Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Followed by Radical Resection Versus Conventional Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Definitive surgery with total mesorectal excision is the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. Multimodality therapy improves long-term survival. Current standards advise neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nationally, compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy is only 32%. New research evaluates the effectiveness of total neoadjuvant therapy: complete chemotherapy and chemoradiation before surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the favored treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer by comparing the cost-effectiveness of total neoadjuvant therapy and the current standard of care. DESIGN: Decision analytical modeling using long-term costs and 5-year disease-free survival was performed to determine the cost-effectiveness after total neoadjuvant therapy and the current standard of care. Sensitivity analysis was used to investigate the effect of uncertainty in model parameters. SETTINGS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services billing data perspective was adopted and outcomes modeled according to local and national databases and literature consensus. PATIENTS: Adult patients with stage II or III rectal cancer were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost-effectiveness in disease-free life-years, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and net monetary benefit were determined over a 5-year posttreatment period. The favored strategy was determined based on cost-effectiveness and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Cost-effectiveness for total neoadjuvant therapy was 40,708 $/life-year, and, for conventional therapy, cost-effectiveness was 44,248 $/life-year. Sensitivity analysis showed that, for an estimated total neoadjuvant therapy completion rate of 90%, total neoadjuvant therapy would remain the dominant strategy for any adjuvant chemotherapy completion rate of less than 93%. LIMITATIONS: The samples used to calculate completion rates are small, and survival probabilities are based on existing literature, local database values, and consensus estimates. The model encompasses a 5-year time period from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cost-effectiveness analysis shows that a strategy of total neoadjuvant therapy followed by radical surgery is favored over the current standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. Sensitivity analysis shows that a low rate of adjuvant chemotherapy administration plays a key role in decreasing the cost-effectiveness of the current standard of care. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A942.

The cost-utility of school-based first permanent molar sealants programs: a Markov model.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the cost-effectiveness of school-based first permanent molar sealants programs is not yet fully conclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of school-based prevention programs for the application of sealants in molars of schoolchildren compared with non-intervention. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis based on a Markov model was carried out using probability distribution. The utility was measured in quality-adjusted tooth years (QATY). The assessment was carried out from the public payer's perspective with a six-year time horizon. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3% per year. Only direct costs were evaluated, expressed in Chilean pesos (CLP) at 7th May at 2019 values (exchange rate USD = CLP 681.09). Univariate deterministic sensitivity analysis and probabilistic analysis were carried out. RESULTS: After a six-year follow up, the cost of sealing all first permanent molars was found to be higher than non-intervention, with a mean cost difference of USD 1.28 (CLP 875) per molar treated. The "seal all" strategy was more effective than non-intervention, generating 0.2 quality-adjusted tooth years more than non-intervention. The ICUR of the "seal all" strategy compared to non-intervention was USD 6.48 (CLP 4,412) per quality-adjusted tooth years. The sensitivity analysis showed that the increase in caries was the variable which most influenced the ICUR. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based sealant program is a cost-effective measure in populations with a high prevalence of caries.

Emergency department risk factors for serious clinical deterioration in a paediatric hospital in Peru.

AIM: Identification of critically ill children upon presentation to the emergency department (ED) is challenging, especially when resources are limited. The objective of this study was to identify ED risk factors associated with serious clinical deterioration (SCD) during hospitalisation in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of children less than 18 years of age presenting to the ED in a large, freestanding children's hospital in Peru was performed. Cases had SCD during the first 7 days of hospitalisation whereas controls did not. Information collected during initial ED evaluation was used to identify risk factors for SCD. RESULTS: A total of 120 cases and 974 controls were included. In univariate analysis, young age, residence outside Lima, evaluation at another facility prior to ED presentation, congenital malformations, abnormal neurologic baseline, co-morbidities and a prior paediatric intensive care unit admission were associated with SCD. In multivariate analysis, age < 12 months, residence outside Lima and evaluation at another facility prior to ED presentation remained associated with SCD. In addition, comatose neurological status, hypoxaemia, tachycardia, tachypnoea and temperature were also associated with SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Many risk factors for SCD during hospitalisation can be identified upon presentation to the ED. Using these factors to adjust monitoring during and after the ED stay has the potential to decrease SCD events. Further studies are needed to determine whether this holds true in other resource-limited settings.

[Undiagnosed arterial hypertension in a Latin American country, 2019 to 2021]. / Hipertensión arterial no diagnosticada en un país de Latinoamérica, 2019 a 2021.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Method: A quantitative, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out in people aged 15 years and over included in the Demographic and Family Health Survey from 2019 to 2021 in Peru. A statistical analysis was carried out using the corrected F test, and crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR), with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for inferential analysis, through Poisson regression with robust variance. Likewise, the CSPLAN analysis was carried out for complex samples according to the sample design and taking into account the weighting factor. Results: In the multivariate analysis, a significant association was found between the factors male sex (aPR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.19-1.26), age from 30 to 49 years (aPR: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.92-0.96), native ethnicity (aPR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.04-1.10), having health insurance (aPR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.89-0.93), suffering from some permanent limitation (aPR: 0.83; 95%CI: 0.76-0.91) and diabetes mellitus (aPR: 0.59; 95%CI: 0.55-0.64). No significant association was found with educational level, language, Afro-Peruvian ethnicity, or alcohol or tobacco consumption (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of undiagnosed arterial hypertension is high, 69.5%. The associated factors are male sex, native ethnicity, age between 30 and 49 years, having health insurance, suffering from some permanent limitation and having diabetes mellitus.

Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a hipertensión arterial no diagnosticada. Método: Estudio de tipo cuantitativo, observacional, retrospectivo, transversal y analítico, en personas de 15 y más años de edad contenidas en la Encuesta Demográfica y Salud Familiar de 2019 a 2021 en Perú. Se realizó un análisis estadístico haciendo uso de la prueba F corregida y la razón de prevalencia cruda y ajustada (RPa), con un intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%) para el análisis inferencial, a través de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta. Asimismo, se realizó el análisis CSPLAN para muestras complejas de acuerdo con el diseño de la muestra y teniendo en cuenta el factor de ponderación. Resultados: En el análisis multivariado se halló una asociación significativa de los factores sexo masculino (RPa: 1.22; IC95%: 1.19-1.26), edad de 30 a 49 años (RPa: 0.94; IC95%: 0.92-0.96), etnia nativa (RPa: 1.07; IC95%: 1.04-1.10), tenencia de un seguro de salud (RPa: 0.91; IC95%: 0.89-0.93), sufrir alguna limitación permanente (RPa: 0.83; IC95%: 0.76-0.91) y diabetes mellitus (RPa: 0.59; IC95%: 0.55-0.64). No se encontró asociación significativa con el nivel de instrucción, el idioma, la etnia afroperuana ni el consumo de alcohol o tabaco (p > 0.05). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial no diagnosticada es alta, del 69.5%. Los factores asociados son el sexo masculino, la etnia nativa, la edad entre 30 y 49 años, la tenencia de un seguro de salud, sufrir alguna limitación permanente y tener diabetes mellitus.

Dual-Mode Based Sliding Mode Control Approach for Nonlinear Chemical Processes.

This paper synthesizes a new sliding mode controller (SMC) approach to enhance tracking and regulation tasks by following dual-mode concepts. The new control law consists of two distinct types of operation, using the combination of higher gain to large error signals (transient) and lower gain to small error signals (the region around the set point). The design is presented from a dual-mode (PD-PID) sliding surface operating in concert, fulfilling desired control objectives to ensure stability and performance. Therefore, a new controller was established, and we called it a dual-mode based SMC. The proposed controller is tested by computer simulations applied to two nonlinear processes, a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and a mixing tank with a variable dead time. The results are compared with two different alternatives of SMC. In addition, the merits and drawbacks of the control schemes are analyzed using radial graphs, comparing the control methods with various performance measures for set points and disturbances changes. The ITSE (integral of time multiplied by the squared error), TVu (total variation of control effort) indices, Mp (maximum overshoot), and ts (settling time) were the indices used for performance analysis and comparisons.

Factors Associated with Normal-Weight Abdominal Obesity Phenotype in a Representative Sample of the Peruvian Population: A 4-Year Pooled Cross-Sectional Study.

To examine factors associated with abdominal obesity among normal-weight individuals from the Demographic and Health Survey of Peru (2018-2021). Cross-sectional analytical study. The outcome variable was abdominal obesity defined according to JIS criteria. Crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated for the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and abdominal obesity using the GLM Poisson distribution with robust variance estimates. A total of 32,109 subjects were included. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 26.7%. The multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between abdominal obesity and female sex (aPR: 11.16; 95% CI 10.43-11.94); categorized age 35 to 59 (aPR: 1.71; 95% CI 1.65-1.78); 60 to 69 (aPR: 1.91; 95% CI 1.81-2.02); and 70 or older(aPR: 1.99; 95% CI 1.87-2.10); survey year 2019 (aPR: 1.22; 95% CI 1.15-1.28); 2020 (aPR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.11-1.24); and 2021 (aPR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.06-1.18); living in Andean region (aPR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.86-0.95); wealth index poor (aPR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.18-1.35); middle (aPR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.08-1.26); rich (aPR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.17-1.36); and richest (aPR: 1.25; 95% CI 1.16-1.36); depressive symptoms (aPR: 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98); history of hypertension (aPR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.13), type 2 diabetes (aPR: 1.13; 95% CI 1.07-1.20); and fruit intake 3 or more servings/day (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.89-0.96). Female sex, older ages, and low and high income levels increased the prevalence ratio for abdominal obesity, while depressive symptoms, living in the Andean region, and fruit intake of 3 or more servings/day decreased it.

Factors Associated with Symptoms of Depression among People with Obesity: Analysis of a 3-Year-Peruvian National Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and depression contribute to the global burden of economic cost, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, not all people with obesity develop depression. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with depressive symptoms among people aged 15 or older with obesity from the National Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES in Spanish 2019-2021). METHODS: Cross-sectional analytical study. The outcome of interest was the presence of depressive symptoms, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios were estimated using GLM Poisson distribution with robust variance estimates. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression symptoms was 6.97%. In the multivariate analysis, a statistically significant association was found between depressive symptoms and female sex (PRa: 2.59; 95% CI 1.95-3.43); mountain region (PRa: 1.51; 95% CI 1.18-1.92); wealth index poor (PRa: 1.37; 95% CI 1.05-1.79, medium (PRa: 1.49; 95% CI 1.11-2.02), and rich (PRa: 1.65; 95% CI 1.21-2.26); daily tobacco use (PRa: 2.05, 95% CI 1.09-3.87); physical disability (PRa: 1.96, 95% CI 1.07-3.57); and a history of arterial hypertension (PRa: 2.05; 95% CI 1.63-2.55). CONCLUSION: There are several sociodemographic factors (such as being female and living in the Andean region) and individual factors (daily use of tobacco and history of hypertension) associated with depressive symptoms in Peruvian inhabitants aged 15 or older with obesity. In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms.

Diagnostic Performance of the Measurement of Skinfold Thickness for Abdominal and Overall Obesity in the Peruvian Population: A 5-Year Cohort Analysis.

The escalating prevalence of overall and abdominal obesity, particularly affecting Latin America, underscores the urgent need for accessible and cost-effective predictive methods to address the growing disease burden. This study assessed skinfold thicknesses' predictive capacity for overall and abdominal obesity in Peruvian adults aged 30 or older over 5 years. Data from the PERU MIGRANT 5-year cohort study were analyzed, defining obesity using BMI and waist circumference. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Adults aged ≥ 30 (n = 988) completed the study at baseline, with 47% male. A total of 682 participants were included for overall and abdominal obesity analysis. The 5-year prevalence values for overall and abdominal obesity were 26.7% and 26.6%, respectively. Subscapular skinfold (SS) best predicted overall obesity in men (AUC = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.75-0.88) and women (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.88). Regarding abdominal obesity, SS exhibited the highest AUC in men (AUC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77-0.89), while SS and the sum of trunk skinfolds showed the highest AUC in women. In secondary analysis excluding participants with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) at baseline, SS significantly predicted DM2 development in men (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58-0.83) and bicipital skinfold (BS) did in women (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.84). The findings highlight SS significance as an indicator of overall and abdominal obesity in both sexes among Peruvian adults. Additionally, SS, and BS offer robust predictive indicators for DM2.

In Situ Ethanolamine ZnO Nanoparticle Passivation for Perovskite Interface Stability and Highly Efficient Solar Cells.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has interesting optoelectronic properties, but suffers from chemical instability when in contact with perovskite interfaces; hence, the perovskite deposited on the top degrades promptly. Surface passivation strategies alleviate this instability issue; however, synthesis to passivate ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in situ has received less attention. Here, a new synthesis at low temperatures with an ethanolamine post treatment has been developed. By using ZnO NPs prepared with ethanolamine and butanol (BuOH), (E-ZnO), the stability of the FA0.9Cs0.1PbI3 (FACsPI)−ZnO interface was achieved, with a photoconversion efficiency of >18%. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrates that the recombination at the interface was reduced in the system with E-ZnO/perovskite compared to common SnO2/perovskite and that the quality of the perovskite on the top is clearly due to the ZnO in situ passivation with ethanolamine. This work extends the use of E-ZnO as an n-type charge extraction layer and demonstrates its feasibility with methylammonium perovskite. Moreover, this study paves the way for other in situ passivation methods with different target molecules, along with new insights regarding the perovskite interface rearrangement when in contact with the modified electron transport layer (ETL).

A Model-Based Economic Evaluation of Cladribine Versus Alemtuzumab, Ocrelizumab and Natalizumab for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with High Disease Activity in Chile.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of cladribine compared with alemtuzumab, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab for the treatment of highly active multiple sclerosis (HAD-MS) from the perspective of the Chilean health care public sector. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Markov model was used to compare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) over a 45-year time horizon using a 3% discount rate for costs and outcomes. Natural history of the disease was modeled in terms of progression of disability according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). A network meta-analysis was used as a source of comparative effectiveness for disability progression and annual relapse rates. Differences in costs and outcomes were modeled for only 10 years due to high temporal uncertainty. Ocrelizumab was assumed to have the same efficacy as cladribine due to lack of data. Direct costs were taken from national tariffs and expressed in 2019 US dollars. Utilities for EDSS health states were obtained from the literature. Second-order uncertainty was characterized through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. FINDINGS: Compared with natalizumab (the current strategy covered in Chile), cladribine is associated with incremental costs and QALYs of US$70,989 and 1.875, respectively (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER] $37,861). Ocrelizumab was extendedly dominated by cladribine and natalizumab, and alemtuzumab was dominated by cladribine. A scenario analysis of a 10% discount did not modify the results substantially, but showed a decrease in the ICER of cladribine versus natalizumab (ICER $29,833/QALY). IMPLICATIONS: Cladribine is a new oral alternative to treat patients with HAD-MS that is expected to produce higher QALYs than all evaluated alternatives. In the context of a conservative analysis, cladribine cannot be considered cost effective for the Chilean health care public sector using a 1 GDP per capita threshold. However, under reasonable discount scenarios, cladribine becomes an attractive alternative for the health system.

Projection of the health and economic impacts of Chronic kidney disease in the Chilean population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a leading public health problem, with substantial burden and economic implications for healthcare systems, mainly due to renal replacement treatment (RRT) for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The aim of this study is to develop a multistate predictive model to estimate the future burden of CKD in Chile, given the high and rising RRT rates, population ageing, and prevalence of comorbidities contributing to CKD. METHODS: A dynamic stock and flow model was developed to simulate CKD progression in the Chilean population aged 40 years and older, up to the year 2041, adopting the perspective of the Chilean public healthcare system. The model included six states replicating progression of CKD, which was assumed in 1-year cycles and was categorised as slow, medium or fast progression, based on the underlying conditions. We simulated two different treatment scenarios. Only direct costs of treatment were included, and a 3% per year discount rate was applied after the first year. We calibrated the model based on international evidence; the exploration of uncertainty (95% credibility intervals) was undertaken with probabilistic sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: By the year 2041, there is an expected increase in cases of CKD stages 3a to ESKD, ceteris paribus, from 442,265 (95% UI 441,808-442,722) in 2021 to 735,513 (734,455-736,570) individuals. Direct costs of CKD stages 3a to ESKD would rise from 322.4M GBP (321.7-323.1) in 2021 to 1,038.6M GBP (1,035.5-1,041.8) in 2041. A reduction in the progression rates of the disease by the inclusion of SGLT2 inhibitors and pre-dialysis treatment would decrease the number of individuals worsening to stages 5 and ESKD, thus reducing the total costs of CKD by 214.6M GBP in 2041 to 824.0M GBP (822.7-825.3). CONCLUSIONS: This model can be a useful tool for healthcare planning, with development of preventive or treatment plans to reduce and delay the progression of the disease and thus the anticipated increase in the healthcare costs of CKD.

Cost-Effectiveness of Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Chilean Patients Surviving Acute Coronary Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of 3 models of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) compared with standard care in survivors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) within the public health system in Chile. METHODS: A Markov model was designed using 5 health states: ACS survivor, second ACS, complications, general mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. The transition probabilities between health states for standard care and corresponding relative risk for CR were calculated from a systematic review. Health benefits were measured with the EuroQol 5-dimensional 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) survey. Costs for each health state were quantified using the national cost verification study. The CR cost was estimated with a microcosting methodology. The time horizon was a lifetime and the discount rate was 3% per year for costs and benefits. Deterministic and probabilistic analyses were performed. Structural uncertainty was managed by designing 3 scenarios: CR as currently delivered in a specific Chilean public health center, CR as recommended by South American guidelines, and CR as proposed for low-resource settings. RESULTS: Cardiac rehabilitation versus standard care showed an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the standard model of $722, for the South American model of $1247, and for the low-resource model of $666. The tornado diagram showed higher uncertainty in relative risk for the complications state and for the second ACS state. CONCLUSION: Considering a cost-effectiveness threshold of 1 unit of gross domestic product per capita (∼$19 000), CR is highly cost-effective for the public health system in Chile.

Cost-Utility Study of PCV13 Versus PPSV23 in Adults in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumococcal infections are a public health problem in older adults. In Chile there are two vaccines at this time, PPSV23 and PCV13. The first has lower immunogenicity and effectiveness in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia and a lower cost than PCV13. OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost-effectiveness of PCV13 versus PPSV23 in adults 18 years old and over in the Chilean Health System. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cost-utility study was performed using the Markov model (population data for a time horizon of 10 years). Utilities and epidemiological data were obtained from the literature and costs from the Chilean Public sector. Vaccine's costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were determined and compared. RESULTS: PCV13 vaccination program in adults (≥18 years), generated savings of $42,195 USD and an increase of 6,820 QALYs, avoiding 107 cases of bacteremia, 13 meningitis, 6,706 inpatient pneumonia, 4,509 outpatient pneumonia and 1,189 deaths compared to PPSV23 without variation on sensitivity analysis on high impact variables. For the subgroup of patients over 65 years old PCV13 generates savings of $ 32,105.94USD and produces 5,430 QALYs more compared to PPSV23. CONCLUSION: PCV13 is dominant. A PCV13 vaccination program saves costs to the public system, reduces mortality and morbidity; these results are robust.

Knowledge Translation in Practice: Exploring the Potential Use of MCDA in Central America and the Caribbean.

The interest on Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) for healthcare priority setting has grown in popularity in the last few years. Literature shows several exercises where MCDA can be used to inform different types of priorities; however, there is little evidence on the feasibility of implementing this method in current institutionalized decision-making processes. We examined the willingness to implement MCDA as a tool to facilitate decision-making in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC). We convene 41 representatives of the healthcare public sector from 10 countries to explore whether they consider MCDA a robust tool to be incorporated in local priority setting processes and which ongoing decision-making process could be benefited from this methodology. We developed a 2-days hands-on training course to explain the technique, advantages and limitations. The group achieved a broad consensus that MCDA can be used in CAC to help priority setting processes because it introduces transparency, facilitates the implementation of a systematic process and is relatively easy to explain to many stakeholders. It was acknowledged that MCDA can be used to inform decisions about coverage, though a major opportunity was identified to help informing other decisions, such as priorities for joint purchasing and the elaboration of national plans.

Factors associated with post-delivery complications, according to the demographic and family health survey in Perú 2019-2020 / Factores asociados a complicaciones post parto según la encuesta demográfica y de salud familiar en Perú 2019-2020

Introduction: Postpartum complications are important health problems in Peru, therefore it is necessary to determine their associated factors. Objectives: Determine the factors associated with postpartum complications in Peru during the years 2019 and 2020. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out from the analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) 2019-2020, of Peru. The unit of analysis was women between the ages of 12 and 49 residing in Peru in the years 2019-2020. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: It is evidenced that the age of 20 to 35 years has a prevalence ratio of 1.12 of ending in complications after childbirth (PRa: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.18) compared to women who have 36 years and over. Having complications during childbirth has a 2.75 times higher prevalence of complications after childbirth (APR: 2.75, 95% CI: 2.64 to 2866). Having a degree of primary (RPa: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.96), secondary (RPa: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.98) education decreases the probability of having complications after childbirth compared to women with a higher level of education. and having a single marital status (APR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.94) decreases the probability of having complications after childbirth, compared to cohabitants. Conclusion. The prevalence of postpartum complications is regular. The factors associated with postpartum complications are: age, educational level, marital status and complications during childbirth.

Introducción: Las complicaciones post parto son problemas de salud importante en el Perú, por lo tanto, es necesario determinar sus factores asociados. Objetivos. Determinar los factores asociados a las complicaciones después del parto en mujeres de 12 a 49 años en Perú, según la encuesta demográfica y salud familiar, 2019-2020. Métodos. Estudio de fuente secundaria basado en la ENDES 2019-2020. La unidad de análisis fueron todas las mujeres de 12 a 49 años de edad residentes en el Perú en los años 2019-2020, que hayan presentado complicaciones post parto, y que respondieron a las preguntas de las variables del estudio. Resultados. Se evidencia que la edad de 20 a 35 años tiene una razón de prevalencia de 1,12 de terminar en complicaciones después del parto (RPa: 1,12, IC95%: 1,07 a 1,18). Tener complicaciones durante el parto tiene 2,75 más veces la prevalencia de complicaciones después del parto (RPa: 2,75, IC95%: 2,64 a 2866).  Tener grado de instrucción primaria (RPa: 0,90, IC95%: 0,84 a 0,96), secundaria (RPa: 0,94, IC95%: 0,89 a 0,98) y tener estado civil soltera (RPa 0,85, IC95%: 0,76 a 0,94) disminuyen la probabilidad de tener complicaciones después del parto. Conclusión. La prevalencia de las complicaciones después del parto es de 37,7%. Los factores asociados a las complicaciones después del parto son: la edad, grado de instrucción, estado civil y complicaciones durante el parto.

Impacto de la adicción a redes sociales en la salud mental de los estudiantes de medicina humana, en tiempos de Covid-19 / mpact of addiction to social networks on the mental health of human medicine students, in times of Covid-19

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar la asociación de la adicción a redes sociales y las consecuencias en salud mental en estudiantes de medicina humana de la Universidad Ricardo Palma, año 2021. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal, participaron 454 estudiantes de medicina humana de primero a quinto año, elegidos por muestreo aleatorio estratificado proporcional al tamaño. El instrumento fue validado, obteniendo un Alpha de Cronbach (α=0,90), los cuestionarios empleados fueron: Adicción a redes sociales (ARS), escala de depresión, ansiedad, estrés (DASS-21) y índice de la calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh (PSQI). A fin de evaluar la asociación entre variables, utilizamos razón de prevalencia (RP) crudo y ajustado, mediante el modelo de regresiones de Poisson con el enlace logarítmico y con intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: El 65,4% eran mujeres, con edad promedio 21,2 años. Se evidenció asociación significativa entre adicción a redes sociales alto y salud mental (RPc: 2,59; IC95%: 1,92-3,50; p: 0,000), así mismo, los niveles alto y medio de adicción a redes sociales con síntomas depresivos, ansiedad, estrés (p: 0,000) y calidad de sueño (p<0,010), respectivamente. El 41%, 49,1% y 9,9% de los estudiantes presentaron adicción a redes sociales bajo, medio y alto respectivamente. Un 57,5% presentaron síntomas depresivos, 56,4% ansiedad, 70,5% estrés y 77,3% mala calidad de sueño. Conclusiones: Encontramos una fuerte asociación entre ARS y salud mental. Por lo cual se recomienda a los universitarios que sean evaluados por especialistas de salud mental para una correcta identificación, evaluación y manejo de los problemas de la ARS.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the association of addiction to social networks and the consequences in mental health in human medicine students of the Ricardo Palma University, year 2021. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional observational study, with the participation of 454 human medicine students from first to fifth year, chosen by stratified random sampling proportional to size. The instrument was validated, obtaining a Cronbach's Alpha (α=0.90), the questionnaires used were: Addiction to Social Networks (ARS), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In order to evaluate the association between variables, we used crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), using the Poisson regression model with the logarithmic link and with the 95% confidence interval. Results: 65.4% were women, with an average age of 21.2 years. A significant association was found between high social network addiction and mental health (PRc: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.92-3.50; p: 0.000) and, likewise, between high and medium levels of social network addiction. social and with depression, anxiety, stress (p: 0.000) and sleep quality (p<0.010), respectively. 41%, 49.1% and 9.9% of the students presented low, medium and high addiction to social networks, respectively. 57.5% had depression, 56.4% anxiety, 70.5% stress and 77.3% poor sleep quality. Conclusions: There was a strong association between ARS and mental health. Therefore, it is recommended that university students visit mental health specialists quarterly for proper identification, evaluation, and management of the problems generated by ARS.

Costs and consequences of chronic pain due to musculoskeletal disorders from a health system perspective in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a prevalent and distressing condition caused by an unceasing pain lasting more than 3 months or a pain that persists beyond the normal healing time. There is evidence of inadequate management partly explained by the unawareness regarding the magnitude of the problem. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the annual expected costs and consequences of chronic pain caused by musculoskeletal diseases from the health system perspective in Chile. METHODS: A Markov cohort model was built to represent chronic pain and estimate expected costs and consequences over 1-year time horizon. Transition probabilities were obtained through expert elicitation. Consequences examined were: years lost to disability (YLD), depression, anxiety, and productivity losses. Direct health care costs were estimated using local sources. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to characterize second-order uncertainty. RESULTS: The annual expected cost due to musculoskeletal chronic pain was estimated in USD $1387.2 million, equivalent to 0.417% of the national GDP. Lower back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee explained the larger proportion of the total cost, 31.8% and 27.1%, respectively. Depression attributed to chronic pain is another important consequence accounting for USD $94 million (Bayesian credibility interval 95% $49.1-$156.26). Productivity losses were also important cost, although early retirement and presenteeism were not measured. Chronic pain causes 137,037 YLDs. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain is not only an important cause of disability but also responsible for high social and financial burden in Chile. Public health programs focused on managing chronic pain may decrease burden of disease and possibly reduce costs.

Factors associated with hemoglobin levels in children under 6 months of age hospitalized in a pediatric center in Peru / Factores asociados a los niveles de hemoglobina en niños menores de 6 meses de edad hospitalizados en un centro pediátrico de Perú

Introduction: Anemia is a condition in which there is a low concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Although many causes of anemia have been identified, there are few studies in which they are related to epidemiological factors in the first months of life.  Objective: To determine the factors associated with hemoglobin levels in children under 6 months of age hospitalized in a specialized pediatric center in Peru. Methods: To determine the factors associated with hemoglobin levels in children under 6 months of age hospitalized in a specialized pediatric center in Peru. Results: 61.4% of the infants were women, and only 6.7% of the proportion of the studied population was less than 1 month old. 6.7% had a low birth weight, and 53.2% had a normal delivery. The level of anemia in hospitalized children under 6 months of age is 66.7%. Conclusions: The factors associated with hemoglobin levels were age, nutritional status, weight for length, and hospital causes. Likewise, an association was found between age and the median Hb in boys and girls aged 0 to 5 months.

Introducción: La anemia es una condición en la cual hay una baja concentración de los niveles de hemoglobina (Hb). Si bien se ha identificado muchas causas de la anemia, existen pocos estudios en los cuales se relacionan con factores epidemiológicos en los primeros meses de vida. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a los niveles de hemoglobina en niños menores de 6 meses de edad hospitalizados en un centro pediátrico especializado de Perú. Métodos: Estudio analítico, transversal en niños menores de 6 meses de edad hospitalizados en los servicios de medicina de un centro pediátrico durante el año 2017, se revisaron 267 historias clínicas dándose énfasis en características clínicas y epidemiológicas. Resultados: El 61,4% de los lactantes eran mujeres, y solo un 6,7% de la proporción de la población estudiada presentaba menos de 1 mes. El 6,7% tuvieron baso peso al nacer, y el 53,2% tuvo un parto eutócico. El nivel de anemia en niños menores de 6 meses de edad hospitalizados es del 66,7%. Conclusion: Los factores asociados a los niveles de hemoglobina fueron  edad, estado nutricional de peso para la longitud y causas hospitalarias. Asimismo, se encontró asociación entre la edad con la mediana de Hb en los niños y niñas de 0 a 5 meses.

Some long time delay sliding mode control approaches.

This paper presents a combined approach of predictive structures with sliding mode control (SMC). Control schemes have been proposed looking for performance and robustness improvement. These structures were designed for processes that can be approximated either by a first order plus time delay or an integral first order plus time delay model broadly used on chemical processes. The proposed schemes were tested for performance and robustness against set point changes and disturbances as compared with classical approaches.