Apoyo social percibido en pacientes con Hipertensión Arterial y Diabetes Mellitus tipo II en Atención Primaria y su relación con autopercepción de salud / Social support, self-rated health, treatment adherence and effectiveness in patients with type II diabetes and hypertension

Background: A high level of social support (SS) is associated with better health outcomes in many conditions, such as chronic diseases. Aim : To describe the level of SS in patients with Hypertension and type II Diabetes at Primary Health Care level in Chile and its association with self-rated health, adherence to treatment and better glycemic and blood pressure control. Material and Methods : SS was measured using a social support inventory previously validated in Chile. Self-Rated Health was assessed with a single non-comparative general question; adherence to medication was assessed using the four-item Morisky medication adherence scale. Blood glucose and blood pressure control were also assessed. A logistic regression was performed to estimate Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) and Robust Poisson method to estimate the Prevalence Ratio (PR). Results : Eighty three percent of the 647 participants evaluated high for SS. There was a significant correlation between SS and Self-rated health (POR 2.32; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.19-11.23; PR 1.18; 95% CI 1.07-1.31). No statistically significant association was observed with medication adherence, glycemic or blood pressure control. Conclusions: High levels of SS were found. The association between self-rated health suggests that SS interventions targeting vulnerable subgroups would be worthwhile.

Efectividad de un modelo de manejo de pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo II en atención primaria / Effectiveness of a case management intervention for high blood pressure and type II diabetes in primary health care

Background: Adequate management of high blood pressure (HBP) and Type 2 Diabetes (DM2) is a challenge to the healthcare system in Chile. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a case management (CM) approach to manage HBP and DMII at Primary Healthcare (PHC) level, headed by healthcare technicians with the supervision of registered nurses. Material and Methods: Two primary health care centers were selected. In one the case management approach was used and the other continued with the usual care model. Patients with HBP or DM2 were selected to participate in both centers. The main outcomes were changes blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Results: Three hundred twenty-eight patients were allocated to the intervention group and 316 to control group. At the baseline evaluation, participants at the control health center had better systolic and diastolic BP levels (SBP and DBP), but no difference in glycosylated hemoglobin. After twelve months the adjusted mean difference in HBP patients for SBP was −0.93 (95% conficence intervals (CI) −5.49,3.63) and for DBP was 1.78 (95%CI −2.89,6.43). Among HBP+DMII patients, the mean difference for SBP was −0.51 (95% −0.52,0.49) and for DBP was −3.39 (95%CI −6.07, −0.7). No differences in glycosylated hemoglobin were observed. In a secondary analysis, the intervention group showed a statistically significant higher SBP and DBP reduction than the control group. Conclusions: The case management approach tested in this study had promissory results among patients with high blood pressure.

Capital social y salud mental en comunidades urbanas de nivel socioeconómico bajo, en Santiago, Chile: Nuevas formas de entender la relación comunidad-salud / Social capital and mental health in low income urban communities in Santiago, Chile

Many studies suggest that social capital, defined as those intangible resources of a society or community (trust, participation and reciprocity), that might facilitate collective action, can be associated with positive health effects. Aim: To explore the relationship between social capital an the level of mental health, in urban communities of Santiago, Chile. Material and methods: In a qualitative-quantitative cross-sectional design, two low income neighborhoods in the municipality of Puente Alto were selected. Interviews to key agents and focus groups, as well as surveys (407) to adults from a representative random sample of households, were conducted, measuring social capital, using a locally devised questionnaire and mental health using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12 instrument). A qualitative analysis based on the ®grounded theory¼ and a quantitative analysis through correlations and simple and logistic regression models were applied. Results: The quantitative analysis found an association between female gender, education and having a chronic disease, with low levels of mental health. At the same time, the trust component of social capital might be associated with a better mental health status. Qualitatively, all the components of social capital were identified as important for a better mental health. Conclusions: This study suggests the existence of a positive relationship between social capital and mental health. Developing trust in a community might be a useful tool to work in mental health at the community level.