Abstract Background Chagas’ disease (CD) is an important cause of heart transplantation (HT). The main obstacle is Chagas’ disease reactivation (CDR), usually associated to high doses of immunosuppressants. Previous studies have suggested an association of mycophenolate mofetil with increased CDR. However, mortality predictors are unknown. Objectives To identify mortality risk factors in heart transplant patients with CD and the impact of antiproliferative regimen on survival. Methods Retrospective study with CD patients who underwent HT between January 2004 and September 2020, under immunosuppression protocol that prioritized azathioprine and change to mycophenolate mofetil in case of rejection. We performed univariate regression to identify mortality predictors; and compared survival, rejection and evidence of CDR between who received azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and those who changed from azathioprine to mycophenolate mofetil after discharge (“Change” group). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Eighty-five patients were included, 54.1% men, median age 49 (39-57) years, and 91.8% were given priority in waiting list. Nineteen (22.4%) used azathioprine, 37 (43.5%) mycophenolate mofetil and 29 (34.1%) switched therapy; survival was not different between groups, 2.9 (1.6-5.0) x 2.9 (1.8-4.8) x 4.2 (2.0-5.0) years, respectively; p=0.4. There was no difference in rejection (42%, 73% and 59% respectively; p=0.08) or in CDR (T. cruzi positive by endomyocardial biopsy 5% x 11% x 7%; p=0.7; benznidazole use 58% x 65% x 69%; p=0.8; positive PCR for T. cruzi 20% x 68% x 42% respectively; p=0.1) rates. Conclusions This retrospective study did not show difference in survival in heart transplant patients with CD receiving different antiproliferative regimens. Mycophenolate mofetil was not associated with statistically higher rates of CDR or graft rejection in this cohort. New randomized clinical trials are necessary to address this issue.

Resumo Fundamento A Doença de Chagas (DC) é uma causa importante de transplante cardíaco (TC). O principal obstáculo é a reativação da DC (RDC), normalmente associada a altas doses de imunossupressores. Estudos anteriores sugeriram uma associação do micofenolato de mofetila com aumento na RDC. No entanto, preditores de mortalidade são desconhecidos. Objetivos Identificar os fatores de risco de mortalidade em pacientes com DC após o TC e o impacto do regime antiproliferativo sobre a sobrevida. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo com pacientes chagásicos submetidos ao TC entre janeiro de 2004 e setembro de 2020, em protocolo de imunossupressão que priorizava o uso de azatioprina e sua mudança para micofenolato de mofetila em caso de rejeição. Realizamos regressão univariada para identificar preditores de mortalidade e comparamos sobrevida, rejeição, e evidência RDC entre os pacientes que usavam azatioprina, micofenolato de mofetila, e aqueles que mudaram de azatioprina para micofenolato (grupo “Mudança”) após a alta. Um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Foram incluídos 85 pacientes, 54,1% homens, idade mediana 49 (39-57) anos, e 91,8% com prioridade na lista de espera. Dezenove (22,4%) usavam azatioprina, 37 (43,5%) micofenolato de mofetila, e 29 (34,1%) trocaram a terapia; a sobrevida não foi diferente entre os grupos, 2,9 (1,6-5,0) x 2,9 (1,8-4,8) x 4,2 (2,0-5,0) anos, respectivamente; p=0,4. Não houve diferença na taxa de rejeição (42%, 73% e 59% respectivamente; p=0,08) ou de RDC (T. cruzi positiva na biópsia endomiocárdica 5% x 11% x 7%; p=0,7; uso benzonidazol 58% x 65% x 69%; p=0,8; PCR positiva para T. cruzi 20% x 68% x 42% respectivamente; p=0,1). Conclusões Este estudo retrospectivo com pacientes com DC e TC não mostrou diferença na sobrevida entre os diferentes regimes antiproliferativos. O uso de micofenolato de mofetila não foi associado com taxas significativamente mais altas de RDC ou rejeição do enxerto nesta coorte. Novos ensaios randomizados são necessários para abordar essa questão.

Abstract Public health policies are crucial for the well-being of the general population; however, the health systems of developed countries still do not include oral health in its system. Thus, it is necessary to understand the process of decision-making in oral health policies to create opportunities for countries to achieve an overall positive health outcome, including oral health. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the inclusion of oral health on the political agenda in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The study sample involved decision-makers at political, technical, and academic levels. The extracted data were analyzed using the software Maxqda® and Kingdon´s theoretical model; defining interactive variables that produce a “window of opportunity” to define the agenda and the insertion of theme in formulating public policies. The decision-making process regarding oral health is influenced by many factors like the need to improve the overall oral health of the population, identified through national epidemiological studies, and the importance of individuals in positions involving political decision-making, who advocate for oral health. Strategies were developed in partnership with the academy that focused on the health rights of the population provided by law; territorial and national programs were also developed. The inclusion and creation of oral health policies depend on actors who advocate for thematic and scientific evidence to support decision-making. A close relationship between academia and stakeholders and knowledge translation is important for the development of public policies that can be effective for health systems. wellbeing well being however system Thus decisionmaking decision making outcome Brazil Colombia Chile decisionmakers makers technical levels Maxqda Kingdons Kingdon s model window opportunity studies decisionmaking, making, law decisionmaking. making.

Abstract Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Brazil. An understanding of how public policies are implemented to address this problem can contribute to the construction of solutions. The “Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade” (PMAQ-AB and PMAQ-CEO) at the level of primary and secondary care are evaluations that also collect data on prevention and monitoring strategies for oral cancer. This study aimed to analyze the results of the incorporation of oral health teams to evaluate the strategies adopted by Brazil regarding the impact on the diagnosis of oral cancer. Of the 17,202 family health teams evaluated, 72.10% had oral health teams (OHT). Considering the strategies for prevention, screening, campaign, and follow-up of suspected cases, 72.27% of the campaign teams and 59.09% of the teams who accompanied suspected cases had OHT. In secondary care, more than 65% of the teams in the Southeast and South regions registered cases of oral cancer, and the referral network was more represented. The inclusion of OHT had a positive impact on campaign actions, follow-up, referral to specialists, and registration of suspected cases throughout Brazil.

This “short communication” describes the possibilities of using Teleodontology to expand and qualify health care in oral health care networks. WHO already recommended to its member countries, including Brazil, even before the pandemic, the use of Telehealth as a strategy to improve the quality of its services, especially in the context of universal health systems, as the Unified Health System In the current context, Teleodontology opens opportunities for oral health to resume the offer of various services, remotely, such as: 1. tracking, active search, monitoring users of priority groups, at risk and with systemic problems, monitoring of suspected cases of COVID-19 and its contacts, via telemonitoration; 2. initial listening, individual and collective educational activities, among others, through teleorientation; 3. discussion of clinical cases to define the opportune moment to perform operative procedures among professionals of different levels of care, matrix support, sharing and soluting doubts between professionals or between professionals and teaching and research institutions, through teleconsulting, among others . In addition to a literature review on Teleodontology in the context of the pandemic, an important contribution of this “short communication” is the conceptualization of the terms used and possibilities they offer to SUS professionals, in addition to specifying the possible protocols for recording these activities, in order to provide service managers with secure data for monitoring and evaluating the work process. In addition, we bring a brief discussion with some promising experiences, carried out in the pre- and trans-pandemic context, which can consolidate themselves as important strategies for the resumption of oral health in the post-pandemic scenario.

Este “short communication” descreve as possibilidades de utilização da Teleodontologia para ampliação e qualificação do cuidado em saúde nas redes de atenção à saúde bucal. A OMS já recomendava aos seus países membros, mesmo antes da pandemia, o Telessaúde como estratégia para melhorar a qualidade dos serviços, especialmente nos sistemas universais, como é o caso do Sistema Único de Saúde. A Teleodontologia abre oportunidades para que a saúde bucal retome a oferta de diversos serviços, de forma remota, como: 1. rastreamento, busca ativa, monitoramento de usuários prioritários, de risco e com problemas sistêmicos, de suspeitas de COVID-19 e contactantes, através do Telemonitamento; 2. escuta inicial, atividades educativas individuais ou coletivas, através da Teleorientação; 3. discussão de casos clínicos para a definição da oportunidade/necessidade de procedimentos operatórios, matriciamento, compartilhamento, solução de dúvidas entre profissionais e entre estes e instituições de ensino e pesquisa, por Teleconsultorias, entre outros. Além de uma revisão sobre a Teleodontologia no contexto da pandemia, conceituamos os termos utilizados e possibilidades que oferecem aos profissionais do SUS, além de especificar os protocolos possíveis para registro dessas atividades, a fim de fornecer dados seguros para seu monitoramento e avaliação. Ademais, trazemos uma breve discussão com experiências promissoras, realizadas nos contextos pré e trans pandemia, que podem ser importantes estratégias para a retomada da saúde bucal no cenário pós pandemia.

Abstract This paper describes the possibilities of using Teledentistry to expand and qualify health care in oral health care networks. WHO already recommended to its member countries, even before the pandemic, Telehealth as a strategy to improve the quality of services, especially in universal systems, as the Unified Health System (SUS). Teledentistry opens opportunities for oral health to resume the provision of various services, remotely, such as: 1) Tracking, active search, monitoring of priority users, those at risk and with systemic problems, suspicions of COVID-19 and contacts, through Telemonitation; 2) Initial listening, individual or collective educational activities, through Teleorientation; 3) Discussion of clinical cases for the definition of the opportunity / need for operative procedures, matrix support, sharing, solution of doubts among professionals and between these and teaching and research institutions, by Teleconsulting, among others. In addition to a review of Teledentistry in the context of the pandemic, we conceptualized the terms used and possibilities offered to SUS professionals, in addition to specifying the possible protocols for recording these activities to provide safe data for their monitoring and evaluation. Besides, we bring a brief discussion with promising experiences, carried out in the pre- and trans-pandemic contexts, which can be important strategies for the resumption of oral health in the post-pandemic scenario.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the population that reports to have visited tobacco points of sale (POS) in Argentina and their perception of tobacco advertising. Materials and methods: We used data from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey. Results: We included 31 167 respondents (96% of the total) who attended a store that sells cigarettes in the previous 30 days. Overall, 54.1% (67.3% of current smokers, 55.1% of former smokers and 49% of non smokers) referred having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Males (OR=1.2) and current smokers (OR=1.9 vs. non smokers) were more likely to report having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Those who were exposed to second hand smoke in bars and restaurants (OR=1.2) were also more likely to have seen advertising. We found that younger people (age 18 - 24) were more likely to be exposed (OR=2.8 vs older than 65). Among smokers, those who referred to have seen the advertising were more likely to have tried to quit smoking during the previous year. Conclusions: It is important to regulate advertising at the POS to limit exposure, particularly among young people.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir las características de la población que refiere haber acudido a los puntos de venta (PV) de tabaco en relación con la percepción de la publicidad en Argentina. Material y métodos: Se analizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo de 2013. Resultados: Se incluyeron 31 167 encuestados que acudieron a comercios donde venden cigarrillos en los últimos 30 días. De éstos, 54.1% dijo haber visto publicidad de cigarrillos. Los varones (RM=1.2) y los fumadores actuales (RM=1.9 vs. no fumador) tuvieron más posibilidad de percibirla. Aquéllos que refirieron estar expuestos al humo de tabaco en bares y restaurantes (RM= 1.2) tuvieron más posibilidad de ver publicidad de tabaco en los puntos de venta. Hubo un gradiente en relación con la edad: los jóvenes de 18 a 24 fueron más susceptibles a referir exposición (RM=2.8 vs >65 años). Entre los fumadores, aquéllos que percibieron publicidad refirieron con mayor frecuencia haber intentado dejar de fumar en el último año. Conclusiones: Es importante que la regulación de la publicidad en los PV sea más estricta para limitar la exposición a la publicidad, particularmente en los jóvenes.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the population that reports to have visited tobacco points of sale (POS) in Argentina and their perception of tobacco advertising. Materials and methods: We used data from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey. Results: We included 31 167 respondents (96% of the total) who attended a store that sells cigarettes in the previous 30 days. Overall, 54.1% (67.3% of current smokers, 55.1% of former smokers and 49% of non smokers) referred having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Males (OR=1.2) and current smokers (OR=1.9 vs. non smokers) were more likely to report having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Those who were exposed to second hand smoke in bars and restaurants (OR=1.2) were also more likely to have seen advertising. We found that younger people (age 18 - 24) were more likely to be exposed (OR=2.8 vs older than 65). Among smokers, those who referred to have seen the advertising were more likely to have tried to quit smoking during the previous year. Conclusions: It is important to regulate advertising at the POS to limit exposure, particularly among young people.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir las características de la población que refiere haber acudido a los puntos de venta (PV) de tabaco en relación con la percepción de la publicidad en Argentina. Material y métodos: Se analizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo de 2013. Resultados: Se incluyeron 31 167 encuestados que acudieron a comercios donde venden cigarrillos en los últimos 30 días. De éstos, 54.1% dijo haber visto publicidad de cigarrillos. Los varones (RM=1.2) y los fumadores actuales (RM=1.9 vs. no fumador) tuvieron más posibilidad de percibirla. Aquéllos que refirieron estar expuestos al humo de tabaco en bares y restaurantes (RM= 1.2) tuvieron más posibilidad de ver publicidad de tabaco en los puntos de venta. Hubo un gradiente en relación con la edad: los jóvenes de 18 a 24 fueron más susceptibles a referir exposición (RM=2.8 vs >65 años). Entre los fumadores, aquéllos que percibieron publicidad refirieron con mayor frecuencia haber intentado dejar de fumar en el último año. Conclusiones: Es importante que la regulación de la publicidad en los PV sea más estricta para limitar la exposición a la publicidad, particularmente en los jóvenes.

Introducción: La obesidad puede entenderse como el resultado de personas respondiendo normalmente al contexto obesogénico en el que se encuentran inmersas. Objetivo: Describir la situación epidemiológica de la obesidad y el sobrepeso en adultos y adolescentes en la Argentina. Material y métodos: Se estimó la prevalencia de obesidad y sobrepeso y factores asociados en adultos y estudiantes de 13 a 15 años a partir de datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo (ENFR) de enfermedades no transmisibles y de la Encuesta Mundial de Salud Escolar. Resultados: En 2013, la prevalencia de sobrepeso (37,1%) y de obesidad (20,8%) fue mayor que la observada en ediciones previas de la ENFR. Ambos indicadores fueron más frecuentes en varones y en personas de mayor edad. El nivel educativo y de ingresos se asoció en forma independiente con una prevalencia mayor de obesidad en mujeres. En adolescentes, en 2012, la prevalencia de sobrepeso fue del 22,8% y la de obesidad, del 5,9%. Esta última fue mayor en estudiantes con madres con primario incompleto (8,9% vs. 4,6% en hijos de mujeres con secundario completo, p = 0,002). Conclusiones: Son necesarias acciones multisectoriales de gran escala para frenar la tendencia en aumento de la epidemia de obesidad. Aunque la evidencia aún es escasa, se han propuesto varias estrategias poblacionales: campañas de comunicación y educación, regulación del precio de alimentos mediante subsidios o impuestos, etiquetado y advertencias sanitarias, regulación de la publicidad dirigida a niños y adolescentes, mejoras en el entorno alimentario escolar y laboral, reformulación de productos ultraprocesados, entre otros.

Diarrhea is a frequent and potentially severe complication of kidney transplantation. We describe here, in a cross-sectional study, the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of acute and persistent diarrhea in 52 inpatients with kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant in a hospital in Buenos Aires, 42 (80.8%) of whom had received a kidney and 10 (19.2%) a kidney-pancreas transplant. Diarrhea was the reason of admission of 34 cases (65.4%). The etiology could be studied in 50 patients: 25 (50%) had no etiological diagnosis of diarrhea and 18 (36%) had a specific infectious etiology: 3 (6%) cytomegalovirus disease, 6 (12%) diarrhea attributed to cytomegalovirus, 5 (10%) to rotavirus and 4 (8%) to Clostridium difficile. In 7 (14%) diarrhea was attributed to drugs (mycophenolate mofetil and sirolimus). Patients with infectious diarrhea had recently received high doses of immunosuppressive therapy more frequently than the rest (p = 0.048). Those with diarrhea attributed to drugs were more frequently on mycophenolate mofetil than the rest (p = 0.039). Empirical modification of the immunosuppressive treatment was done in 16 (30.8%) and empirical antibiotic therapy was given to 47 patients (90.4%). Median length of hospital stay was 6 days. Seven patients (14.6%) persisted with diarrhea at the fifth day of admission. At hospital discharge all cases had complete resolution of symptoms and one third persisted with kidney failure. Information provided in this study can be useful as a starting point for improving preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures in these patients.

La diarrea es una complicación frecuente y potencialmente grave del trasplante renal. Se describen aquí, en un estudio de corte transversal, las características epidemiológicas y microbiológicas de la diarrea aguda y persistente en pacientes internados con trasplante renal o reno-páncreas. Se incluyeron 52 pacientes internados en un hospital de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 42 (80.8%) habían recibido un trasplante renal y 10 (19.2%) reno-páncreas. La diarrea fue el motivo de ingreso en 34 casos (65.4%). La etiología de la diarrea pudo estudiarse en 50 pacientes: en 25 (50%) no se arribó a un diagnóstico etiológico y en 18 (36%) se constató diarrea con causa microbiológica específica: 3 (6%) enfermedad por citomegalovirus, 6 (12%) diarrea atribuida a citomegalovirus, 5 (10%) a rotavirus y 4 (8%) a Clostridium difficile. En 7 (14%) la diarrea fue atribuida a fármacos (mofetil micofenolato y sirolimus). Aquellos con diarrea con causa microbiológica habían recibido recientemente inmunosupresores a altas dosis con mayor frecuencia que el resto (p = 0.048). Los pacientes con diarrea atribuida a fármacos recibían más frecuentemente mofetil micofenolato (p = 0.039). En 16 (30.8%) se realizaron modificaciones de los inmunosupresores como medida terapéutica, y a 47 (90.4%) se les indicó antibioticoterapia empírica. La mediana de duración de internación fue de 6 días y 7 pacientes (14.6%) persistieron con diarrea al quinto día. Todos tuvieron resolución de la diarrea al alta y un tercio persistió con insuficiencia renal. La información de este estudio puede servir para mejorar las medidas preventivas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas en estos pacientes.

Influenza epidemics cause not only both morbidity and mortality but also have a great socio-economic impact. Occasionally, influenza infections become pandemics, such as the case of the last influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus outbreak. Taking into account the current available evidence, and being the flu syndrome a main cause of epidemiologic impact of maximum relevance for health services managers, the evaluation of health and social resources use and its associated costs should be a priority. With the objective of addressing that need, this study was set in motion. Its research protocol is presented in this manuscript. It is an observational, longitudinal and multicentric study, that aims to compare the sanitary costs with those derived from loss of productivity; as well as to estimate the incremental costs and cost-utility of prevention and treatments interventions; in both hospitalized and outpatients. Socio-demographic and clinical variables, use of resources and health status of patients will be collected (baseline and follow-up evaluations). Analyses will be conducted from the society prospective, and incidence approach. Unitary costs will be imputed to the use frequency for the monetary assessment. Incremental costs of prevention strategies and treatments will also be calculated. Cost-utility will be estimated from the loss of utility; and also loss of quality-adjusted life years will be analyzed. Our study will contribute with original information for estimating the economic impact of flu, and help health management decision making.

Las epidemias de gripe son causa de morbi-mortalidad y tienen un gran impacto socio-económico. Ocasionalmente, los brotes de gripe generan pandemias. La última originada por el virus de la Gripe (H1N1)2009. Teniendo en cuenta la evidencia actualmente disponible y siendo la gripe una de las enfermedades de mayor impacto epidemiológico y máxima relevancia en la gestión de los servicios sanitarios, la evaluación de la utilización de recursos socio-sanitarios y sus costes asociados debería ser prioritaria. Con el objetivo de dar respuesta a esta necesidad se puso en marcha este estudio, cuyo protocolo de investigación se detalla en este manuscrito. Se trata de un estudio observacional, longitudinal y multicéntrico que pretende comparar los costes sanitarios con los derivados de la pérdida de productividad, así como estimar los costes incrementales y el coste-utilidad de las intervenciones de prevención y tratamiento, todo ello en pacientes hospitalizados y ambulatorios. Se recogerá (evaluación basal y seguimiento) información sociodemográfica, clínica, de utilización de recursos socio-sanitarios y estado de salud. Los análisis se realizarán bajo la perspectiva de la sociedad y el enfoque de la incidencia. Para la valoración monetaria se imputará el coste unitario a la frecuencia de utilización. Se calcularán los costes incrementales de las estrategias de prevención y tratamiento. El coste-utilidad se estimará a partir de la pérdida de utilidad y se analizará la pérdida global de años de vida ajustados por calidad. Nuestro estudio aportará información original que permitirá estimar el impacto económico de la gripe y ayudará en la toma de decisiones en la gestión sanitaria.

Influenza epidemics cause not only both morbidity and mortality but also have a great socio-economic impact. Occasionally, influenza infections become pandemics, such as the case of the last influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus outbreak. Taking into account the current available evidence, and being the flu syndrome a main cause of epidemiologic impact of maximum relevance for health services managers, the evaluation of health and social resources use and its associated costs should be a priority. With the objective of addressing that need, this study was set in motion. Its research protocol is presented in this manuscript. It is an observational, longitudinal and multicentric study, that aims to compare the sanitary costs with those derived from loss of productivity; as well as to estimate the incremental costs and cost-utility of prevention and treatments interventions; in both hospitalized and outpatients. Socio-demographic and clinical variables, use of resources and health status of patients will be collected (baseline and follow-up evaluations). Analyses will be conducted from the society prospective, and incidence approach. Unitary costs will be imputed to the use frequency for the monetary assessment. Incremental costs of prevention strategies and treatments will also be calculated. Cost-utility will be estimated from the loss of utility; and also loss of quality-adjusted life years will be analyzed. Our study will contribute with original information for estimating the economic impact of flu, and help health management decision making.

Las epidemias de gripe son causa de morbi-mortalidad y tienen un gran impacto socio-económico. Ocasionalmente, los brotes de gripe generan pandemias. La última originada por el virus de la Gripe (H1N1)2009. Teniendo en cuenta la evidencia actualmente disponible y siendo la gripe una de las enfermedades de mayor impacto epidemiológico y máxima relevancia en la gestión de los servicios sanitarios, la evaluación de la utilización de recursos socio-sanitarios y sus costes asociados debería ser prioritaria. Con el objetivo de dar respuesta a esta necesidad se puso en marcha este estudio, cuyo protocolo de investigación se detalla en este manuscrito. Se trata de un estudio observacional, longitudinal y multicéntrico que pretende comparar los costes sanitarios con los derivados de la pérdida de productividad, así como estimar los costes incrementales y el coste-utilidad de las intervenciones de prevención y tratamiento, todo ello en pacientes hospitalizados y ambulatorios. Se recogerá (evaluación basal y seguimiento) información sociodemográfica, clínica, de utilización de recursos socio-sanitarios y estado de salud. Los análisis se realizarán bajo la perspectiva de la sociedad y el enfoque de la incidencia. Para la valoración monetaria se imputará el coste unitario a la frecuencia de utilización. Se calcularán los costes incrementales de las estrategias de prevención y tratamiento. El coste-utilidad se estimará a partir de la pérdida de utilidad y se analizará la pérdida global de años de vida ajustados por calidad. Nuestro estudio aportará información original que permitirá estimar el impacto económico de la gripe y ayudará en la toma de decisiones en la gestión sanitaria.

The purpose of this study is to describe the limiting life-sustaining treatment process of patients admitted to a general ward. A prospective descriptive study was designed. The setting was the general ward of universitary hospital. Study participants were patients assisted by the internal medicine department during a 60- consecutive days period who had limitations of life sustaining treatments. During the study period, 402 patients were hospitalized, 62 (15%) of them had limitations of life support care. The median patient age of the last group was 86 years (78-90), 66% were women and the length of stay was 12 days (8-18). A low quality of life was the most frequent cause of limitation (69%). Information about the limitations was provided to 43 families (69%) and 8 patients (13%). The primary care physician participated in the decision in 50% of the cases, while the attending physician, the resident in charge, patient's family and patients themselves participated in 50%, 40%, 42% and 11% of the cases respectively. The decision of limiting life-sustaining treatments was recorded in seven patient's charts (11%). Seventeen (27%) patients with limitations died during the hospital stay while 44 (71%) were discharged. In conclusion, we found a frequent life sustaining treatment limitation in our patients. These decisions did not follow a uniform or systemized process. The need of guidelines to sort the medical and ethical challenges imposed to the medical team is undeniable.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el proceso de limitación de los esfuerzos terapéuticos (LET) en los pacientes internados en una sala general. Para ello se realizó un estudio prospectivo descriptivo, desarrollado en la sala de internación general de un hospital universitario. Fueron evaluados pacientes que tuviesen alguna LET, asistidos por el servicio de clínica médica en un período de 60 días consecutivos. Durante el mismo se hospitalizaron 402 pacientes, 62 (15%) tuvieron algún tipo de LET. Este último grupo estaba compuesto por un 66% de mujeres, la mediana de edad fue de 86 años (78-90) y de la duración de hospitalización de 12 días (8-18). La mala calidad de vida fue la causa más frecuente de LET (69%). Se brindó información acerca de las limitaciones a 43 familias (69%) y 8 pacientes (13%). En la decisión participaron el médico de cabecera (50%), médicos de planta (50%), residentes (40%), la familia (42%) y los propios pacientes (11%). En 7 casos hubo constancia en la historia clínica (11%). Diecisiete pacientes (27%) con LET fallecieron durante la internación, mientras que 44 (71%) fueron dados de alta. En conclusión, la limitación de esfuerzos terapéuticos en nuestros pacientes constituyó un hecho frecuente. No se logró identificar un proceso uniforme o sistematizado para la toma de la decisión de LET. Resulta innegable la necesidad de normativas que guíen al equipo de salud en la toma de decisiones, tranquilicen a familiares y acompañen a los pacientes en sus reales necesidades.