Center In Colombia Research Articles

Clinical characterization of a cohort of patients treated for systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: A retrospective study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease associated with serious complications and high costs. The aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and health care resource utilization of a Colombian systemic lupus erythematosus outpatient cohort. This was a retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records and claims data for systemic lupus erythematosus patients from ten specialized care centers in Colombia were reviewed for up to 12 months. Baseline clinical variables, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, drug use, and direct costs were measured. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS. A total of 413 patients were included; 361 (87.4%) were female, and the mean age was 42 ± 14 years. The mean disease evolution was 8.9 ± 6.0 years; 174 patients (42.1%) had a systemic manifestation at baseline, mostly lupus nephritis (105; 25.4%). A total of 334 patients (80.9%) had at least one comorbidity, mainly antiphospholipid syndrome (90; 21.8%) and hypertension (76; 18.4%). The baseline Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score was 0 in 215 patients (52.0%), 1-5 in 154 (37.3%), 6-10 in 41 (9.9%) and 11+ in 3 (0.7%). All patients received pharmacological therapy, and the most common treatment was corticosteroids (293; 70.9%), followed by antimalarials (chloroquine 52.5%, hydroxychloroquine 31.0%), immunosuppressants (azathioprine 45.3%, methotrexate 21.5%, mycophenolate mofetil 20.1%, cyclosporine 8.0%, cyclophosphamide 6.8%, leflunomide 4.8%) and biologicals (10.9%). The mean annual costs were USD1954 per patient/year, USD1555 for antirheumatic drugs (USD10,487 for those with biologicals), USD86 for medical visits, USD235 for drug infusions and USD199 for laboratory tests. Systemic lupus erythematosus generates an important economic and morbidity burden for the Colombian health system. Systemic lupus erythematosus outpatient attention costs in the observation year were mainly determined by drug therapy (especially biologics), medical visits and laboratory tests. New studies addressing the rate of exacerbations, long-term follow-up or costs related to hospital care are recommended.

Epidemiology and Burden of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Colombia: Analysis of the TRAL Study

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in Colombia, and characterize hospitalized major depressive disorder (MDD) patients for disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work-impairment. Materials and methodsAdult MDD patients (n=162) from 4 centers in Colombia, with a clinical diagnosis of MDD based on DSM-5 and MINI, were consecutively included. Patients with psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, dementia, with severe chemical dependence or currently participating in another clinical trial were excluded. Patient reported outcomes and clinical assessment scales were used as outcomes with WPAI:D (work impairment), EQ-5D (QoL) and Sheehan Disability Scale, as well as healthcare resource utilization. ResultsPrevalence of TRD in Colombia among patients treated at psychiatric reference sites was 32.1% [24.9%; 39.3%], higher in private institutions. Most patients were females and single. 55% reported having moderate to severe problems with usual activities at the beginning of the study. Mean percent of working time missed due to depression was around 53%, and work impairment was roughly 67%. A mean of 2.85 days in the last seven were marked by lost school/work, with higher losses in TRD patients compared to non-TRD. Overall results for HRQoL were lower in TRD patients, but disability and work impairment were higher in non-TRD. ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of mental disorders in Colombia, including TRD, impacting significantly HRQoL. The burden associated with them may be reduced by a most comprehensive and customized usage of therapies, including the innovations, and implementation of national mental health programs.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: An autopsy-based study

BackgroundTuberculosis is a disease of great relevance since it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is an unusual presentation. It is defined as the involvement of any segment of the digestive tract, associated viscera, and peritoneum. The study's main objective is to collect information from autopsies of patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal tuberculosis in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. MethodsThis is a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. A total of 4,500 autopsies were performed between January 2004 and December 2020. The inclusion criteria were authorization of a family member following local law regulations and a final autopsy diagnosis of gastrointestinal tuberculosis using microscopic visualization. ResultsForty-eight patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis autopsies were included in our study. Most of the patients were male (n = 35, 72.9%) with a median age of 40.5 years old. Human immunodeficiency virus infection history was reported in 28 cases (58.33%). The most affected gastrointestinal tract site was the terminal ileum. Ulcers and thickened epithelium were common autopsies macroscopic findings. Tuberculosis multiorgan compromise was a relevant finding in patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. ConclusionsGastrointestinal tuberculosis is a disease of great importance, being its diagnosis a clinical challenge. Underdiagnosis can be reported in a high percentage of cases, so autopsy diagnosis can help reveal more accurate data about this condition.

Morbidity and mortality in hip surgery patients due to fracture during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 epidemic generated major changes in general surgical management protocols. The literature has reported high mortality rates for hip fracture surgery in patients with COVID-19. This study describes the morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery due to hip fractures in 12 Colombian institutions between March and September 2020. MethodologyThis was a retrospective observational descriptive study. Medical records of 12 hospitals were reviewed. Consecutive patients who underwent hip fracture surgery from March 6 to September 6, 2020, were included. Data collected were sociodemographic profile, type of fracture, surgical treatment, complications, and early (1 month) or mid-term (1–6 months) mortality associated or not with COVID-19. ResultsFive hundred twenty patients with hip fractures requiring surgery in the 12 institutions were included. 364 (70%) were women; mean age was 77.7 years (SD: 13.8), mean BMI was 25.1, 91.73% of patients had at least one comorbidity, 60.38% were classified as ASA II and 25.77% as ASA III. There were 267 (51.34%) pertrochanteric fractures, 227 (43.65%) femoral neck fractures, and 26 (5.0%) subtrochanteric fractures. 274 (52.69%) patients were treated with osteosynthesis, 244 (46.92%) with arthroplasty, and 2 (0.38%) with girdlestone. Surgery was performed less than 24 h after the fracture for 115 (22.11%) patients, between 24 and 72 h for 208 (40.0%) patients, and more than 72 h for 197 (37.88%) patients. One hundred six patients in total suffered a medical or surgical complication throughout the different follow-up stages, amongst the most frequent were respiratory failure, coronary events, surgical site infection, cutting-out and peri‑implant fracture. 25 (4.8%) patients required attention in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 13 patients had COVID-19 throughout the follow-up period. 27 patients died due to any cause, and 3 of them had reported a positive COVID-19 test any time during follow-up period, of which one died during the first month, and two died between 1 and 6 months. Statistically significant associations were found between age older than 75 years old, ASA classification, ICU requirement, and death. Conclusion520 patients received surgical treatment for hip fracture during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 12 medical centers in Colombia. 21.10% suffered a complication during the early stage (30 days) and 4.77% during the midterm stage (1–6 months). 4.8% were admitted in the ICU during the early stage. All-cause death was 27 patients, early death was 11 (40.74%) and midterm death was 16 (59.25%). 13 patients were positive for COVID-19, 3 died, one (1/5=20%) on the first 30 days and the other two (2/8=25%) from month 1 to 6.

Clinical presentation and recurrence of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: results from a single referral center in Colombia.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) represent 15-18.2% of all intracranial tumors. Their clinical presentation can range from chronic headache, visual defects, hypopituitarism to hormone excess syndromes. PitNETS are commonly classified as functioning neuroendocrine tumors (F-PitNETs) and non-functioning neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PitNETs). At the moment, new classification has emerged based on cell lineages. Almost 50% of all patients with PitNETs require surgical intervention, and about 25% of these have residual and persistent disease that may require additional management. A retrospective cohort of medical records of patients with PitNETs, aiming to describe the incidence of recurrence of patients who received surgical treatment over a 12month follow up period at San Jose Hospital (SJH) in Bogotá, Colombia, over an observation period of 10years. Furthermore, clinical presentation, biochemical characteristics and immunohistochemistry, postoperative complications are detailed. Eight hundred and eighty-seven patients with pituitary tumors were included in the cohort; 83% (737/887) had a diagnosis of PitNET. Of these, 18.9% (140) received surgical management. The majority 58% (98/140) had nonfunctional-PitNETs (NF-PitNETs), followed by growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (22.1%; 33/140), adrenocorticotropic- hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (9.3%; 13/140), and prolactinomas (9.3%; 13/140). A recurrence was found in 45.71% (64/140), subclassified as biochemical in 15.71% (22/140), controlled with medications in 20% (28/140), and remission occurred in 18.57% (26/140). Clinical presentation and incidence of recurrence in patients with PitNETs in a referral center in Colombia are similar to other surgical cohorts with low cure rates and high recurrence.

Quality of life in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: results from a survey in hispanic patients

Objective: Persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a common long-lasting cause of dizziness and/or vertigo. This condition is usually triggered by central, peripheral, or vascular injuries and may lead to physical disability and altered development of daily activities. Herein, we performed a cross-sectional in three clinical centers in Latin America using the EQ-5D questionnaire to study the quality of life (QoL) of patients diagnosed with PPPD. Method: Cross-sectional study in two centers in Mexico and one center in Colombia. A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using GraphPad 9.0 Results: 50 patients diagnosed with PPPD were included. Patients indicated that symptoms worsened while standing up (n=26), when walking (n=35) and during ground transportation. Specific events such as visual movements (n=26), walking (n=31), during home stay (n=16) and stay in open and public places (n=13) are associated with discomfort in patients with PPPD. 50% of patients indicated some problems in mobility, 28% some problems on self-care, 34% some problems while performing usual activities and only 10% moderate pain during the PPPD episodes. At least 50% of patients indicated that they were moderately anxious or depressed. Conclusions: Mobility, anxiety, depression, and social issues were reported in patients with PPPD. Other problems detected in this survey were fear of falling and fear of having an injury. Further multidisciplinary approach must be done for their treatment.

Comorbidity profile and outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in a Latin American country: Insights from the Colombian heart failure registry (RECOLFACA)

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is usually accompanied by cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities, which may significantly impact its prognosis. In this study we aimed to characterize the comorbidity profile and its impact in mortality in patients with HF diagnosis from the Colombian Heart Failure Registry (RECOLFACA). MethodsRECOLFACA enrolled adult patients with HF diagnosis from 60 centers in Colombia during the period 2017–2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the impact of the comorbidities in mortality. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. ResultsFrom the total 2528 patients included in the registry, 2514 patients (58% males, mean age 68 years) had information regarding comorbidity diagnoses. 2321 patients (92.3%) reported at least one comorbidity. Arterial hypertension was the most frequent individual diagnosis (72%; n = 1811), followed by anemia (30.1%, n = 726). The most frequently observed coexisting comorbidities were coronary disease (CHD) with dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Different patterns of comorbidity coexistence were observed when comparing HF patients by sex and left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) classification. The only comorbidities that were significantly associated with mortality after multivariate adjustment were T2DM (HR 1.45. 95% CI 1.01–2.12), anemia (HR 1.48. 95% CI 1.02–2.16), and CHD (HR 1.59. 95% CI 1.09–2.33). ConclusionMultiple comorbidities were frequently observed in the patients from the RECOLFACA. T2DM, anemia and CHD were significantly associated with a higher risk of mortality, highlighting the importance of promoting an optimal follow-up and control of these conditions.

Clinical perspective in relation to age in patients treated with thrombectomy for anterior circulation stroke in a stroke center in Colombia.

Endovascular treatment for cerebrovascular disease is accepted as a first-line option with level I evidence in patients with an early and late time of window of onset symptoms, and an additional option in patients who do not respond or with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis; nevertheless the efficacy and outcomes of some groups were not clear, one of them are patients aged 80 years and older, because they were excluded of the trials, so the evidence is controversial with significant heterogeneity, for that reason in our study, we decided to analyze the age in the patients treated in our stroke center, as a predictor of prognosis, and to provide a baseline for the establishment of personalized treatment plans. Observational, retrospective study of patients that received endovascular treatment for cerebrovascular disease in a Colombian stroke center between 2016 and 2020, continuous and categorical variables were compared using the Student's t test and Chi-Square. To determine cut-off points in the variable against death and Rankin score variable on 90th day. In total, 108 patients were recruited, 35 of them were of 80 or more years, and the mean age was 72.7 years, we found age as a significant variable to predict the risk in the population over 80 years of age [RR 3.37 CI (95% 1.14-103) p = 0.029]. Age younger than 80 is a significant predictor for results and long-term outcomes in patients suffering from stroke, and in patients older than 80 years old a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3 is a predictor of good outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between intrahospital complications and long-term outcomes.

Expectations and Experiences of a Group of Patients Enrolled in an Educational Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis at a Specialized Care Center in Colombia.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease diagnosed in a productive stage of life. Patients with RA experience changes in their musculoskeletal system, overall health and quality of life. It has been identified that patients with RA do not have appropriate knowledge about their condition. Educational programs can provide new knowledge, accompaniment, and closer follow-up to improve empowerment and quality of life in patients with RA. To describe rheumatoid arthritis patients' experiences, perceptions, and expectations when enrolling on a multicomponent educational program in a specialized RA setting. A qualitative study was done. Patients with RA who attended a specialized center and enrolled in an educational program participated in two focus groups. The focus group discussions and the interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and emerging themes were constructed. Thirty-one participants were included in the focus groups. The median age was 60 years IQR (54-67), 92% were female. Two relevant categories emerged: first, the experience of being diagnosed with RA. Second, the program's ability to empower participants with knowledge and the possibility of transferring knowledge to other patients with the same condition. In addition, patients gave a high score to the expectations regarding the educational program. Understanding patients' expectations when enrolling in an educational program allows educators and clinicians to understand their motivations to create tailored programs that can contribute to acquiring empowerment in the educational process and managing their disease. Stakeholders should consider patients' expectations when implementing these interventions for patients with RA to adapt the intervention according to the patient's context and needs, which will directly affect the patient's adherence and lead to better use and allocation of resources for educational activities.

Survival Outcomes of Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Limited Access to Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy in a Cancer Center of a Low- and Middle-Income Country.

To describe the survival outcomes of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients with limited access to immunotherapy and targeted therapy in a cancer reference center in Colombia. A retrospective analysis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients treated between 2013 and 2018 was performed, majority diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. It was carried out in a public cancer reference center that provides care to patients of low and middle socioeconomic status. Overall survival and progression-free survival were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. A Cox regression model was performed for univariate and multivariate analysis. 209 patients were included with majority of adenocarcinoma (79.5%). First-line treatment was cytotoxic chemotherapy (50.2%), EGFR-targeted therapy (14.8%), chemoimmunotherapy (1.9%), and ALK-targeted therapy (1.4%). 31.6% received best supportive care. Median time of follow-up was 13 months, median overall survival was 11.2 months (95% CI, 7.9-14.4), 13 months for adenocarcinoma (95% CI, 8.1-17.9), and 2.5 months for squamous cell carcinoma (95% CI, 0.6-4.4) (P < .001). Median progression-free survival was 9.3 months (95% CI, 7.9-10.7) without differences according to the type of first-line therapy. Median time-to-treatment was 55 days and only 54% of patients with a tested actionable mutation in EGFR received an EGFR-targeted therapy as the first-line treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that squamous cell carcinoma histology and receiving best supportive care were independent factors for worse overall survival ((HR:1.8, 95% CI, 1.076-3.082, P=.026) and (HR:14.6, 95% CI, 8.921-24.049, P < .001), respectively). Meanwhile, squamous cell carcinoma histology was an independent factor for worse progression-free survival (HR:3.4, 95% CI, 1.540-7.464, P=.002). Despite advances in precision medicine, during the study period, cytotoxic chemotherapy was the most used treatment in our patients. Furthermore, about a third of them received best supportive care. The use of targeted therapies has been restricted by access to molecular diagnosis and remained low until 2018. Access to immunotherapy should be prioritized.

Causes of death in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases-a 16-year autopsy-based study.

the autopsy is an essential medical procedure; however, its use has declined over the decades. In autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, anatomical and microscopic diagnosis is critical to diagnose of the cause of death. For this reason, our objective is to describe the cause of death in patients diagnosed with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases who underwent an autopsy in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. between January 2004 and December 2019, 47 autopsies of patients with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases were performed. Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common diseases. The leading cause of death was related to infections, being opportunistic infections in the majority of the cases. our autopsy-based study was focused on patients with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions. Infections are the leading cause of death, particularly opportunistic infections, diagnosed mainly by microscopy. Thus, the autopsy should continue to be considered the "gold standard" to determine the cause of death in this population.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in paediatric patients with epilepsy: experience of a tertiary center in Colombia.

The objective of this study is to evaluate effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on seizure pattern in paediatric patients with epilepsy that attended our tertiary center in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Children with epilepsy who were treated at our center and have had SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and their caregivers were asked to report their experience following vaccination. We documented age, sex, age at onset of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, epilepsy type, seizure frequency, number of medications, time from last crisis, vaccination schemes, and seizures two weeks after vaccination. One hundred and one patients with epilepsy were included (58%, male; and 42%, female). The average age was 11 years, 73% had focal epilepsy, and 27%, generalized. Twenty-one fulfilled criteria for refractory epilepsy and 11 had a personal history of febrile seizures. Forty-seven patients had been vaccinated with Sinovac's vaccine; 41 patients, with Pfizer's; 12 patients, with Moderna's; and one, with CoronaVac's. Three patients presented seizures 24 hours after the application of the vaccine with no clear relation between vaccination and seizure frequency, and one patient required admission to the hospital for a prolonged seizure. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in paediatric patients with epilepsy is safe. Approximately 3% of patients with epilepsy could eventually have seizures in the post-vaccination period.

Small-Cell Lung Cancer in a Cancer Center in Colombia

Small-Cell Lung Cancer in a Cancer Center in Colombia

Comparative outcomes of direct-acting antiviral treatment in patients with HIV-Hepatitis C co-infection: insights from a single center experience in Colombia.

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) were introduced to Latin America with the aim of eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) in the region. There are scarce data on the outcomes of people living with HIV and HCV treated with these medications in Colombia. This study compares the outcomes of patients with HIV-HCV co-infection and HCV mono-infection treated with DAAs. Retrospective observational study including patients ≥18 years old with HCV infection treated with DAAs from August 2017 to December 2019 in a comprehensive center in Colombia. The main outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR). Secondary outcomes included reinfection, relapse and adverse events. We included 223 individuals with HCV treated with DAAs; 142 (63.6%) individuals were mono-infected and 81 (36.3%) co-infected. Genotypes 1b (49.7%) and 4 (33.9%) were the most common. Overall SVR after DAA treatment was 96.8%. Relapse rate was 2.24%, reinfection rate was 6.28% and adverse events occurred in 27.8% of cases. SVR was comparable in patients with co- and mono-infection (95% vs 97.8%, p=0.245). DAA were effective in mono-infected (HCV) and co-infected (HCV/HIV) patients and reinfection was high in this last group.

Diaphragmatic Dynamics and Thickness Parameters Assessed by Ultrasonography Predict Extubation Success in Critically Ill Patients.

A frequent cause of weaning and extubation failure in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients is diaphragm muscle dysfunction. Ultrasound (US) evaluation of the diaphragm yields important data regarding its thickness (diaphragm thickening fraction [TFdi]) and its movement or excursion (diaphragmatic dynamics) that reveal the presence of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Cross-sectional study, which included patients older than 18 years with invasive mechanical ventilation with an expected duration of more than 48 h, in a tertiary referral center in Colombia. The excursion of the diaphragm, inspiratory and expiratory thickness, and TFdi were evaluated by US. Prevalence and use of medications were evaluated, and the association with failure in ventilatory weaning and extubation was analyzed. Sixty-one patients were included. The median age and APACHE IV score were 62.42 years and 78.23, respectively. The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (assessed by excursion and TFdi) was 40.98%. The sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for TFdi < 20% was 86%, 24%, 75%, and 40%, respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.6. The ultrasonographic analysis of excursion of the diaphragm, inspiratory and expiratory thickness, and TFdi (>20%) allow in its set and with normal values, predict success or failure for the extubation with an area under the ROC curve of 0.87. Diaphragmatic dynamics and thickness parameters together assessed by ultrasonography could predict the success of extubation in critically ill patients in Colombia, based on the finding of diaphragmatic dysfunction.

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Impact of Kidney Disease on Heart Failure Patients: An Observational Study of the Colombian Heart Failure Registry

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents one of the most frequent comorbidities observed in heart failure (HF) patients and has been observed to increase this population’s risk of adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, evidence analyzing kidney dysfunction in HF is scarce in Latin American populations. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of kidney dysfunction and assess its association with mortality in patients diagnosed with HF enrolled in the Colombian Heart Failure Registry (RECOLFACA). Methods: RECOLFACA enrolled adult patients with HF diagnosis from 60 centers in Colombia during the period 2017–2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to assess the impact of the different categories of eGFR in mortality risk. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. All statistical tests were two-tailed. Results: From the total 2,514 evaluated patients, 1,501 (59.7%) patients had moderate kidney dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2), while 221 (8.8%) patients were classified as having a severe kidney dysfunction (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients with lower kidney function were most commonly males, had higher median age, and reported a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities. Moreover, different patterns of medications prescription were observed when comparing CKD versus non-CKD patients. Finally, eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 was significantly associated with a higher mortality risk compared to eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m2 status (HR: 1.87; 95% CI, 1.10–3.18), even after an extensive adjustment by relevant covariates. Conclusion: CKD represents a prevalent condition in the setting of HF. Patients with CKD and HF present with multiple sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory differences compared with those only diagnosed with HF and present a significantly higher risk of mortality. A timely diagnosis and optimal treatment and follow-up of CKD in the setting of HF may improve the prognosis of these patients and prevent adverse outcomes.

Making a difference? A retrospective review of peripherally inserted central catheters: A single-center experience in Colombia.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are an effective tool as a medical device in patients who require them. However, it is a procedure that has been associated with multiple complications and possible negative outcomes for the health of the patients. This paper seeks to describe the main complications derived from the insertion and maintenance of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs), based on the experience of a vascular accesses group in a cardiovascular center in Colombia. A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study of the adult population undergoing PICC insertion at the Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, during the period between 2019 and 2020 by the vascular access program, was performed. The frequency of any registered complication was 15.9% for 2019 and 11.2% for 2020. Bleeding at the procedure site occurred in 15.3% during 2019 and 7.0% in 2020, making it the most frequent complication during the procedure. All the variables of complications associated with infection (bacteremia, phlebitis, and catheter-related infection) showed a decrease in 2020 compared to the previous year. The central line-associated bloodstream infection registered for the year 2019 was 1.94 bacteremia's/1000 catheters-day compared to 0.29 bacteremia's/1000 catheters-day. There has been a 4.7% reduction in the frequency of any registered complication after the implementation of the vascular access groups. Global and specific complications decreased significantly from 2019 to 2020. Notably, bacteremia, a common post-procedure complication, showed a substantial decrease in frequency compared to national and worldwide literature. It is also been described that complications associated with infection showed a decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. Whether or not all these findings are directly or somewhat related to the results stemming from the vascular access groups still needs further investigation.

Echocardiographic findings in pediatric patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis IV-A with mutation c.901G&gt;T in the GALNS gene in a fourth level health center in Colombia between 2012-2019

La mucopolisacaridosis tipo IV-A es un trastorno de almacenamiento lisosómico poco frecuente, cuya manifestación clínica más evidente es la disostosis múltiple. Alteraciones multiorgánicas se han descrito en este tipo de pacientes, sin embargo, las manifestaciones cardiovasculares no han sido descritas con gran énfasis. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo principal describir los hallazgos ecocardiográficos en pacientes pediátricos con mucopolisacaridosis tipo IV-A con mutación c.901G&gt;T en el gen GALNS. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de serie de casos que incluyó pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado (clínico, bioquímico y molecular) de mucopolisacaridosis tipo IV-A; los pacientes asistieron a una institución hospitalaria en Pereira, Colombia, entre 2012 y 2019, donde se valoraron parámetros ecocardiográficos. Se incluyeron diez pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 3 y 18 años, media de 10. Las anomalías cardiacas identificadas fueron regurgitación mitral trivial RM en 4 de 10 pacientes, dilatación del anillo aórtico en 9 de 10, dilatación de la aorta ascendente, dilatación del arco transverso y del istmo aórtico en 1 de 10, área subaórtica levemente engrosada sin estenosis e hipertrofia ventricular izquierda concéntrica leve en 1 de 10 pacientes. La función ventricular fue normal en todos los pacientes. Los hallazgos ecocardiográficos más frecuentes fueron dilatación del anillo aórtico y regurgitación trivial de la válvula mitral, adicionalmente, pueden encontrarse válvulas mitral y aórtica engrosadas e hipertrofia ventricular izquierda, por lo que es importante una valoración periódica por cardiología pediátrica.

2100. Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients with Hematological Malignancies In Colombia

Abstract Background Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a potentially lethal complication in patients with hematological malignancies (HM). However, studies are scarce in this population, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, epidemiology, predictive factors, and outcomes of IFI in patients with HM hospitalized in non-HEPA-filtered rooms (resource-limited settings) in a reference center in Colombia. Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of HM patients and pulmonary infection hospitalized in a tertiary university hospital in Bucaramanga, Colombia, between 2015 and 2020. The primary outcome was proven/probable IFI according to the EORTC/MSGERC criteria. A descriptive and group comparison analysis were performed between patients with IFI and patients with non-fungal infections. The main risk factors for the development of IFI were identified by multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Table 1Statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis of patient characteristics compared between patients with invasive fungal infection and patients with non-fungal infection.Image 1Associated factors to develop invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients with HM. The graph shows the variables showed statistically significant difference in the multivariate analysis. Results In 201 patients, the prevalence of proven/probable IFI was 21.39% (43 cases). The most common IFI was caused by Aspergillus spp. (41.8%), followed by Candida spp. (34.8%), Mucor spp. (6.9%), Penicillium spp. (4.6%) and Cryptococcus neoformans (4.6%). The lung was the most commonly affected site (n=34; 81.3%); four patients (9.3%) developed fungal sinusitis and disseminated IFI, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 86% (37/43). Multivariate logistic regression analysis (area under the ROC curve=0.90) showed that antibiotic use ≥3 weeks (OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 1.26-13.31; p&amp;lt; .001), history of pulmonary infection (OR, 5.75; 95% CI, 1.41-23.39; p&amp;lt; .001) and neutropenia duration ≥21 days (OR, 5.88; 95% CI, 1.26-19.86; p &amp;lt; .001) were independent risk factors for the development of IFI and mould-active prophylaxis (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.060–0.705; p=0.012) was significantly associated with a lower occurrence of IFI. Conclusion HM patients in resource-limited settings have a high prevalence of IFI with an elevated mortality. The use of mould-active prophylaxis is associated with a significantly lower occurrence of IFI. Cost-effective strategies for prevention and early diagnosis of IFI are required to improve survival in patients with HM. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

508. Prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in adults with chronic diseases in Colombia.

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is responsible for many infections, especially soft tissues, and bacteremia. S. aureus is also a commensal microorganism in humans, usually found in the nasopharynx. Colonized subjects, especially adults with comorbidities, have a higher risk of developing clinical infections such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Some researchers have hypothesized that nasopharyngeal colonization is the etiology that could predict the etiology of CAP. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization by S. aureus in adults with comorbidities in a Colombian cohort. Methods This was a multicenter prospective cohort study in 3 centers in Colombia, conducted between December 2020 and March 2021. Patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of chronic disease were included. Subjects with evidence or diagnosis of CAP before 90 days and subjects admitted to hospitalization during the last seven days were excluded. Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) sampling in each participant according to WHO guidelines. A seeding of 100 ¼L of NPA by counting method on blood agar. The colonies in these cultures were identified by MALDI-TOF. Results NPAs were obtained in 810 subjects. S. aureus was isolated in 16.9% [137/810] of participants, with an average concentration of 148 CFU/100 µL [IQR 1 – 5500]. All the obtained colonies were confirmed by MALDI-TOFF. Patients had a mean age of 61.4 years [IQR 26 – 98], and 48.7% [67/137] were women. All of the subjects presented at least one comorbidity (51,1% [70/137] Arterial hypertension, 21,9% [30/137] chronic kidney disease, 16,8% [23/137] Diabetes and Heart failure). Notably, only 5.8% [8/137] developed pneumonia during the first six months of follow-up. Conclusion Our results confirm that S. aureus is a prevalent microorganism that colonizes the nasopharynx in adults with comorbidities. We will follow up with the patients for two years to determine if the nasopharyngeal colonization due to S. aureus is a risk factor for developing CAP. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.