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Patients with multimorbidity increasingly impact healthcare systems, both in primary care and in hospitals. This is particularly true in Internal Medicine. This population associates with higher mortality rates, polypharmacy, hospital readmissions, post-discharge syndrome, anxiety, depression, accelerated age-related functional decline, and development of geriatric syndromes, amongst others. Internists and Hospitalists, in one of their roles as Generalists, are increasingly asked to attend to these patients, both in their own Departments as well as in surgical areas. The management of polypathology and multimorbidity, however, is often complex, and requires specific clinical skills and corresponding experience. In addition, patients' needs, health-care environment, and routines have changed, so emerging and re-emerging specific competences and approaches are required to offer the best coordinated, continuous, and comprehensive integrated care to these populations, to achieve optimal health outcomes and satisfaction of patients, their relatives, and staff. This position paper proposes a set of emerging and re-emerging competences for internal medicine specialists, which are needed to optimally address multimorbidity now and in the future.

In the current document, we introduce the numerous emerging areas and frontiers in the use of point-of-care clinical ultrasonography. Of these, we review the following 3: 1) the use of clinical ultrasonography in infectious and tropical diseases (we address it's usefulness in the diagnosis and follow-up of the main syndromes, tropical diseases and in areas with scarce resources); 2) the usefulness of clinical ultrasonography in the assessment of response to volume infusion in severely ill patients (we review basic concepts and the main static and dynamic variables employed for this evaluation); and 3) the use of clinical ultrasonography in the assessment of muscle mass in elderly patients with primary sarcopenia (we review the main muscles and measurements employed for them it.

Resumen En el documento actual introduciremos las areas mas emergentes y frontera del uso de la ecografia clinica a la cabecera del paciente, que son numerosas. De entre todas ellas se revisaran 3: 1) la ecografia clinica en las enfermedades infecciosas y patologia tropical (se abordara su utilidad en el diagnostico y seguimiento de los principales sindromes, asi como los usos para patologia tropical y en areas con escasos recursos); 2) la utilidad de la ecografia clinica para la evaluacion de la respuesta a la infusion de volumen en pacientes graves (se revisaran conceptos basicos, asi como las principales variables estaticas y dinamicas utilizadas para realizar esta evaluacion); y por ultimo, 3) se abordara la utilizacion de la ecografia clinica para la valoracion de la masa muscular en la sarcopenia primaria de las personas ancianas (se repasaran los principales musculos y medidas que se utilizan para ello).

Introduction Hip fracture in the elderly is one of the most prevalent diagnoses in Orthopedic Surgery Departments. It has a great impact in medical, economic and social terms. Our objective is to analyze clinical impact of a co-management care model between orthopedic surgery and internal medicine departments for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture in a tertiary referral hospital. Material and methods Retrospective cohort study of patients older than 65 years old admitted with hip fracture between January 2005 and August 2006 (HIST cohort) without a co-management care model, and between January 2008 and August 2010 (COFRAC cohort) with a co-manEdadment care model. Analysis of demographic, clinical and surgery characteristics, complications incidence and mortality and re-admissions at 30 days was made. Results A total of 701 patients were included (471 HIST, 230 COFRAC). There were no differences in sex, gender, time to surgery, type of anesthesia and surgery, length of stay, ambulation at discharge and 30-days emergency room consultation, readmissions or mortality at 30 days. There were differences in identification of polypatological patients (16.8 vs. 24.4%, P = 0.02), presence of osteoporosis (3.9 vs. 7.6%, P = 0.03), motor deficit (3.5 vs. 8.8%, P = 0.03), number of chronic drugs (3.7 ± 2.5 vs. 4.3 ± 3.2, P 0.01) and renal failure at discharge (44.5 vs. 97.3%, P Conclusions Co-management for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture provides a better information about previously chronic conditions, a higher control of hospital complications and decreases hospital mortality.

Proyecto PROFUND., [ES] Objetivos: Analizar la sensibilidad (S), la especificidad (E) y los valores predictivos positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN) de cada dimensión del índice de Barthel (IB) con respecto al cuestionario completo en pacientes pluripatológicos (PPP). Métodos: Estudio transversal multicéntrico. Se consideraron dos puntos de corte del IB (≥ 90 puntos para el cribado de fragilidad y < 60 puntos para el diagnóstico de dependencia severa). Para cada dimensión y combinaciones de dos dimensiones se calcularon la S, la E, el VPP y el VPN con respecto al IB completo. Resultados: El IB medio de los 1.632 PPP incluidos (edad media de 77,9 ± 9,8 años, 53% varones) fue 69 ± 31 (< 90 en el 58,7% y < 60 en el 31,4% de pacientes). La dimensión «alimentación» obtuvo los mayores VPN para tener un IB ≥ 60 y ≥ 90 puntos (87% y 99,6%, respectivamente). Las dimensiones «deambular» y «subir y bajar escaleras» obtuvieron el mayor VPP para tener un IB ≥ 60 y ≥ 90 (99,2/99,5% y 81/92%, respectivamente; la combinación de ambas preguntas aumentó el VPP al 95 y al 99,6%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los PPP de ámbito hospitalario presentan con elevada frecuencia deterioro funcional. La dimensión referente a alimentarse obtuvo el mayor VPN, por lo que se puede utilizar para el diagnóstico de dependencia severa, mientras que la combinación de deambular y subir y bajar escaleras obtuvo el mayor VPP, pudiendo utilizarse para plantear el cribado de fragilidad de los PPP., [EN] Objectives: To analyse the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each measure of the Barthel index (BI) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs). Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study. We considered 2 cut-off points for the BI (≥ 90 points for screening frailty and < 60 points for diagnosing severe dependence). For each measure and combination of 2 measures, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV with respect to the full BI. Results: The mean BI of the 1,632 included PPPs (mean age, 77.9 ± 9.8 years; 53% men) was 69 ± 31 (< 90 for 58.7% and < 60 for 31.4% of the patients). The “feeding” measure achieved the highest NPV, for a BI ≥ 60 and ≥ 90 points (87% and 99.6%, respectively). The “walking” and “going up and down stairs” measures achieved the highest PPV, for a BI ≥ 60 and ≥ 90 (99.2%/99.5% and 81%/92%, respectively. The combination of the 2 measures increased the PPV to 95% and 99.6%, respectively. Conclusions: PPPs in hospital settings have a high rate of functional impairment. The measure for feeding achieved the highest NPV and can therefore be employed for diagnosing severe dependence. The combination of the measures for walking and going up and down stairs achieved the highest PPV and can therefore be employed to propose frailty screening for PPPs.

[ES] Introducción: La fractura de cadera del anciano es de los diagnósticos más prevalentes en los servicios de Traumatología, con gran impacto en términos clínicos, económicos y sociales. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el impacto clínico de un modelo de comanejo entre Traumatología y Medicina Interna para pacientes ancianos ingresados por fractura de cadera en un hospital de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: Cohortes retrospectivas de pacientes mayores de 65 años ingresados por fractura de cadera entre enero de 2005 y agosto de 2006 (cohorte HIST) sin modelo de comanejo, y entre enero de 2008 y agosto de 2010 (cohorte COFRAC) con dicho modelo. Se analizaron características demográficas, clínicas y quirúrgicas, incidencia de complicaciones, mortalidad y reingreso a los 30 días. Resultados: Se incluyó a 701 pacientes (471 HIST, 230 COFRAC). No hubo diferencias en edad, género, demora quirúrgica, tiempo y tipo de cirugía e intervención, estancia, deambulación al alta, consulta en urgencias ni reingreso o mortalidad a 30 días. Hubo diferencias en identificación de pluripatológicos (16,8 vs. 24,4%; p = 0,02), osteoporosis (3,9 vs. 7,6%; p = 0,03) o déficit motor (3,5 vs. 8,8%; p = 0,03), fármacos del tratamiento (3,7 ± 2,5 vs. 4,3 ± 3,2; p < 0,01), aparición de delirium (15,6 vs. 20,9%, p = 0,048) e hipomotilidad intestinal (80,3 vs. 74,7%; p < 0,001), seguimiento de anemia (83,3 vs. 97,1%; p > 0,01) y de función renal (44,5 vs. 97,3%; p < 0,01) y mortalidad intrahospitalaria (4,6 vs. 1,3%; p = 0,02). Conclusiones: El comanejo de pacientes ancianos ingresados por fractura de cadera permite mejorar la documentación de los problemas crónicos previos y el control de complicaciones hospitalarias y disminuye la mortalidad intrahospitalaria., [EN] Introduction: Hip fracture in the elderly is one of the most prevalent diagnoses in Orthopedic Surgery Departments. It has a great impact in medical, economic and social terms. Our objective is to analyze clinical impact of a co-management care model between orthopedic surgery and internal medicine departments for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture in a tertiary referral hospital. Material and methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients older than 65 years old admitted with hip fracture between January 2005-August 2006 (HIST cohort) without a co-management care model, and between January 2008-August 2010 (COFRAC cohort) with a co-manEdadment care model. Analysis of demographic, clinical and surgery characteristics, complications incidence and mortality and re-admissions at 30 days was made. Results: A total of 701 patients were included (471 HIST, 230 COFRAC). There were no differences in sex, gender, time to surgery, type of anesthesia and surgery, length of stay, ambulation at discharge and 30-days emergency room consultation, readmissions or mortality at 30 days. There were differences in identification of polypatological patients (16.8 vs. 24.4%, P = 0.02), presence of osteoporosis (3.9 vs. 7.6%, P = 0.03), motor deficit (3.5 vs. 8.8%, P = 0.03), number of chronic drugs (3.7 ± 2.5 vs. 4.3 ± 3.2, P < 0.01), diagnosis of delirium (15.6 vs. 20.9%, P = 0.048), constipation (80.3 vs. 74.7%, p < 0.001), monitoring of anemia (83.3 vs. 97.1%, P > 0.01) and renal failure at discharge (44.5 vs. 97.3%, P < 0.01) and hospital mortality (4.6 vs. 1.3%, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Co-management for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture provides a better information about previously chronic conditions, a higher control of hospital complications and decreases hospital mortality.

Polypathological patients constitute a prevalent, fairly homogeneous population, which is characterised by high clinical complexity, substantial vulnerability and significant resource consumption, in addition to high mortality and the need for comprehensive, coordinated care. It is particularly important to establish a reliable prognosis in these patients. It is also extremely useful for professionals involved in the decision-making process for patients and their families in vital planning and their preferences, for strategic health planning in management fields, and for clinical research, by facilitating their incorporation into clinical trials and other intervention studies. Two prognostic instruments stand out in terms of suitability for polypathological patients: PROFUND and PROFUNCTION. The former faithfully stratifies the risk of dying at 12 months and four years and the latter, the risk of suffering a significant functional deterioration at 12 months. In terms of the healthcare approach in patients with multiple pathologies, creating and executing a consensual, personalised action plan that is adapted to the patient's reality is encouraged. The plan will consider the prognosis, and the evidence and viability of interventions; its ultimate aim will be to ensure the synergy and alignment of the health team's goals and strategies with peoples' values and preferences, in order to achieve a more proactive health model focused on supporting patients in their ability to manage their illnesses. In the personalised action plan, the main areas of intervention are: health promotion and prevention; patient and caregiver activation and self-management; activation of a social support network and social support; optimisation of pharmacotherapy; rehabilitation, functional and cognitive preservation measures; and anticipated decision planning.

[ES] Los pacientes pluripatológicos constituyen una población prevalente y homogénea, caracterizada por su complejidad clínica, vulnerabilidad, consumo de recursos y mortalidad que requiere una asistencia integral y coordinada. Establecer un pronóstico certero en esta población resulta de utilidad para la toma de decisiones clínicas por parte de los profesionales, la planificación de las preferencias de pacientes y familiares, y el diseño de estrategias en el ámbito de la gestión sanitaria. También es importante para la investigación clínica, al facilitar la posible incorporación de estos pacientes a ensayos clínicos y otros estudios de intervención. Los índices PROFUND y PROFUNCTION son 2 instrumentos pronósticos que predicen de manera fidedigna el riesgo de fallecer o de sufrir un deterioro funcional, respectivamente. Para el abordaje asistencial de los pacientes pluripatológicos se propugna la construcción y ejecución de un plan de acción personalizado, consensuado y adaptado a la realidad del paciente. Este tendrá en cuenta el pronóstico, la evidencia y viabilidad de las intervenciones, así como la sinergia de las metas y estrategias del equipo sanitario con los valores y las preferencias de las personas para conseguir un modelo de salud centrado en apoyar la capacidad de las mismas para gestionar sus enfermedades. En este plan los principales ámbitos de intervención son: la promoción y prevención de la salud, la activación y autogestión del paciente y el cuidador, la red de apoyo social, la optimización farmacoterapéutica, la rehabilitación y medidas de preservación funcional y cognitiva, y la planificación anticipada de decisiones., [EN] Polypathological patients constitute a prevalent, fairly homogeneous population, which is characterised by high clinical complexity, substantial vulnerability and significant resource consumption, in addition to high mortality and the need for comprehensive, coordinated care. It is particularly important to establish a reliable prognosis in these patients. It is also extremely useful for professionals involved in the decision-making process for patients and their families in vital planning and their preferences, for strategic health planning in management fields, and for clinical research, by facilitating their incorporation into clinical trials and other intervention studies. Two prognostic instruments stand out in terms of suitability for polypathological patients: PROFUND and PROFUNCTION. The former faithfully stratifies the risk of dying at 12 months and four years and the latter, the risk of suffering a significant functional deterioration at 12 months. In terms of the healthcare approach in patients with multiple pathologies, creating and executing a consensual, personalised action plan that is adapted to the patient's reality is encouraged. The plan will consider the prognosis, and the evidence and viability of interventions; its ultimate aim will be to ensure the synergy and alignment of the health team's goals and strategies with peoples’ values and preferences, in order to achieve a more proactive health model focused on supporting patients in their ability to manage their illnesses. In the personalised action plan, the main areas of intervention are: health promotion and prevention; patient and caregiver activation and self-management; activation of a social support network and social support; optimisation of pharmacotherapy; rehabilitation, functional and cognitive preservation measures; and anticipated decision planning.

Proyecto Profund., [ES]: Objetivos: Analizar la concordancia, sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN) de cada pregunta del cuestionario de Pfeiffer (SPMSQ) con respecto al cuestionario completo en pacientes pluripatológicos (PPP). Métodos: Estudio transversal multicéntrico. El SPMSQ se consideró patológico si se registraban 3 o más errores. Para cada pregunta y combinaciones de 2 preguntas se calcularon la concordancia (índice kappa), sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos con respecto al SPMSQ completo. Resultados: De los 1.632 pacientes pluripatológicos incluidos (edad media 77,9 ± 9,8 años, 53% varones), se realizó el SPMSQ a 1.434 (los restantes presentaban delirium) y resultó patológico en el 39%. Las preguntas «¿qué día es hoy?» y «reste de 3 en 3 desde 20» obtuvieron buena concordancia y VPN (85% y 89%, respectivamente); la combinación de ambas aumentó el VPN al 97%. La pregunta «¿cuándo nació?» alcanzó buena concordancia y el mayor VPP (93%). Conclusiones: La combinación de las preguntas «¿qué día es hoy?» y «reste de 3 en 3 desde 20» obtuvo un VPN elevado, y la relacionada con la fecha de nacimiento fue la que consiguió el mayor VPP., [EN] Objectives: To analyse the correlation, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each question on the Pfeiffer questionnaire (SPMSQ) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs). Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study. An SPMSQ score is considered pathological if 3 or more errors are recorded. For each question and combination of 2 questions, we calculated the correlation (kappa index), sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared with the full SPMSQ. Results: Of the 1632 PPPs included (mean age, 77.9 ± 9.8 years, 53% men), 1434 performed the SPMSQ (the remaining presented delirium); 39% of the PPPs were pathological. The question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” obtained good correlation and NPV (85 and 89%, respectively); the combination of both increased the NPV to 97%. The question “When were you born?’ achieved good correlation and greater PPV (93%). Conclusions: The combination of the question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” achieved a high NPV. The question related to the date of birth achieved the highest PPV.

Objectives To analyze the correlation, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each question on the Pfeiffer questionnaire (SPMSQ) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs). Methods Multicentre cross-sectional study. An SPMSQ score is considered pathological if 3 or more errors are recorded. For each question and combination of 2 questions, we calculated the correlation (kappa index), sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared with the full SPMSQ. Results Of the 1632 PPPs included (mean age, 77.9 ± 9.8 years, 53% men), 1434 performed the SPMSQ (the remaining presented delirium); 39% of the PPPs were pathological. The question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” obtained good correlation and NPV (85 and 89%, respectively); the combination of both increased the NPV to 97%. The question “When were you born?’ achieved good correlation and greater PPV (93%). Conclusions The combination of the question “What day is it today?” and the command “Count backwards by 3s from 20” achieved a high NPV. The question related to the date of birth achieved the highest PPV.

Hip fracture in the elderly is one of the most prevalent diagnoses in Orthopedic Surgery Departments. It has a great impact in medical, economic and social terms. Our objective is to analyze clinical impact of a co-management care model between orthopedic surgery and internal medicine departments for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture in a tertiary referral hospital.Retrospective cohort study of patients older than 65 years old admitted with hip fracture between January 2005-August 2006 (HIST cohort) without a co-management care model, and between January 2008-August 2010 (COFRAC cohort) with a co-manEdadment care model. Analysis of demographic, clinical and surgery characteristics, complications incidence and mortality and re-admissions at 30 days was made.A total of 701 patients were included (471 HIST, 230 COFRAC). There were no differences in sex, gender, time to surgery, type of anesthesia and surgery, length of stay, ambulation at discharge and 30-days emergency room consultation, readmissions or mortality at 30 days. There were differences in identification of polypatological patients (16.8 vs. 24.4%, P=0.02), presence of osteoporosis (3.9 vs. 7.6%, P=0.03), motor deficit (3.5 vs. 8.8%, P=0.03), number of chronic drugs (3.7±2.5 vs. 4.3±3.2, P0.01), diagnosis of delirium (15.6 vs. 20.9%, P=0.048), constipation (80.3 vs. 74.7%, p0.001), monitoring of anemia (83.3 vs. 97.1%, P0.01) and renal failure at discharge (44.5 vs. 97.3%, P0.01) and hospital mortality (4.6 vs. 1.3%, P=0.02).Co-management for elderly patients admitted with hip fracture provides a better information about previously chronic conditions, a higher control of hospital complications and decreases hospital mortality.

Polypathological patients constitute a prevalent, fairly homogeneous population, which is characterised by high clinical complexity, substantial vulnerability and significant resource consumption, in addition to high mortality and the need for comprehensive, coordinated care. It is particularly important to establish a reliable prognosis in these patients. It is also extremely useful for professionals involved in the decision-making process for patients and their families in vital planning and their preferences, for strategic health planning in management fields, and for clinical research, by facilitating their incorporation into clinical trials and other intervention studies. Two prognostic instruments stand out in terms of suitability for polypathological patients: PROFUND and PROFUNCTION. The former faithfully stratifies the risk of dying at 12 months and four years and the latter, the risk of suffering a significant functional deterioration at 12 months. In terms of the healthcare approach in patients with multiple pathologies, creating and executing a consensual, personalised action plan that is adapted to the patient's reality is encouraged. The plan will consider the prognosis, and the evidence and viability of interventions; its ultimate aim will be to ensure the synergy and alignment of the health team's goals and strategies with peoples' values and preferences, in order to achieve a more proactive health model focused on supporting patients in their ability to manage their illnesses. In the personalised action plan, the main areas of intervention are: health promotion and prevention; patient and caregiver activation and self-management; activation of a social support network and social support; optimisation of pharmacotherapy; rehabilitation, functional and cognitive preservation measures; and anticipated decision planning.

To analyse the correlation, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) values of each question on the Pfeiffer questionnaire (SPMSQ) compared with the full questionnaire for polypathological patients (PPPs).Multicentre cross-sectional study. An SPMSQ score is considered pathological if 3 or more errors are recorded. For each question and combination of 2 questions, we calculated the correlation (kappa index), sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared with the full SPMSQ.Of the 1632 PPPs included (mean age, 77.9±9.8 years, 53% men), 1434 performed the SPMSQ (the remaining presented delirium); 39% of the PPPs were pathological. The question "What day is it today?" and the command "Count backwards by 3s from 20" obtained good correlation and NPV (85 and 89%, respectively); the combination of both increased the NPV to 97%. The question "When were you born?' achieved good correlation and greater PPV (93%).The combination of the question "What day is it today?" and the command "Count backwards by 3s from 20" achieved a high NPV. The question related to the date of birth achieved the highest PPV.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar el rendimiento del Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) en los pacientes con enfermedades medicas en estadio avanzado, y recalibrarlo para adaptarlo al perfil de estos pacientes. Metodos Estudio prospectivo observacional multicentrico. Se incluyeron pacientes con una o mas enfermedades medicas avanzadas. Se analizo la calibracion (bondad de ajuste de Hosmer-Lemeshow) y el poder discriminativo (curva ROC y area bajo la curva [AUC]) del PPI en la prediccion de la mortalidad a los 180 dias. La recalibracion se llevo a cabo analizando las puntuaciones en el PPI de cada cuartil ascendente de probabilidad de fallecer. Se comparo la precision del PPI con la obtenida con el indice de Charlson. Resultados La mortalidad global de los 1.788 pacientes fue del 37,5%. La calibracion en la prediccion de mortalidad fue buena (bondad de ajuste con p = 0,21), oscilando la probabilidad pronosticada entre 0-0,25 en el primer cuartil de riesgo, y 0,48-0,8 en el ultimo cuartil. El poder discriminativo fue aceptable (AUC = 0,69; p 0 ,0001). En los grupos recalibrados, la mortalidad de los pacientes con 0/1-2/2,5-9,5 ≥ 10 puntos fue del 13, 23, 39 y 68%, respectivamente. La sensibilidad y el valor predictivo negativo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 0 fueron 96 y 87%, respectivamente; la especificidad y el valor predictivo positivo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 9,5 fueron del 95 y 68%. La calibracion del indice de Charslon fue buena (p = 0,2), y el poder discriminativo suboptimo (AUC = 0,52; p = 0,06). Conclusiones El PPI en los pacientes con enfermedades medicas en estadio avanzado puede ser de utilidad para el pronostico de supervivencia a 6 meses.

Los autores en representación de los investigadores del proyecto PALIAR., [Objetivo] Analizar el rendimiento del Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) en los pacientes con enfermedades médicas en estadio avanzado, y recalibrarlo para adaptarlo al perfil de estos pacientes. [Métodos] Estudio prospectivo observacional multicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes con una o más enfermedades médicas avanzadas. Se analizó la calibración (bondad de ajuste de Hosmer-Lemeshow) y el poder discriminativo (curva ROC y área bajo la curva [AUC]) del PPI en la predicción de la mortalidad a los 180 días. La recalibración se llevó a cabo analizando las puntuaciones en el PPI de cada cuartil ascendente de probabilidad de fallecer. Se comparó la precisión del PPI con la obtenida con el índice de Charlson. [Resultados] La mortalidad global de los 1.788 pacientes fue del 37,5%. La calibración en la predicción de mortalidad fue buena (bondad de ajuste con p = 0,21), oscilando la probabilidad pronosticada entre 0-0,25 en el primer cuartil de riesgo, y 0,48-0,8 en el último cuartil. El poder discriminativo fue aceptable (AUC = 0,69; p < 0,0001). En los grupos recalibrados, la mortalidad de los pacientes con 0/1-2/2,5-9,5 ≥ 10 puntos fue del 13, 23, 39 y 68%, respectivamente. La sensibilidad y el valor predictivo negativo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 0 fueron 96 y 87%, respectivamente; la especificidad y el valor predictivo positivo del punto de corte de la escala por encima de 9,5 fueron del 95 y 68%. La calibración del índice de Charslon fue buena (p = 0,2), y el poder discriminativo subóptimo (AUC = 0,52; p = 0,06). [Conclusiones] El PPI en los pacientes con enfermedades médicas en estadio avanzado puede ser de utilidad para el pronóstico de supervivencia a 6 meses., [Objective] To analyze the accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) in patients with advanced medical diseases and to recalibrate it in order to adapt it to the profile of these patients. [Methods] Multicenter, prospective, observational study that included patients with one or more advanced medical diseases. Calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit) and discriminative power (ROC and area under the curve [AUC]) of PPI were analyzed in the prediction of mortality at 180 days. Recalibration was carried out by analyzing the scores on the PPI of each quartile upward of dying probability. Accuracy of PPI was compared with that obtained for the Charlson index. [Results] Overall mortality of the 1.788 patients was 37.5%. Calibration in the prediction of mortality was good (goodness of fit with P=.21), the prognostic probabilities ranging from 0-0,25 in the first quartile of risk and from 0,48-0,8 in the last quartile. Discriminative power was acceptable (AUC=69; P=.0001). In recalibrated groups, mortality of patients with 0/1-2/2.5-9.5/≥10 points was 13, 23, 39 and 68%, respectively. Sensitivity (S) and negative predicative value (NPF) of the cutoff point above 0 points were 96 and 87%, respectively; while specificity (sp) and positive predictive value (PPV) of the cutoff point above 9.5 points were 95 and 68%. Calibration of the Charlson index was good (P=.2), and its discriminative power (AUC=.52; P=.06) was suboptimal. [Conclusions] PPI can be a useful tool in predicting 6-month survival of patients with advanced medical conditions.

Resumen Objetivos Valorar el grado de participacion y la satisfaccion con un programa de colaboracion entre Atencion Primaria (AP) y Medicina Interna (MI) y los motivos de consulta mas frecuentes. Material y metodos Estudio transversal en el que se incluyo a todos los medicos de familia pertenecientes a 10 centros de salud que al menos llevaban un ano en el programa de colaboracion con MI. Se les facilito una encuesta, en la que se analizo el perfil profesional, el conocimiento y la participacion en el programa, la satisfaccion respecto al programa en su conjunto y en cuanto a aspectos puntuales y los problemas clinicos mas frecuentemente consultados. Resultados Contestaron 83 medicos de familia (el 92,2% de la poblacion encuestada). El 100% conocia el programa y habia participado alguna vez. En el ultimo ano, el 88,7% habia programado algun estudio ambulatorio, el 86,9% habia realizado alguna consulta y el 80,3% habia programado al menos un ingreso. Con respecto a la satisfaccion global, el 98,8% se encontraba satisfecho o muy satisfecho con el programa. Los problemas clinicos mas frecuentemente consultados fueron la evaluacion de pacientes pluripatologicos (26,5%), la evaluacion de factores de riesgo vascular (16,8%) y el sindrome asteniforme (14,1%); estos 3 problemas tambien fueron los mas valorados. Conclusiones Los medicos de familia valoraron muy positivamente nuestro programa de colaboracion entre AP y MI. La participacion ha sido muy alta y los problemas mas consultados y valorados son los que tradicionalmente se han asociado a la labor del internista.

The management of patients with comorbidity and polypathology represents a challenge for all healthcare systems. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have limitations when applied to this population. The aim of this study is to propose the terminology and methodology for optimally approach comorbidity and polypathology in the CPGs. Based on a literature review, we suggest a number of proposals for the approach in different phases of CPG preparation, with special attention to the inclusion of clusters of comorbidity in the initial questions the implementation of indirect evidence, the burden of disease management for patients and their environment, when establishing recommendations, as well as the strategies of dissemination and implementation. These proposals should be developed in greater depth with the implication of more agents in order to have valid and useful tools for this population.

The objective of Integrated Care Pathways for Airway Diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) is to launch a collaboration to develop multi-sectoral care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases in European countries and regions. AIRWAYS-ICPs has strategic relevance to the European Union Health Strategy and will add value to existing public health knowledge by: 1) proposing a common framework of care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases, which will facilitate comparability and trans-national initiatives; 2) informing cost-effective policy development, strengthening in particular those on smoking and environmental exposure; 3) aiding risk stratification in chronic disease patients, using a common strategy; 4) having a significant impact on the health of citizens in the short term (reduction of morbidity, improvement of education in children and of work in adults) and in the long-term (healthy ageing); 5) proposing a common simulation tool to assist physicians; and 6) ultimately reducing the healthcare burden (emergency visits, avoidable hospitalisations, disability and costs) while improving quality of life. In the longer term, the incidence of disease may be reduced by innovative prevention strategies. AIRWAYSICPs was initiated by Area 5 of the Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All stakeholders are involved (health and social care, patients, and policy makers).

To analyze the accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) in patients with advanced medical diseases and to recalibrate it in order to adapt it to the profile of these patients.Multicenter, prospective, observational study that included patients with one or more advanced medical diseases. Calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit) and discriminative power (ROC and area under the curve [AUC]) of PPI were analyzed in the prediction of mortality at 180 days. Recalibration was carried out by analyzing the scores on the PPI of each quartile upward of dying probability. Accuracy of PPI was compared with that obtained for the Charlson index.Overall mortality of the 1.788 patients was 37.5%. Calibration in the prediction of mortality was good (goodness of fit with P=.21), the prognostic probabilities ranging from 0-0,25 in the first quartile of risk and from 0,48-0,8 in the last quartile. Discriminative power was acceptable (AUC=69; P=.0001). In recalibrated groups, mortality of patients with 0/1-2/2.5-9.5/≥10 points was 13, 23, 39 and 68%, respectively. Sensitivity (S) and negative predicative value (NPF) of the cutoff point above 0 points were 96 and 87%, respectively; while specificity (sp) and positive predictive value (PPV) of the cutoff point above 9.5 points were 95 and 68%. Calibration of the Charlson index was good (P=.2), and its discriminative power (AUC=.52; P=.06) was suboptimal.PPI can be a useful tool in predicting 6-month survival of patients with advanced medical conditions.

To determine the association between different comorbidities and other clinical conditions with mortality in patients with multiple diseases (PMD) suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Patients with COPD and PMD criteria were included in an observational, prospective and multicentrer study. Data on age, gender, Charlson index, Barthel index, Lawton-Brody index, Pfeiffer test, sociofamilial Gijon scale, education level, hospitalizations during the previous 3 and 12 months and survival at one year were collected. The relationship between the variables and mortality were established by means of a univariate analysis and logistic regression model.A total of 688 PMD with COPD and mean age of 77.9 years were included. The mean score one the Charlson index was 3.99 (2.07). The most frequent comorbidities were heart failure (59%), diabetes (48%), myocardial infarction (29%), moderate kidney failure (22%), cerebrovascular disease (19%), hypertension (71%), anemia (62%), atrial fibrillation (34%), dyslipidemia (28%) and obesity (21%). A total of 26% of patients were dependent for activities of daily living, 47% needed a caregiver and 54% were at risk of having social problems. At one year, 258 patients (37%) had died. The Charlson index, dependency for activities of daily living and anemia were associated with mortality and hypertension and capacity for reading and writing were associated with survival.Comorbidity and discapacity are two prognostic factors in COPD patients.

To determine the prevalence of relevant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and associated predictor factors in a sample of patients with multiple complex chronic diseases (polypathological patients) receiving multiple drug therapy. Our secondary objective was to determine the acceptance of a drug interaction reporting program with recommendations addressed to the prescribing physicians.A cross-sectional study performed in three primary care centres assigned to a teaching hospital. All patients with 2 or more chronic diseases and treated simultaneously with 5 or more drugs were recruited in the study. DDIs were detected by using Drug-Reax System((R)) (Micromedex) program, the Drug Data Base (Bot) Spanish General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists or literature search when needed. Those DDIs which, according to the opinion of the pharmacist investigators, required any intervention were considered relevant. Acceptance of the reported DDI recommendations was evaluated by means of a survey addressed by primary care physicians ("acceptable," pertinent recommendation to modify treatment).A total of 283 polypathological polymedicated patients were included. Mean age was 74.5 years (range 43-100 years). Mean number of diseases per patient was 2.5 and prescriptions 9.7). Out of a total of 2748 drug prescriptions, 1053 DDIs in 250 patients (96.5%) were identified. Of these, 45% were filtered as relevant DDIs. The presence of ischemic heart disease, two or more hospital admissions and having received 7 or more prescriptions were associated with the presence of DDIs. 177 informs containing 473 recommendations about DDIs were sent to primary care physicians from our Pharmacy Department. 339 recommendations were answered by primary care physicians, and 84% were favourably accepted.Almost every polypathological polymedicated patient is exposed to at least one DDI and about a 60% would require any intervention. Appropriate filtering and personalising recommendations in a collaborative way may represent an adequate manner to improve the risk-benefit ratio of the drug prescriptions.

The Strategic Plan for the Development of Internal Medicine in Andalusia arose from the need that the internal medicine doctors had to redefine the purpose and values of their specialty to cope with the numerous changes occurring in the health care area. The project was developed in three phases. First, the tendency of the health care system and current position of the specialty were analyzed. After, the internal and external opinions on the present-future of Internal Medicine were checked out. Finally, five strategic lines with their action plans were established. Specific objectives were defined within each line: results to be achieved, methodology according to action plan. After several years of collegial work in this initiative, very positive results have been achieved. We conclude that the Strategic Plan has been useful to better define the position of our specialty and to state which tools such as those mentioned are effective to cope with the new challenges that may occur in other groups.

To analyze clinical, functional, mental, sociofamiliar, and evolutional characteristics of pluripathological patients (PP) in Primary Health Care setting.Prospective, multiinstitutional cohort study in four Primary Health Care Institutions by active identification of PP from a computerized registry using the Spanish Andalusian Health Care Council criteria. A clinical interview was proposed to all identified patients. The clinical data, Barthel index (BI), Pfeiffer scale, clinical vulnerability (CV), sociofamiliar features by the Gijon scale, and 1-year admissions and mortality were analyzed. An univariant and multivariant analysis was performed in order to know the risk factors associated to previously described variables.Overall, 806 PP were detected (1.38% of the population). Cardiovascular categories were the most prevalent. A total of 662 patients (69%) were eligible for the interview. Median BI was 90 (0-100), and 24% of patients had severe functional impairment (BI60). Twenty-nine percent of them had been admitted to hospital at least once in the last 3 months. Patients with more functional impairment and CV were older, having more defining categories, especially E category. A total of 174 patients (37.75%) had cognitive impairment. This group was older, with more functional impairment, and worse sociofamiliar support. One-year mortality was 6.1%, and was correlated with CV and older age.The definition of PP used selects in the Primary Care setting a population with a high level of multidimensional frailty having a high prevalence of functional, cognitive deterioration, sociofamiliar problems, CV and consumption of health care resources. Due to this multidimensional deterioration, it is recommendable to make an integral evaluation in the health care practice of these patients.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare, locally aggressive vascular neoplasm that mainly occurs during childhood. It generally originates on the skin, usually affecting deeper tissue by infiltrative growth. It appears as one or multiple masses, and in most cases is associated to consumptive coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome), and lymphangiomatosis. Although visceral involvement is very uncommon, several cases with bone, retroperitoneal, or mediastinal involvement have been described. These tumors tend to be locally invasive, but are not known to produce distant metastases. The development of KHE in adolescents or in adults is very rare, but cases have also been described. Several factors are associated with the outcome of patients with KHE: accessibility to surgical excision, location (cutaneous versus visceral), size of tumoral mass, clinical response to interferon and glucocorticoids, and the absence of lymphangiomatosis and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, may result in partial remissions. On the other hand, bulk visceral masses lead to a 40–50% mortality rate, mainly due to progressive failure of the infiltrated organ(s), in spite of interferon, glucocorticoids, and combined chemotherapy. In conclusion, the onset of a consumptive coagulopathy following the presence of a vascular tumor, in children as well as in older patients, should spark suspicion of KHE, among other entities.

The biopsychosocial factors that affect or influence empathy in the doctor-patient with multiple disease (PMD) relationship are unknown. This study aimed to determine the patient's own and external factors (from a biopsychosocial point of view) associated to a better empathic relation with health professionals in a multicenter cohort obtained from a population basis.The multicenter cohort was obtained from four basic health zones, 3 urban and one periurban, from the province of Seville (Southwestern Spain). Empathy was measured with the Likert scale (1-5), by means of an interview (differentiating between family doctor, family nurse and reference internist), by a member of the research team who was not related with patient's care. After that, a factorial analysis was performed, obtaining global empathy as a factor (maximum likelihood method, the summarized three variable matrix, ranging from 0.44 to 0.85). The possible predictive factors of global empathy were chosen from clinical-demographic care features of PMD. Comparisons between groups were performed with the Student's t and ANOVA tests. Correlations were with Pearson correlation quotient. Finally a multivariant analysis was done by linear regression and p0.05 was considered statistically significant.Four hundred and sixty (69%) of 662 eligible PMD from the cohort answered the interview. Empathy with family doctor, family nurse and reference internist was 4.39 +/- 0.98; 4.49 +/- 0.87 and 4.48 +/- 0.48, respectively. The median of the global empathy factor was 0.33 (-4.7-1.2). Global empathy was associated to having telephone access to the family doctor (0.56 vs 0.22; p0.0001) and to the family nurse (0.58 vs 0.24, p = 0.05), and was inversely correlated with global Gijon scale (r -0.100; p = 0.031) and with two of its dimensions: support (r -0.145; p = 0.002), and income (r -0.167; p0.0001). In the multivariant analysis, social evaluation measured by the Gijon index (p = 0.001) and number of drugs prescribed (p = 0.004) independently predicted global empathy.In the PMD multicenter cohort, both empathy level with the different health professionals and global empathy were high. The latter was associated with having telephone access to the family doctor and nurse, with number of drugs prescribed and with a good social and family support status.

Incidence, clinical features, and outcome of heart failure in patients with other chronic pathologies have been scarcely evaluated. The aim of the present study was to prospectively assess these issues, and the prognostic and factors associated to functional deterioration in a cohort of pluripathologic patients (PP) with heart failure (HF), attended in areas of Internal Medicine of a tertiary teaching hospital in the south of Spain.Prospective observational study of all patients, attended in Internal Medicine areas of a tertiary teaching hospital, during June 2003. Patients were stratified in two cohorts: PP with HF as main category (PP-HF), and PP with no HF. Patients with two or more chronic diseases, distributed into seven categories (defined by a panel of experts) were considered PP. Incidence of PP-HF, functional evaluation (at baseline, at admission, and at discharge), and burden of hospital care (by means of urgent and programmed assistances, as well as episodes of hospitalization) in the last 12 months were analyzed. Chi-square, Fisher, "t" Student or U-Mann-Whitney and Rho de Spearman test were used for group comparisons. A multivariate analysis of predictors of survival and functional deterioration (fall in Barthel's scaleor = 10 points between baseline-discharge values) was performed in the PP-HF cohort. A p0.05 was considered significant.132 pluripathologic patients (55 in PP-HF, and 77 in PP cohort) were included, from a global cohort of 339. Global incidence of PP-HF was 38,9/100 admissions. Mean age of PP-HF patients was 78, 50.9% were females; mortality rate and mean hospital stay were 23.6% and 12.2 days, respectively. Patients of PP-HF cohort compared to those of PP, were older (78 +/- 9.5 vs 73 +/- 10.8; p0.005), and suffered more chronic diseases (p = 0.0001). Functional abilities (at baseline, at admission, and at discharge), mean hospital stay, mortality, and burden of care in the previous 12 months were similar. Better functional abilities (OR: 1.136 [0.94-1.842]; p = 0.055), and less associated chronic diseases (OR: 0.072 [0.006-0.943], p = 0.045) were independently associated to survival; while older age (OR: 1,217 [1.016-1.457]; p = 0.03), and a poorer functional status at baseline (OR:1.80 [1.019-1.144]; p = 0.01) were associated to functional deterioration.Heart failure prevalent disease in pluripathologic patients. Specific factors associated to survival were gender and less chronic conditions; while those associated to functional deterioration during hospital stay were age and a poor functional status at baseline.

The medical assistance to patients with terminal diseases has been structured with Primary Care and Palliative Care Units as protagonists, and with other specialties as secondary roles. Nevertheless the impact of this group of patients in Internal Medicine areas is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate these parameters in the area of Internal Medicine of a tertiary teaching Hospital.Prospective observational study of all patients attended in Internal Medicine areas during June 2003. Patients were stratified in three cohorts (palliative, pluripathologic, and general). Incidence of palliative patients, origin, clinical features, and burden of hospital care in the last 12 months were analyzed. Univariate analysis of the clinical differences between the palliative and the pluripathologic, and general cohorts was performed, using Chi-square, Fisher, ANOVA and post-hoc tests and Kruskal-Wallis test.52 (53.8% women; mean age 66.5 +/- 15 years) were included from the global study cohort of 339 patients. Incidence of palliative patients was 15.4/100 admissions. The patients were admitted from other specialties (57.6%), Emergency department (27%), and Primary Care (10%). Mean hospital stay was 14.5 (1-150) days, and survival 63.5%. The 68.5% of deceases occurred at home. Patients of palliative cohort, with respect to general cohort had less functional ability at baseline (47.5 vs 95; p0.0001), admission (40 vs 75; p0.0001), and at discharge (20 vs 75; p0.0001), and more functional deterioration during hospital stay (mean fall in Barthel's values at baseline-discharge of 27.5 vs 20 points; p0.003). There were no differences in the burden of hospital care in the previous 12 months. With respect to the cohort of pluripathologic patients, palliative patients were younger (66.5 +/- 15 vs 75 +/- 11 years; p = 0.001) and had similar functional limitations at baseline (47.5 vs 45), admission (40 vs 20) and at discharge (20 vs 20).Patients with terminal diseases are prevalent in the clinical setting in areas of internal medicine. These data support the role of the internist in palliative care proceedings, and prompt internists to acquire enough specific abilities to manage competitively these population.