Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among community-dwelling Peruvian adults: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have emerged as significant contributors to negative health outcomes in the past decade. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and SO in a community-dwelling population of 1151 adults aged ≥55 years in Lima, Peru. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of low muscle strength (LMS) and low muscle mass (LMM) according to European (EWGSOP2), US (FNIH) and Asian (AWGS2) guidelines. We measured muscle strength by maximum handgrip strength and muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance analyzer. SO was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and sarcopenia. RESULTS: The study participants had a mean age of 66.2 years (SD 7.1), age range between 60 to 92 years old, of which 621 (53.9%) were men. Among the sample, 41.7% were classified as obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²). The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was estimated to be 22.7% (95%CI: 20.3-25.1) using the EWGSOP2 criteria and 27.8% (95%CI: 25.2-30.4) using the AWGS2 criteria. Sarcopenia prevalence, assessed using skeletal muscle index (SMI), was 5.7% (95%CI: 4.4-7.1) according to EWGSOP2 and 8.3% (95%CI: 6.7-9.9) using AWGS2 criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on the FNIH criteria was 18.1% (95%CI: 15.8-20.3). The prevalence of SO, considering different sarcopenia definitions, ranged from 0.8% (95%CI: 0.3-1.3) to 5.0% (95%CI: 3.8-6.3). CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal substantial variation in the prevalence of sarcopenia and SO, underscoring the necessity for context-specific cut-off values. Although the prevalence of SO was relatively low, this result may be underestimated. Furthermore, the consistently high proportion of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia point to a substantial public health burden.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among community-dwelling Peruvian adults: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have emerged as significant contributors to negative health outcomes in the past decade. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the criteria and cut-off thresholds for assessing sarcopenia and SO. Moreover, limited data are available on the prevalence of these conditions in Latin American countries. To address this evidence gap, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and SO in a community-dwelling population of 1151 adults aged ≥ 55 years in Lima, Peru. Methods: Data collection for this cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020 in two urban low-resource settings in Lima, Peru. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of low muscle strength (LMS) and low muscle mass (LMM) according to European (EWGSOP2), US (FNIH) and Asian (AWGS) guidelines. We measured muscle strength by maximum handgrip strength; muscle mass using a whole-body single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery and 4-meter gait speed. SO was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and sarcopenia. Results: The study participants had a mean age of 66.2 years (SD 7.1), of which 621 (53.9%) were men, and 41.7% were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2). The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was estimated to be 22.7% (95%CI: 20.3-25.1) using the EWGSOP2 criteria and 27.8% (95%CI:25.2-30.4) using the AWGS criteria. Sarcopenia prevalence, assessed using skeletal muscle index (SMI), was 5.7% (95%CI: 4.4-7.1) according to EWGSOP2 and 8.3% (95%CI: 6.7-9.9) using AWGS criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on the FNIH criteria was 18.1% (95%CI: 15.8-20.3). The prevalence of SO, considering different sarcopenia definitions, ranged from 0.8% (95%CI: 0.3-1.3) to 5.0% (95%CI: 3.8-6.3). Conclusions: Our findings reveal substantial variation in the prevalence of sarcopenia and SO when using different guidelines, underscoring the necessity for context-specific cut-off values. Nevertheless, regardless of the chosen guideline, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults in Peru remains noteworthy.

Agency and Mental Health Among Peruvian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of older Peruvian adults living in urban areas of Lima under lockdown due to the National COVID-19 Emergency, this study analyzes how older adults (aged 60 and older) exercise agency while also living with the negative impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related control measures. METHODS: Between August and December 2020, our research team conducted a telephone-based, qualitative study, in which we undertook semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of low-income older adults living with chronic multimorbidities and limited resources. Forty older adults, 24 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 72 years, participated in the study. For data analysis, we employed thematic analysis with a predominantly inductive approach. RESULTS: Older adults demonstrated several forms of agency to regulate emotions, maintain crucial bonds, foster social relationships, and seek economic and food security. Older adults experienced entertainment and support by caring for pets, undertaking farm work, and practicing their religious beliefs. For several participants and their families, quarantine was an opportunity to strengthen family relationships and learn new technologies. Older adults and their families reorganized themselves to assume new roles and perform activities that improved self-worth and confidence, thereby improving their well-being and mental health. DISCUSSION: Peruvian older adults exerted agency in different ways to respond to and sustain their mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown. Policymakers should value and recognize the agency of older adults when planning future health responses.

GATA-3 is a proto-oncogene in T-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasms.

Neoplasms originating from thymic T-cell progenitors and post-thymic mature T-cell subsets account for a minority of lymphoproliferative neoplasms. These T-cell derived neoplasms, while molecularly and genetically heterogeneous, exploit transcription factors and signaling pathways that are critically important in normal T-cell biology, including those implicated in antigen-, costimulatory-, and cytokine-receptor signaling. The transcription factor GATA-3 regulates the growth and proliferation of both immature and mature T cells and has recently been implicated in T-cell neoplasms, including the most common mature T-cell lymphoma observed in much of the Western world. Here we show that GATA-3 is a proto-oncogene across the spectrum of T-cell neoplasms, including those derived from T-cell progenitors and their mature progeny, and further define the transcriptional programs that are GATA-3 dependent, which include therapeutically targetable gene products. The discovery that p300-dependent acetylation regulates GATA-3 mediated transcription by attenuating DNA binding has novel therapeutic implications. As most patients afflicted with GATA-3 driven T-cell neoplasms will succumb to their disease within a few years of diagnosis, these findings suggest opportunities to improve outcomes for these patients.

Whole exome sequencing in a sample of Peruvian patients diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a complex and heterogeneous dermatological disease. Four main types of EB have been described, each of them with distinct characteristics: EB simplex (EBS), dystrophic EB (DEB), junctional EB (JEB) and Kindler EB (KEB). Each main type varies in its manifestations, severity, and genetic abnormality. METHODS: We sought mutations in 19 genes known to cause EB and 10 genes associated with other dermatologic diseases in 35 Peruvian pediatric patients of a rich Amerindian genetic background. Whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 35 families revealed an EB mutation. Dystrophic EB was the most frequently diagnosed type, with 19 (56%) patients, followed by EBS (35%), JEB (6%), and KEB (3%). We found 37 mutations in seven genes; 27 (73%) were missense mutations; 22 (59%) were novel mutations. Five cases changed their initial diagnosis of EBS. Four were reclassified as DEB and one as JEB. Inspection into other non-EB genes revealed a variant, c.7130C>A, in the gene FLGR2, which was present in 31 of the 34 patients (91%). CONCLUSION: We were able to confirm and identify pathological mutations in 34 of 35 patients.

"We can't carry the weight of the whole world": illness experiences among Peruvian older adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms in old age, the use of mental health services in this population is low. Help-seeking behaviors are shaped by how an individual perceives and experiences their illness. The objective of this study was to characterize the illness experiences of Peruvian older adults with depression and anxiety symptoms in order to lay the foundation for tailored community-based mental health interventions. METHODS: In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposively selected sample of older adults (≥ 60 years) from peri-urban areas of Lima, Peru. We included individuals with only depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10), only anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory ≥ 16), with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and older adults who mentioned they had received mental health treatment/care. The interview guide included the following topics: perceptions and experiences about depression and anxiety; perceptions about the relationship between physical chronic diseases and mental health; experiences with mental health professionals and treatments, and coping mechanisms. Data collection was conducted between October 2018 and February 2019. RESULTS: We interviewed 38 participants (23 women, 15 men) with a mean age of 67.9 years. Participants' ideas and perceptions of depression and anxiety showed considerable overlap. Participants attributed depression and anxiety mainly to familial and financial problems, loneliness, loss of independence and past traumatic experiences. Coping strategies used by older adults included 'self-reflection and adaptation' to circumstances, 'do your part', and seeking 'emotional support' mainly from non-professionals (relatives, friends, acquaintances, and religion). CONCLUSIONS: Illness experiences of depression and anxiety set the pathway for tailored community-based mental health interventions for older adults. Overlapping narratives and perceptions of depression and anxiety suggest that these conditions should be addressed together. Mental health interventions should incorporate addressing areas related to depression and anxiety such as prevention of loss of independence, trauma, and loneliness. Good acceptability of receiving emotional support for non-professionals might offer an opportunity to incorporate them when delivering mental health care to older adults.

Novel mutation in ENG gene causing Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia in a Peruvian family.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare disorder of vascular development. Common manifestations include epistaxis, telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in multiple organs. Most patients have deletions or missense mutations in the ENG or ACVRL1 gene respectively, significantly affecting endothelium homeostasis. We analyzed the ENG gene in five members of a Peruvian family affected by HHT. One novel mutation was found in exon four of the ENG gene c.408delA, at aminoacid residue 136. This mutation changes the subsequent reading frame producing an early stop at residue 162, preserving only one fourth of the normal protein of 658 aa. This mutation was found in the four affected members of family.

Características de patentes de dispositivos para rehabilitación física registradas en los Estados Unidos / Characteristics of patents of physical rehabilitation devices registered in the United States

Introducción: La rehabilitación física puede verse beneficiada con el uso de dispositivos, los cuales en su mayoría suelen ser patentados. La oficina de patentes y marcas de los Estados Unidos (USPTO) es una de las oficinas de patentes y marcas más grandes y reconocidas. Resulta de interés evaluar las características y la evolución de las patentes para la rehabilitación física; sin embargo, existen pocos estudios al respecto. Objetivo: Identificar las características de las patentes de dispositivos de rehabilitación física de extremidades, registradas en la oficina de patentes y marcas de los Estados Unidos. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se realizó una búsqueda en UPSTO usando una lista de palabras clave relacionadas con la rehabilitación. Se eligieron 10 grupos de patentes relacionados con la rehabilitación. Las variables estudiadas fueron: número de la patente, fecha de publicación, país, titular, área de la patente, extremidades para las cuales es útil la patente y portabilidad. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo usando STATA v.14. Resultados: Se analizaron 1971 patentes, de las cuales 16,2 por ciento fueron incluidas en los grupos de rehabilitación y 83,8 por ciento en ejercicio físico. El 36,6 por ciento de todas las patentes fueron patentadas por un titular corporativo, el 29,9 por ciento fueron portables, y el 46,3 por ciento tenían utilidad para ambas extremidades. Conclusiones: De las patentes encontradas las enfocadas para ejercicio físico fueron las predominantes. Existe una mayor cantidad de patentes útiles para ambas extremidades. Además, existe una tendencia ascendente en el tiempo, en el número de patentes del área de rehabilitación y de las invenciones portables(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Physical rehabilitation can be benefitted from the use of devices, which are usually patented. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is one of the largest and most recognized patent and trademark offices. The characteristics and evolution of patents for physical rehabilitation is of great interest; however, there are few studies in this respect. Objective: To identify the characteristics of patents of physical rehabilitation devices for the physical rehabilitation of damaged limbs registered the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A search was made at UPSTO using a list of keywords related to rehabilitation. Ten groups of patents related to rehabilitation were chosen. The variables studied were: patent number, publication date, country, holder, patent area, limbs for which the patent is useful, and portability. A descriptive analysis was performed by using STATA v.14. Results: A total of 1971 patents were analyzed, of which 16.2 percent were included in the rehabilitation groups and 83.8 percent in the physical exercise groups. The 36.6 percent of them were corporate-owned patents, 29.9 percent were portable, and 46.3 percent had usability which demonstrated to be useful for both extremities. Conclusions: Of the patents found, those focused on physical exercise were predominant. There is a greater number of useful patents for both extremities. In addition, there is an upward trend over time, the number of patents in the area of ​​rehabilitation, and portable inventions(AU)

Association between migration and physical activity among medical students from a university located in Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between migration and physical activity among medical students from a university located in Lima, Peru. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among second-year medical students from a Peruvian university. Data on moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and migration features were obtained through a self-report questionnaire. To assess the associations of interest, prevalence ratios (PR) along with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variances. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 312 students (54.5% were women, mean age: 19.0 years, standard deviation: 1.4 years), 90 (28.9%) students performed MVPA for ≥150 minutes/week, 118 (37.8%) performed MVPA for ≤30 minutes/week, and 114 (36.7%) were migrants. Being a migrant was not associated with performing MVPA for ≤30 nor ≥150 minutes/week. However, adjusted analysis showed that the frequency of performing MVPA for ≤30 minutes/week was greater among those who migrated less than five years ago (PR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05-1.93) and among those who migrated to continue their studies (PR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.06-1.94), compared to non-migrants. CONCLUSION: In our population, being a migrant was not associated with physical activity. However, low physical activity was more prevalent among recent migrants and among those who had migrated to study, compared to non-migrants.

Publicaciones científicas de los directivos de investigación de las escuelas de medicina del Perú / Scientific publications by research directors of medical schools in Peru

No disponible

[Educational environment in a Peruvian medical school. A negative trend over the academic years]. / Ambiente educativo en una facultad de medicina peruana: una tendencia negativa a lo largo de los años académicos.

BACKGROUND: Educational environment refers to the material resources and interpersonal relationships of an educational institution. AIM: To describe the educational environment of a Peruvian medical school and to explore a possible association between curricular years and the educational environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) to evaluate the educational environment of a Peruvian medical school. Data collection consisted in online surveys completed voluntarily by 1st through 6th year medical students between April and October 2015. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 828 of 2,421 (34.2%) students. The mean DREEM score was 117 ± 25.6 of a maximum of 200. A poorer perception of the educational environment was associated with later years in the curriculum, when analysis was adjusted for gender, age and academic status (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The educational environment of this medical school scored positively (> 100 points). However, it was evident that medical students in later curricular years had a more negative perception of the educational environment compared to those in earlier academic years.

Ambiente educativo en una facultad de medicina peruana: una tendencia negativa a lo largo de los años académicos / Educational environment in a Peruvian medical school: a negative trend over the academic years

Background: Educational environment refers to the material resources and interpersonal relationships of an educational institution. Aim: To describe the educational environment of a Peruvian medical school and to explore a possible association between curricular years and the educational environment. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) to evaluate the educational environment of a Peruvian medical school. Data collection consisted in online surveys completed voluntarily by 1st through 6th year medical students between April and October 2015. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 828 of 2,421 (34.2%) students. The mean DREEM score was 117 ± 25.6 of a maximum of 200. A poorer perception of the educational environment was associated with later years in the curriculum, when analysis was adjusted for gender, age and academic status (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The educational environment of this medical school scored positively (> 100 points). However, it was evident that medical students in later curricular years had a more negative perception of the educational environment compared to those in earlier academic years.

[Psychometric analysis of a questionnaire to measure the educational environment in a sample of medical students in Peru]. / Análisis psicométrico de un cuestionario para medir el ambiente educativo en una muestra de estudiantes de medicina en Perú.

The objective of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire in students of a Peruvian medical school. Participants were first-to-sixth-year students, invited to participate through a web platform. In the analysis the alpha coefficient of Cronbach was used to evaluate internal consistency. In addition, a confirmatory factorial analysis was performed to evaluate the construct validity of the subscales of the DREEM. The adjustment quality indexes used were: Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA), the Index of Benchmarking (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and the Standardized Root Mean Residual (SRMR). The results showed that the social self-perception dimension had an alpha of Cronbach of less than 0.70. In addition, the quality indices did not support the five-dimensional structure of the DREEM. In conclusion, the DREEM questionnaire did not perform optimally in this Peruvian sample.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) en estudiantes de una facultad de Medicina peruana. Los participantes fueron los alumnos de primero a sexto año, invitados a participar mediante una plataforma web. En el análisis se utilizó el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para evaluar consistencia interna. Además, se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para evaluar la validez de constructo de las subescalas del DREEM. Los índices de bondad de ajuste utilizados fueron: error cuadrático medio de aproximación (RMSEA), el índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI), índice Tucker-Lewis (TLI) y el residuo estandarizado cuadrático medio (SRMR). Los resultados mostraron que la dimensión Autopercepción Social tuvo un alfa de Cronbach menor a 0,70. Además, los índices de bondad no apoyaron la estructura de cinco dimensiones del DREEM. Como conclusión, el cuestionario DREEM no tuvo un desempeño óptimo en esta muestra peruana.

Análisis psicométrico de un cuestionario para medir el ambiente educativo en una muestra de estudiantes de medicina en Perú / Psychometric analysis of a questionnaire to measure the educational environment in a sample of medical students in Peru

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) en estudiantes de una facultad de Medicina peruana. Los participantes fueron los alumnos de primero a sexto año, invitados a participar mediante una plataforma web. En el análisis se utilizó el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para evaluar consistencia interna. Además, se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para evaluar la validez de constructo de las subescalas del DREEM. Los índices de bondad de ajuste utilizados fueron: error cuadrático medio de aproximación (RMSEA), el índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI), índice Tucker-Lewis (TLI) y el residuo estandarizado cuadrático medio (SRMR). Los resultados mostraron que la dimensión Autopercepción Social tuvo un alfa de Cronbach menor a 0,70. Además, los índices de bondad no apoyaron la estructura de cinco dimensiones del DREEM. Como conclusión, el cuestionario DREEM no tuvo un desempeño óptimo en esta muestra peruana.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire in students of a Peruvian medical school. Participants were first-to-sixth-year students, invited to participate through a web platform. In the analysis the alpha coefficient of Cronbach was used to evaluate internal consistency. In addition, a confirmatory factorial analysis was performed to evaluate the construct validity of the subscales of the DREEM. The adjustment quality indexes used were: Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA), the Index of Benchmarking (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and the Standardized Root Mean Residual (SRMR). The results showed that the social self-perception dimension had an alpha of Cronbach of less than 0.70. In addition, the quality indices did not support the five-dimensional structure of the DREEM. In conclusion, the DREEM questionnaire did not perform optimally in this Peruvian sample.

[Trends in Google searches on complementary and alternative medicine]. / Tendencias de las búsquedas en Google sobre terapias de medicina alternativa y complementaria.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this article is to evaluate the interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies using Google Trends in spanish-speaking countries. METHODS: An observational study was conducted using GoogleTrends. The search volume of 34 CAM therapies in spanish were evaluated globally and in 21 spanish-speaking countries. Also, the relationship between the median of the most popular searches and the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in each of the countries was evaluated using Spearman's test. RESULTS: A decreased trend in search volume was observed in homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupunctureand sensory therapies; and an increasing trend in chiropraxy. A direct association was observed between the GDP per capita and the median between the most popular CAM therapies, this relationship was no significant (p = 0.432). CONCLUSIONS: The interest in CAM therapies shows temporal and geographic variations that must be studied in depth. These results can be used for the establishment of an international monitoring for the use of CAM therapies.

Introducción: el objetivo de este artículo es evaluar el interés de la población en terapias de medicina alternativa y complementaria (MAC), a través de la herramienta Google Trends y en países de habla hispana. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional mediante la herramienta Google Trends. Se evaluaron las tendencias de búsqueda de 34 terapias de MAC en español, de manera global y en 21 países de habla hispana. Se evaluó la asociación entre la mediana de búsquedas de las terapias más populares y el producto interno bruto (PIB) per cápita en cada país, mediante la prueba de Spearman. Resultados: se observa una tendencia descendente en el volumen de búsquedas de homeopatía, medicina herbaria, acupuntura y terapias sensoriales; así como una tendencia ascendente de la quiropraxia. Además, al analizar los países se observó una asociación directa entre el PIB per cápita y la mediana de la búsqueda de las terapias de MAC más populares, pero esta no fue significativa (p = 0.432). Conclusiones: el interés de terapias de MAC presenta variaciones temporales y geográficas que deben estudiarse a profundidad. Estos resultados pueden ser de utilidad para establecer una vigilancia internacional al respecto.