Macular Anatomy Differs in Dyslexic Subjects.

The macula, as the central part of the retina, plays an important role in the reading process. However, its morphology has not been previously studied in the context of dyslexia. In this research, we compared the thickness of the fovea, parafovea and perifovea between dyslexic subjects and normal controls, in 11 retinal segmentations obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT). With this aim, we considered the nine sectors of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid and also summarized data from sectors into inner ring subfield (parafovea) and outer ring subfield (perifovea). The thickness in all the four parafoveal sectors was significantly thicker in the complete retina, inner retina and middle retina of both eyes in the dyslexic group, as well as other macular sectors (fovea and perifovea) in the inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), IPL + INL and outer plexiform layer + outer nuclear layer (OPL + ONL). Additionally, the inner ring subfield (parafovea), but not the outer ring subfield (perifovea), was thicker in the complete retina, inner retina, middle retina (INL + OPL + ONL), OPL + ONL, IPL + INL and INL in the dyslexic group for both eyes. In contrast, no differences were found between the groups in any of the sectors or subfields of the outer retina, retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer or ganglion cell complex in any eye. Thus, we conclude from this exploratory research that the macular morphology differs between dyslexic and normal control subjects, as measured by OCT, especially in the parafovea at middle retinal segmentations.

Absence of relevant QT interval prolongation in not critically ill COVID-19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly evolving pandemic causing great morbimortality. Medical therapy with hydroxicloroquine, azitromycin and protease inhibitors is being empirically used, with reported data of QTc interval prolongation. Our aim is to assess QT interval behaviour in a not critically ill and not monitored cohort of patients. We evaluated admitted and ambulatory patients with COVID-19 patients with 12 lead electrocardiogram at 48 h after treatment initiation. Other clinical and analytical variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the magnitude of the QT interval prolongation under treatment and to identify clinical, analytical and electrocardiographic risk markers of QT prolongation independent predictors. We included 219 patients (mean age of 63.6 ± 17.4 years, 48.9% were women and 16.4% were outpatients. The median baseline QTc was 416 ms (IQR 404-433), and after treatment QTc was prolonged to 423 ms (405-438) (P < 0.001), with an average increase of 1.8%. Most of the patients presented a normal QTc under treatment, with only 31 cases (14.1%) showing a QTc interval > 460 ms, and just one case with QTc > 500 ms. Advanced age, longer QTc basal at the basal ECG and lower potassium levels were independent predictors of QTc interval prolongation. Ambulatory and not critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and/or antiretrovirals develop a significant, but not relevant, QT interval prolongation.

Comparación del tratamiento quirúrgico y endovascular de aneurismas del segmento comunicante posterior / Comparison of surgical and endovascular treatment of posterior communicating segment aneurysms

Introducción: Los aneurismas del segmento comunicante posterior representan aproximadamente 25% de todos los aneurismas intracraneales, y el 50% de los aneurismas de la arteria carótida interna. El objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento quirúrgico y endovascular en el manejo de aneurismas de esta localización. Material y Métodos: Estudio comparativo retrospectivo. Se revisó las historias clínicas de pacientes con aneurisma del segmento comunicante posterior que ingresaron al departamento de Neurocirugía del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara durante el periodo 2010-2017. Se comparó estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones, mortalidad y estado funcional a los 12 meses, en relación al tratamiento recibido, microquirúrgico o endovascular. Resultados: Se evaluaron 256 pacientes, 111 (43,36%) recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico, y 145 (56,64%) endovascular. En el caso de aneurismas rotos, el estado de independencia funcional fue alcanzado por 68 (66,7%) y 69 (70,4%) pacientes que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico y endovascular, respectivamente (OR:0.84, IC 95%: 0.46­1.53; p=0.505). Se presentaron complicaciones neurológicas en 37 (36,3%) y 34 (34.7%) pacientes sometidos a tratamiento microquirúrgico y endovascular, respectivamente (OR: 1.07, IC 95%: 0.60­1.91; p=0.912). La estancia hospitalaria promedio fue 19,55±13.85 y 14.06±14.97 días, para pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico y endovascular, respectivamente (p<0.008). La mortalidad fue 11,8% y 11,2%, con ligera predominancia en el grupo tratado quirúrgicamente (OR: 1.05, IC 95%: 0.44­2.52; p=0.904). Conclusiones: No existe diferencia significativa respecto al resultado funcional a los 12 meses, complicaciones y mortalidad entre ambos tipos de tratamiento en el caso de aneurismas rotos. Los pacientes sometidos a terapia endovascular tuvieron de forma significativa menor estancia hospitalaria

Background: Posterior communicating segment aneurysms represent about the 25% of all intracranial aneurysms and the 50% of the internal carotid artery aneurysms. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical and endovascular treatments in the management of the aneurysms of this localization. Methods: Comparative and retrospective study. Clinical charts of patients with aneurysms of the posterior communicating segment were reviewed during the period from 2010 to 2017 in the Guillermo Almenara Hospital. Hospital stay, complications, mortality and functional status at 12 months were compared among endovascular and surgical treatment. Results: Two hundred and fifty-six patients were evaluated, 111 (43,36%) were treated with surgery and 145 (54,64%) with endovascular therapy. Among ruptured aneurysms, functional independence status was reached in 68 (66,7%) and 69 (70,4%) of the patients who were treated with surgery and embolization respectively (OR:0.84, IC 95%: 0.46­1.53; p=0.505). Neurological complications were found in 37 (36,3%) and 34 (34,7%) patients treated with surgery and embolization respectively (OR: 1.07, IC 95%: 0.60­1.91; p=0.912). The mean hospital stay was 19,55±13.85 and 14.06±14.97 days of the patients treated with surgery and embolization respectively. Mortality was 11,8% and 11,2%, with a slight predominance in the surgically treated group (OR: 1.05, IC 95%: 0.44­2.52; p=0.904). Conclusions: There is no significant difference according to functional status at 12 months, complications and mortality among both type of treatments in the group of ruptured aneurysms. Patients treated with endovascular therapy had lower hospital stay with statistical difference

[Follow-up of analytical parameters in Internal Medicine patients to detect adverse events]. / Seguimiento de parámetros analíticos en pacientes de medicina.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of prescription drugs, previously selected, that should be monitored by their analytical test, and the rate of alteration in these tests, with the aim of establishing priorities to facilitate monitoring. METHOD: Prospective observational study in the Internal Medicine department of a referral hospital of 350 beds. In a first phase, we selected some drugs which analytical monitoring is recommended for the medical literature, and after that, we reviewed the pharmacological treatment of all patients admitted with any of these drugs. The study was conducted in the last two month of 2011. RESULTS: We included 271 patients, 128 (47%) were women. The mean age was 74.5 ± 14.4 years and the average stay of 7 ± 5.8 days. These patients accounted for 83% of all patients admitted to Internal Medicine during the study period. There were 828 drugs that must be monitored; each patient had an average of 3.1 ± 2.3. We reviewed 1837 analytical test, of which 401 (22%) were altered and 154 patients (57%) were affected for it. The pairs drug-analytical test altered most frequently found were creatinine increased and nephrotoxic drugs, hypokalemia in patients taking high efficiency diuretics and thrombocytopenia in patients treated with low molecular weight heparins. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance of monitoring laboratory test associated with some drugs from the pharmacy department, as it demonstrates a high incidence of warning results. Our proposal for selection of drugs makes monitoring easier, and reaches large numbers of patients.

Seguimiento de parámetros analíticos en pacientes de medicina interna para detectar efectos adversos / Follow-up of analytical parameters in Internal Medicine patients to detect adverse events

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia con la que se prescriben una serie de fármacos, previamente seleccionados, sobre los que existen recomendaciones de monitorización mediante parámetros analíticos, y la prevalencia de analíticas alteradas con el fin de establecer prioridades para facilitar su seguimiento. Método: Estudio prospectivo observacional realizado en el servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital de referencia de área de 350 camas. En una primera fase se realizó una selección de fármacos cuya monitorización analítica está recomendada en la bibliografía, y posteriormente se realizó un seguimiento de los pacientes ingresados con alguno de estos fármacos en su tratamiento. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el último bimestre de 2011. Resultados: Se incluyeron 271 pacientes, de los cuales 128 (47%) fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 74,5±14,4 años y la estancia media de 7±5,8 días. Estos pacientes representaron el 83% de todos los pacientes ingresados en el servicio de Medicina Interna durante el periodo de estudio. Se registraron 828 medicamentos susceptibles de monitorización; cada paciente tuvo una media de 3,1±2,3. Se revisaron 1837 analíticas, de las cuales 401 (22%) estaban alteradas y afectaron a 154 pacientes (57%). Los binomios fármaco-parámetro analítico alterado más frecuentemente encontrados fueron incremento de creatinina-fármacos nefrotóxicos, hipopotasemia en pacientes tratados con diuréticos de alta eficacia y trombocitopenia en pacientes tratados con heparinas de bajo peso molecular. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio se pone de manifiesto la importancia de vigilar desde el servicio de Farmacia ciertos parámetros analíticos relacionados con determinados fármacos, ya que se demuestra una elevada incidencia de resultados alertantes. Nuestra propuesta de selección de fármacos facilita el seguimiento y alcanza a gran cantidad de pacientes (AU)

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of prescription drugs, previously selected, that should be monitored by their analytical test, and the rate of alteration in these tests, with the aim of establishing priorities to facilitate monitoring. Method: Prospective observational study in the Internal Medicine department of a referral hospital of 350 beds. In a first phase, we selected some drugs which analytical monitoring is recommended for the medical literature, and after that, we reviewed the pharmacological treatment of all patients admitted with any of these drugs. The study was conducted in the last two month of 2011. Results: We included 271 patients, 128 (47%) were women. The mean age was 74.5 ± 14.4 years and the average stay of 7 ± 5.8 days. These patients accounted for 83% of all patients admitted to Internal Medicine during the study period. There were 828 drugs that must be monitored; each patient had an average of 3.1 ± 2.3. We reviewed 1837 analytical test, of which 401 (22%) were altered and 154 patients (57%) were affected for it. The pairs drug-analytical test altered most frequently found were creatinine increased and nephrotoxic drugs, hypokalemia in patients taking high efficiency diuretics and thrombocytopenia in patients treated with low molecular weight heparins. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of monitoring laboratory test associated with some drugs from the pharmacy department, as it demonstrates a high incidence of warning results. Our proposal for selection of drugs makes monitoring easier, and reaches large numbers of patients (AU)