Physicians' Perception of Oral Nutritional Supplement Acceptance and Tolerability in Malnourished Outpatients: PerceptiONS Study.

Malnutrition is a common condition associated with various pathologies such as infections, neoplasms and digestive system disorders. Patients can be managed using different strategies, which include dietary modifications or oral nutritional supplements (ONS). It is important to promote good ONS adherence in order to attain clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Several factors (amount, type, duration and tolerability) may have an impact on ONS adherence. PerceptiONS is a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study based on an ad hoc electronic survey designed to explore physicians' perception of malnourished outpatients prescribed ONS. The survey considered adherence, acceptance/satisfaction, tolerability and benefits within the context of Spain's healthcare system. The perceptions of 548 physicians regarding the experience of 2516 patients were analyzed. From the physicians' perspective, 57.11% of patients adhered to over 75% of the prescribed ONS. The organoleptic properties of ONS represented the aspect with the most positive impact on adherence, with smell (43.72%) ranking as the top characteristic. In general, patients were satisfied (90.10%) with the ONS, with their related benefits (88.51%) and their organoleptic properties (90.42%), and accepted ONS in their daily diet (88.63%). ONS improved patients' general condition (87.04%), quality of life (QoL) (81.96%) and vitality/energy (81.28%). Physicians would prescribe the same ONS again in 96.4% of the cases.

Estudio de costo-efectividad de la biopsia mamaria asistida por vacío versus biopsia con aguja gruesa o arpón / The cost effectiveness of vacuum-assisted versus core-needle versus surgical biopsy of breast lesions

Objetivo. Realizar estudio de costo-efectividad de la biopsia por aspiración al vacío (BAV) (9 G) guiada por estereotaxia vertical o ecografía comparada con biopsia con aguja gruesa (BAG) (14 G) y biopsia con arpón. Material y métodos. Analizamos 997 biopsias mamarias (181 BAV, 626 BAG y 190 arpones). Calculamos costes totales (directos e indirectos) de los tres tipos de biopsia. No calculamos costes intangibles. El efecto a medir fue el "porcentaje de diagnósticos correctos" obtenidos con cada una de las técnicas. Calculamos los ratios medios de los tres tipos de biopsias e identificamos la opción dominante más costo-efectiva. Resultados. Costes totales de BAG 225,09 Euros, de BAV 638,90 Euros y de biopsia con arpón 1780,01 Euros. Porcentaje de diagnósticos correctos globales con BAG 91,81%, BAV 94,03% y biopsia con arpón 100%, sin diferencias significativas (p=0,3485). En microcalcificaciones, los porcentajes de diagnósticos correctos fueron con BAG 50% y con BAV 96,77%, p<0,0001. En nódulos tampoco hubo diferencias significativas. El ratio medio costo-efectividad considerando todas las lesiones en conjunto, fue para BAG 2,45, BAV 6,79 y arpón 17,80. Conclusión. La BAG fue la opción dominante para el diagnóstico de lesiones mamarias sospechosas de malignidad en general. En el caso de las microcalcificaciones, el bajo porcentaje de diagnósticos de la BAG (50%) desaconsejan su uso y colocan a la BAV como técnica de elección; la BAV es, además, más costo-efectiva que el arpón, que es la otra técnica indicada para biopsiar microcalcificaciones (AU)

Objectives. To determine the cost effectiveness of breast biopsy by 9G vacuum-assisted guided by vertical stereotaxy or ultrasonography in comparison with breast biopsy by 14G core-needle biopsy and surgical biopsy. Material and methods. We analyzed a total of 997 biopsies (181 vacuum-assisted, 626 core, and 190 surgical biopsies). We calculated the total costs (indirect and direct) of the three types of biopsy. We did not calculate intangible costs. We measured the percentage of correct diagnoses obtained with each technique. To identify the most cost-effective option, we calculated the mean ratios for the three types of biopsies. Results. Total costs were Euros 225.09 for core biopsy, Euros 638.90 for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and Euros 1780.01 for surgical biopsy. The overall percentage of correct diagnoses was 91.81% for core biopsy, 94.03% for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and 100% for surgical biopsy; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.3485). For microcalcifications, the percentage of correct diagnoses was 50% for core biopsy and 96.77% for vacuum-assisted biopsy (p<0.0001). For nodules, there were no significant differences among techniques. The mean cost-effectiveness ratio considering all lesions was 2.45 for core biopsy, 6.79 for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and 17.80 for surgical biopsy. Conclusion. Core biopsy was the dominant option for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions in general. However, in cases with microcalcifications, the low percentage of correct diagnoses achieved by core biopsy (50%) advises against its use in this context, where vacuum-assisted biopsy would be the technique of choice because it is more cost-effective than surgical biopsy, the other technique indicated for biopsying microcalcifications (AU)

The cost effectiveness of vacuum-assisted versus core-needle versus surgical biopsy of breast lesions. / Estudio de costo-efectividad de la biopsia mamaria asistida por vacío versus biopsia con aguja gruesa o arpón.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the cost effectiveness of breast biopsy by 9G vacuum-assisted guided by vertical stereotaxy or ultrasonography in comparison with breast biopsy by 14G core-needle biopsy and surgical biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 997 biopsies (181 vacuum-assisted, 626 core, and 190 surgical biopsies). We calculated the total costs (indirect and direct) of the three types of biopsy. We did not calculate intangible costs. We measured the percentage of correct diagnoses obtained with each technique. To identify the most cost-effective option, we calculated the mean ratios for the three types of biopsies. RESULTS: Total costs were €225.09 for core biopsy, €638.90 for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and €1780.01 for surgical biopsy. The overall percentage of correct diagnoses was 91.81% for core biopsy, 94.03% for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and 100% for surgical biopsy; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.3485). For microcalcifications, the percentage of correct diagnoses was 50% for core biopsy and 96.77% for vacuum-assisted biopsy (p<0.0001). For nodules, there were no significant differences among techniques. The mean cost-effectiveness ratio considering all lesions was 2.45 for core biopsy, 6.79 for vacuum-assisted biopsy, and 17.80 for surgical biopsy. CONCLUSION: Core biopsy was the dominant option for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions in general. However, in cases with microcalcifications, the low percentage of correct diagnoses achieved by core biopsy (50%) advises against its use in this context, where vacuum-assisted biopsy would be the technique of choice because it is more cost-effective than surgical biopsy, the other technique indicated for biopsying microcalcifications.

Sobre la equivalencia terapéutica y los nuevos anticoagulantes orales / Therapeutic equivalence of the new oral anticoagulants

En un intento de mitigar el impacto económico que supone la incorporación de fármacos innovadores, se ha promovido y respaldado por las autoridades sanitarias la evaluación y posicionamiento de medicamentos como alternativas terapéuticas equivalentes. Esta cuestión ha adquirido en los últimos tiempos un protagonismo significativo, posiblemente debido a la coyuntura económica actual. Las alternativas terapéuticas equivalentes se justifican por la necesidad de competir por precio, y las autoridades recomiendan establecer la equivalencia terapéutica en el momento de establecer el precio y la financiación de los medicamentos. El establecimiento de los nuevos anticoagulantes orales como alternativa terapéutica equivalente es problemático si nos basamos en la ausencia de comparaciones directas entre los diferentes fármacos y en la discutible metodología utilizada en las comparaciones indirectas actuales. De momento, es difícil precisar cuándo es más recomendable un nuevo anticoagulante oral frente a otro, pero se están haciendo esfuerzos para proponer alternativas en la elección basadas en las características de los pacientes (AU9

In an attempt to minimize the economic impact due to the incorporation of innovative drugs, health authorities have promoted and supported the evaluation and market positioning of drugs, as equivalent therapeutic alternatives. This issue has recently gained importance, possibly due to the current economic crisis. The equivalent therapeutic alternatives are justified by the need to compete on price, and by the authorities recommendation to establish therapeutic equivalence, price and financing of medicinal products at the same time. The establishment of the new oral anticoagulants and the equivalent therapeutic alternatives is a problematic issue if it is based on the absence of direct comparisons between different drugs and the questionable methodology used in the current indirect comparisons. Currently, it is difficult to determine when a new oral anticoagulant is more recommendable than others, but efforts are being made in order to propose alternatives for the decision based on patient characteristics (AU)

[Therapeutic equivalence of the new oral anticoagulants]. / Sobre la equivalencia terapéutica y los nuevos anticoagulantes orales.

In an attempt to minimize the economic impact due to the incorporation of innovative drugs, health authorities have promoted and supported the evaluation and market positioning of drugs, as equivalent therapeutic alternatives. This issue has recently gained importance, possibly due to the current economic crisis. The equivalent therapeutic alternatives are justified by the need to compete on price, and by the authorities recommendation to establish therapeutic equivalence, price and financing of medicinal products at the same time. The establishment of the new oral anticoagulants and the equivalent therapeutic alternatives is a problematic issue if it is based on the absence of direct comparisons between different drugs and the questionable methodology used in the current indirect comparisons. Currently, it is difficult to determine when a new oral anticoagulant is more recommendable than others, but efforts are being made in order to propose alternatives for the decision based on patient characteristics.

Quality of life and fear for hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. / Calidad de vida y grado de preocupación por las hipoglucemias en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

OBJECTIVES: Hypoglycaemia can negatively impact many aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management. The aim was to determine the impact of hypoglycaemia and the fear for hypoglycemic episodes on HRQoL in T2DM patients in Spain, as well as healthcare professionals' attitudes and knowledge of these issues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study, with consecutive recruitment of T2DM patients in 661 healthcare centers, between September 2010 and May 2011. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded. HRQoL (ADDQoL questionnaire) and fear for hypoglycaemia (HFS-II) were evaluated. Two groups were compared: with and without reported hypoglycaemia in the previous 6 months. Physicians responded 4 questions (visual analogue scales). RESULTS: 4.054 patients participated, of which 3,812 were selected [mean age (SD)=64 (11) years; male=54%; 10 (7) years for diagnostic of T2DM]. Patients with hypoglycaemia (45%) expressed higher fear for hypoglycemia [31.32 (15.71) vs. 18.85 (16.03); p<0.0001] and the overall impact of T2DM on their HRQoL was more negative [-2.48 (1.61) vs. -1.64 (1.36); p<0.001]. Respondent physicians occasionally used HRQoL questionnaires, knew about hypoglycaemia risk, explored fear for hypoglycaemia and modified treatments accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: T2DM patients with hypoglycaemia show an increase of fear for them, negatively affecting T2DM patients HRQoL. However physicians know the risk of hypoglycaemia, they explore the fear for hypoglycemic episodes occasionally.

Ca-CiP31: Elaboración y validación del primer instrumento de calidad de vida en Cirugía Plástica en español / Ca-CiP31: Development and validation of the first instrument in spanish to measure health related quality of life in Plastic Surgery

La medición de los resultados percibidos por los pacientes (patient-reported outcomes) ha incrementado notablemente su importancia en Cirugía Estética y Reconstructiva. El objetivo de este estudio es elaborar un nuevo instrumento de medida de Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CVRS), para evaluar los resultados que son propios de los pacientes sometidos a Cirugía Plástica en lengua española. Desarrollamos un marco conceptual basado en una revisión de la literatura, grupos focales y entrevistas con pacientes, creando como consecuencia un listado de ítems para un cuestionario inicial. De este cuestionario se eliminaron ítems confusos o sinónimos posteriormente se sometió a examen por el grupo focal y se probó en una pequeña muestra de pacientes, que eliminaron ítems poco relevantes, poco claros u ofensivos. El cuestionario revisado fue probado con 240 pacientes de un hospital público y 4 consultas privadas en España. Se seleccionaron otros 40 pacientes no expuestos a cirugía para la prueba test-retest. Se realizaron los tradicionales análisis psicométricos seguidos de los procedimientos y criterios recomendados en la actualidad para comparación con otros instrumentos ya existentes (AU)

The measurement of the patient-reported outcomes has been increasing its importance in Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study is to develop a new instrument to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) to assess the results that are unique to Plastic Surgery patients of Spanish language A conceptual framework was developed, based on a literature review, focus groups, interviews with patients, thus creating a list of items for an initial questionnaire. This questionnaire items were removed when looking confused and then was reviewed by the focus group and tested on a small sample of patients, which eliminated irrelevant items, unclear or offensive. The revised questionnaire was tested with 240 patients from a public hospital and 4 private offices of plastic surgeons in Spain. Another 40 patients not exposed to surgery were selected for the test-retest. There were traditional psychometric analyzes followed the procedures and criteria currently recommended to allow for comparisons with other existing tools. Factorial analysis showed up to 5 underlying factors, but the large correlations among them confused, so for clinical consistency was considered a single factor that would include the concept of HRQL of Plastic Surgery. The results confirmed the validity, reliability, acceptability and sensitivity to changes in questionnaire. In conclusion, the Ca-Cip 31 is a new HRQL instrument in Spanish for patients who undergo Plastic Surgery, valid, reliable and responsiveness, which is useful for use before and after surgery and able to discriminate patients from other types of surgery, suitable for use in clinical and observational and experimental studies (AU)

Tratamiento con Amisulpride de pacientes adictos a sustancias psicoactivas y síntomas psicóticos / Treatment with amisulpride of addicted patients to psychoactive substances and psychotic symptoms

Introducción. Cada vez disponemos de mayor información sobre la efectividad de los antipsicóticos de segunda generación en pacientes con síntomas psicóticos y trastorno por abuso de substancias. Amisulpride es un fármaco que por sus características puede considerarse una opción terapéutica válida en el manejo de estos pacientes. Objetivo. Evaluar la utilidad del Amisulpride en pacientes con Trastorno por Consumo de Sustancias y comorbilidad asociada. Método. Estudio experimental y prospectivo. Se reclutaron 97 pacientes ambulatorios que iniciaban y/o se encontraban en tratamiento en la Unidad de Conductas Adictivas de Paterna, Valencia (España). Los criterios de inclusión abarcaban a pacientes de ambos sexos con diagnostico de dependencia, según DSM-IV-TR, a una de las siguientes sustancias: alcohol, heroína, cocaína ó cannabis, que habiendo superado la fase de desintoxicación presentaban uno o varios de los síntomas siguientes: ideación paranoide, hostilidad, impulsividad ó irritabilidad marcada, sensibilidad interpersonal, alucinaciones auditivas, o alucinaciones visuales. Los pacientes que habían sido diagnosticados de dependencia a la heroína ya se encontraban en tratamiento de mantenimiento con metadona antes de ser incluidos en el estudio. Se pautó una dosis inicial de Amisulpride, estandarizada en dos rangos (100-300 mg y >/= 400 mg) que fue aumentándose paulatinamente según la respuesta clínica. El seguimiento fue de 9 meses y se realizaron 4 controles a los 3, 6 y 9 meses. Resultados. De un total de 97 pacientes seleccionados, 14 se excluyeron del análisis por violación del protocolo. Abandonaron el estudio 20 y finalizaron el seguimiento a los 9 meses un total de 63 casos. La dosis media de Amisulpride fue de 493,5±197,1 mg/día. En los pacientes que cumplieron el tratamiento, hubo mejoría global del distress psicológico, disminución del craving y mejoría de la funcionalidad psíquica y social. Conclusiones. El tratamiento con Amisulpride es efectivo en pacientes con dependencia a distintas sustancias y comorbilidad asociada, tanto a corto como a medio plazo (AU)

Introduction. There is ever more available information on the effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotic drugs used in addictive behaviour patients with psychotic symptoms. Due to its characteristics, Amisulpride is a medicine that can be considered as a valid therapeutic option to treat this group of patients. Objective. To assess the value of Amisulpride to treat patients with addictive behaviours, and the associated morbidity. Method. An experimental, prospective study was conducted. A total of 97 ambulatory patients, who were initiating, or already receiving, treatment at the Addictive Behaviours Unit in Paterna, Valencia (Spain), were selected to take part in the study. Inclusion criteria included female and male patients, diagnosed of miss using any of the following substances: alcohol, heroine, cocaine or cannabis, who having overcome the detoxification phase, presented one or more of the following symptoms: paranoidideas, hostility, severe irritative or impulsive behaviours, interpersonal sensitivity, and hearing or visual allucinations. An initial dose of Amisulpride, standardized in two ranges (100-300 mg y >/= 400 mg) was used. It was progressively increased according to the clinical response. Four assessments were conducted at months 0,3, 6 and 9. Results. Out of a total of 97 patients, 14 were excluded due to violation of the protocol. Twenty patients dropped out and 63 completed the follow-up period. Mean Amilsupride daily dose was 493.5 ± 197.1 mg In those patients who completed the treatment, an overall improvement in their psychological distress, a decreased in craving and an improvement in their psychological and social functioning were found. Conclusion. Treatment with Amisulpride seems to be effective in patients who are on different addictive substances, and its associated morbidity, both at a short and a medium period of time (AU)

Algunos comentarios sobre el estudio PRAXIS / No disponible

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[Analysis of cost-minimization treatment with paracetamol or COX-2 inhibitors (rofecoxib) for pain from arthrosis of the knee or hip]. / Análisis de minimización de costes del tratamiento del dolor en la artrosis de rodilla o cadera con paracetamol o inhibidores de la COX-2 (rofecoxib).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of paracetamol, indicated in first instance for light-to-moderate pain from hip and knee arthrosis, against rofecoxib, the COX-2 inhibitor most commonly used in Spain. DESIGN: Pharmaco-economic model: cost-minimisation analysis based on the information provided by a systematic review of the literature. SETTING: Spain: statewide. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a diagnosis of knee or hip arthrosis, who demand health-care for light-to-moderate pain in the primary care services and present no counter-indication to the treatments under evaluation. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Given the supposition of the equivalent efficacy of paracetamol and rofecoxib, the cost-minimisation model focused on the cost arising from the adverse side effects caused by the 2 drugs. A correction factor allowed for the number of subjects in the studies reviewed and the number of adverse side effects found. RESULTS: Paracetamol was cheaper than rofecoxib at both 3 months and 1 year. The average cost of paracetamol per year was 307.95 Euros (301.57-315.12) versus 574.59 Euros (566.74-580.40) for rofecoxib treatment. The main cause of costs after the sensitivity analysis was the cost of acquiring the drugs, rather than the rate of incidence of adverse side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of economic analysis based on cost minimisation, paracetamol was the first-preference treatment over rofecoxib for light-to-moderate arthrosis pain. This confirmed the recommendations which, under efficacy and safety criteria, are indicated in various clinical practice guidelines in force.

Análisis de minimización de costes del tratamiento del dolor en la artrosis de rodilla o cadera con paracetamol o inhibidores de la COX-2 (rofecoxib) / Analysis of Cost-Minimisation Treatment With Paracetamol or COX-2 Inhibitors (Rofecoxib) for Pain From Arthrosis of the Knee or Hip

Objetivo. Evaluar la eficiencia de paracetamol, indicado como tratamiento de primera línea para el dolor entre leve y moderado de la artrosis de cadera y rodilla, frente a rofecoxib, el inhibidor de la COX-2 más utilizado en España. Diseño. Modelo farmacoeconómico: análisis de minimización de costes basado en la información proporcionada por la revisión sistemática de la bibliografía. Emplazamiento. Nacional. España. Participantes. Pacientes con diagnóstico de artrosis de rodilla o cadera, con dolor entre leve y moderado, que demandan atención sanitaria en los servicios de atención primaria y que no presentan contraindicación para los tratamientos evaluados. Mediciones principales. Ante el supuesto de una eficacia equivalente entre paracetamol y rofecoxib, el modelo de minimización de costes se centró en el coste originado por la presencia de efectos adversos con cada fármaco tras aplicar un factor de corrección proporcional al número de sujetos incluidos en los estudios revisados y al número de efectos adversos observado. Resultados. El paracetamol minimiza los costes a los 3 meses y a 1 año respecto a rofecoxib. El coste anual promedio de paracetamol es de 307,95 euros (rango, 301,57-315,12) frente a los 574,59 euros (rango, 566,74-580,40) del tratamiento con rofecoxib. El principal inductor de costes tras el análisis de sensibilidad fue el coste de adquisición de los medicamentos, más que la tasa de incidencia de los efectos adversos. Conclusiones. El paracetamol es la primera opción de tratamiento frente a rofecoxib en el dolor artrósico entre leve y moderado desde el punto de vista del análisis económico basado en la minimización de costes, lo que confirma las recomendaciones que, con criterios de eficacia y seguridad, se indican en diversas guías de práctica clínica vigentes (AU)

Objective. To assess the efficiency of paracetamol, indicated in first instance for light-to-moderate pain from hip and knee arthrosis, against rofecoxib, the COX-2 inhibitor most commonly used in Spain. Design. Pharmaco-economic model: cost-minimisation analysis based on the information provided by a systematic review of the literature. Setting. Spain: statewide. Participants. Patients with a diagnosis of knee or hip arthrosis, who demand health-care for light-to-moderate pain in the primary care services and present no counter-indication to the treatments under evaluation. Main measurements. Given the supposition of the equivalent efficacy of paracetamol and rofecoxib, the cost-minimisation model focused on the cost arising from the adverse side effects caused by the 2 drugs. A correction factor allowed for the number of subjects in the studies reviewed and the number of adverse side effects found. Results. Paracetamol was cheaper than rofecoxib at both 3 months and 1 year. The average cost of paracetamol per year was e307.95 (301.57-315.12) versus e574.59 (566.74-580.40) for rofecoxib treatment. The main cause of costs after the sensitivity analysis was the cost of acquiring the drugs, rather than the rate of incidence of adverse side effects. Conclusions. In terms of economic analysis based on cost minimisation, paracetamol was the first-preference treatment over rofecoxib for light-to-moderate arthrosis pain. This confirmed the recommendations which, under efficacy and safety criteria, are indicated in various clinical practice guidelines in force (AU)

La evaluación de la calidad de vida en la osteoporosis / Quality of Life evaluation for osteoporosis

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Reflexiones sobre la investigación de resultados en salud / Reflections on research into health results

No disponible

La evaluación de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la consulta: las viñetas / Evaluation in the clinic of health-related quality of life: the COOP/WONCA cartoons

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[Study on health related quality of life based on information from COOP/WONCA sheets]. / Evaluación de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud mediante las láminas COOP/WONCA.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study is to describe the quality of life related to health (QLRH) in primary health patients, in escorts of primary health care patients, in pregnant women, in relatives caring for Alzheimer patients, and in drug addicts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample consists of 1,408 persons: primary health care patients (n = 475), escorts of primary health care patients (n = 200), in pregnant women (n = 510), in relatives caring for Alzheimer patients (n = 169), and in drug addicts (n = 68). The QLRH has been measured according to the Spanish version of the COOP/WONCA charts. The questionnaire was filled directly by the people surveyed. RESULTS: The group of pregnant women is the group less physically fit but at the same time the group with best health status, higher social support and best quality of life. At the other end, the group of addicts is the worst considered group regarding the variables of feelings, social activities and quality of life. The factor analysis shows a unifactor structure and its internal consistency is 0.79 (Cronbach's alpha). The multiple regression of COOP/WONCA charts over the variables of age, sex and study groups explains the 14% of the variance (r2 = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The COOP/WONCA charts allow for the establishment of distinctions in some of the groups studied (pregnant women and drug addicts), but do not establish enough differences with respect to other groups, which may be due to a certain homogeneity among them. The use of a global score for the COOP/WONCA charts would be theoretically and methodology feasible.

[Cross cultural adaptation of a health related quality of life measurement: the Spanish version of the COOP/WONCA cartoons]. / Adaptación transcultural de una medida de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud: la versión española de las viñetas COOP/WONCA.

OBJECTIVES: Cross-cultural adaptation to Castilian Spanish of the original COOP/WONCA charts questionnaire and its validation for use in Spain. DESIGN: Descriptive crossover study. SETTING: Primary Care. PATIENTS: Pilot test with a consecutive sample of 63 patients from a medical list. The final version was administered to a random sample of 475 patients from five medical lists of two urban Health Centres. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The adaptation was based on the method of translations and independent back-translations by bilingual persons, from the original version of the instrument and performance of the pilot test. The conceptual equivalence between the final version and the original questionnaire was satisfactory in 8 of the 9 items. Mean scores of the semantic and syntactic equivalences were high and equally satisfactory. Cronbach's alpha was above 0.7 for 6, 7 and 9 items. Spearman's correlation coefficients between two administrations of the questionnaire, separated by 15 days, scored between 0.52 and 0.72. The factorial analysis of 6, 7 and 9 items revealed a unifactorial structure. All the load values ranged between 0.5 and 0.8 except item 5. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptation of the COOP/WONCA charts questionnaire finished with an instrument apparently equivalent to the original and with acceptable reliability and validity. However, other basic characteristics such as sensitivity to changes need to be explored, and aspects of construct validity examined more closely.