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[Introducción]: En el control y manejo de especies invasoras se producen altos volúmenes de material de desecho cuyo manejo y eliminación se convierte en un problema. El aprovechamiento de este material por medio de su compostaje como sustrato de germinación y propagación de especies nativas aportaría un uso a la cantidad de masa generada. [Objetivo]: Validar el compost producido a partir de especies invasoras como sustrato para la propagación y crecimiento de especies nativas dentro del proceso de restauración ecológica en Bogotá - Colombia. [Metodología]: El compost utilizado se hizo a partir de cinco especies invasoras, principalmente de Ulex europaeus L. y Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S. Johnson con una maduración de 100 días. Se sembraron 50 semillas, de tres especies nativas en cinco tratamientos con diferentes proporciones de tierra negra y compost. Se evaluó la germinación, mortalidad, crecimiento epigeo e hipogeo y peso fresco y húmedo [Resultados]: Verbesina crassiramea SF Blake presentó mayor germinación en el tratamiento con sustrato 100 % compost, seguido de 0 % compost, 75 %, 50 % y 25 % respectivamente. Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq., presenta un gradiente de germinación de 75 %, seguido de 50 %, 100 %, 0 % y 25 %. Duranta mutisii L.f. tiene un gradiente de germinación inverso. El sustrato con 25 % de compost mostró baja germinación y mayor mortalidad de Dodonaea viscosa y Verbesina crassiramea. Dodonaea viscosa se desarrolló mejor en el sustrato con 75 % de compost, con mayor germinación, crecimiento de raíces, desarrollo aéreo y biomasa generada. [Conclusiones]: El compost, a partir de especies invasoras puede ser usado como sustrato para la propagación de especies nativas en etapas tempranas. No se evidenció la expresión de las especies invasoras, siendo una alternativa para disminuir la demanda de tierra negra.

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Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent disorder associated with severe cardiovascular and neuropsychological sequelae, which has a high socioeconomic cost to the population. In the past, an average prevalence of 3% to 7% in men and 2% to 5% in women (40-60 years for both sexes) was estimated. However, in the last two decades, it increased to 10% in men aged 30 to 49 years, 17% in men aged 50 to 70, and 3% in women aged 30 to 49 and 9% in women aged 50 to 70. It is estimated that 20% of middle-aged adults have at least mild OSAHS, while 80% of cases remain undiagnosed, hence the importance of suspecting this disease. In Colombia, an omnibus survey was conducted showing that the global prevalence of high-risk sleep apnea, according to the Berlin questionnaire, was 19% in three cities —Bogotá D.C., Bucaramanga and Santa Marta— (CI95%: 17.3, 20.8%). The overall prevalence of high risk of OSAHS was 26.9% (95% CI: 24.9%, 29%) according to the STOP-Bang scale.

Introducción: La Hernia Diafragmática Congénita (HDC) corresponde a una malformación del diafragma por la cual los órganos abdominales protruyen hacia la cavidad torácica durante el desarrollo intrauterino. Los recién nacidos afectados presentan grados variables de insuficiencia respiratoria e hipertensión pulmonar, asociándose a una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Materiales y métodos: Se revisaron los casos de HDC controlados en los períodos pre y post-natal en el Hospital Clínico UC durante el período 2012-2016. Se analizaron los resultados perinatales según distintos factores pronósticos. Resultados: Fueron analizadas 26 embarazadas con diagnóstico de HDC. La sobrevida global fue de un 77% (20/26). La mortalidad global de las pacientes con herniación hepática fue de un 45% (5/11) versus  7% (1/15) en los fetos con hígado no herniado. La mortalidad neonatal fue de un 14% (3/21) en las pacientes con la relación pulmón cabeza (LHR), (observado/ esperado) o/e ≥ a 45% y 60% (3/5) cuando el LHR o/e es < 45%. De las pacientes con LHR o/e ≥ 45%, la necesidad de ECMO fue de un 33% (8/21) mientras que un LHR o/e < 45% fue de un 20% (1/5). Conclusión: La obtención antenatal de un LHR o/e ≥ 45% y ausencia de herniación hepática, son buenos predictores de sobrevida neonatal. La medición de LHR o/e no es capaz de discriminar que pacientes desarrollarán morbilidad respiratoria grave, por lo que debemos buscar nuevos y mejores modelos que permitan seleccionar que pacientes requerirán nacer en un centro con disponibilidad de terapias de soporte vital avanzado como el ECMO neonatal.

Diseases of foals and their epidemiology have been documented in many studies, which have found that morbidity varies from 25% to 88.5%, and mortality between 0.38% and 22%. It was determined that both morbidity and mortality are primarily associated with infectious diseases and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. These studies have identified several risk factors associated with the mother, the farm, the labor, or the foal, which increase the presentation of disease and death in observed populations. This article reviews the most common diseases in newborn foals and their epidemiology.

Objectives: To analyze whether urinary catheterization in a hospital emergency department (ED) affects short-term prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF)., Material and Methods: We prospectively recorded baseline and other clinical data in a consecutive cohort of ED patients treated for AHF. Crude and adjusted associations were calculated between catheterization and a primary composite outcome (30-day readmission for AHF and/or death) and secondary outcomes (in-hospital mortality, urinary tract infection [UTI], and duration of hospital stay.)., Results: Nine hundred ninety-one patients were admitted for AHF. The mean (SD) age was 66 (10.5) years; 71% were women. Catheterization was required for 29.2% in the ED. The primary composite outcome was observed in 7.7% of the patients who were not catheterized and 12.8% of the catheterized patients (P = .02). In-hospital mortality occurred in 5.9% and 9.7% of non-catheterized and catheterized patients, respectively (P = .04), and UTIs occurred in 19.1% and 26.6% (P = .01). Twelve of the non-catheterized patients (1.7%) were readmitted for AHF (vs 11 (3.8%) of the catheterized patients (P = .06), and there were no differences between the groups in hospital stay (11 vs 10.9 days, P = .78). In the adjusted analysis of associations between catheterization and the primary outcome the odds and hazard ratios (OR and HR, respectively) were OR, 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2.7) (P = .02) and HR, 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.5) (P = .03). For secondary outcomes, significant associations emerged between catheterization and UTIs (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1-2.2]; P = .008) and readmission for AHF (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.2-7.3]; P = .02)., Conclusion: Routine insertion of a urinary catheter in patients with AHF in the ED is associated with worse 30-day clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To analyze factors related to the use of digoxin to treat patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency departments (EDs) and the impact of digoxin treatment on short-term outcomes., Material and Methods: We included patients diagnosed with AHF in 45 Spanish EDs. The patients, who were not undergoing long-term treatment for heart failure, were classified according to whether or not they were given intravenous digoxin in the ED. Fifty-one patient or cardiac decompensation episode variables were recorded to profile ED patients treated with digoxin. Outcome variables studied were the need for hospital admission, prolonged stay in the ED (> 24 hours) for discharged patients, prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days) for admitted patients, and all-cause in-hospital or 30-day mortality. The associations between digoxin treatment and the outcomes were studied with odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for patient and AHF episode characteristics., Results: Data for 15 549 patients (median age, 83 years; 55% women) were analyzed; 1430 (9.2%) were treated with digoxin. Digoxin was used more often in women, young patients, and those with better New York Heart Association (NYHA) classifications but more severe cardiac decompensation, especially if the trigger was atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Admissions were ordered for 75.4% of the patients overall (81.6% of digoxin-treated patients vs 74.8% of nontreated patients; P .001). The ED stay was prolonged in 38.3% of patients discharged from the ED (52.9% of digoxin-treated patients vs 37.2% of nontreated patients; P .001). The duration of hospital stay was prolonged in 48.1% (digoxin-treated, 49.3% vs 47.9%; P = .385). In-hospital mortality was 7.2% overall (6.9% vs 7.2%, P= .712), and 30-day mortality was 9.7% (9.3% vs 9.7%, P = .625). ED use of digoxin was associated with a prolonged stay in the department (adjusted OR, 1.883; 95% CI, 1.359-2.608) but not with hospitalization or mortality., Conclusion: Digoxin continues to be used in one out of ten ED patients who are not already on long-term treatment with the drug. Digoxin use is associated with cardiac decompensation triggered by atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, younger age, women, and patients with better initial NYHA function status but possibly more severe decompensation. Digoxin use leads to a longer ED stay but is safe, as it is not associated with need for admission, prolonged hospitalization, or short-term mortality.

Objectives: To determine whether income was associated with unexpected in-hospital mortality in older patients treated in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments., Material and Methods: Fifty-one public health system hospital emergency departments in Spain voluntarily participated in the study. Together the hospitals covered 25% of the population aged 65 years or older included in all patient registers during a week in the pre-pandemic period (April 1-7, 2019) and a week during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 30 to April 5, 2020). We estimated a patient's gross income as the amount published for the postal code of the patient's address. We then calculated the standardized gross income (SGI) by dividing the patient's estimated income by the mean for the corresponding territory (Spanish autonomous community). The existence and strength of an association between the SGI and in-hospital mortality was evaluated by means of restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves adjusted for 10 patient characteristics at baseline. Odds ratios (ORs) for each income level were expressed in relation to a reference SGI of 1 (the mean income for the corresponding autonomous community). We compared the COVID-19 and pre-pandemic periods by means of first-order interactions., Results: Of the 35 280 patients attended in the 2 periods, gross income could be ascertained for 21 180 (60%), 15437 in the pre-pandemic period and 5746 during the COVID-19 period. SGIs were slightly higher for patients included before the pandemic (1.006 vs 0.994; P = .012). In-hospital mortality was 5.6% overall and higher during the pandemic (2.8% pre-pandemic vs 13.1% during COVID-19; P .001). The adjusted RCS curves showed that associations between income and mortality differed between the 2 periods (interaction P = .004). Whereas there were no significant income-influenced differences in mortality before the pandemic, mortality increased during the pandemic in the lowest-income population (SGI 0.5 OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32-3.37) and in higher-income populations (SGI 1.5 OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68, and SGI 2 OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.23). We found no significant differences between patients with COVID-19 and those with other diagnoses (interaction P = .667)., Conclusion: The gross income of patients attended in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments, estimated according to a patient's address and postal code, was associated with in-hospital mortality, which was higher for patients with the lowest and 2 higher income levels. The reasons for these associations might be different for each income level and should be investigated in the future.

Objectives: The aims of this study in the Emergency Department and Elder Needs (EDEN) series were to explore associations between clinical variables on arrival at the ED (baseline) and the insertion of a bladder catheter, and the relation between catheterization and deterioration to a more complex or serious clinical state., Material and Methods: Included were all patients aged 65 years or older attended during 1 week in 52 Spanish EDs. Patients were grouped according to whether a bladder catheter was or was not inserted in the ED. We used multivariable logistical regression to explore associations between catheterization and patient age, sex, 10 comorbidities, 7 baseline status variables, and 6 clinical variables. Progression was considered serious or complex if the patient died or required hospitalization, a prolonged hospital stay, or discharge to a care facility. We also explored the association between age and catheterization using adjusted restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves with a cutoff value of 65 years., Results: Participating hospitals enrolled 24 573 patients; bladder catheters were inserted in 976 (4%). Of these, 44.3% were discharged from the ED. Fifteen of the 24 variables were independently associated with bladder catheterization. Factors with the strongest associations according to odds ratios (ORs) were impaired consciousness (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.90-3.30), dehydration (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.85-2.72), and male sex (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.84- 2.44). Age 80 years or older was also associated with bladder catheterization (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.358). The adjusted RCS curves showed a progressive linear increase in the probability of catheterization with age. The increase was constant in men and stabilized after the age of 85 years in women (P-interaction .001). Bladder catheterization was associated with hospitalization (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.99-2.68), intensive care unit admission (OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 3.04-7.09), prolonged stay in the ED for discharged patients (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.96), in-hospital death (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.54-2.57), and 30-day death (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.33-2.08). No associations were found between catheterization and prolonged hospital stay (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.92-1.34) or need for a care facility on discharge (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.98-2.29)., Conclusion: Certain patient characteristics and baseline clinical conditions are associated with bladder catheterization in patients of advanced age. The main factors were decreased consciousness, dehydration, and male sex. Even after adjustment for related factors, catheterization is independently associated with progression to more complex or serious clinical states.

Objectives: To study baseline factors associated with hypo- and hypernatremia in older patients attended in emergency departments (EDs) and explore the association between these dysnatremias and indicators of severity in an emergency., Material and Methods: We included patients attended in 52 Spanish hospital EDs aged 65 years or older during a designated week. All included patients had to have a plasma sodium concentration on record. Patients were distributed in 3 groups according to sodium levels: normal, 135-145 mmol/L; hyponatremia, 135 mmol/L; or hypernatremia > 145 mmol/L. We analyzed associations between sodium concentration and 24 variables (sociodemographic information, measures of comorbidity and baseline functional status, and ongoing treatment for hypo- or hypernatremia). Indicators of the severity in emergencies were need for hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, prolonged ED stay (> 12 hours) in discharged patients, and prolonged hospital stay (> 7 days) in admitted patients. We used restricted cubic spline curves to analyze the associations between sodium concentration and severity indicators, using 140 mmol/L as the reference., Results: A total of 13 368 patients were included. Hyponatremia was diagnosed in 13.5% and hypernatremia in 2.9%. Hyponatremia was associated with age ($ 80 years), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an active neoplasm, chronic liver disease, dementia, chemotherapy, and needing help to walk. Hypernatremia was associated with needing help to walk and dementia. The percentages of cases with severity indicators were as follows: hospital admission, 40.8%; in-hospital mortality, 4.3%; prolonged ED stay, 15.9%; and prolonged hospital stay, 49.8%. Odds ratios revealed associations between lower sodium concentration cut points in patients with hyponatremia and increasing need for hospitalization (130 mmol/L, 2.24 [IC 95%, 2.00-2.52]; 120 mmol/L, 4.13 [3.08-5.56]; and 110 mmol/L, 7.61 [4.53-12.8]); risk for in-hospital death (130 mmol/L, 3.07 [2.40-3.92]; 120 mmol/L, 6.34 [4.22- 9.53]; and 110 mmol/L, 13.1 [6.53-26.3]); and risk for prolonged ED stay (130 mmol/L, 1.59 [1.30-1.95]; 120 mmol/L, 2.77 [1.69-4.56]; and 110 mmol/L, 4.83 [2.03-11.5]). Higher sodium levels in patients with hypernatremia were associated with increasing need for hospitalization (150 mmol/L, 1.94 [1.61-2.34]; 160 mmol/L, 4.45 [2.88-6.87]; 170 mmol/L, 10.2 [5.1-20.3]; and 180 mmol/L, 23.3 [9.03-60.3]); risk for in-hospital death (150 mmol/L, 2.77 [2.16-3.55]; 160 mmol/L, 6.33 [4.11-9.75]; 170 mmol/L, 14.5 [7.45-28.1]; and 180 mmol/L, 33.1 [13.3-82.3]); and risk for prolonged ED stay (150 mmol/L, 2.03 [1.48-2.79]; 160 mmol/L, 4.23 [2.03-8.84]; 170 mmol/L, 8.83 [2.74-28.4]; and 180 mmol/L, 18.4 [3.69-91.7]). We found no association between either type of dysnatremia and prolonged hospital stay., Conclusion: Measurement of sodium plasma concentration in older patients in the ED can identify hypo- and hypernatremia, which are associated with higher risk for hospitalization, death, and prolonged ED stays regardless of the condition that gave rise to the dysnatremia.

Objectives: To analyze the consistency between decisions to discharge or admit patients with acute heart failure (AHF) treated in emergency departments (EDs) and the level of risk of adverse events, and to analyze the impact of decisions to discharge patients., Material and Methods: Prospective study of baseline clinical data collected from patients diagnosed with AHF in 16 Spanish emergency departments. Patients were stratified by severity of decompensated AHF based on MEESSI assessment (Multiple Estimation of Risk Based on the Spanish Emergency Department Score). The distribution of severity was described for patients who were hospitalized (overall and for departments receiving the largest number of admissions) and for discharged patients. We analyzed the data for discharged patients for associations with the following quality-of-care indicators: all-cause mortality of less than 2% at 30 days, revisits to the ED for AHF in less than 10% of patients within 7 days of discharge, and revisits to the ED or admission for AHF in less than 20% within 30 days of discharge., Results: We included 2855 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 84 (76-88) years. Fifty-four percent were women, 1042 (36.5%) were classified as low risk, 1239 (43.4%) as intermediate risk, 301 (10.5%) as high risk, and 273 (9.6%) as very high risk. Thirty-day mortality rates by level of low to very high risk were 1.9%, 9.3%, 15.3%, and 38.4%, respectively. One-year mortality rates by risk level were 15.4%, 35.6%, 52.0%, and 74.2%. Admission rates by risk level were 62.2%, 77.4%, 87.0%, and 88.3%. Overall, 47.1% o patients discharged from the ED were in the 3 higher-risk categories (intermediate to very high), and 30.7% were in the lowest risk category. The 5 hospital areas receiving the most admissions, in order of lowest-to-highest risk classification, were internal medicine, the short-stay unit, cardiology, intensive care, and geriatrics. Rates and 95% CIs for quality-of-care indicators in patients discharged from EDs were as follows: 30-day mortality, 4.3% (3.0%-6.1%); ED revisits within 7 days, 11.4% (9.2%-14.0%), and ED revisits or admissions within 30 days, 31.5% (28.0%-35.1%). In patients classified as low risk on ED discharge, these percentages were lower, as follows, respectively: 0.5% (0.1%-1.8%), 10.5% (7.6%-14.0%), and 29.5% (26.6%-32.6%)., Conclusion: We detected disparity between severity of AHF decompensation and the decision to discharge or admit patients. Outcomes in patients discharged from EDs do not reach the recommended quality-of-care standards. Reducing inconsistencies between severity of decompensation and ED decisions could help to improve quality targets.

Este trabajo presenta una revisión de literatura sobre el concepto de capital humano, se muestran las diferentes metodologías de medición, la relación que mantiene con el mercado laboral y la salud, y algunos hechos estilizados al res- pecto en América Latina y varias regiones del mundo. Los primeros plantea- mientos los proporcionó la escuela clásica, posteriormente fueron formalizados por Schultz, y en adelante varios autores continuaron el legado. Los análisis empíricos demostraron que el nivel de capital humano se correlaciona positiva- mente con la variable salud y exhibe grandes diferencias a nivel regional, las cuales favorecen a Europa occidental y América del Norte.

Objectives: Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are at risk of serious complications that are often treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs). The EMERG-ICD study (Emergency Department Management and Long-term Prognosis for Patients with ICDs) analysed management and long-term prognosis of ED patients with an ICD after an acute clinical event., Material and Methods: Observational multicenter cohort study including consecutive adult patients with ICDs who came to 27 hospital EDs in Spain for treatment and were followed for 10 years. We collected clinical variables on presentation, ED case management variables, and the date and cause of death in each case. The primary outcome variable was all-cause mortality., Results: Five-hundred three patients were studied; 471 had structural heart disease (SHD) and 32 had primary electrical heart disease (PEHD). Beta-blockers were prescribed in the ED for 55% of the patients for whom they were indicated. Twenty-four (4.8%), 75 (15.7%), and 368 (73.2%) patients died during follow-up at 1 month, 1 year, and 10 years, respectively. Of these, 363 (77.1%) had SHD and 5 (15.6%) had PEHD (hazard ratio, 8.05 (95% CI, 3.33- 19.46). Among patients with SHD, the cause of death was cardiovascular in 66%. Mortality correlated significantly with seeking care for cardiovascular symptoms, advanced age, male sex, diabetes, a New York Heart Association score of 2 or more, severe ventricular dysfunction, and long-term amiodarone therapy., Conclusion: Prognosis after an acute clinical event is poor in patients with SHD and ICDs, mainly due to cardiovascular causes, especially among patients with associated comorbidities and cardiovascular complaints. Mortality is lower in patients with PEHD.

Objectives: To analyze whether discharge to home hospitalization (HHosp) directly from emergency departments (EDs) after care for acute heart failure (AHF) is efficient and if there are short-term differences in outcomes between patients in HHosp vs those admitted to a conventional hospital ward (CHosp)., Material and Methods: Secondary analysis of cases from the EAHFE registry (Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments). The EAHFE is a multicenter, multipurpose, analytical, noninterventionist registry of consecutive AHF patients after treatment in EDs. Cases were included retrospectively and registered to facilitate prospective follow-up. Included were all patients diagnosed with AHF and discharged to HHosp from 2 EDs between March 2016 and February 2019 (3 years). Cases from 6 months were analyzed in 3 periods: March-April 2016 (corresponding to EAHFE-5), January-February 2018 (EAHFE-6), and January-February 2019 (EAHFE-7). The findings were adjusted for characteristics at baseline and during the AHF decompensation episode., Results: A total of 370 patients were discharged to HHosp and 646 to CHosp. Patients in the HHosp group were older and had more comorbidities and worse baseline functional status. However, the decompensation episode was less severe, triggered more often by anemia and less often by a hypertensive crisis or acute coronary syndrome. The HHosp patients were in care longer (median [interquartile range], 9 [7-14] days vs 7 [5-11] days for CHosp patients, P .001), but there were no differences in mortality during hospital care (7.0% vs. 8.0%, P = .56), 30-day adverse events after discharge from the ED (30.9% vs. 32.9%, P = .31), or 1-year mortality (41.6% vs. 41.4%, P = .84). Risks associated with HHosp care did not differ from those of CHosp. The odds ratios (ORs) for HHosp care were as follows for mortality while in care, OR 0.90 (95% CI, 0.41-1.97); adverse events within 30 days of ED discharge, OR 0.88 (95% CI, 0.62-1.26); and 1-year mortality, OR 1.03 (95% CI, 0.76-1.39). Direct costs of HHosp and CHosp averaged €1309 and €5433, respectively., Conclusion: After ED treatment of AHF, discharge to HHosp requires longer care than CHosp, but short- and longterm outcomes are the same and at a lower cost.

Objectives: To study prehospital care process in relation to hospital outcomes in stroke-code cases first attended by 2 different levels of ambulance. To analyze factors associated with a satisfactory functional outcome at 3 months., Material and Methods: Prospective multicenter observational cohort study. All stroke-code cases attended by prehospital emergency services from January 2016 to April 2022 were included. Prehospital and hospital variables were collected. The classificatory variable was type of ambulance attending (basic vs advanced life support). The main outcome variables were mortality and functional status after ischemic strokes in patients who underwent reperfusion treatment 90 days after the ischemic episode., Results: Out of 22 968 stroke-code activations, ischemic stroke was diagnosed in 12 467 patients (54.3%) whose functional status was good before the episode. Basic ambulances attended 93.1%; an advanced ambulance was ordered in 1.6% of the patients. Even though there were differences in patient and clinical characteristics recorded during the prehospital process, type of ambulance was not independently associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.1; 95% CI, 0.77-1.59) or functional status at 3 months (aOR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0,72-1,47)., Conclusion: The percentage of patient complications in stroke-code cases attended by basic ambulance teams is low. Type of ambulance responding was not associated with either mortality or functional outcome at 3 months in this study.

Introducción: las tasas de mortalidad para los diversos carcinomas del tuvo digestivo han venido cambiando con el tiempo, la edad y el sexo, en diversos paises. Objetivos: establecer las tendencias de mortalidad nacional y regional por cánceres del tubo digestivo en Colombia mediante un estudio retrospectivo del período 1980 1998. Material y métodos: registro nacional de mortalidad del DANE entre los años 1979 y 1998 por cánceres del tubo digestivo: esófago, estómago, colon, rectoanal y páncreas y censos de población de 1973, 1985 y 1993. A partir de las tasas de mortalidad nacional y regionales se establecieron las tendencias para el período anotado y se identificaron las regiones con tasas altas y bajas para cada tipo de cáncer. Resultados: Las tasas de motalidad por carcinomas Ca. esofágico y gástrico presentan una tendencia significativa a la disminución lo contrario sucede con mortalidad de Ca. de colon y páncreas, sin cambio en el rectoanal. Las tasas de mortalidad por Ca. de colon y gástrico se igualarán en el año 2045 si las tendencias actuales se mantienen. Las mayores tasas de mortalidad para Ca. de esófago y estómago se presentan en el altiplano Cundiboyacense y de Ca. gástrico además en viejo Caldas. Las tasas más altas de Ca. de colon están en Antioquia y Bogotá, para el Ca. rectoanal lo están en viejo Caldas, Valle y Bogotá y del Ca. de páncreas en el Valle, Antioquia y Bogotá. Conclusiones: en Colombia existen regiones con tasas de mortalidad significativamente diferentes por cánceres digestivos. Las tasas vienen aumentando en forma significativa para los Ca. de colon y páncreas y en disminución para los de esófago y estómago. Colombia presenta unas tasas intermedias de mortalidad por Ca gástrico, esófago y páncreas y una baja tasa de mortalidad para Ca. de Colon. (Rev Fac Med Univ Nal Colomb 2004; 52: 19-37) Recibido:16/12/03/ Enviado a pares: 16/02/04/ Aceptado publicación: 27/02/04/

El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar la morbimortalidad a los 3 y 6 meses de postoperatorio de los pacientes sometidos a artroplastia total de rodilla en la Unidad de Cirugía del Aparato Locomotor (UCAL) de la mutualista Asociación Española de Socorros Mutuos. Realizamos un estudio prospectivo de cohorte única en el cual se incluyeron todos los pacientes sometidos a artroplastia total primaria de rodilla de UCAL en el período comprendido entre mayo y diciembre del año 2011, totalizando 140 pacientes. A cuatro de ellos no se les pudo completar el seguimiento, por lo que se evaluaron los resultados de 136 artroplastias primarias de rodilla utilizando diferentes puntuaciones funcionales, se describieron los hallazgos, comorbilidades asociadas y complicaciones encontradas. Según nuestros resultados la mortalidad al final del seguimiento en la población fue de 0 %. Del total de pacientes 7 (5,14%) presentaron complicaciones, de los cuales 2 pacientes (1,47 %) presentaron una infección profunda. El porcentaje de reinternación y de reintervención de la población estudiada fue de 4,4% (6 pacientes). El 16,9% de los pacientes no tenían comorbilidades previas. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial presente en el 65,4% de los pacientes. Todos los pacientes con complicaciones tenían tres o más comorbilidades. Los pacientes mejoraron su dependencia funcional en un 3%, mejoraron su calidad de vida cerca de un 80 % y sobre todo disminuyeron sus síntomas, en especial el dolor, un 66%. En la población estudiada el 32% de los pacientes con tres o más comorbilidades previas sufrieron alguna complicación. No hubo complicaciones en el grupo de pacientes con menos de tres comorbilidades independientemente de la edad siendo esto estadísticamente significativo. Se concluye que el tener tres o más comorbilidades aumentó el riesgo de sufrir complicaciones siendo esto estadísticamente significativo.

La diálisis peritoneal crónica (DPC) es una de las opciones más frecuentes de inicio de terapia de remplazo renal crónico en Colombia. La presencia de complicaciones inherentes a la terapia tiene baja incidencia, sin embargo, la peritonitis asociada con DPC se ha relacionado con el posterior cambio de modalidad terapéutica a hemodiálisis crónica y con aumento de las tasas de hospitalización. Se desarrolló un estudio de casos y controles con el fin de evaluar la mortalidad y posibles factores de riesgo asociados en los pacientes que presentaron peritonitis en DPC en el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 2010 y el 31 de diciembre de 2012. Los factores de riesgo identificados para desarrollo de peritonitis y mortalidad no tuvieron significancia estadística. Los casos de peritonitis atribuidos a fatiga del cuidador, presentaron mayor riesgo de recurrencia y recaída de la peritonitis. En cuanto al riesgo de mortalidad se encontró que la probabilidad para la presentación de dicho desenlace fue 1,75 veces mayor en los hombres, 2.2 veces mayor en los pacientes mayores de 75 años, 3.5 veces mayor en los diabéticos y 5.6 veces más elevado en los pacientes hipertensos.

Objectives: To validate risk factors for mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in a hospital emergency department during the sixth wave of the pandemic., Material and Methods: Prospective observational noninterventional study. We included patients over the age of 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between December 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. For each patient we calculated a risk score based on age 50 years or older (2 points) plus 1 point each for the presence of the following predictors: Barthel index less than 90 points, altered level of consciousness, ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen less than 400, abnormal breath sounds, platelet concentration less than 100 × 109/L, C-reactive protein level of 5 mg/dL or more, and glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min. The model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)., Results: Of the 1156 patients included, 790 (68%) had received at least 2 vaccine doses. The probability of 30-day survival was 96%. A risk score was calculated for 609 patients. Four hundred seventeen patients were at low risk of death, 180 were at intermediate risk, and 10 were at high risk. The probability of death within 30 days was 1%, 13%, and 50% for patients in the 3 risk groups, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a risk score of 3 points or less were 88%, 72%, 19%, 99%, respectively.The AUC for the model was 0.87., Conclusion: The risk model identified low risk of mortality and allowed us to safely discharge patients treated for COVID-19 in our tertiary-care hospital emergency department.

Text: The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) published a 2021 update of its 2016 recommendations. The update was awaited with great anticipation the world over, especially by emergency physicians. Under the framework of the CIMU 2022 (33rd World Emergency Medicine Conference) in Guadalajara, Mexico in March, emergency physiciansreviewed and analyzed the 2021 SSC guidelines from our specialty's point of view. In this article, the expert reviewers present their consensus on certain key points of most interest in emergency settings at this time. The main aims of the review are to present constructive comments on 10 key points and/or recommendations in the SSC 2021 update and to offer emergency physicians' experience- and evidence-based proposals. Secondarily, the review's recommendations are a starting point for guidelines to detect severe sepsis in emergency department patients and prevent progression, which is ultimate goal of what has become known as the Guadalajara Declaration on sepsis.

Objectives: To evaluate short-term mortality in people transferred from aged care homes for treatment in a hospital emergency department (ED) and to analyze factors associated with mortality., Material and Methods: Multicenter study of a random sample of retrospective data of patients treated in 5 EDs in Catalonia in 2017. The patients were over the age of 65 years and lived in residential care facilities. In addition to short-term mortality (in the ED or within 30 days of discharge), we analyzed sociodemographic characteristics, prior functional and cognitive status, multimorbidity, triage level on arrival, length of stay in the ED, and hospital admission. Odds ratios (ORs) for factors associated with short-term mortality were calculated by multivariate regression analysis., Results: A total of 2444 ED admissions were analyzed. The patients' mean (SD) age was 85.9 (7.1) years, and 67.7% .were women. Short-term mortality (in 15.5%) was associated with age >90 years (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.5-1.95 years), a Charlson index >2 (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.14-1.90), and dependency assessed as moderate (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.03- 2.20) or severe (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.84-3.55). Other associated factors were a higher level of urgency on triage, duration of ED stay, and hospital admission., Conclusion: Aged residents with the characteristics associated with short-term mortality could benefit from interventions for potentially avoiding unnecessary transfers to an ED, and from the implementation of comprehensive geriatric care within the ED. This could be useful to support good quality of care at the end of life.

Objectives: To analyze whether short-term outcomes are affected when patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) spend time in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) before hospital admission., Material and Methods: Baseline and emergency episode data were collected for patients diagnosed with AHF in the EDs of 15 Spanish hospitals. We analyzed crude and adjusted associations between EDOU stay and 30-day mortality (primary outcome) and in-hospital mortality and a prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days (secondary outcomes)., Results: A total of 6597 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (76-88 years) were studied. Fifty-five percent were women. All were hospitalized for AHF (50% in internal medicine wards, 23% in cardiology, 11% in geriatrics, and 16 in other specialties. Of these patients, 3241 (49%) had had EDOU stays and 3350 (51%) had been admitted immediately, with no EDOU stay. Having an EDOU stay was associated with female sex, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term treatment with certain drugs for heart failure, greater baseline deterioration in function, and a higher degree of decompensation. Patients in the EDOU group were more often admitted to an internal medicine ward and had shorter stays; cardiology, geriatric, and intensive care admissions were less likely to have had an EDOU stay. Overall, 30-day mortality was 12.6% (13.7% in the EDOU group and 11.4% in the no-EDOU group; P = .004). In-hospital mortality was 10.4% overall (EDOU, 11.1% and no-EDOU, 9.6%; P = .044). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 50.0% (EDOU, 48.7% and no-EDOU, 51.2%; P = .046). After adjusting for between-group differences, the EDOU stay was not associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Odds ratios for associations between EDOU stay and in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay, respectively, were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92-1.29) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.01)., Conclusion: Although mortality higher in patients hospitalized for AHF who spend time in an EDO, the association seems to be accounted for by their worse baseline situation and the greater seriousness of the decompensation episode, not by time spent in the EDOU.

Cathorops melanopus is the most abundant fish on the west coast of Campeche, Mexico. Its distribution is influenced by water temperature, salinity, and transparency, and it is frequently found in river outlets. To analyze the main biological and ecological patterns of this species, from February 2003 to February 2004 a total of 19,048 specimens were collected using a trawl net at 37 sampling stations along the west coast of Campeche. A subsample was formed of 14,446 randomly selected specimens, and each one was measured and weighed (length range = 35-302 mm, mode = 90 mm; weight range = 0.1-224 g, mode = 6 g). The highest mean abundance values were recorded in May (1.24 ind m-2, 15.31 g m-2, and 12.26 g ind-1), and the lowest in April (0.25 ind m-2, 2.5 g m-2, and 9.9 g ind-1). The parameters of the weight/length model were a = 1 × 10-5 and b = 2.96, with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. The relative condition factor showed a major pulse in July (2.1 × 10-5). The female:male ratio was 1:0.69. Of the 159 females collected, 111 had gonads at maturity stages II and III, and only one was in stage IV. The most common food item was unidentified organic matter, which represented 79% of the total stomach content weight and 92.1% of the encountered food types; the second most abundant food item was crustacean remains (4.8% of the total weight and 10% of the encountered contents). Growth parameters were: L∞ = 317.5 mm, K = 0.45, C = 0.7, WP = 0.16, and t0 = 7.5 × 10-12. Total mortality was 1.22, while natural mortality was 0.65. Recruitment patterns showed a significant pulse between July and August, which together contributed 47.65% of the total number of specimens collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate lactate, procalcitonin, criteria defining systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and the Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and compare their ability to predict 30-day mortality, infection with microbiologic confirmation, and true bacteremia in patients treated for infection in hospital emergency departments., Material and Methods: Prospective multicenter observational cohort study. We enrolled a convenience sample of patients aged 18 years or older attended in 71 Spanish emergency departments from October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020. Each model's predictive power was analyzed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and predetermined decision points were assessed., Results: A total of 4439 patients with a mean (SD) age of 18 years were studied; 2648 (59.7%) were men and 459 (10.3%) died within 30 days. True bacteremia was detected in 899 (20.25%), and microbiologic confirmation was on record for 2057 (46.3%). The model that included the qSOFA score (2) and lactate concentration (0.738 mmol/L; 95% CI, 0.711-0.765 mmol/L) proved to be the best predictor of 30-day mortality, with an AUC of 0.890 (95% CI, 0.880-0.901). The model that included the SIRS score (2) and procalcitonin concentration (0.51 ng/mL) proved to be the best predictor of true bacteremia and microbiologic confirmation, with an AUC of 0.713 (95% CI, 0.698-0.728)., Conclusion: A qSOFA score of 2 or more plus lactate concentration (0.738 mmol/L) predict 30-day mortality better than the combination of a SIRS score of 2 or more and procalcitonin concentration. A SIRS score of 2 or more plus procalcitonin concentration (0.51 ng/mL) predict true bacteremia and microbiologic confirmation.

Objectives: To validate a previously described hospital emergency department risk model to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19., Material and Methods: Prospective observational noninterventional study. Patients aged over 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 were included between December 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. We calculated a risk score for each patient based on age 50 years (2 points) plus 1 point each for the presence of the following predictors: Barthel index 90 points, altered level of consciousness, ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen 400, abnormal breath sounds, platelet concentration 100 × 109/L, C reactive protein level 5 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate 45 mL/min. The dependent variable was 30-day mortality. We assessed the score's performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)., Results: The validation cohort included 1223 patients. After a median follow-up of 80 days, 143 patients had died; 901 patients were classified as having low risk (score, 4 points), 270 as intermediate risk (5-6 points), and 52 as high risk ( 7 points). Thirty-day mortality rates at each risk level were 2.8%, 22.5%, and 65.4%, respectively. The AUC for the score was 0.883; for risk categorization, the AUC was 0.818., Conclusion: The risk score described is useful for stratifying risk for mortality in patients with COVID-19 who come to a tertiary-care hospital emergency department.

Objectives: To describe clinical, outcome, and risk factors in a cohort of patients treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in a hospital emergency department (ED) or by out-of-hospital emergency medical services (OHEMSs)., Material and Methods: Multicenter, prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive patients with acute pulmonary edema and/or exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were treated with NIV between November 2018 and November 2020 in a hospital ED or OHEMS setting in Madrid. We recorded baseline data, variables related to the acute episode, and outcome variables, including in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission., Results: A total of 317 patients were included; 132 (41.6%) were treated in an OHEMS setting and 185 (58.4%) in a hospital ED. Forty-seven (16.3%) in-hospital deaths occurred, and 78 patients (28.8%) were readmitted within 30 days. Mortality in the hospital ED and OHEMS subsamples did not differ, but the patients who received NIV in an OHEMS setting had a lower 30-day readmission rate. On multivariate analysis, in-hospital mortality was associated with prior dependence in activities of daily living in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% CI, 1.11-5.27) and a low-moderate score on the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) versus a high-very high one (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.26-5.77). Mortality after OHEMS ventilation was associated with discontinuance of NIV during transfer (OR, 8.57; 95% CI, 2.19-33.60). Readmission within 30 days was associated with group (in-hospital ED application of NIV) (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.62-6.45) and prior dependence (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.02-4.22)., Conclusion: Patients treated in the hospital ED and OHEMS setting have similar baseline characteristics, although acute episodes were more serious in the OHEMS group. No significant differences were found related to in-hospital mortality. Higher mortality was associated with dependence, a SAPS II score greater than 52, and discontinuance of NIV. Readmission was associated with dependence and NIV treatment in the hospital ED setting.

Objectives: To study whether combining age and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with the shock index (SI) - SIA/G - during the initial care of polytraumatized patients can improve the ability of the SI alone to predict mortality. To compare the predictive performance of the SIA/G combination to other prognostic scales: the addition of points for the GCS, age and systolic blood pressure (GAP); the Revised Trauma Score (RTS); and the Injury Severity Score (ISS)., Material and Methods: Observational cohort study of patients with severe trauma admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between 2015 and 2020. We calculated the SI (heart rate/systolic blood pressure), the SI/G ratio, the product of the SI and age SIA, and the combined index: SIA/G. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for hospital mortality and 24-hour mortality were calculated for the SIA/G combination and compared to the AUROCs for the GAP, the RTS, and the ISS., Results: We analyzed data for 433 patients, 47 of whom (10.9%) died. All the prognostic indexes were significantly related to mortality but the SIA/G was the best predictor of both hospital and 24-hour mortality, with AUROCs of 0.879 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93) and 0.875 (95% CI, 0.82-0.93), respectively. A score of 3.3 for the SIA/G showed 82% sensitivity and 80% specificity for hospital mortality (86% and 78%, respectively, for 24-hour mortality). The AUROCs for the GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes were lower for hospital mortality., Conclusion: The combined SIA/G score is a better predictor in hospital of mortality in patients with multiple injuries than the SI or the traditional GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes.

Objectives: To assess the predictive power of scores used in hospital emergency departments (EDs) to give early warning of risk for mortality and hospital ward or intensive care unit (ICU) admission., Material and Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Observational studies and clinical trials published between January 1, 1950, and June 12, 2020 that used early-warning scores in hospital EDs were included. The main outcomes were mortality (at 24, 48, and more than 72 hours), hospital admission, and ICU admission., Results: Nine studies entered into the systematic review; 4 of them, with 165 580 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The studies were heterogeneous with respect to the scores used. The one used most often was the National Early Warning Score (NEWS). The meta-analysis of studies using the NEWS scale showed that it had good predictive power for mortality: the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.88 (95%, CI, 0.87-0.89; P .001, I2 = 0%) at 24 hours and 0.86 (0.84-0.88; P .001; I2 = 49.3%) at 48 hours. The AUC for inhospital mortality was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.74-0.80; P .001; I2 = 96.2%). The NEWS score had adequate power for predicting risk of hospital ward and ICU admission., Conclusion: Early warning scores used in hospital EDs are able to predict risk of early and in-hospital mortality.

Objectives: To determine whether undertriage affects the outcome for patients requiring direct admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the emergency department due to a medical condition. To identify factors associated with undertriage., Material and Methods: Retrospective review of patients treated in 2018 for medical emergencies requiring direct admission to the ICU from the emergency department. The cases were classified in 2 groups according to the assigned triage level. Underestimation was defined as a triage level of III or more. Independent variables were demographic and epidemiologic data and indicators of severity recorded in the emergency department. The main outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, prolonged ICU stay, and prolonged hospital stay., Results: We included 470 patients with a median age of 68 years (first-third quartile range, 57-78 years); 61.1% were men, and 151 (32.1%) were undertriaged. Factors directly related to undertriage according to odds ratios (ORs) were age (OR = 1.017; 95% CI, 1.003-1.032), Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 0 or 1 (OR = 1.761; 95% CI, 1.038-2.988), ratio of oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen greater than 300 (OR = 2.447; 95% CI, 1.418-4.223), a diagnosis of infection (OR = 5.003, 95% CI 2.727-9.188) whether respiratory (OR = 3.993, 95% CI 1.919-8.310) or other (OR = 1.980, 95% CI, 1.036-3.785) versus a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Factors inversely related to undertriage were admission during the afternoon (OR = 0.512, 95% CI, 0.306-0.856) and ambulance transfer (OR = 0.373; 95% CI, 0.232-0.600). Ninety patients (19.1%) died within 30 days. Undertriage was not related to 30-day mortality or the other outcomes analyzed., Conclusion: Undertriage was not associated with a worse outcome in patients requiring direct admission to the ICU for a medical emergency. The factors we found to be associated with undertriage, such as patient age and time of day admitted, merit special attention given that these factors should not be affecting the triage process.