Long-term subjective and objective outcomes after digital nerve repair: a cohort study.

Digital nerve injuries are common, but few studies report long-term effects for the individual. The primary aim of this matched-pairs study comparing digital nerve injuries in border digits or central fingers was to investigate hand function 3-10 years after digital nerve repair, assessed using the Mini Sollerman test in 86 patients. Secondary outcomes were sensory function, range of motion, grip strength and patient-reported measures. No significant difference was seen in hand function between the groups, except for lower grip strength in patients with central finger injury. Tactile discrimination was achieved in 87%, with best results among participants aged less than 44 years. Touch perception was measurable in 99%. No statistically significant differences in sensory function were found between the groups. Patient-reported disability was low, with median Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 5, but half of the patients reported neuropathic pain. Numbness and cold sensitivity were the symptoms graded worst after digital nerve injury.Level of evidence: III.

"Close to My Community": A Qualitative Study of Community Health Worker-Supported Teleaudiology Hearing Aid Services.

OBJECTIVES: Given well-documented disparities in rural and minority communities, alternative service delivery models that help improve access to hearing care are needed. This article reports on a study of older Latino adults with hearing loss who received hearing aid services with Community Health Workers (CHWs) providing support via teleaudiology. The present study used qualitative data to explore perceptions of this novel service delivery model. DESIGN: Participants completed semistructured interviews related to their experiences in the intervention approximately 17 weeks after the hearing aid fitting appointment. Two coders independently coded the data, using an iterative deductive and inductive thematic analysis approach. Inter-rater reliability was good (κ = 0.80). RESULTS: Of the 28 participants, 19 were interviewed (CHW group: n = 9, 8 females; non-CHW group: n = 10, 9 females). Both groups of participants reported experiencing barriers in access to care and reported positive experiences with teleaudiology and with hearing aids as part of the trial. CHW group participants reported interactions with patient-site facilitators that were indicative of patient-centeredness. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of trained CHWs as patient-site facilitators in teleaudiology-delivered hearing aid services for adults.

Corrigendum: Barriers to promoting breastfeeding in primary health care in Mexico: a qualitative perspective.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1278280.].

Low quality of maternal and child nutritional care at the primary care in Mexico: an urgent call to action for policymakers and stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and child malnutrition represents a public health problem in Mexico Primary care (PC) is responsible for introducing women and children under five to the health system, detecting diseases on time, and providing medical services, including pharmacological treatment if necessary. Providing these services with quality is essential to improve maternal and child health. This study evaluated the quality of nutritional care during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and preschool age at the PC health units across six Mexican states between 2020 and 2021. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed approach in units of the Secretary of Health to assess the quality of nutritional care during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, childhood, and preschool age. The level of quality was calculated by the percentage of compliance with 16 indicators that integrated a Quality Index of Maternal and Child Nutritional Care (ICANMI, by its Spanish acronym). Compliance by indicator, by life stage, and overall was categorized using the following cut-off points: poor quality (≤ 70%), insufficient quality (71-89%), and good quality (≥ 90%). The perceptions of the barriers and facilitators that affect maternal and child nutrition were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with health professionals (HP) and users. All qualitative instruments were developed with a gender and intercultural perspective. RESULTS: Considering the whole sample studied, maternal and child nutritional care quality during the five life stages evaluated was bad (compliance: ≤12%), reflected in the ICANMI, which had a compliance of 8.3%. Principal barriers identified to providing high-quality nutritional care were the lack of knowledge and training of health professionals, shortages of equipment, medicine, personnel, and materials, the disappearance of the social cash transfer program Prospera, the absence of local indigenous language translators to support communication between doctor and patient, and the persistence of machismo and other practices of control over women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need for initiatives to improve the quality of nutritional care in PC facilities across Chihuahua, State of Mexico, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatan. It is necessary for government and health authorities, along with various stakeholders, to collaboratively devise, implement, and assess intercultural and gender-oriented policies and programs geared towards ensuring the health infrastructure and enhancing the training of health professionals to diagnose and treat the prevalence and occurrence of diverse forms of malnutrition in both maternal and child populations.

RESUMEN: ANTECEDENTES: La mala nutrición materno-infantil (MMI) representa un problema de salud pública en México. El primer nivel tiene la respondabilidad de introducir a mujeres y niños menores de 5 años al sistema de salud, detectar oportunamente las enfermedades y brindar servicios médicos incluido el farmacológico de ser necesario. Prestar estos servicios con calidad resulta elemental para mejorar la salud de la población materno-infantil. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad de la atención nutricional durante las etapas de preconcepción, embarazo, posparto, infancia y edad preescolar en centros de salud de seis estados de México entre 2020 y 2021. MéTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal con metodología mixta en 95 centros de salud la Secretaría de Salud de México para evaluar la calidad de la atención nutricional durante la preconcepción, el embarazo, el posparto, la infancia y la etapa preescolar. El nivel de calidad se calculó mediante el porcentaje de cumplimiento de 16 indicadores que a su vez integraron un Índice de Calidad de la Atención Nutricional Materno Infantil (ICANMI). El cumplimiento por indicador, etapa de vida y global fue categorizado utilizando los siguientes puntos de corte: mala calidad (≤ 70%), calidad insuficiente (71-89%) y buena calidad (≥ 90%). La percepción sobre las barreras y facilitadores que afectan la atención nutricional materno-infantil fueron identificadas a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales realizadas a profesionales de salud, usuarias y usuarios. Todos los instrumentos cualitativos fueron desarrollados con un enfoque de género e interculturalidad. RESULTADOS: La calidad de la atención nutricional materno infantil durante las cinco etapas de la vida evaluadas fue mala (cumplimiento: ≤12%), mientras que el ICANMI tuvo un cumplimiento de 8.3%. Las principales barreras identificadas para brindar una atención nutricional de alta calidad fueron la falta de conocimiento y capacitación de los profesionales de la salud, la escasez de equipos, medicamentos, personal y materiales, la desaparición del programa social de transferencias monetarias Prospera, la ausencia de una lengua indígena local, entre otros. Así como la persistencia de prácticas como el machismo y otras de control sobre las mujeres. CONCLUSIONES: Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad inmediata de implementar iniciativas que mejoren el estándar de atención nutricional en los centros de salud en Chihuahua, Estado de México, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas y Yucatán. Es necesario que el gobierno y las autoridades sanitarias, junto con diversas partes interesadas, diseñen, implementen y evalúen en colaboración políticas y programas orientados a mejorar la calidad de la atención nutricional, con perspectiva de género e interculturalidad. Este esfuerzo tiene como objetivo mitigar la prevalencia y aparición de diversas formas de desnutrición tanto en la población materna como infantil.

Single-Stage Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Acellular Dermal Matrix after Breast Cancer: Comparative Study and Evaluation of Breast Reconstruction Outcomes.

We evaluate postoperative complications, aesthetic results and satisfaction outcomes in patients with breast cancer after intervening with a skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy with an immediate prosthetic reconstruction with or without a biological mesh. Patients with multifocal breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ with an indication for a mastectomy and cT2 tumors with no response to primary systemic treatment were included, whereas patients aged >75 years, with inflammatory carcinoma, and severe circulatory disorders were excluded. Patients in the control group were reconstructed using a prosthesis, whereas the study group included patients reconstructed using a prosthesis and biological acellular porcine dermal mesh (Strattice™). In both groups, the result was assessed using the BREAST-Q instrument. A total of 51 patients (62 intervened breasts) were included in the study group and 38 patients (41 intervened breasts) in the control group. Implant loss and removal occurred in three patients in the study group (5.9%) and nine patients in the control group (24.3%; p = 0.030). Infections appeared in three patients in the study group (4.8%) and three patients in the control group (7.3%; p = 1.00). Skin necrosis appeared in 5 patients in the study group (12.2%) and 11 patients in the control group (21.6%; p = 0.367). Seroma appeared in five patients in the study group (12.2%) and five patients in the control group (8.1%; p = 0.514). The BREAST-Q questionnaire is a comparison between both groups regarding "satisfaction with breasts after surgery" (p = 0.026), "sexual well-being after intervention" (p = 0.010) and "satisfaction with the information received" (p = 0.049). We have noted a statistically significant decrease in implant loss in women receiving an implant with a biological mesh. A higher satisfaction was observed in patients reconstructed using Strattice™, with statistically significant differences in three items.

Validity of distal radius fracture diagnoses in the Swedish National Patient Register.

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in adults. More research is needed to establish evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to generate cost-effective and fair fracture treatment. The Swedish National Patient Register is a principal source for population-based epidemiologic studies in Sweden. The validity of some-but not all-diagnoses in the register is high. Little is known regarding the validity of registration of distal radius fractures.A dataset of cases registered with diagnosis of distal radius fracture (S52.5) or distal radius and ulna fracture (S52.6) were collected from the Swedish National Inpatient and Outpatient Registers. Six cohorts, each containing 240 simple random samples, were constructed. Radiographic reports and medical records were reviewed to confirm or reject the diagnosis as well as, in relevant cases, the surgical intervention. Positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated.The PPV for distal radius fracture in the register ranges between 92 and 100%, lower if coded as S52.6 and higher if there was an adherent code of surgical intervention. Codes for surgical intervention reached a PPV of 95-100%.In conclusion, the validity of the codes for diagnosis and the surgical treatment of distal radius fracture is high in the Swedish National Patient Register. According to our results, the register may be used as a reliable data source for population-based research of distal radius fractures.

Incidence, demographics and rehabilitation after digital nerve injury: A population-based study of 1004 adult patients in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of surgically repaired digital nerve injuries in a Swedish population. Secondary objectives were to describe the demographics of the patient population, injury characteristics, post-operative care and rehabilitation. METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, 1004 patients with a surgically repaired digital nerve injury resident in the Stockholm region were identified in the Swedish national quality registry for hand surgery and all medical records were thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence rate was 8.3 per 100.000 person-years and these injuries were more common in men than women. The median age at the time of injury was 37 years and a sharp cut was the most common mechanism of injury. Injuries were equally distributed over weekdays and the year, but surgery was most often performed on Mondays. There were no differences in treatment and rehabilitation regimens between sexes, except women were more likely than men to be operated within three days from injury. Timing and content of rehabilitation varied largely between individuals. One third of patients did not receive any sensory relearning and sensory assessment was performed in only 7%. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology shows no major changes over the last decade. However, we found a large individual variation in follow up visits, rehabilitation content and assessments indicating large differences in consumption of health care resources. Our findings expose the need to further improve and evaluate rehabilitation regimens after digital nerve injury.

Marginal secondary displacement in fractures of the distal radius at follow-up - an important predictor for late displacement and malunion.

Treatment recommendations in fractures of the distal radius are often based on the degree of displacement and functional demands. The fracture may be within an acceptable radiological range, but a marginal deterioration in alignment then occurs between the initial visit and follow-up. This may pose a risk for late displacement that may require further treatment. We secondarily analysed prospectively collected data and included 165 patients. We found that marginal secondary displacement (odds ratio (OR) 9.7), anterior comminution (OR 8.8), loss of anterior apposition (OR 6.8) and dorsal comminution (OR 2.6) were predictors of late displacement. Marginal secondary displacement is an important predictor of late displacement and malunion in fractures of the distal radius. Clinicians should not unequivocally accept general guidelines on alignment but also assess a deterioration in fracture alignment on radiographic follow-up and be aware of the potential need for surgery to avoid malunion in cases that show early secondary displacement, even when radiographic measures are within acceptable limits.Level of evidence: III.

Community Health Workers as Patient-Site Facilitators in Adult Hearing Aid Services via Synchronous Teleaudiology: Feasibility Results from the Conexiones Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of Community Health Workers (CHWs) as patient-site facilitators in teleaudiology-facilitated hearing aid services to improve hearing aid rehabilitation outcomes for older Hispanic/Latino adults in a medically underserved, rural, US-Mexico border community. DESIGN: A total of 28 adults (aged 55 to 89) with bilateral hearing loss participated in this study. Individuals were randomized to one of two teleaudiology intervention arms that differed at the level of the patient-site facilitator. Participants in the experimental group were assisted locally by trained CHW facilitators. Participants in the control group were assisted locally by trained university student facilitators. Synchronous (real-time) teleaudiology hearing aid services took place with participants located at a rural community health center and the clinician located a university 70 miles away. The results of this feasibility study are presented within the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation fidelity, and maintenance implementation framework. RESULTS: Regarding reach, the participants in this study population are historically under-represented in research (primarily low-income Hispanic/Latino older adults). A total of 57 individuals were recruited, 47 were consented and assessed for eligibility and 28 individuals met inclusion criteria and were randomized. The average age of participants was 73.9 years, (range: 55 to 89 years) and most individuals were female (75%). Most participants (86%) reported having incomes less than $20,000 annually. Effectiveness results (via the Self Efficacy for Situational Communication Management Questionnaire) showed that both groups (CHW and control) significantly improved listening self-efficacy from pre-fitting baseline and no difference between groups was observed. Regarding datalogging, at the short-term follow-up, participants in the CHW group wore their hearing aids for more hours/day on average compared with participants in the control group. Implementation fidelity was high for both groups. Long-term maintenance of CHW-supported teleaudiology appears feasible given that training and institutional support is in place. CONCLUSIONS: Teleaudiology-delivered hearing aid services were feasible when facilitated locally by trained CHWs. Future efficacy and effectiveness research is warranted with CHWs and teleaudiology, potentially leading to a significant reduction in barriers for rural and medically under-resourced communities.

Barriers to promoting breastfeeding in primary health care in Mexico: a qualitative perspective.

Objective: This article aimed to identify the main barriers related to promoting and counseling breastfeeding (BF) at the Primary Health Care (PHC) in Mexico. Methodology: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was carried out in 88 health centers of the Ministry of Health in the states of Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Mexico, and Yucatan. From September to November 2021, we interviewed 88 key health professionals (HPs) (physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and others) from the PHC of the Ministry of Health in Mexico and 80 parents of children under 5 years old. In addition, nine focus groups were conducted with parents and caregivers. The data obtained were triangulated with information from focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Results: Of the total interviews, 43.2% (n = 38) were nurses, 29.5% (n = 26) were physicians, 19.3% (n = 17) were nutritionists, and the rest were other health professionals. In the group of users, 97.6% (n = 121) were women. We identified contextual barriers, such as the lack of well-trained health professionals and the scarcest nutrition professionals, as material resources in the health units, without mentioning the low user attendance at their control consultations. Furthermore, we identified barriers related to the orientation and promotion of breastfeeding in health units, including a lack of specific strategies, ineffective communication, and the recommendations of commercial milk formulas. Conclusion: The results presented reflect the reality of Mexico in relation to BF, making it urgent to take immediate action to improve the quality of nutritional care related to the promotion and orientation of BF at the PHC.

Trato digno en la atención de salud a la comunidad LGBTIQA+ / Dignity in treatment in health care to the LGBTIQA+ community

El trato digno, igualitario e inclusivo se ha constituido en un fenómeno de estudio en el contexto de la atención sanitaria, pero su abordaje es aún limitado frente al desconocimiento respecto al tema por parte del equipo de salud hacia las personas de la comunidad de la diversidad sexual, hoy conocida con la sigla que les representa como LGBTIQA+, quienes están inmersos fundamentalmente, en una sociedad heteronormada, donde la formación profesional con enfoque de género y diversidad sexual es aún limitada. El objetivo de la argumentación del escrito es presentar algunas referencias conceptuales, derechos legales, consecuencias para la salud que fundamentan una propuesta para el cambio de las instituciones de salud y de las enfermeras y enfermeros que iluminen el derecho de las personas de esta comunidad a recibir un trato digno.

Dignified, equal and inclusive treatment has become a study phenomenon in the context of health care, but its approach is still limited due to the lack of knowledge on the subject by the health team towards people from the diversity sexual, today known by the acronym that represents them as LGBTIQA+, who are fundamentally immersed in a heteronormative society, where professional training with a gender and sexual diversity approach is still limited. The objective of the argumentation of the writing is to present some conceptual references, legal rights, health consequences that support a proposal for the change of the health institutions and of the nurses that illuminate the right of people in this community to receive a decent deal.

Development and validation of a new set of indicators to assess the quality of maternal and child nutritional care at the primary care.

Introduction: Maternal and child malnutrition is a worldwide public health problem with short, medium, and long-term adverse consequences for both mother and child. In Mexico, maternal and child malnutrition represents a serious public health problem that must be urgently addressed. In this context, Primary Health Care (PHC) plays an important role in the prevention, detection, monitoring, and treatment of the different forms of maternal and child malnutrition. Assessing the quality of nutritional care offered at this level of care is necessary in order to improve it; however, there are no indicators for the evaluation of this quality. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a set of indicators to assess the quality of maternal and child nutritional care at PHC. Methods: We developed indicators for different stages of life: preconception, pregnancy, infancy, and preschool age. A systematic review of the literature on clinical guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the different forms of malnutrition was carried out; the recommendations of the guidelines evaluated with good quality were extracted. Results: Based on these recommendations, 22 indicators were constructed. A pilot study was carried out to validate the indicators and 16 indicators were selected to assess the maternal and child nutritional care at PHC.

Fenómeno infrecuente la co-localización de alopecia frontal fibrosante y vitiligo en un varón: informe de un caso / Infrequent phenomenon the co-localization of fibrosing frontal alopecia and vitiligo in a male: case repor

La alopecia frontal fibrosante es una alopecia cicatricial que se caracteriza por la recesión de la línea de implantación frontotemporal que afecta principalmente a mujeres caucásicas en edad posmenopáusica y rara vez a hombres. Actualmente los mecanismos específicos de desarrollo continúan en estudio; sin embargo hay varias hipótesis sobre la asociación de la alopecia frontal fibrosante con otros trastornos autoinmunitarios. Se comunica el caso de un paciente masculino de 58 años con alopecia frontal fibrosante en áreas comprometidas por vitiligo. (AU)

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a cicatricial alopecic characterized by progressive regression of the frontotemporal hairline. It usually affects postmenopausal caucasian women, and rarely men. Currently the specific mechanisms of development remain unknown, however there are several hypotheses about the association of frontal fibrosing alopecia with other autoimmune disorders. The case of a 58-year-old male patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia in areas affected by vitiligo. (AU)

Non-operative treatment or volar locking plate fixation for dorsally displaced distal radius fractures in patients over 70 years - a three year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of displaced distal radius fractures (DRF) in older patients has increased, despite lacking evidence of its superiority over non-operative treatment. How treatment choice affects these patients after the initial 12-month period remains unknown. This study presents a clinical and radiographic follow up at an average of 3 years after treatment in the context of a randomized clinical trial comparing outcomes in patients aged ≥70 years, with a dorsally displaced distal radius fracture treated either surgically with volar locking plate or non-operatively. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2017, 140 patients aged ≥70 years with dorsally displaced DRF were randomized to surgery with volar locking plate (VLP) or non-operative treatment. At an average of 3 years after inclusion the participants were invited to an additional follow-up. The primary outcome was Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). Secondary outcomes included additional Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM), grip strength, range of motion, complications and radiological results. RESULTS: Sixty six patients were available for a 3 year follow-up, 33 in the non-operatively treated group and 33 in the VLP-group. The mean age at injury was 77 years. At 3 years the median PRWE was better (0 points) in the VLP-group than in the non-operative treatment group (9 points) p-value: 0.027. No statistically significant difference was found in Disabilities of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (DASH), EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) or grip strength. Total arc of range of motion was larger in the operatively treated group. No significant difference in osteoarthritis was found. Both groups had regained grip strength. The complication rate was similar. Outcomes improved from the 1 year to the 3 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery with volar locking plate gave less long-term disability compared to non-operative treatment for severely displaced distal radius fractures in patients aged ≥70 years. Our findings were statistically significant but in the lower range of clinical importance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at : NCT02154620 03/06/2014 and NCT01268397 30/12/2010. Ethical approval was obtained from Ethical Committee in Stockholm, Sweden (2009/37-31/3, 2013/105-31/2, 2014/1041-32, 2017/611-32).

Forecasting effects of "fast-tracks" for surgery in the Swedish national guidelines for distal radius fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: National guidelines for treatment of distal radius fractures (DRFs) were presented in Sweden in 2021. In the guidelines, a fast-track is recommended for 4 subgroups of highly unstable DRFs. Regardless of the results of the closed reduction these are recommended for surgery within 1 week of injury. This study aims to evaluate the potential consequences of the newly presented national guidelines on incidence of surgical interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 1,609 patients (1,635 DRFs) with primary radiographs after a DRF between 2014 and 2017 at two Swedish hospitals were included in a retrospective cohort study. An estimation was made of the percentage of patients in the historical pre-guidelines cohort, that would have been recommended early primary surgery according to the new national guidelines compared to treatment implemented without the support of these guidelines. RESULTS: On a strict radiological basis, 32% (516 out of 1635) of DRFs were classified into one of the 4 defined subgroups. At 9-13 days follow-up, cast treatment was converted into delayed primary surgery in 201 cases. Out of these, 56% (112 out of 201) fulfilled the fast-track criteria and would with the new guidelines have been subject to early primary surgery. INTERPRETATION: The fast-track regimen in the new guidelines, has a high likelihood of identifying the unstable fractures benefitting from early primary surgery. If the proposed Swedish national guidelines for DRF treatment are implemented, a greater proportion of fractures would be treated with early primary surgery, and a delayed surgery avoided in the majority of cases. The potential benefits in relation to possible costs when using the fast-track criteria in every day practice are still unknown.

Rol sociopolítico de enfermeras y enfermeros vinculado con el liderazgo y la autonomía profesional / Socio-political role of nurses linked to leadership and professional autonomy

Es tiempo de considerar las oportunidades que actualmente se presentan a enfermeras/os, a raíz de contar con el respaldo legal que define el campo del ejercicio profesional(1-2); disponer de un corpus deontológico consolidado en principios y valores, así como, una definición de las competencias para la gestión del cuidado, para cumplir a cabalidad el compromiso de la enfermería con la sociedad, desde una práctica ética y autónoma para tomar decisiones respecto al cuidado(3). En los lineamientos del Consejo Internacional de Enfermeras (CIE), se propone que para el desarrollo del rol sociopolítico, a través de funciones esenciales, que junto con los cuidados autónomos y de colaboración, se agreguen la defensa y el fomento de un entorno seguro, la gestión del cuidado y de los sistemas de salud, el desarrollo de investigaciones, la participación en la formación y en las políticas sanitarias(4). Las/los enfermeras/os muestran diversos niveles de autonomía, se observa una mayor independencia en las funciones derivadas de la asistencia, especialmente en lo referente a educación, promoción en salud y en la realización de procedimientos técnicos, en contrapartida con un menor grado de independencia en las funciones derivadas de la gestión e investigación. Esta situación se ve agravada por la escasa participación de los profesionales en las organizaciones gremiales, lo cual limita una defensa colectiva para el reconocimiento social del rol integrado(5). Para potenciar el cumplimiento de manera integral de las funciones, es necesario fortalecer desde la formación de enfermeras/os la sensibilidad social, el liderazgo, el compromiso político y una comunicación horizontal, a través de un paradigma transformador, que se proyecte más allá de ser un apoyo a la comunidad a resolver sus problemas socio-sanitarios, sino que además, brindarles las herramientas necesarias para el empoderamiento social, a través de un auténtico diálogo social que les permita tomar sus propias decisiones y que se reconozcan como ciudadanos responsables del cumplimiento de sus deberes, conscientes de sus propios derechos en el área sociosanitaria(6). La enfermería desde sus inicios se ha movilizado en escenarios duales de invisibilización-reconocimiento, sumisión-autonomía, enfermería vocacional femenina-enfermería profesional científica, situaciones que, a su vez, generan un significado paradojal para el colectivo, insatisfacción-enriquecimiento del rol profesional.

Empoderamiento del rol sociopolítico de enfermeras y enfermeros / Empowerment nurses's sociopolitical role

El empoderamiento del rol sociopolítico plantea grandes desafíos al profesional de enfermería, como ciudadanos comprometidos con las personas, familias y comunidades, considerando los requerimientos del escenario socio-sanitario actual. Para asumir este rol en propiedad se deben superar limitaciones tanto internas, como externas. El objetivo de esta reflexión es conceptualizar el rol sociopolítico de enfermeras/os e identificar las posibles barreras existentes para asumir dicho rol. Finalmente, se realizará una propuesta para configurar y potenciar una nueva enfermería que evidencie autonomía y liderazgo para contribuir a la formulación de políticas sanitarias, que dé cuenta de los desafíos planteados por el actual escenario socio-sanitario.

The empowerment of the socio-political role poses great challenges to the nursing professional, as citizens committed to people, families and communities, considering the requirements of socio-sanitary context. To assume this role in property, both internal and external limitations. The objective of this reflection is to dimension the sociopolitical role of nurses and identify the possible barriers. Finally, a proposal will be made to configure and promote a new nursing that shows autonomy and leadership to contribute to the health politics, showing the necessary changes of socio-sanitary context.

The incidence of distal radius fractures in a Swedish pediatric population - an observational cohort study of 90 970 individual fractures.

BACKGROUND: 40-50 % of all boys and 30-40 % of girls suffer from at least one fracture during childhood. A quarter of these fractures affects the wrist, making it the worst affected part of the body. Children often sustain the injury during play or sport activities. There has been a lifestyle change among European children during the last decades, and there is reason to believe that fracture incidence is changing. METHODS: For the purpose of this observational cohort study registry data was retrieved from the Swedish National Patient Register for all pediatric patients registered with a distal radius fracture during the period 2005-2013. Incidence rates were calculated for each year using data from Statistic Sweden on population size by age and gender. RESULTS: 90 970 distal radius fractures were identified. The mean age at the time of fracture was 10 years. In ages 10-17 the proportion of male patients was significantly larger. Seasonal variations were detected with peak incidences in May and September. A decreasing total fracture incidence was observed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of distal radius fractures in a population 0-17 years in Sweden was higher among male than in female patients. The incidence was lower in 2008-2013 as compared to 2005. Further studies are necessary to reveal if the incidence will continue to decrease.

Breastfeeding at the workplace: a systematic review of interventions to improve workplace environments to facilitate breastfeeding among working women.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding can be affected by maternal employment. This is important considering that in 2019, 47.1% of women globally participated in the labor force. The aim of this study was to review workplace interventions to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices among working mothers globally. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the guidance of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Observational, experimental and qualitative peer-reviewed studies in English and Spanish, published between 2008 and 2019 were included. The review focused on working women who were pregnant, breastfeeding or who recently had a child, and women's working environments. The outcomes of interest included breastfeeding intentions, initiation, exclusivity and duration, confidence in breastfeeding or breastmilk extraction, and perceived support at workplace. Quality was assessed according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) checklist for systematic reviews. It was registered on PROSPERO (#140624). RESULTS: Data was extracted from 28 quantitative and 9 qualitative studies. The most common interventions were designated spaces for breastfeeding or breastmilk extraction (n = 24), and the support from co-workers (n = 20). The least common interventions were providing breast pumps (n = 4) and giving mothers the flexibility to work from home (n = 3). Studies explored how interventions affected different breastfeeding outcomes including breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding exclusivity, confidence in breastmilk expression, and breastfeeding support. The evidence suggests that workplace interventions help increase the duration of breastfeeding and prevent early introduction of breastmilk substitutes. Having a lactation space, breastmilk extraction breaks, and organizational policies are key strategies. However, to achieve equitable working conditions for breastfeeding mothers, organizational and interpersonal changes need to occur as well. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review revealed that interventions at the workplace are important in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding among working mothers. To achieve equitable work environments and fair nutritional opportunities for infants of working mothers, interventions should focus at the three ecological layers - individual, interpersonal, and organizational. The quality of studies can be improved. There is a need for studies assessing impacts of workplace interventions on infant feeding practices, mothers' self-esteem and outcomes such productivity and abstentionism.

Circulating levels of ß-endorphin and cortisol in breast cancer.

Neurobehavioral stress can promote the growth and progression of different types of cancer because psychological factors can alter immune and endocrine function. ß-endorphin is one of the hormones involved in the bidirectional connection between the immune and neuroendocrine systems that explains the effects of stress on the immune capacity against cancer. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women and one of the best known to influence the different stressors involved in coping with the disease. Here we evaluated the circulating levels of ß-endorphin and cortisol in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with BC treated or not with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to understand the neuroendocrine basis that explain the relationship between stress and the development of the disease. In our hands, healthy women show elevated levels of ß-endorphin, levels that are even higher in postmenopausal women. In women with BC, however, significantly lower levels appear, with no differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. These data correlate with cortisol levels, which are much higher in women with BC regardless of their hormonal status. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment only improves ß-endorphin levels in postmenopausal women, without recovering the levels of healthy women. In women treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, both premenopausal and postmenopausal maintain elevated cortisol levels that are indicative of the stressful situation. Regulation of stress levels by modulation with ß-endorphin could be an alternative pharmacological therapy against tumor growth and development, as well as its ability to promote in patients feelings of well-being that improve the development of their disease.