Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2020
Review[Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, a narrative review].
Capturing all the deaths caused by COVID-19 through epidemiologic surveillance based on individual case notification is difficult, therefore, all-cause excess mortality (EM) is an appropriate measure for geographic comparisons and monitoring of the application of non-pharmacological sanitary measures. This is a narrative review of the literature about the observed EM during the COVID-19 pandemic. A research was made on scientific databases (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Virtual Health Library) using the terms "excess mortality", "excess deaths", "COVID-19", "coronavirus", "SARS-CoV-2". ⋯ They confirm EM in the locations studied, with higher proportion of men and older people and with remarkable spatial heterogeneity. The need to optimize the standardization and updating of mortality registration and reporting mechanisms is highlighted. At a local level, data about EM that will allow these analyses is incipiently becoming available.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2020
[Validation of patient health Questionnaire-2 to detect depressive symptoms in diabetic or hypertensive patients].
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) has nine questions and is used in diabetic or hypertensive patients to detect depressive symptoms. The PHQ-2 uses the first two questions of the PHQ-9 to rapidly detect those patients that should answer the whole questionnaire. ⋯ The PHQ-2 allows a stepped, simple and accurate screening for depressive symptoms. Diabetic or hypertensive patients with 3 or more points should be immediately assessed with the remaining questions of the PHQ-9.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2020
Clinical features of 47 patients infected with COVID-19 admitted to a Regional Reference Center.
During the first pandemic wave, Covid-19 reached Latin America cities. ⋯ In our regional Center, patients admitted with COVID-19 had usual risk factors and had a prolonged stay. Hospital mortality was associated with immunosuppression and ICU admission.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2020
Case ReportsTrametinib and dabrafenib induced rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and visual loss. Report of one case.
MEK- and BRAF-inhibitors trametinib and dabrafenib are successfully used for BRAF-mutated, metastasizing melanoma, but these compounds may induce side effects. We report a 50 years old female with BRAF-mutated metastasizing melanoma who received trametinib (2 mg/d) and dabrafenib (200 mg/d) after using interferon without benefit. Shortly after starting trametinib/dabrafenib, she experienced an inability to abduct the left eye. ⋯ She could not eat or drink during four days prior to admission. The patient suspected an adverse effect of trametinib/dabrafenib and discontinued it 2 days prior to admission. Thereafter, she experienced an almost complete remission of the deficits except for ocular muscle weakness and visual impairment.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2020
[Teaching innovation in an undergraduate theoretical medicine course].
The School of Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile implemented diverse curricular changes addressing teaching challenges, including those related to generational diversity. ⋯ The CTG underwent a series of curricular modifications, allowing for a rapid adaptation to extremely dynamic academic conditions.