Measurement invariance of the GAD-5 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale in a Mexican general population sample.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the measurement of invariance by sex, age, and educational level of an online version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale in a five-item version (GAD-5). Configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance were evaluated using data from 79,473 respondents who answered a mental health questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. The sex variable was classified as male or female; age was categorized as minors, youth, young adults, adults, and older adults; and educational level was divided into basic, upper secondary, higher, and graduate education. To test for configural invariance, confirmatory factor models were constructed. For metric invariance, equality restrictions were established for the factor loadings between the construct and its items; for scalar invariance, equality restrictions were established between the intercepts; strict variance implied the additional restriction of the residuals. Statistical analysis was performed in R software with the lavaan package. The results show that with respect to sex, age, and educational level, configural and metric measurement invariance was confirmed (ΔCFI < 0.002; ΔRMSEA < 0.015). However, with respect to scalar and strict invariance, the results showed significant differences regarding the fit model (ΔCFI > 0.002; ΔRMSEA > 0.015). We conclude that the GAD-5 presents configural and metric invariance for sex, age, and educational level, and scalar invariance for sex and age groups. However, the scale does not demonstrate strict invariance. We discuss the implications and suggest that this result could be related to the evaluation of sociodemographic variables.

COVID-19 mRNA Based Vaccine Immune-Response Assessment in Nursing Home Residents for Public Health Decision.

Nursing home residents (NHR) have been targeted as a vaccination priority due to their higher risk of worse outcome after COVID-19 infection. The mRNA-based vaccine BTN2b2 was first approved in Europe for NHRs. The assessment of the specific vaccine immune response (both humoral and cellular) at long term in NHRs has not been addressed yet. A representative sample of 624 NHR subjects in Northern region of Spain was studied to assess immune response against full vaccination with BTN2b2. The anti-S1 antibody levels and specific T cells were measured at two and six months after vaccination. 24.4% of NHR had a previous infection prior to vaccination. The remaining NHR were included in the full vaccination assessment group (FVA). After two months, a 94.9% of the FVA presented anti-S1 antibodies, whereas those seronegative without specific cellular response were 2.54%. At long-term, the frequency of NHR within the FVA group with anti-S1 antibodies at six months were 88.12% and the seronegative subjects without specific cellular response was 8.07%. The cellular immune assays complement the humoral test in the immune vaccine response assessment. Therefore, the cellular immune assessment in NHRs allows for the fine tuning of those seronegative subjects with potential competent immune responses against the vaccine.

Factores asociados con el consumo excesivo de alcohol: Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2020 sobre Covid-19 / Factors associated with binge drinking: National Health and Nutrition Survey 2020, Covid-19

Resumen: Objetivo: Conocer la magnitud del consumo excesivo de alcohol (CEA) y su asociación con los factores individuales, familiares y sociales entre agosto y noviembre de 2020 en México. Material y métodos: Con base en los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2020 sobre Covid-19, se analizaron 8 595 adultos mayores de 20 años. Se estimaron modelos de regresión logística estratificados por sexo y se obtuvieron razones de momios (RM) con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados: El CEA fue de 40.43%; hombres 56.49% y mujeres 25.70%. Los principales factores asociados fueron ser hombre (RM=3.66; IC95%: 3.22,4.12), edad de 20 a 29 años (RM=3.65; IC95%: 2.89,4.63), salir a trabajar durante la pandemia (RM=1.56; IC95%: 1.33,1.81) y tener dos o más escolares en el hogar (RM=1.20; IC95%: 1.03,1.39). Conclusiones: En México, el patrón de CEA es prevalente; por su naturaleza de riesgo y su amplia distribución poblacional, es prioritario implementar intervenciones preventivas individuales y de salud pública.

Abstract: Objective: Estimate the magnitude of binge drinking and its association with individual, family, and social factors between August to November 2020 in Mexico. Materials and methods: Based on the data from National Health and Nutrition Survey 2020 Covid-19, 8 595 adults over 20 years old were analyzed. Stratified logistic regression models by sex were estimated obtaining odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: The binge drinking reported was 40.43%; in men 56.49% and in women 25.70%. The main associated factors were being a man (OR=3.66; 95%CI: 3.22,4.17), age 20 to 29 years (OR=3.56; 95%CI: 2.89,4.63), going to work during the pandemic (OR=1.56; 95%CI: 1.33,1.81), and having two or more people of school children (OR=1.20; 95%CI: 1.03,1.39). Conclusions: The binge drinking pattern in Mexico is prevalent; due to the risky nature and the wide population distribution, it is a priority to implement individual preventive and public health interventions.

Evaluación del impacto de la cuarentena por la pandemia de COVID-19 en la transmisión perinatal del VIH en Buenos Aires, Argentina / Assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on perinatal HIV transmission in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Objetivos: Describir variables epidemiológicas clave durante el año 2020 (pandemia de COVID-19) con respecto a la prevención de la transmisión perinatal (TP) del VIH en Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CABA), comparando con períodos previos.Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de los datos agregados de TP de las principales maternidades de CABA. El año pandémico (2020) se comparó con los años no pandémicos 2018 y 2019.Resultados: Se observó una reducción del total de nacimientos en 2020 en comparación con 2019 y 2018 (11.640 vs. 14.031 y 15,978, respectivamente). La proporción de nacidos vivos en madres VIH+ (MEV) fue 0,88% en 2020, sin diferencia con 2019 y 2018 (0,94% y 0,93%), p> 0,05 para todas las comparaciones. Entre las MEV, el diagnóstico intraparto fue del 2,9% para 2020, sin diferencias con 2019 (2,25%) y 2018 (9,3%), p> 0,05 (todas las comparaciones); el 8,8% comenzó el tratamiento antirretroviral con > 28 semanas de edad gestacional en 2020 frente al 16% y el 18,05% en 2018 y 2019 (p> 0,05, todas las comparaciones). La prevalencia de la carga viral indetectable en el momento del parto fue del 67% en 2020 frente al 64% en 2018 y del 65,4% en 2019 (p> 0,05, todas las comparaciones). La transmisión perinatal fue 0% en 2020 vs. 1,33% en 2018 y 2,25% 2019 (p> 0,05, todas las comparaciones).Conclusiones: En la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19 no se observaron cambios en la proporción de MEV asistidas, diagnóstico intraparto de VIH, inicio tardío del TARV y TP en CABA

Background: To describe key epidemiological variables in 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic) regarding prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in Buenos Aires city (CABA) in comparison with previous periods. Methods: Retrospective analysis of aggregated MTCT data was gathered from six principal maternity hospitals in Buenos Aires city. Pandemic year (2020) was compared to non-pandemic years 2018-19 individually considering key epidemiological variables. Results: A reduction of total births was observed in 2020 compared to 2019 and 2018 (11640 vs. 14031 and 15978, respectively). Proportion of live births in HIV-infected women (HPW) was 0.88% in 2020 without difference with 2019 and 2018 (0.94% and 0.93%), p> 0.05 for all comparisons. Among HPW, intrapartum diagnosis was 2.9% for 2020, with no difference between 2019 (2.25%) and 2018 (9.3%), p>0.05 (all comparisons); 8.8% had antiretroviral therapy (ART) started > 28 weeks of gestational age in 2020 vs. 16% and 18.05% in 2018 and 2019 (p> 0.05, all comparisons). Prevalence of undetectable viral load at delivery was 67% in 2020 vs 64% in 2018 and 65.4% in 2019 (p> 0.05, all comparisons). Perinatal transmission was 0% in 2020 vs 1.33% in 2018 and 2.25% 2019 (p> 0.05, all comparisons) Conclusions: In first wave of COVID 19 pandemic no changes in the proportion of HPW assisted, HIV intrapartum diagnosis, late ART initiation and MTCT-rate was observed in CABA

Proactive and systematic multidimensional needs assessment in patients with advanced cancer approaching palliative care: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of palliative care rely on how healthcare professionals assess patients' needs in the initial encounter/s; crucial to the design of a personalised therapeutic plan. However, there is currently no evidence-based guideline to perform this needs assessment. We aim to design and evaluate a proactive and systematic method for the needs assessment using quality guidelines for developing complex interventions. This will involve patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals in all phases of the study and its communication to offer clinical practice a reliable approach to address the palliative needs of patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: To design and assess the feasibility of an evidence-based, proactive and systematic Multidimensional needs Assessment in Palliative care (MAP) as a semistructured clinical interview guide for initial palliative care encounter/s in patients with advanced cancer. This is a two-phase multisite project conducted over 36 months between May 2019 and May 2022. Phase I includes a systematic review, discussions with stakeholders and Delphi consensus. The evidence gathered from phase I will be the basis for the initial versions of the MAP, then submitted to Delphi consensus to develop a preliminary guide of the MAP for the training of clinicians in the feasibility phase. Phase II is a mixed-methods multicenter feasibility study that will assess the MAP's acceptability, participation, practicality, adaptation and implementation. A nested qualitative study will purposively sample a subset of participants to add preliminary clues about the benefits and barriers of the MAP. The evidence gathered from phase II will build a MAP user guide and educational programme for use in clinical practice. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the university research ethics committee where the study will be carried out (approval reference MED-2018-10). Dissemination will be informed by the results obtained and communication will occur throughout.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Hemisection Surgery and Open-Field Locomotor Assessment in the Rat.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes disturbances in motor, sensory, and autonomic function below the level of the lesion. Experimental animal models are valuable tools to understand the neural mechanisms involved in locomotor recovery after SCI and to design therapies for clinical populations. There are several experimental SCI models including contusion, compression, and transection injuries that are used in a wide variety of species. A hemisection involves the unilateral transection of the spinal cord and disrupts all ascending and descending tracts on one side only. Spinal hemisection produces a highly selective and reproducible injury in comparison to contusion or compression techniques that is useful for investigating neural plasticity in spared and damaged pathways associated with functional recovery. We present a detailed step-by-step protocol for performing a thoracic hemisection at the T8 vertebral level in the rat that results in an initial paralysis of the hindlimb on the side of the lesion with graded spontaneous recovery of locomotor function over several weeks. We also provide a locomotor scoring protocol to assess functional recovery in the open-field. The locomotor assessment provides a linear recovery profile and can be performed both early and repeatedly after injury in order to accurately screen animals for appropriate time points in which to conduct more specialized behavioral testing. The hemisection technique presented can be readily adapted to other transection models and species, and the locomotor assessment can be used in a variety of SCI and other injury models to score locomotor function.

Identification of Barriers to Stroke Awareness and Risk Factor Management Unique to Hispanics.

Barriers to risk factor control may differ by race/ethnicity. The goal of this study was to identify barriers to stroke awareness and risk factor management unique to Hispanics as compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). We performed a prospective study of stroke patients from an academic Stroke Center in Arizona and surveyed members of the general community. Questionnaires included: the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale, a stroke barriers questionnaire, and a Stroke Awareness Test. Of 145 stroke patients surveyed (72 Hispanic; 73 NHW), Hispanics scored lower on the Stroke Awareness Test compared to NHWs (72.5% vs. 79.1%, p = 0.029). Hispanic stroke patients also reported greater barriers related to medical knowledge, medication adherence, and healthcare access (p < 0.05 for all). Hispanics scored higher on the "powerful others" sub-scale (11.3 vs. 10, p < 0.05) of the MHLC. Of 177 members of the general public surveyed, Hispanics had lower stroke awareness compared to NHWs and tended to have lower awareness than Hispanic stroke patients. These results suggest that Hispanic stroke patients perceive less control over their health, experience more healthcare barriers, and demonstrate lower rates of stroke literacy. Interventions for stroke prevention and education in Hispanics should address these racial/ethnic differences in stroke awareness and barriers to risk factor control.

Incidencia de las estrategias de alfabetización económica de los padres en el ámbito familiar sobre el desarrollo del pensamiento económico de los hijos / Influence of Economical Literacy strategies of Parents in the Family Field on Children Economical Thought Development

Desde una perspectiva constructivista, se pretende determinar la incidencia de las estrategias de alfabetización económica, reconocida por los niños y utilizada por sus padres para alfabetizarlos económicamente, sobre el desarrollo de su pensamiento económico y la incidencia conjunta del nivel socioeconómico, la estructura familiar y la edad de los niños. Para ello, se escogió una muestra al azar de 151 niños escolarizados, entre los 10 y 14 años de edad, de la ciudad de Barranquilla, a los que se les aplicó una guía de entrevista y el test de alfabetización económica para niños. Los resultados del modelo de regresión lineal múltiple con variables dummy muestran un incremento de la comprensión del mundo económico conforme los niños avanzan en edad y sus padres utilizan un mayor número de estrategias de alfabetización económica, y una menor probabilidad de avanzar en el desarrollo de su pensamiento económico si pertenecen a nivel socioeconómico bajo.

From a constructivist perspective, the present study seek to determine the impact of economic literacy strategies recognized by children as used by their parents to orient them economically about the development of their economic thought and the joint effect of socioeconomic status, family structure and age of children. To accomplish these goals, it was selected a random sample of 151 children who assist to school regularly. They are between 10 and 14 years old in the city of Barranquilla. During the study, it was applied an interview guide and the test of economic literacy to these children. The results of multiple linear regression model with dummy variables show that when children get older, they present an increased understanding of the economic world and their parents used a greater number of economic literacy strategies and less likely to advance in the development of their economic thought if they belong to low socioeconomic status.

Recovery of locomotion after partial spinal cord lesions in cats: assessment using behavioral, electrophysiological and imaging techniques.

This short review summarizes experimental findings made after spinal cord injury, mainly in cats. After a complete spinal injury, cats re-express hindlimb locomotion after 2-3 weeks because of a spinal locomotor circuitry named the central pattern generator or CPG. To investigate whether such circuits are also implicated in the recovery of locomotion after partial spinal lesions, we have used a dual spinal lesion paradigm. Essentially, after an initial unilateral hemisection, cats spontaneously recover quadrupedal locomotion. When a complete section is then performed 3 weeks after this hemisection, cats can walk with the hindlimbs within 24 hours compared to 2-3 weeks in cats with single complete spinal lesions demonstrating the importance of spinal mechanisms after partial lesions. Using kinematic and electromyographic methods to evaluate the changes throughout the dual lesion paradigm, we could show that the spinal cord reorganizes spontaneously without locomotor training or with training provided between the partial and complete spinal lesion. To assess spinal lesions we have used histology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We will describe some advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion and magnetization transfer, which provide higher specificity to axon degeneration and demyelination. Examples of advanced MRI techniques in cats and humans are described, including the current limitations and perspectives.

A new palliative care consultation team at the oncology department of a university hospital: an assessment of initial efficiency and effectiveness.

PURPOSE: Palliative care consultation teams (PCCT) in acute hospitals have increased in number over recent years. To assess whether these teams are both efficient in their role within a palliative care centre and effective in the care that is provided for patients, we reviewed the initial activity of a new PCCT at the Oncology Department of Clínica Universidad de Navarra, a European Society for Medical Oncology-designated centre of integrated oncology and palliative care. METHODS: All patients evaluated by the PCCT over the first 3 years of its activity were included. Data about diagnosis, demographic characteristics, survival and initial symptom burden were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS); whenever possible, a follow-up ESAS for inpatients was collected within 1 week from the electronic charts and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The PCCT evaluated 611 cancer patients within the initial 3 years of the service commencing. On the first visit, 392 patients (64%) completed the ESAS evaluation. Of those that completed the ESAS, 43% were outpatients, 52% had gastrointestinal tumours, and 16% died within a month. The evaluated patients had an average of six uncontrolled symptoms (≥4/10). The most common moderate to severe symptoms were fatigue (80%), anorexia (67%) and depression (62%); 70% of patients presented with pain (14% with severe pain). Of the 225 inpatients evaluated, 110 (49%) completed the follow-up ESAS within 1 week. A statistically significant decrease was observed for pain, nausea, depression, anxiety and somnolence as well as in the number of uncontrolled symptoms and in the symptom distress score. The patient's perception of his/her general well-being was better as meassured with the specific question of ESAS. CONCLUSION: From the initial stages, the PCCT was both efficient in its role within the palliative care centre and effective in the care that was provided for patients. A significant number of patients were evaluated, many of them with severe symptoms and/or at the end of life. Inpatients receiving care from the PCCT experienced an improvement in symptom control within just a few days.

Cost-effectiveness study of oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of outpatients with type 2 diabetes attending a public primary care clinic in Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, diabetes mellitus presents a high burden for individuals and society. In Latin America, many people with diabetes have limited access to health care, which means that indirect costs may exceed direct health care cost. Diabetes is Mexico's leading cause of death. PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratios of the most used oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) in the treatment of outpatients with type 2 diabetes attending a public primary care clinic in Mexico City. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted in Mexico City. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-seven adult outpatients with type 2 diabetes who were treated either with metformin or glibenclamide were included. Acarbose was used as an alternative strategy. The study was carried out from the perspective of Mexican society. Direct medical and nonmedical costs as well as indirect costs were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. Efficacies of all drug treatments were evaluated retrospectively. A systematic search was conducted to select published randomized clinical trials based on predetermined inclusion criteria, and treatment success was defined as glycosylated hemoglobin factor ≤ 7%. Efficacy data of each drug and/or combination were analyzed using meta-analysis. The Monte Carlo Markov model was used. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were used as the unit of effectiveness; incremental and sensitive analyses were performed and a 5% discount rate was calculated. A hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients was modeled. RESULTS: The odds ratios of the success of each drug treatment were obtained from the meta-analyses, and were the following: 5.82 (glibenclamide), 3.86 (metformin), 3.5 (acarbose), and 6.76 (metformin-glibenclamide). The cost-effectiveness ratios found were US$272.63/QALY (glibenclamide), US$296.48/QALY (metformin), and US$409.86/QALY (acarbose). Sensitivity analysis did not show changes for the most cost-effective therapy when the effectiveness probabilities or treatment costs were modified. CONCLUSION: Glibenclamide is the most cost-effective treatment for the present study outpatient population diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the early stages.

Creencias sobre la naturaleza de la pobreza en un grupo de niños de nivel socioeconómico alto y bajo de la ciudad de Barranquilla (Colombia) / Beliefs about the nature of poverty in a group of children from high and low socioeconomic level from Barranquilla

El presente estudio indaga sobre la presencia de una teoría esencialista como base de la categorización social de la pobreza, en una muestra intencional de doce niños entre cuatro y siete años de edad, de nivel socioeconómico alto y bajo de la ciudad de Barranquilla. Se presentan los resultados de la etapa exploratoria de la investigación, en la cual se utilizaron técnicas cualitativas. El análisis de las categorías, establecidas inductivamente a partir de las respuestas, sugiere que aunque la categoría social de pobreza está claramente establecida, no se identifican ideas esencialistas subyacentes, por lo cual la propuesta piagetin es la que mejor explica los hallazgos.

This study searches for the presence of an essentialist theory as a basis for social categorization of poverty, in a purposive sample of twelve children between 4 and 7 years old, from high and low socioeconomic levels in the city of Barranquilla. We present the results of the exploratory stage of research, which used qualitative techniques. The analysis of the emerging categories of children's responses, suggests that the social category of poverty is well established, but it has no essentialist ideas underlying. Piaget's theory better explains the findings.

The costs of breast cancer in a Mexican public health institution.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of death as a result of neoplasia in Mexico. This study aimed to identify the direct and indirect costs of treating female outpatients diagnosed with BC at a Mexican public hospital. A cross-sectional, observational, analytical study was conducted. A total of 506 medical records were analyzed and 102 were included in the cost analysis. The micro-costing process was used to estimate treatment costs. A 17-item questionnaire was used to obtain information on direct and indirect costs. Of the 102 women with BC included in the study, 92.2% (94) were at Stage II, and only 7.8% at Stage I. Total direct costs over six months for the 82 women who had modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgury were US$733,821.15. Total direct costs for the 15 patients with conservative surgery (CS) were US$138,190.39. We found that the total economic burden in the study population was much higher for patients with MRM than for patients with CS.