Depressive symptoms are doubled in older British South Asian and Black Caribbean people compared with Europeans: associations with excess co-morbidity and socioeconomic disadvantage.

BACKGROUND: Despite elevated risk profiles for depression among South Asian and Black Caribbean people in the UK, prevalences of late-life depressive symptoms across the UK's three major ethnic groups have not been well characterized. METHOD: Data were collected at baseline and 20-year follow-up from 632 European, 476 South Asian and 181 Black Caribbean men and women (aged 58-88 years), of a community-based cohort study from north-west London. The 10-item Geriatric Depression Scale was interviewer-administered during a clinic visit (depressive symptoms defined as a score of ⩾4 out of 10), with clinical data (adiposity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function) also collected. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioural, disability, and medical history information was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: Prevalence of depressive symptoms varied by ethnic group, affecting 9.7% of White European, 15.5% of South Asian, and 17.7% of Black Caribbean participants. Compared with White Europeans, South Asian and Black Caribbean participants were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.24-2.58 and 1.80, 1.11-2.92, respectively). Adjustment for co-morbidities had most effect on the excess South Asian odds, and adjustment for socioeconomic position had most effect on the elevated Black Caribbean odds. CONCLUSIONS: Higher prevalence of depressive symptoms observed among South Asian people were attenuated after adjustment for physical health, whereas the Black Caribbean increased prevalence was most explained by socioeconomic disadvantage. It is important to understand the reasons for these ethnic differences to identify opportunities for interventions to address inequalities.

Carcinoma suprarrenal. Análisis retrospectivo de cinco casos / Adenocortical carcinoma. A retrospective analysis of five cases

Presentamos cinco casos de carcinoma suprarrenal, diagnosticados en nuestro hospital y describimos su presentación clínica, métodos diagnósticos y tratamiento empleados. Es un tumor poco frecuente, muy agresivo y con mal pronostico. Clínicamente se presentan como tumores caracterizados por efecto masa, síntomas debidos a invasión de vecindad o por una variedad de síndromes hormonales entre los que destacan el hipercortisolismo y la virilización. El diagnóstico se fundamenta en la caracterización bioquímica del síndrome hormonal y en las técnicas de imagen, especialmente la TAC y la RM. Anatomopatológicamente suelen ser tumores de gran tamaño con tendencia a invadir las estructuras vecinas Su tratamiento es fundamentalmente quirúrgico y de los distintos fármacos de quimioterapia, los más efectivos son los adrenolíticos (mitotane) solos o asociados a doxorubicina, cisplatino y etopósido

We present five cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma, diagnosed in our hospital and we describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and treatement. It is a rare tumor, highly aggressive and prognosis is poor. The clinical presentation is characterized by a mass effect, symptoms caused by the invasion of the structures nearby or by a variety of hormonal changes, especially hypercortisolism and virilization. The diagnosis is based on the biochemical characterization of the hormonal profile and on imaging techniques, especially computed tomography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is generally surgical and the most effective chemotherapeutic agents are the adrenolytics (mitotane) alone or associated with doxorubicin, cisplatin and etoposide

[Adrenocortical carcinoma. A retrospective analysis of five cases]. / Carcinoma suprarrenal. Análisis retrospectivo de cinco casos.

We present five cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma, diagnosed in our hospital and we describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and treatment. It is a rare tumor, highly aggressive and prognosis is poor. The clinical presentation is characterized by a mass effect, symptoms caused by the invasion of the structures nearby or by a variety of hormonal changes, especially hypercortisolism and virilization. The diagnosis is based on the biochemical characterization of the hormonal profile and on imaging techniques, especially computed tomography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is generally surgical and the most effective chemotherapeutic agents are the adrenolytics (mitotane) alone or associated with doxorubicin, cisplatin and etoposide.

[Enteral nutrition at home: National register for the year 2000]. / Nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED): Registro Nacional del año 2000.

GOAL: Once again, the NADYA-SENPE Working Group analysed the registered data of Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in our country, during the year 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected through a closed questionnaire included on our web site (www.nadya-senpe.com). Apart from epidemiological information, the form includes the indication to prescribe this treatment, the specific nutritional treatment used and its duration, access path, complications and readmission rate in hospital, follow-up of the treatment, patient's quality of life and progress. All data were processed and analysed by the co-ordinating team. RESULTS: Twenty two hospital participated and 2,986 patients, aged 65.1 +/- 19.7 years, were enrolled. Of these patients, 41.2% were diagnosed with neurological diseases and 33.3% with cancer. The mean time on HEN was 6.3 +/- 4.4 months. Oral nutrition was the preferential route (50.8%), followed by nasoenteral tube (30.5%), and in 17.4% ostomy tubes were placed. Polymeric was the formula composition mainly used (83.2%). Patients were followed (70.1%) by the hospital reference Nutritional Support Unit. The complications related to nutrition included the gastrointestinal (0.25 complications/patient), the mechanical one (0.19 complications/patient), and the metabolic (0.007 complications/patient). Feeding tube need to be replaced 0.3 times/patient/year. The readmission rate, for nutritional problems, was observed in 0.03 patients. At the end of the year, 54.9% of the patients were in the HEN program, and in 30.3% HEN was finish due to different reasons. In 21.9% of the patients no, o light, discapacity degree was found. CONCLUSIONS: Related to previous years, there is an increment in the number of enrolled patients. Neurological diseases and cancer were the more frequent diagnoses in HEN patients. Oral access was the higher feeding route due, probably, to the high prevalence of cancer patients. In spite of the elevated prevalence of neurological diseases, a few number of patients were feed with ostomy tube. Finally, due to the few readmission rate and complications, HEN is a safe treatment in our country.

Nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED): Registro Nacional del año 2000 / Enteral nutrition at home. National Register for 2000

Objetivo: Un año más, el Grupo de Trabajo NADYASENPE, presenta el análisis del registro de los pacientes con Nutrición Enteral Domiciliaria (NED) de nuestro país correspondiente al año 2000.Material y métodos: La información se ha recogido en un cuestionario cerrado incluido en nuestra página web (www.nadya-senpe.com). Este formulario incluye datos epidemiológicos, indicación del motivo de este tratamiento, pauta de tratamiento y vía de acceso, complicaciones y hospitalizaciones, seguimiento de los pacientes, calidad de vida y evolución. Los datos son procesados y analizados por el equipo coordinador. Resultados: Se han registrado datos de 22 hospitales que representan un total de 2.986 pacientes analizados, con una edad media de 65,1 ñ 19,7 años. Predominio de pacientes con alteraciones neurológicas (41,2 per cent), seguidos de los neoplásicos (33,3 per cent). El tiempo medio de NED fue 6,3 ñ 4,4 meses. Se observó una elevada prevalencia de la vía oral (50,8 per cent), seguido de la administración a través de sonda nasogástrica (SNG) (30,5 per cent), siendo el porcentaje de ostomías de un 17,4 per cent. La fórmula polimérica fue la más utilizada en un 83,2 per cent. Los pacientes fueron controlados, mayoritariamente, por la unidad de nutrición de su hospital de referencia (70,1 per cent). Las complicaciones, relacionadas con la nutrición, más frecuentemente observadas fueron las gastrointestinales (0,25 complicaciones/paciente), seguidas de las mecánicas (0,19 complicaciones/paciente), y de las metabólicas (0,007 complicaciones/pacientes). Se realizaron 0,3 cambios de sonda/paciente/año. Se registraron 0,03 hospitalizaciones/paciente, asociadas a la nutrición. Al finalizar el año, el 54,9 per cent de los pacientes continuaban en activo, mientras que en un 30,3 per cent se suspendió la NED por diversos motivos. El 21,9 per cent no presentaba incapacidad o el grado de la misma era ligero. Conclusiones: Existe un incremento, en relación a años previos en el número de pacientes con NED registrados. Persiste el gran peso de las patologías neurológicas y oncológicas en este tratamiento a domicilio. Probablemente, por existir un elevado número de pacientes oncológicos, la administración de la NED por boca es elevada. A destacar que hay pocos pacientes con ostomías. Finalmente, la NED en nuestro país es un tratamiento seguro con bajo número de complicaciones (AU)

Goal: Once again, the NADYA-SENPE Working Group analysed the registered data of Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in our country, during the year 2000. Material and methods: The data were collected through a closed questionnaire included on our web site (www.nadya-senpe.com). Apart from epidemiological information, the form includes the indication to prescribe this treatment, the specific nutritional treatment used and its duration, access path, complications and readmission rate in hospital, follow-up of the treatment, patient’s quality of life and progress. All data were processed and analysed by the co-ordinating team. Results: Twenty two hospital participated and 2,986 patients, aged 65.1 ± 19.7 years, were enrolled. Of these patients, 41.2% were diagnosed with neurological diseases and 33.3% with cancer. The mean time on HEN was 6.3 ± 4.4 months. Oral nutrition was the preferential route (50.8%), followed by nasoenteral tube (30.5%), and in 17.4% ostomy tubes were placed. Polymeric was the formula composition mainly used (83.2%). Patients were followed (70.1 %) by the hospital reference Nutritional Support Unit. The complications related to nutrition included the gastrointestinal (0.25 complications/ patient), the mechanical one (0.19 complications/patient), and the metabolic (0.007 complications/ patient). Feeding tube need to be replaced 0.3 times/ patient/year. The readmission rate, for nutritional problems, was observed in 0.03 patients. At the end of the year, 54.9% of the patients were in the HEN program, and in 30.3% HEN was finish due to different reasons. In 21,9% of the patients no, o light, discapacity degree was found. Conclusions: Related to previous years, there is an increment in the number of enrolled patients. Neurological diseases and cancer were the more frequent diagnoses in HEN patients. Oral access was the higher feeding route due, probably, to the high prevalence of cancer patients. In spite of the elevated prevalence of neurological diseases, a few number of patients were feed with ostomy tube. Finally, due to the few readmission rate and complications, HEN is a safe treatment in our country (AU)

The functional results of ulnar nerve repair. Defining the indications for tendon transfer.

The subjective, objective and functional outcome following repair of isolated ulnar nerve injuries was assessed in 50 patients, 1 to 7 years after repair. We tried to identify those patients who may benefit from early tendon transfer. This study confirmed a satisfactory functional result in sedentary workers, but not in manual labourers. Intrinsic muscle power, grip strength, key pinch and sensation continued to improve following repair of high injuries for at least 2 years, and of low injuries for at least 3 years. Early tendon transfers are only recommended in manual workers who complain of poor grip or key pinch.

Isotope bone scanning for acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in children.

We prospectively studied 86 children to assess the value and accuracy of isotope bone scanning in the diagnosis of suspected acute haematogenous osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. The patients were scanned because of difficulty in localising the exact site of the pathology. Characteristic scan appearances were found. In osteomyelitis there was increased or decreased uptake extending beyond the confines of the joint capsule; in septic arthritis there was increased or decreased uptake on either side of the joint line, but largely limited to and uniform within the joint capsule. The bone-scan images were correlated with the final diagnosis in 34 sites of septic arthritis and in 62 sites of osteomyelitis. The overall accuracy of the bone scans was 81%. The predictive value for a positive scan to be correct was 100% for a cold scan and 82% for a hot scan. The main reason for a false-positive scan was contiguous soft-tissue infection. The predictive value for a negative scan to be correct was 63%. One reason for a false-negative scan was that the patient was in the transitional phase from cold to hot.