Breast composition during and after puberty: the Chilean Growth and Obesity Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast density (BD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Little is known about how BD develops during puberty. Understanding BD trajectories during puberty and its determinants could be crucial for promoting preventive actions against breast cancer (BC) at early ages. The objective of this research is to characterize % fibroglandular volume (%FGV), absolute fibroglandular volume (AFGV), and breast volume (BV) at different breast Tanner stages until 4-year post menarche in a Latino cohort and to assess determinants of high %FGV and AFGV during puberty and in a fully mature breast. METHODS: This is a longitudinal follow-up of 509 girls from low-middle socioeconomic status of the Southeast area of Santiago, recruited at a mean age of 3.5 years. The inclusion criteria were singleton birth born, birthweight between 2500 and 4500 g with no medical or mental disorder. A trained dietitian measured weight and height since 3.5 years old and sexual maturation from 8 years old (breast Tanner stages and age at menarche onset). Using standardized methods, BD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in various developmental periods (breast Tanner stage B1 until 4 years after menarche onset). RESULTS: In the 509 girls, we collected 1,442 breast DXA scans; the mean age at Tanner B4 was 11.3 years. %FGV increased across breast Tanner stages and peaked 250 days after menarche. AFGV and BV peaked 2 years after menarche onset. Girls in the highest quartiles of %FGV, AFGV, and BV at Tanner B4 and B5 before menarche onset had the highest values thereafter until 4 years after menarche onset. The most important determinants of %FGV and AFGV variability were BMI z-score (R2 = 44%) and time since menarche (R2 = 42%), respectively. CONCLUSION: We characterize the breast development during puberty, a critical window of susceptibility. Although the onset of menarche is a key milestone for breast development, we observed that girls in the highest quartiles of %FGV and AFGV tracked in that group afterwards. Following these participants in adulthood would be of interest to understand the changes in breast composition during this period and its potential link with BC risk.

Reproductive factors and mammographic density within the International Consortium of Mammographic Density: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated mammographic density (MD) for a woman's age and body mass index (BMI) is an established breast cancer risk factor. The relationship of parity, age at first birth, and breastfeeding with MD is less clear. We examined the associations of these factors with MD within the International Consortium of Mammographic Density (ICMD). METHODS: ICMD is a consortium of 27 studies with pooled individual-level epidemiological and MD data from 11,755 women without breast cancer aged 35-85 years from 22 countries, capturing 40 country-& ethnicity-specific population groups. MD was measured using the area-based tool Cumulus. Meta-analyses across population groups and pooled analyses were used to examine linear regression associations of square-root (√) transformed MD measures (percent MD (PMD), dense area (DA), and non-dense area (NDA)) with parity, age at first birth, ever/never breastfed and lifetime breastfeeding duration. Models were adjusted for age at mammogram, age at menarche, BMI, menopausal status, use of hormone replacement therapy, calibration method, mammogram view and reader, and parity and age at first birth when not the association of interest. RESULTS: Among 10,988 women included in these analyses, 90.1% (n = 9,895) were parous, of whom 13% (n = 1,286) had ≥ five births. The mean age at first birth was 24.3 years (Standard deviation = 5.1). Increasing parity (per birth) was inversely associated with √PMD (ß: - 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): - 0.07, - 0.03) and √DA (ß: - 0.08, 95% CI: - 0.12, - 0.05) with this trend evident until at least nine births. Women who were older at first birth (per five-year increase) had higher √PMD (ß:0.06, 95% CI:0.03, 0.10) and √DA (ß:0.06, 95% CI:0.02, 0.10), and lower √NDA (ß: - 0.06, 95% CI: - 0.11, - 0.01). In stratified analyses, this association was only evident in women who were post-menopausal at MD assessment. Among parous women, no associations were found between ever/never breastfed or lifetime breastfeeding duration (per six-month increase) and √MD. CONCLUSIONS: Associations with higher parity and older age at first birth with √MD were consistent with the direction of their respective associations with breast cancer risk. Further research is needed to understand reproductive factor-related differences in the composition of breast tissue and their associations with breast cancer risk.

Growth patterns in infants born to women with pregestational overweight/obesity supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy have controversial and contrasting results on the short and long-term effects on early child growth. The impact of this nutritional intervention on the postnatal growth patterns in the offspring of women with pregestational overweight/obesity (PGO) also remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the postnatal growth patterns during the first 4 months of life in the offspring of women with PGO randomly supplemented with 800 mg/day (PGO-800) compared with normative doses of 200 mg/day (PGO-200) of DHA during pregnancy (<15 weeks of gestation until delivery). METHODS: This study evaluated the growth patterns during the first 4 months of life of 169 infants of the women that participated in the MIGHT study (NCT02574767). We included the infants of women from the PGO-200 (n = 81) and PGO-800 group (n = 88). The growth patterns (weight, length, and head circumference) and change in z-score (World health Organization charts) were evaluated. RESULTS: Throughout the first 4 months of life, the infants of the PGO-800 group had lower weight-for-length z-score (coef. -0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.07, -0.22, p = 0.003) and lower body mass index-for-age z-score (coef. -0.56, 95% CI -0.99, -0.12, p = 0.012) compared with the PGO-200 group adjusted by maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, gestational age, insulin in cord blood and infant feeding (exclusive breastfed, not breastfed, and partially breastfed). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal supplementation with DHA during pregnancy could beneficially limit the offspring's postnatal weight gain during the first 4 months of life.

Potential actions for preventing high consumption of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners among Chilean children and adolescents: recommendations from a panel of relevant actors.

OBJECTIVE: To provide local policymakers with a guideline of potential actions to prevent the high consumption of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (NNS) among children and adolescents observed in Chile, given the potential health problems related to NNS intake. DESIGN: The Delphi method was used for the evaluation of twenty-one recommendations to decrease the intake of NNS in paediatric population, with the participation of a panel of relevant actors. SETTING: The proposed recommendations were developed by the research team using the NOURISHING framework; potential actions were based on the increase in the use and intake of NNS by Chilean children, current local food regulations, recommendations of health organisations and foreign policy experiences. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five relevant actors related to NNS, nutrition, food technology and paediatrics (out of thirty-nine invitations made to scholars, professional institutions and civil society's organisations) participated in the Delphi study. RESULTS: A consensus was reached on nine recommendations regarding relevance and feasibility to be part of the guideline. Recommendations involved measures mostly related to improving the delivery of information (food content and potential health effects of NNS), supporting the generation of more evidence of NNS health effects and substitutes, and marketing restrictions when targeted to children. CONCLUSIONS: The process produced a nine-action guideline to reduce the excessive NNS consumption among Chilean children and adolescents. Developed through a consensus-driven approach among key stakeholders, this guideline provides policymakers with a framework to adopt a precautionary stance, particularly concerning vulnerable populations, given the currently inconclusive evidence on the long-term health effects of NNS consumption.

The association of age at menarche and adult height with mammographic density in the International Consortium of Mammographic Density.

BACKGROUND: Early age at menarche and tall stature are associated with increased breast cancer risk. We examined whether these associations were also positively associated with mammographic density, a strong marker of breast cancer risk. METHODS: Participants were 10,681 breast-cancer-free women from 22 countries in the International Consortium of Mammographic Density, each with centrally assessed mammographic density and a common set of epidemiologic data. Study periods for the 27 studies ranged from 1987 to 2014. Multi-level linear regression models estimated changes in square-root per cent density (√PD) and dense area (√DA) associated with age at menarche and adult height in pooled analyses and population-specific meta-analyses. Models were adjusted for age at mammogram, body mass index, menopausal status, hormone therapy use, mammography view and type, mammographic density assessor, parity and height/age at menarche. RESULTS: In pooled analyses, later age at menarche was associated with higher per cent density (ß√PD = 0.023 SE = 0.008, P = 0.003) and larger dense area (ß√DA = 0.032 SE = 0.010, P = 0.002). Taller women had larger dense area (ß√DA = 0.069 SE = 0.028, P = 0.012) and higher per cent density (ß√PD = 0.044, SE = 0.023, P = 0.054), although the observed effect on per cent density depended upon the adjustment used for body size. Similar overall effect estimates were observed in meta-analyses across population groups. CONCLUSIONS: In one of the largest international studies to date, later age at menarche was positively associated with mammographic density. This is in contrast to its association with breast cancer risk, providing little evidence of mediation. Increased height was also positively associated with mammographic density, particularly dense area. These results suggest a complex relationship between growth and development, mammographic density and breast cancer risk. Future studies should evaluate the potential mediation of the breast cancer effects of taller stature through absolute breast density.

Interactions between a polygenic risk score for plasma docosahexaenoic fatty acid concentration, eating behaviour, and body composition in children.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between eating behaviour and current body weight has been described. However little is known about the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in this relationship. Genetic contribution to a certain condition is derived from a combination of small effects from many genetic variants, and polygenic risk scores (PRS) summarize these effects. A PRS based on a GWAS for plasma docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA) has been created, based on SNPs from 9 genes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the interaction between the PRS for plasma DHA concentration, body composition and eating behaviour (using the Children Eating Behaviour Questionnaire) in childhood. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed a subsample of children from the Maternal, Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) cohort with PRS and measurements of eating behaviour performed at 4 years of age (n = 210), 6 y (n = 177), and body fat determined by bioelectric impedance at 4 y and 6 y or by air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 8 y (n = 42 and n = 37). PRS was based on the GWAS from Lemaitre et al. 2011 (p threshold = p < 5*10-6), and a median split created low and high PRS groups (high PRS = higher DHA level). RESULTS: In ALSPAC children, we observed an association between PRS and plasma DHA concentration (ß = 0.100, p < 0.01) and proportion (ß = 0.107, p < 0.01). In MAVAN, there were interactions between PRS and body fat on pro-intake scores in childhood, in which low PRS and higher body fat were linked to altered behaviour. There were also interactions between PRS and pro-intake scores early in childhood on body fat later in childhood, suggesting that the genetic profile and eating behaviour influence the development of adiposity at later ages. CONCLUSIONS: A lower PRS (lower plasma PUFA) can be a risk factor for developing higher body fat associated with non-adaptive eating behaviour in childhood; it is possible that the higher PRS (higher plasma PUFA) is a protective feature.

Inflammatory biomarkers and risk of breast cancer among young women in Latin America: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer incidence is increasing rapidly in Latin America, with a higher proportion of cases among young women than in developed countries. Studies have linked inflammation to breast cancer development, but data is limited in premenopausal women, especially in Latin America. METHODS: We investigated the associations between serum biomarkers of chronic inflammation (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), leptin, adiponectin) and risk of premenopausal breast cancer among 453 cases and 453 matched, population-based controls from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. Analyses were stratified by size and hormonal receptor status of the tumors. RESULTS: IL-6 (ORper standard deviation (SD) = 1.33 (1.11-1.60)) and TNF-α (ORper SD = 1.32 (1.11-1.58)) were positively associated with breast cancer risk in fully adjusted models. Evidence of heterogeneity by estrogen receptor (ER) status was observed for IL-8 (P-homogeneity = 0.05), with a positive association in ER-negative tumors only. IL-8 (P-homogeneity = 0.06) and TNF-α (P-homogeneity = 0.003) were positively associated with risk in the largest tumors, while for leptin (P-homogeneity = 0.003) a positive association was observed for the smallest tumors only. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the implication of chronic inflammation in breast cancer risk in young women in Latin America. Largest studies of prospective design are needed to confirm these findings in premenopausal women.

[Trends and causes of maternal deaths from 1990 to 2018]. / Tendencia y causas de la mortalidad materna en Chile de 1990 a 2018.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a decrease in the maternal mortality (MM) rates in Chile, with a trend towards stability since 2001. However, some of its associated causes such as high blood pressure, obesity, or maternal age, have increased in the last years. AIM: To describe the trend and characteristics of MM in Chile between 1990 and 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MM rates were calculated using death records available at the website of the Department of Health Statistics of the Ministry of Health, using the codes 630 to 679 of the International Classification Diseases (ICD)-9 (630-679) and O00-O99 from ICD-10. Live births were obtained from vital statistics of the National Statistics Institute (INE). The age at the time of death and the causes were recorded. Polynomial and Prais-Winsten modelings were applied. RESULTS: There were 1,728 maternal deaths with an overall rate for the period of 23 / 100,000 live births. An inflection of the trend was observed in 2003, with a decrease between 1990-2003 and an increase between 2004-2018. While in the 1990-2003 period all age groups decreased their rate, in 2004-2018 it increased significantly in the 20-34 age group. Concerning the causes, "other obstetric conditions not classified elsewhere" showed a steady upward trend, particularly the late maternal deaths or deaths from sequelae of obstetric causes (O96-O97). CONCLUSIONS: MM rates increased in Chile in recent years, mainly due to the increase in women aged 20 to 34 years and in causes referred to as "other obstetric conditions not classified elsewhere." It is possible that changes in risk factors and in the registries could explain this increase.

Development of the Chilean front-of-package food warning label.

BACKGROUND: Front-of package (FoP) nutrition labels are an option to guide consumer's decision at the point of food purchase. Chile was the first country worldwide to implement a FoP warning label and thereafter several countries have followed this model. The objective of this study is to describe the process of development of the Chilean FoP warning label. METHODS: A stepwise study was conducted including literature review, qualitative phase (lay audience & expert group meetings) and quantitative phase in women/adolescents from low-middle-socioeconomic status neighborhoods, Santiago, Chile (2 sub-studies, using point-of-sale questionnaires). Outcomes were prototype visualization, ease of understanding, and ability to modify purchase behavior. RESULTS: The literature review and qualitative phase provided information on general text (e.g. short wording) and design characteristics (e.g. use of a logo, use of red or black colors); based on these characteristics 15 prototypes were created and quantitatively tested. In the first survey, a black-&-white stop sign and a black-&-white hand were preselected; in the second survey, the stop sign stating 'Excess of ' had significantly better performance than the hand in terms of visualization, intention to purchase, and ability to modify intended purchase. Due to legal reasons the "excess of" was replaced by "high-in" in the final implementation of the law. CONCLUSIONS: A simple black-&-white stop sign warning label was the best option to flag pre-packaged foods with an excess of energy or nutrients of concern for non-communicable diseases; this FoP warning label was implemented in Chile in June 2016 as part of the Chilean Food Labeling and Marketing Law.

Project profile: a multicenter study on breast cancer in young women in Latin America (PRECAMA study).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the rationale and the methodology of a multicenter project to study the etiology of breast cancer in young Latin American women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has established an international collaborative population-based case-control study in four countries in Latin America: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico (the PRECAMA study). Standardized methodologies were developed to collect information on reproductive variables, lifestyle, anthropometry, diet, clinical and pathological data, and biological specimens. The study will be extended to other countries in the region. CONCLUSIONS: PRECAMA is unique in its multidisciplinary approach that combines genetics, genomics, and metabolomics with lifestyle factors. Then data generated through this project will be instrumental to identify major risk factors for molecular subtypes of breast cancer in young women, which will be important for pre- vention and targeted screening programs in Latin America.

OBJETIVO: Describir la justificación y la metodología para el establecimiento de un proyecto multicéntrico sobre el cáncer de mama en mujeres jóvenes de América Latina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La Agencia Internacional para la Investigación del Cáncer (IARC) ha establecido un estudio colaborativo internacional de casos y controles con base poblacional en cuatro países de América Latina: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica y México (el estudio PRECAMA). Se han desarrollado metodologías estandarizadas para recolectar información sobre variables reproductivas, estilos de vida, antropometría y dieta, datos clínicos y patológicos y muestras biológicas. CONCLUSIONES: PRECAMA es único en su enfoque multidisciplinario. Los datos generados a través de este proyecto serán fundamentales para identificar los principales factores de riesgo del cáncer de mama en mujeres jóvenes. Los hallazgos serán relevantes para la prevención y los programas de detección oportuna en América Latina, con beneficios clínicos inmediatos.

Mammographic density and ageing: A collaborative pooled analysis of cross-sectional data from 22 countries worldwide.

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density (MD) is one of the strongest breast cancer risk factors. Its age-related characteristics have been studied in women in western countries, but whether these associations apply to women worldwide is not known. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We examined cross-sectional differences in MD by age and menopausal status in over 11,000 breast-cancer-free women aged 35-85 years, from 40 ethnicity- and location-specific population groups across 22 countries in the International Consortium on Mammographic Density (ICMD). MD was read centrally using a quantitative method (Cumulus) and its square-root metrics were analysed using meta-analysis of group-level estimates and linear regression models of pooled data, adjusted for body mass index, reproductive factors, mammogram view, image type, and reader. In all, 4,534 women were premenopausal, and 6,481 postmenopausal, at the time of mammography. A large age-adjusted difference in percent MD (PD) between post- and premenopausal women was apparent (-0.46 cm [95% CI: -0.53, -0.39]) and appeared greater in women with lower breast cancer risk profiles; variation across population groups due to heterogeneity (I2) was 16.5%. Among premenopausal women, the √PD difference per 10-year increase in age was -0.24 cm (95% CI: -0.34, -0.14; I2 = 30%), reflecting a compositional change (lower dense area and higher non-dense area, with no difference in breast area). In postmenopausal women, the corresponding difference in √PD (-0.38 cm [95% CI: -0.44, -0.33]; I2 = 30%) was additionally driven by increasing breast area. The study is limited by different mammography systems and its cross-sectional rather than longitudinal nature. CONCLUSIONS: Declines in MD with increasing age are present premenopausally, continue postmenopausally, and are most pronounced over the menopausal transition. These effects were highly consistent across diverse groups of women worldwide, suggesting that they result from an intrinsic biological, likely hormonal, mechanism common to women. If cumulative breast density is a key determinant of breast cancer risk, younger ages may be the more critical periods for lifestyle modifications aimed at breast density and breast cancer risk reduction.

Determinants of volumetric breast density in Chilean premenopausal women.

PURPOSE: High mammographic breast density (BD) is a strong risk factor of breast cancer; however, little is known in women under 40 years of age. Recently, dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) has been developed as a low-dose method to measure BD in young populations. Thus, our aims were to describe BD in relation to risk factors in Chilean women under 40 years old and to explore the equivalence of DXA to mammography for the measurement of BD. METHODS: We selected 192 premenopausal Chilean female participants of the DERCAM study for whom we have anthropometric, sociodemographic, and gyneco-obstetric data. The subjects received both digital mammograms (Hologic) and breast DXA scans (GE iDXA). Mammographic BD was estimated using a fully automated commercial method (VOLPARA®) and BI-RADS. Breast DXA scans were performed using a standardized protocol and the % fibroglandular volume (%FGV) was estimated considering a two-compartment model of adipose and fibroglandular tissue. RESULTS: The mean age was 37 years (SD = 6.5) and 31.6% of the subjects were obese. The median %FGV and absolute FGV (AFGV) measured by DXA were 9% and 198.1 cm3 and for VOLPARA®, 8.6% and 58.0 cm3, respectively. The precision for %FGV after reposition was 2.8%. The correlation coefficients for %FGV, AFGV, and breast volume between DXA and mammography were over 0.7. Age and body mass index (BMI) were inversely associated with %FGV, and BMI was positively related to AFGV as estimated with DXA or mammography. We did not observe an association with gyneco-obstetric characteristics, education, and %FGV and AFGV; smoking was only associated with AFGV as measured by VOLPARA®. CONCLUSIONS: DXA is an alternative method to measure volumetric BD; thus, it could be used to continuously monitor BD in adult women in follow-up studies or to assess BD in young women.

Metabolic Syndrome and Mammographic Density in Premenopausal Chilean Women.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been previously associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Mammographic density (MD) is a marker of breast cancer risk. There is little evidence of an association between MetS and MD in premenopausal women. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study, we evaluated 364 premenopausal Chilean women in which we measured anthropometric, blood pressure, and metabolic markers. MetS and its components were defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Plan III criteria. We estimated MD by absolute dense volume (ADV, cm3), nondense volume (NDV, cm3), and percentage of dense volume (PDV, %). The relationship between MetS and MD was assessed by linear regression models. RESULTS: After adjusting for sociodemographic and gyneco-obstetrics variables, nonsignificant association was found between MetS and ADV (log ß = 0.10; 95%CI: -0.01, 0.21). However, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and number of components of MetS were directly related to higher ADV (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed no association between MetS and ADV; nevertheless, abdominal obesity and triglycerides were related to higher ADV. If MD could be modifiable through nutritional factors, it would open new perspectives for the prevention of breast cancer through obesity prevention strategies at population level.

Predictors of gestational weight gain among Chilean pregnant women: The Chilean Maternal and Infant Nutrition Cohort study.

We identified factors associated with gestational weight gain (GWG) in 1,654 Chilean pregnant women with full-term pregnancies. At baseline, we collected information about sociodemographic, gyneco-obstetric, anthropometric, and health-care-related factors. We found that prepregnancy nutritional body mass index was the most important factor related to GWG above recommendations (overweight: ratio of relative risks [RRR] = 2.31, 95% confidence interval [CI, 1.73, 3.09] and obesity: RRR = 2.90, 95% CI [2.08, 4.03]). We believe that women who are overweight/obese at the beginning of pregnancy should be identified because of their higher risk, and that adequate strategies should be designed and implemented to help them achieve a healthy GWG.

Mammographic density assessed on paired raw and processed digital images and on paired screen-film and digital images across three mammography systems.

BACKGROUND: Inter-women and intra-women comparisons of mammographic density (MD) are needed in research, clinical and screening applications; however, MD measurements are influenced by mammography modality (screen film/digital) and digital image format (raw/processed). We aimed to examine differences in MD assessed on these image types. METHODS: We obtained 1294 pairs of images saved in both raw and processed formats from Hologic and General Electric (GE) direct digital systems and a Fuji computed radiography (CR) system, and 128 screen-film and processed CR-digital pairs from consecutive screening rounds. Four readers performed Cumulus-based MD measurements (n = 3441), with each image pair read by the same reader. Multi-level models of square-root percent MD were fitted, with a random intercept for woman, to estimate processed-raw MD differences. RESULTS: Breast area did not differ in processed images compared with that in raw images, but the percent MD was higher, due to a larger dense area (median 28.5 and 25.4 cm2 respectively, mean √dense area difference 0.44 cm (95% CI: 0.36, 0.52)). This difference in √dense area was significant for direct digital systems (Hologic 0.50 cm (95% CI: 0.39, 0.61), GE 0.56 cm (95% CI: 0.42, 0.69)) but not for Fuji CR (0.06 cm (95% CI: -0.10, 0.23)). Additionally, within each system, reader-specific differences varied in magnitude and direction (p < 0.001). Conversion equations revealed differences converged to zero with increasing dense area. MD differences between screen-film and processed digital on the subsequent screening round were consistent with expected time-related MD declines. CONCLUSIONS: MD was slightly higher when measured on processed than on raw direct digital mammograms. Comparisons of MD on these image formats should ideally control for this non-constant and reader-specific difference.

Comparison of Luminex xTAG® RVP fast assay and real time RT-PCR for the detection of respiratory viruses in adults with community-acquired pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the third cause of death worldwide. Viruses are frequently detected in adult CAP. Highly sensitive diagnostic techniques should be used due to poor viral shedding. Different sampling methods can affect viral detection, being necessary to establish the optimal type of sample for identifying respiratory viruses in adults. The detection rates of respiratory viruses by Luminex xTAG® RVP fast assay, real time RT-PCR (rtRT-PCR) (Sacace®), and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in adult CAP were performed in nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and aspirates (NPA) from 179 hospitalized adults. Positivity was 47.5% for Luminex®, 42.5% for rtRT-PCR (P = 0.3), and 2.7% for IFA (2.7%) (P < 0.0). The sensitivity, specificity, and kappa coefficient of xTAG® RVP compared with rtRT-PCR were 84.2%, 79.6%, and 0.62%, respectively. Luminex® and rtRT-PCR detected 65 (58.0%) and 57 (50.9%) viruses in 112 NPA and 35 (34.3%) and 31 (30.4%) in 102 NPS, respectively (P < 0.01). xTAG® RVP is appropriate for detecting respiratory viruses in CAP adults. Both molecular techniques yielded better results with nasopharyngeal aspirate than swabs.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine albumin excretion, and survival among patients consulting in public Chilean public primary care clinics.

Chronic renal disease (CRD) in its pre-dialysis stage is an important risk factor for mortality among adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of CRD on mortality among consultants in Chilean public primary care clinics. We obtained information about serum creatinine, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), blood pressure, and body mass index of 5224 consultants [3379 females aged 67 (59-75) years and 1845 males aged 68 (59-75) years] in three clinics of Metropolitan Santiago. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine risk factors for mortality, determined 41 months after obtaining the blood samples. During the follow-up period, 262 patients died (33% due to circulatory causes and 29% due to tumors). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that there was a significant association between survival, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and UAE. Cox models showed that serum creatinine, UAE, a lower body mass index, and a history of diabetes were significant mortality predictors. A sensitivity analysis performed eliminating extreme ages (less than 50 and more than 80 years), included high diastolic pressure as a predictor of survival. We conclude that among patients with CRD in its pre-dialysis stage, UAE is an important predictor of survival, along with serum creatinine. A low body mass index was associated with a higher mortality.

Effectiveness of a normative nutrition intervention (diet, physical activity and breastfeeding) on maternal nutrition and offspring growth: the Chilean maternal and infant nutrition cohort study (CHiMINCs).

BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity before and during pregnancy predicts maternal and infant risks of obesity and its associated metabolic conditions. Dietary and physical activity recommendations during pregnancy as well as weight monitoring are currently available in the Chilean primary health care system. However some of these recommendations are not updated and most of them are poorly implemented. We seek to assess the effectiveness of an intervention that enhances the implementation of updated nutrition health care standards (diet, physical activity, and breastfeeding promotion) during pregnancy on maternal weight gain and infant growth. DESIGN & SETTING: Cluster randomized controlled trial. The cluster units will be 12 primary health care centers from two counties (La Florida and Puente Alto) from the South-East Area of Santiago randomly allocated to: 1) enhanced nutrition health care standards (intervention group) or 2) routine care (control group). PARTICIPANTS: Women seeking prenatal care before 15 weeks of gestation, residing within a catchment area of selected health centers, and who express that they are not planning to change residence will be invited to participate in the study. Pregnant women classified as high risk according to the Chilean norms (i.e age <16 or >40 years, multiple gestation, pre-gestational medical conditions, previous pregnancy-related issues) and/or underweight will be excluded. INTERVENTION: Pregnant women who attend intervened health care centers starting at their first prenatal visit will receive advice regarding optimal weight gain during pregnancy and diet and physical activity counseling-support. Pregnant women who attend control health clinics will receive routine antenatal care according to national guidelines. We plan to recruit 200 women in each health center. Assuming a 20% loss to follow up, we expect to include 960 women per arm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Achievement of adequate weight gain based on IOM 2009 recommendations and adequate glycaemic control at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy according to ADA 2011, and 2) healthy infant growth during the first year of age based on WHO standards. DISCUSSION: We expect that the intervention will benefit the participants in achieving adequate weight gain & metabolic control during pregnancy as well as adequate infant growth as a result of an increased impact of standard nutrition and health care practices. Gathered information should contribute to a better understanding of how to develop effective interventions to halt the maternal obesity epidemic and its associated co-morbidities in the Chilean population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01916603.

Breast bud detection: a validation study in the Chilean growth obesity cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early puberty onset has been related to future chronic disease; however breast bud assessment in large scale population studies is difficult because it requires trained personnel. Thus our aim is to assess the validity of self and maternal breast bud detection, considering girl's body mass index (BMI) and maternal education. METHODS: In 2010, 481 girls (mean age = 7.8) from the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study were evaluated by a nutritionist trained in breast bud detection. In addition, the girl(n = 481) and her mother(n = 341) classified the girl's breast development after viewing photographs of Tanner stages. Concordance between diagnostics was estimated (kappa, Spearman correlation) considering girls' BMI and mother's educational level. RESULTS: 14% of the girls presented breast buds and 43% had excess weight (BMI z-score > 1, World Health Organization 2007). Self-assessment showed low concordance with the evaluator (K < 0.1) and girls with excess weight over-diagnosed more than girls of normal weight (44% vs. 24%, p-value < 0.05). Instead, mothers showed good concordance with the evaluator (K = 0.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.6-0.9), even in overweight girls and/or in mothers with low education (K = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.6-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Mothers were able to adequately evaluate the appearance of breast bud despite low educational level and girls' excess weight. Mother could be a useful resource for defining puberty onset in epidemiological studies, particularly developing countries.

Assessing the public health impact of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) nutrition interventions.

Investing in the maternal and early-infancy periods (the first 1,000 days, i.e. from -1 to +2 years) is presently acknowledged as a key priority to ensure good nutrition and prevent all forms of malnutrition. The concept is to invest during this period to maximize the human development potential, and the early-life agenda includes prevention of stunting and promotion of optimal brain development as well as ensuring the quality of life of those who survive. Thus, public health assessments of specific interventions need to go beyond the traditional indices of prevention of death and disease. We need to consider including a full range of outcomes such as disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and not only the number of deaths. The long-term outcomes of maternal and infant interventions to prevent obesity and related noncommunicable diseases remain uncertain in terms of their biological impact even under ideal conditions (efficacy); we need interventions with proven effectiveness under real-world conditions (effectiveness). Conversely, interventions to prevent undernutrition have already been proven effective and are considered cost-effective based on rigorous economic analyses. Continuous evaluation of interventions implemented using the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) model needs to be undertaken, as this will allow progressive improvement and thus maximize the potential impact on the health and well-being of populations. We need to consider the population-attributable risk of obesity and chronic disease and conduct an economic evaluation of the lifelong impact of chronic diseases not only in terms of lives lost but also in relation to lost DALY and QALY. This should help to prioritize preventive actions in line with patterns of disease and disability considering the existing resources and demands.