Socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 mortality in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases patients: regional analysis from Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection has become a major international issue, not only from a medical point of view, but also social, economic and political. Most of the available information comes from the United States, Europe, and China, where the population and the socioeconomic status are very different from Latin American countries. This study evaluates the effect of regional socioeconomic characteristics on mortality due SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) from Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. METHODS: Data from three national registries, SAR-COVID (Argentina), CMR-COVID (Mexico) and ReumaCoV-Brasil (Brazil), were combined. Adult IMRD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited. National data for each province/state, including population density, number of physicians per inhabitant, income, unemployment, GINI index, Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), stringency index, vaccination rate and most frequent viral strains per period were assessed as risk factors for mortality due to COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 4744 patients were included, 2534 (53.4%) from SAR-COVID, 1166 (24.6%) from CMRCOVID and 1044 (22.0%) from ReumaCoV-Brasil. Mortality due to COVID-19 was 5.4%. In the multivariable analysis, higher number of physicians per 1000 inhabitants and being infected during the vaccination period of each country were associated with lower mortality. After adjustment for socioeconomic factors, there was no association with country of residence and mortality. CONCLUSION: These findings corroborate the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors, rheumatic disease activity, and regional disparities as determinants of death due to COVID-19 in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Thus, this research provides valuable insights for guiding public health policies and clinical practice in the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enhancing pectin extraction from orange peel through citric acid-assisted optimization based on a dual response.

Pectin is widely used in several products in the industry. Conventionally, strong and harmful acids are used for its extraction. This study optimized the extraction of orange peel's pectin using citric acid, considering yield and degree of esterification (DE) as response variables. Proximal analyses were performed, and the samples were subjected to a Box-Behnken design on three central points, considering as variables the temperature, time, and pH. The results of proximate analyses of the orange peels revealed 11.76 % moisture content, 87.26 % volatiles, 0.09 % ash, 50.45 % soluble carbohydrates, 70.60 % total carbohydrates, 0.89 % fixed carbon, 5.35 % lipids, and 36.75 mg GAE/g of phenolic compounds. The resulting second-order polynomial model described the relation of the input and output variables related to each other. The best performance to obtain a higher yield (18.18 %) of high methoxyl pectin (DE 50 %) was set at 100 °C/30 min/pH 2.48. Pectin showed antioxidant properties by ABTS and DPPH assays and similar thermal properties to the commercial polymer. Its equivalent weight was 1219.51 mol/g, and the methoxyl and anhydrouronic acid were 2.23 and 67.10 %, respectively. Hence, pectin extraction with citric acid results in a high-quality polymer and could be used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, or texturizer in food products.

Factors Associated With Mortality in Patients With Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases and COVID-19 From Latin America: Data From Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) from Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, and to assess factors associated with mortality in this population. METHODS: Data from 3 national registries, SAR-COVID (Argentina), CMR-COVID (Mexico), and ReumaCoV-Brasil (Brazil), were combined. Adult patients with IMIDs and SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, IMID clinical characteristics and treatment, and SARS-CoV-2 infection presentation and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 4827 individuals were included: 2542 (52.7%) from SAR-COVID, 1167 (24.2%) from CMR-COVID, and 1118 (23.1%) from ReumaCoV-Brasil. Overall, 82.1% were female with a mean age of 49.7 (SD, 14.3) years; 22.7% of the patients were hospitalized, and 5.3% died because of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Argentina and Brazil had both 4% of mortality and Mexico 9.4%. In the multivariable analysis, older age (≥60 years; odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6-12.4), male sex (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), living in Mexico (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.0-4.4), comorbidity count (1 comorbidity: OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1), diagnosis of connective tissue disease or vasculitis (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.4), and other diseases (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.6-4.1) compared with inflammatory joint disease, high disease activity (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.5-7.0), and treatment with glucocorticoids (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5) or rituximab (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.7-6.6) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in patients with IMIDs was particularly high in Mexicans. Ethnic, environmental, societal factors, and different COVID-19 mitigation measures adopted have probably influenced these results.

[Familial aggregation in Irritable Colon Syndrome in Mexican patients. A case-control study]. / Agregación familiar en el síndrome de colon irritable en pacientes mexicanos. Un estudio de casos y controles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a family aggregation pattern of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). DESIGN: it is a case-control study with a 1.2 ratio. SETTING: External consultation of a general family medicine practice. PARTICIPANTS: men and women from 18 to 60 years old. Cases (40): people with IBS according to the Rome IV criteria, and Controls (80): relatives without gastrointestinal disease. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic variables, related stressful events, predominant evacuation patterns, and family repetition patterns for IBS. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square for categorical data (< p.05 as significant) estimate of ORs with 95% confidence interval. The institutional ethics committee approved it. RESULTS: The IBS presentation pattern was repeated in relatives, mainly first-degree. The risk of suffering from IBS was higher when the father reported it (OR 11.2 (95% CI; 1.2 -100.1), than the mother OR 3,7 (95% CI; 1.4 - 9.9), sibling OR 2.8 (95% CI; 1.1 - 6.6. In both groups, the relative who most frequently presented IBS was in the collateral line (sibling) (37.5% in cases vs. 17.5% in controls (p=0.023). In both groups, the predominant gender was female, with 80. 0% in cases and 57.5% in controls. CONCLUSION: SII has a familial recurrence pattern in the Mexican population. The disease is more frequent in first-degree relatives. It is important to elucidate the importance of the role that plays genetic background vs. the influence of the family environment in SII.

Microalgae-Based Biotechnology as Alternative Biofertilizers for Soil Enhancement and Carbon Footprint Reduction: Advantages and Implications.

Due to the constant growth of the human population and anthropological activity, it has become necessary to use sustainable and affordable technologies that satisfy the current and future demand for agricultural products. Since the nutrients available to plants in the soil are limited and the need to increase the yields of the crops is desirable, the use of chemical (inorganic or NPK) fertilizers has been widespread over the last decades, causing a nutrient shortage due to their misuse and exploitation, and because of the uncontrolled use of these products, there has been a latent environmental and health problem globally. For this reason, green biotechnology based on the use of microalgae biomass is proposed as a sustainable alternative for development and use as soil improvers for crop cultivation and phytoremediation. This review explores the long-term risks of using chemical fertilizers for both human health (cancer and hypoxia) and the environment (eutrophication and erosion), as well as the potential of microalgae biomass to substitute current fertilizer using different treatments on the biomass and their application methods for the implementation on the soil; additionally, the biomass can be a source of carbon mitigation and wastewater treatment in agro-industrial processes.

Symptom attribution and stress level in patients with medically unexplained symptoms in a Mexican emergency department.

Background: Patients who come to the emergency department are different from those seen in outpatient clinics. The former suffer greater stress. Aim: Establish an association between the attribution of the symptoms (psychosocial or organic) by the patient and the level of perceived stress in patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUS) in an emergency department. Methods: A correlational cross-sectional study was conducted in 138 patients with MUS in the emergency department of a 3rd level public hospital where the psychosocial or organic attribution of nonspecific symptom(s) by patients and the perceived stress were measured with validated scales. Bivariate analysis was performed with Chi square for categorical variables, and a Spearman correlation, p <0.05. Results: 75% of patients with psychosocial attribution have higher stress compared to patients with organic symptom attribution (25%). In Spearman's correlation, a medium but statistically significant correlation was obtained. Conclusions: The psychosocial attribution of the patient's complaint might coexist in MUS patients with higher level of perceived stress by the patients. Health professionals might need to address both psychosocial attributions and stress in MUS patients.

Factores clínicos y ecocardiográficos asociados al bajo gasto cardíaco posoperatorio en pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico cardiovascular / Clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with the postoperative low cardiac output in patients with cardiovascular surgical treatment i: en

Introducción: Entre las diferentes complicaciones que surgen en el periodo posoperatorio inmediato, el bajo gasto cardíaco presenta mayor morbilidad y mortalidad asociadas, con una incidencia de hasta 45,0 %. Objetivo: Determinar los factores relacionados con la aparición posoperatoria del bajo gasto cardíaco en pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico cardiovascular y circulación extracorpórea, según variables demográficas, clínicas y ecocardiográficas. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación analítica, de casos y controles, la cual incluyó a pacientes que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico cardíaco en el Servicio de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero hasta diciembre de 2019. Cada grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 43 integrantes, para lo cual se consideró la presencia del síndrome de bajo gasto cardíaco (casos) o no (controles). Resultados: En la serie predominaron los pacientes menores de 65 años de edad en ambos grupos de estudio (51,2 y 73,5 % para casos y controles, respectivamente), así como el sexo masculino (60,9 %); de igual modo, resultó más frecuente la intervención quirúrgica de emergencia (80,2 %). La fibrilación auricular y la función sistólica del ventrículo derecho presentaron alta significación estadística (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Algunos elementos clínicos y ecocardiográficos (edad, fibrilación auricular, función sistólica de los ventrículos izquierdo y derecho, así como intervención quirúrgica de emergencia) se asociaron de manera independiente a la aparición del bajo gasto cardíaco.

Introduction: Among the different complications that arise in the immediate postoperative period, the low cardiac output presents higher associated morbidity and mortality, with an incidence of up to 45.0 %. Objective: To determine the factors related to the postoperative emergence of the low cardiac output in patients with cardiovascular surgical treatment and extracorporeal circulation, according to demographic, clinical and echocardiographic variables. Methods: An analytic, cases and controls investigation was carried out, which included patients that received heart surgical treatment in the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Service of Saturnino Lora Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January to December, 2019. Each study group was conformed by 43 members, for which was considered the presence (cases) or not (controls) of the low cardiac output syndrome. Results: In the series there was a prevalence of the patients under 65 years in both study groups (51.2 and 73.5 % for cases and controls, respectively), as well as the male sex (60.9 %); in a same way, the emergency surgical intervention was the most frequent (80.2 %). The atrial fibrillation and the systolic function of the right ventricle presented high statistical significance (p <0.05). Conclusions: Some clinical and echocardiographic elements (age, atrial fibrillation, systolic function of the left and right ventricles, as well as emergency surgical intervention) were associated in an independent way with the emergence of the low cardiac output.

[Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the COVID-19 epidemic in Mexico: Quintana Roo case]. / Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de la epidemia COVID-19 en México: caso Quintana Roo.

Objective: Identify risk factors for severe outcome in Mexican patients with COVID-19 in the population of Quintana Roo. Material and methods: Study of 5,916 who met the criteria for suspected cases of COVID-19, 2,531 confirmed by qrTPCR-Sars-CoV-2 tests, of which 1,486 were positive, among which they were classified as hospitalized (severe COVID-19) and outpatients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 and death as clinical outcomes. The basic reproduction number (R0) was calculated Statistical analysis) Endorsement of the ethics committee 2301. Results: SARS-CoV-2 positive patients presented a high prevalence of hypertension 29.1%, diabetes 23.5%, obesity 24%, and 48.5% have at least one chronic disease. There is a high risk of severity for COVID-19 in patients with diabetes OR=3.14, hypertension OR=1.88, obesity OR=1.68, kidney disease OR=3.2, older than 65 years OR=13.6 and men OR=1.7. These factors also increase the risk of death up to 7.7 times. The maximum R0 during the epidemic was 2.4. Conclusion: Liver and kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are significantly associated with severe COVID-19 and death.

Objetivo: identificar factores de riesgo para desenlace a COVID-19 grave en pacientes mexicanos con de COVID-19 en población en Quintana Roo. Material y métodos: estudio de 5,916 quienes cumplieron criterios de casos sospechosos de COVID-19, 2,531 confirmados por pruebas qrTPCR-Sars-CoV-2 de los cuales 1,486 fueron positivos entre los cuales se clasifico en hosptializados (COVID-19 grave) y ambulatorios. Se realizó análisis de regresión logística multivariada para explorar los factores asociados con la gravedad de COVID-19 y defunción como desenlaces clínicos. Se calculó el número básico de reproducción (R0) Análisis estadístico) Aval del comité de ética 2301. Resultados: pacientes positivos a SARS-CoV-2 presentaron alta prevalencia de hipertensión 29.1%, diabetes 23.5%, obesidad 24%, y 48.5% tiene al menos una enfermedad crónica. Existe alto riesgo de severidad para COVID-19 en pacientes con diabetes OR=3.14; hipertensión OR=1.88, obesidad OR=1.68, enfermedad renal OR=3.2, mayores de 65 años OR=13.6 y hombres OR=1.7. Estos factores también incrementan el riesgo de defunción hasta 7.7 veces. El R0 máximo durante la epidemia fue de 2.4. Conclusión: la enfermedad hepática, renal, diabetes, hipertensión y obesidad se asocian significativamente a COVID-19 severo y defunción.

Symptom attribution in patients with medically unexplained symptoms. A scale development and validation study.

INTRODUCTION: In the care of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) it is important what they think about their symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To validate the psychometric properties of a symptom attribution scale in patients with MUPS and to verify its reliability. METHODS: A non-probabilistic sample of 400 male and female adult patients were interviewed in the outpatient services of a family medicine hospital, 200 with MUPS and 200 with a defined organic pathology. Each group was diagnosed with defined criteria, and a scale with content and construct validity was applied by means of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. RESULTS: The scale was made up of 12 items with two factors, one of symptom psychosocial attribution and other with organic attribution. The psychosocial-origin factor showed a variance of 49.7%. The goodness-of-fit test demonstrated that the correlation matrix was adequate, and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated statistical significance (p < 0.0001); Cronbach's alpha was 0.841. CONCLUSION: The scale showed acceptable construct validity and good reliability and stability. The implications of these results for future measurement research are discussed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la atención de pacientes con síntomas físicos médicamente no explicables (SFMNE) es importante lo que el paciente piensa de sus síntomas. OBJETIVO: Validar propiedades psicométricas de una escala de atribución del síntoma en pacientes con SFMNE y verificar su confiabilidad. MÉTODOS: Se entrevistó a una muestra no probabilística de 400 pacientes adultos, hombres y mujeres, en la consulta de un hospital con medicina familiar, 200 con SFMNE y 200 con patología orgánica concreta. Se diagnosticó a cada grupo con criterios definidos y se aplicó una escala con validez de contenido y de constructo por medio de análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. RESULTADOS: La escala quedó integrada por 12 reactivos con dos factores, uno de atribución psicosocial y otro de atribución orgánica del síntoma. El factor de origen psicosocial tuvo una varianza de 49.7 %. La prueba de bondad de ajuste mostró que la matriz de correlaciones fue adecuada y la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett indicó significación estadística (p < 0.0001); el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.841. CONCLUSIÓN: La escala mostró una validez de constructo aceptable y buena confiabilidad y estabilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la investigación de mediciones futuras.

Disfunción ventricular derecha en paciente adulto con comunicación interventricular posinfarto / Right ventricular dysfunction in adult patient with post-infarction ventricular septal defect

RESUMEN Introducción: La disfunción ventricular derecha es la alteración aguda o crónica de la morfología y función de dicha estructura, de origen multifactorial. En los últimos años existe consenso acerca de su función como determinante del estado funcional y factor pronóstico en diversas enfermedades. Objetivo: Destacar la importancia del manejo multidisciplinario y algunas de las opciones terapéuticas que se les pueden brindar a estos pacientes. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 58 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud aparente, que acudió al Servicio de emergencias, donde se le diagnosticó un infarto agudo de miocardio de topografía inferior. Se trasladó a la unidad de cuidados intensivos quirúrgicos del Servicio de Cirugía Cardiovascular debido a una complicación mecánica por comunicación interventricular. Se recibió con elementos clínicos de insuficiencia cardíaca aguda clase funcional IV. Progresivamente presentó deterioro del estado hemodinámico por lo que requirió el uso de apoyo vasoactivo con norepinefrina; hipoxia, hipercapnia, presiones venosas centrales entre 15 y 18 cmH2O y elementos clínicos de disfunción de ventrículo derecho; se decidió instrumentar vía aérea, administrar sedación y relajación por asincronías a paciente ventilado. Sin otra opción que el tratamiento quirúrgico se llevó a discusión donde se decidió esperar a la mejoría del estado hemodinámico con tratamiento médico. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares no dejan de aparecer en escenarios cada vez más complejos con elevada morbimortalidad. Se evidencia la importancia del consenso clínico-quirúrgico en el momento de la toma de decisiones.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Right ventricular dysfunction is the acute or chronic alteration of the morphology and function of this structure, of multifactorial origin. In recent years there is consensus about its role as a determinant of functional status and prognostic factor in various diseases. Objective: Highlight the importance of multidisciplinary management and some of the therapeutic options that can be provided to these patients. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old patient with an apparent health history went to the Emergency Service, where he was diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction of lower topography. He was transferred to the surgical intensive care unit of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service due to a mechanical complication from ventricular septal defect. He was received presenting clinical elements of acute heart failure functional class IV. He progressively presented deterioration of the hemodynamic state, so it required the use of vasoactive support with norepinephrine; hypoxia, hypercapnia, central venous pressures between 15 and 18 cmH2O and clinical elements of right ventricular dysfunction; it was decided to implement airway, administer sedation and relaxation by asynchrony to ventilated patient. With no other option than surgical treatment, it was brought to discussion and it was decided to wait for the improvement of the hemodynamic state with medical treatment. Conclusions: Cardiovascular diseases do not cease to appear in increasingly complex scenarios with high morbidity and mortality. The importance of clinical-surgical consensus at the time of decision-making is evident.

Atribución de síntomas en pacientes con síntomas médicamente inexplicables. Un estudio de validación y desarrollo de la escala / Symptom attribution in patients with medically unexplained symptoms. A scale development and validation study

Resumen Introducción: En la atención de pacientes con síntomas físicos médicamente no explicables (SFMNE) es importante lo que el paciente piensa de sus síntomas. Objetivo: Validar propiedades psicométricas de una escala de atribución del síntoma en pacientes con SFMNE y verificar su confiabilidad. Métodos: Se entrevistó a una muestra no probabilística de 400 pacientes adultos, hombres y mujeres, en la consulta de un hospital con medicina familiar, 200 con SFMNE y 200 con patología orgánica concreta. Se diagnosticó a cada grupo con criterios definidos y se aplicó una escala con validez de contenido y de constructo por medio de análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. Resultados: La escala quedó integrada por 12 reactivos con dos factores, uno de atribución psicosocial y otro de atribución orgánica del síntoma. El factor de origen psicosocial tuvo una varianza de 49.7 %. La prueba de bondad de ajuste mostró que la matriz de correlaciones fue adecuada y la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett indicó significación estadística (p < 0.0001); el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.841. Conclusión.: La escala mostró una validez de constructo aceptable y buena confiabilidad y estabilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la investigación de mediciones futuras.

Abstract Introduction: In the care of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) it is important what they think about their symptoms. Objective: To validate the psychometric properties of a symptom attribution scale in patients with MUPS and to verify its reliability. Methods: A non-probabilistic sample of 400 male and female adult patients were interviewed in the outpatient services of a family medicine hospital, 200 with MUPS and 200 with a defined organic pathology. Each group was diagnosed with defined criteria, and a scale with content and construct validity was applied by means of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Results: The scale was made up of 12 items with two factors, one of symptom psychosocial attribution and others with organic attribution. The psychosocial-origin factor showed a variance of 49.7%. The goodness-of-fit test demostrated that the correlation matrix was adequate, and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated statistical significance (p < 0.0001); Cronbach's alpha was 0.841. Conclusion: The scale showed acceptable construct validity and good reliability and stability. The implications of these results for future measurement research are discussed.

Homenaje póstumo al Dr. Claudio Julio Puente Fonseca (1945-2021) / Posthumous tribute to Dr. Claudio Julio Puente Fonseca (1945 - 2021)

En este artículo se mencionan algunos aspectos de la vida y obra del doctor Claudio Julio Puente Fonseca, Especialista de Segundo Grado en Cirugía Pediátrica, Profesor Titular y Consultante de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Durante varios años fue el Jefe del Grupo Provincial de la especialidad. Sus logros en la asistencia, docencia, contribución al uso correcto de la lengua española y de la terminología médica fueron relevantes para sus alumnos y colegas.

Some aspects of the life and work of Dr. Claudio Julio Puente Fonseca, Second Degree Specialist in Pediatric Surgery, Associate and Consultant Professor in Santiago Medical Sciences University, are mentioned in this work. During several years he was the Provincial Group Head of the Speciality. His achievements in assistance, teaching, contributions to the correct use of Spanish and of the medical terminology were relevant for his pupils and colleagues.

Auto- medicación y auto-prescripción en el personal de salud del primer nivel de atención de México, Bolivia y Ecuador / Selfmedication and selfprescription in health care workers in primary care in Mexico, Bolivia and Ecuador

Introducción. La prevalencia general de la automedicación en la población general fluctúa de 27.3% a 61.3%. En trabajadores de la salud está menos documentado (Definido como auto prescripción), así como su frecuencia y las características del personal médico. Material y métodos. Se trata de un estudio comparativo transversal de 3 países, México (178), Bolivia (250) y Ecuador (130) en población de Médicos Familiares y Médicos Generales de Primer nivel de atención en salud; sexo y edad indistintos, activos en consulta pública o institucional. El muestreo fue por conveniencia calculado por fórmula. Se usó una encuesta con datos demográficos, Frecuencia de automedicación y auto prescripción, patologías donde se usaron, y razones de uso y fuentes de información. Se capturaron y analizaron en SPSS versión 20. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales como ji-cuadrada y Kruskal Wallis. Aprobado por el comité de ética de dos países. Resultados. De los participantes 58.0% son médicos familiares, la mayoría femeninas (p<.05), con pareja, y con promedio de edad de 39.3. Laboran en el sistema público 42.2%. Se automedicaron y auto prescribieron más medicamentos los médicos en México y menos en Ecuador (p<.0001). En general, en el último mes, 61.5% de los profesionales estudiados se auto medicó (media 2.99 veces), y menor porcentaje se auto prescribió 35.8%, (media 1.28 veces) principalmente analgésicos y antibióticos (p<.0001) y por patologías respiratorias (p<.05). Las variables numéricas no cumplieron los supuestos de normalidad. Conclusión. Más de la mitad de los profesionales estudiados se auto medicó y más de un tercio se auto prescribió (antibióticos y analgésicos), esto más en México (AU)

Introduction. The general prevalence of selfmedication in the general population fluctuates from 27.3% to 61.3%. It is less documented in health workers (denominated as selfprescription), as well as its frequency and the characteristics of medical personnel. Material and methods. This is a cross- sectional, comparative study of 3 countries, Mexico (178), Bolivia (250) and, Ecuador (130) in the population of Family Physicians and General Practitioners of the first level of care; indistinct sex and age, active practice in public or institutional consultation. Sampling was for convenience calculated by a formula. A survey with demographic data, II Frequency of self-medication and self-prescription, pathologies where they were used, reasons for use and, sources of information were used. They were captured and analyzed in SPSS version 20. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as chi-square and Kruskal Wallis were used. It was approved by the ethic committee from two countries. Results. Of the participants, 58.0% are family doctors, the majority female (p <.05), with a partner, and with an average age of 39.3 years; 42.2% work in the public system. More physicians in Mexico and fewer in Ecuador used self-medicated and self- prescribed medications (p <.0001). In general in the last month, 61.5% of the professionals self-medicated (average 2.99 times), and a lower percentage (35.8%,)self-prescribed (average 1.28 times) mainly pain relievers and antibiotics (p <.0001) and for respiratory pathologies (p <.05). The numerical variables did not meet the assumptions of normality. Conclusion. More than half of the professionals studied practice self-medication and more than third antibiotics and analgesics as self-prescription this more in Mexico (AU)

Síndrome de burnout y dependencia al alcohol en estudiantes de medicina

RESUMEN Introducción: el síndrome de Burnout es una enfermedad mental causada por el estrés laboral, situación ampliamente asociada con los médicos y otros profesionales de salud, asimismo, el abuso de sustancias y la depresión también son problemas psiquiátricos que están relacionados con este ámbito. Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia de estudiantes de medicina del área clínica de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción con sospecha de Síndrome de Burnout y trastorno de abuso de alcohol. Metodología: estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal en estudiantes de medicina del área clínica de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción de Paraguay. Se utilizaron encuestas con la prueba de identificación de desórdenes de uso del alcohol (AUDIT-C), el inventario de Maslach y el screening de depresión PHQ-2. Resultados: de las 157 encuestas, el 43,9% cumplió con los criterios de Síndrome de Burnout, el 49% cumplió los criterios de abuso/dependencia de alcohol y el 38,9% tuvo criterios de alta probabilidad de trastorno depresivo mayor, de ellos la mayoría presentó ideación suicida en los últimos 12 meses. Conclusión: los resultados fueron parecidos a los hallados en la literatura, sin embargo, ciertos aspectos fueron mayores en este estudio, como el porcentaje que cumple los criterios de Síndrome de Burnout, abuso de sustancias e ideación suicida. El Síndrome de Burnout y la dependencia al alcohol son frecuentes en estudiantes de medicina y se asocian comúnmente a trastornos depresivos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Burnout Syndrome is a mental disorder caused by occupational stress, a situation widely prevalent in doctors and other health professionals. Substance abuse and depression are also psychiatric problems that are related to this area. Objective: To identify the frequency of Burnout Syndrome and its association with Alcohol misuse in medical students in their clinical years at the National University of Asunción. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in medical students from the clinical area of the National University of Asunción, Paraguay. Surveys were used with the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT-C), the Maslach inventory and the PHQ-2 depression screening. Results: Of the 157 surveys, 43.9% met the criteria for Burnout Syndrome, 49% met the criteria for alcohol misuse / dependence and 38.9% had high probability crite-ria for major depressive disorder. Most of them presented suicidal ideation in the last 12 months. Conclusion: The results were similar to those found in the literature, however, certain aspects were greater in this study, such as the percentage that meets the criteria for Burnout Syndrome, alcohol misuse and suicidal ideation. Burnout Syndrome and alcohol misuse are frequent in medical students and are commonly associated with depressive disorders.

Lipoma pericárdico: tumor benigno como causa de taponamiento cardíaco a baja presión / Pericardial lipoma: benign tumor as a cause of low-pressure cardiac tamponade / Lipoma pericárdico: tumor benigno como causa de tamponamento cardíaco de baixa pressão

Resumen: Los tumores cardíacos son poco frecuentes y los lipomas constituyen una pequeña parte de ellos. La mayoría de estos tumores difieren en manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico, morfología y tamaño, por lo que son difíciles de evaluar. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 80 años con disnea progresiva e insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada que desarrolló derrame pericárdico y posteriormente taponamiento cardíaco. A través del ecocardiograma transtorácico y de la tomografía computarizada, se determinó que un lipoma cardíaco era la causa del taponamiento cardíaco a baja presión que presentaba la paciente.

Summary: Cardiac tumors are rare and cardiac lipomas represent a small fraction of them. Most of these tumors differ in clinical manifestations, diagnosis, morphology and size, making them difficult to diagnose. We report the case of an 80 years old female patient, with progressive dyspnea and decompensated heart failure, who developed pericardial effusion and subsequent cardiac tamponade. After transthoracic echocardiography and thoracic computed tomography, pericardial lipoma was evidenced as the cause of low pressure cardiac tamponade.

Resumo: Os tumores cardíacos são raros e os lipomas cardíacos entram em uma pequena fração dentre esses. Grande parte desses tumores diferem em manifestações clínicas, diagnóstico, morfologia e tamanho, tornando-se de diagnóstico difícil. Relata- se o caso de uma paciente feminina de 80 anos, com evolução progressiva de dispneia e insuficiência cardíaca descompensada evoluiu com derrame pericárdico e subsequente tamponamento cardíaco. Após exames de ecocardiografia transtoracica e tomografia computadorizada de toráx, evidenciou-se o lipoma pericárdico como causa de tamponamento cardíaco de baixa pressão.

Actitudes de los médicos familiares mexicanos sobre el uso de placebos en la práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION: The use of placebo has spread in clinical practice despite being controversial. In Mexico, the practice of family medicine is predominantly institutional and works with an essential medications list. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and family doctor attitude regarding the use of placebos in clinical practice. METHOD: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study of 307 family doctors with active practice in 27 states of the Mexican Republic. A questionnaire was used with sociodemographic data and consensus-developed questions about frequency of use and attitudes. For analysis, the square-chi test was used. RESULTS: 75% used placebos (95% CI=69.7-79.4%); 122 (39.7%) used pure placebos, mainly water (p < 0.05), and 220 (71.6%), impure placebos, mainly vitamins and laboratory tests. They were used more in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (178, 45.5%), including 122 (31.2%) "healthy worried" patients, or who had chronic conditions (40, 12.5%). Reasons for prescription: 249 (81%) for the psychological effect, when they showed benefit (176, 57%), even when it implied deceiving (78, 25%) or insufficient evidence of efficacy (57, 19%). The main reason was because of patient insistence. CONCLUSIONS: More impure placebos were used, mainly in healthy worried patients and in those with chronic conditions.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El uso de placebo se ha extendido en la práctica a pesar de ser polémico. En México, la práctica de medicina familiar es predominante institucional y trabaja con un cuadro básico de medicamentos. OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia y actitud del médico familiar en la utilización de placebos en la práctica clínica. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal, observacional, multicéntrico, en 307 médicos familiares con práctica activa, en 27 estados de la República Mexicana. Se usó cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos, preguntas sobre frecuencia de uso y actitudes elaboradas por consenso. Se analizó con chi cuadrada. RESULTADOS: 75 % utilizó placebos (IC 95 % = 69.7-79.4 %); 122 (39.7 %) placebos puros, principalmente agua (p < 0.05), y 220 (71.6 %) placebos impuros, principalmente vitaminas y exámenes de laboratorio. Los usaron más en pacientes con síntomas físicos no explicados médicamente (178, 45.5 %), incluidos 122 (31.2 %) pacientes "sanos preocupados" o con padecimientos crónicos (40, 12.5 %). Motivos de prescripción: 249 (81 %) por el efecto psicológico, cuando demostraron beneficio (176, 57 %), aun cuando implicara engaño (78, 25 %) o evidencia de eficacia insuficiente (57, 19 %). El principal motivo fue por insistencia del paciente. CONCLUSIONES: Se utilizaron más placebos impuros, principalmente en pacientes sanos preocupados y en aquellos con padecimientos crónicos.

Actitudes de los médicos familiares mexicanos sobre el uso de placebos en la práctica clínica / Attitudes of Mexican family physicians on the use of placebos in clinical practice

Resumen Introducción: El uso de placebo se ha extendido en la práctica a pesar de ser polémico. En México, la práctica de medicina familiar es predominante institucional y trabaja con un cuadro básico de medicamentos. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia y actitud del médico familiar en la utilización de placebos en la práctica clínica. Método: Estudio transversal, observacional, multicéntrico, en 307 médicos familiares con práctica activa, en 27 estados de la República Mexicana. Se usó cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos, preguntas sobre frecuencia de uso y actitudes elaboradas por consenso. Se analizó con chi cuadrada. Resultados: 75 % utilizó placebos (IC 95 % = 69.7-79.4 %); 122 (39.7 %) placebos puros, principalmente agua (p < 0.05), y 220 (71.6 %) placebos impuros, principalmente vitaminas y exámenes de laboratorio. Los usaron más en pacientes con síntomas físicos no explicados médicamente (178, 45.5 %), incluidos 122 (31.2 %) pacientes “sanos preocupados” o con padecimientos crónicos (40, 12.5 %). Motivos de prescripción: 249 (81 %) por el efecto psicológico, cuando demostraron beneficio (176, 57 %), aun cuando implicara engaño (78, 25 %) o evidencia de eficacia insuficiente (57, 19 %). El principal motivo fue por insistencia del paciente. Conclusiones: Se utilizaron más placebos impuros, principalmente en pacientes sanos preocupados y en aquellos con padecimientos crónicos.

Abstract Introduction: The use of placebo has spread in clinical practice despite being controversial. In Mexico, the practice of family medicine is predominantly institutional and works with an essential medications list. Objective: To determine the frequency and family doctor attitude regarding the use of placebos in clinical practice. Method: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study of 307 family doctors with active practice in 27 states of the Mexican Republic. A questionnaire was used with sociodemographic data and consensus-developed questions about frequency of use and attitudes. For analysis, the square-chi test was used. Results: 75% used placebos (95% CI=69.7-79.4%); 122 (39.7%) used pure placebos, mainly water (p < 0.05), and 220 (71.6%), impure placebos, mainly vitamins and laboratory tests. They were used more in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (178, 45.5%), including 122 (31.2%) “healthy worried” patients, or who had chronic conditions (40, 12.5%). Reasons for prescription: 249 (81%) for the psychological effect, when they showed benefit (176, 57%), even when it implied deceiving (78, 25%) or insufficient evidence of efficacy (57, 19%). The main reason was because of patient insistence. Conclusions: More impure placebos were used, mainly in healthy worried patients and in those with chronic conditions.

Manejo de la hipertensión arterial en el adulto mayor / Management of hypertension in the elderly

Resumen La hipertensión arterial sistémica es una enfermedad crónica, de causa múltiple, que produce daño vascular sistémico e incrementa la morbilidad y mortalidad por diversas enfermedades cardiovasculares, en el caso de los adultos mayores, la presión arterial aumenta con el incremento de la edad debido al proceso de envejecimiento como consecuencia de cambios en la rigidez de las arterias, el remodelado vascular y cam bios en los mecanismos renales y hormonales; por tanto, se espera que se incremente la incidencia de hipertensión arterial en los adultos mayores. Por las características propias de este grupo etario, la clasificación y el tratamiento de esta enfermedad reviste múltiple controversia y diversos factores a tomar en cuenta; se considera piedra angular del manejo la adecuación e individualización del tratamiento elegido y debe tenerse como punto clave del tratamiento la conservación de la funcionalidad e independencia, con especial cuidado en los efectos adversos de los fármacos, así como de posibles interacciones medicamentosas.

Abstract Hypertension is a chronic disease of multiple etiology that produces systemic vascular damage and increases morbidity and mortality due to various cardiovascular diseases; in the case of the elderly, blood pressure increases with age due to the aging process as a consequence of changes in stiffness of the arteries, vascular remodeling and changes in the renal and hormonal mechanisms, therefore, it is expected that the incidence of hypertension in the elderly will increase. Because of the characteristics of this age group, the classification and management of this disease have multiple controversy and multiple factors to be taken into account, considering a cornerstone of management the adequacy and individualization of the treatment chosen and having as a key point of treatment the preservation of functionality and independence, taking special care in the adverse effects of the drugs as well as possible drug interactions.