Beta-Blocker Therapy in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among trauma patients worldwide, poses the risk of secondary neurological insult due to significant catecholamine surge. We aim to investigate the effectiveness and outcomes of beta-blocker administration in patients with severe TBI. METHODS: A search through PubMed, EMBASE, JAMA network, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for relevant peer-reviewed original studies published before February 15, 2022. A standard random-effects model was used, as justified by a high Cohen's Q test. RESULTS: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Severe TBI patients who were administered beta-blockers had a significantly reduced incidence of in-hospital mortality compared to the non-beta-blocker group (14.5% vs 19.2%). However, the beta-blocker group was reported to have a significantly greater number of ventilator days (5.58 vs 2.60 days). Similarly, intensive care unit (9.00 vs 6.84 days) and hospital (17.30 vs 11.02 days) lengths of stay (LOS) were increased in the beta-blocker group compared to those who were not administered beta-blocker therapy, but only the difference in hospital-LOS was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Beta-blockers have significantly decreased in-hospital mortality in patients with severe TBI despite being associated with an increase in ventilator days and hospital-LOS. The administration of beta-blocker therapy in the management of severe TBI may be warranted and should be discussed in future guidelines.

Management of infected diabetic wound: a scoping review of guidelines.

Background: Various international guidelines and recommendations are available for management of diabetic foot infections. We present a review of the guidelines and recommendations for management of these infections. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, DARE, and national health bodies. Based on the review of fifteen documents, we present details on the importance of suspecting and diagnosing skin, superficial infections, and bone infections in diabetics. Results: The guidelines recommend classifying the infections based on severity to guide the treatment. While antibiotics have shown the best results, other treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and negative wound pressure have been debated. It is suggested that a team of specialists should be in-charge of managing the infected wounds. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2012 guidelines are widely followed world-over. All guidelines and reviews have consistent suggestions on the assessment of the severity of infection, diagnosis, start, selection, and duration of antibiotic therapy. Conclusions: It is reasonable to conclude that the IDSA 2012 guidelines are commonly followed across the world. There is a consensus among the Australian guidelines, Canadian guidelines, IDSA 2012, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2015, and International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) 2016 guidelines on the management of infected wounds for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Trastorno de alimentación: identificación y primeras intervenciones para los profesionales de salud / Eating disorders early identification and management: guidelines for health practitioners

Introducción: los trastornos de la alimentación e ingesta (TAI) son un complejo conjunto interdimensional de enfermedades mentales que afectan el rendimiento corporal, mental y social. El núcleo de la enfermedad es el miedo a ganar peso. Las estrategias de control de ingesta varían entre: restricción, selección y purga alimentaria. Afectan diferentes sexos, razas, etnias y edades. Con mayor frecuencia en adolescentes y mujeres jóvenes (9: 1). Presentan alta mortalidad, comorbilidad mental y conflictos familiares asociados. Método: integrar información disponible y útil según criterio de experto, orientada al manejo clínico de los TAI. Resultado: debido a que los profesionales de salud de diferentes áreas podrían ser el único contacto que el/la paciente busca para aliviar alguna dolencia aparentemente no relacionada con TAI, es necesario lograr identificar y diagnosticar los estadios patológicos e indicar las primeras conductas, así como hacer una referencia exitosa. El retraso en el diagnóstico causa alteraciones severas y crónicas en la fisiología, el comportamiento, la cognición y el funcionamiento psicosocial. Los objetivos de este estudio son: a. Presentar, en forma integrada, la información disponible de modo de facilitar a los profesionales de la salud la detección precoz de los TAI; b. Ofrecer un conjunto de acciones útiles que faciliten el diagnóstico TAI; c. Organizar la comprensión del riesgo TAI en un diagrama que facilite la construcción de la derivación utilizando las dimensiones: cuerpo, mente, relaciones; d. Mostrar las alternativas psicoterapéuticas en uso e. Proveer información para realizar las primeras intervenciones. Conclusión: reconocer tempranamente el cuadro TAI puede detener el curso patológico y los potenciales daños.(AU)

Introduction: eating disorders (ED) are a complex interdimensional set of mental disorders that affect social, bodily and mental performance. The core issue of the illness is the fear of weight gain. Food intake control strategies are displayed among eating restriction,selection and purging foods. ED affect people despite their sex, ethnicity or age often in adolescents and young women (9:1). EDhave been associated with high mortality, mental disorders comorbidity, and family conflicts. Method: to integrate expert selectedrelevant information to improve ED clinical management by health practitioners. Results: because health practitioners from differentareas may be the only contact the patient is looking for to alleviate an ailment apparently not related to ED, it is necessary to identifyand diagnose the pathological stages and indicate the first behaviors, as well as make a successful reference. Diagnosis delay causes severe and chronic alterations in physiology, behavior, cognition and psychosocial functioning. The objectives of this study are: a.To present integrated information about ED I order to facilitate early detection and diagnosis to health practitioners; b. To offer a setof useful actions that facilitate early ED detection; c. To organize the understanding of ED risk in a diagram that facilitates derivationusing the dimensions: body, mind, relationships; d. To show the current psychotherapies e. To provide information to perform the first interventions. Conclusion: early ED recognition can stop the pathological course and potential damage of the disease.(AU)

Brazilian Guidelines for Hereditary Angioedema Management - 2017 Update Part 1: Definition, Classification and Diagnosis

Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent angioedema attacks with the involvement of multiple organs. The disease is unknown to many health professionals and is therefore underdiagnosed. Patients who are not adequately diagnosed and treated have an estimated mortality rate ranging from 25% to 40% due to asphyxiation by laryngeal angioedema. Intestinal angioedema is another important and incapacitating presentation that may be the main or only manifestation during an attack. In this article, a group of experts from the "Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI)" and the "Grupo de Estudos Brasileiro em Angioedema Hereditário (GEBRAEH)" has updated the Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema.

Cumplimiento de guías en pacientes hospitalizados con falla cardiaca ¿Cómo estamos? / Compliance with guidelines in inpatients with heart failure ¿Where are we?

Resumen La insuficiencia cardiaca es una patología de alta prevalencia, con una morbimortalidad importante, la cual genera grandes costos para el sistema de salud. Un tratamiento adecuado es fundamental para obtener buenos resultados clínicos. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar el cumplimiento de las guías de manejo farmacológico de falla cardiaca, por parte del médico, al momento del alta hospitalaria. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo que incluyó pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada que ingresaron a urgencias entre diciembre 2011 y febrero 2012. Se recolectaron datos de la hospitalización y de la fórmula médica de egreso. Dos evaluadores calificaron el cumplimiento de formulación de betabloqueadores (BB), Inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (IECA) o antagonistas de los receptores de angiotensina II (ARAII) y espironolactona según recomendaciones de la guía para falla cardiaca AHA 2005 ≤ actualización 2009. Se consideraron las indicaciones y contraindicaciones de cada fármaco. Para los BB, se tuvo en cuenta el tipo de BB formulado. Resultados: ingresaron 47 pacientes, edad promedio 71 años (DE 14.3), con predominio de mujeres 55.3%. Fallecieron cinco pacientes, por lo tanto se evaluó la formulación en 42 pacientes. Entre éstos 80.9% (34/42) recibieron BB, 76.1% (32/42) IECA o ARAII y 38% (16/42) espironolactona. 19 pacientes tuvieron FEVI ≤ 40%. El cumplimiento de la guía fue adecuado en 52.6% para BB, 77.7% para IECA o ARAII y 78.5% para espironolactona. Conclusiones: en este estudio encontramos un cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de las guías para falla cardiaca por debajo de lo que se espera para la atención de los pacientes. El menor cumplimiento se observó en la prescripción del betabloqueador al egreso, por una alta formulación de metoprolol tartrato. Estos datos concuerdan con estudios realizados en otros países y obligan a implementar estrategias de cumplimiento de guías para asegurar que los pacientes reciban el tratamiento adecuado. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 40-45).

Abstract Heart failure is a highly prevalent disease with significant morbidity and mortality that generates large costs to the health system. Proper treatment is essential in order to obtain good clinical outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess the compliance with the pharmacological management of heart failure guidelines by the physician at hospital discharge. Methods: a descriptive , prospective study that included patients with decompensated heart failure admitted to the emergency department between December 2011 and February 2012. Data hospitalization and prescription at hospital discharge were collected. Two reviewers rated the prescription compliance of beta blockers (BB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB II) and spironolactone as recommended by the 2005 AHA guideline for heart failure - Update 2009. Indications and contraindications of each drug were considered. For BB, the type of BB prescribed was taken into account. Results: 47 patients were admitted. Mean age was 71 years (SD 14.3), with 55.3% female predominance. Five patients died, so the prescription was evaluated in 42 patients. Among these , 80.9% (34 /42) received BB, 76.1% (32 /42) ACE inhibitors or ARBs and 38% (16 /42) spironolactone. 19 patients had LVEF ≤ 40%. Compliance with the guidelines was adequate in 52.6% for BB, 77.7% for ACE inhibitors or ARBs and 78.5% for spironolactone. Conclusions: in this study, a compliance in guidelines recommendations for heart failure below of what is expected for the care of patients was found. The lower compliance was observed in prescribing beta blocker at discharge by a high metoprolol tartrate formulation. These data are consistent with studies realized in other countries and force to implement strategies of guidelines compliance to ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 40-45).