Objective: Vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from metformin use has been demonstrated in multiple studies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with chronic metformin use and the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetic neuropathy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 162 patients. Vitamin B12 levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Diabetic neuropathy was evaluated by patient record, nerve conduction and Michigan test for the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. Additional data, including demographic characteristics were collected. A linear regression model was used to evaluate variables that correlated with vitamin B12 levels and diabetic neuropathy. Results: Low vitamin B12 levels were found in 7.3% (95% CI: 4.0–12%) of patients. In those with diabetic neuropathy, altered (low and borderline) vitamin B12 level was 64% (95% CI: 47–78%) compared to 17% (95% CI: 10–26%) in patients without diabetic neuropathy (coefficient: −110.8; CI 95%: −165.8, −59.7). Those taking a higher metformin dose had lower levels of vitamin B12 (coefficient: −0.061; CI 95%: −0.09, −0.024). In addition, female patients had higher levels of vitamin B12 compared to men (coefficient: 49.1; CI 95%: 2.3–95). Conclusions: Vitamin B12 deficiency is highly prevalent, especially in patients with diabetic neuropathy. In this study an inverse correlation was found between diabetic neuropathy and the plasma level of vitamin B12. Higher doses of metformin and male sex were factors related to lower levels of vitamin B12.

To review the literature on the clinical application of radiolabeled somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) by SPECT and PET in adults with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Objectives: Primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) is diagnosed based on the American European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria, but lacks specificity, not only in the involvement of salivary glands, but also in extra-glandular involvement. Whole-body somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with ^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy could overcome these limitations. The aims of this study were to evaluate salivary gland uptake of ^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC in untreated patients with de-novo diagnosis of SS as compared to control subjects and as compared to conventional sialoscintigraphy with ^99mTcO₄⁻. We also aimed to evaluate the involvement of joints. Methods: ^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC was used with SS patients and uptake in joints and salivary glands was analyzed semi-quantitatively. Patients also underwent ^99mTcO₄ sialoscintigraphy. The control group that we analyzed consisted of 30 patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Results: Fifty-two females and 10 males fully met the AECG criteria for SS, and were included. A target background ratio (TBR) >1.18 in submandibular glands correctly classified 93% of the patients with SS in comparison to 27% for ^99mTcO₄ sialoscintigraphy. The area under the curve (ROC) analysis for TBR in submandibular glands was 0.95. In joints there was a huge variety in uptake. The median TBR was significantly higher in salivary glands in patients with SS compared to controls. Conclusions: ^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy identified active inflammatory processes not only in the salivary glands, but, unexpectedly, also in many joints in patients with primary SS, contrary to popular belief. This technique provides an objective parameter to evaluate the inflammation burden in salivary glands and joints and could be used to evaluate response to treatment.

Background: Assessment of nasal obstruction is imprecise due to a low correlation between findings on the physical examination and objective measures with the severity of symptoms reported by the patient even after septoplasty with turbinoplasty is performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of subjective scales, and the correlation between them for the evaluation of nasal obstruction after surgery. Objective: To assess the impact of undergoing septoplasty with turbinoplasty to relieve nasal obstructive symptoms and the quality of life in a mid-term period by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who underwent a septoplasty with turbinoplasty due to nasal septodeviation and secondary nasal obstructive symptoms at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Three scales were used to measure the outcomes one year after surgery: VAS (0–10), NOSE (0–100), and GBI (−100 to 100). Results: Data from 56 patients (21 females, mean age 37.5 years of age, SD 12.13) was collected. The results showed that 75% of the patients had a post-surgical NOSE score below 50 and a VAS score below 6. Regarding the GBI scale, 75% of the patients improved in their quality of life. An inverse proportional correlation was found between the NOSE and GBI scales (rho = −0.3682) (95% CI −0.579 to –0.111), and there was a directly proportional correlation between the NOSE and VAS scales (rho = 0.7440) (95% CI 0.595 to 0.844). Conclusion: Subjective measures suggest there was an improvement in nasal obstructive symptoms and quality of life after surgery. Non-anatomical causes such as rhinitis can be confounding factors to consider in subsequent studies. VAS stands out as a possible interchangeable scale with NOSE to measure nasal obstruction in these patients.

Background: Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is considered an important aspect of clinical assessment and health research. Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is related to the quality of life deterioration subsequent to COM symptoms, social communication impairments, and lower work performance. However, there is no reliable information regarding the impact of this disease on health and quality of life in many resource-poor countries. Therefore, we translated into Spanish the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) for the evaluation of HRQoL of Chronic Otitis Media (COM) in adult patients. Also, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the questionnaire. Methods: Two otology referral centers in Bogotá, Colombia were included. The Spanish version of COMQ-12 was applied twice to 200 adult patients with confirmed COM diagnosis and 31 healthy controls to perform the validation process and assess the internal consistency of this questionnaire. Psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity) of the COMQ-12 were assessed. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were conducted via structural equation modeling to test the questionnaire’s structure. Results: The Spanish version of the COMQ-12 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.86, McDonald’s Omega: 0.89). Coefficients corresponding to Lin’s Concordance test and test–retest reliability were 0.95 and 0.83 respectively. Correlation between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the COMQ-12 was 0.68 (95% CI 0.59–0.75, p value < 0.001). Factor analysis of the Spanish version of the COMQ-12 indicated a questionnaire structure with three domains: smelly discharge related symptoms; hearing loss related symptoms; and impact on work, lifestyle, and health services. Conclusion: This Spanish version of the COMQ-12 showed high reliability and high internal consistency. This questionnaire can be used as an objective clinical tool to assess the HRQoL of patients who have a COM diagnosis. Trial registration: Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe, Ethical Committee Registration ID: CCEI-8807-2018. Hospital de San José, Ethical Committee: Record number 500, DI-I-0632-18.

Background: The frequency of allergic diseases in tropical Latin American populations is poorly understood, and certain particularities can impact their natural history and risk factors. Objective: The study aimed to determine the frequency of self-reported allergies (allergic diseases, drug, and food allergies) in patients who attended the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia. Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the frequency of self-reported allergies reported by all the patients who attended an allergy referral center between June and December 2019. Results: A total of 60978 patients were included. Allergic rhinitis was reported by 1.51% (n= 921), asthma by 1.28% (n = 782), and atopic dermatitis by 0.41% (n = 250) of the study population. A higher frequency of self-reported allergic diseases (rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis) was found in the younger populations, while drug allergies were more frequently reported in adults. The most frequently self-reported drug allergies were penicillin allergy (4.07%, n = 2479), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) allergy (1.85%, n = 1116). The most commonly reported food allergens included shellfish (0.58%), fruits (0.54%), cow’s milk protein (0.37%), and eggs (0.21%). Conclusion: The distribution of food allergens showed a higher frequency of shrimp and fruit allergies compared to previous studies on African, Asian, and Arabic tropical populations that describe a higher predominance of egg and milk allergies. Patients reporting allergic diseases should always be referred to the allergology department for confirmatory testing.