Early Detection and Diagnostic Approach Through Automated Hematological Analysis for Plasma Cell Leukemia.

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a clinically aggressive variant of multiple myeloma, characterized by a high burden of circulating plasma cells, necessitating swift and accurate diagnosis due to its poor prognosis. The conventional diagnostic criteria, including the recent recommendation by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) of > 5% circulating plasma cells as positive, have evolved over time. In this context, we present a detailed case report that underscores the pivotal role of the ADVIA 2120 automated hematology counter in detecting plasma cells through cytogram analysis, along with the significance of routine peripheral blood smear analysis and the utility of a large unstained cells (LUCs) threshold of > 4.5% as an indicator for PCL. The case involves a 64-year-old patient with relapsed multiple myeloma and stable paraprotein levels who experienced sudden renal impairment. In this case report, we highlight how ADVIA analysis and cytochemistry assisted in the diagnosis, and further explore ADVIA's utility in this challenging leukemia.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients in Chile: A single-center analysis.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia represents 20% of acute leukemias in adults. Currently, there is limited data in Chile regarding the clinical, cytogenetic, and prognostic characteristics of this condition. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, and descriptive study of 67 patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the Arturo Lopez Perez Foundation between 2018 and 2021. The main objective is to evaluate epidemiological and clinical characteristics, as well as identifying factors associated with improved overall survival and/or progression-free survival. Results: 88% of the cases were B-lineage, mainly the common B phenotype. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in less than 50% of the patients, with lower yield than expected according to the literature. Molecular testing was performed in 86.5% of the patients, with the most frequent alteration being BCR-ABL. No study was performed to search for Ph-like abnormalities. The rate of complete response after induction was 83.3%, the majority of patients having negative minimal residual disease. Only 12% of the patients received consolidation with allogenic bone marrow transplant. At 2 years, the overall survival was 69% and the progression-free survival was 59%. Conclusion: The results in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival are similar to those reported in the literature. Important diagnostic gaps prevent adequate prognostic characterization. Allogeneic consolidation transplantation was performed in a lower percentage than expected, highlighting the national deficit in access to this treatment.

Actualización en el diagnóstico y estratificación de pacientes con Leucemia Mieloide Aguda: una necesidad país imperiosa / Update on the Diagnosis and Stratification of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Urgent National Need

La leucemia mieloide aguda es una neoplasia con una elevada letalidad, con resultados inferiores en nuestro país respecto a la experiencia internacional publicada, posicionándola como una prioridad desde el punto de vista de salud pública oncológica. Actualmente, para su diagnóstico y estratificación se dispone de citología, inmunofenotipo, cariograma y escasas traslocaciones/mutaciones por biología molecular. Esta aproximación diagnóstica es insuficiente, ya que nos permite clasificar menos del 50% de los pacientes en un grupo específico y, por lo tanto, la elección de la terapia de consolidación se realiza con escasa información biológica. El rol de la morfología y de la citogenética progresivamente pierden relevancia pronóstica con respecto a la biología molecular, y la secuenciación de siguiente generación se ha posicionado como un elemento clave para el diagnóstico y estratificación de riesgo de estos pacientes. Además, la pesquisa de mutaciones germinales ha ido adquiriendo mayor relevancia, aumentando su frecuencia de detección e influyendo en la toma de decisiones respecto al tratamiento y en la selección de donante emparentado para un trasplante alogénico. En esta revisión se realiza una actualización del diagnóstico integrado de pacientes con leucemia mieloide aguda, a la luz de las nuevas clasificaciones diagnósticas (OMS 2022 e ICC 2022) y pronósticas (ELN 2022) y se propone un algoritmo a considerar para su implementación. Es perentorio como país invertir en nuevas tecnologías diagnósticas para mejorar el pronóstico de nuestros pacientes.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a neoplasm with a high lethality, with alarming results in our country, positioning it as a priority from the point of view of oncological public health. Cytology, immunophenotype, karyogram, and a few translocations/mutations by molecular biology are currently available for diagnosis and stratification. This diagnostic approach is insufficient since it allows classifying less than 50% of patients in a specific group. Therefore, consolidation therapy is selected with little biological information. The role of morphology and cytogenetics is progressively losing prognostic weight with respect to molecular biology, and next-generation sequencing has positioned itself as a key element for diagnosing our patients. In addition, the investigation of germline mutations is acquiring greater relevance, increasing its detection frequency and influencing decision-making regarding treatment and selecting a related donor for an allogeneic transplant. In this review, an update of the integrated diagnosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia is carried out in light of the new diagnostic (WHO 2022 and ICC 2022), and prognostic classifications (ELN 2022). We propose an algorithm for integrated diagnosis to be considered for its implementation. It is imperative as a country to invest in new diagnostic technologies to improve the prognosis of our patients.

[Update on the Diagnosis and Stratification of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Urgent National Need]. / Actualización en el diagnóstico y estratificación de pacientes con Leucemia Mieloide Aguda: una necesidad país imperiosa.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a neoplasm with a high lethality, with alarming results in our country, positioning it as a priority from the point of view of oncological public health. Cytology, immunophenotype, karyogram, and a few translocations/mutations by molecular biology are currently available for diagnosis and stratification. This diagnostic approach is insufficient since it allows classifying less than 50% of patients in a specific group. Therefore, consolidation therapy is selected with little biological information. The role of morphology and cytogenetics is progressively losing prognostic weight with respect to molecular biology, and next-generation sequencing has positioned itself as a key element for diagnosing our patients. In addition, the investigation of germline mutations is acquiring greater relevance, increasing its detection frequency and influencing decision-making regarding treatment and selecting a related donor for an allogeneic transplant. In this review, an update of the integrated diagnosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia is carried out in light of the new diagnostic (WHO 2022 and ICC 2022), and prognostic classifications (ELN 2022). We propose an algorithm for integrated diagnosis to be considered for its implementation. It is imperative as a country to invest in new diagnostic technologies to improve the prognosis of our patients.

Survival and response deepening after autologous transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care in candidate patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. In Chile, its indication has been expanding as have centers dedicated to this type of therapy. Here, we present the results of the first 50 patients from a Chilean reference center. METHODS: This was a retrospective analytical study of 50 patients referred to the Arturo López Pérez Foundation to receive ASCT. Patients newly diagnosed or on subsequent lines of treatment were allowed. As primary objectives, the deepening of response with ASCT and subsequent results on overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 50 patients with a median follow-up of 24 months, ASCT managed to deepen responses going from at least very good partial response of 57.4%-82.5% (p = .01); complete response increased from 27.6% to 52.5% (p = .02). In turn, a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 39 months was estimated and the median overall survival was not reached. The most important factor predicting PFS is measurable residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: ASCT is an effective strategy for prolonged progression-free survival and deepening responses. Public-private collaboration is a crucial element in reducing the gaps in access to this type of complex but highly effective therapy.

Early versus deferred anti-SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma in patients admitted for COVID-19: A randomized phase II clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP), despite limited evidence on its efficacy, is being widely used as a compassionate therapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early CP therapy in COVID-19 progression. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The study was an open-label, single-center randomized clinical trial performed in an academic medical center in Santiago, Chile, from May 10, 2020, to July 18, 2020, with final follow-up until August 17, 2020. The trial included patients hospitalized within the first 7 days of COVID-19 symptom onset, presenting risk factors for illness progression and not on mechanical ventilation. The intervention consisted of immediate CP (early plasma group) versus no CP unless developing prespecified criteria of deterioration (deferred plasma group). Additional standard treatment was allowed in both arms. The primary outcome was a composite of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization for >14 days, or death. The key secondary outcomes included time to respiratory failure, days of mechanical ventilation, hospital length of stay, mortality at 30 days, and SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR clearance rate. Of 58 randomized patients (mean age, 65.8 years; 50% male), 57 (98.3%) completed the trial. A total of 13 (43.3%) participants from the deferred group received plasma based on clinical aggravation. We failed to find benefit in the primary outcome (32.1% versus 33.3%, odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.32-2.84, p > 0.999) in the early versus deferred CP group. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17 p = 0.246), mechanical ventilation 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17, p = 0.246), and prolonged hospitalization 21.4% versus 30.0% (OR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.19-2.10, p = 0.554) in the early versus deferred CP group, respectively. The viral clearance rate on day 3 (26% versus 8%, p = 0.204) and day 7 (38% versus 19%, p = 0.374) did not differ between groups. Two patients experienced serious adverse events within 6 hours after plasma transfusion. The main limitation of this study is the lack of statistical power to detect a smaller but clinically relevant therapeutic effect of CP, as well as not having confirmed neutralizing antibodies in donor before plasma infusion. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we failed to find evidence of benefit in mortality, length of hospitalization, or mechanical ventilation requirement by immediate addition of CP therapy in the early stages of COVID-19 compared to its use only in case of patient deterioration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04375098.

Tratamiento de la deficiencia androgénica del enfermo dializado con suplementos de testosterona. Resultados preliminaries / Treatment of the testosterone deficiency in hemodialysis patients. Preliminary results

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Palliative peritoneal dialysis: Implementation of a home care programme for terminal patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Terminal-stage patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are often transferred to haemodialysis as they are unable to perform the dialysis technique themselves since their functional capacities are reduced. We present our experience with five patients on PD with a shortterm life-threatening condition, whose treatment was shared by primary care units and who were treated with a PD modality adapted to their circumstances, which we call Palliative Peritoneal Dialysis.

Diálisis peritoneal paliativa: implantación de un programa de atención domiciliaria a enfermos tratados con diálisis peritoneal (DP) en situación terminal / Palliative peritoneal dialysis: Implementation of a home care system for patients treated with peritoneal dialysis in terminal situations

Los pacientes en Diálisis peritoneal (DP) en situación terminal suelen ser transferidos ahemodiálisis ya que son incapaces de realizarse la técnica dialítica a consecuencia de que sus capacidades funcionales están disminuidas. Presentamos nuestra experiencia con5 pacientes en DP con patología que amenazaba su vida a corto plazo, cuyo tratamiento fue compartido por las unidades de atención primaria y fueron mantenidos en una modalidad de DP adaptada a sus circunstancias a la que hemos denominado Diálisis Peritoneal Paliativa (AU)

Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) in a terminal situation are generally transferred to haemodialysis, given that they are incapable of carrying out the dialysis technique due to the fact that their functional capabilities are diminished. We present our experience with5 patients undergoing PD with pathology that constituted short-term threat to their lives. Their treatment was shared by the primary attention units and they were maintained in a PD mode adapted to their circumstances, which we have called Palliative Peritoneal Dialysis (AU)

Desequilibrio esfuerzo-recompensa y estado de malestar mental en trabajadores de Servicios de Salud en Chile / Effort-reward unbalance and mental uneasiness state in health services workers in Chile

El presente estudio es de tipo exploratorio y aborda la asociación entre las dimensiones del modelo de estrés laboral (Effort Reward Imbalance, DER), y el modelo de salud mental (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28). Se basa en entrevistas y encuestas realizadas a 68 trabajadores del sector salud en 3 lugares de Santiago, Chile (un hospital privado, un hospital público y un consultorio de atención primaria). Los participantes incluyen auxiliares de enfermería, técnicos paramédicos y personal administrativo de varios departamentos. Se encontró asociaciones positivas entre el mal estado de salud mental y la presencia de estrés laboral.

This study explored the association between dimensions of a job-stress model, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI), and a mental health model, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The exploratory study was based on interviews and self-response questionnaires given to 68 health care workers at three worksites in Santiago, Chile (a large public hospital, a large private hospital, and a primary care clinic). The participants included nursing assistants, technicians, and administrative staff from various departments. Positive associations were found between bad mental health and job stress.

Salud ocupacional y teletrabajo / Occupational health and telework

Teletrabajo es una modalidad laboral en la que el trabajo se desempeña en un lugar distinto a la oficina central donde se encuentra el operador, mediante el uso de tecnologías de información y comunicación; esta tecnología ya se ha instaurado en América Latina y El Caribe. En este artículo se hace una revisión sobre la configuración e impacto social del teletrabajo, para posteriormente abordar la perspectiva de la salud ocupacional con el fin de identificar los riesgos laborales que menoscaben el bienestar de los teletrabajadores. La tarea para la salud ocupacional es participar del trabajo interdisciplinario demandado por este fenómeno y marchar paralelamente en la implementación de esta nueva forma de trabajo.

Telework, formed like a labor modality where the work develops in a different place from the central office where the employer performs, by means of technologies of information and communication; this technology has already establish in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this article becomes a revision on the configuration and socialimpact of telework, later to approach the perspective of the occupationalhealth, with the purpose of identifying the labor risks that reduce the well-being of the teleworkers. The occupational health task is to participate in the interdisciplinary work demanded by this phenomenon and to march parallelly to the implementation of this new form of work.