Manejo de pacientes con síndrome mielodisplásico en época COVID-19 / Management of patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome in the COVID-19 era

Resumen La infección por coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave ha provocado un cambio en la forma de atender a los pacientes con enfermedades hematológicas en todo el mundo. Los pacientes con síndrome mielodisplásico (SMD) se han visto afectados por la ausencia de conocimiento del comportamiento de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) en este tipo de padecimiento. Se han establecido lineamientos internacionales que han permitido continuar con la atención de dichos pacientes. El principal objetivo de esta revisión es definir las medidas preventivas y las estrategias de tratamiento que se deben de tomar al momento de evaluar a un paciente con SMD en la época COVID-19.

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused a change in the way we care for patients with hematological diseases around the world. Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) have been affected by the lack of knowledge of the behavior of COVID-19 in this type of condition. International guidelines have been established that have made it possible to continue caring for these patients. The main objective of this review is to define the preventive measures and treatment strategies that should be taken when evaluating a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome in the COVID-19 era.

Post-treatment improvement of NK cell numbers predicts better survival in myeloma patients treated with thalidomide-based regimens.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease characterized by antitumoral immune dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to determine lymphocyte subsets (B, T, NK, NKT, iNKT, dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells) in 68 newly diagnosed patients and 113 healthy donors. Lymphocyte subsets were studied in the same patients 6 months after treatment. Pre-treatment values of CD4+ T cells, NK cells, type 2 dendritic cells, and B cells in MM patients were lower than in healthy donors. Forty patients (59%) received MPT treatment and 28 (41%) thal-dex. Patients with no response to treatment, exhibited a decrease in CD4+ T cells and NK cells, as well as an increase in Treg cell numbers. Median DFS and OS was lower in patients not achieving response, in patients having low numbers of NK cells, and higher values of LDH. The number of CD4 T cells, NK, DC2, and B cells at diagnosis is lower in patients with MM. Non-responder patients had lower CD4 and NK, but higher Treg cell values. Patients in which response is not achieved, and those holding lower values of NK cells and higher levels of LDH, have poor DFS and OS.

[Modification of the cut-off values in the gestational diabetes-screening test]. / Modificación del punto de corte en la prueba de tamizaje para el diagnóstico de diabetes gestacional.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that specificity to diagnose gestational diabetes increases when the end point diminishes from 180 to 170 mg/dL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a transversal study based on the collection of 200 files randomly chosen, and whose diagnose was gestational diabetes identified by screening test. We established two end points: 180 and 170 mg/dL. The statistical analysis was based on the efficacy values for each one of them. Likelihood ratios for both tests were compared with the gold standard of the oral glucose tolerance test, 3 h with 100 g of glucose. A hundred patients were chosen for each group (the end point of the first and second group was greater than 180 and 170 mg/dL, respectively). RESULTS: The screening test results of the first group varied between 130 and 180 mg/dL. Fifty tolerance curves of four samples were negative and 50 were abnormal; 30 of these had diagnosis of gestational diabetes and 20 carbohydrate intolerance. In the second group the screening test results varied from 130 to 170 mg/dL. Sixty four tolerance curves of four samples were normal and 36 were abnormal; 24 of these had diagnosis of gestational diabetes and 12 carbohydrate intolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Modifying the superior end point of the glucose screening test, from 180 to 170 mg/dL, maintains the test sensitivity and improves its specificity.