Caracterización de los pacientes con tinnitus y hallazgos audiométricos

Resumen Introducción: El tinnitus se define como la percepción consciente de un sonido, en ausencia de un estímulo acústico externo correspondiente. Se ha relacionado a múltiples comorbilidades como hipertensión arterial (HTA), diabetes mellitus (DM) e hipoacusia, sin evidencia sólida en la actualidad. Hay diversas formas de experimentar el tinnitus, ya sea de comienzo unilateral o bilateral, intermitente o persistente, con deterioro de la calidad de vida, leve hasta formas invalidantes. El conocer las diversas patologías presentes en el tinnitus, en especial la hipoacusia, toma relevancia al momento de enfrentar a pacientes con dicha patología. Objetivo: Caracterizar el tinnitus y sus principales hallazgos audiométricos en pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico Herminda Martín de Chillán, Chile. Material y Método: Estudio retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de tinnitus entre los años 2015-2017. Se obtuvo información epidemiológica, comorbilidades, presentación clínica del tinnitus en función de lateralidad y frecuencia, hipoacusia asociada y hallazgos audiométricos. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio a 249 pacientes, la mayoría mujeres (70%) con una edad promedio de inicio de su tinnitus entre 60-79 años (52%). Entre las principales comorbilidades se encuentran la hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus y patologías autoinmunes; los síntomas otorrinolaringológicos acompañantes estuvieron en menos del 10% de los casos. En relación a la caracterización del tinnitus, el 52% fue de inicio unilateral y el 66% de forma continua. La hipoacusia objetivada en el audiograma estuvo presente en el 43% de los pacientes con tinnitus. Conclusión: El tinnitus es una patología compleja y multifactorial, en este sentido, la presencia de hipoacusia objetiva en la audiometría estuvo presente en un 43% de los pacientes, siendo una de las principales causas a descartar por el médico en el primer enfrentamiento del paciente.

Abstract Introduction: tinnitus is defined as the conscious perception of a sound, in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus. It has been related to multiple comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, with no solid evidence at present. There are various ways to experience tinnitus, whether it is unilateral or bilateral, intermittent or persistent onset, from mild quality of life deterioration to disabling forms. Knowing the various pathologies present in tinnitus, especially hearing loss, becomes relevant when confronting patients with this pathology. Aim: To characterize tinnitus and its main audiometric findings in patients treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Herminda Martin of Chillán Clinical Hospital in Chile. Material and Method: Retrospective study. Patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of tinnitus between the years 2015-2017 were included. Epidemiological information, comorbidities, clinical presentation of tinnitus according to laterality and frequency, associated hearing loss and audiometric findings were obtained. Results: 249 patients were included. Most were women (70%), with an onset average age of tinnitus between 60 to 79 years (52%). The accompanying otorhinolaryngological symptoms were in less than 10% of the cases. The main comorbidities were high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and autoimmune pathologies. 52% of tinnitus was unilateral presentation and in 66% it was continuous. 43% had hypoacusis objectified on the audiogram, regardless of whether they had the sensation of hearing loss. Conclusion: Tinnitus is a complex and multifactorial pathology, in this sense, the presence of objective hearing loss in audiometry was present in 43% of patients, being one of the main causes to be ruled out by the doctor in the patient's first confrontation.

Descripción de los trastornos del equilibrio en la Unidad de Otoneurología del Hospital Clínico Herminda Martín / Description of balance disorders in the otoneurology unit of the Hospital Clinico Herminda Martin

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los trastornos del equilibrio constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de patologías. Son patologías frecuentes en medicina, representando una carga asistencial significativa en los distintos niveles de atención. En ese sentido, los estudios de frecuencia son una herramienta para entender patrones de enfermedad, como también la evaluación y planificación de una red asistencial. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo transversal sobre pacientes que asistieron al policlínico de otoneurología del Hospital Clínico Herminda Martin con motivo de consulta síntomas vestibulares durante el año 2018. Resultados: 183 pacientes cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, 78% (n=143) del sexo femenino y 22% (n=40) del masculino. Con una edad promedio de 58 años. El diagnóstico otoneurológico más frecuente fue vértigo posicional paroxístico benigno 34,97% (n=64), seguido de migraña vestibular 7,1% (n=13), enfermedad de Ménière 5,46% (n=10) y neuritis vestibular 4,37% (n=8). En 26,78% (n=49) no se logró un diagnóstico definitivo. Los trastornos de origen central representaron un 3,83% (n=7) y aquellos de origen no otoneurológico un 17,49% (n=32). Discusión: Los datos de frecuencia de los distintos trastornos del equilibrio registrados en el policlínico de otoneurología del Hospital Clínico Herminda Martin, son similares a la literatura internacional. Los trastornos vestibulares periféricos son los más frecuentes, de los cuales destaca el vértigo posicional paroxístico benigno representando el 34,97% del total de casos. Dentro de las causas otoneurológicas, la migraña vestibular fue la segunda causa en nuestro medio con un 7,1% del total de casos.

INTRODUCTION: Balance disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases. They are a frequent medical condition, representing a significant healthcare burden at the different levels of care. Thus, frequency studies are a tool to understand disease patterns, as well as the evaluation and planning of a healthcare network. Material and method: Cross-sectional study of patients who attended the otoneurology out-patient clinic of the Hospital Clinico Herminda Martin with chief complaint of vestibular symptoms during 2018. Results: 183 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 143 (78%) were female and 40 (22%) male. With an average age of 58 years. The most frequent otoneurological diagnosis was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo 34.97% (n=64), followed by vestibular migraine 7.1% (n=13), Ménière's disease 5.46% (n=10) and vestibular neuritis 4.37% (n=8). In 26.78% (n=49) a definitive diagnosis was not achieved. Disorders of central origin represented 3.83% (n=7) and non-otoneurological origin 17.49% (n=32). Discussion: The frequency data of the balance disorders registered in the otoneurology out-patient clinic are similar to the international literature, peripheral vestibular disorders are the most frequent, of which benign paroxysmal positional vertigo stands out, representing 34.97% of the total cases. Among the otoneurological causes, vestibular migraine was the second cause in our study with 7.1% of the total cases

Crescendo, diminuendo and subito of the trumpets: winds of change in the concerted evolution between flowers and pollinators in Salpichroa (Solanaceae).

'Gradual' vs 'punctuated' and 'unidirectional' (only lengthening) vs. 'bidirectional'(lengthenings and shortenings) modes of evolution are explanations that compete to explain adaptive changes of flower tube length in angiosperm. The nightshade genus Salpichroa Miers, with 21 species mostly growing in the tropical Andes of southern South America, has the opportune qualities of including nearly 15-fold inter-specific variation in corolla tube length, as well as one species that is a candidate for participating in evolutionary escalation with the longest-billed hummingbird, Ensifera ensifera. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships using five molecular markers, the two plastid markers trnD-trnT and trnL, and three nuclear markers, ITS and two COSII, and estimated divergence times of the genus in order to reconstruct the history of both corolla tube length and pollination mode (i.e. hummingbirds, moths or multiple). We used comparative methods to determine whether corolla tube elongation/shortening is associated with shifts in pollination mode and to test, modes and rates of corolla tube change. We found evidence of both lengthening and shortening of corolla tubes. Evolutionary rates are consistent with rapid corolla tube length transitions that are only partly associated with shifts in pollination mode. Though 'punctuated' evolution (i.e. large changes predominantly at speciation events) explained corolla changes in the whole genus, 'gradual' evolution (i.e. gradual changes during a coevolutionary race with the same pollinator) was a better explanation for the change in the long-flowered clade, mostly pollinated by hummingbirds.

Carcinoma de células escamosas primario del páncreas / Squamous cell carcinoma primary of the pancreas

Background: Squamous cells are usually not present in the pancreas. Therefore, primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas (SCCP) is an extremely rare tumor. Case report: We report two cases of SCCP. Case 1: A 77 years-old woman was admitted for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. MDCT scan and endoscopic biopsy showed a carcinoma of the pancreatic head. She underwent a Whipple procedure and definitive biopsy revealed a SCCP. She died 9 years after surgery due to an unrelated disease. To our knowledge, this is the longest survival reported. Case 2: A 63 years-old man was admitted for jaundice. Work-up revealed a pancreatic head mass and liver metastasis. He underwent a palliative double bypass surgery and chemotherapy. Intraoperative biopsy revealed a SCCP. The patient is still alive at 8 months follow-up. Conclusion: Differential diagnoses of pancreatic cancer include SCCP. Long-term survival can be achieved if an early diagnosis and treatment are performed.

Introducción: Las células escamosas habitualmente no están presentes en el páncreas. Por lo tanto, el carcinoma de células escamosas primario del páncreas (CCEP) es un tumor extremadamente raro. Caso clínico: Presentamos dos casos de CCEP. Caso 1 : Una paciente de 77 años consulta por hemorragia digestiva alta. El estudio con tomografía computada de abdomen y biopsias endoscópicas revelaron un carcinoma de la cabeza pancreática. Se realiza operación de Whipple con intención curativa y la biopsia definitiva fue diagnóstica de un CCEP. La paciente fallece 9 años después de la cirugía debido a una enfermedad no relacionada, siendo actualmente la mayor sobrevida reportada en la literatura. Caso 2: Un hombre de 63 años consulta por ictericia y dolor abdominal. El estudio con imágenes revela una masa en la cabeza pancreática en conjunto con múltiples metástasis hepáticas. Se realiza una doble derivación biliar y digestiva con intención paliativa, junto con quimioterapia. Las biopsias intraoperatorias revelaron un CCEP. El paciente permanece vivo a los 8 meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico diferencial del cáncer pancreático incluye el CCEP. Es posible lograr sobrevida a largo plazo en caso de diagnóstico y tratamiento en forma oportuna.

Hernioplastía ventral laparoscópica / Laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias

Background: Ventral hernias are defects of the anterior abdominal wall, the laparoscopic repair has shown some advantages compared to open repair. Aim: To evaluate perioperative outcomes of the laparoscopic ventral hernia repair and to describe risk factors associated to recurrence. Methods: Non-concurrent prospective cohort study, clinical data of all patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair between June 2006 and May 2013 were reviewed. Univariate analyses were performed using chi-square for categorical variables and U Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. Multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. Results: 127 patients underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia, 52 percent female, age of 58.1 +/- 1.2 years old. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 31 +/- 0.5 kg/m² and 67.7 percent were incisional hernias. Median operative time was 80 minutes (ranging from 30-350) and the median defect size was 6 cm (ranging from 2-20). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 4 cases (3.9 percent). Median of hospital stay was 2 days (ranging from 1-15). Recurrence rate was 14.2 percent and the median to recurrence was 9 months. Recurrence rate was associated positively to defect size > 10 cm (p = 0.002), previous recurrence (p = 0.029) and operative time > 90 minutes (p = 0.017) in the univariate analyses. However, it was only associated to the first two in the multivariate analysis (OR 3.906; IC 1.734-13.058 y OR 5.93; IC 1.546-22.976, respectively). Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia is a safe procedure with acceptable perioperative complication rates. Defect size and previous recurrence are associated to a higher recurrence rate.

Introducción: Las hernias ventrales son defectos de la pared abdominal, su reparación laparoscópica ha demostrado ventajas frente a la cirugía abierta. Objetivo: Mostrar nuestra experiencia en reparación laparoscópica de hernias ventrales y describir factores asociados a recidiva. Material y Método: Estudio prospectivo de cohorte no concurrente, revisión de registros clínicos de pacientes sometidos a hernioplastía ventral laparoscópica entre junio de 2006 y mayo de 2013. Registro de variables demográficas, perioperatorias y recidiva. Búsqueda de asociaciones entre variables y recidiva mediante análisis univariado, las que se ajustan usando un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: Se analizan 127 pacientes, 52 por ciento mujeres, promedio de edad de 58,1 +/- 1,2 años e índice de masa corporal (IMC) de 31 +/- 0,5 kg/m². 67,7 por ciento fueron hernias incisionales, con una mediana de diámetro del defecto reparado de 6 cm (rango 2-20) y de tiempo operatorio de 80 min (rango 30-350). 4 casos (3,9 por ciento) fueron convertidos a cirugía abierta. La mediana de tiempo de hospitalización fue 2 días (rango 1-15). 14,2 por ciento de los casos presentaron recidiva. En el análisis univariado, el diámetro de defecto mayor a 10 cm (p = 0,002), antecedentes de recidiva herniaria (p = 0,029) y un tiempo quirúrgico mayor a 90 min (p = 0,017) se asociaron a recidiva. Posterior al análisis multivariado sólo los dos primeros mantuvieron su asociación (p = 0,01 y p = 0,03 respectivamente). Conclusión: La hernioplastía ventral laparoscópica es una técnica segura, con baja morbilidad. En esta serie inicial, el antecedente de recidiva y defectos mayores a 10 cm se asocian a mayor recidiva herniaria.

Herd-level prevalence of Map infection in dairy herds of southern Chile determined by culture of environmental fecal samples and bulk-tank milk qPCR.

Paratuberculosis, an infectious disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is an economically important disease in dairy herds worldwide. In Chile the disease has been reported in domestic and wildlife animals. However, accurate and updated estimations of the herd-prevalence in cattle at national or regional level are not available. The objectives of this study were to determine the herd-level prevalence of dairy herds with Map infected animals of Southern Chile, based on two diagnostic tests: culture of environmental fecal samples and bulk-tank milk qPCR. Two composite environmental fecal samples and one bulk-tank milk sample were collected during September 2010 and September 2011 from 150 dairy farms in Southern Chile. Isolation of Map from environmental fecal samples was done by culture of decontaminated samples on a commercial Herrold's Egg Yolk Medium (HEYM) with and without mycobactin J. Suspicious colonies were confirmed to be Map by conventional IS900 PCR. Map detection in bulk-tank milk samples was done by real time IS900 PCR assay. PCR-confirmed Map was isolated from 58 (19.3%) of 300 environmental fecal samples. Holding pens and manure storage lagoons were the two more frequent sites found positive for Map, representing 35% and 33% of total positive samples, respectively. However, parlor exits and cow alleyways were the two sites with the highest proportion of positive samples (40% and 32%, respectively). Herd prevalence based on environmental fecal culture was 27% (true prevalence 44%) compared to 49% (true prevalence 87%) based on bulk-tank milk real time IS900 PC. In both cases herd prevalence was higher in large herds (>200 cows). These results confirm that Map infection is wide spread in dairy herds in Southern Chile with a rough herd-level prevalence of 28-100% depending on the herd size, and that IS900 PCR on bulk-tank milk samples is more sensitive than environmental fecal culture to detect Map-infected dairy herds.

A simplified chromatin dispersion (nuclear halo) assay for detecting DNA breakage induced by ionizing radiation and chemical agents.

Methods for visualizing DNA damage at the microscopic level are based on treatment of cell nuclei with saline or alkaline solutions. These procedures for achieving chromatin dispersion produce halos that surround the nuclear remnants. We improved the fast halo assay for visualizing DNA breakage in cultured cells to create a simplified method for detection and quantitative evaluation of DNA breakage. Nucleated erythrocytes from chicken blood were selected as a model test system to analyze the production of nuclear halos after treatment with X-rays or H(2)O(2). After staining with ethidium bromide or Wright's methylene blue-eosin solution, nuclear halos were easily observed by fluorescence or bright-field microscopy, respectively, which permits rapid visualization of DNA breakage in damaged cells. By using image processing and analysis with the public domain ImageJ software, X-ray dose and H(2)O(2) concentration could be correlated well with the size of nuclear halos and the halo:nucleus ratio. Our results indicate that this simplified nuclear halo assay can be used as a rapid, reliable and inexpensive procedure to detect and quantify DNA breakage induced by ionizing radiation and chemical agents. A mechanistic model to explain the differences between the formation of saline or alkaline halos also is suggested.

Individual Mycobacterium tuberculosis universal stress protein homologues are dispensable in vitro.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis has 10 universal stress proteins, whose function is unknown. However, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses have shown that a number of usp genes are significantly upregulated under hypoxic conditions and in response to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, as well as during M. tuberculosis infection of macrophage cell lines. Six of these USPs are part of the DosR regulon and this, along with their expression pattern and the phenotypes of usp mutants in other bacterial species, suggests a potential role in the persistence and/or intracellular survival of Mtb. Knock-out mutants of individual usp genes encoding the USPs Rv1996, Rv2005c, Rv2026c and Rv2028c were generated and their growth and survival under hypoxic and other stress conditions examined. Although the majority of usp genes are highly induced in hypoxic conditions, mutation did not affect the long term survival of Mtb under these conditions, or in response to a range of stress conditions chosen to represent the environmental onslaughts experienced by the bacillus during an infection, nor during infection of mouse and human - derived macrophage cell lines. The possibility remains that these USPs are functionally redundant in Mtb.

First isolation of mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis from wild guanacos (Lama guanicoe) on Tierra del Fuego Island.

The aim of this study was to search for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) infection in a free-ranging wild animal species in a region where Johnes's disease has yet to be reported and to classify Map isolates using a genomic typing method. Fecal samples were obtained from 501 wild guanacos (Lama guanicoe) from Tierra del Fuego Island, Chile, in August 2006. Samples were cultured using Herrold's egg yolk medium with and without mycobactin J. After 9 mo of incubation, suspected Map colonies showing mycobactin dependence were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on IS900 and F57. Isolates were further tested using IS1311 PCR with restriction endonuclease analysis in order to type the guanaco Map strains. Twenty-one of 501 (4.2%) animals were fecal culture-positive for Map; identity was confirmed by real-time PCR and isolates were classified as cattle-type. Most culture-positive animals were located in four contiguous geographic areas, and the infection was most commonly found among adult animals. Prevalence was higher in females (5.9%) than males (3.1%) but the difference was not statistically significant. This represents the first isolation of Map from a free-ranging wildlife species in Chile. It expands the geographic range of paratuberculosis and the diversity of wildlife species that can become infected with Map.

Consulta dermatológica en el Servicio de Urgencia del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile durante los meses de julio y diciembre del año 2005 / Dermatological consultations at the Emergency Service of the Hospital Clinico of Universidad de Chile during July and December, 2005

La patología dermatológica es una causa relativamente infrecuente de consulta en los Servicios de Urgencia a nivel mundial. Quizás es por ello que sus características han sido poco descritas en la literatura. Con el objetivo de conocer un poco más acerca de este tema, realizamos un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de las consultas dermatológicas realizadas tanto por adultos como por niños al Servicio de Urgencia del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile durante julio y diciembre de 2005, meses representativos de invierno y verano, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que las causas dermatológicas representan alrededor del 5 por ciento del total de consultas realizadas al Servicio de Urgencia. Sin embargo, esta cifra no es igual en ambos meses, ya que corroboramos un aumento porcentual significativo de las consultas por patología cutánea durante el mes de diciembre. De igual forma, observamos que la proporción de consultas de urgencias atribuibles a una causa dermatológica en pacientes pediátricos es mayor que la correspondiente a pacientes adultos. Por último, y en concordancia con lo reportado a nivel internacional, las etiologías infecciosas y alérgicas fueron las principales causas pesquisadas.

Dermatological pathology is a relatively infrequent cause of consultation in emergency services throughout the world. Perhaps this is why their characteristics have been poorly described in literature. In order to know a little more about this subject, we made a descriptive and retrospective study of the dermatological consultations made, by both adults and children, to the Clinical Hospital University of Chile Emergency Service during July and December, 2005, representative months of Winter and Summer, respectively. Results show that dermatological causes represent approximately 5 percent of all consultations made to the Emergency Service. Nevertheless, this number is not equal in both months, since we corroborated a significant percentage increase of consultations for cutaneous pathology during the month of December. Similarly, we observed that the proportion of emergency consultations attributable to a dermatological cause in pediatric patients is greater than that corresponding to adult patients. Finally and in agreement with international literature, infectious and allergic etiologies were the main causes found.

Experiencia de cirugía laparoscópica en masas anexiales en el Hospital Regional Temuco, Chile / Experience of laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses in the Temuco regional hospital in Chile

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has clear advantages over open surgical procedures. In gynecology, laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses in pre or post menopausal women has been used for several years. Aim: To report the experience with gynecologic laparoscopic surgery at the Temuco Regional Hospital. Patients and methods: Between 1996 and 1998, laparoscopic surgery was done in 96 patients aged 16 to 56 years and open surgery in 56 patients aged 15 to 74 years, with a clinical or ultrasound diagnosis of adnexal masses or ovarian dermoid cysts. Results: The most frequent tumors excised were epithelial and germinal cell. Laparoscopic surgery required a mean operative time of 69.9 min and it had a 3.1 percent of complications. Women subjected to this type of surgery had a mean hospital stay of 3.1 days and the mean postoperative stay was 2 days. Open surgery required an operative time of 69 min and it had no postoperative complications. The mean hospital stay for women subjected to this type of procedure was 9.5 days. Conclusions: Women subjected to laparoscopic surgical procedures for adnexal masses had a shorter hospital stay than women subjected to open surgical procedures

Microbiological contamination of Araucanian and North Patagonian lakes. 10th Region. Chile.

The microbiological distribution in two lakes from the Xth Region of Chile is studied. In the Lake Ranco (Araucanian), the viable counts were high and ranged from 20 to 1050 CFU/ml. The numbers of total coliforms were high, with densities between 9 and 842 CFU/100 ml. The predominant bacterial flora in the water were Enterobacteriaceae (34.0%). In the sediment the bacterial densities were always higher. Sulphate-reducing bacteria were detected in the sediments. The Lake Yelcho (Nordpatagonic), presented a very high count in relation with its oligotrophic state. In some places there were fecal coliforms. The predominant bacterial flora in the water samples corresponded to Flavobacterium-Flexibacter (26.4%) and Pseudomonas (22.0%). In the sediment the higher viable counts and total coliforms were obtained in sites adjacent to a salmon farm; the MPN of sulphate-reducing bacteria was 29500 bacteria/100g.

Estudio transversal de prevalencia de síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico en una población universitaria / Transversal study of gastroesophageal reflux symtoms prevalence in a universitary population

El reflujo gastroesofágico es una condición, que en ocasiones se comporta como una entidad nosológica. La prevalencia de manifestaciones clínicas en la población es aparentemente alta, sin embargo, existen pocos estudios al respecto. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la prevalencia de algunos síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico en una población de estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Temuco. Para tal efecto, se diseño un estudio de corte transversal, para determinar la prevalencia de los siguientes síntomas: pirosis, regurgitación, disfagia y disfonía. La población blanco fueron los estudiantes de la carrera de medicina de la Universidad de la Frontera, de cuya totalidad se obtuvo la muestra estudiada. El cálculo del tamaño muestral se realizó en base a un nivel de confianza de 95 por ciento, sobre una prevalencia estimada previamente en 30 por ciento. Los síntomas fueron pesquisados a través de un cuestionario. Este, fue validado contra la opinión de un grupo de expertos en forma ciega. El análisis estadístico se realizó ajustando sexo y edad (menores y mayores de 23 años), para lo cual se utilizó tablas de contingencia y el estadígrafo X2 Pearson. Se estudiaron 96 sujetos (36 por ciento del total), 52 hombres (54 porr ciento) y 44 mujeres (46 por ciento), con una edad de 22,3 años (18-29 años). El 38 por ciento de los sujetos encuestados reportó pirosis, el 55 por ciento regurgitación, el 5 por ciento disfagia y un 10 por ciento disfonía matinal. Por otro lado, el 28 por ciento de los encuestados sintomáticos, afirmaron utilizar en forma habitual antiácidos y/o bloqueadores H2 para el control de sus síntomas. Al ajustar por edad y sexo, se constató que en general, los síntomas son más frecuentes en los hombres, pero el consumo de medicamentos en las mujeres (p < 0,05). Existe una elevada prevalencia de síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico en la población estudiada. Se reporta una mayor prevalencia de la regurgitación que de pirosis. Un alto porcentaje de esta población consume medicación para el control de sus síntomas