A randomized clinical trial of home telemonitoring in patients with advanced heart and lung diseases.

BRIEF SUMMARY: The addition of home monitoring to an integrated care model in patients with advanced chronic heart/lung diseases decreases mortality, hospital and emergency admissions, improves functional status, HRQoL, and is cost-effective. BACKGROUND: Telemonitoring is a promising implement for medicine, but its efficacy is unknown in patients with advanced heart and lung failure (AHLF). OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a telemonitoring system added to coordinated clinical care in patients with AHLF. DESIGN: Randomized phase 3 multicenter clinical trial with parallel groups in adult patients. PARTICIPANTS: Five spanish centers including patients with AHLF at discharge or in out-patient clinics. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to receive a remote bio-parameters telemonitoring system (TELECARE) or best usual care (UCARE). TELECARE patients were provided with devices that collected symptoms and bio-parameters, and transferred them synchronously to a call-center, with a real-time health-care response. MAIN MEASURES: Primary end point was the need of admissions/emergency room visits at 45, 90, 180 days. Secondary end points included health care requirements, mortality, functional assessment, health related quality of life (HRQoL), perceived satisfaction, and cost-efficacy. RESULTS: 510 patients were included (54.5% women, median age 76.5 years; 63.1% suffered heart failure, 13.9% lung failure, and 22.9% both conditions). Clinical and functional features were comparable in both arms. TELECARE globally needed less admissions with respect UCARE after 45 days of inclusion (35.4% vs. 46.9%, p < 0.05). This tendency was maintained in the subgroups of patients with multimorbidity (34.2% vs. 46.9%, p < 0.05), intermediate risk of mortality (36.5% vs. 51.1%, p < 0.05), and those included after hospital discharge (34.9% vs. 50.5%, p < 0.01). HRQoL significantly improved (TELECARE/UCARE EuroQol baseline of 56.2 ± 18.2/55.1 ± 19.7, p = 0.054, and 64 ± 19.9/56.3 ± 21.6; p < 0.01 at the end), and perceived satisfaction was also higher (6.77 ± 0.52 vs. 6.62 ± 0.81, p < 0.001; highest possible score = 7). A trend to mortality decrease was also observed (12.9% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.13). TELECARE was cost-efficacious (TELECARE/UCARE QALY 3.94 Euros/0.81Euros). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a telemonitoring system to an integrated care model in patients with AHLF decreases hospital and emergency admissions, improves functional status as well as HRQoL, and is cost-efficacious.

Epilepsy diagnosis based on one unprovoked seizure and ≥60% risk. A systematic review of the etiologies.

BACKGROUND: According to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria, epilepsy can be diagnosed after one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure when there is a ≥60% of seizure recurrence in the next decade. The application of this diagnostic criterion, however, is challenging because the risk of recurrence based on different etiologies is not easily retrievable from the literature. OBJECTIVE: To assess etiologies that permit a diagnosis of epilepsy after a single unprovoked seizure. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library from January 1950 to December 2020 with the keywords: recurrence, risk of recurrence, absolute risk, risk ratio, risk, seizures, epilepsy, structural, infectious, metabolic, immune, and genetic. We included articles that reported estimates of risks of a subsequent unprovoked seizure. Etiologies were categorized according to the ILAE epilepsy classification. The quality of the evidence was evaluated with PRISMA. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: A total of 25,044 articles resulted from searching three databases. After authors removed duplicates, 18,911 articles remained. We screened by title and abstract, 40 articles were reviewed and finally, two articles were included. The mean follow-up was 8 years and the mean for a risk to present a subsequent unprovoked seizure was 66.6% and included structural etiologies as stroke, traumatic brain injury, cavernous malformation, arteriovenous malformation, and neuroinfections (unspecified agents). Study quality characteristics are classified with low strength of evidence and moderate-quality cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We found that stroke, traumatic brain injury, cavernous or arteriovenous malformations, and unspecified CNS infections can meet the epilepsy diagnosis after one unprovoked seizure based on low strength of evidence and moderate quality of cohorts.

Anakinra versus Baricitinib: Different Strategies for Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Immunomodulatory drugs have been used in patients with severe COVID-19. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different strategies, based either on an interleukin-1 inhibitor, anakinra, or on a JAK inhibitor, such as baricitinib, on the survival of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Individuals admitted to two hospitals because of COVID-19 were included if they fulfilled the clinical, radiological, and laboratory criteria for moderate-to-severe disease. Patients were classified according to the first immunomodulatory drug prescribed: anakinra or baricitinib. All subjects were concomitantly treated with corticosteroids, in addition to standard care. The main outcomes were the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital death. Statistical analysis included propensity score matching and Cox regression model. RESULTS: The study subjects included 125 and 217 individuals in the anakinra and baricitinib groups, respectively. IMV was required in 13 (10.4%) and 10 (4.6%) patients, respectively (p = 0.039). During this period, 22 (17.6%) and 36 (16.6%) individuals died in both groups (p = 0.811). Older age, low functional status, high comorbidity, need for IMV, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and use of a high flow of oxygen at initially were found to be associated with worse clinical outcomes. No differences according to the immunomodulatory therapy used were observed. For most of the deceased individuals, early interruption of anakinra or baricitinib had occurred at the time of their admission to the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Similar mortality is observed in patients treated with anakinra or baricitinib plus corticosteroids.

A multicenter randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of telemonitoring in patients with advanced heart and lung chronic failure. Study protocol for the ATLAN_TIC project.

BACKGROUND: Using technologies of information and communication (TICs) is emerging in medical assistance. TICs application for medical assistance is promising. Its applicability in advanced heart and/or respiratory failure is still controversial because studies have shown methodological weakness which could put in danger their conclusions. Our objective is to evaluate efficacy of the application of home monitoring biological parameters in a multi-level model of coordinated clinical care for patients with chronic diseases with advanced heart (HF) and/or respiratory failure (RF) in comparison with conventional clinical care. METHOD: /Design: Multicentric, phase III, randomized, parallel groups, controlled clinical trial. Patients with advanced HF and/or RF were eligible to participate. Patients received medical assistance by a multi-level model of coordinated clinical care with or without home monitoring. Follow up was performed until 180 days after inclusion. Primary efficacy outcome was defined as the percentage of patients with hospitalization/emergency room visits. Secondary efficacy outcomes were hospital admissions, admissions to hospital emergencies and Primary Care Emergencies, number of days of hospital stay, total cost per patient in euros, mortality, change in functional status, quality of life, assistance and technology devices. Intention to treat, as well as per protocol, and incremental cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed. The number of recruits patients per arm is set at 255, a total of 510 patients. DISCUSSION: This trial could provide some knowledge about the real impact of home monitoring for patients with advanced HF and/or RF within a multi-level model of integrated care.

Complicaciones neurológicas de la fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas / Neurological complications of tick-borne relapsing fever

Introducción. La fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas (FRTG) puede producir complicaciones neurológicas. No existen apenas estudios en España sobre el tema. Objetivo. Estudiar la prevalencia y las características clínicas de las complicaciones neurológicas de los pacientes con FRTG. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes atendidos con FRTG durante 12 años (2004-2015) en un hospital de una zona rural del sur de España. Resultados. Se incluyeron 75 pacientes, 42 varones (56%), con una edad media de 33 años (rango: 14-72 años). Se observaron picaduras de garrapatas en nueve pacientes (12%). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: fiebre en 64 pacientes (85,3%), cefalea en 41 (54,6%) y vómitos en 26 (34,6%). Se sospechó afectación meníngea en nueve pacientes (12%), de los que tres (4%) tenían signos meníngeos en el momento del ingreso. A todos ellos se les realizó una punción lumbar. Ninguno presentó parálisis facial ni otra manifestación neurológica. Se encontraron alteraciones del líquido cefalorraquí- deo en los tres pacientes con meningismo. En uno de los casos se visualizó Borrelia en el líquido cefalorraquídeo. En los pacientes con afectación neurológica, el tratamiento utilizado fue penicilina G en un caso y ceftriaxona en dos. Todos los pacientes se recuperaron completamente. Conclusiones. La FRTG es una de las formas menos graves de borreliosis, y menos del 5% de los pacientes presenta complicaciones neurológicas. Sin embargo, los médicos deben saber que Borrelia puede causar meningitis en los sujetos expuestos a garrapatas en regiones endémicas de FRTG (AU)

Introduction. Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) can cause neurological complications. There are hardly any studies in Spain on this subject. Aim. To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of neurological complications of patients with TBRF. Patients and methods. We retrospectively reviewed all the patients attended with TBRF over 12 years (2004-2015) in a hospital in a rural area of southern Spain. Results. We included 75 patients, 42 males (56%). Mean age: 33 years (range: 14-72 years). Tick bites were observed in 9 patients (12%). The most common symptoms were: fever in 64 (85.3 %) patients, headache in 41 (54.6%) patients, and vomits in 26 (34.6%) patients. Manifestations suggesting meningeal involvement were noted in 9 (12%) of the patients, and 3 patients (4%) had clear meningeal signs on admission. All these patients underwent lumbar puncture. None of the patients presented facial palsy or other neurologic manifestation. Cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities were found in the three patients with meningismus. In one case Borrelia were found in the cerebrospinal fluid. In those cases with neurologic involvement the treatment used was penicillin G in one case and ceftriaxone in two patients. All patients recovered completely. Conclusions. TBRF is one of the less severe forms of borreliosis and less than 5% of patients present neurological complications. However, physicians should know that Borrelia can cause meningitis in subjects exposed to ticks in endemic regions of TBRF (AU)

Environmental sampling protocol devised and implemented to resolve a nosocomial outbreak due to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca.

We describe a method for investigating wet foci in the hospital environment of a nosocomial outbreak due to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca. By searching in areas that are usually inaccessible, by immersing sampling swabs in thioglycolate broth, and by concentrating the sampled water, reservoirs of infection that would have gone unnoticed can be detected.

Control strategies for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at different levels of the healthcare system.

There has been a rapid increase in recent years in the incidence of infection and colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). A number of clusters and outbreaks have been reported, some of which have been contained, providing evidence that these clusters and outbreaks can be managed effectively when the appropriate control measures are implemented. This review outlines strategies recommended to control CPE dissemination both at the healthcare facility level (acute and long-term care) and from the public health point of view. A dedicated prepared plan should be required to prevent the spread of CPE at the hospital level. At the front line, activities should include management of patients at admission and new cases, active surveillance culturing and definition of high-risk groups. High compliance with standard precautions for all patients and full or modified contact precautions for defined categories of patients should be implemented. Long-term care facilities are areas where dissemination can also take place but more importantly they can become a reservoir as patients are admitted and released to other Health care facilities. From the public health point of view, surveillance must be tailored to identify regional spread and interfacility transmission to prevent further dissemination. Finally, a comprehensive set of activities at various levels is necessary to prevent further spread of these bacteria in the community.

Control strategies for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at different levels of the healthcare system / Estrategias de control de las enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas en diferentes niveles del sistema sanitario

There has been a rapid increase in recent years in the incidence of infection and colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). A number of clusters and outbreaks have been reported, some of which have been contained, providing evidence that these clusters and outbreaks can be managed effectively when the appropriate control measures are implemented. This review outlines strategies recommended to control CPE dissemination both at the healthcare facility level (acute and longterm care) and from the public health point of view. A dedicated prepared plan should be required to prevent the spread of CPE at the hospital level. At the front line, activities should include management of patients at admission and new cases, active surveillance culturing and definition of high-risk groups. High compliance with standard precautions for all patients and full or modified contact precautions for defined categories of patients should be implemented. Longterm care facilities are areas where dissemination can also take place but more importantly they can become a reservoir as patients are admitted and released to other Health care facilities. From the public health point of view, surveillance must be tailored to identify regional spread and interfacility transmission to prevent further dissemination. Finally, a comprehensive set of activities at various levels is necessary to prevent further spread of these bacteria in the community (AU)

En los últimos años hemos asistido a un rápido crecimiento en la incidencia de infección y colonización por enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas (EPC). De los numerosos brotes y agrupamientos de casos publicados, algunos de ellos fueron controlados, lo que sugiere que cuando se implementan medidas apropiadas de control estos brotes pueden ser gestionados eficazmente. Esta revisión describe las estrategias recomendadas para controlar la diseminación de las EPC, tanto en las instituciones sanitarias (de agudos y crónicos) como desde el punto de vista de la salud pública. Se requiere la existencia de un plan previo definido para prevenir la diseminación de las EPC a nivel hospitalario. Para la atención al paciente se debería incluir la gestión de los pacientes al ingreso y la aparición de nuevos casos, los cultivos de vigilancia activa y la definición de los grupos de alto riesgo. Debería conseguirse un alto cumplimiento, tanto de las precauciones estándar para todos los pacientes como de las precauciones de contacto para categorías definidas de pacientes. Además, las instituciones de crónicos constituyen un reservorio donde los pacientes entran y salen y donde puede ocurrir la transmisión. Desde el punto de vista de la salud pública, la vigilancia deber ser diseñada para identificar la transmisión regional y entre instituciones con el objetivo de prevenir una mayor diseminación. En conclusión, necesitamos un conjunto de actividades a diferentes niveles para prevenir una mayor diseminación de estas bacterias en nuestra población (AU)

Análisis descriptivo de las enfermedades asociadas a bacteriemia por Streptococcus bovis / Descriptive analysis of diseases associated with Streptococcus bovis bacteremia

Fundamento y objetivo: Aunque se conoce la relación entre la bacteriemia por Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) y el cáncer de colon, cirrosis hepática u otras neoplasias, no se ha establecido un protocolo de estudio para descartar estas enfermedades subyacentes a la bacteriemia. Nuestro objetivo fue describir la bacteriemia por S. bovis y las enfermedades asociadas.Pacientes y método: Estudio multicéntrico, retrospectivo de cohortes. Se incluyeron las bacteriemias por S. bovis entre 2001 y 2009. Las variables principales fueron: neoplasia colónica, neoplasias en otras localizaciones o cirrosis hepática. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, relacionadas con la bacteriemia, antecedentes personales, familiares, datos clínicos y analíticos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 93 pacientes. Un 25% de los individuos tuvo neoplasia de colon. Un 57% de ellos fueron casos concomitantes con la bacteriemia y 6 fueron diagnósticos posteriores a ella (mediana [Q1-Q3] de tiempo bacteriemia-diagnóstico neoplasia de 2,6 meses [1-11]), con un máximo de 15,4 meses. Catorce (15%) pacientes padecían alguna neoplasia no colónica (mayoritariamente biliopancreática [6 casos] y esofagogástrica [3 casos]). Hubo 3 (21%) casos concomitantes con la bacteriemia y 2 posteriores a ella (a 1,2 y 10,4 meses). Veintiún (23%) enfermos tenían cirrosis hepática.Conclusiones: A los pacientes con bacteriemia por S. bovis es necesario realizarles un estudio encaminado a descartar enfermedades subyacentes. Sugerimos que se incluyan, al menos: una prueba de imagen colónica, preferentemente colonoscopia; un estudio hepático mediante analítica, ecografía abdominal o un método de medición de fibrosis hepática; una endoscopia digestiva alta; y una prueba de imagen del área biliopancreática como la colangiorresonancia magnética

Background and objective: It is well-known the relationship between Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) bacteremia and colon cancer, liver cirrhosis and others neoplasms. However, a study protocol to rule out these underlying diseases has not been carried out yet. Our objective was to describe S. bovis bacteremia and associated diseases. Patients and method: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. S. bovis bacteremias episodes between 2001 and 2009 were included. Mean variables: colon neoplasm, non-colonic neoplasm or liver cirrhosis. Epidemiologist aspects, bacteremia related variables, personal and familiar history and clinical and analytical data were collected.Results: Ninety three patients were included. One out of four individuals had a colon neoplasm. Fifty seven per cent were concomitant cases with bacteremia and six cases were diagnosed after bacteremia (time bacteremia-diagnosis of neoplasm [months], median [Q1-Q3], 2.6 [1-11]). Fourteen (15%) patients were diagnosed with any non-colonic neoplasm (mainly biliary and pancreatic [6 cases] or esophagus-gastric [3 cases]). There were three patients (21%) with concomitant bacteremia non-colonic neoplasm and two after it (1.2 and 10.4 months). Twenty-one (23%) patients suffered from liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: Patients with S. bovis bacteremia must undergo a study designed to rule out underlying diseases. We suggest that this study should include: a colonic evaluation, ideally by colonoscopy, a liver evaluation by serum chemistry, an abdominal ultrasound scan or a method of liver fibrosis assessment, a gastroscopy and an evaluation of biliary and pancreatic areas by magnetic resonance imaging

[Descriptive analysis of diseases associated with Streptococcus bovis bacteremia]. / Análisis descriptivo de las enfermedades asociadas a bacteriemia por Streptococcus bovis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It is well-known the relationship between Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) bacteremia and colon cancer, liver cirrhosis and others neoplasms. However, a study protocol to rule out these underlying diseases has not been carried out yet. Our objective was to describe S. bovis bacteremia and associated diseases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. S. bovis bacteremias episodes between 2001 and 2009 were included. Mean variables: colon neoplasm, non-colonic neoplasm or liver cirrhosis. Epidemiologist aspects, bacteremia related variables, personal and familiar history and clinical and analytical data were collected. RESULTS: Ninety three patients were included. One out of four individuals had a colon neoplasm. Fifty seven per cent were concomitant cases with bacteremia and six cases were diagnosed after bacteremia (time bacteremia-diagnosis of neoplasm [months], median [Q1-Q3], 2.6 [1-11]). Fourteen (15%) patients were diagnosed with any non-colonic neoplasm (mainly biliary and pancreatic [6 cases] or esophagus-gastric [3 cases]). There were three patients (21%) with concomitant bacteremia non-colonic neoplasm and two after it (1.2 and 10.4 months). Twenty-one (23%) patients suffered from liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with S. bovis bacteremia must undergo a study designed to rule out underlying diseases. We suggest that this study should include: a colonic evaluation, ideally by colonoscopy, a liver evaluation by serum chemistry, an abdominal ultrasound scan or a method of liver fibrosis assessment, a gastroscopy and an evaluation of biliary and pancreatic areas by magnetic resonance imaging.

Prevalencia y factores asociados a la colonización por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en centros de larga estancia en el sur de España / Prevalence and risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among residents living in long-term care facilities in southern Spain

Introducción: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) resistente a meticilina (SARM) se ha convertido en el principal problema de salud pública que causan los microorganismos multirresistentes. Los centros de larga estancia (CLE) constituyen un reservorio importante de SARM. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia y los factores relacionados con la colonización por SARM en los sujetos residentes en CLE en el sur de España. Metodología Estudio transversal descriptivo en el que se incluyeron a los sujetos ingresados en 17 CLE entre el 1 de abril de 2009 y el 30 de junio de 2010. Se realizó una toma de muestra con torunda de ambas fosas nasales con cultivo posterior en medio cromogénico. Si hubo crecimiento bacteriano compatible con estafilococo, se realizó la prueba de coagulasa con el test de aglutinación en látex. Se utilizó un sistema automático para la identificación y sensibilidad del estafilococo aislado. Se construyó un modelo de regresión logística donde la variable primaria del estudio, el ser portador de SARM, fue incluida como variable dependiente y se incluyeron como covariables todas aquellas que en el análisis bivariado hubiesen mostrado un nivel de significación inferior a 0,2. Los individuos fueron clasificados en portador de SARM, S. aureus meticilín-sensible y no portador. Resultados Se incluyeron 744 individuos. Cuatrocientas ochenta y uno (65%) eran mujeres. La edad mediana (Q1-Q3) fue de 81 (74-86) años. Setenta y nueve (10,6%) y 67 (9%) sujetos estaban colonizados por (..) (AU)

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become the most important problem related to multiresistant microorganisms in the health care system. Long-term-care facilities (LTCFs)are one of the main reservoirs of this microorganism. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with MRSA colonization among subjects living in LTCFs in southern Spain. Methods: During the period from 1st April 2009 to 30th June 2010, all subjects living in 17 LTCFs of our area were included in a cross-sectional study. Patients were screened by using nasal swabs and these were cultured in a chromogenic media. Suspected S. aureus colonies were identified by the latex agglutination test. Testing for antimicrobial identification and susceptibility was performed by an automated system.A logistic regression model was built, in which to be colonized by MRSA was the dependent variable, and covariates were entered if a difference with P < .2 was detected in the bivariate analysis. Residents were classified as MRSA carriers, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. Results: Seven hundreds and forty-four subjects were included. There were 481 (65%) females. The median (Q1-Q3) age was 81 (74-86) years. Seventy-nine (10.6%) and 67 (9%) were colonized by MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, respectively. Significant risk factors for MRSA carriers were recentantibiotic use, previous hospital admission in the last three months, a high comorbidity measured by Charlson index and a history of colonization by MRSA. Conclusions: The prevalence of MRSA colonization in the LTCFs of our area is similar to that described in others European countries. In our institutions, subjects with recent antibiotic use, a high comorbidity, a history of MRSA colonization and a hospital admission in the last three months are more susceptible to be colonized by MRSA (AU)

Elevada mortalidad temprana en una unidad de cuidados paliativos de pacientes traqueostomizados procedentes de una unidad de cuidados intensivos / High early mortality in a palliative care unit among patients with tracheostomy discharged from an intensive care units

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[Prevalence and risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among residents living in long-term care facilities in southern Spain]. / Prevalencia y factores asociados a la colonización por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en centros de larga estancia en el sur de España.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become the most important problem related to multiresistant microorganisms in the health care system. Long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) are one of the main reservoirs of this microorganism. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with MRSA colonization among subjects living in LTCFs in southern Spain. METHODS: During the period from 1st April 2009 to 30th June 2010, all subjects living in 17 LTCFs of our area were included in a cross-sectional study. Patients were screened by using nasal swabs and these were cultured in a chromogenic media. Suspected S. aureus colonies were identified by the latex agglutination test. Testing for antimicrobial identification and susceptibility was performed by an automated system. A logistic regression model was built, in which to be colonized by MRSA was the dependent variable, and covariates were entered if a difference with P<.2 was detected in the bivariate analysis. Residents were classified as MRSA carriers, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. RESULTS: Seven hundreds and forty-four subjects were included. There were 481 (65%) females. The median (Q1-Q3) age was 81 (74-86) years. Seventy-nine (10.6%) and 67 (9%) were colonized by MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, respectively. Significant risk factors for MRSA carriers were recent antibiotic use, previous hospital admission in the last three months, a high comorbidity measured by Charlson index and a history of colonization by MRSA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MRSA colonization in the LTCFs of our area is similar to that described in others European countries. In our institutions, subjects with recent antibiotic use, a high comorbidity, a history of MRSA colonization and a hospital admission in the last three months are more susceptible to be colonized by MRSA.

Incidence of and factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma among hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

We compared the incidence of and factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-monoinfected subjects and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected individuals, both with decompensated cirrhosis. In a retrospective study, a cohort of 180 individuals with HIV coinfection and 1037 HCV-monoinfected patients with decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis from eight centres in Spain were analyzed. HCC was found in 234 (23%) HCV-monoinfected subjects and in four (2%) HIV-coinfected subjects (p<0.001). At the time of the first hepatic decompensation, 188 (17%) and 4 (2%) (p<0.001) patients in the former and in the latter group, respectively, showed HCC. Fifty-four (11%) patients without HCC at baseline developed such a disease during follow-up. There were no incident cases among the HIV-coinfected population. The density of incidence (95% IC) of HCC in HIV/HCV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients was 0 (0-1.70) and 3.31 (2.70-4.64) cases per 100 person-years (p<0.001), respectively. Lack of HIV infection [adjusted odds risk (AOR) (95% IC)=16.7 (3.9-71.1)] and high alanine aminotransferase levels [AOR (95% IC)=2.5 (1.1-5)] were the only two independent predictors of the emergence of HCC. In the group of patients in whom the date of HCV infection could be estimated, the time elapsed until HCC diagnosis was shorter among HIV-coinfected subjects. The incidence of HCC in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after the first hepatic decompensation is lower in HIV-coinfected patients. This is probably due to the fact that HIV infection shortens the survival of HCV-coinfected patients with end-stage liver disease to such an extent that HCC not had a chance to emerge.