Complexity of needs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients using the ENP-E scale in the north-eastern region of Spain.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in Spain's north-eastern region, their inclusion in chronic care programmes, and their psychosocial and spiritual needs (PSNs). METHODS: A longitudinal descriptive study in adult patients with ALS. We analyzed clinical variables and participation in chronicity and PSNs assessment using the tool Psychosocial and Spiritual Needs Evaluation scale in end-of-life patients (ENP-E scale). RESULTS: 81 patients (average age 65.6 ± 11.7) were studied. At the study's outset, 29.7% employed non-invasive ventilation (NIV), increasing to 51.9% by its conclusion. Initial percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) utilization was 14.8%, rising to 35.85%. Chronic care programme participation was as follows: home care (24.7% initially, 50.6% end), palliative care (16% initially, 40.7% end), case management (13.6% initially, 50.6% end), and advance care planning registration (6.2% initially, 35.8% end). At study start, 47.8% of patients (n = 46) showed moderate-to-severe complexity in PSNs assessment using the ENP-E scale, without showing differences in age, sex, and time of evolution; whereas, on the evolutionary analysis, it was 75% (n = 24). A higher evolutionary complexity was observed in males <60 and >70 years, with no PEG and evolution of ALS of <2 and ≥5 years, and not included in chronicity programmes. When assessing concerns, physical pain and family aspects stand out in all measurements. Forty-eight percent of patients at study start and 71% at end of study showed external signs of emotional distress. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Most ALS patients showed a high degree of complexity and were not integrated in chronicity programmes. A "care path" is proposed to integrate ALS patients in these programmes and systematically assess their needs.

Predictive capacity of FRAX in a spanish region with a hip fracture rate close to the national mean.

BACKGROUND: It is known that standardized incidence rates of hip fracture vary among older people in Spain. So far, the results published on the validation of the FRAX® tool in Spain have suggested that the major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) risk in our country is underestimated. These studies have practically been based on Spanish cohorts evaluated in Catalonia, a higher hip fracture rate area. The purpose of this study is to analyse the ability of the FRAX® in a Spanish mid-fracture rate population. METHODS: Study design: Retrospective cohort study. MEASURES: MOFs: hip, humerus, wrist, spine fractures. Risk of fracture assessed by calculating odds ratios (ORs). Predictive capacity of FRAX® according to the osteoporotic fractures observed between 2009 and 2018 (ObsFr) to predicted by FRAX® without densitometry in 2009 (PredFr) ratio. RESULTS: 285 participants (156 women, 54.7%) with a mean ± SD of 61.5 ± 14 years. Twenty-four people sustained 27 fractures (15 MOFs). Significant ORs were observed for an age ≥ 65 (2.92; 95% CI, 1.07-7.96), female sex (3.18; 95% CI, 1.24-8.16), rheumatoid arthritis (0.62; 95% CI, 2.03-55.55), proton pump (2.71; 95% CI, 1.20-6.09) and serotonin reuptake (2.51; 95% CI, 1.02-6.16) inhibitors. The ObsFr/PredFr ratio in women were 1.12 (95% CI, 0.95-1.29) for MOFs and 0.47 (95% CI, 0-0.94) for hip fractures. Men had a ratio of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.01-1.14) for MOF, no hip fractures were observed. The ratios for the overall group were 1.29 (95% CI, 1.12-1.48) for MOFs and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.22-1.17) for hip fractures. CONCLUSIONS: FRAX® accurately predicted MOFs in women population with a hip fracture incidence rate close to the national mean compared to previous studies conducted in higher incidence regions in Spain.

Incidencia de la fractura de fémur en España (1997-2010) / Incidence of hip fracture in Spain (1997-2010)

Fundamento y objetivo: Analizar las diferencias en la incidencia de fractura de fémur en mayores de 65 años en las 17 comunidades autónomas (CC. AA.) del estado español en el período de 1997-2010. Material y métodos: Estudio ecológico, observacional y retrospectivo que incluye a las personas ≥ 65 años que han presentado una fractura del tercio proximal de fémur en España durante 14 años. Estos registros provienen del conjunto mínimo básico de datos de los pacientes atendidos en el conjunto de hospitales de España. Resultados: Se analizan 534.043 fracturas de fémur en personas ≥ 65 años (414.518 en mujeres y 119.525 en varones). En ≥ 75 años ocurrieron el 85,4% (86,7% en mujeres; 80,7% en varones). La tasa ajustada/100.000/año fue de 722,6 en mujeres y 284,8 en varones. Por encima de la media en mujeres hay 7 CC. AA., y destacan: Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana y Castilla-La Mancha. Por debajo de la media hay 6 CC. AA., y destacan: Canarias y Galicia. La diferencia entre CC. AA. con mayor y menor tasa de fractura ajustada por población es un 44% menor en mujeres (Canarias frente a Castilla-La Mancha) y un 50% menor en varones (Galicia frente a Cataluña). Conclusiones: La incidencia de fractura de fémur en España en ≥ 65 años muestra una importante variabilidad entre CC. AA. y, por tanto, entre zonas geográficas. Excepto en Canarias, esta variabilidad es difícil de explicar solo por factores como la edad de la población, la exposición solar o el gradiente norte-sur. Son necesarios estudios que analicen las causas de estas importantes diferencias entre CC. AA. Españolas (AU)

Background and objective: To analyse differences in the incidence of hip fracture in people older than 65 years in the 17 autonomous communities (AA. CC.) (regions) of the Spanish state in the 1997-2010 period. Material and methods: Ecological, observational and retrospective study that includes people ≥ 65 year old who have suffered a hip fracture in Spain over 14 years. These records are taken from the minimum basic data set of patients treated in all hospitals of Spain. Results: The analysis include 534,043 hip fractures in ≥ 65 year olds (414,518 women and 119,525 men). A percentage of 85.4 of hip fractures occurred in people ≥ 75 years (86.7% women; 80.7% men). The adjusted hip fracture rate/100,000/year was 722.6 in women and 284.8 in men. AA. CC. with women above the average of the country were 7, including Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana and Castilla-La Mancha. Six AA. CC. had patients below the average, including Canary Islands and Galicia. In AA. CC. with highest and lowest adjusted hip fracture rate/100,000/year, the difference was 44% lower in women (Canary vs. Castilla-La Mancha) and 50% lower in men (Galicia vs. Catalonia). Conclusions: The analysis of the incidence of hip fracture in Spain in people ≥ 65 year old shows a significant variability between AA. CC. Except in Canary Islands, this variability is difficult to explain only by factors such as population age, sun exposure or north-south gradient. Additional studies are needed to analyse the causes of these important differences between Spanish AA. CC (AU)

[Incidence of hip fracture in Spain (1997-2010)]. / Incidencia de la fractura de fémur en España (1997-2010).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyse differences in the incidence of hip fracture in people older than 65 years in the 17 autonomous communities (AA. CC.) (regions) of the Spanish state in the 1997-2010 period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ecological, observational and retrospective study that includes people≥65 year old who have suffered a hip fracture in Spain over 14 years. These records are taken from the minimum basic data set of patients treated in all hospitals of Spain. RESULTS: The analysis include 534,043 hip fractures in≥65 year olds (414,518 women and 119,525 men). A percentage of 85.4 of hip fractures occurred in people≥75 years (86.7% women; 80.7% men). The adjusted hip fracture rate/100,000/year was 722.6 in women and 284.8 in men. AA. CC. with women above the average of the country were 7, including Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana and Castilla-La Mancha. Six AA. CC. had patients below the average, including Canary Islands and Galicia. In AA. CC. with highest and lowest adjusted hip fracture rate/100,000/year, the difference was 44% lower in women (Canary vs. Castilla-La Mancha) and 50% lower in men (Galicia vs. Catalonia). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the incidence of hip fracture in Spain in people≥65 year old shows a significant variability between AA. CC. Except in Canary Islands, this variability is difficult to explain only by factors such as population age, sun exposure or north-south gradient. Additional studies are needed to analyse the causes of these important differences between Spanish AA. CC.

[Usefulness of FRAX tool for the management of osteoporosis in the Spanish female population]. / Utilidad de la herramienta FRAX en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis en población femenina española.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoporotic fractures involve a significant consumption of health resources. Bone densitometry has been essential in the management of osteoporosis. However, for fracture absolute risk prediction, other important clinical risk factors are also important. WHO published a risk estimation tool (FRAX), and the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) reported thresholds for densitometry assessment based on cost-effectivity criteria. Our goal is to determine the diagnostic predictive validity of FRAX in our population, and to assess how its use (according to NOGG guidelines) would modify the current number of referrals to DXA scan in our health system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Diagnostic validation study in a consecutive sample of 1,650 women, 50 to 90 years old, under no treatment with anti-resortives, from the FRIDEX cohort. DXA and a questionnaire regarding risk factors were performed. ROC curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess FRAX's diagnostic validity for femoral neck osteoporosis (FNOP). Risk of fracture was calculated using FRAX pre and postDXA, and women were classified according to their risk, following NOGG recommendations. RESULTS: FRAX's ROC AUC for FNOP was 0.812 for major fracture and 0.832 for hip fracture. Using FRAX according to NOGG would result in performing only 25.2% of the current tests. If we added previous fracture antecedent to the algorithm, 49.4% of the tests performed would be advised. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NOGG thresholds applied to FRAX would reduce about 50% the current number of referrals to DXA scan in our population. FRAX has a good diagnostic validity for FNOP.