Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Fracturas de cadera en pacientes tratados con fármacos antipsicóticos. Estudio de cohortes históricas en Cataluña [Hip fractures in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Study of retrospective cohorts in Catalonia]

Objetivo Evaluar la incidencia de fractura de cadera en pacientes con tratamiento antipsicótico, comparándola con la de individuos que no han sido tratados con antipsicóticos. Diseño Estudio de cohortes históricas de pacientes tratados con fármacos antipsicóticos (TAP) y pacientes sin tratamiento conocido (no TAP). El periodo de observación fue 2006-2014. Emplazamiento Todos los equipos de atención primaria de Cataluña del Instituto Catalán de la Salud (ICS). Participantes Pacientes mayores de 44 años con TAP de al menos 3 meses de duración. Cohorte control: selección aleatoria de pacientes no TAP emparejando por comorbilidades basales, sexo, edad y prescripción de fármacos (excluyendo psicofármacos). Se analiza un total de 22.010 pacientes. Mediciones principales Tasa de incidencia (×1.000 personas-año [PY]) de fractura de cadera en cada grupo (TAP y no TAP). Modelos de regresión de Cox para estimar riesgos ajustados (hazard ratio [HR]) añadiendo los psicofármacos como covariables. Resultados La tasa de incidencia de fractura de cadera fue mayor en los pacientes TAP (5,83 frente a 3,58 fracturas por 1.000 PY), y es mayor en todos los estratos según sexo, edad y tipo de diagnóstico. El riesgo de sufrir una fractura de cadera fue un 60% mayor (HR: 1,60; IC95%: 1,34-1,92) en el grupo TAP que en el grupo no TAP. El riesgo fue mayor en el grupo con esquizofrenia (HR: 3,57; IC95%: 1,75-7,30), seguido del trastorno bipolar (HR: 2,61; IC95%: 1,39-4,92) y depresión (HR: 1,51; IC95%: 1,21-1,88). Conclusiones Los pacientes con tratamiento antipsicótico presentan más riesgo de fractura de cadera que los que no han sido tratados con antipsicóticos. Objective To evaluate the incidence of hip fracture in patients with antipsychotic treatment, comparing it with that of individuals who have not been treated with antipsychotics. Design Retrospective cohort study of patients treated with antipsychotic drugs (TAP) and patients without known treatment (non-TAP). The observation period was 2006–2014. Site All primary care teams in Catalonia of the Catalan Health Institute (ICS). Participants Patients older than 44 years with TAP lasting at least 3 months. Control cohort: random selection of non-TAP patients matching for baseline comorbidities and other variables. A total of 22,010 are analyzed. Main measurements Incidence rate (1000× person-years: PY) of hip fracture in each group (TAP and non-TAP). Cox regression models to estimate adjusted risks (hazard ratio: HR). Results The hip fracture incidence rate was higher in TAP patients (5.83 vs 3.58 fractures per 1000 PY), and is higher in all strata according to sex, age and type of diagnosis. The risk of suffering a hip fracture was 60% higher (HR: 1.60 95% CI: 1.34–1.92) in the TAP group than in the non-TAP group. The risk was higher in the group with schizophrenia (HR: 3.57 95% CI: 1.75–7.30), followed by bipolar disorder (HR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.39–4.92) and depression (HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.21–1.88). Conclusions Patients with antipsychotic treatment have a higher risk of hip fracture than those who have not been treated with antipsychotics

“Gaining or losing”: The importance of the perspective in primary care health services valuation

<div><p>Rationale and objectives</p><p>Economic theory classifies an intervention as socially beneficial if the total Willingness to Pay (WTP) of those who gain exceeds the total Willingness to accept (WTA) of those who are harmed. This paper examines the differences in health system users’ valuation of a health care service in primary care setting based on the WTP and WTA perspectives, discussing the impact of personal and service variables, including risk attitudes, on these disparities.</p><p>Method</p><p>Six hundred and sixty two subjects who asked for care in health centres in the Region of Madrid (Spain) were interviewed, using the contingent valuation method to estimate WTP and WTA. Patient sociodemographic characteristics, health needs, satisfaction with the service and risk attitude and behaviour under risk (measured by self-reported scales and lottery games respectively) were collected. Generalised Linear Models were used to estimate the association between the explanatory variables and the WTA/WTP ratio.</p><p>Results</p><p>We obtained the WTA/WTP ratio for 570 subjects (mean 1.66 CI 95%: 1.53–1.79; median 1, interquartile range 1–2). People with higher education or in high social groups expressed WTA values closest to WTP. The opposite occurred in patients with the greatest health needs or who were born abroad. Self-reported expression of risk aversion appeared also related to increases in the WTA/WTP ratio. Satisfaction with the service evaluated was the most influential factor in the WTA/WTP ratio.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Health need, difficulty in obtaining substitutes and satisfaction with the service could serve for profiling people averse to loss for health care services in primary care setting. Self-reported expression of risk aversion could also be related to increases in the WTA/WTP ratio. This would mean that these characteristics should be taken into account both in the design and implementation of new healthcare interventions, as in the making decision for disinvestment.</p></div

Economic Valuation of Health Care Services in Public Health Systems: A Study about Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Nursing Consultations

BACKGROUND: Identifying the economic value assigned by users to a particular health service is of principal interest in planning the service. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of economic value of nursing consultation in primary care (PC) by its users. METHODS AND RESULTS: Economic study using contingent valuation methodology. A total of 662 users of nursing consultation from 23 health centers were included. Data on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health needs, pattern of usage, and satisfaction with provided service were compiled. The validity of the response was evaluated by an explanatory mixed-effects multilevel model in order to assess the factors associated with the response according to the welfare theory. Response reliability was also evaluated. Subjects included in the study indicated an average Willingness to Pay (WTP) of €14.4 (CI 95%: €13.2–15.5; median €10) and an average Willingness to Accept [Compensation] (WTA) of €20.9 (CI 95%: €19.6–22.2; median €20). Average area income, personal income, consultation duration, home visit, and education level correlated with greater WTP. Women and older subjects showed lower WTP. Fixed parameters explained 8.41% of the residual variability, and response clustering in different health centers explained 4–6% of the total variability. The influence of income on WTP was different in each center. The responses for WTP and WTA in a subgroup of subjects were consistent when reassessed after 2 weeks (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.952 and 0.893, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The economic value of nursing services provided within PC in a public health system is clearly perceived by its user. The perception of this value is influenced by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the subjects and their environment, and by the unique characteristics of the evaluated service. The method of contingent valuation is useful for making explicit this perception of value of health services