Perspectives of people with Parkinson's disease and family carers about disease management in community settings: A cross-country qualitative study.

AIM: To explore perceptions of people with Parkinson's disease and family carers about the use and impact of health and social care services, community and voluntary sector resources for the management of Parkinson's disease. BACKGROUND: Resources from outside the formal health care system and collaborations between different levels and sectors could address the unmet needs of people with Parkinson's disease and their family carers and improve the management of Parkinson's disease in the community setting. DESIGN: A qualitative exploratory study was carried out in Denmark, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom and was reported using the COREQ. METHODS: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with Parkinson's disease and family carers between May and August 2020. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to analyse and synthesise cross-national findings. RESULTS: Forty-seven people with Parkinson's disease and 39 family carers participated in the four countries. Four themes and eight sub-themes emerged: (1) Personalised care for needs throughout the Parkinson's disease journey; (2) Accessibility of different types of support systems (including initiatives to support emotional well-being, physical rehabilitation, information on the healthcare services, voluntary associations and community groups); (3) Multiagency collaborations, a more comprehensive approach; (4) Acknowledgment of people with Parkinson's and family carers own role in Parkinson's disease management. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated and person-and-community-centred approach, which includes the participation of the health, social, voluntary and community sectors, is desired by people with Parkinson's disease and their family carers to improve the management of Parkinson's in the community setting. These findings could contribute to the creation of more sustainable care systems at the European level that would better respond to individual and changing needs in people with Parkinson's disease and their family carers, and in other long-term conditions. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The Patient and Public Involvement groups contributed to the design of the study, the interview guides and validation of findings. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study will inform the management of Parkinson's disease at the community level and the use of resources not only directly linked to the health system. Taking into account all the actors that provide care and support to people with Parkinson' disease and family carers facilitates the creation of strategies that better respond to individual needs. Nurses and other health and social care professionals in the community and specialist levels of care should collaborate to develop multisectoral strategies that promote personalised and integrated care throughout the Parkinson's journey.

Understanding support systems for Parkinson's disease management in community settings: A cross-national qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Health and social care systems face difficulties in managing multimorbidity, disease burden and complex needs in long-term conditions such as Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a European understanding of how health and social care professionals can collaborate with stakeholders from different organizations and sectors to enhance the management of Parkinson's disease in a community setting by identifying the existing gaps in this process and how people with Parkinson's disease and their family carers could benefit from these partnerships. METHODS: A mixed-methods sequential study was conducted in Denmark, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. The findings from the qualitative phase are presented. Individual semistructured interviews were analysed using Braun's and Clarke's thematic analysis. A meta-ethnography approach was used to analyse and synthesize cross-national findings. RESULTS: A total of 41 healthcare professionals and 39 stakeholders from different disciplines and sectors were interviewed in the four countries. The participants acknowledged a lack of awareness of available resources and poor communication between the different support systems in the management of Parkinson's disease. To promote multiagency collaborations, the participants highlighted the need to organize services along the Parkinson's disease journey, patient involvement and strategic involvement of carers in organizing resources and Parkinson's disease care pathways. According to the participants, the benefits from multiagency partnerships could lead to an enhanced continuity of care and specialized knowledge, mobilization of resources in the community, personalized support and improved access to services. CONCLUSIONS: Policymakers are called upon to create formal structures that facilitate multisectoral collaborations to promote an integrated system of care for the management of Parkinson's disease in the community. To address this challenge, we propose five strategies showing how organizations can work together to optimize the use of resources and enhance the management of Parkinson's disease throughout the illness trajectory. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patient and Public Involvement groups made up of stakeholders, healthcare professionals, patients with Parkinson's disease and family carers participated in the design of the study, the development of the interview guides and the validation of the findings.

Calidad de vida en el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad: percepción de padres e hijos / Quality of life in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: perception of parents and children

INTRODUCCIÓN: la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) es una dimensión relevante en la evaluación y consideración de los efectos de un tratamiento en el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH). El objetivo del estudio es analizar las diferencias entre la percepción de padres e hijos en la CVRS en casos TDAH tratados farmacológicamente (TDAH-T), casos no tratados (TDAH-N) y controles. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: muestra de 228 participantes entre 8 y 14 años (114 controles, 57 TDAH-T y 57 TDAH-N). Muestreo consecutivo de TDAH según DSM-IV (ADHD RS-IV) y muestreo aleatorio de controles emparejados por sexo y edad. Evaluación de CVRS mediante las diez dimensiones del KIDSCREEN-52 versión padres y versión hijos. RESULTADOS: en los controles existen diferencias significativas entre padres e hijos en tres de las diez dimensiones del KIDSCREEN-52 (autonomía, autopercepción y recursos económicos), en cuatro dimensiones en TDAH-T (bienestar psicológico, autopercepción, entorno escolar y recursos económicos) y en seis dimensiones en TDAH-N (bienestar psicológico y físico, estado de ánimo, autopercepción, entorno escolar y recursos económicos). En todas las dimensiones donde existen diferencias significativas los hijos perciben mejor CVRS que la atribuida por los padres, excepto en la dimensión económica que sucede a la inversa. No existen diferencias significativas entre padres e hijos en controles, TDAH-N o TDAH-T en las dimensiones de aceptación social, relación con padres y amigos. CONCLUSIONES: es necesario que en la evaluación que precede a cualquier intervención clínica se deban tener en cuenta las perspectivas de padres e hijos sobre la CVRS

INTRODUCTION: health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a relevant dimension in the evaluation and consideration of the effects of a treatment in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The objective of the study is to analyze the differences on the perception between parents and children in the HRQL in ADHD cases treated pharmacologically (ADHD-T), untreated cases (ADHD-N) and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: sample of 228 participants between 8 and 14 years old (114 controls, 57 ADHD-T and 57 ADHD-N). Consecutive sampling of ADHD according to DSM-IV (ADHD Rating Scales IV) and random sampling of controls matched by sex and age. HRQL assessment using the ten dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 parent version and child version. RESULTS: there are significant differences between parents/children in three out of ten dimensions of KIDSCREEN-52 (autonomy, self-perception, and financial resources), in four ADHD-T dimensions (psychological well-being, self-perception, school environment, and financial resources), and in six ADHD-N dimensions (psychological and physical well-being, mood, self-perception, school environment and financial resources) in controls. Children perceive HRQL better than parents in all dimensions with significant differences, except for economic dimension (the opposite). There are no significant differences between parents/children in controls, ADHD-N or ADHD-T in the dimensions of social acceptance, relationship with parents and friends. CONCLUSIONS: it is necessary to take into account the perspectives of parents and children regarding HRQL in the evaluation preceding any clinical intervention

Living with Chronic Illness from the Family Perspective:An Integrative Review.

Living with chronic illness has an impact on the family's wellbeing and quality of life. An integrative review was conducted to identify and analyse the existing scales that evaluate the process of living with chronic illness or related factors of daily living from the family perspective. A search was developed in Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Cuiden and Scielo databases until May 2019. From 5,344 identified articles, 13 studies were eligible for inclusion. 16 scales were identified and assessed constructs related to the concept of living with chronic illness, including quality of life; perceptions and needs; life satisfaction and well-being; impact; and psychological adjustment to the disease. However, these scales do not measure the family process of living with chronic illness from a comprehensive perspective. This review highlights the need to develop and validate a scale that evaluates the multidimensional nature of living with chronic illness from the family perspective.

100 Ma sweat bee nests: Early and rapid co-diversification of crown bees and flowering plants.

100 Ma sweat bee nests reported herein are the oldest evidence of crown bees. A new phylogeny for short-tongued bees, calibrated with these nests dated with 40Ar/39Ar, attests for the first time for a late Albian rapid diversification of bees along with angiosperms. Such hypothesis lacked paleontological support until this study. The new ichnospecies Cellicalichnus krausei, which was found along with wasp trace fossils and new beetle trace fossils in the Castillo Formation of Patagonia, represents typical Halictini nests composed of sessile cells that are attached to main tunnels. According to geological, paleosol, paleobotanical, and ichnological data, bees, and angiosperms cohabited in an inland and dry environment comparable to an open dry woodland or savanna, under warm-temperate and semiarid-subhumid climate, in the Southern Hemisphere by the Albian.

Nos toca el cuidado en tiempos de covid-19 / Turn for care/caring touch in times of COVID-19

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Percepción de niños y adolescentes sobre la calidad de vida en casos de trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad con y sin tratamiento farmacológico y en controles / Children's and adolescents' perception of their quality of life in cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with and without pharmacological treatment and in controls

Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud percibida por niños y adolescentes es un factor importante para valorar los efectos de una intervención terapéutica. Objetivo. Analizar la calidad de vida comparando casos con trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH) tratados farmacológicamente con metilfenidato, casos no tratados y controles. Sujetos y métodos. Muestra de 228 participantes de 8-14 años. Muestreo consecutivo de casos de TDAH según los criterios del Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales, cuarta edición, y muestreo aleatorio de controles emparejados por sexo, edad y zona sociodemográfica. Evaluación de la calidad de vida mediante el KIDSCREEN-52 (versión niños y adolescentes). Para responder al objetivo se utilizó ANOVA con corrección de Bonferroni. Resultados. Observamos una correlación significativa moderada entre mayor intensidad de síntomas de TDAH y peor calidad de vida, excepto en el bienestar físico. Los casos de TDAH no tratados tienen significativamente peor calidad de vida que los controles en bienestar psíquico, autonomía, estado de ánimo, entorno escolar y aceptación social. Los casos de TDAH tratados observan similares resultados excepto en el entorno escolar y el bienestar psíquico, que no presentan diferencias significativas con los controles. Los casos de TDAH tratados por comparación con los de TDAH no tratados sólo presentan significativamente mejor calidad de vida en el entorno escolar. Conclusión. Los casos de TDAH presentan dimensiones del KIDSCREEN-52 con peor calidad de vida que los controles y los casos de TDAH tratados con metilfenidato sólo se diferencian significativamente de los no tratados porque presentan mejores resultados en el entorno escolar

Introduction. Health-related quality of life perceived by children and teenagers is important to assess the effects of therapeutic intervention. Aim: To analyze quality of life, comparing cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with methylphenidate, untreated cases and controls. Subjects and methods: Sampling of 228 participants between 8 and 14 years-old. Consecutive sampling in ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria (ADHD Rating Scales IV) and random sampling of matched controls by sex and age. Evaluation of quality of life using KIDSCREEN-52 (children version). ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used. Results: There is a moderate significant correlation between greater intensity of ADHD symptoms and worse quality of life, except in the dimension of physical well-being. Cases of untreated ADHD have significantly worse quality of life than controls on psychic well-being, mood, autonomy school environment and social acceptance. Cases of treated ADHD present similar results, except in the school environment and psychological well-being. The cases of ADHD treated only differ significantly from ADHD not treated in having a better school environment. Conclusions: The cases of ADHD present dimensions of KIDSCREEN-52 with worse quality of life than controls and the cases of ADHD treated with methylphenidate only differ significantly from those not treated in presenting better results in the school environment

Sarcoma sinovial pericárdico primario: un reto clínico / Primary pericardial synovial sarcoma. A clinical challenge

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Core elements to understand and improve coping with Parkinson's disease in patients and family carers: A focus group study.

AIMS: The aim of this study were: (1) To explore the meaning that coping with Parkinson's disease has for patients and family carers; (2) To suggest the components of an intervention focused on enhancing their coping with the disease. BACKGROUND: Adapting to Parkinson's disease involves going through many difficult changes; however, it may improve quality of life in patients and family carers. One of the key aspects for facilitating the psychosocial adjustment to Parkinson's disease is the strengthening of coping skills. DESIGN: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was carried out. Findings from the qualitative phase are presented. METHODS: Data were collected in May 2014 through three focus groups: one of people with Parkinson's disease (n = 9), one of family carers (n = 7) and one of healthcare professionals (n = 5). All focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis was independently carried out by two researchers. FINDINGS: The participants coincided in highlighting that coping with Parkinson's disease helped the patient and the family carer in their search for balance; and it implied a transformation in their lives. To aid the process of coping with Parkinson's disease, a multifaceted intervention is proposed. CONCLUSION: Coping with Parkinson's disease is a complex process for both patients and family carers and it should therefore be considered a standard service in healthcare policies aimed at this group. The proposed intervention constitutes a nursing tool which has great potential to improve the quality of life in Parkinson's disease and in other long-term conditions.

DEMOGRAFÍA, POBLACIÓN VULNERABLE Y BIOÉTICA / DEMOGRAPHICS, VULNERABLE POPULATION AND BIOETHICS / DEMOGRAFIA, POPULAÇÃO VULNERÁVEL E BIOÉTICA

Las cuestiones relativas a la diversidad poblacional preocupan cada vez más a los Estados y a las sociedades. A la hora de tomar decisiones legislativas y políticas, se observa una constante disociación entre la utilización de los conceptos demográficos, demografía y salud, y Bioética, y el escaso impacto académico y sensibilización en esta materia. La inmensa mayoría de países carecen de un marco ético que garantice la no instrumentalización de la persona humana. Los objetivos de las políticas de población van en contra de niños, ancianos y discapacitados; su fundamento es más ideológico y utilitarista. Faltan espacios de formación académica y sensibilización sobre el tema.

States and societies are increasing concerned about issues associated with population diversity. When it comes to making legislative and political decisions, one sees a constant dissociation between the use of demographic concepts, demography and health and bioethics, along with very little academic impact and awareness in this area. The vast majority of countries lack an ethical framework that guarantees non-manipulation of the human being. The objectives of population policies go against children, the elderly and the disabled; their foundation is more ideological and utilitarian in nature. Opportunities for academic training and awareness on this subject are lacking.

As questões relativas à diversidade populacional preocupam cada vez mais os Estados e as sociedades. No momento de tomar decisões legislativas e políticas, observa-se uma constante dissociação entre a utilização dos conceitos demográficos, demografía e saúde, e bioética, e o escasso impacto acadêmico e a sensibilização nessa matéria. A grande maioria de países carece de um referencial ético que garanta a não instrumentalização da pessoa humana. Os objetivos das políticas de população vão contra crianças, idosos e deficientes; seu fundamento é mais ideológico e utilitarista. Faltam espaços de formação acadêmica e sensibilização sobre o tema.

Systematic pancreatic stenting after endoscopic snare papillectomy may reduce the risk of postinterventional pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most feared complication of endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Prevention by pancreatic duct stenting following EP has been advocated but not proven by a randomized trial. The purpose of the present retrospective review is to compare a period of systematic stenting with the period before in which stents were placed selectively. METHODS: A total of 107 patients undergoing EP from February 1999 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. After an initial period with selective stenting (dilated duct, previous pancreatitis) between 1999 and 2002 (n = 24, group 1), stents were placed routinely after EP unless pancreas divisum was diagnosed (2002-2009; n = 83, group 2) to reduce postpapillectomy acute pancreatitis (PAP). PAP rates defined by Consensus Criteria were compared in the two periods. RESULTS: Five patients in group 1 were selected to receive a pancreatic stent (21%); in group 2 stenting was successful in 75 of 78 patients (success rate 96%) without pancreas divisum (n = 5). Overall, PAP occurred in 11% of patients. PAP rate was significantly reduced after introduction of systematic pancreatic stenting (5 vs 25%; p = 0.01) and occurred less often in stented than in nonstented patients: (5% (4/80) vs 27% (6/22), p = 0.0019). PAP also occurred in one of five patients with pancreas divisum. Selective stenting of patients also was an independent risk factor for PAP (OR 13, p = 0.001) in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Attempts at systematic stenting after EP pancreatic stenting appears to prevent PAP. Results should be corroborated by a randomized trial.

Carcinoma epidermoide pancreático que inicia como conglomerado adenopático supraclavicular izquierdo / Virchow's node as the form of onset of squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas

El carcinoma escamoso del páncreas es un tumor extraordinariamente infrecuente.Caso clínicoPaciente varón de 63 años que acude a la consulta del gastroenterólogo por un cuadro constitucional acompañado del hallazgo de una masa pétrea supraclavicular izquierda. El escáner demostró la existencia de una neoplasia de cuerpo pancreático que interesaba tronco celíaco. La histología de la adenopatía supraclavicular y del páncreas fue de carcinoma epidermoide queratinizante.ConclusionesEn el artículo se realiza una revisión sobre la incidencia, las características de este tumor tan infrecuente y las nuevas indicaciones de tratamiento (AU)

Squamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a highly uncommon tumor.Case reportA 63-year-old man was referred to the gastroenterology department because of hyporexia, cachexia and weight loss. A left supraclavicular node was noted. The computed tomography scan showed a tumor in the pancreatic body involving the celiac axis. Histological examination of the supraclavicular node and pancreatic mass revealed squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionsThe incidence and characteristics of this highly infrequent tumor, as well as new treatment indications, are reviewed (AU)

[Review of current treatment for hot flushes induced by androgen deprivation in prostate carcinoma]. / Revisión del tratamiento actual de los sofocos inducidos por deprivación androgénica en el carcinoma prostático.

Considering the currently increased incidence, prevalence and survival of prostate cancer, the management of hot flushes associated with LH-RH analog treatment must be taken into account. The most widely used and effective treatment is hormone replacement, though the latter is not without risks. It is presently possible to address hot flushes in these patients based on a broad range of treatment options in which hormone therapy may constitute a last option, due to the risk of tumor relapse or progression -- since prostate cancer is hormone sensitive. The present study reviews the currently used treatments and hygiene-dietary measures that may help reduce the symptoms. A review is made of both hormone and non-hormone therapies, based on the existing scientific evidence. Drugs such as the new antidepressants, gabapentin and clonidine may play an important role in the management of hot flushes. While the underlying mechanisms of action are varied, they are related to the complex feedback exerted by the sexual hormones upon the hypothalamic secretion of noradrenalin -- this being the principal etiological factor of hot flushes.

Trazodona: ¿Nuevo enfoque selectivo para el tratamiento de los sofocos generados por la deprivación androgénica en el carcinoma prostático? / Trazodone: A new selective approach to the treatment of hot flashes induced by androgen deprivation in prostate carcinoma?

El protagonismo creciente del carcinoma prostático en las sociedades desarrolladas hace que tenga que ser muy tenido en cuenta el balance beneficio-perjuicio de los tratamientos prestados. Dado el enfoque terapéutico cada vez más complejo del carcinoma prostático, hoy en día se requiere de una suma de conocimientos extensos. La deprivación androgénica juega un papel principal en esta patología. El tratamiento de la toxicidad derivada en forma de sofocos, síndrome metabólico, osteoporosis, trastornos cognitivos, etc., adquiere cada vez mayor interés. El tratamiento farmacológico de los sofocos pasa por un manejo hormonal no exento de riesgo oncológico a la par que de una toxicidad nada despreciable. Dentro del tratamiento no hormonal de esta patología juegan un papel destacado los antidepresivos. La trazodona, un antidepresivo SARI (inhibidores de la recaptación de serotonina/antagonista de la 2A), con un perfil de actuación más selectivo sobre los receptores implicados en los sofocos; podría ser de gran interés. Trazodona muestra una gran afinidad por los receptores 5-HT2A y una moderada afinidad por los receptores 5-HT1A. Como es conocido los niveles de serotonina (5-hidroxitriptamina o 5-HT) en mujeres postmenopáusicas están disminuidos, normalizándose con las terapias sustitutivas. Todo ello sugiere que la de privación abrupta de hormonas sexuales da lugar a una reducción en la circulación de serotonina, con el consiguiente aumento de sus receptores 5-HT2A hipotalámicos. Estos receptores estarían implicados en la patogénesis de los sofocos siendo su bloqueo una de las principales medidas terapéuticas. El uso de trazodona elevando las concentraciones de serotonina y bloqueando a los receptores 5-HT2A y 5-HT1A podría plantearse como un nuevo enfoque más de acorde con la fisiopatología de los sofocos. Estudios comparativos bien dirigidos son necesarios para dar respuesta en cuanto a su efectividad. Otras cuestiones pendientes serían las dosis y el tiempo de tratamiento más eficaz para el control de los sofocos (AU)

The growing relevance of prostate carcinoma in the developed world requires serious attention to focus on the risk-benefit relationships of the treatments used. Given the increasingly complex therapeutic approach to prostate carcinoma, an extensive range of knowledge is required. Androgen deprivation plays a central role in this disease. The management of androgen deprivation-derived toxicity in the form of hot flashes, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, etc., is of growing interest. The drug treatment of hot flashes involves hormone management that is not without oncological risk and moreover generates considerable toxicity. Antidepressants in turn play an important role in the non-hormone treatment of this disorder. Trazodone, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor/5-HT2A receptor antagonist affording more selective action upon the receptors implicated in hot flashes, could be of great interest. Trazodone shows great affinity for the 5-HT2A receptors and moderate affinity for the 5-HT1A receptors. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) levels are known to be lowered in postmenopausal women, and normalize when replacement therapy is provided. This suggests that abrupt sexual hormone deprivation gives rise to a reduction in blood serotonin –with a subsequent increase in its hypothalamic 5-HT2A receptors. These receptors would be implicated in the physiopathology of hot flashes; as a result, the blocking of such receptors is one of the principal therapeutic measures. The use of trazodone, increasing the serotonin concentrations and blocking the 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors, could be viewed as a novel management approach more in line with the physiopathology of hot flashes. Well designed comparative studies are needed to establish the efficacy of such treatment. Other issues pending clarification would be the most effective dose and duration of treatment for controlling hot flashes (AU)

Revisión del tratamiento actual de los sofocos inducidos por deprivación androgénica en el carcinoma prostático / Review of current treatment for hot flushes induced by androgen deprivation in prostate carcinoma

Dada la mayor incidencia, prevalencia y supervivencia del carcinoma prostático en la actualidad, el manejo de los sofocos derivados de su tratamiento con análogos LH-RH ha de ser muy tenido en cuenta. El tratamiento más utilizado y a la vez el más eficaz, es la sustitución hormonal pero este tipo de terapia no esta exenta de riesgos. Hoy por hoy es factible el abordaje de los sofocos de estos pacientes mediante un variado arsenal terapéutico en el cual el tratamiento hormonal puede quedar relegado al último lugar, dado el riesgo de recidiva o progresión tumora lal tratarse de un tumor hormonosensible. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar los tratamientos utilizados actualmente y las medidas higiénico-dietéticas que pueden ayudar a disminuir la sintomatología. Se revisarán tanto los tratamientos hormonales como los no hormonales basados en su evidencia científica. Fármacos como los nuevos antidepresivos, la gabapentina y la clonidina podrían jugar un papel destacado en el manejo. Sus mecanismos de actuación aunque dispares, se enmarcan en el complejo sistema de retroalimentación ejercido por los niveles de hormonas sexuales sobre la secreción hipotalámica de noradrenalina, causa principal en la génesis de los sofocos (AU)

Considering the currently increased incidence, prevalence and survival of prostate cancer, the management of hot flushes associated with LH-RH analog treatment must be taken into account. The most widely used and effective treatment is hormone replacement, though the latter is not without risks. It is presently possible to address hot flushes in these patients based on a broad range of treatment options in which hormone therapy may constitute a last option, due to the risk of tumor relapse or progression – since prostate cancer is hormone sensitive. The present study reviews the currently used treatments and hygiene-dietary measures that may help reduce the symptoms. A review is made of both hormone and non-hormone therapies, based on the existing scientific evidence. Drugs such as the new antidepressants, gabapentin and clonidine may play an important role in the management of hot flushes. While the underlying mechanisms of action are varied, they are related to the complex feedback exerted by the sexual hormones upon the hypothalamic secretion of noradrenalin – this being the principal etiological factor of hot flushes (AU)

Mecanismo fisiopatológico de los sofocos-sudores inducidos por deprivación androgénica en el carcinoma prostático / Physiopathological mechanism of hot flushes-perspiration induced by androgen deprivation in prostate carcinoma

Los sofocos-sudores son problemas frecuentes durante el tratamiento con de privación androgénica en pacientes afectos de carcinoma prostático. Estos efectos secundarios contribuyen en gran medida al deterioro de la calidad de vida. Se han postulado diferentes hipótesis sobre los mecanismos fisiopatogénicos implicados, todos ellos de una alta complejidad debida básicamente a su multicausalidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es aportar una visión meditada y actualizada de su génesis. La retroalimentación negativa de las hormonas sexuales plasmáticas sobre la secreción hipotalámica de noradrenalina y serotonina serían la causa principal. Asimismo la acción directa de estos mecanismos sobre el centro hipotalámico productor de LH-RH cercano al centro termorregulador, junto al acortamiento del intervalo termo neutral también estarían implicados. La mejor comprensión de su mecanismo de producción nos puede hacer enfocar mas correctamente su tratamiento (AU)

Hot flushes and perspiration are common problems during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate carcinoma, and largely contribute to worsen patient quality of life. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the underlying physiopathological mechanisms, though all are very complex, basically because of the multiple causal factors involved. The present review offers a pondered and updated perspective of the origin of hot flushes-perspiration in such patients. Negative feedback of the plasma sexual hormones upon the hypothalamic secretion of noradrenalin and serotonin appears to be the main cause. Likewise, the direct action of such mechanisms upon the LH-RH producing hypothalamic centerlocated close to the thermoregulatory center, together with shortening of the thermo neutral interval, would also play a role. Improved understanding of the causal mechanism may help improve the treatment of such symptoms (AU)