Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Dec 2019
Observational Study[Clinicopathological correlation among proliferative classes and subclasses of lupus nephritis in renal biopsies].
Background Lupus nephritis (LN) is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus that requires renal biopsy (RB). Proliferative classes III, IV-S, IV-G have especial clinical and pathological characteristics. Aim To determine the association between pathological features in RB with serum creatinine and urine protein levels. ⋯ Proteinuria is a variable that differentiates classes III from IV-G, being significantly higher in the second. Severe arteriosclerosis is a constant and significant finding that differentiates LN III from LN IV. Thus, we propose its usefulness for distinguishing LN classes, and eventually, to be considered in the chronicity index.
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Acute aortic syndromes include a spectrum of life-threatening aortic conditions. A review of the diagnostic aspects of the acute aortic syndrome was made, from the perspective of the imaging techniques available for this purpose. ⋯ Emphasis was placed on the relevance of clinical information as a fundamental tool for suspecting this syndrome and appropriately choosing the imaging technique. Our main objective is to provide information about the diagnosis of this condition, especially in the context of emergency services.
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Revista médica de Chile · Dec 2019
Review[Popular names and classification of illicit drugs commonly used in Chile].
Background The consumption of illicit drugs in Chile has increased over the years generating abuse and dependence problems and becoming a public health problem. Aim To build and disseminate a figure in which health personnel can quickly visualize illicit drugs and their common names, and thus be able to associate them with the effects and risks that are expected in the patient. Material and Methods A bibliographic review and compilation of information obtained from dealers and drug abusers. ⋯ Conclusions Illicit drugs have several popular names and various mechanisms of action. When confronting drug consumption this information is crucial to provide an adequate treatment and withdrawal management. However, it is important to keep in mind that this work only represents a management guide and that treatment should always focus on the condition and clinical manifestations of the patient.
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Revista médica de Chile · Dec 2019
Absolute monocyte count as a prognostic parameter in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
Background Prognosis of patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is highly variable, and despite the use of modern immunochemotherapy regimens, almost 50% of patients will eventually relapse. Standard risk models, like the International Prognostic Index or the Revised International Prognostic Index (R_IPI) incorporate patient and tumor characteristics but do not consider variables related to host adaptive immunity which have been shown to be of significant prognostic value in non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Aim To analyze the prognostic significance of the absolute monocyte count at diagnosis in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma in a retrospective setting. ⋯ Results The absolute monocyte count, analyzed as a dichotomized variable predicted progression-free and overall survival in low risk patients according to the R-IPI score. Worse outcomes were observed in those with high monocyte count al diagnosis. Conclusions Absolute monocyte count could help in the identification of high-risk patients otherwise expected to have a good prognosis according to traditional scores.
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Revista médica de Chile · Dec 2019
[Performance of sleep questionnaires for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].
Background The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is based on nocturnal records: polysomnography or respiratory polygraphy. However, their high costs limit their use. Aim To examine the predictive value of three sleep questionnaires (STOP, STOP-Bang, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in the screening of OSAS in Chilean adults. ⋯ STOP, STOP-Bang and ESS questionnaires classified 64%, 71% and 12% of cases as high risk for OSAS, respectively. The STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires had the highest sensitivity to predict OSAS (76% and 89%, respectively) while the ESS had the highest specificity (91%). Conclusions The sleep questionnaires allowed to identify the subjects at high risk for OSAS in this sample of adults from the Metropolitan Region.