Enfermedades por priones humanas. Una revisión general / Human prion diseases: An overview

Las enfermedades por priones constituyen un grupo de enfermedades neurodegenerativas, cuyo agente causal es una proteína normal del cerebro (PrP) que se agrega en una conformación anómala. La proteína anormal, conocida como prion (PrPSc), tiene la propiedad de autopropagarse, induciendo la plegadura anómala de la proteína normal PrP. Estas enfermedades se presentan de manera esporádica, por transmisión genética, o de forma adquirida por ingesta de carne contaminada con priones o por exposición iatrógena. Su diagnóstico resulta difícil. La utilización de exploraciones complementarias de alta sensibilidad y especificidad, como la resonancia magnética o la RT-QuIC, facilitan su diagnóstico. El diagnóstico definitivo se establece por el estudio histopatológico de muestras de tejidos. Actualmente, no se dispone de ningún tratamiento que modifique el curso de la enfermedad, pero su diagnóstico precoz es fundamental para planificar los cuidados del enfermo, adoptar las medidas de prevención necesarias y el consejo genético (AU)

Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases. The disease-causing agent is a protein (PrP), that is normally produced in the nervous system, aggregated in an abnormal form. The abnormal protein, known as prion (PrPSc), is capable of self-propagation promoting the misfolding of the normal protein (PrP). These conditions can be acquired sporadically, genetically, or infectiously either by eating meat contaminated with prions or from iatrogenic exposure. The diagnosis of these diseases is often challenging. The use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools, such as MRI and RT-QuIC, may aid in the diagnosis. Neuropathological examination of brain tissue ensures a definite diagnosis. At present, no treatment significantly improves the course of prion diseases; however, an early diagnosis is of paramount importance for patient care decision planning, infection control purposes, and genetic counseling (AU)

[Human prion diseases: An overview]. / Enfermedades por priones humanas. Una revisión general.

Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases. The disease-causing agent is a protein (PrP), that is normally produced in the nervous system, aggregated in an abnormal form. The abnormal protein, known as prion (PrPSc), is capable of self-propagation promoting the misfolding of the normal protein (PrP). These conditions can be acquired sporadically, genetically, or infectiously either by eating meat contaminated with prions or from iatrogenic exposure. The diagnosis of these diseases is often challenging. The use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools, such as MRI and RT-QuIC, may aid in the diagnosis. Neuropathological examination of brain tissue ensures a definite diagnosis. At present, no treatment significantly improves the course of prion diseases; however, an early diagnosis is of paramount importance for patient care decision planning, infection control purposes, and genetic counseling.

Disseminated aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient treated with corticosteroids: value of PCR for diagnosis / Aspergilosis diseminada en una paciente inmunocompetente en tratamiento con corticoides: valor de la PCR en el diagnóstico

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A rare case of pleural effusion due to Prevotella dentalis.

Prevotella dentalis is a Gram-negative anaerobic rod involved in various human diseases, especially oral infections. We report a rare case of a pleural effusion due to this microorganism in an elderly patient. An 88-year-old man with chronic respiratory disease presented with a left pleural effusion for more than 1 month. Culture of drained pleural fluid resulted in isolation of P. dentalis. Resistance to penicillin and moxifloxacin was documented. Treatment with drainage and clindamycin was established, but the patient developed cognitive impairment and died after a worsening of his general condition.

Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of pleuro-pulmonary infection due to Streptococcus intermedius / Características clínicas y microbiológicas de la infección pulmonar causada por Streptococcus intermedius

The clinical and microbiological characteristics of pleuro-pulmonary infection (PPI) caused by Streptococcus intermedius is described, including 6 cases in the literature and 9 cases handled at the present centre. Out of the 15 patients, 12 were male; mean age at diagnosis was 62.06 ± 15 years. Twelve had risk factors for S. intermedius infection such as alcoholism in 5 (35.7%) patients, periodontal disease in 3 (24.6%) cases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3 (24.6%), and diabetes mellitus in 2 (14.2%). Cough was present in 12 (80%) patients and chest pain and dyspnea in 9 (60%). The mean diagnosis interval was 34 days. The diagnosis was obtained from pleural fluid aspirate in 13 (86.6%) cases and from biopsy/tissue samples in 2. The most frequently antimicrobials used for treatment were ceftriaxone + levofloxacin. Ten patients cured with a combination of medical and surgical treatment and 2 patients died as a consequence of infection. The incidence of PPI caused by S. intermedius is increasing in our health area; drainage along with antibiotic therapy is recommended for treatment

Se describen las características clínicas y microbiológicas de la infección pleuro-pulmonar producida por Streptococcus intermedius , incluyendo 6 casos de la literatura y 9 casos diagnosticados en nuestro centro. De los 15 pacientes, 12 eran varones; la media de edad al diagnóstico fue de 62,02 ± 15 años. Doce tenían factores de riesgo para la infección por S. intermedius , tales como alcoholismo en 5 (35,7%) pacientes, enfermedad periodontal en 3 (24,6%) casos, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en 3 (24,6%), y diabetes mellitus en 2 (14,2%). Se presentó tos en 12 (80%) pacientes y dolor torácico y disnea en 9 (60%). La media del intervalo diagnóstico fue de 34 días. El diagnóstico se obtuvo de aspirado de líquido pleural en 13 (86,6%) casos y de muestras de biopsia/tejido en 2. Los antimicrobianos más frecuentemente utilizados fueron ceftriaxona + levofloxacino. Diez pacientes curaron con una combinación de tratamiento médico y quirúrgico y dos pacientes fallecieron como consecuencia de la infección. La incidencia de infección pleuro-pulmonar causada por S. intermedius se ha incrementado en nuestra área de salud; el tratamiento recomendado es el drenaje junto con la terapia antibiótica

Infections caused by Scedosporium/Lomentospora species: Clinical and microbiological findings in 21 cases.

The clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by Scedosporium/ Lomentospora species in 21 patients are described. We searched retrospectively the records for Scedosporium/ Lomentospora species seen at the University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves from 2006 to 2017. Out of them, 16 were male; mean age at diagnosis was 57.8 (±SD 15) years; all patients had risk factors for fungal infection such as corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive treatment in 18 (85.7%) patients, pulmonary diseases in seven (33.3%) cases, hematological malignancies in six (28.5%), and organ transplantation in three (14.2%) patients. Most patients had infection in the lung/pleura (17/80.9%); cough was present in 12 patients and dyspnea in another 12, and the mean interval until diagnosis was 13.6 days. The most frequent species was S. apiospermum/S. boydii in 14 patients (66.6%), followed by L. prolificans in seven. The diagnosis was obtained from sputum in 12 (57.1%) cases, followed by pleural fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage in two of each. The most frequently used antifungals were voriconazole and amphotericin B, but combination of more than one antifungal drug was only used in three patients. Ten patients were cured, and six patients died as a consequence of the infection; three patients had chronic infection. In general, infections caused by Scedosporium/Lomentospora species are rare, serious, and difficult to diagnose and treat, having a high index or mortality especially in those caused by L. prolificans.

Pleural effusion due to Parvimonas micra. A case report and a literature review of 30 cases / Derrame pleural debido a Parvimonas micra. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura de 30 casos

The clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by Parvimonas micra is described, including 30 cases in the literature and a new case handled at the present centre. Out of the 31 patients, 18 were male; mean age at diagnosis was 65.1 ± 13.0 years. Infection site was the vertebral spine in 14 patients and joints and heart valves in 5 each one; pain was present in all patients with articular localization and in almost all patients with vertebral involvement. The diagnosis was obtained from fluid aspirate or drainage in 13 cases and blood cultures in 11. In 8 cases, molecular techniques were also applied. The most frequently used antimicrobials were clindamycin, penicillin, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. The outcome was positive with the medical treatment in 28 patients. P. micra infections are uncommon and requires a high index of suspicion (AU)

Se describen las características clínicas y microbiológicas de las infecciones causadas por Parvimonas micra, incluyendo 30 casos revisados de la literatura y un nuevo caso tratado en nuestro centro. De los 31 pacientes, 18 eran hombres; la media de edad al diagnóstico fue de 65,1 ± 13,0 años. En 14 pacientes, la localización de la infección fue la columna vertebral, mientras que las articulaciones y las válvulas cardiacas lo fueron en 5 cada una; en todos los pacientes con localización articular hubo dolor, y en caso todos los pacientes con afectación vertebral. El diagnóstico se obtuvo mediante aspiración de líquido o drenaje en 13 casos y mediante hemocultivos en 11. En 8 casos se aplicaron técnicas moleculares. Los antimicrobianos más frecuentemente utilizados fueron clindamicina, penicilina, amoxicilina y ceftriaxona. El pronóstico fue favorable con el tratamiento médico en 28 pacientes. Las infecciones por P. micra son raras y requieren un alto índice de sospecha (AU)

A Rare Case of Osteomyelitis Caused by Haemophilus Parainfluenzae.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a rare cause of bone and joint infections. We report a case of calcaneal osteomyelitis due to this microorganism with a review of all published. A 23-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of pain and inflammation in the calcaneus area. Osteomyelitis was suspected at this location based on computed tomography images. Culture of six bone biopsies and surrounding tissue resulted in the isolation of H. parainfluenzae. Surgical drainage and debridement was performed, and antibiotic treatment was prescribed, resolving the infection.

Candida Prosthetic Joint Infection. A Review of Treatment Methods.

Fungal microorganisms are still a rare cause of bone and joint infections. We report a new case of knee prosthetic joint infection due to Candida albicans in a patient with a previous two-stage right knee arthroplasty for septic arthritis due to S. epidermidis occurred several months ago. Moreover, the treatment in 76 cases of Candida prosthetic joint infection has been discussed. Forty patients were female and mean age at diagnosis was 65.7 (± SD 18) yrs. No risk factors for candidal infection were found in 25 patients. Infection site was the knee in 38 patients and hip in 36; pain was present in 44 patients and swelling in 24. The most frequent species was C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis. Eleven patients were only treated with antifungal drugs being the outcome favourable in all of them. Two-stage exchange arthroplasty was performed in 30 patients, and resection arthroplasty in other 30; in three patients one-stage exchange arthroplasty was done. A favourable outcome was found in 58 patients after antifungal plus surgical treatment, in 11 after antifungal treatment alone and in one after surgery alone. The type of treatment is still not clearly defined and an algorithm for treatment in fungal PJI should be established, but various types of surgical procedures may be applied.

Candida-induced prosthetic joint infection. A literature review including 72 cases and a case report.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and microbiological characteristics of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Candida species is described, including 72 cases in the literature and a case of Candida glabrata infection handled at the present centre. METHODS: We describe one patient and using the key words 'fungal prosthetic joint infection' and 'candida prosthetic joint infection' we searched MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD), Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane systematic review databases for case reports of this condition. RESULTS: Out of the 73 patients, 38 were female; mean age at diagnosis was 65.7 (± SD 18) yrs; 50 had risk factors for candidal infection such as systemic disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus) and/or immunosuppressive therapy in 18 (24.6%) cases, diabetes mellitus in 14 (19.1%), immunosuppression due to malignant or chronic disease in 24 (32.8%) and long-term antibiotic use in four (5.4%) patients. Infection site was the knee in 36 patients and hip in 35; pain was present in 43 patients and swelling in 23 and the mean surgery-diagnosis interval was 32 months. The most frequent species was C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis. The diagnosis was obtained from joint fluid aspirate in 33 cases and intra-operative samples in 16. Susceptibility to antifungals was tested in only 21 isolates. The most frequently used antifungals were fluconazole and amphotericin B. Two-stage exchange arthroplasty was performed in 30 patients and resection arthroplasty in 31; 56 patients were cured with a combination of medical and surgical treatment; one patient died from the infection. CONCLUSION: PJI caused by Candida requires a high index of suspicion; surgery with long-term antifungal therapy is recommended.

Localized mucosal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum mimicking cancer in the rhinolaryngeal region.

The clinical, microbiological, and histopathological findings of six patients with mucosal leishmaniasis are reported. Five of these patients were Spanish with no history of travel abroad, while the other was from Bolivia but had lived in Spain for more than 5 years. Two patients had no underlying disease, while the other four had several other medical conditions. Lesions were located in the nose in three patients and in the larynx in the other three. Symptoms included difficulty in swallowing, nasal obstruction, dysphonia, and polypoid lesions mimicking cancer. The diagnosis was based on the identification of parasites, or on PCR assay or culture. Five patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin B and the other with antimonial compounds.

Artritis tuberculosa sobre prótesis de rodilla: descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Tuberculous prosthetic knee joint infection: a case report and literature review

Introducción. La infección protésica tardía se presenta a partir del segundo mes tras la cirugía en el contexto de una diseminación hematógena desde otro foco. La infección protésica por micobacterias es una complicación rara cuyo manejo clínico no está estandarizado. Caso. Paciente de 77 años sin antecedentes personales de interés salvo diabetes y un recambio protésico de rodilla derecha por gonartrosis tres años antes. Acude a urgencias del hospital por un cuadro de unos 6 meses de evolución de intenso dolor en rodilla derecha de tipo mecánico con signos inflamatorios pero sin fiebre asociada. A los 5 días de su reingreso y presentando empeoramiento clínico se informa del crecimiento de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en la primera muestra de aspirado de rodilla y se instaura tratamiento antituberculoso durante 9 meses. Las imágenes de resonancia magnética nuclear confirmaron también el diagnóstico de espondilitis tuberculosa en el contexto clínico de la paciente. Tras la intervención quirúrgica se seguía aislando en el cultivo de las muestras intraoperatorias M. tuberculosis y por ello la paciente recibió de nuevo otra tanda de 9 meses con antituberculosos. La evolución al año de seguimiento fue aceptable, aunque unos meses después la paciente falleció por causas cardiovasculares. En la revisión bibliográfica se encontraron 15 publicaciones con un total de 17 casos clínicos en los últimos 25 años de infección protésica por M. tuberculosis. Conclusión. La artritis protésica tuberculosa, aunque es una presentación infrecuente, debe tenerse presente, especialmente en aquellos pacientes con condiciones predisponentes y con antecedentes de infección tuberculosa (AU)

Introduction. Prosthetic late infection occurs in the second month after surgery in the context of haematogenous spread from another source. Prosthetic mycobacterial infection is a rare complication whose clinical management is not standardized. Case. Patient of 77 years with no personal history except for diabetes and a prosthetic replacement of right knee with osteoarthritis three years ago. Patient goes to hospital emergency box for 6 months pain in the right knee with mechanical inflammatory signs but no fever associated. After their return within 5 days and clinical worsening is reporting growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in knee aspirate and antitubercular treatment is established for 9 months. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging studies also confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis spondylitis in the clinical context of the patients. After surgery, M. tuberculosis was again isolated from intraoperative samples and therefore the patient received another batch of treatment for 9 months. After a year of monitoring, the development was acceptable but few months later, the patient died for cardiovascular causes. In the literature review, 15 publications with a total of 17 clinical cases of prosthetic infection by M. tuberculosis were found from 1980 to 2014. Conclusion. Prosthetic tuberculous arthritis, although it is a rare presentation, it should be noted, especially in patients with predisposing conditions with a history of tuberculosis infection (AU)

Autochthonous lepromatous leprosy in a Spanish woman with burns on both feet and skin lesions.

The incidence of leprosy is decreasing worldwide and it is considered a rare disease in developed countries. In Spain, leprosy is mainly an imported disease with only few autochthonous cases seen. The diagnosis is difficult because of a low index of suspicion and the absence of visualisation of fast-acid bacilli in the lesions. Here, we report an autochthonous case of leprosy diagnosed after 4 years of evolution of skin lesions. Mechanical rupture of the biopsy helped finally to make the correct diagnosis of the disease.

Disseminated infection due to Saksenaea vasiformis secondary to cutaneous mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is an uncommon opportunistic fungal infection caused by Zygomycetes. It usually affects immunocompromised, diabetic and trauma patients with infected wounds. We report a case of disseminated infection secondary to facial cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a diabetic patient who had a farming accident causing him severe head injury. The patient was treated with a combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B, but he had a slow and fatal outcome. In cases of tissue necrosis following trauma involving wound contact with soil (i.e., potential fungal contamination), testing for the presence of Zygomycetes fungi such as S. vasiformis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients is crucial. The reason is that this infection usually has a rapid progression and may be fatal if appropriate treatment is not administered.

Diagnóstico de infección congénita / Diagnosis of congenital infection

El diagnóstico de la infección congénita está basado en: a) serología materna; b) estudio microbiológico del líquido amniótico y sangre fetal, y c) serología en el neonato y detección del agente etiológico por cultivo o PCR. La infección congénita por citomegalovirus, virus herpes simple, virus varicela-zóster, Toxoplasma gondii y erythrovirus B19 suele ser el resultado de la infección primaria en la madre. Por lo tanto, la detección de anticuerpos IgG antes del embarazo permite descartar las infecciones por estos agentes. El diagnóstico serológico definitivo de infección aguda en la embarazada requiere la demostración de seroconversión. En tales casos, debe realizarse el estudio de infección congénita intrauterina en muestras de líquido amniótico y sangre fetal.Las infecciones por citomegalovirus, virus de la rubéola y T. gondii pueden diagnosticarse por detección de IgM en sangre fetal. Sin embargo, la PCR en líquido amniótico ha desplazado a las técnicas convencionales en el diagnóstico de estas infecciones. En el recién nacido, el diagnóstico puede confirmarse mediante detección de IgM específica.Erythrovirus B19 puede detectarse por PCR en líquido amniótico o sangre fetal.En la infección congénita por el virus varicela-zóster, la persistencia de IgG después del nacimiento permite establecer el diagnóstico.La detección directa del virus herpes simple en vesículas o muestras orofaríngeas es la técnica de elección para el diagnóstico de infección congénita por este agente(AU)

In general, congenital diagnosis is based on: a) maternal serologic assays; b) microbiologic study of amniotic fluid or fetal blood sampling; and c) serology in children and microorganism detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or culture.Congenital infections due to cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, varicella, B19 erythrovirus and toxoplasmosis are usually the result of primary infection in the mother. Therefore, when IgG antibodies are detected before pregnancy, these infections are ruled out. Definitive serologic diagnosis of acute infection in pregnant women requires the demonstration of seroconversion (i.e., from seronegative to seropositive). In these cases, amniotic fluid or fetal blood sampling should be performed to determine the presence of intrauterine congenital infection.Cytomegalovirus, rubella and toxoplasmosis can be diagnosed by detection of specific IgM antibodies in fetal blood. However, PCR in amniotic fluid has replaced conventional prenatal diagnostic techniques, including fetal blood sampling, in the diagnosis of these infections. In the newborn, these infections may be confirmed by measuring IgM specific antibodies.B19 erythrovirus can be detected by PCR in amniotic fluid or fetal blood. Congenital varicella-zoster infection may be diagnosed on the basis of persistence of IgG antibodies after birth. Definitive diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infection requires viral isolation. Swabs or scraping from clinical specimens can be inoculated into susceptible cell lines for isolation(AU)

Infecciones del aparato urinario / Urinary tract infections

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[Effect of modified liberation doxazosin on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and catecholamine secretion in patients with true resistant hypertension]. / Efecto de la doxazosina de liberación modificada en la presión arterial, la resistencia a la insulina y la secreción de catecolaminas en pacientes con hipertensión arterial resistente verdadera.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are not studies about the utility of modified liberation doxazosin (MLD) in the combined treatment of the true resistant hypertension (TRH). The aim of this study was to determinate the effect of MLD on the blood pressure (BP), insulin resistance, and the catecholamine secretion in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty seven patients with TRH from our unit were studied above and after 12 weeks of treatment with MLD (8 mg/day). The following parameters, among others, were analysed: office BP, ambulatory BP (ABPM), rennin, aldosterone and insulin plasmatic levels, urinary catecholamines and the insulin sensitivity index. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded because of adverse sides. After the treatment period, 53.8% of patients experimented a decrease of office diastolic BP higher than 10 mmHg, and 44% of them presented a decrease of 24-hour diastolic BP higher than 5 mmHg (answer patients). Likewise, 38.5% and 24% of patients achieved an adequate office BP and ABPM control, respectively. Also, a significant decrease of insulin resistance and urinary catecholamines, and an increase of aldosterone in plasma were observed. The rest of parameters remained invariables. CONCLUSIONS: MLD could be useful in the TRH treatment, because this drug decreased significantly BP, insulin resistance and catecholamine secretion in these patients, with a good tolerance.

[Predictive factors of hypertension in patients with diagnostic doubts of persistent hypertension]. / Factores predictivos de hipertensión arterial en pacientes con dudas diagnósticas de hipertensión mantenida.

BACKGROUND: White coat hypertension (WCH) is a prevalent clinical situation which requires a therapeutic management different from persistent hypertension (PH). To distinguish between patients with WCH and uncertain hypertension from patients with PH, an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is usually indicated, yet it is not available in primary care. Thereby, predictors of WCH on the basis of pre-test (pre-ABPM) clinical characteristics have been suggested. However, little is known about the predictors of PH. The aim of this study was to ascertain predictors of PH in patients referred from the primary care due to suspicion of WCH or uncertain hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A 24-hours ABPM was performed in 230 consecutive patients referred from primary care because of suspicion of WCH or uncertain hypertension. WCH was defined as an increased office BP with a mean daytime BP, as measured by ABPM, < 135/85 mmHg. Uncertain hypertension was diagnosed when patients had had episodic (2 or more) office BP >140 and/or 90 mmHg together with normal BP determinations. Patients with increased office BP with a mean daytime BP [by ABPM]3 135/85 mmHg were considered as having PH. RESULTS: In 178 patients, ABPM was successful. Eighty-six patients (48.3%) had PH and the remainder (92 patients; 51.7%) were considered as having WCH. In the PH group, there were more males (67.4% vs 43.5%; p < 0.001), patients were older (42.8 [11.8] years vs 35.7 [11.2] years), there were more smokers (39.5 vs 26.1%; p = 0.056), they consumed more alcohol (p = 0.001) and coffee (p < 0.001) and they had higher levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.001) and creatinine (p = 0.003) and lower levels of uric acid (p<0.001) than the WCH group. Also they had an office BP and an ambulatory BP higher than WCH patients. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that PH was significantly associated with a male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 3.26; confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-6.88; p = 0.001), office systolic BP > 145 mmHg (OR = 6.53; CI, 2.67-16.11; p < 0.001), age (> 35 years) (OR = 5.03; CI, 2.35-10.78; p < 0.001) and smoking (OR = 3.07; CI, 1.38-6.84; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that in patients referred from primary care due to suspicion of WCH or uncertain hypertension, the prevalence of PH was 48.3%. PH was more frequent among men older than 35 years, smokers and those with an ambulatory systolic BP > 145 mmHg.

Factores predictivos de hipertensión arterial en pacientes con dudas diagnósticas de hipertensión mantenida / Predictive factors of hypertension in patients with diagnostic doubts of persistent hypertension

FUNDAMENTO: La hipertensión de bata blanca (HBB) es una situación clínica prevalente que requiere un abordaje terapéutico distinto del de la hipertensión arterial mantenida (HTAm). La monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial (MAPA) está indicada para distinguir entre pacientes con HBB e hipertensión dudosa de los pacientes con HTAm. Sin embargo, esta técnica no está disponible en atención primaria (AP). Por esa razón, se han propuesto ciertos factores predictivos de HBB sobre la base de determinadas características clínicas previas a la MAPA. Menos conocidos son los factores predictivos de la HTAm. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer factores predictivos de HTAm en pacientes derivados desde AP por sospecha de HBB o HTA dudosa. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se realizó de forma consecutiva una MAPA a 230 pacientes derivados de AP por dudas diagnósticas de HBB e HTA dudosa. HBB se definió como una presión arterial (PA) elevada en consulta, pero con una cifra media diurna determinada mediante MAPA inferior a 130/85 mmHg. Se diagnosticó hipertensión dudosa cuando los pacientes habían tenido PA episódicas (dos o más) en consulta de más de 140/90 intercaladas con determinaciones normales de PA. Los pacientes con una PA elevada en consulta corroborada mediante MAPA (con PA media diurna igual o superior a 135/85 mmHg) fueron considerados HTAm. RESULTADOS: La MAPA fue correcta en 178 pacientes. Ochenta y seis (48,3 por ciento) tenían HTAm y el resto (92 pacientes; 51,7 por ciento) fue diagnosticado de HBB. En el grupo de pacientes con HTAm había más varones (67,4 frente al 43,5 por ciento; p < 0,001), los pacientes eran mayores (42,8 [11,8] frente a 35,7 [11,2] años), había más fumadores (39,5 frente al 26,1 por ciento; p = 0,056), bebían más alcohol (p = 0,001) y café (p < 0,001) y presentaban concentraciones de hemoglobina (p = 0,001) y creatinina (p = 0,003) más altas y de ácido úrico más bajas que el grupo de HBB. También tenían una PA, tanto de consulta como la registrada mediante MAPA, más alta que los pacientes con HBB. Un análisis de regresión logística multivariante encontró que la HTAm estaba asociada significativamente con el sexo masculino (odds ratio [OR] = 3,26; intervalo de confianza [IC], 1,54-6,88; p = 0,001), con una PA sistólica tomada en la consulta superior a 145 mmHg (OR = 6,53; IC, 2,67-16,11; p < 0,001), con la edad superior a 35 años (OR = 5,03; IC, 2,35-10,78; p < 0,001) y con el consumo de tabaco (OR = 3,07; IC, 1,38-6,84; p = 0,005). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros hallazgos indican que en los pacientes derivados desde AP por sospecha de HBB o HTA dudosa, la prevalencia de HTAm es del 48,3 por ciento. La HTAm fue más frecuente en varones mayores de 35 años, fumadores y con una PA sistólica tomada en consulta de más de 145 mmHg. (AU)