Gender-specific influence of health behaviors on academic performance in Spanish adolescents: the AFINOS study.

INTRODUCTION: New paradigms based on the multifactorial etiology of chronic diseases and behavioral outcomes suggest that a combination of health behaviors may have more impact on the outcome of interest than any single factor. OBJECTIVE: To examine the independent and combined influence of four health behaviors on school performance in Spanish adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1825 Spanish adolescents reported their grades in Language and Literature (LL) and Math. Body mass index, family structure and school-related factors (attitude to school, need to repeat > 1-yr and absenteeism) were self-reported. Adolescents were dichotomized as healthy or unhealthy based on meeting or not meeting lifestyle recommendations on physical activity, TV viewing, sleep and fruit intake. Each adolescent was also scored according to the number of healthy recommendations fulfilled. RESULTS: In boys, there were no associations between health behaviors and academic performance. Good academic performance in girls was associated with physical activity (P < 0.05) or fruit consumption (P < 0.05). Moreover, girls who scored 3-4 health behaviors showed higher odds of passing LL (OR = 3.18, P < 0.001), Math (OR = 1.75, P = 0.028) or LL+Math (OR = 2.32, P = 0.001) compared with those with 0-1 health behaviors. All the analyses were adjusted by weight status, family context and different school-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of health behaviors may have a positive influence on academic performance in adolescent girls.

Gender-specific influence of health behaviors on academic performance in Spanish adolescents; the AFINOS study / Rol del género en la influencia de las conductas saludables sobre el rendimiento académico en adolescentes españoles; el estudio AFINOS

Introduction: New paradigms based on the multifactorial etiology of chronic diseases and behavioral outcomes suggest that a combination of health behaviors may have more impact on the outcome of interest than any single factor. Objective: To examine the independent and combined influence of four health behaviors on school performance in Spanish adolescents. Methods: A total of 1825 Spanish adolescents reported their grades in Language and Literature (LL) and Math. Body mass index, family structure and school-related factors (attitude to school, need to repeat > 1-yr and absenteeism) were self-reported. Adolescents were dichotomized as healthy or unhealthy based on meeting or not meeting lifestyle recommendations on physical activity, TV viewing, sleep and fruit intake. Each adolescent was also scored according to the number of healthy recommendations fulfilled. Results: In boys, there were no associations between health behaviors and academic performance. Good academic performance in girls was associated with physical activity (P < 0.05) or fruit consumption (P < 0.05). Moreover, girls who scored 3-4 health behaviors showed higher odds of passing LL (OR = 3.18, P < 0.001), Math (OR = 1.75, P = 0.028) or LL+Math (OR = 2.32, P = 0.001) compared with those with 0-1 health behaviors. All the analyses were adjusted by weight status, family context and different school-related factors. Conclusions: A combination of health behaviors may have a positive influence on academic performance in adolescent girls (AU)

Introducción: Los nuevos paradigmas basados en la etiología multifactorial de las enfermedades crónicas y los resultados en el comportamiento sugieren que la combinación de comportamientos saludables puede tener un impacto más positivo en algún resultado de interés que cualquier otro factor aislado. Objetivo: explorar la influencia independiente y combinada de cuatro comportamientos saludables sobre el rendimiento escolar de adolescentes españoles. Métodos: Un total de 1.825 adolescentes españoles proporcionaron sus notas en lengua y literatura (LL) y matemáticas. El índice de masa corporal, la estructura de la familia y factores relacionados con la escuela (actitud hacia el colegio, necesidad de repetir más de un año y absentismo) fueron autoinformados. Se dividió a los adolescentes en saludables y no saludables en función de si cumplían o no unas recomendaciones de estilo de vida relativas a la práctica de actividad física, tiempo viendo la TV, sueño e ingesta de fruta. También se valoró a cada adolescente en función de número de recomendaciones saludables que cumplían. Resultados: En los chicos, no hubo asociaciones entre los comportamientos saludables y el rendimiento académico. El buen rendimiento académico de las chicas se asoció con la actividad física (P < 0,05) y el consumo de fruta (P < 0,05). Además, las chicas que cumplían 3-4 recomendaciones de comportamientos saludables tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de aprobar LL (OR = 3,18, P < 0,001), matemáticas (OR = 1,75, P = 0,028) o LL+Mate-máticas (OR = 2,32, P = 0,001) en comparación con aquellas con puntuaciones de 0-1. Se ajustaron todos los análisis por peso, contexto familiar y diferentes factores relacionados con la escuela. Conclusiones: una combinación de comportamientos saludables podría tener una influencia positiva en el rendimiento académico en las chicas adolescentes (AU)

Adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening in Spanish women with diabetes: associated factors and trend between 2006 and 2010.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening of women with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the associated factors and trend of use over time of these preventative services between 2006 and 2010 in Spain. METHODS: The study used data from a population of women aged greater or equal to 18 years (n=11,957) who participated in the European Health Interview Survey in Spain (EHISS, 2009). Diabetes status was self-reported and included those with type 2 DM. Adherence to screening for cancer prevention was assessed by asking women aged greater or equel to 40 years whether they had undergone mammography and a Papanicolaou (Pap) cervical smear (in those aged 18-69 years) within the previous 2 and 3 years, respectively. Independent variables included sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Also, the age-standardized prevalences of mammography and Pap smear uptake were compared in women with diabetes between 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: Among the diabetic women, 37.9% underwent mammography and 49.1% had a Pap smear vs 53.8% and 64%, respectively, in women without diabetes, with corresponding adjusted odds ratios of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68-0.97) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.60-0.91). Among diabetic women, attending more "physician visits" was a positive predictor of having both screening tests. Also, a higher monthly income level was associated with mammography uptake, and a higher educational level with Pap smear uptake. There was also a significant decrease in mammography screening uptake between 2006 and 2010 compared with a stable rate of uptake of cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Spanish women with diabetes consistently underuse breast and cervical cancer screening tests compared with non-diabetic women. The decline in mammography uptake rates needs to be carefully monitored and may even call for intervention.

Impact of diabetic foot related complications on the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQol) of patients--a regional study in Spain.

The diabetic foot reduces the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study aims at ascertaining the impact of the etiological factors of the diabetic foot on the various aspects of HRQoL. This is a comparative study involving type 1 or type 2 (n = 421) diabetic patients divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 258) includes diabetic patients without foot lesions and group 2 (n = 163) includes patients suffering from a diabetic foot ulcer. The HRQoL of the sample was assessed by using the SF-36 Health Questionnaire. The overall HRQoL score was 68.58 ± 18.24 in group 1 and 50.99 ± 18.98 in group 2 (P < .001). The diabetic foot-related etiological factors that significantly reduce these patients' HRQoL are neuropathy, amputation history, and poor metabolic control (P < .001). Quality of life was lower in women with diabetic foot than in men. Neuropathy--regarded as the main etiological factor in the diabetic foot--also proved to be a variable that reduces the HRQoL. Paradoxically, peripheral vascular disease did not prove to have a negative impact on the quality of life.

Influenza vaccination coverages among Spanish children, adults and health care workers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at describing influenza vaccination coverage among Spanish children, adults and health care workers (HCWs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 27,791 questionnaires on subjects aged 6 months or over, drawn from the 2003 Spanish National Health Survey. As the dependent variable, we took the answer to the question, "Did you (or your child) have a flu shot in the last campaign?". Independent variables were age group, gender, nationality, occupation (HCWs) and coexistence of chronic conditions. RESULTS: Overall influenza vaccination coverage for the total sample was 19.58%. Coverage for the pediatric population was 5.55%, with 20.74% of those with and 4.67% of those without chronic condition being vaccinated. Vaccination coverages were: 63.7% among subjects aged > or = 65 years; 30.5% among high-risk subjects aged < 65 years; and 19.65% among HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the available results show low levels of influenza vaccination coverage among high-risk subjects aged under 65 years, children in particular, and HCWs.

[Bibliometric analysis of the Spanish Journal of Chemotherapy (1996-2000)]. / Análisis bibliométrico de la Revista Española de Quimioterapia (1996-2000).

A bibliometric study of the output of Spanish scientific research into antimicrobial and antiparasitic chemotherapy was carried out, based on articles published in the Spanish Journal of Chemotherapy from 1996 to 2000. The 20 issues of the journal corresponding to the 5-year period studied were analyzed using the main indicators for bibliometry: article typology; output; Bradford's Law and Lotka's estimation; collaboration index; institutional origin; geographic location; subject; and advertising. The majority of the articles were original, and a small group of high-output authors and an appropriate level of contribution were identified. The greatest percentage of scientific output was from the autonomous regions of Madrid and Valencia. The majority of studies included in the analysis were hospital-based and the most researched topic was antimicrobial drugs. A reduction in the amount of advertising was noted.

[Influence of the diet on the development of colorectal cancer in a population of Madrid]. / Influencia de la dieta en la aparición del cáncer colorrectal en una población de Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: Although the genetic component in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is well established, some environmental factors, mainly dietary, can favor its development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between daily consumption of specific food groups and development of CRC. METHODS: We carried out a case-control study in an area of Madrid; 196 patients with diagnosis of CRC with confirmed histology and registered to May 1998 in the Community of Madrid tumor register were included, and they were compared with 196 controls matched by age, sex, and geographical area. All of them filled out a questionnaire with information on diet, substance abuse, physical activity, drugs, and family history of CRC. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed a weakly positive association with meat (OR: 1.02; CI: 1.01-1.04), viscera (OR: 1.12; CI: 1.02-1.23), and sausage (OR: 1.07; CI: 1.03-1.1) consumption, and a modest inverse association with consumption of yogurt (OR: 0.97; CI: 0.95-0.98), tomato (OR: 0.99; CI: 0.98-0.99), strawberries and cherries (OR: 0.97; CI: 0.95-0.99), oranges, grapefruits, and natural fruit juices (OR: 0.99; CI: 0.98-1). CONCLUSIONS: These results are an additional empirical evidence that must be confirmed through prospective studies.

Análisis bibliométrico de la Revista Española de Quimioterapia (1996-2000) / Bibliometric analysis of the Spanish Journal of Chemotherapy (1996-2000)

Se ha realizado un estudio bibliométrico de la producción científica española en materia de quimioterapia antimicrobiana y antiparasitaria a través de los artículos recogidos en Revista Española de Quimioterapia durante el periodo 1996-2000. Para ello se analizaron los veinte números de la revista correspondientes a los cinco años estudiados mediante la aplicación de los principales indicadores de bibliometría: tipología de los artículos, producción, áreas de Bradford y estimación de Lotka, índice de colaboración, procedencia institucional, localización geográfica, materia y publicidad. Son mayoría los artículos originales, se ha identificado un grupo minoritario de autores muy productivos y un grado adecuado de colaboración. Las comunidades autónomas de Madrid y Valencia concentran el mayor porcentaje de la producción científica. La procedencia de los trabajos fue principalmente del medio hospitalario. La materia más estudiada fue la de los antimicrobianos. Se ha observado una disminución de la publicidad (AU)

Probióticos / Probiotics

No disponible

Physical exercise, use of Plantago ovata and aspirin, and reduced risk of colon cancer.

To evaluate certain risk and protective factors for colon cancer in our population, we conducted a paired case-control study where cases were all people diagnosed with colon cancer who were registered at the Cancer Data Exchange Systems of the Community of Madrid between January 1995 and December 1996, and controls were randomly taken from electoral lists. The study population consisted of 424 persons. Using SPSS for Windows, variables were adjusted by multiple logistic regression. The results indicate that lack of physical exercise is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.21) as compared with moderate activity 1-2 days a week. The risk decreases linearly with increasing physical exercise, and this association remains after stratifying the analysis for the existence of constipation. The consumption of is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer in constipated patients, with an OR of 0.094 (0.014-0.639), as is aspirin use, with an OR of 0.980 (0.898-0.999). These results were obtained after adjusting all the ORs for diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, family history and socio-demographic factors such as marital status and educational level.

Intravenous magnesium load test in elderly patients with protein-energy malnutrition.

Forty-two elderly patients were subjected to a nutritional assessment and an intravenous magnesium load (0.5 mmol/kg). After 48 h, patients with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) showed magnesium retentions (MgR) above 20 per cent, thus indicating magnesium deficit, and greater (P < 0.001) than those from well-nourished patients. The discriminating cross-point for undernourished patients was at 28 per cent with 95 per cent sensibility and specificity. There were significant correlations between MgR and most nutritional parameters. An increase of the RMg constitutes a PCM indicator which may be useful to quantify it.