Prenatal PM2.5 exposure and neurodevelopment at 2 years of age in a birth cohort from Mexico city.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported that air pollution exposure may have neurotoxic properties. OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal associations between prenatal particles less than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) exposure and neurodevelopment during the first two years of children's life. METHODS: Analysis was conducted in PROGRESS, a longitudinal birth cohort between 2007 and 2013 in Mexico City. We used satellite data to predict daily PM2.5 concentrations at high spatial resolution. Multivariate mixed-effect regression models were adjusted to examine cognitive, language and motor scores in children up to 24 months of age (n = 740) and each trimester-specific and whole pregnancy exposure to PM2.5. RESULTS: Models adjusted by child sex, gestational age, birth weight, smoking and mother's IQ, showed that each increase of 1 µg/m3 of PM2.5 was associated with a decreased language function of -0.38 points (95% CI: -0.77, -0.01). PM2.5 exposure at third trimester of pregnancy contributed most to the observed association. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that language development up to 24 months of age may be particularly sensitive to PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy.

[Validation of a cutoff for the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Brief Version (CESD-7)]. / Validación de un punto de corte para la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos, versión abreviada (CESD-7).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Brief Version (CESD-7) psychometric properties in Mexican adult population, and validate a cutoff for classifying subjects according to the presence / absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms (CSDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening cross-sectional study with a subsample of 301 adult residents of the Morelos state in Mexico, originally interviewed for the National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2012. Sensitivity and specificity of the selected cutoff were estimated using as reference the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. RESULTS: The cutoff point estimated was CESD-7=9. Using the ICD-10 the sensitivity and specificity were 90.2 and 86%, and ROC was 88%. Using DSM-IV, the values were 80.4, 89.6, and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the CESD-7 has good psychometric properties and can be used as a screening test to identify probable cases of subjects with clinically significant depressive symptoms.

Validación de un punto de corte para la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos, versión abreviada (CESD-7) / Validation of a cutoff for the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Brief Version (CESD-7)

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos, versión abreviada (CESD-7) en población adulta mexicana y validar un punto de corte que permita clasificar a los sujetos según la presencia/ausencia de síntomas depresivos clínicamente significativos (SDCS). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de tamizaje en una submuestra de 301 adultos residentes del estado de Morelos en México, que fueron entrevistados originalmente para la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2012. La sensibilidad y especificidad del punto de corte seleccionado se estimaron utilizando como referencia los criterios diagnósticos del ICD-10 y del DSM-IV. RESULTADOS: El punto de corte estimado fue CESD-7=9. Utilizando el ICD-10, los valores obtenidos de sensibilidad y especificidad fueron de 90.2 y 86%, y un valor receptor-operador (ROC) de 88%, y para el DSM-IV los valores encontrados fueron de 80.4, 89.6, y 85%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: La versión abreviada del CESD-7 tiene buenas propiedades psicométricas y puede ser utilizada como una prueba de tamizaje para identificar casos probables de sujetos con síntomas depresivos clínicamente significativos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Brief Version (CESD-7) psychometric properties in Mexican adult population, and validate a cutoff for classifying subjects according to the presence / absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms (CSDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening cross-sectional study with a subsample of 301 adult residents of the Morelos state in Mexico, originally interviewed for the National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2012. Sensitivity and specificity of the selected cutoff were estimated using as reference the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. RESULTS: The cutoff point estimated was CESD-7=9. Using the ICD-10 the sensitivity and specificity were 90.2 and 86%, and ROC was 88%. Using DSM-IV, the values were 80.4, 89.6, and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the CESD-7 has good psychometric properties and can be used as a screening test to identify probable cases of subjects with clinically significant depressive symptoms.

[Health conditions and functional status of older adults in Mexico]. / Condiciones de salud y estado funcional de los adultos mayores en México.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the health conditions and functional status of Mexicans older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study with a sample of 8,874 adults aged 60 and over, based on a nationally representative study. We analyzed major indicators associated with health conditions and functional status, obtaining prevalence and statistical tests of differences in proportions. RESULTS: The main conditions of this population are: hypertension (40%), diabetes (24%) and hypercholesterolemia (20%). For mental health indicators, 17.6% had depressive symptoms, 7.3% cognitive decline, and 7.9% dementia. For functional status, 26.9% reported difficulty in daily activities and 24.6% in instrumental activities. CONCLUSIONS: It is required the implementation of a new model of care to address the increasing prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases in old age, as well as the increased disability and consequent dependence resulting from them.

Condiciones de salud y estado funcional de los adultos mayores en México / Health conditions and functional status of older adults in Mexico

Objetivo. Describir las condiciones de salud y el estado funcional de los adultos mayores mexicanos. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo con una muestra de 8 874 adultos mayores de 60 años o más con representatividad nacional. Se analizaron indicadores asociados con las principales condiciones de salud y del estado funcional, se reportan las principales prevalencias así como pruebas de diferencias de proporciones. Resultados. Los principales padecimientos en esta población son la hipertensión (40%), diabetes (24%) e hipercolesterolemia (20%). Para los indicadores de salud mental, 17.6% presentó síntomas depresivos; 7.3%, deterioro cognitivo y, 7.9%, demencia. Para el estado funcional, 26.9% reportó dificultad para realizar actividades básicas y, 24.6%, para actividades instrumentales. Conclusiones. Es necesaria la puesta en marcha de un nuevo modelo de atención para hacer frente a la creciente prevalencia de las enfermedades crónicodegenerativas en la vejez, así como al aumento de la discapacidad y consecuente dependencia que resulta de ellas.

Objective. To describe the health conditions and functional status of Mexicans older adults. Materials and methods. Descriptive study with a sample of 8 874 adults aged 60 and over, based on a nationally representative study. We analyzed major indicators associated with health conditions and functional status, obtaining prevalence and statistical tests of differences in proportions. Results. The main conditions of this population are: hypertension (40%), diabetes (24%) and hypercholesterolemia (20%). For mental health indicators, 17.6% had depressive symptoms, 7.3% cognitive decline, and 7.9% dementia. For functional status, 26.9% reported difficulty in daily activities and 24.6% in instrumental activities. Conclusions. It is required the implementation of a new model of care to address the increasing prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases in old age, as well as the increased disability and consequent dependence resulting from them.

[Poverty, youth and consumption of tobacco in Mexico]. / Pobreza, jóvenes y consumo de tabaco en México.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize tobacco use according to level of poverty in a random, nationally representative sample of adolescents (10 to 21 years old), living in urban areas with less than 50,000 inhabitants. The study was done in 2001 as part of the baseline assessment of the evaluation of the governmental program, Oportunidades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to 29,548 adolescents living in 30 000 selected households and it included specific questions on individual tobacco use among other questions. RESULTS: The prevalence of smokers was 3.5% (95% CI: 3.3%-3.7%) and experimenters 9.9% (95% CI: 9.6%-10.2%). A logistic regression model for clustered data was constructed in order to evaluate the associated factors that distinguish a smoker from an experimenter. After adjusting for level of poverty of the household and use of alcohol and drugs, a significant association (OR = 1.5, p <0.01) was found with having a paid job and a differential association was found between gender and age group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the additional availability of money that an adolescent has, could increase the prevalence of tobacco smoking and that the program Oportunidades should include prevention campaigns directed specifically at this population group.

[Trends in atmospheric concentrations of lead in the metropolitan area of Mexico city, 1988-1998]. / Tendencia de los niveles de plomo en la atmósfera de la zona metropolitana de la Ciudad de México. 1988-1998.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in airborne lead levels and their association with the control measures implemented from 1988 to 1998 to phase out lead from gasoline that included the introduction of a lead-free gasoline and the use of catalytic converters in automobiles in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of atmospheric lead levels were obtained from the 9 field stations included in the local air quality monitoring network (RMMA). Trends for airborne lead are shown by monitor, monitoring area and for the entire metropolitan zone. Analysis of data was performed using linear regression models including auto correlation analysis. The models were validated by standard diagnostic techniques using student residuals analysis. RESULTS: The introduction of lead-free gasoline and the use of catalytic converters decreased the airborne lead levels by 23% while the slow elimination of lead from gasoline produced a cumulative decrease of 89% during the period and in all areas studied. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy implemented to reduce sources of airborne lead pollution had an important impact on atmospheric lead levels. Health risks of this environmental hazard are now primarily due to less important sources and to particular occupational exposures. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

Tendencia de los niveles de plomo en la atmósfera de la zona metropolitana de la Ciudad de México: 1988-1998 / Trends in atmospheric concentrations of lead in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City: 1988-1998

OBJETIVO: Describir las tendencias del plomo atmosférico asociadas a la eliminación paulatina del plomo de la gasolina y el uso de convertidores catalíticos en el auto transporte de la Ciudad de México, de 1988 a 1998. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de series de tiempo que incluye las mediciones atmosféricas de plomo que se obtuvieron, entre 1988 y 1998, de nueve estaciones de la red manual de monitoreo atmosférico de la Ciudad de México. Las intervenciones evaluadas fueron la introducción de gasolina Magnasin, el uso de convertidores catalíticos y el descenso en la concentración de plomo hasta su eliminación total de la gasolina utilizada en los auto transportes. Se describen las tendencias de plomo por monitor, por zona geográfica, utilizando un modelo de regresión que incorpora una estructura de auto-correlación. RESULTADOS: La introducción de gasolina sin plomo y de los convertidores catalíticos se asoció con un descenso en la concentración de plomo atmosférico en 23 por ciento, la reducción paulatina del plomo en la gasolina ocasionó una reducción acumulada de 89 por ciento en todas las zonas estudiadas. CONCLUSIONES: La introducción de la gasolina sin plomo ha logrado abatir las concentraciones ambientales de este contaminante de una manera importante.