Retraction of health science articles by researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean: A scoping review.

We aimed to conduct a scoping review to assess the profile of retracted health sciences articles authored by individuals affiliated with academic institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). We systematically searched seven databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Medline/Ovid, Scielo, and LILACS). We included articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2003 and 2022 that had at least one author with an institutional affiliation in LAC. Data were collected on the year of publication, study design, authors' countries of origin, number of authors, subject matter of the manuscript, scientific journals of publication, retraction characteristics, and reasons for retraction. We included 147 articles, the majority being observational studies (41.5%). The LAC countries with the highest number of retractions were Brazil (n = 69), Colombia (n = 16), and Mexico (n = 15). The areas of study with the highest number of retractions were infectology (n = 21) and basic sciences (n = 15). A retraction label was applied to 89.1% of the articles, 70.7% were retracted by journal editors, and 89.1% followed international retraction guidelines. The primary reasons for retraction included errors in procedures or data collection (n = 39), inconsistency in results or conclusions (n = 37), plagiarism (n = 21), and suspected scientific fraud (n = 19). In conclusion, most retractions of scientific publications in health sciences in LAC adhered to international guidelines and were linked to methodological issues in execution and scientific misconduct. Efforts should be directed toward ensuring the integrity of scientific research in the field of health.

Características y factores asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 traqueostomizados: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en un hospital de Tacna, Perú / Characteristics and factors associated with mortality in tracheostomized patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study in a hospital in Tacna, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir las principales características demográficas, clínicas, laboratoriales y terapéuticas e identificar si están asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes traqueostomizados. Material y métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de COVID-19, ingresados a UCI (Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos) y que requirieron traqueostomía. Se extrajeron datos demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriales y de tratamiento de las historias clínicas de pacientes que ingresaron al Hospital III Daniel Alcides Carrión de Tacna. Para el análisis de supervivencia se empleó el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox y se calcularon los cocientes de riesgo instantáneos (HR) con sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados. Se evaluaron 73 pacientes, el 72,6% eran hombres, las comorbilidades más comunes fueron obesidad (68,5%), diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (35,6%) e hipertensión arterial (34,2%). El 37% de los participantes fallecieron durante la estancia en UCI. La mediana de tiempo desde la intubación hasta la traqueostomía y la duración de esta fue 17 (RIC: 15−21) y 21 (RIC: 3−39) días, respectivamente. El análisis multivariado mostró que los factores asociados a mortalidad, fueron presentar un valor de procalcitonina > 0,50 ng/dL en el momento de la traqueostomía (HRa: 2,40 IC95%: 1,03−5,59) y el nivel de PaO2/FiO2 menor o igual a 150 mmHg, (HRa: 4,44 IC95%: 1,56−12,60). Conclusiones. Los factores asociados a mortalidad al momento de realizar la traqueostomía fueron presentar un valor de procalcitonina > 0,50 ng/dL y un cociente PaO2/FiO2 menor o igual a 150 mmHg.

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to describe the main demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic characteristics and to identify whether they are associated with mortality in tracheostomized patients. Material and methods. Retrospective cohort study in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19, admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and requiring tracheostomy. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data were obtained from the medical records of patients admitted to Hospital III Daniel Alcides Carrión in Tacna. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for survival analysis and hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Results. We evaluated 73 patients, 72.6% were men, the most common comorbidities were obesity (68.5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (35.6%), and arterial hypertension (34.2%). Thirty-seven percent of the participants died during their stay at the ICU. The median time from intubation to tracheostomy and the duration of tracheostomy was 17 (RIC: 15-21) and 21 (RIC: 3-39) days, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with mortality were procalcitonin > 0.50 ng/dL at the time of tracheostomy (HRa: 2.40 95%CI: 1.03-5.59) and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than or equal to 150 mmHg (HRa: 4.44 95%CI: 1.56-12.60). Conclusions. The factors associated with mortality at the time of tracheostomy were procalcitonin > 0.50 ng/dL and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than or equal to 150 mmHg.

Efficacy and Safety of Aripiprazole in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic medication, and its use in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) is debatable because it is not FDA-approved for treating BPD. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in patients with BPD. On July 2, 2021, the protocol (CRD42021256647) was registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid-Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane (CENTRAL) were searched without regard for language or publication date. We also searched trial registries on ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Randomized clinical trials with adult patients diagnosed with BPD met the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane risk of bias for randomized trials (RoB-2) method was used to assess the quality of the included studies. We included two previously published randomized clinical trials. There were 76 patients with BPD, with 38, 12, and 26 assigned to the aripiprazole, olanzapine, and placebo groups, respectively. Most patients (88.16%) were females, with ages ranging from 22.1 to 28.14 yr. Aripiprazole has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, clinical severity, and obsessive-compulsive behavior, insecurity, melancholy, anxiety, aggressiveness/hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid thinking, psychoticism, and somatization. The adverse effects were headache, insomnia, restlessness, tremor, and akathisia. The risk of bias was considerable in both trials, which is somewhat problematic considering that prejudice can lead to incorrect outcomes and conclusions. Aripiprazole has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in the treatment of patients with BPD. More randomized controlled studies are needed.

Characteristics and factors associated with mortality in tracheostomized patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study in a hospital in Tacna, Peru. / Características y factores asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 traqueostomizados: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en un hospital de Tacna, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the main demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic characteristics and to identify whether they are associated with mortality in tracheostomized patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS.: Retrospective cohort study in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19, admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and requiring tracheostomy. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data were obtained from the medical records of patients admitted to Hospital III Daniel Alcides Carrión in Tacna. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for survival analysis and hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. RESULTS.: We evaluated 73 patients, 72.6% were men, the most common comorbidities were obesity (68.5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (35.6%), and arterial hypertension (34.2%). Thirty-seven percent of the participants died during their stay at the ICU. The median time from intubation to tracheostomy and the duration of tracheostomy was 17 (RIC: 15-21) and 21 (RIC: 3-39) days, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with mortality were procalcitonin > 0.50 ng/dL at the time of tracheostomy (HRa: 2.40 95%CI: 1.03-5.59) and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than or equal to 150 mmHg (HRa: 4.44 95%CI: 1.56-12.60). CONCLUSIONS.: The factors associated with mortality at the time of tracheostomy were procalcitonin > 0.50 ng/dL and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than or equal to 150 mmHg.

OBJETIVO.: Describir las principales características demográficas, clínicas, laboratoriales y terapéuticas e identificar si están asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes traqueostomizados. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de COVID-19, ingresados a UCI (Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos) y que requirieron traqueostomía. Se extrajeron datos demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriales y de tratamiento de las historias clínicas de pacientes que ingresaron al Hospital III Daniel Alcides Carrión de Tacna. Para el análisis de supervivencia se empleó el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox y se calcularon los cocientes de riesgo instantáneos (HR) con sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS.: Se evaluaron 73 pacientes, el 72,6% eran hombres, las comorbilidades más comunes fueron obesidad (68,5%), diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (35,6%) e hipertensión arterial (34,2%). El 37% de los participantes fallecieron durante la estancia en UCI. La mediana de tiempo desde la intubación hasta la traqueostomía y la duración de esta fue 17 (RIC: 15−21) y 21 (RIC: 3−39) días, respectivamente. El análisis multivariado mostró que los factores asociados a mortalidad, fueron presentar un valor de procalcitonina > 0,50 ng/dL en el momento de la traqueostomía (HRa: 2,40 IC95%: 1,03−5,59) y el nivel de PaO2/FiO2 menor o igual a 150 mmHg, (HRa: 4,44 IC95%: 1,56−12,60). CONCLUSIONES.: Los factores asociados a mortalidad al momento de realizar la traqueostomía fueron presentar un valor de procalcitonina > 0,50 ng/dL y un cociente PaO2/FiO2 menor o igual a 150 mmHg.

Association between glycemic control and albuminuria among Peruvian adults with diabetes mellitus 2: a cross-sectional analytical study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is a risk factor for microvascular and macrovascular complications in the diabetic population. However, few studies have correlated poor glycemic control and albuminuria prevalence in Hispanic populations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between glycemic control and albuminuria among Peruvian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study among adults with T2DM in Lima, Peru. METHODS: We included adults over 18 years old who were in a clinical follow-up program at a private clinic in Lima in 2018. Poor glycemic control was defined as a serum value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) ≥ 7%. Albuminuria was defined as albumin values > 30 mg/dl in the first morning urine. We generated generalized linear regression models from the Poisson family with robust variance. We calculated the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: We analyzed 907 participants of median age 58 years (interquartile range, IQR 49 to 66), and 62.8% were males. The prevalence of poor glycemic control was 39.8%, and the prevalence of albuminuria was 22.7%. The prevalences of albuminuria in groups with poor glycemic control and adequate glycemic control were 32.7% and 16.1%, respectively. In the adjusted regression analysis, we found a statistically significant association between poor glycemic control and albuminuria (annual percentage rate, aPR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.28-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of poor glycemic control and albuminuria was high in our study population. Moreover, Peruvian T2DM adults with poor glycemic control were more likely to have albuminuria.

Frequency of Correct Mask Use Among Pedestrians in High-Flow Indoor Public Spaces: A Multicenter Analysis in the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to describe the variation in the frequency of correct mask use among pedestrians in the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in high-flow indoor public spaces from different geographic and social settings in Peru. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional exploratory study among pedestrians in Lima (the capital city) and other coastal and highland cities in Peru. Pedestrians were directly observed by trained medical students in 2 high-flow indoor areas at different times in November 2020 (first wave) and October 2021 (second wave). Primary outcomes included the frequencies of mask use and correct use. We applied multinomial logistic models and estimated crude and adjusted relative prevalence ratios for sex, age, obesity, and location. Additionally, we used binomial generalized linear models to estimate prevalence ratios in crude and adjusted models. RESULTS: We included 1996 participants. The frequency of mask use was similar in both years: 96.9% in 2020 and 95.5% in 2021. However, the frequency of correct mask use significantly decreased from 81.9% (95% CI, 79.4-84.3) in 2020 to 60.3% (95% CI, 57.2-67.3) in 2021. In 2020, we observed an increase in the probability of misuse in the cities of Lima (aRP: 1.42; P = .021) and Chiclayo (aPR: 1.62, P = .001), whereas, in 2021, we noted an increase in the probability of misuse in the cities of Lima (aRP: 1.72; P < .001) and Piura (aPR: 1.44; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The correct mask use decreased during the second wave, although no significant overall variations were observed in mask use in pedestrians between both periods. Also, we found regional differences in correct mask use in both periods.

Association between glycemic control and albuminuria among Peruvian adults with diabetes mellitus 2: a cross-sectional analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is a risk factor for microvascular and macrovascular complications in the diabetic population. However, few studies have correlated poor glycemic control and albuminuria prevalence in Hispanic populations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between glycemic control and albuminuria among Peruvian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study among adults with T2DM in Lima, Peru. METHODS: We included adults over 18 years old who were in a clinical follow-up program at a private clinic in Lima in 2018. Poor glycemic control was defined as a serum value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) ≥ 7%. Albuminuria was defined as albumin values > 30 mg/dl in the first morning urine. We generated generalized linear regression models from the Poisson family with robust variance. We calculated the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: We analyzed 907 participants of median age 58 years (interquartile range, IQR 49 to 66), and 62.8% were males. The prevalence of poor glycemic control was 39.8%, and the prevalence of albuminuria was 22.7%. The prevalences of albuminuria in groups with poor glycemic control and adequate glycemic control were 32.7% and 16.1%, respectively. In the adjusted regression analysis, we found a statistically significant association between poor glycemic control and albuminuria (annual percentage rate, aPR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.28-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of poor glycemic control and albuminuria was high in our study population. Moreover, Peruvian T2DM adults with poor glycemic control were more likely to have albuminuria.

Association between the Non-use of Health Services and Maltreatment Based on Ethnicity in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between the non-use of health services due to mistreatment based on ethnicity in Peru. METHODS: Secondary analysis of National Household Survey (ENAHO) for 2019. We used Poisson generalized linear models for complex samples, and calculated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Collinearity relationships between variables were evaluated in the adjusted model. RESULTS: We analyzed 23,242 subjects. The prevalence of mistreatment was 1.4%, 95% CI 1.2-1.6. Belonging to Quechua or Aymara ethnicity was associated with higher prevalence of mistreatment (aPR 2.60, 95% CI 1.75-3.87 and aPR 2.98 95% CI 1.68-5.27, respectively). Further, the same was found if patient does or does not speak a native language (aPR 2.28, 95% CI 1.66-3.14). CONCLUSIONS: Being a Quechua patient or speaking a native language increased by two times and being of Aymara ethnicity increased by three times the probability of not going to health services due to mistreatment. The government should be encouraging cultural competency training for staff and considering staff more representative of the population.

Prevalencia y factores asociados a la intención de vacunarse contra la COVID-19 en el Perú / Prevalence and factors associated with the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la intención de vacunación (IDV) contra la COVID-19 en el Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico utilizando una encuesta realizada por la Universidad de Maryland, EUA, en Facebook. La variable dependiente fue la IDV. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas, con sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%), mediante modelos lineales generalizados de la familia Poisson para evaluar la asociación de variables sociodemográficas, el cumplimiento de estrategias comunitarias de mitigación, los síntomas de la COVID-19, la salud mental y la aceptación de la vacunación ante la recomendación (AVR) por diversos actores y autoridades sanitarias. Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de 17 162 adultos. La prevalencia general de la IDV fue del 74,9%. Se asociaron a una menor prevalencia de la IDV ser de sexo femenino (RP=0,95; IC95%:0,94-0,97), vivir en un pueblo (RP=0,95; IC95%:0,91-0,99) o en una aldea u otra área rural (RP=0,90; IC95%:0,86-0,93) y la AVR de políticos (RP=0,89; IC95%: 0,87-0,92). Contrariamente, tener síntomas de COVID-19 (RP=1,06; IC95%:1,03-1,09), inseguridad económica (RP=1,04; IC95%: 1,01-1,06), miedo a enfermar o que un familiar enferme de COVID-19 (RP=1,49; IC95%: 1,36-1,64) y la AVR de familiares y amigos (RP=1,10; IC95%: 1,08-1,12), trabajadores de la salud (RP=1,29; IC95%: 1,26-1,32), la Organización Mundial de la Salud (RP=1,34; IC95%: 1,29-1,40) y funcionarios del gobierno (RP=1,18; IC95%: 1,15-1,22) se asociaron con mayor prevalencia de IDV. Conclusiones: Tres cuartas partes de los encuestados manifiestan IDV. Existen factores potencialmente modificables que podrían mejorar la aceptación de la vacuna.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the intention to be vaccinated (ITV) against COVID-19 in Peru. Materials and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study using the survey conducted by the University of Maryland, USA, on Facebook. The dependent variable is the ITV. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated, with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using generalized linear models of the Poisson family, in order to evaluate the association of sociodemographic variables, compliance with community mitigation strategies, symptoms of COVID-19, mental health and acceptance of vaccination before the recommendation (AVR) by various actors and health authorities, with the ITV. Results: Data from 17,162 adults were analyzed. The overall prevalence of the ITV was 74.9%. A lower prevalence of the ITV was associated with the female sex (PR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.94-0.97), living in a town (PR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.91-0.99) or village or other rural area (PR=0.90; 95% CI: 0.86-0.93) and the AVR of politicians (PR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.87-0.92). Conversely, having COVID-19 symptoms (PR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09), economic insecurity (PR=1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06), fears of becoming seriously ill or that a family member becomes seriously ill from COVID-19 (PR=1.49; 95% CI: 1.36-1.64) and the AVR of family and friends (PR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.08-1.12), healthcare workers (PR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.26-1.32), World Health Organization (PR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.29-1.40) and government officials (PR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.15-1.22) was associated with a higher prevalence of the ITV. Conclusions: Three-quarters of the respondents had the ITV. There are potentially modifiable factors that could improve vaccine acceptance.

Problematic smartphone use is associated with de Quervain's tenosynovitis symptomatology among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has reported an association between texting messages sent and De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) symptomatology. However, these studies do not report smartphone dependence and DQT symptomatology. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and DQT symptomatology among young adults. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. METHODS: We included adults between 18 and 25 years and evaluated DQT symptomatology's presence using the Finkelstein test. We used Experiences Related to Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire to measure the PSU. We carried out a generalized linear model from the Poisson family. We calculated the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: In total, we analyzed 491 subjects, the majority were women (52%), and the median age was 20 years. Of the total study population, 53% had positive results in the Finkelstein test, while 53% of the population had PSU. After adjusting our generalized linear model for confounders variables, we found that there is a higher prevalence of DQT symptomatology in those participants with occasional PSU and frequent PSU compared with participants without PSU, (aPR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.47-2.05) and (aPR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.29-2.00); respectively. We also found a higher prevalence of DQT symptomatology related to the number of hours per day in smartphones, pain with smartphones in the last week and using WhatsApp. CONCLUSION: We found a higher prevalence of De Quervain's tenosynovitis symptomatology in the people with problematic smartphone use.

Revisiones de alcance, revisiones paraguas y síntesis enfocada en revisión de mapas: aspectos metodológicos y aplicaciones / Scoping reviews, umbrella reviews and focused mapping review synthesis: methodological aspects and applications

RESUMEN Nuestro objetivo fue comentar las diferencias metodológicas y aplicaciones de tres nuevos tipos de revisiones con especial atención a Latinoamérica. Entre estos nuevos tipos de revisiones tenemos a las revisiones de alcance, revisiones paraguas y síntesis enfocada en revisión de mapas. Las revisiones de alcance identifican la naturaleza y extensión de la evidencia, las revisiones paraguas se centran en la síntesis de todas las revisiones sistemáticas que abordan un mismo problema de salud, mientras que las síntesis enfocadas en la revisión de mapas son opciones válidas cuando resulta inviable un mapeo clásico de la evidencia, por abordar demasiados artículos. En la medida de que los investigadores en Latinoamérica se familiaricen con la metodología y utilidad de estos nuevos tipos de revisión, se observará un incremento de la producción científica.

ABSTRACT We aimed to comment on the methodological differences and applications of these three types of reviews with special attention to Latin America. Among these new types of reviews we have the scoping review, umbrella review and focused mapping review synthesis. Scoping reviews identify the nature and extent of the evidence, umbrella reviews focus on the synthesis of all systematic reviews that address the same health problem, while focused mapping review syntheses are valid options when a classical mapping of the evidence is not feasible, due to addressing too many articles. As researchers in Latin America become familiar with the methodology and usefulness of these new types of review, an increase in scientific production will be observed.

Synchronous prostate and rectal cancer, a case report.

The incidence of multiple primary neoplasms has been increasing over the years. Within this group, the coexistence of primary prostate cancer and primary colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent. The objective of this case report is to present the case of a 76-year-old male patient who presented the diagnosis of prostate cancer and synchronous rectal cancer. To this end, his clinical history in the oncological service of the Hospital Militar Central del Perú (tertiary hospital) has been reviewed.

Factores epidemiológicos asociados a la referencia temprana al nefrólogo para hemodiálisis crónica en pacientes de un Hospital Público de Perú / Epidemiological factors associated with early referral to a nephrologist to start chronic hemodialysis in patients at a Public Hospital in Peru

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer la frecuencia de referencia temprana al nefrólogo para el inicio de hemodiálisis (HD) y sus factores epidemiológicos asociados en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) de un hospital público de Perú. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, analítico, de diseño transversal. El estudio fue llevado a cabo en pacientes que inician HD de un hospital público de Perú. La variable principal fue referencia temprana, definida como todo paciente que recibió indicación de inicio de HD después de 180 días de la primera atención en el servicio de nefrología. Se recolectaron variables epidemiológicas y de laboratorio. Se utilizó modelos lineales generalizados (MLG) crudo y ajustado; y como medida de asociación se calculó la razón de proporciones (PR) con intervalo de confianza (IC) al 95%. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 148 pacientes, se encontró referencia temprana en 17% de la población. En el MLG ajustado, los mayores de 60 años tuvieron mayor frecuencia de referencia temprana al nefrólogo PR= 2,17; IC 95% (1.09-4.32); p=0,03. Se encontró menor frecuencia de referencia temprana entre los participantes con anemia severa, PR=0,15; IC 95% (0,02-1,11); p=0,06. CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia de referencia temprana es baja y debería considerarse como problema de salud pública; se recomienda mejorar los procesos de referencia de las redes de nuestra institución

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to establish the frequency of early referral to the nephrologist for the initiation of hemodialysis (HD) and its associated epidemiological factors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a public hospital in Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in patients who started HD in a public hospital in Peru. Our main variable was early referral, defined as patients who received an indication of onset of HD after 180 days of the first appointment in the nephrology service. We collected epidemiological and laboratory variables. We used crude and adjusted generalized linear models (GLM) and we calculated the proportion ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) as a measure of association. RESULTS: We evaluated 148 patients; we found early referral in 17% of the population. In the adjusted GLM, participants older than 60 years had a higher proportion of early referral to the nephrologist, PR = 2.17; 95% CI (1.09-4.32); p = 0.03. We showed a lower frequency of early referral among participants with severe anemia, PR = 0.15; 95% CI (0.02-1.11); p = 0.06. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of early referral is low and it should be considered a public health problem. We recommend improving the process of referral in our health care network