Pesticide use patterns and their association with cytokine levels in Mexican flower workers.

OBJECTIVE: Occupational exposure to pesticides is a known risk for disrupting cellular immune response in flower workers due to their use of multiple chemical products, poor work conditions, and inadequate protection. Recently, the analysis of pesticide use patterns has emerged as an alternative to studying exposure to mixtures of these products. This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to different patterns of pesticide use and the cytokine profile of flower workers in the State of Mexico and Morelos, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a population of 108 flower workers. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 cytokines were analyzed by means of multiplex analysis, and TNF-α and IFN-γ using an ELISA test. Pesticide use patterns were generated by principal components analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that certain patterns of pesticide use, combining insecticides and fungicides, were associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that pesticides may possess immunotoxic properties, contributing to increased inflammatory response. However, further comprehensive epidemiological studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.

Effects of the endocrine disruptor 4-nonylphenol on the demography of rotifers Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis: a multigenerational study.

The emerging contaminant 4-nonylphenol is an active ingredient in many surfactants. Though 4-nonylphenol has been reported in Mexican waterbodies, no stringent law is available to establish its permissible limits. Most ecotoxicological assays using zooplankton species are based on previously unexposed populations, and multigenerational experiments are rare. Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis are widely distributed species in Mexico and have been used in ecotoxicological assessments. In this work, the median lethal concentration of 4-nonylphenol (LC50, 24 h) for both rotifer species was derived. Based on our acute toxicity data (24 h LC50 of 4-nonylphenol for P. patulus and B. havanaensis were 500 and 250 µg L-1, respectively), three sublethal concentrations (µg L-1) (7.81, 15.82 and 31.25 for B. havanaensis and 15.62, 31.25 and 62.5 for P. patulus) were used in the life table demography tests for two successive generations (F0 and F1) of either rotifer species. Regardless of the concentrations used, 4-nonylphenol had an adverse effect on both rotifer species over two successive generations. P. patulus was more sensitive than B. havanaensis in chronic toxicity tests. F1 generation of both rotifer species was far more adversely affected than the F0 in all toxicant treatments.

Microalgae as biostimulants: a new approach in agriculture.

This review aims to elucidate the state of the art of microalgae-based biostimulants as a tool in agriculture by summarizing the biologically active compounds factors that influence the use of microalgae biostimulants and their application methods in the field. Additionally, we examined the factors that support the use of microalgal biostimulants to face abiotic and biotic stress in crop plants. The use of microalgae in crop production and the benefits of seed preparation, foliar application, soil drenching, and hydroponic treatments were discussed. Furthermore, the use of these biostimulants in crop plants and their multiple benefits such as, better rooting, higher crop, fruit yields, drought and salinity tolerance, photosynthetic activity and pathogen resistance was thoroughly presented. The present situation of microalgal biostimulants and their difficulties in the market was analyzed, as well as the perspectives of their use. However, data shows that microalgal derived biostimulants can be used as an alternative for the protection of crops and plant growth regulators and play a significant key role in increasing the levels of production, yield and health of crops. Special interest needs to focus on investigating more microalgae species and their biological active compound factors, due to the largely untapped field. Perspectives regarding future research lines and development priorities were included.

Comunicación en el consultorio de medicina familiar: trabajo multicéntrico, cualitativo cuantitativo, en los meses de abril a julio de 2014, en Buenos Aires, Rosario y Tucumán / Communication in Family Medicine practice: multicenter research trial, qualitative and quantitative, from April to June 2014. in the City of Buenos Aires, Rosario and Tucumán

Introducción: la comunicación es trascendental para la vida en sociedad. El éxito de cualquier entrevista clínica depende de la calidad de la comunicación entre el médico y el paciente. Distintos factores pueden interferir en esta, como el ambiente, el tiempo y las interrupciones. Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de comprensión del mensaje transmitido por el médico hacia el paciente. Material y método: Trabajo multicéntrico, cualitativo cuantitativo. Componente cuantitativo: descriptivo de corte transversal de abril a julio de 2014. Se incluyeron 1200 adultos de ambos sexos, que asistieron a los Ce.M.A.P y 40 médicos de familia. Componente cualitativo: Muestreo no probabilístico, intencional, hasta saturación de datos. Triangulación y convergencia de datos. Resultados y discusión: Respecto al componente cuantitativo, se encontró que nuestras hipótesis acerca de la falta de comprensión del mensaje (indicaciones y problema de salud) no pudieron comprobarse. Ya que las indicaciones realizadas por el médico tuvieron una adecuación total del 60% y comprendieron el problema de salud un 77% de los pacientes entrevistados. Para el componente cualitativo luego del análisis temático se obtuvieron barreras (tiempo, paciente polidemandante, ideas previas, omisión de indicaciones no farmacológicas) y facilitadores (conocimiento previo del problema de salud, longitudinalidad, paciente acompañado) para la comprensión del mensaje. Conclusiones: Los pacientes entienden el mensaje de sus médicos de familia, ya que contamos con herramientas concretas como la escucha empática, el proceso clínico centrado en la persona y la longitudinalidad en la atención (AU)

Introduction: communication is important for life in a society. Success in any clinical interview depends on the quality of patient-doctor communication. Different factors may interfere, like the environment, time and interruptions. Objective: Asses the level of understanding of the message given to the patient by the doctor. Material and method: Multicenter research trial, qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative component: cross sectional descriptive from April to June 2014. 1200 adults of both sexes who assisted to the primary health care center: "Ce.M.A.P." in the City of Buenos Aires, Rosario and Tucumán and 40 family practitioners. Qualitative component: nonprobability, intentional sampling upon data saturation. Data triangulation and convergence. Results and discussion: as regards the quantitative component, we found out that our hypothesis in relation to the lack of understanding in the message (indications and health problem) could not be proven. Since 60% of the practitioner's indications were followed and 77% of the interviewed patients understood the health problem. Considering the qualitative component after the thematic analysis, barriers (time, highly demanding patient, previous knowledge, omission of non-pharmacological indications) and facilitators were obtained (previous knowledge of health problem, longitudinality, accompanied patient) to understand the message. Conclusion: patients understand their family practitioner's message since we have specific tools like empathic listening, patient centered healthcare and longitudinality in attention (AU)

Trophic overlap of lionfish (Pterois volitans) and two native predators (Lutjanus apodus and Cephalopholis cruentata) in the western Caribbean / Traslape trófico del pez león (Pterois volitans) y dos depredadores nativos (Lutjanus apodus y Cephalopholis cruentata) en el Caribe occidental

Abstract Impact of invasive species on native biota may be due to predation, competition for space or food, or indirect effects. Lionfish (Pterois volitans), invasive in the western Atlantic, is a voracious generalist predator, so it is expected to have a significant trophic overlap with native fishes of comparable size and habits. The goal of this study was to determine the diets of potential competitors of the lionfish, in particular a grouper, Cephalopholis cruentata (Graysby), and a snapper, Lutjanus apodus (Schoolmaster), and to compare them to the diet of lionfish in Xcalak, southern Mexican Caribbean. Stomach contents were analyzed and electivity and diet overlap were estimated. The trophic overlap between the lionfish and the two putative competitors, especially the grouper, was high, including prey that was consumed by the predators in higher proportion than the relative abundance of the prey in the environment, and probably at the same time of day. Lionfish and grouper shared as important diet items Stegastes sp., Halichoeres sp., Brachyura, and Palaemonidae, and most full stomachs were found during the early morning. The hypothesis of competition between them for particular prey is supported, so we advise to continue the culling programs of lionfish and also to monitor the abundance of the possible native competitors.

Resumo El impacto de las especies invasoras sobre la biota nativa puede deberse a depredación, competencia por espacio o alimento, o efectos indirectos. El pez león (Pterois volitans), invasor en el Atlántico occidental, es un voraz depredador generalista, de modo que se espera que tenga un notable sobrelape trófico con peces nativos de tamaño y hábitos comparables. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las dietas de competidores potenciales del pez león, en particular un mero, Cephalopholis cruentata (payaso), y un pargo, Lutjanus apodus (canchix), y compararlas con la dieta del pez león en Xcalak, sur del Caribe mexicano. Se analizaron los contenidos estomacales y se estimó la selectividad y el traslape de dietas. El traslape trófico entre el pez león y los dos posibles competidores, sobre todo el mero, fue amplio, incluidas presas consumidas por los depredadores en proporción mayor a la abundancia relativa de éstas en el ambiente, y probablemente a la misma hora del día. El león y el mero compartieron como presas importantes Stegastes sp., Halichoeres sp., Brachyura, y Palaemonidae, y la mayoría de los estómagos llenos se encontraron en horas tempranas de la mañana. Se apoya entonces la hipótesis de competencia entre ellos por presas específicas, de modo que recomendamos continuar el programa de extracción de pez león y también el monitoreo de la abundancia de los posibles competidores nativos.

Positive health beliefs are associated with improvement of glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Health beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient's behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between health beliefs and glycated hemoglobin levels in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, and 336 patients were included. Fasting blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol; triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were measured. Body fat percentage, weight, height; waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also obtained. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the health beliefs with regards to non-pharmacological treatment. Health beliefs were classified as positive, neutral, and negative. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 54.7 ± 8.5 years, with a higher proportion of females (69%). The questionnaire had a good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha score of 0.83. More than 90% of patients attributed a health benefit to diet and exercise, 30 to 40% experienced barriers, and more than 80% had a perception of complications associated to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with positive health beliefs had lower HbA1c levels (8.2 ± 1.7%) compared to those with neutral (9.0 ± 2.3%), or negative (8.8 ± 1.8%; p = 0.042). The LDL-c levels were lower (p = 0.03), and HDL-c levels were higher (0.002) in patients with positive heath beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: Positive health beliefs are associated with better metabolic control indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Chocolate for breakfast prevents circadian desynchrony in experimental models of jet-lag and shift-work.

Night-workers, transcontinental travelers and individuals that regularly shift their sleep timing, suffer from circadian desynchrony and are at risk to develop metabolic disease, cancer, and mood disorders, among others. Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence that food intake restricted to the normal activity phase is a potent synchronizer for the circadian system and can prevent the detrimental metabolic effects associated with circadian disruption. As an alternative, we hypothesized that a timed piece of chocolate scheduled to the onset of the activity phase may be sufficient stimulus to synchronize circadian rhythms under conditions of shift-work or jet-lag. In Wistar rats, a daily piece of chocolate coupled to the onset of the active phase (breakfast) accelerated re-entrainment in a jet-lag model by setting the activity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to the new cycle. Furthermore, in a rat model of shift-work, a piece of chocolate for breakfast prevented circadian desynchrony, by increasing the amplitude of the day-night c-Fos activation in the SCN. Contrasting, chocolate for dinner prevented re-entrainment in the jet-lag condition and favored circadian desynchrony in the shift-work models. Moreover, chocolate for breakfast resulted in low body weight gain while chocolate for dinner boosted up body weight. Present data evidence the relevance of the timing of a highly caloric and palatable meal for circadian synchrony and metabolic function.

Multigenerational effects of triclosan on the demography of Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis (ROTIFERA).

Triclosan is a personal care product widely used in North America, Europe and Asia as antimicrobial ingredient in many consumer chemical products. In Mexico concentrations of triclosan have been reported in aquatic systems. However, there is no law regulating the presence of chemicals such as triclosan, in aquatic systems. The scarce data about this chemical has increased concern among ecotoxicologists regarding possible effects on aquatic organisms. Moreover, multigenerational studies are rarely studied and the results vary depending on the contaminant. Rotifers, are a dominant group of zooplankton, and have been used in aquatic risk assessments of personal care products due to their sensitivity and high reproductive rates. Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis are common rotifers distributed in aquatic ecosystems of Mexico and have been used in ecotoxicological bioassays. In this study, the median lethal concentration (LC50, 24h) of P. patulus and B. havanaensis exposed to triclosan was determined. Based on the LC50, we tested three sublethal concentrations of triclosan to quantify the demographic responses of both rotifers for two successive generations (F0, and F1). The 24h LC50 of triclosan for P. patulus and B. havanaensis were 300 and 500µgL-1 respectively. Despite the concentration, triclosan had an adverse effect on both Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis in both generations exposed. Experiments show that P. patulus was more sensitive than B. havanaensis when exposed to triclosan. When exposed to triclosan the parental generation (F0) of P. patulus was far more affected than F1.

Polysomnography-based diagnosis in Mexican adult patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) clinical suspicion.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) occurs in 2-4% of adults, increasing by 2.5 times the risk of sudden death. OBJECTIVE: Establish the concordance of the clinical diagnostic and electrical diagnosis in an adult series that underwent polysomnography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with sleep disorders that underwent consecutively polysomnography recording. RESULTS: In this study, 51 subjects from 24 to 77 years old (54.1±12.12) were included in the study; 23 males and 28 females; 78.43% were overweight or obese; 35.29% were smokers; 31.37% alcohol consumers; 47.05% hypertensive; 21% diabetics; 35.29% with airway alterations; 29.41% with depression; 13.72% dyslipidaemic and 7.84% with ischemic heart disease. Only 22 of the subjects qualified for OSA and the concordance between the clinical diagnostic and polysomnographic recording was 54% (Ko=0.60, Ke 0.50, Ka=0.20) with a 0.55 sensibility, 0.66 specificity, PPV 0.54, NPV 0.65, PLR 1.2, RVN 0.69 and PPP 0.47. The neck circumference in OSA was 40.68±5 vs. 37.7±3.5 cm. (p<0.02) and BMI was 36.48±13.16 vs 29.37±6.58 (p<0.008); male/female proportion was 1.8:1 (p<0.01), BMI was higher in OSA (p<0.002). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not discriminate between OSA and other sleep alteration (p<0.29). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We observed a poor agreement between clinical diagnosis and polysomnography. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not discern between OSA and other sleep disorders and finally there was no association with a systemic process.

El peso de un diagnóstico / The weight of a diagnosis

Introducción: el estado nutricional (EN) infantil requiere adecuada evaluación. Objetivos: Describir el EN de niños de 1-5 años que asistieron a tres centros de atención primaria de una obra social en 2014 y su método de evaluación. Conocer el impacto del diagnóstico en sus familias. Materiales y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico cuali-cuantitativo, n=891. Se revisaron historias clínicas y se entrevistó a padres de niños con diagnóstico de obesidad o bajo peso. Resultados: El 52% de los niños fueron evaluados con percentilos Peso/Edad, hallándose 71% eutrófico, 6% con obesidad, y 4% bajo peso. Utilizando percentilos IMC/Edad, 60% resulto eutrófico, 14 % con obesidad y 1% con bajo peso. En el análisis cualitativo se observaron: naturalización diagnóstico, dificultad de los padres para poner límites, sentimientos de culpa y frustración y déficit en la comunicación médico-familia. Conclusión: El 60% de los niños de 1-5 años que consultaron en tres centros de atención primaria de un obra social en el 2014 resultaron eutróficos, 14% con obesidad y 1% bajo peso. La mayoría de los niños fueron evaluados utilizando percentilos incorrectos. La subestimación del diagnóstico por parte de los padres fue favorecida por el uso de eufemismos y lenguaje diminutivo por parte de los médicos.

Introduction: childhood nutritional status (NS) requires adequate assessment. Objectives: To describe NS of children aged 1-5 that attended three primary care centers of a social security organisation during 2014 and its method of assessment. To know the impact the diagnosis had on their families. Materials and methods: Quali-quantitative multicenter study, n=891. Charts were reviewed and parents of children diagnosed with obesity or low weight were interviewed. Results: 52% of children were assessed using Weight/Age percentiles, being 71% eutrophic, 6% with obesity, and 4% low weight. Using BMI/Age percentiles, 60% were eutrophic, 14% with obesity and 1% with low weight. In the qualitative analysis were observed: naturalization of the diagnosis, parental difficulties in setting limits, feelings of the quilt and frustration, anddeficits in physician-family communication. Conclusion: Using the BMI/Age curve, 60% of the 1-5 year olds who were attended at three primary care centers of a social security organisation in 2014 were eutrophic, 14% were obese and 1% had low weight. Most children were assessed using wrong percentiles. Underestimation of the diagnosis by parents was favored by the use of euphemisms and diminutive language by physicians.

A correlation of measles specific antibodies and the number of plasmacytoid dendritic cells is observed after measles vaccination in 9 month old infants.

Measles virus (MeV) represents one of the main causes of death among young children, particularly in developing countries. Upon infection, MeV controls both interferon induction (IFN) and the interferon signaling pathway which results in a severe host immunosuppression that can persists for up to 6 mo after infection. Despite the global biology of MeV infection is well studied, the role of the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) during the host innate immune response after measles vaccination remains largely uncharacterized. Here we investigated the role of pDCs, the major producers of interferon in response to viral infections, in the development of adaptive immune response against MeV vaccine. We report that there is a strong correlation between pDCs population and the humoral immune response to Edmonston Zagreb (EZ) measles vaccination in 9-month-old mexican infants. Five infants were further evaluated after vaccination, showing a clear increase in pDCs at baseline, one week and 3 months after immunization. Three months postvaccination they showed increase in memory T-cells and pDCs populations, high induction of adaptive immunity and also observed a correlation between pDCs number and the humoral immune response. These findings suggest that the development and magnitude of the adaptive immune response following measles immunization is directly dependent on the number of pDCs of the innate immune response.

Effect of paracetamol and diclofenac on population growth of Plationus patulus and Moina macrocopa.

Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly used in Mexico are paracetamol and diclofenac. These drugs reach natural waterbodies transport through the hydrological areas of agriculture and effluent treatment plants and can affect plankton. In this study, we quantified the chronic effects of paracetamol and sodium diclofenac on the population dynamics of the rotifer Plationus patulus and the cladoceran Moina macrocopa under laboratory conditions. Both these species of zooplankton are common in freshwaters and are sensitive to chemicals in the medium. Our results showed that densities of both P. patulus and M. macrocopa decreased with increasing levels of both the analgesic drugs. Both zooplankton species did not survive beyond when paracetamol was applied at 32 mg I(-1) in the medium. Diclofenac in general had more adverse effect than paracetamol for either zooplankton species. P. patulus was more sensitive than M. macrocopa to both analgesic drugs. When diclofenac was present in the medium at > or = 12.5 mg I(-1), rotifer reproduction was inhibited, while the tested cladocerans continued to grow but to lower densities compared to control. The rate of population increase (r) per day of P. patulus and M. macrocopa was significantly and inversely related to the concentration of paracetamol and diclofenac in the medium. However, the relationship between r and drug concentration differed depending on the zooplankton species and drug. In controls, the r of P. patulus was 0.18 d(-1), for M. macrocopa under similar conditions, it was slightly lower (0.16 d(-1)). The rvalues of both zooplankton populations became negative (-0.10 to -0.15 d(-1)) when exposed to paracetamol at 32 mg l(-1) or diclofenac at 25 mg I(-1).

Increasing the time of exposure to aerosol measles vaccine elicits an immune response equivalent to that seen in 9-month-old Mexican children given the same dose subcutaneously.

BACKGROUND: A 30-second aerosol measles vaccination successfully primes children 12 months of age and older but is poorly immunogenic when given to 9-month-old children. We examined the immune responses when increasing the duration to aerosol exposure in 9-month-olds. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen healthy 9-month-old children from Mexico City were enrolled; 58 received aerosol EZ measles vaccine for 2.5 minutes and 55 subcutaneously. Measles-specific neutralizing antibodies and cellular responses were measured before and at 3 and 6 months postimmunization. RESULTS: Adaptive immunity was induced in 97% after aerosol and 98% after subcutaneous administration. Seroconversion rates and GMCs were 95% and 373 mIU/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 441-843) following aerosol vaccination and 91% and 306 mIU/mL (95% CI, 367-597) after subcutaneous administration at 3 months. The percentage of children with a measles-specific stimulation index ≥3 was 45% and 60% in the aerosol versus 55% and 59% in the subcutaneous group at 3 and 6 months, respectively. CD8 memory cell frequencies were higher in the aerosol group at 3 months compared with the subcutaneous group. Adverse reactions were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing exposure time to aerosol measles vaccine elicits immune responses that are comparable to those seen when an equivalent dose is administered by the subcutaneous route in 9-month-old infants.

Educación para la Salud en niños con hábitos bucales deformantes / Education for Health in children with dental deforming habits

Los hábitos bucales deformantes tienen su origen dentro del sistema neuromuscular; constituyendo patrones reflejos de naturaleza compleja que se aprenden. Atendiendo a lo anterior se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo e intervencional en niños de 5 a 10 años, que asistieron a la consulta de Ortodoncia del municipio de Consolación del Sur durante el año 2007 con el objetivo de evaluar la importancia de la educación para la salud a padres de niños con hábitos bucales deformantes. Se aplicó una estrategia intervencional y de corte educativa encaminada al abandono de hábitos y su prevención. El universo fue de 882 niños y la muestra de 207, de ambos sexos. Para el análisis estadístico de los datos se emplearon medidas de resumen para datos cualitativos (porcentaje), prueba de hipótesis de proporción (Chi Cuadrado) considerándose un nivel de significación de 0,05. Las edades más afectadas fueron las de 7 a 8 años y el sexo que predominó fue el femenino. Después de realizada la estrategia educativa, la mayoría de los niños tuvo una evolución favorable, y los padres mostraron una evolución satisfactoria en la adquisición de conocimientos sobre el tema.

Dental deforming habits have the origin into the neuromuscular system. They constitute reflex patterns of a complex nature that are learned. Considering this; a descriptive, prospective and interventional study in children from 5 to 10 years old attending at Orthodontic Outpatient Desk in Consolación del Sur Municipality, during 2007 was conducted, aimed at assessing the importance of the education for health to parents of children with dental deforming habits. An intervention-educative strategy with the purpose of making the children to break the habit and its prevention was applied. The universe was comprised of 882 children and the sample 207, both sexes. To the statistical analysis of the qualitative data; percentage, rate hypothesis testing, and chi-square test when necessary were used, considering a significance level of 0,05. The most affected ages were 7 to 8 ages and female sex prevailed. After the application of the educative strategy, the majority of children showed a favorable recovery and parents expressed a satisfactory acquisition of knowledge about the topic.

Determinación de la calidad microbiana en plantas de: Annona muricata, Lippia alba, Guazuma ulmifolia procedente de las farmacias botánicas de la ciudad de León, del Año 2008 / Determination of microbial quality in plants of: Annona muricata, Lippia alba, Guazuma ulmifolia from the botanical pharmacies of the city of León, 2008

En la presente investigación se determina la actividad antibacteriana en cepas de Staphyloccocus auereus, Pseudomona aeruginosa y Klebsiella pneumoniae en extractos de Annona muricata, Lippia alba, Guazuma ulmifolia, así como, el límite microbiano en plantas de Annona muricata, Lippia alba y Guazuma ulmifolia.

Importancia del uso de cremas emolientes en la mejoría clínica de pacientes atópicos en el Centro Nacional de Dermatología “Dr Francisco José Gómez Urcuyo” enero-febrero 2004 / mportance of the use of emollient creams in the clinical improvement of patient atópicos in the National Center of Dermatology “Dr Francisco José Gómez Urcuyo” January-February 2004

Se realizo un estudio prospectivo, descriptivo y de corte transversal en el CND "Dr. Francisco José Gómez Urcuyo" en los meses de enero y febrero del 2004, teniendo como puerta a 36 pacientes que acudieron a este centro con diagnóstico de Dermatosis Atópica (DA). En el estudio se encontró que el 50 porciento de los pacientes estaban entre 0 a 5 años y de éstos la mayoría presentaban prurito severo. El sexo predominante fue el femenino. El prurito es el síntoma cardinal de muchas patologías dermatológicas. La angustia referida por los pacientes y los signos generalmente claros de rascado sobre el tegumento permiten al médico conocer la intensidad de esta manifestación y su trascendencia a aspectos psicosociales, laborales y familiares, ya que el paciente se ve ofuscado por la ansiedad que el mismo genera. Es necesario entonces evaluar la eficacia de algunos de los tratamientos utilizados en el control del prurito en estos pacientes para de esta forma poder alcanzar un abordaje más objetivo de este síntoma que generalmente se acompaña de xerosis marcada. La relación entre la intensidad del prurito y los antecendentes personales de otras enfermeades atópicas fue directamente proporcional ya que del 61.11 porciento de los pacientes que presentaron prurito severo; más del 50 porciento de éstos presento antecedentes positivos. La aplicación de una loción a base de urea al 10 porciento en los pacientes con DA; de forma sola o combinada con otros tratamientos convencionales proporcionaria mejores resultados y mayores beneficios a los pacientes y sus familiares