Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2019
Observational Study[Vitamin D levels among anesthesiologists and other physicians].
Background Sun exposure is the main source of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. Since anesthesiologists work inside operating rooms, they are identified as a deficiency risk group. As medical activity in general occurs indoors, added to the work excess and sedentary lifestyle, physicians in general have low sun exposure. ⋯ The only protective factor was the intake of a vitamin D supplement (p < 0.01). Conclusions Anesthesiologists and other specialists were both at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Obesity was a risk factor and the use of a vitamin D supplement was the only protective factor.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2019
[Association between sleep duration and cognitive impairment in older people].
Background Sleep duration may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment. Aim To investigate the association between sleep duration and cognitive function in Chilean older adults. Material and Methods We analyzed information from 1,384 participants aged > 60 years participating in the National Health Survey 2009-2010 who were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and self-reported their average daily sleep hours. ⋯ Similarly, those who reported sleeping > 8 hours per day also showed a higher odd for cognitive impairment (OR: 2.56 [95% CI: 1.32; 4.95], p < 0.01). This association was even stronger for people who reported more than 10 hours of sleep per day (OR: 4.46 [95% CI: 1.32; 4.95], p < 0.01). Conclusions Long and short sleep duration is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults in Chile independent of major confounding factors.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2019
[Non-HDL cholesterol levels in Chilean population and their association with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease].
Background Despite aggressive treatment aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with statins, there is a high residual prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, which may depend on plasma cholesterol transported in other atherogenic lipoproteins. Aims To describe non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels in the Chilean population and their association with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. To evaluate compliance with non-HDL-C therapeutic goals -according to individual cardiovascular risk- at different levels of triglycerides, in comparison with LDL-C goal achievement. ⋯ Namely, 8% of the population showed elevated levels of high non-HDL-C despite adequate LDL-C levels. Conclusions Evaluation and management of elevated non-HDL-C in patients with adequate levels of LDL-C seems worthwhile considering the discordance observed between these blood cholesterol fractions. This strategy may be effective to reduce the residual cardiovascular risk in the Chilean population.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2019
[Protocolized referral to endoscopy and Helicobacter pylori detected in stools aimed to decrease endoscopy waiting lists].
Background Chile has one of the highest mortality rates by gastric cancer (GC) worldwide. Primary prevention of GC and detection of pre-neoplastic and early neoplastic lesions should be a national priority. Aim To assess the impact of the protocolization of endoscopy referral and the use of H. pylori stool antigen test (HPSA) in the management of dyspepsia to decrease the waiting list for endoscopy and increase the detection of gastric pre-neoplastic and early neoplastic lesions. ⋯ The GC detection rate in this period was 1.8 to 3.1 cases per 100 endoscopies. After the adoption of the protocols, we observed a significant increase in early GC detection rate (from none in 2015 to 13% in 2017, p = 0.03). Conclusions The protocolization of the referral for endoscopy associated with widespread use of HPSA test in the management of patients with dyspepsia, are successful strategies to decrease waiting lists for endoscopy and optimize the detection rate of pre-neoplastic lesions and early GC.
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Revista médica de Chile · Nov 2019
[Factors influencing self-reported health in Chilean older people].
Background Self-reported health is subjective and depends on external factors such as socioeconomic status, presence of chronic diseases and working status, among others. Aim To determine which factors influence self-reported health among older people in Chile. Material and Methods A secondary analysis of the National Socioeconomic Characterization survey done in 2015. ⋯ Results The model had a good calibration and correctly classified 72 and 68% of men and women, respectively. The main factors that influenced health status self-perception were: not having health problems; having undergone a mental health interview, to receive supplemental nutrition, education, to have a productive work; and to having a social network. Conclusions There are health, cultural, economic and environmental factors that influence self-perceived health status.