Burnout syndrome in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American ophthalmologists: a cross-sectional analysis.

PURPOSE: Despite the well-known consequences of burnout syndrome, there has been little research into this syndrome in the field of ophthalmology. Our objective is to determine the frequency of burnout syndrome between Spanish, Portugal and Latin-American ophthalmologists, as well as to analyse its relationship with different sociodemographic variables. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional descriptive study including ophthalmologists from Spain, Portugal and 15 Latin American countries. Burnout syndrome was evaluated by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. Burnout syndrome was defined as high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization or low personal accomplishment. In addition, we recorded sociodemographic variables and aspects related to the type of work. A conditional backwards stepwise multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was run to assess the variables associated with burnout syndrome, expressed as an odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: A total of 527 surveys were analysed, the majority from Spain (401; 76.1%), followed by Argentina (45; 8.5%), and Mexico (31; 5.9%). The number of ophthalmologists with burnout syndrome was 351 (66.6%). The results show the profile of a young ophthalmologist (age OR 0.985), carrying out a public activity (OR 2.118) and dedicated to general ophthalmology (OR 1.860). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency detected in this study confirms a steady increase in rates of burnout among ophthalmologists. As the consequences of this are well known, it is vital for health centre managers to develop a strategic plan to allow the causes to be understood better and to implement steps to improve the situation in each medical centre.

Vibration or Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Spinal Cord Injury: Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Women with spinal cord injuries usually suffer from sexual dysfunction, such as alterations during arousal and an increase in the time to reach orgasm. However, little evidence has been found on its physiotherapeutic approach, as well as poor adherence to the latter. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of two interventions to improve sexual dysfunction: the application of genital vibration and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial that will recruit 54 women who, one year after a spinal cord injury, suffer from sexual dysfunction associated with the latter. The participants will be randomized to three groups: (a) intervention group 1 treated with transcutaneous tibial nerve electrostimulation (n = 18), (b) intervention group 2 treated with genital vibration (n = 18), and (c) a control group (n = 18). The treatment time will be 12 weeks. Adherence to the treatment will be evaluated, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment, through the Female Sexual Function Index, the Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire, quantitative sensory tests, and the improvement reported by the patient in terms of arousal and orgasm. The evaluations will be carried out before the treatment, at the end of the treatment and 3, 6 and 12 months after the end of the treatment.

Metabolic disorders and inflammation are associated with familial combined hyperlipemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) is related to different metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of alterations of hydrocarbonated metabolism and lipid profile together with inflammatory and adhesion molecules in subjects with FCH compared to controls. METHODS: 75 HFC patients and 75 healthy individuals were studied. Glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR index and lipid parameters, in addition to anti-oxidized LDL antibodies (Anti ox-LDL), small and dense LDL (sdLDL) and HDL subfractions, proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules were measured. RESULTS: FCH patients showed higher levels of hydrocarbonated metabolism parameters, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLc, Apolipoprotein B and non-HDLc (p < .001), and lower levels of HDLc (p < .001) and Apolipoprotein AI (p < .05) than controls. In addition, the inflammatory markers hsCRP, IL-6, IL-8, P-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM were all higher with (p < .05) respect to controls. The increase of sdLDL was correlated with the presence of IR and IL-6 levels. Significant differences in diameter and percentage of phenotype B LDL, small HDL subfractions and Anti ox-LDL were also detected between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The lipid characteristics of FCH are confirmed by IR and a low grade inflammatory state in patients, and are associated with the predominance of sdLDL and Anti ox-LDL.

The impact of axillary ultrasound with biopsy in overtreatment of early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: (a) To compare the axillary tumor burden detected by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). (b) To evaluate the relationship between axillary tumor burden and the number of suspicious lymph nodes detected by axillary ultrasonography (US). (c) To calculate the false-positive and false-negative rates for FNAC in patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter cross-sectional study of 355 pT1 breast cancers. SLNB and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were gold standards. Low axillary burden (≤2 positive lymph nodes); high burden (>2 positive lymph nodes). Patients ACOSOG Z0011: false-positive (positive FNAC+low burden), false-negative (negative FNAC+high burden). RESULTS: High axillary burden: in entire series 38.5% FNAC+ vs. 5.7% SLNB+ (p<0.0001). In subgroup fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria: 45.5% vs 6.7%, respectively (p<0.001). 61 positive axillary US. With 1 suspicious node on axillary US: 95.6% had ≤2 involved nodes (including pN0); with 2 suspicious nodes: 60% had >2 involved nodes. In ACOSOG Z0011 patients, with 1 suspicious node, 93.7% had ≤2 involved nodes. Of the 37 FNAC in ACOSOG Z0011patients: 54.5% false-positives for high burden; 3.8% false-negatives. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC-positive tumors have greater axillary burden, even in patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria. Using axillary US/FNAC to triage patients meeting Z0011 criteria may result in axillary overtreatment. The number of suspicious nodes seen in axillary US is related with the final axillary burden and should be taken into account when deciding to do FNAC in patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Impact on Management of Ultrasonography-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration to Detect Axillary Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The axillary nodal status is essential to determine the stage of disease at diagnosis. Our aim was to prospectively assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) for the detection of metastasis in axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer (BC) and its impact on the therapeutic decision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasonography (US) was performed in 407 axillae of 396 patients who subsequently underwent surgery. US-FNA was conducted when lymph nodes were detected by US. Axillary dissection (AD) was performed when US-FNA was positive for metastasis. Patients with negative US-FNA and breast tumors of 30 mm in size were candidates for selective sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The anatomopathological results of AD or SLNB were used as reference tests. RESULTS: Lymph nodes were detected by US in 207 (50.8%) axillae. Of these, US-FNA was performed on 180 (86.9%). 94 axillae (52.2%) were positive for carcinoma and 79 women received AD. US-FNA had 77.5% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 69.3% negative predictive value, and 85.1% diagnostic accuracy. US-FNA avoided SLNB in 18.1% of patients who underwent AD. CONCLUSIONS: Axillary US-FNA is an accurate technique in the staging of patients with BC. It allows reducing the number of SLNB and, when positive, offers a fast and useful tool.

The impact of preoperative axillary ultrasonography in T1 breast tumours.

OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine the diagnostic validity of axillary ultrasound (AUS) in pT1 tumours and whether fine-needle aspiration (FNA) improves its diagnostic performance, and (b) determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of AUS in a simulation environment (cutoff: two lymph nodes with macrometastases) in patients fulfilling American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study analysed diagnostic accuracy in 355 pT1 breast cancers. All patients underwent AUS; visible nodes underwent FNA regardless of their AUS appearance. Sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were gold standards. Data were analysed considering micrometastases 'positive' and considering micrometastases 'N negative'. The simulation environment included all patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria. RESULTS: Axillary involvement: 22.8 %; AUS sensitivity: 46.9 % (Nmic positive)/66.7 % (Nmic negative); AUS+FNA sensitivity: 52.6 % (pNmic positive)/72.0 % (pNmic negative). In the simulation environment, AUS had 75.0 % sensitivity, 88.9 % specificity and 99.2 % NPV. CONCLUSION: AUS has moderate sensitivity in T1 tumours. As ALND is unnecessary in micrometastases, considering micrometastases 'N negative' increases the practical impact of AUS. In patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria, AUS alone can predict cases unlikely to benefit from ALND. KEY POINTS: • AUS+FNA can predict axillary involvement, thus avoiding SNB. • Not all patients with axillary involvement need ALND. • Axillary tumour load determines axillary management. • AUS could classify patients according to axillary load.

Adenocarcinoma de próstata de volumen mínimo: estudio de 12 casos en piezas de prostatectomía / Minimal volume prostatic adenocarcinoma: study of 12 cases in specimens of radical prostatectomy

Adenocarcinoma de volumen mínimo es aquella neoplasia menor de 0,5 cm³ en prostatectomía radicales. Son tumores de pronóstico excelente, generalemente ógano-confinados y totalmente resecados. Seleccionamos 12 casos de adenocarcinoma con un volumen de 0,5 cm³ en piezas de prostatectomias radicales. El promedio de edades fue 60,55 años. Los tumores eran órgano-confinados y el Gleason osciló entre 5 y 9. El promedio del diámetro tumoral fue 4,9 mm y del volumen fue 0,129 cm³. Las biopsias por punción fueron revisadas en 9 de los 12 pacientes. En ellas el porcentaje tumoral ocupaba entre 3% y 30% de la totalidad de la biopsia. Consideramos que para el diagnóstico del adenocarcinoma de volumen mínimo en la pieza de prostatectomía radical se debe estudiar la totalidad del espécimen en forma sistemática, ya que el diagnóstico de carcinoma de volumen mínimo en la biopsia por punción puede no corresponder con un tumor menor de 0,5 cm³ en la prostatectomía radical

Minimal volume prostactic adenocarcinoma is defined as a neoplasia less than 0.5 cm³ in radical prostatectomy. These are tumors of excellent prognosis, generally organ confined, and totally resected. We selected 12 cases of adenocarcinoma with less than 0.5 cm³ in volumen in specimens of radical prostatectomy. The average age was 60.55 years. Tumors were organ-confined and the Gleason score rangel from 5 to 9. The average tumor diameter was 4.9 mm and volume was 0.129 cm³. Needle biopsies were studied in 9 out of 12 patients. In these, the tumor percentage in biopsy was from 3% to 30%. We consider that for the diagnosis of a minimal volume adenocarcinoma in the specimen of radical prostatectomy, the specimen must be totally and systematically submitted and studied, since the diagnosis of minimal volume carcinoma in the core biopsy might not correspond with a tumor of less than 0.5 cm³ in the radical prostatectomy

Determinación de la densidad y heterogeneidad de la angiogénesis en la valvulitis crónica reumática

En los países en desarrollo la fiebre reumática constituye aún, un problema de salud. La valvulopatía reumática es grave porque amerita en la mayoría de los casos, reemplazo valvular afectando inclusive a pacientes adolescentes y en la edad media de la vida. La evolución de la lesión valvular es progresiva con remodelado fibroso de sus estructuras. Histológicamente, la densidad de la neovascularización es variable y heterogénea dependiente de diferentes factores de crecimiento. El objetivo fue determinar la densidad y heterogeneidad de la angiogénesis o neovascularización en tres etapas de progresión de la valvulitis crónica reumática y su relación con la fibrosis e inflamación. Se realizó análisis histopatológico e inmunohistoquímico de 60 biopsias de pacientes con reemplazo valvular mitral, de ambos sexos divididos en tres grupos que caracterizan etapas de progresión de la valvulitis crónica. Se estimó la densidad de cada tipo de neovasos en las valvas y su relación con el grado de inflamación y fibrosis de la valva. Los promedios de edades de los grupos 1, 2 y 3 fueron: 15,3 ± 0,6; 31 ± 1,5 y 49,7 ± 1,4 años, respectivamente. La densidad total (vasos/mm2) de la angiogénesis fue decreciente desde el grupo 1 al 3; 14,78 ± 1,92, 5,98 ±1,08 y 3,55 ± 0,76, respectivamen te. (P< 0,001. ANOVA F=19,162). El neovaso predominante fue el “vaso madre”, estructura transitoria que evoluciona a las formas intermedias y a las más estables (vasos “hijos” y vasos con pared muscular). La presencia de la variabilidad de la densidad neovascular y la heterogeneidad de los neovasos en la etapa crónica de la valvulopatía reumática en relación con el proceso inflamatorio y de cicatrización, puede ser explicada por la acción de diferentes factores de crecimiento

In the developing countries the rheumatic fever still constitutes a health problem. The rheumatic valvulopathy is serious because in most of the cases replacement of the affected valve is needed, including adolescent patients and in the average age of the life. The evolution of the valvular lesions is progressive with fibrous remodeling of the structures. Histologically the angiogenesis density is variable and heterogeneous depending on different growth factors. The objective was to determine the angiogenesis density and heterogeneity in three stages of progression of the rheumatic chronic valvulitis and their relation with the fibrosis and inflammation. Histopathologic and immunohisthochemical analysis of 60 biopsies was done on patients with replacement of the mitral valve, of both sexes, divided in three groups that characterize stages of progression of the chronic valvulitis. Each type of neovasculature’s valvular density and its relation to the inflammation and fibrosis degree was estimated. The age averages of groups 1.2 and 3, were: 15.3 ± 0.6; 31 ± 1.5 and 49.7 ± 1.4 years, respectively. The total angiogenesis, density (vasos/mm2) decreassed from group 1 to the 3; 14.78 ± 1.92; 5.98 ± 1.08 and 3.55 ± 0.76 (P< 0.001), ANOVA, F=19.162. The predominant angiogenesis was the “mother-vase”, transitory structure that evolves to the intermediate and most stable forms: (“children vases” and “vases with muscular walls”). The presence of the neovascular density’s variability and the heterogeneity in the chronic stage of the rheumatic valvulopathy in relation to the inflammatory and of healing process could be explained as the effect of different growth factors

Caracterización de la angiogénesis en la valvulitis reumática crónica como factor de progresión de las lesiones del aparato valvular mitral

La caracterización de la angiogénesis en la valvulopatía crónica reumática y su relación con la progresión de las lesiones del tejido valvular es novedosa en nuestro medio. El objetivo de este estudio es cuantificar la neovascularización y relacionarla con la progresión del proceso inflamatorio y de la remodelación colágena (fibrosis). Se analizaron 40 biopsias con valvulitis crónica reumática mitral, de pacientes con edades representativas de dos etapas evolutivas. El promedio de edades en el grupo A, fue de 31 ± 1,5 años y 49 ± 1,4 años en el grupo B. Las secciones histológicas fueron coloreadas con hematoxilina-eosina y tricrómico de Gomori, e inmunomarcadas con CD34. Macroscópicamente, las valvas de ambos grupos estaban engrosadas por fibrosis. En el grupo B, las lesiones fueron más severas, siendo la calcificación focal, su nota más importante (50,0 %). Histológicamente, en ambos grupos, se observó fibrosis, infiltrado inflamatorio sin presencia de nódulos de Aschoff. Los mayores grados de inflamación fueron observados en el grupo A.

En el grupo B, hubo calcificaciones en el 60 % vs. 5 % de los casos del grupo A. En cada caso, se contaron los neovasos con marcaje positivo para CD34. La densidad vascular fue calculada dividiendo el número total de vasos entre el área de la sección en mm2” (vasos/mm2). La densidad fue de 5,98 ±1,08 vasos/mm2, y 3,55 ± 0,76 (P< 0,001) vasos/mm2.en el grupo A, y en el grupo B, respectivamente. Se concluyó que la angiogénesis es constante en todas las fases de la valvulitis crónica reumática y que forma parte del cortejo de los elementos tisulares inflamatorios y reparativos, representando un potencial factor de progresión y de agravamiento de la remodelación colágena. Considerando que la angiogénesis presenta variantes morfológicas producidas por diferentes factores moduladores, es probable que estos puedan constituirse en blancos terapéuticos para inhibir este proceso y disminuir la cicatrización del aparato valvular mitral.

Characterisation of angiogenesis in chronic rheumatic valvulopathy and his relation with progression of the valvular injuries is novel in our country. The objective of this study is to quantify neovascularizacion and to relate it with progression of the inflammatory process and fibrosis. We analyzed 40 biopsies with chronic valvulitis rheumatic from patients with representative ages of two evolutionary stages. The average of ages in the Group A, was of 31 ± 1.5 years and in Group B, of 49,7 ± 1,4 years. The histology sections were collored with haematoxylineosin and tricromic of Gomori, and immune marked with CD34. Macroscopic valves of both groups was thickened by fibrosis, although in group B, the changes were more severe being focal calcification, its more important note (50.0 %). Histology cally in both groups, they were observed fibrosis, inflammatory infiltrate without presence of Aschoff.’nodules. The greater degrees of inflammation were observed in group A. The group B there were calcifications in 60 % of the cases versus 5 % of group A. In each case the positive immune neovessels were counted. The vascular density was calculated dividing the total number of vessels by the section’s area (vessels/mm2). The density was 5.98 ± 1.08 vessels/mm2, and 3.55 ± 0.76 (P< 0.001) in the groups A, and B, respectively. We conclude that angiogenesis is constant in all phases of the chronic rheumatic valvulitis and comprises all the courtship of the inflammatory and reparative tissue elements, representing a potential factor of progression of collagen remodelation. Considering that angiogenesis displays morphologic variants produced by different modulators factors, it is probable that they may become therapeutics targets to inhibit this process in order to diminish cicatrisation of the mitral valvular apparatus.