RESUMO
Background: The neurological academic field is an illustrative example of persistent gender-related disparities reflected in compensation, funding, leadership, promotion, publishing, and recognition. Several studies indicate that neurology is one of the most underrepresented specialties with female physicians as first authors, but also has one of the highest gender payment gaps. Neglecting the role of women in academic leadership positions hinders the visibility and recognition of research and leadership in multiple sclerosis (MS). Increasing diversity within academia has positive effects, such as widening focus and expanding the plurality of research outputs. The gender gap and visibility of female MS clinicians and researchers remains an unexplored research topic in our country despite the rising number of female neurologists. Objective: This study aims to establish the gender distribution between researchers and clinical neurologists in multiple sclerosis in Colombia and raise awareness about gender disparities in this area. Methods: We applied a cross-sectional survey study of Colombian neurologists and neurology residents currently members of the Colombian Neurology Association. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were used for quantitative variables and frequency for qualitative variables. To evaluate the influence of gender, logarithmic regression was used. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26. Results: A total of 201 participants agreed to complete the survey, most of whom were female (n = 135, 67.2%). All the Colombian regions were represented in the survey. Of those surveyed, 31.5% (n = 64) had an interest in demyelinating diseases and MS, of which 46.8% (n = 30) were female. Of the women with MS training, only 50% (n =5) had more than three publications as the first author of a scientific article compared to men (n = 5, 83%). After adjusting the number of publications by gender, there were no significant differences between men and women (median 2.0[2, 1.21] vs. 2[2, 0.5], p = 0.904). However, only 16.6% (n = 5) of women had a visible academic, leadership, or teaching position compared with men 75.7% (n = 25). When adjusting the salary income by gender, we found a statistically significant difference between women and men (median 2.0 [5, 1.47] vs. 3 [5, 1.65], p = 0.006). Women in MS earned between USD 2,500 and 3,800 per month; while men earned between USD 3,800 to 5,070. Conclusion: Despite a higher number of female neurologists trained in MS in Colombia, our data suggest considerable differences and gender gaps with regard to diverse opportunities at the academic, salary promotion, leadership, teaching, and recognition levels between male and female MS neurologists.
RESUMO
Introducción: La neuromielitis óptica, es un síndrome clínico caracterizado por la asociación de mielitis transversa y neuritis óptica, hoy en día es reconocida como una enfermedad cuya fisiopatología, clínica, hallazgos en imágenes diagnósticas de laboratorio y tratamiento son específicos. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas, métodos diagnósticos y tratamiento de los pacientes con neuromielitis óptica (NMO) en tres centros asistenciales de cuarto nivel de la ciudad de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos: Diseño: se realizó un estudio de tipo serie de casos. Participantes: se incluyeron casos consecutivos de pacientes de cualquier género, entre los 19 y los 48 años, clasificados en dos grupos según los criterios del Consenso Internacional para el Diagnóstico de Neuromielitis óptica 2015, NMOSD con AQP4-IgG positivos, y NMOSD con AQP4-IgG negativos. Los pacientes fueron reclutados en tres centros hospitalarios, desde junio de 2013 a mayo de 2015. Análisis estadístico: la descripción de las variables se realizó por frecuencias absolutas y relativas, los análisis se realizaron en el paquete estadístico STATA 13®. Resultados: participaron 22 pacientes, con una edad mediana de 36 años, la mayoría mujeres, la mediana de inicio de síntomas fue de 31 años (RIC 24-39). La técnica para el diagnóstico más utilizada fue IFI, la clínica más frecuente del evento inicial fue mielitis y de neuritis óptica en las recaídas posteriores, la mitad de los pacientes presentaron dos o menos eventos, ningún paciente cumplió criterios para otra enfermedad sistémica. Se observaron escalas de discapacidad mas altas en el grupo con AQP4 positivos, y mas bajas en los que recibieron corticoide al inicio. Discusión y conclusiones: esta caracterización constituye la primera descripción de esta enfermedad en Colombia, nuestros hallazgos son similares a los obtenidos en otras poblaciones, algunos datos relevantes requieren más estudios.
Introducción: Optic neuromyelitis, a clinical syndrome characterized by the association of transverse myelitis and optic neuritis, is nowadays recognized as a disease whose pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnostic and laboratory imaging findings are specific. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods and treatment of patients with neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) in three health centers fourth level of the City of Bogota. Materials and method: Design: A case series type was performed. Participants: consecutive cases of patients of either gender were included between 19 and 48 years, divided into two groups according to the International Consensus criteria for the diagnosis of NMO 2015, NMOSD with AQP4-IgG positive, and NMOSD with AQP4- IgG negative. Patients were recruited from three hospitals from June 2013 to May 2015. Statistical analysis: The description of the variables was performed by absolute and relative frequencies, analyzes were performed in STATA statistical package 13®. Results: A total of 22 patients with a median age of 36, mostly women, median onset was 31 years (IQR 24-39). The technique most commonly used for diagnosis was IFI, the most frequent initial clinical event was myelitis and optic neuritis in subsequent relapses, half of the patients had two or fewer events, no patients met criteria for other systemic disease. higher disability scales were observed in the group with positive AQP4, and lower in those receiving corticosteroids at baseline. Discussion and conclusions: This characterization is the first description of this disease in Colombia, our findings are similar to those obtained in other populations, some relevant data require further study.