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Biomedical subjects

F Devesa

Publications and source records attributed to F Devesa.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Development of inflammatory bowel disease in a husband and wife].

It is currently thought that chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be due to the action of an as-yet unidentified external agent on genetically predisposed individuals. While genetic influence on the development of the disease has been widely studied, very little is known about the possible environmental agents that could influence its development. One example of the influence of environmental agents could be the development of chronic IBD in a husband and wife. We describe the case of a married couple; after more than 30 years of cohabitation, the wife developed fistulizing Crohn's disease and, 7 years later, the husband developed ulcerative proctosigmoiditis. Currently, approximately 70 cases have been described in the international literature but none have been reported in Spain. We discuss the characteristics of our patients compared with those described in published reports and stress the importance of describing these cases for the future identification of a possible external agent.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Cholelithiasic disease and associated factors in a Spanish population.

In order to analyze the factors associated with cholelithiasic disease, 1268 participants of a population sample were studied. On univariate analysis, 11 of the 23 variables included showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05). Five of these variables, including obesity, triglyceride level, intake of hypolipidemic drugs, and a diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fats in women, and physical exercise in men, remained significantly associated after controlling for age. On multivariate analysis among women, a positive association was found with age (P < 0.001), obesity, and the use of hypolipidemic agents (P < 0.05) and a negative one with a diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fats (P < 0.05). Among men, the same analysis revealed there was a positive association with age (P < 0.001) and triglycerides (P < 0.05) and a negative one with physical exercise (P < 0.05). In conclusion, obesity and the use of hypolipidemic agents in women and triglycerides in men, were positively associated with cholelithiasic disease, independent of age, while negative associations included the intake of cholesterol and saturated fats in women and physical exercise in men.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[The prediction of the endoscopic diagnosis in the dyspepsia patient: the value of the predominating presenting symptom and the initial clinical presumption].

AIM: To assess, in our patient population, whether upper gastrointestinal symptoms can be used to predict the presence of relevant pathology on endoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the first retrospective phase, 311 gastroscopies, indicated for dyspeptic symptoms were selected. The gastroscopies were performed by the same endoscopist from April 1998 to March 1999. Patients were divided into four groups according to the main presenting symptom (epigastralgia, epigastralgia with pyrosis, pyrosis with nonspecific symptoms). The positive and negative predictive value, as well as the overall sensitivity and specificity of each group of symptoms for the presentation of a relevant pathology were calculated. In the second, prospective, phase an attempt was made, based on the clinical history taken in the initial consultation, to predict the results of the gastroscopies of 77 dyspeptic patients. There were four possibilities: normal or not relevant, esophagitis, ulcer and neoplasia. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic hypothesis were calculated. RESULTS: a) Retrospective phase: the overall positive predictive value of dyspeptic symptoms to predict relevant pathology was 0.38. The highest positive predictive value corresponded to symptoms of pyrosis (0.48). Dividing the patients into groups according to age (older or younger than 45 years) did not improve the predictive value of symptoms. b) Prospective phase: the highest positive predictive value corresponded to "pathology without relevance" (0.7). The prediction of ulcer only gave a positive predictive value of 0.55. CONCLUSION: The main presenting symptom is not a good predictor of whether relevant pathology will be found on gastroscopy. The initial diagnostic hypothesis is not a sufficiently effective tool to accurately detect which patients will most benefit from gastroscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Prevalence of cholelithiasis in El Real-Gandia].

The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of cholelithiasis (C) in the El Real-Gandia (Spain) as well as the degree of the response of the population. Health examinations were performed in 1,803 adults from El Real (2,000 inhabitants) and Gandia (54,000 inhabitants) using abdominal echography as the screening technique. Cholelithiasis was defined as the presence of biliary lithiasis (BL) or previous cholecystectomy (PC). Of 1,268 (70.3%) participants in the study, C was found in 126 cases (BL in 102 and P in 24) representing a standardized prevalence of around 15% in women and 5% in men. Cholelithiasis was more frequent in females (13.8%) than in males (5.7%) (p < 0.001) increasing linearly with age (p < 0.005). The proportion of PC was significantly higher in women (23.9%) than in men (5.9%) (p < 0.05) and in Gandia (34.4%) than in El Real (13.8%) (p < 0.02). The prevalence of biliary mud and polyps was of 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Working obligations (35.4%) and fear of hospitals (22.4%) were the most frequent causes for no response (NR). Males with more than primary a school education originating from outside the Valencian community (VC) were significantly associated with NR in multivariant analysis.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1993

[Hepatitis B markers at 3 open centers for mentally retarded].

With the aim of investigating the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, we studied 161 mentally retarded patients with an age range of 1 to 56, in three open institutions from the Safor Area (Valencia). Some positive serum markers of HBV infection were found in 15 patients (9.3%). The mentally retarded older than 17, presented a prevalence of HBV markers (20.6%), in contrast to those under this age (1.1%) and against the control group (5.1%) (p < 0.001). HBsAg positive markers were found in three cases, representing 4.4% among the older than 17's, against 0.4% of the general population (p < 0.05). There was some positive correlation with personal history of hepatitis (p < 0.01) and severely handicapped patients (p < 0.05) an there was no association with sex, duration of stay and Down's Syndrome. Our results indicate that seropositive B prevalence is similar to the general population in the mentally retarded younger than 17 years old and higher from this age on, which confirms the need for active prophylaxis in the youngest of this collective. Reviewing the Spanish studies we observe a lower prevalence of HBsAg(carriers) and HBV markers in open institutions than in closed institutions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in non-hospital health personnel].

Through a hepatitis B prophylaxis campaign, vaccination and serological study was offered to 316 nonhospital health personnel of the Health Area of Gandia (Valencia). 117 people volunteered (37%); among them, nurses showed the highest participation (45.8%) in comparison with doctors, nursing auxiliaries and non-technical personnel (p less than 0.05). In 22 cases a positive marker could be proved; therefore, total prevalence (18.8%) was significantly higher than that of the control group, which was 6.8% (p less than 0.01). This prevalence is compared with other groups of hospital and nonhospital personnel, and the convenience of new studies and the recommendation of active prophylaxis for this subset of health workers are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Reconstructive surgery using a massive prosthesis in loosening of a hip prosthesis].

Thirteen cases with loosening of THR treated by a massive prosthesis are reviewed. In previous years, with more conservative surgery, the loss of bone stock was most important. The results after a long follow-up were satisfactory. This was a desperate procedure during a period without a bone-bank. Despite the major problems with failure of this procedure, the author still recommends it in elderly patients who need early mobilization or when the use of a bank-bone is not possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Pachydermoperiostosis. A case report.

A case of pachydermoperiostosis observed over a period of 4 years in a man aged 19 is reported. Its clinical features are described; these place it in the "incomplete" group, according to the classification of Touraine et al.. The authors also discuss the diagnostic criteria and the differential diagnosis from Pierre Marie disease, Ribing's syndrome, van Buchem's syndrome and acromegaly.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with chronic ulcerative colitis (author's transl)].

A case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with chronic ulcerative colitis in a 28-year-old woman is reported. Immunological studies showed a strongly positive direct Coombs test of IgG type and a non-specific pannagglutinin antibody. This immunological pattern remained for 10 months instead of the medical treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine. A subtotal colectomy with ileo-rectostomy was performed and the patient experienced a greater clinical improvement, though the total negativity of the immunitary alteration was not obtained. Weak immunological disturbances continued 19 months after the surgical procedure. A short review of the literature is presented and a total of 39 cases of erythorcitic autoimmunization (with or without hemolysis) published up to the present time have been found. Lastly, various etiopathogenic theories in relation to this complication are mentioned.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Meteorotropism of seizures in children from birth to seven years (author's transl).

Between Oct. 1st 1971 and Sept. 30th 1976, 2,901 cases of seizures in children under 7 years of age have been treated in the Emergency Service of "La Fe" Children's Hospital of Valencia. On this basis, we have tried to demonstrate the presence of "runs" of such seizure cases, which were thought to exist. We have also studied the relationship between the seizure frequency and the atmospheric pressure. The yearly and monthly seizure distributions don't show statistically any significant difference. Neither do week-days or periods of the day. Mathematic study hasn't shown non-periodic "runs" either of the seizure cases within the total amount of emergency cases, or of the days with an admission rate of three or more seizure cases within all the days with the study period. Statistical studies comparing the seizure frequency with the mean atmospheric pressure in the daily intervals from 8.00 to 14.00, from 14.00 to 19.00 and from 19.00 to 8.00 of the following day, and with the respective barometric gradient, show that there aren't any correlations. Neither is there any correlation between seizure frequency and daily maximum barometric gradient. However it is demonstrated that in extremely low atmospheric pressures (under 1001.9 milibar) the seizure frequency is higher. A bibliographical review on meteorotropism of convulsions is made.

Atmospheric Pressure↗