High Frequency of Smell and Taste Dysfunction in Health Care Professionals With COVID-19 Working in Allergy Departments.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Since the early stages of the novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD) has been reported in 5% to 88% of COVID-19 patients. Objective: We aimed to assess STD in health care professionals (HCPs), mainly allergists, affected by COVID-19. We carried out a survey to evaluate the association between STD and its severity and demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, and hospital admission. METHODS: We designed a 15-item questionnaire comprising various sections, as follows: demographics, diagnostic characteristics, STD patterns, medication use, and comorbidities. The questionnaire was developed using Google forms. It was distributed to members of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) and sent via social media to be completed by HCPs with COVID-19. RESULTS: The survey was completed by HCPs (n=234), of whom 76.5% were aged ≤55 years and 73.5% were female. STD was detected in 74.4% of respondents, of whom 95.6% reported moderate-severe impairment. Mean time until recovery of taste dysfunction was 21.6 (24.0) days in HCPs aged ≤55 years and 33.61±26.2 days in those aged >55 years (P=.019). Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed that more than a half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell. Older age (>55 years) was associated with fever, anorexia, lower frequency of headache, and longer persistence of taste dysfunction. CONCLUSION: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19, even as a unique or preceding symptom. HCPs who reported smell dysfunction were younger than those not affected with STD. Taste dysfunction may imply more systemic involvement in COVID-19-positive HCPs.

High Frequency of Smell and Taste Dysfunction in Health Care Professionals With COVID-19 Working in Allergy Departments

Background: Since the early stages of the novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD) has beenreported in 5% to 88% of COVID-19 patients.Objective: We aimed to assess STD in health care professionals (HCPs), mainly allergists, affected by COVID-19. We carried out a survey toevaluate the association between STD and its severity and demographic characteristics, symptoms, comorbidities, and hospital admission.Methods: We designed a 15-item questionnaire comprising various sections, as follows: demographics, diagnostic characteristics, STDpatterns, medication use, and comorbidities. The questionnaire was developed using Google forms. It was distributed to members of theSpanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) and sent via social media to be completed by HCPs with COVID-19.Results: The survey was completed by HCPs (n=234), of whom 76.5% were aged ≤55 years and 73.5% were female. STD was detected in74.4% of respondents, of whom 95.6% reported moderate-severe impairment. Mean time until recovery of taste dysfunction was 21.6 (24.0)days in HCPs aged ≤55 years and 33.61±26.2 days in those aged >55 years (P=.019). Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed thatmore than a half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell. Older age (>55 years) was associated with fever, anorexia, lowerfrequency of headache, and longer persistence of taste dysfunction.Conclusion: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19, even as a unique or preceding symptom. HCPs who reported smell dysfunctionwere younger than those not affected with STD. Taste dysfunction may imply more systemic involvement in COVID-19–positive HCPs. (AU)

Antecedentes: Desde el inicio de la pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), la afectación del sentido del olfato y del gusto seha descrito entre el 5% y 88% de la población afecta por COVID-19.Objetivo: Evaluar la alteración del gusto y del olfato en profesionales sanitarios afectos por COVID-19, en relación a parámetros degravedad, características demográficas, síntomas, comorbilidades e ingreso hospitalario.Métodos: Se diseñó un cuestionario de 15 elementos, con las siguientes secciones: demografía, características diagnósticas, patronesde alteración de olfato y del gusto, uso de medicación y efectos adversos asociados y comorbilidades. Dicho cuestionario fue difundidopor las redes sociales de la Sociedad Española de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica, dirigido específicamente a profesionales sanitarios.Resultados: 234 profesionales completaron la encuesta (73,5% mujeres). El 76,5% de los encuestados era ≤55 años. Hubo afectacióndel olfato y/o gusto en el 74,4% de los encuestados. La persistencia media de alteración del gusto fue 21,6± 24,0 días en ≤55 años yde 33,6±26,2 días en >55 años (p=0,019). Ser mayor de 55 años se asociaba estadísticamente con fiebre, anorexia, menos cefalea ymayor persistencia de afectación del gusto.Conclusión: Los profesionales sanitarios que declararon haber padecido SD eran más jóvenes que los que no presentaron STD. La afectacióndel olfato y/o del gusto es un síntoma común entre los profesionales sanitarios con COVID-19 y puede ser patente en fases iniciales ocomo único síntoma en pacientes ≤55 años. La afectación del gusto puede implicar más síntomas sistémicos. (AU)

Clinical and anatomopathological features of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic clinical-pathological disorder with an immunological basis characterised by symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction and, histologically, eosinophilic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and differences in children and adults diagnosed with EoE in a tertiary level hospital. METHOD: Descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study. We randomly selected 40 children and 40 adults diagnosed with EoE between 2009 and 2016. The patient characteristics were analysed by means of epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic variables. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 10 years (children) and 34 years (adults), with a higher frequency in males. The majority were sensitised to aeroallergens (77.5% children vs. 82.5% adults) and foods (75% children vs. 82.5% adults). Statistically significant differences were detected in sensitisation to fruits (p=0.007) and grains (p<0.001). Differences were observed in impaction (22.5% children vs. 82.5% adults), dysphagia (42.5% children vs. 77.5% adults) and abdominal pain (25% children vs. 7.5% adults). Endoscopy showed that children had a higher frequency of exudates (92.5%) and adults, trachealisation (50% vs. 5%) and stenosis (17.5% vs. 2.5%). Statistically significant differences were found in treatment with topical corticosteroids (30% children vs. 77.5% adults), with a variable positive response. 77.5% of the patients received elimination diets. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the paediatric and adult populations in the food sensitisation profiles, clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings and treatments received. This is a complex pathology that calls for a multidisciplinary team and would require new non-invasive techniques to facilitate its management.

Mould and grass pollen allergy as risk factors for childhood asthma in Zaragoza, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the prevalence of asthma and associated predictive factors in a group of 468 students. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study in a randomly selected population of 468 children aged 10-12, in the city of Zaragoza. We used the ISAAC questionnaire on asthma completed by children under supervision of the investigators. We assessed the genetic risk (family history of asthma) and environmental risks. The risk for atopy was assessed by the presence of positive skin prick tests. RESULTS: 25.3% of the children had symptoms consistent with asthma in the city of Zaragoza. Among them 33.1% reported a history of asthma in close relatives (OR=1.78, p<0.001). The history of hospitalisations for lower respiratory tract illness was strongly associated with the presence of asthma (OR=6.72, p<0.0001). Positive skin tests to Alternaria (OR=2.00, p<0.0001) and grass pollen (OR=1.76, p<0.001) were predictors of asthma. 63.6% of asthmatic children had presented clinical rhinitis in the previous 12 months, compared with 32% of non-asthmatics, and this difference was statistically significant (OR=3.89, p<0.0001). 47% of asthmatics presented with or previously had eczema, whereas only 26.9% of non-asthmatics presented with or previously had these types of lesions (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The following are predictors of asthma: History of hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract illness, presence of rhinitis and/or eczema, positive prick test for certain aeroallergens, especially Alternaria and grass pollen, and family history of asthma.

Aspectos generales sobre el dolor osteomuscular en el baile flamenco / Overview of musculoskeletal pain in the flamenco dancer

Introducción. Los bailaores de baile flamenco son susceptibles de padecer dolor por su actividad, lo que les puede producir una gran limitación. Conocer cuáles son las localizaciones más frecuentes y con qué variables se relacionan es el objetivo de este trabajo, para desarrollar planes de atención más eficientes y medidas de medicina preventiva. Material y método. Hemos realizado un estudio descriptivo analítico, mediante una encuesta a bailaores, en donde se recogían datos personales, hábitos del bailaor y regiones donde habían presentado dolor. Los datos obtenidos han sido analizados con el programa informático SPSS utilizando como métodos estadísticos el ANOVA, la t de Student y la prueba de la X2. Resultados. Hemos obtenido 96 resultados, la mayoría mujeres, con un intervalo de edad muy amplio desde los 8 hasta los 53 años. La región más referida en cuanto a dolor es el pie, habiendo muchas localizaciones diferentes de dolor, seguidas en importancia por las rodillas, y espalda, cuello y región lumbar. Conclusiones. El calentamiento antes de bailar evita la aparición de molestias. Los tacones de más de 5cm predisponen a la aparición de dolor, así como un IMC mayor de 22,29, bailar más de 4 horas al día y más de 5 días a la semana. La mayoría de los bailaores recurren a las técnicas manuales para solucionar sus lesiones. Es necesario realizar estudios más específicos para poder profundizar más en el tema, ya que son muy pocos los estudios que hay en la literatura científica(AU)

Introduction. Flamenco dancers are susceptible to pain from their activity, which can be an important limitation. This study has aimed to discover what are the most common locations and what variables they are related to in order to develop more efficient care plans and preventive medicine measures. Material and methods. We have made a descriptive analysis study, conducting a survey to dancers that gathered personal data, habits of the dancer and regions where they had pain. The data obtained were analyzed with the SPSS statistical program using the ANOVA, T-Student and X2 statistical methods. Results. We obtained 96 results, mostly women, with a very wide age range from 8 to 53. The region referred to most in terms of pain is the foot, with many different locations of the pain, followed in importance by the knees, back, neck and lumbar region. Conclusions. Warming up before dancing prevents the onset of discomfort. Heels of more than 5cm predispose to pain, and a BMI greater than 22.29, dancing more than 4hours a day and more than 5days a week. Most of the dancers rely on manual techniques to address their injuries. More specific studies are needed to go deeper into the subject, since there are very few studies in the literature(AU)

Displasia de la cabeza femoral (displasia de Meyer) / No disponible

La displasia de Meyer es una alteración en el desarrollo de la cadera del niño, frecuentementeinfradiagnosticada y caracterizada por el retraso y la irregular osificación del núcleode la epífisis femoral.Observación clínica: se presentan tres historias clínicas cuyos criterios diagnósticos soncompatibles con el síndrome de Meyer, inicialmente diagnosticadas como enfermedad dePerthes o necrosis avascular de la cabeza femoral.Los tres pacientes fueron valorados desde el nacimiento por oblicuidad pélvica y en suseguimiento se observó retraso en la osificación de la cabeza femoral a los 2 años y unafragmentación del núcleo. Los pacientes permanecieron asintomáticos durante todo su seguimientoy el tratamiento que recibieron fue sólo la observación.Discusión: existe controversia en el diagnóstico diferencial entre el síndrome de Meyery la enfermedad de Perthes, donde unos autores apuntan a síndromes diferentes y otros amanifestaciones distintas de una misma enfermedad. Su importancia radica en el diagnósticodiferencial con la enfermedad de Perthes y con la necrosis avascular postratamiento de ladisplasia de cadera para evitar pruebas diagnósticas y tratamientos innecesarios (AU)

Meyer’s dysplasia is an alteration in the development of infant hips, frequently misdiagnosed,characterized by irregularity and delay of ossification of the capital femoralepiphysis nucleus.Clinical observation: three case histories, which diagnostic criteria are compatible withMeyer’s syndrome, were located and initially diagnosed as Perthes disease or avascularnecrosis of the femoral head.The patients were diagnosed because of pelvic oblicuity from birth. In their evolution, adelay was observed in ossification of the femoral head and a nucleus fragmentation at age2. The patients remained asymptomatic throughout their follow up and remained under observationas the only treatment. Discussion: controversy exists in distinguishing diagnosis between Meyer’s syndromeand Perthes disease, where some authors point at different syndromes or different manifestationsof the same illness. Its importance takes root in distinguishing diagnosis betweenPerthes disease and avascular necrosis after treating hip displasia to avoid unnecessary diagnostictests and treatment (AU)

Estudio epidemiológico de la incontinencia urinaria femenina en edad laboral / Epidemiological study of feminine urinary incontinence in work age

La Sociedad Internacional para la Continencia (ICS) define la incontinencia urinaria como la pérdida involuntaria de orina a través de la uretra, objetivamente demostrable y de tal magnitud que constituye un problema higiénico o social. Clínicamente, puede clasificarse en: incontinencia de esfuerzo, de urgencia y mixta. Llevados por el interés de este tema nos planteamos como objetivo principal estudiar la prevalencia de la incontinencia urinaria en mujeres en edad laboral en nuestro ámbito más cercano, el hospital. Material y métodos. Durante los meses de octubre de 2002 a enero de 2003 había censadas 1.705 mujeres en nuestro hospital. Diseñamos una encuesta tomando como guía el IU-4, que incluía un primer bloque de preguntas para conocer los datos sociodemográficos y, otro bloque para evaluar la pérdida involuntaria de orina, el tipo de incontinencia y el grado de repercusión en la calidad de vida de la mujer (tabla 1).La distribución de cuestionarios se realizó de forma personalizada dejando urnas para su recogida. Resultados. Recuperamos 751 cuestionarios contestados. La edad media de la población fue de 43 años con una desviación estándar de 8,98. La estimación de prevalencia para la población fue del 33,2 por ciento, afectando en mayor porcentaje a las mujeres que se encontraban entre los 45 y 49 años (30,5 por ciento).De los posibles factores de riesgo asociados a incontinencia urinaria encontramos una asociación estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05), con la edad, la menopausia, los embarazos, los partos por vía vaginal y las infecciones de repetición, no encontrándose relación con el resto de parámetros estudiados. En cuanto a la forma clínica, el 15,4 por ciento pertenecía a la categoría de esfuerzo, el 39 por ciento, a la de urgencia y el 45,6 por ciento, a la mixta. Un 74,1 por ciento consideró que la incontinencia no repercutía de forma importante en su calidad de vida, el 23,55 por ciento se vio afectada de forma moderada y el 2,5 por ciento, de forma importante (AU)