The impact of a two-year long COVID-19 public health restriction program on mechanical thrombectomy outcomes in a stroke network.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions on our drip and ship mechanical thrombectomy program in Santiago Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database comparing two cohorts, one during a two-year period before COVID-19 and the second during the two years of the pandemic at our metropolitan stroke program. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the pre COVID-19 cohort (cohort 1) and 121 in the COVID-19 cohort (cohort 2). There was a significant difference between cohorts, with older patients, different occlusion sites and higher door to arterial puncture time during the COVID-19 period. A non-significant trend for worse 90-day outcomes and higher mortality was present in cohort 2. There were no statistical differences in safety treatment parameters. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic has had a measurable impact on our mechanical thrombectomy program. Results showed similarities to other reported Latin American series, where less robust health systems could adapt less efficiently compared to developed countries. After two years of public health restrictions, there were changes in the treatment population characteristics, delay in some internal management metrics and a non-significant trend to worse 90-day outcomes and higher mortality.

Factores de salud percibida y de calidad de vida al inicio de la educación universitaria en Colombia / Perceived health and quality of life factors at the beginning of university education in Colombia

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar factores de salud percibida y de calidad de vida en estudiantes de primer semestre de una universidad privada en Colombia. Para esto, se contó con una muestra por conveniencia de 636 estudiantes (M = 18 años, DE = 1.38) que participó en la primera medición de una investigación longitudinal denominada VIDA2020. En particular, se realizó un diseño de investigación observacional transversal, enmarcado en una investigación de cohorte. Del protocolo de evaluación del proyecto, este reporte incluye un cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos y antecedentes médicos, las subescalas de depresión y estrés del DASS-21, un ítem del SF36V-2 y el WHOQOL-BREF. En general, como resultado se encontró que el 91 % de los estudiantes valora su salud global como buena o excelente; que dicha valoración es significativamente menor en quienes reportan antecedentes de enfermedad (80.5 %) y síntomas de depresión (86.1 %) y estrés (83.1 %); que las mujeres, los migrantes y quienes reportan antecedentes de enfermedad puntúan menor calidad de vida física, psicológica y ambiental; y que el estrés y la depresión predicen menores puntajes de calidad de vida física y psicológica, con correlaciones más fuertes en comparación con las variables demográficas y médicas. Estos hallazgos permiten identificar y priorizar las necesidades especiales en salud de los nuevos estudiantes.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify factors of perceived health and quality of life in first semester students of a private university in Colombia. For this purpose, a convenience sample of 636 students (M= 18 years, SD.=1.38) participated in this first phase of the longitudinal study called VIDA2020. An observational cross-sectional research design framed within a cohort study was used. From the assessment protocol of the project, this report includes a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and medical history, the DASS-21 depression and stress subscales, one item of the SF36V-2, and the WHOQOL-BREF. Results showed that most students (91%) rated their overall health as good or excellent, but this rating was significantly lower in those reporting a history of illness in their medical background (80.5%) and symptoms of depression (86.1%) and stress (83.1%). Women, migrants and those reporting a history of illness scored lower on physical, psychological and environmental dimensions of quality of life. Additionally, stress and depression predict lower physical and psychological quality of life scores, with stronger correlations compared to sociodemographic and medical variables. These findings allow the identification and prioritization of special health needs of new students.

Breaking the breach in Latin America: A pilot study of mechanical thrombectomy in the public healthcare system in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke. Until the beginning of 2020 MT was not funded nor widely implemented at the public healthcare level in Chile. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a pilot program created to provide access to public MT in Santiago - Chile. METHODS: Analysis from a prospectively collected database of MT cases performed between September 2017 and September 2019 in one center. A stroke network was developed with a single MT capable stroke center and five primary stroke centers. The primary efficacy endpoint was the rate of functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 90 days. Successful reperfusion was defined as 2 b-3 according to the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scale. Safety outcomes include the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were treated over the study period. Their mean age was 62.8 ± 11.8 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) measurement was 17. Seventy-seven percent of the patients received intra venous thrombolysis. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 95% of the cases. NIHSS at 24 hours showed a median drop of 7 points from baseline (p < 0.00001) and 50% of the follow-up patients were functionally independent at 90 days. Symptomatic Intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 5% of the patients and 90-day all case mortality was 11%. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the feasibility of a publicly funded MT program in Chile, with similar results as other international randomized control trials.

Psychosocial factors associated with HIV testing in Colombian university students / Factores psicosociales asociados a la realización de la prueba diagnóstica del VIH en estudiantes universitarios colombianos

Abstract The objectives of this research were: (a) to relate sexual risk, knowledge, and attitudes towards HIV testing in Colombian university students; and (b) to describe the perceived barriers in those who had not been tested, analyzing the differences according to sex. A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 1057 Colombian university students participated. The instruments applied were the Cuestionario Confidencial Vida Sexual Activa (CCVSA, for its Spanish acronym), the tests Barreras Hacia la Prueba del VIH, Escala de Actitudes hacia el VIH-Sida and an ad hoc questionnaire on knowledge about the test. The students who were tested (n = 214) reported a lower age of sexual initiation (p < .01), a higher number of sexual partners (p = .01), and a lower use of condoms in the first (p = .02) and last (p = .04) sexual intercourse. They also reported more knowledge about HIV testing (p < .001). The main barriers were associated with low risk perception of the disease (29.8 %), trust in sexual partners (29.2 %), and lack of offer of the test (25.2 %). In conclusion, being tested for HIV is related to exposure to risky sexual behaviors and to knowledge about the test, but not to attitudes towards it. The identification of the associated psychosocial factors could contribute to the design of interventions aimed at the prevention and timely treatment of the disease.

Resumen Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron: (a) relacionar el riesgo sexual, los conocimientos y las actitudes hacia la prueba del VIH con su realización en estudiantes universitarios colombianos; y (b) describir las barreras percibidas en aquellos que no se la habían realizado, identificando las diferencias según el sexo. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en el que participaron 1057 estudiantes colombianos, y en el que se utilizó el Cuestionario Confidencial sobre Vida Sexual Activa (CCVSA), el test Barreras Hacia la Prueba del VIH, la Escala de Actitudes hacia el VIH-Sida y un cuestionario ad hoc de conocimientos sobre la prueba. Los estudiantes que se realizaron la prueba (n = 214) reportaron una edad inferior de iniciación sexual (p < .01), un número superior de parejas sexuales (p = .01) y un menor uso de condón en la primera (p = .02) y la última (p = .04) relación sexual, así como mayores conocimientos sobre la prueba del VIH (p < .001). Las principales barreras estuvieron relacionadas con la baja percepción del riesgo de la enfermedad (29.8 %), la confianza en las parejas sexuales (29.2 %) y la falta de ofrecimiento de la prueba (25.2 %). En conclusión, la realización de la prueba está relacionada con la exposición a conductas sexuales de riesgo y con los conocimientos, mas no con las actitudes hacia la prueba. La identificación de los factores psicosociales vinculados podría contribuir al diseño de intervenciones orientadas a la prevención y al tratamiento oportuno de la enfermedad.

Gender differences in the long-term outcome of alcohol dependence treatments: an analysis of twenty-year prospective follow up.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Women are underrepresented in long-term studies of alcohol dependence. While gender differences in drinking behaviour have been observed when starting treatment, very few studies have investigated gender differences in long-term drinking outcomes. This paper evaluates gender differences in the long-term outcome of patients treated for alcohol dependence. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort of 850 outpatients (19% women, age 39 ± 9 years) treated for alcohol dependence in specialist centres of Catalonia (Spain) were followed up prospectively for 20 years. Covariance analysis was used to assess gender differences at 1, 5, 10 and 20 years in drinking behaviour, psychosocial stress and social functioning (Axes 4 and 5 of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised). We evaluated gender differences in drinking trajectories using a multilevel model controlling for basal differences. RESULTS: Women started treatment earlier in their drinking career, with more symptoms of dependence. In the first year they remained in treatment longer and had more clinic visits. Women presented lower alcohol consumption than men at baseline, 5 and 10 years, and similar levels of stress and psychosocial functioning. When basal alcohol consumption, length of treatment and employment were controlled, female gender predicted less drinking at year 1 and a drinking trajectory closer to abstinence between 1 and 20 years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Increased severity of alcohol dependence in women starting treatment was not associated with a worse prognosis. Women did better while under treatment and achieved a better long-term drinking outcome. Gender differences were not relevant concerning psychosocial stress and social functioning.

Investigación longitudinal del alcoholismo tratado: Una revisión sistemática de los seguimientos a largo plazo / Longitudinal research on treated alcoholism: Systematic review of long-term follow-ups

Objetivo: Analizar el diseño metodológico de los estudios longitudinales a largo plazo en el campo del alcoholismo tratado. Método: Revisión sistemática de los estudios longitudinales prospectivos de pacientes alcohólicos con seguimiento de al menos 8 años y publicados en inglés entre 1983-2009. La revisión incluye 9 estudios en los que se analizan: Las evaluaciones de seguimiento, las fuentes de información, el periodo de referencia en la evaluación final, la medición del consumo de alcohol, la categorización del patrón de consumo y el análisis de los datos. Resultados: 2.434 pacientes (rango 57 – 850 por estudio) tratados por alcoholismo fueron seguidos en promedio 15.3 (D.T. =. 3.2) años (rango 8 – 20 años). Los estudios se diferencian en el número de evaluaciones intermedias (0, 1, 3 y 4) y en el periodo de referencia usado en la evaluación final (todo el seguimiento, últimos 3 años, último año, últimos6 meses, último mes y actual). Los patrones de consumo (principal resultado de tratamiento) se definen de manera no equivalente y los datos se analizan principalmente de manera transversal usando técnicas estadísticas clásicas. La evolución del alcoholismo se estudia analizando la trayectoria de los patrones de consumo y del estado vital de los pacientes durante los seguimientos. Conclusiones: Los escasos datos disponibles respecto al curso del alcoholismo tratado no pueden ser comparados debido a importantes diferencias metodológicas. Es necesario promover criterios metodológicos comunes respecto a las estrategias de seguimiento e incorporar nuevos métodos estadísticos para el análisis longitudinal de datos no balanceados y correlacionados (AU)

Aims: To analyze the methodological design of long-term longitudinal studies of alcoholics who have undergone treatment. Methods: Systematic review of prospective longitudinal studies of treated alcoholics with follow-up periods of at least 8 years, and published in English, during the period 1983-2009. The review includes 9studies which analyzed: follow-up evaluations, information sources, the period of reference in the final assessment, the measurement of alcohol use, the operationalization of drinking patterns, and data analysis. Results: 2434 patients (ranging between 57 and 850 per study) were studied on average for a period of 15.3 (D.T. = 3.2) years (range 8-20 years).Studies differ in the number of intermediate evaluations (0, 1, 3, 4) and the length of the period considered for the final evaluation (the whole period, the last 3 years, the last year, last 6 months, last month or present situation). Drinking patterns tend to be used as the main outcome variable, but they are operationalized in non-equivalent forms and the analysis is performed using classical cross-sectional statistical techniques. Alcoholism evolution is studied by analyzing the evolution of drinking patterns and patients’ life situation during the period under study. Conclusions: The scarce amount of data available on the evolution of treated alcoholism cannot be compared across studies due to considerable methodological differences. There is a need to promote common methodological criteria in relation to follow-up strategies. New statistical methods that permit longitudinal analysis for non-balanced and correlated data should also be incorporated (AU)

[Longitudinal research on treated alcoholism: Systematic review of long-term follow-ups]. / Investigación longitudinal del alcoholismo tratado: Una revisión sistemática de los seguimientos a largo plazo.

AIMS: To analyze the methodological design of long-term longitudinal studies of alcoholics who have undergone treatment. METHODS: Systematic review of prospective longitudinal studies of treated alcoholics with follow-up periods of at least 8 years, and published in English, during the period 1983-2009. The review includes 9 studies which analyzed: follow-up evaluations, information sources, the period of reference in the final assessment, the measurement of alcohol use, the operationalization of drinking patterns, and data analysis. RESULTS: 2434 patients (ranging between 57 and 850 per study) were studied on average for a period of 15.3 (D.T. = 3.2) years (range 8-20 years). Studies differ in the number of intermediate evaluations (0, 1, 3, 4) and the length of the period considered for the final evaluation (the whole period, the last 3 years, the last year, last 6 months, last month or present situation). Drinking patterns tend to be used as the main outcome variable, but they are operationalized in non-equivalent forms and the analysis is performed using classical cross-sectional statistical techniques. Alcoholism evolution is studied by analyzing the evolution of drinking patterns and patients' life situation during the period under study. CONCLUSIONS: The scarce amount of data available on the evolution of treated alcoholism cannot be compared across studies due to considerable methodological differences. There is a need to promote common methodological criteria in relation to follow-up strategies. New statistical methods that permit longitudinal analysis for non-balanced and correlated data should also be incorporated.

Treatment for alcohol dependence in Catalonia: health outcomes and stability of drinking patterns over 20 years in 850 patients.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes in alcohol-dependent patients following outpatient treatment and gender differences in drinking outcome and mortality. METHODS: A 20-year longitudinal prospective study was done with interim analyses at 1, 5 and 10 years. Of the original sample of 850 patients, 767 (90%) were located 20 years later and 393 of these were interviewed. 273 (32%) patients died during the intervening period and 101 (12%) no longer wished to participate in the study. Drinking status was assigned based on the 12 months prior to the follow-up interview. RESULTS: At the 20-year follow-up, 277 (32.6%) of the 393 patients for whom drinking status could be assigned were abstinent (defined never drinking or drinking on less than occasion per month and never more than four drinks/drinking occasion.), 29 (3.4%) were controlled drinkers and 87 (10.2%) were heavy drinkers. Controlled drinking was the least stable category, with 23% continuing from year 5 to year 10 in that category, and 10% continuing in that category from year 10 to year 20. Mortality was higher (39.1%) in those who had been categorized at year 5 as heavy drinkers compared to those who had been categorized as controlled drinkers or abstinent. Abstinent patients reported fewer alcohol-related problems and better psychosocial functioning than heavy drinkers. Women achieved higher abstinence rates (47.2% versus 29.0%, P = 0.005) and had lower mortality (22.4% versus 34.5%, P = 0.03) than men. CONCLUSIONS: Over the long-term, abstinence is the most frequent and stable drinking outcome achieved and is associated with fewer problems and better psychosocial functioning. Controlled drinking is rarely achieved and sustained. Women appear to do better than men in the long term.