Towards a harmonized European surveillance for dietary and physical activity indicators in young and adult populations.

BACKGROUND: The Policy Evaluation Network proposes a consolidated approach to measure comparable health indicators across European health surveillance systems to evaluate effectiveness of policy action. METHODS: In a stepwise approach, questionnaire items used by the systems for measuring diet and physical activity data to describe health indicators were identified based on their validity, reliability, and suitability to monitor achievement of health recommendations. They were collated to unified questionnaire modules and discussed bilaterally with representatives of these systems to explore barriers and facilitators for implementation. Also, establishment of a methodological competence platform was proposed, in which the surveillance and monitoring systems agree on the priorities and common quality standards for the harmonization process and to coordinate the integration of questionnaire modules into existing systems. RESULTS: In total, seven questionnaire modules were developed, of which two diet and two physical activity modules were proposed for implementation. Each module allows measurement of data reflecting only partial aspects of national and WHO recommendations related to diet and physical activity. Main barriers were the requirements of systems to monitor temporal trends and to minimize costs. Main facilitator for implementation was the systems' use of questionnaire items that were comparable to the unified modules. Representatives agreed to participate in a methodological competence platform. CONCLUSION: We successfully took first steps in the realization of the roadmap towards a harmonization of European surveillance by introducing unified questionnaire modules allowing the collection of comparable health indicators and by initiating the establishment of a competence platform to guide this process.

Selection of key indicators for European policy monitoring and surveillance for dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

BACKGROUND: A pan-European approach to evaluate policy impact on health behaviour requires the employment of a consensus set of established and relevant indicators. METHODS: As part of the Joint Programming Initiative on a Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life, the Policy Evaluation Network PEN identified key indicators of health behaviours and their determinants. These key indicators are already, or have the potential to be, adopted by large European Union surveillance systems for the assessment of policy impact. The iterative selection process included consultations in two rounds via email prior to a 2-days expert workshop. The experts collated a list of dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour indicators for European policy monitoring in young and adult populations based on existing frameworks and literature reviews. The expert panel was composed of researchers, policy makers and representatives of major European surveillance systems and related initiatives, as well as, representatives of organisations providing monitoring data, such as the European Commission and Eurostat. RESULTS: The process provided two lists of key indicators including 37 diet 'policy' indicators and 35 indicators for dietary behaviour and their 'determinants'; as well as 32 physical activity 'policy' indicators and 35 indicators for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and their 'determinants'. CONCLUSION: A total of 139 key indicators related to the individual, the setting and the population level, and suitable for the assessment of dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were prioritised by policy makers and researchers with the ultimate aim to embed policy evaluation measures in existing surveillance systems across the European Union. In a next step, data sources and suitable instruments will be identified to assess these key indicators.

Informe de caso sobre cardiomiopatia periparto: rara, desconocida y potencialmente fatal / Peripartum cardiomyopathy - Rare, unknown and life-threatening

Objectives: To present a clinical case and to conduct a non-systematic review of the literature on peripartum cardiomyopathy, and to describe its incidence, aetiology and pathophysiology. Material and methods: With the authorization of the Ethics Committee of our institution, we present the case of a patient of mestizo ethnic origin who developed asthenia, adynamia, lower limb asymmetrical pain and functional class deterioration during the post-partum period, and her management in the Intensive Care Unit and final outcome. The search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Scielo and Bireme. Results: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The clinical course varies between progressive improvement, heart failure, transplant or death. Some national reports were found. Conclusions: Peripartum cardiomyopathy affects a young and healthy population during a period of time ranging between the end of pregnancy and five months postpartum. The aetiology and pathogenesis are unknown, but several hypotheses have been proposed: viral myocarditis, autoimmune and/or abnormal haemodynamic response to the pregnancy, genetic susceptibility, malnutrition, and apoptosis. The prognosis of recovery of left ventricular function (LVEF) depends on early detection within seven days of the onset of symptoms, an initial LVEF greater than 30%, and a left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) smaller than 60 mm. Mortality is associated with parity greater than four, older age and black ethnc background (6.4 times higher than in Caucasians).

Objetivos: Presentación de un caso clínico y revisión no sistemática de la literatura sobre cardiomiopatia periparto, describir su incidencia, etiología y fisiopatología. Material y métodos: Con autorización del comité de Ética de nuestra institución, se presenta el caso de una paciente de origen étnico mestizo que durante su puerperio consulta por astenia, adinamia, asimetría en miembros inferiores acompañado de deterioro de clase funcional. Su posterior manejo en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y desenlace. La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó en PubMed, Scielo y Bireme. Resultados: La cardiomiopatia periparto es una enfermedad con una importante morbimortalidad. Su curso clínico varía entre una mejoría progresiva, falla cardiaca, trasplante o muerte. Encontramos algunos reportes a nivel nacional. Conclusiones: La cardiomiopatia periparto afecta a una población joven y sana, desde el final del embarazo y hasta cinco meses postparto. Su etiología y patogénesis son desconocidas, las hipótesis propuestas son: la miocarditis viral, una respuesta autoinmune y/o hemodinámica anormal al embarazo, susceptibilidad genética, desnutrición, y la apoptosis. La recuperación de la fracciones de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) depende de: una detección temprana menor a siete días desde el inicio de los síntomas, la FEVI inicial mayor a 30% y diámetro ventricular izquierdo diastólico menor a 60 mm. La mortalidad está asociada con la paridad mayor de cuatro, la edad avanzada y origen étnico negro que es 6,4 veces mayor comparados con las caucásicas.