Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de pacientes con la COVID-19 y trastornos quimiosensoriales

RESUMEN Introducción: Los trastornos quimiosensoriales se han identificado como síntomas típicos de la COVID-19. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con la COVID-19 y trastornos quimiosensoriales referidos. Métodos: Se incluyeron 152 pacientes hospitalizados, positivos a la COVID-19, con trastornos quimiosensoriales referidos. Se estudiaron variables clínicas y epidemiológicas, marcadores de inflamación, radiografía de tórax y tratamiento empleado. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 40,2 años, el sexo femenino 59,2 % y predominó el antecedente, contacto de caso confirmado (62,5 %), con anosmia (95,7 %), ageusia (93,3 %), sin comorbilidades (53,3 %) y ausencia de síntomas acompañantes (36,8 %). En pacientes con fuente de infección indeterminada, la confirmación fue tardía (3,89 días); no hubo diferencias significativas entre quienes presentaron uno o ambos trastornos (p= 0,053), ni entre quienes presentaron o no síntomas asociados (p= 0,14). En el 2 % el índice de neutrófilos fue mayor de 4; el 3,3 % presentó conteo absoluto de linfocitos inferior a 1500 x 109/L y el 68,4 % no mostró alteración radiológica. Requirió antimicrobianos el 5,9 % e inmunomoduladores, el 5,3 %; el 1,3 % ingresó en cuidados intensivos. La mayoría (95,4 %) egresó de alta clínica y el 1,3 % falleció. Conclusiones: Predomina el sexo femenino, con ageusia o anosmia; quienes no tienen el antecedente epidemiológico, se diagnostican con dilación. No hay diferencias al buscar atención, por uno o ambos trastornos, ni por síntomas acompañantes. Los trastornos quimiosensoriales se refieren más en ausencia de complicaciones y cuadros graves. Quienes los refieren espontáneamente, son generalmente personas saludables y oligosintomáticas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chemosensory disorders have been identified as typical symptoms of COVID-19. Objective: To characterize patients with COVID-19 and referred chemosensory disorders. Methods: One hundred and fifty-two hospitalized patients, positive for COVID-19, with referred chemosensory disorders were included. Clinical and epidemiological variables, inflammation markers, chest X-ray and treatment used were studied. Results: The average age was 40.2 years, the female sex 59.2%. The antecedent of confirmed case contact (62.5 %), anosmia (95.7 %), ageusia (93.3 %), and the absence of comorbidities (53.3 %) and accompanying symptoms (36.8 %), prevailed. In patients with an indeterminate source of infection, confirmation was late (3.89 days); there were no significant differences between those who presented one or both disorders (p = 0.053), nor between those who did or did not present associated symptoms (p = 0.14). In 2 % the neutrophil index was greater than 4; 3.3 % had an absolute lymphocyte count lower than 1500x106/L and 68.4 % did not show radiological alteration. Antimicrobials were required in 5.9 % and immunomodulators in 5.3 %; 1.3 % were admitted to intensive care. Most (95.4 %) were discharged from the clinic and 1.3 % died. Conclusions: The female sex predominates, with ageusia or anosmia; those who do not have an epidemiological background are diagnosed with delay. There are no differences in seeking care, for one or both disorders, or for accompanying symptoms. Chemosensory disorders are more referred in the absence of complications and severe disease. Those who refer them spontaneously are generally healthy and oligosymptomatic people.

Profiles of Alzheimer's caregivers in Spain: social, educational and laboral characteristics.

BACKGROUND: A person suffering from dementia needs increasing help from another person, who, in most cases, is a female family member. Times are changing and this traditional role can no longer be maintained. AIM: The aim of this research was mainly centred on ascertaining the profile of caregivers and to find out how determinants such as age, sex and educational level and living conditions led people to assume that role. METHODS: A survey was designed and applied to 925 caregivers (778 of which were analysed) with the collaboration of the Alzheimer's Associations of Andalucía (Spain). Associations gave their ethical approbation for this research prior to the beginning and they informed their members. The participation was entirely voluntary, and caregivers were given the option to withdraw consent. RESULTS: Women are the main caregivers in any kind of profile. Males become carers if they are old and the partner of a patient. Males use more external services. Cohabiting and working outside the home increase the use of external support services, and having a higher level of education increases the use of nursing homes. Younger caregivers perceive more intense socio-economic consequences than the general profile. CONCLUSIONS: Being a caregiver implies limitations to entering the job market and for job promotion. There is a generational gap in the caregiver profile, and more and new support services will be needed. Policymakers should take those into account.

Rationale and design of a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multicenter trial to study efficacy, security, and long term effects of intermittent repeated levosimendan administration in patients with advanced heart failure: LAICA study.

BACKGROUND: Advanced heart failure (HF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality; it represents a major burden for the health system. Episodes of acute decompensation requiring frequent and prolonged hospitalizations account for most HF-related expenditure. Inotropic drugs are frequently used during hospitalization, but rarely in out-patients. The LAICA clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of monthly levosimendan infusion in patients with advanced HF to reduce the incidence of hospital admissions for acute HF decompensation. METHODS: The LAICA study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial. It aims to recruit 213 out-patients, randomized to receive either a 24-h infusion of levosimendan at 0.1 µg/kg/min dose, without a loading dose, every 30 days, or placebo. RESULTS: The main objective is to assess the incidence of admission for acute HF worsening during 12 months. Secondarily, the trial will assess the effect of intermittent levosimendan on other variables, including the time in days from randomization to first admission for acute HF worsening, mortality and serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The LAICA trial results could allow confirmation of the usefulness of intermittent levosimendan infusion in reducing the rate of hospitalization for HF worsening in advanced HF outpatients.

Ultrasonido diagnóstico en cadera irritable / Diagnostic ultrasound in irritable hip

Se estudiaron 72 pacientes por el método de ultrasonografía con el objetivo de demostrar su utilidad en el diagnóstico del síndrome de cadera irritable en el niño. Se utilizó un equipo de tiempo real con transductor sectorial de 5 Mhz para comparar ambas caderas. Se halló efusión en 43 pacientes. En los enfermos con sinovitis transitorias predominó sólo la efusión articular; el engrosamiento capsular con alteraciones de la cabeza femoral en la Enfermedad de Perthes y una efusión anecoica con pequeñas imágenes ecogénicas en el caso de artritis séptica. Se consideró la ecografía un método eficaz de elección para realizar diagnóstico diferencial de las enfermedades agrupadas en el síndrome de cadera irritable

Ultrasonido diagnóstico en cadera irritable / Diagnostic ultrasound in irritable hip

Se estudiaron 72 pacientes por el método de ultrasonografía con el objetivo de demostrar su utilidad en el diagnóstico del síndrome de cadera irritable en el niño. Se utilizó un equipo de tiempo real con transductor sectorial de 5 Mhz para comparar ambas caderas. Se halló efusión en 43 pacientes. En los enfermos con sinovitis transitorias predominó sólo la efusión articular; el engrosamiento capsular con alteraciones de la cabeza femoral en la Enfermedad de Perthes y una efusión anecoica con pequeñas imágenes ecogénicas en el caso de artritis séptica. Se consideró la ecografía un método eficaz de elección para realizar diagnóstico diferencial de las enfermedades agrupadas en el síndrome de cadera irritable(AU)