Prevalencia de sarcopenia en adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos de Pereira, Colombia Prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults in t / Prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults in two retirement homes in Pereira, Colombia

Introducción: La sarcopenia es un factor de riesgo para morbilidad, mortalidad y discapacidad en adultos mayores, por lo que su manejo es prioridad en geriatría. El objetivo de este artículo, consiste en caracterizar una población de adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos y establecer la prevalencia de sarcopenia y el grado de dependencia. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal desarrollado en la ciudad de Pereira-Colombia. Se incluyó a una población de 72 adultos desde los 65 hasta los 98 años, usando muestreo probabilístico. Se determinó la sarcopenia por medio de los Criterios del Consenso Europeo sobre Definición y Diagnóstico de Sarcopenia; evaluándose la fuerza de prensión, índice de masa muscular esquelética, en caso de presentarse sarcopenia, la severidad de esta junto a la velocidad de marcha, y el grado de dependencia según la escala de Barthel. Resultados: Participaron finalmente 57 personas. El 68,4% (n=39) eran mujeres. La mediana de la edad fue de 83 años. El 2% no presentó sarcopenia, 9% presentaban sospecha de sarcopenia, 28% tenían sarcopenia confirmada y 61% sarcopenia grave. Según la escala de Barthel, el 31,5% eran independientes, 45,6% tenían dependencia leve, 15,8% moderada, 5,3% severa y 1,8% total. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sarcopenia en los hogares geriátricos de Pereira es mayor en comparación a la reportada en la literatura. Del mismo modo, encontrarse en un hogar geriátrico privado no garantiza una mejor condición física y/o calidad de vida.

Introduction: Is a risk factor for morbidity, mortality and disability in older adults, so its management is a priority in geriatrics. The aim of this article is to characterize a population of older adults from two geriatric homes and to establish the prevalence of sarcopenia and the degree of dependence. Methods: Cross-sectional study developed in the city of Pereira-Colombia. A population of 72 adults from 65 to 98 years of age was included, using probability sampling. Sarcopenia was determined by means of the Criteria of the European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis of Sarcopenia, evaluating grip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, in case of sarcopenia, the severity of sarcopenia together with walking speed, and the degree of dependence according to the Barthel scale. Results: 57 people participated. A total of 68.4% (n=39) were women. The median age was 83 years. Two percent had no sarcopenia, 9% had suspected sarcopenia, 28% had confirmed sarcopenia and 61% had severe sarcopenia. According to the Barthel scale, 31.5% were independent, 45.6% had mild, 15.8% moderate, 5.3% severe and 1.8% total dependence. Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia in nursing homes in Pereira is higher compared to that reported in the literature. Similarly, being in a private nursing home does not guarantee a better physical condition and/or quality of life

Asociación de los índices neutrófilo/linfocito y linfocito/proteína C reactiva con mortalidad por COVID-19 / Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratios with COVID-19-related mortality

Resumen Introducción: Los índices neutrófilo/linfocito (INL) y linfocito/proteína C reactiva (ILR) se usan para predecir severidad y mortalidad en diversas infecciones. Objetivo: Establecer en México el mejor punto de corte de INL e ILR para predecir la mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Método: Estudio transversal analítico de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 grave en un hospital de especialidades. Resultados: Falleció 34 % de 242 pacientes analizados. Los sujetos fallecidos tenían mayor edad (62 versus 51 años, p < 0.001), mayor prevalencia de hipertensión arterial sistémica > 10 años (59.4 versus 45.1 %, p = 0.022), así como INL más alto (17.66 versus 8.31, p < 0.001) e ILR más bajo (0.03 versus 0.06, p < 0.002) respecto a quienes sobrevivieron. Los puntos de corte para predecir mortalidad fueron INL > 12 e ILR < 0.03. La combinación de INL e ILR tuvo sensibilidad de 80 %, especificidad de 74 %, valor predictivo positivo de 46.15 %, valor predictivo negativo de 93.02 % y razón de momios de 11.429 para predecir la mortalidad. Conclusión: INL > 12 e ILR < 0.03 son biomarcadores útiles para evaluar el riesgo de mortalidad en pacientes mexicanos con COVID-19 grave.

Abstract Introduction: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (LCR) ratios are used to predict severity and mortality in various infections. Objective: To establish the best NLR and LCR cutoff point to predict mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Mexico. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study of patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 in a specialty hospital. Results: Out of 242 analyzed patients, 34 % died. The deceased subjects were older (62 vs. 51 years; p < 0.001), had a higher prevalence of > 10 years with systemic arterial hypertension (59.4 vs. 45.1 %, p = 0.022), as well as a higher NLR (17.66 vs. 8.31, p < 0.001) and lower LCR (0.03 vs. 0.06, p < 0.002] with regard to those who survived. The cutoff points to predict mortality were NLR > 12 and LCR < 0.03. The combination of NLR/LCR had a sensitivity of 80 %, specificity of 74 %, positive predictive value of 46.15 %, negative predictive value of 93.02 % and an odds ratio of 11.429 to predict mortality. Conclusion: NLR > 12 and LCR < 0.03 are useful biomarkers to evaluate the risk of mortality in Mexican patients with severe COVID- 19.

Apendicitis aguda / Acute appendicitis

Con el uso de las imágenes de creciente sensibilidad, el número de pacientes con diagnóstico de apendicitis ha aumentado, y una significativa proporción de ellos puede no progresar a apendicitis clínicamente relevante o puede resolver espontáneamente y evitar la apendicectomía. Existen reglas de predicción clínica que, sumadas a la tomografía computarizada o la ecografía, pueden tener una sensibilidad y especificidad significativamente altas tanto para descartar como para confirmar el diagnóstico. Los antibióticos deben ser considerados una válida opción terapéutica y su uso, discutido con los pacientes. (AU)

With the use of images of increasing sensitivity, the number of patients diagnosed with appendicitis has increased and a significant proportion of them could not progress to clinically relevant appendicitis or resolve spontaneously and avoid appendectomy. There are clinical prediction rules which combined with computed tomography or ultrasound may have a significantly higher sensitivity and specificity both to rule out as to confirm the diagnosis. Antibiotics should be considered a valid treatment option and its use discussed with patients. (AU)

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activity of Carica papaya leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The extraction of plant constituents is essential to isolate biologically active compounds, aimed to understand their role on the treatment of diabetes. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of Carica papaya L., Caricaceae, leaf, and further evaluation of its hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. C. papaya leaves were extracted using chloroform, n-hexane or ethanol. For each extract a phytochemical screening was performed. The tests were conducted in triplicate and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the various metabolites was done using analytical standards proposed by Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The chloroform extract, containing steroids and quinones as major components, was chosen to study C. papaya biological effects. The chloroform extract was evaporated to dryness, and doses 0, 31, 62, 125 mg/kg were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to diabetic rats; and 0 and 62 mg/kg to non-diabetic rats. After a 20-day treatment with the chloroform extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood was obtained for biochemical studies. The main effect observed was a decrease in serum glucose, triglycerides and transaminases in diabetic rats after the administration of C. papaya chloroform extract. These results confirm the potential beneficial action of C. papaya to treat the symptoms of diabetic patients.

Effect of salt on color and warmed over flavor in charqui meat processing

A combination of salt (NaCl) high concentration and curing salt was investigated for their role in warmed-over flavor (WOF) and color changes during charqui meats processing. WOF was measured by TBARS method in uncured charqui meat (CH) and in cured charqui known in Brazil as Jerked beef (JB). WOF occurred substantially in CH and sodium nitrite was able to inhibit 40-45 percent (p<0.05) in JB samples stored for 30 days. Color parameters also changed as evaluated by CIELAB system. The a*/b* ratio showed that CH samples presented brown color indicating the formation of metmyoglobin (Fe3+) whilst JB samples presented deep red color an indication of nitrosylmyoglobin (Fe2+) formation. Under cooking, a*/b* ratio indicated the presence of denatured metmyoglobin (Fe3+) in CH and formation of nitrosylmyochromogen (Fe2+) in JB samples. The actual iron state influenced the color of charqui meat and apparently nitrite was able to chelate Fe ions, thus inhibiting development of WOF