Estimación del impacto económico de la equinococosis quística en Chile y análisis de las posibles causas que han dificultado su erradicación / Estimation of costs caused by cystic echinococcosis

Background: Hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis, caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, has a worldwide distribution, affecting people of working age and can cause high levels of morbidity and even death. Aim: To estimate the economic impact at the human and animal level caused by the disease in Chile. Material and Methods: We analyzed information about the disease obtained from reports and publications emanated from the Chilean Ministry of Health, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.S. National Institute of Statistics and the National Agricultural Service. Animal derived costs were estimated evaluating the expenses for pharmacological treatment of infected dogs and animal production losses derived from confiscations and reductions in meat production. Results: The total number of patients who underwent surgery to remove a hydatid cyst in Chile during 2012, was estimated as 767 individuals. The annual costs derived only from surgical treatment, were estimated in USD 2.46 million. Summing the costs of sick leaves and loss of productivity, the costs at the human level ascended to USD 3.13 million. Considering human and animal costs, the annual economic burden of the disease was estimated in USD 14.35 million. Conclusions: The Analysis of the regional distribution of human and animal hydatidosis, suggests a significant environmental contamination with parasite eggs in high incidence regions such as Aysén, Araucanía, BioBío and Coquimbo. The efficiency of control programs for the disease would be greatly improved if the causes for these regional contaminations are elucidated.

Una aproximación a la relación familia, envejecimiento y política social en México / An approach to the relationship family, aging and social policy in Mexico

En México, como en otros países, el envejecimiento demográfico ha sido un tema abordado en diversas investigaciones y con distintos énfasis disciplinares. Las implicaciones que traerá consigo contar con un gran número de personas con 65 años o más es un tema que ha adquirido gran relevancia en la actualidad. No obstante, hay que indicar que el envejecimiento no se vive igual en todas las latitudes, mientras que en muchos países europeos se cuentan con sistemas de salud y seguridad social para la población envejecida, en algunos países latinoamericanos el derecho a servicios de salud y la obtención deingresos una vez que se ha concluido la vida laboral siguen siendo temas de preocupación para los gobiernos. México forma parte de los países que enfrentan dificultades para atender a la población envejecida actual y la futura. Frente a este panorama las redes informales de apoyo, como la familia, son de gran importancia para aliviar las dificultades económicas y de salud a las que se enfrenta la población envejecida. Es en este contexto que el arreglo familiar en el que se encuentran las personas con 65 años o más podría responder a una “estrategia” para aliviar situaciones socioeconómicas precarias. En particular en este trabajo se tiene por objetivo ofrecer un panorama de la cobertura social de la población adulta mayor en México y su vinculación con el tipo de arreglo familiar en el que residen.

In Mexico, as in other countries, demographic ageing has been an issue studied from diverse areas and with different disciplinary emphasis. Implications which will bring with it having a large number of people 65 years or older is a matter which has gained great relevance nowadays. However, it is important to indicate that aging is not living equal in all latitudes, while many European countries have strong health systems and social security for older persons, in some Latin American countries the right to health care and income once work has been completed remain matters of concern to Governments. Mexico is part of the countries that face difficulties addressing the present and the future ageing population. Faced with this panorama, informal networks of support, such as the family, are important to relieve economic hardship and health facing the older people. It isin this context that family arrangement in which are persons age 65 or older could respond to a "strategy" relieving precarious socio-economic situations. In particular the aim of this work is to provide an overview of the social coverage of the adult population in Mexico and linking it to the type of family arrangement in which they reside.

Sindrome neurotóxico secundario a mordedura de araña: a propósito de un caso / Nerve syndrome secondary to spider bites: a case

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 19 años de edad, víctima de mordedura de araña 72 horas previas a su ingreso hospitalario, cuando se encontraba en una excursión en la selva ecuatoriana. Horas más tarde presentó parestesias de miembros inferiores, vesículas y fiebre. A las 24 horas de la mordedura acudió a una cUnica particular en la ciudad de Quito, donde presentó cuatro convulsiones tónico-c1ónicas generalizadas. Recibió corticoide IV, analgesia, vitamina K. Posteriormente transferida al Hospital Vozandes Quito, donde se evidencia episodio de contractura muscular de dorso y región cervical posterior, sin pérdida de la conciencia, pero con dolor importante. Evolución hospitalaria satisfactoria.