Factors associated with asthma symptoms in Colombian subpopulations aged 1 to 17 and 18 to 59: Secondary analysis of the study "Prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Colombia 2009-2010".

Background: Asthma, a chronic inflammatory lung disease, is one of the leading causes of disability, demands on health resources, and poor quality of life. It is necessary to identify asthma-related risk factors to reduce the presence and development of symptoms.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the association of multiple possible factors with asthma symptoms in two subpopulations, children, adolescents, and adults, in six cities in Colombia.

Impact of hydrocolloid dressings in the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial (PENFUP).

It is uncertain whether hydrocolloid dressings, a more costly intervention than offering standard care with petrolatum, is superior to prevent pressure ulcers among hospitalized high-risk adults. Randomized, parallel-group, open-label, superiority trial with an active control group, blinded for investigators, event validators, and analysts (December 1, 2015 to December 12, 2017). Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years of age with intact skin judged as high-risk for skin ulcers (Braden scale), admitted to surgical or medical wards of two tertiary-level hospitals.

Access to paediatric cardiac surgery in Colombia: a population-based study.

Objectives: Globally congenital heart disease mortality is declining, yet the proportion of infant deaths attributable to heart disease rises in Colombia and other middle-sociodemographic countries. We aimed to assess the accessibility of paediatric cardiac surgery (PCS) to children <18 years of age in 2016 in the South American country of Colombia.

Methods: In Bogotá, Colombia, a multi-national team used cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study designs to adapt and evaluate 4 health system indicators at the national level: first, the population with timely geographic access to an institution providing PCS; second, the number of paediatric cardiac surgeons; third, this specialized procedure volume and its national distribution; and fourth, the 30-day perioperative mortality rate after PCS in Colombia.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of newborn pulse oximetry screening to detect critical congenital heart disease in Colombia.

Background: In many countries, economic assessments of the routine use of pulse oximetry in the detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) at birth has not yet been carried out. CCHDs necessarily require medical intervention within the first months of life. This assessment is a priority in low and medium resource countries.

Attributed costs of health care-associated infections in a Colombian hospital, 2011- 2015.

Introduction: The cost analysis of infections associated with health care represents a challenge for the health system in Colombia given their determinants. Objective: To determine the factors related to the increase and variability in the costs of hospital care for infections associated with health care in a fourth-level hospital in Bogotá from 2011 to 2015. Materials and methods: The costs of the care for 292 patients were analyzed including each of the activities carried out since the suspicion of the infectious disease until its resolution.

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation: Evaluation of its Economic Impact on the Costs of Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to calculate the direct costs of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in a high-complexity cardiovascular hospital.

Methods: We performed a cost analysis with a pairwise-matched design. Twenty-two patients with POAF and 22 patients without this complication were included.

Strengthening institutional capacity for equitable health research: lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean.

argue that development of research capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean requires investment in both individuals and regional institutions

Factors associated with delayed cardiac tamponade after cardiac surgery.

Context: Cardiac tamponade (CT) following cardiac surgery is a potentially fatal complication and the cause of surgical reintervention in 0.1%-6% of cases. There are two types of CT: acute, occurring within the first 48 h postoperatively, and subacute or delayed, which occurs more than 48 h postoperatively.

Perioperative Aspirin for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: The PeriOperative ISchemia Evaluation-2 Trial and a Pooled Analysis of the Randomized Trials.

Background: The PeriOperative ISchemia Evaluation-2 (POISE-2) trial compared aspirin with placebo after noncardiac surgery.

Methods: The authors randomly assigned 10,010 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery to receive 200 mg aspirin or placebo 2 to 4 h before surgery and then 100 mg aspirin daily or placebo daily for up to 30 days after surgery. Herein, the authors report the effect of aspirin on venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, as well as an updated pooled analysis of randomized trials of antiplatelet therapy for VTE prevention in noncardiac surgery patients.

Differences by Altitude in the Frequency of Congenital Heart Defects in Colombia.

More evidence is needed that links the diagnosis of different congenital heart diseases (CHD) identified after birth, with intermediate altitudes above sea level in geographically and ethnically diverse populations. Our aim was to estimate relative frequencies of CHD diagnosis by altitude and gender in the pediatric population of 12 cities in Colombia. This was a cross-sectional study based on the information collected between 2008 and 2013 in Colombia, during annual congenital heart disease (CHD) case detection campaigns in the post-natal period.

Endoscopic subcutaneous component separation as an adjunct to abdominal wall reconstruction.

Background: Proper defect closure during abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) is a key to improving cosmetic and functional results, and reducing morbidity. We have completed the initial prospective evaluation of a technique we previously described and published: endoscopic subcutaneous anterior component separation (ACS) as an adjunct to mainly laparoscopic AWR. We now present the long-term clinical and imaging follow-up results.

Combination inhaled steroid and long-acting beta₂-agonist in addition to tiotropium versus tiotropium or combination alone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The long-acting bronchodilator tiotropium and single-inhaler combination therapy of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists (ICS/LABA) are commonly used for maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Combining these treatments, which have different mechanisms of action, may be more effective than administering the individual components.

Objectives: To assess relative effects of the following treatments on markers of exacerbations, symptoms, quality of life and lung function in patients with COPD.

Factors associated with Allergic Rhinitis in Colombian subpopulations aged 1 to 17 and 18 to 59.

Background: Several studies have shown variations in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) around the world, and different potential predisposing factors. More studies are needed on risk factors, specifically in developing countries. This study explored the association of several factors and AR among urban residents in six cities of Colombia.

[Risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic diseases in a coffee-growing population].

Objectives: Estimating the prevalence of cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors in a Colombian coffee-growing population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from February to November 2007. Multistage conglomerate sampling of 55 rural areas in 13 municipalities led to 516 people being surveyed.

Prevalence of asthma and other allergic conditions in Colombia 2009-2010: a cross-sectional study.

Background: While it is suggested that the prevalence of asthma in developed countries may have stabilized, this is not clear in currently developing countries. Current available information for both adults and children simultaneously on the burden and impact of allergic conditions in Colombia and in many Latin American countries is limited. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence for asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic eczema (AE), and atopy in six colombian cities; to quantify costs to the patient and her/his family; and to determine levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in asthmatic and healthy subjects.

Risk factors associated with postoperative seizures in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who received tranexamic acid: a case-control study.

Antifibrinolytic agents are used during cardiac surgery to minimize bleeding and reduce exposure to blood products. Several reports suggest that tranexamic acid (TA) can induce seizure activity in the postoperative period. To examine factors associated with postoperative seizures in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who received TA.

[Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in Colombian surgical and medical patients: results for Colombia of the ENDORSE study].

Introduction: More information is needed on the risk of venous thromboembolism in the hospital setting, and on patterns of use of thromboprophylaxis, as advocated in consensus guidelines. ENDORSE was an international study aimed at evaluating hospital venous thromboembolism prevention practices in medical and surgical patients.

Objectives: The risk of venous thromboembolism was evaluated along with the use of thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized medical and surgical subjects; these data were compared with the international sample from the ENDORSE study.

Asthma in adults.

Introduction: About 10% of adults have suffered an attack of asthma, and up to 5% of these have severe disease that responds poorly to treatment. Patients with severe disease have an increased risk of death, but patients with mild-to-moderate disease are also at risk of exacerbations. Most guidelines about the management of asthma follow stepwise protocols.

[Reference values for respiratory parameters in the adult population of Bogotá, D.C., Colombia].

Introduction: Reference values for pulmonary function parameters, generally applicable to most populations, have shown little validity in the correct interpretation of pulmonary function tests when applied to the adult population in Bogotá.

Objective: To identify which of four prediction models generated for use in populations of a similar ethnic background to that found in Colombia is the most accurate for use in adults in Bogotá.

Materials And Methods: 534 subjects (male and female) between 18 and 65 years of age were recruited from a pool of workers employed by three private Bogotá companies.

Inadequate glucose control in type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired lung function and systemic inflammation: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Inadequate glucose control may be simultaneously associated with inflammation and decreased lung function in type 2 diabetes. We evaluated if lung function is worse in patients with inadequate glucose control, and if inflammatory markers are simultaneously increased in these subjects.

Methods: Subjects were selected at the Colombian Diabetes Association Center in Bogotá.

Asthma in adults.

Introduction: About 10% of adults have suffered an attack of asthma, and up to 5% of these have severe disease that responds poorly to treatment. Patients with severe disease have an increased risk of death, but patients with mild-to-moderate disease are also at risk of exacerbations. Most guidelines about the management of asthma follow stepwise protocols.

Predicting the Length of Stay of Patients Admitted for Intensive Care Using a First Step Analysis.

For patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), the length of stay in different destinations after the first day of ICU admission, has not been systematically studied. We aimed to estimate the average length of stay (LOS) of such patients in Colombia, using a discrete time Markov process. We used the maximum likelihood method and Markov chain modeling to estimate the average LOS in the ICU and at each destination after discharge from intensive care.

Asthma in adults.

Introduction: About 10% of adults have suffered an attack of asthma, and up to 5% of these have severe disease that responds poorly to treatment. Patients with severe disease have an increased risk of death, but patients with mild to moderate disease are also at risk of exacerbations. Most guidelines about the management of asthma follow stepwise protocols.

A Colombian survey found intensive care mortality ratios were better in private vs. public hospitals.

Background: Our main outcome was to identify organizational characteristics that help to evaluate the differences between the intensive care mortality ratios adjusted by APACHE II. We incorporated the variation associated with the ranking of institutions simulating its random effects under a binomial distribution.

Methods: A nationwide survey on structure, technology, and staffing resources available in Colombian intensive care units during 1997-1998 was conducted.