Browsing by Author "Trejo, C"

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    Prevalence and isotype distribution of antiphospholipid antibodies in Chilean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
    (2001) Aguirre, V; Cuchacovich, R; Barria, L; Aris, H; Trejo, C; Massardo, L; Pasten, R; Espinoza, L
    Previous studies have demonstrated that ethnicity plays a role in the prevalence, isotype distribution, and clinical significance of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta (2) glycoprotein I (a beta (2)-GPI) antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Few studies have been done in Latin American populations. Serum samples from 129 Chilean SLE patients were tested for IgG, IgM and IgA aCL and a beta (2)-GPI by ELISA. Clinical data were reviewed with the focus on clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Positivity for at least one isotype of aCL was found in 30% of patients, while only 10% were positive for at least one isotype of a beta (2)-GPI. IgG was the most prevalent isotype for aCL (16%), and the isotype distribution was similar (4%) for a beta (2)-GPI. In general, the presence of aCL was significantly associated with the presence of a beta (2)-GPI, but a number of samples were positive for only one antibody, some of them associated with clinical manifestations of APS. ACL antibodies at medium-high titers were significantly correlated with thrombosis (P=0.0007) and fetal loss (P=0.009); however, the sensitivity of a beta (2)-GPI for detecting thrombosis and fetal loss was lower than aCL (19 and 17% vs 56 and 50%, respectively), and the specificity slightly higher (91 and 90% vs 84 and 82%). In Chilean SLE patients, aCL and a beta (2)-GPI antibodies are important in the evaluation of patients with APS. However, the utility of a beta (2)-GPI antibodies was limited by the low prevalence of these antibodies in comparison with other ethnic groups. Further studies are needed to define the basis of the observed differences among ethnic groups.
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    The terminally ill patient
    (2000) Bravo, M; Echeverria, C; Goic, A; Kottow, M; Lavados, M; Mosso, L; Perez, M; Quintana, C; Rojas, A; Rosselot, E; Serani, A; Taboada, P; Trejo, C; Soc Med Santiago; NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)
    The classification of a patient as terminally ill is based on an expert diagnosis of a severe and irreversible disease and the absence of an effective available treatment, according to present medical knowledge. Terminal diseases must not be confused with severe ones, since the latter may be reversible with an adequate and timely treatment. The physician assumes a great responsibility at the moment of diagnosing a patient as terminally ill. The professional must assume his care until the moment of death. This care must be oriented to the alleviation of symptoms and to provide the best possible quality of life. Also, help must be provided to deal with personal, legal and religious issues that may concern the patient.