Inclusión digital como opción aportante al envejecimiento activo / Digital Inclusion as a contributory alternative to active aging

Resumen Introducción: Actualmente, suceden dos fenómenos el crecimiento de la población adulta mayor y la incorporación creciente y masiva de las TIC en la sociedad, que si bien se supone se mueven en paralelo, a cada momento interactúan más, al punto de integrarse. Objetivo: Abordar la inclusión digital como alternativa aportante en el proceso de envejecimiento activo. Proposición: La inclusión digital se convierte en una opción que aporta al envejecimiento activo, al proporcionar alternativas para la incorporación del adulto mayor a la(s) sociedad(es) de la información y el conocimiento. Argumentos para la discusión: El envejecimiento, a pesar de ser un proceso biológico, no implica que deba asumirse como una situación de incapacidad o pérdida de condición humana, sino como un ambiente con nuevas demandas, relaciones e intereses, donde las TIC podrán aportar en la calidad de vida, si se consideran aspectos específicos en los procesos de inclusión digital. A manera de aporte, se plantean unas recomendaciones con miras a iniciativas de inclusión digital con adultos mayores residentes de hogares geriátricos. Conclusiones: La inclusión digital se convierte en estrategia relevante, para favorecer procesos de envejecimiento activo, dentro de un marco de equidad y respeto a la diversidad.

Abstract Introduction: In the current world two phenomena are happening (incremental of the elderly population and growing and massive adult implementation of ICTs in society), although they are supposed to move in parallel, they are interact more and more, to the point of integration. Objective: To address digital inclusion as an alternative contributor to the active aging process. Proposition: Digital inclusion is an option that contributes to active aging by providing alternatives for the incorporation of the elderly into the information and knowledge society(s). Arguments for discussion: Aging, even though it is a biological process, it does not imply that the process should be assumed as a cause of a situation of disability or a loss of human condition. Instead, it is an environment with new demands, relationships and interests, where ICTs can contribute to have a better life quality, if specific aspects are considered in the processes of digital inclusion. As a contribution, recommendations are made for e-inclusion initiatives with elderly residents of geriatric homes. Final thoughts: Digital inclusion is becoming a relevant strategy to promote active aging process, within a framework of equity and respect for diversity.

Survival and Clinical Behavior of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Latin American Cohort in Contrast to Cohorts from the Developed World

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common hereditary heart disease with diverse phenotipyc, genetic expession and clinical presentations. The evolution of patients with HCM in Latin America has not been properly described being the frequency, the long-term prognosis as well as the predominant phenotypic expression still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the survival rate of HCM patients having different phenotypes in a Mexican cohort of patients. METHODS: Clinical and echocardiographic data obtained from 77 Mexican patients with recently diagnosed HCM were analyzed. The follow-up was of 12.5 years. RESULTS: 96.1% of patients were in functional class I/II according to the New York Heart Association, 2.6% in class III and 1.3% in class IV. Only 3.9% of them went to surgery for myectomy. During the follow-up, 17 patients (22%) died: 4/9 (44%) had apical HCM, 5/20 (25%) had obstructive septal asymmetric HCM, 6/35 (17%) had nonobstructive septal asymmetric HCM and 2/3 (15%) had concentric HCM. The survival rate was worse for patients with apical HCM, followed by those with obstructive and nonobstructive septal asymmetric HCM and patients showing concentric HCM had the best survival rates. There is significant difference in survival rates which declined in 65% in a 9 years-period. Log rank test showed significant differences (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: The survival rate of patients with HCM was worse in those with apical variety. The majority of patients received medical treatment. The indication for myectomy was below that observed in other international centers.