HIV screening and retention in care in people who use drugs in Madrid, Spain: a prospective study

Background: The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in people who use drugs (PWUD) is significant. We aimed to screen HIV infection among PWUD and describe their retention in HIV care. Besides, we also screen for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV-seropositive PWUD and describe their linkage to care. Methods: We conducted a prospective study in 529 PWUD who visited the "Cañada Real Galiana" (Madrid, Spain). The study period was from June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018. HIV diagnosis was performed with a rapid antibody screening test at the point-of-care (POC) and HCV diagnosis with immunoassay and PCR tests on dried blood spot (DBS) in a central laboratory. Positive PWUD were referred to the hospital. We used the Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, as appropriate, to compare rates between groups. Results: Thirty-five (6.6%) participants were positive HIV antibodies, but 34 reported previous HIV diagnoses, and 27 (76%) had prior antiretroviral therapy. Among patients with a positive HIV antibody test, we also found a higher prevalence of homeless (P < 0.001) and injection drug use (PWID) (P < 0.001), and more decades of drug use (P = 0.002). All participants received HIV test results at the POC. Of the 35 HIV positives, 28 (80%) were retained in HIV medical care at the end of the HIV screening study (2018), and only 22 (62.9%) at the end of 2020. Moreover, 12/35 (34.3%) were positive for the HCV RNA test. Of the latter, 10/12 (83.3%) were contacted to deliver the HCV results test (delivery time of 19 days), 5/12 (41.7%) had an appointment and were attended at the hospital and started HCV therapy, and only 4/12 (33.3%) cleared HCV. Conclusions: We found almost no new HIV-infected PWUD, but their cascade of HIV care was low and remains a challenge in this population at risk. The high frequency of active hepatitis C in HIV-infected PWUD reflects the need for HCV screening and reinforcing the link to care.This work was funded by a research grant from Merck Sharpe & Dohme (Grant Number MISP IIS#54846) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII; Grant Numbers PI20CIII/00004, and RD16CIII/0002/0002 to SR). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S

Detection of active hepatitis C in a single visit and linkage to care among marginalized people using a mobile unit in Madrid, Spain

Background: The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among marginalized people in Spain is high, despite the fact that HCV prevalence has decreased in recent years. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a simplified point-of-care (PoC) model for screening for active HCV infection via a mobile unit and subsequent linkage to care with the assistance of navigators. Methods: We carried out a prospective study on 2001 participants from Madrid, Spain. A nurse and a navigator/educator screened for hepatitis C in a mobile unit, using the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test and Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick assay. Participants with active HCV were referred to the hospital the same day with a navigator for evaluation and treatment of HCV. Results: Overall, 1621 (81%) participants had not been exposed to HCV, 380 (18.9%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 136 (6.8%) had active hepatitis C. Among the latter, 134 (98.5%) received the HCV screening results, 133 (97.8%) had an appointment at the hospital, 126 (92.8%) were seen by a physician once they were at the hospital, and 105 (77.2%) started HCV treatment. Being over 50 years old and a person who uses drugs, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID), was directly associated with active hepatitis C (p<0.05). PWID were the only patients with HCV reinfection (4.3% in people without recent injecting drug use and 5.9% in people with recent injecting drug use). Among PWID, no income and daily alcohol intake were also directly associated with active hepatitis C. People with recent injecting drug use showed the lowest rates of attendance at the hospital (91.8%) and starting HCV treatment (70.4%). Conclusion: HCV screening using a two-step PoC-based strategy and its linkage to care was extremely efficient for identifying and treating marginalized people with active hepatitis C, thanks to the use of a mobile unit with personnel and technical equipment, an interdisciplinary team, and collaboration between institutions.This work was funded by a research grant from Gilead Science (IN-ES-987-5391 and GLD20_0144) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII; grant numbers PI20CIII/00004 and RD16CIII/0002/0002 to SR). It also received funding from AbbVie, Asociación Española para Estudio del Higado (AEEH), and Madrid Positivo Association.S

Impact of a Community Intervention for Early Skin Cancer Diagnosis Implementing Teledermatology

The principal cause of skin cancer is sun exposure. In areas with high sun exposure levels, early diagnosis and sun protection education strategies must be developed. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of an early skin cancer diagnosis intervention implementing teledermatology. Transversal descriptive study on a population in the Western Costa del Sol. Primary care physicians were instructed on skin cancer diagnosis. They recruited consecutive at-risk patients and held four workshops for early skin cancer diagnosis and education on sun protection. The resulting variables on participants’ satisfaction and intention to change were collected. 393 patients were recruited. The mean age was 52.9 years, and 65.4% were women. Suspicious lesions were detected in 24.1% of participants, and 11.7% were attended to via teledermatology. Of these, 65.2% were evaluated in person at the Dermatology Department. Fourteen basal cell carcinomas, 5 squamous cell carcinomas, and 2 melanomas were diagnosed. Regarding patient satisfaction, 67.7% found all aspects of the workshops of interest, 41.7% found the skin check-up of interest, and 26.4% found sun and skin cancer prevention information of interest. Of the patients attended to via teledermatology, 100% stated it was good or very good and 100% would consult again via this method. The intervention was successful in terms of participation, skin cancer diagnosis, and satisfaction, especially compared with other international campaigns. Therefore, although the data cannot be extrapolated to all environments, this initiative may be used as the basis for the development of future interventions

Impact of a Community Intervention for Early Skin Cancer Diagnosis Implementing Teledermatology

The principal cause of skin cancer is sun exposure. In areas with high sun exposure levels, early diagnosis and sun protection education strategies must be developed. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of an early skin cancer diagnosis intervention implementing teledermatology. Transversal descriptive study on a population in the Western Costa del Sol. Primary care physicians were instructed on skin cancer diagnosis. They recruited consecutive at-risk patients and held four workshops for early skin cancer diagnosis and education on sun protection. The resulting variables on participants’ satisfaction and intention to change were collected. 393 patients were recruited. The mean age was 52.9 years, and 65.4% were women. Suspicious lesions were detected in 24.1% of participants, and 11.7% were attended to via teledermatology. Of these, 65.2% were evaluated in person at the Dermatology Department. Fourteen basal cell carcinomas, 5 squamous cell carcinomas, and 2 melanomas were diagnosed. Regarding patient satisfaction, 67.7% found all aspects of the workshops of interest, 41.7% found the skin check-up of interest, and 26.4% found sun and skin cancer prevention information of interest. Of the patients attended to via teledermatology, 100% stated it was good or very good and 100% would consult again via this method. The intervention was successful in terms of participation, skin cancer diagnosis, and satisfaction, especially compared with other international campaigns. Therefore, although the data cannot be extrapolated to all environments, this initiative may be used as the basis for the development of future interventions

The Response to Biologics is Better in Patients with Severe Asthma Than in Patients with Asthma–COPD Overlap Syndrome

Although biologics have demonstrated to be effective in T2-high asthma patients, there is little experience with these drugs in asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of biologics in these two conditions. We included 318 patients (24 ACO and 297 asthma) treated with monoclonal antibodies and followed for at least 12 months Omalizumab was the most frequently employed biologic agent both in patients with ACO and asthma. Asthma control test (ACT) scores after at least 12 months of biologic therapy were not significantly different between groups. The percentage of patients with >= 1 exacerbation and >= 1 corticosteroid burst was significantly higher in ACO patients (70.8 vs 27.3 and 83.3% vs 37.5%, respectively), whereas the percentage of controlled patients (with no exacerbations, no need for corticosteroids and ACT >= 20) was significantly lower (16.7% vs 39.7%). In conclusion, this report suggests that patients with ACO treated with biologics reach worse outcomes than asthma patients

Trends and Clinical Impact of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures on Acute Heart Failure in Spain (2002–2017)

Introduction: Heart failure decompensation can be triggered by many factors, including anemia. In cases of iron deficiency anemia or iron deficiency without anemia, endoscopic studies are recommended to rule out the presence of gastrointestinal neoplasms or other associated bleeding lesions. Objectives: The aims of this study were to (i) examine trends in the incidence, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized with heart failure from 2002 to 2017 who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and/or colonoscopy, and to (ii) identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) among patients with heart failure who underwent an EGD and/or a colonoscopy. Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective epidemiological study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database (SNHDD) between 2002 and 2017. We included hospitalizations of patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of heart failure. Cases were reviewed if there was an ICD-9-CM or ICD-10 procedure code for EGD or colonoscopy in any procedure field. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify predictors of IHM among HF patients who underwent an EGD or colonoscopy. Results: A total of 51,187 (1.32%) non-surgical patients hospitalized with heart failure underwent an EGD and another 72,076 (1.85%) patients had a colonoscopy during their admission. IHM was significantly higher in those who underwent an EGD than in those who underwent a red blood cell transfusion (OR 1.10; 95%CI 1.04–1.12). However, the use of colonoscopy seems to decrease the probability of IHM (OR 0.45; 95%CI 0.41–0.49). In patients who underwent a colonoscopy, older age seems to increase the probability of IHM. However, EGD was associated with a lower mortality (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.55–0.64). Conclusion: In our study, a decrease in the number of gastroscopies was observed in relation to colonoscopy in patients with heart failure. The significant ageing of the hospitalized HF population seen over the course of the study could have contributed to this. Both procedures seemed to be associated with lower in-hospital mortality, but in the case of colonoscopy, the risk of in-hospital mortality was higher in elderly patients with heart failure and associated neoplasms. Colonoscopy and EGD seemed not to increase IHM in patients with heart failure

Sex Differences in the Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Spain, 2016–2018: A Matched-Pair Analysis

(1) Background: Our aim was to analyze the incidence, procedures, and in-hospital outcomes of myocardial infarction (MI) in Spain (2016–2018) according to sex. (2) Methods: We estimated the incidence of an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) according to sex using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database. A matched-pair analysis was used. (3) Results: MI was coded in 156,826 patients aged ≥18 years (111,842 men and 44,984 women). Men showed higher incidence rates (205.0 vs. 77.8 per 100,000; p < 0.001; IRR = 2.81(95%CI:2.78–2.84)). After matching, the use of coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) (1.0% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.001) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (57.8% vs. 52.3%; p < 0.001) was higher among men with an STEMI, whereas the in-hospital mortality (IHM) remained higher among women (11.2% vs. 10.1%; p < 0.001). Likewise, CABG (1.9% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001) and PCI (33.8% vs. 41.9%; p < 0.001) were less often used among women with an NSTEMI, but no sex-related differences were found in IHM. After adjusting for confounders, IHM was more than twofold higher for both men and women with an STEMI than those with an NSTEMI. Women with an STEMI had a 21% higher mortality risk than men (OR = 1.21(95%CI:1.13–1.29). (4) Conclusion: Men had higher incidence rates of MI than women. Women underwent invasive procedures less often and had a higher IHM when admitted for an STEMI

Incidence and Outcomes of Hemorrhagic Stroke among Adults in Spain (2016–2018) According to Sex: A Retrospective, Cohort, Observational, Propensity Score Matched Study

(1) Background: We aim to analyze sex differences in the incidence, clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) in Spain (2016–2018) using the National Hospital Discharge Database. (2) Methods: Retrospective, cohort, observational study. We estimated the incidence of HS in men and women. We analyzed comorbidity, treatments, procedures, and hospital outcomes. We matched each woman with a man by age, type of HS and medical conditions using propensity score matching. (3) Results: HS was coded in 57,227 patients aged ≥18 years (44.3% women). Overall, men showed higher incidence rates (57.3/105 vs. 43.0/105; p < 0.001; IRR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.38–1.83). Women suffered more subarachnoid hemorrhages (25.2% vs. 14.6%), whereas men more often had intracerebral hemorrhages (55.7% vs. 54.1%). In-hospital mortality (IHM) was higher for intracerebral hemorrhage in both men and women. Women underwent decompressive craniectomy less often than men (5.0% vs. 6.2%; p < 0.001). After matching, IHM among women was higher (29.0% vs. 23.7%; p < 0.001). Increments in age, comorbidity and use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents prior to hospitalization were associated were higher IHM, and decompressive craniectomy was associated with lower IHM in both sexes. After multivariable adjustment, women had higher IHM (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.18–1.28). (4) Conclusion: Men had higher incidence rates of HS than women. Women less often underwent decompressive craniectomy. IHM was higher among women admitted for HS than among men

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Virgen del Rocío Hospital COVID-19 Working Team José Miguel Cisneros, Sonsoles Salto-Alejandre, Judith Berastegui-Cabrera, Pedro Camacho-Martínez, Carmen Infante-Domínguez, Marta Carretero-Ledesma, Juan Carlos Crespo-Rivas, Eduardo Márquez, José Manuel Lomas, Claudio Bueno, Rosario Amaya, José Antonio Lepe, Jerónimo Pachón, Elisa Cordero, Javier Sánchez-Céspedes, Manuela Aguilar-Guisado, Almudena Aguilera, Clara Aguilera, Teresa Aldabo-Pallas, Verónica Alfaro-Lara, Cristina Amodeo, Javier Ampuero, María Dolores Avilés, Maribel Asensio, Bosco Barón-Franco, Lydia Barrera-Pulido, Rafael Bellido-Alba, Máximo Bernabeu-Wittel, Candela Caballero-Eraso, Macarena Cabrera, Enrique Calderón, Jesús Carbajal-Guerrero, Manuela Cid-Cumplido, Yael Corcia-Palomo, Juan Delgado, Antonio Domínguez-Petit, Alejandro Deniz, Reginal Dusseck-Brutus, Ana Escoresca-Ortega, Fátima Espinosa, Nuria Espinosa, Michelle Espinoza, Carmen Ferrándiz-Millón, Marta Ferrer, Teresa Ferrer, Ignacio Gallego-Texeira, Rosa Gámez-Mancera, Emilio García, Horacio García-Delgado, Manuel García-Gutiérrez, María Luisa Gascón-Castillo, Aurora González-Estrada, Demetrio González, Carmen Gómez-González, Rocío González-León, Carmen Grande-Cabrerizo, Sonia Gutiérrez, Carlos Hernández-Quiles, Inmaculada Concepción Herrera-Melero, Marta Herrero-Romero, Luis Jara, Carlos Jiménez-Juan, Silvia Jiménez-Jorge, Mercedes Jiménez-Sánchez, Julia Lanseros-Tenllado, Carmina López, Isabel López, Álvaro López-Barrios, Luis F. López-Cortés, Rafael Luque-Márquez, Daniel Macías-García, Guillermo Martín-Gutiérrez, Luis Martín-Villén, José Molina, Aurora Morillo, María Dolores Navarro-Amuedo, Dolores Nieto-Martín, Francisco Ortega, María Paniagua-García, Amelia Peña-Rodríguez, Esther Pérez, Manuel Poyato, Julia Praena-Segovia, Rafaela Ríos, Cristina Roca-Oporto, Jesús F. Rodríguez, María Jesús Rodríguez-Hernández, Santiago Rodríguez-Suárez, Ángel Rodríguez-Villodres, Nieves Romero-Rodríguez, Ricardo Ruiz, Zida Ruiz de Azua, Celia Salamanca, Sonia Sánchez, Víctor Manuel Sánchez-Montagut, César Sotomayor, Alejandro Suárez Benjumea & Javier ToralSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19.This work was supported by Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Junta de Andalucia (research Project CV20-85418), Consejeria de salud Junta de Andalucia (Research Contract RH-0037-2020 to JV) the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CP19/00159 to AGV, FI17/00186 to MRJL, FI19/00083 to MCGC, CM20/00243 to APG, and COV20/00698 to support COHVID-GS) and the Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en SIDA (RD16/0025/0020 and RD16/0025/0026), which is included in the Acción Estratégica en Salud, Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica, 2008 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondos FEDER. ERM was supported by the Spanish Research Council (CSIC).Peer reviewe

Lack of evidence for KRAS oncogenic mutations in triple-negative breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mutational analysis of the <it>KRAS </it>gene has recently been established as a complementary <it>in vitro </it>diagnostic tool for the identification of patients with colorectal cancer who will not benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies. Assessment of the mutation status of <it>KRAS </it>might also be of potential relevance in other EGFR-overexpressing tumors, such as those occurring in breast cancer. Although <it>KRAS </it>is mutated in only a minor fraction of breast tumors (5%), about 60% of the basal-like subtype express EGFR and, therefore could be targeted by EGFR inhibitors. We aimed to study the mutation frequency of <it>KRAS </it>in that subtype of breast tumors to provide a molecular basis for the evaluation of anti-EGFR therapies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Total, genomic DNA was obtained from a group of 35 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded, triple-negative breast tumor samples. Among these, 77.1% (27/35) were defined as basal-like by immunostaining specific for the established surrogate markers cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and/or EGFR. <it>KRAS </it>mutational status was determined in the purified DNA samples by Real Time (RT)-PCR using primers specific for the detection of wild-type <it>KRAS </it>or the following seven oncogenic somatic mutations: Gly12Ala, Gly12Asp, Gly12Arg, Gly12Cys, Gly12Ser, Gly12Val and Gly13Asp.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found no evidence of <it>KRAS </it>oncogenic mutations in all analyzed tumors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study indicates that <it>KRAS </it>mutations are very infrequent in triple-negative breast tumors and that EGFR inhibitors may be of potential benefit in the treatment of basal-like breast tumors, which overexpress EGFR in about 60% of all cases.</p