Associations among environmental exposure to trace elements and biomarkers of early kidney damage in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: In kidney damage, molecular changes can be used as early damage kidney biomarkers, such as Kidney Injury Molecule-1 and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. These biomarkers are associated with toxic metal exposure or disturbed homeostasis of trace elements, which might lead to serious health hazards. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to trace elements and early damage kidney biomarkers in a pediatric population. METHODS: In Tlaxcala, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 914 healthy individuals. The participants underwent a medical review and a socio-environmental questionnaire. Five early damage kidney biomarkers were determined in the urine with Luminex, and molybdenum, copper, selenium, nickel, and iodine were measured with ICP-Mass. RESULTS: The eGFR showed a median of 103.75 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median levels for molybdenum, copper, selenium, nickel, and iodine were 24.73 ng/mL, 73.35 ng/mL, 4.78 ng/mL, 83.68 ng/mL, and 361.83 ng/mL, respectively. Except for molybdenum and nickel, the other trace elements had significant associations with the eGFR and the early kidney damage biomarkers. Additionally, we report the association of different exposure scenarios with renal parameters. DISCUSSION: and Conclusions. Among the explored metals, exposure to Cu and iodine impairs renal function. In contrast, Se may manifest as a beneficial metal. Interactions of Mo-Se and Mo-Iodine seem to alter the expression of NGAL; Mo-Cu for CLU; Mo-Cu, Mo-Se, and Mo-iodine for Cys-C and a-1MG; and Mo-Cu and Mo-iodine for KIM-1; were noticed. Our study could suggest that trace element interactions were associated with early kidney damage biomarkers.

Adjunctive testing by cytology, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology or HPV16/18 E6 oncoprotein for the management of HPV16/18 screen-positive women.

High-risk human papillomavirus type 16/18 (HPV16/18) genotyping is unable to accurately discriminate nonprogressive infections from those that will progress to cervical cancer. Our study aimed to assesses if additional testing either with liquid-based cytology (LBC) or the putative progression markers p16/Ki-67 and HPV16/18 E6 oncoprotein (E6) can improve the efficiency of HPV16/18 genotyping for triaging high-risk HPV (hrHPV)-positive women through better cancer risk stratification. Women attending colposcopy after positive HPV16/18 genotyping results within the Forwarding Research for Improved Detection and Access for Cervical Cancer Screening and Triage (FRIDA) hrHPV-based screening study in Tlaxcala, Mexico, underwent further testing with LBC, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained (DS) cytology and E6. We calculated measures of test performance for detecting histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) and grade 3 or higher (CIN3+). A number of 475 (64.3%) of 739 HPV16/18-positive women had complete results for all tests. Triage positivity rates were 14.1%, 18.5% and 24.4%, for LBC, E6 and DS, respectively. Compared with LBC, DS had higher sensitivity (24.4% vs 60.0%) although lower specificity (87.0% vs 79.3%) for CIN3+ (P < .001), whereas E6 had a sensitivity of 37.8% and a specificity of 83.5%. No invasive cancer was missed by DS or E6, but 75% were in normal cytology. DS test was associated with nearly 75% reduction of colposcopy referrals compared with the direct referral of all HPV16/18-positive women, giving the least number of colposcopies (n = 4.3) per CIN3+ detected. We show that adjunctive testing of HPV16/18-positive women with DS may greatly reduce unnecessary colposcopy referrals within HPV-based screening employing HPV16/18 genotyping while retaining acceptable sensitivity for CIN2+ and CIN3+.

[Influence of the labor quality of life on the employeeperformance of public hospitals from Mexico: a vision based on the team management]. / Influencia de la calidad de vida laboral sobre el desempeño de trabajadores de hospitales públicos de México: una visión desde la gestión directiva.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between labor quality of life (LQL) and organizational workers performance (OWP) from seven public hospitals, analyzing the influence of the personnel management (PM) as mediator of this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 866 professionals and managers of public hospitals from Tlaxcala and Mexico City. The LQL was assessed with a validated questionnaire, OWP with 34 indicators, and PM with an instrument designed for this study. RESULTS: Mean scores of LQL, were significantly lower among workers from Tlaxcala. Participants who perceived an adequate PM, they increased at 2.7 times their likelihood of having highest LQL, and participants categorized in the high LQL presented 69% higher likelihood of having an adequate OWP. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate PM was associated with greater LQL, showing to be a mediator variable between the positive relationship of CVL and the OWP.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación entre calidad de vida laboral (CVL) y el desempeño organizacional (DO) de trabajadores de siete hospitales públicos, a partir del análisis de la influencia de la gestión directiva (GD) como mediadora de esta relación. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 866 profesionales y directivos de hospitales públicos de Tlaxcala y de la Ciudad de México. La CVL fue medida con un instrumento validado, el DO con 34 indicadores y la GD con un instrumento diseñado para este estudio. RESULTADOS: Los puntajes de gestión directiva, CVL, DO y GD fueron sig- nificativamente menores en los trabajadores de Tlaxcala. Los participantes que percibieron adecuada GD incrementaron 2.7 veces más la probabilidad de percibir elevada CVL y los participantes categorizados en elevada CVL presentaron 69% mayor probabilidad de tener adecuado DO. CONCLUSIONES: La adecuada GD se asoció con una mejor CVL, lo que mostró ser una variable mediadora de la relación positiva entre CVL y DO.

Influence of mealtime habits on the risk of weight gain and obesity in Mexican adults.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine the extent to which mealtime habits influences the risk of weight gain and obesity in Mexican adults. DESIGN: We performed a prospective cohort study. The Mealtime Habits Quality (MHQ) scale was used for assessing participants' MHQ; the outcomes of interest were gain ≥5 % of body weight, developing overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity, after 7 years of follow-up. In order to estimate the independent effect of MHQ on anthropometric indicators, generalized linear models were computed to obtain adjusted relative risks (95 % CI). SETTING: The state of Morelos, Mexico. SUBJECTS: Mexican adults (n 837) aged 18-70 years participating in a cohort study. RESULTS: Compared with participants classified in the higher MHQ category, individuals in the middle and lower MHQ groups had a 4·1 (2·5, 6·7) and 6·2 (3·9, 9·7) fold greater risk of gain ≥5 % of body weight, respectively; 6·6 (2·8, 15·5) and 8·6 (3·7, 19·8) fold greater risk of becoming overweight/obese, respectively; and 3·8 (2·0, 7·3) and 5·3 (2·8, 9·8) fold greater risk of developing abdominal obesity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence about the influence of a set of mealtime habits on obesity indicators, showing that greater adherence to unadvisable mealtime habits increases the risk of developing unhealthy anthropometric indicators. Since the meal is one of the most important sources of food intake, and consequently weight status, the MHQ scale can be a useful population tool to predict weight gain and obesity.

[Validation of a scale to assess the labour quality of life in public hospitals from Tlaxcala]. / Validación de una escala para medir la calidad de vida laboral en hospitales públicos de Tlaxcala.

OBJECTIVE:: To validate a scale for assessing the labour quality of life in public hospitals (LQL-PH) from Tlaxcala, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: The instrument was validated among 669 health workers from six hospitals from the Ministry of Health of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Content validity was by inquiry to experts, construct validity by factor analysis, criterion validity by comparing with other scales, and reliability with Cronbach's Alpha. RESULTS:: The factor analysis uncovered four dimensions: "individual welfare", "conditions and labour environment", "organization", and "well-being accomplished by the work"; reliability was 0.921. Workers who perceibed better LQL-PH were: under 50 years old, with temporary contract, with less seniority in job, with work schedule at daytime of weekends, and those with academic degree. CONCLUSIONS:: LQL-PH showed to be an instrument phsycometrically valid and reliable. It's recommendable to prove this scale in other public and private health institutions, as well as its relationship with key health care indicators of labour performance and management.

Mealtime habits and risk of developing the metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance among Mexican adults.

Meals are an important source of food intake, contributing to body weight and health status. Previous studies have examined the relationship between isolated mealtime behaviours and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to examine the influence over time of ten interrelated mealtime habits on the risk of developing the MetS and insulin resistance (IR) among Mexican adults. We conducted a prospective cohort study with a sample of 956 health workers. The Mealtime Habits Quality (MHQ) scale is based on four mealtime situations (availability of time to eat, distractions while eating, environmental and social context of eating, and familiar or cultural eating habits), which were used to assess the participants' MHQ at the baseline (2004-2006) and follow-up (2010-2012) evaluations. The MetS was assessed using criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). IR was defined using the homoeostasis model assessment. Crude and adjusted relative risks were calculated to estimate the relationship between MHQ and the risk of developing the MetS or IR. Participants classified in the lower MHQ category had an 8·8 (95 % CI 3·1, 25) and 11·1 (95 % CI 3·4, 36·1) times greater risk of developing the MetS (using the NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria, respectively), and an 11·2 times (95 % CI 3·9, 31·5) greater likelihood of developing IR, compared with those in the higher MHQ group. This prospective study reveals that individuals who engaged in more undesirable than recommended mealtime behaviours had a >10-fold risk of developing the MetS or IR.

Population-based prevalence of cervical infection with human papillomavirus genotypes 16 and 18 and other high risk types in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer remains an important cause of cancer mortality for Mexican women. HPV 16/18 typing may help to improve cervical cancer screening. Here we present the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) including HPV16 and HPV18 from the FRIDA (Forwarding Research for Improved Detection and Access) population. METHODS: Beginning in 2013, we recruited 30,829 women aged 30-64 in Tlaxcala, Mexico. Cervical samples were collected and tested for 14 hrHPV genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68). We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals for hrHPV infections according to putative risk factors. RESULTS: Prevalence of infection with any of the 14 hrHPV types was 11.0 %. The age-specific prevalence of all hrHPV formed a U-shaped curve with a higher prevalence for women aged 30-39 and 50-64 than women aged 40-49. Across all age groups, 2.0 % of women were positive for HPV16 and/or HPV18 (HPV16/18), respectively. HPV16/18 prevalence also showed a U-shaped curve with increased prevalence estimates for women aged both 30-39 and 60-64. Both prevalence curves had a significant quadratic age coefficient. Infections with hrHPV were positively associated with an increased number of lifetime sexual partners, a history of sexually transmitted disease, being unmarried, use of hormonal contraception, having a history of smoking and reported condom use in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: The FRIDA population has a bimodal distribution of both hrHPV and HPV16/18 positivity with higher prevalences at ages 30-39 and 60-64. These findings will help to evaluate triage algorithms based on HPV genotyping. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02510027 .

Triage strategies in cervical cancer detection in Mexico: methods of the FRIDA Study.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the study design and baseline characteristics of the study population, including the first 30 829 women who enrolled in the Forwarding Research for Improved Detection and Access for Cervical Cancer Screening and Triage (FRIDA Study). This is a large population based study that is evaluating the performance and cost-effectiveness of different triage strategies for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) positive women in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The target population is more than 100 000 women aged 30 to 64 years who attend the Cervical Cancer Screening Program in 100 health centers in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Since August 2013, all women in the region have been invited to enroll in the study. The study participants are evaluated to determine hrHPV infection using the Cobas 4800 HPV test. The HPV-16/18 genotyping and cytology triage strategies are performed as reflex tests in all hrHPV-positive participants. Women with a positive HPV-16/18 test and/or abnormal cytology (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse, ASCUS+) are referred for colposcopy evaluation, where a minimum of four biopsies and an endocervical sample are systematically collected. Histologic confirmation is performed by a standardized panel of pathologists. RESULTS: Among the 30 829 women who have been screened, the overall prevalence of hrHPV is 11.0%. The overall prevalence of HPV16 and HPV18 are 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Cytological abnormalities (ASCUS+) were detected in 11.8% of the hrHPV-positive women. A total of 27.0% (920/3,401) of the hrHPV-positive women were referred to colposcopy because of a positive HPV16/18 test and/or abnormal reflex cytology, (31.6% had only ASCUS+, 53.6% were HPV16/18 positive with a normal cytology result, and 9.5% were positive to both triage tests). CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help policy makers and health service providers establish the best practices for triage in cervical cancer screening in Mexico and other countries.

Health workers cohort study: methods and study design.

OBJECTIVE:: To examine different health outcomes that are associated with specific lifestyle and genetic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: From March 2004 to April 2006, a sample of employees from three different health and academic institutions, as well as their family members, were enrolled in the study after providing informed consent. At baseline and follow-up (2010-2013), participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, a physical examination, and provided blood samples. RESULTS:: A total of 10 729 participants aged 6 to 94 years were recruited at baseline. Of these, 70% were females, and 50% were from the Mexican Social Security Institute. Nearly 42% of the adults in the sample were overweight, while 20% were obese. CONCLUSION:: Our study can offer new insights into disease mechanisms and prevention through the analysis of risk factor information in a large sample of Mexicans.

Increased risk of hospitalization and death in Mexican children and adolescents with COVID-19 and comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Although COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in children is usually mild, they need hospitalization and intensive care in exceptional cases. Adverse outcomes have been observed mainly among children with comorbidities, justifying their vaccination. This study aimed to assess the risk of hospitalization and death in Mexican children and adolescents with COVID-19 and comorbidities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 366,542 confirmed COVID-19 cases under 18 years, reported by the Mexican Ministry of Health up to July 9, 2022. Logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: The mean age was 10.98 years, 50.6% were male, and 7.3% reported at least one comorbidity. The percentage of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients with and without comorbidities was 3.52%, and 0.20%, respectively; children with comorbidities presented a higher percentage of hospitalization (14.0%) and death (1.9%). The probability of hospitalization was 5.6 times greater in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and comorbidities, and the comorbidities that showed the greatest risk were immunosuppression (odds ratio (OR) 22.06), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (11.36), and cardiovascular diseases (5.66). The probability of death in patients with comorbidities was 11.01 times higher than in those without diseases, and the highest risk was observed in those with CKD (OR 12.57), cardiovascular diseases (6.87), and diabetes (5.83). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with comorbidities presented a higher risk of severe COVID-19. It is suggested that vaccination should be promoted with greater emphasis on pediatric patients with comorbidities.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Aunque COVID-19 (enfermedad por coronavirus 2019) en niños es usualmente leve, en casos excepcionales requieren hospitalización y cuidados intensivos. Los resultados adversos han sido observados principalmente en los niños con comorbilidades, justificando su vacunación. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el riesgo de hospitalización y muerte en niños y adolescentes mexicanos con COVID-19 y comorbilidades. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal en 366,542 casos de COVID-19 confirmados, menores de 18 años y reportados por la Secretaría de Salud de México, hasta el 9 de julio del 2022. Se ejecutaron modelos multivariados de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad fue de 10.98 años, 50.6% de sexo masculino, y 7.3% reportaron al menos una comorbilidad. El porcentaje de hospitalización y muerte en pacientes con COVID-19 sin comorbilidades fue 3.52% y 0.20%, respectivamente; mientras que los pacientes con comorbilidades presentaron más elevados porcentajes de hospitalización (14.0%) y muerte (1.9%). La probabilidad de hospitalización fue 5.6 veces más en los pacientes con COVID-19 y comorbilidades, comparando con aquellos sin comorbilidades. Las comorbilidades que mostraron más riesgo fueron inmunosupresión (razón de momios (RM) 22.06), enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) (RM 11.36) y enfermedades cardiovasculares (RM 5.66). La probabilidad de muerte en los pacientes con comorbilidades fue 11.01 veces más que en aquellos sin enfermedades, y fue más elevado en aquellos con ERC (RM 12.57), enfermedades cardiovasculares (RM 6.87) y diabetes (RM 5.83). CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes pediátricos con comorbilidades presentaron mayor riesgo de COVID-19 severo, por lo que se sugiere promover con mayor énfasis la vacunación en ellos.

Relationship between urinary biomarkers of early kidney damage and exposure to inorganic toxins in a pediatric population of Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, chronic kidney disease has increased in the pediatric population and has been related to environmental factors. In the diagnosis of kidney damage, in addition to the traditional parameters, early kidney damage biomarkers, such as kidney injury molecule 1, cystatin C, and osteopontin, among others, have been implemented as predictors of early pathological processes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and early kidney damage biomarkers. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in February 2016 and involved 115 apparently healthy children aged 6-15 residing in Apizaco, Tlaxcala. Participant selection was carried out randomly from among 16,472 children from the municipality of Apizaco. A socio-demographic questionnaire included  age, sex, education, duration of residence in the area, occupation, water consumption and dietary habits, pathological history, and some non-specific symptoms. Physical examination included blood pressure, weight, and height. The urine concentrations of urinary aluminum, total arsenic, boron, calcium, chromium, copper, mercury, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, lead, selenium, silicon, thallium, vanadium, uranium, and zinc, were measured. Four of the 115 participants selected for the study were excluded due to an incomplete questionnaire or lack of a medical examination, leaving a final sample population of 111 participants. RESULTS: The results showed a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 89.1 ± 9.98 mL/min/1.73m2 and a mean albumin/creatinine ratio of 12.9 ± 16.7 mg/g urinary creatinine. We observed a positive and significant correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate with fluoride, total arsenic and lead, and a correlation of albumin/creatinine ratio with fluoride, vanadium, and total arsenic. There was also a significant correlation between the early kidney damage biomarkers and fluoride, vanadium, and total arsenic, except for cystatin C. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results show that four urinary biomarkers: α1-microglobulin, cystatin C, kidney injury molecule 1, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin are related to environmental exposure to urinary fluoride, vanadium, and total arsenic in our pediatric population.

A workplace physical activity program at a public university in Mexico can reduce medical costs associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a workplace leisure physical activity program on healthcare expenditures for type 2 diabetes and hypertension treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed a workplace program's potential to reduce costs by multiplying the annual healthcare costs of patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension by the population attributable risk fraction of non-recommended physical activity levels. Feasibility of a physical activity program was assessed among 425 employees of a public university in Mexico. RESULTS: If 400 sedentary employees engaged in a physical activity program to decrease their risk of diabetes and hypertension, the potential annual healthcare cost reduction would be 138 880 US dollars. Each dollar invested in physical activity could reduce treatment costs of both diseases by 5.3 dollars. CONCLUSIONS: This research meets the call to use health economics methods to re-appraise health priorities, and devise strategies for optimal allocation of financial resources in the health sector.

Overview of Traditional and Environmental Factors Related to Bone Health.

Bone mass in adulthood depends on growth and mineralization acquired during childhood and adolescence. It is well known that these stages of life are crucial for bone development, where genetic, nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle factors play a significant role. Bone loss is normally a natural and slow process that begins years later after the peak bone mass is achieved and continues throughout the lifespan. Lifestyle choices in childhood and adolescence such as minimal physical activity, excessive caffeine or carbonated beverages intake, malnutrition, cigarette use, or high alcohol consumption and other factors like environmental pollutants can also negatively affect bone health and accelerate the bone loss process. The aim of this work is an overview of risk factors associated with inadequate bone health in early life.

Scale for assessing the quality of Mexican adults' mealtime habits.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a scale for assessing the quality of mealtime habits in a sample of urban Mexican adults, computing the contribution of a set of advisable and unadvisable mealtime habits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed an exploratory factor analysis among 7 472 adults participating in the baseline assessment of the Health Workers Cohort Study, to assess the mealtime habits quality. Likelihood ratio test for difference of two probabilities and test for the difference of two means were used to identify differences between low and high categories of the Mealtime Habits Quality Scale (MHQS) across variables of interest. RESULTS: Participants with the top quality of mealtime habits showed lower rates of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, and elevated body fat. They were also more adherent to a prudent dietary pattern than a western dietary pattern, and consumed more fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and dietary variables differed across MHQS categories. However, further validation of the scale, and assessment of their ability to predict weight gain or related diseases are needed, using prospective and intervention studies.

Effectiveness of a multidrug therapy consisting of Ivermectin, Azithromycin, Montelukast, and Acetylsalicylic acid to prevent hospitalization and death among ambulatory COVID-19 cases in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: There is an urgent need for effective treatments to prevent or attenuate lung and systemic inflammation, endotheliitis, and thrombosis related to COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multidrug-therapy consisting of Ivermectin, Azithromycin, Montelukast, and Acetylsalicylic acid ("TNR4" therapy) to prevent hospitalization and death among ambulatory COVID-19 cases in Tlaxcala, Mexico. DESIGN AND METHODS: A comparative effectiveness study was performed among 768 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases aged 18-80 years, who received ambulatory care at the Ministry of Health of Tlaxcala. A total of 481 cases received the TNR4 therapy, while 287 received another treatment (comparison group). All participants received home visits and/or phone calls for clinical evaluation during the 14 days after enrollment. RESULTS: Nearly 85% of cases who received the TNR4 recovered within 14 days compared to 59% in the comparison group. The likelihood of recovery within 14 days was 3.4 times greater among the TNR4 group than in the comparison group. Patients treated with TNR4 had a 75% and 81% lower risk of being hospitalized or death, respectively, than the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: TNR4 therapy improved recovery and prevented the risk of hospitalization and death among ambulatory COVID-19 cases.

Sweetened beverage consumption and increased risk of metabolic syndrome in Mexican adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between sweetened beverage consumption and components of the metabolic syndrome in a Mexican population. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from selected adults participating in the baseline assessment of the Health Workers Cohort Study. Information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns and physical activity were collected via self-administered questionnaires. Sweetened beverage consumption was evaluated through a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. Anthropometric and clinical measures were assessed with standardized procedures. The definition of metabolic syndrome was determined using criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. The associations of interest were evaluated by means of linear and logistic regression models. SETTING: The Mexican states of Morelos and Mexico. SUBJECTS: A total of 5240 individuals aged 20 to 70 years (mean 39.4 (sd 11.5) years) were evaluated. RESULTS: Overweight/obesity prevalence was 56.6 %. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this sample was 26.6 %. We found that for each additional daily sweetened beverage serving consumed, participants experienced an average increase of 0.49 mmol/l in TAG and a decrease in HDL cholesterol of 0.31 mmol/l. Subjects consuming more than two servings of sweetened beverages daily were at 2.0 times greater risk of metabolic syndrome than those who did not consume sweetened beverages. We also observed that higher sweetened beverage consumption increased the risk of all components of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis that sweetened beverage consumption increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in Mexican adults, possibly by providing excess energy and large amounts of rapidly absorbable sugars.

Increased Risk of Hospitalization and Death in Patients with COVID-19 and Pre-existing Noncommunicable Diseases and Modifiable Risk Factors in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The population in Mexico has high prevalence rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Hospitalization and death of COVID-19 patients in the countries most affected by the pandemic has been associated to chronic comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of NCDs in patients with COVID-19 in Mexico and analyze the increased risk due to comorbidities and risk factors on hospitalization, utilization of intensive care units and death. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed from 212,802 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported by the Ministry of Health up to June 27, 2020. Odds ratios were performed using logistic regression model. RESULTS: Up to 47.40% of patients with COVID-19 diagnosis were also reported with a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most frequent (20.12%). The report of at least one NCD significantly increased the risk of death with respect to patients without such diagnoses. Chronic kidney disease increased the risk of death the most (OR 2.31), followed by diabetes (OR 1.69), immunosuppression (OR 1.62), obesity (OR 1.42), hypertension (OR 1.24), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.20). The comorbidities that most increased the risk of ICU and of intubation were diabetes, immunosuppression and obesity. CONCLUSION: NCD comorbidities increase the severity of COVID-19 infection. Given high NCD prevalence rates among the Mexican population, the pandemic poses a special threat to the health system and to society. Special prevention measures need to be strengthened for persons with NCD diagnoses in the short-term. In the mid-term, disease control strategies need to be improved to protect these patients against COVID-19 severity.

Benefit of double-reading cytology smears as a triage strategy among high-risk human papillomavirus-positive women in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine whether the detection of histologically confirmed cases of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (HSIL+) can be increased by having each liquid-based cytology (LBC) slide read by 2 cytotechnologists as part of routine screening. METHODS: Over 36,212 women aged 30 to 64 years participated in the Forwarding Research for Improved Detection and Access for Cervical Cancer Screening and Triage (FRIDA) Study in Mexico between 2013 and 2016. For each participant, 2 cervical samples were collected at the same clinic visit, one to test for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) and the other for LBC, which was used to triage those with a hrHPV positive result. LBC slides were evaluated by 7 cytotechnologists, with each slide read independently by 2 blinded cytotechnologists. All women with atypical cells of undetermined significance or a worse result were referred to colposcopy for further evaluation and diagnosis. Three pathologists evaluated the biopsy specimens to confirm the final HSIL+ diagnosis. The HSIL+ detection rates for the single versus double reading were estimated and compared. RESULTS: A total of 3,914 women with a positive hrHPV result were triaged with LBC. The first and second cytology readings resulted in 43 HSIL+ cases detected; the double-reading strategy detected 9 additional HSIL+ cases, resulting in a total of 52 HSIL+ cases. The HSIL+ detection rate increased from 10.99/1000 with a single reading to 13.29/1000 with the double-reading strategy (P = .004). CONCLUSION: A 20.9% increase in HSIL+ cases detected was achieved with a double reading of the LBC slides in this sample of hrHPV-positive women.

Physical activity and risk of metabolic syndrome in an urban Mexican cohort.

BACKGROUND: In the Mexican population metabolic syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent. It is well documented that regular physical activity (PA) prevents coronary diseases, type 2 diabetes and MS. Most studies of PA have focused on moderate-vigorous leisure-time activity, because it involves higher energy expenditures, increase physical fitness, and decrease the risk of MS. However, for most people it is difficult to get a significant amount of PA from only moderately-vigorous leisure activity, so workplace activity may be an option for working populations, because, although may not be as vigorous in terms of cardio-respiratory efforts, it comprises a considerable proportion of the total daily activity with important energy expenditure. Since studies have also documented that different types and intensity of daily PA, including low-intensity, seem to confer important health benefits such as prevent MS, we sought to assess the impact of different amounts of leisure-time and workplace activities, including low-intensity level on MS prevention, in a sample of urban Mexican adults. METHODS: The study population consisted of 5118 employees and their relatives, aged 20 to 70 years, who were enrolled in the baseline evaluation of a cohort study. MS was assessed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program, ATP III and physical activity with a validated self-administered questionnaire. Associations between physical activity and MS risk were assessed with multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of the components of MS in the study population were: high glucose levels 14.2%, high triglycerides 40.9%, high blood pressure 20.4%, greater than healthful waist circumference 43.2% and low-high density lipoprotein 76.9%. The prevalence of MS was 24.4%; 25.3% in men and 21.8% in women. MS risk was reduced among men (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.57-0.95) and women (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.64-0.94) who reported an amount of >or=30 minutes/day of leisure-time activity, and among women who reported an amount of >or=3 hours/day of workplace activity (OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.59-0.96). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that both leisure-time and workplace activity at different intensity levels, including low-intensity significantly reduce the risk of MS. This finding highlights the need for more recommendations regarding the specific amount and intensity of leisure-time and workplace activity needed to prevent MS.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Aged 6-15 Years and Associated Risk Factors in Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico, a Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tlaxcala, a small state in central Mexico, has the highest prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) deaths in population aged 5-14 in Mexico, most of them with unknown etiology. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of CKD in apparently healthy pediatric population in Apizaco, Tlaxcala. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study was carried out in children deemed as healthy; subjects with previous diagnosis of CKD were excluded. Informed consent was obtained in all cases. A physical examination was performed, a questionnaire was applied. Blood and urine samples were obtained for serum creatinine, urinalysis, and microalbumin/creatinine ratio. A second and third evaluation was performed after 6 and 18 months in those found with urinary anomalies/CKD to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred and nine subjects completed physical examination, which are the biological samples. Median age was 12 years. CKD stage 2 was confirmed in 5 subjects in the sixth month confirmation visit (4.6%). One patient accepted renal biopsy and Alport Syndrome was found. In a robust multivariate analysis, the risk factors related to reduction in the glomerular filtration rate were males -5.15 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.002), older participants as by -1.58 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (p < 0.0001), and among participants living close to a river -3.76 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.033). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CKD in the population studied in Apizaco Tlaxcala was confirmed in 4.6 cases per 100 inhabitants between 6 and 15 years. Males, older age, and living close to a river were the risk predictive factors. More studies are needed to determine the causes of the high CKD prevalence in this population.