Ángel Gil-de-Miguel

Trends in Lower-Extremity Amputations in People With and Without Diabetes in Spain, 2001–2008

OBJECTIVE To examine trends in nontraumatic lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) over an 8-year period in patients with and without diabetes in Spain. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We identified all patients who underwent an LEA using national hospital discharge data. Discharges were grouped by diabetes status: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and no diabetes. The incidence of discharges attributed to amputations were calculated overall and stratified by diabetes status and year. We calculated length of stay and in-hospital fatality stratified by diabetes status and type of LEA. RESULTS From 2001 to 2008, 46,536 minor LEAs and 43,528 major LEAs were performed. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the incidence of minor and major amputations decreased significantly from 2001 to 2008 (0.88–0.43 per 100,000 inhabitants and 0.59–0.22 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). In patients with type 2 diabetes, the incidence of minor and major LEAs increased significantly (9.23–10.9 per 100,000 inhabitants and 7.12–7.47 per 100,000 inhabitants). Hospital stay was similar among type 1 diabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects, according to the type of LEA. Only in-hospital mortality for minor LEAs among type 1 diabetic subjects decreased significantly (4.0% in 2001 vs. 1.6% in 2008). CONCLUSIONS Our national data show a decrease in the incidence of major and minor LEAs in patients with type 1 diabetes and an increase among patients with type 2 diabetes. Further improvement is necessary in the preventive care and early treatment of patients with diabetes. The management of foot lesions, especially among type 2 diabetic patients, is particularly urgent.

Trends in primary total hip arthroplasty in Spain from 2001 to 2008: Evaluating changes in demographics, comorbidity, incidence rates, length of stay, costs and mortality

BackgroundHip arthroplasties is one of the most frequent surgical procedures in Spain and are conducted mainly in elderly subjects. We aim to analyze changes in incidence, co-morbidity profile, length of hospital stay (LOHS), costs and in-hospital mortality (IHM) of patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) over an 8-year study period in Spain.MethodsWe selected all surgical admissions in individuals aged ≥40 years who had received a primary THA (ICD-9-CM procedure code 81.51) between 2001 and 2008 from the National Hospital Discharge Database. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates, LOHS, costs and IHM were estimated for each year. Co-morbidity was assessed using the Charlson comorbidity index.Multivariate analysis of time trends was conducted using Poisson regression. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyze IHM.ResultsWe identified a total of 161,791 discharges of patients having undergone THA from 2001 to 2008. Overall crude incidence had increased from 99 to 105 THA per 100.000 inhabitants from 2001 to 2008 (p < 0.001). In 2001, 81% of patients had a Charlson Index of 0, 18.4% of 1-2, and 0.6% > 2 and in 2008, the prevalence of 1-2 or >2 had increased to 20.4% and 1.1% respectively (p < 0.001). The mean LOHS was 13 days in 2001 and decreased to 10.45 days in 2008 (p < 0.001). During the period studied, the mean cost per patient increased from 6,634 to 9,474 Euros. Multivariate analysis shows that from 2001 to 2008 the incidence of THA hospitalizations has significantly increased for both sexes and only men showed a significant reduction in IHM after THA.ConclusionsThe current study provides clear and valid data indicating increased incidence of primary THA in Spain from 2001 to 2008 with concomitant reductions in LOHS, slight reduction IHM, but a significant increase in cost per patient. The health profile of the patient undergoing a THA seems to be worsening in Spain.

Different vaccination strategies in Spain and its impact on severe varicella and zoster

Varicella vaccines available in Spain were marketed in 1998 and 2003 for non-routine use. Since 2006 some regions decided to include varicella vaccination in their regional routine vaccination programmes at 15-18 months of age. Other regions chose the strategy of vaccinating susceptible adolescents. This study shows the trends in severe varicella zoster virus infections through the analysis of the hospital discharges related to varicella and herpes zoster in the general population from 2005 to 2010 in Spain. A total of 11,125 hospital discharges related to varicella and 27,736 related to herpes zoster were reported during the study period. The overall annual rate of hospitalization was 4.14 cases per 100,000 for varicella and 10.33 cases per 100,000 for herpes zoster. In children younger than 5 years old varicella hospitalization rate significantly decreased from 46.77 in 2005 to 26.55 per 100,000 in 2010. The hospitalization rate related to herpes zoster slightly increased from 9.71 in 2005 to 10.90 per 100,000 in 2010. This increase was mainly due to the significant increase occurring in the >84 age group, from 69.55 to 97.68 per 100,000. When gathering for regions taking into account varicella vaccine strategy, varicella related hospitalizations decreased significantly more in those regions which included the vaccine at 15-18 months of age as a routine vaccine comparing with those vaccinating at 10-14 years old. No significant differences were found in herpes zoster hospitalization rates regarding the varicella vaccination strategy among regions. Severe varicella infections decreased after implementation of varicella vaccination in Spain. This decrease was significantly higher in regions including the vaccine at 15-18 months of age compared with those vaccinating susceptible adolescents.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Children up to 5 Years of Age in Spain: Epidemiology and Comorbidities: An Observational Study.

AbstractThis epidemiological survey in Spain estimates the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children up to 5 year of age during a 15-year period (1997–2011).Observational retrospective survey was conducted by reviewing data of the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data, including >98% of Spanish hospitals. All hospitalizations related to RSV infection for children up to 5 years, reported during 1997–2011 period, were analyzed. Codes were selected by using the International Classification of Diseases 9th Clinical Modification 466.0–466.19, 480.1, and 079.6.A total of 326,175 and 286,007 hospital discharges for children up to 5 and 2 years of age were reported during the study period. The annual incidence was 1072 and 2413 patients per 100,000, respectively. The average length of hospital stay was 5.7 (standard deviation 8.2) days. Four hundred forty-six deaths were reported; of those, 403 occurred in children <2 years and 355 (80%) occurred in children <12 months of age.Hospitalization and mortality rates were significantly higher in boys and decrease significantly with age. The higher rate of hospitalization and mortality rates were found in the first year of life.Annual average cost for National Health Care System was &OV0556; 47 M with a mean hospitalization cost of &OV0556;2162. The average length of hospitalization and costs were significantly higher in high-risk children.RSV infections in children up to 5 year of age still pose a significant health threat in Spain, especially in the infants. The development of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic guidelines focused in children with comorbidities may help reduce the hospital and economic burden of the disease.

Inequalities in uptake of breast cancer screening in Spain: analysis of a cross-sectional national survey

OBJECTIVES Breast cancer remains a public health problem worldwide. Early detection through mammography practice has been shown to be effective in improving survival among women. Nevertheless, it is necessary to have high participation in mammography screening to achieve that goal. The aim of this study is to estimate the adherence to recommended preventive practices for breast cancer (mammography) in Spain and to identify predictors of uptake according to sociodemographic variables, health related variables and lifestyles. STUDY DESIGN This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on data from the European Health Interview Survey for Spain. Breast cancer screening included self-reported mammography in the last two years. The age target range was 40-69 years (n = 5771). The following independent variables were analysed: sociodemographic (marital status, educational level, monthly income, and nationality), visit to a general practitioner, chronic conditions and lifestyles. Predictors of mammography adherence were explored using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS The screening coverage in the target population was 67.7% (95% CI: 66.2-69.1). Mammography uptake was positively associated with being married, higher educational and income levels, Spanish nationality, having visited a general practitioner in the previous four weeks and suffering from musculoskeletal disease. Otherwise, the youngest age group studied (40-49 years) and obesity was associated with lower adherence to mammography. CONCLUSIONS Compliance with mammography practice in Spain is acceptable to achieve the goal of reducing mortality from breast cancer among women. However significant inequalities in uptake of breast screening in Spain were found. Future campaigns must aim to improve participation especially among women with disadvantaged socio-economic situations and immigrants.

Predictors of breast and cervical cancer screening in a Spanish metropolitan area.

BACKGROUND Gynecological cancers are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Screening with mammography and Pap smear reduces breast and cervical cancer mortality. Neverthless, high participation rates are needed to ensure their effectiveness. We sought to assess the use of mammography and Pap smear and analyzed predictors of attendance at these cancer screenings in a large metropolitan area in Spain. METHODS We included women surveyed in the Madrid City Health Survey 2005. Cancer screening included mammography in the last 2 years and Pap smear in the last 3 years. Independent variables included sociodemographics, chronic diseases, and lifestyles. Predictors of mammography or Pap smear attendance were explored using logistic regression. RESULTS The number of women eligible for mammography, aged >or=40 years, was 2580, and the number eligible for Pap smear, aged 18-69 years, was 3200. Overall, 60.5% and 76.6%, respectively, had received a mammography and Pap smear. Mammography uptake was positively associated with age, higher educational level, and osteomuscular disease. Obesity and unhealthy lifestyle were associated with nonattendance to mammography. Predictors of Pap smear attendance were the same as for mammography. CONCLUSIONS Attendance at gynecological cancer screening in a large metropolitan area in Spain is acceptable in the age group for which it is recommended. An effort must be made, however, to recruit those women who are less likely to undergo screening, as they are at the highest risk of having these diseases.

Seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps, varicella-zoster, and B. Pertussis in young adults of Madrid, Spain.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of certain immunopreventable diseases in our country. A high proportion of these have been recorded among the young adult population. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against immunopreventable diseases with the greatest health impacts on the young adult population (19–39 y of age) in Madrid. We collected a total of 1,153 serum samples from healthy volunteers undergoing routine medical visits and used ELISA to determine the presence of IgG antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella zoster, as well as Bordetella pertussis. The Pearson’s χ2 test was used to compare prevalences, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied for variables with more than 2 categories. Statistical significance was achieved with p values of < 0.05. The global prevalence of antibodies was 92.1% for measles, 94.4% for rubella, 88.3% for mumps, 92.8% for varicella zoster, and 70.2% for B. pertussis. No statistically significant differences were found between genders. The prevalence of antibodies against measles was more than 95% in the group of individuals born after 1986, and the percentage of individuals susceptible to rubella was less than 5% in women born after 1986. In spite of adequate vaccination coverage, in our region, a population of young adults exists who have not achieved the objectives of the WHO for the elimination of measles and congenital rubella syndrome.

Characteristics and hospitalization costs of patients with diabetes in Spain

Using data from the Minimum Basic Dataset (MBDS) we described the hospitalizations in Spanish patients with diabetes. In 2007, acute diabetes-related complications accounted for 3.9% of admissions and chronic complications accounted for 30.3%. Mean cost per patient was euro4339. We conclude that diabetes had a high impact on hospitalizations including costs.

Impact of non-routine rotavirus vaccination on hospitalizations for diarrhoea and rotavirus infections in Spain

This study shows hospital discharges related to all-cause diarrhoea and rotavirus infection in children up to five years of age from 2005 to 2009 in Spain. Rotavirus vaccines have been available in Spain since late 2006 and early 2007. They are neither funded nor reimbursed by the National Health Care System. However, they are recommended by the Spanish Association of Pediatricians and prescribed by paediatricians. The vaccination coverage was 17% in 2007, 35% in 2008 and 38% in 2009. Among a total of 111,738 hospitalizations recorded, 24% (N=26,500) were coded as rotavirus and 14% (N=16,217) as diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology. The overall annual incidence of hospitalization was 991,235 and 144 per 100,000 children up to five years of age for all-causes diarrhoea, rotavirus infection and diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology respectively. The annual rate significantly decreased during the study period. Hospitalization rates for all-cause diarrhoea, rotavirus infection and diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology in children under five years of age in 2009 were 35, 37 and 36% lower than in the period 2005-2006, before rotavirus vaccine introduction. This decrease was greater in children <12 months of age: 42% for all-cause diarrhoea and 43% for rotavirus and diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology. The use of rotavirus vaccines, with relatively low vaccination coverage, in Spain has been shown to decrease hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis and all-cause diarrhoea during the study period.

Trends in utilization and outcomes of bariatric surgery in obese people with and without type 2 diabetes in Spain (2001-2010).

AIM Bariatric surgery is associated with a significant improvement in glucose control and even diabetes remission. There are no studies investigating national trends in the use of bariatric surgery in people with type 2 diabetes. We examine trends in the use of bariatric surgery in patients with and without type 2 diabetes between 2001 and 2010 in Spain. METHODS We identified patients who underwent bariatric surgery using national hospital discharge data. Discharges were grouped by diabetes status. Incidence of discharges due to bariatric surgery were calculated and stratified by diabetes status, procedure and year. We calculated length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality (IHM). RESULTS From 2001 to 2010 13,038 bariatric surgery procedures were performed. Over the study period 23.6% (n=3080) of all patients undergoing bariatric procedure had DM as a co-diagnosis. This prevalence increased from 17.3% in 2001 to 25.5% in 2010. LOS and IHM were similar among patients with and without type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION The proportion of subjects with type 2 diabetes among bariatric surgery patient has increased over time, in part due to an increase in the use of laparoscopic techniques.