Telemedicina en oftalmología durante la pandemia de COVID-19: una experiencia piloto / Open-care telemedicine in ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study

OBJETIVO: Reportar una experiencia piloto de atención por telemedicina en la especialidad de oftalmología, en el periodo de confinamiento por la pandemia por COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo. Se describen características demográficas y clínicas de pacientes atendidos en periodo de confinamiento de 10 semanas. Se evalúa la satisfacción de los pacientes y médicos participantes mediante una encuesta en línea. RESULTADOS: En las primeras 10 semanas, se realizaron 291 atenciones de telemedicina oftalmológica. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron afecciones inflamatorias de la superficie ocular y párpados (79,4%), seguido de requerimientos administrativos (6,5%), afecciones no inflamatorias de la superficie ocular (5,2%), sospecha de estrabismo (3,4%) y síntomas vitreorretinales (3,1%); 22 pacientes (7,5%) fueron derivados a atención presencial inmediata. El nivel de satisfacción con la prestación fue alto, tanto en médicos (100%), como en pacientes (93,4%). CONCLUSIONES: La atención oftalmológica por telemedicina en periodo de pandemia es un instrumento de utilidad para realizar un filtro de potenciales consultas presenciales, ya sea electivas o de urgencia, y para reducir potencialmente el riesgo de contagio por COVID-1

BACKGROUND: To report a pilot experience of telemedicine in ophthalmology in open-care modality (i.e. direct video call), in a confinement period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Descriptive study of the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients attended in a 10-week confinement period. Reported satisfaction of the participating patients and doctors was evaluated through an online survey. RESULTS: In the 10-week period, 291 ophthalmologic telemedicine consultations were performed. The main reasons for consultation were inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface and eyelids (79.4%), followed by administrative requirements (6.5%), non-inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface (5.2%), strabismus suspicion (3.4%) and vitreo-retinal symptoms (3.1%). According to previously defined criteria, 22 patients (7.5%) were referred to immediate face-to-face consultation. The level of satisfaction was high, both in doctors (100%) and in patients (93.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Open-care modality of telemedicine in ophthalmology during the pandemic period is a useful instrument to filter potential face-to-face consultations, either elective or emergency, and potentially reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection

Open-care telemedicine in ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study. / Telemedicina en oftalmología durante la pandemia de COVID-19: una experiencia piloto.

BACKGROUND: To report a pilot experience of telemedicine in ophthalmology in open-care modality (i.e. direct video call), in a confinement period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Descriptive study of the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients attended in a 10-week confinement period. Reported satisfaction of the participating patients and doctors was evaluated through an online survey. RESULTS: In the 10-week period, 291 ophthalmologic telemedicine consultations were performed. The main reasons for consultation were inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface and eyelids (79.4%), followed by administrative requirements (6.5%), non-inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface (5.2%), strabismus suspicion (3.4%) and vitreo-retinal symptoms (3.1%). According to previously defined criteria, 22 patients (7.5%) were referred to immediate face-to-face consultation. The level of satisfaction was high, both in doctors (100%) and in patients (93.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Open-care modality of telemedicine in ophthalmology during the pandemic period is a useful instrument to filter potential face-to-face consultations, either elective or emergency, and potentially reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

In vivo detection of clinically non-apparent ocular surface inflammation in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction-associated refractory dry eye symptoms: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: The utility of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in the investigation of palpebral conjunctival and corneal inflammation in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated refractory dry eye symptoms following gland expression, despite objective clinical improvement. METHODS: A retrospective, observational pilot study was conducted evaluating five patients with MGD-associated refractory dry eye symptoms and three control groups: symptomatic untreated MGD patients (n=3), treatment-responsive MGD patients with improved symptoms (n=3) and asymptomatic healthy normals (n=11). Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, tear break-up time (TBUT), the number of meibomian glands yielding liquid secretion (MGYLS), palpebral conjunctival epithelial and substantia propria immune cell (EIC, SIC), and corneal dendritic cell (DC) densities were measured. RESULTS: Despite clinical improvement (TBUT: 6.4±1.2 s to 10.1±2.1 s, P=0.03; MGYLS: 3.5±0.8 glands to 7.0±1.1 glands, P=0.13) and a normal clinical examination post treatment, MGD patients remained symptomatic. IVCM revealed increased immune cells in the palpebral conjunctiva (refractory MGD EIC=592.6±110.1 cells/mm2 untreated MGD EIC=522.6±104.7 cells/mm2, P=0.69; responsive MGD EIC=194.9±119.4 cells/mm2, P<0.01; normals EIC=123.7±19.2 cells/mm2, P< 0.001), but not the cornea (refractory MGD DC=60.9±28.3 cells/mm2; normals DC=25.9±6.3 cells/mm2; P=0.43). EIC did not correlate with TBUT (Rs=-0.26, P=0.33). OSDI scores correlated with both EIC (Rs=0.76, P<0.001) and TBUT (Rs=-0.69, P<0.01) but not SIC. Intraglandular immune cells were also seen. CONCLUSION: MGD-associated refractory symptoms and the symptom-sign disparity may be explained by clinically non-apparent, active inflammation of the palpebral conjunctiva as detected by IVCM. These patients may benefit from anti-inflammatory therapy.

Cellular and subbasal nerve alterations in early stage Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy: an in vivo confocal microscopy study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the morphology and density of corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes, and subbasal nerves, in patients with early stage Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). METHODS: IVCM (Confoscan 4, Nidek, Inc.) of the central cornea was performed in 30 corneas of 30 patients with early stage FECD and 13 corneas of 13 normal controls. Images were analyzed for morphology and density of the superficial and basal epithelial cells, keratocyte density, endothelial cell density (ECD), as well as subbasal corneal nerve parameters. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured in all patients and normals by ultrasound pachymetry. RESULTS: The ECD was significantly lower (-45.5%, P<0.001) in FECD patients as compared with controls. Total number of nerves and main nerve trunks were significantly reduced (-46.3%, P<0.001; -39.7%, P<0.001) in patients with FECD. Posterior keratocyte density was significantly higher in FECD patients (P<0.001). Significant inverse correlations were found between CCT and total number of nerves (r=-0.69, P<0.001), CCT and main nerve trunks (-0.47, P=0.016), as well as CCT and total nerve length (r=-0.62, P=0.006). Significant correlation was found between ECD and total number of nerves (r=0.44, P=0.012) as well as between ECD and main nerve trunks (r=0.65, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IVCM demonstrates alterations in corneal innervation in patients with early stage FECD, suggesting a potential role of corneal nerves in the pathogenesis of FECD. Additional studies are required to investigate whether subbasal nerve alterations are caused by nonspecific corneal edema, from FECD-induced decrease in ECD, or potentially leading to loss of endothelial cells.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and influence of -308 TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism on the responsiveness to infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of -308 tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promoter polymorphism and circulating TNF-alpha levels in the clinical response to the infliximab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two RA patients were genotyped for TNF-alpha promoter by polymerase-chain reaction restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Ten patients with the -308 TNF-alpha gene promoter genotype G/A, and 10 with the G/G genotype were selected and received 3 mg/kg of infliximab at Weeks 0, 2, 6, and 14. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant improvement with treatment in all variables studied. Total mean TNF-alpha levels increased significantly with respect to basal levels in most of patients after treatment [probability (p)=0.04]. Only patients from G/A showed a statistically significant correlation between ACR 50 and the increase of TNF-alpha levels (p<0.03). CONCLUSION: A relationship was detected between ACR criteria of improvement and increased circulating TNF-alpha levels in RA patients subjected to anti-TNF-alpha therapy.

The -308 polymorphism in the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) gene promoter region and ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF expression and cytotoxic activity in Chilean patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the -308 polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) gene with susceptibility to the development of RA. We also explored the expression and cytotoxicity of TNF in relation to the -308 polymorphism. METHODS: We recruited 92 RA patients and 42 healthy control subjects. Genotyping for the TNF promoter was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. To study the overexpression of TNF we used a whole-blood culture system. TNF cytotoxicity was assessed in the L929 cell line. RESULTS: The TNF2 allele was found in 23% of RA patients and 10% of controls. Although both groups showed high variability in serum TNF concentration, in the lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF level and in the cytotoxicity of the cytokine in the L929 cell line, these differences were not associated with the -308 TNF polymorphism. CONCLUSION: No associations were found between the -308 TNF promoter polymorphism, serum and ex vivo TNF levels and the cytotoxic activity of TNF in RA patients.

Prostatectomía radical retropúbica / Radical retropubic prostatectomy

Serie cooperativa que demuestra experiencia de 6 años en prostatectomía radical retropúbica. Se presentan 62 pacientes portadores de cáncer prostático que fueron etapificado como clínicamente localizado entre mayo de 1994 y diciembre de 2001. La edad promedio fue de 61 años (48-73) y los estadíos preoperatorios fueron A en 9 pacientes, B en 43 pacientes y C en 10 pacientes. Se utilizó la misma técnica en los 62 pacientes y sé protocolizaron los parámetros A estudiar en una base de datos. El 95 por ciento se operó con anestesia regional y en el 100 por ciento se efectuó linfadenectomía pelviana. El tiempo operatorio promedio es de 135 minutos (100-200). El 18 por ciento fue transfundido y el promedio de pérdidas fue de 320 cc (150-3000cc). Los estadíos patológicos finales fueron de 13 pacientes con (T1N0MX), 35 (T2N0M0), 8 (T3N0M0) y 5 con (T3N1M0). La sobrevida específica es de 100 por ciento y la sobrevida libre de recidiva bioquímica es de 80 por ciento a 3 años y de 75 por ciento a 4 años. La incontinencia total se presentó en un paciente que requirió esfínter y en otros 4 pacientes se presentó una IOE GII que requiere más de 3 paños. La disfunción eréctil sin respuesta a sildenafil o prostaglandinas es de un 85 por ciento. Nuestra experiencia repite los buenos resultados de la prostatectomía radical en Cáncer Prostático con baja morbilidad y nula mortalidad como consecuencia de una mayor experiencia y de tratar cánceres en su gran mayoría órgano localizado. La principal morbilidad es la importancia sexual. El análisis costo beneficio de esta técnica es necesario al compararla con otras técnicas emergentes en el cáncer prostático localizado