[An epidemiological study of tuberculosis in the health area of Santiago de Compostela during the years 1989, 1990 and 1991]. / Estudio epidemiológico de la tuberculosis en el área sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela durante los años 1989, 1990 y 1991.

In order to assess the incidence of tuberculous disease in our health area, we reviewed the clinical records of patients from the three hospitals of the area under study during the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, who had positive bacilloscopy, positive Lowenstein's culture in any specimen and/or compatible anatomopathologic report. After excluding 26 patients because they belonged to other health areas, 885 patients remained in the study, out of which 251 (64% men and 36% women) were from the year 1989, 270 (64% men and 36% women) from the year 1990 and 364 (62% men and 38% women) from the year 1991. The mean age was 38.4 (SD 20.5). Fifty-one percent of the patients were between 20 and 35 years old. The rate of new cases was 65.87 per 100.000 population in 1989, 71.05 in 1990 and 95.53 in 1991. Seventy-four cases were HIV-positive (8%). Tuberculous meningitis was present in 12 patients. The highest mortality was 1.79 per 100.000 population in 1990. We conclude that tuberculosis presents a medium-high incidence in our health area.

[Comparative study of the bronchodilator effect of inhaled fenoterol and aerosol salbutamol in patients with chronic bronchial asthma]. / Estudio comparativo del efecto broncodilatador entre fenoterol inhaletas y salbutamol aerosol en pacientes con asma bronquial crónica.

The bronchodilator effects of inhaled fenoterol (FI) and salbutamol aerosol (S) in 15 patients (8 male and 7 female with a median age of 44 +/- 13 years), diagnosed as suffering from asthma, were studied using spirometry (determining FEV1, FEF 25-75% and FVC) and flow volume curves (PEF, MEF 75% and MEF 25%). The mean theroric rate of FEV1, PEF, MEF 75% was defined as the theoric rate of the obstruction of central airways (PCA%) and the mean of FVC, FEF 25-75% and MEF 25% rates defined as the rate of the theoric obstruction of the peripheral airways (PPA%). Basal and 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480 minute determinations were done, after the administration of 200 mcg of S in the conventional way on two different days. The statistic study carried out using the "u" test of Mann-Whytney. No statistically significant differences in intensity, onset nor duration of the effect between both drugs were found. We concluded that FI is a drug of great utility in treatment of asthmatic patients and one which allowed, because of the easy inhaling technique, the use of beta 2 adrenergic drugs in a mayor number of patients who would otherwise have to resort to an alternative form of administration.