An updated review about perceptual learning as a treatment for amblyopia

The purpose of our work is to do an update of recent investigations about amblyopia treatment based on perceptual learning, dichoptic training and videogames. Therefore, we conducted a search of the studies published about this subject in the last six years. The review shows that the investigations during that period have used several kinds of treatments regarding their design (e.g., type of stimulus and context used, duration of the training), and in a wider range of age that also include adults. Most of the studies have found an improvement in some mono and binocular visual functions, such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis, which for now, it seems advisable that these processes could be used, as an alternative or a complement of the traditional passive therapy. Nevertheless, it would be plausible to conduct additional, controlled and random, clinical trials in order to discover in a more deeply way which perceptive learning method of treatment is more effective for the improvement of visual functions and for how long the effects of the treatment could persist. (AU)

An updated review about perceptual learning as a treatment for amblyopia.

The purpose of our work is to do an update of recent investigations about amblyopia treatment based on perceptual learning, dichoptic training and videogames. Therefore, we conducted a search of the studies published about this subject in the last six years. The review shows that the investigations during that period have used several kinds of treatments regarding their design (e.g., type of stimulus and context used, duration of the training), and in a wider range of age that also include adults. Most of the studies have found an improvement in some mono and binocular visual functions, such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis, which for now, it seems advisable that these processes could be used, as an alternative or a complement of the traditional passive therapy. Nevertheless, it would be plausible to conduct additional, controlled and random, clinical trials in order to discover in a more deeply way which perceptive learning method of treatment is more effective for the improvement of visual functions and for how long the effects of the treatment could persist.

[Adequacy of medication in patients 65 years or older in teaching health centers in Cáceres, Spain]. / Adecuación de la prescripción farmacéutica en personas de 65 años o más en centros de salud docentes de Cáceres.

BACKGROUND: The appropriateness of drug prescription is objective of the National Health System for the sanitary and economic repercussions linked. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the appropriateness of drug prescription on patients 65 years or older and identify the most prevalent prescribing errors. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive, transversal, multicenter study in Health Centers doctors in training in Cáceres. 471 patients 65 years or older were included by convenience samplin.The sample size was calculated to an accuracy 3.5%-5% and a confidence level 95%. The measured variable was the criteria STOPP/START. We calculated mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables and relative frequencies for qualitative variables. RESULTS: The most frequent STOPP criteria were: duplication of drugs (9.76% CI 95% 7.40 to 12.78), prolonged use of long-acting benzodiazepines (7.22%, 95% CI 5.21 to 9, 92) and the use of aspirin in patients without cardiovascular secondary prevention (7% 95% CI 5.03 to 9.68). The most frequent START criteria were: omission of antiplatelet agents and statins in diabetes coexisting one or more cardiovascular risk factors (9.34 and 7.03 to 12.31% 95% 95% 4.46% 2.93 to 6, 72), calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis (5.31%, 95% CI 3.61 to 7.72) and metformin in type 2 diabetes metabolic syndrome ± (4.46%, 95% CI 2.93 - 6.72). CONCLUSIONS: The main inappropriate prescribing concerns treatments that should be suspended or modify. The duplications were the most common cause of inappropriate prescribing, being more frequently involved drugs like benzodiazepines, NSAIDs and drugs in drugs associations. The second cause of inadequacy most prevalent was the prescription of benzodiazepines with long half life. The third most common cause was acetylsalicylic acid, both through overuse or omission.

Adecuación de la prescripción farmacéutica en personas de 65 años o más en centros de salud docentes de Cáceres / Adequacy of medication in patients 65 years or older in teaching health centers in Cáceres, Spain

Fundamentos: La adecuación de la prescripción farmacéutica es un objetivo del Sistema Nacional de Salud por las repercusiones sanitarias y económicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la idoneidad de la prescripción farmacéutica realizada a pacientes de 65 años o más e identificar los errores de prescripción más frecuentes. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, multicéntrico, realizado en Centros de Salud docentes de Cáceres. Se incluyeron 471 pacientes de 65 años o más mediante muestreo de conveniencia. El tamaño muestral se calculó para una precisión 3,5%-5% y nivel de confianza 95%. Las variables de medida fueron los criterios STOPP/START. Se calculó media y desviación estándar para variables cuantitativas y frecuencias relativas para cualitativas. Resultados: Los criterios STOPP más frecuentes fueron: duplicidad de medicamentos (9,76% IC95% 7,40-12,78), uso prolongado de benzodiazepinas de vida media larga (7,22% IC95% 5,21-9,92) y utilización de ácido acetilsalicilico en pacientes sin necesidad de prevención cardiovascular secundaria (7% IC95% 5,03-9,68). Los criterios START más frecuentes fueron: omisión de antiagregantes y estatinas en diabetes coexistiendo uno o más factores de riesgo (9,34% IC95% 7,03-12,31 y 4,46% IC95% 2,93-6,72), calcio y vitamina D en osteoporosis (5,31% IC95% 3,61-7,72) y metformina en diabetes tipo 2 ± síndrome metabólico (4,46% IC95% 2,93-6,72). Conclusión: La principal prescripción inadecuada se refiere a tratamientos prescritos que se deberían suspender o modificar. Las duplicidades fueron la causa más frecuente de prescripción inadecuada, siendo los fármacos implicados más frecuentemente las benzodiazepinas, los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y los principios que se duplican al estar prescritos en asociaciones de fármacos. La segunda causa de inadecuación más prevalente fue la prescripción de benzodiazepinas de vida media larga. El ácido acetilsalicílico fue la tercera causa más frecuente, tanto por sobreutilización como por omisión(AU)

Background: The appropriateness of drug prescription is objective of the National Health System for the sanitary and economic repercussions linked. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the appropriateness of drug prescription on patients 65 years or older and identify the most prevalent prescribing errors. Design: Observational, descriptive, transversal, multicenter study in Health Centers doctors in training in Cáceres. 471 patients 65 years or older were included by convenience samplin.The sample size was calculated to an accuracy 3.5%-5% and a confidence level 95%. The measured variable was the criteria STOPP/START. We calculated mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables and relative frequencies for qualitative variables. Results: The most frequent STOPP criteria were: duplication of drugs (9.76% CI 95% 7.40 to 12.78), prolonged use of long-acting benzodiazepines (7.22%, 95% CI 5.21 to 9, 92) and the use of aspirin in patients without cardiovascular secondary prevention (7% 95% CI 5.03 to 9.68). The most frequent START criteria were: omission of antiplatelet agents and statins in diabetes coexisting one or more cardiovascular risk factors (9.34 and 7.03 to 12.31% 95% 95% 4.46% 2.93 to 6, 72), calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis (5.31%, 95% CI 3.61 to 7.72) and metformin in type 2 diabetes metabolic syndrome ± (4.46%, 95% CI 2.93 -6.72). Conclusions: The main inappropriate prescribing concerns treatments that should be suspended or modify. The duplications were the most common cause of inappropriate prescribing, being more frequently involved drugs like benzodiazepines, NSAIDs and drugs in drugs associations. The second cause of inadequacy most prevalent was the prescription of benzodiazepines with long half life. The third most common cause was acetylsalicylic acid, both through overuse or omission(AU)