Abordaje de la esteatosis hepática en atención primaria / Approach to hepatic steatosis in primary care

Desde fines de 2023, la denominación hígado graso no alcohólico cambió por esteatosis hepática asociada a disfunción metabólica (MASLD, por sus iniciales en inglés), ya que el nombre anterior era considerado estigmatizante para los pacientes. No está recomendado rastrear esta entidad en la población general. Sin embargo, si por algún motivo se solicitó una ecografía y esta informa esteatosis hepática, se recomienda evaluar el riesgo de progresión a fibrosis hepática mediante el puntaje FIB-4. Los pacientes con puntaje mayor a 1,3 requieren mayor evaluación y se les solicita una elastografía transicional (Fibroscan®). El tratamiento de esta entidad apunta, en general, al descenso de peso mediante la actividad física y la dieta hipocalórica. (AU)

Since the end of 2023, the name non-alcoholic fatty liver has been changed to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), as the former denomination was considered stigmatizing for patients. It is not recommended to screen for this entity in the general population. However, if for some reason an ultrasound was performed and it reports hepatic steatosis, it is recommended to evaluate the risk of progression to liver fibrosis using the FIB-4 score. Patients with a score greater than 1.3 require further evaluation, and a transient elastography (FibroScan®) is requested. Treatment in general aims at weight loss through physical activity and a low-calorie diet. (AU)

Changes in alcohol beliefs mediate the effects of a school-based prevention program on alcohol use among Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of the #Tamojunto2.0 program that mediated the prevention of lifetime alcohol and drug use, including drug knowledge, behavioral beliefs, attitudes, decision-making skills, and refusal skills. METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 73 public middle schools in three Brazilian cities. The sample included 5208 students (49.4 % girls; Mage = 13.2 years). The intervention group attended twelve #Tamojunto2.0 lessons conducted by their previously trained teachers. The control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected pre-intervention and at the 9-months follow-up. We performed multiple mediation models (for the whole sample, users, and non-users) with a post-estimation adjustment to standard errors to account for nesting. We analyzed all available mediators simultaneously according to each drug: alcohol, binge drinking, tobacco, marijuana, and inhalant lifetime use. To handle missing data, we used the "full-information maximum-likelihood" paradigm. RESULTS: Outcomes in the whole sample and among non-users showed that #Tamojunto2.0 indirectly prevented lifetime alcohol use and binge drinking by increasing negative and non-positive alcohol beliefs. Only the direct effect on decreasing lifetime alcohol consumption was statistically significant. However, an indirect increase in binge drinking was observed through knowledge about alcohol, but the direct effect was not statistically significant. No effects were reported for marijuana, tobacco, or inhalants. Among users, no statistically significant effects were found for alcohol or drug use. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the #Tamojunto2.0 program was only effective in delaying alcohol consumption via increasing negative and non-positive alcohol beliefs. It seems that mediating mechanisms vary depending on contextual characteristics, differences in socializing among adolescents, features of the educational systems, psychosocial conditions, or, fidelity issues of program implementation.

Seguimiento domiciliario de mujeres con consumo problemático de sustancias durante el puerperio y los primeros años de crianza / Home follow-up of women with substance abuse during the puerperium and early years of parenting

El consumo problemático de sustancias es una problemática de abordaje complejo que afecta no sólo la salud individual, también tiene una repercusión a nivel poblacional, y el estigma social del consumo durante el embarazo y el puerperio hace que la aproximación a las pacientes que lo padecen sea aún más difícil. En este artículo la autora realiza una búsqueda bibliográfica acerca de los potenciales beneficios de las estrategias orientadas al seguimiento domiciliario de mujeres puérperas con consumo problemático y sus hijos/as a partir de una consulta en un centro periférico de salud. (AU)

Problematic substance use is a problem of complex approach that affects not only individual health, but also has repercussions at a population level, and the social stigma of substance abuse during pregnancy and puerperium makes the approach to patients who suffer from it even more difficult. In this article, the author conducts a literature search on the potential benefits of strategies aimed at home follow-up of postpartum women with problematic substance use and their children based on a consultation in a peripheral health center. (AU)

Transition from nonuse to use of alcohol or binge drinking among adolescents: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictors of the transition from nonuse of alcohol to the first use of alcohol and the first episode of binge drinking. METHODS: Data were drawn from a randomized controlled trial conducted with seventh- and eighth-grade students from 72 public schools over a 21-month period in six cities in Brazil. A total of 3298 students who reported that they had never consumed alcoholic beverages and had never engaged in binge drinking at baseline were included in this study. The two binary outcomes were tested concomitantly via structural equation modeling. Maximum likelihood estimates for logistic regression models were performed to evaluate how baseline data regarding risk factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics (socioeconomic status, gender, and age), school experiences (violence and perception of academic performance), and social variables (family and friends), affected the initiation of alcohol use and binge drinking at 9- and 21-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS: Older age, the perpetration of violent behaviors at baseline and the absence of the father living with the adolescent were predictors of both alcohol use initiation and binge drinking initiation. The #Tamojunto program showed iatrogenic effect for first alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the need to develop and implement effective alcohol prevention programs that consider the main characteristics in the prediction model for alcohol consumption and binge drinking, including early intervention for aggressive behaviors at school and parental alcohol use.

Enhanced Enforcement of Laws to Reduce Alcohol Overservice Among Licensed Establishments in New Mexico, 2004-2008.

Limited information exists about the effectiveness of interventions to enforce laws prohibiting alcohol sales to intoxicated patrons in licensed establishments. New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were used to evaluate an intervention on binge drinking intensity in licensed (eg, bars) versus unlicensed (eg, homes) locations. The proportion of binge drinkers in licensed locations who consumed 8 or more drinks on a binge drinking occasion decreased from 42.1% in 2004-2005 to 22.6% in 2007-2008 (adjusted odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9), while the proportion in unlicensed locations was essentially unchanged. Enhanced enforcement of overservice laws may reduce excessive drinking in licensed establishments.

Effectiveness of a web-based intervention in reducing binge drinking among nightclub patrons.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based intervention in reducing binge drinking among nightclub patrons after six months. METHODS We carried out a website survey with probabilistic sample in 31 nightclubs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, which originated a randomized controlled trial with 1,057 participants. Those classified as problem drinkers (n = 465) using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were randomized into two study groups - intervention and control. The web-based intervention consisted of exposing the participants to a normative feedback screen about their alcohol consumption, characterizing the risks associated with amount consumed, money spent on drinks, drinking and driving, risk classification of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and tips to reduce damage. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in the practice of binge drinking in the week estimated at 38% among participants in the intervention group after six months (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant reduction in the outcomes when we analyzed the intervention and control groups and at baseline and after sixth months, simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS We cannot conclude that digital tools reduce the pattern of binge drinking among party goers in São Paulo. More studies are needed with this methodology because of its attractiveness to this type of group, given the privacy and speed that personalized information is transmitted.

Effectiveness of a web-based intervention in reducing binge drinking among nightclub patrons / Efetividade de uma intervenção digital na diminuição da prática de binge drinking entre frequentadores de baladas

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based intervention in reducing binge drinking among nightclub patrons after six months. METHODS We carried out a website survey with probabilistic sample in 31 nightclubs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, which originated a randomized controlled trial with 1,057 participants. Those classified as problem drinkers (n = 465) using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were randomized into two study groups - intervention and control. The web-based intervention consisted of exposing the participants to a normative feedback screen about their alcohol consumption, characterizing the risks associated with amount consumed, money spent on drinks, drinking and driving, risk classification of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and tips to reduce damage. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in the practice of binge drinking in the week estimated at 38% among participants in the intervention group after six months (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant reduction in the outcomes when we analyzed the intervention and control groups and at baseline and after sixth months, simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS We cannot conclude that digital tools reduce the pattern of binge drinking among party goers in São Paulo. More studies are needed with this methodology because of its attractiveness to this type of group, given the privacy and speed that personalized information is transmitted.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar, após seis meses, a efetividade de uma intervenção digital na diminuição da prática de binge drinking entre frequentadores de baladas. MÉTODOS Foi realizado um inquérito de portal através de uma amostra probabilística em 31 baladas da cidade de São Paulo, a qual originou um ensaio controlado randomizado com 1.057 participantes. Aqueles classificados como uso problemático do álcool (n = 465) através do Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test foram randomizados em dois grupos de estudo - intervenção e controle. A intervenção digital consistiu em expor os participantes a uma tela de feedback normativo sobre seu consumo de álcool, caracterizando os riscos associados à quantidade consumida, valores gastos com bebidas, beber e dirigir, classificação do risco do Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test e dicas de redução de danos. RESULTADOS Houve uma redução significativa da prática de binge drinking na semana estimada em 38% entre os participantes do grupo intervenção após seis meses (p < 0,05). Porém, não houve redução significativa nos desfechos quando se analisam os grupos intervenção e controle e os tempos início e seis meses após, simultaneamente. CONCLUSÕES Não se pode concluir que as ferramentas digitais reduzem o padrão de binge drinking nos frequentadores de baladas paulistanas. São necessários mais estudos com esta metodologia devido ao caráter atrativo para esse grupo, tendo em vista a privacidade e a rapidez que as informações personalizadas são transmitidas.

Differences by gender at twelve months in a brief intervention trial among Mexican-origin young adults in the emergency department.

In this study, we investigate the role of gender in prevalence and consequences of binge drinking and brief intervention outcomes among Mexican-origin young adults aged 18-30 years at the U.S.-Mexico border. We conducted a secondary analysis, stratified by gender, from a randomized controlled trial of a brief motivational intervention in a hospital emergency department. Intervention effects for males included reductions in drinking frequency, binge drinking, and alcohol-related consequences. For females the intervention was associated with reduction in drinking frequency and binge drinking but did not have a significant effect on alcohol-related consequences. Results suggest a new direction for tailoring interventions to gender.

Alcohol use and church attendance among seventh through twelfth grade students, Dominican Republic, 2011.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the years of life lost to premature death and disability worldwide. Religion is a mitigating factor in alcohol consumption. A survey in the Dominican Republic showed increasing church attendance by middle and high school students (N = 3,478) was associated with a delay in age at first alcoholic drink, fewer students who had consumed alcohol in the past month (current drinkers), lower alcohol consumption levels, fewer episodes of inebriation, and less heavy episodic alcohol consumption (all P < 0.0001). The results suggested that it may be useful to conceive of church-attending youth as a subset of the adolescent social network when planning primary alcohol prevention programs for young people.

Heavy episodic drinking and soccer practice among high school students in Brazil: the contextual aspects of this relationship.

BACKGROUND: Heavy episodic drinking (HED) (consumption of five or more drinks on the same occasion) among adolescents is related to several problems and partaking in sport or physical activities has been suggested as an option to prevent or reduce alcohol consumption among this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between soccer practice and heavy episodic drinking among high school students from Brazil. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of public and private high school students from all Brazilian state capitals (N=19,132). Only students aged from 14 to 18 who reported having taken part in soccer practice, other team sports or non-practicing sports in the last month were included. Characteristics of sport practice (frequency and motivation) and HED in the last month (type of drink; where and with whom they drank; frequency of HED) were also considered. Regression models were controlled for sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: For all groups studied most of the students reported drinking beer, with friends and at nightclubs or bars. Soccer practice was associated to HED when compared to non-practicing sports and to other team sports. Compared to other team sports, playing soccer for pleasure or profession, but not for keep fit or health reasons, were more associated to HED. Frequency of soccer practice from 1 to 5 days per month and 20 or more days per month, but not from 6 to 19 days per month, were also more associated to HED. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between soccer and HED appears to be particularly stronger than in other team sports among adolescents in Brazil. Induced sociability of team sports practice cannot be assumed as the main reason for HED among soccer players. Possibly these results reflect the importance of a strong cultural association between soccer and beer in Brazil and these findings should be integrated to future prevention or intervention programs.