[Effect of nutritional status on mortality and functional recovery in older adults with hip fracture]. / Efecto del estado nutricional en la mortalidad y recuperación funcional en adultos mayores con fractura de cadera.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a common problem in the elderly population but has not been fully studied in elderly people with hip fractures. The goal is to estimate annual mortality based on nutrition in the elderly with hip fracture and compare motor functionality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients over 65 years of age with hip fracture included in the Institutional Register of The Elderly with Hip Fracture of a University Hospital, between July 2014 and July 2018. Nutritional status with Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) was assessed at hospital admission. Motor functional capacity was evaluated with Parker Scale (PS) basal, at three and 12 months. RESULTS: 1,253 patients were included. 49.92% (CI95% 47.12-52.72) were malnourished. The annual mortality of the well-nourished (WN) was 9.45% (CI95% 7.23-12.30) against 21.52% (CI95% 18.12-25.45; p 0.001) of the malnourished (MN). The risk of death was associated with malnutrition HR 2.45 (CI95% 1.75-3.43; p 0.001). After adjusting it by age, sex, fragility, AVD, Charlson comorbility index and dementia, the risk remained HR 1.71 (CI95% 17-2.49; p = 0.005). With respect to functionality, the basal Parker Scale median (EP) for the WN group was 9 (RIC6-9) and for MN was 5 (RIC3-9) p 0.001, 6 months (RIC3-6) and 4 (RIC2-6) p 0.001 and 12 months 6 (RIC4-7) and 3 (RIC2-6) p 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between the malnutrition of the elderly with hip fracture and its mortality with a year of evaluation; we also find a difference in motor functionality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La malnutrición es una problemática frecuente en la población anciana, pero no ha sido completamente estudiado en ancianos con fractura de cadera. El objetivo es estimar mortalidad anual según nutrición en ancianos con fractura de cadera y comparar la funcionalidad motora. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes mayores de 65 años con fractura de cadera incluidos en el Registro Institucional de Ancianos con Fractura de Cadera de un Hospital Universitario, entre Julio de 2014 y Julio de 2018. Se evaluó el estado nutricional con Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) al ingreso hospitalario. La capacidad funcional motora fue evaluada con escala de Parker (EP) basal, a los tres y 12 meses. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1,253 pacientes. 49.92% (IC95% 47.12-52.72) estaba malnutrido. La mortalidad anual de los bien nutridos (BN) fue de 9.45% (IC95% 7.23-12.30) contra 21.52% (IC95% 18.12-25.45; p 0.001) de los malnutridos (MN). El riesgo de muerte se asoció a la malnutrición HR 2.45 (IC95% 1.75-3.43; p 0.001). Luego de ajustarlo por edad, sexo, fragilidad, AVD, índice de comorbilidades de Charlson y demencia, el riesgo se mantuvo HR 1.71 (IC95% 17-2.49; p = 0.005). Con respecto a la funcionalidad, la mediana de la escala de Parker (EP) basal para el grupo BN fue 9 (RIC6-9) y para MN fue 5 (RIC3-9) p 0.001, a los tres meses 6 (RIC3-6) y 4 (RIC2-6) p 0.001 y a los 12 meses 6 (RIC4-7) y 3 (RIC2-6) p 0.001. CONCLUSIONES: Existe asociación entre la malnutrición del anciano con fractura de cadera y su mortalidad al año, asimismo una diferencia en la funcionalidad motora.

Survival and functionality in the elderly over 85 years of age with hip fracture. / Supervivencia y funcionalidad en ancianos mayores de 85 años con fractura de cadera.

BACKGROUND: There is a tendency for the aging population to fracture their hips. Our aim was to compare survival and functionality at one year, among elderly and very elderly patients with hip fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients included in the Institutional Registry of Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture between 2014 and 2017. We classified patients as elderly patients (EP) <65 and <85 years and very elderly patients (VEP) ≥85 years. RESULTS: We included 952 patients, 43% were EP and 57% were VEP. The proportion of women was 84% and 86% (P=.33) and with 2 or more points in the Charlson comorbidities index (28 and 31%, P= .36), respectively. The VEP were more dependent according to the Barthel score (34% and 62%, P<.01) and frailer according to the Edmonton score (30% and 61%, P<.01). One-year survival was 91% (95% CI 86-93) in the EP and 76% (95% CI 70-89) in the VEP. In-hospital complications were more frequent in the VEP 12% (7% in the EP, P<.01). Age is an independent risk factor for one-year survival (HR 2.11; 95% CI 1.36-3.29, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age is a risk factor for the VEP group survival despite fragility and comorbidities. Because of their vulnerability, an appropriate care plan should be considered for VEP.

[Assessment of an educational intervention regarding blood cultures as process indicators in an emergency department in Argentina]. / Evaluación del impacto de una intervención educativa en indicadores de gestión de un servicio médico de urgencias de Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe 2 process indicators related to taking blood cultures (BC) in an Adult Emergency Department of a tertiary university hospital in Buenos Aires,and to describe the changes after a series of educational activities for health professionals was implemented during May 2016 as regards the appropriate indication of BC and the proper collection technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed to assess its effectiveness, which consecutively included all patients admitted during 2015-2016. The BC request rate was used as a process indicator, and the percentage of contaminated BCs and the true positives rate were used as quality indicators. Both were measured monthly and prospectively during the period of study. RESULTS: The annual adjusted rate of BC requests was 4.9% (95% CI 4.8-5) in 2015 and 2.9% (95% CI 2.8-2.9) in 2016. The rate of false positive (contaminated) BCs was 4.5% in 2015 and 4.3% after the educational intervention. The true positive BCs were 8.3% in 2015 and 12% post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings prove how important and effective the educational interventions are.

A biopsy of Breast Cancer mobile applications: state of the practice review.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The use of mobile software applications for health and wellbeing promotion has grown exponentially in recent years. We systematically reviewed the breast cancer apps available in today's leading smartphone application stores and characterized them based on their features, evidence base and target audiences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to characterize breast cancer apps from the two major smartphone app stores (iOS and Android). Apps that matched the keywords "breast cancer" were identified and data was extracted using a structured form. Reviewers independently evaluated the eligibility and independently classified the apps. RESULTS: A total of 1473 apps were a match. After removing duplicates and applying the selection criteria only 599 apps remained. Inter-rater reliability was determined using Fleiss-Cohen's Kappa. The majority of apps were free 471 (78.63%). The most common type of application was Disease and Treatment information apps (29.22%), Disease Management (19.03%) and Awareness Raising apps (15.03%). Close to 1 out of 10 apps dealt with alternative or homeopathic medicine. The majority of the apps were intended for patients (75.79%). Only one quarter of all apps (24.54%) had a disclaimer about usage and less than one fifth (19.70%) mentioned references or source material. Gamification specialists determined that 19.36% contained gamification elements. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzed a large number of breast cancer-focused apps available to consumers. There has been a steady increase of breast cancer apps over the years. The breast cancer app ecosystem largely consists of start-ups and entrepreneurs. Evidence base seems to be lacking in these apps and it would seem essential that expert medical personnel be involved in the creation of medical apps.

Central nervous system manganese induced lesions and clinical consequences in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND: Around 47-74% of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) have hepatic vascular malformations (HVMs); magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the central nervous system (CNS) might show in T1 sequences a hyper-intensity signal in different areas, mainly in the basal ganglia (BG) as consequence of manganese (Mn) deposits as observed in cirrhotic patients. These patients might suffer from different neuropsychiatric disorders (hepatic encephalopathy). In HHT patients, even in the presence of hepatic shunts, hepatocellular function is usually preserved. Additionally, Mn shares iron absorption mechanisms, transferrin and CNS transferrin receptors. In iron deficiency conditions, the Mn may harbor transferrin and access BG. The objectives were to describe frequency of BG Mn deposit-induced lesions (BGMnIL) in HHT patients, its relationship with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and HVMs. Finally, explore the association between neuropsychological and motor consequences. We performed a cross-sectional study. We determined HHT patients with or without BG-MnIL by the MRI screening of the CNS. We included all patients with lesions and a random sample of those without lesions. All patients underwent standardized and validated neuropsychological assessment to evaluate BG actions. Results were analyzed with multiple logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 307 participants from a cohort included in the Institutional HHT Registry, 179 patients had MRI performed and Curaçao Criteria ≥3. The prevalence of BG-MnIL was 34.6% (95%CI 27.69-42.09). While neuropsychological symptoms were present in all patients, BG-MnIL patients performed poorly in three of the neuropsychological tests (serial dotting, line tracing time, number connection test A). HVMs frequency in BG-MnIL was 95.1%, versus 71.4% in those without lesions (p < 0.001). IDA frequency was 90.3% versus 54% (p < 0.001). When IDA is present, estimated risk for BG-MnIL is remarkably high (OR 7.73, 95%CI 2.23-26.73). After adjustment for possible confounders (gender, age, presence of HVMs), IDA was still associated with increased risk of BG-MnIL (adjusted OR 6.32, 95% CI 2.32-17.20; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should assess BG-MnIL in HHT patients in CNS-MRI. IDA and HVMs present increased risk of lesions. Patients with BG-MnIL have neuropsychological impairment, and they might benefit from sparing IDA, or undergoing future therapeutic options. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01761981 . Registered January 3rd 2013.

[How does sleep deprivation during 24 hours on call duty affect the cognitive performance orthopaedic residents?]. / ¿Cómo afecta la privación de sueño durante una guardia de 24 horas las funciones cognitivas de los residentes de ortopedia y traumatología?

INTRODUCTION: Sleep deprivation is usually present in residents during their training program. The purpose of our study was to analyze the cognitive performance of a group of orthopaedic residents before and after 24 hours on call duty. METHODS: We include orthopaedic residents and their cognitive functions were evaluated by the following tests: Continuous Performance Test (CPT 2), Digit Spam (Versión 5), 1 letter Fonologic Fluence y Pasat Test. All the tests were done after a sleeping period at home of at least 6 hours and after being on call (sleeping less than 3 hours). RESULTS: Nineteen residents were included in the study. The median age was 27 ± 1.89 and 15 were male. The mean hours of sleeping at home was 6.5 (range 6-8) and after on call duty was 1.5 (range 0.5-3). Statistical difference were found in CPT 2 test en terms of correct answers (p=0.007), omissions (p=0.004) and perseverations (p=0.036). No significant differences were found in the other tests. CONCLUSION: Sleep deprivation after 24 hours on call duty affects cognitive performance of orthopaedic residents, increasing the number of errors and omissions.

Incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Buenos Aires City, Argentina.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Epidemiologic studies of incidence and prevalence in Parkinson's Disease (PD) show highly variable results. Despite the large number of studies performed worldwide during the last decades, little is known about its prevalence in South America and no incidence studies have been performed. The goal of this study is to assess the incidence and prevalence of PD in a health maintenance organization from Buenos Aires City, the capital city of Argentina. METHODS: The population were all members of the 'Plan de Salud, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires', a large prepaid health medical organization in Buenos Aires. From 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2008 patients diagnosed with PD according to Brain Bank of London diagnostic criteria were identified retrospectively. Incidence density was calculated with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Hundred and forty thousand people were followed for a total of 754,082 person-years. A total of 239 incident cases of PD were identified. Crude incidence density was 31.2/100,000 person-years. Prevalence was 394/100,000 in the population older than 40 years. Male to female ratio was 1.31. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in South America that estimates the incidence of PD. Our results are consistent with other studies from other regions using similar methodologies.