Automedicación en niños con enfermedades de vías respiratorias altas en un centro materno infantil en Perú

Introducción: La automedicación es una práctica común para aliviar síntomas de diversas enfermedades, en la población infantil como la faringoamigdalitis y la rinofaringitis que son comunes en los centros de salud del Perú. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a la automedicación en niños con enfermedades de vías respiratorias altas. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal analítico. El tamaño muestral fue de 206 padres de familia que acudieron con sus hijos al servicio de emergencia. Se utilizó un cuestionario aprobado por Valenzuela m. Y el programa SPSS para hallar la frecuencia, análisis bivariado y análisis multivariado regresión logística de Poisson. Resultados: la prevalencia de automedicación en niños fue de 91,3%. Los padres que solo estudiaron primaria y secundaria tuvieron mayor probabilidad de automedicar a sus hijos RPa=1,22 (IC 95%: 1,01-1,40). Los primogénitos estuvieron protegidos ante la automedicación RPa=0,86 (IC 95% :0,76-0,97). Los padres que tenían un rango de edad entre 20 a 29 años obtuvieron RPa=1,04 (IC 95%: 0,96-1,13), los niños menores de 7 años, RPa=0,99 (IC 95%: 0,91-1,07) y los padres de familia que tenían 1 hijo RPa=1,04 (IC 95%:0,90-1,20). Conclusiones: El nivel educativo y el número de orden del hijo como ser el primogénito tuvieron asociación significativa con la automedicación en niños.

Introduction: self-medication is a common practice to alleviate symptoms of various diseases, in the child population such as pharyngitis and rhinopharyngitis that are common in health centers in Peru. Objective: to determine the factors associated with self-medication in children with upper respiratory tract diseases. Material and methods: analytical cross-sectional observational study. The sample size was 206 parents who went with their children to the emergency service. A questionnaire approved by Valenzuela m was used. And the SPSS program to find the frequency, the bivariate analysis and the multivariate analysis of Poisson logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of self-medication in children was 91,3%. Parents who only studied primary and secondary school were more likely to self-medicate their children PRa=1,22 (95% CI: 1,01-1,40). The first-born were protected from self-medication PRa=0,86 (95% CI: 0,76-0,97). Parents who were between 20 and 29 years of age obtained PRa=1,04 (95% CI: 0,96-1,13), children under 7 years old, PRa=0,99 (95% ci: 0,91-1,07) and parents of family that had 1 child PRa=1,04 (95% CI:0,90-1,20). Conclusions: the educational level and the order number of the child, such as being the first-born, had a significant association with self-medication in children.

Onlay versus rives-stoppa techniques in the treatment of incisional hernias / Técnicas onlay versus rives-stoppa no tratamento das hérnias incisionais

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: In the surgical correction of large incisional hernias, the use of a prosthesis is essential in most cases regardless of the technique chosen. The preference is for the polypropylene prosthesis. AIMS: To compare the onlay and Rives-Stoppa techniques in the correction of incisional hernias, their immediate results, complications, advantages, and disadvantages. METHODS: Two groups of patients with incisional hernias were analyzed, submitted to the onlay (19 patients) and Rives-Stoppa (17 patients) techniques, and that used polypropylene prostheses. General epidemiological variables, perioperative data variables, and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: The patients' epidemiologic profile was similar between both groups. The majority were women (58.4%), with a mean age of 65.5 years and a previous mean body mass index of 41.5 kg/m². The Rives-Stoppa technique was employed in most patients (52.7%). Those submitted to the onlay technique had longer abdominal drainage time and longer hospital stay, as well as a higher incidence of seromas and surgical wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: The incisional herniorrhaphy technique with the placement of a pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh by the Rives-Stoppa technique was superior to the onlay due to lower rates of drain use, hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

RESUMO RACIONAL: Na correção cirúrgica das grandes hérnias incisionais, independente da técnica escolhida, na maioria das vezes, o uso de uma prótese é imprescindível. A preferência é pelas próteses de polipropileno. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a técnicas onlay e Rives-Stoppa na correção de hérnias incisionais, os seus resultados imediatos, as complicações, as vantagens e desvantagens. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dois grupos de portadores de hérnias incisionais, submetidos à técnica onlay (19 pacientes) e técnica Rives-Stoppa (17 pacientes), utilizando prótese de polipropileno. As variáveis gerais epidemiológicas, variáveis de dados perioperatórios e complicações pós-operatórias foram analisados. RESULTADOS: O perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes foi semelhante entre os grupos, a maioria eram mulheres (58.4%), com média de idade de 65.5 anos e com índice de massa corpórea (IMC) médio prévio de 41,5kg/m². A técnica de Rives-Stoppa foi utilizada na maioria dos pacientes (52.7%). Pacientes submetidos a técnica onlay apresentaram maior tempo de uso de dreno abdominal e maior tempo de internação hospitalar, além de maior incidência de seromas e infecção de ferida operatória. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de herniorrafia incisional com colocação de tela de polipropileno pré-peritoneal, pela técnica de Rives-Stoppa apresentou-se superior à técnica onlay, devido menor taxa de uso de drenos, menor taxa de tempo de internação hospitalar, bem como menor taxa de complicações pós-operatórias.

Conjunto mínimo de datos: su utilidad en cirugía / Mínimum data set and it utility in surgery

Resumen Los sistemas de información sanitaria son fundamentales para el conocimiento y análisis del estado de salud individual y colectivo, así como para la evaluación de las funciones de los sistemas de salud; basados en el desarrollo de las historias clínicas, los expedientes clínicos permiten el acceso a dicha información. El Conjunto Mínimo de Datos (CMD), es un conjunto esencial de elementos potencialmente disponibles sobre entidades específicas, constituye un extracto de información administrativa, clínica y quirúrgica estandarizados, recogidos a partir del informe de alta o la historia clínica, siendo un paso preliminar en la gestión de información sobre enfermedades, que se traduce en la mejora de la calidad de la atención y el control de las enfermedades, así como en la posibilidad para emprender investigaciones. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue generar un documento de estudio referente al uso del CMD en cirugía, que consideró los mecanismos de aplicación, sus fortalezas y debilidades.

Health information systems are fundamental for the knowledge and analysis of the individual and collective health status, as well as for the evaluation of the functions of the health systems, based on the development of medical records, that allow access to information. The Minimum Data Set (CMD), is an essential set of elements potentially available on specific entities, constitutes an extract of standardized administrative, clinical, and surgical information, collected from the discharge report or the clinical history, being a preliminary step in disease information management that translates into improved quality of care and disease control, as well as the ability to undertake research. The aim of this manuscript was to generate a study document regarding the use of CMD in surgery, which considered the application mechanisms, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Panorámica de la COVID-19 en tres municipios de Guerrero, México, durante 2020 / Overview of COVID-19 in three municipalities of Guerrero, México during 2020

RESUMEN Objetivo Estimar la magnitud de daños a la salud por la pandemia de COVID-19 y su dinámica en Ometepec, Xochistlahuaca y Tlacoachistlahuaca, en Guerrero, México, durante 2020. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo hecho mediante un análisis secundario de la base de datos de COVID-19 de la Secretaría de Salud de México. Con análisis bivariado y regresión logística binaria, se desarrollaron estimaciones de series de tiempo y de magnitud del daño a la salud por COVID-19. Resultados Durante las semanas epidemiológicas 12 a 40 de 2020, se confirmaron 325 casos y 28 defunciones por COVID-19. De los casos confirmados, solo 16 % fueron indígenas. Dos de cada tres defunciones ocurrieron en las primeras 48 horas del ingreso hospitalario. Las variables predictoras que mejor se ajustaron al modelo de regresión, asociadas a la letalidad hospitalaria, fueron diabetes, neumonía asociada a COVID-19 y edad de 50 años o mayor. Conclusiones Es importante enfatizar los datos de alarma de la COVID-19 a la población indígena (en particular, la dificultad respiratoria) y factores asociados a complicaciones por COVID-19 como diabetes y edad avanzada, para incrementar el uso oportuno de los servicios de salud.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the magnitude and dynamics of health outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic in Ometepec, Xochistlahuaca and Tlacoachist-lahuaca in Guerrero, Mexico. Methods Retrospective study developed from the secondary analysis of the COVID-19 database, from the Mexican Ministry of Health in 2020. We developed time series and estimated the magnitude of the health effects of the pandemic by means of bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression models. Results The public health services registered 325 confirmed cases and 28 deaths from COVID-19 during epidemiologic weeks 12 to 40 in 2020. Nearly 16% of confirmed cases pertained to patients self-reported as indigenous people. Two out of three deaths occurred within 48 hours of hospital admission. Diabetes, COVID-19 pneumonia and being age 50 years or older were the predictor variables associated with hospital fatality which best fit our regression models. Conclusions It is essential to promote a greater use of government health services among indigenous populations by disseminating culturally relevant information on war-ning signs such as difficulty breathing and risk factors such as suffering from diabetes and being an older adult.

The main strategies adopted by the Toronto government in the COVID-19 pandemic: epidemiology / Las principales estrategias adoptadas por el gobierno de Toronto en la pandemia de COVID-19: estudio de epidemiología

ABSTRACT Objetive To analyze the epidemiological data and the main government measures adopted against the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Epidemiologic study built with data from the integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) and the official Government of Canada website in a time frame from January to July 2020. Results Toronto presents the first case of COVID 19 on January 23rd and until July 1st, 2020, it records a number of 14 468 cases, 12.574 recovered cases, 1.100 deaths and 171 institutional outbreaks. About 53,04% of the cases were female, aged 40-59 years (29,81%), followed by 20-39 years (28,37%). Contagion forms were analyzed: 56,40% had close contact with a case, 24,23% in the community, 10,30% in health services, 5,58% while traveling and 3,49% in institutions. Economic and financial actions, travel measures, support for Canadians abroad, public education, research and technology were developed. Conclusion The COVID-19 is a serious threat to public health around the world. Canada has a strong history of pandemic planning and has worked together with public health for its developed actions to become adaptable based on evolution, outbreak containment and prevention of further spread.

RESUMEN Objetivo Analizar los datos epidemiológicos y las principales medidas gubernamentales adoptadas contra la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos Estudio epidemiológico construido con datos del Sistema de Información de Salud Pública integrado (iPHIS) y el sitio web oficial del Gobierno de Canadá en un período de tiempo de enero a julio de 2020. Resultados Toronto presentó el primer caso de COVID-19 el 23 de enero y hasta el 1 de julio de 2020 registró 14 468 casos; 12 574 casos recuperados, 1 100 muertes y 171 brotes institucionales. Aproximadamente el 53,04% de los casos fueron de mujeres entre los 40 y 59 años (29,81%), seguidas de las de 20 a 39 años (28,37%). Se analizaron formas de contagio: 56,40% tuvo contacto cercano con un caso, 24,23% en la comunidad; 10,30%, en servicios de salud; 5,58%, en viajes, y 3,49% en instituciones. Se desarrollaron acciones económicas y financieras, medidas de viaje, apoyo a los canadienses en el exterior, educación pública, investigación y tecnología. Conclusión El COVID-19 es una grave amenaza para la salud pública en todo el mundo. Canadá tiene una sólida historia de planificación para pandemias y ha trabajado junto con la salud pública para que sus acciones desarrolladas se vuelvan adaptables en función de la evolución, la contención de brotes y la prevención de una mayor propagación.

Assessment of hematological parameters in workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates and pyrethroids in Cundinamarca 2016-2017 / Evaluación de parámetros hematológicos en trabajadores expuestos a pesticidas organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides, Cundinamarca 2016-2017

ABSTRACT Objective To establish hematotoxic alterations through clinical and paraclinical exploration in workers who are exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates and pyrethroids (OPCP) due to their work in production, packaging, distribution and fumigation processes in Cundinamarca-Colombia between 2016 and 2017. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was carried out on a sample of 92 workers from six companies, mostly aged between 18 and 30 years, of which 61 % were males and 39 % females, and 71 % were workers in the operational area and 29 % in the administrative area. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Clinical exploration reported findings in 17 % of the sample group, of which only 2 % presented with erythrocyte cholinesterase outside the reference range. The values of hematological parameters such as peripheral blood smear (PBS) and complete blood count (CBC) were outside the range in 15 % and 47 % of the sample, respectively. Discussion The results suggest that there are hematological alterations in this group that could possibly be associated with chronic exposure to OPCP.

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar las alteraciones hematotóxicas a través de una exploración clínica y paraclínica, en trabajadores que por su oficio se exponen a pesticidas organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides (POCP), en procesos de producción, envase, distribución y fumigación, en el departamento de Cundinamarca Colombia. Metodología Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de corte transversal. Se realizó un análisis univariado, bivariado y multivariado. La muestra se conforma por 92 trabajadores de seis empresas, la mayoría entre los 18 y 30 años, de los cuales el 61 % son hombres y el 39 % mujeres, 71 % se desempeñan en el área operativa y 29 % en el área administrativa. Resultados Es de resaltar que se tienen hallazgos en la exploración clínica en el 17 % del grupo participante, solo el 2 % presenta la colinesterasa eritrocitaria por fuera del rango de referencia. Los parámetros hematológicos como el frotis de sangre periférica (FSP) presentan valores por fuera de los rangos en el 15 % y el cuadro hemático (CH) tiene valores por fuera de los rangos en el 47 % de las personas. Discusión Los resultados sugieren que existen alteraciones hematológicas en este grupo y que posiblemente podrían estar asociadas con la exposición crónica a POCP.

Epidermólisis bullosa en el perú: estudio clínico y epidemiológico de pacientes atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de referencia nacional, 1993-2015 / Epidermolysis bullosa in peru: clinical and epidemiological study of patients treated in a national reference pediatric hospital, 1993-2015

RESUMEN Objetivos Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con epidermólisis bullosa (EB), en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN) en Lima, Perú; centro de referencia nacional para esta enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y exámenes de laboratorio de los pacientes diagnosticados de EB atendidos en el INSN desde 1993 al 2015. Resultados Fueron registrados 93 pacientes. La edad promedio fue de 7,9 ± 5,6 años; el 53,8% (n=50) fueron hombres. Las formas clínicas correspondieron a EB distrófica con 41 (44,1%) casos, EB simple con 39 (41,9%) casos, EB de la unión con 8 (8,6%) y al síndrome de Kindler con 4 (4,3%) casos. No se pudo identificar la forma clínica en un caso. Procedían de Lima y Callao 48 casos (51,6%) y 45 casos (48,4%) de otras provincias del país. Entre las manifestaciones extracutáneas se registraron compromiso gastrointestinal (44,1%), ocular (37,6%), odontogénico (87,1%), nutricional (79,6%), además de pseudosindactilia (16,1%). Se halló desnutrición crónica (71,6%), desnutrición aguda (17,6%) y anemia en (62,4%). La mortalidad correspondió a 6 casos (6,5%). Conclusiones Se reportan 93 casos de EB en el INSN, la presentación clínica predominante fue la forma distrófica.

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INSN) in Lima, Peru; a National Reference Center for this disease. Materials and methods Observational, descriptive and transversal study. We reviewed the clinical histories and laboratory tests of patients diagnosed with EB treated in INSN from 1993 to 2015. Results 93 patients were registered. The average age was 7.9 ± 5.6 years; 53.8% (n = 50) were boys. Clinical forms corresponded to dystrophic EB with 41 (44.1%) cases, simple EB with 39 (41.9%), union EB cases with 8 (8.6%) and Kindler syndrome with 4 (4.3%) cases. The clinical form could not be identified in a case. A total of 48 cases (51.6%) came from Lima and Callao, and 45 cases (48.4%) from other provinces of the country. Extracutaneous manifestations involved gastrointestinal (44.1%), ocular (37.6%), odontogenic (87.1%), and nutritional (79.6%) involvement, as well as pseudosindactilia (16.1%). Chronic malnutrition (71.6%), acute malnutrition (17.6%) and anemia (62.4%) were found. Mortality corresponded to 6 cases (6.5%). Conclusions 93 cases of EB were reported in INSN, the predominant clinical presentation was the dystrophic form.

Vigilancia y análisis de zonas de frontera, puertos de entrada y de población inmigrante / Surveillance and analysis of border areas, ports of entry and immigrant population

RESUMEN Objetivo Realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre los sistemas de información de vigilancia sanitaria y epidemiológica en zonas de frontera y puntos de entrada en Colombia. Materiales y Métodos Se desarrolló una revisión sistemática de literatura mediante la metodología Prisma, términos MeSH y DECS. Para ello, se consultaron, las bases de datos PubMed y BVS entre el 2000 y el 2014. Se incluyeron 51 documentos de acuerdo con los criterios de inclusión-exclusión, a partir de los cuales se discutieron las categorías propuestas: servicios de salud, salud mental, estado de salud y determinantes sociales. Resultados El análisis permite evidenciar que la vigilancia epidemiológica y sanitaria de fronteras y puntos de entrada en el ámbito mundial, está enfocado principalmente en ejes como salud mental, eventos transmisibles y eventos de condiciones no transmisibles. Adicionalmente, se da importancia a la atención integral en los servicios de salud y al análisis del estado de salud de la población inmigrante bajo el enfoque diferencial territorial, étnico y cultural. Sin embargo, hay pocas experiencias con un enfoque intersectorial, así como de determinantes sociales, en los territorios con condiciones de zonas de fronteras y/o puntos de entrada. Conclusiones Las diferencias de contexto, sistemas de salud, sistemas de información y prioridades de cada país, hacen que el intercambio y la cooperación entre las fronteras tengan serios retos. Debido a esto, es necesario contar con instrumentos de cooperación entre países limítrofes y análisis e información, con base en el modelo Determinantes Sociales de la Salud.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective Perform a literature review about systems of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance for frontier zones and the points of entry of Colombia. Materials and Methods A systematic literature review using the Prisma methodology, MeSH and DECS terms, was developed in PubMed and BVS bibliographic databases between 2000 and 2014. We included 51 documents according to inclusion-exclusion criteria and we proposed and discussed these categories: health services, mental health, health status and social determinants. Results The analysis makes it possible to evidence that the epidemiological and sanitary surveillance of borders and entry points worldwide, focused mainly on axes such as mental health, transmissible events and events of non-communicable conditions. In addition, the importance of comprehensive care in health services, as well as the analysis of the health status of immigrant population under the territorial, ethnic and cultural differential approach. However, there are few experiences with a social determinants analysis in borders zone and / or entry points. Conclusions Differences in the context, health systems, information systems and priorities of each country make the exchange and cooperation between borders challenging. It is necessary to have instruments of cooperation between neighboring countries and a common information based on the Social Determinants of Health.(AU)

Effectiveness of Nursing Management Information Systems: A Systematic Review / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review evaluation studies of nursing management information systems (NMISs) and their outcome measures to examine system effectiveness. METHODS: For the systematic review, a literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to retrieve original articles published between 1970 and 2014. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms included informatics, medical informatics, nursing informatics, medical informatics application, and management information systems for information systems and evaluation studies and nursing evaluation research for evaluation research. Additionally, manag* and admin*, and nurs* were combined. Title, abstract, and full-text reviews were completed by two reviewers. And then, year, author, type of management system, study purpose, study design, data source, system users, study subjects, and outcomes were extracted from the selected articles. The quality and risk of bias of the studies that were finally selected were assessed with the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS) criteria. RESULTS: Out of the 2,257 retrieved articles, a total of six articles were selected. These included two scheduling programs, two nursing cost-related programs, and two patient care management programs. For the outcome measurements, usefulness, time saving, satisfaction, cost, attitude, usability, data quality/completeness/accuracy, and personnel work patterns were included. User satisfaction, time saving, and usefulness mostly showed positive findings. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that NMISs were effective in time saving and useful in nursing care. Because there was a lack of quality in the reviewed studies, well-designed research, such as randomized controlled trials, should be conducted to more objectively evaluate the effectiveness of NMISs.

Developing a Biomedical Expert Finding System Using Medical Subject Headings / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Efficient identification of subject experts or expert communities is vital for the growth of any organization. Most of the available expert finding systems are based on self-nomination, which can be biased, and are unable to rank experts. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a robust and unbiased expert finding system which can quantitatively measure expertise. METHODS: Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a controlled vocabulary developed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for indexing research publications, articles and books. Using the MeSH terms associated with peer-reviewed articles published from India and indexed in PubMed, we developed a Web-based program which can be used to identify subject experts and subjects associated with an expert. RESULTS: We have extensively tested our system to identify experts from India in various subjects. The system provides a ranked list of experts where known experts rank at the top of the list. The system is general; since it uses information available with the PubMed, it can be implemented for any country. CONCLUSIONS: The expert finding system is able to successfully identify subject experts in India. Our system is unique because it allows the quantification of subject expertise, thus enabling the ranking of experts. Our system is based on peer-reviewed information. Use of MeSH terms as subjects has standardized the subject terminology. The system matches requirements of an ideal expert finding system.

Revisión sistemática de estudios epidemiológicos sobre la infección por el virus linfotrópico de células T humanas I/II en el Perú / Systematic review of epidemiological research about human T-cel lymphotropic virus type I/II infection in Perú

Objetivo: El virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) fue el primer retrovirus humano descubierto en 1979, sin embargo actualmente no se tiene un estimado real a nivel mundial y nacional de su prevalencia en población general. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en Medline, LILACS y en 4 revistas biomédicas peruanas usando los términos DeCS/Mesh: ôHTLV-Iõ, ôHTLV-I infectionõ, ôHuman T-lymphotropic virus Iõ, ôHTLV-IIõ, ôHTLV-II infectionõ y ôPeruõ. Se determinó la prevalencia en grupos vulnerables y en grupos seleccionados de población general. Resultados: En la búsqueda en Medline y LILACS un total de 50 artículos fueron publicados entre 1988 y 2010; de los cuales sólo 19 (38%) de ellos fueron estudios epidemiológicos de HTLV en el Perú. Adicionalmente, en las cuatro revistas biomédicas peruanas analizadas, cinco estudios fueron observacionales de tipo transversal. Los estudios analizados incluyeron 20805 participantes, de los cuales 846 tuvieron serología positiva para HTLV I/II. La prevalencia promedio de HTLV I/II en los grupos seleccionados de población general fue de 4.85% (IC95%: 2.84-7.36) y 5.11% (IC95%: 2.28-8.99) en grupos vulnerables. Conclusiones: En el Perú no existe información sobre la prevalencia de HTLV I/II en la población general. En base a los estudios analizados, Perú es un país endémico de HTLV-I, en grupos seleccionados de población general y en grupos de vulnerables para infecciones de transmisión sexual. En base a estas conclusiones es necesario implementar políticas de salud preventivas como tamizaje prenatal de HTLV y recomendación de lactancia materna hasta el sexto mes o el tamizaje neonatal.

Human T-cel Lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was the first human retrovirus discovered at 1979, however currently do not have a real estimate global and national prevalence in general population. Methods: We realized a systemic research in Medline, LILACS and four Peruvian biomedical journals using DeCS/Mesh terms: ôHTLV-Iõ, ôHTLV-I infectionõ, ôHTLV-IIõ, ôHTLV-II infectionõ and ôPeruõ. We determinate the prevalence in vulnerable groups and in selected groups of general population. Results: In the search in Medline and LILACS a total of 50 articles were published between 1988 and 2010. Of these, only 19 (38%) were epidemiological studies in Peru. Additionally, in the four Peruvian biomedical journals analyzed, 5 studies were cross sectional studies. The studies analyzed included 20 805 participants, of whom 846 had tested positive for HTLV I / II. The average prevalence of HTLV I/II in selected groups of general population was 4.85% (95% CI: 2.84-7.36) and 5.11% (95% CI: 2.28-8.99) in vulnerable groups. Conclusions: In Peru, there is no information about prevalence of HTLV I/II in general population. Based on the studies reviewed, Peru is an endemic country for HTLV-I in selected groups of general population and vulnerable groups for sexually transmitted infection. Based on these findings is necessary to develop preventive health as HTLV antenatal screening and recommendation of breastfeeding until the sixth month or neonatal screening.

Cuestionamientos y requerimientos en la investigación de la calidad de vida en oncología / Questions and Requirements of Quality of Life Research in Oncology

Introducción: Durante las dos últimas décadas ha habido una explosión de estudios de evaluación de la calidad de vida. En este estudio se abordaron las principales estrategias metodológicas, entre ellas la elección del instrumento óptimo, propiedades psicométricas básicas y tiempos de evaluación de la calidad de vida. Objetivos: Proporcionar definiciones fundamentales útiles, describir las herramientas existentes y enunciar los desafíos en la interpretación de estudios de calidad de vida. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda narrativa de la literatura con la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: “(‘Quality of Life’[MeSH] AND (‘Research’[MeSH] OR ‘Epidemiologic Research Design’[MeSH] OR ‘Health Services Research’[MeSH])) AND (‘Oncology Service, Hospital’[MeSH] OR ‘Medical Oncology’[MeSH])”. La indagación contempló el período comprendido entre 1966 y 2007. La estrategia de búsqueda fue adaptada a cada una de las bases de datos consultadas: Medline, Cochrane, LILACS y SciELO. Resultados: Se encontraron, por título y resumen, 189 artículos, a criterio de los autores, de los cuales fueron seleccionados 54 para esta revisión. No se obtuvieron cuatro artículos, por no tener acceso a los correspondientes journals. Conclusiones: La calidad de vida se ha convertido en un tema de interés para muchos investigadores en oncología, ya que no es suficiente con aumentar el tiempo de sobrevida, sino garantizar un estándar de calidad de vida generado a partir del tratamiento médico...

Introduction: During the last two decades, there has been an explosion of studies assessing the quality of life. Main methodological strategies have been addressed, including the optimal choice of instrument, basic psychometric properties and times of evaluation of quality of life. Objectives: To provide basic definitions and tools, to describe the existing tools, and to articulate the challenges of interpreting studies of quality of life. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature search with the following search strategy “(‘Quality of Life’[MeSH] AND (‘Research’[MeSH] OR ‘Epidemiologic Research Design’[MeSH] OR ‘Health Services Research’[MeSH])) AND (‘Oncology Service, Hospital’[MeSH] OR ‘Medical Oncology’ [MeSH]). The search comprised the period between 1966 and 2007. The search strategy was adapted to each of the searchable databases: Medline, Cochrane, LILACS and SciELO. Results: 189 articles were found by title and abstract, of which 54 were selected for this review. Four articles were not obtained for not having access to relevant journals. Conclusions: The quality of life has become a topic of interest to many researchers in oncology since it is not enough to increase survival time, inasmuch as a standard quality of life must ensue from the medical treatment as well...