An Analysis of the Use of Systemic Antifungals (Fluconazole, Itraconazole, and Terbinafine) in Galicia, Spain, between 2019 and 2022.

In the present work, we examined the consumption of systemic antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine) in outpatients in the four provinces of Galicia, Spain, between 2019 and 2022. We also described the variability in the use of these types of drugs between these provinces. In addition, we detected any deviation in consumption at a seasonal level and analyzed possible changes during the study period. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of the use of antifungals, expressed in terms of a defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day, was carried out. The results obtained revealed statistically significant differences between provinces and by the active principle consumed in the four Galician provinces (p < 0.001), which can be explained by multiple factors. This study also revealed that there was stable consumption during the study period, with no significant seasonal differences observed. This study represents a contribution to the knowledge about the consumption of antifungals for systemic use in Galicia and serves as a basis for subsequent studies. This will allow us to understand the consumption patterns of these types of drugs and, ultimately, will help to establish stewardship strategies and prevent the development of resistance.

Study of the Use of Permethrin 5% Cream in Galicia (Spain) between 2018 and 2021.

Drug utilization studies can provide direct insights into how a drug is used in real-world conditions and can give a rough estimate of the proportion of the study population treated with it. In the present work, we examined the consumption of permethrin 5% cream in the four provinces of Galicia (a Spanish autonomous community) and described the seasonal variability and the annual evolution of its consumption between 2018 and 2021. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of the consumption of this drug, expressed in defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), was carried out. The results obtained revealed differences between the amounts consumed in the four Galician provinces (p < 0.001). No specific geographical pattern was observed; however, the results suggested a marked seasonality and a slightly increasing global trend in the consumption of permethrin 5% cream throughout the study period. Since the only authorized indication of this drug in the study area is the treatment of scabies, this work may give an idea of the epidemiological situation of the disease in Galicia and serve to establish public health strategies against this parasitosis.

Mortality in patients addicted to opioids across 30-year follow-up. / Mortalidad entre los pacientes adictos a opiáceos al cabo de 30 años de seguimiento.

The maintenance of premature mortality among opioid users is a highly significant public health issue. The main objective is to study the causes and age of mortality recorded in the population of opiate addicts (n = 1,998) treated at the Cangas Drug Addiction Assistance Unit (Pontevedra) over more than 30 years. The causes of mortality are classified into 4 groups: overdose, disease, suicide and trauma. The average age of mortality of the patients is compared with that of the general population residing in the same health area. Throughout the study, the premature mortality of these patients remained high, although with a tendency to decrease over time: up to 1998, the mean age of death was 31.8 years compared to 47.7 years since 1998. The mean age of death was always lower than that of the general population. Disease is the most prevalent cause of mortality (84% of the deceased) with a great difference compared to the other 3 groups. Despite the reduction in infections associated with parenteral use, there are still factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle that, together with the aging of this population, explain to a large extent why the average age of death of these patients is not equal to that of the general population, which seems to force us to review the objectives of health and social intervention.

El mantenimiento de la mortalidad prematura entre los consumidores de opiáceos es una cuestión de salud pública altamente significativa. El objetivo principal es estudiar las causas y edad de mortalidad registradas en la población de adictos a opiáceos (n = 1.998) atendida en la Unidad Asistencial de Drogodependencias de Cangas (Pontevedra) a lo largo de más de 30 años. Las causas de mortalidad se clasifican en 4 grupos: sobredosis, enfermedades, suicidio y trauma. La edad media de mortalidad de los pacientes se compara con la de la población general que reside en la misma área sanitaria. A lo largo del estudio la mortalidad prematura de estos pacientes se mantiene elevada, aunque con tendencia a disminuir con el paso del tiempo: hasta 1998, 31,8 años de edad media de fallecimiento frente a 47,7 años desde 1998. La edad media de fallecimiento siempre es inferior a la de la población general. La enfermedad es la causa de mortalidad más prevalente (84% de los fallecidos) con gran diferencia frente a los otros 3 grupos. Pese a la reducción de las infecciones asociadas al consumo por vía parenteral, persisten factores asociados a un estilo de vida poco saludable, que, unidos al envejecimiento de esta población, explican en buena medida que la edad media de fallecimiento de estos pacientes no se equipare a la de la población general, lo que parece obligar a revisar los objetivos de la intervención sanitaria y social.

PCBs in wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the N-NW Spanish coast: current levels and long-term trends during the period 1991-2009.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from seven areas of the N-NW Spanish coast, during the period 1991-2009. The studied area is comprised of highly productive ecosystems which support important commercial fishing and shellfishing activities. The seven PCBs indicator congeners recommended by ICES (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180), were analysed by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Lowest average concentrations of PCBs were recorded in Arousa (1.04 µg kg(-1) wet weight), a low populated area with no industry; while the highest levels were found in areas near cities and/or showing a high industrial activity such as: Bilbao Ziérbena (139 µg kg(-1) ww) or A Coruña (55 µg kg(-1) ww). The hexachlorinated congeners CB153 and CB138 dominated the profiles in all wild mussel populations, although a geographical pattern was found in which the relative contributions of the lower chlorinated congeners were higher in the west coast (Rías of Vigo, Pontevedra and Arousa), which may reflect the occurrence of recent inputs of those compounds in the area. Finally, the application of the Mann-Kendall's test demonstrate the existence of a significant decrease in PCBs levels since 1991 up to 1996 in the studied area, whereas either a slow decrease or stable concentrations were registered over the past decade.

An analysis of the cognitive deficit of schizophrenia based on the Piaget developmental theory.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate from the perspective of the Piaget developmental model the cognitive functioning of a sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHOD: Fifty patients with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) and 40 healthy matched controls were evaluated by means of the Longeot Logical Thought Evaluation Scale. RESULTS: Only 6% of the subjects with schizophrenia reached the "formal period," and 70% remained at the "concrete operations" stage. The corresponding figures for the control sample were 25% and 15%, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. The samples were specifically differentiable on the permutation, probabilities, and pendulum tests of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Longeot Logical Thought Evaluation Scale can discriminate between subjects with schizophrenia and healthy controls.