Effect of calcium-channel blockers on the risk of active tuberculosis and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) could reduce the risk of active tuberculosis and improve clinical outcomes. We aimed to synthesize the evidence regarding the effect of CCBs on the risk of developing active tuberculosis and mortality. Methods: We systematically searched for observational studies and clinical trials published in six databases until 31 August 2023, following a PECO/PICO strategy. Results: We included eight observational studies, 4,020,830 patients, among whom 241,761 had diabetes mellitus and 30,397 had active tuberculosis. According to our results, CCBs reduce the risk of developing active tuberculosis by 29% (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.67-0.75) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. However, CCBs do not show any benefit in terms of tuberculosis-related mortality (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.98-1.02). For both outcomes, no statistical heterogeneity was found (I2 = 0, p > 0.10). This protective effect of CCBs on the risk of active tuberculosis remained independent of the type of patient (with diabetes mellitus vs. general population) or the class of CCB administered (DHP-CCB vs. non-DHP-CCB) (test for subgroup differences I2 = 0, p > 0.10). However, this beneficial effect was more significant among the general population (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.66-0.74) compared to patients with diabetes mellitus (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61-0.86) and among those patients treated with DHP-CCBs (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.63-0.74) compared to patients treated with non-DHP-CCBs (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.67-0.78). Conclusion: CCBs may reduce the risk of active TB in patients with diabetes and the general population. On the contrary, CCBs do not seem to have a protective effect on tuberculosis-related mortality. However, more evidence is still needed. We recommend developing clinical trials to verify these findings, including more diverse populations. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=352129].

Effect of acute altitude exposure on physiological parameters and glucose metabolism in healthy lowland Peruvians.

BACKGROUND: High altitude exposure triggers a series of physiological changes to maintain homeostasis. Although longer-term (days to years) acclimatization processes are well studied, less is known about the physiological changes upon rapid ascent. We took advantage of Peru's geography to measure the first physiological changes following rapid transport from a low to a high-altitude environment among lowlanders. METHODS: Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and salivary cortisol among healthy lowland Peruvians were measured before and after glucose ingestion at 40 m and upon arrival at 3470 m. Resting heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure were also monitored. RESULTS: At high altitude, we find a significant ( p<0.05) increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and salivary cortisol. Additionally, baseline levels of blood glucose, plasma C-peptide, and cortisol were reduced ( p<0.05). Blood glucose, plasma insulin, and plasma C-peptide returned to baseline or below faster at high altitude after glucose ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: Although many overlapping environmental and physiological factors are present in the high-altitude environment, the first steps of acclimatization in this population appear to be caused by increased energy expenditure and glucose metabolism to maintain oxygen homeostasis until the longer-term acclimatization mechanisms become more significant.

Use of Ivermectin and Chlorine Dioxide for COVID-19 Treatment and Prophylaxis in Peru: A Narrative Review.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, created a rapidly unfolding health crisis, especially in the initial phases of the pandemic. In the early stages of the pandemic, various strategies were proposed for COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment with very little scientific evidence available. Among these proposed treatments were ivermectin and chlorine dioxide, which were both used widely in Peru for both disease prevention and treatment without considering their problematic side effects. For instance, ivermectin was part of an approved therapeutic scheme based on in vitro data, although its efficacy in humans was not demonstrated. In addition, chlorine dioxide was never shown to be effective but causes threatening side effects. In this article, we discuss current information regarding chlorine dioxide and ivermectin in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on experiences in Peru.

Acretismo placentario con compromiso vesical en altura / Placental accreta with bladder involvement in height

Introducción: El acretismo placentario es una complicación obstétrica compleja. Según el grado de profundidad se clasifica en placenta acreta, increta y percreta, siendo esta última una presentación rara. Objetivo: Reportar la evolución clínica quirúrgica de una paciente con diagnóstico de acretismo placentario (placenta percreta) con compromiso vesical. Caso clínico: Paciente segundigesta de 28 años, con antecedente de una cesárea anterior hace aproximadamente 4 años, ingresa por consultorio externo debido a estudio ecográfico sugestivo de probable acretismo placentario con invasión vesical realizada en el tercer trimestre, motivo por el cual es hospitalizada para un mejor estudio y tratamiento. Sometida a cirugía por equipo multidisciplinario, a cesárea-histerectomía modificada, con resección parcial de vejiga y ligadura de hipogástricas, con corta estancia en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y hospitalización sin complicaciones urológicas posteriores. Conclusiones: La detección temprana permite una planificación preoperatoria adecuada con equipo multidisciplinario especializado, considerando la participación temprana del urólogo en la toma de decisiones(AU)

Introduction: Placental accreta is a complex obstetric complication. According to the degree of depth, it is classified into placenta accreta, increta and percreta, the latter being a rare presentation. Objective: To report the surgical clinical evolution of a patient with a diagnosis of placental accreta (placenta percreta) with bladder involvement. Clinical case report: A 28-year-old second-pregnant patient, with a history of a previous cesarean section approximately 4 years ago, was admitted to an outpatient clinic due to a probable placental accreta with bladder invasion performed in the third trimester which was suggestive in ultrasound study. She was hospitalized for better study and treatment and she underwent surgery by a multidisciplinary team. A modified cesarean section-hysterectomy, with partial bladder resection and hypogastric ligation, with a short stay in the Intensive Care Unit and hospitalization without subsequent urological complications. Conclusions: Early detection allows adequate preoperative planning with a specialized multidisciplinary team, considering the early participation of the urologist in decision-making(AU)

Mortality and disability reported after immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical results (28-day mortality and disability at discharge) in patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) treated with immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis at the Regional Lambayeque in Peru Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective Cohort Study. Brighton criteria was used for diagnosing GBS, and modified Rankin scale (MRS) was employed for evaluating functional outcome. We used logistic regression for data analyses. RESULTS: A total of 142 cases of GBS diagnosed from 2011 to 2020 were included. GBS presented in a seasonal pattern; 60% of cases occurred in winter and spring. Motor variants (AMAN and AMSAN) accounted for 60% of cases, whereas only 8.5% of cases were typical GBS (AIDP). About 60% of patients were males, and 56% of cases corresponded to the age range of 20-59 years. Patients aged ≥60 years accounted for only 24% of total cases of GBS, but this group had a lethality of 58.3%. Although 28-day mortality was statistically similar in both treatment groups (plasmapheresis or immunoglobulin), we found a trend toward lower mortality in the plasmapheresis group (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62-0.97; p=0.062). We found no differences in terms of disability at discharge in GBS patients treated with plasmapheresis or immunoglobulin. CONCLUSION: Mortality and functional outcome were statistically similar between patients treated with immunoglobulin or plasmatic exchange. However, there was a trend toward lower mortality in patients treated with plasmapheresis.