[Frequency and characteristics of letters to the editor published in Farmacia Hospitalaria (1995-2006)]. / Frecuencia y características de las cartas al director publicadas en Farmacia Hospitalaria (1995-2006).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and bibliographical characteristics of letters to the editor published in the Farmacia Hospitalaria journal (hospital pharmacy) between 1995 and 2006. METHOD: Descriptive and comprehensive study on documents classified as letters to the editor, which were published between 1995 and 2006. Using journal issues as a source, the following variables were identified: number of letters/year, main content, text length (words), language, use of graphs, number of authors and their professional experience, number of participating institutions, origin in terms of autonomous community, number of bibliographical references and their origin. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: A total of 82 letters were identified, with a mean of 7 per year and 1.1 per journal. They were more frequent during the last two years, 43 (52%) of the total, following their practical non-existence between 1998 and 2003. The majority of the letters, 52 (63%), were regarding clinical cases while 23 (28%) were related to publications or were replies to the letters themselves. All letters met the requirements regarding text length, language and use of graphs. The mean number of authors was 3, and in 12 letters (14%) the limit on the number of authors was exceeded. In 56 cases (64%), the letters were written by hospital pharmacists only, however 26 (32%) were written in conjunction with hospital doctors. In 16 of the letters (20%), the authors belonged to one or more institutions. The letters mainly came from Valencia, Catalonia, Madrid and Andalusia. A total of 411 supporting references were gathered. The mean was 5 citations per letter to the editor, between 0 and 15 references, and in 17 cases (21%), the number of references was higher than the accepted limit. Of the total citations, 255 (60%) were from foreign publications. CONCLUSIONS: Letters to the editor in Farmacia Hospitalaria significantly increased during the last two years of the period studied and were practically non-existent before this. It is worth noting that many of the letters were written in collaboration with other health professionals and with the support of a number of institutions. It is compulsory that the letters meet publishing requirements, with the exception of a number of authors and references which were published without being thoroughly checked beforehand.

Frecuencia y características de las cartas al director publicadas en Farmacia Hospitalaria (1995-2006) / No disponible

Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia y las características bibliográficas de las cartas al director publicadas en Farmacia Hospitalaria entre 1995 y 2006. Método: Estudio descriptivo y trasversal sobre documentos clasificados como cartas al director publicados en el periodo interanual 1995-2006. Utilizando como fuentes los ejemplares de las revistas se identificaron las siguientes variables: número de cartas/año, contenido de fondo, extensión del texto en palabras, idioma, utilización de recursos gráficos, número de firmantes y su perfil profesional, número de instituciones participantes, origen por autonomías, número de referencias bibliográficas y origen documental de las mismas. Se empleó estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Se identificaron 82 cartas, con una media de 7 por año y de 1,1 por revista. Fueron más frecuentes en el último bienio, 43 cartas (52%) del total de misivas, tras su práctica ausencia entre 1998 y 2003. La mayoría 52 casos (63%) eran casos clínicos frente a 23 (28%) cartas relacionadas con publicaciones o réplicas. Todas las misivas contemplaron las normas de extensión del texto, idioma o uso de recursos gráficos. El promedio de autores fue de 3, en 12 cartas (14%) su número fue superior al permitido. En 56 casos (64%) firmaron únicamente farmacéuticos hospitalarios pero en 26 ocasiones (32%) lo hicieron junto a médicos de hospital. En el 20% de los documentos, 16 casos, los firmantes pertenecían a dos o más instituciones. Valencia, Cataluña, Madrid y Andalucía fueron los orígenes principales de las cartas. Se recopilaron 411 referencias de apoyo. La media fue de 5 citas por carta al director, entre 0 y 15 referencias, en 17 casos (21%) se superó el tope de referencias aceptables. Del total de citas 255 (60%) correspondían a publicaciones extranjeras. Conclusiones: Las cartas al director en Farmacia Hospitalaria aumentaron de forma importante en el último bienio del periodo estudiado tras su práctica ausencia en años anteriores. Destaca la autoría conjunta con otros profesionales de la salud y el respaldo de varias instituciones a los documentos. La observancia de las normas de publicación es la regla, con excepción del número de autores y de referencias permitidas que no son observadas con suficiente rigor

Objective: To describe the frequency and bibliographical characteristics of letters to the editor published in the Farmacia Hospitalaria journal (hospital pharmacy) between 1995 and 2006. Method: Descriptive and comprehensive study on documents classified as letters to the editor, which were published between 1995 and 2006. Using journal issues as a source, the following variables were identified: number of letters/year, main content, text length (words), language, use of graphs, number of authors and their professional experience, number of participating institutions, origin in terms of autonomous community, number of bibliographical references and their origin. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: A total of 82 letters were identified, with a mean of 7 per year and 1.1 per journal. They were more frequent during the last two years, 43 (52%) of the total, following their practical non-existence between 1998 and 2003. The majority of the letters, 52 (63%), were regarding clinical cases while 23 (28%) were related to publications or were replies to the letters themselves. All letters met the requirements regarding text length, language and use of graphs. The mean number of authors was 3, and in 12 letters (14%) the limit on the number of authors was exceeded. In 56 cases (64%), the letters were written by hospital pharmacists only, however 26 (32%) were written in conjunction with hospital doctors. In 16 of the letters (20%), the authors belonged to one or more institutions. The letters mainly came from Valencia, Catalonia, Madrid and Andalusia. A total of 411 supporting references were gathered. The mean was 5 citations per letter to the editor, between 0 and 15 references, and in 17 cases (21%), the number of references was higher than the accepted limit. Of the total citations, 255 (60%) were from foreign publications. Conclusions: Letters to the editor in Farmacia Hospitalaria significantly increased during the last two years of the period studied and were practically non-existent before this. It is worth noting that many of the letters were written in collaboration with other health professionals and with the support of a number of institutions. It is compulsory that the letters meet publishing requirements, with the exception of a number of authors and references which were published without being thoroughly checked beforehand

[Prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in school children from Juarez City, Chihuahua]. / Prevalencia de asma y otras enfermedades alérgicas en niños escolares de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic diseases in schoolchildren residing in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1998 to May 1999, among 6,174 children from 53 schools in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. The method used was the one recommended by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) to determine the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Parents were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire on current and cumulative prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. A sample stratified by level of pollution was selected. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of medically diagnosed asthma and wheezing was 6.8% (95% CI 6.2, 7.4) and 20% (95% CI 19.7, 21.8), respectively. The prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months was higher in the group aged 6-8 years than in those aged 11-14 years (9.7% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of medically diagnosed rhinitis was 5.0% (95% CI 4.5, 5.6). The prevalence of medically diagnosed eczema was 4.9% (4.3, 5.4). The prevalence of eczema symptoms in the last 12 months was 12.7% in the 6-8 years group and 13.3% in the 11-14 year group, respectively. Severe symptoms of asthma were significantly higher in the 6-8 years group and during the autumn months. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of medically diagnosed and symptomatic asthma was relatively low in comparison with findings from others studies that use similar methods, but the prevalence rates of rhinitis and eczema were higher.

[Relationship between emergency consultations for respiratory diseases and air pollution in Juarez City, Chihuahua]. / Relación entre consultas a urgencias por enfermedad respiratoria y contaminación atmosférica en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of < or = 10 microns particles (PM10) and atmospheric ozone concentrations, with the daily number of emergency visits due to asthma and acute respiratory diseases, among children aged under 15, living in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 1999, an ecologic study was conducted. Atmospheric data were obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from eight monitoring stations located in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and EI Paso, Texas. From July 1997 to December 1998, data from emergency room visits for respiratory illness were abstracted from existing medical records of two Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) hospitals in Ciudad Juarez. Diagnoses were classified into two groups: a) asthma, and b) upper respiratory infections (URI), according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and/or IDC-10). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Poisson regression time series method. RESULTS: During the study period, the mean 24-hour PM10 level was 34.46 micrograms/m3 (SD = 17.99) and the mean ozone level was 51.60 ppb (SD = 20.70). The model shows that an increase of 20 micrograms/m3 in the mean 24-hour exposure to PM10 was related to an increase of 4.97% (95% CI 0.97-9.13) in emergency visits for asthma, with a 5-day lag, as well as to an increase of 9% (95% CI 1.8-16.8) when a cumulative 5-day exposure was considered. URI increased 2.95% as a cause of emergency room visits, for each 20 micrograms/m3 increase in the mean 24-hour exposure to PM10. The impact of PM10 on emergency visits for asthma was greater on days with ozone ambient levels exceeded 49 ppb (median value). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was found between environmental PM10 and ozone concentrations and the daily number of emergency room visits due to asthma and acute respiratory diseases, even with levels lower than the Mexican standard levels. Also, a synergic effect between PM10 and O3 was found.

[Evolution of air pollution and impact on control programs in 3 megacities in Latin America]. / Evolución de la contaminación del aire e impacto de los programas de control en tres megaciudades de América Latina.

The present work discusses the problems of atmospheric pollution of three Megacities of Latin America (Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Santiago). The environmental pollution control programs implemented by the Government are revised and the evolution of pollution levels during the period of 1988-1995 at Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo, but until 1997 at Mexico City, in order to evaluate the impact of these programs. During this period, a decreasing trend is observed in the three cities in the levels of PTS, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and O3, although most of these contaminants still exceed the air quality standards. It must be emphasized that the largest impact has been on the levels of SO2. We recommend the development of sustainable transport policies; in this context, various strategies were proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the European Conference of Ministers of Transport. Additionally, public participation is important when decisions are taken on transport policies.

[Difficulties of the methods for studying environmental exposure and neural tube defects]. / Dificultades en los métodos de estudio de exposiciones ambientales y defectos del tubo neural.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the attitudes in the assessment of environmental exposures as risk factors associated with neural tube defects, and to present the main risk factors studied to date. RESULTS: Environmental exposures have been suggested to have a roll in the genesis of birth defects. However, studies conducted in human populations have found difficulties in the design and conduction to show such an association for neural tube defects (anencephaly, espina bifida and encephalocele) because of problems raised from: a) the frequency measures used to compare time trends and communities, b) the classification of heterogeneous malformations, c) the inclusion of maternal, paternal and fetal factors as an integrated process and, d) the assessment of environmental exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothetically both maternal and paternal environmental exposures can produce damage before and after conception by direct action on the embryo and the fetus-placenta complex. Therefore, in the assessment of environmental exposures we need to take into account: a) both paternal and maternal exposures; b) the critical exposure period, three months before conception for paternal exposures and one month around the conceptional period for maternal exposures; c) quantitatively evaluate environmental exposures when possible, avoiding a dichotomous classification; d) the use of biological markers of exposure is highly recommended as well as markers of genetic susceptibility.

[Calcium intake and blood lead in women in reproductive age]. / Consumo de calcio y plomo en sangre de mujeres en edad reproductiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between calcium intake and blood lead levels in women of reproductive age living in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood lead was assayed in 198 women of 15-48 years of age. By interrogation, the calcium intake was calculated from the frequency of consumption of 11 foods which provide nearly 95% of the intake of calcium in Mexico. RESULTS: The mean blood lead was 9.71 micrograms/dL (range 1 to 39). We observed a statistically significant decreasing trend between the risk of having blood lead levels exceeding 10 mu/dL and the increase in calcium intake. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the need to evaluate interventions such as modifications in the consumption of milk, cheese, and other calcium rich foods, and their effect on blood lead levels.

[Cutaneous melanoma: a review of risk factors]. / Melanoma cutáneo: una revisión de los factores de riesgo.

In Europe, mortality due to cutaneous malignant melanoma represents 5,000 deaths a year, during this period about 17,000 people develop this disease. The highest incidence rates are those of Northern Europe, where this neoplasm has always been a public health problem, nevertheless countries of southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy ...) are showing important increments in their rates, during the last years. Because of all of this, it is becoming a public health problem in every white race populations. This increment in its incidence is mainly attributed to changes in lifestyle, with an increase of solar radiation exposure during holidays and leisure activities, increase of tobacco and alcohol consumption, exposure to different chemical substances, use of ultraviolet lamps, etc.

[An epidemiological study of the distinct histological types of cutaneous melanoma in relation to other variables of the disease]. / Estudio epidemiológico de los distintos tipos histológicos de melanoma cutáneo en relación con otras variables de la enfermedad.

A retrospective descriptive study is carried out from the whole of malignant cutaneous melanomas diagnosed at the Dermatology Service of the General University Hospital of Valencia (HGUV), during the period 1977-1987, in which the 80% of the whole of the cases in the province of Valencia are diagnosed, specifically 247 patients are studied. The ones located on the leg stand out 21%, followed by posterior thorax 14% and face 12%. Likewise, differences statistically significant p less than 0.001 are observed among the distinct histological types of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) with regard to the depth of the tumours invasion (measured in Clark levels and millimetres of depth), mitosis/area, mitosis index and prognosis index. Being the lentigo of malignant melanoma (LMM) the histological type diagnosed in earlier phases, hence it is the most capable variant of curative treatment, just the opposite that happens to the nodular malignant melanoma (NMM), that is normally diagnosed in more advanced phases of the illness.

[Nevus and malignant cutaneous melanoma]. / Nevus y melanoma maligno cutáneo.

Epidemiological studies have revealed that both non-dysplastic benign naevi and dysplastic naevi, as well as large or small congenital naevi are potentially forerunners of malignant skin melanoma (M.S.M.). A studied is presented based on the review of the clinical histories of all the cases of malignant skin melanoma diagnosed (247 cases) by the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital in Valencia from 1977 to 1987. The variables taken into consideration (naevi existing prior to the M.S.M., family history of neoplasias and types of growths, were processed using the SPSS-PC+ statistical package. Forty-two percent of the patients stated the existence of a lesion of the naevi prior to the onset of the malignant skin melanoma (M.S.M.), results differing from those obtained in other series being found which could probably be due to geographical an ethnic characteristics of the different places where said studies were made. With regard to the types of growths, it has been found, with a significance of p less than 0.05, that the malignant nodular melanoma (M.N.M.), the superficial spreading melanoma (S.S.M.) and the unclassifiable melanoma (U.M.) take root more frequently on a naevus than the rest of the growths. Seventy-three percent of the patients had no family history of neoplasias, this suggesting that the onset of this neoplasm was conditioned more by environmental factors (exogenous factors) than by a genetic influence (endogenous factors).

Trends in malignant skin melanoma and other skin cancers in Spain, 1975-1983, and their relation to solar radiation intensity.

Epidemiological studies have shown solar exposure to play an important role in the appearance of skin cancer. We investigated the association between mortality standardized by the indirect method for malignant skin melanoma and other skin cancers and the mean intensity of solar radiation during July and August for the different provinces in Spain. A statistically significant relation was observed (p less than .05) for these two months but not upon considering mean annual solar radiation. We thus suggest that intermittent, intense exposure to sunlight constitutes an important risk factor for skin cancer. We observed an 8.5% and 15.72% increase in mortality due to malignant skin melanoma and other skin cancers, respectively, during the period 1975-1983. Mortality was slightly higher among males than females.