Medicina Clinica最新文献

Introduction and objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by oral streptococci is considered to be a 'more benign' IE than those caused by other microorganisms. Our aim is to analyse the changes in its incidence and its differential characteristics in our setting.

Methods: Observational, single-centre, prospective cohort study including all cases of IE diagnosed in our centre between 1987 and 2023. IE caused by oral streptococci were identified and their characteristicsand mortality were compared with those of other IE.

Results: Of 569 cases of IE, 104 (18.5%) were oral streptococcal IE, decreasing from 29.5% in 1987-1999 to 12.2% in 2000-2023 (p<0.001). The incidence of serious complications was lower in oral IE (65.3 vs. 78.9%; p=0.003), as was in-hospital mortality (14.4 vs. 29.9%; p=0.001).

Conclusions: Oral streptococcal IEs account for almost 20% of all IEs in our setting. They have a better prognostic clinical profile, with a lower incidence of serious complications, and their mortality is significantly lower than that of other IE. Their incidence seems to be decreasing in recent years.

Introduction: The treatment of cancer when associated with autoimmune diseases (AID) has been the subject of immunotherapy investigation, especially with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Clinical studies have restricted the evaluation of its use in special populations such as patients with AID, leaving a gap regarding the safety of using immunotherapy.

Objective: Discuss the safety of using ICI in patients with cancer and AID, in specialized oncology units, in the cities of Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: Retrospective and quantitative cross-sectional study on immune-related adverse events (IRAE) to the use of ICI in patients with cancer and AID.

Results: Patients (39 with cancer, and 14 with AID and cancer) were studied. Men (between 30 and 95 years old), melanoma and lung cancer and Hashimoto's thyroiditis were predominance. Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab (anti-PDL-1) were drugs most used. In general, patients using anti-PDL-1 with AID had IRAE with greater frequency and severity: Grade 1 (57%) and 3/4 grades (43%) reactions. The gastrointestinal system presented a greater IRAE in both groups, however in patients with AID more severe reactions were found (0% versus 60%). Patients with cancer and AID had higher rates of IRAE compared to patients without AID, respectively, of discontinuation (50% versus 18%) and interruption (85% versus 20%) of treatment.

Conclusion: IRAE increased in patients using ICI with cancer and AID. This suggests that the presence of IAD, in cancer patients, can increase the severity of IRAE. Therefore, the adoption of more appropriate therapeutic strategies is essential for better therapeutic results.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism in patients treated with zoledronic acid (ZA) or denosumab, its relationship with other parameters and how it affects on bone mineral density (BMD) evolution.

Methods: Retrospective observational study in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia and high risk of fracture, who have received denosumab or ZA for at least two years. Patients diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism or glomerular filtration rate <30ml/min at baseline visit were excluded from the study.

Results: Ninety patients (ZA: 54.44%) were included. 18.36% of ZA-treated patients had elevated PTH levels at some time compared to 36.58% denosumab-treated patients (p>0.05). Patients with persistently elevated PTH were 6.13% in the AZ group and 19.51% in the denosumab group (p<0.04). We found a statistically significant inverse association between elevated PTH levels, glomerular filtration rate (p=0.007), and albumin-corrected calcium (p <0.001). We did not find an association between hyperparathyroidism and BMD evolution.

Conclusions: A high incidence of hyperparathyroidism was observed in patients treated with AZ and especially denosumab. Hyperparathyroidism correlated inversely with glomerular filtration rate and albumin-corrected calcium. Elevated PTH does not appear to affect short-term bone mineral density evolution.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease with multiple etiologies, and the emergence of complications. Between 0.1-5% of cases are attributed to drugs. The absence of specific characteristics complicates the diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced AP. Reviewing patients admitted with the diagnosis of drug-induced AP can provide information and improve its management.

Patients and methods: This is a descriptive, observational, and retrospective study. All patients admitted to the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge between June 2007 and March 2023 with suspected drug-induced AP were included. The data were obtained from the hospital pharmacovigilance program database.

Results: Thirty-eight patients with suspected drug-induced AP were identified, representing 0.62% of all adverse drug reactions (n=6.085). Of these, 65.8% (n=25) had a single suspected drug. The median latency period for the onset of adverse drug reactions was 160.5 days (IQR: 18-582 days), and the median hospital stay was 5 days (IQR: 3-7 days). Fifty-nine suspected drugs were identified, involving 26 active principles. Azathioprine and atorvastatin were the most frequent, with 9 cases each (15.2%), followed by enalapril with 8 cases (13.6%). Drug etiology was assessed in 23 cases (60.5%), and the suspected drug was discontinued in all cases. There was one fatal case documented (2.63%).

Conclusion: This study can contribute to better understanding of drug-induced pancreatitis episodes. We propose a diagnostic algorithm that includes the assessment of the drug as a possible cause.