Social Inequities in the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on the Mental Health of a Large Sample of the Colombian Population (PSY-COVID Study).

The identification of general population groups particularly vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mental health and the development of healthcare policies are priority challenges in the current and future pandemics. This study aimed to identify the personal and social determinants of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mental health in a large sample of the Colombian population. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous online survey was answered by 18,061 participants from the general population residing in Colombia during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak (from 20 May to 20 June 2020). The risk of depression, anxiety, and somatization disorders were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2), and Somatic Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-5), respectively. Overall, 35% of participants showed risk of depression, 29% of anxiety, and 31% of somatization. According to the analysis of social determinants of health, the most affected groups were people with low incomes, students, and young adults (18-29 years). Specifically, low-income young females were the most at-risk population group. These findings show how the lockdown measures affected the general population's mental health in Colombia and highlight some social risk factors in health.

[Wrist arthroscopy for fractures of the distal end of the radius]. / Artroscopía de muñieca en fracturas del extremo distal del radio.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the distal end of the radius are very frequent in the orthopedist's practice. The anatomical reduction of the articular surface and the extra-articular alignment of the radius are extremely important to minimize complications. The purpose of the study is to make an arthroscopic diagnosis of the lesions associated to the distal radius and assist in the reduction of the distal radius fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted from March 2007 to February 2008. We performed 20 wrist arthroscopies in 20 patients with an intraarticular fracture of the distal end of the radius. They were classified according to Frykman's criteria. Patient age ranged from 17 to 67, with a mean of 38.7 +/- 15.9 years. 60% were males and 40% females; mean follow-up was 12 months; the chondral lesions were classified according to Outerbridge, the interosseous ligament lesions and the triangular fibrocartilage lesions, according to Palmer's criteria. We did articular debridement, radiofrequency chondroplasty, and assisted the fracture reduction. We used Henry's palmar approach and did open reduction and internal fixation with a T-shaped palmar plate and finally performed an arthroscopy to check the reduction. RESULTS: 8 cases had chondral lesions (grades II to IV); 7 cases had lesion of the triangular fibrocartilage (central isolated ruptures, radial detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage from the sigmoid notch), 5 cases had lesion of the scapholunate ligament; one case had a lesion of the luno-pyramidal ligament, and in 6 cases no associated lesions were found; 8 cases had a single lesion and 6 cases had 2 to 3 concomitant lesions. Two patients had been lost at the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits; 35% of those that were followed-up had pain at 3 months (7 patients) and 15% at 6 months. Only 2 cases had scapholunate instability and only one case had distal radioulnar instability. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopy has proven useful in identifying hidden lesions, assisting in fracture reduction and even treating the lesions found at the time of the diagnosis. Chondral lesions were the most frequent ones, followed by lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage; a close relation was found between the type of Frykman fracture and the associated lesion. Type 7 and 8 lesions were more frequently associated with chondral lesions and with a higher mean age. At the end of the follow-up period the scapholunate ligament lesions remained unstable. Chondral lesions were related with persistent pain at 3 months.

Determination of the effective dose of an experimental fasciolicide in naturally and experimentally infected cattle.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effective dose of an experimental fasciolicide called compound alpha or 5-chloro-2-methylthio-6-(1-napthyloxy)1H-benzimidazole in experimentally and naturally infected cattle. In the first experiment, 24 fluke-free heifers were each infected with 800 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica and re-infected on day 45 with other 600 cysts per animal. On day 75, when the animals had 4- and 10-week-old flukes respectively, they were divided into four groups (G) of six animals each according to fluke egg counts. Groups 1-3 received compound alpha at 10, 12 and 14 mg/kg/p.o., respectively. G4 remained as an untreated control. Twenty days after treatment, the animals were sacrificed for the recovery of flukes. Efficacy was assessed as a percentage of egg or fluke reduction relative to the untreated control. In the second experiment (naturally infected cattle), 24-year-old steers positive to F. hepatica eggs were blocked into four groups of five animals each. Groups 1-3 received compound alpha at 10, 12 and 14 mg/kg/p.o., respectively. Group 4 served as a non-treated control. All procedures to determine efficacy were carried out as mentioned in the first experiment. The results in the first study showed a percentage on egg reduction of 97.3, 100 and 100 and overall fluke reduction of 94.3, 100 and 100 for Groups 1-3, respectively. In the second study, the percentage of egg reduction was of 87.5, 99.1 and 100 and overall efficacy regarding fluke reduction was of 84.2, 99.6, and 100 for Groups 1-3, respectively. It is concluded that the effective dose selected for compound alpha was of 12 mg/kg/p.o. in cattle having an induced or natural F. hepatica infection.