Prognostic Factors Associated with Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Appendectomies in Children: A Multilevel Analysis in a National Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common acute surgical abdominal pathology in children, and it has a large impact on morbidity and the costs incurred by health care systems. In low- and median-income countries, national information on the clinical and economic outcomes associated with this surgery does not exist. This study aimed to identify and describe the clinical and economic outcomes for children undergoing appendectomy in Colombia's contributory system and to determine the prognostic factors associated with these outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative data from patients under 18 years of age who underwent an appendectomy between July 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015, in Colombia's contributory health system. Thirty-day mortality rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates and median costs were estimated for the entire country by geographic region and insurer. The prognostic factors associated with these outcomes were identified using generalized multilevel mixed models. RESULTS: A total of 21,674 children were included. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0.06% [95% CI 0.02-0.9], the ICU admission rate was 8.00% [95% CI 7.63-8.36], the mean LOS was 2.48 days (SD 5.24), the readmission rate was 1.5% [95% CI 1.33-1.66] and the median cost for Colombia was 394 USD [p25-p75: 256-555]. The prognostic factors that were associated with the 30-day ICU admission rate, LOS and readmission rate were the insurer, geographic region, age, occurrence of an appendectomy with peritoneal drainage, and certain comorbidities, such as cancer and neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. The prognostic factors associated with costs were those previously mentioned as well as the occurrence of a laparoscopic appendectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia's contributory health system, large differences in clinical outcomes and the costs incurred by the system exist, and these differences are associated with the geographic region, the insurer, and some of the clinical characteristics of the children undergoing appendectomy.

Mental health in displaced children by armed conflict - National Mental Health Survey Colombia 2015.

INTRODUCTION: The armed conflict in Colombia is considered one of the most violent in Latin America. Children as a vulnerable population are most affected, increasing their risk of developing mental problems such as anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of the most frequent mental problems in the Colombian children affected by armed conflict. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study, using data from the National Mental Health Survey 2015. With children aged 7 to 11 years, in whom the RQC, PCL and DISC-IV-P (3.0.1) were applied. RESULTS: We described information on 100 displaced children between 7 and 11 years old due to armed conflict, being a representative sample at national level. It was found that 98.7% of this population is at school, as well as 17.8% in poverty. Mental illnesses were asked according to their appearance in the last 12 months, these were: anxiety disorder 6.5% (CI 95% 2.7-14.7) in displaced population, compared to 1.8% (CI 95% 1.1-3.1) in non-displaced; High score for post-traumatic stress was 13.2% (CI 95% 3.9-36.4) in displaced persons and 6.6% (CI 95% 4.0-10.7) in nondisplaced persons. CONCLUSIONS: Children affected by armed conflict have greater risk of presenting some mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress, evidencing the situation of vulnerability in which they are.

Indice compuesto de inequidad en salud para un país de mediano ingreso / Composite Index of health Inequity for a Middle Income Country

RESUMEN Objetivo Desarrollar y validar un índice compuesto de inequidad en salud basado en mortalidad por grupos de causas. Métodos Estudio ecológico en país de mediano ingreso latinoamericano, con indicadores agregados disponibles de municipios y departamentos, que se seleccionaron a partir de observatorios de salud, grupos de investigación y autoridades sanitarias. Se dividen en intolerables y "no completamente evitables" según el avance científico actual, y se agregan en categorías: accidente de tránsito, agresiones, enfermedad renal, infección por VIH, parasitosis intestinal, sífilis, enfermedad de transmisión fecal/oral, tuberculosis, enfermedad transmitidas por vectores, enfermedad respiratoria, eventos hemorrágicos/ isquémicos cerebrales, mortalidad materna, mortalidad menores 5 años, meningitis. Luego de análisis de componentes principales se obtiene índice compuesto multidimensional de inequidad en salud (IIS) para hombres y mujeres. Consistencia interna se evalúa mediante coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach. Se hace validación concurrente con proporción de personas en Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI), Índice de Desarrollo Humano (IDH), Expectativa de Vida al Nacer (EVN) entre otros. Resultados Se construye IIS que muestra valores más altos para las mujeres en la mayoría de municipios y departamentos; y para lugares con IDH alto, EVN alta y NBI bajas. El alpha de Cronbach fue 0.6688, IIS-hombres y 0.725, IIS-mujeres. Conclusiones Se obtiene IIS factible, reproducible y mutidimensional. Se destaca el papel de las grandes ciudades en las inequidades en salud, probablemente por el efecto de los intolerables en salud.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To develop and validate a composite index of health inequity based on mortality by grouped causes. Methods An ecological study in a middle-income Latin American country, with aggregate indicators available from municipalities and departments, which were selected from health observatories, research groups and health authorities. They were divided into intolerable and "not completely avoidable" according to current scientific progress, and were added in categories: traffic accident, aggression, kidney disease, HIV infection, intestinal parasitic diseases, syphilis, fecal / oral transmission disease, tuberculosis, disease Vector-borne diseases, respiratory disease, cerebral hemorrhagic / ischemic events, maternal mortality, lower mortality 5 years, meningitis. After analysis of main components, a composite index of health inequity (IIS) is obtained for men and women. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Concurrent validation was done with proportion of people in Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN), Human Development Index (HDI), Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB), among others. Results IIS is built showing higher values for women in most municipalities and departments; And for sites with high HDI, high LEB and low UBN. Cronbach's alpha was 0.6688, IIS-men and 0.725, IIS-women. Conclusions An IIS was obtained, is valid and reproducible. The role of big cities in inequities in health is highlighted, probably due to the effect of intolerable health.(AU)

[Composite Index of health Inequity for a Middle Income Country]. / Indice compuesto de inequidad en salud para un país de mediano ingreso.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a composite index of health inequity based on mortality by grouped causes. METHODS: An ecological study in a middle-income Latin American country, with aggregate indicators available from municipalities and departments, which were selected from health observatories, research groups and health authorities. They were divided into intolerable and "not completely avoidable" according to current scientific progress, and were added in categories: traffic accident, aggression, kidney disease, HIV infection, intestinal parasitic diseases, syphilis, fecal / oral transmission disease, tuberculosis, disease Vector-borne diseases, respiratory disease, cerebral hemorrhagic / ischemic events, maternal mortality, lower mortality 5 years, meningitis. After analysis of main components, a composite index of health inequity (IIS) is obtained for men and women. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Concurrent validation was done with proportion of people in Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN), Human Development Index (HDI), Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB), among others. RESULTS: IIS is built showing higher values for women in most municipalities and departments; And for sites with high HDI, high LEB and low UBN. Cronbach's alpha was 0.6688, IIS-men and 0.725, IIS-women. CONCLUSIONS: An IIS was obtained, is valid and reproducible. The role of big cities in inequities in health is highlighted, probably due to the effect of intolerable health.

OBJETIVO: Desarrollar y validar un índice compuesto de inequidad en salud basado en mortalidad por grupos de causas. MÉTODOS: Estudio ecológico en país de mediano ingreso latinoamericano, con indicadores agregados disponibles de municipios y departamentos, que se seleccionaron a partir de observatorios de salud, grupos de investigación y autoridades sanitarias. Se dividen en intolerables y "no completamente evitables" según el avance científico actual, y se agregan en categorías: accidente de tránsito, agresiones, enfermedad renal, infección por VIH, parasitosis intestinal, sífilis, enfermedad de transmisión fecal/oral, tuberculosis, enfermedad transmitidas por vectores, enfermedad respiratoria, eventos hemorrágicos/ isquémicos cerebrales, mortalidad materna, mortalidad menores 5 años, meningitis. Luego de análisis de componentes principales se obtiene índice compuesto multidimensional de inequidad en salud (IIS) para hombres y mujeres. Consistencia interna se evalúa mediante coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach. Se hace validación concurrente con proporción de personas en Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI), Índice de Desarrollo Humano (IDH), Expectativa de Vida al Nacer (EVN) entre otros. RESULTADOS: Se construye IIS que muestra valores más altos para las mujeres en la mayoría de municipios y departamentos; y para lugares con IDH alto, EVN alta y NBI bajas. El alpha de Cronbach fue 0.6688, IIS-hombres y 0.725, IIS-mujeres. CONCLUSIONES: Se obtiene IIS factible, reproducible y mutidimensional. Se destaca el papel de las grandes ciudades en las inequidades en salud, probablemente por el efecto de los intolerables en salud.

[Alcohol Consumption in the Colombian Population, 2015 National Mental Health Survey]. / Consumo de alcohol en la población colombiana. Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental 2015.

INTRODUCTION: National Survey of Mental Health (ENSM) in 2015 in Colombia asks, among other conditions, about alcohol consumption in people 12-17 years old, and 18 and older. Data were presented by age and region, with no cross-references to other categories of mental health problems, disorders, access to services, and health status. OBJECTIVE: To assess alcohol consumption in Colombia, taking into account sociodemographic and clinical screening categories included. METHODS: Secondary database analysis, sample size: 15,231 people from 13,200 households of five regions (Atlantic, Bogotá, Central, Eastern, and Pacific), with an age range from 12 to 96 years. AUDIT and AUDIT-C were used and stratified according to score and other variables included in the survey analysis. RESULTS: The high-risk drinking category was observed in 2.7% of children studied, with the highest percentage of drinking risk lying in the range of 18 to 44 years, with a clear majority of men. CONCLUSIONS: The study finds that a positive AUDIT-C in adults is associated with a higher percentage of non-anxiety, less anxiety problems, and traumatic events and traumatic events related to armed conflict. This requires further studies. Adults with positive AUDIT-C have a greater perception of well-being, but also a higher percentage of households in poverty. The study of individual, social, family and environmental factors in specific populations should be developed in order to make more appropriate interventions.

Consumo de alcohol en la población colombiana. Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental 2015 / Alcohol Consumption in the Colombian Population, 2015 National Mental Health Survey

Resumen Introducción: Introducción: La Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental (ENSM) de 2015 indagó en Colombia, entre otros asuntos, sobre el de consumo de alcohol de las personas entre 12 y 17 años y de 18 y más años. Se presentaron los datos según edad y región, sin realizar cruces con otras variables de salud mental, problemas, trastornos, acceso a servicios, estados de salud y su valoración. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del consumo de alcohol en la población colombiana de edad ≥ 12 años teniendo en cuenta las variables sociodemográficas y el cribado clínico. Métodos: Análisis secundario de base de datos de la ENSM 2015; constituyeron la muestra 15.231 personas de 12 a 96 años de 13.200 hogares de cinco regiones del país (Atlántica, Bogotá, Central, Oriental y Pacífica). Se usó el Alcohol and Use Disorder Identification Test, corto y completo (AUDIT y AUDIT-C), con análisis estratificado según puntuación y otras variables incluidas en la encuesta. Resultados: El 2,7% de los menores estudiados entran en la categoría de bebedor de riesgo. El mayor porcentaje de bebedores de riesgo se ubica en la franja de 18 a 44 años, con clara mayoría de varones. Conclusiones: El estudio encuentra que un AUDIT-C positivo en mayores de edad se asocia con mayor porcentaje de no presentar síntomas ansiedad y menos problemas de ansiedad, eventos traumáticos y eventos traumáticos por conflicto armado reportados. Esto requiere más estudios. Las personas adultas con AUDIT-C positivo tienen mayor percepción de bienestar, aunque también se halla mayor porcentaje de hogares en estado de pobreza. El estudio de factores individuales, sociales, familiares y ambientales en poblaciones específicas se debe desarrollar para realizar intervenciones más adecuadas.

Abstract Introduction: National Survey of Mental Health (ENSM) in 2015 in Colombia asks, among other conditions, about alcohol consumption in people 12-17 years old, and 18 and older. Data were presented by age and region, with no cross-references to other categories of mental health problems, disorders, access to services, and health status. Objective: To assess alcohol consumption in Colombia, taking into account sociodemographic and clinical screening categories included. Methods: Secondary database analysis, sample size: 15,231 people from 13,200 households of five regions (Atlantic, Bogotá, Central, Eastern, and Pacific), with an age range from 12 to 96 years. AUDIT and AUDIT-C were used and stratified according to score and other variables included in the survey analysis. Results: The high-risk drinking category was observed in 2.7% of children studied, with the highest percentage of drinking risk lying in the range of 18 to 44 years, with a clear majority of men. Conclusions: The study finds that a positive AUDIT-C in adults is associated with a higher percentage of non-anxiety, less anxiety problems, and traumatic events and traumatic events related to armed conflict. This requires further studies. Adults with positive AUDIT-C have a greater perception of well-being, but also a higher percentage of households in poverty. The study of individual, social, family and environmental factors in specific populations should be developed in order to make more appropriate interventions.

[Assessing the force of hepatitis A virus infection in Colombia by applying catalytic models]. / Estimación de la fuerza de infección de Hepatitis A en Colombia, aplicando modelos catalíticos.

AIMS: Estimating the force of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection concerning a 1- to 15-year-old child population being attended at six healthcare centres in Colombia by applying catalytic models. METHODS: Anti-HAV seroprevalence was estimated in 2,152 patients attending six health centres in 5 Colombian cities; based on such estimation, the force of infection and average age of infection were obtained for each region. RESULTS: The 1- to 4-year-old age group's force of infection was 0.15 in Barranquilla; for the other cities the force of infection was 0.02 in Bogotá for the 5- to 15-year-old age group and 0.06 in Medellin for the 1- to 9-year-old age group. Average infection age in Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellin was 10.68 to 11.97 years-old. CONCLUSION: There was high anti-HAV prevalence in the young-adult population, average infection age being 10.69 to 11.97 years-old, thereby presenting a similar pattern to that of developing regions having intermediate level of endemicity.

Estimación de la fuerza de infección de Hepatitis A en Colombia, aplicando modelos catalíticos / Assessing the force of hepatitis A virus infection in Colombia by applying catalytic models

Objetivo Estimar la fuerza de infección de hepatitis A en la población de niños entre 1 a 15 años de edad que asistieron a seis centros de salud en Colombia entre el año 2007 y 2008, aplicando modelos catalíticos. Métodos En 2 152 pacientes de seis centros de salud en cinco ciudades de Colombia se estimó la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra el virus de la Hepatitis A (anti-VHA) por grupos de edad. Con base en esta estimación, se obtuvo la fuerza de infección y la edad promedio de infección para cada región ajustando modelos catalíticos. Resultados La fuerza de infección fue de 0,15 en el grupo de 1 a 4 años en Barranquilla. En el resto de ciudades la fuerza de infección tomó valores entre 0,02 para Bogotá en el grupo de 5 a 15 años, y 0,06 para Medellín en el grupo de 1 a 9 años. La edad promedio de infección en Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali y Medellín estuvo entre 10,7 y 12,0 años. Conclusión En Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali y Medellín se estimaron seroprevalencia de anti-VHA entre 26,3 % y 40,4 % en el grupo de 10 a 15 años, con una edad promedio de infección entre 10,7 y 12,0 años; comportamiento semejante a la de regiones en desarrollo con endemicidad intermedia.

Aims Estimating the force of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection concerning a 1- to 15-year-old child population being attended at six healthcare centres in Colombia by applying catalytic models. Methods Anti-HAV seroprevalence was estimated in 2,152 patients attending six health centres in 5 Colombian cities; based on such estimation, the force of infection and average age of infection were obtained for each region. Results The 1- to 4-year-old age group’s force of infection was 0.15 in Barranquilla; for the other cities the force of infection was 0.02 in Bogotá for the 5- to 15-year-old age group and 0.06 in Medellin for the 1- to 9-year-old age group. Average infection age in Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellin was 10.68 to 11.97 years-old. Conclusion There was high anti-HAV prevalence in the young-adult population, average infection age being 10.69 to 11.97 years-old, thereby presenting a similar pattern to that of developing regions having intermediate level of endemicity.