Clinics In Spain Research Articles

Accuracy and clinical applicability of plasma tau 181 and 217 for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in a memory clinic cohort.

Plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181) and 217 (p-tau217) have demonstrated high accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, defined by CSF/PET amyloid beta (Aβ) positivity, but most studies have been performed in research cohorts, limiting their generalizability. We studied plasma p-tau217 and p-tau181 for CSF Aβ status discrimination in a cohort of consecutive patients attending an academic memory clinic in Spain (July 2019-June 2024). All patients had CSF AD biomarkers performed as part of their routine clinical assessment. Aβ positivity was defined with a local cut-off of CSF Aβ1-42 < 600pg/mL; in patients with borderline Aβ1-42 values or when there was a mismatch between the Aβ and the T status (T + if CSF p-tau181 ≥ 65pg/mL), a ratio Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 < 0.07 was used. Plasma p-tau217 and p-tau181 were measured retrospectively, from blood samples collected at first visit, with Fujirebio Lumipulse and Quanterix Simoa assays, respectively. We included 468 patients (mean age 67years, 50% female, 61% Aβ positive). Plasma p-tau217 outperformed plasma p-tau181 in discriminating CSF Aβ status (AUC 0.95 vs 0.90, p = 0.005). A 97.5% sensitivity and specificity plasma p-tau217 algorithm, classifying patients into three groups of Aβ probability (Low, Intermediate and High), resulted in 67% of patients in the Low and High groups, having their Aβ status predicted (as negative and positive, respectively) with 96% accuracy. The remaining 33% in the Intermediate group were candidates to undergo CSF/PET testing. A model with a 10% variation in p-tau217 levels yielded small changes in accuracy (95%). In conclusion, plasma p-tau217 could have discriminated CSF Aβ status in two-thirds of patients with very high accuracy in a memory clinic cohort. These results support the implementation of plasma p-tau217 as an initial diagnostic tool in memory clinics for AD diagnosis, reducing the need for more invasive/expensive testing.

Clinical control in COPD and therapeutic implications: The EPOCONSUL audit.

This study aimed to evaluate clinical control in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the consequences in terms of treatment decisions, and their potentially associated factors during follow-up of patients in real-life clinical practice. EPOCONSUL 2021 is a cross-sectional audit that evaluated the outpatient care provided to patients with a diagnosis of COPD in respiratory clinics in Spain and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the relationships between clinical control and clinical inertia. 4225 patients from 45 hospitals in Spain were audited. Clinical control was analyzed in 1804 (42.7%) patients who met all the Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC) criteria. 49.1% of patients were classified as uncontrolled, and 42.2% of patients disagreed with the level of control determined by their doctor, which was reported as good during the visit. There was therapeutic inertia (TI), in other words not making any change or taking any action in the treatment of COPD, in 68.4% of uncontrolled patients and no action was taken during the visit for 9.1% of uncontrolled patients. Factors associated with TI in uncontrolled patients were disagreement with the degree of control reported by the doctor who performed the examination ☯physician classifies and reports disease as controlled versus uncontrolled, OR: 3.37 (2.33-4.88), p<0.001] and having a lower burden of associated comorbidities ☯Charlson comorbidity index ≥3 versus <3, OR 0.8 (0.1-3.0), p = 0.014]. The probability of disagreeing with the physician's classification of the degree of COPD control in uncontrolled patients was lower in patients with severe exacerbations ☯OR 0.3 (0.17-0.78), p = 0.009] and those with more exacerbations in the last year ☯OR 0.6 (0.4-0.9), p = 0.019]. Therapeutic inertia exists in more than half of uncontrolled patients and is more likely when there is disagreement with the assessment of the physician responsible for the visit, who reported there being good disease control, a situation that was more likely in patients with less history of exacerbations.

Evaluating sustainability awareness and practices in podiatry clinics in Spain: A path toward a healthy and sustainable future

BackgroundSustainability in healthcare is crucial due to the sector's significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Medical practices must address environmental impact while maintaining high-quality care and equitable access. In podiatry, sustainable practices can reduce the environmental footprint of clinics and improve long-term healthcare outcomes by promoting prevention and resource efficiency. Study designCross sectional study. MethodWe conducted an online survey with 357 practicing podiatrists, all registered with the General Council of Podiatrists of Spain and with at least one year of professional experience. The survey contained 26 questions focused on sustainability in healthcare, podiatry practices, and environmental impact. The questionnaire included both closed-ended questions and Likert-scale items. Responses were scored and categorized into arbitrary sustainability categories: low (<12), medium (12 to 25), and high (>25). ResultsMost respondents (82.6 %) did not regularly use public transport, and 14 % did not engage in any form of physical exercise. More than half of the sample were unaware of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Almost all (98 %) had not measured the carbon footprint of their clinics, yet 34.7 % planned to optimise energy consumption in their clinics. Overall, 41.7 % were categorized as low sustainability, 56.9 % medium, and 1.4 % met high sustainability. ConclusionsPodiatry clinics in Spain demonstrate low sustainability actions and knowledge. Sustainable practice aligns with global environment healthcare urgency, and ensures more responsible podiatric services. This study provides the first baseline data for this issue, availing comparisons across global podiatric healthcare sectors.

The Fertility Fix: the Boom in Facial-matching Algorithms for Donor Selection in Assisted Reproduction in Spain

This article reads the uptake of facial-matching algorithms by fertility clinics in Spain through the lens of ‘the fertility fix’: a software fix to the social reconfiguration of kinship and a fixed capital investment made by competing fertility companies and firms. ‘The fertility fix’ is proposed as a critical, ethical lens through which to situate algorithmic facial-matching in assisted reproduction in the context of the racial politics of the face and phenotype and the spatial politics of market expansion. While an ‘infertility crisis’ is often mentioned when explaining the growth of the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) industry, the use of donated reproductive cells is tied up in societal, ecological and economic shifts. Combining Software Studies analysis with Marxist Feminist and trans*feminist perspectives on shifting re/production dynamics, the article details the role of computational technologies in promoting certain ideas and beliefs about family and fixing certain territories of capital flow.

Pain sensitization and pain-related psychological factors in patients with temporomandibular disorders: an observational cross-sectional study.

There is conflicting evidence on how central processing impairments affect patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Moreover, there is sparse research on the assessment of endogenous pain modulation in this population through conditioned pain modulation (CPM) testing. The main objective of this observational study was to evaluate the possible differences between myofascial TDM patients and healthy pain-free controls on psychophysical variables suggestive of central processing impairments (including temporal summation (TSP), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM)). This is a cross-sectional observational study including a sample of patients with TMD and pain-free controls recruited from private and university clinics in Spain. Outcome measures included local and distal PPTs, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation and psychological factors of depression, anxiety, kinesiophobia, fear avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing. Fifty-nine patients with TMD of myofascial origin (32 years [IR: 25-43]) and 30 healthy, pain-free controls (29.5 years [IR: 25-41]) participated in the study and completed the evaluations. Patients with TMD showed significantly reduced CPM (p = 0.001; t = 3.31) and both local and distal PPTs (p < 0.05) when compared with controls, after adjusting for the influence of age and sex. TSP did not show any difference between the groups (p = 0.839; Z = 0.20). All psychological factors were higher in patients with TMD (p < 0.005), except for anxiety (p = 0.134). Patients with myofascial TMD included in this study exhibited signs of altered central processing, linked to impaired descending pain modulation, distal hyperalgesia and psychological factors like depression, kinesiophobia, fear avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing but not anxiety.

Psychosocial and environmental motivational key factors behind the parenthood desire in infertile couples at the time of COVID-19.

To evaluate the main psychosocial motivational factors behind the increased adoption of IVF during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prospective, multicenter, observational case-control study assessed the factors motivating infertile couples to pursue their first IVF treatment during the pandemic across various IVF clinics in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the USA, and Panama. A pre-pandemic control group and a post-pandemic participant group were surveyed. The study was conducted between November 2021 and January 2023. The increase in IVF cycles was analyzed, and an ad hoc survey was developed to explore the motivational factors driving IVF engagement. Most clinics reported a significant increase in IVF demand (5.5-8.7%) for all indicators, including the number of started ovarian stimulations, oocyte pickups, and embryo transfers, following the declaration of the pandemic. The extra time spent and the reduced workload were the most important motivations prompting women to pursue their first fertility treatment during the pandemic (time to spend in the couple's relationship-OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.06-2.20; p < 0.05; decreased workload-OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.11-6.24; p < 0.05). This study highlights that infertility remains a significant stressor for individuals, and the desire to resolve it is not hindered by catastrophic events like COVID-19. Open communication between partners about reproductive intentions, combined with reduced work-related stress, is a key factor influencing the initiation of fertility treatment. It is crucial to encourage couples to take timely action in facing infertility.

Anti-Müllerian hormone does not predict cumulative pregnancy rate in non-infertile women following four IUI cycles with donor sperm.

To evaluate the predictive value of serum AMH for clinical pregnancy in non-infertile population undergoing intrauterine insemination with donor sperm (ds-IUI). This multicenter prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06263192) recruited all non-infertile women undergoing ds-IUI from June 2020 to December 2022 in three different fertility clinics in Spain and Chile. Indications for ds-IUI included severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, female partner, or single status. Clinical pregnancy rates were compared between women with AMH ≥ 1.1 and < 1.1ng/mL. The main outcome measure was the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate after up to 4 ds-IUI cycles. A total of 458 ds-IUI cycles were performed among 245 patients, of whom 108 (44.08%) achieved clinical pregnancy within 4 cycles, 60.2% of these occurring in the first attempt and 84.2% after two attempts. We found no significant differences in AMH levels or other parameters (such as age, BMI, FSH, AFC) between women who became pregnant and those who did not. Cumulative pregnancy rates and logistic regression analysis revealed that AMH ≥ 1.1ng/mL was not predictive of ds-IUI success. While a high positive correlation was observed between AFC and AMH (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), ROC curve analyses indicated that neither of these ovarian reserve markers accurately forecasts cumulative ds-IUI outcomes in non-infertile women. The findings of this multicenter study suggest that AMH is not a reliable predictor of pregnancy in non-infertile women undergoing ds-IUI. Even women with low AMH levels can achieve successful pregnancy outcomes, supporting the notion that diminished ovarian reserve should not restrict access to ds-IUI treatments in eligible non-infertile women.

P-397 A retrospective analysis shows a high effect in reproductive outcomes as age increases associated to endometrial factor in IVF advanced maternal age (AMA) patients

Abstract Study question Is there an increasing risk of a negative reproductive outcomes with every passing year associated with endometrial factor in AMA patients? Summary answer The risk of implantation failure and pregnancy loss associated with endometrial factor increase in 2.0% and 1.2% respectively with each passing year in AMA patients. What is known already Nowadays, there is a delay in maternity due to lifestyle, leading to a progressive increase in the age of women at the first childbirth increasing infertility. However, no universal definition of AMA has been established yet. Typically, studies are performed between different groups of age, establishing arbitrary thresholds. Besides, studies about AMA infertility mainly focus on the decline in oocyte quality, but the effects of age on the endometrium are often overlooked. Therefore, there is a lack of studies centered on endometrial factor and considering age year-by-year to be able to strictly establish when fertility decline starts and its magnitude. Study design, size, duration This retrospective study included a total of 33,735 single embryo transfers from 21,506 IVF AMA patients (&amp;gt;35 y.o, BMI 19-25 kg/m2) performed with high quality embryos (embryos from donated oocytes (donor &amp;lt;35 y.o) or euploid embryos from their own oocyte cohort) transferred in day 5 in an endometrial Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) cycle. Evaluated transfers were performed between 2001 and 2022 in 19 clinics in Spain. This study was approved by an IRB (2203-FIVI-030-PD). Participants/materials, setting, methods A logistic regression analysis was performed, considering the patient’s age (42.93±3.45 y.o.) as a continuous and dependent variable and the reproductive outcome as an independent variable. The risk of obtaining a negative pregnancy outcome was estimated as risk ratios at a 95% confidence interval. A p-value&amp;lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Reproductive rates (live birth and pregnancy loss) were calculated and compared each passing year in the studied range of ages (35-51 y.o). Main results and the role of chance The rates of live birth, Implantation failure and pregnancy loss associated to endometrial factor were affected as age increased in IVF AMA patients (&amp;gt;35 y.o). The implantation failure risk was increased in each passing year a 2% (Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.020 (1.003, 1.021) 95% confidence interval (95%CI), p-value=6.0E-09) and pregnancy loss risk was increased in each passing year a 1.2% (RR = 1.012, (1.003, 1.021) 95%CI, p-value=0.0096). Live birth rate decreased progressively from 42% observed in 35 y.o. to 32% in 50 y.o. Nevertheless, the pregnancy loss rate increased progressively from 29% in 35 y.o. to 37% in 50 y.o. Moreover, results shown a more drastic decrease of implantation failure rate after 42 years old and a pregnancy loss rate after 45 years old. Limitations, reasons for caution Only transfers from Spanish population under a HRT cycle were included, decreasing the results variability. However, the results could not be generalized to other hormonal cycles. Moreover, biochemical and clinical pregnancy loss could not be distinguished in this study considering pregnancy loss as a term that includes both of them. Wider implications of the findings To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the endometrial factor in AMA patients was analyzed year by year, helping to define in a more reliable way the ages at which the sharpest changes occur to improve clinical practices on endometrial implantation failure in AMA patients. Trial registration number Not applicable

Digital Transformation of Oral Health Care: Measuring the Digitalization of Dental Clinics

AbstractThe profound transformation of business and society as a whole, brought about by digitalization, calls for the development of business strategies to meet the challenges associated with digital disruption and to manage its marked impact on the competitiveness of organizations. To achieve this goal, it is essential to assess the extent of digital transformation (DT) within businesses, as a crucial initial step in charting the most effective path towards digitalization. Nevertheless, a limitation in the existing literature on digitalization in the healthcare sector is evident in the absence of quantifiable indicators that comprehensively measure and track the progress of DT across all facets of dental clinics. The objective of this paper is the construction of a digitalization indicator, the Dental Data Synthetic Index (DDSI), which allows the accurate measurement of progress in digital development levels within all areas of a dental organization. This instrument can be a useful tool for both diagnosis and digital planning in dental clinics. In this paper, the proposed indicator is supported by its application to a representative sample of dental clinics in Spain, obtained from a survey developed for this purpose.

Minimum number of mature oocytes needed to obtain at least one euploid blastocyst according to female age in in vitro fertilization treatment cycles

To find a useful tool for estimating the minimum number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes needed to obtain at least one euploid blastocyst according to female age. Retrospective analysis of invitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycles with preimplantational genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) performed over 5 years in IVIRMA Valencia (Spain), January 2017-March 2022. Approval from the Institutional Review Board of IVI Valencia (2204-VLC-040-CR). Private infertility clinic in Spain. Eligible patients were undergoing their first IVF-PGT-A treatment cycle, in which at least one MII oocyte was obtained, regardless of oocyte and semen origin. Oocyte donation cycles were included in the donor group (≤34 years old). Treatment cycles from women with their own oocytes were selected only when the oocytes were aged ≥35 years (patient group). Only trophoectoderm biopsies performed on days 5 or 6 of development and analyzed using next-generation sequencing were included. Preimplantational genetic testing for aneuploidy cycles because of a known abnormal karyotype were excluded. Not applicable. Number of MII oocytes needed to obtain one euploid blastocyst according to female age. A total of 2,660 IVF-PGT-A treatment cycles were performed in the study period in the eligible population (patients group = 2,462; donors group =198). The mean number of MII oocytes needed to obtain one euploid blastocyst increased with age, as did the number of treatment cycles that did not get at least one euploid blastocyst. An adjusted multivariate binary regression model was designed using 80% of the patient group sample (n = 2,462; training set). A calculator for the probability of obtaining at least one euploid blastocyst was created using this model. The validation of this model in the remaining 20% of the patient group sample (n = 493; validation set) showed that it could estimate the event of having at least one euploid blastocyst with an accuracy of 72.0%. Our results show a preliminary model capable of predicting the number of MII oocytes needed to obtain at least one euploid blastocyst according to female age, calculated with the largest database of IVF-PGT-A treatment cycles ever used for this purpose, including only treatment cycles using next-generation sequencing on trophoectoderm biopsies. Once this model has been properly validated, it could help with decision-making for both clinicians and patients coming to an infertility clinic.

#2775 ERCOS multicenter Spanish study: clinical profile of patients with chronic kidney disease G3a-G5D and osteoporosis

Abstract Background and Aims Fracture risk evaluation has recently been integrated into the 2017 KDIGO CKD-MBD (Chronic Kidney Disease- Mineral and Bone Disorder) guideline and its 2021 Spanish endorsement. It is now suggested to test bone mineral density (BMD) to assess fracture risk “if results will impact treatment decisions”. In fact, multiple new prospective studies have now documented that lower BMD predicts incident fractures in patients with CKD G3a–G5D. However, we scarcely know current real clinical practice in this population. Thus, the aim of the ERCOS (“Enfermedad Renal Crónica OSteoporosis”) study was to describe the clinical profile of patients with CKD who had been diagnosed of osteoporosis in outpatient Nephrology and Rheumatology clinics in Spain. Method ERCOS is a descriptive, observational, and multicenter Spanish study. Patients were recruited by consecutive sampling from 15 different Spanish hospitals. Osteoporosis characteristics (history of fragility fracture, BMD and other fracture risk factors), associated comorbidities, biochemical parameters and treatment were analyzed. Results A total of 163 patients (median age 77 years old) were included. Most were women (71.2%) and 98.3% of them were postmenopausal. Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity (87.1%) and “attributed” cause of CKD (43.2%). Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease were present in 35.6% and 29.4% of patients, respectively. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 36 ml/min/1.73 m2 [creatinine 1.48 mg/dl (95% CI 1,2-2)]. 38% of patients were G5D CKD patients (95.2% undergoing hemodialysis). 37.7% of patients had had a fragility fracture after the diagnosis of CKD (vertebral 52.5%, hip 24.6%, wrist 21.3%, humerus 16.4%, among others). Importantly, despite the diagnosis of osteoporosis, only 60.1% of the patients received specific treatment (mainly bisphosphonates or denosumab). Moreover, antiosteoporotic treatment was much more frequently prescribed by rheumatologists (46.9%), internal medicine physicians (23.5%), and only 13.3% was prescribed by nephrologists. 19.4% of patients suffered from fragility fractures even after initiating specific treatment. Conclusion Most patients with moderate and severe CKD with osteoporosis were old postmenopausal women with a high prevalence of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Although about 40% had even suffered a fragility fracture, there is a high treatment gap, especially relevant among nephrologists. A call to action and to avoid existing therapeutic nihilism seems necessary, expanding the knowledge of the new more proactive guidelines and homogenizing the care and therapeutic approach in these patients.

Assessing the impact of haemodynamic monitoring with CardioMEMS on heart failure patients: a cost-benefit analysis.

The objective of this study was to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the CardioMEMS HF System (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) in a heart failure (HF) clinic in Spain by evaluating the real-time remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures, which has been shown to reduce HF-related hospitalizations and improve the quality of life for selected HF patients. Particularly, the study aimed to determine the value of CardioMEMS in Southern Europe, where healthcare costs are significantly lower and its effectiveness remains uncertain. This single-centre study enrolled all consecutive HF patients (N=43) who had been implanted with a pulmonary artery pressure sensor (CardioMEMS HF System); 48.8% were females, aged 75.5±7.0years, with both reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction; 67.4% of them were in New York Heart Association Class III. The number of HF hospitalizations in the year before and the year after the sensor implantation was compared. Quality-adjusted life years gained based on a literature review of previous studies were calculated. The rate of HF hospitalizations was significantly lower at 1year compared with the year before CardioMEMS implantation (0.25 vs. 1.10 events/patient-year, hazard ratio 0.22, P=0.001). At the end of the first year, the usual management outperformed the CardioMEMS HF System. By the end of the second year, the CardioMEMS system is estimated to reduce costs compared with usual management (net benefits of €346). Based on the results, we suggest that remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure with the CardioMEMS HF System represents a midterm and long-term efficient strategy in a healthcare setting in Southern Europe.

Osteoporosis management in patients with chronic kidney disease (ERCOS Study): A challenge in nephrological care

Fracture risk assessment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been included in the CKD-MBD ("Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorders") complex in international and national nephrology guidelines, suggesting for the first time the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) if the results can influence therapeutic decision-making. However, there is very little information on actual clinical practice in this population. The main objective of the ERCOS (ERC-Osteoporosis) study is to describe the profile of patients with CKD G3-5D with osteoporosis (OP) and/or fragility fractures treated in specialized nephrology, rheumatology and internal medicine clinics in Spain. Fifteen centers participated and 162 patients (mostly women [71.2%] postmenopausal [98.3%]) with a median age of 77 years were included. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 36 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 38% of the included patients were on dialysis. We highlight the high frequency of prevalent fragility fractures [37.7%), mainly vertebral (52.5%) and hip (24.6%)], the disproportionate history of patients with glomerular disease compared to purely nephrological series (corticosteroids) and undertreatment for fracture prevention, especially in nephrology consultations. This study is an immediate call to action with the dissemination of the new, more proactive, clinical guidelines, and underlines the need to standardize a coordinated and multidisciplinary care/therapeutic approach to these patients in an efficient way to avoid current discrepancies and therapeutic nihilism.

Detection of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Respiratory Clinics in Spain: Results of the EPOCONSUL 2021 Audit.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an underdiagnosed condition despite being one of the most common inherited disorders in adults that is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim was to evaluate the frequency of performing AAT levels and associated factors in COPD patients in an audit conducted in 2021-2022, as well as to compare with a previous audit conducted in 2014-2015. EPOCONSUL 2021 is a cross-sectional audit that evaluated the outpatient care provided to COPD patients in respiratory clinics in Spain based on available data from medical registries. 4225 patients with a diagnosis of COPD from 45 centers were audited in 2021. A total of 1670 (39.5%) patients underwent AAT determination. Being treated at a specialized COPD outpatient clinic (OR 1.88, p = 0.007), age ≤ 55 years old (OR 1.84, p = 0.007) and a FEV1 < 50% (OR 1.86, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher likelihood of being tested for AAT, while Charlson index ≥ 3 (OR 0.63, p < 0.001) and genotyping of AATD availability (OR 0.42, p < 0.001) showed a statistically significant negative association. The analysis of cases included in respiratory units that participated in both audits showed an increase in the proportion of cases with AAT serum level testing available (adjusted OR 2.81, p < 0.001). The percentage of individuals with serum AAT levels < 60 mg/dL (a severe AATD) was 4%. Our analysis identifies significant improvements in adherence to the recommendation to test AAT levels in COPD patients, performed in 4 out of 10 patients, being more likely at younger ages and with higher COPD severity, and with a detection of severe AATD of 4% among those tested, suggesting that clinicians still perform AAT testing in COPD patients selectively. Therefore, efforts are still needed to optimize AATD screening and establish new early detection strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Semen cryopreservation for an oncological reason: a retrospective study

Research questionHow do cancer type and treatment affect semen quality before and after treatment, and what effect does it have in their clinical management of infertility? Also, what is the rate of patients using cryopreserved semen samples after treatment? DesignPatients who cryopreserved spermatozoa for oncological reasons between 2000 and 2022 in IVI clinics in Spain were retrospectively reviewed. Semen parameters were analysed before and after treatment, and utilization and destruction rates were calculated. Total motile sperm count (TMSC) was used for assisted reproductive technology (ART) counselling. ResultsA total of 724 patients cryopreserved their semen during the study period. The semen parameters of the cancer patients' semen before and after treatment were heterogeneous, with significant differences between cancer type and semen parameters. The utilization rate was relatively low (0.4%), whereas the destruction rate was 23.1%. ConclusionCancer and antineoplastic treatment affect everyone differently. Therefore, sperm cryopreservation should be offered to all patients before starting treatment to ensure their reproductive future. Furthermore, in addition to considering the semen parameters defined by the World Health Organization, it is important to use TMSC in the diagnosis of men to choose appropriate ART according to type of cancer.

The Grief Response Scale (GRS): Development and initial validation of a new instrument based on the integrative-relational model in a sample of bereaved people

IntroductionThe experience of grief and loss involves a variety of trajectories and responses, including feelings of shock or disbelief, somatic symptoms, longing for the loved one and avoidance behaviours, as well as positive reactions such as post-traumatic growth or meaning-making. Despite the large number of psychometric instruments available for assessing the pathological dimensions of grief, few tools address the different responses to bereavement. ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to develop and test the psychometric properties (factorial structure, reliability and validity) of an instrument based on the Integrative-Relational Model of grief and designed to address the grief responses (the Grief Response Scale (GRS)) in a clinical sample of participants who had experienced bereavement. MethodIn total, 379 participants were recruited from different clinics in Spain. Each participant completed a self-report questionnaire including the GRS and measures of complicated grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic growth. Twenty-eight clinical psychologists contacted each of the participants individually in order to carry out the assessment. ResultsExploratory factor and item analysis yielded a six-factor solution for the GRS, including symptomatological distress, avoidance orientation, loss orientation, positive changes, loss integration and social support. Reliability values ranged from ω =0.88 for the symptomatological distress subscale to ω= 0.65 for the loss orientation subscale. We assessed validity evidence using Pearson's correlations, which showed significant positive and negative associations depending on the subscale. we also found statistically significant differences between participants who met the criteria for complicated grief (ICG≥30) and those who did not. DiscussionThe GRS appears to be a suitable tool for assessing the range of grief responses in a clinical population. It can measure both complicated and pathological reactions to grief, as well as positive outcomes. The GRS may also be useful for clinicians working with bereavement and end-of-life situations.

The MIGREX study: Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction among migraine patients

BackgroundMigraine attacks have a high impact on daily activities. There is limited research on the burden of migraine on sexual functioning. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with migraine and its relationship with migraine features and comorbidities. MethodThis is a cross-sectional study. We included migraine patients between 18 and 60 years-old from 8 Headache Clinics in Spain. We recorded demographic data and migraine features. Patients fulfilled a survey including comorbidities, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a questionnaire about migraine impact on sexual activity. A K-nearest neighbor supervised learning algorithm was used to identify differences between migraine patients with and without sexual dysfunction. ResultsWe included 306 patients (85.6% women, mean age 42.3±11.1 years). A 41.8% of participants had sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was associated with being female (OR [95% CI]: 2.42 [1.17–5.00]; p<0.001), being older than 46.5 years (4.04 [2.48–6.59]; p<0.001), having chronic migraine (2.31 [1.41–3.77]; p=0.001), using preventive medication (2.45 [1.35–4.45]; p=0.004), analgesic overusing (3.51 [2.03–6.07]; p<0.001), menopause (4.18 [2.43–7.17]; p<0.001) and anxiety (2.90 [1.80–4.67]; p<0.001) and depression (6.14 [3.18–11.83]; p<0.001). However, only female gender, age, menopause and depression were the statistically significant variables selected in the model to classify migraine patients with or without sexual dysfunction (Accuracy [95% CI]: 0.75 (0.62–0.85), Kappa: 0.48, p=0.005). ConclusionsSexual dysfunction is frequent in migraine patients visited in a headache clinic. However, migraine characteristics or use of preventive medication are not directly associated with sexual dysfunction. Instead, risk factors for sexual dysfunction were female gender, higher age, menopause and depression.

Psychosocial wellbeing shortly after allocation to a freeze-all strategy compared with a fresh transfer strategy in women and men: a sub-study of a randomized controlled trial.

Psychosocial wellbeing shortly after allocation to a freeze-all strategy compared with a fresh transfer strategy in women and men: a sub-study of a randomized controlled trial.

Prevalencia y perfil clínico de la enfermedad renal en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. Datos del Registro cardiorrenal español

Introduction and objectivesPatients with combined heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been underrepresented in clinical trials. The prevalence of CKD in these patients and their clinical profile require constant evaluation. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of CKD, its clinical profile, and patterns of use of evidence-based medical therapies in HF across CKD stages in a contemporary cohort of ambulatory patients with HF. MethodsFrom October 2021 to February 2022, the CARDIOREN registry included 1107 ambulatory HF patients from 13 HF clinics in Spain. ResultsThe median age was 75 years, 63% were male, and 48% had heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). A total of 654 (59.1%) had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 122 (11%) patients with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had a urine albumin-creatinin ratio ≥ 30 mg/g. The most important variables associated with lower eGFR were age (R2=61%) and furosemide dose (R2=21%). The proportion of patients receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/ angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) progressively decreased with lower eGFR categories. Notably, 32% of the patients with HFrEF and an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 received the combination of ACEI/ARB/ARNi+beta-blockers+MRA+SGLT2i. ConclusionsIn this contemporary HF registry, 70% of patients had kidney disease. Although this population is less likely to receive evidence-based therapies, structured and specialized follow-up approaches within HF clinics may facilitate the adoption of these life-saving drugs.

Total Rehabilitation Using Adhesive Dental Restorations in Patients with Severe Tooth Wear: A 5-Year Retrospective Case Series Study.

Currently, there is little clinical evidence to support the medium- and long-term survival and clinical performance of ultraconservative approaches using adhesive restorations in full-mouth restorations. The aim of this case series study was to evaluate the medium-term clinical performance of anterior and posterior adhesive restorations applied with direct and indirect techniques using resin composites and glass-ceramic-based materials. The inclusion criteria were an esthetic problem as the main reason for consultation and severe generalized wear of grade 2 to 4 according to the Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES 2.0). In addition, at each follow-up appointment, patients were required to submit a clinical-parameter-monitoring record according to the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Eight patients with severe tooth wear were treated through full rehabilitation in a private dental clinic in Spain by a single operator (AFC). A total of 212 restorations were performed, which were distributed as follows: 66 occlusal veneers, 26 palatal veneers and 120 vestibular veneers. No signs of marginal microleakage or postoperative sensitivity were observed in any occlusal, vestibular and/or palatal restoration after the follow-up period. The estimated survival rate of the 212 restorations was 90.1% over 60 months of observation, with a survival time of 57.6 months. Only 21 restorations had complications, which were mostly resolved with a direct composite resin. The dichotomous variables of the restoration type (posterior veneer, anterior veneer) and the type of restored tooth (anterior, posterior) were the risk predictors with statistically significant influences (p < 0.005) on the survival of the restorations. According to the results of this study, there is a significantly higher risk of restorative complications in posterior teeth compared to anterior teeth. Also, it can be concluded that the indication of adhesive anterior and posterior restorations is justified in the total oral rehabilitation of patients with severe multifactorial tooth wear, as they are associated with a low risk of failure.