Computer visual syndrome in graduate students of a private university in Lima, Perú.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, several studies have found a strong association between prolonged use of video display terminals and ophthalmological symptoms encompassed in the so-called computer visual syndrome (CVS). Few studies have addressed this syndrome in graduate students. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 106 postgraduate students were surveyed without ophthalmological pathologies. The diagnosis of CVS was made by means of the questionnaire of Seguí et al. validated in Spanish, which evaluates the frequency and intensity of 16 ocular symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of CVS among graduate university students was 62.3% (95% CI: 52.3-71.5). It was found that the highest proportion of students with the syndrome was in the group of older than 40 years old (88.2%) and in the group 21-30 years old (70.0%), showing statistically significant differences (p = 0.004). According to the device and its time of use, students who used the mobile phone for 7-10 h a day showed a higher prevalence of CVS compared to those who used the device for less time (p = 0.030). The business School had the highest prevalence (75.0%). CONCLUSION: Three out of every five graduate students presented CVS with this prevalence being like reported in other populations. There is a need to investigate possible interventions that can help reduce this entity.

Computer visual syndrome in graduate students of a private university in Lima, Perú. / Síndrome visual informático en estudiantes universitarios de posgrado de una universidad privada de Lima, Perú.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, several studies have found a strong association between prolonged use of video display terminals and ophthalmological symptoms encompassed in the so-called computer visual syndrome (CVS). Few studies have addressed this syndrome in graduate students. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 106 postgraduate students were surveyed without ophthalmological pathologies. The diagnosis of CVS was made by means of the questionnaire of Seguí et al. validated in Spanish, which evaluates the frequency and intensity of 16 ocular symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of CVS among graduate university students was 62.3% (95% CI: 52.3-71.5). It was found that the highest proportion of students with the syndrome was in the group of older than 40 years old (88.2%) and in the group 21-30 years old (70.0%), showing statistically significant differences (p=0.004). According to the device and its time of use, students who used the mobile phone for 7 to 10hours a day showed a higher prevalence of CVS compared to those who used the device for less time (p=0.030). The business School had the highest prevalence (75.0%). CONCLUSION: Three out of every five graduate students presented CVS with this prevalence being like reported in other populations. There is a need to investigate possible interventions that can help reduce this entity.

Síndrome visual informático en estudiantes universitarios de posgrado de una universidad privada de Lima, Perú / Computer visual syndrome in graduate students of a private university in Lima, Perú

Antecedente En las últimas décadas diversos estudios han encontrado una fuerte asociación entre el uso prolongado de los videoterminales y síntomas oftalmológicos englobados en el denominado síndrome visual informático (SVI). Pocos estudios han abordado este síndrome en estudiantes de posgrado. Métodos Estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal. Se encuestó a 106 estudiantes universitarios de posgrado sin patologías oftalmológicas. El diagnóstico de SVI se realizó mediante el cuestionario de Seguí et al. validado en castellano, el cual evalúa la frecuencia e intensidad de 16 síntomas oculares. Resultados La prevalencia de SVI de los estudiantes universitarios de posgrado fue del 62,3% (IC 95%: 52,3-71,5). Se encontró que la mayor proporción de estudiantes con el síndrome estuvo en el grupo mayor de 40 años (88,2%) y en el grupo de 21-30 años (70,0%), mostrando diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,004). Según el dispositivo y su tiempo de uso se observó que los estudiantes que utilizaban el teléfono móvil de 7 a 10h diarias presentaron una prevalencia de SVI mayor en comparación con quienes utilizaban el dispositivo menos tiempo (p=0,030). La Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales presentó la prevalencia más elevada (75,0%). Conclusión Tres de cada cinco estudiantes universitarios de posgrado presentaron SVI, siendo esta prevalencia similar a lo reportado en otras poblaciones. Es necesario que se investiguen posibles intervenciones que puedan ayudar a reducir esta entidad (AU)

Background In recent decades, several studies have found a strong association between prolonged use of video display terminals and ophthalmological symptoms encompassed in the so-called computer visual syndrome (CVS). Few studies have addressed this syndrome in graduate students. Methods Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 106 postgraduate students were surveyed without ophthalmological pathologies. The diagnosis of CVS was made by means of the questionnaire of Seguí et al. validated in Spanish, which evaluates the frequency and intensity of 16 ocular symptoms. Results The prevalence of CVS among graduate university students was 62.3% (95% CI: 52.3-71.5). It was found that the highest proportion of students with the syndrome was in the group of older than 40 years old (88.2%) and in the group 21-30 years old (70.0%), showing statistically significant differences (p=0.004). According to the device and its time of use, students who used the mobile phone for 7 to 10hours a day showed a higher prevalence of CVS compared to those who used the device for less time (p=0.030). The business School had the highest prevalence (75.0%). Conclusion Three out of every five graduate students presented CVS with this prevalence being like reported in other populations. There is a need to investigate possible interventions that can help reduce this entity (AU)

Obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Insulin resistance is common among obese adolescents; however, the extent of this problem is not clear. We conducted a systematic review of PubMed-Medline, CINAHL, The Web of Science, EMBASE and Scopus for observational studies evaluating components defining insulin resistance (insulin, C-peptide and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) in obese adolescents (12-18 years) versus non-obese adolescents. Our systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guidelines. Data were combined using a random-effects model and summary statistics were calculated using the mean differences (MDs). 31 studies were included (n = 8655). In 26 studies, fasting insulin levels were higher in obese adolescents when compared to non-obese adolescents (MD = 64.11 pmol/L, 95%CI 49.48-78.75, p < 0.00001). In three studies, fasting C-peptide levels were higher in obese adolescents when compared to non-obese adolescents (MD = 0.29 nmol/L, 95%CI 0.22-0.36, p < 0.00001). In 24 studies, HOMA-IR values were higher in obese adolescents when compared to non-obese adolescents (MD = 2.22, 95%CI 1.78-2.67, p < 0.00001). Heterogeneity of effects among studies was moderate to high. Subgroup analyses showed similar results to the main analyses. Circulating insulin and C-peptide levels and HOMA-IR values were significantly higher in obese adolescents compared to those non-obese.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relative efficacy and safety of treatment regimens for HIV-associated cerebral toxoplasmosis: is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole a real option?

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapies for cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected adults. The pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine (P-S) combination is considered the mainstay therapy for cerebral toxoplasmosis and pyrimethamine plus clindamycin (P-C) is the most common alternative treatment. Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has potential advantages, its use is infrequent. METHODS: We searched PubMed and four other databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. Two independent reviewers searched the databases, identified studies and extracted data. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled across studies using random-effects models. RESULTS: Nine studies were included (five RCTs, three retrospective cohort studies and one prospective cohort study). In comparison to P-S, treatment with P-C or TMP-SMX was associated with similar rates of partial or complete clinical response [P-C: RR 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-1.08; TMP-SMX: RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.78-1.21], radiological response (P-C: RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.82-1.03), skin rash (P-C: RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.56-1.17; TMP-SMX: RR 0.17; 95% CI 0.02-1.29), gastrointestinal impairment (P-C: RR 5.16; 95% CI 0.66-40.11), and drug discontinuation because of adverse events (P-C: RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.07-1.47). Liver impairment was more frequent with P-S than P-C (P-C vs. P-S: RR 0.48; 95% CI 0.24-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence fails to identify a superior regimen in terms of relative efficacy or safety for the treatment of HIV-associated cerebral toxoplasmosis. Use of TMP-SMX as preferred treatment may be consistent with the available evidence and other real-world considerations. Larger comparative studies are needed.