Optimal misoprostol dosing among patients with a body mass index greater than 30: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity experience an increased duration of labor with an increased risk for perinatal morbidity. When compared with parturients without obesity, they also experience fewer uterine contractions after administration of misoprostol. It is unclear if the same dose of misoprostol should be used for induction of labor in patients with obesity compared to non-obese patients. Therefore, we sought to investigate if a higher dose of misoprostol for patients with obesity is more effective. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if 50 µg compared with 25 µg of vaginal misoprostol reduced the time from induction start to delivery among patients with obesity. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a double-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled trial, between June 1, 2022, and July 17, 2023. Patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 who underwent labor induction at ≥ 36 weeks' gestation, had a singleton gestation, and a cervical dilation ≤3 cm at admission were included. Patients were excluded if they had a contraindication to vaginal delivery or misoprostol administration. Patients were randomized to 25 or 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol, stratified by parity, body mass index <40 kg/m2 or ≥40 kg/m2, and provider intent to use mechanical dilation at the onset of labor induction. Usual labor management was followed at the discretion of the provider. The primary outcome was time from induction to delivery. A priori, we estimated that 90 subjects per group (N=180) were needed for an 85% power to detect a 3-hour difference between groups with a type I error of 5%. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. A 2-sample t test was used for the primary outcome, Cohen's d was used as a measure of effect, and P values were reported. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients randomized, 88 were assigned to the 25 µg group and 92 were assigned to the 50 µg group. Of those, 96.1% of patients received the designated intervention. The baseline characteristics were similar between groups. No difference was found in the primary outcome of time to delivery (21.6 hours vs 18.6 hours; d=.28; 95% confidence interval, -0.02 to 0.57). In a planned subgroup analysis, multiparous patients delivered faster in the 50 µg group (15.2 hours vs 12.0 hours; d=.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.97). The risk for tachysystole associated with fetal heart tracing changes was rare overall (2.2%) and not significantly different between groups. No differences in maternal or neonatal adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Patients with obesity who underwent cervical ripening with 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol experienced a similar time to delivery when compared with those who received 25 µg of misoprostol. However, multiparous patients had a significantly reduced time to delivery when 50 µg was used. A higher dose of misoprostol may be a promising intervention for reducing time in labor, which warrants further study.

Longitudinal study of cognitive decline among women with and without urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional and short-term cohort studies have demonstrated an association between urinary incontinence and dementia, as well as lower performance on cognitive testing. The Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults, offers an opportunity to assess the temporal association between these conditions because it included an assessment of incontinence symptoms and biennial assessments of cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate if urinary incontinence before the age of 70 years had an effect on changes in cognitive function among women participating in the Health and Retirement Study. STUDY DESIGN: This secondary analysis included data from female respondents in the Health and Retirement Study aged 58 to 67 years with ≥2 cognitive assessments. Urinary incontinence was defined as any involuntary loss of any urine in the preceding 12 months. A control group without incontinence was reweighted for better comparability using coarsened exact matching for age and comorbidities. Validated methods, including neuropsychological test data, estimated a memory score and dementia probability for each participant biennially. Coprimary outcomes were the changes in memory score and dementia probability. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association of urinary incontinence with change in memory score and dementia probability, adjusting for baseline demographics and comorbidities. A subgroup analysis was performed to assess the effects of urinary incontinence frequency on these outcomes. The infrequent subgroup reported <15 days of leakage per month and the frequent subgroup reported ≥15 days of leakage per month. RESULTS: Among eligible female respondents, 40.6% reported urinary incontinence between the ages of 58 and 69 years. Baseline memory scores and dementia probability were similar between those with urinary incontinence (n=1706) and controls (n=2507). Memory score declined significantly in both cohorts, indicating poorer memory over time (-0.222 among those with incontinence [95% confidence interval, -0.245 to -0.199] vs -0.207 in controls [95% confidence interval, -0.227 to -0.188]). The decline of memory score was not statistically significantly different between cases and controls (mean difference, -0.015; 95% confidence interval, -0.045 to 0.015). Dementia probability increased significantly in both groups, indicating a greater probability of developing dementia by 0.018 among those with incontinence (95% confidence interval, 0.015-0.020) and by 0.020 among controls (95% confidence interval, 0.017-0.022). The change in dementia probability was not significantly different between groups (mean difference, -0.002; 95% confidence interval, -0.006 to 0.002). Frequent urinary incontinence was reported in 105 of 1706 (6%) of those with urinary incontinence. Memory score declined and dementia probability increased with time (P<.001) in frequent and infrequent urinary incontinence subgroups. There was no dose-response relationship. CONCLUSION: Measures of cognitive performance declined during approximately 10 years of observation. The changes in performance were not associated with the presence of urinary incontinence in the participants' younger years.

The Impact of Telehealth on Obstetrical Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Nationwide, obstetric clinics modified prenatal care to include telehealth visits in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, enabling the opportunity to investigate its impact on patient outcomes. We hypothesized that use of prenatal telehealth visits would increase the number of prenatal visits, decrease the frequency of urgent triage/emergency department (ED) visits, and improve perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to determine the impact of telehealth on number of obstetric prenatal visits and urgent triage/ED visits amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort of patients from a federally qualified health center in central Texas. Patients with a singleton gestation who delivered after 32 weeks were included. Comparison groups were made between those patients who delivered between May 2020 and December 2020 (presumed modified prenatal visit schedule with in-person and telehealth) and those patients delivering between June 2019 and February 2020 (the traditional care model with in-person visits only). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate differences in the number of prenatal visits and unscheduled triage/ED visits. RESULTS: A total of 1,654 patients were identified with 801 (48.4%) patients undergoing modified prenatal care and 853 (51.6%) patients receiving traditional care during the study period. No significant differences were seen in overall prenatal attendance or triage/ED presentations. However, when stratified by parity, multiparous patients undergoing modified prenatal care were less likely to experience an urgent triage/ED presentation (8.7 vs. 12.7%; odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.61). CONCLUSION: When compared with a traditional prenatal visitation cohort prepandemic, patients who received modified telehealth prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic had similar prenatal attendance and unscheduled emergency presentations. However, multiparous patients experienced a decreased rate of unscheduled emergency presentations. Supplementing prenatal care with telehealth may provide overall comparable prenatal care delivery. KEY POINTS: · Use of telehealth has the potential to improve prenatal care.. · The COVID-19 pandemic allowed for comparison to traditional prenatal care.. · Multiparous patients had a decreased frequency of ED visits.. · Similar prenatal attendance was seen between both prenatal models..

Professionals' digital competences and user profiles in social agencies and their impact on professional practice, family autonomy and wellbeing.

Introduction: The health crisis of the last 3 years has revealed the weaknesses of the child and family support system based on the professional use of digital resources in social agencies. This study addresses three aims: to examine the level of professional digital competence; to analyze the user profiles in a variety of digital resources; and to test the impact of level of competences and user profiles on four aspects: professional practice, family satisfaction with the services, child and family wellbeing, and family autonomy in the exercise of the parenting role. Methods: Participants were 148 practitioners from social agencies who voluntarily responded to an online survey with 47 questions. Results and discussion: Results showed that professionals perceive themselves as more competent in areas of information / data management and communication / collaboration than in the creation of digital content, security measures, and technical problem solving. Websites, email, and instant messaging were the sources more frequently used and with higher satisfaction, than structured programs, social networks and multimedia content. Variability in the user profiles showed three clusters: Cluster 1 Social network user (n = 13), Cluster 2 Diversified user (n = 75) and Cluster 3 Communicative instant user (n = 60). Participants in Cluster 2 compared to those in the other clusters were the most proficient on their digital competences and acknowledge the positive impact of digital resources on their professional practice and the psychological and social wellbeing of families. This study points the need for improvement in professionals' digital competences in some of the measured areas and the user profile of digital resources since both provide benefits on professional practice and family autonomy and wellbeing.

Gut microbiota composition in travellers is associated with faecal lipocalin-2, a mediator of gut inflammation.

Introduction: We examined the gut microbiota of travellers returning from tropical areas with and without traveller's diarrhoea (TD) and its association with faecal lipocalin-2 (LCN2) levels. Methods: Participants were recruited at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, and a single stool sample was collected from each individual to perform the diagnostic of the etiological agent causing gastrointestinal symptoms as well as to measure levels of faecal LCN2 as a biomarker of gut inflammation. We also characterised the composition of the gut microbiota by sequencing the region V3-V4 from the 16S rRNA gene, and assessed its relation with the clinical presentation of TD and LCN2 levels using a combination of conventional statistical tests and unsupervised machine learning approaches. Results: Among 61 participants, 45 had TD, with 40% having identifiable etiological agents. Surprisingly, LCN2 levels were similar across groups, suggesting gut inflammation occurs without clinical TD symptoms. Differential abundance (DA) testing highlighted a microbial profile tied to high LCN2 levels, marked by increased Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella, and decreased Firmicutes, notably Oscillospiraceae. UMAP analysis confirmed this profile's association, revealing distinct clusters based on LCN2 levels. The study underscores the discriminatory power of UMAP in capturing meaningful microbial patterns related to clinical variables. No relevant differences in the gut microbiota composition were found between travellers with or without TD. Discussion: The findings suggest a correlation between gut microbiome and LCN2 levels during travel, emphasising the need for further research to discern the nature of this relationship.

Enhanced Bone Healing in Critical-Sized Rabbit Femoral Defects: Impact of Helical and Alternate Scaffold Architectures.

This study investigates the effect of scaffold architecture on bone regeneration, focusing on 3D-printed polylactic acid-bioceramic calcium phosphate (PLA-bioCaP) composite scaffolds in rabbit femoral condyle critical defects. We explored two distinct scaffold designs to assess their influence on bone healing and scaffold performance. Structures with alternate (0°/90°) and helical (0°/45°/90°/135°/180°) laydown patterns were manufactured with a 3D printer using a fused deposition modeling technique. The scaffolds were meticulously characterized for pore size, strut thickness, porosity, pore accessibility, and mechanical properties. The in vivo efficacy of these scaffolds was evaluated using a femoral condyle critical defect model in eight skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits. Then, the results were analyzed micro-tomographically, histologically, and histomorphometrically. Our findings indicate that both scaffold architectures are biocompatible and support bone formation. The helical scaffolds, characterized by larger pore sizes and higher porosity, demonstrated significantly greater bone regeneration than the alternate structures. However, their lower mechanical strength presented limitations for use in load-bearing sites.

High pressure study of sodium trihydride.

The reactivity between NaH and H2 has been investigated through a series of high-temperature experiments up to pressures of 78 GPa in diamond anvil cells combined with first principles calculations. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements show that heating NaH in an excess of H2 to temperatures around 2000 K above 27 GPa yields sodium trihydride (NaH3), which adopts an orthorhombic structure (space group Cmcm). Raman spectroscopy measurements indicate that NaH3 hosts quasi-molecular hydrogen (H2δ-) within a NaH lattice, with the H2δ- stretching mode downshifted compared to pure H2 (Δν ∼-120 cm-1 at 50 GPa). NaH3 is stable under room temperature compression to at least 78 GPa, and exhibits remarkable P-T stability, decomposing at pressures below 18 GPa. Contrary to previous experimental and theoretical studies, heating NaH (or NaH3) in excess H2 between 27 and 75 GPa does not promote further hydrogenation to form sodium polyhydrides other than NaH3.

Propuesta de instrumento para evaluar la calidad percibida por pacientes tratados por cirugía de mínimo acceso / Proposition of a questionnaire to evaluate the patient-perceived quality on minimal access surgery

RESUMEN Introducción: La cirugía de mínimo acceso ha tenido un desarrollo importante en las últimas dos décadas en Cuba. La satisfacción de la población con estos servicios, de innegable predilección por su efectividad e inocuidad, es cada vez mayor, sin embargo en la actualidad el nivel de satisfacción de los pacientes sobre bases científicas no se conoce. Objetivo: Elaborar y validar por expertos un instrumento para medir la percepción de la calidad de la atención médica que tienen los pacientes operados por cirugía de mínimo acceso. Métodos: Se elaboró y validó por expertos, un instrumento de medición, incluida la encuesta y estándares, para evaluar la calidad de la atención médica percibida por los pacientes operados, en las dimensiones de estructura, proceso y resultado. Resultados: El 100 por ciento de las preguntas fueron consideradas por los expertos justificables y pertinentes en el instrumento. Tres preguntas no cumplieron alguno de los requisitos de Moriyama y fueron modificadas. Fueron incorporados nuevos ítems relacionados fundamentalmente con procesos de atención médica. Se modificó la escala ordinal de Likert de cinco pasos por una de cuatro pasos. Se fijaron los estándares de calidad iguales o superiores al 80 por ciento, para cada uno de los tres niveles: por cada dimensión, por cada criterio para el conjunto de evaluados y por cada paciente según todos los criterios. Conclusión: El estudio aporta un instrumento validado por expertos, para evaluar la satisfacción de los pacientes en el ámbito de la cirugía de mínimo acceso(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: In the last two decades Minimal Access Surgery has had an important development in Cuba. Patient satisfaction with these services is higher, nevertheless today it is not well knows on a scientific basis. Objective: design and validate by experts a measurement instrument to assess the patient-perceived quality of patients operated by minimal access surgery. Methods: A measurement instrument, including questionnaire and standards, was developed and validated by experts, to evaluate the patient-perceived quality in the dimensions structure, process and results. Results: The experts considered the one hundred percent of questions in the instrument justified and relevant. Only three questions no fulfilled with one of the Moriyama's requirement and were improved. New items related with processes criteria were included. The ordinal 5-point Likert scale was modified to 4-point scale. Quality standards were fixed to 80 percent or higher for each of three levels: each dimension, each criterion for all evaluated and each patient according to all criteria. Conclusion: The study shows a validated instrument by experts to evaluate the patient's satisfaction in minimal access surgery(AU)

Calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad materna en Cuba, 2013 / Quality of maternal mortality statistics in Cuba, 2013 / Qualidade das estatísticas de mortalidade materna em Cuba, 2013

RESUMEN Objetivos Evaluar el grado de integridad del registro estadístico cubano de muertes maternas y la calidad de la clasificación de las causas de muerte recogidas en ese registro. Métodos Se analizó la información de todas las cubanas fallecidas en edad fértil en el año 2013 según el registro continuo de mortalidad de la Dirección de Registros Médicos y Estadísticas de Salud del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (MINSAP), independientemente de la causa básica de muerte consignada. Cuatro grupos de investigación (nacional, de expertos, provincial y de unidades de salud), con funciones definidas, aplicaron cuatro formularios para determinar si hubo embarazo en el año previo a la defunción, reevaluar si los casos correspondían a una muerte materna y, en ese caso, revisar la clasificación. Resultados Se investigaron las 2 731 mujeres fallecidas en edad reproductiva notificadas en Cuba en el 2013; de ellas las causas de muerte de 2 711 (99,3%) resultaron concluyentes y, de estas, 97 (3,6%) habían tenido un embarazo en el año previo a la defunción. Se encontraron 50 muertes maternas (una más que en el registro continuo) para 2% de error y un factor de ajuste de 1,02. De las 97 muertes estudiadas, solo se reclasificaron 4 casos: 2 muertes maternas y 1 muerte relacionada con el embarazo, el parto y el puerperio, según el registro continuo, que se reclasificaron como muertes directas, y 1 muerte considerada no materna por el registro continuo que se reclasificó como muerte materna tardía, para una concordancia de 95,9%. Conclusiones La información sobre las muertes maternas recogida en el registro continuo de mortalidad del MINSAP tiene un alto nivel de integridad. La calidad de la clasificación de las muertes maternas en ese registro es elevada, al existir muy pocos cambios en la reclasificación de las causas de muerte.

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate the degree of integrity of the Cuban statistical registry of maternal deaths and the quality of the classification of the causes of death included in that registry. Methods We analyzed the information of all Cuban women who died in fertile age in 2013 according to the continuous mortality registry of the Directorate of Medical Records and Health Statistics of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP), regardless of the main cause of death informed. Four research groups (national, expert, provincial and health units), each with defined functions, applied four forms to establish if the women had been pregnant in the year prior to death, to reassess whether the cases corresponded to a maternal death and, in that case, to review the classification. Results Deaths of 2 731 women of reproductive age notified in Cuba in 2013 were assessed. Of them, the cause of death of 2 711 (99.3%) was conclusive and, of these, 97 (3.6%) had had a pregnancy in the year prior to death. We found 50 maternal deaths (one more than in the continuous registry) for a 2% error and an adjustment factor of 1.02. Of the 97 deaths studied, only 4 cases were reclassified: 2 maternal deaths and 1 death related to pregnancy, delivery and puerperium, according to the continuous registry, which were reclassified as direct deaths; and 1 death considered non- maternal by the continuous registry that was reclassified as late maternal death, for a 95.9% concordance. Conclusions The information on maternal deaths included in the MINSAP's continuous mortality registry has a high level of integrity. The quality of the classification of maternal deaths in this registry is high; reclassification of causes of death is uncommon.

RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar o grau de integridade do registro estatístico cubano de óbitos maternos e a qualidade da classificação das causas de óbito incluídas nesse registro. Métodos Analisamos a informação de todas as mulheres cubanas que morreram em idade fértil em 2013 de acordo com o histórico de mortalidade contínua da Diretoria de Registros Médicos e Estatísticas de Saúde do Ministério da Saúde Pública de Cuba (MINSAP), independentemente da causa básica da morte consignada. Quatro grupos de pesquisa (nacional, especialistas, provincial e unidades de saúde), com funções definidas, aplicaram quatro formas para determinar se houve gravidez no ano anterior à morte, reavaliam se os casos corresponderam a uma morte materna e, em nesse caso, rever a classificação. Resultados Foram investigadas as 2 731 mulheres falecidas de idade reprodutiva notificadas em Cuba em 2013, das quais as causas de morte de 2 711 (99,3%) foram conclusivas e, destas, 97 (3,6%) tiveram gravidez no ano anterior à morte. Encontramos 50 mortes maternas (uma mais do que no registro contínuo) por erro de 2% e um fator de ajuste de 1,02. Das 97 mortes estudadas, apenas 4 casos foram reclassificados: 2 mortes maternas e 1 morte relacionada à gravidez, parto e puerpério, de acordo com o registro contínuo, que foram reclassificadas como mortes diretas, e 1 morte considerada não materna pelo registro contínuo que foi reclassificada como morte materna tardia, para uma concordância de 95,9%. Conclusões A informação sobre mortes maternas incluída no registro de mortalidade contínua do MINSAP tem alto nível de integridade. A qualidade da classificação das mortes maternas neste registro é alta; a reclassificação das causas de morte é pouco frequente.

Mortalidad de los cubanos en edad laboral según sexo / Cubans' mortality at working age by sex

Objetivo: describir el perfil de la mortalidad en la población cubana en edad laboral teniendo en cuenta el sexo. Métodos: investigación descriptiva y transversal realizada en el quinquenio 2007-2011. Se analizó la mortalidad en la población cubana en edad laboral contrastando valores por sexo. Se consideraron las variables edad, sexo y ocupación en todas sus categorías y principales causas de muerte de según la codificación de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades en su décima revisión. Resultados: los hombres cubanos en edad laboral presentaron mayor riesgo de morir en comparación con las mujeres, ello es mayor cuando están desocupados. Las mujeres están en desventaja en relación con los hombres en cuanto a la muerte, cuando ocupan cargos administrativos. La joven edad media al morir caracterizó la mortalidad de la mujer económicamente activa, con rejuvenecimiento de la edad en las mujeres desocupadas en relación con los hombres de igual categoría. La estructura causal de muerte en la población en edad laboral fue similar al total de la población cubana, con más importancia para la muerte por tumores malignos y las de naturaleza violenta, sea intencional o accidental. Conclusiones: se observan diferencias en los patrones de mortalidad en la población cubana en edad laboral, en función del sexo y las categorías ocupacionales. Se visualizan reservas de reducción de la mortalidad, cuyo conocimiento para las intervenciones diferenciadas podría ser beneficioso...

Objective: to describe the profile of mortality in the Cuban population at working age for sex. Methods: descriptive and cross-sectional research carried out in the period of 2007 through 2011. Mortality in the Cuban population at working age was analyzed by comparing values for sex, considering the variables age, sex and occupation in all the categories and the main causes of death according to the International Classification of Diseases coding in its 10th revision. Results: Cuban men at working age presented higher risk of dying as compared to that of women, this disadvantage increased when they were unemployed. Women are in a disadvantaged position in relation to men as to death, mainly when they hold administrative positions. The average young age at the time of dying characterized the mortality of the economically active woman, but in unemployed women, death occurred at younger age than that of unemployed men. The causative structure of death in the population at working age was similar to that of the total Cuban population, being death from malignant tumors and intentional or accidental violent acts more significant. Conclusions: differences in the mortality patterns of the Cuban population at working age were observed, based on sex and occupational ranks. There are possibilities to reduce mortality, which the awareness of differentiated interventions could be profitable...

Fecundidad, anticoncepción, aborto y mortalidad materna en Cuba / Fertility, contraception, abortion and maternal mortality in Cuba

Introducción: en Cuba, la atención a la salud sexual y reproductiva, es objetivo priorizado por su significado humano e impacto en la salud. Objetivo: describir las características al 2012, de la fecundidad, el aborto, la anticoncepción y la muerte materna en Cuba, así como los sistemas de información estadística de estos componentes. Métodos: estudio descriptivo y observacional de la fecundidad, sus determinantes próximos, y la muerte materna. Resultados: la fecundidad declinó aceleradamente. El embarazo en adolescentes fue elevado, el 11 % de ellas tuvo un hijo nacido vivo y el 14 % inició el proceso reproductivo. Hubo un alto uso de dispositivos intrauterinos. El 9 % de necesidades anticoncepcionales estaban insatisfechas, mayor en el oriente del país y en las adolescentes. El aborto mantuvo niveles elevados, más en la región oriental y central. El aborto medicamentoso aumentó a 34 % del total y a 44 % en adolescentes. La tasa de mortalidad materna descendió desde el siglo xx, en el 2012 decreció en el 29 % respecto al 2010. Las complicaciones relacionadas con el puerperio, el embarazo ectópico, la hemorragia y los trastornos hipertensivos explicaron el 74 % de la mortalidad materna directa y el 51 % de la mortalidad materna total actual. Conclusiones: el avance y sostenibilidad de los indicadores que Cuba posee en salud sexual y reproductiva, demanda un esfuerzo que se incrementa por la difícil situación económica; requiere una certera dirección, investigación y acción intersectorial con amplia participación comunitaria. La gestión de la información en estos temas es confiable y oportuna.

Introduction: sexual and reproductive health care is a priority objective in Cuba because of its human significance for and impact on health. Objective: to describe the characteristics of fertility, abortion, contraception and maternal death in Cuba in 2012, as well the statistical information systems about these elements. Methods: observational and descriptive study of fertility, its determinants and of maternal death. Results: fertility has rapidly declined. Pregnancy was high among adolescents, 11% of them had one live birth and 14 % started their reproductive process. There was wide use of intrauterine contraceptives. Nine percent of contraceptive requirements were unmet, mostly in the Eastern part of the country and in teenagers. Abortion rates remained high, mainly in the Eastern and Central regions. Drug-induced abortion increased to 34 % of the total rate and to 44 % among adolescents. The maternal mortality rate has decreased since the last century; in 2012, it decreased by 29 % against that of 2010. Complications derived from puerperium, ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders accounted for 74 % of direct maternal mortality and 51 % of total maternal mortality at present. Information management for these topics is reliable and timely. Conclusions: advancement and sustainability of the Cuba's indicators in terms of sexual and reproductive health demand greater efforts due to the present difficult economic situation; they also require accurate management, research and intersectoral action with community-wide involvement.

Diferencias de mortalidad entre sexos en Cuba en el contexto internacional / Sex differences in mortality in Cuba compared to the international context

Objetivo: identificar cambios en la mortalidad entre sexos en la población cubana, en contraste con lo observado en otros países. Métodos: investigación descriptiva y documental (1950-2015). Se analizó la contribución de las edades a la esperanza de vida al nacer por sexos y países. Las comparaciones se realizaron con los modelos de mortalidad de Coale Demeny y la mortalidad de Japón del año 2000. Resultados: el patrón de mortalidad de la mujer cubana se asemeja al de los países desarrollados, mientras que el diferencial por sexo fue semejante al de los menos desarrollados. Al comparar la mortalidad de las mujeres y los hombres cubanos con los de sus homólogos en el modelo de mortalidad de Coale y Demeny, los hombres cubanos se encontraron en ventajas, lo contrario ocurrió con las mujeres cubanas, lo que expresó reservas en su patrón de mortalidad y en consecuencia, en la esperanza de vida de los cubanos. Al comparar el patrón de supervivencia de Cuba con el de Japón, las mayores potencialidades para la supervivencia de los cubanos fueron a expensas de la mujer adulta a partir de los 35 años. Conclusiones: los cambios del diferencial por sexo de la esperanza de vida al nacer de la población cubana se mantiene con poca variación en contraste con otros países. Las principales reservas en materia de mortalidad de la población cubana, se encuentra en la mujer, especialmente en la mujer de edad adulta y en ella, en las de 60 años y más

Objective: To identify the changes in mortality by sex occurred in the Cuban population in comparison with the changes observed in other countries. Methods: Descriptive and documentary research study (1950-2015). Arriaga's method was used to analyze the contribution of age groups to life expectancy at birth by sex and countries. The comparisons used Coale and Demeny's mortality model and the mortality rates of Japan in 2000. Results: The pattern of mortality in the Cuban females was similar to that of the developed countries, whereas the differences by sex were comparable to that of the less developed nations. When making the comparison between the Cuban men and women mortality rates with those in the Coale and Demeny's mortality model, the Cuban men were found in an advantageous position, but the Cuban women were not, which expressed reserves in their pattern of mortality, and consequently, in the life expectancies of the Cubans. In comparison of the pattern of survival of Cuba with that of Japan, the biggest potentialities for the survival of Cubans were at the expense of the adult female aged 35 years and over. Conclusions: The changes of sex differences in the life expectancies at birth of the Cuban population are small if compared to those of other countries. The main reserves in terms of mortality of the Cuban population lie in the female, particularly the adult woman aged 60 years and over

Calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad en Cuba según cuantificación de causas de muerte imprecisas / Quality of mortality data in Cuba according to quantification of unspecific causes of death

La baja calidad de las estadísticas, de mortalidad implica confusión y riesgo para la administración social en salud. Objetivos: apreciar la calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad en Cuba mediante la cuantificación de causas bàsicas de muerte imprecisas codificadas según cinco grupos de códigos indeseados o silenciosos. Estudio descriptivo que abarcó el universo de certificados médicos de defunción registrados entre 1989 y 2008. En el 7,2 por ciento de las certificaciones se codificó la causa bàsica de muerte con códigos de los grupos I al IV. Considerando un quinto grupo de causas de muerte inespecíficas, el porcentaje ascendió a 9,8. El grupo III: enfermedades circulatorias, fue el de mayor contribución, seguido del grupo I: causas mal definidas, donde se incrementó la tendencia al reporte. La bronconeumonía hipostàtica concentró el 35,4 por ciento de las certificaciones del grupo V, seguida de la insuficiencia renal y el embolismo pulmonar. La frecuencia de reporte de causas de muerte imprecisas en Cuba es baja, lo que habla a favor de buena calidad de la información estadística de mortalidad. Los grupos de códigos utilizados resultan factibles de utilizar como herramientas de clasificación. Se recomienda actualizar conocimientos en el llenado de los certificados médicos de defunción a los médicos y mejorar la exigencia y normatividad de los procesos

Low quality of mortality data leads to confusion and risk for social management in health. Objectives: to assess the quality of mortality data in Cuba through quantification of unspecific basic causes of death classified according to five groups of undesirable or silent codes. Methods Descriptive study comprising the universe of death certificates recorded in the 1989-2008 period. In 7,2 percent of certificates, the basic cause of death was encoded by using the codes included in the groups 1 to 4; a fifth group of unspecific causes of death was considered, which increased the percentage to 9,8. Group 3 comprising the circulatory system diseases exhibited the greatest contribution followed by group 1 including ill-defined causes where the tendency to report rose. Hypostatic bronchopneumonia accounted for 35,4 percent of the group 5 certificates, followed by renal failure and pulmonary embolism. Conclusions The frequency of unspecific causes of death reports is low in Cuba, which speaks for the good quality of statistical mortality information. The code groups are feasible for their use as classification tools. It is recommended to update knowledge of physicians on how to fill out death certificates, and at the same time, to improve the requirements and standardization of these processes

Calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad en provincias cubanas según cuantificación de causas de muerte imprecisas / Quality of mortality data in the Cuban provinces according to quantification of unspecific causes of death

La baja calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad afecta la administración en salud. Objetivos: apreciar la calidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad cubanas en todas las provincias del país mediante la cuantificación de causas bàsicas de muerte imprecisas codificadas según cinco grupos de códigos indeseados o silenciosos. Estudio descriptivo que abarcó el universo de certificados médicos de defunción registrados durante el trienio 2005-2007. La estrategia de investigación se basó en la revisión documental y la definición de indicadores de calidad. Las provincias de mayor reporte de los códigos estudiados fueron Ciego de Ávila, Pinar del Río, Matanzas, Granma, La Habana y Camagüey, y en particular, para los códigos del grupo I, Ciego de Ávila, Isla de la Juventud, Pinar del Río y La Habana. Las regiones con tasas de reporte de causas indeseadas màs altas fueron la Central y la Occidental. La frecuencia de reporte de causas de muerte imprecisas en las provincias en general, es baja, con variaciones que apuntan a mejor calidad en los procesos para unos territorios con respecto a otros, lo que permite recomendar acciones diferenciadas en ellos y establecer rangos de prioridad y temßticas

Low quality of mortality data affects health management. Objectives: to identify the quality of mortality data in all the Cuban provinces through quantification of unspecific basic causes of death classified according to five groups of undesirable or silent codes. Methods Descriptive study covering the universe of death certificates recorded in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007. The research strategy was based on the documentary review and the definition of quality indicators. The provinces that mostly reported most the studied codes were Ciego de Avila, Pinar del Río, Matanzas, Gramma, La Habana and Camaguey; particularly, the group 1 codes were recorded in Ciego de Avila, Isla de la Juventud, Pinar del Río y La Habana. The regions having the highest rates of undesirable cause reports were the central and the western regions. The frequency of unspecific causes of death reports seen at the provinces was generally low, with some fluctuations that show better quality of the processes in some territories than in others. This allows recommending the taking of differentiated actions in the provinces and setting priority and topic ranges

Trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: anorexia nerviosa y bulimia nerviosa / Disorders of eating behavior: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) más frecuentes son la anorexia nerviosa (AN) y la bulimia nerviosa (BN). El tratamiento nutricional de la AN está dirigido a corregir la malnutrición energético-proteica y normalizar los patrones alimentarios, mientas que el objetivo del tratamiento nutricional del BN es normalizar los patrones de ingesta reduciendo los episodios de atracones y purgas y alcanzar un peso normal porque la mayoría de los pacientes presentan sobrepeso u obesidad. El tratamiento de los TCA requiere un abordaje multidisciplinario en el que intervengan como mínimo el psiquiatría/psicoterapeuta y el nutricionista. Los objetivos de la rehabilitación nutricional en la anorexia nerviosa son diferentes al de la bulimia nerviosa, en ambos trastornos el objetivo final es similar; alcanzar un estado de nutrición razonable, normalizando los hábitos dietéticos del paciente mediante la realización de una dieta equilibrada que le permite mantener un estado de salud adecuado (actual y futuro), así como prevenir las recaídas.

Panorama de la salud del adulto mayor en Cuba / Overview of the older people's health in Cuba

Se presenta un panorama actualizado sobre algunos componentes del estado de salud de la población cubana de 60 años de edady más basado en los datos estadísticos suministrados por los sistemas de información estadísticos oficiales. Se observó un incremento del envejecimiento poblacional entre 1970 y el 2003, para este último año el 14,5(por ciento) de la población rebasaba los 60 años de edad. La atención al adulto mayor se ha ido consolidando a partir del aumento del número de geriatras así como las unidades prestadoras de servicios de salud a este sector de la población. Las principales causas de muerte corresponden a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles siendo las 5 primeras: enfermedades del corazón, tumores malignos, enfermedades cerebrovasculares, influenza y neumonía y enfermedades de las arterias, arteriolas y vasos capilares. En estas edades los mayores riesgos de enfermar correspondieron a las infecciones respiratorias agudas y a las enfermedades diarreicas agudas. La hipertensión arterial constituyó la enfermedad de más alta prevalencia con mayores afectaciones para el sexo femenino. El envejecimiento de la población cubana es una de las implicaciones demográficas y sociales más importantes derivadas del descenso de la fecundidad, la mortalidad y el aumento de la esperanza de vida

Evolución del diferencial por sexo de la esperanza de vida al nacer: Cuba, siglo XX / Social and health impact of migration on Maghrebian and Latin American women in Madrid

Para identificar componentes explicativos de la evolución del diferencial por sexo de la esperanza de vida al nacer de la población cubana en el siglo XX, con énfasis en los últimos veinte años se realizó un estudio documental y analítico en el que se utilizaron diversas medidas descriptivas. Se empleó el método de Arriaga para analizar la contribución de las edades y las causas de muerte a la esperanza de vida al nacer y se adaptó para los fines de este estudió (el diferencial por sexo). Se enmarcan tres etapas por las que ha transitado el diferencial cubano: deterioro sostenido (1900-1925), progreso (1925-1955) y oscilación y estabilización (1955-2000). Las mujeres cubanas han experimentado un ritmo de incremento en su esperanza de vida al nacer más lento que los hombres, estando más comprometidas, las mujeres menores de 5 años y las de 40 a 59 años en las etapas descritas, por sobremortalidad en causas como: las enfermedades trasmisibles, las anomalías congénitas, la diabetes, el asma y las enfermedades musculoesqueléticas. La mortalidad por enfermedades trasmisibles, en comparación con las no trasmisibles, ha afectado algo más a la mujer cubana, por lo que su reducción, contribuiría a elevar su supervivencia. La evolución favorable y el cambio del diferencial por sexo de la esperanza de vida al nacer, constituye un reto para la sociedad cubana. Su incremento estaría en función directa del aumento de la calidad de vida de la población y en particular la de la mujer, desde edades tempranas y hasta el final de la vida

Panorama de salud de la mujer cubana / Health landscape of the Cuban woman

El trabajo se propone ofrecer un panorama actualizado, basado en datos estadísticos, de las características, demográficas y de salud reproductiva y general de la mujer. Se presenta un análisis de la información estadística producida por los sistemas de información estadísticos oficiales y encuestas complementarias realizadas por el Ministerio de Salud Pública. Se constata un aumento en el envejecimiento de la población femenina entre 1990 y 2001; para este último año, 14,4(por ciento) del total de mujeres rebasa los 60 años de edad. La natalidad mantiene su tendencia descendente, 12,4 por 1 000 habitantes en 2001. Igual se manifiesta la fecundidad general, 26,4(por ciento) de reducción en los últimos 11 años. Se encontró 72,1(por ciento) de cobertura con anticonceptivos basado en métodos modernos. Los abortos inducidos por 1 000 mujeres entre 12 y 49 años han descendido de 45,6 a 21,2 entre 1990 y 1991. Las tasas de regulaciones menstruales durante el mismo período han aumentado. La mortalidad no ha modificado sus causas en los últimos años, son las 5 primeras: enfermedades del corazón, tumores malignos, enfermedad cerebrovascular, influenza y neumonía y accidentes. La mortalidad materna mantiene niveles bajos. La frecuencia de seropositividad al VIH en mujeres es 18,7(por ciento) del total en 2001, pero con aumento en el número de casos. Los indicadores de salud analizados de la mujer cubana, corresponden con los de la población total y no muestran una desventaja de género. El aumento de la mortalidad en los últimos años por cáncer de tráquea, bronquios y pulmón se considera asociado a factores de riesgo, en especial al incremento del hábito de fumar en las mujeres. La mayor causa de muerte en adolescentes y jóvenes está en el grupo de las violencias, donde la mayor reserva para su reducción se aprecia en los accidentes del transporte