[Contribution of electroneuromyography to the evaluation of neuropathy in diabetic patients]. / Utilidad de la electroneuromiografía para evaluar neuropatía en pacientes diabéticos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the type and the frequency of diabetic neuropathy, diagnosed by electroneuromyography, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the correlation between the neuropathy diagnosis and clinical symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive and correlative of patients with diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, sent for electroneuromyography study in 2000. Study place: Laboratory of electrodiagnosis of the Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación Región Norte. Measuring: Electroneuromyography was performed, and the type and frequency of the diabetic neuropathy, as well as the presence of clinical systematization, according to the initial diagnosis, were assessed. Furthermore, sex, occupation, and medical unit of reference were identified. ANALYSIS: Measures of central tendency and dispersion, as well as association by means of quadruple correlation ratio were considered. RESULTS: 219 electrodiagnostic studies were carried out in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, of which 152 were males. The age average was of 54.3 +/- 8.9 years old. The prevailing occupation was that of housewives with 128. The references of the Hospital General de Zona 24 were 39; those of Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación Región Norte were 32, and those of the Hospital General de Zona 98 were 28. There was a presence of clinical systematization in 186 (84.9%) patients. The electroneuromyography diagnosed diabetic neuropathy in 174 patients, of which 89 correspond to neuropathy due to segmental demyelination, and 85 to mixed neuropathy; in 21 patients, the electroneuromyography was normal. Of the 186 patients with clinical systematization, the electroneuromyography was positive in 170, with r = 0.70. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is of 80%, the type of variety is of segmental demyelination in 51% and of mixed type in 49%. There is a high correlation between the clinical diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy and the confirmation by electroneuromyography.

[Clinical guidelines for the prevention of falls in elderly people]. / Guia de práctica clínica para la prevencion de caídas en el adulto mayor.

Demographic changes in our population are focusing on the health providers to prevent or minimize functional impairments resulting from the various chronic and multiple illnesses to which the elderly are prone. Because of that, we developed strategies that can help us to take decisions in order to identify the risk factors, and to prescribe preventive and rehabilitation programs. With this background, we organized an expert team to develop this guideline with evidence based on medicine methodology, and focus on the first level treatment prescribed by the general practitioner, with the participation of the health team and the support networks.

[Gait, balance and independence rehabilitation program in elderly adults in a primary care unit]. / Programa para la rehabilitación funcional del adulto mayor. Mejorar la marcha, el equilibrio y la independencia.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of a supervised rehabilitation program to improve gait, balance and independence in elderly patients attending a family medicine unit. METHODS: we conducted a quasi-experimental study over a period of four weeks in a group of 72 patients older than 65 years. INTERVENTION: a supervised program regarding the risk factors for falling, and balance, gait, coordination and oculovestibular system, the modalities to be done two or three times a week in the primary care unit or at home. An analysis of both tests was performed by "up and go," Tinetti scale and the Katz index. ANALYSIS: "intention to treat" and "by protocol." RESULTS: mean age was 72 ± 5 years, 67.8% were female and 81.9% of the patients completed the program. A significant clinical improvement with statistical level were evident for gait and balance (p = 0.001), independence showed only clinical improvement (p = 0.083). The efficacy for periodicity (two or three times/week) and performance place showed same clinical improvement and statistical level for gait and balance (p = 0.001 to 0.003) and independence showed only clinical improvement (p = 0.317 to 0.991). CONCLUSIONS: an integral rehabilitation program improved gait, balance and clinical independence significantly. The supervised program is applicable and can be reproduced at primary care unit or home for geriatric care and preventive actions.

Objetivo: evaluar un programa de rehabilitación de la marcha, equilibrio e independencia supervisado para adultos mayores en el primer nivel de atención. Métodos: estudio cuasiexperimental de 72 adultos mayores de 65 años de edad que recibieron orientación de factores de riesgo de caída, entrenamiento de marcha, equilibrio e independencia, dos o tres veces por semana en la unidad médica o en el domicilio por cuatro semanas. Se aplicó prueba levántate y anda, escala de Tinetti e índice de Katz. Análisis estadístico: intención a tratar y por protocolo. Resultados: 81.9 % completó el programa, la edad promedio fue de 72 ± 5 años; 67.8 % fue del sexo femenino. Se demostró mejoría estadísticamente significativa en la marcha y el equilibrio (p = 0.001) y sin significación estadística para independencia (p = 0.083). En los subgrupos que acudieron a la unidad médica adversus domicilio se observó mejoría con significación estadística solo en la marcha y el equilibrio (p = 0.001-0.003) y solo mejoría con relevancia clínica en la independencia (p = 0.317 a 1.000). Conclusiones: el programa es aplicable con resultados significativos en el primer nivel de atención.