[Descriptive study of patient compliance in pharmacologic antihypertensive treatment and validation of the Morisky and Green test]. / Estudio descriptivo del cumplimiento del tratamiento farmacológico antihipertensivo y validación del test de Morisky y Green.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the degree of correct use of a course of medication in a sample of patients with high blood pressure attending Primary Attention consultation, and to validate the Morisk and Green completion test. DESIGN: This is a transversal observational study carried out in two stages, which aims to analyse the variable rate of correct following of instructions. The sample was selected at random. SITE. The study was carried out within the framework of Primary Care. PATIENTS: The sample was drawn from patients with high blood pressure under treatment by medication, including 96 patients of whom only 86 completed the study. MAIN MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Measurement of the actual incidence of correct use was carried out by means of counting the pills in the patients' homes, and the theoretical incidence of correct use by means of the Morisky and Green Test. We class those who take between 80-110% of the prescribed pills as completing the course correctly. We found: 18.6% took less medication (Margin of reliability (MR) 95%: 10, 3-26.8%), 23% took more than they should (MR 95%: 14.4-32, 2%) and 58.1% took medication as instructed (MR 95%: 48-68%, without significant differences either by sex or age. The test's sensitivity in detecting those who complied with instructions was 52%, and specificity was 44.4%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The number of over-consumers is particularly notable. 2. Responses to the test do not show any relationship with correct use of medication in this study. 3. In our view the test could only be used in a hypothetical population where there were no over-consumers.

[Community-acquired urinary infection: the in vitro activity of trimethoprim and cotrimoxazole]. / Infección urinaria extrahospitalaria: actividad in vitro de trimetoprim y cotrimoxazol.

To evaluate the in vitro sensitivities of trimetoprim (TMP) in our area and to compare them with those to co-trimoxazole (CMX) a prospective study was carried out in females with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection (UCLUTI), as a preliminary step for the possible use of a monodose of TMP in these patients. Fifty-five cases of UCLUTI were included. Escherichia coli was the predominating organism (70.9%). The general sensitivity to CMX was 80% and that to TMP 76.4%. The E. coli sensitivity to CMX was 79.5%, and 76.9% to TMP. The difference in the sensitivities to both antimicrobials was not statistically significant (p = 0.5). The routine introduction of TMP in the antibiogram would permit to evaluate the resistance to this antimicrobial in each area and, on the basis of the results, to assess the effectiveness of TMP in the treatment of UCLUTI.

[Qualitative study of the demand of domiciliary care at a special emergency service]. / Estudio cualitativo de la demanda de asistencia domiciliaria de un Servicio Especial de Urgencias.

The demand for home attention in the special emergency service of L'Hospitalet and Cornella de Llobregat (Barcelona) was evaluated. The data from a sample of 2046 requests for home attention were assessed, corresponding to the period between July 1st, 1985, and June 30th, 1986. This sample was randomly selected from overall 28385 home visits carried out during this period. The age group with the highest demand of care was the 0-14 years group. There was a high number of requests of care for banal symptoms. The most common group of diseases were the respiratory conditions. 83% of patients received some type of therapy. In 12% of cases, admission to a hospital was indicated; the most common cause of admission to a hospital was indicated; the most common cause of admission was cardiovascular disease. Emphasis is made on the importance of the coordination between primary care groups and special emergency services, as well as on the need for continuing education of professionals with specialties related to the care of emergencies and pediatrics.