CA 15-3 prognostic biomarker in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

The severity of lung involvement is the main prognostic factor in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), a marker of lung damage and fibrosis, could help predict the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. This was a retrospective and observational study. CA 15-3 was analyzed in the blood samples of patients consecutively admitted for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and whose blood samples were available in the biobank. Other prognostic markers were also measured (interleukin 6 [IL6], C-reactive protein [CRP], D-dimer, troponin T, and NT-ProBNP). The occurrence of in-hospital complications was registered, including death, the need for medical intensive care, and oxygen therapy at discharge. In this study, 539 patients were recruited (54.9% men, mean age: 59.6 ± 16.4 years). At admission, the mean concentrations of CA 15-3 was 20.5 ± 15.8 U/mL, and the concentration was correlated with male sex, older age, and other severity markers of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) (IL6, CRP, D-dimer, troponine T, and NT-ProBNP). CA 15-3 levels were higher in patients who died (n = 56, 10.4%) (35.33 ± 30.45 vs. 18.8 ± 12.11, p < 0.001), who required intensive medical support (n = 78, 14.4%; 31.17 ± 27.83 vs. 18.68 ± 11.83; p < 0.001), and who were discharged with supplemental oxygen (n = 64, 13.3%; 22.65 ± 14.41 vs. 18.2 ± 11.7; p = 0.011). Elevated CA 15-3 levels (above 34.5 U/mL) were a strong predictor of a complicated in-hospital course, in terms of a higher risk of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-11.9, p = 0.022) and need for intensive care (adjusted OR 4.56, 95% CI: 1.37-15.8) after adjusting for all other risk factors. The degree of lung damage and fibrosis evaluated in terms of CA 15-3 concentrations may allow early identification of the increased risk of complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Preferred sources of help for mental health problems among Chilean adolescents: a descriptive study / Fuentes de ayuda preferidas para problemas de salud mental por adolescentes chilenos: estudio descriptivo

Abstract Background: A timely search for professional help regarding mental health issues in adolescents is critical in preventing severe disorders. However, adolescents generally tend not to seek help. This investigation aimed to study Chilean adolescents’ willingness to seek help in mental health issues by identifying their preferred help-seeking sources. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional-correlational study with 493 high school students between 14 and 19 years of age (mean ± standard deviation = 16.28 ± 1.29). The instruments we used were the general help-seeking questionnaire (vignette version), adapted and validated in Chile, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Data showed that adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal rather than from formal sources. We identified no sex differences in terms of willingness to seek help from formal sources. However, males were more willing to seek help from informal sources. Conclusions: Similar to other cultures, Chilean adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal sources regarding mental health problems.

Resumen Introducción: La búsqueda de ayuda profesional oportuna para temas de salud mental en adolescentes es fundamental para evitar el desarrollo de trastornos más graves. No obstante, en general los adolescentes tienden a no solicitar ayuda. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar las fuentes de ayuda para problemas de salud mental a las que los adolescentes chilenos están más dispuestos a dirigirse. Métodos: Estudio transversal-correlacional en el que participaron 493 estudiantes de secundaria de entre 14 y 19 años (media ± desviación estándar = 16.28 ± 1.29). Los instrumentos aplicados fueron el Cuestionario General de Búsqueda de Ayuda (versión viñeta), adaptado y validado en Chile, y un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los adolescentes prefieren buscar ayuda en fuentes informales. No se identificaron diferencias por sexo en la disposición a buscar ayuda en fuentes formales, pero sí en la disposición a buscar ayuda en fuentes informales, pues los varones mostraron mayor disposición a hacerlo. Conclusiones: En concordancia con la evidencia en otras culturas, los adolescentes chilenos presentan una mayor disposición a buscar ayuda para problemas de salud mental en fuentes informales.

Preferred sources of help for mental health problems among Chilean adolescents: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: A timely search for professional help regarding mental health issues in adolescents is critical in preventing severe disorders. However, adolescents generally tend not to seek help. This investigation aimed to study Chilean adolescents' willingness to seek help in mental health issues by identifying their preferred help-seeking sources. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional-correlational study with 493 high school students between 14 and 19 years of age (mean ± standard deviation = 16.28 ± 1.29). The instruments we used were the general help-seeking questionnaire (vignette version), adapted and validated in Chile, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Data showed that adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal rather than from formal sources. We identified no sex differences in terms of willingness to seek help from formal sources. However, males were more willing to seek help from informal sources. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other cultures, Chilean adolescents are more willing to seek help from informal sources regarding mental health problems.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cystic fibrosis in Spain: Incidence and results of the national CF-COVID19-Spain survey.

BACKGROUND: Given the high incidence of confirmed infection by SARS-CoV-2 and mortality by COVID-19 in the Spanish population, its impact was analysed among persons with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as a group at risk of a worse evolution. The possible causes of the incidence observed in them are explained and how CF Units have faced this health challenge is detailed. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive observational study, for which a Spanish CF Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 Registry is created, requesting information on number of people affected between 8 March-16 May 2020 and their clinical-demographic characteristics from the CF Units participating in the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Patient Registry (ECFSPR). The accumulated incidence is calculated, compared with that of the general population. Additionally, a survey (CF-COVID19-Spain) is carried out on prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, workings of CF Units and possible reasons for the incidence observed. RESULTS: COVID-19 was diagnosed in eight CF patients, one of whom had received a lung transplant. The accumulated incidence was 32/10000 in CF patients and 49/10000 in the general population. General death rate was 5.85/10000 while no CF patients included in the ECFSPR died. The characteristics of those affected and the results of the survey are described. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being considered a disease at high risk of severe COVID-19, the low incidence and mortality in CF patients in Spain contrasts with the figures for the general population. The possible factors that would explain such findings are discussed, with the help of the results of the CF-COVID19-Spain survey.

Recognition of mental health disorders in adolescent students in Chile: a descriptive study. / Reconocimiento de trastornos de salud mental en adolescentes escolarizados: estudio descriptivo.

OBJECTIVE: To describe high school students’ ability to recognize six mental health disorders. METHOD: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Participants were teenagers between 14-19 years of age, high-school students from the town of Talca, in the Maule Region (Chile). In order to examine the recognition of mental health issues, six vignettes were used, each describing a teenager showing symptoms of six different problems (stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, alcohol abuse, and psychosis). The vignettes are part of the general help-seeking questionnaire for mental health problems in adolescents (vignette version). Participants were instructed to read the vignettes and then answer the question: what do you think is happening to them? The descriptive analysis mainly considered frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: The vignette questionnaire was administered to 400 adolescents of both genders between 14-19 years of age (Mean = 15.73 years). The topic most recognized by the participants was the abuse of alcohol, while anxiety was the least recognized. Women showed a greater tendency to recognize all mental health issues, being the topic of alcohol abuse the one showing the most differences in recognition, with 56.6% of female adolescents recognizing the problem and 41.4% of males identifying it. CONCLUSIONS: In general, results showed low levels of ability to recognize mental health disorders among participating adolescents. Female adolescents and participants of subsidized educational establishments tended to better acknowledge the different problems presented.

OBJETIVO: Describir el reconocimiento de seis trastornos de salud mental, en adolescentes escolarizados en enseñanza secundaria. MÉTODO: Estudio de tipo exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal. Los participantes fueron adolescentes entre 14 y 19 años, estudiantes de enseñanza secundaria de la localidad de Talca, en la Región del Maule (Chile). Para examinar el reconocimiento de problemas de salud mental se utilizaron seis viñetas, que forman parte del cuestionario general de búsqueda de ayuda (versión viñeta), donde en cada una se describía a un adolescente que presentaba síntomas de seis distintos problemas (estrés, ansiedad, depresión, ideación suicida, abuso de alcohol, psicosis). Los participantes fueron instruidos para leer estas viñetas y luego responder a la pregunta ¿Qué crees que le está sucediendo? El análisis descriptivo consideró principalmente frecuencias y porcentajes. RESULTADOS: Se administró el cuestionario con las viñetas a 400 adolescentes de ambos sexos entre 14 y 19 años (Media = 15,73 años). El tema más reconocido por los participantes fue el abuso de alcohol, mientras que la ansiedad fue la menos reconocida por los adolescentes. Las mujeres tendieron a reconocer más todos los problemas de salud mental, siendo el tema que más diferencias evidenció el abuso de alcohol, con un 56,6% de adolescentes mujeres que reconocieron el problema y un 41,4% de varones que lo identificaron. CONCLUSIONES: En general, los resultados mostraron bajos niveles de reconocimiento de trastornos de salud mental en los adolescentes participantes. Las adolescentes mujeres y los participantes de establecimientos educacionales subvencionados, tendieron a reconocer más correctamente los distintos problemas presentados.

Interactive associations of parental support, demands, and psychological control, over adolescents' beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority.

The present study examined the relationship between parental support, demand, psychological control and adolescents' beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority for personal and multifaceted issues in a sample of 1342 Chilean adolescents (M = 16.38, SD = 1.24, age range 14-20). Results from multiple regression analyses separated by age indicated that demand was positively associated with adolescents' beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority for personal and multifaceted issues and that psychological control was negatively associated with adolescents' legitimacy beliefs concerning personal issues. Furthermore, parental support moderated the relationship between parental demand and adolescents' beliefs about parental legitimacy for personal and multifaceted issues: those who display high levels of demand showed stronger beliefs about parental legitimacy at high level of support. These results support the interactive effect of parental support and demand on adolescent development.