Cross-sectional study on factors related to chronic pain and its care, according to sex

[ES] Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y terapéuticas de las personas con dolor crónico no oncológico, según sexo. Pacientes y método: Estudio transversal en la Unidad del Dolor del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca entre marzo y septiembre de 2020. Se realizó un muestreo consecutivo, obteniendo 105 pacientes. Los datos se extrajeron de las historias clínicas (HHCC) para las variables clínicas y un cuestionario realizado ad hoc para las variables demográficas y socioeconómicas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables, según sexo. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes con dolor crónico son mujeres (61,9 %) de 56 años, españolas, con residencia en Salamanca y con pareja. Su nivel de estudios es medio/bajo y están en situación de desempleo (p = 0,007). No son las principales proveedoras económicas del núcleo familiar (p < 0,00) y sus ingresos son inferiores a 950 euros al mes (p = 0,001). Poseen vivienda y conviven con otras personas. Su principal actividad son labores domésticas o de cuidados (p = 0,008). Padecen dolor musculoesquelético secundario crónico asociado a alteraciones estructurales, con lumbalgia crónica inespecífica como el diagnóstico más frecuente. Tienen más patologías concomitantes que los hombres, siendo la HTA la más frecuente, y los trastornos psiquiátricos más prevalentes en ellas. Están tratadas con analgésicos y bloqueos de nervios periféricos, respondiendo favorablemente. Conclusión: Identificar la mayor frecuencia de mujeres, con su contexto sociodemográfico y clínico específico, refleja la necesidad de abordar el sexo y los roles de género, y así tenerlos en cuenta a la hora de evaluar cómo influyen ambos en la vivencia del dolor crónico y de cómo llevar a cabo la asistencia y el manejo de nuestros pacientes. [EN] Objective: To describe the sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of people with chronic non-oncologic pain, according to sex. Patients and method: Cross-sectional study in the Pain Unit of the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca between March and September 2020. Consecutive sampling was performed, obtaining 105 patients. Data were extracted from the medical records (HHCC) for clinical variables and an ad hoc questionnaire for demographic and socioeconomic variables. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed according to sex. Results: Most of the patients with chronic pain were women (61.9 %) aged 56 years, Spanish, living in Salamanca and with a partner. Their level of education is medium/low and they are unemployed (p = 0.007). They are not the main economic providers of the family nucleus (p < 0.00) and their income is less than 950 euros per month (p = 0.001). They own a house and live with other people. Their main activity is domestic or care work (p = 0.008). They suffer from chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain associated with structural alterations, with non-specific chronic low back pain as the most frequent diagnosis. They have more concomitant pathologies than men, with HT being the most frequent, and psychiatric disorders more prevalent in them. They are treated with analgesics and peripheral nerve blocks, responding favorably. Conclusion: Identifying the higher frequency of women, with their specific sociodemographic and clinical context, reflects the need to address sex and gender roles and thus take them into account when assessing how both influence the experience of chronic pain and how to carry out the care and management of our patients.S

Mental impact of Covid-19 among Spanish healthcare workers. A large longitudinal survey

Altres ajuts: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL, GRS COVID 32/A/20).Aims Longitudinal data on the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in healthcare workers is limited. We estimated prevalence, incidence and persistence of probable mental disorders in a cohort of Spanish healthcare workers (Covid-19 waves 1 and 2) -and identified associated risk factors. Methods 8996 healthcare workers evaluated on 5 May-7 September 2020 (baseline) were invited to a second web-based survey (October-December 2020). Major depressive disorder (PHQ-8 ≥ 10), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD-7 ≥ 10), panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 ≥ 7), and alcohol use disorder (CAGE-AID ≥ 2) were assessed. Distal (pre-pandemic) and proximal (pandemic) risk factors were included. We estimated the incidence of probable mental disorders (among those without disorders at baseline) and persistence (among those with disorders at baseline). Logistic regression of individual-level [odds ratios (OR)] and population-level (population attributable risk proportions) associations were estimated, adjusting by all distal risk factors, health care centre and time of baseline interview. Results 4809 healthcare workers participated at four months follow-up (cooperation rate = 65.7%; mean = 120 days s.d. = 22 days from baseline assessment). Follow-up prevalence of any disorder was 41.5%, (v. 45.4% at baseline, p < 0.001); incidence, 19.7% (s.e. = 1.6) and persistence, 67.7% (s.e. = 2.3). Proximal factors showing significant bivariate-adjusted associations with incidence included: work-related factors [prioritising Covid-19 patients (OR = 1.62)], stress factors [personal health-related stress (OR = 1.61)], interpersonal stress (OR = 1.53) and financial factors [significant income loss (OR = 1.37)]. Risk factors associated with persistence were largely similar. Conclusions Our study indicates that the prevalence of probable mental disorders among Spanish healthcare workers during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was similarly high to that after the first wave. This was in good part due to the persistence of mental disorders detected at the baseline, but with a relevant incidence of about 1 in 5 of HCWs without mental disorders during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health-related factors, work-related factors and interpersonal stress are important risks of persistence of mental disorders and of incidence of mental disorders. Adequately addressing these factors might have prevented a considerable amount of mental health impact of the pandemic among this vulnerable population. Addressing health-related stress, work-related factors and interpersonal stress might reduce the prevalence of these disorders substantially. Study registration number: NCT0455656

Traumatic stress symptoms among Spanish healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study

Abstract Aim To investigate the occurrence of traumatic stress symptoms (TSS) among healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic and to obtain insight as to which pandemic-related stressful experiences are associated with onset and persistence of traumatic stress. Methods This is a multicenter prospective cohort study. Spanish healthcare workers (N = 4,809) participated at an initial assessment (i.e., just after the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 pandemic) and at a 4-month follow-up assessment using web-based surveys. Logistic regression investigated associations of 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences across four domains (infection-related, work-related, health-related and financial) with TSS prevalence, incidence and persistence, including simulations of population attributable risk proportions (PARP). Results Thirty-day TSS prevalence at T1 was 22.1%. Four-month incidence and persistence were 11.6% and 54.2%, respectively. Auxiliary nurses had highest rates of TSS prevalence (35.1%) and incidence (16.1%). All 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences under study were associated with TSS prevalence or incidence, especially experiences from the domains of health-related (PARP range 88.4–95.6%) and work-related stressful experiences (PARP range 76.8–86.5%). Nine stressful experiences were also associated with TSS persistence, of which having patient(s) in care who died from COVID-19 had the strongest association. This association remained significant after adjusting for co-occurring depression and anxiety. Conclusions TSSs among Spanish healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic are common and associated with various pandemic-related stressful experiences. Future research should investigate if these stressful experiences represent truly traumatic experiences and carry risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder

Characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from colonized patients in a university hospital in Madrid, Spain, during the R-GNOSIS project depicts increased clonal diversity over time with maintenance of high-risk clones

Objectives: To describe the incidence and microbiological features of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) from colonized patients in a Spanish university hospital during a cluster-randomized study [the Resistance of Gram-Negative Organisms: Studying Intervention Strategies (R-GNOSIS) project] on isolation strategies for faecal ESBL carriers. Methods: From March 2014 to March 2016, 15 556 rectal swabs from 8209 patients admitted in two surgical wards and two medical wards were collected and seeded on ESBL and CPE chromogenic agars. Carbapenemase characterization (PCR and sequencing) was performed, and antibiotic susceptibility (MIC), clonality (PFGE and MLST) and diversity (Simpson diversity index estimation) were determined. Results: One hundred and ninety-eight CPE isolates, mainly Klebsiella pneumoniae (53.5%) and Escherichia coli (19.2%), were identified in 162 patients (2%). Prevalence of CPE carriage remained unchanged over time. Overall, amikacin (9.6%), tigecycline (9.6%) and colistin (0.5%) showed low non-susceptibility. The most frequent carbapenemase was OXA-48 (64.1%), followed by VIM-1 (26.8%), NDM-1 (5.3%) and KPC-3 (3.5%), and these were co-produced with ESBLs in 43.9%. OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 was the most frequent association. Two major K. pneumoniae clones were identified (OXA-48-CTX-M-15-ST11 and VIM-1-SHV-12-ST54) with considerable genetic diversity among the remaining isolates, including OXA-48-E. coli. Species diversity tended to decrease from 0.75 in the first 6 months of the study to 0.43 in the final months. The emergence of new clones (i.e. OXA-48-Kluyvera spp. and NDM-1-K. pneumoniae ST437 and ST101) and displacement of other particular clones were also demonstrated. Conclusions: We describe a polyclonal and changeable CPE population over time. Coexistence of worldwide disseminated clones, such as ST11-OXA-48- K. pneumoniae, with unrelated and emerging OXA-48-E. coli clones, depicts a disturbing CPE epidemiology in our institution

Characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from colonized patients in a university hospital in Madrid, Spain, during the R-GNOSIS project depicts increased clonal diversity over time with maintenance of high-risk clones

Objectives: To describe the incidence and microbiological features of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) from colonized patients in a Spanish university hospital during a cluster-randomized study [the Resistance of Gram-Negative Organisms: Studying Intervention Strategies (R-GNOSIS) project] on isolation strategies for faecal ESBL carriers. Methods: From March 2014 to March 2016, 15 556 rectal swabs from 8209 patients admitted in two surgical wards and two medical wards were collected and seeded on ESBL and CPE chromogenic agars. Carbapenemase characterization (PCR and sequencing) was performed, and antibiotic susceptibility (MIC), clonality (PFGE and MLST) and diversity (Simpson diversity index estimation) were determined. Results: One hundred and ninety-eight CPE isolates, mainly Klebsiella pneumoniae (53.5%) and Escherichia coli (19.2%), were identified in 162 patients (2%). Prevalence of CPE carriage remained unchanged over time. Overall, amikacin (9.6%), tigecycline (9.6%) and colistin (0.5%) showed low non-susceptibility. The most frequent carbapenemase was OXA-48 (64.1%), followed by VIM-1 (26.8%), NDM-1 (5.3%) and KPC-3 (3.5%), and these were co-produced with ESBLs in 43.9%. OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 was the most frequent association. Two major K. pneumoniae clones were identified (OXA-48-CTX-M-15-ST11 and VIM-1-SHV-12-ST54) with considerable genetic diversity among the remaining isolates, including OXA-48-E. coli. Species diversity tended to decrease from 0.75 in the first 6 months of the study to 0.43 in the final months. The emergence of new clones (i.e. OXA-48-Kluyvera spp. and NDM-1-K. pneumoniae ST437 and ST101) and displacement of other particular clones were also demonstrated. Conclusions: We describe a polyclonal and changeable CPE population over time. Coexistence of worldwide disseminated clones, such as ST11-OXA-48- K. pneumoniae, with unrelated and emerging OXA-48-E. coli clones, depicts a disturbing CPE epidemiology in our institution

Local prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae intestinal carriers at admission and co-expression of ESBL and OXA-48 carbapenemase in Klebsiella pneumoniae : A prevalence survey in a Spanish University Hospital

Objective To assess the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) faecal carriers at admission in a University Hospital in Spain. Design Prevalence survey. Setting Pneumology, gastroenterology, urology and neurosurgery units at a university tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain). Participants A total of 10 643 patients aged 18 and older admitted from March 2014 to April 2016 with a rectal swab taken at admission or as soon as possible within the first 48 hours. Primary and secondary outcome measures Prevalence of ESBL-E faecal carriers and prevalence of ESBL-E infections at admission. Results The prevalance of ESBL-E carriers at admission was 7.69% (CI 95% 7.18 to 8.19). Most of the isolates were Escherichia coli (77.51%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.71%). Eighty-eight (10.41%) of ESBL-E were simultaneous ESBL and carbapenemase (CP) producers, 1.83% in the case of E. coli and 42.86% among K. pneumoniae isolates. Of the ESBL typed, 52.15% belonged to the cefotaximases (CTX-M-15) type and 91.38% of the CP were oxacillinase (OXA-48) type. Only 0.43% patients presented an active infection by ESBL-E at admission. Conclusions The prevalence found in our study is very similar to that found in literature. However, we found a high percentage of simultaneous ESBL and CP producers, particularly in K. pneumoniae. Despite the high prevalence of colonised patients, the ESBL-infection rate at admission was very low

Empleo de vancomicina tópica en la profilaxis de infección de herida de esternotomía: experiencia inicial

Resumen: Introducción: La vancomicina tópica ha demostrado su eficacia para disminuir la incidencia de infección de la herida quirúrgica, sin embargo, su utilidad en cirugía cardiaca permanece en duda. Objetivos: Estudiar el efecto de la vancomicina tópica sobre la incidencia de infección de la herida de esternotomía tras cirugía cardiaca. Material y método: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, comparando la incidencia de infección de esternotomía entre una cohorte en la que se empleó la profilaxis antibiótica habitual, frente a otra en la que además se asoció vancomicina tópica. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 525 pacientes, 47,43% en el grupo tratado con vancomicina. La incidencia global de infección fue significativamente superior en el grupo sin vancomicina (3,6% frente a 10,1%) implicando un riesgo relativo de 2,8 (IC 95% 1,35-5,83; p = 0,004). Las diferencias fueron significativas en la incidencia de infecciones superficial y profunda (p = 0,05), sin alcanzar la significación estadística en la infección órgano-espacio (p = 0,22). El efecto beneficioso de la vancomicina se mantuvo en un modelo de regresión ajustado por los posibles factores de confusión identificados (tabaquismo, reintervención, nefropatía y grado NYHA): odss ratio 3,48 (IC 95% 1,44-8,41; p = 0,006). Los gramnegativos fueron el principal agente causal en el grupo con vancomicina (57,1%) y los grampositivos en el grupo sin vancomicina (66,7%), aunque estas diferencias no alcanzaron la significación estadística. Conclusión: El empleo de vancomicina tópica disminuye la incidencia de infección de la herida de esternotomía, tanto superficial como profunda. Su uso podría producir un cambio en el espectro etiológico de la infección esternal. Abstract: Introduction: Topical vancomycin has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing the incidence of surgical wound infection; however, its usefulness in cardiac surgery remains in doubt. Objectives: To analyse the effectiveness of topical vancomycin in the reduction of sternal wound infection in cardiac surgery. Material and method: A retrospective observational study was conducted to compare the incidence of sternotomy infection in a cohort in which the usual antibiotic prophylaxis was used, with another cohort in which topical vancomycin was also used. Results: A total of 525 patients were included in the study, with 47.43% in the group treated with vancomycin. The incidence of infection was significantly higher in the group without vancomycin (3.6% versus 10.1%), implying a relative risk of infection of 2.8 (95% CI; 1.35-5.83, p = .0035). The differences were statistically significant as regards the incidence of superficial and deep infections (p = .05), but did not reach statistical significance in organ-space infection (p = .22). The beneficial effect of vancomycin was maintained in a logistic regression model adjusted for possible confounding factors (smoking, re-operation, nephropathy, and NYHA functional grade class): odss ratio 3.48 (95% CI; 1.44-8.41, p = .006). Gramnegative microorganisms were the main causative agent in the vancomycin group (57.1%), whereas it was grampositive in the group without vancomycin (66.70%), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: The use of topical vancomycin decreases the incidence of superficial and deep sternotomy wound infections. Its use could lead to a change in the aetiological spectrum of sternal wound infection. Palabras clave: Infección herida quirúrgica, Vancomicina, Esternotomía media, Profilaxis antibiótica, Antibioterapia tópica, Keywords: Surgical site infection, Vancomycin, Median sternotomy, Antibiotic prophylaxis, Topical antibiotic therap

Cultura de Seguridad del Paciente y Docencia: un instrumento para evaluar conocimientos y percepciones en profesionales del sistema sanitario de la Comunidad de Madrid

ABSTRACT Background: The patient safety culture (PSC) in health institutions depends on various organizational and human factors. Our aim was to evaluate, as a teaching strategy, the knowledge in patient safety and perceptions about the PSC. Methods: A convenience sample, with 122 health professionals from Regional Minister of Health’s patient safety courses attendees in 2015. Before each course, were delivered a knowledge questionnaire about patient safety (own elaboration) and a validated PSC questionnaire (estimating 3 dimensions: managerial support, perception of safety and expectations / actions). Valuations on CSP were recategorized in positive, negative and neutral, identifying strengths (≥75% of positive evaluations) and opportunities for improvement (≥50% of negative evaluations). At the end of each course an anonymous satisfaction questionnaire was delivered. Results: 60% responded correctly to questions about knowledge in patient safety, identifying areas for improvement in safe practices (hand hygiene and microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, with 66% and 61% of incorrect answers, respectively), and in management of health risks (investigation and identification of adverse events, with 62% and 56% of incorrect answers, respectively). 80% considered the institutional PSC positive, and the perception of safety as an opportunity for improvement (63.9% of negative evaluations). Thus, 88% admitted worrying about patient safety only after adverse incidents, and 65% felt afraid to talk about them. The satisfaction with the teaching methodology was 9.3 points out of 10. Conclusions: The overall assessment of PSC was mostly positive, identifying specific areas for improvement that allowed orienting the training in patient safety, motivating the participants and suggesting intervention strategies to improve patient safety in our organizations.RESUMEN Fundamentos: La cultura de seguridad del paciente (CSP) en las instituciones sanitarias depende de diversos factores organizativos y humanos. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar, como estrategia docente, los conocimientos y percepciones sobre la CSP. Métodos: Muestra de conveniencia, con 122 profesionales sanitarios y no sanitarios, que asistieron en 2015 a cursos sobre seguridad del paciente organizados por la Consejería de Sanidad de Madrid. Antes de cada curso, autocompletaron un cuestionario de conocimientos sobre seguridad del paciente (elaboración propia) y otro cuestionario validado sobre CSP (estimando 3 dimensiones: apoyo directivo, percepción de seguridad y expectativas/acciones). Las valoraciones sobre la CSP se recategorizaron en positivas, negativas y neutras, identificando fortalezas (≥75% de valoraciones positivas) y oportunidades de mejora (≥50% de valoraciones negativas). Al finalizar cada curso, cumplimentaron un cuestionario anónimo de satisfacción. Resultados: El 60% respondió correctamente a las preguntas sobre conocimientos en seguridad del paciente, identificando áreas de mejora en prácticas seguras (higiene de manos y microorganismos resistentes a antibióticos, con 66% y 61% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente), y en gestión de riesgos sanitarios (investigación e identificación de eventos adversos, con el 62% y 56% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente). El 80% consideró positiva la CSP institucional, y la percepción de seguridad como oportunidad de mejora (63,9% de valoraciones negativas). Así, el 88% reconocía preocuparse por la seguridad del paciente sólo tras incidentes adversos, y el 65% sentía miedo a hablar sobre estos. La satisfacción con la metodología docente fue de 9,3 puntos sobre 10. Conclusiones: La valoración global de la CSP fue mayoritariamente positiva, identificándose áreas de mejora específicas utilizadas como estrategia docente para ilustrar conceptos, motivar a los participantes y sugerir estrategias de intervención para mejorar la cultura de seguridad del paciente en nuestras organizaciones

Emergence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli ST131-C1-M27 clade colonizing patients in Europe

Background: The ST131 Escherichia coli clone is associated with the global dissemination of ESBLs. It has been hypothesized that ST131 could take advantage of better colonizing abilities. However, the data on colonization prevalence of ESBL-ST131 in European hospitals are scarce. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of the ST131 clone and its microbiological characteristics among colonizing ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-Ec) from hospitalized patients in four European hospitals (Berlin, Geneva, Madrid and Utrecht) during the R-GNOSIS study. Methods: ESBL-Ec isolates (n = 688) were obtained from rectal swabs of hospitalized patients from March 2014 to February 2015 using selective media. The ST131 clone and its subclones were sought using PCR and positive isolates were further studied. blaESBL genes were characterized (PCR and sequencing), antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed, clonal relationships were studied by PFGE and fimH allele and O type (PCR) were assessed. Results: ST131 prevalence was 20.5% (141/688); C1/H30R1 isolates were significantly more prevalent in Geneva (49%) and C2/H30Rx in Madrid (67%). C1/H30R1 isolates showed less resistance to amikacin than C2/H30Rx (4% versus 35%) and all were susceptible to penicillin/inhibitor combinations. CTX-M-15 was the most common enzyme (49%) followed by CTX-M-27 (27%). C1/H30R1 isolates were significantly associated with CTX-M-27 (72%) and all of these isolates belonged to the C1-M27 clade. Moreover, C2/H30Rx isolates and CTX-M-15 were also significantly related (88%). Conclusions: The predominance of C2/H30Rx-CTX-M-15 in Madrid and C1/H30R1-CTX-M-27 in Geneva demonstrates a changing epidemiology of ESBLs in Europe caused by ST131 subclones; in particular, the emergence of the C1-M27 clade in Europe

Dissemination routes of the carbapenem resistance plasmid pOXA-48 in a hospital setting

Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) are a major concern in clinical settings worldwide. Two fundamentally different processes shape the epidemiology of CPE in hospitals: the dissemination of CPE clones from patient to patient (between-patient transfer), and the transfer of carbapenemase-encoding plasmids between enterobacteria in the gut microbiota of individual patients (within-patient transfer). The relative contribution of each process to the overall dissemination of carbapenem resistance in hospitals remains poorly understood. Here, we used mechanistic models combining epidemiological data from more than 9,000 patients with whole genome sequence information from 250 enterobacteria clones to characterise the dissemination routes of the carbapenemase-encoding plasmid pOXA-48 in a hospital setting over a two-year period. Our results revealed frequent between-patient transmission of high-risk pOXA-48-carrying clones, mostly of Klebsiella pneumoniae and sporadically Escherichia coli. The results also identified pOXA-48 dissemination hotspots within the hospital, such as specific wards and individual rooms within wards. Using high-resolution plasmid sequence analysis, we uncovered the pervasive within-patient transfer of pOXA-48, suggesting that horizontal plasmid transfer occurs in the gut of virtually every colonised patient. The complex and multifaceted epidemiological scenario exposed by this study provides new insights for the development of intervention strategies to control the in-hospital spread of CPE