Validez de la escala de Braden para predecir úlceras por presión en población femenina / Prediction of the pressure ulcer development in elderly women using the Braden Scale

Background: Pressure ulcers are a common complication among elderly patients confined to bed for long periods. The Braden scale is a commonly used risk assessment tool. Aim: To evaluate the use of Braden scale. Patients and methods: Seventy women aged 61 to 96 years, admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of Barros Luco-Trudeau Hospital, were studied. Their risk was evaluated using the Braden scale. The presence of pressure ulcer was diagnosed according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel on admition, two weeks later and at discharge. Results: On admission, mean Braden scale score was 16.6±2.8 and 34 women had a score of 16 or less, that is considered of risk. Twenty five women (20 with a score of 16 or less) developed pressure ulcers, mostly superficial. The odds ratio of a score of 16 or less for the development of ulcers was 4.2 (95 percent CI 1.8-11.7, p <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of such score were 80 and 69 percent respectively. Conclusions: The Braden scale predicts the risk of developing pressure ulcers with a good sensitivity and specificity in female elderly patients (Rev MÚd Chile 2004; 132: 595-600).

Indice de función sexual femenina: un test para evaluar la sexualidad de la mujer

Objetivo. Aplicar y validar en una población chilena el "Indice de Función Sexual Femenina" establecido en el International Consensus Development Conference on Female Sexual Dysfunctions. Material y método. 383 mujeres sanas de 20 a 59 a¤os con actividad sexual, beneficiarias del Centro de Salud "Carol Urzúa". Instrumento: cuestionario de 19 preguntas, agrupadas en seis dominios: deseo, excitación, lubricación, orgasmo, satisfacción y dolor. Análisis estadístico: Se utilizó ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, Chi cuadrado, regresión logística y alpha de Cronbach. Resultados. Edad media: 35,3ñ10,9 a¤os, casadas (50,4 por ciento) o conviviente (17,0 por ciento), con educación media (48,2 por ciento). La consistencia interna del test fue buena (>0,70). La sexualidad logra su máxima expresión a los 35-40 a¤os (puntaje: 29,1ñ4,9) para caer posteriormente (21,0ñ6,0), especialmente el deseo y excitación. Después de los 44 a¤os se incrementa el riesgo de disfunción sexual (OR:3,6; IC: 2,1-6,3; p< 0,0001). La mayor educación y la estabilidad de pareja disminuyen el riesgo (OR: 0,45; IC:0,28-0,80; p< 0,005 y OR:0,58; IC:0,35-0,98; p< 0,05 respectivamente). Conclusiones. El Indice de Función Sexual Femenino es un instrumento sencillo de aplicar, con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas que permite evaluar la sexualidad en diferentes etapas de la vida. Es adecuado para estudios epidemiológicos y clínicos.

Función sexual en mujeres usuarias de terapia de reemplazo hormonal / Sexual function in postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy

The loss of sexuality observed in the climacteric period is difficult to evaluate. An important advance has been the development of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a test based on the norms of the International Consensus Development Conference on Sexual Female Dysfunctions. Aim: To study the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on sexuality, applying the FSFI. Material and methods: The FSFI was applied to 300 healthy women between 45-64 years, sexually active, beneficiaries of the Southern Metropolitan Health Service. Results: The mean age of the sample studied was 51±5 years, 27% were HRT users, 21% had had an hysterectomy and 98% had a stable couple. The total score of the FSFI decreased from 27.3±5.8 in women between 45 and 49 years of age to 19.3±7.0 in women between 60 and 64 years (p <0.01). A significantly better sexuality was observed in HRT users, with FSFI scores of 28.1±5.5 and 24.6±6.8 in HRT users and non users, respectively (p <0.01). Women on HRT obtained a higher score in all of the test domains, especially in lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. Conclusions: Female sexuality decreases with aging. HRT users have a better sexual function than non users (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1251-55 ).