Descriptions of depression and depression treatment in older Hispanic immigrants in a geriatric collaborative care program.

OBJECTIVES: To explore experiences with depression and depression treatment among older Hispanic immigrants participating in a collaborative care program of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. METHOD: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 older Spanish-speaking Hispanic immigrants with major depression who participated in a collaborative care program within a public sector specialty geriatric clinic in Los Angeles, CA. RESULTS: Findings revealed that participants used various idioms to describe their experiences with depression, and that depression had a strong impact on functioning. Other findings indicated that depression was caused by various psychosocial problems, antidepressants were helpful in reducing depression, and that bilingual psychotherapists provided a welcoming and safe environment to express emotions and find solutions to problems. CONCLUSION: Results revealed participants' experiences with depression and the impact of participating in a collaborative care intervention for depression. Findings from this project should be used to inform future geriatric interventions for older Hispanic immigrants in the USA.

A systematic review of the effects of modifiable risk factor interventions on the progression of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and may be amenable to intervention. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence for interventions targeting risk factors for MS progression. METHODS: We searched six databases and existing reviews till March 2015 and consulted with experts to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions targeting MS risk factors (PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015016461). RESULTS: In total, 37 RCTs met inclusion criteria. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores after exercise interventions did not differ compared with untreated controls (standardized mean differences (SMDs): 0.02; confidence interval (CI): -0.40, 0.44; I2: 0%; seven RCTs; very low quality of evidence (QoE)). Dietary interventions did not show a statistically significant effect on the relative risk (RR) of progression (RR: 0.86; CI: 0.67, 1.05; I2: 0%; four RCTs; moderate QoE) compared to placebo. EDSS scores after vitamin D supplementation were not significantly different from placebo (SMD: -0.15; CI: -0.33, 0.02; I2: 0%; five RCTs; very low QoE). CONCLUSION: We did not identify any risk factor interventions with significant effects on MS progression, but the overall QoE was limited. More adequately powered trials are needed on vitamin D supplementation, long-term exercise, and smoking cessation.

Actividad anticaries de una crema dental con propóleos

Por muestreo aleatorio simple se seleccionaron 50 escolares con antecedentes de alta infección por Streptococcus mutans, para verificar la actividad anticaries de una crema dental que contiene 0,8 de extracto de propóleo blando. Se perdieron del estudio a 7 escolares por inasistencia y traslados. Se crearon 2 grupos: uno control (n=19) que se cepilló con una crema dental placebo y otro tratamiento (n=24) que se cepilló con la crema dental de propóleo. Entre ambos grupos no había diferencia significativa en el índice de caries COP-D ni en el porcentaje de afectados. Luego de los 10 ciclos de cepillado durante 18 meses, dentro del grupo tratamiento se redujo significativamente en índice de caries y el porcentaje de afectados (Q = p.

50 students with history of high infection caused by Streptococcus mutans were selected by simple random sampling aimed at verifying the anticaries activity of a tooth paste containing 0.8 of soft propolis extract. 7 students did not conclude the study due to absences and transfers. 2 groups were created: a control group (n = 19) that brushed its teeth with a placebo tooth paste and the other under treatment (n = 24) that used a tooth paste with propolis. There was no significant difference between both groups as regards the COP-D caries index and the percentage of affection. A significant reduction of the caries index and of the percentage of affected individuals (Q = p.