Risk factors for executive function impairment in adolescence: an analysis of data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort study

Objective: To investigate risk factors associated with impaired attention-related executive functions (EFs) at age 11 and working memory at age 15. Methods: Data from participants of the population-based 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort at ages 11 (n=3,582) and 15 (n=1,950) were analyzed. The study measured attentional control, cognitive flexibility, and selective attention using the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch). Spatial working memory was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between perinatal and childhood exposures and EF impairment. Results: Low maternal education had a significant negative impact on EFs. At age 11, it was associated with decreased attentional control (OR = 3.04; 95%CI 2.09-4.43), and at age 15, it was linked to impaired spatial working memory (OR = 2.21; 95%CI 1.58-3.09). Additional risk factors included low household income, black or brown maternal skin color, high parity, prematurity, low birth weight, and multiple siblings. Breastfeeding, regardless of duration, was found to be a protective factor against impaired cognitive flexibility (OR = 0.38; 95%CI 0.22-0.65). Conclusion: This study underscores the lasting impact of perinatal exposures on EF development. Policies that mitigate the negative effects of risk factors and promote EF development, especially among vulnerable populations, are needed.

Risk factors for executive function impairment in adolescence: an analysis of data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors associated with impaired attention-related executive functions (EFs) at age 11 and working memory at age 15. METHODS: Data from participants of the population-based 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort at ages 11 (n=3,582) and 15 (n=1,950) were analyzed. The study measured attentional control, cognitive flexibility, and selective attention using the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch). Spatial working memory was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between perinatal and childhood exposures and EF impairment. RESULTS: Low maternal education had a significant negative impact on EFs. At age 11, it was associated with decreased attentional control (OR = 3.04; 95%CI 2.09-4.43), and at age 15, it was linked to impaired spatial working memory (OR = 2.21; 95%CI 1.58-3.09). Additional risk factors included low household income, black or brown maternal skin color, high parity, prematurity, low birth weight, and multiple siblings. Breastfeeding, regardless of duration, was found to be a protective factor against impaired cognitive flexibility (OR = 0.38; 95%CI 0.22-0.65). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the lasting impact of perinatal exposures on EF development. Policies that mitigate the negative effects of risk factors and promote EF development, especially among vulnerable populations, are needed.

Corrigendum: "You knew you had to be there, it had to be done": experiences of health professionals who faced the COVID-19 pandemic in one public hospital in Spain.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1089565.].

"You knew you had to be there, it had to be done": Experiences of health professionals who faced the COVID-19 pandemic in one public hospital in Spain.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the lack of a government contingency plan for an effective response to an unexpected health crisis. This study uses a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of healthcare professionals during the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in a public health hospital in the Valencia region, Spain. It assesses the impact on their health, coping strategies, institutional support, organizational changes, quality of care, and lessons learned. Methods: We carried out a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with doctors and nurses from the Preventive Medicine, Emergency, and Internal Medicine Services and the Intensive Care Unit, using the Colaizzi's 7-step data analysis method. Results: During the first wave, lack of information and leadership led to feelings of uncertainty, fear of infection, and transmission to family members. Continuous organizational changes and lack of material and human resources brought limited results. The lack of space to accommodate patients, along with insufficient training in treating critical patients, and the frequent moving around of healthcare workers, reduced the quality of care. Despite the high levels of emotional stress reported, no sick leave was taken; the high levels of commitment and professional vocation helped in adapting to the intense work rhythms. Healthcare professionals in the medical services and support units reported higher levels of stress, and a greater sense of neglect by their institution than their colleagues in managerial roles. Family, social support, and camaraderie at work were effective coping strategies. Health professionals showed a strong collective spirit and sense of solidarity. This helped them cope with the additional stress and workload that accompanied the pandemic. Conclusion: In the wake of this experience, they highlight the need for a contingency plan adapted to each organizational context. Such a plan should include psychological counseling and continuous training in critical patient care. Above all, it needs to take advantage of the hard-won knowledge born of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing Health Disparities through Community Participation: A Scoping Review of Co-Creation in Public Health.

BACKGROUND: There is general agreement regarding the relevance of community involvement in public health policy, practice, and research to reduce health inequities. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to analyse the experiences of community engagement in public health actions, with particular attention to methodologies used and how community participation is articulated. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: We searched the Web of Science, EBSCO, and ProQuest for scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals. We recorded methodological aspects, the approach to equity, actors that participated in the actions, and participation of the community in different phases (agenda setting, design, implementation, and evaluation). RESULTS: Of 4331 records, we finally included 31 studies published between 1995 and 2021. Twelve studies referred to Community-Based Participatory Research as the framework used. The actions addressed equity, mainly by tackling economic vulnerability (n = 20, 64%) and racial discrimination (n = 18, 58%). Workshops were the most used method. Participation was frequently observed in the design and implementation phases of the action, but it was reduced to community feedback in the evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Co-created public health actions offer the opportunity to reduce health inequity and promote social change; yet, further effort is needed to involve communities in the entire cycle of decision making.

The Effect of Exercise on Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a proven therapy for managing cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, its effects on patient-reported outcome measures such as quality of life (QoL) in people with T2D remain unclear. Consequently, the primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of regular exercise on QoL in adults with T2D. A secondary aim was to determine the effect of different exercise modalities on QoL. The third aim was to determine whether improvements in QoL were associated with improvements in gly'cated hemoglobin (A1C). METHODS: Relevant databases were searched to May 2022. Eligible studies included randomized trials involving ≥2 wk of aerobic and/or resistance exercise and assessed QoL using a purpose-specific tool. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD) or weighted mean difference. A regression analysis was undertaken to examine the interaction between change in QoL with change in A1C. RESULTS: Of the 12,642 studies retrieved, 29 were included involving 2354 participants. Exercise improved QoL when compared with control (SMD, 0.384; 95% CI, 0.257 to 0.512; P < 0.001). Aerobic exercise, alone (SMD, 0.475; 95% CI, 0.295 to 0.655; P < 0.001) or in combination with resistance training (SMD, 0.363; 95% CI, 0.179 to 0.548; P < 0.001) improved QoL, whereas resistance training alone did not. Physical components of health-related QoL (HRQoL) improved with all exercise modalities, but mental components of HRQoL remained unchanged. Exercise improved A1C (mean difference, -0.509%; 95% CI, -0.806% to -0.212%; P = 0.001), and this change was associated with improvements in HRQoL ( ß = -0.305, SE = 0.140, Z = -2.18, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide robust evidence that regular aerobic exercise alone or in combination with resistance training is effective for improving QoL in adults with T2D. Such improvements seem to be mediated by improvements in physical components of HRQoL and are associated with improved blood glucose control. Further studies should be undertaken to determine the relative importance of exercise duration, intensity, and frequency on patient-reported outcomes such as QoL.

A multidimensional perspective of the relation between social isolation and depression among Portuguese older adults.

We aimed to explore how different social isolation components were associated with depression among older adults in Portugal. We analysed data collected through structured questionnaires in 2017 from 643 Portuguese adults aged 60 and over. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short-Form). Social isolation was operationalised using objective indicators - living alone, marital status, leisure activities - and subjective indicator - perceived social support. Because social isolation is a multidimensional construct that is likely to be more than the sum of its components, cluster analysis was conducted to group individuals into social isolation profiles. Associations were estimated using adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five profiles were identified: Cluster 1 (partnered; high social support; high variety of leisure activities); Cluster 2 (partnered; high social support; few leisure activities); Cluster 3 (not partnered; low social support; few leisure activities); Cluster 4 (living alone; high social support; high variety of leisure activities); Cluster 5 (partnered; high social support; limited variety of leisure activities). Compared with Cluster 1, participants in Cluster 2 were three times more likely to have depression, independent of age, gender, education, comorbidities and self-rated health (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.38-6.71). Participants in Cluster 3 presented the highest probability of depression that was not explained by any of the confounders (OR = 4.74; 95% CI: 2.15-10.44). Older adults living alone are not necessarily more prone to depression, with social support and leisure activities playing an important role. To disentangle how social isolation affects health, objective and subjective isolation measures should be considered.

'This family rejection harmed my health as well': Intersections between the meanings of family and health for trans people and family members in a trans healthcare service in Brazil.

Transgender people deal with intense discrimination in every aspect of life. These experiences increase when they face family rejection. The research on social and family environment surrounding gender transition has been largely overlooked. We examine the meanings of family and health, and how these intersect, among trans people and their family members in a health service in Brazil. We conducted a qualitative study (between December 2017 and July 2018), an ethnography with the triangulation of three sources: interviews with 8 transgender men, 8 transgender women and 5 family members; a focus group with another 8 transgender men and approximately 100 h of field observation. Our study shows that family and health are interpreted as ideal protective environments, and seen as causes of disappointment, abandonment and illness. The meanings of family and health are interconnected and constituted in relation to each other. We also found that there are differences within these meanings of family and health when we consider the ethnicity and the economic status of the participants. The participants reported that the society education towards transsexuality is fundamental to improving trans people's quality of life. Our results challenge health services to provide comprehensive healthcare and assure health equity for transgender people.

Solitary pulmonary nodule malignancy predictive models applicable to routine clinical practice: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common finding in routine clinical practice when performing chest imaging tests. The vast majority of these nodules are benign, and only a small proportion are malignant. The application of predictive models of nodule malignancy in routine clinical practice would help to achieve better diagnostic management of SPN. The present systematic review was carried out with the purpose of critically assessing studies aimed at developing predictive models of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) malignancy from SPN incidentally detected in routine clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a search of available scientific literature until October 2020 in Pubmed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Central databases. The inclusion criteria were observational studies carried out in low-risk population from 35 years old onwards aimed at constructing predictive models of malignancy of pulmonary solitary nodule detected incidentally in routine clinical practice. Studies had to be published in peer-reviewed journals, either in Spanish, Portuguese or English. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, or predictive models based in high-risk populations, or models based on computational approaches. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, or predictive models based in high-risk populations, or models based on computational approaches (such as radiomics). We used The Transparent Reporting of a multivariable Prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement, to describe the type of predictive model included in each study, and The Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) to evaluate the quality of the selected articles. RESULTS: A total of 186 references were retrieved, and after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria, 15 articles remained for the final review. All studies analysed clinical and radiological variables. The most frequent independent predictors of SPN malignancy were, in order of frequency, age, diameter, spiculated edge, calcification and smoking history. Variables such as race, SPN growth rate, emphysema, fibrosis, apical scarring and exposure to asbestos, uranium and radon were not analysed by the majority of the studies. All studies were classified as high risk of bias due to inadequate study designs, selection bias, insufficient population follow-up and lack of external validation, compromising their applicability for clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The studies included have been shown to have methodological weaknesses compromising the clinical applicability of the evaluated SPN malignancy predictive models and their potential influence on clinical decision-making for the SPN diagnostic management. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020161559.

Educational Differences in Diabetes Mortality among Hispanics in the United States: An Epidemiological Analysis of Vital Statistics Data (1989-2018).

BACKGROUND: Diabetes accounted for approximately 10% of all-cause mortality among those 20-79 years of age worldwide in 2019. In 1986-1989, Hispanics in the United States of America (USA) represented 6.9% of the national population with diabetes, and this proportion increased to 15.1% in 2010-2014. Recently published findings demonstrated the impact of attained education on amenable mortality attributable to diabetes among Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and Non-Hispanic Blacks (HNBs). Previous cohort studies have shown that low education is also a detrimental factor for diabetes mortality among the Hispanic population in the USA. However, the long-term impact of low education on diabetes mortality among Hispanics in the USA is yet to be determined. AIMS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to measure the impact of achieving a 12th-grade education on amenable mortality due to diabetes among Hispanics in the USA from 1989 to 2018. We used a time-series designed to analyze death certificate data of Hispanic-classified men and women, aged 25 to 74 years, whose underlying cause of death was diabetes, between 1989 and 2018. Death certificate data from the USA National Center for Health Statistics was downloaded, as well as USA population estimates by age, sex, and ethnicity from the USA Census Bureau. The analyses were undertaken using JointPoint software and the Age-Period-Cohort Web Tool, both developed by the USA National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: The analyses showed that between 1989 to 2018, age- and sex-standardized diabetes mortality rates among the least educated individuals were higher than those among the most educated individuals (both sexes together, p = 0.036; males, p = 0.053; females, p = 0.036). The difference between the least and most educated individuals became more pronounced in recent years, as shown by independent confidence intervals across the study period. Sex-based analyses revealed that the age-adjUSAted diabetes mortality rate had increased to a greater extent among the least educated males and females, respectively, than among the most educated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the analyses demonstrated a powerful effect of low education on amenable mortality attributable to diabetes among the Hispanic population in the USA. As an increasing prevalence of diabetes among the least educated Hispanics has been reported, there is a great need to identify and implement effective preventive services, self-management, and quality care practices, that may assist in reducing the growing disparity among those most vulnerable, such as minority populations.

The role of education on Cancer amenable mortality among non-Hispanic blacks & non-Hispanic whites in the United States (1989-2018).

BACKGROUND: Cancer mortality in the U.S. has fallen in recent decades; however, individuals with lower levels of education experienced a smaller decline than more highly educated individuals. This analysis aimed to measure the influence of education lower than a high school diploma, on cancer amenable mortality among Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) in the U.S. from 1989 to 2018. METHODS: We analyzed data from 8.2 million death certificates of men and women who died from cancer between 1989 and 2018. We examined 5-year and calendar period intervals, as well as annual percent changes (APC). APC was adjusted for each combination of sex, educational level, and race categories (8 models) to separate the general trend from the effects of age. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated an increasing mortality gap between the least and the most educated NHW and NHB males and females who died from all cancers combined and for most other cancer types included in this study. The gap between the least and the most educated was broader among NHW males and females than among NHB males and females, respectively, for most malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we reported an increasing gap in the age-adjusted cancer mortality among the most and the least educated NHW and NHB between 25 and 74 years of age. We demonstrated that although NHB exhibited the greatest age-adjusted mortality rates for most cancer locations, the gap between the most and the least educated was shown for NHW.

Do the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Tests That Are Ordered in Clinical Practice Adhere to the Pertinent Guidelines?

Scientific societies have provided guidelines to reduce PSA-specific harms. We studied the potential non-compliance of PSA testing with current guidelines in general practice. A cross-sectional study of a random sample of 1291 patients with a PSA test was performed between January and April 2018 in primary health care. Patients with a previous prostate cancer diagnosis or those who were being followed-up for previous high PSA values were excluded. Two independent researchers classified whether each test was potentially non-compliant with recommendations. We estimated frequencies of potentially non-compliant PSA determinations and calculated prevalence ratios (PR) to assess their relationship with possible explanatory variables. A total of 66% (95% CI: 62-69%) of PSA requests in asymptomatic patients were potentially non-compliant with the current guideline. This was associated with having a previous diagnosis of neoplasm (PR adjusted by age and life expectancy: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02-1.37) as well as being a current consumer of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs (PR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97). Real world data shows that patients are still frequently exposed to overdiagnosis risk with a PSA potentially non-compliant with recommendations. Patients diagnosed with another neoplasm or non-consumers of toxic substances were more exposed, probably due to increased contact with doctors or health-seeking behaviour.

Pelvic floor: vaginal or caesarean delivery? A review of systematic reviews.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: In recent years the number of caesarean sections has increased worldwide for different reasons. to review the scientific evidence relating to the impact of the type of delivery on pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as urinary and faecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: A review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis, drawn from the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud/Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) prior to January 2019. The directives of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used in assessing article quality. RESULTS: Eleven systematic reviews were evaluated, 6 of which found a significantly decreased risk of urinary incontinence associated with caesarean section and 3 meta-analyses showed a significant reduction in POP for caesarean section, compared with vaginal delivery. Of 5 reviews that examined delivery type and faecal incontinence, only one indicated a lower incidence of faecal incontinence associated with caesarean delivery. However, most of the studies included in these reviews were not adjusted for important confounding factors and the risk of PFDs was not analysed by category of caesarean delivery (elective or urgent). CONCLUSION: When compared with vaginal delivery, caesarean is associated with a reduced risk of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. These results should be interpreted with caution and do not help to address the question of whether elective caesareans are protective of the maternal pelvic floor.

Do vigorous-intensity and moderate-intensity physical activities reduce mortality to the same extent? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether vigorous-intensity physical activity confers additional reductions on all-cause and cause-specific mortality compared with moderate-intensity physical activity. DESIGN: A systematic review (registered in PROSPERO CRD42019138995) and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Three electronic databases up to April 14 2020. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria were prospective studies that contained information about (1) moderate-intensity (3-5.9 metabolic equivalent tasks (METs)) and vigorous-intensity (≥6 METs) physical activities and (2) all-cause and/or cause-specific mortality. Exclusion criteria were prospective studies that (1) exclusively recruited diseased patients (eg, hypertensive patients and diabetics) or (2) did not account for total physical activity in their multivariable models (3) or did not adjust or exclude individuals with comorbidities at baseline or (4) used physically inactive participants as reference group. RESULTS: Five studies (seven cohorts using sex-specific results) were pooled into a meta-analysis. For all-cause mortality and controlling by total physical activity, vigorous-intensity physical activity (vs moderate) was not associated with a larger reduction in mortality (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.09). After the exclusion of one study judged with critical risk of bias (Risk Of Bias in Non randomized Studies, ROBINS tool) from meta-analysis, results remained similar (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.12). Due to the limited number of studies, meta-analyses for cancer and cardiovascular mortality were not performed. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies suggest that, for the same total physical activity, both vigorous-intensity and moderate-intensity physical activities reduce all-cause mortality to the same extent. However, absence of evidence must not be interpreted as evidence of absence due to the existing methodological flaws in the literature.

Higher incidence of adverse events in isolated patients compared with non-isolated patients: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether isolated patients admitted to hospital have a higher incidence of adverse events (AEs), to identify their nature, impact and preventability. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with isolated and non-isolated patients. SETTING: One public university hospital in the Valencian Community (southeast Spain). PARTICIPANTS: We consecutively collected 400 patients, 200 isolated and 200 non-isolated, age ≥18 years old, to match according to date of entry, admission department, sex, age (±5 years) and disease severity from April 2017 to October 2018. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patients age <18 years old and/or reverse isolation patients. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome as the AE, defined according to the National Study of Adverse Effects linked to Hospitalisation (Estudio Nacional Sobre los Efectos Adversos) criteria. Cumulative incidence rates and AE incidence density rates were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of isolated patients with AEs 16.5% (95% CI 11.4% to 21.6%) compared with 9.5% (95% CI 5.4% to 13.6%) in non-isolated (p<0.03). The incidence density of patients with AEs among isolated patients was 11.8 per 1000 days/patient (95% CI 7.8 to 15.9) compared with 4.3 per 1000 days/patient (95% CI 2.4 to 6.3) among non-isolated patients (p<0.001). The incidence of AEs among isolated patients was 18.5% compared with 11% for non-isolated patients (p<0.09). Among the 37 AEs detected in 33 isolated patients, and the 22 AEs detected in 19 non-isolated patients, most corresponded to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) for both isolated and non-isolated patients (48.6% vs 45.4%). There were significant differences with respect to the preventability of AEs, (67.6% among isolated patients compared with 52.6% among non-isolated patients). CONCLUSIONS: AEs were significantly higher in isolated patients compared with non-isolated patients, more than half being preventable and with HAIs as the primary cause. It is essential to improve training and the safety culture of healthcare professionals relating to the care provided to this type of patient.

Continuity of psychiatric disorders between 6 and 11 years of age in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort

Objective: To investigate the incidence and homotypic and heterotypic continuity of psychiatric disorders between ages 6 and 11. Methods: In 2004, all live births in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, were recorded (n=4,231). Psychiatric disorders were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). SDQ subscale scores (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems) were categorized as normal or abnormal. To examine associations between problems over time, odds ratios were computed using logistic regression. Results: Any SDQ difficulty was observed in 350 children (10.4%, 95%CI 9.4-11.5) at age 6 and 476 (14.2%, 95%CI 13.0-15.4) at age 11, with a higher prevalence among boys at both ages. Between ages 6 and 11, there was a 50 and a 45% increase in the prevalence of emotional and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms, respectively. Among those who had any SDQ difficulty at age 6, that status persisted in 81% at age 11. We found homotypic continuity of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems. Conclusions: Our results indicate an increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders in this age group, with rates of disorders and continuity patterns similar to those observed in other studies.

The impact of frailty on admission to home care services and nursing homes: eight-year follow-up of a community-dwelling, older adult, Spanish cohort.

BACKGROUND: Frailty in older adults is a common multidimensional clinical entity, a state of vulnerability to stressors that increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as functional decline, institutionalization or death. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that anticipate the future inclusion of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥70 years in home care programmes (HC) and nursing homes (NH), and to develop the corresponding prediction models. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 23 primary healthcare centers located in Catalonia, Spain, with an eight-year follow-up (2005-2013). The cohort was made up of 616 individuals. Data collection included a baseline multidimensional assessment carried out by primary health care professionals. Outcome variables were collected during follow-up by consulting electronic healthcare records, and the Central Registry of Catalonia for mortality. A prognostic index for a HC and NH at 8 years was estimated for each patient. Death prior to these events was considered a competing risk event, and Fine-Gray regression models were used. RESULTS: At baseline, mean age was 76.4 years and 55.5% were women. During follow-up, 19.2% entered a HC program, 8.2% a NH, and 15.4% died without presenting an event. Of those who entered a NH, 31.5% had previously been in a HC program. Multivariate models for a HC and NH showed that the risk of a HC entry was associated with older age, dependence on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and slow gait measured by Timed-up-and-go test. An increased risk of being admitted to a NH was associated with older age, dependence on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, number of prescriptions, and the presence of social risk. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic models based on comprehensive geriatric assessments can predict the need for the commencement of HC and NH admission in community-dwelling older adults. Our findings underline the necessity to measure functional capacity, mobility, number of prescriptions, and social aspects of older adults in primary healthcare centers. In such a setting they can be offered longitudinal holistic assessments so as to benefit from preventive actions in order to remain independent in the community for as long as possible.

Creación del Colegio Doctoral Tordesillas de Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia: un modelo de internacionalización académica / Tordesillas Doctoral School of Public Health and History of Science: A model of academic internationalization

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los futuros profesionales de Medicina y Salud Pública se enfrentarán a rápidos cambios en el conocimiento científico y tecnológico derivados del proceso de la globalización. La formación universitaria debe reconocer que la internacionalización de sus actividades es imprescindible para la trasferencia de conocimiento. Los Colegios Tordesillas de Doctorado nacieron con el propósito de crear una red sólida de cooperación académico-científica entre universidades brasileñas, portuguesas y españolas. MÉTODOS: La Universidad Miguel Hernández coordina el Colegio Doctoral Tordesillas de Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia compuesto por las Facultades de Medicina de las Universidades de Porto y Miguel Hernández, y de Medicina y Salud Pública de São Paulo desde julio de 2017. Su objetivo principal es dotar a los programas de posgrado de nuevos contenidos docentes y potenciar la innovación en la investigación a través de la cooperación internacional. En febrero de 2018 se celebró el primer seminario internacional para establecer alianzas en investigación y docencia. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron intereses comunes importantes de colaboración en investigación y docencia de posgrado en las siguientes áreas: en Salud Pública en estudios sobre políticas públicas, evaluación de la innovación en pruebas diagnósticas, relaciones entre los ámbitos político y científico y conflictos de intereses; en derechos de reproducción y en la creciente medicalización de la sociedad; en Historia de la Ciencia, en estudios sobre el análisis de las reformas sanitarias en países europeos y latinoamericanos en el siglo XX. DISCUSIÓN: La internacionalización universitaria es una pieza clave en la transferencia de conocimiento científico. Los Colegios Tordesillas de Doctorado ofrecen un contexto más flexible para superar obstáculos legales y administrativos para esta internacionalización

INTRODUCTION: Future public health and medical professionals will face new scientific and technological requirements resulting from the globalization process. University education must recognize that the internationalization of its activities is essential for the transfer of knowledge. The Tordesillas Doctoral Schools were born with the purpose of creating a solid network of scientific academic cooperation between Brazilian, Portuguese and Spanish universities. METHODS: The University Miguel Hernández has coordinated The Tordesillas Doctorate School of Public health and History of Science (July 2017) composed by the Faculty of Medicine, from Porto University, Miguel Hernández, and the Faculties of Medicine and Public Health of the University of São Paulo, whose aim is to provide postgraduate programs with new teaching content and enhance innovation in research trough international cooperation. In February 2018, the first International seminar of this The Tordesillas Doctorate School was held to establish partnerships in research and postdoctoral teaching. RESULTS: Important common interest for research and teaching collaboration was found: for Public Health in public policies evaluation studies, assessment of innovation in diagnostic tests, relations between the political and scientific agenda and conflict of interests, studies on health reproduction rights, and the increasing medicalization of society in all contexts. For History of Science interest was shown in analysis of sanitary reforms carried out in European and Latin American countries in the 2nd half of the 20th century. DISCUSSION: The university internationalization is as a key piece in the transfer of scientific knowledge. The Tordesillas Doctoral Schools offer a more flexible context to overcome legal and/or administrative obstacles for internationalization of university activities which might be found in each Institution

Untangling the association between prostate-specific antigen and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Several studies have shown an inverse association between diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer (PCa). Some researchers suggest that this relationship is due to reduced PCa detection in diabetics due to lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels compared to non-diabetics. Our objective is to analyze the impact of diabetes on PSA in asymptomatic men without known prostate pathology and without prior prostate intervention. Methods: We searched Medline (via PubMed), Embase and Scopus. We included studies that reported the relationship between serum PSA levels and diabetes or diabetes treatment in asymptomatic adult men without known prostate pathology, and without prior prostate intervention. Pooled mean differences were compared between diabetics and non-diabetics. Results: Of 2,392 screened abstracts, thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and 8 (62%) reported appropriate measures that could be included in a meta-analysis. Eleven (85%) examined the influence of diabetes on PSA levels and 8 (62%) evaluated the influence of diabetes treatments on PSA levels. Overall diabetics had a significantly lower PSA level compared to non-diabetics (mean difference: -0.07 ng/mL; 95% CI -0.10, -0.04). Conclusions: Diabetes and related factors (such as disease duration, severity and treatment) were significantly associated with lower PSA levels among asymptomatic men, yet differences were small and are unlikely to influence PCa detection in a screening setting.

Continuity of psychiatric disorders between 6 and 11 years of age in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and homotypic and heterotypic continuity of psychiatric disorders between ages 6 and 11. METHODS: In 2004, all live births in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, were recorded (n=4,231). Psychiatric disorders were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). SDQ subscale scores (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems) were categorized as normal or abnormal. To examine associations between problems over time, odds ratios were computed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Any SDQ difficulty was observed in 350 children (10.4%, 95%CI 9.4-11.5) at age 6 and 476 (14.2%, 95%CI 13.0-15.4) at age 11, with a higher prevalence among boys at both ages. Between ages 6 and 11, there was a 50 and a 45% increase in the prevalence of emotional and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms, respectively. Among those who had any SDQ difficulty at age 6, that status persisted in 81% at age 11. We found homotypic continuity of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders in this age group, with rates of disorders and continuity patterns similar to those observed in other studies.