Educational inequalities and premature mortality: the Cuba Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Although socioeconomic status is a major determinant of premature mortality in many populations, the impact of social inequalities on premature mortality in Cuba, a country with universal education and health care, remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between educational level and premature adult mortality in Cuba. METHODS: The Cuba Prospective Study (a cohort study) enrolled 146 556 adults aged 30 years and older from the general population in five provinces from Jan 1, 1996, to Nov 24, 2002. Participants were followed up until Jan 1, 2017, for cause-specific mortality. Deaths were identified through linkage to the Cuban Public Health Ministry's national mortality records. Cox regression models yielded rate ratios (RRs) for the effect of educational level (a commonly used measure for social status) on mortality at ages 35-74 years, with assessment for the mediating effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI. FINDINGS: A total of 127 273 participants aged 35-74 years were included in the analyses. There was a strong inverse association between educational level and premature mortality. Compared with a university education, men who did not complete primary education had an approximately 60% higher risk of premature mortality (RR 1·55, 95% CI 1·40-1·72), while the risk was approximately doubled in women (1·96, 1·81-2·13). Overall, 28% of premature deaths could be attributed to lower education levels. Excess mortality in women was primarily due to vascular disease, while vascular disease and cancer were equally important in men. 31% of the association with education in men and 18% in women could be explained by common modifiable risk factors, with smoking having the largest effect. INTERPRETATION: This study highlights the value of understanding the determinants of health inequalities in different populations. Although many major determinants lie outside the health system in Cuba, this study has identified the diseases and risk factors that require targeted public health interventions, particularly smoking. FUNDING: UK Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, CDC Foundation (with support from Amgen).

Alcohol consumption and cause-specific mortality in Cuba: prospective study of 120 623 adults.

BACKGROUND: The associations of cause-specific mortality with alcohol consumption have been studied mainly in higher-income countries. We relate alcohol consumption to mortality in Cuba. METHODS: In 1996-2002, 146 556 adults were recruited into a prospective study from the general population in five areas of Cuba. Participants were interviewed, measured and followed up by electronic linkage to national death registries until January 1, 2017. After excluding all with missing data or chronic disease at recruitment, Cox regression (adjusted for age, sex, province, education, and smoking) was used to relate mortality rate ratios (RRs) at ages 35-79 years to alcohol consumption. RRs were corrected for long-term variability in alcohol consumption using repeat measures among 20 593 participants resurveyed in 2006-08. FINDINGS: After exclusions, there were 120 623 participants aged 35-79 years (mean age 52 [SD 12]; 67 694 [56%] women). At recruitment, 22 670 (43%) men and 9490 (14%) women were current alcohol drinkers, with 15 433 (29%) men and 3054 (5%) women drinking at least weekly; most alcohol consumption was from rum. All-cause mortality was positively and continuously associated with weekly alcohol consumption: each additional 35cl bottle of rum per week (110g of pure alcohol) was associated with ∼10% higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.08 [95%CI 1.05-1.11]). The major causes of excess mortality in weekly drinkers were cancer, vascular disease, and external causes. Non-drinkers had ∼10% higher risk (RR 1.11 [1.09-1.14]) of all-cause mortality than those in the lowest category of weekly alcohol consumption (<1 bottle/week), but this association was almost completely attenuated on exclusion of early follow-up. INTERPRETATION: In this large prospective study in Cuba, weekly alcohol consumption was continuously related to premature mortality. Reverse causality is likely to account for much of the apparent excess risk among non-drinkers. The findings support limits to alcohol consumption that are lower than present recommendations in Cuba. FUNDING: Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, CDC Foundation (with support from Amgen).

Association of childhood smoking and adult mortality: prospective study of 120 000 Cuban adults.

BACKGROUND: The average age at which people start smoking has been decreasing in many countries, but insufficient evidence exists on the adult hazards of having started smoking in childhood and, especially, in early childhood. We aimed to investigate the association between smoking habits (focusing on the age when smokers started) and cause-specific premature mortality in a cohort of adults in Cuba. METHODS: For this prospective study, adults were recruited from five provinces in Cuba. Participants were interviewed (data collected included socioeconomic status, medical history, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits) and had their height, weight, and blood pressure measured. Participants were followed up until Jan 1, 2017 for cause-specific mortality; a subset was resurveyed in 2006-08. We used Cox regression to calculate adjusted rate ratios (RRs) for mortality at ages 30-69 years, comparing never-smokers with current smokers by age they started smoking and number of cigarettes smoked per day and with ex-smokers by the age at which they had quit. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 1996, and Nov 24, 2002, 146 556 adults were recruited into the study, of whom 118 840 participants aged 30-69 years at recruitment contributed to the main analyses. 27 264 (52%) of 52 524 men and 19 313 (29%) of 66 316 women were current smokers. Most participants reported smoking cigarettes; few smoked only cigars. About a third of current cigarette smokers had started before age 15 years. Compared with never-smokers, the all-cause mortality RR was highest in participants who had started smoking at ages 5-9 years (RR 2·51, 95% CI 2·21-2·85), followed by ages 10-14 years (1·83, 1·72-1·95), 15-19 years (1·56, 1·46-1·65), and ages 20 years or older (1·50, 1·39-1·62). Smoking accounted for a quarter of all premature deaths in this population, but quitting before about age 40 years avoided almost all of the excess mortality due to smoking. INTERPRETATION: In this cohort of adults in Cuba, starting to smoke in childhood was common and quitting was not. Starting in childhood approximately doubled the rate of premature death (ie, before age 70 years). If this 2-fold mortality RR continues into old age, about half of participants who start smoking before age 15 years and do not stop will eventually die of complications from their habit. The greatest risks were found among adults who began smoking before age 10 years. FUNDING: UK Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation (with support from Amgen).

Improving conservation strategies of raptors through landscape ecology analysis: The case of the endemic Cuban Black Hawk.

Raptor species conservation should consider a landscape perspective in order to include habitat requirements associated to large home ranges around nesting sites. Landscape analysis can help to better understand raptor habitat requirements and the degree of tolerance to habitat changes at different scales.We used a landscape ecology perspective to determine the nesting habitat selection of endemic and endangered Cuban Black Hawk, and using ecological niche modeling, we obtained the potential distribution of nests to evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) for raptor conservation.Nesting habitat selection was related to breeding success at a landscape scale using data from 27 different nesting sites during 2012-2013 breeding seasons. The potential nesting areas distribution was compared with current officially PAs design in the central region of Cuba.All nests were located in mangrove swamp. Pairs chose nesting sites with low soil-vegetation moisture and low soil reflectance. At the landscape level, they selected low shape complexity of patches and few patches of coastal vegetation around nesting sites which contained similar mangrove patch size and shape. The potential distribution of nests increased close to the coastline. The model predicted a suitable narrow area of 556 km2, and the most favorable nesting area represented 2% of this total. 33% of nests were located within officially natural protected areas while 27% were close to or inside highly threatened areas. A 16% of high to medium suitable nesting habitat overlaps with urban areas. Currently, PAs contain 23% of the nesting area distribution.Our study shows landscape ecology and nest-site selection approach is crucial to evaluate the persistence of Cuban Black Hawk, as environmental variables and human activity can be related to its productivity. This approach can be applied in conservation strategies of island raptors.

Burden of hypertension and associated risks for cardiovascular mortality in Cuba: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Cuba, hypertension control in primary care has been prioritised as a cost-effective means of addressing premature death from cardiovascular disease. However, there is little evidence from large-scale studies on the prevalence and management of hypertension in Cuba, and no direct evidence of the expected benefit of such efforts on cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, adults in the general population identified via local family medical practices were interviewed between Jan 1, 1996, and Nov 24, 2002, in five areas of Cuba, and a subset of participants were resurveyed between July 14, 2006, and Oct 19, 2008, in one area. During household visits, blood pressure was measured and information obtained on diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. We calculated the prevalence of hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, or receiving treatment for hypertension) and the proportion of people with hypertension in whom it was diagnosed, treated, and controlled (systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg). Deaths were identified through linkage by national identification numbers to the Cuban Public Health Ministry records, to Dec 31, 2016. We used Cox regression analysis to compare cardiovascular mortality between participants with versus without uncontrolled hypertension. Rate ratios (RRs) were used to estimate the fraction of cardiovascular deaths attributable to hypertension. FINDINGS: 146 556 participants were interviewed in the baseline survey in 1996-2002 and 24 345 were interviewed in the resurvey in 2006-08. After exclusion for incomplete data and age outside the range of interest, 136 111 respondents aged 35-79 years (mean age 54 [SD 12] years; 75 947 [56%] women, 60 164 [44%] men) were eligible for inclusion in the analyses. 34% of participants had hypertension. Among these, 67% had a diagnosis of hypertension. 76% of participants with diagnosed hypertension were receiving treatment and blood pressure was controlled in 36% of those people. During 1·7 million person-years of follow-up there were 5707 cardiovascular deaths. In the age groups 35-59, 60-69, and 70-79 years, uncontrolled hypertension at baseline was associated with RRs of 2·15 (95% CI 1·88-2·46), 1·86 (1·69-2·05), and 1·41 (1·32-1·52), respectively, and accounted for around 20% of premature cardiovascular deaths. INTERPRETATION: In this Cuban population, a third of people had hypertension. Although levels of hypertension diagnosis and treatment were commensurate with those in some high-income countries, the proportion of participants whose blood pressure was controlled was low. As well as reducing hypertension prevalence, improvement in blood pressure control among people with diagnosed hypertension is required to prevent premature cardiovascular deaths in Cuba. FUNDING: Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK.

Impacto sobre la incidencia de la tuberculosis en Cuba, 1994-2015 / Impact on the incidence of tuberculosis in Cuba, 1994-2015

Introducción: La incidencia es fundamental para evaluar la carga de tuberculosis. Objetivo: Valorar el impacto del Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis en la incidencia de la tuberculosis en Cuba en el periodo 1994-2015. Métodos: Estudio de series temporales de la incidencia de tuberculosis en el periodo 1994-2015. Se estimó la tendencia exponencial y las variaciones de las tendencias de casos nuevos notificados en Cuba y sus provincias; los totales y medias anuales de los periodos 1994-1999, 1999-2015 y 1994-2015. Se calcularon las diferencias absolutas y relativas entre las provincias cubanas desde 1994-2015. Resultados: La tendencia general de la tasa fue descendente. El periodo de 1994-1999 visualizó una reducción de -0,33x100 000(-505 casos) y entre 1999 y 2015 fue de -0,42(-448 casos). La reducción media anual entre 1994-1999 fue de -0,07 y de 1999-2015 fue de -0,03. En 1994, 1999 y 2015 se notificaron 1616 casos (14,7), 1111(10,0) y 651(5,8), respectivamente. En 1994 la mayor tasa correspondió a la provincia de Cienfuegos (23,1) con riesgo atribuible poblacional porcentual del 65,8 por ciento. En 1999 y 2015 las mayores tasas se presentaron en Ciego de Ávila (18,3) y (9,5), respectivamente (riesgo atribuible poblacional porcentual del 60,7 por ciento en 1999 y del 75,8 por ciento en 2015). En 1994 y 1999 todas las provincias tuvieron tasas > 5,0. En 2015, ocho provincias mostraron tasas < 5,0. En 1999 la provincia con mayor variación de su tasa anual fue Cienfuegos (-0,65) y en 2015 Camagüey (-0,73). Conclusiones: El Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis en Cuba obtuvo hasta el 2015 una discreta disminución sostenida de la incidencia de la enfermedad en el país; pero no es suficiente para lograr su eliminación, por lo que se requieren nuevas intervenciones diferenciadas y priorizadas(AU)

Introduction: Incidence is critical to assess the burden of tuberculosis. Objective: Assess the impact of the National Program of Tuberculosis Control on the incidence of tuberculosis in Cuba in the period 1994-2015. Methods: Study of time series of tuberculosis incidence in the period 1994-2015. The exponential trend and variations in the trends of new cases reported in Cuba and its provinces were estimated; also the annual totals and averages for the periods 1994-1999, 1999-2015 and 1994-2015. The absolute and relative differences between the Cuban provinces from 1994-2015 were calculated. Results: The overall trend of the rate was downward. The period from 1994-1999 had a reduction of -0.33x100 000 (-505 cases) and between 1999 and 2015 it was -0.42 (-448 cases). The average annual reduction between 1994-1999 was -0.07 and from 1999-2015 it was -0.03. In 1994, 1999 and 2015, 1616 cases (14.7), 1111 (10.0) and 651 (5.8) were reported, respectively. In 1994 the highest rate corresponded to the province of Cienfuegos (23.1) with a percentage population attributable risk of 65.8percent. In 1999 and 2015, the highest rates occurred in Ciego de Ávila (18.3) and (9.5), respectively (percentage population attributable risk of 60.7percent in 1999 and 75.8percent in 2015). In 1994 and 1999 all provinces had rates > 5.0. In 2015, eight provinces showed rates < 5.0. In 1999 the province with the greatest variation in its annual rate was Cienfuegos (-0.65) and in 2015 Camagüey (-0.73). Conclusions: The National Program of Tuberculosis Control in Cuba obtained until 2015 a discreet sustained decrease in the incidence of the disease in the country; but it is not enough to achieve its elimination, so new differentiated and prioritized interventions are required(AU)

Carga por mortalidad del cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe

Fundamento: un análisis de la tendencia al cambio en la mortalidad del cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe y la cuantificación del impacto sobre la esperanza de vida en la población cubana puede ayudar a los investigadores y a los responsables de la formulación de políticas de Salud Pública a tener una visión integral de este problema. Objetivo: estimar la carga por mortalidad de cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe, por sexo, en Cuba en el período comprendido de 2005- 2020. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal en el que se utilizaron series de datos quinquenales. El universo estuvo conformado por todas las muertes por cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe para los años estudiados. Se utilizó, para cada año y causas, el número de defunciones, se calcularon tasas por 100 000 habitantes y los años de vida potencialmente perdidos por mortalidad. Se calculó, el promedio y se estimó del cambio porcentual anual. Resultados: las tasas de mortalidad fueron entre 7,62 y 12,23 en hombres y 2,60 y 3,74 en mujeres, por 100 000 habitantes. En cuanto a los años de vida dejados de vivir temparanamente, por cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe se observó que en hombres las tasas asciendieron de 131 en el 2005 a 169 en el 2020 y de 40 a 52 en las mujeres. Concluciones: la carga por cáncer de labio, cavidad bucal y faringe en Cuba ha aumentado, fue superior en hombres, la tendencia es creciente en ambos sexos, por cáncer nasofaríngeo tanto hombres como mujeres fallecieron a edades más tempranas que, por otras localizaciones estudiadas, el cambio porcentual fue superior por cáncer faríngeo.

Background: an analysis of the trend of change in the mortality of cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx and the quantification of the impact on life expectancy in the Cuban population can help researchers and those responsible for formulating health policies. Public to have a comprehensive view of this problem. Objective: to estimate the mortality burden of cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx, by sex, in Cuba in the period 2005-2020. Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in which five-year data series were used. The universe was made up of all deaths from cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx for the years studied. For each year and causes, the number of deaths was used; rates per 100,000 inhabitants and the years of life potentially lost due to mortality were calculated. The average was calculated and the annual percentage change was estimated. Results: mortality rates were between 7.62 and 12.23 in men and 2.60 and 3.74 in women, per 100,000 inhabitants. Regarding the years of life lost early, due to cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx, it was observed that in men the rates rose from 131 in 2005 to 169 in 2020 and from 40 to 52 in women. Conclusions: the burden of cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx in Cuba has increased, it was higher in men, the trend is growing in both sexes, both men and women died at younger ages due to nasopharyngeal cancer than, due to other locations studied, the percentage change was higher for pharyngeal cancer.

Estudio de la carga de mortalidad materna por causas indirectas / Study of the Maternal Mortality Burden from Indirect Causes

Fundamento: la caracterización de la carga de mortalidad es una información indispensable para planificar y establecer prioridades en salud, monitorear y evaluar programas de intervención e identificar grupos de mujeres en mayor riesgo. Objetivo: determinar la carga de muertes maternas por causas indirectas en Cuba en el periodo 2005-2020. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal de series anuales. El universo lo conformó el total de las muertes maternas indirectas registradas durante los años estudiados. Las variables utilizadas en el estudio fueron: causa básica de la muerte y la edad. Para cada serie, se calcularon los años de vida potencialmente perdidos por mortalidad, su porcentaje y promedio, así como la tendencia a lo largo de los años. Resultados: durante los años 2005-2020 fallecieron en Cuba 269 mujeres por causas indirectas. Las muertes prematuras cuantificaron 13 972 años de vida potencialmente perdidos, con un promedio anual de 874 años, que representó un promedio de 51 años no vividos por cada fallecida. Las causas indirectas que más años de vida perdidos generaron fueron el grupo de otras causas indirectas, 341 años como promedio y enfermedades del sistema circulatorio 247. Conclusión: las causas de muerte con mayor impacto sobre la esperanza de vida en la población cubana coincidieron con las causas de mayor número de defunciones, lo cual expresa que no hay grandes diferencias en las edades a las cuales se muere entre las distintas causas. Las mujeres que murieron en edades más jóvenes fueron las del grupo de otras causas indirectas, las cuales, junto a las enfermedades del sistema circulatorio, mostraron tendencia a aumentar en el tiempo. (AU)

Background: the characterization of the mortality burden is essential information for planning and setting priorities in health, monitoring and evaluating intervention programs and identifying groups of women at higher risk. Objective: to determine the maternal deaths burden from indirect causes in Cuba in the period 2005-2020. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study of annual series was carried out. The universe was the total number of indirect maternal deaths registered during the studied years. The variables used in the study were: basic cause of death and age. For each series, the years of life potentially lost due to mortality, their percentage and average, as well as the trend over the years, were calculated. Results: during 2005-2020, 269 women died in Cuba due to indirect causes. Premature deaths quantified 13,972 years of life potentially lost, with an annual average of 874 years, which represented an average of 51 years not lived for each deceased. The indirect causes that generated more years of life lost were the group of other indirect causes, 341 years on average, and diseases of the circulatory system, 247. Conclusion: the causes of death with the greatest impact on life expectancy in the Cuban population coincided with the causes with the highest number of deaths, which shows that there are no great differences in the ages at which one dies between the different causes. The women who died at younger ages were those in the group with other indirect causes, which, together with the circulatory system diseases, showed a tendency to increase over time.

Assessment of Hammocks (Petenes) Resilience to Sea Level Rise Due to Climate Change in Mexico.

There is a pressing need to assess resilience of coastal ecosystems against sea level rise. To develop appropriate response strategies against future climate disturbances, it is important to estimate the magnitude of disturbances that these ecosystems can absorb and to better understand their underlying processes. Hammocks (petenes) coastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to sea level rise linked to climate change; their vulnerability is mainly due to its close relation with the sea through underground drainage in predominantly karstic soils. Hammocks are biologically important because of their high diversity and restricted distribution. This study proposes a strategy to assess resilience of this coastal ecosystem when high-precision data are scarce. Approaches and methods used to derive ecological resilience maps of hammocks are described and assessed. Resilience models were built by incorporating and weighting appropriate indicators of persistence to assess hammocks resilience against flooding due to climate change at "Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve", in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. According to the analysis, 25% of the study area is highly resilient (hot spots), whereas 51% has low resilience (cold spots). The most significant hot spot clusters of resilience were located in areas distant to the coastal zone, with indirect tidal influence, and consisted mostly of hammocks surrounded by basin mangrove and floodplain forest. This study revealed that multi-criteria analysis and the use of GIS for qualitative, semi-quantitative and statistical spatial analyses constitute a powerful tool to develop ecological resilience maps of coastal ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to sea level rise, even when high-precision data are not available. This method can be applied in other sites to help develop resilience analyses and decision-making processes for management and conservation of coastal areas worldwide.

Características y causas de muerte de pacientes fallecidos con enfermedad renal crónica. Cuba 2011-2016 / Deceased patients with chronic kidney disease. Characteristics and causes in Cuba during 2011-2016

Introducción: La morbimortalidad por enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) ha presentado en las dos últimas décadas un incremento desconcertante. En Cuba, aunque la mortalidad por esta causa ha tenido un comportamiento estable, la incidencia y la prevalencia se mantienen elevadas. Objetivo: Caracterizar los pacientes fallecidos con ERC según variables demográficas, causas de muerte y otras variables seleccionadas. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por todos los fallecidos del país en el período, en cuyos certificados de defunción se incluyó entre una de las causas, la ERC. La información fue obtenida de las bases de datos de mortalidad de la Dirección Nacional de Registros Médicos y Estadísticos de Salud del MINSAP. Procesamiento de forma automatizada (SPSS versión 22.0). Fueron calculadas las frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: La frecuencia global de pacientes fallecidos se incrementó de forma mantenida y resultó mayor en la provincia La Habana (23,6 por ciento). La media de la edad fue de 70 años. Prevaleció el sexo masculino, el color de piel blanco y el grupo de edad de 80 años y más. Los porcentajes más altos según la causa básica de muerte correspondieron a enfermedad renal hipertensiva y Diabetes Mellitus. Conclusiones: Los fallecidos con ERC son mayormente hombres, de piel blanca, y con edades avanzadas. Las principales causas de muerte son la enfermedad hipertensiva y la Diabetes Mellitus(AU)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased at an alarming rate worldwide over the last two decades. Although mortality due to CKD has registered stable behavior in Cuba, its prevalence and incidence are showing higher rates. Objective: To describe the main demographic features of deceased patients with CKD in Cuba, the causes of death and other variables during the period 2011-2016. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The study universe included all deceased patients in Cuba during the period mentioned. CKD was listed on their death certificates as one of the causes of death. The information used was obtained from the mortality database available on the National Directorate of Medical Records and Health Statistics of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health. Data was processed using SPSS version 22.0. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Results: The global frequency of deceased patients showed a steady increase. Havana was the city that presented the highest percentage (23,6 percent). Nonetheless, the rest of the cities showed an increased frequency rate. The median age was 70 years. The male gender prevailed over the female one as well as white ethnicity and the 80 years and over age group. Regarding the cause of death, the highest percentages corresponded to hypertensive kidney disease and Diabetes Mellitus. Conclusions: Most of the deceased patients with CKD are male, white and at advanced ages. The main causes of death are hypertensive disease and Diabetes Mellitus(AU)

Carga por mortalidad relacionada con el embarazo, parto y puerperio. Cuba 2005-2018 / Burden of mortality related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium. Cuba 2005-2018

RESUMEN Fundamento la muerte materna representa uno de los acontecimientos más notables dentro de los conflictos de la salud sexual y reproductiva en el mundo. La elevada mortalidad por esta causa en el mundo es inadmisible. Sin embargo, las estimaciones para determinar la carga de morbilidad y mortalidad maternas aún son limitadas. Objetivo determinar la carga por mortalidad relacionada con el embarazo, parto y puerperio en Cuba entre los años 2005 y 2018. Métodos se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de datos transversales nacionales y periodicidad anual. El universo de estudio estuvo conformado por todas las muertes ocurridas durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio en el periodo 2005-2018, en Cuba (N=831). Se calcularon la razón de mortalidad, años de vida potencialmente perdidos por mortalidad, el porcentaje, el promedio y la tendencia. Resultados del total de fallecidas por muertes ocurridas durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio, 463 fueron por muerte directa; 247 por muerte indirecta; y 247, por otras muertes 121. La razón promedió 48,8 fallecidas por cada 100 000 nacidos vivos. Los años de vida potencialmente perdidos fueron 42582: 23433 por muertes directas, 12724 por indirectas, y 6425 por otras muertes. Conclusión las muertes obstétricas directas fueron las más frecuentes, y las de mayor impacto sobre la esperanza de vida; mientras que las obstétricas indirectas mostraron una tendencia a aumentar en el tiempo. Por otras muertes, las mujeres fallecieron en edades más tempranas.

ABSTRACT Background maternal death represents one of the most notable events in the conflicts of sexual and reproductive health in the world. The high mortality from this cause in the world is unacceptable. However, estimates for determining the burden of maternal morbidity and mortality health are still limited. Objective to determine the burden of mortality related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium in Cuba between 2005 and 2018. Methods a descriptive study was carried out, with national cross-sectional data and annual periodicity. The universe of study was made up of all the deaths that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium in the period 2005-2018, in Cuba (N = 831). The mortality ratio, years of life potentially lost due to mortality, the percentage, the average and the trend were calculated. Results of the total number of deceased due to deaths that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, 463 were due to direct death; 247 for indirect death; and 247, due to other deaths 121. The ratio averaged 48.8 deaths for every 100 000 live births. Years of life potentially lost were 42,582: 23,433 for direct deaths, 12,724 for indirect deaths, and 6,425 for other deaths. Conclusion direct obstetric deaths were the most frequent and those with the greatest impact on life expectancy; while indirect obstetrician women showed a tendency to increase over time. For other deaths, women died at an earlier age.

Mortalidad de los enfermos renales crónicos en edad laboral en Cuba / Mortality of chronic kidney patients of working ages in Cuba

Introducción: La enfermedad renal crónica constituye un gran problema de salud en el mundo y en Cuba. Para el año 2040 puede convertirse en la quinta causa más común de años de vida potencialmente perdidos a nivel mundial y es una importante causa de gastos para la salud, la economía y el seguro social de los países. Objetivo: Caracterizar la mortalidad en pacientes renales crónicos en edad laboral en Cuba, en los años 2011-2017, según variables sociodemográficas seleccionadas. Métodos: Investigación transversal descriptiva. El universo estuvo constituido por los 5 716 fallecidos con enfermedad renal crónica. La información fue tomada de las bases de datos de mortalidad de la Dirección Nacional de Estadísticas, del Ministerio de Salud Pública. Se estudiaron las variables: edad, sexo, ocupación y principales causas de muerte. Se calcularon tasas brutas, así como tasas de mortalidad específicas. Resultados: En la edad laboral la mortalidad por enfermedad renal crónica presentó oscilaciones del año 2011 al 2017. La edad media al morir fue 53.7 años, los mayores de 61 años, hombres, presentaron el mayor riesgo (16 por 10 000 habitantes). La tasa en la población económicamente activa desocupada fue de 33 por 10 000 habitantes. El riesgo fue mayor en las ocupaciones elementales (9 por 10 000 habitantes). La enfermedad renal hipertensiva fue la principal causa de muerte (17 por 100 000 habitantes). Conclusiones: Existe ligero incremento de la mortalidad, en hombres el riesgo es mayor, la tasa más alta es en población económicamente activa desocupada y en las ocupaciones elementales. La principal causa de muerte es la enfermedad renal hipertensiva(AU)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease constitutes a major health problem in Cuba and worldwide. By 2040 it may become the fifth most common cause of years of life potentially lost, worldwide, and a major cause of health expenses, economy and social security. Objective: To describe mortality in chronic kidney patients of working ages in Cuba, from 2011to 2017, according to selected sociodemographic variables. Methods: This is descriptive cross-sectional research. The universe consisted of 5,716 deceased subjects with chronic kidney disease. The information was taken from the mortality databases of the National Directorate of Statistics, from the Ministry of Public Health. The variables were studied age, sex, occupation and main causes of death. Gross and specific mortality rates were calculated. Results: In working age, mortality from chronic kidney disease fluctuated from 2011 to 2017. The mean age at death was 53.7 years, those over 61 years of age, men, had the highest risk (16 per 10,000 inhabitants). The rate in the economically active unemployed population was 33 per 10,000 inhabitants. The risk was higher in basic occupations (9 per 10,000 inhabitants). Hypertensive kidney disease was the leading cause of death (17 per 100,000 population). Conclusions: There is a slight increase in mortality, the risk is higher in men, the highest rate is in the economically active unemployed population and in basic occupations. The leading cause of death is hypertensive kidney disease(AU)

Autopsia y certificados médicos de defunción en fallecidos relacionados con la COVID-19

RESUMEN Introducción: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha sido la mayor del siglo actual y motivo de numerosos trabajos científicos. En Cuba se ha constituido el Grupo Temporal de Anatomía Patológica para estudiar las autopsias de los fallecidos por la COVID-19 (más de 400). Los certificados médicos de defunción, documentos de inestimable valor, en Cuba se reparan de acuerdo a los resultados de las autopsias, para elevar su calidad. Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados de las autopsias con diagnósticos de COVID-19, comparadas con los certificados médicos de defunción. Métodos: Se evaluaron los diagnósticos de causas de muerte de 65 autopsias del año 2020 con sus certificados médicos de defunción. Los diagnósticos fueron procesados en el Sistema Automatizado de Registro y Control de Anatomía Patológica. Se analizaron las causas directas de muerte, causas básicas de muerte, causas de muerte intermedias y causas de muerte contribuyentes. Se definió la coincidencia total de ambos diagnósticos, coincidencia parcial, no coincidencia o discrepancia diagnóstica y datos insuficientes. Resultados: Las discrepancias diagnósticas de causa básica y directa de muerte son 46,2 % y 60,0 % del total de casos y 19,4 % y 64,5 % cuando la COVID-19 fue causa básica de muerte. Las elevadas cifras de discrepancias diagnósticas, se corresponden con las reportadas en estudios previos, tanto en diagnósticos clínicos como en los certificados médicos de defunción. Conclusiones: Existe elevadas cifras de discrepancias diagnósticas en los resultados de las autopsias con diagnósticos de COVID-19, comparadas con los certificados médicos de defunción.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest in the current century and the reason for numerous scientific works. In Cuba, the Temporary Group of Pathological Anatomy has been established to study the autopsies of those who died from COVID-19 (more than 400). The medical death certificates, documents of inestimable value, in Cuba are repaired according to the results of the autopsies, to raise their quality. Objectives: To evaluate the results of autopsies with COVID-19 diagnoses, compared to medical death certificates. Methods: The diagnoses of causes of death of 65 autopsies of the year 2020 were evaluated with their medical death certificates. The diagnoses were processed in the Automated System for the Registration and Control of Pathology. Direct causes of death, basic causes of death, intermediate causes of death, and contributing causes of death were analyzed. The total agreement of both diagnoses was defined, partial agreement, diagnostic mismatch or discrepancy, and insufficient data. Results: Diagnostic discrepancies of basic and direct cause of death are 46.2 % and 60.0 % of all cases and 19.4 % and 64.5 % when COVID-19 was basic cause of death. The high figures for diagnostic discrepancies correspond to those reported in previous studies, both in clinical diagnoses and in medical death certificates. Conclusions: There are high numbers of diagnostic discrepancies compared with the results of autopsies with COVID-19 diagnoses, compared to medical death certificates.

CracidMex1: a comprehensive database of global occurrences of cracids (Aves, Galliformes) with distribution in Mexico.

Cracids are among the most vulnerable groups of Neotropical birds. Almost half of the species of this family are included in a conservation risk category. Twelve taxa occur in Mexico, six of which are considered at risk at national level and two are globally endangered. Therefore, it is imperative that high quality, comprehensive, and high-resolution spatial data on the occurrence of these taxa are made available as a valuable tool in the process of defining appropriate management strategies for conservation at a local and global level. We constructed the CracidMex1 database by collating global records of all cracid taxa that occur in Mexico from available electronic databases, museum specimens, publications, "grey literature", and unpublished records. We generated a database with 23,896 clean, validated, and standardized geographic records. Database quality control was an iterative process that commenced with the consolidation and elimination of duplicate records, followed by the geo-referencing of records when necessary, and their taxonomic and geographic validation using GIS tools and expert knowledge. We followed the geo-referencing protocol proposed by the Mexican National Commission for the Use and Conservation of Biodiversity. We could not estimate the geographic coordinates of 981 records due to inconsistencies or lack of sufficient information in the description of the locality. Given that current records for most of the taxa have some degree of distributional bias, with redundancies at different spatial scales, the CracidMex1 database has allowed us to detect areas where more sampling effort is required to have a better representation of the global spatial occurrence of these cracids. We also found that particular attention needs to be given to taxa identification in those areas where congeners or conspecifics co-occur in order to avoid taxonomic uncertainty. The construction of the CracidMex1 database represents the first comprehensive research effort to compile current, available global geographic records for a group of cracids. The database can now be improved by continuous revision and addition of new records. The CracidMex1 database will provide high quality input data that could be used to generate species distribution models, to assess temporal changes in species distributions, to identify priority areas for research and conservation, and in the definition of management strategies for this bird group. This compilation exercise could be replicated for other cracid groups or regions to attain a better knowledge of the global occurrences of the species in this vulnerable bird family.

Discrepancia diagnóstica clínico-anatomopatológica de la diabetes mellitus como causa básica de muerte / Clinical and anatomopathological diagnostic discrepancy of diabetes mellitus as a basic cause of death

Introducción: el conocimiento acerca del grado de discrepancia del diagnóstico clínico corroborado por la necropsia, permitirá el mejoramiento del pensamiento clínico y de la calidad de la atención médica. Objetivos: determinar el nivel de discrepancia del diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus como causa básica de la muerte, según certificado médico de defunción, partiendo de las necropsias realizadas, así como determinar el nivel de contribución de las técnicas de recuperación estadística de los certificados médicos de defunción, en los que exista discrepancia clínico-anatomopatológica. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo, transversal en los fallecidos con diabetes mellitus, con necropsias realizadas, en hospitales de La Habana, en el año 2014 (n= 167). Resultados: el sexo y el grupo de edad más representado fueron: el femenino (106; 63,5 por ciento) y el de 60-79 años (93; 77,7 por ciento) respectivamente. Las causas directas de la muerte más frecuentes fueron el shock séptico (38; 22,7 por ciento), seguido del tromboembolismo pulmonar (27; 16,2 por ciento). La discrepancia entre el certificado médico de defunción y el resultado de la necropsia, en cuanto a la diabetes mellitus como causa básica de la muerte, fue de un 34,7 por ciento. El médico que más certificó la defunción fue el de guardia (138; 82,6 por ciento). De los 58 certificados médicos de defunción en los que no hubo discrepancia diagnóstica, el método de recuperación del diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus más frecuente fue el reparo (32; 52,6 por ciento), seguido del método de recodificación (26; 44,8 por ciento). Conclusiones: la discrepancia diagnóstica entre la causa directa de la muerte en el certificado médico de defunción y el resultado de la necropsia, de los fallecidos estudiados, presenta valores superiores al estándar propuesto(AU)

Introduction: the knowledge about the level of discrepancy of the clinical diagnosis corroborated by necropsy will allow improving the clinical thought and the quality of medical care. Objectives: to determine the level of discrepancy of the diabetes mellitus diagnosis as a basic cause of death, according to the medical death certificate, on the basis of performed necropsies, and to determine the level of contribution of statistical death certificate retrieval techniques when clinical and anatomopathological discrepancy exists. Methods: descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study of dead people with diabetes mellitus and performed necropsies in hospitals located in Havana in 2014 (n= 167). Results: the most representative sex and age group was females (106; 63.5 percent) and 50-79 y group (93; 77.7 percent), respectively. The most common direct causes of death were septic shock (38; 22.7 percent) followed by pulmonary thromboembolism (27; 16.2 percent). Discrepancy rate between the death certificate and the necropsy was 34.7 percent in terms of diabetes mellitus as the basic cause of death. The physician working in the emergency room was the one who gave the highest number of death certificates (138; 82.6 percent). In the 58 death certificates which showed no diagnostic discrepancies, the most frequent method of retrieval of diabetes mellitus diagnosis was the repair one (32; 52.6 percent), followed by the recoding method (26; 44.8 percent). Conclusions: diagnostic discrepancy between the direct cause of death written in the death certificate and the results of necropsy of the studied dead people showed some values higher than the suggested standard(AU)

Estudio preliminar sobre el tratamiento con hormona de crecimiento humana recombinante en el síndrome de Turner / Preliminary study on the recombinant human growth hormone treatment of Turner's syndrome

Introducción: los pacientes con síndrome de Turner presentan una monosomía parcial o total del gonosoma X, disgenesia gonadal, diversos rasgos físicos típicos, baja talla e infantilismo sexual. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del tratamiento con hormona de crecimiento recombinante sobre la talla en las pacientes con el diagnóstico clínico y cromosómico de síndrome de Turner. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo y retrospectivo a pacientes con síndrome de Turner atendidas en consultas externas en el Departamento de Endocrinología Pediátrica del Instituto Nacional de Endocrinología, desde mayo de 2003 hasta mayo de 2004. La muestra estuvo constituida por 19 niñas. Se confeccionaron dos grupos, uno con aquellas pacientes que recibieron tratamiento con hormona de crecimiento recombinante (n= 9) a una dosis de 0,14 UI/kg/día, administrada vía subcutánea entre las 8:30 y 9:30 pm, que se conoció como grupo A. El segundo quedó conformado con las pacientes que no recibieron dicha hormona (n= 10), denominado grupo B. Los datos necesarios para la investigación fueron obtenidos de la revisión de las historias clínicas. Resultados: un incremento de la talla en el grupo A, que inició el estudio con una talla basal media de 131,7 ± 7,5 cm, para alcanzar una talla media, después de un año de tratamiento, de 137,9 ± 7,1 cm, con una velocidad de crecimiento media en ese año de 6,2 ± 2,3 cm/año. La comparación de ambos grupos después de un año de estudio mostró diferencias significativas en la talla media al año (p= 0,0071) y la velocidad de crecimiento media al año (p= 0,0032). Conclusiones: el tratamiento con hormona de crecimiento recombinante durante el primer año resultó efectivo, al acelerar significativamente la velocidad de crecimiento en las niñas con síndrome de Turner. La ganancia de peso corporal resultó adecuada durante el periodo de estudio, pues se logró mantener una valoración nutricional estable sin modificaciones en el canal percentilar. La inducción de la pubertad no cambió el pronóstico de la talla al final del estudio(AU)

Introduction: Turner's syndrome patients present with total or partial monosomy of X gonosome, general disgenesia, several typical physical traits, short height and sexual infantilism. Objective: to evaluate the effect of recombinant human growth hormone-based treatment on the height of patients clinically and chromosomally diagnosed as Turner's syndrome subjects. Methods: a retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in Turner's syndrome patients, who had been seen from May 2003 to May 2004 at the pediatric endocrinology department of the National Institute of Endocrinology. The sample was made up of 19 girls divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised patients who were treated with recombinant human growth hormone (n= 9) at a dose of 0.14 IU/kg/day subcutaneously administered from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Group B included the patients who did not receive this treatment (n= 10). The required data for the research stemmed from the medical history check-ups. Results: increase of the Group A patients' height, whose mean basal height at the beginning of the study was just 131.7 ± 7.5 cm and after one year of treatment, they reached 137.9 ± 7.1 cm, at a rate of average growth of 6.2 ± 2.3 cm/year. The comparison of both groups after one year showed significant differences in mean height (p= 0.0071) and mean growth a year (p= 0.0032). Conclusions: the treatment of these patients with the recombinant growth hormone during the first year was effective, since it markedly accelerated the rate of growth in girls with Turner's syndrome. The body weight gain proved to be adequate in the study period, because it managed to keep steady nutritional assessment without changes in the percentile canal. Inducement to puberty did not alter the final height prognosis at the end of the study(AU)

Estudio sobre noonatos ventilados en ciudad de la habana, 2004 / Study of newborns that required mechanical ventilation. Havana City, 2004

Un estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico se realizó en Ciudad de La Habana. Fueron estudiados un total de 241 recién nacidos, quienes recibieron ventilación mecánica en seis unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales entre enero y diciembre de 2004. Sólo 60 (24,8%) fallecieron. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la relación existente entre diferentes variables seleccionadas y la mortalidad de los recién nacidos ventilados. Se aplicó la prueba de x 2 (Ji Cuadrado), considerando significativo (p<0.01) y se calculó el exponencial de b como una medida del riesgo de fallecer. Las variables que guardaron relación con la mortalidad fueron la edad gestacional, el exceso de base y el empeoramiento de las funciones ventilatoria, hemodinámica, neurológica y renal. El recién nacido de muy bajo peso al nacer tuvo alta correlación con la mortalidad; 37 pacientes pesaron menos de 1500 gramos , 19 de ellos (51,3%) fallecieron. La mayor mortalidad se presentó en los que tuvieron hipertensión pulmonar persistente, 17 fallecidos de 40 (42,5%), mientras la hemorragia intraventricular tuvo una significativa mortalidad, 8 de 12 (66,6%) niños con hemorragia intraventricular grado III-IV fallecieron. Concluimos que los neonatos de muy bajo peso al nacer son los que presentan mayor riesgo de muerte, así como los que presentan disfunción multiorgánica.

A prospective and multicenter study was made in Havana city between January and December, 2004. Two hundred and forty-one newborns admitted to six intensive care units that required mechanical ventilation were enrolled. Only 60 babies died which represented 24,8%. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between different variable and mortality; we also wanted to evaluate the most common diseases that affected our ventilated patients. Very low birth weight was an important factor of neonatal mortality. Thirty seven neonates weighed less than 1500grams; 19 of them (51,3%) died. The great mortality was in those babies who suffered from persistent pulmonary hypertension; seventeen infants died out of 40 (42,5%) while intraventricular haemorrhage had a significant mortality; 8 of 12 (66,6%) infants with intraventricular haemorrhage grade III-IV died. We concluded that very low birth weight infants and those who suffered multiple organ dysfunctions had a significant mortality.

Sindrome de resuuesta inflamatoria sistemica en neonatos / The systemic inflammatory response syndrome in newborns

Un estudio observacional fue realizado durante 9 meses en el Hospital Materno Infantil 10 de Octubre, en Ciudad de La Habana, donde se incluyeron todos los pacientes que fueron ingresados en el Servicio de Neonatología en ese período. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el comportamiento del Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica (SIRS) en recién nacidos y evaluar los principales factores perinatales que se relacionaron con la mortalidad. La definición del SIRS fue modificada y también definimos el Síndrome de Disfunción Múltiple de Organos (MODS). Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados entre 24- 48 horas después de haber sido ingresados. Fueron clasificados 47 niños de 351 como SIRS (13,4%), así como 40 de 351 como MODS (11,4%). Mientras más órganos fueron afectados, la mortalidad fue más alta. Solamente 12 niños fallecieron, 10 de ellos con MODS (83,3%). Concluimos que aunque el SIRS y el MODS son difíciles de diagnosticar en el periodo neonatal, cuando los hallazgos clínicos de ambos síndromes estuvieron presentes, los pacientes tuvieron mayor mortalidad.

An observational study was made in "10 de October", Infant-Maternity Hospital, in Havana City. All patients admit ted in the Neonatology Service during 9 months were enrolled. The objective of this study was to determine the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in newborns and to evaluate perinatal factors in the mortality. The SIRS definition was modified as well as the multiple dysfunction syndrome (MODS). All patients were evaluated between 24-48 hours right after their admission, 47 babies out of 351 (13,4 %) were classified as SIRS, while 40 out of 351 (11,4 %) as MODS, the more organs affected, the higher the mortality rate was. We arrived to the conclusion that although SIRS and MODS were difficult to diagnose in this kind of patients, clinical findings showed that the mortality rate increased when both syndromes are present.

Comportamiento eel sindrome de disfuncion multile de organos en neonatos interrvenidos quirúrgicametee / The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in surgical newborns

Un estudio retrospectivo fue realizado en el Hospital William Soler en la Ciudad de La Habana durante 2 años. El objetivo fue evaluar el comportamiento del síndrome de disfunción múltiple de órganos (MODS) en neonatos tratados quirurgicamente.. Se seleccionaron 130 recién nacidos que requirieron intervención quirúrgica. Se definió el síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SIRS) y el MODS. Los pacientes fueron evaluados entre 24-48 horas del postoperatorio. La mayor mortalidad fue en aquellos niños diagnosticados con SIRS y MODS. Una baja proporción de niños, sólo 24 de 130 (18,5 %) se clasificaron como SIRS y 27 de 130 pacientes como MODS para 20,8 %. Fallecieron 16 pacientes de 130, lo que representó 12,3 %; pero 6 de ellos no tuvieron ni SIRS ni MODS, estos casos fallecieron tardíamente debido a síndrome de intestino corto, malnutrición y sepsis. Pudimos llegar a la conclusión de que cuando los niños presentaron SIRS o MODS en las primeras 48 horas del postoperatorio, la mortalidad fue más alta que cuando estas condiciones no estuvieron presentes.

A retrospective study was carried out in William Soler Hospital, in Havana City, during 2 years. Our main goal in doing this type of study was to evaluate the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in surgical newborns.This study involved 130 newborns who needed to undergo surgical procedures. We modified the definition of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and defined MODS as well. Patients were evaluated between 24-48 hours postoperative. A low proportion of infants, 24 out of 130 (18,5 %) were classified as SIRS, and 27 out of 130 (20,8 %) as MODS, only 16 patients died long after they were operated on due to other causes such as: short bowel syndrome, malnutrition and sepsis. We could finally conclude that Mortality rate increased a lot more when babies had suffered from SIRS and MODS rather than when these conditions were not present.