A Predictive Model and Risk Factors for Case Fatality of COVID-19

This study aimed to create an individualized analysis model of the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients as a tool for the rapid clinical management of hospitalized patients in order to achieve a resilience of medical resources. This is an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study with longitudinal follow-up. Data were collected from the medical records of 3489 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 using RT-qPCR in the period of highest community transmission recorded in Europe to date: February-June 2020. The study was carried out in in two health areas of hospital care in the Madrid region: the central area of the Madrid capital (Hospitales de Madrid del Grupo HM Hospitales (CH-HM), n = 1931) and the metropolitan area of Madrid (Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias (MH-HUPA) n = 1558). By using a regression model, we observed how the different patient variables had unequal importance. Among all the analyzed variables, basal oxygen saturation was found to have the highest relative importance with a value of 20.3%, followed by age (17.7%), lymphocyte/leukocyte ratio (14.4%), CRP value (12.5%), comorbidities (12.5%), and leukocyte count (8.9%). Three levels of risk of ICU/death were established: low-risk level (20%). At the high-risk level, 13% needed ICU admission, 29% died, and 37% had an ICU-death outcome. This predictive model allowed us to individualize the risk for worse outcome for hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19

Chronic Venous Disease in Pregnant Women Causes an Increase in ILK in the Placental Villi Associated with a Decrease in E-Cadherin

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a multifactorial vascular disorder frequently manifested in lower limbs in the form of varicose veins (VVs). Women are a vulnerable population for suffering from CVD, especially during pregnancy, when a plethora of changes occur in their cardiovascular system. Previous studies have indicated a worrisome association between CVD in pregnancy with the placental structure and function. Findings include an altered cellular behavior and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a critical molecule involved in multiple physiological and pathological conditions, and together with cadherins, is essential to mediate cell to ECM and cell to cell interplay, respectively. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the implication of ILK and a set of cadherins (e-cadherin, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17) in placentas of women with CVD in order to unravel the possible pathophysiological role of these components. Gene expression (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (immunohistochemistry) studies were performed. Our results show a significant increase in the gene and protein expression of ILK, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17 and a decrease of e-cadherin in the placenta of women with CVD. Overall, this work shows that an abnormal expression of ILK, e-cadherin, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17 may be implicated in the pathological changes occurring in the placental tissue. Further studies should be conducted to determine the possible associations of these changes with maternal and fetal well-being

EDUCORE project: a clinical trial, randomised by clusters, to assess the effect of a visual learning method on blood pressure control in the primary healthcare setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High blood pressure (HBP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). European hypertension and cardiology societies as well as expert committees on CVD prevention recommend stratifying cardiovascular risk using the SCORE method, the modification of lifestyles to prevent CVD, and achieving good control over risk factors. The EDUCORE (Education and Coronary Risk Evaluation) project aims to determine whether the use of a cardiovascular risk visual learning method - the EDUCORE method - is more effective than normal clinical practice in improving the control of blood pressure within one year in patients with poorly controlled hypertension but no background of CVD;</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This work describes a protocol for a clinical trial, randomised by clusters and involving 22 primary healthcare clinics, to test the effectiveness of the EDUCORE method. The number of patients required was 736, all between 40 and 65 years of age (n = 368 in the EDUCORE and control groups), all of whom had been diagnosed with HBP at least one year ago, and all of whom had poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg). All personnel taking part were explained the trial and trained in its methodology. The EDUCORE method contemplates the visualisation of low risk SCORE scores using images embodying different stages of a high risk action, plus the receipt of a pamphlet explaining how to better maintain cardiac health. The main outcome variable was the control of blood pressure; secondary outcome variables included the SCORE score, therapeutic compliance, quality of life, and total cholesterol level. All outcome variables were measured at the beginning of the experimental period and again at 6 and 12 months. Information on sex, age, educational level, physical activity, body mass index, consumption of medications, change of treatment and blood analysis results was also recorded;</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The EDUCORE method could provide a simple, inexpensive means of improving blood pressure control, and perhaps other health problems, in the primary healthcare setting;</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01155973 [<url>http://ClinicalTrials.gov</url>].</p

Semicircular lipoatrophy: a sistematic review of the literature

Artículos originales[ES ]Introducción: La lipoatrofia semicircular (LS) es un trastorno benigno del tejido subcutáneo, de causa desconocida. Se caracteriza por depresiones semicirculares en la cara anterolateral de los muslos, unilaterales o bilaterales. Se relaciona con condiciones ambientales laborales, microtraumas repetidos y factores personales. Se plateó esta revisión sistemática de la literatura científica para caracterizar el conocimiento existente. Métodos: Revisión sistemática. Bases de datos: IBECS, IBSST, LILACS, IME, OSH-UPDATE, ISI-WOK, PubMed, CIS-DOC y Cochrane. Se incluyeron los artículos sobre lipoatrofia semicircular relacionada con condiciones de trabajo y medioambientales. Se utilizaron los niveles de evidencia científica del Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Resultados: Se recuperaron 66 artículos. Solo 22 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión: Quince con nivel de evidencia 3 y 7 con nivel 4. Siete estudios de series de casos y ocho de casos únicos, sumaron 838 casos, informados entre 1982-2010. Los principales factores de riesgo para LS son: Microtraumas repetidos, humedad relativa baja y electricidad en los edificios modernos de oficinas. Las depresiones semicirculares ocurren en la cara anterolateral de muslos, sin alteración de la piel, en mujeres (85%), sin signos inflamatorios con histopatología inespecífica. La resonancia magnética, radiología y los anticuerpos antinucleares son negativos. El diagnóstico es clínico, apoyado con ecografía. El tratamiento psicológico y fisioterapia pueden ser útiles. Las medidas preventivas de mayor impacto son controlar los factores mencionados. Conclusiones: Existe insuficiente evidencia científica sobre las causas de LS. Es un trastorno prevalente, que genera alarma, relacionado con las condiciones de trabajo. Es necesario continuar la investigación sobre agentes causales. [EN] Introduction: The semicircular lipoatrophy (LS) is a benign disorder of the subcutaneous tissue with unkvown cause. It is characterized by unilateral o bilateral semicircular depressions in the anterolateral side of the thighs. It is related to environmental labor conditions, repeated microtraumas and personal factors. We conducted this systematic review of the scientific literature to characterize the existing knowledge. Methods: Systematic Review. Databases: IBECS, IBSST, LILACS, IME, OSH-UPDATE, ISI-WOK, PubMed, CIS-DOC and Cochrane. We included articles about semicircular lipoatrophy related to working and environmental conditions. We used the levels of scientific evidence of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Results: 66 articles were recovered. Only 22 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: Fifteen with evidence level 3 and 7 with evidence level 4. Seven studies were series of cases and 8 were unique case reports. All of them added 838 cases, informed between 1982-2010. The principal risk factors for LS are repetitive microtrauma, low relative humidity and electricity in modern office buildings. The semicircular depressions occur in the anterolateral side of thighs, without alteration of the skin and muscles, mostly in women (85%), without inflammatory signs and with unspecific histopathology. The magnetic resonance, x rays and the antinuclear antibodies are negative. The diagnosis is clinical, supported by ultrasonography. Psychological treatment and physical therapy can be useful. The preventive measures of greater impact are controlling risk factors. Conclusions: Insufficient scientific evidence exists about the causes of LS. It is a prevalent disorder that generates alarm, related to workplace conditions. It is necessary to continue investigating about causative agents.N

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

There is still much controversy regarding the epidemiology of endometriosis. The objective of this work is to conduct a systematic review, and if possible, proceed with a meta-analysis of studies that have analyzed the incidence and prevalence of this condition among women in the general population. The inclusion criteria were papers published after 1997 that had reported data of the incidence or prevalence of endometriosis. The PubMed search engine was used to identify papers meeting the inclusion criteria from 1997 to 2019, with an additional manual search for the identification of potentially eligible studies. The search was limited to papers published in English. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist...

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Incidence and Prevalence of Endometriosis

There is still much controversy regarding the epidemiology of endometriosis. The objective of this work is to conduct a systematic review, and if possible, proceed with a meta-analysis of studies that have analyzed the incidence and prevalence of this condition among women in the general population. The inclusion criteria were papers published after 1997 that had reported data of the incidence or prevalence of endometriosis. The PubMed search engine was used to identify papers meeting the inclusion criteria from 1997 to 2019, with an additional manual search for the identification of potentially eligible studies. The search was limited to papers published in English. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. As a result, 27 papers, which included a total of 28,660,652 women, were classified according to the type of design and sources of information in five subgroups. Pooled estimates of prevalence for studies with self-reported data were 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03; 0.06), 0.01 for population-based integrated information systems (95% CI: 0.01; 0.02), and 0.04 (95% CI 0.04; 0.05) in studies using other designs. The pooled incidence rate of endometriosis was: 1.36 per 1000 person-years (PY) (95% CI: 1.09; 1.63) for studies based on hospital discharges, 3.53 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 2.06; 4.99) for cohort studies, and 1.89 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 1.42; 2.37) for population-based integrated information systems. Meta-analysis indicated high heterogeneity based on I-squared statistics. This significant variability may not only be due to methodological issues and the specific limitations of the different designs and data analyzed, including case definitions and subject selection strategies, but also to the inherent heterogeneity of endometriosis. Epidemiological studies with appropriate study designs remain necessary to provide a valid estimation of the population burden of endometriosis

Systematic review and evidence on occupational noise exposure and extra-auditory effects of no cardiovascular nature

[ES] Trabajo de revisión que tienen como objetivo conocer el nivel de evidencia existente sobre los efectos extra-auditivos de la exposición profesional al ruido relacionados con: alteraciones bioquímicas, efectos neuro-piscológicos, salud reproductiva y accidentes de trabajo mediante el análisis sistemático de la producción científica publicada entre 1995 y 2008. La búsqueda de las referencias bibliográficas se realizó mediante términos "Major Topic"y "MeSH" para MEDLINE y términos "Decriptors" para OSH update. Se recuperaron un total de 370 referencias y se incluyeron en la revisión todos los estudios experimentales, estudios de cohortes y estudios casos control y aquellos estudios trasversales que cumplieron al menos con cinco de los nueve criterios que la declaración STROBE establece para los estudios observacionales. Fueron seleccionados para su revisión a texto completo un total de 35 artículos: 14 estudios experimentales, 2 estudios de cohortes, 6 estudios casos control, 12 estudios transversales y 1 estudio de validación. La asignación del nivel de evidencia se realizó de acuerdo a los criterios SIGN. La selección y revisión de los artículos se realizó mediante revisión por pares, los casos de discrepancia entre pares se resolvió mediante consenso. Encontramos un alto nivel de evidencia (1+) para influencia de la exposición profesional al ruido sobre el incremento de la secreción de cortisol y noradrenalina, fatiga y disminución del rendimiento, funciones cognitivas y memoria, disminución en la calidad del sueño, estrés e irritabilidad y percepción de malestar. Con un nivel de evidencia 2++ se relacionó la exposición profesional al ruido con la accidentalidad laboral. No encontramos unos resultados concluyentes para la determinación de la relación entre exposición profesional al ruido sobre la salud reproductiva. Existe una diversidad en los métodos utilizados para la evaluación de la exposición profesional al ruido, empleándose tanto métodos de medición cuantitativos y métodos cualitativos de percepción subjetiva. Nuestros resultados son coincidentes con las revisiones realizadas anteriormente por Smith AP y cols (1991) y Butler MP y cols (1999). Review aimed at ascertaining the level of evidence on non-auditory effects related with occupational exposure to noise concerning: biochemical, neuro- psychology effects, reproductive health and accidents at work through a systematic analysis of the scientific literature published between 1995 and 2008. The search for references was conducted using terms "Major Topic" and "MeSH" terms for MEDLINE and "Decriptors" for OSH update. We retrieved a total of 370 references, were included in the review all experimental studies, cohort studies and case control studies and those cross-sectional studies that had at least five of the nine criteria that the STROBE Statement provides for observational studies. Were selected for full text review a total of 35 studies: 14 experimental studies, 2 cohort studies, 6 case control studies, 12 cross-sectional studies and 1 validation study. The assignment of the level of evidence was performed according to SIGN criteria. The selection and review of articles was done by peer review, cases of disagreement between pairs was resolved by consensus. We found a high level of evidence (1+) about the influence of occupational noise exposure and the increased secretion of cortisol and norepinephrine, fatigue and decreased performance, cognitive function and memory, decreased quality of sleep, stress and irritability annoyance. A level of evidence 2++ was identify for occupational noise exposure and work accidents. We found no conclusive results in determine the relationship between occupational exposure to noise on reproductive health. There is diversity in the methods used for assessing occupational exposure to noise, using both quantitative measurement methods and qualitative methods of subjective perception. Our results are consistent with those previously reported by Smith AP et alt (1991) and Butler MP et al (1999). [EN] Review aimed at ascertaining the level of evidence on non-auditory effects related with occupational exposure to noise concerning: biochemical, neuro- psychology effects, reproductive health and accidents at work through a systematic analysis of the scientific literature published between 1995 and 2008. The search for references was conducted using terms “Major Topic” and “MeSH” terms for MEDLINE and “Decriptors” for OSH update. We retrieved a total of 370 references, were included in the review all experimental studies, cohort studies and case control studies and those cross-sectional studies that had at least five of the nine criteria that the STROBE Statement provides for observational studies. Were selected for full text review a total of 35 studies: 14 experimental studies, 2 cohort studies, 6 case control studies, 12 cross-sectional studies and 1 validation study. The assignment of the level of evidence was performed according to SIGN criteria. The selection and review of articles was done by peer review, cases of disagreement between pairs was resolved by consensus. We found a high level of evidence (1+) about the influence of occupational noise exposure and the increased secretion of cortisol and norepinephrine, fatigue and decreased performance, cognitive function memory, decreased quality of sleep, stress and irritability annoyance. A level of evidence 2++ was identify for occupational noise exposure and work accidents. We found no conclusive results in determine the relationship between occupational exposure to noise on reproductive health. There is diversity in the methods used for assessing occupational exposure to noise, using both quantitative measurement methods and qualitative methods of subjective perception. Our results are consistent with those previously reported by Smith AP et alt (1991) and Butler MP et al (1999).S

Revisión sobre la evidencia de la relación entre exposición profesional al ruido y efectos extrauditivos no cardio-vasculares Systematic review and evidence on occupational noise exposure and extra-auditory effects of no cardiovascular nature

Trabajo de revisión que tienen como objetivo conocer el nivel de evidencia existente sobre los efectos extra-auditivos de la exposición profesional al ruido relacionados con: alteraciones bioquímicas, efectos neuro-piscológicos, salud reproductiva y accidentes de trabajo mediante el análisis sistemático de la producción científica publicada entre 1995 y 2008. La búsqueda de las referencias bibliográficas se realizó mediante términos "Major Topic"y "MeSH" para MEDLINE y términos "Decriptors" para OSH update. Se recuperaron un total de 370 referencias y se incluyeron en la revisión todos los estudios experimentales, estudios de cohortes y estudios casos control y aquellos estudios trasversales que cumplieron al menos con cinco de los nueve criterios que la declaración STROBE establece para los estudios observacionales. Fueron seleccionados para su revisión a texto completo un total de 35 artículos: 14 estudios experimentales, 2 estudios de cohortes, 6 estudios casos control, 12 estudios transversales y 1 estudio de validación. La asignación del nivel de evidencia se realizó de acuerdo a los criterios SIGN. La selección y revisión de los artículos se realizó mediante revisión por pares, los casos de discrepancia entre pares se resolvió mediante consenso. Encontramos un alto nivel de evidencia (1+) para influencia de la exposición profesional al ruido sobre el incremento de la secreción de cortisol y noradrenalina, fatiga y disminución del rendimiento, funciones cognitivas y memoria, disminución en la calidad del sueño, estrés e irritabilidad y percepción de malestar. Con un nivel de evidencia 2++ se relacionó la exposición profesional al ruido con la accidentalidad laboral. No encontramos unos resultados concluyentes para la determinación de la relación entre exposición profesional al ruido sobre la salud reproductiva. Existe una diversidad en los métodos utilizados para la evaluación de la exposición profesional al ruido, empleándose tanto métodos de medición cuantitativos y métodos cualitativos de percepción subjetiva. Nuestros resultados son coincidentes con las revisiones realizadas anteriormente por Smith AP y cols (1991) y Butler MP y cols (1999).Review aimed at ascertaining the level of evidence on non-auditory effects related with occupational exposure to noise concerning: biochemical, neuro- psychology effects, reproductive health and accidents at work through a systematic analysis of the scientific literature published between 1995 and 2008. The search for references was conducted using terms "Major Topic" and "MeSH" terms for MEDLINE and "Decriptors" for OSH update. We retrieved a total of 370 references, were included in the review all experimental studies, cohort studies and case control studies and those cross-sectional studies that had at least five of the nine criteria that the STROBE Statement provides for observational studies. Were selected for full text review a total of 35 studies: 14 experimental studies, 2 cohort studies, 6 case control studies, 12 cross-sectional studies and 1 validation study. The assignment of the level of evidence was performed according to SIGN criteria. The selection and review of articles was done by peer review, cases of disagreement between pairs was resolved by consensus. We found a high level of evidence (1+) about the influence of occupational noise exposure and the increased secretion of cortisol and norepinephrine, fatigue and decreased performance, cognitive function and memory, decreased quality of sleep, stress and irritability annoyance. A level of evidence 2++ was identify for occupational noise exposure and work accidents. We found no conclusive results in determine the relationship between occupational exposure to noise on reproductive health. There is diversity in the methods used for assessing occupational exposure to noise, using both quantitative measurement methods and qualitative methods of subjective perception. Our results are consistent with those previously reported by Smith AP et alt (1991) and Butler MP et al (1999)