Mobility restrictions and mental health among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador / Restricción de movilidad y salud mental entre adultos jóvenes durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en Ecuador

Objective: To study the association between mobility restriction and mental health outcomes among Ecuadorian young adults. Method: The present is a cross-sectional study that included a non-probabilistic sample of mostly highly educated young adults. Socio-demographic and mental health data were collected through an online survey, between May and June 2020, when confinement was mandatory in Ecuador. Data on mobility was extracted from Google Community Mobility Reports. Four aspects of the participants’ mental health were evaluated: eating behavior (emotional eating), depression, sleep quality and sense of coherence as a proxy of resilience, using previously validated instruments. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models in R. Results: Sample included 8426 young adults, with a mean age of 22.85 (standard deviation: 4.43), most of whom were women (n = 5943, 70.53%). During mandatory confinement, in Ecuador mobility in general was reduced by nearly 50% in comparison to January/February, 2020. Less healthy eating behavior, depression, worse sleep quality and lower sense of coherence were associated with higher mobility restriction to workplaces and groceries/pharmacies. Women and youngsters more often showed depression, less healthy eating behavior, worse quality of sleep and lower sense of coherence in comparison with men and older respondents. Conclusions: Mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic were associated with worse self-reported mental health in a sample of young highly-educated Ecuadorian adults. Women and youngsters were the most affected. Our findings highlight the need of implementing health promotion measures directed to ameliorate the effects of confinement on mental health, focusing on women and youngsters. (AU)

Objetivo: Estudiar la asociación entre la restricción de movilidad y la salud mental en personas adultas jóvenes de Ecuador. Método: Estudio transversal que incluyó una muestra no probabilística de personas adultas jóvenes con alto nivel de educación. Los datos sociodemográficos y de salud mental se recolectaron entre mayo y junio de 2020, cuando el confinamiento fue obligatorio, usando una encuesta en línea. Los datos sobre movilidad se extrajeron de Google Community Mobility Reports. Se evaluaron cuatro aspectos de la salud mental: alimentación emocional, depresión, calidad de sueño y sentido de coherencia como proxy de resiliencia, usando instrumentos previamente validados. Los datos se analizaron con modelos de regresión lineal múltiple usando R. Resultados: La muestra incluyó 8426 jóvenes, con una edad media de 22,85 años (desviación estándar: 4.43), mujeres en su mayoría (n = 5943, 70.53%). Durante el confinamiento obligatorio, la movilidad se redujo aproximadamente un 50%. Comportamientos alimentarios menos saludables, depresión, peor calidad del sueño y menor sentido de coherencia se asociaron con mayor restricción de movilidad a lugares de trabajo y pequeños comercios o farmacias. Mujeres y jóvenes mostraron con mayor frecuencia depresión, conductas alimentarias menos saludables, peor calidad del sueño y menor sentido de coherencia. Conclusiones: Las restricciones de movilidad durante la pandemia de COVID-19 se asociaron con una peor salud mental en personas adultas jóvenes con alto nivel de educación. Mujeres y jóvenes fueron los más afectados. Es necesario implementar medidas de promoción de la salud dirigidas a paliar los efectos del confinamiento en la salud mental, especialmente en mujeres y jóvenes. (AU)

Mobility restrictions and mental health among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between mobility restriction and mental health outcomes among Ecuadorian young adults. METHOD: The present is a cross-sectional study that included a non-probabilistic sample of mostly highly educated young adults. Socio-demographic and mental health data were collected through an online survey, between May and June 2020, when confinement was mandatory in Ecuador. Data on mobility was extracted from Google Community Mobility Reports. Four aspects of the participants' mental health were evaluated: eating behavior (emotional eating), depression, sleep quality and sense of coherence as a proxy of resilience, using previously validated instruments. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models in R. RESULTS: Sample included 8426 young adults, with a mean age of 22.85 (standard deviation: 4.43), most of whom were women (n=5943, 70.53%). During mandatory confinement, in Ecuador mobility in general was reduced by nearly 50% in comparison to January/February, 2020. Less healthy eating behavior, depression, worse sleep quality and lower sense of coherence were associated with higher mobility restriction to workplaces and groceries/pharmacies. Women and youngsters more often showed depression, less healthy eating behavior, worse quality of sleep and lower sense of coherence in comparison with men and older respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic were associated with worse self-reported mental health in a sample of young highly-educated Ecuadorian adults. Women and youngsters were the most affected. Our findings highlight the need of implementing health promotion measures directed to ameliorate the effects of confinement on mental health, focusing on women and youngsters.

Suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3 y visfatina plasmática en mujeres con síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Comparar las concentraciones plasmáticas de visfatina en mujeres con diagnóstico de síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos tratadas con suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio en 195 mujeres con diagnóstico de SOPQ que fueron tratadas con ácidos grasos omega 3 por 12 semanas (n = 97; grupo A) y controles tratados con placebo (n = 98, grupo B). Se compararon las características generales, concentraciones hormonales, de indicadores de insulinorresistencia y de visfatina. Resultados: No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos con relación a las características generales (p = ns). Tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas en las concentraciones hormonales, glicemia y HOMA entre los grupos (p = ns). Las mujeres del grupo A y B no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la ingesta total, ingesta de carbohidratos, proteínas y grasas totales entre los valores al inicio y al final del estudio (p = ns). Las mujeres del grupo A presentaron disminución de los valores de insulina en ayunas, HOMA-IR y área bajo la curva de insulina y glicemia (p <0,0001). Los valores promedio de visfatina también mostraron disminución significativa luego del tratamiento (p <0,0001). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los valores promedio de estas variables en las mujeres del grupo B (p = ns). Conclusión: La suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3 por 12 semanas produce disminución significativa en las concentraciones plasmáticas de visfatina en mujeres con síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare plasma concentrations of visfatin in women with diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome treated with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Material and methods: A research was performed in 195 women with diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome who were treated with omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks (n = 97; group A) and controls treated with placebo (n = 98, group B). Overall characteristics, hormonal concentrations, insulin resistance markers and visfatin concentrations were compared. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the general characteristics (p = ns). There were also no significant differences in hormonal, glycemia and HOMA concentrations between the groups (p = ns). The women in group A and B did not show statistically significant differences in total calories intake, carbohydrate, protein and total fat intake between initial and final values of study (p = ns). Women in group A had lower values of fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and area under curve of insulin and glycemia (p <0.0001). Mean values of visfatin also showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment (p <0.0001). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean values of the different variables in women of group B (p = ns). Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 12 weeks produced a significant decrease of plasma concentrations of visfatin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3 y adiponectina plasmática en mujeres con síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos / Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and plasma adiponectin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objetivo: Estudiar las concentraciones plasmáticas de adiponectina en mujeres con diagnóstico de síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOPQ) tratadas con suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio en 195 mujeres con diagnóstico de SOPQ que fueron tratadas con ácidos grasos omega-3 durante 12semanas (n=97; grupo A) y controles tratados con placebo (n=98, grupo B). Se compararon las características generales, las concentraciones hormonales, el perfil lipídico y la adiponectina. Resultados: No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos con relación a las características generales. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas en las concentraciones hormonales, glucemia y HOMA entre los grupos. Las mujeres de los grupos A y B no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la ingesta total, ingesta de hidratos de carbono, proteínas y grasas totales entre los valores al inicio y al final del estudio. Las mujeres del grupo A presentaron disminución en las concentraciones de colesterol total, de lipoproteínas de baja densidad y de triglicéridos (p<0,0001). Los valores promedio de adiponectina también mostraron aumento estadísticamente significativo luego del tratamiento (p<0,0001). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los valores promedio de las diferentes variables en las mujeres del grupo B. Conclusión: La suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3 durante 12semanas produce aumento significativo en las concentraciones plasmáticas de adiponectina en mujeres con SOPQ (AU)

Objective: To study plasma adiponectin levels in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome given omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Patients and methods: A study was conducted in 195 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with omega-3 fatty acids for 12weeks (n=97; group A) and control women given placebo (n=98, group B). General characteristics, metabolism, lipid profile, and hormone and adiponectin levels were compared. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in general characteristics. No significant differences were also found in hormone, blood glucose, and HOMA levels between the groups. Women in study groups A and B showed no statistically significant differences in total calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and total fat intake between the baseline and final values. Decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were found in group A women (P<.0001). Mean of adiponectin levels also showed a statistically significant increase after treatment (P<.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of the different variables in group B women. Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 12 weeks caused a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (AU)

Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and plasma adiponectin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. / Suplementación de ácidos grasos omega-3 y adiponectina plasmática en mujeres con síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos.

OBJECTIVE: To study plasma adiponectin levels in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome given omega-3 fatty acid supplements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study was conducted in 195 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with omega-3 fatty acids for 12weeks (n=97; groupA) and control women given placebo (n=98, groupB). General characteristics, metabolism, lipid profile, and hormone and adiponectin levels were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in general characteristics. No significant differences were also found in hormone, blood glucose, and HOMA levels between the groups. Women in study groupsA andB showed no statistically significant differences in total calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and total fat intake between the baseline and final values. Decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were found in groupA women (P<.0001). Mean of adiponectin levels also showed a statistically significant increase after treatment (P<.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of the different variables in groupB women. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 12weeks caused a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.