Evaluation of clinicians' knowledge and practices regarding medical radiological exposure: findings from a mixed-methods investigation (survey and qualitative study).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of initiatives aiming to increase clinician awareness of radiation exposure; to explore the challenges they face when communicating with patients; to study what they think is the most appropriate way of communicating the long-term potential risks of medical radiological exposure to patients. DESIGN: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation through a survey and focal groups. SETTING: San Juan Hospital and Dr Peset Hospital (Southeast Spain) and clinicians from Spanish scientific societies. PARTICIPANTS: The surveys were answered (a) in person (216: all the radiologists (30), urologists (14) and surgeons (44) working at both participant hospitals; a sample of general practitioners from the catchment area of one hospital (45), and a consecutive sample of radiologists attending a scientific meeting (60)) or (b) electronically through Spanish scientific societies (299: radiologists (45), pneumologists (123), haematologists (75) and surgeons (40)). Clinicians were not randomly selected and thus the results are limited by the diligence of the individuals filling out the survey. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinicians' knowledge and practices regarding medical radiological exposure, and what they considered most appropriate for communicating information to patients. RESULTS: Nearly 80% of the clinicians surveyed had never heard of the European recommendations. Fewer than 20% of the clinicians surveyed identified correctly the radiation equivalence dose of intravenous urography or barium enema. It was reported by 31.7% that they inform patients about the long-term potential risks of ionising radiation. All participants agreed that the most appropriate way to present information is a table with a list of imaging tests and their corresponding radiation equivalence dose in terms of chest X-rays and background radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Medical radiological exposure is frequently underestimated and rarely explained to patients. With a clear understanding of medical radiological exposure and proper communication tools, clinicians will be able to accurately inform patients.

Prevalence and variables associated with solitary pulmonary nodules in a routine clinic-based population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) in chest radiology studies and patient's features associated with malignancy in a non-high-risk clinical population. METHODS: Patients ≥35 years were referred for thoracic imaging in two hospitals (2010-2011). Eight radiologists determined the presence and characteristics of SPN. Selected variables were collected from radiological register and medical records. Observer agreement in the diagnosis of SPN was assessed. RESULTS: 25,529 patients were included: 23,102 (90.5%) underwent chest radiograph and 2,497 (9.5%) a CT. The prevalence of SPN was 2.1% (95% CI 1.9 - 2.3) in radiographs and 17.0% (95% CI 15.5 - 18.5) in CT. In patients undergoing chest radiograph, detection of SPN with an irregular border was more frequent among smokers. In patients who had a CT, larger SPNs appeared to be associated with 60 years of age or over, diagnosis of a respiratory illness, or male gender. In addition, an irregular border was also more common among men. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SPNs detected by both radiograph and CT was lower than that shown in screening studies. Patient characteristics such as age, sex, respiratory disease, or smoking habit were associated with nodule characteristics that are known to be related with malignancy. KEY POINTS: There is a lower SPN prevalence in the clinical population than in screening studies. SPN prevalence is associated with some patient characteristics: sex, age, imaging test. Nodule characteristics related to malignancy were associated with some patient characteristics.

La Epidemiología en la Salud Pública del futuro

El paso desde una investigación epidemiológica de factores de riesgo a una investigación de carácter poblacional, centrada en las teorías etiológicas y más ligada al contexto social y ambiental podría aportar conocimientos que favorezcan la implantación de políticas públicas dirigidas a mejorar la salud de la población, pero no lo garantizan.

Incidental findings in imaging diagnostic tests: a systematic review.

The objective of this review is to summarise the available evidence on the frequency and management of incidental findings in imaging diagnostic tests. Original articles were identified by a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library Plus databases using appropriate medical headings. Extracted variables were study design; sample size; type of imaging test; initial diagnosis; frequency and location of incidental findings; whether clinical follow-up was performed; and whether a definitive diagnosis was made. Study characteristics were assessed by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Any disagreement was solved by consensus. The relationship between the frequency of incidental findings and the study characteristics was assessed using a one-way ANOVA test, as was the frequency of follow-up of incidental findings and the frequency of confirmation. 251 potentially relevant abstracts were identified and 44 articles were finally included in the review. Overall, the mean frequency of incidental findings was 23.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.8-31.3%). The frequency of incidental findings was higher in studies involving CT technology (mean 31.1%, 95% CI 20.1-41.9%), in patients with an unspecific initial diagnosis (mean 30.5, 95% CI 0-81.6) and when the location of the incidental findings was unspecified (mean 33.9%, 95% CI 18.1-49.7). The mean frequency of clinical follow-up was 64.5% (95% CI 52.9-76.1%) and mean frequency of clinical confirmation was 45.6% (95% CI 32.1-59.2%). Although the optimal strategy for the management of these abnormalities is still unclear, it is essential to be aware of the low clinical confirmation in findings of moderate and major importance.

Maternal glucose tolerance status influences the risk of macrosomia in male but not in female fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether the risk of macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) is influenced by maternal body mass index and glucose tolerance differently in male and female fetuses. METHODS: A population study was conducted in 16 general hospitals from the Spanish National Health Service that included 9270 consecutive women with singleton pregnancies and without a former diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who delivered 4793 male and 4477 female newborns. Logistic regression analyses were performed to predict the effect of body mass index (BMI) category and glucose tolerance on macrosomia, large for gestational age newborns (LGA) and small for gestational age newborns (SGA) Separate analyses according to foetal sex were carried out for each outcome. The results were adjusted for maternal age, gestational age and pregnancy-induced hypertension. RESULTS: There were significant differences between males and females in the percentage of infants who had macrosomia, LGA or SGA. Maternal BMI category was positively associated with the risk of macrosomia and LGA in both male and female newborns. In addition, there was a negative association between maternal BMI and SGA that only reached significance in males. In contrast, gestational diabetes was only a predictor of macrosomia exclusively in male fetuses (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.49) CONCLUSIONS: There is sexual dimorphism in the risk of abnormal birth weight attributed to maternal glucose tolerance status. A closer surveillance of foetal growth might be warranted in pregnant women with abnormal glucose tolerance carrying a male fetus.

Trends in HIV testing, serial HIV prevalence and HIV incidence among people attending a Center for AIDS Prevention from 1988 to 2003.

AIM: To analyse trends in HIV testing, serial HIV prevalence and HIV incidence among people who underwent voluntary testing in a Center for AIDS Prevention in Valencia, Spain. METHODS: Open cohort study including all subjects who went to the Center for AIDS Prevention from 1988 to 2003. Information on sociodemographic variables and HIV test results was collected. Serial prevalence and incidence rates were calculated, and joinpoint regression was used to identify changes in trends over time. RESULTS: 21,241 subjects were analysed; 67% men, 27% injecting drug users (IDUs), 43% heterosexuals and 13% men who have sex with men (MSM). From 1988 to 1990, IDUs accounted for 57% of clinic attenders, decreasing to 14% by 1997-2003, accompanied by an increase in heterosexuals. Overall, HIV prevalence for the whole period was 15%, dropping from 35% to <10% after 1999 and to 3% by 2003, when HIV prevalence was 26% in IDUs, 6% in MSM and 2% in heterosexuals. Total HIV incidence was 2.5%. From 1988 to 1990, HIV incidence ranged from 6% to 8%, and a gradual and progressive decline observed from 1990 onwards. From 1995 onwards, HIV incidence was <2%. The highest incidence rate is seen in IDUs, 7-12% in the first period and 4-5% at the end. Among MSM, a change in the decreasing trend is seen by 1998, and increases in incidence are detected by 2002-3. CONCLUSIONS: Serial HIV prevalence has markedly decreased from 1988 in all transmission categories, although it is still high. With regard to HIV incidence, the drop has been marked too, although a worrying increase, that requires further follow-up, has been detected in MSM in the past 2 years.

Effect of education on overall and cause-specific mortality in injecting drug users, according to HIV and introduction of HAART.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the impact of education on long-term overall and cause-specific mortality among 6575 injecting drug users (IDUs) according to HIV status and introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: Community-based cohort study of IDUs recruited in three AIDS prevention centres (1987-1996). Causes of death were ascertained in clinical centres and Mortality Registry and classified as AIDS, drug use related, injuries, or liver diseases. Poisson regression models including education and calendar period interaction and adjusted by sex, age, and HIV were used. RESULTS: In 73 901 person-years of follow-up, there were 1493 deaths (20.2/1000 person-years): 761 related to AIDS, 234 to drug use, 179 to injuries, and 93 to liver diseases. IDUs with university studies had a lower risk of death (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.36-0.77) than those without studies: this difference was higher after (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.25-0.80) than before 1997 (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.41-1.13). Compared to before 1997, while decreases in the risk of AIDS mortality were seen during 1997-2004 for both lower (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.41-0.58) and higher (RR 0.33; 95% CI 0.23-0.48) educated, only those higher educated experienced a reduction in drug-use mortality (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.28-1.05) and death from injuries (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.23-1.21). CONCLUSIONS: Independently of HIV status, lower education predicts a higher risk of death in IDUs and its impact is stronger after 1997. Education has a protective effect on most causes of death and it cannot be entirely attributable to the access or use of HAART.

Analysis for crystals in synovial fluid: training of the analysts results in high consistency.

BACKGROUND: Identification of monosodium urate (MSU) and calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) crystals in synovial fluid samples is diagnostic of gout and CPPD crystal related arthropathy. Various studies have shown poor consistency in results of crystal analysis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether training of the analysts increases the consistency. METHODS: An expert rheumatologist gave a course on crystal detection and identification. The four trained observers then blindly and independently examined synovial fluid samples previously classified by the expert which had been obtained from patients with both crystal arthropathies and other non-crystal related inflammatory joint conditions. RESULTS: 194 observations were made on 64 synovial fluid samples: 96 without crystals (49.4%), 55 with CPPD crystal (28.4%), and 43 with MSU crystals (22.2%). For crystal detection (presence or absence of crystals), sensitivity was 95.9% and specificity 86.5%. For identification of MSU crystals, sensitivity was 95.3% and specificity 97.2%. For identification of CPPD crystals, sensitivity was 92.7% and specificity 92.1%. The kappa index of agreement with the reference standard between the observers was 0.84 for any crystal detection, 0.93 for MSU crystal sample identification, and 0.79 for CPPD crystal sample identification. CONCLUSIONS: For trained observers, the detection and identification of crystals in synovial fluid is a consistent procedure.

[Assessment of research methodology on diagnostic laboratory test in Revista Clínica Española and Medicina Clínica]. / Valoración de la metodología en la investigación sobre pruebas diagnósticas de laboratorio en Revista Clínica Española y Medicina Clínica.

BASIS: The identification of the methodological limitations of diagnostic research on laboratory tests is the basis in order to guide its enhancement and facilitate the application of the results to the clinical decisions. METHODS: Seventeen articles published in Revista Clínica Española and Medicina Clínica from 1997 to 2000 were analyzed, in which the sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic laboratory test were determined. Some standardized criteria of methodological quality were independently applied by three investigators. RESULTS: A high frequency in the fulfillment of some key methodological aspects was observed: adequate description of the standard of reference (88%), of the test investigated (88%), of the clinical sample evaluated (71%), and of the prevention of the sequence bias (82%). The assessment of indeterminate results (12%), the test reproducibility (12%), or the description of the origin of the evaluated population (6%) were infrequent. CONCLUSION: The methodological defects of diagnostic laboratory research could be prevented through the collaboration with clinical services and with simple modifications of the trial's designs.

Valoración de la metodología en la investigación sobre pruebas diagnósticas de laboratorio en Revista Clínica Española y Medicina Clínica / Assessment of research methology on diagnostic laboratory test in Revista Clínica Española and Medicina Clínica

Fundamento. La identificación de las limitaciones metodológicas de la investigación diagnóstica de pruebas de laboratorio es la base para guiar su perfeccionamiento y facilitar la aplicación de los resultados a las decisiones clínicas. Métodos. Se analizaron 17 artículos publicados en Revista Clínica Española y Medicina Clínica de 1997 a 2000, en los que se determinaba la sensibilidad y especificidad de una prueba diagnóstica de laboratorio. Se aplicaron, de forma independiente por tres investigadores, unos criterios de calidad metodológica estandarizados. Resultados. Se observó una alta frecuencia en el cumplimiento de algunos aspectos metodológicos clave: descripción adecuada del patrón de referencia (88 por ciento), de la prueba investigada (88 por ciento), de la muestra clínica a estudio (71 por ciento) o en la prevención del sesgo de secuencia (82 por ciento). La valoración de resultados indeterminados (12 por ciento), la reproducibilidad de la prueba (12 por ciento) o la descripción del origen de la población a estudio (6 por ciento) fue infrecuente. Conclusión. Los defectos metodológicos de la investigación diagnóstica de laboratorio podrían evitarse mediante la colaboración con los servicios clínicos y modificaciones sencillas de los diseños de los estudios (AU)

BASIS: The identification of the methodological limitations of diagnostic research on laboratory tests is the basis in order to guide its enhancement and facilitate the application of the results to the clinical decisions. METHODS: Seventeen articles published in Revista Clínica Española and Medicina Clínica from 1997 to 2000 were analyzed, in which the sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic laboratory test were determined. Some standardized criteria of methodological quality were independently applied by three investigators. RESULTS: A high frequency in the fulfillment of some key methodological aspects was observed: adequate description of the standard of reference (88%), of the test investigated (88%), of the clinical sample evaluated (71%), and of the prevention of the sequence bias (82%). The assessment of indeterminate results (12%), the test reproducibility (12%), or the description of the origin of the evaluated population (6%) were infrequent. CONCLUSION: The methodological defects of diagnostic laboratory research could be prevented through the collaboration with clinical services and with simple modifications of the trial's designs (AU)

[Appropriate hospitalization in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection according to the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol criteria. Factors related to the inappropriateness]. / Adecuación del ingreso hospitalario en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana según los criterios del Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. Factores implicados con la inadecuación.

BASIS: To know the factors associated with the inadequate admissions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The adaptation of 710 hospital admissions of patients with HIV infection through the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol criteria in two hospitals of the Comunidad Valenciana since 1995 to 1997 was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight (18%) admissions were considered inadequate. The proportion of inadequate admissions was significantly higher in patients admitted because of constitutional syndrome (OR: 4.12; CI 95%: 2.11-8.05), or because of digestive symptoms (OR: 2.33; CI 95%: 1.46-3.88), and in patients admitted in facilities without day hospital (OR: 2.38; CI 95%: 1.39-3.89). Furthermore, other situations associated with the inappropriateness were the patients with a disease not related to AIDS (OR: 3.13; CI 95%: 1.93-5.08), the patients with oral or esophageal candidiasis (OR: 6.25; CI 95%: 3.08-12.7), the patients with a hospital stay less than 8 days (OR: 2.55; CI 95%: 1.57-4.01), or the patients who no died (OR: 3.61; IC 95%: 1.20-10.82). CONCLUSIONS: The reason for the admission and the availability of a day hospital unit had influence in the inadequate hospital admissions in this study.

Adecuación del ingreso hospitalario en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana según los criterios del Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. Factores implicados con la inadecuación / Adaptation of hospitalization in patients with infection by human immunodeficiency virus according to the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol criteria. Factors related to the inappropriateness

Fundamento. Conocer los factores asociados con los ingresos inadecuados en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH).Pacientes y métodos. Se analizaron la adecuación 710 ingresos hospitalarios de pacientes con infección por VIH mediante el protocolo de evaluación del uso apropiado en dos hospitales de la comunidad valenciana desde 1995 a 1997.Resultados. Ciento veintiocho (18 por ciento) ingresos se consideraron inadecuados. La proporción de admisiones inadecuadas fue significativamente mayor en los que ingresaban por síndrome constitucional (odds ratio [OR]: 4,12; intervalo de confianza [IC] 95 por ciento: 2,11-8,05), o por síntomas digestivos (OR: 2,33; IC 95 por ciento: 1,46-3,88) o lo hacían en el hospital sin hospital de día (OR: 2,38; IC 95 por ciento: 1,39-3,89). Además, el que fuera diagnosticado de una enfermedad no diagnóstica de sida (OR: 3,13; IC 95 por ciento: 1,93-5,08), de una candidiasis oral o esofágica (OR: 6,25; IC 95 por ciento: 3,08-12,7), tuviera una estancia hospitalaria menor de 8 días (OR: 2,55; IC 95 por ciento: 1,57-4,01) o no falleciera (OR: 3,61; IC 95 por ciento: 1,20-10,82) también se asocia con la inadecuación.Conclusiones. El motivo del ingreso y la disponibilidad de una unidad de día influían en los ingresos hospitalarios inadecuados en este estudio (AU)

[Imputation of the date of HIV seroconversion in cohorts of haemophiliacs]. / Imputación del instante de seroconversión al VIH en cohortes de hemofílicos.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the methods used to impute HIV seroconversion date in the haemophiliac cohorts from GEMES project and to validate its use. METHOD: 632 haemophiliacs coming from three hemophilia units identified as HIV+ and 1.092 individuals coming from 5 project GEMES cohorts with a seroconversion window (time among test HIV and HIV+) less than 3 years where mid point (PM) was assumed as seroconversion date. For both groups, seroconversion date was imputed after estimating the probability distribution of seroconversion by means of the EM algorithm. Two imputation methods are used: one obtained from the expected value and the other from the geometric mean of 5 random samples. from the estimated distribution. Imputations have been validated in the non haemophiliacs cohorts comparing with the PM seroconversion date. Also AIDS free time and survival from the different seroconversion imputed dates were compared. RESULTS: Median seroconversion date is located in May of 1993 for the non haemophiliacs and in 1982 for the haemophiliacs. Not big differences are observed among the imputed seroconversion dates and the mid-point seroconversion date in the non-haemophiliac cohorts. Similar results are found for the haemophiliac cohorts. Also no differences are observed in the estimated AIDS-free time for both groups of cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Geometric mean imputation from several random samples provides a good estimate of the HIV seroconversion date that can be used to estimate AIDS-free time and survival in haemophiliac cohorts where seroconversion date is ignored.

Imputación del instante de seroconversión al VIH en cohortes de hemofílicos / Imputation of the date of HIV seroconversion in cohorts of haemophiliacs

Objetivos: Describir la técnica utilizada para imputar la fecha de seroconversión al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en cohortes de hemofílicos y validar su utilización en sujetos con fecha de seroconversión datada dentro de un intervalo de las cohortes del proyecto GEMES (Grupo Español Multicéntrico para el Estudio de Seroconvertores al VIH).Método: Se dispone de 632 hemofílicos procedentes de tres unidades de hemofilia identificados como VIH+ entre 1983 y 1985 (fechas de las primeras pruebas VIH+) y 1.092 individuos procedentes de 5 cohortes del proyecto GEMES con una ventana de seroconversión (tiempo entre pruebas VIH- y VIH+) menor de 3 años en los que se asume el punto medio (PM) como fecha de seroconversión. Se imputa la fecha de seroconversión para los dos grupos a partir de la estimación de la distribución de probabilidad de seroconversión que se obtiene mediante el algoritmo EM. Se utilizan dos métodos de imputación: uno a partir del valor esperado de la distribución estimada y otro de la media geométrica de 5 muestras aleatorias de la distribución estimada. Las imputaciones se han validado en las cohortes de no hemofílicos al comparar con el PM y el tiempo libre de sida y la supervivencia con las diferentes estimaciones de seroconversión. Resultados: La mediana de la seroconversión se sitúa en mayo de 1993 para los no hemofílicos y en 1982 para los hemofílicos. En las cohortes de no hemofílicos no se observan grandes diferencias entre las fechas de la seroconversión estimada como el punto medio y las medianas estimadas a partir de los dos métodos de imputación. Lo mismo ocurre en el caso de las cohortes de hemofílicos. No se observan diferencias en las estimaciones del tiempo libre de sida y supervivencia en ambos grupos de cohortes. Conclusiones: La imputación de la media geométrica de varias muestras aleatorias y la imputación de valor esperado proporcionan una buena estimación de la fecha de seroconversión frente al VIH que puede ser utilizada para estimar el tiempo libre de sida y la supervivencia en una cohorte de hemofílicos para los que se desconoce la fecha de seroconversión (AU)

[Variation in the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors. A population-based study]. / Variaciones en la prevención del riesgo cardiovascular: estudio poblacional.

BACKGROUND: Published studies on clinical practice variability have mainly focussed on variability in the rates of hospitalization and surgical procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate variability in the measurement of cholesterolemia and blood pressure in four professional groups and in the general population. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed by mail in the city of Valencia (Spain). Five population groups were selected: physicians, nurses, lawyers, architects and the general population. The sample was obtained by random sampling of each group. RESULTS: Of all the questionnaires returned, only those returned by individuals surveyed (1,755) and their partners (1,296) were used (total: 3,050). The frequency of preventive cholesterolemia measurement was greater among nurses (55.7%) and physicians (54.1%) than among architects (38.9%), lawyers (38.2%) and the general population (35.1%). The frequency of preventive blood pressure measurement was also greater among physicians (47.7%) and nurses (42.2%) followed by architects (39.4%) and lawyers (38.8%) and was lower among the general population (32.2%). After adjusting by sex, age group, marital status, level of education, and employment, only lawyers (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9) and architects (RR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.88) showed a significantly lower probability of determining cholesterol levels than physicians (basal category) and nurses (RR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93-1.18). The general population showed the lowest probability of measuring blood pressure (RR = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97), although the differences were statistically significant only when compared with physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive practices should be increased among groups in which they are less frequently performed until they are performed with the same frequency as among physicians and nurses. Efforts should be directed to increasing cardiovascular prevention programs in health centers.

Variaciones en la prevención del riesgo cardiovascular: estudio poblacional / Variation in the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors. A population-based study

Fundamentos: Las investigaciones realizadas sobre las variaciones de la práctica médica se han centrado principalmente en la variabilidad en las tasas de admisión hospitalaria y en los procedimientos quirúrgicos. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la variabilidad de la medición de la colesterolemia y de la toma de la presión arterial en cuatro grupos profesionales diferentes y en la población general. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta transversal por correo en la ciudad de Valencia. Se seleccionaron 5 grupos poblacionales: médicos, enfermeros, abogados, arquitectos y población general. La muestra se obtuvo mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple de cada colectivo. Resultados: Del total de cuestionarios devueltos, se utilizaron únicamente las respuestas del encuestado (1.755) y su pareja (1.296), en total 3.050. La frecuencia de realización de la colesterolemia por prevención fue mayor entre los enfermeros (55,7 per cent) y médicos (54,1 per cent) que entre los arquitectos (38,9 per cent), abogados (38,2 per cent) y población general (35,1 per cent). Igualmente la frecuencia de toma de la presión arterial por prevención fue mayor en médicos (47,7 per cent) y en enfermeros (42,2 per cent), seguidos por arquitectos (39,4 per cent), abogados (38,8 per cent) y menor en la población general (32,2 per cent). Tras ajustarse por sexo, grupo de edad, estado civil, nivel de estudios y situación laboral, sólo los abogados (riesgo relativo [RR] = 0,79; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 per cent, 0,6-0,9) y los arquitectos (RR = 0,77; IC del 95 per cent, 0,68-0,88) presentaban un riesgo de realizarse determinaciones de colesterol significativamente inferior al de los médicos (categoría basal) y enfermeros (RR = 1,05; IC del 95 per cent, 0,93-1,18). En cuanto a la toma de presión arterial, igualmente el riesgo más bajo lo presenta la población general (RR = 0,8; IC del 95 per cent, 0,65-0,97), aunque las diferencias son sólo estadísticamente significativas al compararlas con los médicos. Conclusiones: Se debería mejorar las prácticas preventivas en aquellos colectivos en los que se realiza con menos frecuencia para acercarse a los encontrados entre los médicos y enfermeros. Los esfuerzos deberían ir encaminados a mejorar la introducción de los programas de prevención en los centros de salud (AU)

[Changes in condom use among a cohort of prostitutes]. / Cambios en el uso del preservativo en una cohorte de prostitutas.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in condom use among prostitutes enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Alicante (Spain), and to identify those factors associated with changes in this behaviour. METHODS: Data from this study come from a prospective cohort study of women working at prostitution enrolled in a center for AIDS preventive at Alicante from 1986 to 1996. The proportion of condom use by prostitutes with their clients was recorded during the first visit and the last one, and changes in condom use were estimated as the difference between them. Two logistic regression analyses were done to identify those factors associated with positive or negative changes in condom use. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the prevalence of condom use was observed between the first, 69,2%, and the last visit, 83,9% (p < 0,001). Prostitutes working private increased the condom use more than five time than those working in clubs or at the street. The higher the follow-up time the higher the prevalence of condom user, OR > 6 years = 7,6 (95% CI: 2,2-26,0). No variable was associated with a negative change in condom use. CONCLUSION: This study shows an overall increase of condom use in a cohort of prostitutes after 10 years of follow-up. Relapse in risk behavior has been infrequent. In the future, preventive strategies to increase the use of condoms among prostitutes should be adapted to the new forms of sexual commerce.