ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for neuropsychological care for older adults with memory complaints in different contexts, including rural areas or areas with difficult access. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical utility of the Phototest, through telemedicine, to identify mild cognitive impairment in rural older adults with memory complaints, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, case-control, and clinical utility comparison of brief cognitive tests (BCTs). The sample included 111 rural elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 130 healthy controls from the Los Lagos region, Chile. The instruments adopted were modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSEm) and adapted version of the Phototest (PT) for Chile. Results: To identify mild cognitive impairment, using a cutoff score of 27-28 points, the Phototest showed a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 81.8%; indicators superior to those of the MMSEm. Conclusions: The Phototest is more accurate than the MMSEm in identifying cognitive alterations in rural older adults with cognitive memory complaints through telemedicine. Therefore, its use in primary care is recommended in order to perform early detection of preclinical cognitive alterations in mild cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative diseases.
RESUMO. A pandemia de COVID-19 mostrou a necessidade de cuidados neuropsicológicos para adultos idosos com queixas de memória em diferentes contextos, incluindo áreas rurais ou áreas de difícil acesso. Objetivo: Analisar a utilidade clínica do Phototest, por meio da telemedicina, para identificar uma leve deficiência cognitiva em adultos idosos rurais com queixas de memória, durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Realizamos uma comparação transversal, caso-controle e utilidade clínica dos testes cognitivos breves. Amostra: Cento e onze idosos rurais com deficiência cognitiva leve (DCL) e 130 controles saudáveis da região de Los Lagos, Chile. Instrumentos: Minimental modificado (MMSEm) e versão do teste fotográfico (PT) adaptada para o Chile. Resultados: Para identificar a DCL, usando pontuação de corte de 27-28 pontos, o Phototest mostrou sensibilidade de 96,6% e especificidade de 81,8%; indicadores superiores aos do MMSEm. Conclusões: O Phototest é mais preciso que o MMSEm para identificar, por meio da telemedicina, alterações cognitivas em adultos idosos rurais com queixas de memória cognitiva. Sendo assim, seu uso na atenção primária é recomendado para realizar a detecção precoce de alterações cognitivas pré-clínicas em DCL ou doenças neurodegenerativas.
Subject(s)
Humans , AgedABSTRACT
RESUMEN: Introducción: La sintomatologia depresiva en profesionales de la salud asociado a crisis virales es de alta prevalencia a nivel global, siendo su detección una prioridad por lo cual, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la validez convergente y consistencia interna del cuestionario de salud del paciente-2 (PHQ-2) en profesionales sanitarios. Método: Estudio eSalud donde se recopilaron datos transversales en línea (n=725), de 281 médicos generales, 237 médicos especialistas y 207 enfermeras durante la cuarentena colombiana, entre el 20 de abril y el 10 de agosto de 2020. Edad promedio 41,3 años (± 8,76). El 38,4% eran hombres (278) y el 61.6% mujeres (447). El 66.1% del personal sanitario atendió pacientes contagiados por coronavirus y el 33,9% no prestó estos servicios. Se administró la versión de 9 ítems del PHQ, validada en población colombiana junto a la versión de 2 ítems del PHQ. Resultados: Se encontró una alta correlación entre las escalas (r=.860, P<0.001), demostrando la validez convergente del PHQ-2 para medir la sintomatología depresiva. La consistencia interna del PHQ-2 fue adecuada, con un Alpha de Cronbach de 0.80 (I.C.= 0.76 - 0.83). Conclusiones: El PHQ-2 presenta adecuados estándares psicométricos de confiabilidad y validez, por lo que su rápida administración, fácil calificación e interpretación, lo convierte en un instrumento confiable y valido para la detección rápida, sin sobrecargas laborales, de los síntomas depresivos en médicos y enfermeras que atiendan o no pacientes en condiciones de brotes virales.
ABSTRACT Background: Depressive symptomatology in health professionals associated with viral crises is highly prevalent globally, being its detection a priority. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the convergent validity and internal consistency of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) in healthcare professionals. Method: E-Health study where cross-sectional data was collected online (n = 725), from 281 general practitioners, 237 specialist doctors and 207 nurses during the Colombian quarantine, between April 20 and August 10, 2020. Average age 41.3 years (± 8.76). 38.4% were men (278) and 61.6% women (447). 66.1% of health personnel treated patients infected with coronavirus and 33.9% did not provide these services. The 9-item version of the PHQ was administered, validated in the Colombian population together with the 2-item version of the PHQ. Results: A high correlation was found between the scales (r = .860, P <0.001), demonstrating the convergent validity of the PHQ-2 to measure depressive symptomatology. The internal consistency of the PHQ-2 was adequate, with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.80 (I.C. = 0.76 - 0.83). Conclusions: The PHQ-2 has adequate psychometric standards of reliability and validity, so its rapid administration, easy qualification and interpretation, makes it a reliable and valid instrument for the rapid detection, without work overload, of depressive symptoms in doctors and nurses whether or not they care for patients with viral outbreaks.