Comparison between five PCR techniques for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: Since the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 appeared, there have been numerous techniques that have been developed for the diagnosis or monitoring of infection, both direct and serological techniques. Choosing a good diagnostic tool is essential for epidemiological control. The objective was to compare five commercialized RT-PCR techniques in real time, in sensitivity, specificity and agreement for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Five commercial RT-PCR kits for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 were compared. Eight known positive samples were taken and subjected to seven different dilutions or concentrations, and another 135 negative samples were used to determine sensitivity, specificity, and agreement values. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the Palex, Roche and GeneXpert techniques with respect to Seegene were identical, corresponding to 98.21%, 100%, 100% and 99.26% respectively. For Becton Dickinson the sensitivity was 89.28%, the specificity of 100%, the PPV of 100% and the NPV of 95.74%. The agreement using the Kappa index for Palex, Roche and GeneXpert was 0.9892, while the agreement for Becton Dickinson was with a Kappa index of 0.9215. CONCLUSIONS: All commercial RT-PCR kits had high sensitivities and specificities, as well as PPV, NPV, and concordance.

Uso de bromocriptina en pacientes con alteración de conciencia secundaria a traumatismo craneoencefálico / Bromocriptine in disorders of consciouness due to traumatic brain injury

Introducción: el objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los resultados y efectos secundarios de la administración de bromocriptina en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) en estado de síndrome vigilia sin respuesta (SVSR) o estado de mínima conciencia (EMC). Métodos: revisión retrospectiva de 10 casos clínicos: 6 TCE-SVSR y 4 TCE-EMC. Todos los pacientes recibieron bromocriptina con dosis iniciales de 2,5mg 2 veces al día. Esta fue incrementada progresivamente hasta 7,5 o 12,5mg 2 veces al día según respuesta y mantenida durante al menos 4 semanas. Se emplearon diversas escalas de valoración en los siguientes estadios: previo a la administración de bromocriptina, a las 4 semanas de inicio del tratamiento y previo al alta hospitaria. Las escalas de valoración que se emplearon fueron: Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, Disability Rating Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, Barthel Scale y Marshall Scale. Resultados: de los 10 pacientes 4 en EMC y 4 en SVSR consiguieron al alta 23 puntos en escala CRS-R, emergiendo por tanto de dichos estados y alcanzando un estado de fuera de mínima conciencia. Dos de los 10 pacientes mejoraron, pero de manera más discreta pasando de SVSR a EMC (8 a 11 y de 5 a 10 puntos en CRS-R). Conclusiones: considerando el mal pronóstico de recuperación de estos pacientes el beneficio-riesgo es positivo con bromocriptina a dosis como mínimo de 7,5mg 2 veces al día durante 4 semanas

Introduction: the aim of this study was to assess the results and adverse effects of bromocriptine in patients with traumatic brain injury-vegetative state (TBI-VS) or traumatic brain injury-minimally conscious state (TBI-MCS). Methods: we conducted a retrospective review of 10 patients, six with TBI-VS and four with TBI-MCS. All patients received bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg twice daily. Bromocriptine was titrated up to 7.5 or 12.5mg twice daily according to response and was maintained for at least 4 weeks. Various assessment scales were used in the following stages: before bromocriptine administration, at 4 weeks post bromocriptine prescription, and at hospital discharge. The assessment scales used were the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Disability Rating Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, Barthel Scale, and Marshall Scale. Results: of the 10 patients, four with TBI-MCS and four with TBI-VS achieved a score of 23 points at discharge in the CRS-R, thus emerging from VS or MCS and regaining functional status. There were only two patients who emerged from VS but remained in MCS (8 to 11 and 5 to 10 points in CRS-R). Conclusions: considering the poor prognosis for recovery in these patients, bromocriptine use has a positive risk-benefit ratio at a dosage of at least 7.5mg twice daily for 4 weeks

[Bromocriptine in disorders of consciouness due to traumatic brain injury]. / Uso de bromocriptina en pacientes con alteración de conciencia secundaria a traumatismo craneoencefálico.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the results and adverse effects of bromocriptine in patients with traumatic brain injury-vegetative state (TBI-VS) or traumatic brain injury-minimally conscious state (TBI-MCS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 10 patients, six with TBI-VS and four with TBI-MCS. All patients received bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg twice daily. Bromocriptine was titrated up to 7.5 or 12.5mg twice daily according to response and was maintained for at least 4 weeks. Various assessment scales were used in the following stages: before bromocriptine administration, at 4 weeks post bromocriptine prescription, and at hospital discharge. The assessment scales used were the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Disability Rating Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, Barthel Scale, and Marshall Scale. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, four with TBI-MCS and four with TBI-VS achieved a score of 23 points at discharge in the CRS-R, thus emerging from VS or MCS and regaining functional status. There were only two patients who emerged from VS but remained in MCS (8 to 11 and 5 to 10 points in CRS-R). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the poor prognosis for recovery in these patients, bromocriptine use has a positive risk-benefit ratio at a dosage of at least 7.5mg twice daily for 4 weeks.

[Atypical fracture of the femur related to prolonged bisphosphonate use. The importance of saying 'enough's enough']. / Fractura atípica de fémur relacionada con el uso prolongado de bifosfonatos. La importancia de decir «basta¼.

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease with important consequences. The most widely used drugs to control this disease are bisphosphonates but their prolonged use is associated with the risk of atypical fractures. We report the cases of two patients under bisphosphonate treatment with bilateral atypical femoral fractures. In one patient the fractures occurred simultaneously, unprovoked by trauma, and in the other, they occurred as delayed fractures after mild trauma. In both cases, the fractures were preceded by pain. The fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing and bisphosphonate withdrawal with good outcomes. Although bisphosphonates have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing frailty-related fractures, their prolonged use has paradoxically been associated with atypical fractures. These fractures are usually preceded by pain. Consequently, when faced with this clinical picture, physicians should request imaging studies that could show incomplete fractures that could benefit from prophylactic nailing before becoming complete fractures.

Fractura atípica de fémur relacionada con el uso prolongado de bifosfonatos. La importancia de decir "basta" / Atypical fracture of the femur related to prolonged bisphosphonate use. The importance of saying 'enough's enough'

La osteoporosis es una enfermedad con una alta prevalencia e importantes consecuencias. Los bifosfonatos son los fármacos más utilizados para controlarla, sin embargo, su uso durante periodos prolongados se asocia con el riesgo de fracturas atípicas. Se presentan los casos de 2 pacientes en tratamiento con bifosfonatos que presentaron fracturas femorales atípicas bilaterales; en un caso fueron simultáneas, sin traumatismo desencadenante, y en el otro fueron diferidas tras sendos traumatismos banales. En ambos casos la fractura fue precedida de clínica dolorosa. Fueron tratadas mediante enclavado intramedular y supresión de los bifosfonatos, con buenos resultados. Aunque los bifosfonatos han demostrado su eficacia en la prevención de fracturas por fragilidad, su uso prolongado se ha asociado paradójicamente a fracturas atípicas. Estas fracturas suelen estar precedidas de dolor, por lo que ante ello es necesario realizar estudios de imagen, en los que pueden evidenciarse fracturas incompletas que podrían beneficiarse de un enclavamiento profiláctico antes de que se produzca la fractura completa

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease with important consequences. The most widely used drugs to control this disease are bisphosphonates but their prolonged use is associated with the risk of atypical fractures. We report the cases of two patients under bisphosphonate treatment with bilateral atypical femoral fractures. In one patient the fractures occurred simultaneously, unprovoked by trauma, and in the other, they occurred as delayed fractures after mild trauma. In both cases, the fractures were preceded by pain. The fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing and bisphosphonate withdrawal with good outcomes. Although bisphosphonates have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing frailty-related fractures, their prolonged use has paradoxically been associated with atypical fractures. These fractures are usually preceded by pain. Consequently, when faced with this clinical picture, physicians should request imaging studies that could show incomplete fractures that could benefit from prophylactic nailing before becoming complete fractures

[Are women satisfied with the assistance provided by midwives in childbirth?]. / Están satisfechas las mujeres con la atención proporcionada por la matrona durante el parto?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the women's satisfaction index regarding the cares provided by the midwife during the normal labour and delivery. DESIGN: This is a descriptive transversal study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that permitted assess the women's perceptions and expectatives referred to the attention received from midwives. SAMPLE: The sample consisted on 316 women who were assisted in the labour and delivery by midwives or midwives trainees. RESULTS: The women conferred a remarkable importance to the majority of the cares supplied by the midwife. The mean value of satisfaction with these cares was x = 8.62 (over 10). The most satisfied cares were "treating the women with respect", "supporting the immediate contact with the baby", and "praising the women's efforts", and the least satisfied cares were "keeping the partner informed", "permitting participation in making decisions" and "helping in the precocious beginning of the maternal lactation". The satisfaction with the emotional attention was superior than the satisfaction with the informational or tangible attention. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of the cares provided by the midwife during the labour and delivery in order to cope with the stress of this process, was confirmed by the women. The quality of the emotional support should be promoted to continue supplying an integral attention. It's convenient to reinforce the quantity and quality of the information provided to the woman and partner, the user's participation in making decisions, and the help in the precocious beginning of the maternal lactation.