Impacto de las clases virtuales en la salud mental de la población pediátrica durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en septiembre-diciembre 2021 / Impact of Virtual Classes on the Mental Health of the Pediatric Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introducción: El COVID-19 ha afectado la salud mental de la población pediátrica. Con la transición a la virtualidad, se han identificado posturas positivas y negativas. Debido a la diferencia de características sociodemográficas que posee la República Dominicana, es necesario describir el efecto de dichos cambios en la salud mental dentro de este contexto. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de las clases virtuales en la salud mental de los pacientes pediátricos. Metodología: Se utilizó el cuestionario de capacidades y dificultades en los pacientes que asistieron a consulta general. Se asignó una puntuación con la escala de puntuación estandarizada y se analizaron los resultados en gráficos de frecuencia y pruebas de correlación de spearman. Resultados: Existe una frecuencia del 10,4% (n=34) de alto riesgo de desarrollar algún trastorno psiquiátrico. Se observaron correlaciones débiles entre menor edad y trastorno de conducta, r(365) = -0,111, p = 0,034, y sexo masculino y cualquier trastorno pediátrico, r(365) = -0,131, p = 0,012. Hay una incidencia de 51,5% de síntomas físicos. Un 45.5% y un 30.2% identificó mejores e iguales calificaciones. Conclusión: Es necesario investigar los efectos identificados agregando la evaluación de especialistas para mayor precisión de los hallazgos observados.

Introduction: COVID-19 has affected the mental health of the pediatric population. With the transition to virtuality, positive and negative positions have been identified. Due to the difference in sociodemographic characteristics that the Dominican Republic has, it is necessary to describe the effect of these changes on mental health within this context. Objective: To assess the effect of virtual classes on the mental health of pediatric patients. Methodology: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used in the patients who attended the general consultation. A score was assigned using the standardized scoring scale and the results were analyzed in frequency plots and spearman correlation tests. Results: There is a frequency of 10.4% (n=34) of high risk of developing some psychiatric disorder. Weak correlations were observed between younger age and conduct disorder, r(365) = -0.111, p = 0.034, and male gender and any pediatric disorder, r(365) = -0.131, p = 0.012. There is a 51.5% incidence of physical symptoms. 45.5% and 30.2% identified better and equal qualifications. Conclusion: It is necessary to investigate the effects identified adding the evaluation of specialists for greater precision of the observed findings.

Quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed individuals.

AIMS: Determine the correlation of quality of life (QoL) and the impact on the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: An observational study was conducted at the outpatient consulting service in a specialized hospital in Santo Domingo, DR. We used a non-probabilistic, convenience sampling strategy, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) short form questionnaire was applied. RESULTS: The patients presented lower impact in QoL domains was: pain (x¯=29.07, SD = 3.04) and negative feelings (x¯=28.70, SD = 3.33). We found there is a negative correlation between the psychological domains and the fasting glycemia (rho = -0.192, p < 0.05), also between the summary of all domains of QoL and metabolic control, HbA1C (rho = -0.205, p < 0.05), and fasting glycaemia (rho = -0.214, p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the physical domains F (1, 131) = 9.73, p = 0.002, η2 = 0.069, indicating that men (M = 14.81) have a higher physical QoL than women (M = 13.72). CONCLUSION: Given the evidence of the impact of metabolic control and the different domains to QoL, it is necessary to consider these aspects in the treatment plan of patients with diabetes, to ensure adequate management and control of future complications.

Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in diabetic patients on hemodialysis.

AIMS: The quality of life (QoL) of patients with diabetes and in hemodialysis is affected by their nutritional status. We aimed to determine the correlation between QoL and nutritional status of patients in hemodialysis. METHODS: We conducted a study with people with diabetes and in hemodialysis. We used Kidney Disease and Quality of Life-Short form (KDQOL-SFTM) scale to evaluate QoL and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) questionnaire for nutritional evaluation. RESULTS: The studied patients, 71.43% were over 55 years old and 81% of participants were male. The domain of QoL must impaired were cognitive function (x¯=26.35, SD = 20.81) and interaction of social quality (x¯=19.32, SD = 17.24). The characteristics that most favorably impacted QoL were dialysis equipment support (x¯=83.93, SD = 20.59) and patient satisfaction (x¯=86.51, SD = 17.17). The undernourished patients were 56.6% (n = 14). There was a strong lineal relationship between the Physical and Mental Health Composite and nutritional status, Spearman rank (rho = 0.935, p = <0.001), (rho=0.926, p = <0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a strong relationship between QoL and nutritional status, ensuring that a good nutritional status could positively influence QoL.