[Artículo traducido] Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo / Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart

Describimos un algoritmo para el manejo de las metástasis espinales en el que la importancia de los parámetros individuales varía dependiendo del momento en el que se contemplan.Cada paciente sigue su propio proceso secuencial «personal» que no necesariamente considera todos los parámetros cada vez, ya que algunos pueden ser irrelevantes a la hora de elegir el tipo de tratamiento para ese individuo. Por ejemplo, un paciente en mal estado general con una puntuación ASA alta generalmente no es candidato para la cirugía, independientemente de la naturaleza del tumor primario o del número de metástasis. Para este paciente, el elemento más importante sería la sensibilidad del tumor al tratamiento adyuvante. Del mismo modo, un paciente con lesión aguda y progresiva de la médula espinal se sometería a descompresión quirúrgica y estabilización sin considerar una intervención más agresiva.(AU)

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated.Each patient follows his own «personal» sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.(AU)

Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart / Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo

Describimos un algoritmo para el manejo de las metástasis espinales en el que la importancia de los parámetros individuales varía dependiendo del momento en el que se contemplan.Cada paciente sigue su propio proceso secuencial «personal» que no necesariamente considera todos los parámetros cada vez, ya que algunos pueden ser irrelevantes a la hora de elegir el tipo de tratamiento para ese individuo. Por ejemplo, un paciente en mal estado general con una puntuación ASA alta generalmente no es candidato para la cirugía, independientemente de la naturaleza del tumor primario o del número de metástasis. Para este paciente, el elemento más importante sería la sensibilidad del tumor al tratamiento adyuvante. Del mismo modo, un paciente con lesión aguda y progresiva de la médula espinal se sometería a descompresión quirúrgica y estabilización sin considerar una intervención más agresiva.(AU)

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated.Each patient follows his own «personal» sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.(AU)

Mental health of sexual assault victims and predictors of their use of support from in-house psychologists at Belgian sexual assault care centres.

BACKGROUND: Sexual assault (SA) can induce a negative impact on victims' mental health. Specialised SA services generally offer medical care and a forensic examination to SA victims. However, there is a large variation in how these services provide mental health support. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess mental health problems of SA victims attending the Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACCs) and identify predictors for victims' use of support from in-house psychologists. METHOD: Health records of victims ≥ 16 years who presented within one week post-SA to one of the three Belgian SACCs between 25 October 2017 and 31 October 2019 were reviewed. An AIC-based stepwise backward binary logistic regression was used to analyse the association between victim, assault, service use and mental health characteristics and follow-up by a SACC-psychologist. RESULTS: Of the 555 victims, more than half had a history of mental health problems. Of those assessed, over 70% showed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and/or anxiety disorder. One in two victims consulted a SACC-psychologist. Victims with a mental health history (OR 1.46, p = .04), victims accompanied by a support person during acute care (OR 1.51, p = .04), and victims who were assaulted by an acquaintance in comparison to those assaulted by a stranger (OR 1.60, p = .039) were more likely to attend their appointment with the SACC-psychologist. CONCLUSION: The study reaffirms the high mental health burden among victims attending specialised SA services, stressing the need to provide effective mental health interventions at these services and improve their longer-term use by victims. Prescheduling of appointments with an in-house psychologist in combination with phone reminders may improve the uptake of such services. Health care providers must be vigilant about potential barriers faced by victims without a mental health history or social support in attending appointments with mental health professionals.

The mental health burden is high among victims attending Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres.Half of the victims use the support of an in-house psychologist. Victims with a history of mental health problems, those accompanied by a support person during acute care, and those assaulted by an acquaintance in comparison to those assaulted by a stranger, are more likely to use this support.Effective mental health support should be recognised as an integral and essential part of care for SA victims. Uptake and longer-term engagement with this mental health support should be improved for those victims diagnosed with PTSD.

Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart. / [Artículo traducido] Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo.

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated. Each patient follows his own «personal¼ sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.

Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart.

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated. Each patient follows his own "personal" sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high "ASA" score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.

Salud y sus determinantes socio culturales en la Venezuela actual. Retos y desafíos en salud pública / Health and its socio-cultural determinants in current Venezuela. A challenge in public health

El concepto de salud-enfermedad es un proceso dinámico que involucra la consideración de los determinantes socio culturales. Objetivo: explorar los determinantes de la salud venezolana identificando las principales tendencias, retos y desafíos que en materia de salud pública enfrenta Venezuela y, el impacto de los determinantes socioculturales en la condición de salud. Métodos: Partiendo de revisiones bibliográficas y fuentes analíticas se utilizó como referencia el marco de acción de la OMS para el fortalecimiento de los sistemas de salud utilizando como descriptores de búsqueda retos, desafíos, determinantes de salud, inequidades en salud. Resultados: Dentro de los desafíos se señalan la reducción de las iniquidades en salud, la mejoría de la calidad de la atención y de los sistemas de información y reformulación de los mecanismos de rendición de cuenta y de evaluación de políticas, premisas fundamentales para el fortalecimiento del sistema de salud, caracterizado por la inexistencia al derecho de la salud, ausencia de información epidemiológica y sanitaria, distorsión del modelo oficial salud-enfermedad, debilitamiento de la promoción de la salud y deterioro sistemático y progresivo del sector salud. Conclusiones: la investigación deja de manifiesto, la necesidad de resolver el problema de la fragmentación del financiamiento y de la prestación de servicios, tomando en consideración los elementos para una optimización de la calidad de vida en un sentido global, a fin de solventar las insuficiencias de cobertura y de acceso efectivo a los servicios públicos de salud de los hogares venezolanos(AU)

The concept of health-disease is a dynamic process that involves the consideration of socio-cultural determinants. Objective: to explore the determinants of Venezuelan health, identifying the main trends, challenges, and challenges that Venezuela faces in terms of public health, and the impact of sociocultural determinants on the health condition. Methods: Based on bibliographic reviews and analytical sources, it was used as references the WHO action framework for strengthening health systems using challenges, health determinants, health inequities as search descriptors. Results: Among the challenges are the reduction of inequities in health, the improvement of the quality of care and information systems and the reformulation of the mechanisms of accountability and evaluation of policies, fundamental premises for the strengthening of the health system, characterized by the non-existence of the right to health, absence of epidemiological and health information, distortion of the official health-disease model, weakening of health promotion and systematic and progressive deterioration of the health sector. Conclusions: the research reveals the need to solve the problem of the fragmentation of financing and the provision of services, taking into account the elements for an optimization of the quality of life in a global sense, in order to solve the insufficiencies coverage and effective access to public health services for Venezuelan households(AU)

Unexplained ocular and visual symptoms: The need for a psychosomatic approach in Ophthalmology. / Síntomas visuales y oculares sin causa: La necesidad de un enfoque psicosomático en oftalmología.

INTRODUCTION: Psychogenic causes for some somatic symptoms have been widely recognised. In Ophthalmology however, there are few studies that address this issue, and current Ophthalmology Training Programs do not include formal teaching in Psychosomatics. Psychosomatic phenomena in ophthalmology are probably under-diagnosed, which may reduce therapeutic effectiveness, decrease patient and physician satisfaction, and increase health costs due to multiple consultations and prescriptions. The aims of this study were to describe patients with unexplained visual/ocular symptoms (UVOS), and to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive adults with UVOS were recruited over a 12 month period. Complete medical history and ocular examination were performed to rule out organic disease. Psychological Distress was defined by the presence of one or more of the following criteria: psychiatric diagnosis, use of psychotropic medication, psychosomatic disease in other organs, and biographical crisis in the last 6 months. Results were compared with a control group. RESULTS: A total of 39 cases of UVOS were recruited, corresponding approximately to 3% prevalence. The large majority (74%) were female. The mean age was 41.8 years. The most common complaints were ocular surface irritation symptoms (51%) and unspecific visual disturbances (17%). At least 1 of the PD criteria was found in 100%, including 46.2% with psychiatric comorbidity, 48.7% with psychotropic medications, 64% with psychosomatic disease in other organs, and 48.7% with recent life-stressful events. PD indicators were statistically higher compared with control group (P<.05). CONCLUSIONES: There was a high frequency of PD indicators in patients with UVOS. Although the causative role of PD remains unclear, the presence of UVOS should warn the ophthalmologist of an underlying psychic conflict and to make an appropriate psychological intervention.

A report of 4 years of experience of a multidisciplinary unit of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis develop joint disease, the course of which can be improved by early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with a new multidisciplinary psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis unit over a period of 4 years (2009-2012). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Implementation of a PSOriasis Rheumatology and Dermatology unit (PSORD) to provide patient care and physician training. In the first phase of the project, referral criteria for the unit were defined and several meetings were organized to train and prepare the specialists involved in the program. In the second phase, a schedule was drawn up for monthly patient visits with the PSORD team. Starting in 2011, training was offered to dermatologists and rheumatologists from other hospitals interested in implementing a similar model. RESULTS: A total of 259 visits (71% first visits, 8% no-shows) were scheduled during the period analyzed, with a median of 8 visits (range, 2-14 visits) per session. Sixty-three percent of the patients were referred from the rheumatology department. Diagnosis and treatment were modified in 32% and 47% of cases, respectively. Three training courses were held with 15 physicians from 6 hospitals, 3 of which created similar units. CONCLUSIONS: The PSORD model improved the management of difficult-to-diagnose and/or uncontrolled disease, the early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis, and collaboration between dermatologists and rheumatologists. Finally, the model lends itself to being exported to other settings.

Multidisciplinary psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis unit: report of 4 years' experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis develop joint disease, the course of which can be improved by early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with a new multidisciplinary psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis unit over a period of 4 years (2009-2012). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Implementation of a PSOriasis Rheumatology and Dermatology unit (PSORD) to provide patient care and physician training. In the first phase of the project, referral criteria for the unit were defined and several meetings were organized to train and prepare the specialists involved in the program. In the second phase, a schedule was drawn up for monthly patient visits with the PSORD team. Starting in 2011, training was offered to dermatologists and rheumatologists from other hospitals interested in implementing a similar model. RESULTS: A total of 259 visits (71% first visits, 8% no-shows) were scheduled during the period analyzed, with a median of 8 visits (range, 2-14 visits) per session. Sixty-three percent of the patients were referred from the rheumatology department. Diagnosis and treatment were modified in 32% and 47% of cases, respectively. Three training courses were held with 15 physicians from 6 hospitals, 3 of which created similar units. CONCLUSIONS: The PSORD model improved the management of difficult-to-diagnose and/or uncontrolled disease, the early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis, and collaboration between dermatologists and rheumatologists. Finally, the model lends itself to being exported to other settings.

Enfoque multidisciplinario en el tratamiento del herpes zóster oftálmico / Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of pphthalmic herpes zoster

Se presentó el caso remitido a nuestro servicio de rehabilitación de la especialidad de oftalmología, con el diagnóstico de herpes zóster oftálmico, por presentar dolor y lesiones maculares, vesículas sobre una base eritematosa en la región periorbitaria y frontal derecha, acompañado de intenso edema. Tratado, además, en primera instancia, por dermatología con: aciclovir, antiinflamatorios (prednisona), vitaminoterapia y colirios. A los 7 días comenzó tratamiento de fisioterapia con radiación láser durante 15 sesiones, y continuó con 20 aplicaciones del campo magnético continuo, lo cual garantizó, con la interrelación de varias especialidades médicas y un enfoque multidisciplinario, la evolución satisfactoria del paciente(AU)

Present case was referred to our rehabilitation service of Ophthalmology specialty diagnosed with ophthalmic herpes zoster, pain and macular lesions, vesicles on an erythematous basis in right frontal periorbital region, accompanied of intense edema. The first treatment was applied in the Dermatology service with acyclovir, anti-inflammatory drugs (Prednisone), vitamin-therapy and eyedrops. At 17 days was treated with physiotherapy with laser radiation for 15 sessions continuing 20 applications of continuous magnetic field guarantying with the interrelation of some medical specialties and a multidisciplinary approach, the satisfactory evolution of patient(AU)

Enfoque multidisciplinario en el tratamiento del herpes zóster oftálmico / Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of pphthalmic herpes zoster

Se presentó el caso remitido a nuestro servicio de rehabilitación de la especialidad de oftalmología, con el diagnóstico de herpes zóster oftálmico, por presentar dolor y lesiones maculares, vesículas sobre una base eritematosa en la región periorbitaria y frontal derecha, acompañado de intenso edema. Tratado, además, en primera instancia, por dermatología con: aciclovir, antiinflamatorios (prednisona), vitaminoterapia y colirios. A los 7 días comenzó tratamiento de fisioterapia con radiación láser durante 15 sesiones, y continuó con 20 aplicaciones del campo magnético continuo, lo cual garantizó, con la interrelación de varias especialidades médicas y un enfoque multidisciplinario, la evolución satisfactoria del paciente

Present case was referred to our rehabilitation service of Ophthalmology specialty diagnosed with ophthalmic herpes zoster, pain and macular lesions, vesicles on an erythematous basis in right frontal periorbital region, accompanied of intense edema. The first treatment was applied in the Dermatology service with acyclovir, anti-inflammatory drugs (Prednisone), vitamin-therapy and eyedrops. At 17 days was treated with physiotherapy with laser radiation for 15 sessions continuing 20 applications of continuous magnetic field guarantying with the interrelation of some medical specialties and a multidisciplinary approach, the satisfactory evolution of patient