Osimertinib treatment based on plasma T790M monitoring in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): EORTC Lung Cancer Group 1613 APPLE phase II randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The APPLE trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of longitudinal plasma epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M monitoring for the best sequencing strategy of gefitinib and osimertinib. METHODS: APPLE is a randomized, non-comparative, phase II study in patients with common EGFR-mutant, treatment-naive non-small-cell lung cancer including three arms: arm A (osimertinib upfront until RECIST progression, PD), arm B [gefitinib until emergence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) EGFR T790M mutation by cobas EGFR test v2 or RECIST PD], and arm C (gefitinib until RECIST PD), and then switch to osimertinib in both arms. The primary endpoint is the progression-free survival (PFS) rate 'on osimertinib' at 18 months (PFSR-OSI-18) after randomization in arm B (H0: PFSR-OSI-18 of ≤40%). Secondary endpoints include response rate, overall survival (OS), and brain PFS. We report the results of arms B and C. RESULTS: From November 2017 to February 2020, 52 and 51 patients were randomized into arms B and C, respectively. Most patients were females (70%) and had EGFR Del19 (65%); one-third had baseline brain metastases. In arm B, 17% of patients (8/47) switched to osimertinib based on the emergence of ctDNA T790M mutation before RECIST PD, with a median time to molecular PD of 266 days. The study met its primary endpoint of PFSR-OSI-18 of 67.2% (84% confidence interval 56.4% to 75.9%) in arm B versus 53.5% (84% confidence interval 42.3% to 63.5%) in arm C, with a median PFS of 22.0 months versus 20.2 months, respectively. The median OS was not reached in arm B versus 42.8 months in arm C. Median brain PFS in arms B and C was 24.4 and 21.4 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The serial monitoring of ctDNA T790M status in advanced EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer during treatment with first-generation EGFR inhibitors was feasible, and a molecular progression before RECIST PD led to an earlier switch to osimertinib in 17% of patients with satisfactory PFS and OS outcomes.

The factors associated with the trend in incidence of Bacteraemia and associated mortality over 30 years.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported increased incidence of BSI over the past decades and indicate that it is necessary to investigate the causes. The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting trends in the incidence of bacteraemias and associated mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study assessing prospectively collected data of all clinically significant bacteraemias between 1991 and 2020 in a 450-bed hospital. We determined the evolution of bacteraemia-associated incidence, adjusted 30-day mortality and performed multivariable logistic regression to compare the evolution of variables associated with mortality between 5-year periods. RESULTS: 6777 episodes were included, 59.7% males, age 66.5 ± 18.2, 39.4% ≥ 75 years. The incidence total increased: 43.8/100,000/year in 1991-1995 to 205 in 2016-2020; community-acquired bacteraemia (24.9 to 139) and hospital-acquired (0.36/1000 inpatients-days to 1.09). Bacteraemia with source in vascular catheter, urinary and biliary tract increased. The 30-day mortality rate of patients was 1179/6777 (17.4%) in the whole series and population-adjusted mortality incidence increased from 11.4/100,000 in 1991-1996 to 28.4 in 2016-2020 (RR 2.49, 95% CI 2.01-3.08). Mortality was higher in men (18.2% vs 16.3%) and those over 74 years (22.2% vs 14.3%). Appropriate empirical antimicrobial treatment improved (66.5% to 73.1%), 30-day mortality of patients decreased from 26.1 to 13.9%. When comparing the evolution of the factors associated with mortality between 1991 and 1996 vs 2016-2020, the frequency of some variables associated with higher mortality increased: male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1,74), age (OR 1.02, 1.01-10.3), immunosuppressive treatment (OR 3.1, 2.09-4.6), polymicrobial bacteraemia (OR 1.76, 1.12-2.79), and others decreased: severe sepsis/septic shock (OR 0.70, 0.52-0.93), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis (OR 0.06, 0.02-0.23), endocarditis (OR 0.54, 0.35-0.83); on the other hand, the frequency of factors associated with lower mortality increased: urinary (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.23-2.27) and bile tract source (OR 1.59, 1.04-2.43), and adequate empirical treatment (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.83). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bacteraemia increased due to more elderly, co-morbid patients undergoing procedures and more device related bacteraemia. The percentage of mortality decreased because adequate empirical treatment improved, decreased spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis and endocarditis, and increased bacteraemia of urinary and biliary tract source.

Analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins expression in a series of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients.

BACKGROUND: Promising results have been reported with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in a small proportion of MPM patients. MMR deficiency (dMMR) has been well described in several malignancies and was approved as a biomarker for anti-PD-1 inhibitors. Next generation sequencing (NGS) data demonstrated that 2% of MPM harbor microsatellite instability. The aim of this study is to characterize MMR by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a series of MPM including a subset of patients treated with immunotherapy. METHODS: Tumors of 159 MPM p diagnosed between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was stained for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 and tumors were classified as dMMR (MMR protein expression negative) and MMR intact (all MMR proteins positively expressed). We retrospectively collected clinical outcomes under standard chemotherapy and experimental immunotherapy in the entire cohort. RESULTS: MMR protein expression was analyzed in 158 samples with enough tissue and was positive in all of the cases. Twenty two patients received ICI with anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD-1 blockade in clinical trials, 58% had a response or stable disease for more than 6 m, with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.7 m (2.1-26.1 m). The median overall survival (mOS) in all population was 15 months (m) (13.5-18.8 m). In a multivariable model factors associated to improved mOS were PS 0, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) < 5 and epithelioid histology (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our series we were unable to identify any MPM patient with dMMR by IHC. Further studies are needed to elucidate potential predictive biomarkers of ICI benefit in MPM.

Long-term efficacy of 6-month therapy with isoniazid and rifampin compared with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide treatment for pleural tuberculosis.

Research into anti-tuberculosis treatment has mainly focused on pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), with few studies on pleural-TB. The aim of the study is to compare the long-term efficacy of a 6-month treatment regimen with isoniazid and rifampicin (6HR) with treatment regimen of isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide (6HR2Z) for pleural-TB. A case-control study of 200 HIV-negative patients with pleural-TB prospectively followed in our TB-unit from 1995 to 2018. The primary resistance to isoniazid is < 4% in our geographic area. Pleural-TB diagnosis was based on a positive culture for M. tuberculosis (84 patients), presence of caseating granulomas in pleural biopsy (28), or characteristics of pleural fluid (88). A comparative study of demographic and clinical characteristics between the treatment groups was carried out. Out of the 200 patients followed, (112 males, 88 females; mean age 32.9 ± 18.4 years), 99 patients were treated with 6HR regimen and 101 with 6HR2Z. The groups were comparable, except the 6HR2Z had larger size of pleural effusion. All patients completed the treatment. The group treated with 6HR presented fewer adverse effects (15.3%) than 6HR2Z group (33%), p = 0.005, and lower frequency of severe hepatic toxicity (5% vs 10.9%). Four patients died from causes other than TB during treatment with 6HR2Z, and all other patients were cured during a monitoring period for 8.4 years (IQRs, 3.3-14.3). Six patients in 6HR and 10 in 6HR2Z developed residual pachypleuritis. 6HR is as effective as 6HR2Z treatment for pleural-TB, with fewer adverse effects.

Quality of life improvement with allergen immunotherapy treatment in patients with rhinoconjunctivitis in real life conditions. Results of an observational prospective study (ÍCARA).

Summary: Objectives. Evaluate the changes in quality of life of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR), with or without asthma, after one-year treatment with allergen immunotherapy. Methods. This was an observational prospective multicenter study. RQLQ questionnaire and VAS scale to assess treatment satisfaction were used. Impact on AR and asthma was also analyzed. Any adverse reaction was recorded. Results. 127 patients were recruited. Mean values in RQLQ decreased from 2.61 to 1.34 points, reflecting a statistically and clinically significant improvement (p minor 0.01). The percentage of asthmatic patients decreased significantly (p minor 0.01). Mean value of patients' satisfaction was 7.24 (SD = 1.90). Only 11 patients presented systemic reactions (9.17%), none of them serious. Conclusions. One-year AIT treatment significantly increases QoL in patients with AR. Moreover, high patients' satisfaction values were reported, together with an adequate safety profile.

Meropenem antimicrobial stewardship program: clinical, economic, and antibiotic resistance impact.

There are few prospective studies with sufficient duration in time to evaluate clinical and antibiotic resistance impact of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP). This is a descriptive study between January 2012 and December 2017, pre-post intervention. A meropenem ASP was initiated in January 2015; in patients who started treatment with meropenem, an infectious disease physician performed treatment recommendations to prescribers. Prospective information was collected to evaluate adequacy of meropenem prescription to local guidelines and to compare results between cases with accepted or rejected intervention. Analysis was performed to verify variables associated with intervention acceptance and with any significant change in meropenem consumption, hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant (MDR) bloodstream infections (BSIs), and 30-day all-cause crude death in MDR BSIs. Adequacy of meropenem prescription and de-escalation from meropenem treatment to narrower-spectrum antibiotic improved progressively over time, after ASP implementation (p < 0.001). Interventions on prescription were performed in 330 (38.7%) patients without meropenem justified treatment; in 269, intervention was accepted and in 61 not. Intervention acceptance was associated with shorter duration of treatment, cost, and inpatient days (p < 0.05); intervention rejection was not associated with severity of patient. During the period 2015-2017, meropenem consumption decreased compared with 2012-2014 (rate ratio [RR] 0.67; 95% CI 0.58-0.77, p < 0.001). Also decreased were hospital-acquired MDR BSI rate (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.38-1.02, p = 0,048) and 30-day all-cause crude death in MDR BSIs (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.14-1.24, p = 0.096), coinciding in time with ASP start-up. The decrease and better use of meropenem achieved had a sustained clinical, economic, and ecological impact, reducing costs and mortality of hospital-acquired MDR BSIs.

Hidromorfona: una alternativa en el tratamiento del dolor / Hydromorphone: an option in the treatment of pain

Los analgésicos opioides constituyen uno de los pilares fundamentales en el tratamiento farmacológico del dolor moderado-grave, especialmente en el dolor agudo y el crónico oncológico. La molécula de hidromorfona es estructuralmente muy similar a la morfina, se puede administrar tanto por vía enteral como por vía parenteral, y se une principal-mente a los receptores opioides μ y en menor grado a los receptores δ. La unión a receptores tipo u es la causa del efecto analgésico, así como de los efectos secundarios. La hidromorfona se encuentra disponible en presentaciones de liberación inmediata y prolongada durante 12 o 24 horas. Recientemente, se ha comercializado en España una preparación de liberación sostenida durante 24 horas que utilizan el sistema OROS Puhs-Pull®. En el tratamiento del dolor agudo, la evidencia clínica demuestra que la hidromorfona presenta una equivalencia analgésica similar a otros opiodes. Respecto al tratamiento del dolor oncológico, se ha evaluado respecto a otros opioides y con diferentes formulaciones, y se ha observado que es un fármaco equivalente a la morfina en cuanto a eficacia analgésica y efectos secundarios. En el tratamiento del dolor crónico no oncológico, no hay ensayos clínicos controlados que otorguen evidencia científica a la hidromorfona en estos pacientes. Como conclusión, la hidromorfona presenta un perfil farmacológico, propiedades analgésicas y efectos secundarios similares a la morfina, todavía persisten ciertas controversias en lo referente a las dosis equianalgésicas entre la hidromorfona y la morfina y entre la dosis oral y la parenteral (AU)

The analgesics opioids are one of the fundamental props in the pharmacological treatment of the moderate and severe pain, particularly in chronic oncology pain. The hydromorphone molecule is structurally very similar to morphine and it may be administered enterally or parenterally. It binds mainly to μ opioid receptors and to a lesser extent to δ receptors. The binding to the μ receptor is responsible for the analgesic effect as well as for the appearance of side effects. Hydromorphone is available in 12-hour and 24-hour slow-release presentations. A 24-hour sustained release preparation has recently come available on the market in Spain which uses the OROS push-pull system. In the treatment of the acute pain, the clinical evidence demonstrates that hydromorphone has similar analgesic equivalence to other opioids. Treatment of oncological pain has been evaluated compared to other opioids and with different formulations, demonstrating it to be a drug equivalent to morphine as regards its analgesic effectiveness and side effects. There are no controlled clinical trials on the use of hydromorphone in the treatment of chronic nononcological pain. Conclusions, hydromorphone has a pharmacological profile, analgesic properties and side effects similar to morphine, but there is still controversy as regards hydromorphone-morphine equivalent doses and the oral-parenteral dose (AU)

Relación entre consumo de fármacose hipopotasemia en atención primaria / No disponible

Objetivo. Describir la relación entre la hipopotasemia y el consumo de fármacos en el ámbito de la atenciónprimaria. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo realizado en el conjunto del área de saludde Albacete sobre el año 2007. Se recogió información sobre los niveles de potasio sérico (Hospital General deAlbacete), la prescripción farmacéutica (Digitalis) y datos demográficos (Turriano) de los pacientes seleccionados.Los datos fueron codificados, depurados y analizados mediante el programa estadístico SPSS(versión 13.0), y se realizó un análisis descriptivo y un análisis estadístico (prueba de la t de Student yprueba de la ji al cuadrado). Resultados. Se encontraron 310 pacientes con el potasio plasmático disminuidodurante el periodo de estudio, de los que 231 habían consumido algún fármaco capaz de producir hipopotasemia.Los grupos de fármacos más consumidos por los pacientes fueron los diuréticos no ahorradores depotasio (63,9% del total de pacientes), los beta-2-agonistas (13,2%), los laxantes (13,2%) y los alfa-antagonistas(9%). Conclusiones. Dado que consideramos la hipopotasemia como una condición clínica que puede tenerrepercusiones graves y dado que los grupos farmacológicos mencionados se prescriben ampliamente en atenciónprimaria, creemos que convendría hacer determinaciones periódicas de los niveles de potasio a lospacientes que toman este tipo de medicamentos, para evitar de este modo las complicaciones asociadas a laaparición de hipopotasemia severa o grave (AU)

Objective. to describe the relationship between hypokalemia and the consumption of drugs in the field ofprimary care. Material and Method. retrospective descriptive study in the year 2007 in the ensemble ofHealth Care Services of Albacete. The data regarding the levels of serum potassium (H.G. Albacete), pharmaceuticalprescriptions (Digitalis) and the demographic data (Turriano) of the selected patients was collected.The data was codified, refined and analysed with SPSS v13.0: descriptive analysis and statistical analysis:Student’s t test and Chi-square test. Results. during the period of the study decreased plasma potassium wasfound in 310 patients, 231 of whom had taken some kind of drug capable of producing hypokalemia. The druggroups most consumed in this type of patients were non-potassium-sparing diuretics (63.9% of the totalpatients), beta-2-agonists (13.2%), laxatives (13.2%) and alfa-antagonists (9%). Conclusions. consideringhypokalemia as a clinical condition that could have serious repercussions, and given that these groups ofmedicines are broadly prescribed in Primary Care, we consider it appropriate for the levels of potassium inpatients who consume this type of medication to be monitored periodically, in order to avoid complicationsassociated with the onset of severe or serious hypokalemia (AU)

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y estrategias de afrontamiento ante el dolor en pacientes atendidos por una unidad de tratamiento del dolor / Health -related quality of life and coping strategies with regard to pain, in patients attended in a unit of pain

Introducción: La Organización Mundial de la Salud, define la calidad de vida como: "la percepción del individuo de su situación en la vida, dentro del contexto cultural y de valores en el que vive, y en relación con sus objetivos, expectativas, valores e intereses". Por lo tanto para una valoración completa de los beneficios producidos por un determinado tratamiento, es esencial medir su impacto en el estado de salud del paciente, lo que se denomina calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Objetivos: Describir las diferentes patologías de dolor crónico no maligno de los pacientes que acuden por primera vez a una unidad del dolor (UTD) a lo largo de 6 meses y el tratamiento recibido. Conocer los cambios en la CVRS, intensidad del dolor, estrategias de afrontamiento y ansiedad/depresión al cabo de 6 meses de seguimiento de estos pacientes. Conocer la relación entre CVRS, afrontamiento, ansiedad/depresión e intensidad del dolor en estos pacientes. Conocer los cambios en las puntuaciones que miden los parámetros anteriores según los grupos diagnósticos. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo con medidas repetidas a los 6 meses respecto a la población de pacientes que acuden a la UTD del Hospital de Galdakao (Bizkaia) durante el 2º semestre del 2005. Se administran varios cuestionarios, de calidad de vida (SF-36), de afrontamiento (CAD-R), ansiedad y depresión (HAD) y la intensidad del dolor (EVA). Al cabo de 6 meses se vuelven a administrar y se recogen los diferentes tratamientos realizados en la UTD. Todos los procedimientos fueron realizados con el paquete estadístico SAS System v9.1, se asumió significación estadística cuando p < 0.05. Resultados y conclusiones: La muestra la conforman 119 pacientes, de ellos 93 completaron los cuestionarios al inicio del estudio y al cabo de 6 meses, por lo que presentamos un 21.85 % de pérdidas. Los resultados del estudio muestran que los pacientes refieren una mejoría significativa en los dominios rol físico, dolor corporal y vitalidad del SF-36 al cabo de 6 meses de su paso por la UTD. Se observa una tendencia a que disminuya la intensidad del dolor y la sintomatología depresiva, sin embargo la sintomatología ansiosa tiende a aumentar. Las estrategias de afrontamiento más utilizadas por la muestra son las activas. Existe una asociación negativa entre el estado de salud con la sintomatología de ansiedad, depresión y la intensidad del dolor. Dentro de los grupos diagnósticos el grupo de fibromialgia y dolor osteoarticular es el que peor evoluciona, tanto en parámetros de intensidad de dolor, como en sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva (AU)

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines the quality of life (QOL) as a subjective evaluation of the characteristics of a person life, a composite variable referring to an individual's subjective overall satisfaction with life, a multidimensional construct primarily based on a person's subjective appraisal of their physical, functional, emotional and social well-being. Therefore health-related quality of life (HRQOL) refers to the extent to which one's usual or expected physical, emotional and social well-being are affected by a medical condition or its treatment. Objectives: Describe the different pathology of chronic no malign pain in patients who go for the first time to Unit of pain during 6 months and the treatment receive. Know the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain intensity, coping strategies and anxiety/depression after six months. Know the relation between HRQL, coping strategies, anxiety/depression and pain intensity in these patients. Know the changes in valúes which measures previous parameters in depending of diagnostic groups. Material and methods: This work is descriptive with measures repeated after 6 months about the population of patients that go to a Unit of pain Galdakao's Hospital during the second part of 2005. Several questionnaires are administrated about quality of life (SF-36), coping strategies (CAD-R), anxiety/depression (HAD) and intensity of pain (EVA). The questionnaire SF-36, CAD-R, HAD, and EVA were administered again and were collected the different treatment given by unit of pain. All proceedings were realized with the statistics packet SAS System v9.1, we assumed statistic signification with p< 0.05. Results and conclusions: The sample is composed of 119 patients, 93 completed the questionnaires, at the beginning and 6 months after, so we have 21.8% lost. In the SF-36 the improvement is significative in domains role physical, corporal pain, vitality, mental health and the standard physical component. In the HAD anxiety values, increase and depression values decrease in a no significative mode. Pain intensitivity is modérate, decreases in a no significative mode. Coping strategies more used are autoafirmation and the look for information, 6 months after, coping strategies active are more used. We can see the negative association between quality of life with anxiety and depression and pain intensitivity. The worst group responding to treatment by Unit of Pain is fibromyalgia patients (AU)

Oxicodona en el dolor crónico no oncológico / Oxycodone for the treatment of chronic noncancer pain

En nuestro país, más de 4 millones y medio sufren dolor crónico y de este porcentaje, más de la mitad sufren dolor intenso. La artritis reumatoide y la artrosis son las principales causas de este dolor según la Encuesta Europea del Dolor. La elección del fármaco analgésico adecuado para el control del dolor moderado-severo es importante para aumentar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes cada vez más longevos. Como nueva opción terapéutica tenemos a la Oxicodona, según la OMS la clasifica como un fármaco que se utilizaría en el segundo escalón cuando se combina con AINES (ampliamente utilizado en EEUU desde 1950), ya que le proporciona un efecto techo (1) y como tercer escalón cuando se utiliza sola, tanto la oxicodona de liberación. controlada como la de liberación inmediata (2). La oxicodona se usa desde 1917 y ha sido utilizada en humanos de forma intravenosa, intramuscular, intranasal, subcutánea, rectal, epidural y oral. La vía transdérmica ha sido testada en animales. Hoy en día la oxicodona de liberación prolongada es utilizada en el dolor crónico y la de liberación inmediata es usada más para el tratamiento del dolor agudo y el dolor irruptivo. La oxicodona parenteral (no disponible en nuestro país todavía) parece ser una buena alternativa cuando no es posible utilizar la vía oral

Chronic pain is suffered by over 4 and a half million persons in Spain, and over half of these persons suffer intense pain. According to the European Pain Questionnaire, rheumatoid arthritis and arthrosis are the principal cause of this type of pain. It is important to choose a suitable analgesic drug for moderatesevere pain control, thus increasing the quality of life of these patients who are increasingly long living. Oxycodone offers a new therapeutic option. It is classified by the WHO as a drug to be used as a step two drug when combined with a NSAID (widely used in the US since 1950), since it has a ceiling effect (1), and as a step three drug when used alone, in both controlled-release and immediate-release formulations alike. (2) Oxycodone has been used since 1917 and has been given to humans in intravenous, intramuscular, intranasal, subcutaneous, rectal, epidural and oral routes. Transdermal administration has been tested in animals. Nowadays controlled-release oxycodone is used in chronic pain and immediate-release oxycodone is used more to treat acute pain and breakthrough pain. Parenteral oxycodone (not yet available in this country) appears to offer a good alternative when it is not possible to use the oral route

Farmacos de acción lenta (Sysadoa) en el tratamiento de la osteoartrosis / Symptomatic slow acting drugs for osteoarthritis (Sysadoa)

La osteoartrosis (OA) es la enfermedad más frecuente del aparato locomotor, la que genera mayor gasto sanitario y la principal causa de incapacidad o invalidez de todas las enfermedades crónicas. Se estima una incidencia en la población española de un 11%, conllevando un importante gasto sanitario. Es una artropatía que se caracteriza por la degeneración y pérdida del cartílago articular. Cursa con dolor e impotencia funcional y puede afectar a una o más articulaciones. Actualmente el concepto sobre la patogenia de la enfermedad se ha modificado, dando más importancia al condrocito y a la respuesta inflamatoria, buscando la posibilidad de actuar farmacológicamente sobre el condrocito, lo que retrasaría este proceso degenerativo. Desde la década de los 90 existe un creciente interés por los llamados agentes condroprotectores o condromoduladores. Atendiendo se denominan: fármacos modificadores de síntomas de acción lenta SYSADOA (Symptomatic Slow Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis). Los ensayos clínicos realizados con estas sustancias han demostrado una mejoría moderada en la sintomatología de la OA, actuando sobre los síntomas con un comienzo de acción lento. En las recomendaciones del tratamiento de la osteoartrosis de la Sociedad Europea de Reumatología del 2003 se afirma la eficacia de la glucosamina, el condroitín sulfato, la diacereína y el ácido hialurónico en el tratamiento de la enfermedad, siendo recomendados para mejorar los síntomas y como posibles modificadores de la progresión del daño estructural del cartílago. El objetivo de este artículo es aportar información acerca de estos fármacos, sobre su mecanismo de acción, indicación, posología y formas de administración (AU)

Arthrosis, or osteoarthrosis (OA) is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system, generates the largest medical expense and is the main cause for disability or invalidity of all the chronic diseases. Its incidence is around 11 % in the Spanish population, bearing an important medical expense. It is an arthropathy characterized by degeneration and loss of the articular cartilage. Pain and and functional impotence are present, and can affect one or more joints. Nowadays the concept of the pathology of the disease has changed, giving more importance to the chondrocyte and the inflammatory response, looking for the possibility of acting pharmacologically on the chondrocyte, which would delay this degenerative process. Since the nineties there is an increasing interest in the so called chondroprotector or chondromodulating agents. They are known as SYSADOA (Symptomatic Slow Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis). Clinical trials carried out with these substances have demonstrated a moderate improvement in the OA´s symptomatology, acting upon the slow onset symptoms. The European Society of Rheumatology 2003 Recommendations state the efficacy of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, diacerein and hyaluronic acid for the treatment of the disease, being recommended to improve the symptoms and as possible modifiers in the progression of the cartilage structural damage. The aim of this article is to provide information regarding these drugs, their mechanism of action, indication, dose and route of administration (AU)

Anisakis simplex allergy after eating chicken meat.

BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions to food can be produced by contaminants that induce sensitization. Among these, Anisakis simplex can cause seafood infestation, and allergic symptoms (urticaria-angioedema, anaphylaxis, and asthma) can follow the eating or handling of affected fish. Although seafood is the principal source of human infections by this parasite, we have found allergic symptoms in 8 patients previously diagnosed as having A simplex sensitization after they ate chicken meat. Chicken feed usually has a high proportion of fishmeal, which might possibly be contaminated by this nematode. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine whether parasite proteins present in chicken meat could be responsible for the symptoms reported by these subjects. METHODS: We carried out in vivo tests (prick, bronchial challenge, and double-blind placebo-controlled challenge with meat chicken) in these 8 patients. We performed immunoblotting using the sera from the 8 patients and controls in order to detect A simplex sensitization. We also investigated the presence of A simplex proteins in sera from chickens fed with fishmeal and in other sera from chickens fed only with cereals. We excluded sensitization to other chicken nematodes by serologic methods. RESULTS: All 8 patients presented positive prick and challenges to A simplex. When we used serum from chickens fed with fishmeal as the antigen in blotting, patients 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 recognized a band of 16 kd, also obtained when using pools of fish-shellfish and A simplex larva. No detection was observed with sera from chickens fed with only cereals. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence, based on in vivo and in vitro tests, that subjects highly sensitized to A simplex can detect the presence of Anisakis species allergens in chicken meat.

Cereal-induced anaphylaxis in an adult after eating a baby cereal formula.

Ingestion of infant cereal formula as a cause of anaphylaxis has been exclusively described in children. We report the case of a man who experienced an anaphylactic reaction after eating his son's cereal formula. We believe that cereals constitute a rising problem and a hidden allergen that can cause severe reactions. Although these reactions are not fully understood, they may possibly be a life-long event.

Cereal-induced anaphylaxis in an adult after eating a baby cereal formula

Ingestion of infant cereal formula as a cause of anaphylaxis has been exclusively described in children. We report the case of a man who experienced an anaphylactic reaction after eating his son's cereal formula. We believe that cereals constitute a rising problem and a hidden allergen that can cause severe reactions. Although these reactions are not fully understood, they may possibly be a life-long event (AU)

La anafilaxis producida por papillas a base de cereales sólo se ha descrito en niños. Presentamos un caso de reacción anafiláctica en un adulto tras ingerir la papilla de su hijo. Creemos que es importante tener en cuenta los cereales como un problema creciente y un alergeno oculto que puede producir importantes reacciones que aún no se comprenden totalmente, pero que posiblemente puedan darse a lo largo de toda la vida (AU)

Living in towers as risk factor of pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: The effects of fluctuations in pollen counts have important implications for health services. Little research on the clinical implications of the vertical distribution of pollen in allergy symptoms has been carried out. METHODS: We have investigated the allergic symptoms of a population of 17 171 patients coming from our health area (Valladolid, Spain) and living in the city and villages. We compared the prevalence of sensitization to different pollens: Graminae, trees and shrub in relation with the floor of the building where they were living. RESULTS: Relative risk of pollen sensitization (confidence index, CI 95%) was higher in patients who were living at high floors than in those patients who were living in lower floors or at street level, independently of rural or urban conditions The chi-square showed a lineal trend in this relationship in the case of sensitization to grass pollen: chi(2): 1794, P > 0.00001 CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our local investigations, natural pollen sensitization appears to increase with height where the patient lives. This paper reports clinical results on the influence of vertical pollen distribution in pollen allergy.

Samario-153-Lexidronam (EDTMP) en el tratamiento de las metástasis óseas / Samarium-153-Lexidronam (EDTMP) for the management of bone metastases

Las metástasis óseas son una complicación frecuente en pacientes neoplásicos, en este sentido, el tejido óseo ocupa el tercer lugar de todos los órganos y sistemas con metástasis después del pulmón e hígado. Aproximadamente un 75 por ciento de los enfermos con metástasis óseas sufrirán dolor, siendo estas la causa más frecuente de dolor en pacientes con cáncer. El dolor óseo aumenta con los movimientos y a la presión, limitando la autonomía del enfermo y su calidad de vida. El tratamiento incluye varios abordajes terapéuticos complementarios entre sí, como AINE, opiáceos, bifosfonatos, radioterapia, radioisótopos, cirugía y técnicas intervencionistas. Presentamos dos casos clínicos, el primero una mujer diagnosticada de carcinoma de mama y el segundo un hombre con adenocarcinoma de próstata y carcinoma vesical, ambos casos con diseminación metastásica ósea. Ante la persistencia del dolor y la dificultad en su control fueron tratados con Samario-Lexidronam (Sm-153), Quadramet® con resultados satisfactorios. Se consiguió disminuir el dolor, también el descenso en el consumo de opiáceos a pesar de la progresión de la enfermedad. El Sm-153 es un radioisótopo emisor de radiaciones beta y gamma. Presenta una semivida física corta, una alta afinidad por el esqueleto óseo y una eliminación urinaria. El alivio del dolor es del 65-80 por ciento, el inicio de la analgesia es rápido y la duración de esta es de 8 a 12 semanas con escasos efectos secundarios (AU)