The Efficacy of CPAP in Neonates with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be more beneficial compared to endotracheal intubation (ETI). We evaluated the efficacy of CPAP in neonates with MAS. METHODS: Four engines were used to search randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We used relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to assess the effect on dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. In addition, we used the Paule-Mandel (PM) random effects model due to the anticipated lack of events. RESULTS: Three RCTs were included (n = 432). No significant difference was found in mortality (RR = 0.82; 95%CI = 0.54-1.25; I2 = 71%; p = 0.36), need for ventilation (RR = 0.49; 95%CI = 0.15-1.56; I2 = 71%; p = 0.57), and incidence of pneumothorax (RR = 1.24; 95%CI = 0.30-5.12; I2 = 0%; p = 0.77) in the CPAP group compared to the ETI group. Regarding secondary outcomes, compared to the ETI group, no significant differences were found in APGAR at one minute (MD = -1.01; 95%CI -2.97 to 0.94; I2 = 98%; p = 0.31), APGAR at 5 min (MD = -1.00; 95%CI = -2.96 to 0.95; I2 = 99%; p = 0.32), days of hospitalization (MD = -0.52; 95%CI = -1.46 to 0.42; I2 = 94%; p = 0.28), and cord pH (MD = 0.003; 95%CI = -0.01 to 0.02; I2 = 0%; p = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MAS, there is no significant effect of CPAP use compared to ETI on primary, specifically on mortality, need for ventilation, the incidence of pneumothorax, and secondary outcomes.

Self-medication practices to prevent or manage COVID-19: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have assessed the prevalence and characteristics of self-medication in COVID-19. However, no systematic review has summarized their findings. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review to assess the prevalence of self-medication to prevent or manage COVID-19. METHODS: We used different keywords and searched studies published in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, two preprint repositories, Google, and Google Scholar. We included studies that reported original data and assessed self-medication to prevent or manage COVID-19. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) modified for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: We identified eight studies, all studies were cross-sectional, and only one detailed the question used to assess self-medication. The recall period was heterogeneous across studies. Of the eight studies, seven assessed self-medication without focusing on a specific symptom: four performed in the general population (self-medication prevalence ranged between <4% to 88.3%) and three in specific populations (range: 33.9% to 51.3%). In these seven studies, the most used medications varied widely, including antibiotics, chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, acetaminophen, vitamins or supplements, ivermectin, and ibuprofen. The last study only assessed self-medication for fever due to COVID-19. Most studies had a risk of bias in the "representativeness of the sample" and "assessment of outcome" items of the NOS. CONCLUSIONS: Studies that assessed self-medication for COVID-19 found heterogeneous results regarding self-medication prevalence and medications used. More well-designed and adequately reported studies are warranted to assess this topic.

Utility of cytometric parameters and indices as predictors of mortality in patients with sepsis / Utilidad de los parámetros e índices citométricos como predictores de la mortalidad en pacientes con sepsis

Abstract Introduction: A comprehensive cytometry assessment in the critical ill patient shows modifications in cell lines that estimate severity and mortality in sepsis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of different cytometric parameters and indices as predictors of mortality in septic patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adults with sepsis (SEPSIS Criteria 3) hospitalized in an Intensive Unit Care (Quito, Ecuador). Patients with neoplasms or immunodeficiency states were excluded. Different cytometric parameters have been assessed and logistic regression models were used to stablish the predictive range of mortality for each parameter and areas under the curve (AUC) for sensitivity analysis. Results: Over 159 patients, the mortality was 25%. In non-survivors, the median of the APACHE II was 25.20 points, and the median of the SOFA was 11.18, 10.44, 10.15 points at the time of admission, 48, and 72 hours respectively. About the sensitivity analysis for mortality, the cut-off point of EDW was 14.5% (AUC 0.708), and it presented an adjusted OR of 5.25 (95%CI: 1.64-16.76, p: 0.005). The cut-off point of MPV was 8.45 fL (AUC 0.666), and it had an adjusted OR of 5.28 (95%CI: 1.72-16.21, p 0.004). Conclusions: EDW and MPV are independent predictors of mortality, and they must be used with scales or biomarkers to optimize the management and therapy of patients with sepsis. They would be an alternative in centers where only blood cytometry is available as an analytical test.

Resumen Introducción: Una evaluación completa de citometría en el paciente enfermo crítico muestra modificaciones en las líneas celulares que estiman la gravedad y la mortalidad en la sepsis. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la utilidad de diferentes parámetros e índices citométricos como predictores de la mortalidad en pacientes sépticos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de cohortes de adultos con sepsis (Criterio 3 de la SEPSIS) hospitalizados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (Quito,Ecuador). Se excluyeron los pacientes con neoplasias o estados de inmunodeficiencia. Se evaluaron diferentes parámetros citométricos y se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística para establecer el rango predictivo de la mortalidad para cada parámetro y las áreas bajo la curva (AUC) para el análisis de sensibilidad. Resultados: En más de 159 pacientes, la mortalidad fue del 25%. En los no supervivientes, la mediana del APACHE II fue de 25,20 puntos, y la mediana del SOFA fue de 11,18, 10,44 y 10,15 puntos en el momento del ingreso, 48 y 72 horas respectivamente. En cuanto al análisis de sensibilidad para la mortalidad, el punto de corte del EDW fue 14,5% (AUC 0,708), y presentó un OR ajustado de 5,25 (IC 95%: 1,64-16,76, p: 0,005). El punto de corte de MPV fue de 8,45 fL (AUC 0,666), y presentó un OR ajustado de 5,28 (95%CI: 1,72-16,21, p 0,004). Conclusiones. EDW y MPV son predictores independientes de mortalidad, y deben ser utilizados con escalas o biomarcadores para optimizar el manejo y la terapia de los pacientes con sepsis. Serían una alternativa en los centros donde sólo se dispone de citometría de sangre como prueba analítica.

Lipid profile levels in HIV-AIDS patients on treatment with efavirenz and atazanavir. Cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Antiretroviral treatment for HIV generates dyslipidemia, which is associated with cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare antiretroviral agents effects on lipids in patients with HIV-AIDS. METHODS: Retrospective cohort. The lipid profiles of patients receiving efavirenz (EFV) vs. atazanavir (ATV) with a zidovudine + lamivudine backbone for 36 months were compared. RESULTS: 212 patients were included in the study. From baseline to month 36, HDL increase in the group of patients treated with ATV was higher in comparison with that of patients on EFV (8.33 vs. 4.26; p < 0.01); a difference in triglycerides was observed between groups, with a decrease of 19.06 mg/dL in patients on ATV and an increase of 40.62 mg/dL in those who received EFV (p < 0.001). Mean difference in total and LDL-cholesterol change between both treatments was not significant (p = 0.32 and p = 0.951, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ATV-containing regimens were associated with more favorable changes in triglyceride and HDL levels than EFV regimens. This benefit could be associated with a reduction in long-term cardiovascular risk; this relationship requires further study.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tratamiento antirretroviral para VIH genera dislipidemia asociada a riesgo cardiovascular y aterosclerosis. OBJETIVO: Comparar los efectos lipídicos de los antirretrovirales en pacientes con VIH-sida. MÉTODOS: Cohorte retrospectiva. Se comparó el perfil lipídico de los pacientes que recibieron efavirenz (EFV) versus atazanavir (ATV) con una backbone de zidovudina + lamivudina durante 36 meses. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 212 pacientes. Desde el inicio hasta los 36 meses, el aumento del HDL del grupo de pacientes en tratamiento con ATV fue mayor en comparación con el que presentaron los pacientes con EFV (8.33 versus 4.26, respectivamente; p < 0.01); se observó una diferencia de triglicéridos entre los grupos, con disminución de 19.06 mg/dL en los pacientes con ATV y aumento de 40.62 mg/dL en los que recibieron EFV (p < 0.001). La diferencia de medias en el cambio de colesterol total y LDL entre ambos tratamientos no fue significativa (p = 0.32 y p = 0.951, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: Los regímenes con ATV se asociaron a cambios más favorables en los niveles de triglicéridos y HDL que los regímenes con EFV, relación que podría asociarse a reducción del riesgo cardiovascular a largo plazo, la cuál requiere estudios adicionales.