ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In September 2022, the Sociedad Española de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria (SESPAS) brought together a panel of experts with the aim of defining and prioritizing health policy proposals, from the perspective of the Spanish State as a whole, to adapt the National Health System (NHS) to current risks and to contemporary/present-day society. METHOD: Expert meeting structured using a mix of procedures adapted from brainstorming, nominal group and Rand consensus method techniques. Relevance and feasibility of proposals identified were assessed individually by each panelist. Proposals were then ordered thematically and ranked according to the median and quartile deviation of relevance scores. RESULTS: Panelists identified and prioritized several proposals in different areas: governance and funding of the NHS, reform of the portfolio of services and benefits and of the NHS human resources, public health and health policy, actions against inequality and poverty, and healthcare delivery reform, including socio-sanitary, primary and end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the meeting show the urgent need to address in-depth changes in many state-wide health policies, including a major reconfiguration of governance, public health, and health care structures. They also point out potential areas of improvement, constituting a tentative guide of prioritized issues to be addressed.
Subject(s)
Health Priorities , Public Health , Humans , Consensus , Delivery of Health Care , Health Policy , SpainABSTRACT
Objetivo: En el mes de septiembre de 2022, la Sociedad Española de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria (SESPAS) reunió un panel de personas expertas con el objetivo de definir y priorizar las políticas de salud, desde una perspectiva del conjunto del Estado, para adaptar el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) a los actuales riesgos y la actual sociedad. Método: Reunión de personas expertas, estructurada siguiendo procedimientos adaptados de las técnicas de brainstorming, grupo nominal y método de consenso Rand. La relevancia y la factibilidad de las propuestas fueron valoradas individualmente por cada panelista, y se ordenaron temáticamente y en función de la mediana y la desviación cuartil de las puntuaciones de relevancia. Resultados: Los/las panelistas identificaron y priorizaron numerosas propuestas en áreas de gobernanza y financiación del SNS, reforma de la cartera de servicios y prestaciones, reforma de los recursos humanos del SNS, salud pública y políticas de salud, actuaciones frente a las desigualdades y la pobreza, y asistencia sanitaria del SNS, incluyendo la atención sociosanitaria, primaria y al final de la vida. Conclusiones: Los resultados del Encuentro muestran la urgente necesidad de abordar cambios en profundidad en muchas de las políticas de salud estatales, incluyendo una importante reconfiguración en sus estructuras de gobernanza, salud pública y atención sanitaria. También sugieren hacia dónde podrían orientarse tales cambios, conformando una guía tentativa de temas prioritarios a abordar. (AU)
Objective: In September 2022, the Sociedad Española de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria (SESPAS) brought together a panel of experts with the aim of defining and prioritizing health policy proposals, from the perspective of the Spanish State as a whole, to adapt the National Health System (NHS) to current risks and to contemporary/present-day society. Method: Expert meeting structured using a mix of procedures adapted from brainstorming, nominal group and Rand consensus method techniques. Relevance and feasibility of proposals identified were assessed individually by each panelist. Proposals were then ordered thematically and ranked according to the median and quartile deviation of relevance scores. Results: Panelists identified and prioritized several proposals in different areas: governance and funding of the NHS, reform of the portfolio of services and benefits and of the NHS human resources, public health and health policy, actions against inequality and poverty, and healthcare delivery reform, including socio-sanitary, primary and end-of-life care. Conclusions: The results of the meeting show the urgent need to address in-depth changes in many state-wide health policies, including a major reconfiguration of governance, public health, and health care structures. They also point out potential areas of improvement, constituting a tentative guide of prioritized issues to be addressed. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Public Health , Health Priorities , Health Policy , Spain , Consensus , 50230ABSTRACT
Objetivo: En el mes de septiembre de 2022, la Sociedad Espa nola de Salud Pública y AdministraciónSanitaria (SESPAS) reunió un panel de personas expertas con el objetivo de definir y priorizar las políticasde salud, desde una perspectiva del conjunto del Estado, para adaptar el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS)a los actuales riesgos y la actual sociedad.Método: Reunión de personas expertas, estructurada siguiendo procedimientos adaptados de las técni-cas de brainstorming, grupo nominal y método de consenso Rand. La relevancia y la factibilidad de laspropuestas fueron valoradas individualmente por cada panelista, y se ordenaron temáticamente y enfunción de la mediana y la desviación cuartil de las puntuaciones de relevancia.Resultados: Los/las panelistas identificaron y priorizaron numerosas propuestas en áreas de gobernanzay financiación del SNS, reforma de la cartera de servicios y prestaciones, reforma de los recursos humanosdel SNS, salud pública y políticas de salud, actuaciones frente a las desigualdades y la pobreza, y asistenciasanitaria del SNS, incluyendo la atención sociosanitaria, primaria y al final de la vida.Conclusiones: Los resultados del Encuentro muestran la urgente necesidad de abordar cambios en pro-fundidad en muchas de las políticas de salud estatales, incluyendo una importante reconfiguración ensus estructuras de gobernanza, salud pública y atención sanitaria. También sugieren hacia dónde podríanorientarse tales cambios, conformando una guía tentativa de temas prioritarios a abordar.(AU)
Objective: In September 2022, the Sociedad Espa nola de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria (SESPAS)brought together a panel of experts with the aim of defining and prioritizing health policy proposals, fromthe perspective of the Spanish State as a whole, to adapt the National Health System (NHS) to currentrisks and to contemporary/present-day society.Method: Expert meeting structured using a mix of procedures adapted from brainstorming, nominalgroup and Rand consensus method techniques. Relevance and feasibility of proposals identified wereassessed individually by each panelist. Proposals were then ordered thematically and ranked accordingto the median and quartile deviation of relevance scores.Results: Panelists identified and prioritized several proposals in different areas: governance and fundingof the NHS, reform of the portfolio of services and benefits and of the NHS human resources, publichealth and health policy, actions against inequality and poverty, and healthcare delivery reform, includingsocio-sanitary, primary and end-of-life care.Conclusions: The results of the meeting show the urgent need to address in-depth changes in manystate-wide health policies, including a major reconfiguration of governance, public health, and healthcare structures. They also point out potential areas of improvement, constituting a tentative guide ofprioritized issues to be addressed.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Health Policy , Health Conferences , Public Health , 50230 , Health Systems , Health Priorities , Spain , Consensus Development Conferences as Topic , Public Policy , Public Health Systems ResearchABSTRACT
The death counts from COVID-19 have generated public controversy. The regional health councils' need for information regardind the cases, has generated a variety of formats and procedures, used to report this information. Consecuently, this data has not always been communicated in a comparable maner to the Ministry of Health. The compilation of mortality statistics is complex. Central and autonomous public administrations are involved, and not in the same way. The medical death certificate (DC) is the main source of information that allows to specify place of occurrence and causes of death. The on-line registration of the DC in the computerized civil registry and/or digital medical records, would allow to establish a statistical processing circuit, and to obtain a death count more quickly according to causes of death in the event of a health emergency. This requires a multi-level institutional agreement for a total telematics statistic process of death causes in Spain.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cause of Death , Death Certificates , Humans , Registries , SARS-CoV-2 , SpainSubject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Disaster Planning/organization & administration , Disaster Planning/standards , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , SpainABSTRACT
La exactitud en el número de defunciones por COVID-19 ha generado polémica pública. La urgencia en disponer de esta información conjuntamente con otros datos, para valorar la pandemia ha inducido una variedad de procedimientos y formatos de modo que los datos no siempre se han tramitado de forma comparable al Ministerio de Sanidad. La elaboración de las estadísticas de mortalidad es compleja. Intervienen varias administraciones centrales y autonómicas, y no de la misma manera. La principal fuente de información es el certificado médico de defunción (CD) que permite distinguir por lugar de ocurrencia y causas de muerte. La inscripción telemática del CD en el ya informatizado registro civil y/o en la historia clínica digital, permitiría disponer de un circuito de procesamiento estadístico, y obtener con celeridad del recuento de fallecidos según causa ante una emergencia sanitaria. Para ello, que se requiere un acuerdo institucional multilateral en España
The death counts from COVID-19 have generated public controversy. The regional health councils' need for information regardind the cases, has generated a variety of formats and procedures, used to report this information. Consecuently, this data has not always been communicated in a comparable maner to the Ministry of Health. The compilation of mortality statistics is complex. Central and autonomous public administrations are involved, and not in the same way. The medical death certificate (DC) is the main source of information that allows to specify place of occurrence and causes of death. The on-line registration of the DC in the computerized civil registry and/or digital medical records, would allow to establish a statistical processing circuit, and to obtain a death count more quickly according to causes of death in the event of a health emergency. This requires a multi-level institutional agreement for a total telematics statistic process of death causes in Spain
Subject(s)
Humans , Coronavirus Infections/mortality , Mortality Registries/standards , Cause of Death/trends , Indicators of Morbidity and Mortality , Hospital Mortality/trends , Death Certificates , Public Health Surveillance/methods , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Infection with co-pathogens is one of the postulated factors contributing to persistent inflammation and non-AIDS events in virologically-suppressed HIV-infected patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), a vasculotropic virus implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, with inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Prospective study including virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients. Several blood biomarkers (highly-sensitive C-reactive protein [hsCRP], tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, malondialdehyde, plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI-1], D-dimer, sCD14, sCD163, CD4/CD38/HLA-DR, and CD8/CD38/HLA-DR), serological tests for HHV-8 and the majority of herpesviruses, carotid intima-media thickness, and endothelial function through flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery were measured. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients were included, 34.6% of them infected with HHV-8. HHV-8-infected patients were more frequently co-infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (P<0.001), and less frequently with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Pâ=â0.045), and tended to be older (Pâ=â0.086). HHV-8-infected patients had higher levels of hsCRP (median [interquartile range], 3.63 [1.32-7.54] vs. 2.08 [0.89-4.11] mg/L, Pâ=â0.009), CD4/CD38/HLA-DR (7.67% [4.10-11.86]% vs. 3.86% [2.51-7.42]%, Pâ=â0.035) and CD8/CD38/HLA-DR (8.02% [4.98-14.09]% vs. 5.02% [3.66-6.96]%, Pâ=â0.018). After adjustment for the traditional cardiovascular risk factors, HCV and HSV-2 infection, the associations remained significant: adjusted difference between HHV-8 positive and negative patients (95% confidence interval) for hsCRP, 74.19% (16.65-160.13)%; for CD4/CD38/HLA-DR, 89.65% (14.34-214.87)%; and for CD8/CD38/HLA-DR, 58.41% (12.30-123.22)%. Flow-mediated dilatation and total carotid intima-media thickness were not different according to HHV-8 serostatus. CONCLUSION: In virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients, coinfection with HHV-8 is associated with increased inflammation and immune activation. This might contribute to increase the risk of non-AIDS events, including accelerated atherosclerotic disease.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/complications , Coinfection/complications , HIV Infections/complications , Herpesviridae Infections/complications , Inflammation/complications , Adult , Aged , Atherosclerosis/immunology , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Coinfection/immunology , Female , HIV/immunology , HIV Infections/immunology , Herpesviridae Infections/immunology , Herpesvirus 8, Human/immunology , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Data supporting a link between body-fat distribution changes and cardiovascular disease risk in HIV-infected patients are scarce and contradictory. We evaluated endothelial dysfunction, an early event in the development of atherosclerosis, and pro-atherosclerotic plasma biomarkers in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. METHODS: HIV-infected patients with and without lipodystrophy were prospectively enrolled. Endothelial function was measured through flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Plasma levels of several biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial activation and coagulation associated with adipose tissue and endothelial dysfunction were determined. RESULTS: The study included 110 patients, 55 of them with lipodystrophy. FMD was significantly lower in patients with lipodystrophy than in those without lipodystrophy (median [IQR] 3.1% [0.4-8.9] versus 6.3% [3.3-10.7]; P=0.004). Patients with isolated lipoatrophy exhibited the lowest FMD (2.6% [0-6.6]; P(Kruskal-Wallis)=0.02). Lipodystrophy was associated with significantly higher plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and lower levels of adiponectin; severe lipodystrophy was associated with higher concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1). There was an inverse correlation between FMD and IL-6 (Spearman's rho =-0.26; P=0.007). In a multivariate regression model with the lowest quartile of FMD as the dependent variable and lipodystrophy, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, 10-year Framingham risk score, pro-atherosclerotic biomarkers and HIV-related variables as predictors, the only independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction was lipodystrophy (odds ratio 5.22, 95% confidence interval 1.76-15.46; P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Lipodystrophy is associated with endothelial dysfunction, independently of the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This finding and the accompanying profile of pro-atherosclerotic biomarkers support an increased cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
Subject(s)
Endothelial Cells/physiology , HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome/physiopathology , Adiponectin/blood , Adult , Atherosclerosis/etiology , Atherosclerosis/metabolism , Biomarkers/blood , Body Fat Distribution , Brachial Artery/cytology , Brachial Artery/physiopathology , Female , HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome/blood , HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome/complications , Humans , Inflammation/etiology , Inflammation/metabolism , Interleukin-6/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/blood , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/bloodABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To systematize all the information published on the status of and progress made toward the Health-related Millennium Development Goals (HMDGs), as well as to understand associations with certain economic factors and the potential for success. METHODS: A search was conducted for all scientific articles covering the Millennium Development Goals in general, published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2006, in the electronic databases of the EBSCO, CSA Illumina, Thomson Gale, SwetsWise, and BIREME. All original articles in English or Spanish that evaluated HMDG status, progress, and determinants were selected. The analysis evaluated the distribution of determinants of HMDG status or progress, the HMDGs referred to, the study type, the relationship between economic indicators and health, the study location, and the status and potential for attaining the HMDGs. The quality of the articles was also rated. RESULTS: Of the 304 original articles found, 114 (37.5%) covered one or more HMDGs. The most frequently addressed goals were those concerning infant and maternal mortality. Of the 39 articles that evaluated HMDGs and their association with economic variables, 13 dealt with economic factors related to equity, policy, or globalization. Economic and policy factors were most frequently associated with HMDG status or progress. CONCLUSIONS: There is a definitive trend toward measuring HMDG status and progress according to economic factors that reflect the population's condition. There is an information gap regarding government spending, international commerce, international aid, and global economic policy. The potential for achieving HMDGs in poor countries is low.
Subject(s)
Economic Development , Goals , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Sistematizar la información publicada sobre la situación y los avances en el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio relacionados con la salud (ODMS), así como analizar su asociación con algunos factores económicos y los pronósticos de cumplimiento. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda de los artículos científicos sobre los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio en general publicados entre el 1 de enero de 2000 y el 31 de agosto de 2006 en las bases bibliográficas electrónicas EBSCO, CSA Illumina, Thomson Gale, SwetsWise y BIREME. Se seleccionaron los artículos originales en inglés o español que evaluaran la situación de los ODMS o sus avances y se refirieran a factores determinantes. Se analizó la distribución de los factores determinantes de la situación de los ODMS o sus avances, los ODMS referidos, el tipo de evaluación, la relación entre los indicadores económicos y la salud, el lugar estudiado, y la situación y los pronósticos del cumplimiento de los ODMS. Se valoró la calidad de los artículos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 304 artículos originales, de ellos 114 (37,5 por ciento) se ocupaban de uno o varios ODMS. Los objetivos relacionados con la mortalidad infantil y materna fueron los más frecuentemente abordados. De los 39 artículos que evaluaban los ODMS y su relación con los factores económicos, en 13 se consideraban factores económicos relacionados con la equidad, la política o la globalización. Los factores económicos y políticos fueron los más frecuentemente asociados con la situación de los ODMS o sus avances. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una tendencia a utilizar variables económicas vinculadas con las condiciones de la población para analizar la situación de los ODMS y sus avances. Falta información sobre la relación con el gasto gubernamental, el comercio exterior, la ayuda externa y las políticas económicas mundiales. Los pronósticos para lograr los ODMS en los países pobres son desfavorables.
OBJECTIVES: To systematize all the information published on the status of and progress made toward the Health-related Millennium Development Goals (HMDGs), as well as to understand associations with certain economic factors and the potential for success. METHODS: A search was conducted for all scientific articles covering the Millennium Development Goals in general, published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2006, in the electronic databases of the EBSCO, CSA Illumina, Thomson Gale, SwetsWise, and BIREME. All original articles in English or Spanish that evaluated HMDG status, progress, and determinants were selected. The analysis evaluated the distribution of determinants of HMDG status or progress, the HMDGs referred to, the study type, the relationship between economic indicators and health, the study location, and the status and potential for attaining the HMDGs. The quality of the articles was also rated. RESULTS: Of the 304 original articles found, 114 (37.5 percent) covered one or more HMDGs. The most frequently addressed goals were those concerning infant and maternal mortality. Of the 39 articles that evaluated HMDGs and their association with economic variables, 13 dealt with economic factors related to equity, policy, or globalization. Economic and policy factors were most frequently associated with HMDG status or progress. CONCLUSIONS: There is a definitive trend toward measuring HMDG status and progress according to economic factors that reflect the population's condition. There is an information gap regarding government spending, international commerce, international aid, and global economic policy. The potential for achieving HMDGs in poor countries is low.
Subject(s)
Humans , Economic Development , Goals , Health Status Indicators , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Both low and high ankle-brachial index are considered as indicators of systemic atherosclerosis in older HIV-negative adults. Whether those ankle-brachial index values are predictors of atherosclerosis in HIV-positive subjects remains unknown. We measured ankle-brachial index in 139 HIV-infected patients and compared the results obtained with carotid intima-media thickness, a well established marker of subclinic atherosclerosis. Ankle-brachial index was associated with carotid intima-media thickness. Patients with low ankle-brachial index, but not those with high ankle-brachial index, had high carotid intima-media thickness.
Subject(s)
Brachial Artery/physiopathology , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnosis , Carotid Artery, Common/pathology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV-1 , Adult , Aged , Ankle/blood supply , Carotid Artery Diseases/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Tunica Intima/pathology , Tunica Media/pathologySubject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , HIV Infections/complications , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/epidemiology , Aged , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/complications , Prevalence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Markers to better assess severity of disease in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) would help improve medical care of this condition. The hemodynamic biomarkers carboxy-terminal provasopressin (CT-proAVP; copeptin) and midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) are increased under septic conditions, in which MR-proANP has been described as a prognostic predictor. We aimed to explore the diagnostic accuracy of MR-proANP and CT-proAVP to predict mortality in patients with CAP. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with CAP. We measured biomarkers in serum samples obtained at diagnosis and performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify potential predictors of mortality. RESULTS: CT-proAVP and MR-proANP concentrations were measured in 173 patients. We found a positive correlation between pneumonia severity index (PSI) and MR-proANP (r(s) = 0.68, P <0.0001) and between PSI and CT-proAVP (r(s) = 0.44, P <0.0001). Median (interquartile range) CT-proAVP and MR-proANP values were 8.2 (5.3-16.8) and 73.6 (44.6-144.0) pmol/L, respectively. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher MR-proANP and CT-proAVP than survivors (median 259.0 vs 71.8 pmol/L, P = 0.01, and 24.9 vs 8.1 pmol/L, P = 0.03, respectively). In multivariate analysis including PSI, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, CT-proAVP, and MR-proANP concentrations, only CT-proAVP remained an independent predictor of death (odds ratio 1.05, P = 0.007). Cutoff values of >18.9 pmol/L for CT-proAVP and >227 pmol/L for MR-proANP showed the highest diagnostic accuracy to predict mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CT-proAVP and MR-proANP may be used to predict prognosis in patients with CAP.
Subject(s)
Atrial Natriuretic Factor/blood , Glycopeptides/blood , Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Protein Precursors/blood , Vasopressins/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers/blood , Community-Acquired Infections/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress (OS) results from excessive free radical production, exceeding endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms, which can damage a wide variety of cellular components. One of the main consequences is the attack of free radicals on polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids, causing lipid peroxidation and subsequent elevated concentrations of lipid peroxides and their metabolites, which are strongly suggestive of oxidative damage. OS is increased among HIV-infected patients, but whether it implicates a higher risk for cardiovascular disease or the influence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on OS remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of OS with established cardiovascular risk factors and with ART as measured by total peroxide concentration. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 245 consecutive HIV-infected patients during a 2-month period (September 15, 2003-November 15, 2003) at the HIV clinic of the Infectious Disease Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain. Laboratory measurements included total peroxide concentrations, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, fasting lipid levels, white blood cell type CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts, plasma HIV RNA, and routine blood tests. To measure OS, total peroxide concentration was determined quantitatively with a colorimetric assay. The association of peroxide concentrations with HIV-related variables and cardiovascular risk factors was examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-five patients were screened and enrolled in the study; no patients refused enrollment. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the patients was 40.2 (35.4-46.2) years; 194 (79.2%) were male, and 238 (97.1%) white. Median (IQR) weight was 67.5 (60.4-76.0). Ninety-five (38.8%) patients were receiving a non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimen at the time of enrollment; 52 (21.2%) were on a protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimen. Peroxide concentrations were above reference values (< 400 micromol/L) in 121 (49.4%) patients. Peroxide levels correlated positively with CRP (P < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.003), and negatively with age (P = 0.002) and body mass index (P < 0.001). Among patients on ART, peroxide concentrations were significantly lower in those treated with NNRTI-based regimens than in those receiving PIs (median [IQR], 331.2 [196.2-495.7] vs 472.8 [302.5-586.5] micromol/L; P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, when peroxide concentration was dichotomized according to reference values (< 400 micromol/L), age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99; P = 0.007) and ART including NNRTI (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.95; P = 0.03) were associated with low peroxide concentrations, while LDL-C (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; P = 0.03) predicted the highest values. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest that, among this cohort of HIV-infected patients, peroxide concentration used as a marker of OS was associated with other established cardiovascular risk factors. Antiretroviral regimens based on NNRTIs were associated with low peroxide concentrations. In contrast, high peroxide levels were found in patients receiving PI-based regimens.
Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , CD4 Lymphocyte Count , Cardiovascular Diseases/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peroxides/blood , Prospective Studies , RNA, Viral/blood , Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
To evaluate ultrasonography and anthropometry for the measurement of regional body fat in HIV infected patients. In a cross-sectional study, 61 patients receiving antiretroviral therapy underwent ultrasonography and anthropometry for measuring body fat at abdominal, peripheral and facial levels. Reproducibility and accuracy of the measurements at the different compartments were determined using quantitative computed tomography (CT) and clinical evaluation of lipodystrophy as reference standard. Intraabdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat assessed by ultrasonography correlated with visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat quantified by CT (r=0.74, P<0.001, and r=0.84, P<0.001, respectively). Ultrasound-determined subcutaneous fat at mid-thigh level correlated with adipose tissue area measured by CT (r = 0.84, P<0.001). Waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.69, P<0.001), suprailiac skinfold (r=0.78, P<0.001) and mid-thigh skinfold thickness (r=0.83, P<0.001) were also significantly correlated with visceral abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, and with subcutaneous leg fat quantified by CT, respectively. Poorer correlations were found between ultrasonographic and anthropometric assessments of facial fat, and adipose tissue measured by CT (r=0.15, P=0.25, and r=0.58; P<0.001; respectively). Reproducibility was higher for anthropometry than for ultrasonography in most body regions. The highest variability was observed for ultrasonographic assessment of facial fat (median inter-observer coefficient of variation, 32.10%). Using the clinical diagnosis of lipodystrophy as reference, the best accuracy was observed for ultrasound-determined intraabdominal fat, waist-to-hip ratio and subcutaneous crural fat measured by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography and anthropometry are fairly accurate and reproducible methods for the evaluation of intraabdominal and peripheral fat. Its role for assessing facial fat seems to be more limited.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/diagnostic imaging , Anthropometry , HIV Infections/complications , HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Cross-Sectional Studies , Face/pathology , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Intra-Abdominal Fat/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Subcutaneous Fat/pathology , Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/pathology , Thigh/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with prognosis of HIV-infection, but its relationship with cardiovascular disease remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate whether CRP may be a marker of cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients, and to determine the influence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on CRP levels. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 245 consecutive HIV-infected patients during a 2-month period. An extensive workup for cardiovascular risk was performed, including determination of CRP levels measured by an ultrasensitive immunoturbidimetric assay (detection limit, 0.003 mg/dl). Ninety-nine (40.4%) patients had serum CRP concentrations above 0.3 mg/dl, considered to represent individuals at high risk for developing cardiovascular complications. In univariate analysis, CRP levels correlated positively with total cholesterol (p=0.01), LDL cholesterol (p=0.001), triglycerides (p=0.04) and Framingham risk score (p=0.006), and negatively with HDL cholesterol (p=0.004). Concentrations of CRP were higher in males (p=0.05) and smokers (p=0.002). No correlation was found between CRP levels and HIV-viral load or CD4 cell counts. In multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with the highest quartile of serum CRP concentrations (0.49 mg/dl) were LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001), HDL-cholesterol (p=0.001), cigarette smoking (p=0.019) and current ART (p=0.021). Our results show that C-reactive protein is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and may then be a marker for cardiovascular risk linked to HIV infection and ART.
Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Cardiovascular Diseases/blood , Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Adult , Biomarkers , Female , HIV/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Risk , Risk Factors , SmokingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study trends in progression to AIDS, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality (AIDS-related, liver disease, and hemorrhagic complications) over calendar periods with different exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a cohort of hemophiliacs in Spain, taking into account the competing risks of the causes of death. METHODS: Multicenter cohort of HIV-infected hemophiliacs. HIV seroconversion was estimated using mathematic techniques for interval-censored data from 1979 through 1985. Rates of AIDS and cause-specific death were calculated by Poisson regression, allowing for late entry, for the periods 1985 through 1992, 1993 through 1996, 1997 through 2000 (early HAART), and 2001 through 2003 (late HAART), also allowing for competing risks. RESULTS: Of 585 subjects, 44% were younger than 15 years of age, 82% had severe hemophilia, 86% had type A hemophilia, and the median seroconversion date was October 1982. Calendar period and age at HIV seroconversion strongly influenced AIDS and death rates. Compared with 1993 through 1996, decreases of 75% (relative risk [RR] = 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14 to 0.43) and 72% (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.63) in the RR of AIDS were observed in early and late HAART. For all-cause mortality, 72% (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.42) and 83% (RR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.33) decreases were observed by 1997 through 2000 and 2001 through 2003. For liver-related deaths, increases were observed in the late-HAART period (RR = 2.80, 95% CI: 0.94 to 8.36) compared with 1993 through 1996, but using competing risks, this RR was substantially reduced (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.57 to 5.04). DISCUSSION: Major reductions in AIDS and death rates were observed from 1997 to 2003 in hemophiliacs. These survival improvements are largely attributable to decreases in AIDS-related deaths and have been accompanied by increases in liver disease death rates, which are overestimated if competing risks are not taken into account.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Hemophilia A/complications , Liver Diseases/complications , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/mortality , Adolescent , Adult , Cohort Studies , Demography , Female , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/mortality , HIV Seropositivity/epidemiology , Hemophilia A/epidemiology , Hemophilia A/mortality , Humans , Liver Diseases/epidemiology , Liver Diseases/mortality , Male , Poisson Distribution , Spain/epidemiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the population-based incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults and to assess the relative importance of age and gender on the incidence of infections caused by different microbial pathogens. METHODS: A two-year prospective study in a well-defined geographic area of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of CAP was 12 cases (95% CI 11.25-13.45) per 10,000 person-years. Incidence rates increased by age (p<0.0001) and they were higher in males (16 versus 9 cases per 10,000 person-years; p<0.0001). The rate was especially high among males aged > or = 75 years (87 cases per 10,000 person-years). The incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia increased significantly with ageing and it was particularly high among people aged > or = 75 years (10 cases per 10,000 person-years). Very elderly people had also a 15-fold higher incidence of CAP associated with influenza virus and a 5-fold higher incidence of infections by Chlamydophila spp., than young adults. The incidence of infections with Legionella pneumophila also increased with age and it was 10 times higher in males. In contrast, the incidence of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae was unrelated to age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Age and gender have a strong influence on the overall incidence of CAP and on the incidence of pneumonia caused by the main microbial pathogens, including not only Streptococcus pneumoniae, but also influenza virus, Chlamydophila spp. and L. pneumophila. Ageing is associated with a higher risk of acquiring pneumonia by S. pneumoniae, influenza virus and Chlamydophila spp., whereas male gender increases greatly the incidence of L. pneumophila and Chlamydophila spp.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology , Sex Characteristics , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Legionella pneumophila/isolation & purification , Male , Middle Aged , Mycoplasma pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Sex Distribution , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of procalcitonin serum levels as a predictor of etiology and prognosis in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) when they are stratified according to severity. DESIGN: One-year, population-based, prospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All adult patients who received a diagnosis of CAP throughout the study period. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: An extensive noninvasive microbiological workup was performed. In patients who gave informed consent, a blood sample was collected at the time the diagnosis of CAP was established to measure biological markers. Procalcitonin levels were measured by a commercially available monoclonal immunoluminometric assay (limit of detection, 0.1 microg/L). Patients were classified according to microbial diagnosis, Patients Outcome Research Team pneumonia severity index (PSI), and outcome measures, and procalcitonin levels were compared among groups. RESULTS: Of 240 patients who received a diagnosis of CAP during the study period, procalcitonin concentrations were measured in 185 patients (77.1%). Levels were higher in patients with high-severity risk classes (PSI classes III-V) [p = 0.01] and in those with complications (p = 0.03) or death (p < 0.0001). Among patients classified into PSI low-severity risk classes (classes I-II), levels tended to be higher in those with bacterial etiology (p = 0.08); in this group, a serum procalcitonin level > or = 0.15 microg/L was more frequently found in patients with bacterial pneumonia than in those with nonbacterial pneumonia (p = 0.03). In patients with higher-severity risk classes, no significant differences were observed in procalcitonin levels among etiologic groups, but higher concentrations were associated with development of complications (p = 0.01) and death (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin contribution to the evaluation of CAP varies according to severity. While procalcitonin may have a role to predict the microbial etiology in patients with a low PSI score, in patients classified within high PSI risk classes, it is a prognostic marker rather than a predictor of etiology.
