Abstract Background: Treatment of sickle cell anemia is a challenging task and despite the well understood genetic and biochemical pathway of sickle hemoglobin, current therapy continues to be limited to the symptomatic treatment of pain, supplemental oxygen, antibiotics, red blood cell transfusions and hydroxyurea. SANGUINATE is a carbon monoxide releasing molecule and oxygen transfer agent under clinical development for the treatment of sickle cell anemia and comorbidities. Methods: An open-label randomized Phase Ib study was performed in adult sickle cell anemia patients. Two dose levels of SANGUINATE were compared to hydroxyurea in 24 homozygotes for Hb SS. Twelve subjects received either a low dose (160 mg/kg) of SANGUINATE or 15 mg/kg hydroxyurea. Another 12 subjects received either a high dose (320 mg/kg) of SANGUINATE or 15 mg/kg hydroxyurea. The primary endpoint was the safety of SANGUINATE versus hydroxyurea in sickle cell anemia patients. Secondary endpoints included determination of the plasma pharmacokinetics and assessment of hematologic measurements. Results: Musculoskeletal related adverse events were the most common. Transient troponin I levels increased in three patients, one of whom had an increase in tricuspid regurgitant velocity; however, no clinical signs were noted. Following an assessment of vital signs, tricuspid regurgitant velocity, electrocardiogram, serum biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and analysis of reported adverse events, SANGUINATE was found to be safe in stable sickle cell anemia patients. Conclusions: The clinical trial met its primary objective of demonstrating an acceptable safety profile for SANGUINATE in patients with sickle cell anemia. This trial established the safety of SANGUINATE at both dose levels and permitted its advance to Phase II trials.

Dada la reciente profusión de noticias, comentarios y propuestas acerca de una nueva ''Reforma a la salud'' se presentan unas breves reflexiones sobre algunos aspectos relacionados con el tema, en las que se incluyen: consideraciones sobre algunos asuntos semánticos de la Ley 100, la importancia que para mejorar la salud de la población tienen los determinantes sociales de la salud ajenos a la medicina, el escenario contradictorio y costoso que se instauró con el actual sistema y los inconvenientes derivados de la medicalización que caracteriza nuestro sistema de Seguridad Social, pues hacen que este descuide otros de sus componentes importantes.

In view of the overwhelming amount of news, statements and proposals concerning the new Colombian ''Health Reform'', some commentaries are presented in this article regarding conflictive semantic issues of the law that created the Colombian Social Security System, the impact of different social issues on public health, the contradictory and expensive scenario of the current Colombian health system, and the improvisation and difficulties in implementing such law, which have contributed to neglect in other important aspects of the Social Security System.

INTRODUCCIÓN: a pesar de que la implementación de la ley 100 de 1993 ha desencadenado profundos cambios en la prestación de servicios de atención médica y en las condiciones laborales del personal asistencial, hay pocos estudios en nuestro medio que exploren este último impacto. El presente trabajo tiene como propósito describir la situación actual de los pediatras generales y subespecialistas en Antioquia en el período 2004-2005, con énfasis en los factores sociales, laborales y económicos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: del cruce de las bases de datos de la Sociedad de Pediatría de Antioquia y de algunas casas farmacéuticas se obtuvo un universo de 321 pediatras de los cuales se encuestaron en forma aleatoria 220. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: el perfil resultante muestra un hombre (53,2%) o una mujer (46,8%) de 44,6 años, egresado predominantemente de la universidad pública local (70,2%) que trabaja en el área metropolitana (94%), en una institución de carácter privado (56,8%) y en un segundo o tercer nivel de atención. Labora 8,62 horas al día, 5,51 días a la semana y realiza turnos nocturnos en el 55,8% de los casos. El 43% devenga mensualmente menos de 4.000.000,oo pesos por su actividad como pediatra y se siente satisfecho con su profesión pero no con el pago que recibe ni con la carga horaria. Su familia le reclama mayor presencia en el hogar, es sedentario y accede en forma irregular a la educación médica continuada. Este estudio constituye un acercamiento a las condiciones específicas de la pediatría en Antioquia y convendría reproducirlo en otras especialidades y regiones del país.

BACKGROUND : Even though the implementation of the Law 100 of 1993 has given rise to profound changes in the medical attention services and working conditions of health service personnel, there are few studies that explore the impact on the latter. The purpose of the present study was to describe the current situation of pediatricians and pediatric Antioquia during the 2004-2005 period , with emphasis on social, workrelated and economic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crossing the data bases of the Pediatrics Society of Antioquia and some pharmaceutical companies, a universe of 321 pediatricians was obtained, from which 220 were randomly interviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The resulting profile yielded a man (53.2%) or a woman (46.8%) aged 44.6 years, who graduated from the public local university (70.2%), works in the metropolitan area (94%), in a private institution (56.8%) on a second or third level health service. He/she has a work load of 8 ,62 hours a day, 5.51 days a week and works night shifts in 58.8% of cases. 43% earn less than 4.000.000,oo pesos (Colombian pesos) for their activity as pediatricians and they feel satisfied with their professional activity, but not with the salary received or the hourly work load intensity. Families demand that more time is spent at home. These pediatricians are sedentary and regularly take part in continued medical education activities. This study constitutes an approach to the specific conditions of pediatrics in Antioquia and should be reproduced in other specialties and places throughout the country.