Modelos colaborativos hospitalarios de asistencia compartida e interconsultas a demanda. ¿Cuál ofrece mejores resultados en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología? / Collaborative hospital models for shared care and on-demand interconsultations. Which offer the best results for Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma?

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: Los enfermos quirúrgicos hospitalizados están aumentando su complejidad médica, incrementando la necesidad de apoyo por Medicina Interna. Este apoyo se realiza mediante la interconsulta, la cual presenta problemas que han inducido el desarrollo de la asistencia compartida (AC). Nuestro objetivo es comparar los resultados asistenciales alcanzados por los modelos de interconsulta y AC en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, multicéntrico, de los enfermos hospitalizados de urgencia en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología recogidos en el registro REINA-SEMI, atendidos por Medicina Interna mediante interconsulta o AC. Se registraron las características demográficas, comorbilidad, complicaciones médicas, estancia hospitalaria y mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 697 pacientes, 415 con AC y 282 con interconsulta. Los de AC tenían más edad (78,9 vs. 74,3; p <0,001), se operaron más (89,9 vs. 78,7%; p <0,001), tuvieron menos complicaciones médicas (50,4 vs. 62,8%; p <0,001) y su estancia hospitalaria fue menor (10 vs. 18 días; p <0,001), sin diferencias en la comorbilidad ni mortalidad. Los factores independientes asociados a estancia superior a 15 días fueron: insuficiencia cardiaca (OR: 3,4; IC 95%: 1,8-6,1; p <0,001), sexo (hombre) (OR: 1,9; IC 95%: 1,2-3,1; p = 0,004), trastorno electrolítico (OR: 2,4; IC 95%: 1,3-4,4; p = 0,003), infección respiratoria (OR: 1,9; IC 95%: 1,04-3,7; p = 0,035), demora quirúrgica (OR: 1,1; IC 95%: 1,08-1,2; p <0,001) y ser atendido mediante el modelo de interconsulta a demanda (OR: 3,5; IC 95%: 2,3-5,4; p <0,001). CONCLUSIONES: La AC ofrece mejores resultados asistenciales que las interconsultas en pacientes ingresados de urgencia en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hospitalized surgical patients are increasing in medical complexity, thereby increasing the need for support by internal medicine departments. This support is provided through interconsultations, which present problems that have resulted in the development of shared care (SC). Our objective was to compare the healthcare results achieved by the SC and interconsultation models in Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective, multicentre study of patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma recorded in the REINA-SEMI registry, treated by internal medicine departments through interconsultation or SC. We recorded the demographic characteristics, comorbidity, medical complications, hospital stay and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 697 patients, 415 with SC and 282 with interconsultations. The SC patients were older (78.9 vs. 74.3; P<.001) underwent more operations (89.9 vs. 78.7%; P<.001), had fewer medical complications (50.4 vs. 62.8%; P<.001) and had shorter hospital stays (10 vs. 18 days; P<.001), with no differences in comorbidity or mortality. The following independent factors were associated with stays longer than 15 days: heart failure (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.8-6.1; P<.001), the male sex (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2-3.1; P=.004), electrolyte disorder (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.4; P=.003), respiratory infection (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.04-3.7; P=.035), surgical delay (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.08-1.2; P<.001) and treatment using the interconsultation on demand model (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3-5.4; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: SC offers better healthcare results than interconsultations for patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma

Collaborative hospital models for shared care and on-demand interconsultations. Which offer the best results for Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma? / Modelos colaborativos hospitalarios de asistencia compartida e interconsultas a demanda. ¿Cuál ofrece mejores resultados en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hospitalized surgical patients are increasing in medical complexity, thereby increasing the need for support by internal medicine departments. This support is provided through interconsultations, which present problems that have resulted in the development of shared care (SC). Our objective was to compare the healthcare results achieved by the SC and interconsultation models in Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective, multicentre study of patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma recorded in the REINA-SEMI registry, treated by internal medicine departments through interconsultation or SC. We recorded the demographic characteristics, comorbidity, medical complications, hospital stay and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 697 patients, 415 with SC and 282 with interconsultations. The SC patients were older (78.9 vs. 74.3; P<.001) underwent more operations (89.9 vs. 78.7%; P<.001), had fewer medical complications (50.4 vs. 62.8%; P<.001) and had shorter hospital stays (10 vs. 18 days; P<.001), with no differences in comorbidity or mortality. The following independent factors were associated with stays longer than 15 days: heart failure (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.8-6.1; P<.001), the male sex (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2-3.1; P=.004), electrolyte disorder (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.4; P=.003), respiratory infection (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.04-3.7; P=.035), surgical delay (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.08-1.2; P<.001) and treatment using the interconsultation on demand model (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3-5.4; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: SC offers better healthcare results than interconsultations for patients hospitalized for emergency Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma.

Predictor of enhanced mortality in patients with multimorbidity and atrial fibrillation in an acute hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to hospital commonly have comorbidities. Few studies have attempted to determine factors prognostic of mortality in hospitalized AF patients with multimorbidity. AIM: To identify factors associated with mortality in hospitalized AF patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients with multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases), with or without AF, discharged from Lugo hospital (Spain) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015. Data were extracted from hospital medical records. RESULTS: Of 74 220 patients (170 978 hospitalizations), 52 939 had multimorbidity (14 181 had AF; 38 758 no AF) and were included in our study. Patients with AF were older (mean ± standard deviation 78.6 ± 10.0 vs. 71.9 ± 14.2 years) and had a higher mortality rate (27.1 vs. 20.5%) than those without AF. Gender (female), age, stroke and congestive heart failure (CHF), but not AF, were independently associated with mortality. AF significantly increased the mortality risk in women [relative risk (RR) 1.091; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021-1.165; P = 0.010] and in those aged >80 years (RR 1.153; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P < 0.001). CHF independently increased the risk of mortality across all age groups (RR 1.496; 95% CI 1.422-1.574; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized patients with AF have a higher mortality rate than those without AF. The prognostic significance of AF changes with age and gender while CHF is associated with the greatest risk of death.

Análisis de la actividad de interconsulta realizada por los servicios de medicina interna. Estudio REINA-SEMI: Registro de Interconsultas y Asistencia Compartida de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna / Analysis of the activity of interconsultations conducted by the departments of internal medicine. REINA-SEMI study: Registry of Interconsultations and Shared Care of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine

Objetivo: Analizar la actividad de interconsulta (IC) realizada por los servicios de medicina interna (MI), sus aspectos formales, el perfil de la atención clínica requerida y cuantificar la carga de trabajo que supone. Material y método: Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, prospectivo, sobre enfermos consecutivos hospitalizados atendidos por servicios de MI mediante IC entre el 15 de mayo y el 15 de junio del año 2016. Se estimó la carga de trabajo relacionada con dicha actividad (1UT=10min). Resultados: Se registraron 1.141 IC procedentes de 43 hospitales, edad 69,4 (DE: 16,2) años, 51,2% hombres. El índice de Charlson fue 2,3 (DE: 2,2). Los motivos de consulta más frecuentes fueron: valoración general (27,4%), fiebre (18,1%), disnea (13,6%), trastorno metabólico (9,6%), HTA (6,3%) y síndrome confusional (5,3%). Las UT estimadas fueron 4 (DE: 5,9) para la primera visita y 7,3 (DE: 21,5) para la suma de las sucesivas. Los pacientes quirúrgicos fueron mayores (70,6 [DE: 15,9] vs 64,4 [DE: 16,3]; p=0,0001) y precisaron más días de seguimiento (5 [DE: 7,3] vs 3,5 [DE: 4,2]; p=0,009). Los siguientes aspectos fueron más frecuentes en el formato de las IC realizadas por servicios médicos: número de IC ordinarias (respuesta >24h), especificación del motivo de IC, datos mínimos referentes a la historia clínica y coincidencia de la adecuación en el tiempo con el consultor. Conclusión: Los pacientes atendidos mediante IC por los servicios de MI representan una carga de trabajo importante. La adecuación al formato de solicitud de IC es mayor en las procedentes de servicios médicos

Objective: To analyse the activity of interconsultations conducted by internal medicine (IM) departments, their formal aspects and the profile of clinical care required and to quantify the workload they represent. Material and method: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted with consecutive hospitalised patients treated by IM departments using interconsultations between May 15 and June 15, 2016. We estimated the workload related to this activity (1time unit [TU]=10min). Results: We recorded 1,141 interconsultations from 43 hospitals. The mean age of the patients involved was 69.4 years (SD: 16.2), and 51.2% were men. The mean Charlson index was 2.3 (SD: 2.2). The most common reasons for the consultations were general assessments (27.4%), fever (18.1%), dyspnoea (13.6%), metabolic disorder (9.6%), arterial hypertension (6.3%) and delirium (5.3%). The duration of the first visit was 4 TUs (SD: 5.9) and 7.3 (SD: 21.5) for the sum of all subsequent visits. The surgical patients were older (70.6 [SD, 15.9] vs. 64.4 [SD, 16.3] years; P=.0001) and required more follow-up time (5 [SD, 7.3] vs. 3.5 [SD, 4.2] days; P=.009). The following issues were more common in the interconsultation format performed by medical services: number of regular interconsultations (response >24h), specification of the reason for the interconsultation, minimal data regarding the medical history and agreement on the appropriateness of the time spent with the consultant. Conclusion: The patients treated through interconsultations by the IM departments represented a significant workload. The interconsultations from the medical departments were more in line with the request format

Analysis of the activity of interconsultations conducted by the departments of internal medicine. REINA-SEMI study: Registry of Interconsultations and Shared Care of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. / Análisis de la actividad de interconsulta realizada por los servicios de medicina interna. Estudio REINA-SEMI: Registro de Interconsultas y Asistencia Compartida de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the activity of interconsultations conducted by internal medicine (IM) departments, their formal aspects and the profile of clinical care required and to quantify the workload they represent. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted with consecutive hospitalised patients treated by IM departments using interconsultations between May 15 and June 15, 2016. We estimated the workload related to this activity (1time unit [TU]=10min). RESULTS: We recorded 1,141 interconsultations from 43 hospitals. The mean age of the patients involved was 69.4 years (SD: 16.2), and 51.2% were men. The mean Charlson index was 2.3 (SD: 2.2). The most common reasons for the consultations were general assessments (27.4%), fever (18.1%), dyspnoea (13.6%), metabolic disorder (9.6%), arterial hypertension (6.3%) and delirium (5.3%). The duration of the first visit was 4 TUs (SD: 5.9) and 7.3 (SD: 21.5) for the sum of all subsequent visits. The surgical patients were older (70.6 [SD, 15.9] vs. 64.4 [SD, 16.3] years; P=.0001) and required more follow-up time (5 [SD, 7.3] vs. 3.5 [SD, 4.2] days; P=.009). The following issues were more common in the interconsultation format performed by medical services: number of regular interconsultations (response >24h), specification of the reason for the interconsultation, minimal data regarding the medical history and agreement on the appropriateness of the time spent with the consultant. CONCLUSION: The patients treated through interconsultations by the IM departments represented a significant workload. The interconsultations from the medical departments were more in line with the request format.

Paralysis of the external popliteal sciatic nerve associated with daptomycin administration.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Peripheral neuropathy has been associated with the administration of certain drugs. Few reports have described the association of daptomycin with the development of peripheral neuropathy, none of them with peroneal nerve involvement. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 62-year-old man who developed external popliteal sciatic nerve paralysis after 22 days of therapy with daptomycin. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We present an uncommon and not previously reported adverse event. We have also analysed a possible alteration in a metabolic pathway (ABCB1 gene polymorphisms) that, in some patients, could explain certain drug adverse events. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We present an uncommon and not previously reported adverse event. We have also analysed a possible alteration in a metabolic pathway (ABCB1 gene polymorphisms) that, in some patients, could explain certain drug adverse events.

Factores epidemiológicos y sociodemográficos asociados al síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica complicado / Epidemiological and sociodemographic factors associated with complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Objetivos. Analizar la influencia de los factores epidemiológicos y sociodemográficos en el síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica (SAA) complicado. Material y métodos. Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, prospectivo de enfermos consecutivos con SAA ingresados en servicios de Medicina Interna. Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, epidemiológicos, clínicos y evolutivos. Se definió SAA complicado como aquel que había cursado con convulsiones o delirium tremens. Resultados. Se estudiaron 228 episodios de SAA en 219 pacientes. La edad media fue de 54,5 años (DE 11,5), y el 90,8% fueron hombres. El SAA fue la causa de ingreso en el 39,9%. El 27,1% de los casos presentaron crisis comiciales y el 32,4% delirium tremens. La cantidad ingerida de alcohol diaria fue 17,8 unidades de bebida estándar (DE 21,4), con 16,6 años de dependencia (DE 11,3). El patrón de abuso de alcohol fue regular en el 82,8%. Vivían casados o en pareja el 38,4% y el 45,6% tenía hijos. Un 72,7% estaba en paro o era pensionista. El 68,5% solo habían cursado estudios primarios. El 4,8% consumía cannabis, 5,2% cocaína y 3% opiáceos. Las variables independientes relacionadas con SAA complicado fueron: consumo de alguna droga diferente del alcohol (OR 5,3; IC 95% 1,5-18,7), bajo nivel de estudios (OR 3,4; IC 95% 1,6-7,3) y el ingreso por SAA (OR 2,9; IC 95% 1,5-5,6). El área ROC del modelo fue de 0,718 (IC 95% 0,643-0,793). Conclusiones. El consumo concomitante de otras drogas de abuso y el nivel bajo de estudios pueden ayudar en la identificación de pacientes con riesgo de SAA complicado (AU)

Objectives. To analyse the influence of epidemiological and sociodemographic factors in complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Material and methods. A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted on consecutively added patients with AWS hospitalised in internal medicine departments. We recorded sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and progression data. Complicated AWS was defined as that which progressed with seizures or delirium tremens. Results. We studied 228 episodes of AWS in 219 patients. The mean age was 54.5 years (SD, 11.5), and 90.8% were men. AWS was the cause for hospitalisation in 39.9% of the patients. Some 27.1% of the cases presented seizures, and 32.4% presented delirium tremens. The daily quantity of alcohol ingested was 17.8 standard drink units (SD, 21.4), with 16.6 years of dependence (SD, 11.3). The pattern of alcohol abuse was regular in 82.8% of the patients. Some 38.4% of the patients were married or had a partner, and 45.6% had children. Some 72.7% of the patients were unemployed or retired. Some 68.5% had only completed primary studies. Some 4.8% consumed cannabis, 5.2% consumed cocaine and 3% consumed opioids. The independent variables related to complicated AWS were consumption of a drug other than alcohol (OR, 5.3; 95% CI 1.5-18.7), low education level (OR, 3.4; 95% CI 1.6-7.3) and hospitalisation for AWS (OR, 2.9; 95% CI 1.5-5.6). The model's receiver operating characteristic area was 0.718 (95% CI 0.643-0.793). Conclusions. Concomitant drug abuse and a low educational level could help identify patients at risk of complicated AWS (AU)

Características y patrón temporal de reingresos de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular hospitalizados en servicios médicos / Characteristics and temporal pattern of readmissions of patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in medical departments

Objetivo. Conocer las características de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular (FA) en el ámbito hospitalario y sus sucesivos ingresos. Método. Estudio retrospectivo de cohortes con la totalidad de los ingresos hospitalarios en el área médica del hospital de Lugo entre el 1 de enero de 2000 y el 31 de diciembre de 2013. La fuente de información fue el conjunto mínimo básico de datos del centro. Resultados. Se registraron 149.271 ingresos hospitalarios correspondientes a 66.286 pacientes. Con respecto al total, el porcentaje de ingresos y pacientes con FA fue del 17,3% (25.870) y 18,9% (12.512), respectivamente. Los pacientes con FA se caracterizaron por una mayor proporción de mujeres (49,7 frente a 44,3%; p<0,0001), mayor edad (78,3 [DE 10,2] frente a 67,1 años [DE 17,9]; p<0,0001), más enfermedades crónicas (4,2 [DE 2,1] frente a 2,9 [DE 1,9]; p<0,001), estancia hospitalaria más prolongada (12,5 [DE 12,5] frente a 10,6 días [DE 19,9]; p<0,0001) y una elevada tasa de reingresos (3,0 [DE 2,75] frente a 2,1 [DE 2,28]; p<0,001), con un acortamiento progresivo del tiempo entre ingresos. El servicio de Medicina Interna asumió la atención de más de la mitad de los enfermos con FA. Los diagnósticos secundarios asociados más frecuentes fueron: enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, ictus, insuficiencia cardiaca, cardiopatía isquémica, otras enfermedades del aparato respiratorio e hipertensión arterial. Conclusiones. La FA se presenta en pacientes de alta complejidad, ingresados mayoritariamente en servicios de Medicina Interna, y se asocia a una elevada tasa de reingresos. Es preciso considerar las enfermedades asociadas a la FA que permitan un enfoque global de estos pacientes (AU)

Objective. To determine the characteristics of patients with auricular fibrillation (AF) in the hospital setting and their successive hospitalisations. Method. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all hospital admissions in the medical area of hospital of Lugo between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013. The data source was the centre's minimum basic data set. Results. A total of 149,271 hospital admissions corresponding to 66,286 patients were recorded. Of the total, the percentage of admissions and patients with AF was 17.3% (25,870) and 18.9% (12,512), respectively. The patients with AF were characterized by a larger proportion of women (49.7 vs. 44.3%; P<.0001), advanced age (78.3 [DE 10.2] vs. 67.1 years [DE 17.9]; P<.0001), more chronic diseases (4.2 [DE 2.1] vs. 2.9 [DE 1.9]; P<.001), longer hospital stays (12.5 [DE 12.5] vs. 10.6 [DE 19.9] days; P<.0001) and a high rate of readmissions (3.0 [DE 2.75] vs. 2.1 [DE 2.28]; P<.001), with a progressive shortening of the time between hospitalisations. The department of internal medicine was responsible for the care of more than half of the patients with AF. The most common associated secondary diagnoses were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, other respiratory system diseases and arterial hypertension. Conclusions. AF occurs in highly complex patients, who are mostly hospitalized in internal medicine departments, and is associated with a high rate of readmissions. We need to consider the diseases associated with AF for an overall approach to these patients (AU)

Empatía, cognición social y calidad de vida subjetiva en esquizofrenia / Empathy, social cognition and perceived quality of life in schizophrenia

Fundamento: Las personas con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia presentan déficits en empatía que se han relacionado con su pobre funcionamiento psicosocial. Los objetivos fueron: 1) analizar la relación entre empatía, cognición social, y calidad de vida en sujetos con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia y otros trastornos psicóticos 2) evaluar estas variables según la gravedad del cuadro clínico. Material y métodos: Participaron 41 pacientes divididos en dos grupos según el nivel de gravedad del cuadro clínico. Se aplicó una batería de pruebas: el Índice de Reactividad Interpersonal (IRI), escala GEOPTE de Cognición Social para la psicosis, Instrumento de Evaluación de la Calidad de Vida de la Organización Mundial de la Salud - Versión breve (WHOQOL-BREF), Escala de Impresión Clínica Global (CGI), Escala para la evaluación de Síntomas Positivos (SAPS) y Síntomas Negativos (SANS). Resultados: Las subescalas angustia personal y fantasía del IRI presentaron una relación directa con la escala GEOPTE, e inversa con varias dimensiones de calidad de vida del WHOQOL-BREF. La escala GEOPTE, tuvo una relación inversa con todas las dimensiones de la calidad de vida evaluadas. El grupo levemente enfermo obtuvo puntuaciones significativamente menores en fantasía (15,44 vs. 20,12; p=,001) y significativamente más elevadas en salud psicológica (58,63 vs. 45,40; p=0,017) y ambiente (67,00 vs. 53,68; p=0,006). Conclusiones: Se halla relación entre empatía, cognición social y calidad de vida subjetiva en personas con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia en programas de rehabilitación psicosocial, Asimismo, destaca la existencia de diferencias relevantes en estas variables según el nivel de gravedad del cuadro clínico (AU)

Background: People diagnosed with schizophrenia present empathy deficits that have been related to their poor psychosocial functioning. The objectives were: 1) analyse the relation between empathy, social cognition and quality of life in subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; 2) evaluate these variables according to the severity of the features. Methods: Forty-one patients, divided into two groups according to the level of severity, were included. A battery of tests was applied: Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), GEOPTE scale of social cognition for psychosis, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment: Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and Negative Symptoms (SANS). Results: There was a direct relationship between personal anxiety and fantasy sub-scales of the IRI and the GEOPTE scale, and an inverse relationship with several dimensions of quality of life of the WHOQOL-BREF. The GEOPTE scale had an inverse relation with all the dimensions of quality of life evaluated. The mildly sick group obtained scores that were significantly lower in fantasy (15.44 vs. 20.12; p=0.001) and significantly higher in psychological health (58.63 vs. 45.40; p=0.017) and environment (67.00 vs. 53.68; p=0.006). Conclusions: A relationship is found between empathy, social condition and perceived quality of life in people diagnosed with schizophrenia on programs of psycho-social rehabilitation. Similarly, the existence of relevant differences in these variables according to the level of severity of the clinical features is underscored (AU)

Epidemiological and sociodemographic factors associated with complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome. / Factores epidemiológicos y sociodemográficos asociados al síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica complicado.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the influence of epidemiological and sociodemographic factors in complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre, observational prospective study was conducted on consecutively added patients with AWS hospitalised in internal medicine departments. We recorded sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and progression data. Complicated AWS was defined as that which progressed with seizures or delirium tremens. RESULTS: We studied 228 episodes of AWS in 219 patients. The mean age was 54.5 years (SD, 11.5), and 90.8% were men. AWS was the cause for hospitalisation in 39.9% of the patients. Some 27.1% of the cases presented seizures, and 32.4% presented delirium tremens. The daily quantity of alcohol ingested was 17.8 standard drink units (SD, 21.4), with 16.6 years of dependence (SD, 11.3). The pattern of alcohol abuse was regular in 82.8% of the patients. Some 38.4% of the patients were married or had a partner, and 45.6% had children. Some 72.7% of the patients were unemployed or retired. Some 68.5% had only completed primary studies. Some 4.8% consumed cannabis, 5.2% consumed cocaine and 3% consumed opioids. The independent variables related to complicated AWS were consumption of a drug other than alcohol (OR, 5.3; 95% CI 1.5-18.7), low education level (OR, 3.4; 95% CI 1.6-7.3) and hospitalisation for AWS (OR, 2.9; 95% CI 1.5-5.6). The model's receiver operating characteristic area was 0.718 (95% CI 0.643-0.793). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant drug abuse and a low educational level could help identify patients at risk of complicated AWS.

Characteristics and temporal pattern of readmissions of patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in medical departments. / Características y patrón temporal de reingresos de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular hospitalizados en servicios médicos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of patients with auricular fibrillation (AF) in the hospital setting and their successive hospitalisations. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all hospital admissions in the medical area of hospital of Lugo between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013. The data source was the centre's minimum basic data set. RESULTS: A total of 149,271 hospital admissions corresponding to 66,286 patients were recorded. Of the total, the percentage of admissions and patients with AF was 17.3% (25,870) and 18.9% (12,512), respectively. The patients with AF were characterized by a larger proportion of women (49.7 vs. 44.3%; P<.0001), advanced age (78.3 [DE 10.2] vs. 67.1 years [DE 17.9]; P<.0001), more chronic diseases (4.2 [DE 2.1] vs. 2.9 [DE 1.9]; P<.001), longer hospital stays (12.5 [DE 12.5] vs. 10.6 [DE 19.9] days; P<.0001) and a high rate of readmissions (3.0 [DE 2.75] vs. 2.1 [DE 2.28]; P<.001), with a progressive shortening of the time between hospitalisations. The department of internal medicine was responsible for the care of more than half of the patients with AF. The most common associated secondary diagnoses were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, other respiratory system diseases and arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: AF occurs in highly complex patients, who are mostly hospitalized in internal medicine departments, and is associated with a high rate of readmissions. We need to consider the diseases associated with AF for an overall approach to these patients.

Principios generales de la interconsulta médica en enfermos hospitalizados / General principles of medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients

La interconsulta médica en pacientes hospitalizados constituye una actividad habitual entre los especialistas en medicina interna. Sin embargo, a pesar de su impacto e importancia crecientes, no se ha establecido un modelo que defina sus características, sus objetivos o la información que debe contener. En este trabajo, desde el Grupo de Asistencia Compartida e Interconsultas de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna, se proponen unas recomendaciones generales respecto a la forma de solicitar y de responder una interconsulta médica hospitalaria, así como un formato para la misma (AU)

Medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients is a regular activity among internal medicine specialists. However, despite its growing impact and importance, a model that defines its characteristics, objectives and information has not been established. This study, conducted by the Shared Care and Interconsultations Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, proposes a number of general recommendations concerning the method for requesting and responding to hospital medical interconsultations, as well as a format for these interconsultations (AU)

General principles of medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients.

Medical interconsultation for hospitalised patients is a regular activity among internal medicine specialists. However, despite its growing impact and importance, a model that defines its characteristics, objectives and information has not been established. This study, conducted by the Shared Care and Interconsultations Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, proposes a number of general recommendations concerning the method for requesting and responding to hospital medical interconsultations, as well as a format for these interconsultations.

Definiciones de la actividad de Medicina Interna fuera de su propio servicio / Definitions of Internal Medicine activities outside of the im department

El perfil del paciente hospitalizado se está modificando hacia enfermos pluripatológicos, ancianos y con elevada comorbilidad. La complejidad creciente de su asistencia, la progresiva superespecialización médica y los problemas organizativos que dificultan con frecuencia el seguimiento diario del paciente por el mismo facultativo, han favorecido un aumento progresivo de la participación de los servicios médicos, en especial Medicina Interna, en la atención a los pacientes ingresados en otras especialidades médicas y quirúrgicas. La actividad hospitalaria que los servicios de Medicina Interna desempeñan fuera de los mismos no dispone de definiciones y criterios bien establecidos a nivel organizativo, su valoración y contabilidad es diferente en cada hospital. En este documento establecemos las definiciones de asistencia compartida, medicina consultiva, medicina perioperatoria y de interconsulta, así como sus tipos en cuanto a prioridad, formalidad, ámbito de atención, adecuación en el tiempo, relación con la cirugía y otras circunstancias (AU)

The inpatient profile is changing towards patients with multiple diseases, the elderly and those with high comorbidity. The growing complexity of their care, the progressive medical superspecialization and the organizational problems that often hinder daily patient follow-up by the same physician have contributed to a progressive increase in the participation of medical departments, especially Internal Medicine, in the care of patients hospitalized in other medical and surgical specialties. The hospital activities that the departments of internal medicine perform outside of their own department do not have well-established definitions and criteria at the organizational level; their assessment and accountability are different in each hospital. In this document, we establish the definitions for shared care, advisory medicine, perioperative medicine and interconsultation, as well as their types in terms of priority, formality, care setting, timeliness, relationship with surgery and other circumstances (AU)

Síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica en pacientes hospitalizados / Inpatient alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Un varón de 55 años ingresó por fractura de fémur. A su llegada presentaba fétor enólico. Al día siguiente comenzó con temblor y nerviosismo, por lo que se administró haloperidol por vía intravenosa. Poco después presentó dos crisis comiciales generalizadas y posteriormente desarrolló un delirio con agresividad incontrolable. Se planteó el diagnóstico de síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica y se pautó midazolam por vía intravenosa en perfusión a dosis altas. A las pocas horas evolucionó a depresión respiratoria que obligó a su traslado a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Revisados sus antecedentes, el enfermo había ingresado en tres ocasiones previas por síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica, que tras presentar crisis comiciales evolucionó a delirium tremens. ¿Se podía valorar al ingreso el riesgo de desarrollar un síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica y la necesidad de profilaxis farmacológica? ¿Se utilizaron las medidas de control y tratamiento adecuadas? ¿Hubiera sido posible modificar su evolución clínica? (AU)

A 55-year-old man was admitted for a femur fracture; an alcohol fetor was noted on admission. The following day, the patient began to experience tremors and nervousness. Intravenous haloperidol was administered. Shortly afterwards, the patient experienced two generalized seizures and then began to experience delirium and uncontrollable agitation. The patient was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome; high doses of intravenous midazolam were prescribed and infused. A few hours later, the patient presented signs of respiratory depression, requiring a transfer to the intensive care unit. After a review of the medical history, it was determined that the patient had been admitted on 3 previous occasions due to alcohol withdrawal and had progressed to delirium tremens after experiencing seizures. Can the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the need for prophylactic treatment be assessed on admission? Were appropriate monitoring and treatment measures employed? Would it have been possible to change his outcome? (AU)

Inpatient alcohol withdrawal syndrome. / Síndrome de abstinencia alcohólica en pacientes hospitalizados.

A 55-year-old man was admitted for a femur fracture; an alcohol fetor was noted on admission. The following day, the patient began to experience tremors and nervousness. Intravenous haloperidol was administered. Shortly afterwards, the patient experienced two generalized seizures and then began to experience delirium and uncontrollable agitation. The patient was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome; high doses of intravenous midazolam were prescribed and infused. A few hours later, the patient presented signs of respiratory depression, requiring a transfer to the intensive care unit. After a review of the medical history, it was determined that the patient had been admitted on 3 previous occasions due to alcohol withdrawal and had progressed to delirium tremens after experiencing seizures. Can the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the need for prophylactic treatment be assessed on admission? Were appropriate monitoring and treatment measures employed? Would it have been possible to change his outcome?

Definitions of Internal Medicine activities outside of the im department. / Definiciones de la actividad de Medicina Interna fuera de su propio servicio.

The inpatient profile is changing towards patients with multiple diseases, the elderly and those with high comorbidity. The growing complexity of their care, the progressive medical superspecialization and the organizational problems that often hinder daily patient follow-up by the same physician have contributed to a progressive increase in the participation of medical departments, especially Internal Medicine, in the care of patients hospitalized in other medical and surgical specialties. The hospital activities that the departments of internal medicine perform outside of their own department do not have well-established definitions and criteria at the organizational level; their assessment and accountability are different in each hospital. In this document, we establish the definitions for shared care, advisory medicine, perioperative medicine and interconsultation, as well as their types in terms of priority, formality, care setting, timeliness, relationship with surgery and other circumstances.

Análisis de la situación laboral actual de los especialistas en Medicina Interna formados en Galicia en los últimos 5 años / Analysis of the current employment situation of Internal Medicine specialists trained in Galicia in the last 5 years

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