[Retrospective observational study of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients previously treated with rituximab]. / Estudio observacional retrospectivo de persistencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes tratados previamente con rituximab.

OBJECTIVE: Rituximab-induced immunosuppression could be a risk factor for mortality from COVID-19. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients who have received rituximab and its association with a persistent viral infection. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients who received rituximab in the 6 months before to the onset of the pandemic. We analyzed the presence of infection and associated them with demographic variables, pathological history related to an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, the doses of rituximab received, the type of ventilatory support, thromboembolic events, and the treatment received. A descriptive analysis of all the variables was carried out and infected and uninfected patients were compared. RESULTS: We screened a total of 68 patients who had received rituximab (median cumulative dose: 4,161mg (2,611-8,187.5)). 54.4% men, mean age 60.8 years (15.7; 25-87)). C + was confirmed for 22 patients. Of these, 45.5% had high blood pressure, 36.4% Diabetes Mellitus, 31.8% smokers/ex-smoker, 22.7% lung disease, 13.6% heart disease and 4.5% obesity. There were no statistically significant differences between C+ and C-. Only 2 patients developed immunity. For 10 patients (45.5%) did not have a negative CRP until the end of the follow-up. There was no association with cumulative dose of rituximab. The mortality rate was 22.7% in the C+. CONCLUSIONS: We observe that the persistence of the infection leads to a worse evolution of COVID-19. The use of alternatives should be considered during the pandemic, because of patients with decreased B-cell function may have high risk of fatal progression from COVID-19.

Aftas orales refractarias en tratamiento con adalimumab y apremilast en paciente con enfermedad de Behçet. Informe de un caso / Refractory oral aftas in treatment with adalimumab and apremilast in patient with Behçet syndrome. A case report

La enfermedad de Behçet es un trastorno inflamatorio multisistémico que se manifiesta de forma muy variada a nivel cutáneo, especialmente en forma de aftas orales frecuentemente refractarias. Los tratamientos con utilidad en la sintomatología de esta patología, resultan poco específicos y poco efectivos; teniendo que recurrir a veces a tratamientos sistémicos, como los biológicos: entre ellos, los anti-TNFα. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con enfermedad de Behçet, con aftas orales severas, recurrentes y refractarias a múltiples tratamientos. Actualmente, la paciente ha alcanzado la remisión clínica en tratamiento combinado de adalimumab y apremilast. (AU)

Behçet’s disease is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder that manifests itself in a variety of ways at the cutaneous level, especially in the form of oral thrush, very often very refractory. Treatments that are useful in the symptomatology of this pathology are not very specific and not very effective; sometimes it is necessary to resort to systemic treatments, such as biologi-cal ones: among them, anti-TNFα.We present the case of a patient diagnosed with Behçet’s disease, with severe oral aphthae, very recurrent and refractory to multiple treatments. Currently, the patient has reached clinical remission in combined treatment of adalimumab and apremilast. (AU)

Efecto de los fármacos modificadores del PH sobre los inhibidores de la tirosin quinasa: contrastando información / Effect of gastric-acid-reducing agents on the tyrosine kinasa inhibitors: contrasting information

Objetivos: Los inhibidores de la tirosin quinasa (ITK) comprenden un conjunto de moléculas ampliamente utilizadas actualmente en onco-hematología. Los ITK han supuesto una ventaja para los pacientes, de forma que la administración oral favorece su autonomía, pero a su vez, su absorción gastrointestinal y, por ende, su biodisponibilidad, puede verse alterada por el PH-gástrico. Las interacciones con los fármacos modificadores del PH son un problema conocido y una consulta frecuente. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las interacciones ITK-fármacos modificadores del PH-gástrico y las discrepancias en diferentes bases de datos. Con los resultados, se elaboró una tabla, para proporcionar a los pacientes la información correcta y consensuada, y no generar así inseguridad que comprometa la adherencia al tratamiento o confianza hacia el profesional sanitario. Métodos: Se exportaron de la web de la Agencia Española del Medicamento y Productos Sanitarios los fármacos clasificados como ITK directos (ATC: L01XE). Se consultó la interacción de éstos con los IBP, Anti-H2 y antiácidos en diversas fuentes y se resumieron los hallazgos.Resultados y conclusiones: Para establecer una fuerte recomendación, es necesario consultar varias bases de datos, ya que las discrepancias o la información insuficiente pueden llevar a recomendaciones erróneas. Es importante establecer un consenso entre profesionales para realizar la recomendación correcta, y no ver comprometida la eficacia del tratamiento, con las importantes consecuencias que ello conllevaría. (AU)

Objectives: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) include a group of molecules widely used in oncohematology today. Using the oral administration route of TKIs offers an advantage for the patient; favoring patient autonomy, however, oral administration also causes relevant new problems. Gastrointestinal absorption and, therefore, bioavailability, can be altered by gastric PH. Interactions of these TKIs with gastric acid reducing (GAR) drugs are a known problem and a frequent query in clinical practice. The aim was to analyze ITK-GAR drugs interactions and discrepancies in different databases. Based on the results, a table was elaborated to provide the correct and consensed information, and thus not generate insecurity that compromises the adherence to the treatment or trust towards the healthcare professional.Methods: Drugs classified as direct ITKs (ATC: L01XE) were exported from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products website. Their interaction with PPIs, Anti-H2 and antacids was consulted in different databases and findings were summarized.Results and conclusions: To establish a strong recommendation, it is necessary to consult several databases, because of discrepancies or insufficient information can lead to erroneous recommendations. It is important to establish a consensus among professionals to make the correct recommendation, and not compromising the effectiveness of the treatment, which would entail important consequences. (AU)

Cross-sectional survey on awareness of colorectal cancer and a screening programme for primary health care professionals in Catalonia, Spain.

This study aimed to assess whether primary health care professionals have accurate information regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) screening procedures, surveillance recommendations and referral strategies. This cross-sectional descriptive study was based on a survey conducted among primary health care professionals in Barcelona, Spain. The questionnaire was used to gather information regarding CRC screening procedures as well as demographic and professional characteristics of the study subjects. A CRC and screening awareness score (ranging from 0 to 12) was created based on the survey questions. The response rate was 58.9% (206/305). The estimated mean score (standard deviation) was 8.43 (SD: 1.30). For four questions, more than 60% of the answers were incorrect: one related to risk factors, two concerning follow-up colonoscopy, and one related to surveillance. Only 30.8% of the participants believed that they were responsible for determining the appropriate surveillance intervals and for scheduling colonoscopies. Although the professionals had sufficient knowledge of CRC screening, professional knowledge of some aspects related to the major non-modifiable risk factors for the disease and surveillance colonoscopy procedures could be improved. Frequent communication with professionals is necessary to maintain updated screening-related information. Possible methods for facilitating communication could include continuous briefings, regular message reminders or educational websites.

Adherencia al tratamiento en la esquizofrenia: Consenso de enfermería en salud mental / Treatment adherence in Schizophrenia: Nurse practitioners consensus in mental health

Objetivo. Establecer un consenso español sobre cuidados de enfermería para mejorar la adherencia terapéutica en la esquizofrenia. Material y métodos. Un comité de expertos diseñó un cuestionario específico de 43 preguntas con 409 opciones. Las preguntas se referían a: definición y valoración general de la adherencia en la esquizofrenia; factores implicados; estrategias de intervención en pacientes ambulatorios y en unidades de agudos y el manejo de fármacos antipsicóticos inyectables de larga duración. Se asignaron valores de estrategia de elección, primera, segunda o tercera línea, según las respuestas obtenidas para cada ítem. Se envió el cuestionario a 215 enfermeros/as y se recibieron 160 respuestas a través de un sistema electrónico online que garantizaba su confidencialidad. Resultados y conclusiones. Existe el máximo acuerdo en considerar la gravedad del problema de la adherencia, su repercusión en las recaídas y en la evolución del paciente. Las estrategias preferidas para evaluar la adherencia son: el registro de la administración de inyectables y la impresión clínica del paciente. El grupo de trabajo considera que es preciso intervenir de manera específica cuando el paciente ha sufrido ya varias recaídas a causa del bajo cumplimiento terapéutico o se detecta una nula conciencia de enfermedad. La potenciación de las actitudes positivas hacia el tratamiento y el establecimiento de acuerdos con el paciente acerca de la importancia de tomar los fármacos son las estrategias preferidas por el personal de enfermería para reducir las recaídas por falta de adherencia (AU)

Objective. Establish a Spanish Consensus on nurse care to increase therapeutic compliance in schizophrenia. Material and methods. An experts committee designed a specific questionnaire having 43 questions. The questions referred to the definition and general assessment of compliance in schizophrenia, factors involved, intervention strategies in outpatients/inpatients and management of long duration injectable antipsychotic drugs a. First, second or third line strategy values of choice were assigned according to the answers obtained for each item. The questionnaire was sent to 160 nurse practitioners. The answers were received with an online electronic system that guaranteed their confidentiality. Results and conclusions. There is maximum agreement on considering the seriousness of the compliance problem, its repercussion in relapses, the patient’s course and increase in health care costs. The strategies preferred to evaluate compliance are: counting of the injectable drug administration and clinical assessment. The workgroup considers that specific intervention is necessary when the patient has already suffered several relapses due to low therapeutic compliance or when null awareness of disease is detected. The promotion of positive patient behaviours on treatment and the patient awareness development about treatment compliance importance are the nurse practitioners favourite strategies to reduce the relapses caused by poor adherence (AU)