Iodine nutritional status of women in their first trimester of pregnancy in Catalonia.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient iodine intake is needed during pregnancy to ensure proper fetal development. The iodine levels of women in their first trimester of pregnancy in Catalonia are currently unknown. This data would help to determine whether our public health services should establish recommendations or interventions in this line. The aim of this study was to investigate the iodine nutritional status, prevalence of urinary iodine <150 µg/L, and tobacco use in the first trimester of pregnancy in our setting. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Data were collected during 2008-2009 from women in their first trimester at the primary care centers of the province of Barcelona (Spain). Pregnant women included in the study completed a questionnaire on eating habits and underwent urinary iodine concentration (UIC) assessment. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty five women completed the dietary questionnaire and urinary iodine testing. Median UIC was 172 µg/L, with 407 participants (43.1%) showing levels <150 µg/L. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, intake of 1-2 glasses of milk per day, OR = 0.636 95% CI (0.45-0.90) or >2 glasses, OR = 0.593 95% CI (0.37-0.95); iodized salt consumption, OR = 0.678 95% CI (0.51-0. 90); and use of iodine supplementation, OR = 0.410 95% CI (0.31-0.54), protected against the risk of UIC <150 µg/L. Simultaneous consumption of iodized salt and milk (≥1 glass/day) showed a larger protective effect: OR = 0.427, 95% CI (0.31-0.54). CONCLUSION: The median UIC of the pregnant women surveyed indicated an acceptable iodine nutritional status according to the criteria established by the WHO and ICCIDD. The risk of urinary iodine <150 µg/L decreased with simultaneous consumption of milk and iodized salt, similar to the decrease seen with iodine supplementation.

The problematic use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in adolescents by the cross sectional JOITIC study.

BACKGROUND: The emerging field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has brought about new interaction styles. Its excessive use may lead to addictive behaviours. The objective is to determine the prevalence of the problematic use of ICT such as Internet, mobile phones and video games, among adolescents enrolled in mandatory Secondary Education (ESO in Spanish) and to examine associated factors. METHODS: Cross sectional, multi-centric descriptive study. POPULATION: 5538 students enrolled in years one to four of ESO at 28 schools in the Vallès Occidental region (Barcelona, Spain). DATA COLLECTION: self-administered socio-demographic and ICT access questionnaire, and validated questionnaires on experiences related to the use of the Internet, mobile phones and video games (CERI, CERM, CERV). RESULTS: Questionnaires were collected from 5,538 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 (77.3 % of the total response), 48.6 % were females. Problematic use of the Internet was observed in 13.6 % of the surveyed individuals; problematic use of mobile phones in 2.4 % and problematic use in video games in 6.2 %. Problematic Internet use was associated with female students, tobacco consumption, a background of binge drinking, the use of cannabis or other drugs, poor academic performance, poor family relationships and an intensive use of the computer. Factors associated with the problematic use of mobile phones were the consumption of other drugs and an intensive use of these devices. Frequent problems with video game use have been associated with male students, the consumption of other drugs, poor academic performance, poor family relationships and an intensive use of these games. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers information on the prevalence of addictive behaviours of the Internet, mobile phones and video game use. The problematic use of these ICT devices has been related to the consumption of drugs, poor academic performance and poor family relationships. This intensive use may constitute a risk marker for ICT addiction.

Rationale of the Spanish FRAX model in decision-making for predicting osteoporotic fractures: an update of FRIDEX cohort of Spanish women.

BACKGROUND: The FRAX® tool estimates the risk of a fragility fracture among the population and many countries have been evaluating its performance among their populations since its creation in 2007. The purpose of this study is to update the first FRIDEX cohort analysis comparing FRAX with the bone mineral density (BMD) model, and its predictive abilities. METHODS: The discriminatory ability of the FRAX was assessed using the 'area under curve' of the receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC). Predictive ability was assessed by comparing estimated risk fractures with incidence fractures after a 10-year follow up period. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred eight women ≥ 40 and ≤ 90 years followed up during a 10-year period. The AUC for major osteoporotic fractures using FRAX without DXA was 0.686 (95 % CI 0.630-0.742) and using FN T-score of DXA 0.714 (95 % CI 0.661-0.767). Using only the traditional parameters of DXA (FN T-score), the AUC was 0.706 (95 % CI 0.652-0.760). The AUC for hip osteoporotic fracture was 0.883 (95 % CI 0.827-0.938), 0.857 (95 % CI 0.773-0.941), and 0.814 (95 % CI 0.712-0.916) respectively. For major osteoporotic fractures, the overall predictive value using the ratio Observed fractures/Expected fractures calculated with FRAX without T-score of DXA was 2.29 and for hip fractures 2.28 and with the inclusion of the T-score 2.01 and 1.83 respectively. However, for hip fracture in women < 65 years was 1.53 and 1.24 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FRAX tool has been found to show a good discriminatory capacity for detecting women at high risk of fragility fracture, and is better for hip fracture than major fracture. The test of sensibility shows that it is, at least, not inferior than when using BMD model alone. The predictive capacity of FRAX tool needs some adjustment. This capacity is better for hip fracture prediction and better for women < 65 years. Further studies in Catalonia and other regions of Spain are needed to fine tune the FRAX tool's predictive capability.

Understanding the discriminant factors that influence the adoption and use of clinical communities of practice: the ECOPIH case.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study presented in this article is to analyse the discriminant factors that have an influence on the use of communities of practice by primary and specialist healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) for information sharing. Obtaining evidence from an ex-ante analysis to determine what factors explain healthcare professionals' clinical community of practice use allows aspects of its use to be identified. METHODS: A theoretical model based on a modified technology acceptance model was used as the analysis tool, and a discriminant analysis was performed. An ad-hoc questionnaire was designed and sent to a study population of 357 professionals from the Badalona-Sant Adrià de Besòs Primary Care Service in Catalonia, Spain, which includes nine primary care centres and three specialist care centres. The study sample was formed by the 166 healthcare professionals who responded. RESULTS: The results revealed three main drivers for engagement in a CoP: First, for the whole sample, perceived usefulness for reducing costs associated with clinical practice was the factor with the greatest discriminant power that distinguished between users and non-users, followed by perceived usefulness for improving clinical practice quality, and lastly habitual social media website and application use. Turning to the two sub-samples of healthcare professions (physicians and nurses, respectively), we saw that the usefulness stemming from community of practice use changed. There were differences in the levels of motivation of healthcare professionals with regards to their engagement with CoP. While perceived usefulness for reducing costs associated with clinical practice was the main factor for the physicians, perceived usefulness of the Web 2.0 platform use for communication for improving clinical practice quality and perceived ease of use were the main factors for the nurses. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of communities of practice, the perception of usefulness of Web 2.0 platform use for communication is determined by organisational, technological and social factors. Specifically, the position that professionals have within the healthcare structure and particularly the closer healthcare professionals' activity is to patients and their professional experience of using social networks and ICTs are crucial to explaining the use of such platforms. Public policies promoting Web 2.0 platform use for communication should therefore go beyond the purely technological dimension and consider other professional and social determinants.

Analysis of three strategies to increase screening coverage for cervical cancer in the general population of women aged 60 to 70 years: the CRICERVA study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Despite having easy preventive and therapeutic approaches, it is an important cause of mortality among women. METHODS: The CRICERVA study is a cluster clinical trial which assigned one of three interventions to the target population registered in Cerdanyola, Barcelona. Among the 5,707 resident women aged 60 to 70 years in the study area, women with no record of cervical cytology over the last three years were selected. The study included four arms: three interventions all including a pre-assigned date for screening visit and i) personalized invitation letter; ii) adding to i) an informative leaflet; and, iii) in addition to ii) a personalized appointment reminder phone call, and iv) no specific action taken (control group). Participants were offered a personal interview about social-demographic characteristics and about screening attitudes. Cervical cytology and HPV DNA test (HC2) were offered as screening tests. In the case of screening positive in any of these tests, the women were followed up until a full diagnosis could be obtained. The effect size of each study arm was estimated as the absolute gain in coverage between the original coverage and the final coverage. RESULTS: From the intervention groups (4,775 women), we identified 3,616 who were not appropriately screened, of which 2,560 women answered the trial call and 1,376 were amenable to screening. HPV was tested in 920 women and cervical cytology in all 1,376. Overall, there was an absolute gain in coverage of 28.8% in the intervention groups compared to 6% in the control group. Coverage increased from 51.2% to 76.0% in strategy i); from 47.4% to 79.0% in strategy ii) and from 44.5% to 74.6% in strategy iii). Lack of information about the relevance of screening was the most important factor for not attending the screening program. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that actively contacting women and including a date for a screening visit, notably increased participation in the screening program. Efforts to improve health education in preventative activities are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier NCT01373723. Registered 14 June 2011.

[Access and use of new information and telecommunication technologies among teenagers at high school, health implications. JOITIC Study]. / Acceso y uso de nuevas tecnologías entre los jóvenes de educación secundaria, implicaciones en salud. Estudio JOITIC.

OBJECTIVE: To determine ICT accessibility and use among the adolescents attending High School and to analyse related factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicentric study. SETTING: High Schools participating in the Community Health «Salut i Escola¼ Programme. PARTICIPANTS: 5,538 students from first to fourth degree at 28 centres in the area of Barcelona. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Self administered questionnaire including sociodemographic information, ICT use and accessibility. RESULTS: Missing answers were below 1% in all items except in school performance (3,13%); 48,6% were female, mean age 14years (range 11-20); 15,5% foreigners; 23% reported low school performance; 75,2% took extracurricular activities; 88,9% refers a good relationship with their parents. ICT access is homogeneously massive: 98% had a computer at home, 44,8% used it for two or more hours daily. 98,6% could access Internet, 47,2% without parental control. 90% owned a mobile phone (83% in first grade, 95% in fourth); 45,6% owned one before 12years old. Girls use it for social relationships and boys for playing. 68,4% played videogames, 36,5% for three or more hours a week and 66,8% without parental control. Their use decreases with age. The ICT parental control is associated with better school performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our high scholars gain access to the ICT at younger ages and they use them in almost every aspect of their lives. There have been detected some gender differences in their use, as well as in the age of the users and between the type of school.

[The Questionnaire of Experiences Associated with Video games (CERV): an instrument to detect the problematic use of video games in Spanish adolescents]. / El Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con los Videojuegos (CERV): un instrumento para detectar el uso problemático de videojuegos en adolescentes españoles.

The aim of this study is to validate the Video Game-Related Experiences Questionnaire (CERV in Spanish). The questionnaire consists of 17 items, developed from the CERI (Internet-Related Experiences Questionnaire - Beranuy and cols.), and assesses the problematic use of non-massive video games. It was validated for adolescents in Compulsory Secondary Education. To validate the questionnaire, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and an internal consistency analysis were carried out. The factor structure shows two factors: (a) Psychological dependence and use for evasion; and (b) Negative consequences of using video games. Two cut-off points were established for people with no problems in their use of video games (NP), with potential problems in their use of video games (PP), and with serious problems in their use of video games (SP). Results show that there is higher prevalence among males and that problematic use decreases with age. The CERV seems to be a good instrument for the screening of adolescents with difficulties deriving from video game use. Further research should relate problematic video game use with difficulties in other life domains, such as the academic field.

Impact of the implementation of an online network support tool among clinicians of primary health care and specialists: ECOPIH Project.

BACKGROUND: There has been created an online communication tool with the objective to improve the communication among different levels of care, between Primary Care clinicians and Specialists. This tool is web 2.0 based technology (ECOPIH project). It allows to review clinical cases and to share knowledge. Our study will evaluate its impact in terms of reduction on the number of referrals to three specialties two years after the use of this tool. METHODS/DESIGN: Open, multicenter, controlled, non random intervention study over 24 months. Study population includes 131 Primary Care Physicians assigned to nine health centers. The study will compare the clinicians that use the ECOPIH with the ones that do not use the tool. Also, professionals that start to use the tool during the period time of the study will be included.The number of annual referrals during the first and second year will be analyzed and retrospectively compared with the previous year to the implementation of the tool. Moreover, it will be assessed the level of satisfaction of the professionals with the tool and to what extend the tool responds to their needs. DISCUSSION: The implementation of ECOPIH in the field of Primary Health Care can decrease the number of referrals from primary care to specialist care.It is expected that the reduction will be more noticeable in the group of professionals that use more intensively the tool. Furthermore, we believe that it can be also observed with the professionals that read the contributions of the others.We anticipate high degree of customer satisfaction as it is a very helpful resource never used before in our environment.

Nutritional status of iodine in pregnant women in Catalonia (Spain): study on hygiene-dietetic habits and iodine in urine.

BACKGROUND: It is a priority to achieve an adequate nutritional status of iodine during pregnancy since iodine deficiency in this population may have repercussions on the mother during both gestation and post partum as well as on the foetus, the neonate and the child at different ages. According to the WHO, iodine deficiency is the most frequent cause of mental retardation and irrreversible cerebral lesions around the world. However, few studies have been published on the nutritional status of iodine in the pregnant population within the Primary Care setting, a health care level which plays an essential role in the education and control of pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of the present study is: 1.- To know the hygiene-dietetic habits related to the intake of foods rich in iodine and smoking during pregnancy. 2.- To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency and the factors associated with its appearance during pregnancy. METHODS/DESIGN: We will perform a cluster randomised, controlled, multicentre trial. Randomisation unit: Primary Care Team. STUDY POPULATION: 898 pregnant women over the age of 17 years attending consultation to a midwife during the first trimester of pregnancy in the participating primary care centres. OUTCOME MEASURES: consumption of iodine-rich foods and iodine deficiency. Points of assessment: each trimester of the gestation. INTERVENTION: group education during the first trimester of gestation on healthy hygiene-dietetic habits and the importance of an adequate iodine nutritional status. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: descriptive analysis of all variables will be performed as well as multilevel logistic regression. All analyses will be done carried out on an intention to treat basis and will be fitted for potential confounding factors and variables of clinical importance. DISCUSSION: Evidence of generalised iodine deficiency during pregnancy could lead to the promotion of interventions of prevention such as how to improve and intensify health care educational programmes for pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01301768.

Cluster randomized trial in smoking cessation with intensive advice in diabetic patients in primary care. ITADI Study.

BACKGROUND: It is a priority to achieve smoking cessation in diabetic smokers, given that this is a group of patients with elevated cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, tobacco has a multiplying effect on micro and macro vascular complications. Smoking abstinence rates increase as the intensity of the intervention, length of the intervention and number and diversity of contacts with the healthcare professional during the intervention increases. However, there are few published studies about smoking cessation in diabetics in primary care, a level of healthcare that plays an essential role in these patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive smoking cessation intervention in diabetic patients in primary care. METHODS/DESIGN: Cluster randomized trial, controlled and multicentric. Randomization unit: Primary Care Team. STUDY POPULATION: 546 diabetic smokers older than 14 years of age whose disease is controlled by one of the primary care teams in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Continuous tobacco abstinence (a person who has not smoked for at least six months and with a CO level of less than 6 ppm measured by a cooximeter) , evolution in the Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model of Change, number of cigarettes/day, length of the visit. Point of assessment: one- year post- inclusion in the study. INTERVENTION: Brief motivational interview for diabetic smokers at the pre-contemplation and contemplation stage, intensive motivational interview with pharmacotherapy for diabetic smokers in the preparation-action stage and reinforcing intevention in the maintenance stage. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A descriptive analysis of all variables will be done, as well as a multilevel logistic regression and a Poisson regression. All analyses will be done with an intention to treatment basis and will be fitted for potential confounding factors and variables of clinical importance. Statistical packages: SPSS15, STATA10 y HLM6. DISCUSSION: The present study will try to describe the profile of a diabetic smoker who receives the most benefit from an intensive intervention in primary care. The results will be useful for primary care professionals in their usual clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00954967.

Impact of Dietary Habit, Iodine Supplementation and Smoking Habit on Urinary Iodine Concentration During Pregnancy in a Catalonia Population.

(1) Background: The nutritional status of women during pregnancy can have a considerable effect on maternal and fetal health, and on the perinatal outcome. Aim: to assess the changes occurring in dietary iodine intake, potassium iodide supplementation, and smoking habit, and the impact of these changes on the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy in a population of women in Catalonia (Spain). (2) Methods: Between 2009-2011, an observational study included a cohort of women whose pregnancies were monitored in the public health system in the Central and North Metropolitan areas of Catalonia. Women received individual educational counseling, a dietary questionnaire was completed, and a urine sample was collected for iodine determination at each trimester visit. (3) Results: 633 (67.9%) women answered the questionnaire at all 3 visits. The percentage of women with a desirable UIC (≥150 µg/L) increased from the first to the second trimester and remained stable in the third (57.3%, 68.9%, 68%; p < 0.001). Analysis of the relationship between UIC≥150 µg/L and the women's dietary habits showed that the percentage with UIC ≥150 µg/L increased with greater consumption of milk in the first trimester, and the same was true for iodized salt use in all three trimesters and iodine supplementation in all three. (4) Conclusion: During pregnancy, increased intake of milk, iodized salt, and iodine supplements were associated with an increase in the UIC.

Impact of school-based nutrition and physical activity intervention on body mass index eight years after cessation of randomized controlled trial (AVall study).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence of obesity and overweight among children is increasing, representing a new and pressing societal problem. Excess weight in childhood is an independent risk factor for adult obesity. Although school-based interventions are generally considered effective in the short term, few studies analyze their longterm impact. The aim of study was to assess if the effect of the intervention on body mass Index (BMI) immediately after the intervention remained eight years later (AVall Study). METHODS: In 2006-2008, an intervention for primary school children promoted healthy eating habits and physical activity in the school setting using the Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC) educational methodology, which involves children as active participants in healthy change. At baseline, parents reported their weight, height and educational level by questionnaire. Children's weight and height were measured in situ in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2016, and levels of physical activity were assessed by questionnaire. Multilevel mixed effects linear regression was used to assess changes in BMI over time. RESULTS: Increases in BMI from 2006 to 2016 were 0.68 kg/m2 (95% CI, 0.02, 1.34; P = 0.045) higher in the control group than in the intervention group. The prevalence of obesity and overweight combined in 2006 and 2016 was 22.2% and 27.9%, respectively, in the control group and 25.6% and 21.2% respectively, in the intervention group. Changes in BMI in the intervention group were maintained from 2006 on: at the end of the intervention in 2008, -0.4 kg/m2 (P = 0.001); in 2010, -0.23 g/m2 (P = 0.012); in 2012, -0.63 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) and in 2016, -0.27 kg/m2 (P = 0.025). The child's BMI increased by 0.52 kg/m2 (P = 0.046) if the father was obese, by 1.26 kg/m2 (p = 0.011) if the mother was obese, and by 2.37 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) if both parents were obese. Parental education levels were not associated with childhood obesity. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based healthy eating habits and physical activity intervention using IVAC methodology contributed to lower increases in BMI among children in primary school. Although parental BMI also influenced children's BMI, the intervention was effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01156805.

Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage: A Randomised, Community-Based Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic cervical cancer screening can lead to suboptimal screening coverage. Coverage could be increased after a personalised invitation to the target population. We present a community randomized intervention study with three strategies aiming to increase screening coverage. METHODS: The CRICERVA study is a community-based clinical trial to improve coverage of population-based screening in the Cerdanyola SAP area in Barcelona.A total of 32,858 women residing in the study area, aged 30 to 70 years were evaluated. A total of 15,965 women were identified as having no registration of a cervical cytology in the last 3.5 years within the Public Health data base system. Eligible women were assigned to one of four community randomized intervention groups (IGs): (1) (IG1 N = 4197) personalised invitation letter, (2) (IG2 N = 3601) personalised invitation letter + informative leaflet, (3) (IG3 N = 6088) personalised invitation letter + informative leaflet + personalised phone call and (4) (Control N = 2079) based on spontaneous demand of cervical cancer screening as officially recommended. To evaluate screening coverage, we used heterogeneity tests to compare impact of the interventions and mixed logistic regression models to assess the age effect. We refer a "rescue" visit as the screening visit resulting from the study invitation. RESULTS: Among the 13,886 women in the IGs, 2,862 were evaluated as having an adequate screening history after the initial contact; 4,263 were lost to follow-up and 5,341 were identified as having insufficient screening and thus being eligible for a rescue visit. All intervention strategies significantly increased participation to screening compared to the control group. Coverage after the intervention reached 84.1% while the control group reached 64.8%. The final impact of our study was an increase of 20% in the three IGs and of 9% in the control group (p<0.001). Within the intervention arms, age was an important determinant of rescue visits showing a statistical interaction with the coverage attained in the IGs. Within the intervention groups, final screening coverage was significantly higher in IG3 (84.4%) (p<0.001). However, the differences were more substantial in the age groups 50-59 and those 60+. The highest impact of the IG3 intervention was observed among women 60+ y.o with 32.0% of them being rescued for screening. The lowest impact of the interventions was in younger women. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that using individual contact methods and assigning a fixed screening date notably increases participation in screening. The response to the invitation is strongly dependent on age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01373723.

[Paraoxonase 1 gene 192 polymorphism, physical activity and lipoprotein in women]. / Polimorfismo 192 del gen de la paraoxonasa 1, actividad física y lipoproteínas de alta densidad en la mujer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Regular physical activity is associated with an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), whose antioxidant and protective effect for coronary artery disease is well known. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme related with the antioxidant activity of HDL. The PON1 gene has several genetic polymorphisms; one of them locates in codon 192, whose alleles Q and R are associated with low and high PON1-activity, respectively. The objective of this study was to determine whether physical activity has different effects on the lipid profile in women depending on the PON1-192 genotype. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Six hundred and fifty-one women from a cross-sectional risk-factor study were included in this retrospective cohort study. We analyzed anthropometrical characteristics, serum lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, PON1-192 genotypes and menopause. We used the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess the daily physical activity in the previous year. RESULTS: Women included in the study were classified into three categories by tertiles of daily physical activity. Although no differences in the lipidic parameters were found, we observed an increasing trend in HDL-C concentration and a decreasing trend in log-triglyceride-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio with increasing physical activity in RR homozygous women. In subgroup analyses, we observed that the association of high physical activity and increased HDL-C concentration or decreased log-triglyceride-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio were exclusive for RR homozygous non-menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that PON1-192 polymorphism could modulate the effect of physical activity on HDL-C concentration and on triglyceride-rich lipoprotein catabolism in non-menopausal women.

Increased MLL gene rearrangements in amniocytes from fetuses of mothers who smoke.

We assess the possible genotoxic effect of maternal smoking on amniotic fluid cells, based on the presence of an increasing of structural abnormality of the 11q23 band bearing the MLL gene rearrangements. In this observational and prospective study cultured amniocytes were obtained from 20 control and 20 women who smoke (>10 cigarettes/day for >10 years and during pregnancy). We performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in amniocytes. Comparison of FISH data between smoker and control groups showed statistical significance for the MLL gene rearrangements. Epidemiologic studies, including a large series of patients, will be needed to determine whether the offspring of parents who smoke have an increased lifetime risk of leukemia.

Assessment of a school-based intervention in eating habits and physical activity in school children: the AVall study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a global public health problem, which also affects children. It has been proposed that the educational interventions during childhood could be a key strategy in the prevention of obesity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an intervention on food habits and physical activity in school children. METHODS: A 2-year cluster-randomised prospective study with two parallel arms was used to evaluate an intervention programme in children in their first year of primary schooling (5-6 years of age) in schools in the city of Granollers. The intervention consisted of the promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity by means of the educational methodology Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC). At the beginning and at the end of the study (2006 and 2008) the weight and height of each child was measured in situ, while the families were given a self-report physical activity questionnaire and the Krece Plus quick test. RESULTS: Two years after the beginning of the study, the body mass index of the children in the control group was 0.8 kg/m(2) higher than that of the intervention schools. The intervention reduced by 62% the prevalence of overweight children. Similarly, the proportion of children that ate a second piece of fruit and took part in an after-school physical activity increased in the intervention group. In the control group, the weekly consumption of fish was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention in healthy eating habits and physical activity in the school could contribute to lessen the current increase in child obesity.

Treponema pallidum distribution patterns in mucocutaneous lesions of primary and secondary syphilis: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

To study the different patterns of Treponema pallidum distribution in primary and secondary syphilis, 34 biopsy specimens of 8 patients with primary and 26 with secondary syphilis were assessed. Histopathological features, silver stain, and immunohistochemical T pallidum polyclonal antibody expression were investigated. The number and distribution of spirochetes were evaluated, and ultrastructural studies were performed. Spirochetes were identified with Warthin-Starry stain in 17 specimens (4/8 primary and 13/26 secondary syphilis), whereas immunohistochemical analysis disclosed spirochetes in 29 (8/8 primary and 21/26 secondary syphilis). In secondary syphilis, an epitheliotropic pattern characterized by abundant spirochetes in the lower mucosa/epidermis in an intercellular distribution was observed. In contrast, primary syphilis exhibited a mixed epitheliotropic and vasculotropic pattern further manifested by treponemes surrounding the vascular walls. These differences were statistically significant. Ultrastructural examination confirmed these results. Immunohistochemistry shows greater sensitivity when compared with Warthin-Starry staining. The immunohistochemical pattern of T pallidum distribution may permit the diagnostic differentiation of primary from secondary syphilis.

Relationship of classical and non-classical risk factors with genetic variants relevant to coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the well established cardiovascular risk factors, evidence suggests a possible role of genetic and non-classical risk factors in the development and progression of atherothrombosis. We aimed to determine the relationship of classical and non-classical cardiovascular risk factors with candidate gene polymorphisms potentially involved in cardiovascular risk in the general Mediterranean population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We have determined the prevalence of classical (lipid profile, blood pressure, glycaemia, diabetes, smoking, body mass index, menopause and family history of coronary heart disease) and non-classical cardiovascular risk factors (infectious processes, homocysteinaemia, oxidative status, C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen) in a population-based study. We analysed the relationship of these risk factors with the following five gene polymorphisms potentially involved in cardiovascular risk: ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-R219K, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha-L162V, Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-HindIII, Paraoxonase (PON)1-Q192R, and Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-G-308A. RESULTS: We found PPAR-alpha-V and LPL-H alleles to be associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration and with increased total cholesterol : HDL-c and triglyceride : HDL-c ratios. Regarding the non-classical risk factors, C-reactive protein concentration was higher for the PPAR-alpha-V allele. A higher oxidative status was shown in homozygotes for LPL-H and TNF-alpha-G alleles, although the latter also had lower homocysteinaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Three of the genetic variants analysed, PPAR-alpha-L162V, LPL-HindIII, and TNF-alpha-G-308A, were associated with non-classical risk factors, specifically lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative status.

Association of time elapsed since the last coronary event with health services utilization.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic illness use health services more often but little is known about the use that coronary heart disease patients make of primary care. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the time elapsed and the perceived quality of life following a major acute coronary event are associated with utilization rate of primary care services. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multicentre study. SETTING: Twenty-three primary care health centres in Catalonia (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 30-80 years who had suffered a major coronary event in the previous 6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of consultations with the general practitioner during the year before the beginning of the study was noted and patients who consulted nine or more times were considered frequent attenders. The time elapsed since the last major coronary event was categorized using the median (2 years) as a cut-off value. The SF-12 quality of life questionnaire was administered. RESULTS: A total of 1022 patients with coronary heart disease were included. The median number of consultations with a general practitioner within the previous year was 5 (range 0 - 36). Patients with a shorter time elapsed since the last coronary event were seen more often by their general practitioner. The probability of being frequent attender was 24% Iower among patients with less recent coronary events (adjusted odds ratio: 0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.69 - 0.85, p < 0.001). Quality of life scores were similar in frequent and non-frequent attenders. No relationship between comorbidity and frequent attendance was found. CONCLUSIONS: The shorter time elapsed since the last coronary event was an important factor related with frequent attendance in coronary heart disease patients regardless of cardiovascular comorbidity, and perceived quality of life.