Duración de las licencias médicas FONASA por trastornos mentales y del comportamiento / Analysis of sick leaves due to mental and behavioral problems

Background: In Chile, the number of sick leaves due to mental health problems has systematically increased in recent years. Aim: To perform an analysis of sick leaves due to mental problems managed by the Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA) during 2008. Material and Methods: Analysis of all sick leaves awarded during 2008for mental or behavioral problems, that were managed at FONASA. A negative binomial regression, was performed to predict the effects of different variables on the total duration of sick leaves. Results: A total of546,477 sick leaves were awarded to 198,752 individuals (2.27per subject). The mean duration of each leave was 15.6 days. Summing all leaves, the lapse off work was 98 ± 96 days (median 65 days). Women had longer leaves than men. The type of medical leave, occupation, working for private or public institutions, economic activity and diagnosis were significantly associated with duration of time off work. Conclusions: Sick leaves for mental problems are prolonged and related to gender and socioeconomic variables.

Estudio de la salud cardiovascular en el estado Lara (escel 2008): metodología del proyecto y perfil de la muestra estudiada / The cardiovascular health study in state Lara (escel 2008): methodology of the project and the sample profile

Existen pocos estudios de factores de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular en América Latina y El Caribe. ESCEL-2008 estudió la distribución de factores de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular en población urbana, de 15 o más años de edad. Estado Lara, Venezuela. En este artículo se presenta la metodología para obtener una muestra probabilística a nivel poblacional y describir sus características demográficas. Estudio transversal de base poblacional. El censo poblacional del Estado Lara 2001 correspondió al marco muestral. La población estuvo ubicaba en 9 municipios. 58 parroquias y 2.300 centros poblados. De estos últimos, 36 urbanos (mayor e igual 2500 habitantes). La muestra probabilística obtenida mediante entrevista cara a cara y muestreo por conglomerados en cuatro etapas, combinando selección aleatoria simple y sistemática de las unidades sin reemplazo. 1294 personas encuestadas con tasa de respuesta de 77,3%. Muestra con un porcentaje superior de mujeres (66,5%) con respecto a la población proyectada a 2007 (51,2%), así como, mayor porcentaje de personas en las franjas superiores de edad. En cuanto al grado de escolaridad, aproximadamente 20% tuvo nivel universitario completo; 3,7% de los jefes de familia son analfabetos, valor inferior al de madres (15,6%) y otro miembro familiar (13,2%). Hubo una buena tasa de respuesta para la metodología aplicada, que permitió obtener una muestra representativa de la población diana y podría servir para estudiar de manera eficiente la distribución de factores de riesgo de ECV en otros lugares de América Latina y El Caribe.

There are few studies at the population level of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The principal objetive of ESCEL 2008 Project is to study the distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the urban population of Lara State, Venezuela, ages 15 or more years. This article aims to present the methodology used to obtain a probability sample at the population level and to describe its demographic charactéristics. Cross-sectional population based study. The population census of 2001 in Lara State was used as the sampling frame. According to this, the population was located in 9 municipalities, 58 parishes and 2.300 population centres, Of the latter, 36 were urban (2.500 inhabitants or more). The probability sample underwent face to face interviews and sampling by clusters in four stages, combining simple, systematic random selection of units without replacement. 1.294 people were surveyed, with a response rate of 77.3%. The sample was composed of a higher percentage of women than projected for the population to 2007, 66.5% versus 51.2%, as well as a higher percentage of people in the upper age groups. Approximately one of every five respondents including heads of households, mothers, or other interviewees had a completed university education. 3.7% of the heads of households were illiterate, which is lower tham among mothers and other family members, 15.6% and 13.2%, respectively. The response rate for the applied methodology can be considered good. given the high level of anxiety about safety in the urban population. Differences in the distribution of age and sex in the sample relative to 2007 projections, required adjustments to the age and sex distribution in order to maintain representativeness of the population. The described methodology allowed us to obtain a representative sample of the target population, and could be used to study the distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Perfil epidemiológico del paciente con antígeno prostático específico sobre 4 ng/mL: Región del Bío Bío, Chile / Epidemiological profile of the patient with prostate specific antigen over 4 ng/mL: Bio Bio Region, Chile

Objetivo: Describir el perfil epidemiológico de una muestra de pacientes beneficiarios del Servicio de Salud Bío Bío con examen de antígeno prostático sobre 4 ng/mL. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo donde se revisaron 436 fichas clínicas de pacientes con niveles APE > 4,0 ng/ml determinado en el Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital Dr. Víctor Ríos Ruiz, entre enero y junio del año 2006. También se obtuvo información a partir de los certificados de defunción y de anatomía patológica. Resultados: El 42,4 por ciento pertenecía a la comuna de Los Ángeles y el 57,6 por ciento restante se distribuye homogéneamente dentro de la región de Bío Bío. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 72 años (31 a 98 años). El 75,6 por ciento pertenece a los grupos A y B del Fondo Nacional de Atención de Salud (FONASA), habiendo 10 por ciento sin afiliación conocida. El 63,4 por ciento presentaba hipertensión arterial. El 24,8 por ciento tuvo como diagnóstico cáncer de próstata (CaP) y el 58,2 por ciento hiperplasia benigna prostática. El 58,26 por ciento de los pacientes tuvo un valor de APE entre 4,00 a 10,00 ng/ml, el 34,59 por ciento entre 10,01 a 50,00 ng/ml y el 7,57por ciento un valor de APE >50,00 ng/ml. Conclusiones: El mayor porcentaje de los pacientes se concentra en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, siendo la mayoría del segmento A y B del fondo nacional de salud. La edad promedio fue de 72 años. La hipertensión arterial, la diabetes mellitus y el cáncer de próstata fueron las patologías más prevalentes en estos pacientes.

Objective: To describe the epidemiologic profile of a sample of patient beneficiaries of the Bio Bio Health Service with prostate specific antigen (PSA) up 4 ng/mL. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was made between January and June of 2006, where436 clinical histories of patients with levels APE up 4.0 ng/ml were reviewed. Also information from certificates of death and pathological anatomy was obtained. Results: The 42.4 percent belonged of Los Angeles province and the rest were distributed homogenous within Bio Bio region. The average of age of the patients was of 72 years old (31 to 98 years). The 75.6 percent belong to the groups A and B of the National Found of Health Attention (FONASA), being a 10.0 percent without well-known affiliation. The 63.4 percent presented arterial hypertension. The 24.8 percent present prostate cancer diagnostic (CaP) and the 58.2 percent had benign prostatic hyperplasia. 58.26 percent of the patients had a value of PSA between 4.0 to.10.0 ng/ml, the 34.59 percent between 10.01 to 50.00 ng/ml and the 7.57 percent a value of APE>50.00 ng/ml. Conclusions: The larger percentages of the patients live in the urban area of Los Angeles city, belonging most of the segment A and B of the National Found of Health Attention (FONASA). The average age was of 72 years. The hypertension arterial, the diabetes mellitus and the prostate cancer were the most prevalent pathologies in these patients.

Insuficiencia cardíaca en hospitales chilenos: resultados del Registro Nacional de Insuficiencia Cardíaca, Grupo ICARO / Cardiac failure in Chilean hospitals: results of the National Registry of Heart Failure, ICARO

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem. In Chile hospitalized patients due to HF have not been characterized. Aim: To evaluate clinical profile and outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure in Chilean hospitals. Patients and Methods: Prospective registry of 14 centers. Patients hospitalized for HF in functional class III and IV were included. Epidemiological and clinical data, functional class, type of presentation, decompensation cause, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, treatment and evolution were registered. Results: Three hundred seventy two patients aged 69±13 years old, 59 percent men, were assessed. The main etiologies of HF were ischemic in 31.6 percent, hypertensive in 35.2 percent, valvular in 14.9 percent and idiopathic in 7.4 percent. There was a history of hypertension 69 percent, diabetes in 35 percent, myocardial infarction in 22 percent, atrial fibrillation (AF) in 28 percent. The presentation form of HF was chronic decompensated in 86 percent, acute in 12 percent, refractory in 2 percent. The causes of decompensation were non compliance with diet or medical prescriptions in 28 percent, infections in 22 percent and AF 17 percent. ECG showed AF in 36 percent and left bundle branch block in 16 percent. Echocardiography was performed in 52 percent of the patients, 69 percent had left ventricular ejection fraction <40 percent. On admission, 39 percent received angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 15 percent beta-blocker, 25 percent digoxin, 16 percent spironolactone and 53 percent furosemide. The mean hospital stay was 11±10 days and mortality was 4.5 percent. Conclusions: The elderly is the age group most commonly admitted to hospital due to HF. The main etiologies were ischemic and hypertensive. The main causes for decompensations were noncompliance with diet or medical prescriptions and infections. A significant proportion had a relatively well preserved ventricular systolic function (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 655-62).