Four-month incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among healthcare workers after the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare workers (HCW) are at high risk for suicide, yet little is known about the onset of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) in this important segment of the population in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study of Spanish HCW active during the COVID-9 pandemic. A total of n = 4809 HCW participated at baseline (May-September 2020; i.e., just after the first wave of the pandemic) and at a four-month follow-up assessment (October-December 2020) using web-based surveys. Logistic regression assessed the individual- and population-level associations of separate proximal (pandemic) risk factors with four-month STB incidence (i.e., 30-day STB among HCW negative for 30-day STB at baseline), each time adjusting for distal (pre-pandemic) factors. STB incidence was estimated at 4.2% (SE = 0.5; n = 1 suicide attempt). Adjusted for distal factors, proximal risk factors most strongly associated with STB incidence were various sources of interpersonal stress (scaled 0-4; odds ratio [OR] range = 1.23-1.57) followed by personal health-related stress and stress related to the health of loved ones (scaled 0-4; OR range 1.30-1.32), and the perceived lack of healthcare center preparedness (scaled 0-4; OR = 1.34). Population-attributable risk proportions for these proximal risk factors were in the range 45.3-57.6%. Other significant risk factors were financial stressors (OR range 1.26-1.81), isolation/quarantine due to COVID-19 (OR = 1.53) and having changed to a specific COVID-19 related work location (OR = 1.72). Among other interventions, our findings call for healthcare systems to implement adequate conflict communication and resolution strategies and to improve family-work balance embedded in organizational justice strategies.

Heterogeneous Predisposing Factors and Etiology of Edema of the Uvula in a Spanish Population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Edema of the uvula (EU) may appear in isolation or in association with clinical manifestations such as urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. EU may lead to upper airway obstruction, provoking obstructive respiratory distress and asphyxia. Objective: We sought to investigate the etiology of and predisposing factors for EU in a large population of patients referred to an outpatient clinic. METHODS: In this 3-year follow-up cohort study, 171 patients presenting with EU were identified and classified as having isolated EU or nonisolated EU. The etiology of each patient's condition was studied, and possible predisposing factors were recorded. An allergology work-up and a statistical study (bivariate/multivariate analyses) were performed. RESULTS: The predisposing factors for both groups of EU patients were found to be different. The etiology of the problem was identified for most patients; allergy to Anisakis simplex was the most common cause in both groups. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics were also found to be triggers in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated EU was associated with snoring, an elongated uvula, and having experienced previous episodes of EU. We found no associations between groups of EU patients and gender, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, personal and family history of atopy, and obstructive sleep apnea. Allergy to A simplex was the most commonly recorded cause.

Heterogeneous predisposing factors and etiology of edema of the uvula in a Spanish population

BACKGROUND: Edema of the uvula (EU) may appear in isolation or in association with clinical manifestations such as urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. EU may lead to upper airway obstruction, provoking obstructive respiratory distress and asphyxia. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the etiology of and predisposing factors for EU in a large population of patients referred to an outpatient clinic. METHODS: In this 3-year follow-up cohort study, 171 patients presenting with EU were identified and classified as having isolated EU or nonisolated EU. The etiology of each patient's condition was studied, and possible predisposing factors were recorded. An allergology work-up and a statistical study (bivariate/multivariate analyses) were performed. RESULTS: The predisposing factors for both groups of EU patients were found to be different. The etiology of the problem was identified for most patients; allergy to Anisakis simplex was the most common cause in both groups. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics were also found to be triggers in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated EU was associated with snoring, an elongated uvula, and having experienced previous episodes of EU. We found no associations between groups of EU patients and gender, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, personal and family history of atopy, and obstructive sleep apnea. Allergy to A simplex was the most commonly recorded cause

INTRODUCCIÓN: El edema de úvula (EU) puede aparecer aislado o en asociación con otras manifestaciones clínicas, tales como urticaria, angioedema o anafilaxia. En cualquier caso, puede provocar una obstrucción de la vía aérea superior que a veces puede ser grave. OBJETIVO: Intentamos investigar la etiología y los factores predisponentes del EU de una gran población de pacientes derivados a nuestras consultas. MÉTODOS: En este estudio de cohortes de 3 años de seguimiento, se valoraron 171 pacientes que presentaban EU, clasificándose como EU aislado o EU no aislado. Se estudió la etiología de la condición clínica de cada paciente y se registraron los posibles factores predisponentes en cada caso, a través de un estudio alergológico y estadístico, con el fin de comprobar una asociación significativa entre ellos. RESULTADOS: Se encontró que los factores predisponentes para ambos grupos de pacientes eran diferentes. Una etiología fue identificada para la mayoría de los casos, siendo la alergia a Anisakis simplex la causa más común para ambos grupos. Los fármacos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y los antibióticos también fueron identificados como etiologías para ambos grupos. CONCLUSIONES: Encontramos que el EU aislado se asoció con roncopatía, úvula elongada y haber sufrido episodios previos de EU. No se demostró asociación entre ambos grupos de pacientes con el sexo, obesidad, tabaquismo, hábito enólico, atopia personal y familiar o apnea obstructiva del sueño. La alergia a A. simplex fue la causa más frecuentemente demostrada

Primary care randomized clinical trial: manual therapy effectiveness in comparison with TENS in patients with neck pain.

This study investigated effectiveness of manual therapy (MT) with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to reduce pain intensity in patients with mechanical neck disorder (MND). A randomized multi-centered controlled clinical trial was performed in 12 Primary Care Physiotherapy Units in Madrid Region. Ninety patients were included with diagnoses of subacute or chronic MND without neurological damage, 47 patients received MT and 43 TENS. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured in millimeters using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Also disability, quality of life, adverse effects and sociodemographic and prognosis variables were measured. Three evaluations were performed (before, when the procedure finished and six months after). Seventy-one patients (79%) completed the follow-up measurement at six months. In more than half of the treated patients the procedure had a clinically relevant "short term" result after having ended the intervention, when either MT or TENS was used. The success rate decreased to one-third of the patients 6 months after the intervention. No differences can be found in the reduction of pain, in the decrease of disability nor in the quality of life between both therapies. Both analyzed physiotherapy techniques produce a short-term pain reduction that is clinically relevant.

[Transient ischemic attacks: risk factors, duration and neuroimaging in a series of 173 patients]. / Ataques isquémicos transitorios: factores de riesgo, duración y neuroimagen en una serie de 173 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: The appearance of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) is an important sign of vascular risk. The maximum time the deficit lasts has been set arbitrarily at 24 hours. It is assumed that TIA does not entail permanent vascular lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical records of patients diagnosed as suffering from TIA in our centre between 1996 and 1997. Analysis of associated risk factors (RF), duration and findings in neuroimaging. RESULTS: The clinical records of 173 patients (106 males) were examined. The RF identified were similar to those described for ischemic strokes. 45.6% of patients with a history of vascular pathologies received no preventative treatment. 58% of the TIA were resolved within the first 30 minutes and 71% within the first hour. Cranial CT was normal in 69%, showed old lesions in 26% and lesions that were compatible with the clinical signs of TIA in 5% (in the latter case the duration of the episodes was greater). CONCLUSIONS: TIA shares the same RF and aetiopathogenic mechanisms as ischemic stroke and should, therefore, be considered as such. There is a need to revise the concept of TIA paying special attention to the findings of neuroimaging or to establish duration limits that are better matched to the practical reality. TIA maintains a practical interest since it provides a simple method of identifying patients with a high vascular risk.

Ataques isquémicos transitorios: factores de riesgo, duración y neuroimagen en una serie de 173 pacientes / Transient ischemic attacks: risk factors, duration and neuroimaging in a series of 173 patients

Introducción. El ataque isquémico transitorio (AIT) es un importante marcador de riesgo vascular. La duración máxima de los déficit se establece arbitrariamente en 24 horas. Se asume que el AIT no asocia lesiones vasculares permanentes. Pacientes y métodos. Revisión retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de pacientes diagnosticados de AIT en nuestro centro durante 1996-1997. Análisis de factores de riesgo (FR) asociados, duración y hallazgos de neuroimagen. Resultados. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 173 pacientes (106 varones). Los FR identificados fueron similares a los descritos para los ictus isquémicos. Un 45,6 por ciento de pacientes con antecedentes de patología vascular no recibía tratamiento preventivo. Un 58 por ciento de los AIT se resolvieron en los primeros 30 minutos y un 71 por ciento en la primera hora. La TC craneal fue normal en el 69 por ciento, mostró lesiones antiguas en el 26 por ciento y lesiones compatibles con la clínica del AIT en el 5 por ciento (en estos últimos, la duración de los episodios fue mayor).Conclusiones. El AIT comparte los mismos FR y mecanismos etiopatogénicos que el ictus isquémico y, por tanto, debería considerarse como tal. Se necesita revisar el concepto de AIT con especial atención a los hallazgos de neuroimagen o establecer límites de duración más adecuados a la realidad. El AIT conserva un interés practico, ya que permite identificar de forma sencilla a pacientes con alto riesgo vascular (AU)