Physical activity and health-related quality of life among adult women in Cali, Colombia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and walking for transportation (WT) with the physical and mental dimensions of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2009 among 1,263 women ages 18-59 years living in neighborhoods with low and middle-low socioeconomic status in the urban area of Cali. HR-QOL was assessed using the Short Form 8 (SF-8). LTPA and WT were measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Associations were assessed using linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Low (10-149 min) and medium-high (at least 150 min) levels of WT were negatively associated with the mental and physical dimensions of HR-QOL. Low (10-149 min of moderate intensity PA, or 10-74 min of vigorous intensity PA) and medium-high (at least 150 or 75 min of moderate or vigorous intensity PA, respectively) levels of LTPA were positively associated with both dimensions. Significant interactions were observed between education level and perceived safety from traffic. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that WT and LTPA were associated with HR-QOL both in the physical and mental dimensions; however, the direction and magnitude of the association varied by domain. These results highlight the need to better understand the links between PA and HR-QOL in urban contexts from Latin America.

Presence of Streptococcus dentisani in the dental plaque of children from different Colombian cities.

Streptococcus dentisani has been identified as an oral cavity probiotic due to its beneficial characteristics. One of its beneficial features is the production of bacteriocins, which inhibit the growth of cariogenic bacteria, and another is its buffering capacity through the production of ammonium from arginine. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of S. dentisani in the dental plaque of Colombian children and whether the presence of this bacterium is related to oral health and other conditions. Dental plaque and information on diet and oral hygiene habits were collected from children between 6 and 12 years of age from four Colombian cities, divided into caries-free children (International Caries Detection and Assessment System [ICDAS] 0, Decayed Missing Filled Teeth index [DMFT] 0), children with ICDAS 1 and 2, and children with ICDAS >3. Plaque DNA was extracted and quantified, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers. This bacterium was identified in all samples, with a median of 0.46 cells/ng DNA (interquartile range [IQR] 0.13-1.02), without finding significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). In caries-free children, a median of 0.45 cells/ng DNA (IQR 0.14-1.23) was found. In children with ICDAS 1 and 2, the median was 0.49 cells/ng DNA (IQR 0.11-0.97), and in children with ICDAS >3, the median was 0.35 cells/ng DNA (IQR 0.12-1.07). However, statistically significant differences were found in the origin of children (P < 0.01), the use of fluoride-containing products (P < 0.01), and the frequency of food intake (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of S. dentisani was quantified in children from four Colombian cities, without finding significant differences in oral health status. Nevertheless, three conditions showed a possible relationship with S. dentisani.

[Factors correlated with low-income diabetic patients' quality of life in Bogota]. / Factores correlacionados con la calidad de vida en pacientes diabéticos de bajos ingresos en Bogotá

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the factors correlated with health-related quality of life (QOL) amongst low-income diabetic patients attending two public hospitals in Bogotá. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 153 type 2 diabetic patients. The variables studied were socio-demographic characteristics, social support, lifestyle and clinical measurements (HbA1c, BMI, and cholesterol). The SF-8 health survey (8-item short form) was used for assessing health-related QOL. RESULTS: Overall physical score was 41.4 (SE 8.5) and overall mental score 46.5 (SE 7.3); the scores never exceeded 50 points. The factors correlated with lower QOL regarding the physical domain were occupation, social support, physical activity and fat intake and age, occupation, social support, and smoking status regarding the mental domain. CONCLUSIONS: The patients surveyed here had a poor QOL. The factors correlated with health-related QOL included socio-demographic characteristics, social support and lifestyle. These findings should be taken into account when formulating public health policy to readdress the current healthcare model for controlling diabetes.

Factores correlacionados con la calidad de vida en pacientes diabéticos de bajos ingresos en Bogotá / Factors correlated with low-income diabetic patients' quality of life in Bogota

Objetivos Identificar los factores correlacionados con la calidad de vida relacionada con salud en pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2 de bajos ingresos que asisten a control en dos hospitales de la red pública de Bogotá. Métodos Estudio transversal que incluyó a 153 diabéticos de estratos 1 y 2. Las variables fueron características socio-demográficas, apoyo social, modos de vida y mediciones clínicas (HbA1c, IMC y colesterol). La calidad de vida se midió a través del SF-8. Resultados El puntaje global físico de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud fue de 41,4 (DE. 8,5); el puntaje global mental fue de 46,5 (DE. 7,3). Los puntajes de calidad de vida nunca fueron superiores a 50 puntos. Los factores correlacionados a una menor calidad de vida de las personas con DM2 en la escala física fueron la ocupación, apoyo social, actividad física y consumo de grasas; en la escala mental fueron la edad, la ocupación, el apoyo social y el consumo de cigarrillo. Conclusiones Los pacientes de este estudio tienen una mala calidad de vida. Los factores correlacionados con la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud incluyen las características sociodemográficas, de apoyo social y de los modos de vida. Es importante tener en cuenta estos resultados en las políticas de salud pública con el fin de reorientar los modelos de atención en salud para el control de la diabetes.

Objective Identifying the factors correlated with health-related quality of life (QOL) amongst low-income diabetic patients attending two public hospitals in Bogotá. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 153 type 2 diabetic patients. The variables studied were socio-demographic characteristics, social support, lifestyle and clinical measurements (HbA1c, BMI, and cholesterol). The SF-8 health survey (8-item short form) was used for assessing health-related QOL. Results Overall physical score was 41.4 (SE 8.5) and overall mental score 46.5 (SE 7.3); the scores never exceeded 50 points. The factors correlated with lower QOL regarding the physical domain were occupation, social support, physical activity and fat intake and age, occupation, social support, and smoking status regarding the mental domain. Conclusions The patients surveyed here had a poor QOL. The factors correlated with health-related QOL included socio-demographic characteristics, social support and lifestyle. These findings should be taken into account when formulating public health policy to readdress the current healthcare model for controlling diabetes.