Neurological disease in the time of COVID-19. A case series

Introduction: we present a series of patients with neurological problems and SARS-CoV-2 infection, and review the respective evidence. Patients and methods: a retrospective descriptive study of consecutive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in a neurology department from August 1 to December 31, 2020. Results: we recorded 30 patients: 16 men (53%), with a mean age of 65±17.3. In 53%, the neu rological problem preceded the respiratory symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis. At the syndromic level, the following were found: CVAs 43% (13), seizures 10% (3), posterior reversible encephalopathy 10% (3), encephalopathy 7% (2), brief psychotic disorder 7% (2), myelopathy 3% (1), Guillain-Barré syndrome 3% (1), headache 3% (1), vasculitis 3% (1), intracerebral hemorrhage 3% (1), myasthenic crisis 3% (1) and recurrent optic neuritis 3% (1). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 induced neurological problems produce a wide variety of symptoms and may be the first manifestation, even without the development of respiratory symptoms from this infection. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2233).

Introducción: se presenta una serie de pacientes con compromiso neurológico e infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se revisa la evidencia al respecto. Pacientes y métodos: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de pacientes consecutivos RT-PCR positivos para SARS-CoV-2 del servicio de neurología desde el 1° de agosto hasta 31 de diciembre de 2020. Resultados: registramos 30 pacientes, 16 hombres (53%), edad media: 65±17.3. En el 53% el compromiso neurológico antecedió los síntomas respiratorios y el diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2. A nivel sindromático se observó: ACV 43% (13), crisis convulsivas 10% (3), encefalopatía posterior reversible 10% (3), encefalopatía 7% (2), trastorno psicótico breve 7% (2), mielopatía 3% (1), síndrome de Guillain-Barré 3% (1), cefalea 3% (1), vasculitis 3% (1), hemorragia intracerebral 3% (1), crisis miasténica 3% (1) y neuritis óptica recurrente 3% (1). Conclusiones: el compromiso neurológico por el SARS-CoV-2 produce una gran variedad de síntomas y puede ser la primera manifestación incluso sin el desarrollo de síntomas respiratorios por esta infección. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2233).

Prevalencia de osteoporosis en Colombia: datos del registro nacional de salud del 2012 al 2018 / Prevalence of osteoporosis in Colombia: Data from the National Health Registry from 2012 to 2018

Introducción: La osteoporosis es considerada un problema de salud pública, ya que, al aumentar el riesgo de fracturas, genera un alto coste para el sistema de salud. En Colombia, el Ministerio de Salud utiliza la herramienta SISPRO para recolectar información del sistema de salud. La información almacenada en SISPRO es pública y disponible para la investigación. Este artículo presenta un análisis de la prevalencia y características de los pacientes con osteoporosis a partir de los datos del 2012 al 2018. Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia de osteoporosis entre enero de 2012 a diciembre de 2018 y describir las características demográficas de los pacientes. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en el que se tomaron los datos de SISPRO, utilizando como palabras clave los diagnósticos del manual internacional de enfermedades relacionados con el diagnóstico de osteoporosis. Resultados: Se documentaron 249.803 individuos mayores de 50 años con diagnóstico de osteoporosis, estimando una prevalencia de 2.440 casos por 100.000 habitantes mayores de 50 años (basado en una población total de 10.236.132), siendo más frecuente en mujeres (92%), con una relación mujer a hombre de 12,3:1. Conclusión: Este estudio muestra una baja prevalencia respecto a las estimaciones y proyecciones. Dados estos resultados es necesario trabajar en promover políticas en salud para los pacientes con osteoporosis.(AU)

Introduction: Osteoporosis is considered a healthcare problem due to the increased risk of fractures and high cost of care. In Colombia, the Ministry of Health introduced SISPRO, a tool to collect nationwide information from the health system. The information collected from SISPRO is available for scientific analysis. This article presents an analysis of the prevalence and characteristics of patients with osteoporosis using data from 2012 to 2018. Aim: To estimate prevalence of osteoporosis between January 2012 to December 2018 and describe the patients’ demographic characteristics. Methods: This is a descriptive epidemiological study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems related to osteoporosis as search terms using the SISPRO database. Results: National records report 249,803 patients over 50 years old diagnosed with osteoporosis. The estimated prevalence is 2,440 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 50 years old (based on a total population of 10,236,132), being more frequent in women (92% of cases), with a female/male ratio of 12.3:1. Conclusion: This study shows a lower prevalence than previous estimates or projections. Given these findings we think it is necessary to act to promote health policies for patients with osteoporosis.(AU)

Prevalence of osteoporosis in Colombia: Data from the National Health Registry from 2012 to 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is considered a healthcare problem due to the increased risk of fractures and high cost of care. In Colombia, the Ministry of Health introduced SISPRO, a tool to collect nationwide information from the health system. The information collected from SISPRO is available for scientific analysis. This article presents an analysis of the prevalence and characteristics of patients with osteoporosis using data from 2012 to 2018. AIM: To estimate prevalence of osteoporosis between January 2012 to December 2018 and describe the patients' demographic characteristics. METHODS: This is a descriptive epidemiological study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems related to osteoporosis as search terms using the SISPRO database. RESULTS: National records report 249,803 patients over 50 years old diagnosed with osteoporosis. The estimated prevalence is 2440 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 50 years old (based on a total population of 10,236,132), being more frequent in women (92% of cases), with a female/male ratio of 12.3:1. CONCLUSION: This study shows a lower prevalence than previous estimates or projections. Given these findings we think it is necessary to act to promote health policies for patients with osteoporosis.

Prevalence of systemic sclerosis in Colombia: Data from the National Health Registry 2012-2016.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that characteristically presents with fibrosis and vasculopathy. In Latin America, the information on the epidemiology of this disease is scarce and records are essential to know its behavior in the populations. In Colombia, the Ministry of Health uses the SISPRO tool to collect information on the unified national health system which offers nearly universal coverage (around 95%). This public information makes it possible to perform epidemiological studies on different diseases. Objectives: Using the SISPRO data corresponding to the years 2012-2016, we analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of patients with systemic sclerosis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed based on the SISPRO data; we used as keywords the diagnoses of the International Classification of Diseases related to the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. Results: A total of 11,300 individuals diagnosed with systemic sclerosis were documented. The estimated prevalence was 23.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (based on a total population of 47,663,162); this disease is more frequent in the age group of 65-69 years in females (77%), and has a female:male ratio of 3.27:1. Conclusion: This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of systemic sclerosis in Colombia, based on official statistics from the Ministry of Health. The results provide a new vision of this disease in Latin America and open the door to future research, in order to better understand the particular characteristics of this disease in our country and our region.

Novel, cyclic heat dissipation method for the correction of natural temperature gradients in sap flow measurements. Part 1. Theory and application.

Natural temperature gradient (NTG) can be a significant problem in thermal sap flow measurements, particularly in dry environments with sparse vegetation. To resolve this problem, we propose a novel correction method called cyclic heat dissipation (CHD) in its thermal dissipation probe (TDP) application. The CHD method is based on cyclic, switching ON/OFF power schema measurements and a three-exponential model, extrapolating measured signal to steady state thermal equilibrium. The extrapolated signal OFF represents NTG, whereas the extrapolated signal ON represents standard TDP signal, biased by NTG. Therefore, subtraction of the OFF signal from the ON signal allows defining the unbiased TDP signal, finally processed according to standard Granier calibration. The in vivo Kalahari measurements were carried out in three steps on four different tree species, first as NTG, then as standard TDP and finally in CHD mode, each step for ∼1-2 days. Afterwards, each tree was separated from its stem following modified Roberts' (1977) procedure, and CHD verification was applied. The typical NTG varying from ∼0.5 °C during night-time to -1 °C during day-time, after CHD correction, resulted in significant reduction of sap flux densities (J(p)) as compared with the standard TDP, particularly distinct for low J(p). The verification of the CHD method indicated ∼20% agreement with the reference method, largely dependent on the sapwood area estimate. The proposed CHD method offers the following advantages: (i) in contrast to any other NTG correction method, it removes NTG bias from the measured signal by using in situ, extrapolated to thermal equilibrium signal; (ii) it does not need any specific calibration making use of the standard Granier calibration; (iii) it provides a physical background to the proposed NTG correction; (iv) it allows for power savings; (v) it is not tied to TDP, and so can be adapted to other thermal methods. In its current state, the CHD data processing is not yet fully automated.

Análisis Biomécanico del ligamento cruzado anterior y del efecto de la rotación del injerto hueso-tendón patelar-hueso

Realizamos un estudio en 46 rodillas de cadáveres descibiendo las características morfológicas y biomecánicas del ligamento cruzado anterior y del injerto hueso-tendón patelar-hueso y realizando un análisis comparativo del efecto que sobre las propiedades mecánicas presenta la rotación de 90 grados sobre su eje. Como resultado se encontró una tensión del ligamento cruzado anterior y del injerto menor a lo reportado en estudios biomecánicas similares, probablemente atribuibles a las características de nuestra población y finalmente se encontró un aumento estadísticamente significativo en términos de resistencia y tensión mediante la rotación del injerto

Anclajes óseos y cable de acero, un nuevo método de fijación. Estudio mecánico en un modelo de fractura de la columna posterior del acetábulo

Describimos los anclajes óseos y el cable de acero como un nuevo método para la fijación de las fracturas del acetábulo. Comparamos sus características mecánicas frente al método tradicional de pacas y tornillos en un modelo experimental en pelvis de cerdos, encontrando que el nuevo método provee mejores propiedades a la fijación