Alemtuzumab induces severe orbitopathy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

CONTEXT: Treatment with Alemtuzumab (ALZ) in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) is associated with the development of ALZ-induced Graves' disease (GD-ALZ). Some cases may develop associated Graves´ Orbitopathy (GO-ALZ), with possible visual compromise. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the main clinical and biochemical characteristics of GD-ALZ, as well as the clinical course of a case series of GO-ALZ METHODS: This study is a retrospective observational study, carried out in a reference hospital for the care of patients with RRMS in Spain. Cases treated with ALZ in the period 2014-2022 were included. GO-ALZ cases were identified among those with clinical symptoms compatible with thyroid eye disease after initiating ALZ treatment. RESULTS: A total of 135 cases, with a mean follow-up of 69.6 months after the first ALZ cycle, were included. The incidence of GD-ALZ was 32.6% (44/135), with a predominance of women (77.3%) and mean age of 41.9 years. The presence of first-degree relatives with hypothyroidism was identified as risk factor for the development of GD-ALZ (adjusted P-value: 0.02). GO-ALZ was diagnosed in 6 cases (incidence: 13.6%), of which 3 had severe clinical forms of GO, requiring anti-IL-6 treatment. A favorable response was reported in all of them, with a significant decrease in disease activity and improvement in proptosis. CONCLUSIONS: We report one of the largest cohorts of GD-ALZ and GO-ALZ cases. The diagnosis of these entities should be taken into account in patients treated with Alemtuzumab, given the risk of developing severe clinical forms. In moderate-severe forms of GO-ALZ, drugs with anti-IL-6 activity are a safe and effective option.

Effect of Obesity on Clinical Characteristics of Primary Aldosteronism Patients at Diagnosis and Postsurgical Response.

CONTEXT: Patients with obesity have an overactivated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that is associated with essential hypertension. However, the influence of obesity in primary aldosteronism (PA) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the effect of obesity on the characteristics of PA, and the association between obesity and RAAS components. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of the Spanish PA Registry (SPAIN-ALDO Registry), which included patients with PA seen at 20 tertiary centers between 2018 and 2022. Differences between patients with and without obesity were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 415 patients were included; 189 (45.5%) with obesity. Median age was 55 years (range, 47.3-65.2 years) and 240 (58.4%) were male. Compared to those without obesity, patients with obesity had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, obstructive apnea syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy, prior cardiovascular events, higher means of systolic blood pressure, and required more antihypertensive drugs. Patients with PA and obesity also had higher values of serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, creatinine, uric acid, and triglycerides, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Levels of blood aldosterone (PAC) and renin were similar between patients with and without obesity. Body mass index was not correlated with PAC nor renin. The rates of adrenal lesions on imaging studies, as well as the rates of unilateral disease assessed by adrenal vein sampling or I-6ß-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol scintigraphy, were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Obesity in PA patients involves a worse cardiometabolic profile, and need for more antihypertensive drugs but similar PAC and renin levels, and rates of adrenal lesions and lateral disease than patients without obesity. However, obesity implicates a lower rate of hypertension cure after adrenalectomy.

Differences in the risk of premature cancer mortality between natives and immigrants in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The healthy immigrant paradox has found wide support in the literature. To evaluate this hypothesis that immigrants have better health outcomes than the native population, this study aimed to compare the premature cancer mortality between the native and immigrant populations in Spain. METHODS: We obtained the 2012-15 cause-specific mortality estimates from administrative records and participant characteristics data from the 2011 Spanish census. Using Cox proportional hazards regression models, we calculated the risks of mortality of the native and immigrant populations, and the latter populations' risk based on their regions of origin, and determined the effects of covariates of interest on the calculated risk. RESULTS: Our results show that the risk of premature cancer mortality is lower among immigrants than among natives, and this gap is higher among men than among women. There is a lower mortality rate among Latin American immigrants (Latino men are 81% less likely to die prematurely from cancer than native-born men, and Latino women are 54% less). Moreover, despite social class disparities, immigrants' advantage in cancer mortality remained constant and decreased with increasing length of residence in the host country. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided novel evidence on the 'healthy immigrant paradox', associated with the fact that migrants are favorably selected at origin, cultural patterns of the societies of origin and, in the case of men, there is some convergence or an 'unhealthy' integration that explains the fact that this advantage over natives is lost with more years of residence in Spain.

Burden of infectious disease studies in Europe and the United Kingdom: a review of methodological design choices.

This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 2000 and 2014. Almost all studies (97%) estimated DALYs based on the incidence- and pathogen-based approach and without social weighting functions; however, there was less methodological consensus with regards to the disability weights and life tables that were applied. The number of burden of infectious disease studies undertaken across Europe has increased over time. Development and use of guidelines will promote performing burden of infectious disease studies and facilitate comparability of the results.

Evaluation of Nutritional Interventions in the Care Plan for Cancer Patients: The NOA Project.

The NOA (Oncological Nutrition in Andalusia) project analyses the degree of integration and areas of improvement in implementing nutritional support in the care plans of cancer patients in Andalusia. The aim was to analyse nutritional interventions for better care of cancer patients and for the improvement of the management of malnutrition in cancer. A prospective evaluation of the implementation of two areas of improvement in nutrition was conducted in three hospitals. Data were collected from each hospital over a six-month period using an online platform. A standardised care plan was designed for hospitals in Andalusia, in which proposed improvements were devised and prioritised, selecting nutritional screening in oncology services and the participation of the Nutrition Support Team (NST) on the tumour boards, as well as the assessment of the patients presented at these sessions. Our results indicated an increase in the number of medical records with nutritional evaluation results six months later, regardless of the type of tumour or hospitalisation; and there was greater participation of the NST on the tumour boards, mainly for head and neck and oesophagogastric cases. Solutions for improvement have been pinpointed and implemented that have positively impacted the nutritional care plan in the course of oncological disease.

Methodological considerations in injury burden of disease studies across Europe: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Calculating the disease burden due to injury is complex, as it requires many methodological choices. Until now, an overview of the methodological design choices that have been made in burden of disease (BoD) studies in injury populations is not available. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify existing injury BoD studies undertaken across Europe and to comprehensively review the methodological design choices and assumption parameters that have been made to calculate years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) in these studies. METHODS: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, and the grey literature supplemented by handsearching, for BoD studies. We included injury BoD studies that quantified the BoD expressed in YLL, YLD, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in countries within the European Region between early-1990 and mid-2021. RESULTS: We retrieved 2,914 results of which 48 performed an injury-specific BoD assessment. Single-country independent and Global Burden of Disease (GBD)-linked injury BoD studies were performed in 11 European countries. Approximately 79% of injury BoD studies reported the BoD by external cause-of-injury. Most independent studies used the incidence-based approach to calculate YLDs. About half of the injury disease burden studies applied disability weights (DWs) developed by the GBD study. Almost all independent injury studies have determined YLL using national life tables. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable methodological variation across independent injury BoD assessments was observed; differences were mainly apparent in the design choices and assumption parameters towards injury YLD calculations, implementation of DWs, and the choice of life table for YLL calculations. Development and use of guidelines for performing and reporting of injury BoD studies is crucial to enhance transparency and comparability of injury BoD estimates across Europe and beyond.

Reward sensitivity and hazardous alcohol consumption in women: The parallel mediation effect of self-control and impulsivity traits.

Introduction: Little research has been carried out on the associations between several individual factors and hazardous alcohol use in women. The aim of this study was first, to study the relationship between reward sensitivity (RS) and alcohol use in both women with and without hazardous drinking separately. Second, to explore the potential mediating roles of the impulsivity and self-control traits in this relationship. Method: The study was analytical and cross-sectional and included 645 female participants (mean age = 19.14; standard deviation (SD)=1.60). All women were divided into two groups (286, 44.3%, with hazardous drinking, HDW; and 359, 55.7%, with light drinking, LDW). Correlation analyses were carried out to explore the associations between the variables, and parallel mediation analyses were performed to investigate the potential mediating roles of impulsivity and self-control in the RS-alcohol use associations in each group separately. Results: A significant association was observed between RS and alcohol use in HDW, contrary to that observed in their counterparts. In addition, both higher impulsivity and less self-control mediated the association between RS and alcohol use only in HDW. Conclusions: Impulsivity and self-control differently affect alcohol use under the condition of high reward sensitivity, only in HDW, suggesting alterations of the dual top-down and bottom-up mechanisms and a possible imbalance between the competing reflexive and impulsive brain systems. More research is needed regarding the individual factors that affect women's drinking to develop sensitive measures for the assessment of alcohol use and more efficient interventions for women.

Predictive model of hypertension resolution after adrenalectomy in primary aldosteronism: the SPAIN-ALDO score.

PURPOSE: To develop a predictive model of hypertension resolution after adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), based on their presurgical characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of PA patients in follow-up in 20 Spanish tertiary hospitals between 2018 and 2021 was performed (SPAIN-ALDO Register). Clinical response postadrenalectomy was classified according to the primary aldosteronism surgical outcome (PASO) consensus criteria. The predictive model was developed using a multivariate logistic regression model with the estimation of all possible equations. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients (54.8% females; mean age of 51.5 ± 10.9 years) with PA who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy were included. After a mean follow-up of 29.1 ±â€Š30.43 months after surgery, hypertension cure was obtained in 37.7% ( n  = 55) of the patients. The predictive model with the highest diagnostic accuracy to predict hypertension cure combined the variables female sex, use of two or fewer antihypertensive medications, hypertension grade 1, without type 2 diabetes and nonobesity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of this model was 0.841 [0.769-0.914]. Based on this model, the group of patients with a higher probability of cure (80.4%) were those without type 2 diabetes, BMI <30 kg/m 2 , female sex, hypertension grade 1 and who use two or fewer antihypertensives. Our predictive model offered a slightly higher diagnostic accuracy than Wachtel's (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.809), Utsumi's (AUC: 0.804) and Zarnegar's (AUC: 0.796) models and was similar than the Burello's (AUC: 0.833) model. CONCLUSION: Female sex, use of two or fewer antihypertensive medications, hypertension grade 1, no type 2 diabetes and nonobesity may predict hypertension cure after adrenalectomy in patients with PA. Our score provides a potential tool to guide preoperative patient counseling.

Novel APOB nonsense variant related to familial hypobetalipoproteinemia and hepatic steatosis: A case report and review.

Hereditary familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) is a syndrome caused by variants in the APOB gene, that cause a defect in the secretion and mobilization of liver lipids to peripheral tissues, associated with the synthesis of truncated ApoB100 apolipoproteins. This condition causes significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density proteins (VLDL) and serum triglyceride levels, with unchanged high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Herein we present the case of a middle-aged woman diagnosed with FHBL and hepatic steatosis, heterozygous for c.4698C>A; (p.Tyr1566Ter) variant in APOB. The variant presented herein showed high expressiveness in the two generations of individuals analyzed and has not yet being described in the medical literature. Early diagnosis and screening for associated metabolic comorbidities such as metabolic fatty liver disease and its subsequent progression to fibrosis are the two main goals in the treatment of this condition, in order to prevent medium to long term potential complications.

Adrenal venous sampling in primary aldosteronism: Experience of a Spanish multicentric study (Results from the SPAIN-ALDO Register).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of adrenal venous sampling (AVS) performance in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), the main reasons for its non-performance, and the success and complications rate of this procedure in Spain. Moreover, the concordance between CT/MRI and AVS for PA subtyping was evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of PA patient follow-up in 20 Spanish tertiary hospitals between 2018-2021 was performed (SPAIN-ALDO Register). RESULTS: Of the 440 patients with PA included in the study, 153 underwent AVS (34.8%). The main reasons for not performing AVS were: patient rejection to the procedure, low catheterization rate in the center and unilateral disease based on CT/MRI. The overall success rate was 44.4% (the left adrenal vein was properly canulated in 77.8% and the right adrenal vein in 48.4%). Only 3 patients experienced minor complications. In the 45 patients with unilateral disease according to AVS, CT/MRI indicated bilateral disease or normal adrenal glands in 17. In the 23 patients with bilateral disease, CT/MRI indicated unilateral disease in 14. However, no significant differences were observed in biochemical response (P = 0.051) and hypertension resolution (P = 0.150) between patients who underwent surgery based on CT/MRI results and those who underwent surgery based on AVS results. CONCLUSION: In our setting, AVS is still an underused technique in patients with PA. The low experience and success rate in AVS partially justify these results. More training for providers and patients needs to be done to include appropriate well performed AVS in the diagnosis algorithm of PA.

Differences in the presentation and evolution of primary aldosteronism in elderly (≥65 years) and young patients (<65 years).

Objective: To compare the presentation and evolution of primary aldosteronism (PA) in the elderly (≥65 years) and young patients (<65 years). Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was performed in 20 Spanish hospitals of PA patients in follow-up between 2018 and 2021. Results: Three hundred fifty-two patients with PA <65 years and 88 patients ≥65 years were included. Older PA patients had a two-fold higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cerebrovascular disease, but these differences disappeared after adjusting for hypertension duration. At diagnosis, diastolic blood pressure was lower than in young patients (83.3 ± 11.54 vs 91.6 ± 14.46 mmHg, P < 0.0001). No differences in the rate of overall correct cannulation (56.5% vs 42.3%, P = 0.206) or the diagnosis of unilaterality (76.9% vs 62.5%, P = 0.325) in the adrenal venous sampling (AVS) was observed between the elderly and young groups. However, there was a lower proportion of PA patients who underwent adrenalectomy in the elderly group than in the younger group (22.7% (n = 20) vs 37.5% (n = 132), P = 0.009). Nevertheless, no differences in the rate of postsurgical biochemical (100% (n = 14) vs 92.8% (n = 90), P = 0.299) and hypertension cure (38.6% (n = 51) vs 25.0% (n = 5), P = 0.239) were observed between both groups. Conclusion: Older patients with PA have a worse cardiometabolic profile than young patients with PA that it is related to a longer duration of hypertension. However, the results of the AVS, and adrenalectomy are similar in both groups. Therefore, the management of elderly patients with PA should be based not only on age, but rather on the overall medical, physical, social, and mental characteristics of the patients.

Evolution of the cardiometabolic profile of primary hyperaldosteronism patients treated with adrenalectomy and with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: results from the SPAIN-ALDO Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution of the cardiometabolic profile of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) after the treatment with surgery and with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). DESIGN: Retrospective multicentric study of patients with PA on follow-up in twelve Spanish centers between 2018 and 2020. RESULTS: 268 patients with PA treated by surgery (n = 100) or with MRA (n = 168) were included. At baseline, patients treated with surgery were more commonly women (54.6% vs 41.7%, P = 0.042), had a higher prevalence of hypokalemia (72.2% vs 58%, P = 0.022) and lower prevalence of obesity (37.4% vs 51.3%, P = 0.034) than patients treated with MRA. Adrenalectomy resulted in complete biochemical cure in 94.0% and clinical response in 83.0% (complete response in 41.0% and partial response in 42.0%). After a median follow-up of 23.6 (IQR 9.7-53.8) months, the reduction in blood pressure (BP) after treatment was similar between the group of surgery and MRA, but patients surgically treated reduced the number of antihypertensive pills for BP control more than those medically treated (∆antihypertensives: -1.3 ± 1.3 vs 0.0 ± 1.4, P < 0.0001) and experienced a higher increased in serum potassium levels (∆serum potassium: 0.9 ± 0.7 vs 0.6 ± 0.8mEq/ml, P = 0.003). However, no differences in the risk of the onset of new renal and cardiometabolic comorbidities was observed between the group of surgery and MRA (HR = 0.9 [0.5-1.5], P = 0.659). CONCLUSION: In patients with PA, MRA and surgery offer a similar short-term cardiovascular protection, but surgery improves biochemical control and reduces pill burden more commonly than MRA, and lead to hypertension cure or improvement in up to 83% of the patients.

Long-term outcomes of distal locking in extracapsular fractures treated with trochanteric Gamma3 nails.

BACKGROUND: Few publications have assessed long-term results of distal locking of short endomedullary nails for extracapsular hip fracture. Virtually all of them focus on immediate differences. Criteria for the use of static or dynamic locking are unclear in most nailing systems, and use is advised in unstable fracture patterns or with risk of bell-clapper effect, but often influenced by the "orthopaedic school". MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a historical cohort study on patients diagnosed and operated in 2014 and followed up until endpoint, considered as consolidation or major complication, plus evaluation of overall long-term survival. They were categorised as static distal locking (ST) or dynamic distal locking (DN). Both are comparable, except for all stable pre-operative classifications, Fracture Mobility Score (FMS) at discharge, and immediate post-operative loading, all of which were in favour of DN. RESULTS: Consolidation took place in > 95% of patients, with a non-statistically significant delay trend in ST. Less than 6% in both ST and DN had major complications, with no differences. Most cases suffered early cut-out. Significant fracture collapse was the most frequent minor complication. There were more statistically significant minor and total complications in ST. Infection, without differences, can precede cut-out. Lateral thigh pain was similar and could be related to back-out. In DN, 21.1% of cases were truly dynamised. We did not find differences in mobility or in long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Any type of distal locking seems to be safe for consolidation, despite a slightly longer consolidation time in static locking. Early cut-out was the main complication, while others were very infrequent, which is an advantage over helical blade devices. There was a higher rate of minor and overall mechanical complications in ST, but infection and lateral thigh pain were similar. Most non-traumatic mechanical complications occurred around 5-6 weeks. About one in five of the DN truly dynamised, with all cases occurring before 8 weeks. Mobility until endpoint and overall long-term survival were not influenced by the locking mode used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level 2b.

3D GIS for surface modelling of magnetic fields generated by overhead power lines and their validation in a complex urban area.

Residential exposure to magnetic fields generated by overhead high-voltage power lines, continues to be a matter of social concern and, for the scientific community, a challenge to model this exposure accurately enough to reliably detect even small effects in large populations complexes. In any expression of the magnetic field intensity, the source-receiver distance is a determining variable, especially in an environment closer to the electrical installation and critical with the existence of significant unevenness in the terrain. However, MF exposure studies adopt, due to their complexity, simplifications of reality where even sometimes the terrain relief and the buckling of the line are not considered. The application of 3D techniques with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows us to address this problem. This article presents a model for generating magnetic field intensity surfaces from high-precision terrain elevation data. The series expansion of the Biot-Savart law to an infinite rectilinear conductor with variable height according to the catenary described by the cables using ArcGIS software is applied to calculate the magnetic field. For the validation, 69 control points (1035 field measurements) were used in a free urban area and another 28 points (420 field measurements) in a built-up urban area with complex relief. Good estimates were obtained, although with differences in both areas. With MAPE 9.65% and 19.51%, R2 = 0.922 and 0.949, RMSE = 0.154 and 0.094 µT, respectively. Furthermore, 86% of the points were correctly classified according to usual exposure percentiles. However, the use of a 5 m resolution digital terrain model to obtain high-precision elevation data was an indispensable condition for the good performance of our model. The result as a continuous surface of magnetic field values at the real elevation of the ground can contribute significantly to the development of new environmental and public health studies.

Rounding as an indicator of bias in reported body weight in health surveys.

Due to the higher costs and selection bias of directly measuring weight, the majority of body weight data are based on survey responses. However, these statements are subject to systematic biases of social desirability; therefore, it is important to evaluate the magnitude of bias through indirect indicators such as rounding of weights. Data from seven rounds of the Spanish National Health Survey from 1995 to 2017 were included in the study, with 113,284 subjects. A general rounding index of weights terminating in 0 and 5, and a partial rounding index that estimated the bias direction, were used to estimate the bias distribution in the self-reporting of body weight. All body weights were systematically rounded, although more strongly in the lower weights and even more so in the higher weights. Lower weights were rounded up, and the higher weights rounded down. Regarding gender, men had higher rounding indices than women. The subjects generally reported a weight closer to the socially desirable weight. Rounding allows estimating the historical evolution of this bias in health and nutrition surveys, having more accurate information by population segments and designing public policies against obesity aimed at the more affected social segments.

[Contributions of change in mortality by HIV/AIDS to Spanish life expectancy]. / Contribuciones del cambio en mortalidad por sida a la esperanza de vida en España.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of the change in mortality by AIDS in life expectancy at birth of Spanish population in 1985-2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 56 863 deaths by AIDS. We calculated age-standardized death rates, and we applied Poisson regression and decomposition of life expectancies. RESULTS: From 1985 to 1995, mortality by AIDS contributed to reduce life expectancy at birth of 0.64 years for men, and 0.17 for women; in 1996-2017, increase it by 0.60 years, men, and 0.17, women. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1996 and prevention were decisive to reduce mortality by AIDS and to become chronic the epidemic.

OBJETIVO: Medir el efecto del cambio en mortalidad por sida en la esperanza de vida de la población española en 1985-2017. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 56 863 defunciones por sida. Se calcularon tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad y se aplicó regresión de Poisson y descomposición de esperanzas de vida. RESULTADOS: En 1985-1995, la mortalidad por sida contribuyó a disminuir la esperanza de vida 0.64 años en hombres y 0.17 en mujeres. En 1996-2017, la hizo crecer 0.60 en hombres y 0.17 en mujeres. CONCLUSIONES: La introducción en 1996 de los tratamientos antirretrovirales de gran actividad y la prevención fueron decisivas para disminuir la mortalidad por sida y cronificar la epidemia.

Contribuciones del cambio en mortalidad por sida a la esperanza de vida en España / Contributions of change in mortality by HIV/AIDS to Spanish life expectancy

Resumen: Objetivo: Medir el efecto del cambio en mortalidad por sida en la esperanza de vida de la población española en 1985-2017. Material y métodos: Se analizaron 56 863 defunciones por sida. Se calcularon tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad y se aplicó regresión de Poisson y descomposición de esperanzas de vida. Resultados: En 1985-1995, la mortalidad por sida contribuyó a disminuir la esperanza de vida 0.64 años en hombres y 0.17 en mujeres. En 1996-2017, la hizo crecer 0.60 en hombres y 0.17 en mujeres. Conclusión: La introducción en 1996 de los tratamientos antirretrovirales de gran actividad y la prevención fueron decisivas para disminuir la mortalidad por sida y cronificar la epidemia.

Abstract: Objective: To measure the effect of the change in mortality by AIDS in life expectancy at birth of Spanish population in 1985-2017. Materials and methods: We analyzed 56 863 deaths by AIDS. We calculated age-standardized death rates, and we applied Poisson regression and decomposition of life expectancies. Results: From 1985 to 1995, mortality by AIDS contributed to reduce life expectancy at birth of 0.64 years for men, and 0.17 for women; in 1996-2017, increase it by 0.60 years, men, and 0.17, women. Conclusion: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1996 and prevention were decisive to reduce mortality by AIDS and to become chronic the epidemic.

Adherence to treatment and related factors among patients with chronic conditions in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to treatment, a public health issue, is of particular importance in chronic disease therapies. Primary care practices offer ideal venues for the effective care and management of these conditions. The aim of this study is to assess adherence to treatment and related-factors among patients with chronic conditions in primary care settings. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 299 adult patients with ≥1 chronic condition(s) and prescribed medication in primary healthcare centers of Spain. The Morisky-Green-Levine questionnaire was used to assess medication adherence via face-to-face interviews. Crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with adherence using the Multidimensional Model proposed by the World Health Organization - social and economic, healthcare team and system-related, condition-related, therapy-related, and patient-related factors. RESULTS: The proportion of adherent patients to treatment was 55.5%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio 1.31 per 10-year increment, 95% CI 1.01-1.70), lower number of pharmacies used for medication refills (0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.90), having received complete treatment information (3.89, 95% CI 2.09-7.21), having adequate knowledge about medication regimen (4.17, 95% CI 2.23-7.80), and self-perception of a good quality of life (2.17, 95% CI 1.18-4.02) were independent factors associated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to treatment for chronic conditions remained low in primary care. Optimal achievement of appropriate levels of adherence through tailored multifaceted interventions will require attention to the multidimensional factors found in this study, particularly those related to patients' education and their information needs.

Medication adherence and barriers among low-income, uninsured patients with multiple chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to long-term therapies is a public health concern that affects all populations. Little is known about the context of adherence in chronic diseases for the uninsured population in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medication adherence and barriers among low-income, uninsured adults recently initiating new therapy for a chronic disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in two Community Health Centers located in Chatham County, Georgia, was performed between September and December 2015. Patients, randomly selected for inclusion in the study, were eligible if they had been prescribed medication for 2 or more chronic conditions and had recently started a new medication regimen. The Morisky-Green-Levine questionnaire was used to assess adherence. Potential barriers were analyzed using the Multidimensional Model proposed by the World Health Organization-social and economic, healthcare team and system-related, condition-related, therapy-related, and patient-related factors. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with non-adherence. RESULTS: A total of 150 participants were interviewed at 6 months after treatment initiation. Non-adherence was reported by 52% of the participants. Higher adjusted odds of non-adherence were observed in participants who did not receive information about their medications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-5.74), did not regularly visit a primary health-care provider (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.09-6.88), and had changes in their treatment (AOR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.62-8.70). Alternatively, adjusted odds of non-adherence were lower for patients who reported using pillboxes (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.10-0.95), having help from a caregiver (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.04-0.60), and integrating medication dosing into daily routines (AOR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Medication non-adherence was common among low-income, uninsured patients initiating therapy for chronic conditions. Several modifiable barriers highlight opportunities to address medication non-adherence through multidisciplinary interventions.

Hernia diafragmática congénita / Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a congenital defect of the formation and /or closure of the diaphragm that permits the herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax. It occurs when the diaphragmatic muscle fails to close during the prenatal development, and the contain of the abdomen migrate into the chest through this hole. When the abdominal organs are in the chest, there is limited room for the lungs to grow. This prevents the lungs for developing normally, resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia (or underdeveloped lungs). This can cause reduced blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension, as well as gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays. CDH can occur on the left side, right side or, very rarely, on both sides, and it can be life-threatening. The etiology is usually unknown. The incidence of CDH may be as high as 1 in 2000 to 1 in 5000 newborns alive. The sex relationship male/female is 1:1.8. Because of associated persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and pulmonary hypoplasia, medical therapy in patients with CDH is directed toward optimizing oxygenation while avoiding definitive therapy. No time for repair of CDH is ideal, but it is suggested that the opportunity is 24-48 hours after birth to achieve pulmonary development. The key to survival lies in prompt diagnosis and treatment. Over the past two decades antenatal diagnosis rates have increased the knowledge of the pathophysiology of CDH and has become better understand with advances in clinical care including prenatal surgery, with a reported mortality of almost 35 % in live-born patients and a higher mortality when in utero deaths are conected. All these considerations are described in the article, with special reference to pre and post-natal treatment, complications management, diagnosis and prognosis