WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health in Latin America: classifying caesarean sections

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caesarean section rates continue to increase worldwide with uncertain medical consequences. Auditing and analysing caesarean section rates and other perinatal outcomes in a reliable and continuous manner is critical for understanding reasons caesarean section changes over time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed data on 97,095 women delivering in 120 facilities in 8 countries, collected as part of the 2004-2005 Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health in Latin America. The objective of this analysis was to test if the "10-group" or "Robson" classification could help identify which groups of women are contributing most to the high caesarean section rates in Latin America, and if it could provide information useful for health care providers in monitoring and planning effective actions to reduce these rates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall rate of caesarean section was 35.4%. Women with single cephalic pregnancy at term without previous caesarean section who entered into labour spontaneously (groups 1 and 3) represented 60% of the total obstetric population. Although women with a term singleton cephalic pregnancy with a previous caesarean section (group 5) represented only 11.4% of the obstetric population, this group was the largest contributor to the overall caesarean section rate (26.7% of all the caesarean sections). The second and third largest contributors to the overall caesarean section rate were nulliparous women with single cephalic pregnancy at term either in spontaneous labour (group 1) or induced or delivered by caesarean section before labour (group 2), which were responsible for 18.3% and 15.3% of all caesarean deliveries, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The 10-group classification could be easily applied to a multicountry dataset without problems of inconsistencies or misclassification. Specific groups of women were clearly identified as the main contributors to the overall caesarean section rate. This classification could help health care providers to plan practical and effective actions targeting specific groups of women to improve maternal and perinatal care.</p

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Efectos de un programa de mejoramiento de la calidad en servicios materno perinatales en el Peru: la experiencia del proyecto 2000 Effects of a continuous quality improvement program in maternal and perinatal health services in Peru: the experience of Project 2000

OBJETIVOS: comparar la calidad de los servicios de salud materno perinatales (SMP) de los establecimientos participantes en un programa de mejora de calidad (PMC) y compararlos con un grupo control; evaluar comparativamente los conocimientos y actitudes de usuarias de servicios de salud materna; y determinar la contribución del PMC en los niveles de calidad. MÉTODOS: fue implementado un PMC en 74 establecimientos de salud seleccionados para mejorar la calidad. Se desarrolló un cuasiexperimento controlado en 74 hospitales, centros de salud y establecimientos periféricos. El análisis de la calidad de los SMP se realizó mediante comparación de promedios de escalas centesimales; los conocimientos y actitudes de las usuarias mediante análisis bivariado; y la predicción del nivel de calidad a través de análisis multivariado. RESULTADOS: al final de la intervención, la puntuación de los establecimientos con PMC tuvo un promedio de 61,8 puntos y de 37,5 en el grupo de comparación, (p <0,001). El promedio de conocimientos de signos de alarma obstétricos fue mayor en las usuarias PMC (3,6 signos/entrevistada) versus 2,5 en usuarias sin PMC, (p <0,05). La intención de parto institucional fue dos veces mayor en las usuarias de los servicios con PMC, (p = 0,038). Los predictores significativos de calidad fueron la mejora continua de la calidad y la disponibilidad de profesionales de salud. CONCLUSIONES: el nivel de calidad es mayor en los servicios que desarrollaron PMC. Las usuarias de tales servicios tienen más conocimientos de los signos de alarma obstétricos y mejor actitud hacia el parto institucional. El PMC ha contribuido para tales logros.<br>OBJECTIVES: to compare the quality of the maternal-perinatal health services (MPHS) between health facilities with a continuos quality improvement (CQI) and those without such program; to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the users of maternal health services; to determine the contribution of the CQI on the level of quality. METHODS: it was conducted a CQI program in 74 selected health facilities from Perú (1996-2000) for improved the quality of MPHS. A controlled, quasiexperimental study in facilities health (hospital, health centers and peripheral facilities) was conducted. The quality of care was measured by scores of the MPHS by comparing averages; the knowledge and attitudes of users by bivariate analysis, and the prediction of the quality level was studied through multivariate analysis. RESULTS: at the end of the intervention, CQI facilities score was 61,8 points and of 37,5 in the comparison group, (p <0,001). The average of obstetrical warms signs knowledge was greater in CQI facilities (3,6 signs/interviewed) versus 2,5 in comparison facilities users, (p <0,05). The intention of institutional childbirth was two times greater among users of CQI facilities, (p = 0,038). The main predictions factors of quality were the CQI intervention and the availability of health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: the level quality is greater in the participant health facilities (with CQI). The users of these facilities had more knowledge of warning signs and better attitude towards the institutional delivery. The CQI has contributed to those achievements

El estado de conservación de los recursos genéticos forestales en la república argentina

La diversidad ambiental de la Argentina que da origen a 18 ecosistemas distintos genera una significativa diversidad de especies forestales. Ese contraste en la diversidad de especies se expresa también en las poblaciones de los árboles, arbustos, palmeras y bambúes nativos del país, es decir, en la diversidad intra-específica, resaltando su cualidad como país de diversidad megacontrastante. Las principales causas de la pérdida de RGF en Argentina se podrían clasificar como de origen socio-cultural y socio-económico. El país carece de una autopercepción forestal que tiene que ver con su historia de colonización y con el modelo de desarrollo económico impuesto desde sus orígenes. El modelo agro-exportador ha influido e influye notablemente en el desmonte e incendios de grandes superficies de bosque nativo. A ello se suman intereses inmobiliarios que provocan intencionalmente grandes incendios de superficie boscosa y de otras tierras forestales. El país cuenta con 7 macro Regiones Forestales claramente definidas por sus características climáticas, orográficas, de composición específica, de uso del territorio y desarrollo histórico: Parque Chaqueño, Yungas, Selva Paranaense, Monte, Espinal, Delta y Bosques Sub-Antárticos. Entre ellas se destaca el Parque Chaqueño, por ser la de mayor superficie y por ser la que más ha sido sometida al desmonte como consecuencia de la expansión de la frontera agrícola y pecuaria. Los grandes desmontes seguidos de quemas generan pérdida de biodiversidad, por lo tanto, de recursos genéticos, pero además liberan grandes contenidos de carbono a la atmósfera, disminuyen la capacidad de retención del mismo y la liberación de oxígeno, provocan el ascenso de las napas freáticas y el aumento de la escorrentía. Esto suma un impacto negativo sobre el cambio climático y a la ocurrencia de grandes inundaciones a varios kilómetros de distancia. Adicionalmente, el desmonte tiene una consecuencia inmediata de mucha gravedad, cual es el desalojo de comunidades indígenas y campesinas de sus tierras ancestrales, quienes terminan engrosando los cordones de pobreza de las ciudades cercanas.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Gallo, Leonardo Ariel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area Forestal; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, N. Ministerio de Agricultura Ganadería y Pesca; ArgentinaFil: Bonafina, M. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ArgentinaFil: Carreras, N. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Maximiliano. Administracion de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Collado, Leonardo. Secretaría de Ambiente de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Cuchietti, A. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ArgentinaFil: Chervin, A. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Fava, J. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ArgentinaFil: Fornes, Luis Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: García Alvarez, S. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Lauenstein, Diego. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; ArgentinaFil: Moretti, M.J. Instituto Nacional de Semillas; ArgentinaFil: Moro, J.P. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; ArgentinaFil: Teich, T. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Verga, Anibal. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Wlasiuk, Liliana. Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible; Argentin