Persistent Q fever and ischaemic stroke in elderly patients.

Whether persistent or chronic Q fever may act as a risk factor for stroke is unknown. A case-control study was conducted in the Hospital Universitario de Burgos (Spain) between February 2011 and December 2012. A total of 803 samples from 634 consecutive hospitalized patients ≥65 years old were tested, of whom 111 were cases (patients with prevalent or incident ischaemic stroke and/or transient ischaemic attack) and 523 were controls (patients without ischaemic stroke and/or transient ischaemic attack). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres phase I and II against Q fever, and IgG antibodies levels against Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus (CMV), were determined using immunofluorescence assay and ELISA methods, respectively. Phase I IgG titres against Coxiella burnetii ≥1:256 (compatible with chronic or persistent Q fever) were detected in 16 of 110 (14.5%) cases and in 32 of 524 (6.1%) controls; P = .004, odds ratio (OR) 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 to 4.9. This ratio was maintained after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cardioembolic focus, smoking, diabetes, other cardiovascular diseases, C-reactive protein, and leukocyte count (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.3). High-titre IgG antibodies (top quartile) against CMV (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.5), but not against C. pneumoniae (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.6), also were associated with ischaemic stroke after adjustment for risk factors. In conclusion, serology compatible with persistent or chronic Q fever is associated with ischaemic stroke in elderly patients. High levels of IgG antibodies against CMV, but not against C. pneumoniae, also are associated with ischaemic stroke in these patients.

Association between serological evidence of past Coxiella burnetii infection and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in elderly patients.

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, may cause vascular complications, but the role that this infection may play in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains unknown. This study examined the association between Q fever serology and cardiovascular disease in a region where Q fever is endemic. A case-control study was conducted in the Hospital Universitario de Burgos (Spain) between February 2011 and June 2012. A total of 513 samples were tested, from 454 hospitalized patients ≥65 years old, of whom 164 were cases (patients with prevalent or incident coronary heart, cerebrovascular or peripheral artery, disease) and 290 controls (patients without cardiovascular disease). Serum IgG antibody phase II titres against Q fever were determined by immunofluorescence assay. Seropositivity (titres ≥1:256) was detected in 84/164 (51.2%) cases and in 109/290 (37.6%) controls (p = 0.005; OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5). This ratio increases when adjusted for sex, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.7). The geometric mean titre (GMT) for C. burnetii phase II assay was higher in cases than in controls (p = 0.004). We found no significant relationship between cardiovascular disease and C. pneumoniae, and Cytomegalovirus seropositivity (both determined by the IgG ELISA method). In conclusion, serological evidence of past Q fever is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in elderly patients in an endemic region.

[Anisakiasis gastrointestinal manifestations: description of 42 cases]. / Manifestaciones digestivas de la anisakiasis: descripción de 42 casos.

BASIS: Anisakiasis is an emerging parasitosis in our environment, although still scarcely known, mainly its gastrointestinal manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this paper 42 cases of anisakiasis with gastrointestinal symptoms (with or without cutaneous allergic manifestations) are described; all cases were studied in our hospital between 1995 and May 2004. RESULTS: Thirty seven cases showed a gastric or gastroallergic form (6 confirmed with gastroscopy) and 5 suffered intestinal symptoms. In those in which endoscopy was not carried out, the diagnosis was done after clinical and biological findings. All patients were sensitized in the presence of Anisakis simplex. The 69% (29 cases) described raw anchovies ingestion or anchovies seasoned in vinegar ingestion some hours before the beginning of the clinical picture. The 59% showed allergic symptoms (gastroallergic anisakiasis); no patient with intestinal affectation showed allergic symptoms. Nausea (67%), vomiting (51%), and epigastralgia (50%) were the dominant symptoms in the group with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis without endoscopic confirmation; on the other hand, pain in right ileac fossa was the dominant symptom in the intestinal form. Fever was seen in two of the later patients (40%), but in no patient with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal symptomatology after ingestion of fish suspiciously prepared should suggest anisakiasis, regardless if clinical picture includes allergic manifestations. In our study, pain in right ileac fossa, fever, and absence of allergic manifestations were typical of intestinal form.

[Metabolic profile and end-organ damage in essential hypertensive patients according to the control of blood pressure in primary care centres]. / Perfil metabólico y deterioro de órganos diana en hipertensos esenciales según el control de la presión arterial en la consulta.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of metabolic control and end-organ damage in a group of hypertensive patients with poor and good blood pressure (BP) control in primary health care centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational study with diagnostic intervention, performed in 16 primary care centers of Burgos (Spain). 207 patients (120 with good BP control and 87 with poor BP control) with pharmacological treatment were included in the study. The following parameters were determined: clinic history, casual BP, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), electrocardiography, and clinic analysis in plasma and 24-hour urine. RESULTS: The 32% and 31% of patients respectively were receiving combined pharmacological treatment. No significant differences were detected between the two groups for the levels of c-HDL > 130 mg/dl (62% vs. 62%), microalbuminuria (5% vs. 10%) and basal glucose levels > 126 mg/dl (105 vs. 15%). There was a significant proportion of patients with poor clinical BP control with left ventricular hypertrophy (13% vs. 34%; p < 0,001), impaired renal function (3% vs. 11%; p < 0,05), mean hematocrit value (41,9 +/- 4,5 vs. 43,7 +/- 3,5; p < 0,01) and different degree on BP control by ABPM (1,6% vs. 16%: p < 0,01). CONCLUSIONS: Our hypertensive patients with poor BP clinical control showed more end-organ damage than those with good control, although they have a similar metabolic profile. The access to ABPM by primary health care centers could modify the therapeutic management in a significant subgroup of hypertensive patients with poor BP control.

Manifestaciones digestivas de la anisakiasis: descripción de 42 casos / Anisakiasis gastrointestinal manifestations: description of 42 cases

Fundamento. La anisakiasis es una parasitosis emergente en nuestro medio, aunque todavía escasamente conocida, principalmente en sus manifestaciones digestivas. Pacientes y métodos. Se describen 42 casos de anisakiasis con afectación digestiva (con o sin manifestaciones alérgicas cutáneas) estudiados en nuestro hospital entre 1995 y mayo de 2004. Resultados. Treinta y siete casos mostraban una forma gástrica o gastroalérgica (6 confirmados mediante gastroscopia) y 5 manifestaciones intestinales. En aquellos en que no se realizó endoscopia el diagnóstico se efectuó tras los hallazgos clínicos y biológicos. Todos los pacientes estaban sensibilizados frente a Anisakis simplex. El 69% (29 casos) referían ingesta unas horas antes de anchoas en vinagre o crudas. El 59% presentó clínica alérgica asociada (anisakiasis gastroalérgica), no presentando esta clínica ninguno de los casos con afectación intestinal. Las náuseas (67%), vómitos (51%) y epigastralgia (50%) fueron los síntomas dominantes en el grupo con anisakiasis gástrica o gastroalérgica sin confirmación endoscópica, mientras que el dolor en fosa ilíaca derecha lo fue en la forma intestinal. Dos de estos pacientes (40%) presentaron fiebre, aunque ninguno de los casos con anisakiasis gástrica o gastroalérgica. Conclusiones. La aparición de sintomatología digestiva después de la ingesta de pescado preparado de forma sospechosa debe hacer pensar en una posible anisakiasis, independientemente de que se asocien o no manifestaciones alérgicas. La presencia de dolor en fosa ilíaca derecha, fiebre y la ausencia de manifestaciones alérgicas fueron característicos de las formas intestinales

Basis. Anisakiasis is an emerging parasitosis in our environment, although still scarcely known, mainly its gastrointestinal manifestations. Patients and methods. In this paper 42 cases of anisakiasis with gastrointestinal symptoms (with or without cutaneous allergic manifestations) are described; all cases were studied in our hospital between 1995 and May 2004. Results. Thirty seven cases showed a gastric or gastroallergic form (6 confirmed with gastroscopy) and 5 suffered intestinal symptoms. In those in which endoscopy was not carried out, the diagnosis was done after clinical and biological findings. All patients were sensitized in the presence of Anisakis simplex. The 69% (29 cases) described raw anchovies ingestion or anchovies seasoned in vinegar ingestion some hours before the beginning of the clinical picture. The 59% showed allergic symptoms (gastroallergic anisakiasis); no patient with intestinal affectation showed allergic symptoms. Nausea (67%), vomiting (51%), and epigastralgia (50%) were the dominant symptoms in the group with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis without endoscopic confirmation; on the other hand, pain in right ileac fossa was the dominant symptom in the intestinal form. Fever was seen in two of the later patients (40%), but in no patient with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis. Conclusions. Gastrointestinal symptomatology after ingestion of fish suspiciously prepared should suggest anisakiasis, regardless if clinical picture includes allergic manifestations. In our study, pain in right ileac fossa, fever, and absence of allergic manifestations were typical of intestinal form

Perfil metabólico y deterioro de órganos diana en hipertensos esenciales según el control de la presión arterial en la consulta / Metabolic profile and end-organ damage in essential hypertensive patients according to the control of blood pressure in primary care centers

Fundamento u objetivo: Analizar el grado de control metabólico y deterioro de los órganos diana en una muestra de hipertensos clasificados según el control de la presión arterial (PA) en consultas de atención primaria. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional trasversal de intervención diagnóstica realizado en 16 centros de atención primaria de la provincia de Burgos. Se reclutaron 207 hipertensos con tratamiento farmacológico (120 con buen control de la PA y 87 mal control). Se realizó historia clínica, determinación de PA casual, monitorización ambulatoria de la PA (MAPA), electrocardiograma, y analítica en sangre y orina de 24 horas. Resultados: El 32 y 31% respectivamente seguían tratamiento farmacológico combinado. No se detectaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de HDL colesterol > 130 mg/dl (62% vs. 62%), microalbuminúria (5% vs. 10%) y glucemia basal > 126 mg/dl (10% vs. 15%) entre los dos grupos. Se encontró una proporción significativamente mayor de hipertensos mal controlados con hipertrofia del ventrículo izquierdo (HVI) (13% vs. 34%; p < 0,001), deterioro de la función renal (3% vs.11%; p < 0,05), valor hematocrito medio (41,9 ± 4,5 vs. 43,7 ± 3,5; p <0,01) y distinto grado de control según MAPA (1,6% vs. 16%: p < 0,01). Conclusiones: Nuestros hipertensos con mal control de la PA en la consulta presentan mayor deterioro de los órganos diana que aquellos con buen control, a pesar de presentar un perfil metabólico similar. El acceso a la MAPA por parte de atención primaria podría modificar la actitud terapéutica en un subgrupo significativo de hipertensos mal controlados

Background and objective: To evaluate the degree of metabolic controland end-organ damage in a group of hypertensive patients with poorand good blood pressure (BP) control in primary health care centers.Patients and methods: Observational study with diagnostic intervention, performed in 16 primary care centers of Burgos (Spain). 207 patients (120 with good BP control and 87 with poor BP control) with pharmacological treatment were included in the study. The following parameters were determined: clinic history, casual BP, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), electrocardiography, and clinic analysis in plasma and 24-hour urine. Results: The 32% and 31% of patients respectively were receiving combined pharmacological treatment. No significant differences were detected between the two groups for the levels of c-HDL > 130 mg/dl (62% vs. 62%), microalbuminuria (5% vs. 10%) and basal glucoselevels > 126 mg/dl (105 vs. 15%). There was a significant proportion of patients with poor clinical BP control with left ventricular hypertrophy (13% vs. 34%; p < 0,001), impaired renal function (3% vs. 11%; p <0,05), mean hematocrit value (41,9 ± 4,5 vs. 43,7 ± 3,5; p < 0,01) and different degree on BP control by ABPM (1,6% vs. 16%: p < 0,01). Conclusions: Our hypertensive patients with poor BP clinical control showed more end-organ damage than those with good control, although they have a similar metabolic profile. The access to ABPM by primary health care centers could modify the therapeutic management in a significant subgroup of hypertensive patients with poor BP control

Absceso hepático amebiano autóctono. Presentación de un caso / Indigenous amebic liver abscess. Presentation of a case

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No disponible

Manejo clínico de la hipertensión en el anciano / Clinical management of hypertension in the elderly

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[Clinical analysis of 91 cases of median and small vessel vasculitis in adults]. / Análisis clínico de 91 casos de vasculitis de mediano y pequeño vaso en adultos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and biological differences between medium sized vessel vasculitis and small vessel vasculitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: descriptive and retrospective study of 91 patients with vasculitis attended in our hospital from January 1991 to mars 2001. We describe the characteristics of clinical and analytic features. RESULTS: 57% were males. The mean age was 61.9 +/- 18.6 years (17 to 90 years). The symptoms and affected organs were: palpable purpura (89%), fever (36%), asthenia (20%), arthromyalgias (19%), nephropathy (18%), arthritis (16%), abdominal pain (16%), neuropathy (8.7%), pulmonary involvement (6.5%). 25% had several episodes, lasting clinical, chronic disease, 42% had evidence of two or more involve organs. The patients with pauci-inmune vasculitis presented more asthenia, nephritis, pulmonary involvement, multi-organic involvement and mortality related to the process. We did not found significant differences respect to the others clinical manifestations analysed. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial overlap among different vasculitis, the presence or absence of some clinical and biological features can help in the differentiation and characterization of the different entitles.

Leiomiosarcoma multicéntrico en paciente VIH / Multicentric leiomyosarcoma in patient with AIDS

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Afectación pulmonar en la esclerosis tuberosa / Pulmonary involvement in tuberous sclerosis

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[Cardiovascular and hormonal factors associated with the lack of nocturnal fall in blood pressure among individuals aged over 55]. / Factores cardiovasculares y hormonales asociados a la falta de descenso nocturno de la presión arterial en sujetos mayores de 55 años.

BACKGROUND: Usually, there is a physiological fall in nocturnal blood pressure among all individuals, both hypertensive and normotensive individuals. The lack of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall may be associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in hypertensive patients. Cardiovascular and hormonal factors associated with the lack of nocturnal blood pressure fall was studied in individuals aged over 55, those most exposed to this kind of complications. METHODS: A total of 108 individuals aged over 55 and with a wide range of BP (59 normotensive and 49 light-moderate hypertensive with no previous treatment) were studied. Two groups were established: dipper and non-dipper, with a fall over 10% in nocturnal SBP and DBP or not, respectively. Patients included in the study underwent serum hormonal measurements (renin, aldosterone, endoteline-1, atrial natriuretic peptide, free epinephrine and norepinephrine), continuous blood pressure monitoring for 24 hours (CBPM) and echocardiography with measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM), cardiac output, and peripheral vascular resistances (PVR) (determined in function of mean blood pressure and cardiac output). RESULTS: Fifty-one individuals were dipper and 57 were non-dipper. Significantly higher cholesterol (p < 0.05) and free norepinephrine (p < 0.001) levels among dipper compared with non-dipper individuals were observed. Non-dipper individuals had PVR significantly higher than dipper individuals (p < 0.05). Values of diurnal BP, other hormonal measurements, and CBPM did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Non-dipper individuals aged over 55 have lower circulating free norepinephrine values and higher peripheral vascular resistances than dipper individuals, irrespective of diurnal blood pressure values. The left ventricular mass does not differ significantly between the two groups.

Factores cardiovasculares y hormonales asociados a la falta de descenso nocturno de la presión arterial en sujetos mayores de 55 años / Cardiovascular and hormonal factors associated with the lack of nocturnal fall in blood pressure among individuals aged over 55

Fundamento. Normalmente la presión arterial (PA) desciende durante la noche de forma fisiológica en todos los sujetos, tanto hipertensos como normotensos. La ausencia de descenso nocturno (condición no dipper) puede asociarse con el riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes hipertensos. Estudiamos en sujetos mayores de 55 años, los más expuestos a estas complicaciones, los factores cardiovasculares y hormonales asociados a la falta de descenso de la presión arterial nocturna. Métodos. Se seleccionaron 108 sujetos mayores de 55 años y con amplio rango de PA (59 normotensos y 49 hipertensos ligeros-moderados sin tratamiento previo). Se establecieron dos grupos: dipper y no dipper, según hubiera descenso superior al 10 por ciento de PA sistólica y PA diastólica nocturna o no. A los pacientes incluidos en el estudio se les realizó determinaciones hormonales en sangre (renina, aldosterona, endotelina-1, péptido natriurético atrial, adrenalina y noradrenalina libres), monitorización continua de la presión arterial durante 24 horas (MAPA) y ecografía cardíaca con determinación del índice de la masa ventricular izquierda (IMVI), gasto cardíaco y resistencias vasculares periféricas (RVP) (determinadas en función de la presión arterial media y el gasto cardíaco). Resultados. En la muestra a estudio 51 sujetos fueron dipper y 57 no dipper. Se apreciaron unos niveles de colesterol (p < 0,05) y de noradrenalina libre (p < 0,001) significativamente superiores en sujetos dipper en comparación con los no dipper. Los no dipper tuvieron unas RVP significativamente más elevadas que los dipper (p < 0,05). Los valores de PA diurna, resto de valores hormonales y el IMVI no variaron significativamente entre los dos grupos. Conclusiones. Los sujetos mayores de 55 años no dipper presentan menores valores de noradrenalina libre circulante y mayores resistencias vasculares periféricas que los dipper, independientemente de los valores diurnos de presión arterial. La masa ventricular izquierda no varía significativamente entre los dos grupos. (AU)

[Pneumonia in the aged patient: is the clinical presentation atypical?]. / Neumonía en el anciano: es atípica su presentación clínica?

OBJECTIVE: Some new studies have questioned the often atypical character of pneumonia in aged patients. Therefore to study the different clinical presentation of this pathology is our aim. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 179 cases of pneumonia in patients aged older than 65 years who were admitted in our hospital during 1992. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 78 years, being 65.9% of them men. 91% presented pneumonias acquired in the community. 73.1% showed a typical dominant clinical presentation (febrile-respiratory); respiratory (47.4%), febrile (25.7%). The rest presented atypical patterns; mental-neurologic or "cerebral dysfunction" (10.6%), perambulation-general state (6.15%) and digestive-abdominal (9.5%). The respiratory pattern was associated to the presence of respiratory antecedents (p < 0.001); the febrile pattern to the absence of cardiovascular antecedents (p < 0.05); the mental-neurologic to the presence of neurologic antecedents (p < 0.001) and the alteration of perambulation-general state to an evolution of more than 7 days (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest number of our pneumonia patients older than 65 years follows a typical clinical pattern febrile-respiratory). The patient's prior pathology conditions the clinical presentation.

Neumonía en el anciano: ¿es atípica su presentación clínica? / Pneumonia in the aged patient: is the clinical presentation atypical?

Objetivo: Recientemente, varios estudios han puesto en duda el carácter frecuentemente atípico de la clínica en la neumonía del anciano. Por ello, estudiamos las formas de presentación clínica de esta patología en pacientes de mayor edad.Material y métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de 179 casos de neumonía en pacientes mayores de 65 años, ingresados en nuestro hospital en el año 1992. Resultados : Los pacientes presentaban una edad media de 78 años, siendo la proporción de varones del 65,9 por ciento. El 91 por ciento presentaban neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad. El 73,1 por ciento mostraron un presentación clínica dominante típica (febril-respiratoria); respiratoria (47,4 por ciento), febril (25,7 por ciento).El resto presentaron patrones atípicos; mental-neurológico o de "disfunción cerebral" (10,6 por ciento), deambulación-estado general (6,15 por ciento) y abdominal-digestivo (9,5 por ciento). El patrón respiratorio se asoció con la presencia de antecedentes respiratorios (p<0,001), el febril con la ausencia de antecedentes cardiovasculares (p<0,05), el mental-neurológico con la presencia de antecedentes neurológicos (p<0,001) y la alteración de la deambulación-estado general con un tiempo de evolución mayor de 7 días (p<0,05). Conclusión : La mayoría de nuestros pacientes mayores de 65 años con neumonía cursan con un patrón clínico típico (febril-respiratorio). La patología previa del paciente condiciona la forma de presentación clínica. (AU)