostic delay on early disease course of Crohn's disease / 中华消化杂志

Objective To explore the effects of diagnostic delay on early disease course of Crohn's disease (CD ), and to analyze the risk factors related with the progress of early disease course. Methods From December 2014 to July 2017,a total of 56 patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University initially diagnosed as CD were selected.The clinical manifestation,previous history,imaging examination, endoscopic examination and pathological results of the patients were collected after initial diagnosis of CD. CD-related surgery,CD-related rehospitalization and use of immunomodulators were followed.According to time interval between initial symptom onset and initial diagnosis,the patients were divided into diagnostic delay group (diagnostic delay time＞two years,14 cases)and non-diagnostic delay group (diagnostic delay time≤two years,42 cases).The clinical characteristics at initial diagnosis and early prognosis were compared between the two groups.The risk factors affecting early prognosis of CD patients were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier was used for prognosis analysis.Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to analyze factors affecting early prognosis.Results The results of imaging examination indicated that the proportion of intestinal injury of diagnostic delay group was significantly higher than that of non- diagnostic delay group (χ2＝ 4.49,P ＝ 0.03 ).During follow-up,the proportion of CD-related rehospitalization of diagnostic delay group was higher than that of non-diagnostic delay group,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2＝7.34,P＝0.01).During follow-up,the nine patients received surgery.The one-year and three-year cumulative incidence of surgery was 10.7% and 22.7%,respectively;one-year cumulative incidence of surgery in diagnostic delay group and non-diagnostic delay group was 38 .6%and 9 .6%,respectively.The results of Cox univariable and multivariable analyses both indicated that intestinal injury in imaging examination at diagnosis was the risk factor of surgery (both hazard ratio (HR)＝2.313,both P＜0.01).A total of 21 patients had CD-related rehospitalization during follow-up.And one-year and 31-month cumulative incidence of hospitalization was 27 .8% and 5 6 .3%,respectively;one-year cumulative incidence of CD-related rehospitalization in diagnostic delay group and non-diagnostic delay group was 43 .7% and 2 1 .6%,respectively;and the difference was statistically significant (χ2＝5 .88 ,P＝0.02).The results of Cox univariable analysis indicated that having systematic manifestation,intestinal inj ury in imaging examination and diagnostic delay were the risk factors of CD-related rehospitalization (HR＝2.972,2.313 and 1.403,all P＜0.05).The results of multivariable analysis indicated that having systematic manifestation and intestinal injury in imaging examination were independent risk factors of CD-related rehospitalization (HR＝3.891 and 2.541, P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Conclusions The proportion of intestinal injury of patients with diagnostic delay is high and the early prognosis is poor. Intestinal injury in imaging examination at initial diagnosis is independently risk factor of CD-related surgery and rehospitalization during follow-up.

Correlation of delayed diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with its clinical symptoms and prognosis / 医学研究生学报

Objective Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is easily misdiagnosed for lack of specificity in its pathogenesis and clinical symptoms and characteristics.This study was to investigate the association of the clinical features of CVST with the time of diagnosis and the impact of diagnostic delay on the prognosis of the disease.Methods We retrospectively studied the clinical data about 94 cases of CVST treated in our hospital from March 2004 to August 2016.According to the interquartile-range time of diagnosis, we divided the patients into four groups, 16 d, and analyzed the correlation between the time of diagnostic delay with the clinical characteristics of the patients.The primary and secondary endpoints were the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) ≤1 and ≤2 respectively at 3 months after discharge.Results Papilledema, isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome, and Glasgow Coma Score of 14-15 were associated with a longer diagnostic delay than seizure and hemorrhagic or infarction lesions (P<0.05).A significantly higher rate of earlier diagnosis was found in patients with lower levels of albumin and total protein, longer thrombin time, and a higher level of C-reaction protein (P<0.05).However, no significant correlation was observed between the time of diagnostic delay and the prognosis CVST.Conclusion The symptoms and laboratory indexes of the CVST patients at admission can be used as markers for the diagnosis of CVST, which may provide some new idea for its early diagnosis.

Fatores de risco para a resposta ao tratamento e sobrevida em pacientes com mieloma múltiplo: um estudo de coorte na cidade do Rio de Janeiro

O Mieloma Múltiplo (MM) é uma neoplasia maligna de plasmócitos, caracterizada porhipercalcemia, insuficiência renal, anemia e doença óssea. A incidência da doença vemaumentando nos últimos anos nos EUA e no Brasil. O atraso no diagnóstico do MM é umacaracterística comum no Brasil e em outros países, o que leva a complicações antes dotratamento, maior risco de falha do tratamento, de progressão da doença e de óbito. Este estudoteve por objetivo identificar os fatores de risco à sobrevida relacionados à resposta à indução,resposta ao transplante autólogo de medula óssea, progressão da doença pós-indução e óbito.Cem pacientes atendidos em duas unidades de saúde, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, entre 2010e 2015 foram avaliados quanto as suas características sociodemográficas, quadro clínico eexames laboratoriais. A resposta à indução, os dados do transplante autólogo de células troncohematopoiéticas (TACTH), da progressão e do óbito foram registrados utilizando os modelosde Cox simples e múltiplo, ajustado por idade, tipo de protocolo e origem do paciente. Variáveisquantitativas foram categorizadas a partir de gráficos dos efeitos nos psplines, a fim explorardiferentes pontos de corte para os exames laboratoriais. P-valores ≤ 0,05 indicaram testesestatisticamente significativos. Cinquenta e um de 80 pacientes avaliados para o tratamento deindução apresentaram resposta não adequada. Os principais fatores associados à falha naindução foram níveis baixos de hemoglobina (Hb), percentuais elevados de plasmócitos namedula óssea e estádios avançados dos estadiamentos de Durie & Salmon (D&S) eInternational Staging System (ISS). A melhora da intensidade da resposta pós-TACTH ocorreuem 17 de 35 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento. Os pacientes com atraso no diagnósticoalém de cinco meses, IMC baixo ou normal e falha à indução foram os que mais se beneficiaramdo TACTH...

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells, characterized byhypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia and bone disease. The incidence of the disease hasincreased in recent years in USA and Brazil. The delay in the diagnosis of MM is a commonfeature in Brazil and in other countries, which leads to complications before treatment,increased risk of treatment failure, disease progression and death. This study aimed to identifysurvival risk factors related to response to induction, response to autologous stem celltransplantation (ASCT), post-induction desease progression, and death. One hundred patientsattended at two health centers, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, between 2010 and 2015, theirsociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and laboratory tests were evaluated. Inductionresponse, ASCT, progression and death data were recorded using single and multiple Coxmodels, adjusted for age, protocol type, and patient origin. Quantitative variables werecategorized using psplines graphics in order to explore different cutoff points for laboratorytests. P-values ≤ 0.05 indicated statistically significant tests. Fifty-one of 80 patients evaluatedfor induction treatment presented an inadequate response. The main factors associated toinduction failure were low levels of hemoglobin (Hb), high percentage of bone marrow plasmacells and advanced stages of the Durie & Salmon (D & S) and the International Staging System(ISS). The improvement in the intensity of the post-ASCT response occurred in 17 of 35patients submitted to the procedure. Patients with a diagnosis delay of more than five months,low or normal BMI and response not adequate to induction were the ones that benefited themost from ASCT...

Espondilodiscitis: análisis de 19 casos internados en un hospital de tercer nivel / Spondylodiscitis: analiysis of 19 inpatients at a referral hospital in Rosario, Argentina

Introducción: la espondilitis representa un desafío diagnóstico, ya que el dolor lumbar, su principal manifestación clínica, constituyeun motivo de consulta muy frecuente en la práctica cotidiana y carece de especificidad. Por lo tanto, resulta indispensablemantener una elevada sospecha clínica. Objetivo: Analizar las características clínicas, analíticas, microbiológicas e imagenológicas,el tratamiento, la evolución y los factores pronósticos de pacientes internados por espondilodiscitis en el Hospital Provincial delCentenario, desde enero de 2011 a marzo de 2015, excluyéndose los casos postquirúrquicos. Resultados: Se analizaron 19 pacientescon una edad media 48±11 años, 63% varones. Se identificaron como comorbilidades: diabetes (37%), obesidad (16%), etilismo(21%), insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis (16%), HIV (11%), adicción EV (11%). Los gérmenes más frecuentes fueron losestafilococos (52%). Al ingreso el 94% presentó dolor, 73% fiebre y 36% foco neurológico. La media de tiempo de evolución desíntomas hasta ingreso fue 62±80 días (rango 4-360 días). La velocidad de eritrosedimentación fue elevada en todos los pacientes,y sólo 37% presentaban leucocitosis. La vancomicina fue el antibiótico más utilizado. El 37% de los pacientes presentaba infeccióndiseminada. La mortalidad fue del 26%. Los pacientes que tuvieron un tiempo de evolución al ingreso mayor a 25 días presentaronpeor evolución (colecciones, foco neurológico o muerte) (p<0,05). Conclusiones: en esta serie, la asociación de la consulta tardíacon la mala evolución destaca la importancia de considerar las pautas de alarma en centros de atención primaria para posibilitar undiagnóstico más temprano.

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis represents a diagnostic challenge since the main clinical manifestation, low back pain, is very frequent andnonspecific, and often impedes a timely diagnosis. Clinical suspicion is essential. Objective: to analyze the clinical, analytical, microbiological,and radiological features, as well as outcome and prognostics factors, in patients with spondylodiscitis admitted to the Hospital Provincialdel Centenario (Rosario, Argentina), from January 2011 to March 2015. Postsurgical cases were excluded. Results: Nineteen patients wereincluded. Mean age was 48±11 years, 63% were males. We identified the following comorbid diseases: diabetes (37%), obesity (16%),alcoholism (21%), hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (16%), HIV (11%), intravenous drug abuse (11%). The most frequentcausative organism was Staphylococcus sp. (52%). Upon admission 94% of patients presented pain, 73% fever, and 36% neurologicalinvolvement. The average time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 62±80 days (range 4-360). The erythrocyte sedimentation ratewas raised in all the patients, and only 37% had leukocytosis. Vancomycin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic. Disseminatedinfection was present in 37% of patients. The mortality rate was 26%. Patients with a time lag to diagnosis higher than 25 days had worseoutcome (suppurative collections, neurological involvement, or death) compared to those with earlier diagnosis (p <0.05). Conclusions:The association of late consultation with poor outcome in this study emphasizes the importance of educating the general population toencourage attendance to medical centers. Physicians in primary care settings must be trained to identify pain pattern, and incorporateclinical perspectives capable of recognizing a defined syndrome at first contact, in other to achieve a better outcome.Key words: Spondylodiscitis, comorbid conditions, diagnostic delay, outcome.

Challenges in diagnosis and management of snake bites in resource poor settings: A case report of suspected Russell’s viper envenomation.

Snake bite is a common and neglected problem resulting in a large global mortality and morbidity per year. In India alone, an estimated 45,900 deaths occur per annum. The outlined case of suspected Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii) envenomation occurred in rural West Bengal. The case was misdiagnosed on two occasions resulting in a substantial delay in antivenom therapy. The resultant delay contributed to a significant morbidity and prolonged hospital admission. The case report illustrates some practical difficulties faced by clinicians pertaining to diagnosis, complications and resource limitations. These areas are discussed with a view to improving awareness and management. Simple practical tools are included to assist a clinician faced with snake bites in South Asia.

Risk factors of diagnostic delay of Crohn's disease and their impact on prognosis / 中华消化外科杂志

With the rise of the incidence of Crohn's disease,clinicians began to recognize and pay attention to this disease.There is no effective method to cure the Crohn's disease currently,and the complications of the Crohn's disease are numerous and complex.Therefore,early diagnosis and treatment are very important.Due to many factors,the problen of diagnostic delay is widespread.Female patients diagnosed younger than 40 years old,the presence of ileal disease,use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents,smoking history,parental symptoms are risk factors of diagnostic delay of Crohn's disease.Delayed diagnosis might increase the risk of complications,especially intestinal stenosis and operation-related complications.Crohn's disease needs to be early diagnosed and treated to improve the prognosis of patients.

Estímulo iatrotrópico y tiempo al diagnóstico en pacientes pediátricos con leucemia linfoblástica aguda / Iatrotropic stimulus and lag time for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introducción. La leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) es una enfermedad potencialmente curable en la que el éxito del tratamiento depende de la detección oportuna de la enfermedad; por lo anterior, resulta relevante identificar los factores que influyen en el periodo previo al diagnóstico. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el intervalo entre el inicio de los síntomas atribuibles a la enfermedad y la confirmación diagnóstica, en términos del tiempo transcurrido (lag-time), del estímulo iatrotrópico y de la atención médica recibida, así como estimar la asociación de estos factores con la mortalidad. Métodos. Se revisaron los expedientes clínicos de 182 pacientes pediátricos con LLA en 9 centros de atención oncológica en la República Mexicana y se realizaron entrevistas a sus familiares para reconstruir el periodo previo al diagnóstico. Resultados. Se incluyeron 99 pacientes vivos y 83 que fallecieron, con una media de edad de 7.3 ± 4.7 años. El promedio de tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas y el diagnóstico fue de 43.5 ± 22.5 días y acudieron a un promedio de 2.3 consultas antes de la confirmación diagnóstica. Los principales motivos para solicitar la atención médica fueron: astenia y adinamia (47.4%), fiebre (44.8%), palidez (44.3%), hiporexia/anorexia (20.9%) y cefalea (19.9%). El número de médicos especialistas no oncólogos consultados y de consultas previas al diagnóstico resultaron factores protectores para la mortalidad (OR 0.77 y 0.64, respectivamente). Conclusiones. El tiempo de espera entre el inicio de los síntomas y la confirmación diagnóstica es mayor al reportado en países desarrollados; esto se debe, principalmente, a la atención médica recibida. El número de médicos y de consultas previas resultaron factores protectores para mortalidad, probablemente como consecuencia de la detección oportuna y la vigilancia médica de los síntomas inespecíficos que orientan a la presencia de la enfermedad.

Background. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a potentially curable disease where success of the treatment depends on the timely detection of the disease; therefore, it is important to identify those influencing factors during the prediagnostic period. The objective of this study was to describe the interval time from onset of symptoms attributable to the disease to the diagnostic confirmation in terms of elapsed time (lag-time), iatrotropic stimulus and received medical care, as well as to estimate the association of these factors with mortality. Methods. We reviewed 182 clinical files from pediatric patients with ALL in nine cancer treatment centers in Mexico and conducted interviews with their families to rebuild the run-up time until diagnosis. Results. We included 99 living patients and 83 patients who died; average age of the patients was 7.3 ± 4.7 years. The average time between symptom onset and diagnosis was 43.5 ± 22.5 days. Patients had an average of 2.3 consultations prior to diagnostic confirmation. The main reasons for requesting medical attention were asthenia and adynamia (47.4%), fever (44.8%), pallor (44.3%), hyperoxia/anorexia (20.9%) and headache (19.9%). The number of non-oncological physicians surveyed and number of consultations until diagnosis were protective factors for mortality (OR 0.77 and 0.64, respectively). Conclusions. Time between symptom onset and diagnostic confirmation is longer than what has been reported in developed countries mainly due to medical attention received. The number of physicians and number of prior consultations were protective factors for mortality, probably as a result of early detection and medical surveillance of nonspecific symptoms that lead to the presence of the disease.

Spondylodiscitis Misdiagnosed as Spinal Stenosis and Compression Fracture: A report of two cases

Cases of pyogenic spondylodiscitis are relatively rare diseases that concern 2-7% of total cases of osteomyelitis. Owing to the low frequency and initial nonspecific nature of signs and symptoms, diagnosis is often delayed up to 2-6 months. If the proper treatment is not established due to a diagnostic delay, there is a possibility of a serious neurologic deficit and spinal instability. We report two cases of infectious spondylodiscitis which were misdiagnosed as compression fracture and spinal stenosis respectively. They could be correctly diagnosed after MRI and laboratory test and under the recovery state after an antifungal and antibiotic medication. Special careful attention during the diagnostic procedure is a really important step considering the diagnostic delay and its resultant unsatisfactory outcome.

Factors for Delayed Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: We designed this retrospective study to establish the incidence of diagnosic delay in children diagnosed with acute appendicitis and to identify associated factors with delayed diagnosis and its impact on the clinical course. METHODS: All cases of children under 15 years of age who underwent appendectomy from 1996 to 2001 at Gangneung Asan Hospital were reviewed. We reviewed signs and symptoms, type of health professional first contacted, the advice given by the health professional and a history of appendicitis in first degree relatives. Diagnostic period is the time elapsed between first complaints and definitive diagnosis. Delay was defined as diagnostic period exceeded the 48 hours. Postoperative course and complications were also reviewed. RESULTS: Incidence of diagnostic delay differed by whether diarrhea and fecalith on X-ray were present. Also children whose parents were advised to observe them at home were more likely to have a diagnostic delay. In almost half of the cases in delayed group, initial diagnosis was not acute appendicitis but gastroenteritis. The perforation rate in non-delayed group was 22%, whereas 87% in delayed group. The delayed group showed a higher number of postoperative complication and a longer hospitalization period. CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever in children should not be dismissed as gastroenteritis, respiratory infections or other common disorders. Our study suggests that physicians have a responsibility to prevent diagnostic delay and resultant perforation of acute appendicitis in children by having a high index of suspicion about acute appendicitis.