Spanish validation of the Syndrom Kurztest (SKT).

There is an urgent need in multinational studies for efficient and sensitive tests for the evaluation of dementias. These tests are used to investigate the regional characteristics of dementias, providing possible insight into the different etiologies of the disorders. These tests are also utilized to assess the outcome of treatment interventions at multinational levels. We validated and standardized the Syndrom Kurztest, a brief European neuropsychological test, in a population of elderly Chileans, possessing high levels of illiteracy. In our sample, the SKT was found to be an effective instrument for the diagnosis of dementias, and for differentiating mild-moderate from severe degrees of the disease. There was a good correlation between the scores on the SKT and the age of the participants, but the gender and the years of schooling had no effect. The test is a useful contribution to the study of dementias, found in the aging developing world, particularly because it can be used in illiterate populations.

Comparison of two doses of aprotinin in patients receiving aspirin before coronary bypass surgery.

This study was designed to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of two different doses of aprotinin in patients receiving aspirin before undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Forty-two patients were randomized to receive either placebo (group I), or aprotinin in doses of 4,000,000 KIU (group II) or 6,000,000 KIU (group III). Drug efficacy was determined by measuring postoperative blood loss and transfusion of blood products. Both doses were effective in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements. Blood loss through thoracotomy drainage was 450 +/- 224, 182 +/- 144, 142 +/- 98 ml, respectively, for control and treatment groups II and III (p = 0.0001). The numbers of patients with blood transfusions were seven (50%), two (17%) and two (17%) for group I and treatment groups II and III, respectively (p = 0.10). Tolerability was excellent and complications few and reversible. In conclusion, high and medium doses of aprotinin were well tolerated and reduced bleeding and transfusion requirements in patients submitted to coronary bypass surgery under the effects of aspirin.

[In vitro comparative activity of moxifloxacin and other antimicrobials against respiratory pathogens]. / Actividad comparativa in vitro de moxifloxacina y otros antimicrobianos frente a patógenos respiratorios.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory pathogens are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobials. A new group of drugs, called respiratory quinolones have been synthesized to overcome this problem. AIM: To study the in vitro susceptibility of respiratory pathogens to old and new antimicrobials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five strains of S pneumoniae, 44 strains of H influenzae, 21 strains of M catarrhalis, 10 strains of methicillin susceptible S aureus and 20 strains of methicillin resistant S aureus were studied. All were isolated from community acquired respiratory infections during 1999. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of moxifloxacin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, clarithromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were determined using the Etest method. Beta-lactamase production by H influenzae and M catarrhalis was also studied. RESULTS: S pneumoniae strains were 100% susceptible to quinolones and cotrimoxazole, 2% were resistant to macrolides, 11% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and 47% were resistant to cefuroxime. H influenzae was 100% susceptible to quinolones, azithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. There was a 53% resistance to cotrimoxazole, 21% to amoxicillin, 9% to clarithromycin and 7% to cefuroxime. M catarrahalis was 100% susceptible to quinolones and 100% resistant to amoxicillin, 5% resistant to macrolides, 14% resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 20% to cefuroxime and 30% to cotrimoxazole. Methicillin susceptible S aureus was susceptible to all antimicrobials and methicillin resistant S aureus was resistant to all. CONCLUSIONS: Maxifloxacin and the new respiratory quinolones can be useful in the treatment of respiratory infections.

[Efficacy and tolerance of a five day course of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of urinary tract infection in women. Multicenter study]. / Eficacia y tolerancia de ciprofloxacina por 5 días en mujeres con infección urinaria. Estudio multicéntrico.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus about the ideal antimicrobial agent and duration of treatment for urinary tract infection in women. AIM: To assess the efficacy of a five days course of ciprofloxacin for the treatment of urinary tract infection in women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with urinary tract infection were treated with ciprofloxacin (Baycip, Bayer) 250 mg bid during 5 days. Patients were evaluated three to four days after treatment start, two to seven days and one month after treatment end. RESULTS: Of 101 eligible women, 96 aged 18 to 65 years old, coming from three major Chilean cities, participated in the study and 80 completed the follow up period. There was a 95% clinical success, 2.5% partial improvement and 2.5% treatment failure. The causal microorganism was erradicated in 90% of cases, in 1.2% treatment failed and in 8.7% a re-infection occurred. Adverse effects attributable to the drug were observed in 12 patients (headache in 3, gastrointestinal disturbances in 8, somnolence in 1 and irritability in 1). CONCLUSIONS: Ciprofloxacin is an useful antimicrobial for the treatment of lower urinary tract infection in women.

[Clinical experience with an alpha glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose) in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Multicenter study]. / Experiencia clínica con un inhibidor de la alfa glucosidasa (acarbosa) en el tratamiento de la diabetes no insulinodependiente. Estudio multicéntrico.

BACKGROUND: Acarbose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor is a drug used in the treatment of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, that interferes with the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides. AIM: To study the effect of acarbose in non insulin dependent diabetic patients that had an inadequate metabolic control with diet and sulphonylureas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Diabetic patients received acarbose, 150 mg/day during four weeks and this dose was increased to 300 mg/day during 3 months. Afterwards, patients were followed for a period of 12 weeks without acarbose. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin were measured sequentially during the study. RESULTS: Eighty five patients were recruited for the study but 64 complied with the treatment protocol. The age of these patients was 56 +/- 8.8 years old, their diabetes duration was 7.8 +/- 8.8 years and their body mass index was 27.6 +/- 3.6 kg/m2. During acarbose treatment, glycosilated hemoglobin decreased from 8.36 +/- 1.33 to 7.71+ 1.7% (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose decreased from 173 +/- 48 to 159 +/- 59 mg/dl (p < 0.03) and post-prandial blood glucose decreased from 254 +/- 80 to 241 +/- 80 mg/dl (NS). After discontinuing acarbose glycosilated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels returned to basal levels. Body weight and blood pressure did not change during the treatment period. Fifty nine patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (meteorism, flatulence and abdominal distention) that were mild in 59% and moderate in 39%. Episodes of hypoglycemia were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Acarbose, associated to sulphonylureas is an effective drug to reduce blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin levels in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes.

[Haemophilus influenzae carriers among child care personnel: its prevalence and the efficacy of enoxacin in its elimination]. / Portadores de Haemophilus influenzae en personal de atención infantil: prevalencia y eficacia de enoxacina en la erradicación.

In a previous study we observed that 6% of adult and 18% of children contacts of H. influenzae infected patients became carriers of the bacillus. We studied 1296 adults involved in children care, 398 from day care centers and 898 from hospitals in Santiago. A pharyngeal sample was cultured in chocolate agar plus bacitracin (300 mg/ml) and incubated at 37 degrees C in a 5-10% CO2 atmosphere for 18-24 h. Isolates of H influenzae were biotypified and serogrouped according to international recommendations. We observed that 2.4% of subjects were H influenzae carriers. Thirty carriers were treated with 2 doses of enoxacin, 440 mg. All became free of H influenzae at a 30-day follow-up.