Correction: Effects of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of non-communicable diseases among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000763.].

Effects of a Structured Multicomponent Physical Exercise Intervention on Quality of Life and Biopsychosocial Health among Chilean Older Adults from the Community with Controlled Multimorbidity: A Pre-Post Design.

Structured multicomponent physical exercise (PE) for older adults, with a combination of strength, aerobic, flexibility, and balance exercises, has been shown to have benefits for physical, cognitive, social, and metabolic functioning, as well as counteracting chronic pathologies and geriatric syndromes. However, little is known about the effect of these interventions in Chilean older adults. Our objective was to determine the effect of a structured multicomponent PE intervention on the quality of life (QoL) and biopsychosocial factors of community-living older adults. We conducted a pre-post intervention without control group, with a face-to-face structured multicomponent PE intervention (cardiovascular, strength/power, flexibility, static and dynamic balance, other psychomotor components, and education), based on FITT-VP principles (frequency, intensity, type, time, volume, and progression of exercise), at moderate intensity, 60 min per session, three times per week, and 12 weeks in duration, among 45 persons with an average age of 70.74 years. Participants were evaluated at the beginning and end of the intervention with different instruments of comprehensive gerontological assessment (CGA). Post intervention, participants (83.70% average attendance) significantly improved scores in QoL, biological and biopsychosocial frailty, sarcopenia, functionality in basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living, dynamic balance, cognitive status and mood, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, body mass index, strength and flexibility clinical tests of lower and upper extremity, aerobic capacity, agility, and tandem balance. The indication and prescription of structured multicomponent PE based on FITT-VP principles, as evaluated with the CGA, improved the QoL and biopsychosocial health of older adults. This intervention could serve as a pilot for RCTs or to improve PE programs or services for older adults under the auspices of existing public policy.

Una mirada a la seguridad del ultrasonido en ecotomografía obstétrica / A look at the safety of ultrasound in obstetric echotomography

Resumen Los índices térmico y mecánico son estimadores de riesgo fetal en una ecografía y se deben controlar sus valores minimizando la exposición. Comparamos los valores de los índices térmico y mecánico obtenidos en exámenes ecográficos obstétricos de pacientes gestantes, con el valor recomendado por la comunidad internacional. Se realizó la estimación de estos índices en 421 ecografías obstétricas en 2019. Los valores fueron comparados entre ellos y con el valor recomendado para cada índice y según el modo de visualización (B, Doppler color y Doppler espectral). Del total de la muestra, para el índice térmico en modo Doppler color un 0,24% superó el valor estándar recomendado y en modo Doppler espectral un 2,85%. Para el índice mecánico se sobrepasó el valor recomendado en modo B en un 11,16%, en un 8,08% en modo Doppler color y, por último, en un 0,48% para el modo Doppler espectral. Los índices mecánico y térmico en esta muestra de exámenes ecográficos obstétricos se encuentran en promedio bajo el valor de referencia. Sin embargo, existe un número importante de casos en que se superan las normas, lo que debe ser una voz de alerta para la comunidad médica.

Abstract The thermal and mechanical indices are the best estimators of fetal risk in an ultrasound and their values should be controlled in order to minimize exposure as much as possible. We compared the values of the thermal and mechanical indices obtained in obstetric ultrasound examinations of pregnant patients, with the value recommended by the international community. These indices were estimated in 421 obstetric ultrasounds during 2019. The estimated values were compared with each other and with the recommended value for each index and according to the display mode (B, color Doppler and spectral Doppler). Of the total sample, for the thermal index in color Doppler mode, 0.24% exceeded the recommended standard value and 2.85%. in spectral Doppler mode. For the mechanical index, the recommended value was exceeded in B mode by 11.16%, in 8.08% in color Doppler mode and, finally, by 0.48% for spectral Doppler mode. The mechanical and thermal indices in this sample of obstetric ultrasound examinations are on average below the reference value. However, there is a significant number of cases in which the standards are exceeded, which should be a warning to the medical community.

Effects of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of non-communicable diseases among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are potentially at increased vulnerability during the Covid-19 pandemic and require additional help to reduce risk. Self-management is one effective strategy and this study investigated the effect of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of some non-communicable diseases, namely hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out on 910 participants with NCDs, from Santiago, Chile. An adapted and validated version of the "Partners in Health" scale was used to measure self-management. Exploratory Factor analysis yielded five dimensions of this scale: Disease Knowledge, Healthcare Team Relationship, General Self-Management and Daily Routines, Drug Access and Intake, and Monitoring and Decision-Making. The average of these dimensions was calculated to create a new variable Self-Management Mean, which was used as a dependent variable together with the five separate dimensions. Independent variables included age, gender, years of schooling, number of diseases, the percentage of Multidimensional Poverty Index in the commune of residence, and self-rated health status. Beta regressions and ANOVA for the Beta regression residuals were utilized for analyses. Beta regression model explained 8.1% of the variance in Self-Management Mean. Age, years of schooling, number of diseases and self-rated health status were statistically associated with Self-Management Mean and dimensions related to daily routines and health decision making, such as Disease Knowledge, General Self-Management and Daily Routines, and Monitoring and Decision-Making. Gender and the percentage of Multidimensional Poverty Index in the commune of residence were insignificant. Strategies for self-management of NCDs during a crisis should consider age, years of schooling, number of diseases, and self-rated health status in their design.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the "Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31-P)" Questionnaire for Chile.

PURPOSE: To report the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31-P) Questionnaire in patients with epilepsy (PWE) in Chile. METHODS: Translation from the original and posterior back-translation was performed by independent translators, two in each step. The final consensual translation was modified for the Chilean context and assessed by cognitive interviews with 12 PWE from Chile's public healthcare system, selected by quotas. RESULTS: Main changes made to the original questionnaire were the addition, in some items, of an alternative, indicating the nonexistence of limitations produced by epilepsy, examples to clarify some questions, and some minor wording modifications. There was no addition or deletion of items. CONCLUSION: A culturally adapted version of the QOLIE-31-P questionnaire was obtained in conditions to be assessed psychometrically in a sample of PWE in Chile.

Identification of daily environmental noise patterns in two different urban sites in Santiago, Chile / Análisis de ruido ambiental en Santiago, Chile

Background: Environmental noise can cause auditory and non-auditory adverse effects. Aim: To identify daily environmental noise patterns in two urban sites of Metropolitan Santiago. Material and Methods: Continuous measurements of environmental noise in two sites of Metropolitan Santiago were analyzed by means of hierarchical cluster analysis. One site was a main street with heavy traffic and the second was a street from a neighborhood with intense nocturnal activity. The first phase of analysis consisted of clustering noise profiles with similar shapes according to the average linkage method, with correlation as the similarity measure. The second phase grouped the profiles with similar shapes into sub-clusters that also had similar absolute noise levels, using the complete linkage method, with absolute distance as the similarity measure. Results: Two noise patterns were identified for the first site, one for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and another for weekends (Saturday and Sunday). For the second site five different patterns were identified (Monday to Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Also different patterns appeared for summer compared to the rest of the year. The noise levels of both sites were high. Conclusions: The detected noise levels can be annoying, cause sleep disturbances and increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, among other effects.

Antecedentes: El ruido ambiental puede tener efectos adversos auditivos y no auditivos. Objetivo: Identificar patrones diarios de ruido ambiental en dos sectores urbanos de Santiago, Chile. Material y Métodos: Se analizaron mediciones continuas de ruido ambiental realizadas en dos emplazamientos urbanos de Santiago, Chile, mediante análisis de cluster jerárquico. Los dos lugares fueron una avenida principal con alto tráfico vehicular y una calle en un barrio con intensa actividad nocturna. La primera fase del análisis agrupó perfiles de ruido con formas similares de acuerdo al método de vinculación promedio, usando la correlación como medida de similitud. La segunda fase agrupó los perfiles con formas similares en subclusters que también tuvieran niveles de ruido similares, usando el método de vinculación completa, con la distancia absoluta como medida de similitud. Resultados: Se identificaron dos patrones para el primer emplazamiento, uno para días de semana (lunes a viernes) y otro para fines de semana (sábado y domingo). Para el segundo emplazamiento se identificaron cinco patrones diferentes (lunes a miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, y domingo), así como patrones distintos para el verano en comparación con el resto del año. Los niveles de ruido en ambos lugares fueron altos. Conclusiones: Los niveles de ruido detectados podrían producir molestias, perturbación del sueño, incremento de riesgo de hipertensión y enfermedades cardiovasculares, entre otros efectos.

Identification of daily environmental noise patterns in two different urban sites in Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Environmental noise can cause auditory and non-auditory adverse effects. AIM: To identify daily environmental noise patterns in two urban sites of Metropolitan Santiago. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Continuous measurements of environmental noise in two sites of Metropolitan Santiago were analyzed by means of hierarchical cluster analysis. One site was a main street with heavy traffic and the second was a street from a neighborhood with intense nocturnal activity. The first phase of analysis consisted of clustering noise profiles with similar shapes according to the average linkage method, with correlation as the similarity measure. The second phase grouped the profiles with similar shapes into sub-clusters that also had similar absolute noise levels, using the complete linkage method, with absolute distance as the similarity measure. RESULTS: Two noise patterns were identified for the first site, one for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and another for weekends (Saturday and Sunday). For the second site five different patterns were identified (Monday to Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Also different patterns appeared for summer compared to the rest of the year. The noise levels of both sites were high. CONCLUSIONS: The detected noise levels can be annoying, cause sleep disturbances and increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, among other effects.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for HIV Infection in a Population of Homosexual, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Metropolitan Region of Chile: A Re-emerging Health Problem.

According to the most recent UNAIDS report, the number of new HIV infections has increased by 34% since 2010 in Chile, representing the largest increase in the Americas. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the metropolitan region (MR) of Santiago, Chile. Cross-sectional study of MSM living in the MR, recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants were tested using Human Immunodeficiency virus rapid test, and reactive cases were confirmed withELISA. Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire adapted for the Chilean population. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were then performed. All applicable ethical norms were followed in the execution of this study. The total sample consisted of 375 individuals. HIV prevalence among MSM was 17.6% overall. Among the HIV-negative men, most (71.5%) had not been tested for sexually-transmitted diseases (STIs) other than HIV in the past 12 months, and 24.1% had never been tested for HIV. Participants who had been tested for an STI other than HIV in the past 12 months had a 3.56-fold greater OR for HIV-positive status than those who had not. Conversely, having had an HIV test in the past 12 months was a protective factor against positive HIV status (OR = 0.09). The high prevalence of HIV among MSM suggests a re-emergence of the disease in Chile, and cases are specifically concentrated among young MSM. Access to sexual health care and STI testing in Chile is insufficient. Targeted prevention efforts are urgently needed as part of the Chilean national strategy to combat the spread of HIV, including community-based testing programs.

Sobrevida de carcinoma oral de células escamosas: reporte de la Universidad de Chile / Survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma: report of the University of Chile

RESUMEN: El carcinoma oral de células escamosas es la neoplasia maligna más frecuente en la cavidad oral. Sin embargo, los estudios sobre supervivencia general en pacientes con cáncer oral son escasos en Chile. Objetivo: Determinar las características sociodemográficas y la supervivencia general de pacientes diagnosticados con carcinoma en labio y cavidad oral en el Servicio de Anatomía Patológica de la Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron los casos de carcinoma oral de células escamosas diagnosticados entre los años 2000-2012. Se incluyeron sólo los primeros diagnósticos y las recidivas fueron excluidas. Resultados: De 134 casos registrados, 120 cumplían los criterios de inclusión. El 60% correspondió a hombres (razón hombre-mujer 1,3:1) y la media de edad fue 63 años. La supervivencia general a dos años fue 48,3% y a cinco años 33,9% según estimación de Kaplan-Meier. Se detectó una mayor supervivencia en el grupo de pacientes que tenían menos de 55 años (p<0,05). 79,2% de los casos fallecidos registra como causa de muerte cáncer oral. Conclusiones: El mayor porcentaje de personas diagnosticadas fueron hombres y adultos mayores. La supervivencia general a cinco años fue menor a lo determinado en reportes nacionales previos. Los adultos de 55 años y mayores presentaron una menor supervivencia general.

ABSTRACT: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of oral cavity. Research about general survival rates in patients with oral cancer is limited in Chile. Objective: To determine the sociodemographic characteristics and general survival of patients diagnosed with lip and oral carcinoma in the Pathological Anatomy Service at the School of Dentistry, University of Chile. Material and methods: All cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma selected were diagnosed between the years 2000 and 2012. All cases included in this study corresponded to the first diagnosis and tumor recurrence was excluded. Results: The 134 registered cases, 120 were selected with inclusion criteria. 60% were men (male and female ratio of 1.3: 1) and median age 63 year-old. Overall survival at two years was 48.3% and at five years 33.9%, according to Kaplan-Meier estimate. A higher survival was detected in the group of patients younger than 55 years old (p <0.05). In 79.2% of dead patients, the cause of death was registered as oral cancer. Conclusions: The highest percentage of patients diagnosed was men and elders. Five-year survival was lower than previously reported in national reports. Adults aged 55 years and older had a lower overall survival.

Trace element contents in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban school microenvironments near a contaminated beach with mine tailings, Chañaral, Chile.

Air quality in schools is an important public health issue because children spend a considerable part of their daily life in classrooms. Particulate size and chemical composition has been associated with negative health effects. We studied levels of trace element concentrations in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in indoor versus outdoor school settings from six schools in Chañaral, a coastal city with a beach severely polluted with mine tailings. Concentrations of trace elements were measured on two consecutive days during the summer and winter of 2012 and 2013 and determined using X-ray fluorescence. Source apportionment and element enrichment were measured using principal components analysis and enrichment factors. Trace elements were higher in indoor school spaces, especially in classrooms compared with outdoor environments. The most abundant elements were Na, Cl, S, Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Ti, and Si, associated with earth's crust. Conversely, an extremely high enrichment factor was determined for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr; heavy metals associated with systemic and carcinogenic risk effects, whose probably origin sources are industrial and mining activities. These results suggest that the main source of trace elements in PM2.5 from these school microenvironments is a mixture of dust contaminated with mine tailings and marine aerosols. Policymakers should prioritize environmental management changes to minimize further environmental damage and its direct impact on the health of children exposed.