Modelo cuantitativo para mejorar el financiamiento de la atención primaria en Chile

Objetivo. Proponer y aplicar una metodología para estimar el gasto esperado ajustado de cada localidad en el sistema chileno de atención primaria de la salud (APS) en el año 2016. Métodos. En primer lugar, se formalizó el cálculo del gasto esperado per cápita a nivel nacional, en base a un detallado plan de salud, y luego se introdujo en este gasto un ajuste de suma cero para cada localidad a través del perfil local de sexo y edad y el promedio local del nivel socioeconómico, años de vida perdidos y ruralidad, por su incidencia estadísticamente significativa en las epidemiologías y en las estructuras de gasto. Resultados. El modelo logra un vínculo conceptual y empírico entre los gastos esperados y las variables de ajuste, es flexible a mejoras sucesivas, y la propiedad de suma cero facilita la discusión del presupuesto global. En la aplicación a datos reales de Chile para el año 2016 se encuentra que la distancia absoluta entre los montos del modelo y los montos usados en dicho año es de 7,6% en promedio. Conclusiones. Existen alternativas sencillas para sustentar empíricamente el cálculo de los gastos esperados a través de las localidades, para lo cual es de gran ayuda contar con una buena estimación del gasto esperado a nivel nacional.

Objective. Propose and apply a methodology to estimate adjusted expected expenditure in each locality in the Chilean primary health care (PHC) system in 2016. Methods. First of all, expected per capita expenditure at the national level was calculated on the basis of a detailed health plan, and then a zero-sum adjustment was made to the expenditure in each locality, using the local age/sex profile and the local average socioeconomic level, years of life lost, and rurality, given their statistically significant impact on epidemiology and spending structures. Results. The model establishes a conceptual and empirical link between expected expenditure and adjustment variables; it is flexible in terms of successive improvements; and its zero-sum property facilitates discussion of the global budget. When real data for the year 2016 in Chile were used, it was found that the absolute distance between the amounts in the model and the amounts actually used that year was 7.6%, on average. Conclusions. There are simple empirical options for calculating expected expenditure across localities, for which it is very helpful to have a good estimate of expected expenditure at the national level.

Objetivo. Propor e implementar uma metodologia para o cálculo do gasto com saúde projetado ajustado para cada municipalidade no sistema chileno de atenção primária à saúde para o ano de 2016. Métodos. Primeiro padronizou-se o cálculo do gasto per capita projetado em nível nacional, baseado em um detalhado plano de saúde. Em seguida foi feito um ajuste de soma zero no gasto com saúde para cada municipalidade segundo o perfil local de sexo e idade da população e o valor médio para nível socioeconômico, anos de vida perdidos e ruralidade de acordo com a associação de significância estatística em estudos epidemiológicos e estruturas do gasto. Resultados. O modelo consegue estabelecer um vínculo conceitual e empírico entre os gastos projetados e as variáveis de ajuste, ele se adapta a melhorias sucessivas e a propriedade de soma zero facilita a discussão do orçamento global. Ao serem aplicados dados reais do Chile para 2016, observou-se uma distância absoluta entre os valores do modelo e os valores do ano considerado de, em média, 7,6%. Conclusões. Existem alternativas simples para fundamentar empiricamente o cálculo do gasto com saúde projetado para as municipalidades, sendo bastante útil poder dispor de uma boa estimativa do gasto com saúde projetado em nível nacional.

Modelo cuantitativo para mejorar el financiamiento de la atención primaria en Chile.

OBJECTIVE: Propose and apply a methodology to estimate adjusted expected expenditure in each locality in the Chilean primary health care (PHC) system in 2016. METHODS: First of all, expected per capita expenditure at the national level was calculated on the basis of a detailed health plan, and then a zero-sum adjustment was made to the expenditure in each locality, using the local age/sex profile and the local average socioeconomic level, years of life lost, and rurality, given their statistically significant impact on epidemiology and spending structures. RESULTS: The model establishes a conceptual and empirical link between expected expenditure and adjustment variables; it is flexible in terms of successive improvements; and its zero-sum property facilitates discussion of the global budget. When real data for the year 2016 in Chile were used, it was found that the absolute distance between the amounts in the model and the amounts actually used that year was 7.6%, on average. CONCLUSIONS: There are simple empirical options for calculating expected expenditure across localities, for which it is very helpful to have a good estimate of expected expenditure at the national level.

Modelo cuantitativo para mejorar el financiamiento de la atención primaria en Chile / Quantitative model to improve primary health care financing in Chile / Modelo quantitativo para melhorar o financiamento da atenção primária no Chile

RESUMEN Objetivo Proponer y aplicar una metodología para estimar el gasto esperado ajustado de cada localidad en el sistema chileno de atención primaria de la salud (APS) en el año 2016. Métodos En primer lugar, se formalizó el cálculo del gasto esperado per cápita a nivel nacional, en base a un detallado plan de salud, y luego se introdujo en este gasto un ajuste de suma cero para cada localidad a través del perfil local de sexo y edad y el promedio local del nivel socioeconómico, años de vida perdidos y ruralidad, por su incidencia estadísticamente significativa en las epidemiologías y en las estructuras de gasto. Resultados El modelo logra un vínculo conceptual y empírico entre los gastos esperados y las variables de ajuste, es flexible a mejoras sucesivas, y la propiedad de suma cero facilita la discusión del presupuesto global. En la aplicación a datos reales de Chile para el año 2016 se encuentra que la distancia absoluta entre los montos del modelo y los montos usados en dicho año es de 7,6% en promedio. Conclusiones Existen alternativas sencillas para sustentar empíricamente el cálculo de los gastos esperados a través de las localidades, para lo cual es de gran ayuda contar con una buena estimación del gasto esperado a nivel nacional.

ABSTRACT Objective Propose and apply a methodology to estimate adjusted expected expenditure in each locality in the Chilean primary health care (PHC) system in 2016. Methods First of all, expected per capita expenditure at the national level was calculated on the basis of a detailed health plan, and then a zero-sum adjustment was made to the expenditure in each locality, using the local age/sex profile and the local average socioeconomic level, years of life lost, and rurality, given their statistically significant impact on epidemiology and spending structures. Results The model establishes a conceptual and empirical link between expected expenditure and adjustment variables; it is flexible in terms of successive improvements; and its zero-sum property facilitates discussion of the global budget. When real data for the year 2016 in Chile were used, it was found that the absolute distance between the amounts in the model and the amounts actually used that year was 7.6%, on average. Conclusions There are simple empirical options for calculating expected expenditure across localities, for which it is very helpful to have a good estimate of expected expenditure at the national level.

RESUMO Objetivo Propor e implementar uma metodologia para o cálculo do gasto com saúde projetado ajustado para cada municipalidade no sistema chileno de atenção primária à saúde para o ano de 2016. Métodos Primeiro padronizou-se o cálculo do gasto per capita projetado em nível nacional, baseado em um detalhado plano de saúde. Em seguida foi feito um ajuste de soma zero no gasto com saúde para cada municipalidade segundo o perfil local de sexo e idade da população e o valor médio para nível socioeconômico, anos de vida perdidos e ruralidade de acordo com a associação de significância estatística em estudos epidemiológicos e estruturas do gasto. Resultados O modelo consegue estabelecer um vínculo conceitual e empírico entre os gastos projetados e as variáveis de ajuste, ele se adapta a melhorias sucessivas e a propriedade de soma zero facilita a discussão do orçamento global. Ao serem aplicados dados reais do Chile para 2016, observou-se uma distância absoluta entre os valores do modelo e os valores do ano considerado de, em média, 7,6%. Conclusões Existem alternativas simples para fundamentar empiricamente o cálculo do gasto com saúde projetado para as municipalidades, sendo bastante útil poder dispor de uma boa estimativa do gasto com saúde projetado em nível nacional.

The CUIDEME Study: determinants of burden in chilean primary caregivers of patients with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Caring for a person with dementia is associated with well-documented increases in burden and distress and decreases in mental health and wellbeing. Studies assessing burden in caregivers of patients with dementia and its determinants are scarce in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to assess the extent and the determinants of burden in informal primary caregivers of patients with dementia in Chile. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted using clinically validated scales to assess dementia characteristics and to measure caregiver variables. Family socio-demographic characteristics and functional status, patient functional dependency and behavioral disturbances, and caregiver psychiatric morbidity were analyzed as independent variables to determine caregiver burden. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-two informal caregivers were included. There were more female (80%) than male caregivers, consisting mainly of daughters and spouses of the patients. Severe burden was reported in 63% of the caregivers, and 47% exhibited psychiatric morbidity. Burden was associated with caregiver psychiatric distress, family dysfunction, severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional disability, but neither patient age, gender, nor socioeconomic status impacted burden. CONCLUSION: Our results underscore the importance of assessing the consequences of dementia in both caregivers and patients in order to evaluate the real biopsychosocial impact of dementia, as well as the importance of planning appropriate and effective public health interventions in Latin American countries. In addition, interventions targeting caregiver psychological distress, caregiver familial dysfunction, patient neuropsychiatric disorders, and patient functional disability could potentially diminish caregiver burden.

Efecto de la variación estacional en el estado de ánimo de adolescentes, estudio prospectivo, Santiago / Relationship between the seasonal variation and the mood of adolescents: prospective study

Introducción: El Trastorno Afectivo Estacional (TAE) es caracterizado por síntomas depresivos que se manifiestan recurrentemente durante el invierno y ceden espontáneamente en primavera-verano. Existen pocos estudios sobre TAE en niños y adolescentes. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre la variación estacional” y el estado de ánimo en adolescentes. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo a 220 estudiantes de 1° Medio a 4° Medio de dos colegios de la Región Metropolitana de diferente nivel socioeconómico, elegidos al azar. A los estudiantes se les aplicó en invierno y en primavera 2008, Cuestionario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) y Cuestionario de Evaluación de Perfil Estacional versión para niños y adolescentes (SPAQ-CA). Resultados: La prevalencia de “Sospecha de Depresión”(SD) fue mayor en invierno(20 por ciento) que en primavera(13 por ciento) (p<0,01). La “Autopercepción de tener Problemas con la Variación Estacional” (APPVE) no varió significativamente entre los periodos encuestados. La APPVE fue 2,8 veces más frecuente en mujeres que en hombres(p<0,01). Se encontró una correlación positiva entre SD y APPVE, solo en invierno. Conclusión: En una misma población de adolescentes hay variación en el autoreporte de SD según la estación del año, siendo significativamente mayor en invierno. La variación estacional influye en el ánimo de los adolescentes encuestados, especialmente en mujeres, siguiendo el patrón descrito en la literatura.

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by depressive symptoms that appear repeatedly in the winter and subside spontaneously in Spring-summer. There are few studies of SAD in children and adolescents. Objective: To study the relationship between the seasonal variation (SV) and the mood of adolescents. Methodology: A prospective cohort study of 220 high school students from two randomly chosen schools of different socioeconomic status in the metropolitan area of Santiago was conducted. Students were surveyed in winter and spring 2008 with the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) and Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (SPAQ-CA). Results: The prevalence of suspected depression (SD) was higher in winter (20 percent) than in spring (13 percent) (p <0.01). The perception of problems with seasonal variation (PPSV) did not differ significantly between surveys. The PPSV was 2.8 times higher in women than in men (p <0.01). We found a positive correlation between SD and PPSV only in winter. Conclusion: There is SV in adolescent self-reported SD, being higher in woman, following the pattern described in the literature.

Controlling and eliminating neglected diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This paper analyzes the rationale for, and costs associated with, the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also estimates the magnitude of potential health gains. The results suggest that lymphatic filiariasis, onchocerciasis, and trachoma can be feasibly and affordably eliminated by 2020, at a total cost of US$128 million. Control of other NTDs could produce important reductions in prevalence and incidence, along with other social and economic benefits. In particular, controlling soil-transmitted helminths (roundworm and hookworm, for example) would produce total costs of $41 million between now and 2020.

Ginecomastía: aproximación clínica y terapeútica / Gynecomastia: clinical and therapeutic approach

La Ginecomastia es una condición frecuente especialmente en la pubertad y edad adulta, no obstante en ocasiones produce en el paciente un importante grado de ansiedad y discomfort social. Si bien la mayoría de las veces no representa un desafío clínico diagnóstico, puede ser la manifestación inicial de un gran numero de condiciones médicas de mayor importancia para el pronóstico del paciente. De capital importancia es el diagnóstico diferencial con el cáncer de mama masculino, que si bien es de presentación mas bien excepcional, puede ser resuelto con un tratamiento precoz. El presente articulo es una revisión de los aspectos más trascendentes a considerar en el enfrentamiento clínico y terapéutico de esta condición.