Electroanalgesia en el síndrome de dolor lumbar agudo: efectividad comparativa de TIF versus TENS: estudio preliminar / Electro-analgesia in the low back pain syndrome: comparative effectiveness of TIF versus TENS: preliminary study

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition, which causes an important economic and clinical impact to individuals during their productive work-life. Electro-anaesthesia methods of choice are Interferential Current (IC) and transcutaneous Electric Nervous Stimulation (TENS). The objetive of this study is to determine the effectiveness of both therapies, as well as variability in the measurement of pain. We also preliminary evaluate the comparative effectiveness of IC and TENS by determining the mean difference of decreased acute back pain in patients treated at Hospital of Trabajador, in Temuco, Chile. Material and Method: 30 LBP patients were studied (0-3 weeks evolution). Intensity of pain before and after the aplication of IC and TENS was assessed usin the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). IC intervention considered an amploitude.frequency spectrum ranging from 5 Hz to 10 Hz, with vector, while TENS was an asymmetric biphasic stimulus with a phase time of 150 useg, using a frequency of 100 Hz, pulses of 2 Hz. These were applied using four rubber electrodes (60 mm by 40 mm) placed on the lumbar zone for a period of 30 minutes. Results: The study group included 67 por ciento (n = 20) male with an average age of 38.3 years (SD: 9.5 years), 67 por ciento of them were workmen. The reduction of pain mean difference in patients treated with TENS was 1.24 cm (p = 0005), and 2.18 cm (p = 0001) with IC. The difference of both results, adjusted by VAS baseline, age, sex, and occupation of patients was 0.91 cm (p = 0.0261) in favour of IC. Conclusions: The magnitude of treatment effects for TENS was 18.4 por ciento, and 31.5 por ciento for IC in relation to baseline pain. In this study group, there were no clinically relevant differences to control LBP in patients inmediately after application, between IC and TENS. Both demonstrated to be effective.

Validación del Cuestionario de la enfermedad respiratoria crónica en pacientes chilenos con limitación crónica del flujo aéreo / Validation of the chronic respiratory questionnaire in Chilean patients with chronic airflow limitation

Chronic respiratory diseases are an important problem in Chile, causing disability and worsening the quality of life. Aim: To validate the Spanish version of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) to be used in Chilean population. Material and methods: The CRQ was applied to 38 patients with chronic respiratory diseases. At the same time the functional and physiologic status of patients (the 6 Minute Walking Test and spirometry) was assessed in an independent and blinded fashion. Results: CRQ scores were associated with 6 Minute Walking Test and forced expiratory volume results (p <0.01 adjusted by age, sex and smoking). The Internal Consistency analysis showed a Cronbach a between 0.60 and 0.89. Conclusions: Considering the construct validation as an on-going process, the present results give additional evidence supporting the use of the CRQ in Chilean population to evaluate the health-related quality of life of patients with chronic respiratory diseases (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1243-50).

Construcción y validación de un instrumento de medición de síntomas de enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: informe preliminar / Construction and validation of a measurement instrument of gastroesophageal reflux symptom: preliminary report

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are frequent in the general population, but there is a lack of information about its prevalence and valid and reliable scales to determine it. Aim: To design a valid and reliable scale to determine gastroesophageal reflux disease. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study with patients and controls was conducted. The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux was based of clinical plus radiological, endoscopic or pathologic criteria. A structured questionnaire was built, containing items covering different clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All subjects were subjected to 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Internal consistency of items, interobserver reliability, criterion and construct validity, sensitivity, specificity and predicted values were obtained. Results: One hundred thirteen subjects (74 female and 39 male with a mean age of 46 years old) were studied. Seventy three had gastroesophageal reflux and 40 were controls. Internal consistency of the score was 0.82. Inter observer reliability was greater than 0.80 and a significant association was observed between the score and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring (p <0.001). Instrument sensitivity was 97 percent and specificity 83 percent. Conclusions: The designed scale proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, that can be used for future prevalence studies

Cáncer de la vesícula biliar: estudio de casos y controles / Gallbladder cancer: a case control study

Gallbladder cancer is the principal oncological cause of death in chilean women and cholelithiasis is a well recognized risk factor. Aiming to unravel other risk factors for gallbladder cancer, we compared 50 patients subjected to cholecystectomy in whom a gallbladder cancer was found with 50 age and sex matched operated controls without cancer. Subjects were clinically assessed and interrogated about demographic, obstetrical features and feeding features. Multiples and early pregnacies were factors significantly associated to the development of gallbladder cancer. 20 subjects (44 percent) with cancer knew that they had cholelithiasis and 41 patients in each group were symptomatic. It is concluded that pregnancy may be a risk factor for gallbladder cancer probably due to the lithogenic effect of its hormonal changes. Also, early cholecystectomy in symptomatic individuals may be an effective preventive measure