Efectos del cambio a café filtrado sobre los niveles séricos de colesterol / A reversal study on the effects of change to filtered coffee on serum cholesterol levels

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Unfiltered coffee consumption has been associated to the increase in serum cholesterol levels. The aim of this population study was to verify if the change in the type of coffee consumed from unfiltered to filtered produces effects on the serum cholesterol levels of the participants. The sample was formed of 30 volunteers (9 men) with no health problems (age range= 18-47; average= 28.2; SD= 8.8). The study was structured according to an A-B-A reversible design with simultaneous replications between subjects. During the Baseline and Reversion phases (A), participants consumed unfiltered coffee in their usual way, while in the Intervention Phase (B) they consumed only filtered coffee. Participants were divided into two subgroups according to their serum level of cholesterol LDL at Baseline Phase (resulting in a subgroup formed by 16 participants with LDL <115 mg/dL, and a subgroup formed by 14 participants with LDL ≥115 mg/dL). Results indicated that 90% of participants showed decrease in their serum cholesterol LDL level at the end of the Intervention Phase contingent to coffee change with an increase in their serum cholesterol LDL level at the end of the Reversion Phase when they returned to consuming unfiltered coffee. Also a change in serum cholesterol HDL level was shown by 93% of participants, with an increase in serum cholesterol HDL level contingent on the change to filtered coffee and a decrease when they return to consume unfiltered coffee. The implications of these findings and the limitations of the study are discussed

Aproximación contextual-funcional a la psicopatía: análisis de casos / A functional-contextual approach to psychopathy: Cases Analysis

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This paper proposes a functional interpretation of psychopathic behavior as an alternative to formal attempts to explain this rare, complex and, dangerous pattern of behaviors. First of all, the contextual-functional approach is briefly summarized. In second place, four well-known historical cases of psychopathy are briefly described and analyzed. According to a functional approach, the key issues are the contingencies occurring in the personal histories of such individuals as well as the derived transformation of functions that established such rare and dangerous pattern of behavior regulation. A brief analysis is made of the cognitive and emotional characteristics traditionally predicated as exclusive of psychopathy (as lack of empathy, emotional responsiveness, impulsivity, the need of power, etcetera) that sets the stage for an interpretative analysis about the conditions that might be involved in the emergence and expansion of the behaviors typically categorized with the psychopathic label. This analysis focuses on the personal history and describes the confluence of conditions that form thoughts/beliefs about oneself and the others, that establishes as dominant reinforcers obtaining immediate pleasure and escaping aversive funtions as well as feeling unlimited power upon others. This analysis might indicate that the exceptionality of psychopathy migth lie on the occurrence of very extreme specific and unusual conditions and the non-occurrence of those conditions that might prevent the building of repertoires as those described in psychopathy. Therefore, the functional-contextual interpretation characterizes psychopaths persons not as having specific differences in their brains or having difficulties for the formation of adaptive cognitive functioning and behavior regulation, to give account for their psychopatic behavior

New psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome: mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

The current goal of treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) focuses primarily on symptom management and attempts to improve quality of life. Several treatments are at the disposal of physicians; lifestyle and dietary management, pharmacological treatments and psychological interventions are the most used and recommended. Psychological treatments have been proposed as viable alternatives or compliments to existing care models. Most forms of psychological therapies studied have been shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms and in improving the psychological component of anxiety/depression and health-related quality of life. According to current NICE/NHS guidelines, physicians should consider referral for psychological treatment in patients who do not respond to pharmacotherapy for a period of 12 months and develop a continuing symptom profile (described as refractory irritable bowel syndrome). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best studied treatment and seems to be the most promising therapeutic approach. However, some studies have challenged the effectiveness of this therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. One study concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy is no more effective than attention placebo control condition and another study showed that the beneficial effects wane after six months of follow-up. A review of mind/body approaches to irritable bowel syndrome has therefore suggested that alternate strategies targeting mechanisms other than thought content change might be helpful, specifically mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches. In this article we review these new psychological treatment approaches in an attempt to raise awareness of alternative treatments to gastroenterologists that treat this clinical syndrome (AU)

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New psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome: mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

The current goal of treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) focuses primarily on symptom management and attempts to improve quality of life. Several treatments are at the disposal of physicians; lifestyle and dietary management, pharmacological treatments and psychological interventions are the most used and recommended. Psychological treatments have been proposed as viable alternatives or compliments to existing care models. Most forms of psychological therapies studied have been shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms and in improving the psychological component of anxiety/depression and health-related quality of life. According to current NICE/NHS guidelines, physicians should consider referral for psychological treatment in patients who do not respond to pharmacotherapy for a period of 12 months and develop a continuing symptom profile (described as refractory irritable bowel syndrome). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best studied treatment and seems to be the most promising therapeutic approach. However, some studies have challenged the effectiveness of this therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. One study concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy is no more effective than placebo attention control condition and another study showed that the beneficial effects wane after six months of follow-up. A review of mind/body approaches to irritable bowel syndrome has therefore suggested that alternate strategies targeting mechanisms other than thought content change might be helpful, specifically mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches. In this article we review these new psychological treatment approaches in an attempt to raise awareness of alternative treatments to gastroenterologists that treat this clinical syndrome.

Self-quitting in a Spanish sample. An exploratory study. / Autoabandono del tabaco en una muestra española. Un estudio exploratorio.

Letter to the editor.

Se pretende realizar con el presente estudio, un análisis exploratorio de variables que puedan ayudar a explicar el éxito o fracaso en cesación tabáquica mediante autoabandono. El presente estudio obtuvo el informe favorable de la Comisión de Bioética de la Universidad de Almería, cuyo número de referencia es UALBIO2011/025. Los participantes del estudio se consiguieron mediante anuncios en prensa y radio y centros de salud, se les realizó una entrevista dirigida al registro de distintas variables relacionadas con el consumo de tabaco, edad de inicio, edad de abandono, años de uso del tabaco, número de cigarrillos al día y dependencia nicotínica.

Variables relacionadas con el éxito en el autoabandono del tabaquismo / Variables related to success in smoking self-quitting

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Smoking Self-quitting is the most commonly used tool for smokers who wish to quit smoking. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between habits related to smoking and some personal regulation variables and succesful self-quitting from smoking. 137 participants who had attempted to quit smoking on their own (99 remained abstinent and 38 still smoking) provided information on their smoking history, quit attempts, nicotine dependence, self-control and psychological flexibility. Differences between succesful quiters and smokers who failed in cessation found that age at wich cessation begins (p= .01), and psychological flexibility (p= .001) were related with succesful quiting. In addittion, a logistic regresion model to estimate the influence of all variables on success in quitting showed that flexibility was related to successful self-quiting (p <.05). These results show evidence that psychological flexibility is associated to successful self-quitting, and suggest that this variable could facilitate success in attempts to stop smoking without professional help. Limitations and implications of this study for smoking treatment are discussed (AU)

Flexibilidad psicológica y autoabandono del tabaco / Smoking self-quitting and psychological flexibility

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The prevalence of smoking in the general population remains high in spite of the extended acknowledgement of the well-documented health consequences of smoking and potential benefits of quitting. Only a minority of smokers who attempt to quit seeks professional treatment, yet most of the research on smoking cessation focuses on such form of quitting. Research on self-quitting is scarce, although most smokers who successfully quit, do so on their own. Recently, research has evidenced that psychological flexibility, a core concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is an important variable in predicting successful behavioral change in many clinically relevant areas. The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between psychological flexibility and successful self-quitting from smoking. 277 participants who had attempted to quit on their own (217 successfully abstinent and 60 still smoking) provided information on their smoking history, quit attempts, nicotine dependence, and demographics, and were assessed with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. Abstinence status was measured through self-reports of continuous abstinence and confirmed by concentrations of expired carbon monoxide below 8 ppm. Results show a statistically significant difference (t= -8,775; p <.01) for the AAQ-II scores of successful (M= 18.39, SD= 7.76) and unsuccessful self-quitters (M= 27.17; SD= 6.88). Only 26% participants with high level of psychological inflexibility quitted successfully, compared to 94% participants with low levels of psychological inflexibility. These results show clear evidence that psychological flexibility is associated to successful self-quitting, and suggest that this variable could facilitate success in attempts to stop smoking without professional help. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed (AU)

Effects of a feedback procedure on beliefs about symptoms and treatment adherence in hypertensive patients

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Hypertension is a major health problem, and noncompliance with treatment has been identified as the predominant reason for failure of hypertension therapy. Although it is generally assumed to be a silent disease, many hypertensive patients develop false beliefs concerning specific symptoms they use to estimate if their blood pressure (BP) is high. These false beliefs should be modified in order to improve control of the disease. The study presents a feedback procedure applied in a sample of 60 hypertensive patients expressing beliefs in false symptoms associated with their BP. After application of the procedure, 88% of the patients modified or eliminated their beliefs in false symptoms, and we found significant differences ( p <.05) in the reports of adherence to pharmacological treatment before and after receiving the feedback procedure, as well as a significant improvement in the reports of difficulties with the other treatment elements (diet, exercise, control of emotions). The therapeutic possibilities of an easy procedure to apply within the healthcare setting is discussed (AU)

Value Change and Post-modernism: A Preliminary Study of a German Sample

This study explores the reporting of personal values in a sample of German participants through means of a questionnaire using open questions. The sample consisted of a total of 255 participants (60% female and 40% male) with an age range of between 18 and 100 years old. The participants indicated their personal values openly and in order of priority. The results showed that participants primarily considered personal values to be those related to basic life concerns (e.g. family, friendship, health) and to social relations (e.g. honesty, reliability, empathy). A significant trend was found among middle-age participants (31-60 years old) to report values of a political-social nature, whilst older generations (61+ years old) tended to give less importance to values related to social relations. The results were discussed making reference to the socio-cultural change related to post-modernism and were compared and contrasted with the results of major value surveys obtained in sociological studies (AU)

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Intergenerational Differences in Materialist and Post-materialist Values in a Sample of Hispanic New York City Residents / Diferencias intergeneracionales en valores materialistas y post-materialistas en una muestra de residentes hispanos de la ciudad de Nueva York

The present study evaluates the personal values reported by a sample of New York Hispanic residents using an open evaluation format in which the participants identified and prioritized their personal values. Four hundred and forty-five participants were assigned to one of three groups: Young (N= 159), Adult (N= 168) and Senior (N= 118). The values reported were categorized into post-materialist, materialist or non-classifiable. The Percentage Difference Index between post-materialist and materialist values was calculated in order to determine the value profile for each age group. The results showed that reports of personal values and values attributed to the participants' own generation were similar in Adult and Senior groups, but were very different in the Young Group, with a differential report of post-materialist values. Furthermore, exposure to American culture did not appear to have a significant effect on the reported values of NYC Hispanics. To confirm these findings, we need to conduct additional studies with larger samples of culturally diverse populations.

Se exploran los valores en una muestra de hispanos de New York, empleando un formato abierto en el que los participantes identifican y priorizan su valores personales y los de su generación. Los 445 participantes se distribuyeron en tres grupos: Jóvenes (N = 159), Adultos (N = 168) y Mayores (N = 118). Los informes de valores se categorizaron como postmaterialistas, materialistas o no clasificables, y se calculó el Percentage Difference Index entre valores postmaterialistas y materialistas para determinar el perfil de valores de cada grupo. Los resultados mostraron que los informes de valores personales y generacionales fueron similares en los grupos Adulto y Mayor, y diferentes en el Grupo Joven con un reporte diferencial entre valores personales y generacionales. Por otro lado, el tiempo vivido bajo la influencia de la cultura norteamericana parece no tener un efecto significativo en el informe de valores para esta población. Para confirmar estos hallazgos son necesarios estudios adicionales con muestras más amplias y en poblaciones culturalmente diversas.

A Comparative Study of Journals Quality based on Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar: A Case Study with IJP&PT

The purpose of this article is to analyze the evolution of the International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy (IJP&PT) throughout its first decade of publication (from years 2001 to 2010), comparing the quality measures that result from applying the three most important social science databases: Thomson-Reuters Web of Science, Elsevier-Scopus, and Google Scholar. We compared the three databases, using the citations recorded for IJP&PT as a "case study" applied to a journal. As quality indicators we used IJP&PT data available in the three databases, as well as other indicators related to the internationality of the journal. The results shows a increasing tend in all quality criteria during the time period evaluated as a first-level journal among psychology journals edited in Spain. Also, the results shows serious discrepancies when the data of the three databases are compared. We discuss the need to improve the criteria used by the databases, as well as the convenience to use several quality indicators for journals’ evaluation (AU)

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Cambio social y cambio personal. Estudio preliminar del cambio en valores en una muestra intergeneracional / Social change and personal change. A preliminary study of the intergenerational change of values

The present study evaluates the personal values that inform a sample of participants in a open format of response that permit the participants identifying and prioritizing their top ten life values. In addition, participants were asked to report of the principal values of the majority of persons of his/her same age and of the people of different ages. The sample was made up of 449 participants (40,3% men, 59,7% women) that were distributed in three groups of young people (N= 196), adult people (N= 154), and senior people (N= 99). The results indicate, principally, that the reports of personal values and generational values are very similar in case of adult and senior people, and very different in the case of young people, with the presence of negative and postmaterialistic values. The results are discussed in the frame of the theory on intergenerational change of values (AU)

El presente estudio evalúa los valores personales que informan una muestra de participantes en un formato de respuesta abierto que requería a los participantes indicar cuáles eran los valores que orientaban su vida. Igualmente, se preguntó a los participantes por los valores que, en su opinión, orientaban la vida de la mayoría de las personas tanto de su generación como de las demás generaciones. Participaron en el estudio 449 personas (40,3% hombres, 59,7% mujeres) que se distribuyeron en tres grupos de jóvenes (N= 196), adultos (N= 154), y mayores (N= 99). Los resultados indican, principalmente, que el informe entre valores personales y valores del grupo generacional es muy similar en el caso de adultos y mayores y muy diferente en el caso de jóvenes, con la presencia de valores negativos y postmaterialistas que sólo se atribuyen a los jóvenes. Se discuten los resultados en el marco de la teoría sobre el cambio intergeneracional de valores (AU)

Análisis de la movilidad del alumnado en los estudios universitarios de Psicología en España / An analysis of the student movility in university degrees of psychology in Spain

En este artículo se presenta un análisis de la movilidad de los estudiantes de Psicologíaen el sistema universitario español. El estudio muestra cómo la movilidad de los estudiantesde psicología, en términos generales, es similar a del resto de titulaciones universitarias,es decir, escasa. En el curso 2003/04 sólo el 15,6% de los estudiantes de psicologíaestaban matriculados en universidades ubicadas en zonas distintas a las de su domiciliofamiliar. El estudio analiza las preferencias mostradas por los alumnos que se desplazanpara estudiar psicología y las universidades con mayor poder de captación de alumnadoen movilidad. Se discute la perspectiva de un descenso en la movilidad nacional comoconsecuencia de la nueva política universitaria(AU)

This paper presents an analysis of the mobility of the university students in Psychology Degreein the university Spanish system. The study shows that the mobility of the students ofPsychology is scanty, similar to the mobility in most of careers. In the academic year2003/04 only 15,6% of the students of psychology was registered in universities locatedin provinces different to the familiar residence. The study analyzes the preferences showedby the students who move to study psychology and the universities with major capacityof students' captation. Discussion concerned the expectations of dishminising mobility asconsecuenque of actual changes in hight education politics(AU)

Creencias relacionadas con la hipertensión y adherencia a los diferentes componentes del tratamiento / Hypertension beliefs and treatment adherence

Aunque se dispone de tratamiento eficaz para la hipertensión los datos indican un escasocontrol de la enfermedad, siendo el incumplimiento del tratamiento la principal causa delmismo. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo (a) explorar la adherencia y las dificultadesinformadas para el cumplimiento del tratamiento; (b) identificar la relación entre informaciónrecibida y creencias informadas sobre consecuencias de la hipertensión; (c) el conceptode enfermedad que informan los pacientes; y (d) los cambios en estilo de vida tras eldiagnóstico. Participaron 171 pacientes hipertensos. Los resultados indican que sólo el11,7% informan no tener problemas en el cumplimiento del tratamiento y las mayoresdificultades en adherencia tienen que ver con la dieta y el plan de ejercicio; sólo el 57%informan un concepto de hipertensión como enfermedad crónica y en un importante porcentajede pacientes no se aprecia correspondencia entre creencias sobre consecuencias dela enfermedad e información facilitada en consulta médica. El 40,9% emitieron un informede cambios en estilo de vida tras el diagnóstico que indicaría fallos en la adherencia desdeel inicio del tratamiento. Se discute la importancia de estos datos para el análisis de laadherencia, y la importancia de abordar el estudio de estos fenómenos para mejorar eltratamiento integral de la hipertensión arterial(AU)

Despite the availability of effective therapy,hypertension remains poorly controlled and noncompliance has been identified as thepredominant reason for failure of hypertension therapy. The aim of this study is to explore,(a) the patient’s reports about their adherence and difficulties for the fulfillment of thetreatment; (b) the relationship between information they had received about the consequencesfor health of hypertension and what they really believed about; (c) the patients’ beliefsabout the hypertension as a disease; and (d) the change in their way of living after thediagnosis. 171 hypertensive patients participated. Results shows that only 11,7% of patientsreported not having problems to follow treatment, identifying as the main difficulties theadherence to diet and exercise; a high percentage of patients showed no correspondencebetween their beliefs about the consequences of hypertension and the information receivedin medical consultation; only 57% of the patients reported to have the idea of hypertensionas a chronic disease; and 40,9% of the patients reported only some changes in their wayof life after being diagnosed which might indicate failures in adherence at the beginningof the treatment. The importance of these results to improve adherence to treatment inhypertensive patients is discussed(AU)

Creencias en salud en preadolescentes on diabetes tipo 1 / Health beliefs in type 1 diabetes teenagers

El estudio del desarrollo de los conceptos de salud y enfermedad y de las creencias desalud señala la adolescencia como una etapa en la que tiene lugar la formación de estosimportantes repertorios que determinarán en buena medida el comportamiento relacionadocon la salud durante la vida adulta. Se exploran los conceptos de salud de salud y enfermedady diversas creencias relacionadas con la salud y la enfermedad en una muestra de70 adolescentes (edad 11-15 años). Los resultados confirman que la adolescencia es unmomento clave en la formación de los conceptos y creencias sobre salud y enfermedad yalgunas diferencias en las creencias mostradas por los preadolescentes diabéticos respectoa los no diabéticos(AU)

The study of health beliefs shows that it isduring the adolescent period that takes place the formation of these important repertoiresthat will determine in part the behaviors related to health along life. The present studyexplore several health and disease beliefs in a sample of 70 type I diabetic teenagers (8-15 years old). Results confirm that adolescence is a relevant moment in the formation ofhealth and illness beliefs and some differences between beliefs showed for diabetic teenagers(AU)

Un estudio exploratorio sobre el desarrollo de creencias sobre síntomas como señales de hipertensión arterial / An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension

Aunque la hipertensión arterial es un trastorno asintomático, muchos pacientes hipertensos están convencidos de experimentar síntomas indicadores de los cambios en su tensión arterial (TA), y los consejos y prescripciones médicas pueden verse afectados por estas creencias. Diversos estudios han mostrado que los pacientes hipertensos usan con frecuencia síntomas como indicadores del estado de su tensión arterial y modifican su tratamiento en base a los mismos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo explorar variables relacionadas con la formación de creencias en forma de síntomas en una muestra de 171 pacientes hipertensos. Los resultados indicaron que el 81,3% de los pacientes informaron reconocer cuándo su TA está elevada en base a los síntomas que perciben. Como variables relacionadas con el desarrollo y mantenimiento de estas creencias los resultados mostraron, principalmente, la experiencia con síntomas durante el proceso del diagnóstico, la ocurrencia de crisis hipertensivas y la información recibida de otros sobre la relación síntomas-TA. Se discute la importancia de controlar la formación de falsas creencias en pacientes hipertensos prestando atención a las variables relacionadas con su formación

In spite of hypertension is known as an asymptomatic health problem, most of the people with such a diagnosis are convinced of experiencing very specific symptoms associated to specific changes in blood pressure (BP). In addition, such beliefs may affect treatment adherence. Previous studies have shown that hypertensive patients use the information they consideried right about BP symptoms to regulate the type of decisions they follow in adhering to treatment. The aim of this study is to explore specific variables related with the formation of beliefs about symptoms in a sample of 171 hipertensive patients. Results show that 81,3% of the patients perceived specific symptoms related to changes in hypertension as well as that variables related with the development of these beliefs were mostly: (1) the presence of symptoms during the diagnosis process, (2) the occurrence of hypertensive crisis, and (3) the information provided by others concerning the relationships between symptoms and BP changes. The importance of paying attention to the beliefs of specific symptoms as well as to the circunstances related with the formation process of such beliefs is discussed

Hábitos y creencias de salud en médicos y estudiantes de Medicina / Health habits, and health beliefs among physicians and medical students

Los datos sobre hábitos y creencias de salud de la población médica española son escasos.Este estudio tiene como objetivo explorar, en una muestra de médicos y estudiantesde Medicina, los hábitos de salud (consumo de tabaco y alcohol) y los conocimientos ycreencias sobre los mismos. La muestra se compuso por 147 participantes de distintoshospitales de España. Se utilizó un cuestionario diseñado para recabar información sobrelas variables estudiadas. Los resultados indicaron que el 47,6% eran fumadores y el71,7% consumidores de alcohol, encontrándose una relación positiva entre edad y frecuenciade consumo en ambos casos. Los participantes mostgraron un adecuado nivel deconocimientos y creencias respecto a los riesgos para la salud del consumo de tabaco yalcohol, que contrasta claramente con sus hábitos de consumo. Los hábitos de salud enla muestra no difieren de los encontrados en la población general, si bien el nivel deconocimientos y creencias es más preciso. Destaca la falta de correspondencia entrecreencias y conocimientos en salud y los hábitos de salud

Data availableon health habits and health beliefs in Spanish medical population is scarce. The objectiveof this study was to explore some health habits (i.e., tobacco and alcohol consume) aswell as the knowledge and beliefs regarding those habits among physicians and medicalstudents. The sample was 147 participants from various hospitals in Spain. A questionnairespecifically designed for this study was used to obtain data about the target variables.Results show that 47,6% of participants are smokers, and 71,7% inform to be alcoholconsumers. A positive relation between age and frequency of consumption was found inboth habits. Participants demonstrate to have an adequate level of knowledge and beliefsin relation to the risks for health that the use of tobacco and alcohol entails, contrastingclearly with their consumption patterns. The health habits of this sample do not differfrom those founded in the general population, even though participants show a correctlevel of knowledge and beliefs on these habits, thus emphasizing the lack of correspondencebetween health knowledge, beliefs and health habits

[An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension]. / Un estudio exploratorio sobre el desarrollo de creencias sobre síntomas como señales de hipertensión arterial.

An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension. In spite of hypertension is known as an asymptomatic health problem, most of the people with such a diagnosis are convinced of experiencing very specific symptoms associated to specific changes in blood pressure (BP). In addition, such beliefs may affect treatment adherence. Previous studies have shown that hypertensive patients use the information they considered right about BP symptoms to regulate the type of decisions they follow in adhering to treatment. The aim of this study is to explore specific variables related with the formation of beliefs about symptoms in a sample of 171 hypertensive patients. Results show that 81,3% of the patients perceived specific symptoms related to changes in hypertension as well as that variables related with the development of these beliefs were mostly: (1) the presence of symptoms during the diagnosis process, (2) the occurrence of hypertensive crisis, and (3) the information provided by others concerning the relationships between symptoms and BP changes. The importance of paying attention to the beliefs of specific symptoms as well as to the circumstances related with the formation process of such beliefs is discussed.

Accuracy in discriminating blood glucose levels in a sample of children with type 1 diabetes.

The present study explores accuracy in estimating blood glucose levels (BGL) in children with type 1 diabetes and analyzes the kinds of symptoms and cues which they use to estimate their BGL. Forty two children with type 1 diabetes completed a SI/IC-3 scale consisting of 28 items (22 symptoms and 6 feelings), indicating those which they perceived at the time and their intensity. They estimated their BGL and gave reasons for their estimation, before having a blood glucose level analysis performed. The results indicated great variability in the accuracy of estimating BGL. They showed failures in the correct discrimination of symptoms of hypoglycemia as well as the presence of false beliefs regarding indicative symptoms of hyperglycemia, and the absence of symptoms as an indicator for euglycemia, beliefs which provoke different and frequent errors in the estimation of BGL. Correct use of external signs is shown to be related to correct estimations of normal BGL, as well as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. We discuss the implications these results could have on designing psychological intervention procedures for diabetics in the form of training programs to discriminate BGL accurately, taking into account these findings and previous studies completed in the same field.

Efectos del consumo de café para la salud cardiovascular, la diabetes y el desarrollo de cáncer / Effects of coffee consume on cardiovascular health, diabetes and cancer

Se revisan y analizan las relaciones entre consumo de café y riesgo para la salud en los tres grupos de trastornos primeras causas de muerte prematura: trastornos cardiovasculares, diabetes y cáncer. Se revisan los estudios epidemiológicos y experimentales existentes, y aquellos que han explorado los agentes o mecanismos responsables del efecto de riesgo o protector para la salud del consumo de café. Los resultados indican que existen evidencias de aumento del riesgo de trastornos cardiovasculares por consumo de café, mientras que los datos no son concluyentes respecto a las relaciones entre riesgo de diabetes y consumo. Las relaciones entre consumo de café y riesgo de cáncer parecen probables en el caso de los cánceres de páncreas y de ovario, mientras que el consumo de café se muestra como un factor protector del cáncer de colon y recto y los datos no son concluyentes para el cáncer de vejiga. En todos los casos se indican las hipótesis disponibles sobre mecanismos responsables del efecto y se señalan posibles formas de consumo saludable que reduzcan los riesgos (AU)

This paper presents a revision of the relationships between coffee consumption and health across the three groups of diseases that are the first causes of premature death: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Epidemiological and experimental studies show relative evidences of increasing cardiovascular risk correlated to coffee consumption while no clear relationship is found concerning diabetes. Relationships between coffee consumption and cancer risk are likely in the case of pancreas and ovarian cancers while coffee consumption appears as a protector factor in colorectal cancer with no concluding data in the case of bladder cancer. This paper also presents the available hypotheses concerning the mechanisms that might be responsible of coffee consumption as a risk or protector factor for the diseases revised, and healthy forms of coffee consumption that minimize risk are indicated (AU)