Correlation between admitting blood glucose levels and H=hospital outcome in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives@#This study aimed to determine the correlation between admitting hyperglycemia and hospital outcome, on the length of hospital stay and mortality on patients who underwent PCI.@*Methodology@#A single center, retrospective observational study involving patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). They were divided in four (4) groups according to presence of admission hyperglycemia (capillary blood glucose >140mg/dl) and presence of diabetes: Group 1 (patients with diabetes with admission hyperglycemia), Group 2 (patients without diabetes with admission hyperglycemia), Group 3 (patients with diabetes without admission hyperglycemia), and Group 4 (patients without diabetes without admission hyperglycemia). Length of hospital stay and mortality outcome were compared between four groups and in-hospital mortality related risk factors were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis.@*Results@#133 patients were included in the analysis, of which 50% have admission hyperglycemia. The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with admission hyperglycemia (12 vs 9 vs 7 vs 7 days, p= 0.006). The mortality rate between 4 groups were non-significant (14% vs 10% vs 9% vs 11%, p=0.272). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the following were associated with increased mortality in patients who underwent PCI: age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1265, 95%CI 1.0497 – 1.2090, p=0.001), capillary blood glucose on admission (OR 1.0077, 95% CI 1.0015 – 1.0140, p= 0.015), presence of ST elevation on ECG (OR 16.5671, 95% CI 3.4161 – 80.344, p=<0.001).@*Conclusion@#An elevated admission capillary blood glucose, regardless of presence or absence of diabetes, was associated with longer length of hospital stay; however, it was not predictive of in-hospital mortality. Interestingly, patients with admitting hyperglycemia had earlier mortality.

Ophthalmologic profile among Hansen’s disease patients in a tertiary hospital

Background@#Ophthalmologic evaluation is often neglected in routine screening of Hansen’s disease patients. In line with the global aim of reducing grade 2 disability, eye examination should be an essential part of routine examination of Hansen’s disease patients.@*Objective@#To describe the ophthalmologic profile of patients with Hansen’s disease seen in a tertiary hospital.@*Methods@#A point-prevalence survey was conducted. Sixty-six Hansen’s disease patients, aged 18 and above, underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity, refraction, external eye examination, intraocular pressure determination, dilated pupil examination, palpebral aperture measurement, corneal sensation testing, and tear breakup time determination. Statistical analysis was done.@*Results@#All patients had ocular findings with lepromatous leprosy (62%) being the highest. Fifty-three percent had Type 2 lepra reaction. Most were males, disease duration in majority was < 5 years and bacillary morphologic index was 4.0 – 4.99. Patients with Grade 1 and Grade 2 disability of the eyes were 62% and 17% respectively. The most common ocular complications were: abnormal tear breakup time (79%), cataracts (53%),blepharitis (47%), madarosis (39%) and corneal opacities (24%).@*Conclusion@#There is a significant number of ocular findings among leprosy patients in this study. The highest number of ocular complications is among patients in the lepromatous pole. There is a preference of M. leprae for cooler areas; hence, the anterior chamber was greatly affected.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled study on the safety and efficacy of 25% Tinospora Rumphii (Makabuhay) cream versus 2% Mupirocin cream on superficial pyodermas caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Background@#Superficial pyoderma is an infection most commonly caused by Staphyloccoccus aureus. The drug of choice is 2% mupirocin cream. However, high cost and emerging drug resistance affect compliance and overall cure. Tinospora rumphii has demonstrated antibacterial activity in vivo rendering it a potential cost-effective alternative treatment.@*Objectives@#To determine the safety and efficacy of 25% T. rumphii cream versus 2% mupirocin cream in the treatment of superficial pyodermas caused by S. aureus.@*Methods@#A randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 60 patients with superficial pyodermas caused by S aureus, aged 18-60, were given either 25% T. rumphii or 2% mupirocin cream for two weeks. Bactericidal activity, erythema, edema, induration and size of lesion were evaluated at baseline, days 3, 7, and 14. Participants Global Assessment (PGA) score and adverse events were noted. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U and Pearson Chi square test. RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects (85%) completed the trial. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups for bactericial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.687) at day 14, for erythema (p=0.923, 0.5335, 0.3726, 0.6949), edema (p=0.0972, 0.5967, 0.2052, 0.2783), induration (p=0.0855, 0.3113, 0.281, 0.3161), and size of lesions (p=0.7262, 0.169, 0.15, 0.3988) at baseline, days 3, 7 and 14. There was no significant difference in PGA score (p=0.3086, 0.3483, 0.2234) at Days 3, 7 and 14 in both groups. No adverse events were noted.@*Conclusion@#Twenty five percent T. rumphii cream is equally safe and effective as 2% mupirocin cream for treatment of superficial pyodermas caused by S. aureus.

It’s a bumpy ride: A report of a 9–year-old Filipino female with dermatomyositis

Introduction@#There are very few reported incidences of juvenile dermatomyositis in the Philippine setting.@*Case Summary@#This is a case of a 9-year-old female from Batangas City, who came in with a 3-year history of multiple non- tender, non-pruritic erythematous papules which started on the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal joints of the hands, with some progressing into plaques on the face and extremities. No other associated symptoms such as fever, cough, colds or weakness were noted. Three months prior to consult, there was persistence of the above-mentioned lesions with body weakness described as difficulty getting out of bed and climbing stairs. Consult with a dermatologist and rheumatologist was done. A skin punch biopsy showed hyperkeratosis of the stratum corneum. There was focal vacuolar alteration of the basal cell layer with thickening of the basement membrane zone. The papillary dermis showed pigment-laden macrophages, a calcified nodule, fibrosis, and a sparse perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes. There was also thickening of the basement membrane zone on Periodic acid-Schiff stain. Both clinical and histopathological findings point to Juvenile Dermatomyositis.@*Conclusion@#Juvenile Dermatomyositis requires prompt diagnosis for proper treatment and prognostication. This entails extensive diagnostic procedures such as skin punch biopsy, muscle enzymes such as CK-MB and CK- MM, and blood tests. Co-management with a pediatric rheumatologist is highly advised for initiation and regulation of oral corticosteroids as well as vitamin supplementation.

A randomized, double-blind, comparative study on the safety and efficacy of virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera l.) oil against 1% Hydrocortisone lotion as an anti-inflammatory and anti- pruritic preparation for mosquito reactions

Background@#Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties and can be used as an alternative to corticosteroids for mosquito bites. No studies on VCO for mosquito bites have been published.@*Objective@#To compare the safety and efficacy of VCO against 1% Hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory and anti- pruritic preparation for mosquito bites.@*Method@#This is a randomized, double-blind study comparing the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effect of VCO versus 1% Hydrocortisone on Aedes aegypti bites, by measuring the mean lesion size, subjective assessment of the effects on bites, pruritus intensity through the visual analog, and verbal rating scale in 91 subjects at baseline, 1 hour, days 1, 3, and 7.@*Results@#During the first hour and throughout the seven-day period, there was a decrease in the mean lesion size, visual, and verbal scale score for both VCO and Hydrocortisone groups. The mean lesion size for both groups were not statistically significant on the 1st and 24th hour. On day 3, the mean lesion size for the VCO group was 0.02 and 0.71 for the Hydrocortisone group which was statistically significant in favor of VCO. The mean visual and verbal scale scores for pruritus for both treatment groups were not statistically significant. As early as the 1st hour, the proportion of patients who reported total clearance of lesions in the VCO group was 34.09% compared to 6.38% in the Hydrocortisone group. On day 7, both treatment groups had resolution of lesions. No adverse reactions were noted.@*Conclusion@#Virgin coconut oil is safe, cost-effective, and comparable to 1% Hydrocortisone as an anti- inflammatory and anti-pruritic agent.

Mistaken jewel: A case report on bullous pemphigoid in childhood

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an acquired sub-epidermal immune-mediated blistering disease associated with a humoral and cellular response directed against self-antigens. Childhood BP is uncommon with only

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the safety and efficacy of 0.025% capsaicin (Capsicum annuum var. longum) cream against 1% hydrocortisone cream as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic preparation for mosquito bites

BACKGROUND: Mosquito bite is a common dermatological complaint with various treatments but with no gold standard treatment regimen. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of 0.025% capsaicin cream against 1% hydrocortisone cream and placebo as anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic preparation for mosquito bites. METHODS: Seventy-five volunteers were enrolled in the placebo-controlled trial and randomized into three treatment groups. They were exposed to laboratory-reared mosquitoes to incur bites and to apply the designated cream. Anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects were determined by mean lesion size, physician's global assessment, pruritus intensity score and 100mm visual analog scale. RESULTS: The mean lesion size and physician's global assessment, pruritus intensity score and visual analog scale showed no significant difference between 0.025% capsaicin and 1% hydrocortisone and they were both found to be superior to placebo (p-valueCONCLUSION: 0.025% capsaicin is comparable to 1% hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic preparation for mosquito bites.

Cobertura de exposição de tela de marlex® pós reconstrução de parede abdominal: relato de três casos e revisão de literatura / Coverage of marlex® mesh extrusion after post-abdominal wall reconstruction: 03 case reports and review of the literatura

O uso de telas de material aloplástico na cirurgia de reconstrução da parede abdominal é freqüente em casos de trauma, infecção, ressecção de tumores ou até mesmo em necroses por radioterapia2,3,4,5,10,11. Apesar dessa técnica de cobertura ser de uso comum e rotineiro, em alguns casos, uma complicação é a sua exposição 2,5,6,7,8. Os retalhos são utilizados para proporcionar uma cobertura estável da tela exposta 2,3,5,8,9,11,14. Objetivos: esse trabalho descreve 03 casos de cobertura com retalho a ascio cutâneo de exposição de tela de polipropileno(Marlex ®), utilizada em situação da reconstrução de parede abdominal. Métodos: três pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia parare construção da parede abdominal, em 20006, utilizando-se tela de polipropileno (Marlex ®). Todos evoluíram com exposição da tela. Dois eram do sexo masculino e um, do sexo feminino. No grupo masculino, um dos pacientes havia sido submetido à apendicectomia e evoluiu com fasceíte necrotizante. O outro paciente masculino teve reconstrução de parede abdominal decorrente de complicação de cirurgia para resolução de quadro de oclusão intestinal. A paciente do sexo feminino foi submetida à reconstrução da parede abdominal após peritoneostomia secundária à perfuração iatrogênica de intestino, decorrente de cirurgia ginecológica. Resultados: Os dois pacientes masculinos foram submetidos à cobertura da tela de Marlex® exposta, utilizando-seretalho inguinal, sendo que, em um dos casos, houve realização de retalho em um único tempo cirúrgico. No outro, houve reconstrução cirúrgica em dois tempos. A paciente feminina foi submetida à cirurgia com realização de retalho fasciocutâneo tipo abdominoplastia, em tempo cirúrgico único. Todos os três casos evoluíram bem, sem complicações pós-operatórias, tais como infecção ou necrose.

Background: posthetic mesh are used in abdominal wall reconstruction1,11 due to trauma, infection, tumor resection or even radiation necrosis2,3,4,5,10,11. Although this kind of coverage is widely used, exposure of the material used is a complication that is unlikely to happen2,5,6,7,8. Fasciouscutaneous flaps are used to provide a stable coverage of the exposed mesh2,3,5,8,9,11,14. Objective: thisworkdescribestree 3 casesofmes hexposure after abdominal wall reconstruction treated coverage using fasciouscutaneous flap and reviews the literature. Methods: Three patients undergone abdominal wall reconstruction in 2006 using polypropylene mesh (Marlex ®).All of them developed mesh exposure. Two were men and one was a woman. One of the men was submitted to appendicectomy and evoluated with necrotizing fasciitis; the second male patient suffered from bowel occlusion and the female pacient, was submitted to reconstruction after peritoneostomy due to iatrogenic bowel perforation duing a gynecologic procedure. Results: the two male patientsweresubmittedtomeshexposurecoverageusing inguinal flap. One of them was submitted to a one-step surgical act. The second male patient needed a two-step surgical act. The female patient was submitted to reconstruction using a one-step abdominoplasty flap. All of them evoluated well, with no post-surgical complications as infection or flap necrosis. Conclusions: although there are no statistical significancies in the three cases, we can say that fasciocutaneous flaps2,12,14 are a securemethodforcoverageofmeshexposureinprevious abdominal wall reconstruction.

Relación entre los factores de riesgo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y la sensibilidad a la insulina en adultos jóvenes de 18 a 39 años de la ciudad de Cali-Colombia / Association of risk factors for non transmissible chronic diseases with insuline sensitivity, in young adults in the city of Cali, Colombia

The prevalence of insulin resistance and risk factors for chronic diseases is not known in Colombia. The purpose of the study was of determine the association of insulin resistance and risk of chronic diseases in young, apparently healthy adults. By convenience, 97 subjects, mean age of 24 years were studied. Family and personal history, anthropometrics, lipid profile, and a short insulin tolerance test was done to each subject to identify prevalence o insulin resistance and its association with risk factors. Plasma lipids and anthropometrics were within acceptable range. Insulin sensitivity was categorized as high, border high, border low and low. Out of 97 subjects 47 had altered sensitivity. Most women (68%) were classified as border low, and most men (60%) as low. There was a difference between these two categories in waist circumference and weight. Border low and low cases had not less than 3 risk factors but the total number of factors was not different within the 4 groups. More than 50% of cases had family history of chronic diseases, sedentary life and low C-HDL. There was a negative association between insulin sensitivity and fasting Glycaemia and positive with fasting triglycerides, BMI, Waist hip ratio and weight. Results suggest a surprisingly high prevalence of risk factors in a young group associated with altered insulin sensitivity. It may be possible to identify early indicators of risk and develop appropriate strategies for prevention.

En Colombia se desconoce la prevalencia de resistencia a insulina(RI) y factores de riesgo(FR) para el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles(ECNT). El objetivo del estudio fue determinar asociación entre FR de ECNT y el grado de sensibilidad a insulina (SI)I en adultos jóvenes aparentemente sanos. Se seleccionaron por conveniencia 97 sujetos (24±4.66 años), de quienes se obtuvo historia familiar y personal, antropometría, perfil lipídico y se practicó Test Corto de Tolerancia a Insulina para determinar prevalencia de RI y factores de riesgo asociados. La media del perfil lipídico y la antropometría estuvieron dentro de límites de referencia. La SI se categorizó en Alta, Media-Alta, Media-Baja y Baja, 51% de mujeres y 41% de hombres se ubicaron en los grupos de menor sensibilidad. Se encontró diferencia entre la circunferencia de cintura y peso entre sujetos con SI Baja y Media-Baja y SI Media Alta y Alta. Los grupos con Media-Baja y Baja presentaron como mínimo tres FR. Mas del 50% de los casos con antecedentes familiares de ECNT, sedentarismo, bajo C-HDL. Asociación negativa entre SI y glucosa en ayunas y positiva de triglicéridos en ayunas con el Índice de masa corporal, relación cintura cadera y peso. Los resultados muestran una presencia elevada de FR para el desarrollo de ECNT en población joven asociada a una prevalencia de disminución de la SI mayor que la reportada, permitirán proponer indicadores tempranos para detectar personas a riesgo y utilizar estrategias de prevención adecuadas.

A preliminary study on the mosquito repellent effect of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil

BACKGROUND: Dengue Fever (DF) and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) are now considered as major health problems in the Philippines. N,N,-dietyl-3-toluamide (DEET) is recognized as the most effective against Aedes aegypti. However, the concern about its use have underscored the need to find a safer alternative repellent.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine and compare the repellent activity of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil against Aedes aegypti with 7% DEET using a double-blind controlled experimental trialMETHODOLOGY: Twenty healthy subjects were allocated systematically by alternate assignment into three treatment groups (Control vs. Tea Tree oil, control vs. 7 percent DEET, Tea Tree oil vs DEET). All subjects were exposed to Aedes aegypti for 5 minutes every hour for 8 hours and the number of mosquitoes biting/landing were recorded and compared for each treatment groupRESULTS: Fifty percent tea tree oil has a repellent activity against Aedes aegypti and its efficacy is comparable to 7% DEET. Both treatments were equally effective in repelling mosquitoes for 7 hours. No cutaneous reactions to both repellents were notedCONCLUSION: The efficacy of tea tree oil is comparable to 7% DEET and is recommended as an alternative natural mosquito repellent.

Reflexoes sobre sa causas do desmame precoce observadas em dinamicas de grupo de incentivo ao aleitamento materno / Reflections on the causes of early weaning observed through group dynamics in groups for encouraging breastfeeding

Foram analisados 71 grupos de maes, em um total de 498 entrevistas individuais feitas pelo Grupo de Incentivo ao Aleitamento Materno (GIAMA), por ocasiao da primeira consulta pos-natal ao Centro de Saude Dr. Sylvio Henrique Braune, em Nova Friburgo-RJ (CSSHB/NF), no periodo de janeiro de 1989 adezembro de 1990, estudando-se as causas de desmame nessa populacao. O indice dealeitamento materno exclusivo no prineiro mes de vida foi de 49,6 por cento e a causa de desmame mais observada (77,9 por cento ) foi a delegacao de que "o leite nao sustenta". O choro do bebe mostrou-se uma importante causa de desmame, porque 68,6 por cento das maes inferiram que "o leite nao sustenta" a partir do choro do bebe. Procura-se, atraves do GIAMA, fornecer apoio e informacoes a mae para capacita-la a lidar adequadamente com as verdadeiras causas do choro do bebe, prevenindo o desmame precoce

From food basket to food security. The food factor in nutritional surveillance

One important indicator of nutritional surveillance is the one devoted to monitor food security. The experience toward the development of one of such indicators is presented. This includes the development of a food basket, defined as the group of foods that meet the characteristics such as is now consumed by important population segments of the community; it contributes a substantial portion of the calories and proteins purchased, and is responsible for an important proportion of the food budget. The concept implies a dynamic food basket, the quantities of which are calculated in a way that simultates the behavior of the consumer and the best nutrition knowledge. For this purpose we use linear program techniques. A measure of the risk of being unable to buy the foods needed for a family is presented, and is used as a proxy for food security risk. In the appendix, the mathematical expressions of the model used for a linear program is also presented