[Healthy eating and self-perception of health]. / Alimentación saludable y autopercepción de salud.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to determine whether there is an association between perceived health status, healthy eating and other lifestyles in people over 50 years old. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 8 Basic Health Zones from the Health Area of Albacete. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 781 subjects, randomly selected by simple random sampling. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: variables: self-rated quality of life (EuroQol 5D), dietary habits (questionnaire on frequency of food consumption), physical activity (IPAQ questionnaire), toxic habits, health problems (International Classification of Primary Care) and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.4 years (SD: 6.6) and the proportion of women was 60.1%. On a scale of 0-100 the mean score in the perceived health status was 74.0 (SD: 15.2). This score had a weak correlation with the number of healthy eating criteria (r=0.078; P=.03). A linear trend (P=.001) was observed between exercise intensity and better self-rated health. The score was lower in smokers (70.9±15.6 vs 74.9±15.1 SD; P=.004). In the multiple regression, the number of healthy eating criteria remained an association with the score on perceived health status (P=.04), after adjusting the model for sociodemographic characteristics, number of health problems, and toxic habits. CONCLUSIONS: In people over 50years of age the level of self-rated health is associated with the fulfilment of the criteria of a healthy diet, which is independent of other health habits and main sociodemographic variables.

[Living will declarations: Qualitative study of the elderly and primary care general practitioners]. / Declaración de voluntades anticipadas: estudio cualitativo en personas mayores y médicos de Atención Primaria.

OBJECTIVES: First, to assess knowledge and attitudes of people aged 65 and over to the Advance Directives Document (ADD) and know the role that, in their opinion, a family doctor should play in the early planning of death. Second, to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of primary care physicians to that document, as well as to know the role played by these professionals. DESIGN: Qualitative, using discussion groups. Between March and May 2009 4 groups, 2 of physicians and 2 of older people, were formed. SETTING: Castile-La Mancha Primary Care Setting, Albacete and Guadalajara health areas. SUBJECTS: 15 people in the groups formed by older people and 13 in the groups of doctors. METHOD: The Krueger recommendations (1991) were followed both for the selection of subjects, conducting of the discussion groups and analysis of data. RESULTS: Doctors and patients have a positive attitude towards the ADD, but lack sufficient information to make more widespread use of it. Ignorance makes it impossible for patients to get information about the document and the lack of time makes it difficult for physicians to raise the issue in the consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Neither physicians nor the elderly have enough information regarding ADD, allowing us to recommend carrying out information campaigns and/or specific educational activities. According to physicians, alternatives to primary care consultations should be sought for patients to be informed.

[Design and validation of a questionnaire for the detection of major depression in elderly patients]. / Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para la detección de depresión mayor en pacientes ancianos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design and validate a scale to detect major depressive disorders in elderly individuals in primary care (Detection of Depression in the Elderly Scale [DDES]). METHODS: We performed an observational and cross-sectional study for the validation of a scale, administered by means of a personal interview, in 259 patients aged 65 years old or older. Available instruments were reviewed and the questions were designed. Subsequently, a first pilot study was performed. In a second pilot study the reproducibility of the instrument was analyzed. The gold standard was the result of a standardized psychiatric interview performed by psychiatrists (DSM-IV criteria and SCAN interviews). RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients corresponding to the test-retest and inter-rater reliability were 0.858 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.634-0.946) and 0.908 (95% CI, 0.726-0.969) respectively. Two hundred sixteen subjects underwent an assessment, in which primary care and psychiatric evaluations were blinded. Major depression was diagnosed in 81 patients (37.5%; 95% CI, 31.1-44.4). The internal consistency of the DDES was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79). Exploratory factorial analysis revealed an 8-component structure (55.8% of explained variance). A cutoff score of 15 or more for the DDES showed sensitivity of 90.1% (95% CI, 80.95-95.33), specificity of 74.8% (95% CI, 66.48-81.71) and a likelihood ratio (+) of 3.58 (95% CI, 2.65-4.83). CONCLUSIONS: The DDES is a clinically useful instrument for the detection of major depression in elderly patients in primary care.

Long-term Effects of Plant Stanols on the Lipid Profile of Patients With Hypercholesterolemia. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Plant stanol consumption may improve long-term cholesterol control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2g/day of plant stanols in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study included 182 adults diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. A yogurt drink containing 2g of plant stanols was administered to 91 participants in the intervention group; 91 participants in the control group received unsupplemented yogurt. The primary end point was the change in the lipid profile at 12 months. RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 12 months were significantly more reduced in the stanol intervention group than in the control group: 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-24.1) mg/dL (P=.011). A reduction of more than 10% in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was achieved by a significantly higher proportion of participants in the intervention group (relative risk=1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.7). In this group, the mean (standard deviation) level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 11.0% (23.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that administration of plant stanols at a dosage of 2 g/day for 12 months significantly reduces (by slightly more than 10%) the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals with hypercholesterolemia. Trial registration (www.ClinicalTrials.gov): Current Controlled Trials NCT01406106.