Predicting cognitive function and dementia risk in patients with hypertension.

In spite of the fact that hypertension stand out as the main vascular risk factor for developing dementia, it is essential to acknowledge the presence of other risk factors, both vascular and non-vascular that contribute to increase this risk. This study stratified the dementia risk using CAIDE (Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia) dementia risk score in a sample of 1279 hypertensive patients from the Heart-Brain Study in Argentina and to observed the association between the risk factors include in the CAIDE score and the current cognitive status. The average age of the sample was 60.2 ± 13.5 years (71% female) and the average years of education was 9.9 ± 5.1 years. To assess the current cognitive status, we used the Mini-mental test (MMSE), the clock drawing test (CDT) and Mini-Boston test. According to CAIDE score ( ≥9 points) the risk of dementia was 40.4% in the total sample and 28.1% in the middle-life hypertensive patients (between 47 to 53 years). An inverse association was observed between CAIDE score and the results of current cognitive tests (MMSE = R2 0.9128, p < 0.0001; CDT = R2 0.9215, p < 0.0001 y Mini-Boston= R2 0.829, p < 0.0001). The CAIDE score can predict the risk of dementia in hypertensive patients and its result was associated with the current cognitive status (result of cognitive tests).

Prevalence of Mood and Anxiety Disorders Among Adults Seeking Care in Primary Healthcare Centers in Cordoba, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among adults seeking care in primary healthcare centers in Cordoba city, Argentina. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of a random sample of adults 18-69 years of age seeking care for general health problems in public (i.e., government-funded) primary healthcare centers in Cordoba city, Argentina in 2010-2011. Mood and anxiety disorders were assessed in the participants' lifetime, and in the last 12 months and 30 days using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0, and defined following the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision. RESULTS: Overall, 1,067 participants were included in the current analysis [mean age 35.6 (SD 13.2) years, 83.7% female]. The lifetime, 12-month and 30-day prevalence of any mood or anxiety disorder was 40.4% [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 37.4-43.4%], 20.1% (17.8-22.7%) and 7.8% (6.2-9.6%), respectively. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was higher compared to mood disorders when assessed in the participants' lifetime [29.7% (95%CI 27.0-32.5%) versus 19.3% (17.0-21.8%)], and in the last 12 months [14.9% (12.8-17.2%) versus 8.7% (7.1-10.6%)] and 30 days [5.8% (4.5-7.4%) versus 2.3% (1.5-3.4%)]. Age and marital status-adjusted odds ratios for any mood or anxiety disorder in the participants' lifetime and in the last 12 months and 30 days comparing women versus men were 1.19 (95%CI 0.85-1.67), 1.70 (1.07-2.69), and 2.26 (1.02-5.00), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders is high among adults seeking care in primary healthcare centers in Cordoba city, particularly among women. Integration of primary and mental health services is warranted.

Cognition and vascular risk factors: an epidemiological study.

We conducted an epidemiological approach to identify the negative impact of the vascular risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) over cognition. The interesting aspect of this study was that the survey was conducted in all age groups through a voluntary call (n = 1365; ≥18 years old, both sexes; age 49 ± 15 y, female 75.7%). Thus, we demonstrated that the use of a Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE), a brief, simple, and easy managed neuropsychological evaluation, detected a greater number of people with cognitive decline surpassing to the Minimal Mental Statement Examination alone (14.5% of the participants showed MMSE ≤24, 34,6% showed dys-executive function, and 45,8% memory impairment. Out of the 4 studied RF, the only one that was not related to cognitive impairment was dyslipemia. Finally, we noted the importance of cognitive state early detection in all age groups, even in the youngest group. Acting in the middle of the life stages, we can prevent or delay the onset of a disease in adults, nowadays incurable: dementia.

Identificación de factores de riesgo en intentos de suicidio en niños y adolescentes / Identification of risk factores in child and adolescent suicide attempts

RESUMEN. INTRODUCCIÓN: el suicidio es la tercera causa de muerte en la adolescencia y se estima que por cada adolescente que se suicida se producen entre 15 y 20 intentos no mortales. OBJETIVO: identificar los factores de riesgo de suicidio presentes en niños y adolescentes que se hospitalizan por intento de suicidio y evaluar como factores de riesgo las variables trastornos psicopatológicos y familiares (estructura y funcionamiento familiar). MÉTODO: estudio prospectivo, basado en entrevistas clínicas y tests a pacientes hospitalizados por intento de suicidio (n=41) en el Hospital de Niños de Córdoba y a sus padres, y comparado con grupo control. El análisis de los datos fue efectuado por análisis bivariado, multivariado y regresión logística múltiple. RESULTADOS: el 56,1% de los intentos de suicidio fue de sexo femenino y el 43,9% de sexo masculino, con una media de edad menor en varones (p<0,001). Los factores de riesgo psicopatológicos asociados al grupo con intento de suicidio fueron: intentos de suicidio previos y trastornos de conducta en los niños (p<0,0006), y los factores familiares: conducta suicida y trastornos de conducta, familia monoparental y relaciones de alto riesgo con el padre y madre (p<0,0001). Se detectaron factores protectores asociados al grupo control: ausencia de trastornos psicopatológicos en los niños, estructura familiar biparental y una buena comunicación con los padres (p<0,0001)(OR=15,00; IC: 4,47 – 50,30). CONCLUSIONES: los antecedentes de intentos de suicidio previos, trastornos de conducta y los cambios en la estructura y funcionamiento familiar de alto riesgo son factores de riesgo del suicidio infantojuvenil.

ABSTRACT. INTRODUCTION: suicide is the third cause of death in the adolescence. It was estimated that for each adolescent that commits suicide there are between fifteen and twenty non fatal attempts. OBJECTIVES: to identify risk factors present in children and adolescents hospitalized dueto suicide attempt and to evaluate psychopathology disorder and family (family structure and functioning) as risk factors. METHOD: prospective study based on clinical interview sand test to 41 children and adolescents hospitalized in the Hospital de Niños de Cordoba due to suicide attempt and their parents, compared to a control group. Data were processed with bivariated and multivariated analysis and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: 56.1% of suicide attempts were female sex and the 43.9% male sex. The average age was lower for males (p<0.001). Psychopathological risk factors associated to suicide attempt were: previous suicide attempt, conduct disorder (p<0,0006), and family factors: suicidal conduct, conduct disorder in relatives, mono-parental family and high risk relationship with father and mother(p<0,0001). Protective factors associated with the controlgroup were: absence of psychopathological disorder, biparental structure family and good communication with parents (p<0.0001) (OR=15,00; IC: 4,47 – 50,30). CONCLUSIONS: the background of previous suicide attempt, conduct disorder and change in family structure and functioning are risk factors of suicide attempt.

[Depression and the conduct disorder are the most frequent pathologies in child and adolescent suicide attempt]. / Intento de suicidio en niños y adolescentes: depresión y trastorno de conducta disocial como patologías más frecuentes.

UNLABELLED: Until recently, suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents was associated to less serious psychopathological disorders, such as adjustment disorder. In the last decades, according to international sources, psychopathological disorders associated to suicide attempts have become more serious. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of mental and conduct disorders in children and adolescents that attempted suicide, in order to identify self-aggression methods and previous psychopathological antecedents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study based on clinical interviews to 41 children and adolescents hospitalized in Hospital de Niños de Córdoba for suicide attempt. RESULTS: Ingestion of psychotropics is the most frequent self-aggression method (p< 0.0001). Psychopathological history, such as previous suicide attempt and conduct disorder, were predominant (p< 0.0001) in children and adolescents hospitalized for suicide attempt. Pathologies most frequently associated to suicide attempt were depression (29.27%) and conduct disorder (24.39%). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with suicide attempt had previous psychopathological antecedents and important mental disorders such as depression and conduct disorder, which require adequate treatment and sanitary control, in order to avoid more severe consequences. The most used method to attempt suicide was ingestion of psychotropics.

Intento de suicidio en niños y adolescentes: depresión y trastorno de conducta disocial como patologías más frecuentes / Depression and the conduct disorder are the most frequent pathologies in child and adolescent suicide attempt

Las conductas suicidas en niños y adolescentes se asociaban hasta hace poco con trastornos psicopatológicos de menor gravedad, como los trastornos reactivos. En las últimas décadas, segúnreferencias internacionales, se observa un agravamiento de los trastornos psicopatológicos que se asocian a los intentos de suicidio en niños y dolescentes. Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de los trastornos mentales y del comportamiento que presentanlos niños y adolescentes con intentos de suicidio e identificar el método de autoagresión utilizado y los antecedentes psicopatológicos previos.Material y método. Estudio transversal, en base a entrevistas clínicas a 41 niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por intento de suicidio en el Hospitalde Niños de Córdoba.Resultados. El método de autoagresión más utilizado fue la ingesta de psicofármacos (p< 0,0001)y los antecedentes psicopatológicos previos más prevalentes fueron los intentos de suicidio previos y el trastorno de conducta disocial(p< 0,0001) en los niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por intentos de suicidio. Las patologías más frecuentes en los intentos de suicidio fueron la depresión (29,27 por ciento) y el trastorno de conducta disocial (24,39 por ciento).Conclusiones. Los niños y adolecentes con intento de suicidio presentaron antecedentes psicopatológicosprevios y trastornos mentales deimportancia, como depresión y trastorno de conducta disocial, que requieren tratamientos y seguimientos sanitarios oportunos para evitar consecuencias de mayor gravedad. El método más utilizado para el intento de suicidio fue la ingesta de psicofármacos.

Intento de suicidio en niños y adolescentes: depresión y trastorno de conducta disocial como patologías más frecuentes / Depression and the conduct disorder are the most frequent pathologies in child and adolescent suicide attempt

Las conductas suicidas en niños y adolescentes se asociaban hasta hace poco con trastornos psicopatológicos de menor gravedad, como los trastornos reactivos. En las últimas décadas, segúnreferencias internacionales, se observa un agravamiento de los trastornos psicopatológicos que se asocian a los intentos de suicidio en niños y dolescentes. Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de los trastornos mentales y del comportamiento que presentanlos niños y adolescentes con intentos de suicidio e identificar el método de autoagresión utilizado y los antecedentes psicopatológicos previos.Material y método. Estudio transversal, en base a entrevistas clínicas a 41 niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por intento de suicidio en el Hospitalde Niños de Córdoba.Resultados. El método de autoagresión más utilizado fue la ingesta de psicofármacos (p< 0,0001)y los antecedentes psicopatológicos previos más prevalentes fueron los intentos de suicidio previos y el trastorno de conducta disocial(p< 0,0001) en los niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por intentos de suicidio. Las patologías más frecuentes en los intentos de suicidio fueron la depresión (29,27 por ciento) y el trastorno de conducta disocial (24,39 por ciento).Conclusiones. Los niños y adolecentes con intento de suicidio presentaron antecedentes psicopatológicosprevios y trastornos mentales deimportancia, como depresión y trastorno de conducta disocial, que requieren tratamientos y seguimientos sanitarios oportunos para evitar consecuencias de mayor gravedad. El método más utilizado para el intento de suicidio fue la ingesta de psicofármacos.(AU)

Trypanosoma cruzi in persons without serologic evidence of disease, Argentina.

Current diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease relies on serologic detection of specific immunoglobulin G against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the presence of parasites detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients without positive conventional serologic testing has been observed. We determined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of persons with seronegative results and T. cruzi DNA detected by PCR in a population at high risk for chronic American trypanosomiasis. We studied a total of 194 persons from two different populations: 110 patients were recruited from an urban cardiology clinic, and 84 persons were citizens from a highly disease-endemic area. Eighty (41%) of persons had negative serologic findings; 12 (15%) had a positive PCR. Three patients with negative serologic findings and positive PCR results had clinical signs and symptoms that suggested Chagas cardiomyopathy. This finding challenges the current recommendations for Chagas disease diagnosis, therapy, and blood transfusion policies.