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Biomedical subjects

J Sentís

Publications and source records attributed to J Sentís.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Association of mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphisms with antiphospholipid syndrome, cardiovascular disease and chronic damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-deficient genotypes with cardiovascular disease in a large series of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A total of 114 patients diagnosed with SLE were included in the study. MBL polymorphisms were investigated by sequencing-based DNA typing of the promoter and exon 1 of the MBL2 gene. The genotypes 0/0, 0/XA and XA/XA were considered as MBL-low genotypes. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease was observed in patients carrying MBL-low genotypes compared with those carrying MBL-high genotypes [30 vs 9%, P = 0.012, odds ratio (OR) 4.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-16.46]. Patients with MBL-low genotypes also presented higher mean values for total cholesterol (228.6 vs 202.3 mg/dl, P = 0.017) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (139.9 vs 121.9 mg/dl, P = 0.045), a higher frequency of chronic renal failure (30 vs 4%, P = 0.001), vasculitis (30 vs 11%, P = 0.043), heart valve lesions (71 vs 32%, P = 0.026), cardiac valve dysfunction (57 vs 7%, P = 0.0004) and associated APS (39 vs 12%, P = 0.005), a higher mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics score (2.09 vs 1.26, P = 0.029) and a lower prevalence of low C4 levels (43 vs 71%, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis of genetic, clinical and immunological variables showed that only antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was independently associated with cardiovascular events (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our SLE patients carrying MBL-deficient genotypes was 3.3 times higher than in patients with non-deficient genotypes, only APS was independently associated with cardiovascular events. This suggests that the higher frequency of thrombotic events in SLE patients carrying MBL-deficient genotypes might be related to coexisting APS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

An analysis of the factors affecting the average length of stay in the otolaryngology unit.

Specific factors which have an influence on the average length of stay in the otolaryngology unit of a University Hospital are studied; the patients are covered by some type of insurance and have no out-of-pocket expenses. The effect of the following variables on the average length of stay is evaluated: age, sex and type of pathology. The periods of hospitalisation are significantly longer (Mann-Whitney test) in males (p < 0.0001), in older patients (p < 0.008) and in the case of tumours, which prolong the period of stay especially of males (p < 0.0001). It is suggested that the shorter stay in the case of females may be conditioned by social and family factors.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

[The radiology demand in primary care].

AIM: To contribute a preliminary study, which allows the best use of the demand criteria and acceptance mechanisms of radiological explorations at the primary care level. DESIGN: Retrospective and observational study. SITE. Public Health Care Center Poblenou, in the Barcelona area. PATIENTS: A random sample of patients covering 15,000 X-Ray explorations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The parameters evaluated were: the type of x-ray; the existence of otherwise of pathology; the physician requesting the x-ray; and the patient's age and sex. Results show greater use by the feminine sex (56%), with statistically significant differences (p less than 0.0008) (1 degree of freedom). The overall pathology rate was 43%, also with significant differences between different groups of doctors (p less than 0.0001) (3 degrees of freedom). 52% of the investigations were on patients over 50. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the high percentage in primary care of pathological explorations should be noted; as should the variation in pathology rates between different groups of doctors, which suggests possible differences of criteria in the use of radiological indicators. The high percentage of patients of an advanced age will have to be considered in the planning of radiological services.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Total LDH and its isoenzymes in gynecological malignancies and other gynecological conditions.

Total LDH and its five Isoenzymes have been evaluated in 354 patients from a Gynecological Ward. These patients had uterine fibroids, benign ovarian tumors, tubo-ovarian abscesses (T.O.A.), endometrial cancers, cancers of the cervix and ovarian cancers. 90 patients had no gynecological disease and served as controls. A statistical analysis was performed comparing each group of patients with the control group. A significant elevation in total LDH and Iso-IV and a significant decrease in Iso-I was observed in patients with uterine fibroids. Patients with benign ovarian tumors had a significant elevation of total LDH. Patients with T.O.A., Endometrial cancer, cancer of the cervix and cancer of the ovary had a significant elevations of total LDH and Iso-V and a significant decrease in Iso-I. When the group of patients with endometrial cancer, cancer of the cervix and cancer of the ovary were compared with each other, no differences could be found in total LDH and Isoenzyme values. We conclude that total LDH and Isoenzyme serum levels are not useful clinical indicators for the diagnosis and management of gynecological malignancies and particularly of ovarian cancer.

Female↗
PubMed1982

[Therapeutic errors and dose measuring devices].

In order to investigate the possibilities of therapeutical error in syrups administration, authors have measured the capacity of 158 home spoons (x +/- SD). They classified spoons in four groups: group I (table spoons), 49 units (11.65 +/- 2.10 cc); group II (tea spoons), 41 units (4.70+/-1.04 cc); group III (coffee spoons), 41 units (2.60 +/- 0.59 cc), and group IV (miscellaneous), 27 units. They have compared the first three groups with theoreticals values of 15, 5 and 2.5 cc, respectively, ensuring, in the first group, significant statistical differences. In this way, they analyzed information that paediatricians receive from "vademecums", which they usually consult and have studied two points: If syrup has a meter or not, and if it indicates drug concentration or not. Only a 18% of the syrups have a meter and about 88% of the drugs indicate their concentration (mg/cc). They conclude that to prevent errors of dosage, the pharmacological industry must include meters in their products. If they haven't the safest thing is to use syringes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1981

[Effect of chronic administration of cimetidine on adenohypophysis secretion in children].

In view of the existing disagreement on the hormonal effects of a chronic treatment with cimetidine, we have studied on a sample of 18 children, the possible alterations that might occur. A comparison has been established between basal conditions and a two-month treatment with 500 mg. a day, on levels of GH, PRL, LH, FSH, TSH and cortisol (as an indirect measurement of ACTH). The statistic study has not shown any noticeable difference in the considered period of time, and dose that has been used does not provoke any alteration in adenohypophyseal secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of clinical and immunological parameters on the health-related quality of life of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with primary SS patients using the SF-36 questionnaire and to analyse the association between the main clinical features and the SF-36 scales. METHODS: We studied 110 patients (105 women and 5 men, mean age of 56 years) with primary SS seen consecutively in the outpatient clinic of our Department. We used the population-based reference values for the Spanish version of the SF-36 health survey as control values for a healthy population. RESULTS: Comparison between patients with primary SS and the control population showed lower scores in all SF-36 scales (p < 0.001). Analysis of the SF-36 scales by gender showed a significant correlation between age and the values for physical functioning (p = 0.013) and bodily pain (p = 0.016) scores. No significant differences in SF-36 scores were found when comparing patients according to the presence or absence of sicca features. Women with vaginal dryness had lower scores for social functioning (61.9 vs. 74.4) and general health (37.2 vs. 44.7) than those without, although the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Patients with extraglandular involvement had lower scores for the vitality scale (40.8 vs. 54.5 p = 0.007), social functioning (67.0 vs. 79.8, p = 0.010), bodily pain (49.5 vs. 62.5, p = 0.018) and general health (38.6 vs. 49.4 p = 0.001) than those without. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary SS had clearly lower HR-QoL scores than the healthy population; with significantly lower scores in all SF-36 scales and in both summary measures. We identified several epidemiological and clinical SS features related to these lower SF-36 scores. Age at protocol correlated with physical functioning and bodily pain. Vaginal dryness was the sicca feature that most affected the HR-QoL of female SS patients, and a poor HR-QoL was also observed in those patients with a systemic expression of the disease, with pulmonary involvement being the extraglandular manifestation that most contributed to a poor HR-QoL. Our results highlight the importance of earlier diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with primary SS, which, together with a close follow-up, may contribute to a significant improvement in their HR-QoL.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of luteal function.

On studying various parameters of luteal function, the authors demonstrated that BTT does not permit the evaluation of luteal phase defects, whereas the E.I. and prolactin levels, as well as the endometrial biopsy, may be considered valid parameters. The TRH test is more efficient than basal prolactin evaluation in this respect. Progesterone should be evaluated in various moments of the luteal phase and not by a single determination. The authors conclude that the abnormal luteal phase is the result of an abnormal follicular maturation and that the central origin of this mechanism may be affirmed.

Biopsy↗