ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to measure quality of life (QOL) impairment in individuals currently suffering from Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) and to determine the correlation of GO-specific QOL scores with disease severity and activity. Subjects and methods Seventy three GO-specific QOL surveys were prospectively analysed and compared with GO status. The GO-specific QOL survey was translated into Spanish and applied to Argentine patients with Graves’ disease (GD). Results were compared with presence or absence of GO, Clinical Activity Score (CAS), severity score, age, gender and thyroid function. Results Fifty-six patients answered the survey and underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, 15 did not have GO and were considered to be a control group. Appearance QOL score for patients with GO (53 ± 31.4) was lower than the control group (88.3 ± 17) (p < 0,000), no difference was observed in functional QOL score. There was a negative correlation between GO severity and both functional (r = -0.575; p < 0.000) and appearance QOL (r = -0.577; p < 0.000). Functional QOL differed between patients with active GO vs control group (p = 0.043). Patients with active and inactive GO had lower appearance QOL scores than control group (p < 0.000, p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions GO has significant impact on the life of these Argentine patients. QOL was worse in GO patients than in control group, functional QOL was mostly affected by the activity and appearance QOL was mainly altered by the effects of the disease. Patients with more severe GO had lower scores on both QOL scales.

Cervical lymph node metastases are usually present in a high number of cases with papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, many studies have shown that not all lymph node metastases have the same impact on the outcome of this disease. Argentina, Chile, and Brazil have recently changed their differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) guidelines and recommend a different ranking of risk and therapeutic approach according to the number, size, and extension of lymph node metastasis. An analysis of lymph node metastases is presented in this article, which includes their characteristics and impact on DTC. As this analysis was made before the latest publication of the new American Thyroid Association guidelines, some aspects of these guidelines have also been included.

Las metástasis ganglionares regionales del cuello están presentes en un gran porcentaje de los casos con CPT. Sin embargo, en varios trabajos se pudo observar como no todo compromiso ganglionar tiene igual impacto en la evolución de dicha patología. Recientemente en Argentina, Chile y Brasil se modificaron las guías del manejo del CDT y estas recomiendan una estratificación de riesgo y abordaje terapéutico diferente según el número, el tamaño y la extensión del compromiso ganglionar. En esta monografía se analizaron las características de las metástasis ganglionares y su impacto en la evolución del CDT y esto fue realizado previamente a la reciente publicación de las nuevas guías de la ATA. Dada esta situación, se incorporaron a la monografía original algunos aspectos de las guías de ATA.

This prospective study analyzed the frequency of V600E mutation of oncogene BRAF in patients operated for benign thyroid nodules and for papillary thyroid cancer in an Argentine population. In patients with papillary thyroid cancer we compared clinicopathological characteristics between those harboring BRAF mutation and those without it. Twenty five consecutive patients operated for benign nodules and for papillary carcinoma were prospectively included. Fresh tissue samples of thyroid nodules and of adjacent thyroid parenchyma were obtained. DNA was extracted and amplified by amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS PCR). Direct sequencing was performed in four samples. Of those patients operated for papillary thyroid cancer, 77% harbored BRAF mutation. All samples from adjacent thyroid parenchyma and from patients operated for benign nodules tested negative for the mutation. Direct sequencing confirmed the results obtained by ARMS PCR. Patients with BRAF mutation were significantly older at the time of diagnosis (BRAF+ 47.7 ± 12.7 years vs. BRAF- 24.7 ± 8.1 years, p < 0.01). Nine out of ten papillary carcinomas with BRAF mutation corresponded to the classic histological subtype, which was not observed in BRAF negative tumors (p < 0.02). In conclusion, we found a high frequency of BRAF V600E mutation in this population of patients operated for papillary thyroid carcinoma in Argentina. These results are consistent with those reported in the literature.

Este estudio prospectivo analizó en una población argentina la frecuencia de la mutación V600E del oncogén BRAF en pacientes operados por nódulos tiroideos benignos y por carcinoma papilar de tiroides. En estos últimos se compararon las características clínicas y anatomopatológicas en relación a la presencia o ausencia de la mutación. Se estudiaron prospectivamente 25 pacientes consecutivos operados en nuestra institución. Se obtuvieron muestras histológicas de tejido nodular y el adyacente no nodular en fresco. Se extrajo ADN, se amplificó según técnica amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS PCR). Se efectuó secuenciación directa del gen en 4 muestras. El 77% de los operados por carcinoma papilar resultaron BRAF+. Todas las muestras de tejido adyacente no tumoral y de los nódulos benignos fueron negativas para la mutación. La secuenciación directa confirmó los resultados obtenidos por ARMS PCR en las muestras en que fue efectuada. Los pacientes BRAF+ presentaron mayor edad al diagnóstico vs. aquellos BRAF- (47.7 ± 12.7 vs 24.7 ± 8.1 años, p < 0.01). Nueve de diez carcinomas papilares de tiroides con mutación de BRAF correspondieron a la variante histológica clásica, la cual no se observó en los tumores BRAF- (p < 0.02). En conclusión, comunicamos una elevada frecuencia de mutación V600E del oncogén BRAF en pacientes operados por carcinoma papilar de tiroides en Argentina. Estos resultados son acordes a lo referido en la bibliografía.

La tirotoxicosis tiene múltiples etiologías y manifestaciones clínicas, así como distintas opciones terapéuticas. El apropiado tratamiento dependerá de un diagnóstico certero y también de la preferencia y características clínicas de cada paciente individual. En este artículo se describe una guía clínica basada en la evidencia para el tratamiento del hipertiroidismo por Enfermedad de Graves, dirigida a médicos generalistas, clínicos, endocrinólogos y otros especialistas que traten a pacientes con Enfermedad de Graves. Métodos: El desarrollo de la guía se llevó a cabo por expertos médicos endocrinólogos miembros de la Sociedades filiales de la Federación Argentina de Endocrinología y Metabolismo. El grupo de trabajo conformado examinó la literatura utilizando una búsqueda sistemática en Pubmed y Cochrane. La evidencia recolectada junto con la experiencia y conocimiento de los expertos fue utilizada para el desarrollo de cinco tópicos principales con sus respectivas recomendaciones. La fuerza de las recomendaciones y la calidad de la evidencia que respalda a cada una de ellas fueron clasificadas en forma sistemática por el grupo de expertos y se detalla en el texto. Resultados: Los cinco tópicos principales desarrollados en esta guía para la Enfermedad de Graves incluyen el tratamiento con drogas antitiroideas y sus efectos adversos, el tratamiento con Iodo 131 y el tratamiento quirúrgico, así como el tratamiento adyuvante con b-bloqueantes, compuestos iodados, corticoides, litio y perclorato. Conclusiones: Se desarrollaron en total 47 recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia para el tratamiento de los pacientes con Enfermedad de Graves hipertiroideos.

Hip fracture in the aged population constitutes a growing problem for health systems at a global level because of its economic and social impact. Objectives: to assess discharges for hip fracture in adults over the age of 55 reported to the Ministry of Health of Argentina during the years 2000, 2006, 2007 and 2008; analyze the effect of age and sex on the incidence of hip fractures and its variability over time. Materials and Methods: The discharge data for hip fractures in patients over 55 years were obtained from registers of the Ministry of Health of Argentina. We calculated the Discharge Rate (DR) by hip fractures, DR of fractures stratified by sex (♀: female, ♂: male) and age; the Annual Growth Rate (AGR). Statistics: Student test and Chi square test. Results and Conclusions: Hip fracture in public hospitals in Argentina in the evaluated years reached an average of 5700 discharges per year, with a DR 280/100000. The.♀/♂ ratio was 2.3. The average discharge age was 78.7 years, significantly lower in men in relation to women. The relationship ^/c? increased three times with age. The age was a strong determinant of fracture so the DR was 2800/100000 in people older than 75 years. The AGR was 1.4 %. Cervical fracture was the most frequent, and increased progressively with age; the trochanteric remained stable in the younger age groups and increased in people over 75 years. Both were more common in women. This is the first trial on hip fracture data in Argentina. Given population aging hip fracture will become a progressively larger burden on public health.

La fractura de cadera en población añosa constituye un problema creciente para los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial debido a su elevado impacto econámico y social. Objetivos: Evaluar los egresos por fractura de cadera en adultos mayores de 55 años informados al Ministerio de Salud de la Nación durante los años 2000, 2006, 2007 y 2008. Analizar el efecto de la edad y sexo sobre la incidencia de fracturas de cadera, los tipos de fractura y su variabilidad en el tiempo. Materiales y Métodos: Se obtuvieron los datos de egresos por fracturas de cadera en pacientes mayores de 55 años registrados en el Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Se calculá la Tasa de Egresos (TE) por fracturas de cadera, la TE estratificada por sexo (♀: mujer, ♂: varán) y edad; Tasa de Crecimiento Interanual (TCI). Estadística: test de Chi cuadrado y test T de Student para datos no apareados. Resultados y Conclusiones: La fractura de cadera en los hospitales públicos de la Argentina durante los años evaluados, alcanzá un promedio de 5700 egresos/año, con una TE 280/100000. La relación ♀/♂ fue de 2,3. La edad de egreso promedio fue de 78,7 años siendo significativamente menor en los hombres en relación a las mujeres. La relación ♀/♂ aumentá tres veces con la edad. La edad fue un fuerte determinante de las fracturas, siendo la TE de 2800/100000 en los individuos mayores de 75 años. La TCI fue de 1,4 %. La fractura cervical de fémur fue la más frecuente, y fue aumentando progresivamente con la edad; la fractura de trocánter se mantuvo estable en los grupos de menor edad y solo aumentá en los mayores de 75 años. Ambos tipos de fractura predominaron en las mujeres. Este es el primer trabajo que establece datos sobre fractura de cadera en la Argentina. Con el envejecimiento de la población, la fractura de cadera se convertirá en una carga progresivamente mayor para los sistemas de salud.

Vários consensos têm sido publicados acerca do diagnóstico e do tratamento de nódulos e câncer da tireoide. Entretanto, as recentes recomendações nem sempre são apropriadas para diferentes regiões ou países. O objetivo deste trabalho foi oferecer uma série de recomendações para a avaliação e conduta de pacientes portadores de nódulos tireoideos aplicáveis a todos os países da América Latina. O trabalho foi realizado por um comitê composto por 13 membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide envolvidos com pesquisa e manejo de pacientes portadores de nódulos e carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide, de diferentes centros médicos da América Latina. As recomendações foram estabelecidas, após consenso, utilizando as opiniões especializadas de cada membro e os princípios da medicina baseada em evidência. Após a primeira reunião do grupo, um primeiro documento foi elaborado e encaminhado a todos os membros para revisão. Posteriormente, o documento foi enviado aos membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide para avaliação, sugestões e comentários. A versão final, elaborada após refinada revisão de todos os autores, representa o estado da arte no diagnóstico e na conduta de nódulos tireoideos, aplicáveis a todos os países da América Latina.

Several guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer have recently been published. However, recommended practices are not always appropriate to different settings or countries. The aim of this consensus was to develop Clinical Guidelines for evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules applicable to Latin American countries. The panel was composed by 13 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society involved with research and management of thyroid nodules and cancer from different medical centers in Latin America. The consensus was produced based on the expert opinion of the panel with use of principles of evidence-based medicine. Following a group meeting, a first draft based on the expert opinion of the panel was elaborated and later circulated among panel members for further revision. After revision, this document was submitted to all LATS members for commentaries and considerations and finally revised and refined by the authors. The final recommendations represent state of the art on management of thyroid nodules applied to all Latin American countries.

Estas recomendações tiveram por objetivo o desenvolvimento de diretrizes para avaliação e manejo de pacientes com câncer diferenciado da tiroide em países latino-americanos. Um painel composto por 13 membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide (SLAT) - que estavam envolvidos em pesquisas, e eram peritos no cuidado do paciente com câncer da tiroide e provenientes de diferentes centros médicos latino-americanos - utilizou os princípios da Medicina Baseada em Evidências para produzir esse consenso. Após uma primeira reunião, um texto inicial foi elaborado, baseado em evidências e opiniões dos especialistas do painel e, posteriormente, circulado entre os membros do painel, para revisão. Após a revisão, o documento foi enviado aos membros da SLAT para comentários e considerações e, finalmente, revisado e refinado pelos autores. As recomendações finais aqui apresentadas demonstram o estado da arte no manejo do câncer diferenciado da tireoide aplicadas aos países latino-americanos.

The aims of these recommendations were to develop clinical guidelines for evaluation and management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer applicable to Latin American countries. The panel was composed by 13 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS) involved with research and management of thyroid cancer from different medical centers in Latin America. The recommendations were produced on the basis of the expert opinion of the panel with use of principles of Evidence-Based Medicine. Following a group meeting, a first draft based on evidences and the expert opinions of the panel was elaborated and, later, circulated among panel members, for further revision. After, this document was submitted to the LATS members, for commentaries and considerations, and, finally, revised and refined by the authors. The final recommendations presented in this paper represent the state of the art on management of differentiated thyroid cancer applied to all Latin American countries.