Health care activity at the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of Castilla-La Mancha (the AACENCAM study).

INTRODUCTION: This study was promoted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes to ascertain the characteristics of patients seen at the outpatient clinics of endocrinology and nutrition of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Authority and the case mix of diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the activity of the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of public hospitals of Castile-La Mancha during 2018. All visits made on 10% of the working days were analyzed. Data collected comprised patient age and sex, whether a first or subsequent had been made, and whether this was face-to-face or not, and up to five diagnoses per visit. RESULTS: A total of 10,709 visits with a subsequent/first visit ratio of 3.4 were analyzed. Patient age was 52.1?±?18.2 years, and 67.1% were women. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary hypothyroidism, thyroid nodular disease, and obesity/overweight were the most common conditions recorded as first diagnosis, accounting for more than half of the total number of visits. Type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid cancer were the diagnoses in which the subsequent/first visit ratio was greater. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and primary hypothyroidism accounted for almost half of the first visits. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of conditions were seen, some of which are among the most prevalent in the general population, while others are not so prevalent, but are complex and difficult to manage by other specialties. Improved knowledge and analysis of the data should allow for the identification of opportunities for improvement and for the implementation of specific actions.

Health care activity at the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of Castile-La Mancha (the AACENCAM study). / Actividad asistencial en las consultas de Endocrinología y Nutrición de Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AACENCAM).

INTRODUCTION: This study was promoted by Sociedad Castellano-Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes to ascertain the characteristics of patients seen at the outpatient clinics of endocrinology and nutrition of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Authority and the case mix of diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the activity of the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of public hospitals of Castile-La Mancha during 2018. All visits made on 10% of the working days were analyzed. Data collected comprised patient age and sex, whether a first or subsequent had been made, and whether this was face-to-face or not, and up to five diagnoses per visit. RESULTS: A total of 10,709 visits with a subsequent/first visit ratio of 3.4 were analyzed. Patient age was 52.1 ± 18.2 years, and 67.1% were women. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary hypothyroidism, thyroid nodular disease, and obesity/overweight were the most common conditions recorded as first diagnosis, accounting for more than half of the total number of visits. Type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid cancer were the diagnoses in which the subsequent/first visit ratio was greater. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and primary hypothyroidism accounted for almost half of the first visits. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of conditions were seen, some of which are among the most prevalent in the general population, while others are not so prevalent, but are complex and difficult to manage by other specialties. Improved knowledge and analysis of the data should allow for the identification of opportunities for improvement and for the implementation of specific actions.

Actividad asistencial en planta de Endocrinología y Nutrición en Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AAPENCAM) / Healthcare on the Endocrinology and Nutrition ward in Castille-La Mancha (the AAPENCAM study)

INTRODUCCIÓN: La actividad de los servicios de Endocrinología y Nutrición (EYN) incluye la asistencia en planta de pacientes propios o mediante interconsultas. La actividad asistencial en planta del conjunto de servicios de EYN de un sistema público de salud no ha sido estudiada en nuestro país. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de la actividad en planta de hospitalización durante 2018 de los Servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha para conocer las características de los pacientes atendidos, tanto con carácter de interconsulta como ingresados a cargo de los propios servicios, así como la casuística de la patología de dichos pacientes. Se analizaron todos los pacientes ingresados a cargo de EYN y una muestra del 10% de los atendidos como interconsulta. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 261 ingresos a cargo de los servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha. El 82,8% tuvieron carácter urgente y el 53,7% fueron por diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Se atendieron 5955 pacientes en régimen de interconsulta, de los cuales se analizó una muestra de 591. El motivo de interconsulta más frecuente fue la diabetes mellitus/hiperglucemia (28,8%), requiriendo 6,1±6,7 días por paciente. Sin embargo, las interconsultas para nutrición artificial requirieron más días de asistencia por paciente y supusieron un porcentaje mayor del total de días de interconsulta (60,4%). CONCLUSIONES: La actividad en planta de los servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha se basa en la asistencia de pacientes con patologías crónicas de alta prevalencia hospitalaria como la diabetes mellitus/hiperglucemia y, especialmente, la Nutrición Clínica

INTRODUCTION: The activity of an Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N) department consists of inpatient care both by those attached to the department and through consultations with specialists from other departments. The inpatient care activity of all the E&N departments of a public health system has not been studied in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of hospital ward activity during 2018 of the E&N departments of the Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service. It was undertaken in order to ascertain the characteristics of the patients attended to, both by those in charge of the E&N departments and through interconsultation with other departments, as well as the case-mix of the pathology of these patients. All patients admitted to E&N and a 10% sample of those treated through interconsultation were analysed. RESULTS: 261 admissions were recorded for Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service E&N departments. 82.8% were urgent and 53.7% were due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. A total of 5955 patients were seen on an interconsultation basis, 591 of whom were analysed. The most frequent reason for interconsultation was diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia (28.8%), requiring 6.1±6.7 days per patient. However, interconsultations for artificial nutrition required more days of attendance per patient and accounted for a higher percentage of the total number of days of interconsultation (60.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient care activity of the E&N departments of Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service mainly consists of attending to patients with chronic pathologies of high hospital prevalence such as diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia and, especially, clinical nutrition

Desarrollo de un índice de complejidad en consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición / Development of an index of complexity for outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las herramientas para analizar la casuística en consultas externas son escasas e insatisfactorias. El objetivo de este trabajo de la Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) fue el desarrollo de una herramienta que permita analizar la casuística de las consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición teniendo en cuenta la complejidad de la patología atendida. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se definió el Índice SCAMEND de Complejidad en Consultas Externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición (ISCCE-EyN) mediante método Delphi con dos rondas entre especialistas en Endocrinología y Nutrición, comparando la complejidad de cada patología con la de una revisión de hipotiroidismo primario. RESULTADOS: Las primeras visitas fueron consideradas más complejas que las visitas sucesivas. La patología tiroidea no neoplásica y el sobrepeso/obesidad sin complicaciones fueron consideradas las patologías menos complejas, mientras que las metabolopatías, los síndromes de neoplasias endocrinas múltiples y el carcinoma suprarrenal fueron consideradas las más complejas. El grado de consenso fue elevado en la mayoría de las patologías analizadas. CONCLUSIONES: Presentamos una herramienta que permite analizar la casuística de las consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición teniendo en cuenta la complejidad inherente a la patología del paciente atendido. Esta herramienta puede servir para realizar comparaciones entre centros, para asignar mejores recursos dentro de un determinado servicio o para la autoevaluación

INTRODUCTION: The tools for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient clinics are scarce few and unsatisfactory. The objective of this study conducted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) was to develop a tool that allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, considering bearing in mind the complexity of the conditions seen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Delphi method, the SCAMEND index of complexity in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics (ISCCE-EyN) was developed by endocrinologists in two rounds, comparing the complexity of each condition being compared with that of a review visit of primary hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The first visits were considered more complex than the subsequent visits. Non-neoplastic thyroid disease and uncomplicated overweight/obesity were considered as the least complex diseases, while metabolic diseases, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and adrenal carcinoma were considered as the most complex. The degree of agreement was high in most of the diseases analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This tool allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, based on the inherent complexity of the disease of the patient is reported. This tool may be used for comparisons between centers, to better allocate resources within a given service, or for self-evaluation

Development of an index of complexity for outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics. / Desarrollo de un índice de complejidad en consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición.

INTRODUCTION: The tools for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient clinics are scarce few and unsatisfactory. The objective of this study conducted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) was to develop a tool that allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, considering bearing in mind the complexity of the conditions seen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Delphi method, the SCAMEND index of complexity in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics (ISCCE-EyN) was developed by endocrinologists in two rounds, comparing the complexity of each condition being compared with that of a review visit of primary hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The first visits were considered more complex than the subsequent visits. Non-neoplastic thyroid disease and uncomplicated overweight/obesity were considered as the least complex diseases, while metabolic diseases, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and adrenal carcinoma were considered as the most complex. The degree of agreement was high in most of the diseases analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This tool allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, based on the inherent complexity of the disease of the patient is reported. This tool may be used for comparisons between centers, to better allocate resources within a given service, or for self-evaluation.

Healthcare on the Endocrinology and Nutrition ward in Castille-La Mancha (the AAPENCAM study). / Actividad asistencial en planta de Endocrinología y Nutrición en Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AAPENCAM).

INTRODUCTION: The activity of an Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N) department consists of inpatient care both by those attached to the department and through consultations with specialists from other departments. The inpatient care activity of all the E&N departments of a public health system has not been studied in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of hospital ward activity during 2018 of the E&N departments of the Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service. It was undertaken in order to ascertain the characteristics of the patients attended to, both by those in charge of the E&N departments and through interconsultation with other departments, as well as the case-mix of the pathology of these patients. All patients admitted to E&N and a 10% sample of those treated through interconsultation were analysed. RESULTS: 261 admissions were recorded for Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service E&N departments. 82.8% were urgent and 53.7% were due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. A total of 5955 patients were seen on an interconsultation basis, 591 of whom were analysed. The most frequent reason for interconsultation was diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia (28.8%), requiring 6.1±6.7 days per patient. However, interconsultations for artificial nutrition required more days of attendance per patient and accounted for a higher percentage of the total number of days of interconsultation (60.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient care activity of the E&N departments of Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service mainly consists of attending to patients with chronic pathologies of high hospital prevalence such as diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia and, especially, clinical nutrition.

Manejo clínico del incidentaloma suprarrenal: resultados de una encuesta / Clinical management of adrenal incidentalomas: results of a survey

Introducción: El incidentaloma suprarrenal (IS) es una masa adrenal clínicamente silente que se descubre por casualidad en una prueba de imagen durante el estudio de una situación clínica no relacionada con la adrenal. Existen diversos protocolos de actuación ante el IS. Evaluamos la aplicación habitual de estos algoritmos mediante una encuesta de actividad clínica. Material y método: La encuesta incluía centro de trabajo, evaluación hormonal y radiológica inicial, pruebas de imagen y de función hormonal para completar el estudio, indicaciones de cirugía y seguimiento clínico. Resultados: Se encuestó a 33 endocrinólogos (el 79% de los asistentes al congreso anual de la Sociedad Castellano-Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes). El 46% de los entrevistados considera el tamaño tumoral como el factor más importante que orienta a malignidad en la valoración inicial del IS; este límite se sitúa en 4 cm para el 78% de los endocrinólogos. El 39% suele llevar a cabo una resonancia magnética para completar el estudio de imagen. En el análisis hormonal todos realizan siempre cribado de hipercortisolismo y feocromocitoma. Otras valoraciones efectuadas siempre en todos los IS incluyen: hiperaldosteronismo (76%), tumor productor de hormonas sexuales (51%) e hiperplasia suprarrenal congénita (30%). El 79% de los encuestados comienza (..) (AU)

Introduction: Incidentalomas are clinically silent adrenal masses that are discovered incidentally during diagnostic testing for clinical conditions unrelated to suspicion of adrenal disease. Several decision algorithms are used in the management of adrenal masses. We evaluated the routine use of these algorithms through a clinical activity questionnaire. Material and method: The questionnaire included data on the work center, initial hormonal and radiological study, imaging and hormonal tests performed to complete the study, surgical indications and clinical follow-up. Results: Thirty-three endocrinologists (79%) attending the annual congress of the Castilla-La Mancha Society of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Diabetes completed the questionnaire. Forty-six percent considered tumoral size to be the most important factor suggesting malignancy in the initial evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas, the limit being 4 cm for 78% of the endocrinologists. Imaging study was completed by magnetic resonance imaging by 39%. All the physicians always performed screening for hypercortisolism and pheochromocytoma. Other assessments always conducted in all incidentalomas included hyperaldosteronism (76%), sex hormone-producing tumor (51%) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (30%). Seventy-nine percent of respondents began to refer incidentalomas larger than 4 cm for surgical treatment, and 46% referred all tumors larger than 6 cm for surgical treatment. With regard to hormonal (..) (AU)