Multi-organ clinical ultrasound as a complement to the diagnostic process in an internal medicine consultation.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating outpatient cases in internal medicine consultations presents a significant diagnostic challenge. Ultrasound can be a highly useful tool in assessment and decision-making. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of patients attending an internal medicine rapid assessment clinic. Eighty patients were prospectively recruited. A medical consultation was conducted as per usual clinical practice, followed by a POCUS evaluation; collecting pulmonary, cardiac, and abdominal data. All findings were analyzed and recorded, particularly those that were significant or altered the initial diagnosis, subsequent tests, or treatment. RESULTS: Significant ultrasound findings were found in 37.5% of the patients. Of all ultrasound scans, the most clinically relevant were in the heart region (31.9%), followed by the abdomen (26%). These findings led to a change in overall management in 27.5% of patients. Using logistic regression, a model was developed to estimate the presence of clinically relevant findings with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.89; p < 0.001) with 80% Sensitivity and 66% Specificity. CONCLUSION: The systematic and standardized incorporation of clinical ultrasound in internal medicine consultations contributes to decision-making, can provide significant findings that allow for modifications in clinical suspicion and therapeutic management.

Clinical course and prognostic factors of COVID-19 infection in an elderly hospitalized population.

INTRODUCTION: Older subjects have a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and a greater mortality. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating the characteristics of this infection at advanced age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 404 patients ≥ 75 years (mean age 85.2 ±â€¯5.3 years, 55 % males), with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection, attended in two hospitals in Madrid (Spain). Patients were followed-up until they were discharged from the hospital or until death. RESULTS: Symptoms started 2-7 days before admission, and consisted of fever (64 %), cough (59 %), and dyspnea (57 %). A total of 145 patients (35.9 %) died a median of 9 days after hospitalization. In logistic regression analysis, predictive factors of death were age (OR 1.086; 1.015-1.161 per year, p = 0.016), heart rate (1.040; 1.018-1.061 per beat, p < 0.0001), a decline in renal function during hospitalization (OR 7.270; 2.586-20.441, p < 0.0001) and worsening dyspnea during hospitalization (OR 73.616; 30.642-176.857, p < 0.0001). Factors predicting survival were a female sex (OR 0.271; 0.128-0.575, p = 0.001), previous treatment with RAAS inhibitors (OR 0.459; 0.222-0.949, p = 0.036), a higher oxygen saturation at admission (OR 0.901; 0.842-0.963 per percentage point increase, p = 0.002), and a greater platelet count (OR 0.995; 0.991-0.999 per 106/L, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with COVID-19 infection have a similar clinical course to younger individuals. Previous treatment with RAAS inhibitors, and demographic, clinical and laboratory data influence prognosis.

Tratamiento de la enfermedad tuberculosa pulmonar y extrapulmonar / Treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis

El tratamiento de la enfermedad tuberculosa busca un doble beneficio: un beneficio individual, centrado en la curación del paciente afecto de tuberculosis, y un beneficio colectivo, de la comunidad en la cual reside el paciente. Se exponen los diferentes regímenes de tratamiento tanto de la tuberculosis sensible a fármacos antituberculosos de primera línea como de la tuberculosis resistente. Se comentan las peculiaridades en cuanto al manejo de la tuberculosis pulmonar y extrapulmonar

The purpose of tuberculosis treatment is twofold: to provide an individual benefit centred on healing the patient with TB, and to provide a collective benefit to the community in which the patient resides. The different treatment regimens for tuberculosis sensitive to first-line antituberculosis drugs as well as resistant tuberculosis are examined and the peculiarities in the management of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis are discussed

Treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. / Tratamiento de la enfermedad tuberculosa pulmonar y extrapulmonar.

The purpose of tuberculosis treatment is twofold: to provide an individual benefit centred on healing the patient with TB, and to provide a collective benefit to the community in which the patient resides. The different treatment regimens for tuberculosis sensitive to first-line antituberculosis drugs as well as resistant tuberculosis are examined and the peculiarities in the management of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis are discussed.

Retrospective study of tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (1998-2014) / Estudio retrospectivo sobre la tolerabilidad y eficacia de linezolid en pacientes con tuberculosis multirresistente (1998-2014)

INTRODUCTION: Although linezolid is known to be effective when used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), the clinical experience is limited. In this study the efficacy and adverse effects of linezolid treatment were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective study of tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in MDR-TB patients was performed in Madrid, Spain. Demographic characteristics, microbiological and clinical features and data on treatment tolerability were collected. Regimens were constructed with a target of prescribing, at least, five anti-tuberculosis agents likely to be effective. Linezolid, at a dosage of 1200 or 600 mg daily, was included to complete the treatment if no other sensitive drugs were available. Vitamin B6 was used to reduce toxicity. Treatment outcome and clinical status at last contact were compared between patients with linezolid-containing regimens and with those without linezolid-containing regimens. RESULTS: During the period 1998-2014, 55 patients with MDR-TB received treatment. In 21 of these patients, linezolid was added. The median of linezolid administration was 23.9 months (IQT 13.1-24.7). Patients using linezolid showed a greater resistance to drugs, with a median of 6 (IQR 5-7) compared with those who did not use it, with a median of 4 drugs (IQR 3-5) (p < 0.001). The median time to sputum culture conversion of the patients in the linezolid group (73.5 days) did not differ significantly from those in the non-linezolid group (61 days) (p = 0.29). There were no significant differences in the outcomes of the two patient groups. There were no reported adverse events in 81% of patients assigned to linezolid therapy. Only four patients developed toxicity attributed to linezolid. The most serious adverse event in these patients was anemia observed in the two patients treated with 1200 mg per day. One of them also developed moderate paresthesia. In both cases the dosage was reduced to 600 mg per day, with improvement of the anemia and paresthesias. No patients stopped linezolid therapy. CONCLUSION: A daily dosage of 600 mg of linezolid was well tolerated without stopping treatment in any case. The efficacy of the treatment and the outcomes were similar in both the linezolid and non-linezolid group

INTRODUCCIÓN: Aunque es conocida la utilidad y la eficacia de linezolid cuando se administra para el tratamiento de pacientes con tuberculosis multirresistente (TB-MR), la experiencia clínica actual sigue siendo limitada. En este estudio se analiza la evolución, la eficacia y los efectos adversos del tratamiento con linezolid en pacientes con diagnostico de TB-MR. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo sobre la tolerabilidad y la eficacia de linezolid en pacientes diagnosticados de TB-MR en Madrid, España. Los regimenes de tratamiento se constituyeron con al menos 5 fármacos antituberculosos efectivos. Linezolid (a dosis de 1200 o 600 mg por día) se añadió para completar el tratamiento en los pacientes en los que no existían otros fármacos alternativos sensibles. Se utilizó vitamina B6 para reducir la toxicidad al tratamiento. Se comparó la evolución clínica de los pacientes y los resultados del tratamiento entre el grupo de pacientes tratados con linezolid y el grupo de pacientes que no fueron tratados con este fármaco. RESULTADOS: Entre 1998 y 2014, 55 pacientes fueron diagnosticados de TB-MR y recibieron tratamiento. En 21 pacientes fue necesaria la administración de linezolid. La media de tiempo de administración de linezolid fue de 23.9 meses (IQR 13.1-24.7). Los pacientes del grupo de linezolid presentaron mayor número de resistencias a fármacos con una mediana de 6 (IQR 5-7), respecto al grupo que no tomó Linezolid [4 fármacos (IQR 3-5)] (p < 0,001). No hubo diferencias significativas entre el tiempo de conversión del cultivo de esputo de los pacientes del grupo de linezolid (73,5 días) frente al del grupo sin linezolid (61 días) (p = 0,29). Tampoco hubo diferencias significativas en la evolución de los dos grupos de pacientes. El 81% de los pacientes que tomaron linezolid no experimentaron efectos adversos atribuidos a la administración de Linezolid. Sólo cuatro pacientes desarrollaron toxicidad secundaria al uso de linezolid. El efecto adverso más importante fue anemia que se presentó en los dos pacientes tratados con 1200 mg al día. Uno de ellos también desarrolló parestesias de grado moderado en miembros inferiores. En ambos casos, la dosis se redujo a 600 mg al día, con mejoría de la anemia y de las parestesias. CONCLUSIÓN: La dosis de 600 mg al día de linezolid fue bien tolerada sin necesidad de interrumpir el tratamiento en ningún caso. La eficacia del tratamiento y la evolución de los pacientes fueron similares en ambos grupos

Retrospective study of tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (1998-2014).

INTRODUCTION: Although linezolid is known to be effective when used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), the clinical experience is limited. In this study the efficacy and adverse effects of linezolid treatment were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective study of tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in MDR-TB patients was performed in Madrid, Spain. Demographic characteristics, microbiological and clinical features and data on treatment tolerability were collected. Regimens were constructed with a target of prescribing, at least, five anti-tuberculosis agents likely to be effective. Linezolid, at a dosage of 1200 or 600 mg daily, was included to complete the treatment if no other sensitive drugs were available. Vitamin B6 was used to reduce toxicity. Treatment outcome and clinical status at last contact were compared between patients with linezolid-containing regimens and with those without linezolid-containing regimens. RESULTS: During the period 1998-2014, 55 patients with MDR-TB received treatment. In 21 of these patients, linezolid was added. The median of linezolid administration was 23.9 months (IQT 13.1-24.7). Patients using linezolid showed a greater resistance to drugs, with a median of 6 (IQR 5-7) compared with those who did not use it, with a median of 4 drugs (IQR 3-5) (p<0.001). The median time to sputum culture conversion of the patients in the linezolid group (73.5 days) did not differ significantly from those in the non-linezolid group (61 days) (p=0.29). There were no significant differences in the outcomes of the two patient groups. There were no reported adverse events in 81% of patients assigned to linezolid therapy. Only four patients developed toxicity attributed to linezolid. The most serious adverse event in these patients was anemia observed in the two patients treated with 1200 mg per day. One of them also developed moderate paresthesia. In both cases the dosage was reduced to 600 mg per day, with improvement of the anemia and paresthesias. No patients stopped linezolid therapy. CONCLUSION: A daily dosage of 600 mg of linezolid was well tolerated without stopping treatment in any case. The efficacy of the treatment and the outcomes were similar in both the linezolid and non-linezolid group.

Hiperplasia difusa idiopática de células neuroendocrinas pulmonares con tumores carcinoides múltiples sincrónicos / Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia With Multiple Synchronous Carcinoid Tumors

El espectro de la proliferación de células neuroendocrinas pulmonares va de la hiperplasia reactiva al carcinoma de célula pequeña e incluye la hiperplasia difusa idiopática. Se describe un caso de hiperplasia difusa idiopática y se describen las características de dicha entidad según la evidencia publicada. Se trata de una entidad incluida por primera vez en la clasificación de tumores de la OMS en 1999 y considerada precursora de tumores carcinoides. Cursa con mayor frecuencia con disnea y tos, en general lentamente progresivas, obstrucción al flujo aéreo, nódulos pulmonares múltiples y signos radiológicos de atrapamiento aéreo, aunque se han descrito casos asintomáticos sin afectación funcional. Histológicamente se caracteriza por la proliferación de células neuroendocrinas en el epitelio de las vías respiratorias, en muchos casos más allá de la membrana basal formando tumorlets y tumores carcinoides, con frecuencia múltiples. Su pronóstico es favorable en la mayoría de los casos(AU)

The spectrum of pulmonary neuroendocrine cell proliferation ranges from reactive hyperplasia to small cell carcinoma and includes diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. A case is reported and features of this disease are described according to the published evidence. The entity was first included in the WHO classification of tumors in 1999 and is considered a preneoplastic condition for carcinoid tumors. Patients generally report slowly progressive dyspnea and cough, and have airflow obstruction, multiple pulmonary nodules and/or radiological signs of air trapping, although asymptomatic cases with normal pulmonary function have been described. Histologically, it is characterized by neuroendocrine cell proliferation in the airway epithelium, in most cases beyond the basal membrane forming tumorlets and carcinoid tumors that are frequently multiple. The prognosis is favorable in most cases(AU)

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia with multiple synchronous carcinoid tumors.

The spectrum of pulmonary neuroendocrine cell proliferation ranges from reactive hyperplasia to small cell carcinoma and includes diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. A case is reported and features of this disease are described according to the published evidence. The entity was first included in the WHO classification of tumors in 1999 and is considered a preneoplastic condition for carcinoid tumors. Patients generally report slowly progressive dyspnea and cough, and have airflow obstruction, multiple pulmonary nodules and/or radiological signs of air trapping, although asymptomatic cases with normal pulmonary function have been described. Histologically, it is characterized by neuroendocrine cell proliferation in the airway epithelium, in most cases beyond the basal membrane forming tumorlets and carcinoid tumors that are frequently multiple. The prognosis is favorable in most cases.