Prevalence and undiagnosed fraction of hepatitis C infection in 2018 in Spain: results from a national population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: A national strategy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) was implemented in Spain in 2015 with the aim of reducing associated morbidity and mortality. In order to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of HCV, we analysed the prevalence of HCV antibodies and active infection overall and by age and sex in the general population aged 20-80 years. We also aimed to report the undiagnosed fraction. METHODS: A national population-based seroprevalence survey was conducted in 2017-2018. A representative sample from the general population was selected using two-stage sampling. The prevalence of total HCV antibodies and of HCV RNA was calculated using inverse probability weighting based on bootstrapping. RESULTS: Overall, we approached 17 496 persons; 9103 agreed to participate and met the eligibility criteria and 7675 were aged 20-80. We obtained a prevalence of HCV antibodies of 0.85% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-1.08%] and of active infection of 0.22% (95% CI: 0.12-0.32%). The prevalence of active HCV infection was highest in men aged 50-59 (0.86%; 95% CI: 0.28-1.57%) and in men aged 60-69 years (0.72%; 95% CI: 0.27-1.28%). Prevalence was below 0.20% in the remaining age groups. The undiagnosed fraction for active HCV infection was 29.4%. CONCLUSION: This study shows that prevalence of HCV in the general population in Spain is low and reflects the impact of scaling up treatment with direct acting antivirals, together with other prevention strategies, from 2015 onwards. The data reported can guide subsequent public health actions.

Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES).

BACKGROUND: Torture methods have traditionally been quantified using checklists. However, checklists fail to capture accurately both the almost infinite range of available methods of torture and the victims' subjective experience. The Torturing Environment Scale (TES) was designed as a multidimensional alternative that groups torture methods according to the specific human function under attack. This study aims to do an exploratory assessment of the internal consistency reliability and discriminatory validity of the TES as part of a construct validity assessment in a sample of Basque torture survivors. METHODS: We applied the TES to a sample of 201 torture survivors from the Istanbul Protocol Project in the Basque Country Study (IPP-BC) to profile torturing environments in detention. To estimate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, categorical omega values were obtained for each subscale of the TES. To assess its discriminatory validity, the "known groups" method was used comparing mean scorings by gender, state security forces involved in the detention, and decade (the 1980s to the present) when the events took place. RESULTS: Men reported more physical pain, while women reported more attacks on self-identity and sexual integrity. The TES also showed significant differences as regards the security forces involved in the detention: Civil Guard (a militarised police) used more manipulation of the environment, threats, fear, pain and extreme pain, as compared to national and regional corps. Finally, although patterns of torture remained mostly unchanged across decades, more recent detentions included more emphasis on psychological attacks: context manipulation, humiliation linked to sexual identity, and attacks to meaning and identity. For all subscales of the TES, categorical omega values ranged from 0.44 to 0.72. CONCLUSION: The TES may be a useful tool in profiling torturing environments. Its sensitivity to key contextual variables supports the discriminatory validity of the scale. While some of the subscales showed an acceptable degree of internal consistency, others require further analysis to improve reliability. The scale provides unique insights into the profile of contemporary torture. It will allow for future quantitative research on the relationship between different torturing environments and the medical and psychological consequences thereof.

[Guideline on hepatitis C testing in Spain. An interdisciplinary work with a Public Health approach.] / La guía de cribado de la infección por el VHC en España. Un proceso interdisciplinar con enfoque de salud pública.

Within the framework of the Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis and the Strategic Plan for tackling hepatitis C in the Spanish National Health System, the Secretariat of the National Plan on HIV and STIs and the Unit for Screening Programs in the Ministry of Health have coordinated the policies around the screening of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Spain. This paper describes the experience and learnings arisen around it. The key points of the process include interdisciplinary work through a Technical Group made up of experts from the different fields involved; the availability of scientific evidence for decision-making, highlighting the 2nd Seroprevalence Study in the general population; and a public health approach along the entire process. As a result, the recently published Guideline on hepatitis C testing includes the indication for HCV testing for people with risk exposures and situations, as well as the main recommendations to improve screening and linkage to care in the most affected populations. We hope that this Guideline and the continuation of joint work will be a step towards equitable access to the diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection in Spain.

En el marco de la Estrategia Mundial del sector de la salud contra las hepatitis víricas y el Plan Estratégico de Abordaje de la Hepatitis C en el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), la Secretaría del Plan Nacional sobre el Sida, junto a la Unidad de Programas de Cribado del Ministerio de Sanidad, han coordinado entre 2019 y 2020 las políticas estatales en torno al cribado de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en España. En este artículo se describe la experiencia y reflexiones surgidas en torno a ella. Como puntos clave del proceso destacan el trabajo interdisciplinar a través de un Grupo Técnico en el que han participado personas expertas de los diferentes ámbitos implicados; la disponibilidad de evidencia científica para la toma de decisiones, especialmente el 2º Estudio de Seroprevalencia del VHC en población general; y el enfoque de salud pública transversal a todo el proceso. El resultado se muestra en la recién publicada Guía de cribado de infección por el VHC, en la que se indica el cribado a personas con exposiciones y situaciones de riesgo para la infección, así como se recogen las principales recomendaciones para mejorar el cribado y la vinculación al seguimiento y tratamiento. Esperamos que esta Guía y la continuación del trabajo conjunto supongan un impulso al acceso equitativo al diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección por el VHC en España.

Perineal repair of media-lateral episiotomies and 2nd degree tears by midwives: A randomised controlled trial comparing three suture techniques.

BACKGROUND: Perineal trauma pain is associated with perineal repair and its subsequent healing. New evidence is required concerning perineal repair techniques that cause less pain and favour healing. OBJECTIVE: To compare three perineal repair suturing techniques after episiotomy or second degree tearing during a normal birth with respect to reducing pain and improving the perineal healing process. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A large public university hospital in Madrid, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Full term pregnant women older than 18 years-of-age, who required perineal repair after episiotomy or second degree tearing and were attended for normal birth by midwives. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three women were randomly assigned to three groups: the Continuous Suture Group (n = 58), Interrupted Cutaneous Suture Group (n = 53), or the Interrupted Subcutaneous Suture Group (n = 57). The study participants and data collectors were blinded to group allocations. Principal outcome: perineal pain 10 days after birth. Other outcomes: short (2 and 48 h) and long term (3 and 6 months) perineal pain after birth; short term healing; suture time. RESULTS: At 10 days postpartum, the presence of spontaneous pain, pain when walking or moving in bed, was almost nonexistent in the 3 suture groups. The median (P25-P75) perineal pain on palpation was similar in the 3 groups, with values of 2 (1-4) in the Continuous Suture Group, 3 (2-5) in the Interrupted Cutaneous Suture Group and 2 (1-4) in the Interrupted Subcutaneous Suture Group; also were similar the perineal pain on sitting: 1 (0-3) in the Continuous Suture Group, 1 (0-2) in the Interrupted Cutaneous Suture Group and 1 (0-3) in the Interrupted Subcutaneous Suture Group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Pain measurements throughout the follow-up period only showed statistically significant differences in 2 out of 22 evaluations: pain when sitting 48 h after birth and spontaneous pain at 3 months. The mean times (standard deviation) to carry out suturing were 12.86 (4.9) minutes in the Continuous Suture Group, 13.54 (5.6) in the Interrupted Cutaneous Suture Group, and 15.59 (6.9) minutes in the Interrupted Subcutaneous Suture Group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The three suturing methods described for perineal repair after episiotomy or second degree tearing after normal birth are comparable with respect to short, medium and long term perineal pain and the healing process. Use of the continuous suturing technique involved less time than interrupted suture methods. Tweetable abstract: proper the suturing methods for perineal repair after episiotomy or second degree tearing prevent postpartum perineal pain.

24 de marzo. Hacia el fin de la tuberculosis sin dejar a nadie atrás / No disponible

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La guía de cribado de la infección por el VHC en España. Un proceso interdisciplinar con enfoque de salud pública / Guideline on hepatitis C testing in Spain. An interdisciplinary work with a Public Health approach

En el marco de la Estrategia Mundial del sector de la salud contra las hepatitis víricas y el Plan Estratégico de Abordaje de la Hepatitis C en el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), la Secretaría del Plan Nacional sobre el Sida, junto a la Unidad de Programas de Cribado del Ministerio de Sanidad, han coordinado entre 2019 y 2020 las políticas estatales en torno al cribado de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en España. En este artículo se describe la experiencia y reflexiones surgidas en torno a ella. Como puntos clave del proceso destacan el trabajo interdisciplinar a través de un Grupo Técnico en el que han participado personas expertas de los diferentes ámbitos implicados; la disponibilidad de evidencia científica para la toma de decisiones, especialmente el 2º Estudio de Seroprevalencia del VHC en población general; y el enfoque de salud pública transversal a todo el proceso. El resultado se muestra en la recién publicada Guía de cribado de infección por el VHC, en la que se indica el cribado a personas con exposiciones y situaciones de riesgo para la infección, así como se recogen las principales recomendaciones para mejorar el cribado y la vinculación al seguimiento y tratamiento. Esperamos que esta Guía y la continuación del trabajo conjunto supongan un impulso al acceso equitativo al diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección por el VHC en España

Within the framework of the Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis and the Strategic Plan for tackling hepatitis C in the Spanish National Health System, the Secretariat of the National Plan on HIV and STIs and the Unit for Screening Programs in the Ministry of Health have coordinated the policies around the screening of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Spain. This paper describes the experience and learnings arisen around it. The key points of the process include interdisciplinary work through a Technical Group made up of experts from the different fields involved; the availability of scientific evidence for decision-making, highlighting the 2nd Seroprevalence Study in the general population; and a public health approach along the entire process. As a result, the recently published Guideline on hepatitis C testing includes the indication for HCV testing for people with risk exposures and situations, as well as the main recommendations to improve screening and linkage to care in the most affected populations. We hope that this Guideline and the continuation of joint work will be a step towards equitable access to the diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection in Spain

Industria farmacéutica y formación sanitaria especializada: percepciones de los MIR en Madrid / The pharmaceutical industry and specialised medical training: Residents' perceptions in Madrid, Spain

Objetivos: Los objetivos de este estudio son describir la frecuencia de exposición y la actitud de los médicos internos residentes (MIR) de la Comunidad de Madrid (CM) con la industria farmacéutica (IF), y analizar la asociación con la especialidad, el entorno profesional y la formación recibida. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo mediante encuesta electrónica durante mayo y junio de 2015 a los MIR de la CM. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y de relación con la IF en cuatro bloques: frecuencia de interacción, actitudes y percepciones, entorno y marco regulatorio, y habilidades adquiridas; con los dos primeros se elaboró un índice sintético de relación con la IF (ISIF). Análisis bivariado y multivariado de regresión logística. Resultados: Respondieron 350 residentes (28% de medicina familiar y comunitaria [MFyC]), 57% de especialidades hospitalarias y 15% de otras). El 98% refirió haber tenido relación con la IF. El 20% creía que influye en su prescripción y el 48% en los demás médicos. El 96% no había recibido información de su colegio profesional, el 80% desconocía si había normas en su sociedad científica y el 50% no sabía si las había en su institución. El 65% consideró necesaria más formación. Los residentes de especialidades hospitalarias presentaron más probabilidad de presentar un ISIF igual o superior al percentil 75 que los de MFyC (odds ratio [OR]: 3,96; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1,88-8,35). Formarse en entornos informales se asoció a un ISIF menor o igual al percentil 25 (OR: 2,83; IC95%: 1,32-6,07). Conclusiones: Los MIR de la CM tienen un alto nivel de contacto con la IF y creen que su influencia es limitada. Los residentes de especialidades hospitalarias presentan mayor contacto. Las regulaciones son poco conocidas por los residentes, que consideran que es necesaria más formación

Objective: To assess the frequency of exposure and attitudes to the pharmaceutical industry (PI) of residents in the Region of Madrid (RM), Spain, and to analyse the association with specialty, professional environment and training. Methods: Cross-sectional electronic survey in May and June 2015 of all medical residents in RM. We collected sociodemographic variables and those of interaction with the PI in four blocks: frequency of interactions, attitudes and perceptions, environment and regulatory framework, and skills; with the first two blocks we created a Synthetic PI Interaction Index (SPIII). Bivariate and multivariate analysis of logistic regression. Results: 350 resident's responses (28% family and community medicine [FCM], 57% hospital, 15% others). Ninety-eight percent reported interacting with the PI. Twenty percent believed their prescribing was influenced by the PI and 48% believed it was influenced by other doctors. Sixty-five precent considered more training necessary. Ninety-six percent had received no information from their college of physicians, 80% did not know the regulations in their medical society and 50% were unaware of those of their institution. Hospital specialty residents showed more likelihood of SPIII ≥ percentile 75 than those of FCM (odds ratio [OR]: 3.96; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.88-8.35). Training in informal settings was associated with SPIII ≤ percentile 25 (OR: 2.83; 95%CI: 1.32-6.07). Conclusions: The medical residents in RM had a high level of interaction with the PI and believed its influence low. Hospital specialty residents showed more interaction with the PI. Regulations were not well known by residents and they consideredmore training necessary

Evolución de la incidencia de pacientes con colonización e infección por bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas VIM en un hospital pediátrico en España / Evolution of the incidence of colonized and infected patients by VIM carbapenemase-producing bacteria in a pediatric hospital in Spain

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio es describir la evolución de la incidencia de infecciones y colonizaciones por bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas de tipo VIM (BPC-VIM) en pacientes ingresados en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel en Madrid entre 2012 y 2015. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de vigilancia epidemiológica. El sistema de vigilancia incluyó detección de casos (cribado de colonización por BPC de todos los pacientes ingresados con periodicidad variable según unidad de ingreso) y medidas de control (precauciones de contacto, identificación al ingreso de pacientes colonizados previamente, limpieza, formación, observación de adherencia a precauciones de contacto, cohortes). Se incluyeron los pacientes ingresados con primera muestra microbiológica positiva para BPC-VIM entre 2012 y 2015. Se realizó seguimiento de pacientes con colonización para detectar infección a través de historia clínica. Resultados: Se detectaron 239 pacientes con colonización y 51 con infección por BPC-VIM (49,3% mujeres, 47,6% edad igual o menor a 5 meses, 52,1% ingresado en UCI). Las incidencias de infección y de colonización fueron, respectivamente, 2,6 y 6,7 casos por mil pacientes ingresados en 2012, 1,8 y 10,0 en 2014 y 0,3 y 5,0 en 2015. El 84,4% compartía unidad con paciente con muestra previa positiva. El 13,0% (31/239) de pacientes colonizados tuvieron infección posterior. Conclusiones: La incidencia de pacientes pediátricos colonizados o infectados por BPC-VIM ha sido variable entre 2012 y 2015, con una clara disminución tras un periodo epidémico. La intensificación de las medidas de vigilancia y control de la transmisión y la coordinación entre los servicios fueron claves en la reducción de casos afectados

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the evolution of the incidence of infected and colonized patients with carbapenemase VIM-producing bacteria (CPB-VIM) at a national referral pediatric center in Madrid, Spain, between 2012 and 2015. Material and methods: Descriptive epidemiological surveillance study. The surveillance system included case detection (screening for BPC colonization in all admitted patients, with periodicity according to the ward) and control measures (contact precautions, identification of previously colonized patients at admission, environmental cleaning, education, supervision of contact precautions, and patient cohort). All hospitalized patients with first positive microbiological sample for CPB-VIM in 2012-2015 were included. Colonized patients were followed through clinical history to evaluate later infection. Results: We found 239 colonized and 51 infected patients with CPB-VIM (49.3% women, 47.6% were 5 months old or younger, 52.1% admitted at Intensive Care Unit). Infection and colonization incidence were, respectively, 2.6 and 6.7 cases per one thousand hospitalized patients in 2012, 1.8 and 10.0 in 2014 and 0.3 and 5.0 in 2015. Within these patients, 84.4% shared ward with other patient with previous positive sample. 13.0% (31/239) of colonized patients had a subsequent infection. Conclusions: We have shown data of pediatric patients affected by BPC-VIM, collected from an epidemiological surveillance system that included systematic screening at a national referral center. After an epidemic period, the incidence of cases went down. The surveillance and infection control measures intensification, as well as coordination with involved departments, were key in the handling of the situation

[The pharmaceutical industry and specialised medical training: Residents' perceptions in Madrid, Spain]. / Industria farmacéutica y formación sanitaria especializada: percepciones de los MIR en Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of exposure and attitudes to the pharmaceutical industry (PI) of residents in the Region of Madrid (RM), Spain, and to analyse the association with specialty, professional environment and training. METHODS: Cross-sectional electronic survey in May and June 2015 of all medical residents in RM. We collected sociodemographic variables and those of interaction with the PI in four blocks: frequency of interactions, attitudes and perceptions, environment and regulatory framework, and skills; with the first two blocks we created a Synthetic PI Interaction Index (SPIII). Bivariate and multivariate analysis of logistic regression. RESULTS: 350 resident's responses (28% family and community medicine [FCM], 57% hospital, 15% others). Ninety-eight percent reported interacting with the PI. Twenty percent believed their prescribing was influenced by the PI and 48% believed it was influenced by other doctors. Sixty-five precent considered more training necessary. Ninety-six percent had received no information from their college of physicians, 80% did not know the regulations in their medical society and 50% were unaware of those of their institution. Hospital specialty residents showed more likelihood of SPIII ≥ percentile 75 than those of FCM (odds ratio [OR]: 3.96; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.88-8.35). Training in informal settings was associated with SPIII ≤ percentile 25 (OR: 2.83; 95%CI: 1.32-6.07). CONCLUSIONS: The medical residents in RM had a high level of interaction with the PI and believed its influence low. Hospital specialty residents showed more interaction with the PI. Regulations were not well known by residents and they consideredmore training necessary.

Día Internacional de la Hepatitis C. Avanzando hacia la eliminación como problema de salud pública en España / No disponible

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Información accesible y de calidad para una elección informada en la residencia de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública / Accessible and quality information for an informed choice in the Preventive Medicine and Public Health specialty

INTRODUCCIÓN: La elección de especialidad y unidad docente (UD) es un momento importante en la trayectoria profesional médica. La Asociación de Residentes de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública detectó necesidades de información de los aspirantes no cubiertas por las UD. Por este motivo se evaluó la accesibilidad y la calidad de las páginas web de las UD. MÉTODOS: La accesibilidad se consideró como el orden de aparición de la página de cada UD entre los resultados de las búsquedas realizadas en Google. La calidad se midió mediante un cuestionario ad hoc realizado a partir del análisis de las consultas a la Asociación de Residentes de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública de los aspirantes, cuya puntuación varía de 0, mínima calidad, a 100, máxima calidad. RESULTADOS: De las 24 UD 13 presentan página web accesible. La mediana de calidad es 30,5 puntos y solamente una UD tiene una puntuación superior a 50 puntos. CONCLUSIONES: Las necesidades de los opositores están parcialmente cubiertas. Es necesario aumentar la accesibilidad y mejorar la calidad de la información de las webs de las UD

INTRODUCTION: Choosing a specialty and a teaching unit (TU) is an important time in a medical career. The Association of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residents has detected the information needs of candidates that are not met by TUs. The aim of this article is to evaluate the accessibility and quality of TU websites. METHODS: Accessibility was measured by the order of appearance of the TU website in the results of a Google search. Quality was measured by an ad hoc questionnaire based on the analysis of queries made by candidates to Association of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residents. The scores in this questionnaire ranged from 0, minimum quality, to 100, maximum quality. RESULTS: Of the 24 TUs evaluated, only 13 had websites. The median of the quality questionnaire was 30.5 points, and only one TU had a score higher than 50 points. CONCLUSION: The needs of candidates are partly met, but it is necessary to improve the accessibility and the quality of the information in TU websites