[Pneumonitis associated to methotrexate]. / Neumonitis secundaria a metotrexate.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid antagonist that inhibits cellular reproduction. MTX has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Acute interstitial pneumonitis is the main pulmonary side effect during MTX treatment. We report a case of MTX pneumonitis in a 56-year old woman with autoimmune thrombocytopenia who presented with subacute nonproductive cough, dyspnea at rest, fever, and malaise. Chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral diffuse interstitial and alveolar infiltration. Infectious diseases were ruled out and methotrexate-induced pneumonitis was suspected. MTX was discontinued and methylprednisolone was prescribed. Patient improved progressively. After eight weeks, radiologic abnormalities and symptoms had disappeared.

Neumonitis secundaria a metotrexate / Pneumonitis associated to methotrexate

El metotrexate (MTX) es un antagonista del ácido fólico que inhibe la reproducción celular. El MTX es actualmente utilizado como antiinflamatorio en diferentes procesos. La neumonitis intersticial aguda es el principal efecto secundario pulmonar que ocurre en pacientes tratados con MTX. Describimos el caso de una neumonitis asociada a MTX en una mujer de 56 años con trombopenia autoinmune, que presentó de forma subaguda tos no productiva, disnea de reposo, fiebre y afectación del estado general. En la radiografía de tórax se observaba una afectación intersticial bilateral difusa e infiltración alveolar. Se descartó una causa infecciosa del cuadro y ante la sospecha de neumonitis asociada a MTX, se procedió a su retirada. Se administró metilprednisolona, observándose una mejoría progresiva. Tras ocho semanas las alteraciones clínicas y radiológicas habían desaparecido

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid antagonist that inhibits cellular reproduction. MTX has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Acute interstitial pneumonitis is the main pulmonary side effect during MTX treatment. We report a case of MTX pneumonitis in a 56-year old woman with autoimmune thrombocytopenia who presented with subacute non productive cough, dyspnea at rest, fever, and malaise. Chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral diffuse interstitial and alveolar infiltration. Infectious diseases were ruled out and methotrexte-induced pneumonitis was suspected. MTX was discontinuated and methylprednisolone was prescribed. Patient improved progressively. After eight weeks, radiologic abnormalities and symptoms had disappeared

Muerte súbita y hemocromatosis / Sudden disease and hemochromatosis

No disponible

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy with biventricular thrombi]. / Miocardiopatía periparto con trombosis biventricular.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare cause of congestive heart failure which develops in the last month of pregnancy or during five months postpartum in women without previously known cardiac disease. Intraventricular thrombi are no unusual and can be identified by echocardiography. We report the case of a woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy whose echocardiographic study showed the presence of biventricular thrombi. This is a quite rare finding with only two cases reported in the literature. Diagnosis, treatment and special situations that could predispose to intracardiac thrombi formation are discussed.

Miocardiopatía periparto con trombosis biventricular / Peripartum cardiomyopathy with biventricular thrombi

La miocardiopatía periparto es una causa poco frecuente de insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva que se desarrolla durante el último mes de embarazo o en los 5 primeros meses del puerperio en mujeres sin cardiopatía previa conocida. La presencia de trombosis intraventricular no es infrecuente y puede ser identificada mediante ecocardiografía. Presentamos el caso de una paciente afecta de miocardiopatía periparto en la cual el ecocardiograma demostró la presencia de trombosis biventricular, hallazgo excepcional dado que sólo se recogen otros 2 casos en la literatura. Comentamos brevemente el diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta patología y las circunstancias especiales que pueden favorecer la formación de trombos en estas pacientes (AU)

Programa de detección precoz de cáncer de mama. Resultados de proceso e indicadores de impacto (1990-2002) / Breast cancer screening program. Results of the process and impact indicators (1990-2002)

Fundamento. Existe un consenso general en la recomendación de aplicar con carácter poblacional programas de cribado de cáncer de mama. El Departamento de Salud puso en marcha en el año 1990 un Programa de Detección Precoz de Cáncer de Mama, con el objetivo de disminuir la mortalidad por este tumor, que en este momento está finalizando su séptima vuelta. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar los resultados obtenidos, describiendo los principales indicadores de proceso y predictores de impacto según los factores más determinantes. Material y métodos. Se han recopilado los datos de las exploraciones de cribado realizadas desde el comienzo del programa hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2002 clasificando por edad en el momento de la exploración, tipo de exploración y vuelta. Resultados. Durante el período se han realizado 354.575 exploraciones. Indicadores de proceso: en el 11,22 por ciento se recomendó realizar una exploración adicional. El 0,67 por ciento de las mujeres han sido enviadas a unidades hospitalarias para valoración diagnóstica. Se ha confirmado un tumor maligno en el 0,34 por ciento de las mujeres exploradas. A 8,37 por ciento de las mujeres se les ha recomendado realizar una exploración intermedia antes de la nueva de cribado. Indicadores predictores de impacto: la captación global es de 88,68 por ciento, la participación global de 87,91 por ciento y la adherencia al programa de 96,32 por ciento. La tasa de detección alcanza la cifra de 3,95 por 1.000 mujeres exploradas. De los tumores detectados, 19,17 por ciento son intraductales, y 37,23 por ciento de los invasivos tienen un tamaño igual o inferior a 10 mm. El 74,89 por ciento del total de tumores no presenta invasión ganglionar. Conclusiones. Considerando las referencias que para programas de cribado establece la Unión Europea, todos los indicadores predictores calculados superan los estándares exigidos (AU)

[Breast cancer screening program. Results of the process and impact indicators (1990-2002)]. / Programa de detección precoz de cáncer de mama. Resultados de proceso e indicadores de impacto (1990-2002).

BACKGROUND: There is a general consensus on the recommendation of applying breast cancer screening programs to the population. In March 1990, the Health Department set in motion a Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer, with the aim of reducing mortality due to this tumour. At present, the program is reaching the end of its seventh round. The present study aims to analyze the results obtained, describing the principal indicators of the process and the impact predictions according to the most determinant factors. METHODS: Data was collected for the screening explorations carried out from the start of the program up until December 31st 2002; the data was classified according to age at the time of exploration, type of exploration and round. RESULTS: During the period, 354,575 explorations were carried out. Process indicators: an additional exploration was recommended for 11.22% of the women. Naught point sixty seven percent (0.67%) of the women were sent to hospital units for a diagnostic evaluation. A malignant tumour was confirmed in 0.34% of the women subjected to exploration. It was recommended that 8.37% of the women should carry out an intermediate exploration before the next call from the screening program. Predictive impact indicators: global recruitment was 88.68%; global participation 87.91%; and adherence to the program was 96.32%. The rate of detection reached the figure of 3.95 per 1,000 women explored. Of the tumours detected: 19.17% were intraductal and 37.23% of the invasive tumours had a size equal to or below 10mm. Seventy-four point eighty nine percent (74.89%) of total tumours did not show ganglionary invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the references established by the European Union for screening programs, all of the calculated predictive indicators exceed the required standards.

Diversity of dietary patterns observed in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the diversity in dietary patterns existing across centres/regions participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Single 24-hour dietary recall measurements were obtained by means of standardised face-to-face interviews using the EPIC-SOFT software. These have been used to present a graphic multi-dimensional comparison of the adjusted mean consumption of 22 food groups. SUBJECTS: In total, 35 955 men and women, aged 35-74 years, participating in the EPIC nested calibration study. RESULTS: Although wide differences were observed across centres, the countries participating in EPIC are characterised by specific dietary patterns. Overall, Italy and Greece have a dietary pattern characterised by plant foods (except potatoes) and a lower consumption of animal and processed foods, compared with the other EPIC countries. France and particularly Spain have more heterogeneous dietary patterns, with a relatively high consumption of both plant foods and animal products. Apart from characteristics specific to vegetarian groups, the UK 'health-conscious' group shares with the UK general population a relatively high consumption of tea, sauces, cakes, soft drinks (women), margarine and butter. In contrast, the diet in the Nordic countries, The Netherlands, Germany and the UK general population is relatively high in potatoes and animal, processed and sweetened/refined foods, with proportions varying across countries/centres. In these countries, consumption of vegetables and fruit is similar to, or below, the overall EPIC means, and is low for legumes and vegetable oils. Overall, dietary patterns were similar for men and women, although there were large gender differences for certain food groups. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable differences in food group consumption and dietary patterns among the EPIC study populations. This large heterogeneity should be an advantage when investigating the relationship between diet and cancer and formulating new aetiological hypotheses related to dietary patterns and disease.

Dietary intake of vegetables and fruits among adults in five regions of Spain. EPIC Group of Spain. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the consumption of vegetables and fruits (V&F) in adults from five regions in Spain according to sex, age and educational level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study within the members of the EPIC cohort in Spain. SETTING: Three regions of the north of Spain (Asturias, Guipúzcoa and Navarra) and two regions of the south of Spain (Granada and Murcia). SUBJECTS: 41448 healthy volunteers (15365 men, 25813 women), aged 29-69 y. INTERVENTIONS: Information on habitual diet during the previous year was collected by means of a computerised version of a diet history questionnaire. RESULTS: Among men, the mean daily consumption of vegetables and of fruits was 273.7 g (3.4 servings) and 348.3 g (4.4 servings) respectively. Among women, the corresponding vegetables and fruit intakes per day were 244.4g (3.1 servings) and 349.4g (4.4 servings). The total V&F intake tended to increase with age and educational level. Overall, 74% of subjects consumed 400 g/d (5 servings) of vegetables and fruit. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of vegetables and fruits in healthy adults in Spain is considerably higher than in most European countries and the United States; this complies with what is considered to be the Mediterranean diet. Despite some regional differences, there were no clearly differentiated patterns of V&F intake between southern and northern regions within Spain.