Making Oneself "Fit": Community Perspectives on Disaggregated Race and Ethnicity Data Collection and Reporting in Healthcare Settings.

Patient race/ethnicity data collection in most U.S. health systems abide by federal standards, determined by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Yet, decades of research show that reliance on these categories alone limits understanding of within-group health disparities, systematically erasing key groups from health data. Because granular race/ethnicity data is complex and patients may be hesitant to disclose this personal information, it is important for health leaders to consider community perspectives when making decisions about race/ethnicity data procedures. As such, this study uses community focus groups to understand: (1) how individuals representing different racial/ethnic identities perceive the collection of race/ethnicity in healthcare settings; (2) differences in opinions between disaggregated race/ethnicity data collection instruments and those using federal standards; and (3) recommended practices for collecting race/ethnicity from patients. Participants self-selected into 13 focus groups and one key informant interview based on the race/ethnicity with which they most closely identified. Audio recordings from these groups were transcribed and evaluated using thematic content analysis. Among the 83 total participants in this study, there was a strong preference for more flexible and specific options for self-identifying race/ethnicity in healthcare settings. Participants also felt comfortable disclosing granular race/ethnicity to health providers but expressed discomfort with disclosing this information for other purposes. Recommendations for healthcare leaders include ensuring patients receive detailed communication about race/ethnicity data use and purpose, allowing multiple category selection, keeping the list of disaggregated response options short so as to not overwhelm patients, and providing a free text option to ensure inclusivity.

Trends of Utilization of Systemic Therapies for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Canadian Health Care System.

PURPOSE: Standard-of-care therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have greatly evolved. However, the availability of emerging options in global health care systems can vary. We sought to describe the integration and usage of systemic therapies for mRCC in Canada since 2011. METHODS: We included patients with mRCC enrolled in the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System, a prospective cohort of patients from 14 Canadian academic centers, who received systemic therapy from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021. Patients were stratified by treatment era (cohort 1: 2011-2015, cohort 2: 2016-2021). Stacked bar charts were used to present treatment proportions; Sankey diagrams were used to show the evolution of treatment sequencing between the two cohorts. RESULTS: Four thousand one hundred seven patients were diagnosed with mRCC, of whom 2,752 (67%) received systemic therapy. Among these patients, mean age was 64 years, 74% were male, 75% had clear cell histology, and International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium risk classification was favorable, intermediate, and poor in 16%, 56%, and 28%, respectively. Utilization of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI)-based treatments has increased in Canada and reflects global and local patterns of approval and adoption. The use of therapies after doublet ICI has mostly shifted toward vascular endothelial growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKIs) that were previously used in first line with subsequent treatments reflecting approved and available agents after previous VEGF-TKI. Clinical trial participation among patients who received systemic therapy was 18% in first, 21% in second, and 24% in third line. CONCLUSION: In Canada's publicly funded health care system, availability of standard mRCC therapies broadly reflects access from government-funded clinical trials and compassionate access program sources. In an evolving therapeutic landscape, ongoing advocacy is required to continue to facilitate patient access to efficacious therapies.

Adjuvant therapy for renal cell carcinoma: 2023 Canadian Kidney Cancer Forum consensus statement.

INTRODUCTION: Several recent randomized trials evaluated the impact of adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapy on post-surgical outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with disparate results. The objective of this consensus statement is to provide data-driven guidance regarding the use of ICIs after complete resection of clear-cell RCC in a Canadian context. METHODS: An expert panel of genitourinary medical oncologists, urologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists with expertise in RCC management was convened in a dedicated session during the 2022 Canadian Kidney Cancer Forum in Toronto, Canada. Topic statements on the management of patients after surgery for RCC, including counselling, risk stratification, indications for medical oncology referral, appropriate followup, eligibility and management for adjuvant ICIs, as well as treatment options for patients with recurrence who received adjuvant immunotherapy, were discussed. Participants were asked to vote if they agreed or disagreed with each statement. Consensus was achieved if greater than 75% of participants agreed with the topic statement. RESULTS: A total of 22 RCC experts voted on 14 statements. Consensus was achieved on all topic statements. The panel felt patients with clear-cell RCC at increased risk of recurrence after surgery, as per the Keynote-564 group definitions, should be counselled about recurrence risk by a urologist, should be informed about the potential role of adjuvant ICI systemic therapy, and be offered referral to discuss risks and benefits with a medical oncologist. The panel felt that one year of pembrolizumab is currently the only regimen that should be considered if adjuvant therapy is selected. Panelists emphasized current opinions are based on disease-free survival given the available results. Significant uncertainty regarding the benefit and harms of adjuvant therapy remains, primarily due to a lack of consistent benefit observed across similar trials of adjuvant ICI-based therapies and immature overall survival (OS) data. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus document provides guidance from Canadian RCC experts regarding the potential role of ICI-based adjuvant systemic therapy after surgery. This rapidly evolving field requires frequent evidence-based re-evaluation.

The emerging landscape of neo/adjuvant immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies that reduce the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) recurrence remain an area of unmet need. Advances have been made in metastatic RCC recently by leveraging PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These agents are currently being investigated in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings to determine if intervention early in the disease trajectory offers a clinically meaningful benefit. While a disease-free survival benefit has been demonstrated with pembrolizumab, results from other ICI studies have not been positive to date. More mature data from these studies are needed to determine whether there is a survival benefit to ICIs in the curative-intent setting. The success of ICIs has also ushered a new wave of studies combining ICIs with other agents such as targeted therapies and vaccines, which are in early stages of investigation. We review the current state of adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy in RCC and highlight opportunities for ongoing study.

Actuar de Enfermería en el parto: dilemas del deber ser y hacer / Nursing act in childbirth: dilemmas of should be and do / Atuação da enfermagem no parto: dilemas do deve ser e fazer

El parto es un proceso natural, sin embargo las intervenciones medicalizadas e injustificadas hicieron que este proceso se patologizara y esa clase de actos hacen que el proceso del parto para las mujeres se conviertan en experiencias negativas, ya que, pasan por momentos donde se les vulnera su autonomía y protagonismo. Por lo que en este artículo se busca reflexio-nar sobre el parto humanizado desde la perspectiva de un estudiante durante sus prácticas formativas, además, de tener en cuenta las filosofías y miradas antropológicas que marcan la pauta en el actuar del profesional, el biopoder del cuerpo de una mujer en labor de parto que es sometida al paternalismo de quienes la atienden. Por otro lado, cómo la infraestructura del lugar donde se atiende a las mujeres y la falta de habilidades como lo es la empatía en el profesional de salud son determinantes durante su atención y cómo impacta en la falta de humanización.

Childbirth is a natural process, however medicalized and unjustified interventions made this process pathologized and these kinds of acts make the birth process for women become nega-tive experiences, since they go through moments where they are violated their autonomy and leadership. Therefore, this article seeks to reflect on humanized childbirth from the perspec-tive of a student during their training practices, in addition to taking into account the philos-ophies and anthropological views that set the standard in the actions of the professional, the biopower of the body of a woman in labor who is subjected to the paternalism of the person who attends to her. On the other hand, how the infrastructure of the place where women are cared for and the lack of skills such as empathy in the health professional are determining factors during their care and how it impacts on the lack of humanization.

O parto é um processo natural, porém intervenções medicalizadas e injustificadas tornaram esse processo patologizado e esses tipos de atos fazem com que o processo de parto para as mulheres se tornem experiências negativas, pois passam por momentos em que sua au-tonomía e liderança são violadas. Portanto, este artigo busca refletir sobre o parto humanizado na perspectiva de uma estudante durante suas práticas de formação, além de levar em conta as filosofias e visões antropológicas que pautam nas ações do profissional, o biopoder do corpo de uma parturiente submetida ao paternalismo de quem a atende. Por outro lado, como a in-fraestrutura do local onde as mulheres são atendidas e a falta de habilidades como a empatia no profissional de saúde são fatores determinantes durante o seu atendimento e como isso impacta na falta de humanização.Palavras chave: Parto, Parto Humanizado, Enfermagem, Enfermagem Obstétrica, Cuidados de Enfermagem.

Prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress in an Ecuadorian outpatient population with type II diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study (STROBE).

Type II diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a worldwide disease with an important economic and health impact. Currently, depression, anxiety and stress are common disorders among diabetic populations but their respective prevalence may well be underestimated. So far, Latin American countries have only reported limited information about the impact of mental diseases on DM2 outpatients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors related to depression, anxiety, and stress among ambulatory DM2 populations from two third-level hospitals in Quito, Ecuador. A cross-sectional study based on a random sample was carried out in two hospitals. Patients were evaluated by the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). In addition, a validated survey was used to grade socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, and comorbidity variables. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS (version 22.0). STROBE guidelines were used for reporting this trial. A total of 208 adult patients with DM2 were included (women 58%; men 42%). The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 31.7% (95% CI, 25.5-38.5%), 33.7% (95% CI, 27.3-40.5%), and 25.0% (95% CI, 19.3-31.5%), respectively. Male gender was associated with a decreased risk for depression (OR 0.39 [95% CI, 0.18-0.81]; P = .01), anxiety (OR 0.31 [95% CI, 0.16-0.65]; P = .002), and stress (OR 0.35 [95% CI, 0.15-0.77]; P = .009). A higher level of education was associated with low risk for depression (OR 0.23 [95% CI, 0.11-0.46]; P < .001), anxiety (OR 0.47 [95% CI, 0.25-0.90]; P = .02), and stress (OR 0.24 [95% CI, 0.12-0.49]; P = .001). In contrast, patients with DM2 complications were more likely to have depression (OR 2.96 [95% CI, 1.32-6.63]; P = .008) and anxiety (OR 2.56 [95% CI, 1.20-5.48]; P = .01). Finally, an income higher than the basic salary reduced the risk of depression alone (OR 0.39 [95% CI, 0.16-0.91]; P = .03). In conclusion, a high prevalence rate of depression, anxiety, and stress was found in the DM2 outpatient population. Thus, more tailored care surveillance for DM2 patients is needed considering the bio-psycho-social environment to provide an integral health management.

Next Wave of Targets in the Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

While surgical resection has remained the mainstay of treatment in early-stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC), therapeutic options in the advanced setting have remarkably expanded over the last 20 years. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-TKIs) and anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-based immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become globally accepted options in the upfront metastatic setting, with different ICI-based combination strategies improving overall survival compared to single-agent Sunitinib. Although some patients benefit from long-term responses, most eventually develop disease progression. Ongoing efforts to better understand the biology of RCC and the different mechanisms of acquired resistance have led to the identification of promising therapeutic targets. Belzutifan, a novel agent targeting the angiogenic pathway involving hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), has already been approved for the treatment of early-stage tumors associated with VHL disease and represents a very promising therapy in advanced RCC. Other putative targets include epigenetic regulation enzymes, as well as several metabolites such as adenosine, glutaminase and tryptophan, which are critical players in cancer cell metabolism and in the tumor microenvironment. Different methods of immune regulation are also being investigated, including CAR-T cell therapy and modulation of the gut microbiome, in addition to novel agents targeting the interleukin-2 (IL-2) pathway. This review aims to highlight the emergent novel therapies for RCC and their respective completed and ongoing clinical trials.

Emerging Biomarker-Guided Therapies in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death in men worldwide. In the past decade, several new treatments for advanced prostate cancer have been approved. With a wide variety of available drugs, including cytotoxic agents, androgen receptor axis-targeted therapies, and alpha-emitting radiation therapy, identifying their optimal sequencing remains a challenge. Progress in the understanding of the biology of prostate cancer has provided an opportunity for a more refined and personalized treatment selection process. With the advancement of molecular sequencing techniques, genomic precision through the identification of potential treatment targets and predictive biomarkers has been rapidly evolving. In this review, we discussed biomarker-driven treatments for advanced prostate cancer. First, we presented predictive biomarkers for established, global standard treatments for advanced diseases, such as chemotherapy and androgen receptor axis-targeted agents. We also discussed targeted agents with recent approval for special populations, such as poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer with homologous recombination repair-deficient tumors, pembrolizumab in patients with high levels of microsatellite instability or high tumor mutational burden, and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) directed radioligand theragnostic treatment for PSMA expressing tumors. Additionally, we discussed evolving treatments, such as cancer vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T), Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), other targeted agents such as AKT inhibitors, and various combination treatments. In summary, advances in molecular genetics have begun to propel personalized medicine forward in the management of advanced prostate cancer, allowing for a more precise, biomarker-driven treatment selection with the goal of improving overall efficacy.

Toward safer opioid prescribing: effects of the TOWER intervention on HIV care providers.

ABSTRACTRates of opioid use disorder and associated deaths remain alarmingly high. Measures to address the epidemic have included reductions in opioid prescribing, in part guided by the Centers for Disease Control Opioid Prescribing Guideline (CDCG). While reductions in over-prescribing have occurred, these measures have also resulted in decreased access and adverse outcomes for some stable opioid-treated chronic pain patients. The TOWard SafER Opioid Prescribing (TOWER) intervention was designed to support HIV primary care providers in use of the CDCG and in decision-making and patient-provider communication regarding safe opioid prescribing. Eleven HIV primary care providers and 40 of their patients were randomized into intervention and control groups. Transcripts from 21 patient visits were analyzed, focusing on opioid and pain-related communications. Findings from this research indicate greater alignment with the CDCG among visits carried out with providers in the TOWER intervention group. However, control group visits were notably consistent with guideline recommendations in several key areas. Differences observed between the intervention and control group visits demonstrate intervention strengths, as well as areas where additional work needs to be done to ensure prescribing and communication consistent with the CDCG.

Factors involved in time reduction between seizure relapses in patients with epilepsy attending emergency rooms in Medellín, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Seizure relapses are the leading cause of admission to emergency rooms (ER) in people with epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze administrative and clinical factors associated with the duration between seizure relapses in people with epilepsy admitted to the Neurological Institute of Colombia (Medellin) between July 2018 and July 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study of 156 patients over 18 years old, diagnosed with epilepsy, and treated for over a year. The outcome variable was the time between seizure relapses, identified through the record of ER attendances. In addition, difficulties in the prescription filling process (delay, omission, or brand change) and clinical characteristics were analyzed as potential associated influence factors. The statistical analysis was performed using the Prentice, Williams & Peterson-Gap Time survival model for recurrent events. Finally, Adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) are also presented. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients were analyzed. Their average age of diagnosis was 15.5 years (SD = 22.5), the median number of monthly seizures was 3 (SD = 9.3), and 50.6% were women. Moreover, difficulties in the prescription filling process were associated with a time reduction between seizure relapses (aHR = 2.61; 95%CI 1.49-4.57), showing a similar impact as having a history of three or four types of events (aHR = 2.96; 95%CI 1.23-7.12) and neuropsychiatric comorbidity (aHR = 1.89; 95%CI 1.04-3.54). CONCLUSION: Neuropsychiatric comorbidity, history of several types of events, and experiencing difficulties with prescription filling are associated with lower benefit from treatment to control seizure relapses.

The emerging treatment landscape of advanced urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is one of the most common malignancies in the Western world. Historically, patients with advanced disease have had a poor prognosis and progress within months of completing upfront platinum-based chemotherapy. In the last two years, the treatment landscape for metastatic UC (mUC) has significantly shifted with the emergence of contemporary immunotherapy and targeted agents. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current and emerging systemic treatment options for mUC of the bladder. RECENT FINDINGS: PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated activity in the postplatinum and platinum-ineligible settings. Additionally, they have become a standard maintenance treatment option after avelumab demonstrated increased overall survival in patients with stable disease or better after first line platinum-based chemotherapy. Novel targeted therapies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have been granted Food and Drug Administration approval for subsequent line therapy based on promising results in phase II and III trials. SUMMARY: There has been a considerable increase in the variety of effective therapies for mUC, including the utility of ICIs, novel targeted agents, and ADCs. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains an effective first-line option. As the role of novel therapies continues to shift toward earlier in the disease course, there remains an important need to develop feasible, globally accessible predictive biomarkers that can aid in patient selection and inform sequencing of therapeutic options.

Reflections from the "Forgotten Front Line": A qualitative study of factors affecting wellbeing among long-term care workers in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While long-term care (LTC)1 facilities serving older adults have long struggled with low employee morale and high rates of staff turnover, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to these facilities and the frontline staff working in them. This study aimed to explore factors that influenced the personal and professional wellbeing of care providers working in LTC facilities across New York City (NYC) during the pandemic. Fourteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with frontline care providers working in LTC facilities across NYC. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and systematically coded according to both pre-existing and emergent topics. Four main themes emerged from the data: the toll of the virus; home and work-life balance stressors; workplace stressors; and participants' recommendations for facility leadership. Findings from this study may inform strategies for supporting the wellbeing of frontline care providers in LTC environments, especially during future public health emergencies.

Experiencia de embolización de la arteria renal previa a nefrectomía / Experience of Renal Artery Embolization Prior to Nephrectomy

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la evolución perioperatoria de pacientes sometidos a nefrectomía con y sin embolización de la arteria renal (EAR) prequirúrgica, en un hospital de alta complejidad de Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y Métodos: Observacional descriptivo retrospectivo; se incluyeron pacientes de 18-90 años con diagnóstico de tumor renal, sometidos a nefrectomía con y sin EAR prequirúrgica. Las variables cualitativas se expresaron por medio de frecuencias y proporciones, y las cuantitativas mediante medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Resultados: Se incluyeron 71 pacientes con una media de edad de 58,1 (DE: 10,6) años, 41 eran mujeres y el 69% tenía diagnóstico de carcinoma de células claras. La media del volumen de sangrado intraoperatorio fue de 540,8 cc, y 19,7% requirió transfusión. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 2,6 horas y el 38% presentó alguna complicación, con una mortalidad total del 4,2%. Al observar comparativamente los pacientes con EAR (15 pacientes) versus aquellos sin ella (56 pacientes), se identificó un mayor volumen de sangrado intraoperatorio y la necesidad de transfusión en los primeros. Conclusión: Los pacientes sometidos a EAR presentaron un mayor volumen de sangrado, mayor frecuencia de transfusión y complicaciones postoperatorias, siendo necesario un consenso sobre su real pertinencia terapéutica.

Abstract Aim: To describe the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing nephrectomy with and without preoperative Renal Artery Embolization (RAE) in a high-complexity hospital in Medellín, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and observational study; 18-90 years old patients with renal tumor diagnosis, submitted to nephrectomy with and without preoperative RAE were included. Qualitative variables were expressed by measures of frequencies and proportions, and quantitative variables were expressed by measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: 71 patients with a media age of 58,1 (SD: 10,6) years were included, 41 were women and 69% were diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma. The blood loss volume media was 540.8 cc, and 19.7% required transfusion. The operative time media was 2.6 hours and 38% had any complication, with a total mortality of 4.2%. Comparatively observing patients with RAE (15 patients) versus patients without RAE (56 patients), a higher intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were identified in the first ones. Conclusion: Patients submitted to RAE presented greater volume of bleeding, greater frequency of transfusion and post-operative complications, requiring a consensus on its real therapeutic relevance.

Ataque cerebrovascular agudo como presentación de neurocisticercosis: reporte de un caso / Ischemic stroke as a presentation of neurocysticercosis: report of a case

RESUMEN La cisticercosis es una infección parasitaria, prevalente principalmente en países en vía de desarrollo, con una seroprevalencia en Colombia de 8,6 % (1). Generalmente, el diagnóstico se realiza en el contexto de una de sus formas más graves, la neurocisticercosis, que a su vez presenta un espectro grande de manifestaciones que van desde crisis epilépticas hasta accidentes cerebrovasculares agudos. Este reporte describe el caso atípico de una mujer joven con infarto cerebral secundario a neurocisticercosis, complicación que representa un reto clínico importante y que se debe considerar en el diagnóstico diferencial.

SUMMARY Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection prevalent mainly in developing countries, with a seroprevalence in Colombia of 8.6 %. Diagnosis is usually made in the context of one of its most serious forms, neurocysticercosis, which in turn has a large spectrum of manifestations ranging from epileptic seizures to acute cerebrovascular accidents. This report describes the atypical case of a young woman with cerebral infarction secondary to neurocysticercosis, a complication that represents an important clinical challenge and that should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis.

Análisis Mediante Espectrofotometría UV/Vis de Diferentes Productos Terminados Homeopáticos de Nux Vomica 6CH, 7CH y 30CH, Comercializados en Tres Farmacias en Bogotá, Colombia / Analysis by Spectrophotometry UV / Vis of Different Products Homeopathic Finished Nux Vomica 6CH, 7CH and 30CH, Marketed in Three Pharmacies in Bogota Colombia

El aumento de la frecuencia de uso de los medicamentos homeopáticos en la población en general implica que la calidad en la elaboración de los mismos debe indagarse para evitar situaciones adversas en la población que los consume. En Colombia existen procesos legales para obtener el permiso de producción y venta; sin embargo, en éstos no hay verificación del producto terminado contrastándolo con un control. Los medicamentos homeopáticos se elaboran mediante ultradiluciones de sustancias que actúan basados en el principio similia similibus curantur. La Nux vomica es un medicamento homeopático de uso frecuente, dado su carácter de policresto para diferentes patologías, y por lo tanto es importante tener un control de calidad de dicho medicamento. En este estudio se realizaron mediciones de la concentración de Nux vomica 6CH, 7CH y 30CH comprada en diferentes farmacias (FAR) y vendida como producto terminado, comparándolos con un medicamento elaborado por las autoras de este trabajo, utilizando para ello la espectrofotometría UV/Vis, no encontrándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos después de aplicar energía cinética. (AU)

The increasing use of homeopathic medicines in the general population implies that the quality in the preparation of those should be investigated to avoid adverse situations in the people who consumes them. In Colombia, there are legal processes to obtain the production and sale license, however, there is no verification of the finished product against a control. Homeopathic medicines are made by ultradilutions of substances that act based on the Similia similibus curentur principle. The Nux vomica is a homeopathic medicine of frequent use, given its character of policresto, for different pathologies and therefore it's important to have a quality control of that medication. In this study, measurements were made of Nux vomica 6CH, 7CH and 30CH concentration purchased in different pharmacies (FAR) and sold as a finished product, comparing them with a drug elaborated by the authors using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. No statistically significant differences were found between them. after applying kinetic energy. (AU)

Revisión Hiponatremia / Hyponatremia review

La hiponatremia es el desequilibrio electrolítico más común en la práctica clínica, sin embargo también es el más sub­ diagnosticado.En los pacientes con hiponatremia sintomática aumenta significativamente la morbilidad y la mortalidad en contraste con pacientes cuyas concentraciones de sodio son normales. El presente artículo ofrece una revisión sobre la epidemiología, enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico de la hiponatremia

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance in clinical practice; it is also the most under-diagnosed . Morbidity and mortality are significantly increased in patients with symptomatic hyponatremia in contrast to patients whose sodium concentration is normal. This article offers a review addressing epidemiology, diagnosis and therapeutic approach of hyponatremia

Atención prehospitalaria de infarto agudo de miocardio en Manizales, Colombia, 2009 / Prehospital care of acute myocardial infarction in Manizales, Colombia, 2009

Introducción: La mayoría de las muertes por infarto agudo de miocardio se dan en la primera hora de ocurrido el evento y antes de recibir atención por el equipo de salud; se considera entonces que la atención prehospitalaria debe dar respuesta a esta situación. Por ello, surge el interés de investigar cómo se encuentra la atención prehospitalaria de infarto agudo de miocardio en Manizales (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio tipo descriptivo utilizando como medio de recolección de datos encuestas y entrevistas cara a cara, evaluando como variables al personal, la institución y la dotación de las ambulancias. La población a estudiar comprendió las siguientes entidades de atención prehospitalaria de Manizales–Colombia: Cuerpo Oficial de Bomberos, ASSBASALUD ESE, BYR, GER, SER y Cruz Roja; sin embargo las dos últimas entidades no participaron en el estudio por algunos inconvenientes con sus respectivos directores. Resultados: Este estudio provee información importante para el desarrollo y mejoramiento de nuevas políticas de atención prehospitalaria y plantea la necesidad en la remodelación de los recursos con los que se cuenta. A pesar de la capacitación satisfactoria del personal las instituciones prestadoras de este servicio no cuentan con ambulancias medicalizadas necesarias para la atención adecuada y oportuna de un evento coronario. Conclusión: En Manizales no se cuenta con un sistema interinstitucional y coordinado de atención prehospitalaria de infarto agudo de miocardio, ni con recursos suficientes que brinden una oportuna atención, aunque existe un marcado interés por su implementación.