Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Older Adults: Recommendations on Management from the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV)

Managing moderate to severe psoriasis in older adults is complex due to factors characteristic of the later years of life, such as associated comorbidity, polypharmacy, and immunosenescence. This consensus statement discusses 17 recommendations for managing treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis in patients older than 65 years. The recommendations were proposed by a committee of 6 dermatologists who reviewed the literature. Fifty-one members of the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) then applied the Delphi process in 2 rounds to reach consensus on which principles to adopt. The recommendations can help to improve management, outcomes, and prognosis for older adults with moderate to severe psoriasis.

[Translated article] Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Older Adults: Recommendations on Management From the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV)

Managing moderate to severe psoriasis in older adults is complex due to factors characteristic of the later years of life, such as associated comorbidity, polypharmacy, and immunosenescence. This consensus statement discusses 17 recommendations for managing treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis in patients older than 65 years. The recommendations were proposed by a committee of 6 dermatologists who reviewed the literature. Fifty-one members of the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) then applied the Delphi process in 2 rounds to reach consensus on which principles to adopt. The recommendations can help to improve management, outcomes, and prognosis for older adults with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Variation in the Alcohol Components of Coffea arabica L. Wastewater Distillate Fermented Under Different Conditions

Coffee is the second-most consumed beverage in the world, and its high demand is covered by countries such as Peru, where the waste generated in production causes environmental pollution. We sought to determine the concentration of alcohol components and other volatiles compounds present in the distillate, after fermenting wastewater from the first wash in the wet processing of Coffea arabica var. catimor under five conditions: C1 (pasteurized + 0.325 g sucrose + 8.000 g S. cerevisiae), C2 = (pasteurized + 8.000 g S. cerevisiae), C3 (0.325 g sucrose + 8.000 g S. cerevisiae), C4 = (8.000 g S. cerevisiae), and C5 = (natural state). The solid-phase microextraction technique was used to determine the composition of the distillates by gas chromatography (GC). 35 components were detected, 11 of them under all conditions. Ethanol was the most abundant element in all five fermentation conditions. Condition 1 shows the highest value at 97.29 μg.mL-1, though all five concentrations can be considered high. This study shows that wastewater from the wet processing of coffee can have agro-industrial use as a value-added product. Postharvest Peruvian coffee is amenable to strategies aligned with the sustainable development goal of reducing food losses along production and supply chains.

Sleep quality and memory function in healthy ageing

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between sleep quality and memory in healthy ageing.

METHODS

The study included 99 people older than 50 years (69 women and 30 men; mean age, 68.74±7.18 years) with no associated diseases. Patients completed digital versions of the Word Learning and Visual Paired Associates tests and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to assess the quality of sleep.

RESULTS

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was negatively correlated with Visual Paired Associates and Word Learning test performance. Performance in these 2 memory tests decreased in line with sleep quality. In addition, performance in Visual Paired Associates test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality, duration, and sleep disturbances. Performance on the Word Learning test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality and efficiency. Participants' sex showed a weak effect on Visual Paired Associates performance and sleep latency.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical professionals working with elderly patients should take into consideration the effect of poor sleep quality on memory. Cognitive impairment in these patients may be a manifestation of a neuroendocrine imbalance due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. More research is needed to prove this hypothesis.

[Non-invasive brain and spinal cord stimulation for motor and functional recovery after a spinal cord injury]

INTRODUCTION

Spinal cord injury is a traumatic or non-traumatic event that causes an alteration of sensory, motor or autonomic functioning and ultimately affects the physical, psychological and social well-being of the person who suffers it. A comprehensive approach to spinal cord injury requires many health resources and can place a considerable financial burden on patients, their families and the community.

AIM

To review the literature published to date on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcutaneous non-invasive spinal cord stimulation (tcSCS), as therapeutic strategies to improve the functionality of patients with spinal cord injury. The studies were grouped as addressing either non-invasive brain stimulation or non-invasive spinal cord stimulation.

DEVELOPMENT

Altogether 32 studies were identified: 21 involving brain stimulation (14 in rTMS and 7 in tDCS) and 11 with spinal cord stimulation (tcSCS). All the studies were conducted in adult patients who had undergone a spinal cord injury. Despite significant variability in treatment protocols, patient characteristics and clinical assessment, the changes observed were reported in almost all the studies without producing any side effects and with motor or functional improvement.

CONCLUSION

Non-invasive brain stimulation, as well as spinal cord stimulation, are promising techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury due to their novelty, effectiveness and minimal side effects.

Characteristic limits of 230Th in alpha spectrometry with 229Th as tracer, calculated by simulating interfering tails and overlapping peaks

This study explores the effect of ²²⁹Th tracer tail interference on the determination of the sensitivity of ²³⁰Th alpha spectrometry of samples with environmental levels of radioactivity. Tracer peak tail interference was calculated with Suma-Alpha, whilst Visual Basic for Applications (VBA in Excel©) software was used to study the variation in sensitivity in terms of the amount of tracer added. Unnecessary increases in the amount of tracer or extended sample measuring times were observed to have adverse effects on method sensitivity (Detection Limit- L_d).

Normative Data for Executive Function and Emotion Interaction Assessment in Adolescents from Rural Areas

Objective

The present work is part of the ongoing project of examining the validation and standardization of the Executive Functions and Emotion Assessment for Adolescents with Risk Behaviors (EFEAA) test in the rural areas of Northwest Mexico. The objectives of the present study were (1) to examine the effects of age and risk behavior on emotionally interfered working memory ability, measured as performance on the Emotionally Interfered Working Memory Task (EIWMT) section of the EFEAA in a group of healthy adolescents from rural areas; and (2) to use these results to construct normative data that can be used in clinical practice.

Participants and Method

A total of 275 adolescents, 14.1 years old, geographically distributed among northwest Mexico were included in the sample. They were individually assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Risk Behavior Questionnaire, including: sexual risk behavior, impulsiveness, drug, alcohol, and tobacco consumption, unhealthy food intake, and physical inactivity; for measuring emotion-cognition interaction we used the EIWMT.

Results

Results of this study present a database supported by factors of risk behavior and working memory, which includes: predictors for conduct disorders, drug use, and delinquency, in addition to correlations between the performance of emotionally interfered working memory and risk behaviors associated to health. Percentile and normal distribution tables were generated, demonstrating that there is a high prevalence of risk behavior in rural areas.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates data related to rural areas in northwest Mexico, a region where adolescents are frequently involved in risk behaviors. Additionally, protective factors are understudied in Mexico-US border cities. Further analyses are needed to find reward delay skills on the studied sample as well as urban area comparisons.

[Measurement, monitoring and knowledge of blood pressure: May Measurement Month, Colombia 2017]

AIM

To describe the findings of implementing May Measurement Month 2017 in the adult Colombian population to raise awareness of the importance of blood pressure measuring, monitoring, and awareness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

May Measurement Month is a cross-sectional survey that follows the directives of the International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League, which gathers information on cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure readings. Its implementation in Colombia was lead by the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation (FOSCAL) and the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH) with the support of the Colombian Network for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (RECARDI).

RESULTS

Data was collected from 11 departments on 21,797 people, 58.7% of whom were female, with an average age of 40.5±17.7 years. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) was 20.8% (self-reported antihypertensive treatment or systolic blood pressure reading [systolic blood pressure≥140mmHg]). Of the total number of hypertensives, 46.5% had systolic blood pressure readings classified as uncontrolled (systolic blood pressure<140mmHg), and 26.4% were unaware that they were hypertensive who, in this report, we consider to be new cases of HBP.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of (elevated) blood pressure is high in this young adult population, whose lack of awareness of HBP is also high, and HBP in those aware of their condition is poorly controlled. These results highlight the need to implement effective detection programmes for hypertensive patients and to establish standardised treatments to improve HBP control as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular events.

Increased renal damage in hypocomplementemic patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis: retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The complement system has an important role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis associated with antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (AAV) mainly at the level of the kidneys because patients with complement deposits on the glomerular basal membrane present more aggressive disease compared with those with pauci-immune vasculitis.

AIM

To analyze the association of hypocomplementemia with the clinical manifestations, laboratory data, renal histology, progress to renal insufficiency, and mortality of patients with AAV.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study (2000-2007) included 93 patients with AAV. Hypocomplementemia is defined as having C3 values lower than 80 mg/dL or C4 values below 15 mg/dL. Demographic, statistical, clinical, hematological, serological, and histopathological characteristics of all the patients with and without diagnosis of hypocomplementemia were compared. In order to evaluate variable independence, a logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients were studied of whom 63 (67.7%) had complement dosage at the moment of AAV diagnosis. Seven patients (11.1%) presented hypocomplementemia and a greater kidney involvement compared with normocomplementemic patients. Thirty renal biopsies were analyzed and 4 (13.3%) showed immunocomplex (IC) or complement deposits by an immunofluorescence test (IFT). Patients with "non-pauci-immune" AAV also presented terminal chronic renal disease (TCRD).

CONCLUSION

There is an association between low complement and the degree of renal damage in patients with AAV. Patients with renal biopsies confirming IC and/or complement deposits showed more aggressive renal disease. Key Points • The complement system has an important role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis associated to antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody. • The studies in murine models confirming the complement activation by alternative pathway and particularly the receptor C5a (C5aR) is necessary for the development of glomerulonefritis. • Complement deposit observed in the renal biopsies of patients diagnosed with AAV was correlated to greater kidney damage, greater proteinuria and major disease activity compared to patients diagnosed with typical pauci-immune vasculitis. • The presence of hypocomplementemia at the onset of the disease was also associated with a greater organ involvement, poor prognosis and greater mortality.

Imitation of novel conspecific and human speech sounds in the killer whale (Orcinus orca)

Vocal imitation is a hallmark of human spoken language, which, along with other advanced cognitive skills, has fuelled the evolution of human culture. Comparative evidence has revealed that although the ability to copy sounds from conspecifics is mostly uniquely human among primates, a few distantly related taxa of birds and mammals have also independently evolved this capacity. Remarkably, field observations of killer whales have documented the existence of group-differentiated vocal dialects that are often referred to as traditions or cultures and are hypothesized to be acquired non-genetically. Here we use a do-as-I-do paradigm to study the abilities of a killer whale to imitate novel sounds uttered by conspecific (vocal imitative learning) and human models (vocal mimicry). We found that the subject made recognizable copies of all familiar and novel conspecific and human sounds tested and did so relatively quickly (most during the first 10 trials and three in the first attempt). Our results lend support to the hypothesis that the vocal variants observed in natural populations of this species can be socially learned by imitation. The capacity for vocal imitation shown in this study may scaffold the natural vocal traditions of killer whales in the wild.

New Insights on Mt. Etna's Crust and Relationship with the Regional Tectonic Framework from Joint Active and Passive P-Wave Seismic Tomography

In the Central Mediterranean region, the production of chemically diverse volcanic products (e.g., those from Mt. Etna and the Aeolian Islands archipelago) testifies to the complexity of the tectonic and geodynamic setting. Despite the large number of studies that have focused on this area, the relationships among volcanism, tectonics, magma ascent, and geodynamic processes remain poorly understood. We present a tomographic inversion of P-wave velocity using active and passive sources. Seismic signals were recorded using both temporary on-land and ocean bottom seismometers and data from a permanent local seismic network consisting of 267 seismic stations. Active seismic signals were generated using air gun shots mounted on the Spanish Oceanographic Vessel 'Sarmiento de Gamboa'. Passive seismic sources were obtained from 452 local earthquakes recorded over a 4-month period. In total, 184,797 active P-phase and 11,802 passive P-phase first arrivals were inverted to provide three different velocity models. Our results include the first crustal seismic active tomography for the northern Sicily area, including the Peloritan-southern Calabria region and both the Mt. Etna and Aeolian volcanic environments. The tomographic images provide a detailed and complete regional seismotectonic framework and highlight a spatially heterogeneous tectonic regime, which is consistent with and extends the findings of previous models. One of our most significant results was a tomographic map extending to 14 km depth showing a discontinuity striking roughly NW-SE, extending from the Gulf of Patti to the Ionian Sea, south-east of Capo Taormina, corresponding to the Aeolian-Tindari-Letojanni fault system, a regional deformation belt. Moreover, for the first time, we observed a high-velocity anomaly located in the south-eastern sector of the Mt. Etna region, offshore of the Timpe area, which is compatible with the plumbing system of an ancient shield volcano located offshore of Mt. Etna.

Thoracic wall reconstruction with bioabsorbable plates in pediatric malignant thoracic wall tumors

AIM

Childhood malignant chest wall tumors may require extensive surgical resection and reconstruction with musculoskeletal flaps or non-resorbable prosthetic materials. Implant-related complications and scoliosis often occur. This study analyzes the outcomes of chest wall reconstruction using resorbable plates as an alternative approach.

METHODS

Retrospective review (2007-2015) of patients who underwent resection of malignant primary chest wall tumors in 2 tertiary pediatric centers. Reconstruction was performed using copolymer (l-lactic and glycolic acid) plates, fixed to the ribs and surrounding structures with copolymer screws and/or polyglactin sutures.

RESULTS

Eight patients aged 10.6+2.6years were treated. There were no operative complications, and implant removal was not required in any case. Six patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Over follow-up (39.6months, range 9.4-78), chest wall shape was maintained in all, and there were no radiological artifacts. Three patients developed scoliosis (Cobb 17°-33°), but treatment was needed only in one, who had undergone hemivertebrectomy. There were no cases of local tumor relapse. One patient died because of metastatic spread.

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of bioabsorbable l-lactic and glycolic acid copolymer plates with a relatively simple technique provided a rigid, stable reconstruction with only mild mid-/long-term complications. Resorbable plates may be a good alternative for pediatric chest wall reconstruction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Improved detection of mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax infection at a rural health centre in Ethiopia using PCR

This study aims to this study is to compare the co-infection Plasmodium falciparum + Plasmodium vivax and compare the detection of cases of mixed-species malaria using light microscopy versus semi-nested multiplex PCR (sPCR). Investigators collected 3060 samples at a rural health centre in Ethiopia from December 2010 to October 2011. Two capillary blood specimens were taken from each patient, one for diagnosis of Plasmodium infection by light microscopy and the other for sPCR-based diagnosis. LM detected 627 positive cases; these samples, together with 582 negatives by LM, were also subjected to sPCR testing. Of the 627 positive samples by LM, 68.4% were positive for P. vivax, 30.5% for P. falciparum, and 1.1% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection. Using the sPCR technique, we identified 788 samples positive for Plasmodium: 33.0% for P. vivax, 26.5% for P. falciparum, 3.7% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, 2.0% for P. ovale and 0.8% for P. vivax + P. ovale co-infection. In the case of P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, light microscopy diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 11.1%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive predictive value of 71.4% and a negative predictive value of 96.6%. The concordance rate for identifying P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection (kappa statistic) with microscopy and sPCR was 0.184. The LM approach has low sensitivity for the detection of mixed-species infections, while sPCR is more useful.

Effect of Homogenization as Pretreatment for the Improvement of Autolysis Efficiency of Kluyveromyces fragilis

A yeast autolysis modified process consisting of a previous homogenization step at 52 MPa ( N= 2) with pH adjustment at 9.5 is developed. The process carried out in 16 h reached a total biomass solubilization around 85%. Autolysis course was not affected by yeast concentration in the studied range (60–140 mg/mL). Initial NaCl concentration of 1% led to a reduced content of this salt in final extract of about 7%, under optimum conditions, in good agreement with current requirements of the food industry. The high levels of biomass solubilization in this process allowed a yield increase of extract from 0.13 kg per liter of yeast suspension (150 mg/mL) in untreated cells to 0.15 kg/L in homogenized cells.

[Unilateral vocal fold paralysis: quality of voice after speech therapy]

BACKGROUND

To describe demographic factors and voice quality parameters of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after a voice therapy protocol.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with a diagnosis of UVFP by video-laryngoscopy were included. Voice therapy was applied to all patients during 15 sessions that were structured in three progressive stages. The objective was to train patients in vocal techniques, phonic-breathing coordination,blow control, vocal exercises for glottic closure and vocal setting. Glottal closure, Voice Handicap Index-10 for perception of voice impairment and GRBAS scale were used before and after the speech therapy.

RESULTS

The average age was 51 years (range 20-80), 60%women. Surgery was the most frequent cause (72%), and 40% had a profession related to voice use. Median time from diagnosis to treatment was 5 months (2-12). After voice therapy, 80% had complete glottal closure, previously this had been 34% (p<0.001), the score of VHI-10 decreased from 24.24 to 16.09 points (p<0.001) and GRBAS values improved in all the qualities of voice (p<0.001).Only 8.5% of the patients required surgical intervention after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Voice therapy is effective as first line therapy in patients with UVFP, reserving medialization with non-absorbable material or thyroplasty surgery for those with a poor outcome. However, it is necessary to reduce the time it takes the patient to reach the Voice Unit after laryngoscopic diagnosis.

Evolution of diagnostic frequency in schizophrenia spectrum disorders in Acute Psychiatric Unit in Barcelona

Introduction

Several studies have suggested variations in the prevalence of schizophrenia spectrum disorders diagnosis across time. This could be due to a change in diagnostic practice motivated either for changes in DSM criteria as for local culture factors. The aim of this study is to explore the evolution of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We hypothesize that we would observe a transference from the schizophrenia diagnosis to psychosis not otherwise specified.

Methods

A retrospective review of all psychiatric discharges in acute unit in the INAD of Parc de Salut Mar of Barcelona, between 2002 and 2014 was performed, relating each discharge to its axis I psychiatric diagnostic. An ANOVA analysis was used to calculate the differences between the months and the frequency of the diagnosis.

Conclusion

We have not been able to observe any transference between diagnoses across years. We observe a decrease of the proportion of schizophrenic spectrum disorders in its prevalence at discharge from 2012 to 2014. The proportion of not otherwise specified psychosis remains quite constant as a third of the schizophrenia diagnoses.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest in this study. LG is funded by the Instituto.de.Salud.Carlos.III (CM14/00111).

Non-covalent stacking interactions directing the structural and photophysical features of mono- and dinuclear cyclometalated palladium(ii) complexes

Cyclometallated Pd(ii) complexes with different stackings show emission in solid state in relationship to them.

Uncommon isolated distant subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle metastasis from oesophageal cancer diagnosed by PET/CT (18)F-FDG

Distant soft-tissue metastases (subcutaneous tissues and skeletal muscle) are extremely rare, particularly in oesophageal carcinoma. The case is described of a patient who was treated for oesophageal adenocarcinoma 2.5 years previously. A PET/CT was performed showing metastatic spread due to a solitary focus of increased tracer uptake corresponding to one subcutaneous node in the upper abdomen. An excisional biopsy showed a metastasis from the carcinoma. Restaging PET/CT (18)F-FDG study was performed 2 year later, demonstrating foci of increased uptake within several muscles as isolated distant haematogenous spread of metastases, histopathologically confirmed. As most of soft-tissue metastases are asymptomatic, the physicians should recommend a histopathological study of focal FDG uptake at subcutaneous tissues and/or skeletal muscles, because they may be the first sign of disease spread, so therapeutic management of these patients could be changed.

[Use of radioguided surgery in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma]

OBJECTIVE

Osteoid osteoma is the third most common benign bone tumor and complete surgical resection is definitive treatment. There are a limited number of publications on the use of radioguided surgery in this type of lesion. To assess the utility of radioguided surgery in our environment as a method of surgical treatment of this tumor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 12 patients (2 women and 10 men, age range 9-44 years) with clinical and radiological suspicion of osteoid osteoma. Bone scintigraphy showed foci of pathology uptake compatible with suspected lesion in the femur (4 cases), tibia (3), vertebral column (3), humerus (1) and talus (1). Subsequently patients underwent surgical treatment by radioguided surgery after injection of a dose of (99m)Tc-hydroxy diphosphonate. The nidus was removed using gamma probe and mini gamma camera, considering the technique to be completed when its counts decreased to the levels of the surrounding bone counts.

RESULTS

Lesions were located in all patients (12 of 12), and were confirmed histologically in 8 of them, including an osteoblastoma. The cure rate was 100%, based on the disappearance of pain after a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Use of radioguided surgery in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma showed satisfactory results, with 100% efficiency in both lesion location and outcome of treatment and without major postoperative complications.

[SEIP-SERPE-SEOP Consensus document on the treatment of uncomplicated acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis]

This is a Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediatrica), Spanish Society of Paediatric Rheumatology (Sociedad Española de Reumatología Pediátrica) and the Spanish Society of Paediatric Orthopaedics (Sociedad Española de Ortopedia Pediátrica), on the treatment of uncomplicated acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. A review is presented on the medical and surgical treatment of acute osteoarticular infection, defined as a process with less than 14 days of symptomatology, uncomplicated and community-acquired. The different possible options are evaluated based on the best available scientific knowledge, and a number of evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice are provided.

[Clinical application of ROLL technique in non-breast diseases. Complementary use after PET-CT study]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ROLL technique (Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization) as a verification method of suspicious lesions not related to breast disease found in PET-CT studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 9 patients diagnosed of cancer or with suspected tumor disease who showed hypermetabolic lymph nodes in (18)F-FDG PET-CT. Subjects underwent diagnostic testing for evaluation of treatment response in lymphoma (3), suspected recurrence in other tumors (3) or biopsy guide (3). The study group consisted of 4 women and 5 men, age range 25-72 years. ROLL technique was performed in surgically accessible lesions (supraclavicular region, lateral cervical, axillary and inguinal) with an intralesional injection of (99m)Tc-albumin macroaggregates guided by ultrasound the day before surgery. A scintigraphic study confirmed the focal tracer deposit and absence of skin contamination. During surgery, a gamma probe and portable gammacamera were used to locate lymph nodes.

RESULTS

Surgical localization of radiolabeled lymph nodes was achieved in all cases with minimally invasive surgery and few postoperative complications. Histological study resulted in five tumor involvement (3 lymphoma, 1 germ cell tumor and 1 neuroendocrine carcinoma) and confirmed the existence of four false-positives in PET-CT study (1 sarcoidosis and 3 reactive follicular hyperplasia).

CONCLUSION

The ROLL technique proved to be a useful and relatively simple method for the study of no breast lesions suspicious of malignancy in PET-CT study.

Risk of intrauterine growth restriction among HIV-infected pregnant women: a cohort study

The purpose of this investigation was to study the risk of intrauterine growth restriction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and to describe the associated risk factors. A cohort study was performed among HIV-infected women who delivered in a single tertiary centre in Barcelona, Spain, from January 2006 to December 2011. Consecutive singleton pregnancies delivered beyond 22 weeks of pregnancy were included. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was defined as a birth weight below the 10th customised centile for gestational age and IUGR babies were compared to non-IUGR newborns. Intrauterine Doppler findings were described among IUGR foetuses. Baseline characteristics, HIV infection data and perinatal outcome were compared between groups. The results were adjusted for potential confounders. A total of 156 singleton pregnancies were included. IUGR occurred in 23.4 % of cases (38/156). In two-thirds of the cases detected before birth, Doppler abnormalities compatible with placental insufficiency were observed. IUGR pregnancies presented a worse perinatal outcome, mainly due to a higher risk of iatrogenic preterm delivery [adjusted odds ratio 6.9, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.4-33.5]. IUGR foetuses also had a higher risk of emergent Caesarean section and neonatal intensive care unit admission. No cases of intrauterine foetal death occurred. A high rate of IUGR was observed among HIV pregnancies, and it was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, mainly iatrogenic preterm and very preterm birth due to placental insufficiency. Our results support that ultrasound detection and follow-up of IUGR foetuses should be part of routine antenatal care in this high-risk population to improve antenatal management.

Risk of clinically significant depression in HIV-infected patients: effect of antiretroviral drugs

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to characterize depression in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients, to determine the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on its incidence, and to investigate whether efavirenz use was associated with a higher risk, compared with non-efavirenz-containing regimens, in the Spanish CoRIS cohort.

METHODS

CoRIS is a contemporary, multicentre cohort of HIV-infected patients, antiretroviral-naïve at entry, launched in 2004. Poisson regression models were used to investigate demographic, clinical and treatment-related factors associated with a higher incidence of clinically significant depression to October 2010.

RESULTS

In total, 5185 patients (13 089 person-years) participated in the study, of whom 3379 (65.2%) started ART during follow-up. The incidence rates of depression before and after starting ART were 11.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.01-15.15] and 7.06 (95% CI 5.45-9.13) cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. After adjustment, there was an inverse association between the occurrence of depression and the initiation of ART [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.53; 95% CI 0.28-0.99], while the likelihood of depression increased in patients of age > 50 years (IRR 1.94; 95% CI 1.21-3.12). Longer exposure to ART was associated with a decreased IRR of depression in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. The IRR for patients receiving < 2, 2-4 and > 4 years of ART was 0.72 (95% CI 0.36-1.44), 0.10 (95% CI 0.04-0.25) and 0.05 (95% CI 0.01-0.17), respectively, compared with ART-naïve patients. This protective effect was also observed when durations of exposure to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens and efavirenz-containing regimens were analysed separately.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of clinically significant depression was lower among HIV-infected patients on ART. The protective effect of ART was also observed with efavirenz-containing regimens.

Amino acid determination in some edible Mexican insects

The amino acid contents of edible insects from different provinces of Mexico and reference proteins were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The insect amino acid contents were higher than the adult requirements indicated by the WHO/FAO pattern.