Abstract Introduction: Hereditary angioedema is an infrequent genetic disorder; which mainly manifests with cutaneous and mucosal swelling. Minor trauma may trigger potentially life-threatening events. In type I and II hereditary angioedema, plasma-derived C1-inhibitor concentrate can be used as short-term prophylaxis. For hereditary angioedema, prophylaxis is not yet standardized, but normal C1 inhibitor could be beneficial. Case report: A 69-year-old woman, with a genetic diagnosis of hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor, who needed multiple dental extractions. The surgical procedure was performed under general anesthesia, using 1000 U of plasma-derived C1-inhibitor concentrate as prophylaxis an hour before. The patient was admitted in the ICU for postsurgical care and the outcome was good. Conclusion: We highlight the possibility of successfully using plasma-derived C1-inhibitor concentrate as prophylaxis in patients with hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor.

Resumen Introducción: El angioedema hereditario es una enfermedad genética poco frecuente, que se manifiesta principalmente con edema cutáneo o mucoso. Pequeños traumas pueden producir eventos potencialmente fatales. En angioedema hereditario tipos I y II se puede llevar a cabo profilaxis a corto plazo con concentrado plasmático de inhibidor de C1. La profilaxis aún no está estandarizada, pero el concentrado de inhibidor de C1 normal podría ser beneficioso. Reporte de caso: Mujer de 69 años, con diagnóstico genético de angioedema hereditario con inhibidor de C1 normal, quien necesitaba exodoncias dentarias múltiples. El procedimiento quirúrgico se realizó bajo anestesia general, utilizando como profilaxis 1000 U de concentrado de inhibidor de C1 derivado del plasma una hora antes. Cursó el posoperatorio en terapia intensiva con buena evolución. Conclusión: Resaltamos la posibilidad de utilizar con éxito el concentrado de inhibidor de C1 derivado del plasma como profilaxis en pacientes con angioedema hereditario con inhibidor de C1 normal.

Abstract Background: Asthma is a chronic disease with a great impact on public health and on the patients’ quality of life. In Latin America, there are scarce epidemiological studies. Objective: To describe the prevalence of asthma and the clinical-demographic characteristics in an adult population from a private health system in the City of Buenos Aires. Methods: A cross-sectional study of adults who were enrolled in the medical program of a private health system in Buenos Aires between January 1st, 2017, and January 1st, 2018. All the patients that were included in the study had been diagnosed with asthma. Results: The prevalence of asthma in the adult patients of a prepaid health system in the City of Buenos Aires was of 6 % (n = 66, IC 95 % = 5-7), and the prevalence of severe asthma among the same group was of 5 % (n = 3, IC 95 % = 1-13). Most patients had intermittent and mild asthma. Conclusion: This study provides new data about the epidemiology of asthma in the region.

Resumen Antecedentes: El asma es una enfermedad crónica de gran impacto en la salud pública y en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. En Latinoamérica existen escasos estudios epidemiológicos Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia del asma y las características clínico-demográficas en una población adulta de un sistema de salud privado de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal de adultos afiliados al programa médico de un sistema de salud privado de Buenos Aires, entre el 1 de enero de 2017 y 1 de enero de 2018, con diagnóstico médico de asma. Resultados: La prevalencia de asma en pacientes adultos de un sistema de salud prepago en la ciudad de Buenos Aires fue de 6 % (n = 66, IC 95 % = 5-7) y de asma grave de 5 % (n = 3 IC 95 % = 1-13) La mayoría de los pacientes presentaron asma intermitente y leve. Conclusión: El estudio aporta nuevos datos sobre la epidemiología del asma en la región.

Abstract: Background: In spite of the frequency of chronic urticaria, there are no epidemiological studies on its prevalence in Argentina. Objective: The objective of this study was to define the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of chronic urticaria patients in Buenos Aires. Methods: The population studied were the members of the Italian Hospital Medical Care Program, a prepaid health maintenance organization located in the urban areas around the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. All patients with diagnosis of chronic urticaria members of the Italian Hospital Medical Care Program, and with at least 12 months of follow up were included in the study. All medical records obtained between January 1st, 2012 and December 31, 2014 were analyzed. The prevalence ratio for chronic urticaria per 100,000 population with 95% CI for December 31, 2014 was calculated. The prevalence rate for the entire population and then discriminated for adults and pediatric patients (less than 18 years old at diagnosis) was assessed. Results: 158,926 members were analyzed. A total of 463 cases of chronic urticaria were identified on prevalence date (68 in pediatrics, 395 in adults), yielding a crude point prevalence ratio of 0.29% (CI 95% 0.26-0.31%). The observed prevalence of chronic urticaria in the adult population was 0.34 % (95% CI 0.31-0.38%), while in pediatrics it was 0.15 % (95% CI 0.11-0.20%). Study limitations: the main weakness is that the results were obtained from an HMO and therefore the possibility of selection bias. Conclusions: chronic urticaria is a global condition. Its prevalence in Buenos Aires is comparable with other countries.