Implantación de una Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID-19 gestionada por farmacéuticos-farmacólogos de Atención Primaria / Implementation of a Centralized COVID-19 Vaccination Liaison Unit managed by Primary Care pharmacist-pharmacologists

Introducción: La Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID19 (UECeV) de la Dirección de Atención Primaria Metropolitana Nord del Institut Català de la Salut se creó para resolver las consultas de usuarios y/o profesionales sa-nitarios relacionadas con la vacunación contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo principal del presente análisis fue describir la actividad de la UECeV.Método: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir del registro de consultas aten-didas desde la UECeV entre 31 de abril y 31 de oc-tubre de 2021. Población de referencia: 1.139.411 habitantes adultos asignados. La UECeV se creó en tres sedes territoriales atendidas cada una por dos farmacéuticos/farmacólogos de Atención Primaria (FAP) y un administrativo. La atención telefónica fue a jornada completa adaptable según actividad. Variable principal del análisis: número y tipos de consultas atendidas. Se calculó valores absolutos y porcentajes, medianas y desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cuali-tativas se realizó un análisis descriptivo.Resultados: 3.103 consultas gestionadas de 3.030 usuarios; 2.180 (70,25%) contestadas por el FAP. Consulta más frecuente: compatibilidad vacuna según patología/medicación de base 1.008 (32,5%). 2.830 (93,4%) usuarios se vacunaron después de la intervención (2.210 consultaron antes de la primera dosis y 618 antes de la segunda). La vacuna mayo-ritaria fue la Comirnaty®. Conclusiones: Las UECeV coordinadas por el FAP con atención directa a los usuarios y/o profesiona-les sanitarios constituyen un elemento de apoyo a los equipos de vacunación de atención primaria para la gestión experta de las consultas de vacuna-ción contra la COVID19. (AU)

Introduction: The North Metropolitan Primary Care Direction of the Institut Català de la Salut crea-ted the Centralized Liaison Unit for anti-COVID19 vaccination (UECeV) to solve queries from users and/or health professionals related to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The main objective of the present analysis was to describe the activity of UECeV.Method: We carried out a retrospective observa-tional study based on the registry of consultations attended from the UECeV between April 31st and October 31, 2021. We have an equal or above 18 years old reference population of 1,139,411 inha-bitants. The UECeV was set up in three territorial offices, each attended by two Primary Care phar-macists/pharmacologists (FAP) and one adminis-trative staff member. The telephone service was full-time and could be adapted according to activity. The main variable of the analysis was the number and types of queries attended. Absolute values and percentages, medians and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative variables and a descriptive analysis was performed for qualitative variables.Results: 3,103 queries were managed out of 3,030 users; 2,180 (70.25%) were answered by the FAP. Most frequent consultation was: vaccine compa-tibility according to pathology/basic medication 1,008 (32.5%). 2,830 (93.4%) users were vaccinated after the consultation (2,210 consulted before the first dose and 618 before the second). The majority vaccine was Comirnaty® Conclusions: The UECeV coordinated by the FAP with direct attention to users and/or health profes-sionals constitutes a support element for primary care vaccination teams for the expert management of AntiCOVID19 vaccination consultations. (AU)

Usefulness of the Measurement of Serum Paraoxonase-1 Arylesterase Activity in the Diagnoses of COVID-19.

The development of inexpensive, fast, and reliable screening tests for COVID-19 is, as yet, an unmet need. The present study was aimed at evaluating the usefulness of serum arylesterase activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) measurement as a screening test in patients with different severity levels of COVID-19 infection. We included 615 COVID-19-positive patients who were classified as asymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, severely symptomatic, or fatally symptomatic. Results were compared with 50 healthy volunteers, 330 patients with cancer, and 343 with morbid obesity. Results showed PON1 activity greatly decreased in COVID-19 compared to healthy volunteers; a receiver operating characteristics plot showed a high diagnostic accuracy. The degree of COVID-19 severity did not influence PON1 levels. Our results indicated that PON1 determination was efficient for disease diagnosis, but not for prognosis. Furthermore, patients with obesity or cancer presented alterations similar to those of COVID-19 patients. As such, elevated levels of PON1 indicate the absence of COVID-19, but low levels may be present in various other chronic diseases. The assay is fast and inexpensive. We suggest that PON1 measurement could be used as an initial, high cut-off point screening method, while lower values should be confirmed with the more expensive nucleic acid amplification test.

Effect of Low-Dose Radiotherapy on the Circulating Levels of Paraoxonase-1-Related Variables and Markers of Inflammation in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

The aim of our study was to investigate the changes produced by low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in the circulating levels of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with LDRT and their interactions with clinical and radiological changes. Data were collected from the IPACOVID prospective clinical trial (NCT04380818). The study included 30 patients treated with a whole-lung dose of 0.5 Gy. Clinical follow-up, as well as PON1-related variables, cytokines, and radiological parameters were analyzed before LDRT, at 24 h, and 1 week after treatment. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) survived 1 week after LDRT. Respiratory function and radiological images improved in survivors. Twenty-four hours after LDRT, PON1 concentration significantly decreased, while transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) increased with respect to baseline. One week after LDRT, patients had increased PON1 activities and lower PON1 and TGF-ß1 concentrations compared with 24 h after LDRT, PON1 specific activity increased, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased, and CD4+ and CD8+ cells increased after one week. Our results highlight the benefit of LDRT in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and it might be mediated, at least in part, by an increase in serum PON1 activity at one week and an increase in TGF-ß1 concentrations at 24 h.

The interplay between infection risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 and mortality: a cross-sectional study from a cohort of long-term care nursing home residents.

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 pandemic has particularly affected older people living in Long-term Care settings in terms of infection and mortality. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis within a cohort of Long-term care nursing home residents between March first and June thirty, 2020, who were ≥ 65 years old and on whom at least one PCR test was performed. Socio-demographic, comorbidities, and clinical data were recorded. Facility size and community incidence of SARS-CoV-2 were also considered. The outcomes of interest were infection (PCR positive) and death. RESULTS: A total of 8021 residents were included from 168 facilities. Mean age was 86.4 years (SD = 7.4). Women represented 74.1%. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 27.7% of participants, and the overall case fatality rate was 11.3% (24.9% among those with a positive PCR test). Epidemiological factors related to risk of infection were larger facility size (pooled aOR 1.73; P < .001), higher community incidence (pooled aOR 1.67, P = .04), leading to a higher risk than the clinical factor of low level of functional dependence (aOR 1.22, P = .03). Epidemiological risk factors associated with mortality were male gender (aOR 1.75; P < .001), age (pooled aOR 1.16; P < .001), and higher community incidence (pooled aOR 1.19, P = < 0.001) whereas clinical factors were low level of functional dependence (aOR 2.42, P < .001), Complex Chronic Condition (aOR 1.29, P < .001) and dementia (aOR 1.33, P <0.001). There was evidence of clustering for facility and health area when considering the risk of infection and mortality (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a complex interplay between structural and individual factors regarding Covid-19 infection and its impact on mortality in nursing-home residents.

Evaluation of a support system for health professionals confined by COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of a telephone system in a department of Primary Care in Barcelona, Spain, supporting health professionals confined by COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with confined professionals, between March 11 and May 31, 2020. We emailed a questionnaire with 18 closed-ended questions and one open-ended question and performed a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended answers and an analysis of the thematic content of the open-ended question. RESULTS: Thirty-nine hundred and ninety-eight professionals evaluated the system overall with a score of 6.54 on a scale of 1 to 10. The evaluation of the format of calls made in the support system had higher scores, while the psychological support unit and the coordination of the different groups had lower scores. The content analysis of the open-ended question provides explanatory arguments for the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS: The study allowed a valid and reliable evaluation of the implementation of a support system for confined professionals, in addition to recognizing areas for improvement.

Clinical performance of the Elecsys® anti-SARS-CoV-2 combined in an algorithm with two specific anti-IgG immunoassays for the evaluation of the serological response of patients with COVID-19 in a population with a high prevalence of infection.

BACKGROUND: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been used in the study of the immune response in infected patients. However, differences in sensitivity and specificity have been reported, depending on the method of analysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an algorithm in which a high-throughput automated assay for total antibodies was used for screening and two semi-automated IgG-specific methods were used to confirm the results, and also to correlate the analytical results with the clinical data and the time elapsed since infection. METHODS: We studied 306 patients, some hospitalized and some outpatients, belonging to a population with a high prevalence of COVID-19. One-hundred and ten patients were classified as SARS-CoV-2 negative and 196 as positive by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The algorithm and automated assay alone had a specificity and a positive predictive value of 100%, although the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the algorithm was higher. Both methods showed a good sensitivity from day 11 of the onset of symptoms in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. The absorbance of the total antibodies was significantly higher in severely symptomatic than in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients, which suggests the antibody level was higher. We found 15 patients who did not present seroconversion at 12 days from the onset of symptoms or the first polymerase chain reaction test. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the proper functioning of algorithms in the diagnosis of the immune response to COVID-19, which can help to define testing strategies against this disease.

Evaluation of a support system for health professionals confined by COVID-19 / Evaluación de un circuito de apoyo a profesionales sanitarios confinados por COVID-19

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the implementation of a telephone system in a department of Primary Care in Barcelona, Spain, supporting health professionals confined by COVID-19. METHODS We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with confined professionals, between March 11 and May 31, 2020. We emailed a questionnaire with 18 closed-ended questions and one open-ended question and performed a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended answers and an analysis of the thematic content of the open-ended question. RESULTS Thirty-nine hundred and ninety-eight professionals evaluated the system overall with a score of 6.54 on a scale of 1 to 10. The evaluation of the format of calls made in the support system had higher scores, while the psychological support unit and the coordination of the different groups had lower scores. The content analysis of the open-ended question provides explanatory arguments for the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS The study allowed a valid and reliable evaluation of the implementation of a support system for confined professionals, in addition to recognizing areas for improvement.

RESUMEN OBJETIVOS Evaluar la implementación de un circuito telefónico de apoyo a profesionales sanitarios confinados por COVID-19 en una dirección de Atención Primaria de Barcelona, en España. MÉTODOS Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, realizado con profesionales confinados en domicilio entre el 11 de marzo y el 31 de mayo de 2020. Se envió por correo electrónico un cuestionario con 18 preguntas cerradas y una abierta. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las respuestas cerradas y un análisis del contenido temático de la pregunta abierta. RESULTADOS 398 profesionales puntuaron globalmente el circuito con 6,54 en una escala de 1 a 10. El formato de las llamadas realizadas en el circuito de apoyo se estimó con las puntuaciones máximas, la unidad de apoyo psicológico y la coordinación por diferentes colectivos se evaluaron con las puntuaciones más bajas. El análisis del contenido de la pregunta abierta ofrece argumentos explicativos de los resultados cuantitativos. CONCLUSIONES El estudio permitió evaluar de manera válida y fiable la implementación de un circuito de apoyo a profesionales confinados, además de reconocer áreas de mejora.

Risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A prospective, longitudinal, unicenter study in Reus, Spain.

Spain is one of the countries that has suffered the most from the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the strain that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is a lack of information on the characteristics of this disease in the Spanish population. The objective of this study has been to characterize our patients from an epidemiological point of view and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality in our geographical area. We performed a prospective, longitudinal study on 188 hospitalized cases of SARS-Cov-2 infection in Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, in Reus, Spain, admitted between 15th March 2020 and 30th April 2020. We recorded demographic data, signs and symptoms and comorbidities. We also calculated the Charlson and McCabe indices. A total of 43 deaths occurred during the study period. Deceased patients were older than the survivors (77.7 ± 13.1 vs. 62.8 ± 18.4 years; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed that fever, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, diabetes mellitus and cancer were the variables that showed independent and statistically significant associations with mortality. The Charlson index was more efficient than the McCabe index in discriminating between deceased and survivors. This is one of the first studies to describe the factors associated with mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Spain, and one of the few in the Mediterranean area. We identified the main factors independently associated with mortality in our population. Further studies are needed to complete and confirm our findings.

Estudio descriptivo de los trabajadores de servicios sanitarios de una dirección de atención primaria confinados por Covid-19 / Descriptive study of the health service workers of a Primary Care Department confined by Covid-19

OBJETIVO: La pandemia de la Covid-19 está poniendo a prueba la resistencia de los sistemas sanitarios. La preservación de los profesionales sanitarios es prioritaria siempre y especialmente ante situaciones de este tipo. La exposición de los profesionales frente a contactos sospechosos obliga en muchas ocasiones a su confinamiento. El objetivo fue conocer las características epidemiológicas de los profesionales de atención primaria que han precisado confinamiento. MÉTODOS: La investigación se llevó a cabo en el área de atención primaria Metropolitana Nord de Barcelona, desde el 17 de febrero al 3 de mayo de 2020. Participaron 1.418 profesionales que requirieron confinamiento debido a la epidemia por la Covid-19. Se registraron los motivos de confinamiento, sintomatología, tiempo de confinamiento y resultados de las pruebas PCR. Se realizó análisis descriptivo univariante. RESULTADOS: El 78,8% de los profesionales eran mujeres y la edad media de fue 45,2 años. El 67,8% fueron facultativos y enfermeras, en el 32,2% restante había diferentes profesionales asistenciales y no asistenciales. El 64,1% de la muestra presentó sintomatología compatible con Covid-19. Los participantes describieron múltiples síntomas durante el confinamiento. Se realizaron 1.050 pruebas diagnósticas RT-PCR resultando positivas en 323 casos, de los que 33 fueron en personas asintomáticas. CONCLUSIONES: El impacto de la epidemia por Covid-19 se adelanta en el personal sanitario respecto a la población general. La distribución de síntomas en profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros estudios en población general. Del total de profesionales que precisan confinamiento en el 22,7% se confirma el diagnóstico

OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic is testing the resistance of health systems, the preservation of health professionals is a priority in processes of this type. The professionals' exposure to suspicious contacts often requires their confinement. The objective was to know the epidemiological characteristics of the primary care professionals who required confinement. METHODS: The research was carried out in the North Metropolitan Primary Care Area of Barcelona, from February 17 to May 3, 2020. 1,418 professionals who required confinement due to the epidemic by Covid-19 participated. The reasons for confinement, symptomatology, the confinement time and the results of PCR tests results were recorded. Univariate descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 78.8% of the professionals were women and the mean age was 45.2 years. 67.8% were doctors and nurses, in the remaining 32.2% there were different healthcare and non-care professionals. 64.1% of the sample presented symptoms compatible with Covid-19. Participants described multiple symptoms during confinement. 1,050 diagnostic RT- PCR tests were performed, being positive in 323 cases, of which 33 were in asymptomatic people. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the epidemic by Covid-19 is anticipated in health personnel compared to the general population. The distribution of symptoms in healthcare professionals is similar to that of other studies in the general population. Of the total number of professionals requiring isolation, 22.7% confirmed the diagnosis

Galectin-3 in Peripheral Artery Disease. Relationships with Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Galectin-3 is a modulator of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrogenesis involved in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. The present study sought to characterize, in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), the localization of galectin-3 in arterial tissue, and to analyze the relationships between the circulating levels of galectin-3 and oxidative stress and inflammation. It also sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of galectin-3 with that of other biochemical markers of this disease. We analyzed femoral or popliteal arteries from 50 PAD patients, and four control arteries. Plasma from 86 patients was compared with that from 72 control subjects. We observed differences in the expression of galectin-3 in normal arteries, and arteries from patients with PAD, with a displacement of the expression from the adventitia to the media, and the intima. In addition, plasma galectin-3 concentration was increased in PAD patients, and correlated with serologic markers of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes), and inflammation [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, C-reactive protein, ß-2-microglobulin]. We conclude that the determination of galectin-3 has good diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of PAD and compares well with other analytical parameters currently in use.

Biochemical indices of oxidative stress and inflammation in the evaluation of peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate changes in indices of oxidative stress and inflammation in the evaluation of peripheral artery disease (PAD); (2) to compare the diagnostic efficacy of these parameters with that of classical clinical laboratory routine parameters. DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 115 patients with PAD and 300 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: PAD patients had significantly increased circulating concentrations of F2-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ß-2-microglobulin (B2M), and decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) levels. When patients were classified according to the Fontaine score, we observed important increases in plasma F2-isoprostanes and CCL2 that appeared in milder stages of the disease, and remained so at similar levels in more advanced stages; almost no overlapping with the control group was noted. Receiver operating characteristics analysis comparing patients and controls revealed that the areas under the curve for F2-isoprostanes and CCL2 approached unity [0.999 (0.998-1.000) and 0.993 (0.985-1.000)], respectively, and significantly higher to those of the other measured parameters. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that F2-isoprostanes and CCL2 measurements may be useful tools for the diagnosis of PAD.

A preliminary study of paraoxonase-1 in infected patients with an indwelling central venous catheter.

OBJECTIVES: Identification of biochemical markers to diagnose bloodstream infections in patients with a central venous catheter (CVC) inserted is an active research pursuit. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme participating in the innate immune system protecting against toxic substances and infectious agents. We investigated the relationships between serum PON1 alterations and the characteristics of infection in a group of patients with a CVC implant. METHODS: Patients (n=114) who had had an inserted CVC removed because of infection or because the usefulness was at an end, and 407 healthy volunteers were recruited. In all participants we measured serum PON1 lactonase and paraoxonase activities, PON1 concentration and genetic polymorphisms, together with levels of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Patients with an acute concomitant infection (ACI) had higher CCL2, CRP and procalcitonin concentrations than the control group, together with lower paraoxonase and lactonase activities and specific activities. The areas under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plots for paraoxonase and lactonase specific activities in the discrimination between patients with or without and ACI were 0.81 (0.73-0.89) and 0.81 (0.71-0.89), respectively, indicating the high diagnostic accuracy of these parameters. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that the measurement of PON1 may be useful as a tool for the diagnosis of ACI in patients with an indwelling CVC.

Alteraciones psicológicas en pacientes con enfermedad celiaca del adulto / Psychological alterations in patients with adult celiac disease

Pacientes con enfermedad celiaca del adulto de reciente diagnóstico fueron evaluados con los test GSRS y PGWBI con el objetivo de valorar las alteraciones psicológicas que presentan, su relación con la sintomatología gastrointestinal y su evolución después de la instauración de dieta sin gluten. Previo asesoramiento nutricional los pacientes iniciaron dieta sin gluten y 6 meses después fueron reevaluados. Las variables cuantitativas se expresan como medianas y percentil Resultados Se incluyeron 21 pacientes, 17 mujeres y 4 hombres, edad 43 años (31-47). La histología fue compatible con lesión Marsh I en 6 casos, Marsh IIIa en 6 y Marsh IIIb en 9.Basalmente 8 pacientes presentaban distrés psicológico severo, 4 distrés moderado y 9 no presentaban distrés. La puntuación GSRS fue 34 (17-43) y el PGWBI 64 (48-87), objetivando la correlación significativa entre los 2 índices (rho = -0,58, p = 0,006).A los 6 meses 3 pacientes tenían distrés psicológico severo, 5 distrés moderado, 9 no presentaban distrés y 4 presentaban bienestar psicológico, la puntuación GSRS del 6.° mes fue 13 (8-17) y el PGWBI 83 (68-95) (p < 0,05 respecto de los datos basales para los 3 indicadores), constatándose mejoría significativa de los 6 ejes del PGWBI y sin que entonces se objetive correlación entre el GSRS y PGWBI. Conclusiones Los pacientes con enfermedad celiaca presentan alteraciones psicológicas cuya intensidad está relacionada con la sintomatología gastrointestinal, que mejoran después de la instauración de DSG

Patients with recently-diagnosed adult celiac disease were evaluated with the Gastrointestinal Symptom rating Scale (GSRS) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) to evaluate their psychological alterations, the association between any alterations and gastrointestinal symptoms, and their outcome after starting a gluten-free diet. The patients underwent nutritional assessment and then started a gluten-free diet; they were reassessed 6 months later. Quantitative variables are expressed as the median and 25th-75th percentiles. Results: We included 21 patients, 17 women and 4 mena, with a mean age of 43 years (31-47). The results of histological analysis were compatible with Marsh I lesions in 6 patients, Marsh IIIa in 6 and Marsh IIIb in 9. At baseline, 8 patients showed severe psychological distress, 4 showed moderate distress and 9 showed no distress. The GSRS score was 34 (17-43) and the PGWBI was 64 (48-87), with a significant correlation between the 2 indexes (rho = -.58, P = .006). At 6 months, 3 patients had severe psychological distress, 5 had moderate distress, 9 showed no distress and 4 showed psychological well-being. The GSRS score at 6 months was 13 (8-17) and the PGWBI was 83 (68-95) (P < .05 compared with baseline data for the 3 indicators). The 6 axes of the PGWBI showed significant improvement. At 6 months, no correlation was found between the GSRS and PGWBI. Conclusions: Patients with celiac disease have psychological alterations whose intensity is relted to gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms improve after the start of a gluten-free diet

[Psychological alterations in patients with adult celiac disease]. / Alteraciones psicológicas en pacientes con enfermedad celiaca del adulto.

UNLABELLED: Patients with recently-diagnosed adult celiac disease were evaluated with the Gastrointestinal Symptom rating Scale (GSRS) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) to evaluate their psychological alterations, the association between any alterations and gastrointestinal symptoms, and their outcome after starting a gluten-free diet. The patients underwent nutritional assessment and then started a gluten-free diet; they were reassessed 6 months later. Quantitative variables are expressed as the median and 25th-75th percentiles. RESULTS: We included 21 patients, 17 women and 4 mena, with a mean age of 43 years (31-47). The results of histological analysis were compatible with Marsh I lesions in 6 patients, Marsh IIIa in 6 and Marsh IIIb in 9. At baseline, 8 patients showed severe psychological distress, 4 showed moderate distress and 9 showed no distress. The GSRS score was 34 (17-43) and the PGWBI was 64 (48-87), with a significant correlation between the 2 indexes (rho=-.58, P=.006). At 6 months, 3 patients had severe psychological distress, 5 had moderate distress, 9 showed no distress and 4 showed psychological well-being. The GSRS score at 6 months was 13 (8-17) and the PGWBI was 83 (68-95) (P<.05 compared with baseline data for the 3 indicators). The 6 axes of the PGWBI showed significant improvement. At 6 months, no correlation was found between the GSRS and PGWBI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with celiac disease have psychological alterations whose intensity is related to gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms improve after the start of a gluten-free diet.

Intervention to improve social and family support for caregivers of dependent patients: ICIAS study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Despite the existence of formal professional support services, informal support (mainly family members) continues to be the main source of eldercare, especially for those who are dependent or disabled. Professionals on the primary health care are the ideal choice to educate, provide psychological support, and help to mobilize social resources available to the informal caregiver.Controversy remains concerning the efficiency of multiple interventions, taking a holistic approach to both the patient and caregiver, and optimum utilization of the available community resources. .For this reason our goal is to assess whether an intervention designed to improve the social support for caregivers effectively decreases caregivers burden and improves their quality of life. DESIGN: CONTROLled, multicentre, community intervention trial, with patients and their caregivers randomized to the intervention or control group according to their assigned Primary Health Care Team (PHCT). STUDY AREA: Primary Health Care network (9 PHCTs). STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Primary informal caregivers of patients receiving home health care from participating PHCTs. SAMPLE: Required sample size is 282 caregivers (141 from PHCTs randomized to the intervention group and 141 from PHCTs randomized to the control group. INTERVENTION: a) PHCT professionals: standardized training to implement caregivers intervention. b) Caregivers: 1 individualized counselling session, 1 family session, and 4 educational group sessions conducted by participating PHCT professionals; in addition to usual home health care visits, periodic telephone follow-up contact and unlimited telephone support. CONTROL: Caregivers and dependent patients: usual home health care, consisting of bimonthly scheduled visits, follow-up as needed, and additional attention upon request.Data analysisDependent variables: Caregiver burden (short-form Zarit test), caregivers' social support (Medical Outcomes Study), and caregivers' reported quality of life (SF-12)INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: a) Caregiver: sociodemographic data, Goldberg Scale, Apgar family questionnaire, Holmes and Rahe Psychosocial Stress Scale, number of chronic diseases. b) Dependent patient: sociodemographic data, level of dependency (Barthel Index), cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer test). DISCUSSION: If the intervention intended to improve social and family support is effective in reducing the burden on primary informal caregivers of dependent patients, this model can be readily applied throughout usual PHCT clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials registrar: NCT02065427.

Respuesta a «Espectro de la enteropatía sensible al gluten en pacientes con dispepsia de tipo dismotilidad» / Response to «Spectrum of gluten-sensitive entheropathy in patients with dismotility-like dyspepsia»

No disponible

Intervention for control of hypertension in Catalonia, Spain (INCOTECA Project): results of a multicentric, non-randomised, quasi-experimental controlled intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) plan aimed at primary healthcare teams (PHCTs) to optimise hypertension control and to compare it with standard clinical care. METHODS: Design Multicentric, non-randomised, quasi-experimental controlled intervention study. Setting 5 PHCTs in the intervention and 13 in the standard care group in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Participants This is a population-based study in which all patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of hypertension before 1 January 2006 were included (n=9877 in the intervention group and n=21 704 in the control group). Intervention A QI plan that targeted primary care professionals. The plan included training sessions, implementation of recommended clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertensive patients and audit and feedback to health professionals. Main outcome measure Prevalence of hypertensive patients with an adequate blood pressure (BP) control. RESULTS: The adjusted difference between intervention and standard care groups in the odds of BP control was 1.3 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.6, p=0.003). Results of the mixed model on repeated measures showed that, on average, an individual in the intervention group had an increase of 92% in the odds of BP control (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a QI plan can improve BP control. This strategy is potentially feasible for up-scaling within the existing PHCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov MS: 1998275938244441.