Assessment of burnout syndrome and associated factors among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Overwhelming requirements, a high degree of work, and prolonged exposure to emotionally demanding circumstances in work and life settings can lead to burnout syndrome. The purpose of the study is to assess burnout syndrome and its associated factors among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive study was conducted in a Mexican medical school during the last week of the spring semester of 2021 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and an associated factors survey. Results: Based on the MBI-SS definition, most students (54.2%, n = 332) had burnout symptoms and high emotional exhaustion (79.6%, n = 448), high cynicism (57.3%, n = 351), and low academic effectiveness (36.4%, n = 223). After adjusting the associated factors, a significant correlation between the school year and the presence of burnout was identified (OR 1.127, 95% CI [1.023-1.241], p<0.05). Regarding the current pandemic, the death of a family member by COVID-19 also put students at risk of developing burnout (OR 1.598*, 95% CI [1.080-2.363, p<0.05]). Limitations: The main limitation of this study was the lack of a control group (before the pandemic); therefore, the high prevalence of burnout can only be hypothesized due to the pandemic but cannot be objectively evidenced. A prospective study after the pandemic is needed to resolve this question. Conclusion: The coronavirus pandemic represents a challenge to the academic and psychological stability of students. It essential to continue assessing burnout levels in medical students and the general population to treat them in time and improve mental health.

Bone metabolism and osteoporosis during pregnancy and lactation.

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis in pregnancy is an uncommon disease and there is little information regarding its pathogenesis and its effects on the skeleton. This review aims to describe changes in mineral metabolism during pregnancy and lactation as well as their clinical impact. METHODS: We performed a narrative review of the literature using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles published from 1955 to 2021. RESULTS: Mineral metabolism in the mother must adapt to the demand created by the fetus and the placenta, which together absorb calcium and other minerals from the mother to mineralize the developing fetal skeleton; analyses of iliac bone biopsies at the beginning and end of pregnancy have shown that pregnancy significantly modifies maternal bone status. The greatest demand for calcium for the maternal skeleton occurs during lactation; women who breastfeed have an even greater loss of calcium to produce milk. However, it is controversial whether breastfeeding can increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures, and the possible mechanism is considerably complicated. Osteoporosis in pregnancy is an uncommon disease characterized by the occurrence of fragility fractures, most commonly in the vertebral column, in the third trimester of pregnancy, or early postpartum. The pathogenesis of PLO remains unclear owing to its rarity; DXA provides a sensitive and specific method for diagnosing osteoporosis by measuring BMD, one of the parameters that allow a better understanding of fracture risk. One limitation is the controversy in using radiation in pregnant women and the risk to the embryo/fetus; a safe alternative can be MRI. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy and lactation alter the maternal bone status; without a balance in metabolism, this may cause an increased risk of fracture due to changes in BMD. There is little information on BMD during pregnancy; more clinical studies are required to elucidate if this represents a risk factor for osteoporosis.