All-cause mortality in the cohorts of the Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS) compared with the general population: 1997Ł2010

Abstract Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has produced significant changes in mortality of HIVinfected persons. Our objective was to estimate mortality rates, standardized mortality ratios and excess mortality rates of cohorts of the AIDS Research Network (RIS) (CoRIS-MD and CoRIS) compared to the general population. Methods: We analysed data of CoRIS-MD and CoRIS cohorts from 1997 to 2010. We calculated: (i) all-cause mortality rates, (ii) standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and (iii) excess mortality rates for both cohort for 100 personyears (py) of follow-up, comparing all-cause mortality with that of the general population of similar age and gender. Results: Between 1997 and 2010, 8,214 HIV positive subjects were included, 2,453 (29.9%) in CoRIS-MD and 5,761 (70.1%) in CoRIS and 294 deaths were registered. All-cause mortality rate was 1.02 (95% CI 0.91-1.15) per 100 py, SMR was 6.8 (95% CI 5.9-7.9) and excess mortality rate was 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9) per 100 py. Mortality was higher in patients with AIDS, hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, and those from CoRIS-MD cohort (1997. Conclusion: Mortality among HIV-positive persons remains higher than that of the general population of similar age and sex, with significant differences depending on the history of AIDS or HCV coinfection

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Buprenorfina en dependencia a opiáceos: Reflexiones sobra la seguridad

Objetivo: Establecer una opinión formada sobre la seguridad de buprenorfina en la dependencia a opiáceos. Material y métodos: Revisión personal, crítica y no sistematizada de los estudios clínicos y revisiones publicados; análisis compartaivo con metadona Resultados: La seguridad de buprenorfina es mayor que la de otros opiáceos porque conlleva un menor riesgo de depresión respiratoria, pero el contexto de policonsumo de psicofármacos decrece sus ventajas. No existen suficientes datos contrastados sobre efectos adversos, interacciones o uso en grupos especiales de pacientes. Conclusiones: La buprenorfina representa una alternativa terapéutica que podría beneficiar a ciertos pacientes dependientes de opiáceos. Sin embargo, considerando globalmente la informacion disponible y las formas de representación y dispensación existentes, la buprenorfina no constituye una alternativa novedosa que aporte más seguridad global que la actualmente establecida para metadona

Osteoporosis secundarias

Se denomina osteoporosis secundaria a aquella que es causada por patologías o medicaciones, distintas a la pérdida ósea explicable por la etapa postmenopáusica o envejecimiento. Las posibles patologías que pueden condicionar la pérdida de masa ósea son muy variadas: endocrinológicas, digestivas, genéticas, hematológicas, reumáticas, post-transplante, farmacológicas y un amplio grupo misceláneo. En el artículo se revisan esencialmente las causas endocrinológicas, con especial énfasis en los aspectos más controvertidos en la actualidad, seguidos de una aproximación clínica para el diagnóstico sistemático de estas patologías, frecuentes en los casos etiquetados inicialmente de osteoporosis primaria

Hipofunción glucocorticoide en la distrofia miotónica

Introducción. La distrofia miotónica (DM1) es una enfermedad autonómica dominante cuyo defecto genético consiste en una expansión por repeticiones del triplete CTG en un gen que codifica una proteín-kinasa serina-treonina AMPc dependiente llamada DMPK. Se trata de una enfermedad multisistémica con conocida repercusión endocrinológica. En cuanto a la función suprarrenal, los resultados descritos han sido variables aunque últimamente se interpretan como indicadores de una hiperactividad del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-adrenal. Material y métodos. Se han estudiado 25 pacientes (13 hombres y 12 mujeres) afectos de DM1 a los que se ha analizado: cortisol y ACTH basales, test de estímulo con 0,25 mg de ACTH para cortisol y test de CRH para cortisol y ACTH. Asimismo se valoró el grado de expansión de CTG por Southern blot y PCR. Como grupo control para basales se estudiaron 25 individuos sanos equiparables por edad y sexo, a 11 de los cuales se realizó test de CRH. Resultado. Se diagnosticó a un paciente de insuficiencia suprarrenal primaria no autoinmune. En el resto de casos no hubo diferencias entre la ACTH basal de pacientes y controles, y la respuesta de cortisol a ACTH fue normal. Los pacientes presentaron un nivel de cortisol basal más bajo (p<0,01) y también mostraron, tras estímulo con CRH, una menor respuesta de cortisol (p<0,05) con cifras medias de ACTH más elevadas. Conclusiones. Nuestros datos difieren de las últimas publicaciones y apuntan a una hipofunción suprarrenal por falta de eficacia de la ACTH sobre su receptor o a nivel post-receptor. Sugerimos que la etiología puede estar relacionada con el defecto subyacente en el gen que codifica la DMPK

Costs and cost-efficacy analysis of the 2016 GESIDA/Spanish AIDS National Plan recommended guidelines for initial antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults

Introducción: El panel de expertos de GESIDA/Plan Nacional del Sida ha recomendado pautas preferentes (PP), pautas alternativas (PA) y otras pautas (OP) para el tratamiento antirretroviral (TARV) como terapia de inicio en pacientes infectados por VIH para 2016. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los costes y la eficiencia de iniciar tratamiento con estas pautas. Métodos: Evaluación económica de costes y eficiencia (coste/eficacia) mediante construcción de árboles de decisión. Se definió eficacia como la probabilidad de tener carga viral <50 copias/ml en la semana 48 en análisis por intención de tratar. Se definió coste de iniciar tratamiento con una pauta como los costes del TARV y de todas sus consecuencias (efectos adversos, cambios de pauta y estudio de resistencias) que se producen en las siguientes 48 semanas. Se utilizó la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud, considerando solo costes directos diferenciales: TARV (a precio oficial), manejo de efectos adversos, estudios de resistencias y determinación de HLA B*5701. El ámbito es España, con costes de 2016. Se realizó análisis de sensibilidad determinista construyendo 3 escenarios para cada pauta: basal, más favourable y más desfavorable. Resultados: En el escenario basal, los costes de iniciar tratamiento oscilaron entre 4.663 euros para 3TC + LPV/r (OP) y 10.894 euros para TDF/FTC + RAL (PP). La eficacia osciló entre 0,66 para ABC/3TC + ATV/r (PA) y ABC/3TC + LPV/r (OP), y 0,89 para TDF/FTC + DTG (PP) y TDF/FTC/EVG/COBI (PA). La eficiencia, en términos de coste/eficacia, osciló entre 5.280 y 12.836 euros por respondedor a las 48 semanas, para 3TC + LPV/r (OP) y RAL + DRV/r (OP), respectivamente. Conclusión: Aunque globalmente la pauta más eficiente fue 3TC + LPV/r (OP), considerando solamente las PP y las PA, la pauta más eficiente fue ABC/3TC/DTG (PP). De las PA, la más eficiente fue TDF/FTC/RPV.Introduction: GESIDA and the AIDS National Plan panel of experts suggest preferred (PR), alternative (AR), and other regimens (OR) for antiretroviral treatment (ART) as initial therapy in HIV-infected patients for the year 2016. The objective of this study is to evaluate the costs and the efficacy of initiating treatment with these regimens. Methods: Economic assessment of costs and efficiency (cost/efficacy) based on decision tree analyses. Efficacy was defined as the probability of reporting a viral load <50 copies/mL at week 48 in an intention-to-treat analysis. Cost of initiating treatment with an ART regimen was defined as the costs of ART and its consequences (adverse effects, changes of ART regimen, and drug resistance studies) during the first 48 weeks. The payer perspective (National Health System) was applied, only taking into account differential direct costs: ART (official prices), management of adverse effects, studies of resistance, and HLA B*5701 testing. The setting is Spain and the costs correspond to those of 2016. A sensitivity deterministic analysis was conducted, building three scenarios for each regimen: base case, most favourable, and least favourable. Results: In the base case scenario, the cost of initiating treatment ranges from 4663 Euros for 3TC + LPV/r (OR) to 10,894 Euros for TDF/FTC + RAL (PR). The efficacy varies from 0.66 for ABC/3TC + ATV/r (AR) and ABC/3TC + LPV/r (OR), to 0.89 for TDF/FTC + DTG (PR) and TDF/FTC/EVG/COBI (AR). The efficiency, in terms of cost/efficacy, ranges from 5280 to 12,836 Euros per responder at 48 weeks, for 3TC + LPV/r (OR), and RAL + DRV/r (OR), respectively. Conclusion: Despite the overall most efficient regimen being 3TC + LPV/r (OR), among the PR and AR, the most efficient regimen was ABC/3TC/DTG (PR). Among the AR regimes, the most efficient was TDF/FTC/RPV.Support and funding for this study come from Grupo de Estudio de SIDA (GESIDA), Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC) (AIDS Study Group, Spanish Society for Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology). The study benefited from the scientific sponsorship and support of the Red de Investigación en SIDA (AIDS Research Network) (RIS; RD06/0006 and RD12/0017). We thank the NEAT001/ANRS143 study researchers Elizabeth C George, François Raffi, Christine Schwimmer, Abdel G Babiker, and Cédrick Wallet for providing us with unpublished data regarding the outcomes and adverse events at the 48 week without which the inclusion of the NEAT001/ANRS143 study would be impossible. We thank the ACTG A5257 researchers Lumine H. Na, Jeffrey L. Lennox, Daniel R. Kuritzkes, and Heather J. Ribaudo for providing us with unpublished data regarding the outcomes and adverse events at the 48 week without which the inclusion of the ACTG A5257 study would be impossible

Impact of late presentation of HIV infection on short-, mid- and long-term mortality and causes of death in a multicenter national cohort : 2004-2013

To analyze the impact of late presentation (LP) on overall mortality and causes of death and describe LP trends and risk factors (2004-2013). Cox models and logistic regression were used to analyze data from a nation-wide cohort in Spain. LP is defined as being diagnosed when CD4 < 350 cells/ml or AIDS. Of 7165 new HIV diagnoses, 46.9% (CI:45.7-48.0) were LP, 240 patients died.First-year mortality was the highest (aHR = 10.3[CI:5.5-19.3]); between 1 and 4 years post-diagnosis, aHR = 1.9(1.2-3.0); an

Tiempos para pensar : investigación social y humanística hoy en Venezuela. Tomo I

En nuestros tiempos, hacer investigación en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades e intentar aportar pensamiento crítico es un hacer personal y también una tarea colectiva que se gesta en el intercambio y en el encuentro, en el debate y en la puesta en común de visiones, análisis, puntos de partida y espacios que se recorren. Hay desafíos del nuevo tiempo que son desafíos de las sociedades, e interpelan a la producción de conocimiento social y humano, le proponen preguntas y encomiendas, exigen que responda a sus demandas éticas y epistémicas desde el Sur, piden que se construyan saberes alternativos, decoloniales, que expliquen, acompañen y prefiguren la emancipación. Este libro, que cuenta con dos tomos, encara este desafío con rigurosidad y espíritu crítico

Discovering HIV related information by means of association rules and machine learning

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the main health problems worldwide. It is therefore essential to keep making progress in improving the prognosis and quality of life of affected patients. One way to advance along this pathway is to uncover connections between other disorders associated with HIV/AIDS-so that they can be anticipated and possibly mitigated. We propose to achieve this by using Association Rules (ARs). They allow us to represent the dependencies between a number of diseases and other specific diseases. However, classical techniques systematically generate every AR meeting some minimal conditions on data frequency, hence generating a vast amount of uninteresting ARs, which need to be filtered out. The lack of manually annotated ARs has favored unsupervised filtering, even though they produce limited results. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised system, able to identify relevant ARs among HIV-related diseases with a minimal amount of annotated training data. Our system has been able to extract a good number of relationships between HIV-related diseases that have been previously detected in the literature but are scattered and are often little known. Furthermore, a number of plausible new relationships have shown up which deserve further investigation by qualified medical experts