The objective of the study was to clarify how the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) concept of certainty of evidence applies to certainty ratings of test accuracy. After initial brainstorming with GRADE Working Group members, we iteratively refined and clarified the approaches for defining ranges when assessing the certainty of evidence for test accuracy within a systematic review, health technology assessment, or guideline. Ranges can be defined both for single test accuracy and for comparative accuracy of multiple tests. For systematic reviews and health technology assessments, approaches for defining ranges include some that do not require value judgments regarding downstream health outcomes. Key challenges arise in the context of a guideline that requires ranges for sensitivity and specificity that are set considering possible effects on all critical outcomes. We illustrate possible approaches and provide an example from a systematic review of a direct comparison between two test strategies. This GRADE concept paper provides a framework for assessing, presenting, and making decisions based on the certainty of evidence for test accuracy. More empirical research is needed to support future GRADE guidance on how to best operationalize the candidate approaches.

Objetivo: presentar a los clínicos la evidencia que soporta los procesos más seguros y efectivos en la inserción y el mantenimiento del catéter venoso central (CVC), como estrategia en la prevención de las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter. Materiales y métodos: a partir de preguntas clínicas dirigidas a mejorar la seguridad y efectividad de los procesos de inserción y mantenimiento de catéter venoso, en los momentos clave, se hicieron búsquedas de literatura en las bases de datos Medline vía PubMed, Embase, Central y Lilacs. Se utilizó la metodología de revisión sistemática rápida de la literatura. Los estudios identificados fueron evaluados desde el punto de vista de la calidad con las herramientas para estudios cualitativos, cuantitativos y revisiones sistemáticas del Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Las guías de práctica clínicas fueron evaluadas con el instrumento AGREE II. La evidencia se presenta como recomendaciones clínicas basadas en la evidencia, a las cuales se les dio gradación, según la metodología del JBI. Resultados: se presentan 12 resúmenes clínicos que contienen la evidencia relacionada con el uso seguro y efectivo del catéter venoso central en cuanto a: las indicaciones, la inserción del catéter en venas centrales y en inserción periférica (PICC), la valoración prequirúrgica, el uso de analgesia, la preparación del campo, la selección entre CVC o PICC, el cuidado y mantenimiento de CVC, la prevención de complicaciones y consideraciones generales en el uso de catéter venoso central (CVC) en el paciente oncológico y en nutrición parenteral. Conclusiones: se presentan las recomendaciones para el uso seguro y efectivo de los catéteres de acceso venoso central con relación a los procesos de inserción y mantenimiento de CVC en el modelo de resúmenes basados en la evidencia. Es necesario hacer evaluación de la implementación de los mismos en resultados en salud en las instituciones donde se desarrollen.

Background: Some reports suggest there are differences in health needs between the population affiliated to the subsidized health insurance scheme (SS) and those affiliated to the contributory health insurance scheme (CS) in Colombia. The objective of this study was to identify the epidemiological profile of the population affiliated to the SS in Colombia and to compare the main epidemiological features of the SS to the CS.Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology, the search was carried out from 1993, with no other restriction. The information was synthesized into five categories according to the most important risk populations. We estimated combined incidences from epidemiological surveillance data, prevalence ratio, and other measures to estimate the difference between the studied groups. A 95% confidence interval was considered. A random effects model was used weighted by the inverse of the variance of the cumulative incidence calculated for each disease. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal tools.Results: A total of 16,236 articles were identified; 14,972 were excluded after title and abstract screening, 725 articles were verified as full text, and finally 268 articles were included. The relative risk of non-communicable and communicable diseases was lower in the SS than in the CS (RR: 0.37 and 0.72, respectively,p-value < 0.05). However, the risk of presenting obstetric and maternal conditions in the SS versus the CS was RR 1.55 for frequent conditions during early childhood, and for other diseases it was RR 1.28 with ap-value of < 0.05. The use of health services was different by scheme, with less demand, access, and provision being found in health services in the SS.Conclusions: This study allowed us to conclude that there are differences in the incidence, prevalence, and use of health services between health affiliation schemes (SS and CS) in Colombia, thereby assisting in decision-making for stakeholders.Trial registration: PROSPERO Registration number CRD42021279234.

Background: Biomarkers are essential for identification of individuals at high risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for potential prevention of dementia. We investigated DNA methylation in the APOE gene and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plasma levels as MCI biomarkers in Colombian subjects with MCI and controls. Methods: In total, 100 participants were included (71% women; average age, 70 years; range, 43–91 years). MCI was diagnosed by neuropsychological testing, medical and social history, activities of daily living, cognitive symptoms and neuroimaging. Using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted by age and gender, we examined the risk association of MCI with plasma ApoE and APOE methylation. Results: MCI was diagnosed in 41 subjects (average age, 66.5 ± 9.6 years) and compared with 59 controls. Elevated plasma ApoE and APOE methylation of CpGs 165, 190, and 198 were risk factors for MCI (p < 0.05). Higher CpG-227 methylation correlated with lower risk for MCI (p = 0.002). Only CpG-227 was significantly correlated with plasma ApoE levels (correlation coefficient = −0.665; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Differential APOE methylation and increased plasma ApoE levels were correlated with MCI. These epigenetic patterns require confirmation in larger samples but could potentially be used as biomarkers to identify early stages of MCI.

Introduction: Reducing the incidence of reportable events with undesirable effects (REUE) is a priority in the hospital environment, which is why reporting systems have been implemented to identify and manage them. Information is required regarding the performance of reporting systems, barriers, or facilitators for reporting and strategies that improve passive reporting. Methodology: Systematic scoping review of the literature that included studies performed in the population exposed to the occurrence of REUE in the health system (teams, patients, and family). A search was performed in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE In-Process and MEDLINE Daily Update, EMBASE, LILACS, and databases of the World Health Organization and Pan-American Health Organization. Results: Fifteen studies were found, 1 systematic review, 2 clinical trials, 8 observational studies, 3 qualitative studies, and 1 mixed study. In 4 of them, the effectiveness of active versus passive reporting systems was compared. The measures to improve the passive systems were education about REUE, simplification of the reporting format, activities focused on increasing the motivation for self-report, adoption of self-report as an obligatory institutional policy, and using specific report formats for each service. Conclusions: There is information that allows to find differences between the performance of the active and passive reporting systems. The reviewed research articles found that passive techniques significantly underreported adverse events. It is recommended that institutions adopt both active and passive techniques in adverse event surveillance. New studies should be directed to answer the comparative efficiency of the reporting systems.

Patient safety includes monitoring, analysis, and proposed actions for the prevention of reportable events with unwanted effects (REUE). To estimate the incidence, preventability, severity, and contributing factors of REUEs in patients admitted to the surgery service. Prospective cohort study in patients with at least 12 hours of hospitalization in the surgical services of a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Random sampling was used and the sample size was 200 subjects. Sociodemographic and baseline clinical variables were evaluated. We estimated the presence of REUE detection events, their preventability and severity. The analysis of the contributing factors was done using the London protocol. A total of 106 women (52.47%) and 96 men (47.53%) were included; the median age was 51.93 years (range 18–93); 60% had at least 1 comorbidity measured by the Charlson index and 25.74% had 3 or more. Of the participants, 28.21% presented at least 1 detection event, the incidence of REUEs was 11.8%, and 75% of them were classified as preventable while 75% were serious events. The main contributing factors were: patient-related 58.33%, related to scheduled tasks and clinical context 50.00%, and work team-related factors 37.50%. The incidence, preventability, and severity of REUE are similar to those reported in the literature. The analysis of the contributing factors shows areas that are susceptible to intervention and can be considered as opportunities for improvement. La seguridad del paciente incluye la vigilancia, análisis y la propuesta de acciones para la prevención de eventos reportables con efectos no deseados (EREND). Estimar la incidencia, preventibilidad, severidad y factores contribuyentes de los EREND en pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de cirugía. Estudio de cohorte prospectiva en pacientes con al menos 12 horas de hospitalización en los servicios quirúrgicos de un hospital universitario en Bogotá, Colombia. Muestreo aleatorio. Tamaño muestral: 200 sujetos. Se evaluaron las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas basales. Se estimó la presencia de eventos de detección, de EREND, si eran prevenibles y su severidad. El análisis de los factores contribuyentes se hizo mediante el protocolo de Londres. Se incluyeron 106 mujeres (52.47%) y 96 hombres (47.53%); la edad mediana fue 51.93 años (rango 18–93). El 60% tuvo al menos una comorbilidad medida por el índice de Charlson y el 25.74% tuvo 3 o más. El 28.21% de los participantes presentaron al menos un evento de detección, la incidencia de EREND fue 11.8% y el 75% de estos fueron calificados como prevenibles y 75% fueron eventos serios. Los principales factores contribuyentes fueron: del paciente 58.33%, relacionados con tareas programadas y contexto clínico 50.00% y factores del equipo de trabajo 37.50%. La incidencia, evitabilidad y severidad de los EREND del estudio se encuentran dentro de las reportadas en la literatura, el análisis los factores contribuyentes presenta elementos que son susceptibles de intervención y pueden ser considerados como oportunidades de mejora.