Impacto de una intervención multimodal en el cumplimiento de higiene de manos en los profesionales sanitarios de un hospital de tercer nivel / Impact of a multimodal intervention on compliance with hand hygiene among health care workers of a tertiary hospital

Antecedente y objetivo: La higiene de manos (HM) es la medida más sencilla y eficaz para la prevención de la infección relacionada con la asistencia sanitaria. A pesar de ello, el cumplimiento en los profesionales sanitarios continúa siendo subóptimo. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el impacto de una estrategia multimodal de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ampliada en el cumplimiento de la HM en el personal sanitario.Material y métodosSe diseñó un estudio cuasiexperimental pretest-postest, llevando a cabo durante 2018 la estrategia multimodal de la OMS ampliada y dirigida a los profesionales de un hospital de tercer nivel. En esta estrategia, aparte de aplicar los 5 pilares de la OMS, se realizó un vídeo, la administración del cuestionario de percepciones de la OMS y un incentivo al servicio/unidad con mejor cumplimiento, añadiendo a la formación una modalidad de talleres prácticos. Se compararon los porcentajes de cumplimiento del año 2017 y 2018.ResultadosEn el año 2017 se observaron 1.056 oportunidades, registrándose 631 acciones de HM, siendo el cumplimiento global del 60% (IC 95% 56,7-62,7). En el año 2018, con 1.481 oportunidades observadas y 1.111 acciones de HM, el cumplimiento fue del 75% (IC 95% 72,7-77,2) (p<0,001). Este cumplimiento se incrementó en todos los estamentos y en todas las indicaciones.ConclusionesLa aplicación de una estrategia multimodal ampliada tiene un impacto positivo en el cumplimiento de HM. Se deben dirigir estrategias a los estamentos con peor cumplimiento y de forma continuada en el tiempo. (AU)

Background and objective: Hand hygiene (HH) is the simplest and most effective measure for the prevention of infection related to healthcare. Despite this, compliance in healthcare professionals continues to be suboptimal. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of an expanded World Health Organization (WHO) multimodal strategy on HH compliance in healthcare personnel.Material and methodsA quasi-experimental before-after study was designed, carrying out the expanded WHO multimodal strategy in 2018, aimed at professionals in a tertiary hospital. In this strategy, apart from applying the 5 pillars of the WHO, a video was made, the administration of the WHO perceptions questionnaire and an incentive to the service/unit with better compliance, adding to the training a modality of practical workshops. The compliance percentages for 2017 and 2018 were compared.ResultsIn 2017, 1056 opportunities were observed, registering 631 HH actions, with global compliance of 60% (95% CI 56.7-62.7). In 2018, with 1481 opportunities observed and 1111 HH actions, compliance was 75% (95% CI 72.7-77.2) (P<.001). This compliance increased in all professional categories and in all indications.ConclusionsThe application of an expanded multimodal strategy has a positive impact on HH compliance. Strategies should be directed to the categories with the worst compliance and continuously over time. (AU)

Quality of life in patients with heart failure and improved ejection fraction: one-year changes and prognosis.

AIMS: The criteria for patients with heart failure (HF) and improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) are a baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%, a ≥10-point increase from baseline LVEF, and a second LVEF measurement >40%. We aimed to (i) assess patients with HF and reduced LVEF (HFrEF) at baseline and compare quality of life (QoL) changes between those that fulfilled and those that did not fulfil the HFimpEF criteria 1 year later and (ii) assess the prognostic role of QoL in patients with HFimpEF. METHODS: We reviewed data from a prospective registry of real-world outpatients with HF that were assessed for LVEF and QoL at a first visit to the HF clinic and 1 year later. QoL was evaluated with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ). The primary prognostic endpoint was the composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization. RESULTS: Baseline and 1-year LVEF and MLWFQ scores were available for 1040 patients with an initial LVEF ≤40% (mean age, 65.2 ± 11.7 years; 75.9% men). The main aetiology was ischaemic heart disease (52.9%), and patients were mostly in New York heart Association Classes II (71.1%) and III (21.6%). At baseline, the mean LVEF was 28.5% ± 7.3, and the mean MLWHFQ score was 30.2 ± 19.5. After 1 year, the mean LVEF increased to 38.0% ± 12.2, and the MLWHFQ scores improved to 17.4 ± 16.0. In 361 patients that fulfilled the HFimpEF criteria (34.7%), significant improvements were observed in both LVEF (from 28.7% ± 6.6 to 50.9% ± 7.6, P < 0.001) and QoL (from 32.9 ± 20.6 to 16.9 ± 16.0, P < 0.001). Patients that did not fulfil the HFimpEF criteria also showed significant improvements in LVEF (from 28.4% ± 7.6 to 31.1% ± 7.9, P < 0.001) and QoL (from 28.7 ± 18.8 to 17.6 ± 15.9, P < 0.001). However, the QoL improvement was significantly higher in the HFimpEF group (-16.0 ± 23.8 vs. -11.1 ± 20.3, P = 0.001), despite the worse mean baseline MLWHFQ score, compared with the non-HFimpEF group (P = 0.001). The 1-year QoL was similar between groups (P = 0.50). The 1-year MLWHFQ score was independently associated with outcomes; the hazard ratio for the composite endpoint was 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01-1.03, P = 0.006). In contrast, the QoL improvement (with a cut-off ≥5 points) was not independently associated with the composite outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HFrEF showed improved QoL after 1 year, regardless of whether they met the HFimpEF criteria. The similar 1-year QoL perception between groups suggested that factors other than LVEF influenced QoL perception. The 1-year QoL was superior to the QoL change from baseline for predicting prognosis in patients with HFimpEF.

COVID-19 Course in Allergic Asthma Patients: A Spanish Cohort Analysis.

PURPOSE: The acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had a high impact on patients with chronic diseases. In the literature, there are different perspectives on asthma as comorbidity or risk factor on COVID-19 severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The aim of this retrospective study across 13 allergy departments in Spain was to determine the severity of COVID-19 in asthmatic adults followed in allergy departments and its relationship with atopy, clinical and demographic characteristics, phenotypes and laboratory data. In addition, lung function test and asthma control test (ACT) before and after COVID-19 were analyzed. Data was obtained from electronic medical records from March 2020 to April 2021. RESULTS: Two hundred one asthmatic patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection by validated detection test. About 30% of the patients were admitted for bilateral pneumonia. Advanced age, elevated D-dimer, lower numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils, heart diseases and hypertension were associated with severe COVID-19. Allergic and mixed allergic/eosinophilic phenotype and their biomarkers (total IgE, aeroallergens sensitizations, allergic rhinitis, and blood eosinophilia) were related to fewer hospital admissions. Poor control and lower forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were related to worse prognosis of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Asthmatic patients with allergic and eosinophilic phenotype have a better evolution of COVID-19 and lower risk of admissions. Older patients, cardiovascular comorbidities, AERD and eosinopenia are related to severity COVID-19.

Different performance of three point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection devices in symptomatic patients and close asymptomatic contacts: a real-life study.

OBJECTIVES: PCR on nasopharyngeal exudates, the cornerstone of the detection of SARS-CoV-2, is time-consuming and commonly unavailable at primary health care centres. Detection of viral nucleocapsid antigens using lateral flow point-of-care tests is helpful for the early triage of patients who attend health care facilities. METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out in clinically suspected cases and close asymptomatic contacts who attended a primary care centre (Madrid, Spain) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Patients were divided into three 300-patient cohorts (n = 200 symptomatic cases and n = 100 close asymptomatic contacts per cohort). Three antigen detection tests (SGTI-Flex COVID-19 Ag, Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device, and GSD NovaGen SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test) were used and compared. Paired nasopharyngeal exudates were obtained, one swab for PCR and the other for antigen detection. Each antigen detection test was evaluated on one cohort. RESULTS: All tests showed invariably 100% specificity. Sensitivity was 68.9% (95% CI: 55.7-80; SGTI-Flex), 71.1% (95% CI: 55.6-83.6; Panbio), and 84.6% (95% CI: 72-93.1; NovaGen) in clinically suspected patients and 84.6% (95% CI: 54.5-98.1), 33.3% (95% CI: 11.8-61.6), and 55.6% (95% CI: 30.7-78.4) in close asymptomatic contacts, respectively. Sensitivity was systematically higher in samples yielding positive PCR results with Ct ≤ 20. DISCUSSION: We found considerable test-to-test antigen detection variations among patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 and close asymptomatic contacts. Negative antigen results, regardless of the test used, should be confirmed by PCR.

Impact of a multimodal intervention on compliance with hand hygiene among health care workers of a tertiary hospital. / Impacto de una intervención multimodal en el cumplimiento de higiene de manos en los profesionales sanitarios de un hospital de tercer nivel.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hand hygiene (HH) is the simplest and most effective measure for the prevention of infection related to healthcare. Despite this, compliance in healthcare professionals continues to be suboptimal. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of an expanded World Health Organization (WHO) multimodal strategy on HH compliance in healthcare personnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental before-after study was designed, carrying out the expanded WHO multimodal strategy in 2018, aimed at professionals in a tertiary hospital. In this strategy, apart from applying the 5 pillars of the WHO, a video was made, the administration of the WHO perceptions questionnaire and an incentive to the service/unit with better compliance, adding to the training a modality of practical workshops. The compliance percentages for 2017 and 2018 were compared. RESULTS: In 2017, 1056 opportunities were observed, registering 631 HH actions, with global compliance of 60% (95% CI 56.7-62.7). In 2018, with 1481 opportunities observed and 1111 HH actions, compliance was 75% (95% CI 72.7-77.2) (P<.001). This compliance increased in all professional categories and in all indications. CONCLUSIONS: The application of an expanded multimodal strategy has a positive impact on HH compliance. Strategies should be directed to the categories with the worst compliance and continuously over time.

Prognostic value of lung ultrasound in chronic stable ambulatory heart failure patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The role of lung ultrasound (LUS) in acute heart failure (HF) has been widely studied, but little is known about its usefulness in chronic HF. This study assessed the prognostic value of LUS in a cohort of chronic HF stable ambulatory patients. METHODS: We included consecutive outpatients who attended a scheduled follow-up visit in a HF clinic. LUS was performed in situ. The operators were blinded to clinical data and examined 8 thoracic areas. The sum of B-lines across all lung zones and the quartiles of this addition were used for the analyses. Linear regression and Cox regression analyses were performed. The main clinical outcomes were a composite of all-cause death or hospitalization for HF and mortality from any cause. RESULTS: A total of 577 individuals were included (72% men; 69± 12 years). The mean number of B-lines was 5±6. During a mean follow-up of 31±7 months, 157 patients experienced the main clinical outcome and 111 died. Having ≥ 8 B-lines (Q4) doubled the risk of experiencing the composite primary event (P <.001) and increased the risk of death from any cause by 2.6-fold (P <.001). On multivariate analysis, the total sum of B-lines remained independent predictive factor of the composite endpoint (HR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.02-1.06; P=.002) and of all-cause death (HR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.02-1.07; P=.001), independently of whether or not N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was included in the model (P=.01 and P=.008, respectively), with a 3% to 4% increased risk for each 1-line addition. CONCLUSIONS: LUS identified patients with stable chronic HF at high risk of death or HF hospitalization.

Utility of Flexible Bronchoscopy for Airway Foreign Bodies Removal in Adults.

Foreign body aspiration is relatively infrequent in adults. Airway foreign bodies (AFBs) can be removed by flexible bronchoscopy (FB) or rigid bronchoscopy (RB). We performed a retrospective analysis of FBs performed in our centre over a 25 year period, focusing on the procedures that revealed an AFB during the examination stage. We recorded demographic data, clinical characteristics and radiological and bronchoscopic findings. During the study period, 12,588 FBs were performed in adults. Airway foreign bodies were identified in 32 of these cases, giving a prevalence of 0.25%. The most frequent clinical presentation was cough, sputum and fever. The most frequent radiological findings were alveolar infiltrates and atelectasis. In 94% of cases, AFBs were removed successfully by FB; RB was necessary in only 6% of cases. There were no FB-related complications. The most common AFB location was the right bronchial tree (69%). We classified AFBs as organic (85%: animal 57%; vegetable 28%), inorganic (6%) and iatrogenic (9%). Bronchial infection occurred in 51% of cases, and Actinomyces spp. was the most common causal microorganism. In conclusion, AFBs are a rare entity with nonspecific clinical presentation, most AFBs were organic, and FB is a safe and effective method for AFB removal.

Intervention to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection in spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of surgical site infections (SSIs) after spine surgery and evaluates the efficacy of a preventive intervention. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest study in patients undergoing spinal surgery in an orthopedic surgery department from December 2014 to November 2016. Based on the results of the study, we revised the preventive protocol with modification of wound dressing, staff training, and feedback. SSI rates were compared between the pre-intervention (December 2014 to November 2015) and post-intervention (December 2015 to November 2016) periods. The risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 139 patients included, 14 cases of SSI were diagnosed, with a significant decrease in the incidence of SSIs from the pre-intervention period to the post-intervention period (19.4% vs 2.6%; P = .001). The etiology was known in 13 cases, with enteric flora being predominant in the pre-intervention group. Univariate analysis showed that age, body mass index, days until sitting and ambulation, and incontinence were statistically significant risk factors. After multivariate analysis, only body mass index and days until ambulation remained significant. When the effect of intervention was adjusted with other risk factors, this variable remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention that includes modification of wound dressing and early mobilization, as well as staff awareness training, monitoring, and feedback, allowed a significant reduction in the incidence of SSI following spinal surgery, particularly infections caused by enteric flora.

Inonotosis in Patient with Hematologic Malignancy.

We report a lung-invasive fungal disease with possible cutaneous needle tract seeding in a patient with a febrile neutropenia caused by the Basidiomycetes mold Inonotus spp. Although rare, Inonotus spp. should be added to the list of microorganisms causing invasive fungal disease in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies.

Prevalencia de alteraciones nutricionales en pacientes con cáncer en un hospital de Tercer Nivel / Prevalence of nutritional alterations in cancer patients in a third level hospital

Introducción: Los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer son susceptibles a diferentes enfermedades nutricionales, como la desnutrición, la sarcopenia y la caquexia, que tienen valores pronósticos. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la prevalencia de alteraciones nutricionales en sujetos con cáncer. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio con diseño transversal. Pacientes adultos de ambos sexos fueron seleccionados y luego fueron sometidos a evaluaciones médicas y nutricionales en el servicio de oncología ambulatoria. Se realizó el diagnóstico nutricional, así como el diagnóstico de sarcopenia o caquexia de acuerdo a criterios internacionales. Resultados: Se incluyeron a un total de 119 sujetos, el 57,1% eran mujeres. La edad fue de 55,9 ± 14,2 años, y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) promedio fue de 25,0 ± 4,88 kg / m2. De la población total estudiada, el 25,2% tenía cáncer de mama, el 17,6% de cáncer gastrointestinal y el 16,8% de cáncer hematológico y otras neoplasias. De acuerdo a la clasificación de la OMS, el 14% de los sujetos tenían bajo peso, el 40% tenían peso normal, el 30% tenían sobrepeso y el 16% obesidad. La prevalencia de sarcopenia fue del 26,1%. Se observó que los voluntarios masculinos tenían un mayor riesgo de presentar sarcopenia [OR 13,1 (IC 95% 4,5-37,9, p <0,001)] y 47,6% de estos pacientes tenían cáncer gastrointestinal [OR 3,3 (IC 95% 1,3-8,9) p <0,05] Finalmente, el 12% de todos los sujetos fueron diagnosticados con caquexia. Conclusión: La prevalencia de malnutrición, sarcopenia y caquexia son altas en pacientes oncológicos atendidos en el servicio ambulatorio, especialmente en hombres y en aquellos diagnosticados con cáncer gastrointestinal

Introduction: Patients who are diagnosed with cancer are subjected to different nutritional maladies, such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia that have prognostic values. Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional alterations in subjects with cancer. Methods: The study has a cross-sectional design. Adult volunteers of both sexes were recruited and then underwent medical and nutritional assessments at the ambulatory oncology service. Diagnoses of sarcopenia and cachexia were made according to international criteria. Results: A total of 119 subjects were recruited, 57.1% were women. The mean age was 55.9 ± 14.2 years, and the mean body mass index was 25.0 ± 4.88 kg/m2. Of the total population studied, 25.2% had breast cancer, 17.6% gastrointestinal cancer, and 16.8% hematologic cancer and other neoplasms. According to the WHO guidelines for body mass index, 14% of subjects were underweight, 40% had normal weight, 30% were overweight and 16% were obese. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 26.1%; we observed that male volunteers had a higher risk of presenting sarcopenia [OR 13.1 (IC 95% 4.5-37.9, p<0.001)] and 47.6% of those subjects had gastrointestinal cancer [OR 3.3 (IC 95% 1.3-8.9, p<0.05)]. Finally, 12% of all of the subjects were diagnosed with cachexia. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia are high in oncological patients treated in the ambulatory service, especially in men and in those diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer

GEMA 4.0. Spanish Guigeline on the Management of Asthma

No disponible

Calidad de vida en pacientes con epilepsia que son atendidos en eldepartamento de neurología del Hospital San José de Bogotá / Quality of life in patients with epilepsy attending in neurology department of San José Hospital in Bogotá

Introducción: en el mundo aproximadamente 50 millones de personas presentan epilepsia, La enfermedadgenera una gran secuela en el paciente, y en las familias con esta enfermedad.Objetivo: describir condiciones que afecten la calidad de vida, mediante el formulario QOLIE-10, en lospacientes con epilepsia valorados en el Hospital de San José en Bogotá.Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de la encuesta decalidad de vida en epilepsia (QOLIE-10). La información se resumió con frecuencias y medidas de tendenciacentral y de dispersión.Resultados: se realizaron 157 encuestas. Según la clasificación del QOLIE 10, 43,3% de los pacientes presentaronmala calidad de vida, por lo cual, sumada la calificación regular (19,8%), se interpreta que la mayoría depacientes no tienen buena calidad de vida. La calidad de vida, al igual que en el resto de la población mundial,se ve afectada por la frecuencia ictal.Conclusión: en la población de pacientes con epilepsia su calidad de vida no es buena a pesar de que 71%son tratados con monoterapia y tienen control de la enfermedad.

Introduction: in the world about 50 million people have epilepsy, the disease causes a great sequel to the patient, and families with this diseaseObjective: to describe conditions that affect the quality of life by QOLIE-10 form in patients with epilepsy, valued at San José Hospital of Bogotá.Materials and methods: cross-sectional descriptive observation from the survey of quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-10). The information was summarized using frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion.Results: 157 surveys were obtained. According to the classification of QOLIE 10, 43.3% of patients had poor quality of life, which along with the regular grade (19.8%) is interpreted that most patients do not have a good quality of life. Quality of life as in the rest of the world population is affected by the ictal frequency.Conclusion: in patients with epilepsy Population their quality of life is not good although 71% are on monotherapy and have control of the disease.

Ventriculitis e hidrocefalia secundaria a criptocococis meníngea en un paciente no-VIH: reporte de un caso en el Hospital de San José en 2014 / Ventriculitis and hydrocephalia secondary to meningeal cryptococcosis in a non-HIV patient: a case report in the Hospital de San Jose in 2014

La criptocococis meníngea es la infección fúngica más frecuente del sistema nervioso central; generalmente se presenta en pacientes VIH seropositivos, aunque existe una proporción considerable de paciente VIH seronegativos, siendo en estos casos su presentación más agresiva. Esta infección tiene manifestaciones neurológicas variables que son secundarias al aumento de la presión intracraneal. La ventriculitis con hidrocefalia secundaria es una de las complicaciones de mayor morbi-mortalidad especialmente en pacientes VIH seronegativos. Presentamos un reporte de caso de criptocococis meníngea género Neoformans subtipo Grubbi con ventriculitis e hidrocefalia secundaria en paciente VIH seronegativo confirmado por histopatología.

Meningeal criptocococis is the most common fungal infection of the central nervous system, occuring in HIV seropositive patients, although there is a significant proportion of HIV seronegative patients, in whom the presentation is more aggresive. This infection has variable clinical manifestations secondary to increased intracranial pressure. Ventriculitis with hydrocephalus is one of the complications with the poorest outcome and mortality especially in HIV seronegative patients. We present a case report of meningeal criptocococis Neoformans subtype Grubbi with ventriculitis and secondary hydrocephalus in HIV seronegative patient confirmed by histopathology.

Factores precipitantes de crisis o estado epiléptico en adultos bajo control en el Servicio de Urgencias Hospitales de San José e Infantil Universitario de San José, Bogotá DC. Noviembre 2011-Mayo 2012 / Precipitants of convulsive crisis or epilepsy status in adults with controlled epilepsy: Emergency room Hospital de San José and Hospital Infantil Universitario de San José, Bogotá DC. November 2011-May 2012

Propósito: describir los factores precipitantes de crisis o estado epiléptico en adultos con epilepsia controlada y determinar las características de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo con 139 mayores de 15 años que ingresaron en forma consecutiva por crisis convulsivas o estado epiléptico a urgencias de dos hospitales de Bogotá DC. Resultados: la edad media fue 40±20 años (RIQ 22-53), 77% tenían epilepsia focal y 23% primaria generalizada; 63% reportó al menos un factor precipitante de crisis, cuya frecuencia fue: suspensión del anticonvulsivante (36.3%), privación de sueño (33%), síntomas infecciosos (26.1%), estrés (17%), disminución de dosis de anticonvulsivante(s) (13.6%), ingestión de licor (8%), inicio de otros fármacos (5.6%), consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y exposición a luces intermitentes (1.1%). Conclusiones: un alto porcentaje de epilépticos considera que uno o más factores precipitantes desencadenan sus crisis, con algunas variaciones en el orden de frecuencia en nuestro contexto cultural y social con respecto a otros estudios realizados, lo cual debe tenerse en cuenta al dar información al paciente pues debe recordarse que la intervención del comportamiento puede contribuir a la terapia logrando reducción de la frecuencia ictal.

Purpose: to describe the precipitants of an epileptic crisis or status epilepticus in adults with controlled epilepsy and to determine the socio-demographic and clinical variables. Materials and methods: a descriptive trial including 139 patients aged over 15 years presenting with a convulsive crisis or epilepsy status admitted to the emergency room of two hospitals in Bogotá DC, was conducted. Results: mean age was 40±20 years (IQR: 22-53), 77% had a focal process and 23% a primary generalized epilepsy; 63% reported at least one precipitant factor. Cessation of anticonvulsant medication (36.3%), sleep deprivation (33%), infection (26.1%), emotional stress (17%), taking a lower dose of anticonvulsant medication (13.6%), exposure to alcohol (8%), other medication (5.6%), illicit drugs or flickering lights (1.1%) were the most frequently reported precipitants. Conclusions: a high percentage of patients esteem that one or more factors trigger their crisis, with some variations in frequency in our cultural and social context compared with other studies. This must be reckoned with when giving information to patients for behavior interventions may contribute to therapy as to reducing seizure frequency.

Development and validation of a new Spanish instrument to measure health-related quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: the ESPRINT questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate an instrument to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) specific to patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and primarily for use in Spanish and Spanish-speaking populations. METHODS: An initial item pool was generated from literature review, focus groups with AR patients, and consultations with clinical experts. Item reduction was performed using clinimetric and psychometric approaches after administration of the item pool to 400 AR patients. The resulting instrument's internal consistency, test-retest (2-4 weeks) reliability, known groups and convergent validity, and sensitivity to change were tested in a longitudinal, observational, multicenter study in 210 AR patients who also completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). RESULTS: The new questionnaire took a mean (SD) of 7.1 (5.4) minutes to answer. Floor and ceiling effects were less than 15% on all dimensions. Cronbach's alpha values and intraclass correlation coefficient values for six of the sevendimensions and the overall score exceeded 0.70. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed on all ESPRINT-28 dimensions and the overall score between patients with mild (mean overall score 1.97, SD 0.99), moderate (mean overall score 2.78, SD 0.88), and severe AR (mean overall score 3.89, SD 0.87). Patients with persistent AR had worse scores (P < 0.05) on all dimensions than patients with intermittent AR. Correlations between the ESPRINT-28 and the RQLQ were generally as expected. Effect sizes for score changes between the two study visits ranged from 0.96 to 1.76 for individual dimensions and the overall score. CONCLUSIONS: This new, Spanish-developed instrument to measure HRQOL in AR patients has shown good reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. It has also proved easy to use and administer.