Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era: a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

BACKGROUND

Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health.

METHODS

Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population.

RESULTS

In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work-life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies.

The determination of copeptin levels helps management decisions among transient ischaemic attack patients

BACKGROUND

Most approaches to transient ischaemic attack (TIA) triage use clinical scores and vascular imaging; however, some biomarkers have been suggested to improve the prognosis of TIA patients.

METHODS

Serum levels of copeptin, adiponectin, neopterin, neuron-specific enolase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, S100β, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1α as well as clinical characteristics were assessed on consecutive TIA patients during the first 24 h of the onset of symptoms.

RESULTS

Among 237 consecutive TIA patients, 12 patients (5%) had a stroke within 7 days and 15 (6%) within 90 days. Among all candidate biomarkers analysed, only copeptin was significantly increased in patients with stroke recurrence (SR) within 7 days (P = 0.026) but not within 90 days. A cut-off point of 13.8 pmol/l was established with a great predictive negative value (97.4%). Large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) [hazard ratio (HR) 12.7, 95% CI 3.2-50.1, P < 0.001] and copeptin levels ≥13.8 pmol/l (HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.01-14.4, P = 0.039) were independent predictors of SR at the 7-day follow-up. LAA was the only predictor of 90-day SR (HR 7.4, 95% CI 2.5-21.6, P < 0.001). ABCD3I was associated with 7- and 90-day SRs (P = 0.025 and P = 0.034, respectively). The association between copeptin levels and LAA had a diagnostic accuracy of 90.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum copeptin could be an important prognostic biomarker to guide management decisions among TIA patients. Therefore, TIA patients with copeptin levels below 13.8 pmol/l and without LAA have an insignificant risk of 7-day SR and could be managed on an outpatient basis.

Segmental arterial mediolysis: findings at computed tomography angiography

OBJECTIVE

To review the principal findings on computed tomography angiography for segmental arterial mediolysis, and to emphasize the points that help to differentiate it from other vasculopathies such as vasculitis. We also review the protocols for follow-up and the various treatment options.

CONCLUSION

Segmental arterial mediolysis is a rare disease that is defined as a non-atherosclerotic, non-hereditary, and non-inflammatory vasculopathy characterized by lysis of the medial layer of the arterial wall. It should be suspected in middle-aged patients with aneurysms, dissections, or spontaneous ruptures of visceral arteries of unknown etiology who do not fulfill the clinical and laboratory criteria for vasculitis. The arteries of the abdominal organs are the most commonly affected, including the arteries of the celiac trunk and the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. Radiologically, segmental arterial mediolysis can present as arterial dilation; single or multiple, saccular or fusiform aneurysms; stenoses; or dissections.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level determined at different times identifies transient ischaemic attack patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The etiological classification of patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a difficult endeavor and the use of serum biomarkers could improve the diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study was to correlate atrial fibrillation, the main cardioembolic etiology (CE), with different serum biomarkers measured in consecutive TIA patients.

METHODS

The concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, neuron-specific enolase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-1-α and the N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were quantified in the serum of 140 patients with TIA and 44 non-stroke subjects. Measurements were performed at different times throughout evolution: within 24 h of symptoms onset and at days 7 and 90.

RESULTS

With the exception of IL-6, all biomarkers were higher in TIA patients than in controls. NT-proBNP was significantly related to the presence or new diagnosis of AF at all time points analyzed. Furthermore, the baseline NT-proBNP level was significantly higher than values at the 7-day and 90-day follow-up. For this reason, different cut-off values were obtained at different times: 313 pg/ml at baseline [odds ratio (OR) = 18.99, P < 0.001], 181 pg/ml at 7 days (OR = 11.4, P = 0.001) and 174 pg/ml (OR = 8.46, P < 0.001) at 90 days.

CONCLUSION

High levels of NT-proBNP determined during the first 3 months after a TIA were associated with AF. Consequently, this biomarker may be useful to reclassify undetermined TIA patients as having disease of CE.

Anti-secretory, anti-inflammatory and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of several fractions isolated from Piper carpunya Ruiz & Pav

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves of Piper carpunya Ruiz & Pav. (syn Piper lenticellosum C.D.C.) (Piperaceae), are widely used in folk medicine in tropical and subtropical countries of South America as an anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diarrheal and anti-parasitical remedy as well as an ailment for skin irritations.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To study the anti-inflammatory, anti-secretory and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of different fractions isolated from an ethanolic extract of the leaves of Piper carpunya, in order to provide evidence for the use of this plant as an anti-ulcer remedy. Moreover, to isolate the main compounds of the extract and relate their biological activity to the experimental results obtained with the fractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen fractions were obtained from the ethanolic extract (F I-XVI) and 16 pure compounds were isolated and identified from these fractions. We studied the effects of the fractions (0.1-400microg/mL) on the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme from rat peritoneal leukocytes, on rabbit gastric microsomal H(+), K(+)-ATPase activity and anti-Helicobacter pylori anti-microbial activity using the microdilution method (MM). The main compounds contained in the fractions were isolated and identified by (1)H- and (13)C NMR spectra analysis and comparison with the literature data.

RESULTS

Eight fractions showed inhibition of MPO enzyme (F I-IV, X, XII, XIV and XV). The highest inhibition was observed with F XIV (50microg/mL, 60.9%, p<0.001). F X and XII were the most active ones, inhibiting the gastric H(+), K(+)-ATPase activity with IC(50) values equal to 22.3microg/mL and 28.1microg/mL, respectively. All fractions, except F XV, presented detectable anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, with a diameter of inhibition zones ranging from 11mm up to 50mm. The best anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was obtained with F III and V. Both fractions killed Helicobacter pylori with lowest concentration values, about 6.25mug/mL. Sixteen pure compounds were isolated, five of them are flavonoids that possess strong anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging activity, e.g. vitexin, isovitexin, and rhamnopyranosylvitexin. Terpenoids like sitosterol, stigmasterol and phytol, which have shown gastroprotective activity, and dihydrochalcones, like asebogenin, with anti-bacterial activity, were also isolated. Furthermore, the rare neolignan 1, that is a DNA polymerase beta lyase inhibitor, and (6S, 9S)-roseoside, that shows strong anti-bacterial activity, were isolated, for the first time, from the genus Piper.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the flavonoids isolated from F I and II (vitexin, isovitexin, rhamnopyranosylvitexin and isoembigenin) contribute to the anti-MPO activity, as well as to their anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. These flavonoids may also be responsible for the important inhibition of H(+), K(+)-ATPase activity. Also the phytosterols and phytol obtained from F XIV and XV could be involved in these gastroprotective activities. These results encourage us to continue phytochemical studies on these fractions in order to obtain full scientific validation for this species.

[Detection of silent peripheral arterial disease in stroke patients with a low ankle-arm index]

INTRODUCTION

A low ankle-arm index (AAI) is a strong predictor of vascular events and stroke. Nevertheless few studies have prospectively determined AAI in stroke patients. We aimed to investigated the prevalence of low AAI in stroke patients and which variables are associated with abnormal AAI.

METHODS

Clinical data and ultrasonographic findings were collected in 79 consecutive stroke patients (20 transient ischemic attacks and 59 cerebral < ischemic infarction). During admission, AAI was measured in all subjects with the Doppler. An AAI cutoff of 0.90 was used to categorize individuals (< or =0.90: abnormal).

RESULTS

A low AAI was calculated in 16 (20.3%) patients. AAI < or = 0.90 was associated with hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, coronary disease, previous peripheral arterial disease, male gender, internal carotid stenosis>50% (p<0.10). The presence of peripheral artery disease varied between subtypes. The incidence was higher for large artery atherosclerosis, 25.0 % and small vessel disease (31.5%). Multivariate analyses (logistic regression) only identify the association of>3 risk factors as independent predictor of low AAI (odds ratio: 4.41; confidence interval 95%: 1.39-4.01; p=0.012).

CONCLUSION

Stroke patients had higher incidence of low AAI. Abnormal AAI was associated with classical risk factors. Existence of silent peripheral arterial disease in these patients may be an indicator of cerebral atherosclerosis extension. The measurement of AAI may be useful in order to plan adequate prevention therapies.

The aerial parts of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. protect against NSAID-induced gastric lesions

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., a member of the Sterculiaceae family, is used in folk medicine because of its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antihypertensive properties. Most of the research work carried out on this plant has focused on the bark because of its high concentration of antioxidant proanthocyanidins. The flowers and leaves of Guazuma ulmifolia, though less studied, are also used as a remedy for different conditions, such as kidney and gastrointestinal diseases, fever and diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the gastroprotective effects of an aqueous suspension of the ethanolic extract from leaves and flowers of Guazuma ulmifolia in a model of acute gastric ulcer induced by diclofenac as ulcerogenic agent, using the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole as a protection reference. Therefore, the extract was administered two times orally to three groups of Wistar rats at doses of 500, 250 and 125mg/kg, with a 24-h interval between doses. Diclofenac (100mg/kg) was given 1h after the last administration of the extract. Pretreatment with Guazuma ulmifolia or omeprazole decreased the ulcerated area in a dose-dependent way. Myeloperoxidase activity as a marker of neutrophil infiltration was slightly reduced in vivo, whereas in vitro, anti-inflammatory activity was clearly inhibited in a dose-dependent way. The lowest doses of the extract significantly decreased the levels of lipoperoxides, and superoxide dismuthase activity increased to a similar extent as with omeprazole (P<0.001). Examination of glutathione metabolism reflected a significant rise in glutathione peroxidase activity at the highest dose of Guazuma ulmifolia. Finally, there was a faint elevation in prostaglandin E(2) levels with all doses, though the depletion induced by diclofenac could not be reverted. We conclude that the aerial parts of Guazuma ulmifolia protect gastric mucosa against the injurious effect of NSAIDs mainly by anti-inflammatory and radical-scavenging mechanisms.

Protective and antioxidant effects of Rhizophora mangle L. against NSAID-induced gastric ulcers

The bark of Rhizophora mangle, the red mangrove, has been used traditionally in folk medicine of Caribbean countries due to its antiseptic, astringent, haemostatic and antifungal properties. Aqueous extracts are rich in tannins and have been proven experimentally to possess antibacterial, wound healing and antiulcerogenic effects. This work was designed to determine the gastroprotective effect of Rhizophora mangle in a model of diclofenac-induced ulcers in rats and to study the mechanisms involved, using the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole as a comparison. The lyophilized extract was given by oral gavage (125 and 62.5mg/kg) three times at 12h intervals before administering diclofenac 100mg/kg. Pretreatment with the extract resulted in a significant decrease of the ulcerated area (P<0.01). Rhizophora mangle induced a recovery of PGE(2) levels, which had been depleted by diclofenac. No anti-inflammatory effect was observed ex vivo or in vitro. The highest dose of the extract provoked a marked increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, which was comparable to omeprazole. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation levels were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the gastroprotective effect of Rhizophora mangle in this experimental model appears through an antioxidant and prostaglandin-dependent way.

A family with adult spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, X-linked inheritance and associated testicular failure

A family with adult spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy with X-linked recessive inheritance (Kennedy's disease) is described. Affected members presented at age 20 with muscle cramps followed insidiously by gynaecomastia, partial loss of secondary sexual traits, loss of libido and inability to maintain an erection. Three had also testicular atrophy and severe oligospermia was found in two patients. Testicular biopsy in one case showed germinal failure with almost normal Leydig cells. Hormonal tests were suggestive of a primary testicular failure. Etiologic possibilities are considered.