Transarterial chemoembolisation in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Survey on clinical practice in hospitals in the Madrid Region.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), having demonstrated survival benefits, is the treatmentof choice in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, although there is great heterogeneity in its clinical application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was sent to the Madrid Regional hospitals to assess applicability, indications and treatment protocols. The assessment was made overall and according to the type of hospital (groups A vs. B and C). RESULTS: Seventeen out of 22 hospitals responded (8/8 group A, 9/ 14 group B-C). All do/indicate transarterial chemoembolisation, 13/17 at their own facilities. Eight of the 17 hospitals have multidisciplinary groups (5/8 A, 3/9 B-C). Nine hospitals perform > 20 procedures/year (7 group A), and 6 from group B-C request/perform < 10/year. It is performed on an "on-demand" basis in 12/17. In 5 hospitals, all the procedures use drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin. The average number of procedures per patient is 2. The mean time from diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to transarterial chemoembolisation is ≤ 2 months in 16 hospitals. In 11/17 hospitals, response is assessed by computed tomography. Radiological response is measured without specific criteria in 12/17 and the other five hospitals (4 group A) assessed using standardised criteria. CONCLUSION: Uniformity among the Madrid Regional hospitals was found in the indication and treatment regimen. The use of DEB-TACE has become the preferred form of TACE in clinical practice. The differentiating factors for the more specialised hospitals are a larger volume of procedures, decision-making by multidisciplinary committees and assessment of radiological response more likely to be standardised.

Hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in children with overweight and obesity

Objetivo: Estudiar la prevalencia de hiperuricemia en niños con sobrepeso u obesidad y analizarla relación con el síndrome metabólico y las enfermedades que lo definen. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de prevalencia transversal en 148 niños con sobrepeso u obesidad (12 ± 3 años, 48% chicos, IMC 31,8 ± 6,1) reclutados de una consulta de endocrinología pediátrica. Se determinaron el IMC, la cintura-talla, el perímetro de la cintura, la presión arterial con el equipo habitual y la glucosa (en ayunas y tras sobrecarga con 75 g), la resistencia a la insulina, el colesterol HDL, los triglicéridos y el ácido úrico. Resultados: La prevalencia de hiperuricemia era del 53%. Los pacientes con hiperuricemia tenían valores superiores de IMC (33,9 frente a 30,6; p = 0,003), perímetro de cintura (101,4frente a 91,1 cm; p < 0,001) y presión arterial sistólica (123,4 frente a 111,9 mmHg; p < 0,001)y diastólica (78,2 frente a 68,7 mmHg; p < 0,001). Mostraban además una glucemia más alta después de la sobrecarga oral de glucosa (107,5 frente a 100,7 mg/dl; p = 0,03), valores superiores de insulina (29,2 frente a 20,7 mg/dl; p = 0,001) y HOMA IR (6,5 frente a 4,4; p < 0,001) y concentraciones más bajas de HDL (49,5 frente a 54,4 mg/dl; p = 0,02).El valor de ácido úrico correspondiente con mayor probabilidad al diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico en nuestra muestra era de 5,4 mg/dl (sensibilidad del 64% y especificidad del 62%).Conclusión: La prevalencia de hiperuricemia en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad es alta. En el grupo de pacientes con obesidad e hiperuricemia hallamos que los parámetros determinados para diagnosticar el síndrome metabólico eran menos favorables. La concentración de ácido úrico a partir de la cual existe una mayor posibilidad de encontrar síndrome metabólico es de5,4 mg/dl (AU)

Objective: To study the prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight or obesity and analyze the relation with metabolic syndrome and the diseases that define it. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional prevalence study in 148 children recruited from pediatric endocrinology consultation, with overweight or obesity (12±3 years, 48% boys, BMI 31.8±6.1). We measured BMI, waist-height, waist circumference, blood pressure with standard instrumentation and glucose (fasting and after overload with 75g), insulin resistance, cholesterol HDL, triglycerides and uric acid. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 53%. Patients with hyperuricemia had greater BMI (33.9 vs 30.6, p=0.003), plus waist circumference (101.4 vs 91.1cm, p<0.001), higher blood pressure: systolic (123.4 vs 111.9mm Hg, p<0.001), diastolic (78.2 vs 68.7mm Hg, p<0.001). They presented greater blood glucose after overload oral glucose (107.5 vs 100.7mg/dl, p=0.03), insulin was higher (29.2 vs 20.7mg/dl, p=0.001) as well as HOMA IR (6.5 vs 4.4, p<0.001) and HDL levels were lower (49.5 vs 54.4mg/dl, p=0.02).Uric acid's level which most is the likely diagnosis of metabolic syndrome corresponds to 5.4mg/dl in our sample (sensitivity: 64% and specificity 62%).Conclusion The prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight and obesity is high. In the group of patients with obesity and hyperuricemia, we found out that the parameters measured to diagnose with metabolic syndrome were less favorable. Uric acid's level from where there is a higher possibility to see metabolic syndrome is 5.4mg/dl (AU)

Hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in children with overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight or obesity and analyze the relation with metabolic syndrome and the diseases that define it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional prevalence study in 148 children recruited from pediatric endocrinology consultation, with overweight or obesity (12±3 years, 48% boys, BMI 31.8±6.1). We measured BMI, waist-height, waist circumference, blood pressure with standard instrumentation and glucose (fasting and after overload with 75 g), insulin resistance, cholesterol HDL, triglycerides and uric acid. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 53%. Patients with hyperuricemia had greater BMI (33.9 vs 30.6, p=0.003), plus waist circumference (101.4 vs 91.1cm, p<0.001), higher blood pressure: systolic (123.4 vs 111.9 mm Hg, p<0.001), diastolic (78.2 vs 68.7 mm Hg, p<0.001). They presented greater blood glucose after overload oral glucose (107.5 vs 100.7 mg/dl, p=0.03), insulin was higher (29.2 vs 20.7 mg/dl, p=0.001) as well as HOMA IR (6.5 vs 4.4, p<0.001) and HDL levels were lower (49.5 vs 54.4 mg/dl, p=0.02). Uric acid's level which most is the likely diagnosis of metabolic syndrome corresponds to 5.4 mg/dl in our sample (sensitivity: 64% and specificity 62%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight and obesity is high. In the group of patients with obesity and hyperuricemia, we found out that the parameters measured to diagnose with metabolic syndrome were less favorable. Uric acid's level from where there is a higher possibility to see metabolic syndrome is 5.4 mg/dl.

[Chronic hepatitis C: current therapy and perspectives]. / Tratamiento de la hepatitis crónica C: situación actual y perspectivas.

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus is a "silent epidemic", affecting 170 million people Worldwide. current therapy, that combines pegylated interferon and ribavirin, is of limited efficacy, with percent cure rate. After ten years of relative blockage, new antiviral drugs are announced: viral protease and polymerase inhibitors and drugs that improve several cellular mechanisms of antiviral defence, as ciclophylline blocking agents and nitazoxanide.