Objective: To evaluate the effect of brief counseling on patient readiness for behavioral change and cessation/reduction of tobacco and alcohol use. Methods: This clinical trial randomized patients in blocks, stratified by risk factor. Adult smokers or at-risk drinkers undergoing surgical or diagnostic procedures were recruited. Outcome assessments and analyses were blinded. Brief counseling was compared with educational materials for the outcomes progress in stage of change and smoking/alcohol cessation/reduction. Results: Overall, 222 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 218 to the control group. Among them, 28 and 18 patients were lost to follow-up, respectively. Progress in change stage was 94.1% at 1 month in both groups (RR = 1.00; 95%CI 0.95-1.05) and 94.8 vs. 90.5% at 3 months (RR = 1.05; 95%CI 0.99-1.11) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Smoking cessation and alcohol reduction rates at 3 months were 57.2 vs. 41% (RR = 1.40; 95%CI 1.14-1.71) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Only brief counseling led to significant differences in smoking cessation (51.4 vs. 35.1%; RR = 1.46; 95%CI 1.12-1.92). Conclusions: Brief counseling and educational materials improved patient motivation for behavioral change, but brief counseling had a greater effect on smoking cessation. Clinical trial registration: NCT03521622

Resumen Introducción. Las intervenciones dirigidas a la cesación del tabaquismo son una prioridad en los escenarios de atención médica, incluido el hospitalario. Objetivos. Describir las características sociodemográficas, familiares y clínicas de fumadores atendidos en un hospital de cuarto nivel y establecer las variables asociadas con la intención de cesación del tabaquismo con el fin de optimizar el manejo de este factor de riesgo en el entorno hospitalario. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en 321 fumadores activos atendidos entre abril de 2018 y noviembre de 2019 en Bogotá D.C., Colombia. Se calculó la prevalencia de tabaquismo y se obtuvo información sociodemográfica, familiar y clínica, la cual fue analizada mediante estadística descriptiva. Se establecieron asociaciones entre dichas variables y la intención de cesación mediante un análisis bivariado (prueba X2) y uno multivariado (modelo de regresión logística ordinal con sus correspondientes intervalos de confianza al 95%). Resultados. La prevalencia de tabaquismo activo fue de 8.89% (IC95%: 7.97-9.82), (N=3 609; n=321 fumadores activos). La mayoría fueron hombres (66.67%), de estrato socioeconómico bajo o medio (96.89%), con nivel educativo básico (52.34%) y el 42.06% estaban entre los 46 y 64 años. La mayoría de los fumadores activos tenían un grado leve de tabaquismo y un bajo nivel de dependencia a la nicotina (78.82% y 81.62%, respectivamente); además, el 78.82% reportó intentos previos de cesación. El tipo de familia predominante fue la nuclear (58.57%) y 40.19% de los fumadores experimentaban algún grado de disfuncionalidad familiar. Los fumadores con mayor percepción de beneficios derivados de dejar de fumar y con alta autoeficacia tienen una mayor probabilidad de realizar un intento de cesación de tabaquismo (OR=9.44; IC95%: 1.27-85.03 and OR=3.73; 95%CI: 1.55-8.78, respectivamente). Conclusiones. La identificación y caracterización de fumadores en el entorno hospitalario brinda claves para personalizar las intervenciones de cesación del tabaquismo.

Abstract Introduction: Smoking cessation interventions are a priority in medical care settings, including hospitals. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic, family, and clinical characteristics of smokers treated in a quaternary care hospital and to establish the variables associated with smoking cessation intention in order to optimize the management of this risk factor in the hospital setting. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 321 active smokers treated between April 2018 and November 2019 in Bogotá D.C., Colombia. Smoking prevalence was calculated, and participants' sociodemographic, family, and clinical information was obtained and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics. Associations between said variables and cessation intention were established by means of bivariate (chi-squared test) and multivariate analyses (ordinal logistic regression model with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals). Results: Smoking prevalence was 8.89% (95%CI: 7.97-9.82), (N=3609; n=321 active smokers). Most participants were men (66.67%), had a low or middle socioeconomic status (96.89%) and a basic educational level (52.34%), and 42.06% were between 46 and 64 years old. The majority of active smokers had a mild degree of smoking consumption and low level of nicotine dependence (78.82% and 81.62%, respectively). Furthermore, 78.82% reported previous attempts to quit smoking. Nuclear family was the predominant family type (58.57%), and 40.19% of smokers experienced some degree of family dysfunction. Smokers with more perceived benefits derived from smoking cessation and high self-efficacy are more likely to make a smoking cessation attempt (OR=9.44, 95%CI:1.27-85.03 and OR=3.73, 95%CI:1.55-8.78, respectively). Conclusions: The identification and characterization of smokers in the hospital setting provides useful insights to personalize smoking cessation interventions.

Resumen Introducción: Las enfermedades crónicas son un problema de salud pública; el 80% de ellas se relacionan con factores de riesgo modificables, como una dieta poco saludable, la inactividad física, el tabaquismo y el consumo riesgoso de alcohol. La intervención en el tabaquismo y el consumo riesgoso de alcohol se ha demostrado efectiva en el cuidado primario, pero se desconoce si funciona de la misma manera en el contexto hospitalario. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la consejería breve para modificar el estadio de cambio en pacientes fumadores y bebedores en riesgo atendidos en un hospital de alta complejidad. Métodos: Experimento clínico aleatorizado, que evalúa la efectividad de 4 modalidades de consejería breve para la cesación de tabaquismo y el consumo riesgoso de alcohol en comparación con el cuidado habitual, seleccionadas según el estadio de cambio del sujeto. El resultado primario es la proporción de pacientes en cada uno de los grupos (intervención y control) en los cuales se identifica el avance en el estadio de cambio; además se analizará la reducción de consumos. Protocolo registrado en ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03521622). Resultados: Los resultados se publicarán en revistas de literatura científica y su aplicación pretende generar protocolos de intervenciones conductuales en factores de riesgo modificables en hospitales de alta complejidad. El experimento fue presentado y aprobado por el Comité de Ética e Investigación de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana y el Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio (aprobación 01/2018).

Abstrac Introduction: Chronic diseases are a public health problem, and 80% of them are related to modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and risky alcohol consumption. Although the intervention in smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking has proven to be effective in Primary Care, it is unknown whether it works in the same way in the hospital setting. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of brief counselling in order to modify the stage of change in smokers and at-risk drinkers treated in a high complexity hospital. Methods: A Randomized controlled trial to be conducted, in which an evaluation is made of four brief counselling strategies for smoking cessation and risky alcohol consumption compared to usual care, selected according to the patient's stage of change. The primary result will be the proportion of patients in each of the groups (intervention and control) with identified progress in the stage of change. The reduction of consumption will be also be analyzed. Protocol registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03521622). Results: The results will be published in scientific journals, and its application aims to generate behavioral intervention protocols for modifiable risk factors in high complexity hospitals. The trial was presented and approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio, Bogota, Colombia (Approval 01/2018).

RESUMO Objetivo. Comparar a diferença de cobertura e proporção de pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica controlada entre dezembro de 2020 e dezembro de 2021 em estabelecimentos de saúde que implementam a Iniciativa HEARTS, e explorar os facilitadores e as barreiras relacionados aos sistemas de informação no México. Métodos. Estudo observacional ecológico descritivo. Os resultados dos estabelecimentos de saúde que iniciaram a implementação da Iniciativa HEARTS (n=29) em Chiapas e Sonora foram comparados em relação às variáveis de cobertura de atenção e controle da hipertensão, em 4 períodos (semestres) de 2020 a 2021. Resultados. Há um maior número de mulheres em tratamento e controladas em relação aos homens nas diferentes faixas etárias. Foram identificadas algumas barreiras (por exemplo, multiplicidade de sistemas, falta de interoperabilidade e conexão limitada à internet nos estabelecimentos de saúde) e facilitadores (por exemplo, livre acesso à informação, disponibilidade de dados de anos anteriores e geração de estimativas e projeções) nos sistemas de informação. Conclusões. Cinquenta e cinco por cento dos estabelecimentos em implementação (16 estabelecimentos) melhoraram a proporção de pacientes controlados no período analisado. É importante monitorar os indicadores no nível de processos –tal monitoramento deve ser acompanhado por uma redistribuição das funções das equipes de saúde. Deve-se também assegurar o fornecimento de medicamentos para aumentar a eficácia da estratégia. Sugere-se fortalecer a implementação com os principais impulsionadores para o controle da hipertensão.

ABSTRACT Objective. To compare the differences in treatment coverage of patients with systemic arterial hypertension and the proportion of patients with controlled AHT, between December 2020 and December 2021 in health facilities that implemented the HEARTS Initiative, and to explore the facilitators and barriers related to information systems in Mexico. Methods. Descriptive ecological observational study. The results at health facilities that have begun implementing the HEARTS Initiative (n=29) in Chiapas and Sonora were compared, with respect to the variables of treatment coverage and control of AHT, across four periods (semesters) in 2020 and 2021. Results. There were more women than men in treatment and with controlled AHT in the different age groups. Some barriers were identified in information systems (e.g., multiplicity of systems, lack of interoperability, limited internet connectivity in health facilities), as well as facilitators (e.g., free access to information, availability of data from previous years, generation of estimates and projections). Conclusions. Sixteen (55%) of the implementing facilities improved the proportion of patients with controlled AHT in the period covered by the study. It is important to monitor indicators at the process level, and this should be accompanied by a redistribution of functions in health teams. It is also important to ensure a supply of medicines to enhance the effectiveness of the strategy. It is suggested to strengthen implementation with the key drivers for the control of arterial hypertension.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Comparar la diferencia en la cobertura y proporción de pacientes controlados con hipertensión arterial sistémica entre diciembre de 2020 y diciembre de 2021 en los establecimientos de salud con implementación de la Iniciativa HEARTS, y explorar los facilitadores y las barreras relacionados con los sistemas de información en México. Métodos. Estudio observacional ecológico descriptivo. Se compararon los resultados de los establecimientos de salud que han iniciado la implementación de la Iniciativa HEARTS (n=29) en Chiapas y Sonora, respecto a las variables de cobertura de atención y control de la hipertensión, en 4 periodos (semestres) del 2020 al 2021. Resultados. Existe mayor número de mujeres en tratamiento y en control respecto de los hombres en los diferentes grupos de edad. Se identificaron algunas barreras (p. ej.multiplicidad de sistemas, falta de interoperabilidad, conectividad limitada a internet en los establecimientos de salud) y facilitadores (p. ej.acceso libre a la información, disponibilidad de datos desde años previos, generación de estimaciones y proyecciones) en los sistemas de información. Conclusiones. El 55% de los establecimientos bajo implementación (16 establecimientos) mejoraron la proporción de pacientes controlados en el periodo analizado. Es importante monitorear indicadores a nivel de procesos, lo cual debe ir acompañado de una redistribución de las funciones de los equipos de salud y asegurar el abastecimiento de medicamentos para potenciar la efectividad de la estrategia. Se sugiere fortalecer la implementación con los impulsores clave para el control de la hipertensión.

ABSTRACT Objective This cross sectional study intended to evaluate two bedside tests (Neuropad and VibraTip) as screening tools for distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) in Latin American patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Subjects and methods Ninety-three Colombian patients diagnosed with T2D were recruited. Anthropometric variables, glycemic control parameters, lipid profile and renal function were assessed for each patient. DSPN was defined by a Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) clinical score greater than 2. Both Neuropad and Vibratip tests were applied to each patient. Contingency analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic power of both tools. Results The prevalence of DSPN determined clinically by MNSI was 25.8%. DSPN in these patients was associated with age, worsening renal function, and insulin treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of the Neuropad test for DSPN was 66.6% and 63% respectively. Its negative predictive value (NPV) was 84.6%. The VibraTip test exhibited a sensitivity of 54.1% and specificity of 91.3%, with a NPV of 85.1%. Conclusion Neuropad and VibraTip are reliable screening tools for DSPN in Latin American population. VibraTip presents a considerable diagnostic power for DSPN in this population. Further studies regarding the cost-effectiveness of these tools in clinical practice are needed.

El divertículo de Meckel es la anomalía congénita más común del tubo digestivo. Usualmente, es un divertículo único y es muy raro encontrar dos divertículos de Meckel en un mismo paciente. Se presenta el caso de una mujer con dolor abdominal agudo, cuyos exámenes de laboratorio mostraban una respuesta inflamatoria. La tomografía computadorizada fue sugestiva de divertículo de Meckel. En el examen por laparoscopia se evidenciaron dos divertículos de Meckel. Cuando los hallazgos quirúrgicos son normales en la exploración inicial de un paciente con cuadro clínico de abdomen agudo, se impone la búsqueda de alteraciones que lo expliquen y determinen la causa real de la enfermedad.

Meckel’s diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Usually it appears as a single diverticulum, and it is very rare to find two Meckel's diverticula in the same patient. We report the case of a woman with acute abdominal pain, whose initial tests indicated inflammatory response and the CT scan suggested the presence of a Meckel’s diverticulum. The laparoscopic exploration showed two Meckel’s diverticula. When findings appear normal during the initial surgical exploration in a patient with acute abdominal pain, it is necessary to look for alterations that explain the symptoms and establish the real cause of the disease.