Estudio ecológico de la sífilis gestacional y congénita en Colombia, 2012-2018 / Ecological study of gestational and congenital syphilis in Colombia, 2012-2018

Objetivos: Describir el comportamiento de la sífilis gestacional y congénita en Colombia, entre el 2012 y 2018, a partir de registro de notificación Nacional. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio ecológico, exploratorio a partir de Notificaciones al sistema de vigilancia de salud Pública. Se estimaron la tasa de incidencia y la razón de prevalencia para cada departamento. Se establecieron cada una las estimaciones según rangos, para los 33 departamentos evaluados y se expresaron en mapas a escala de grises según tasas y razones evaluadas. Además, se presentan curvas epidemiológicas por semanas notificación para sífilis gestacional y congénita. Resultados. Arauca, Santander, Cesar y Caldas, presentaron el mayor incremento entre 2012 y 2018 para sífilis gestacional. Para el mismo periodo, Santander, Casanare y Amazonas presentaron un aumento para sífilis Congénita, mientras que en los demás departamentos se evidenció una disminución en los eventos. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el reporte de casos entre un año y otro, para el país, en ambos eventos (p< 0,001). Conclusiones. En Colombia se encontró un aumento de sífilis gestacional, mientras, para sífilis congénita existió variabilidad con tendencia a aumentar en los últimos años.

Objective: To describe the behavior of pregnancy and congenital syphilis in Colombia between 2012 and 2019 according to national notifications records. Materials and Methods: An ecological exploratory study was conducted based on notifications to the public health surveillance system. The incidence rate and prevalence ratio were estimated for each department. Each estimate was established per ranges for 33 departments evaluated and expressed in grayscale maps based on rates and ratios evaluated. Epidemic curves by week of notification for pregnancy and congenital syphilis are also shown. Results: Arauca, Santander, Cesar and Caldas had the highest increase in pregnancy syphilis between 2012 and 2019 while Santander, Casanare and Amazonas had an increase in congenital syphilis during the same period. Other departments had a decrease in these events. Significant differences were found in case reporting from year to year in both events in the country (p<0.001). Conclusions: In Colombia, an increase in pregnancy syphilis was found while a variability with an increasing trend was found for congenital syphilis in recent years.

Objetivos: Descrever o comportamento da sífilis gestacional e congênita na Colômbia entre 2012 e 2019, com base nos registros nacionais de notificação.Materiais e Métodos: Estudo ecológico, exploratório, baseado em notificações ao sistema de vigilância sanitária pública. A taxa de incidência e a taxa de prevalência foram estimadas para cada departamento. As estimativas foram estabelecidas de acordo com intervalos para os 33 departamentos avaliados e expressas em mapas em escala de cinza, de acordo com as taxas e rácios avaliados. Além disso, curvas epidemiológicas por semanas de notificação são apresentadas para sífilis gestacional e congênita. Resultados: Arauca, Santander, Cesar e Caldas apresentaram o maior aumento entre 2012 e 2019 para a sífilis gestacional. No mesmo período, Santander, Casanare e Amazonas mostraram um aumento para a sífilis congênita, enquanto os outros departamentos mostraram uma diminuição nos eventos. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas no relato de casos de um ano para o outro, para o país, em ambos os eventos (p<0,001). Conclusões. Na Colômbia, houve um aumento da sífilis gestacional, enquanto para a sífilis congênita houve variabilidade com tendência a aumentar nos últimos anos.

Factors Associated with High Mercury Levels in Women and Girls from The Mojana Region, Colombia, 2013-2015.

Women are primarily exposed to mercury through the consumption of fish contaminated by gold mining activities. The main systems affected are the central nervous and renal systems, although effects on the reproductive system have also been found. Objective: To explore the relationship between mercury levels in women and their possible sources of contamination. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2015 with women residing in 11 municipalities in La Mojana, Colombia, using non-random sampling. Standardized instruments were used to identify sociodemographic characteristics, mercury use, mining-related activities, water and fish consumption, and other factors. Blood, urine, and hair samples were taken to quantify mercury levels. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with elevated mercury values in the participants' samples. A total of 428 women were included, with an average age of 36.7 ± 16.7 years, 3.3% of whom were pregnant at the time of the survey and 8.4% of whom were exposed occupationally. High levels of mercury were present in 62.8% of the women, in any one of the three samples processed. Those exposed occupationally and environmentally had similar values (p = 0.821). Frequency of fish consumption and source of drinking water were associated with higher levels of mercury (p < 0.05).

Asociación entre la razón Tg/HDL y la Enfermedad Renal Crónica en una cohorte colombiana / Association between Tg/HDL ratio and Chronic Kidney Disease in a colombian cohort

Resumen Introducción: La Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) supone un fuerte impacto en la salud pública mundial. Esto es debido al elevado riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular que presentan quienes la padecen. La razón triglicéridos/ lipoproteína de alta densidad se ha asociado con el desarrollo y progresión de la enfermedad renal. Objetivo: Estimar la asociación entre la razón triglicéridos/lipoproteína de alta densidad y la incidencia de enfermedad renal en una cohorte colombiana. Metodología: Estudio de cohorte prospectiva del seguimiento de INEFAC 2007-2017, con 1626 participantes. Para determinar la exposición principal se tomó como punto de corte >3,75 en la razón. Los casos se definieron con una tasa de filtración glomerular estimada <60ml/min/1,73m2 o con diagnóstico médico previo. Se ajustaron modelos de regresión lineal y log-binomial para los cambios en la tasa estimada y la incidencia de enfermedad renal crónica. Como covariables: edad, sexo, raza, alcohol, cigarrillo, circunferencia de cintura y actividad física. Resultados: La incidencia de enfermedad renal fue de 0,4% (IC 95% 0,1-0,8), el promedio de la tasa estimada de 94,3 ml/min/1,73m2. La asociación entre la razón triglicéridos/lipoproteína de alta densidad y la enfermedad renal crónica no fue estadísticamente significativa en el modelo crudo (RR= 2,3; IC 95%: 0,5-9,4) ni en el ajustado por confusores (RR= 1,1; IC 95%: 0,2-5,6). Conclusión: A partir del modelo múltiple no fue posible determinar la asociación, probablemente porque ésta no existe en la población estudiada o porque se requiere una alta muestra debido al bajo número de eventos encontrados.

Abstract Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a strong impact on global public health. This is due to the high risk of cardiovascular disease in those who suffer from it. The triglycerides / high density lipoprotein ratio has been associated with the development and progression of kidney disease. Objective: To estimate the association between the ratio triglycerides / high density lipoprotein and the incidence of kidney disease in a Colombian cohort. Methodology: Prospective cohort study of the follow-up of INEFAC 2007-2017, with 1626 participants. The main exposure was determined as a cut-off point> 3.75 in the ratio. The cases were defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60ml / min / 1.73m2 or previous medical diagnosis. Linear regression and log-binomial models were adjusted for changes in the estimated rate and incidence of chronic kidney disease. As covariates: age, sex, race, alcohol, cigarette, waist circumference, and physical activity. Results: The incidence of kidney disease was 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1-0.8), the average of the estimated rate was 94.3ml / min / 1.73m2. The association between the ratio triglycerides / high density lipoprotein and chronic kidney disease was not statistically significant in the unadjusted model (RR = 2.3, 95% CI: 0.5-9.4) nor in the adjusted by confounders (RR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.2-5.6). Conclusion: It was not possible to determine the explored association, probably because it does not exist in the studied population or because a higher sample size is required, due to the low number of events.

Religious affiliation and major depressive episode in older adults: a cross-sectional study in six low- and middle- income countries.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of religious affiliation and mental health is complex, and being part of a minority religious group could have negative effects on mental health. In this study, we assessed the association between religious affiliation and major depressive episode (MDE) in older adults (> = 60 years) from China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Study on global Ageing and adult health (SAGE), with six nationally-representative community-based samples (n = 21,410). Religious affiliation was self-reported by participants, and we defined MDE based on ICD-10 classification. We estimated the association of MDE with religious affiliation versus no religious affiliation, and minority versus majority affiliation. RESULTS: We observed no association between having a religious affiliation (vs. no affiliation) and the odds of MDE in older adults. In most cases minorities had higher odds of MDE as compared with the majority religion, but the associations were only significant for Muslims in Ghana and for Muslims, Hindus and Other in South Africa. CONCLUSIONS: While the results were significant only for two countries, we observed higher odds of MDE among minorities in most of them. Older adults who are members of religious minorities might be at risk for mental health problems, and there is a need for public health interventions aimed at them.

Exposure to Mercury in Workers and the Population Surrounding Gold Mining Areas in the Mojana Region, Colombia.

In Colombia, the inhabitants of the Mojana region have historically been subjected to high levels of environmental and occupational exposure to mercury; however, there are few robust data on the magnitude of this exposure and associated factors. This study aimed to describe the levels of mercury in the workers and inhabitants in this region, and to identify the main sociodemographic and occupational factors that are associated with this exposure. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which mercury levels were determined in biological samples (blood, urine, hair) from 1119 people in the Mojana region. A questionnaire was also administered, which was adapted from the Global Mercury Assessment. Linear regression models were adjusted for the natural logarithm of mercury levels in blood, urine, and hair, using the factors that were explored as independent variables. The study reports high mercury levels in 35.0% of blood samples (95% CI 31.9⁻38.1%), 28.8% (95% CI 24.9⁻32.8%) of urine samples, and 56.3% (95% CI 53.1⁻59.5%) of hair samples. The reported source of water for consumption was associated with high levels of mercury (p-value < 0.05). We provide evidence of high levels of mercury exposure for the population in the Mojana region.