Impact of the Economic Crisis on Endocarditis Mortality in Spain: A Nationwide Study.

Economic recession has dire consequences on overall health. None have explored the impact of economic crisis (EC) on infective endocarditis (IE) mortality. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, temporal trend study analyzing mortality trends by age, sex, and adverse outcomes in patients diagnosed with IE in Spain from 1997 to 2014. Data were divided into two subperiods: pre-EC (January 1997-August 2008) and post-EC (September 2008-December 2014). A total of 25 952 patients presented with IE. The incidence increased from 301.4 to 365.1 per 10 000 000 habitants, and the mortality rate rose from 24.3% to 28.4%. Those aged >75 years experienced more adverse outcomes. Complications due to sepsis, shock, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, and heart failure increased after the EC onset, and expenditures soared to €16 216. Expenditure per community was related to mortality (P < .001). The EC resulted as an independent predictor for mortality (hazard ratio 1.06; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.11). Incidence and mortality rate in patients with IE after the onset of the EC have increased as a result of rising adverse outcomes despite an overall increased investment.

[Validation of a questionnaire on attitudes and practice of physical activity and other healthy habits through the Delphi method]. / Validación de un cuestionario sobre actitudes y práctica de actividad física y otros hábitos saludables mediante el método Delphi.

OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle are an emerging individual, familiar and social public health problem. The aim of this work was to validate a new questionnaire to know the attitude towards physical activity and other habits in adolescents. METHODS: The Delphi method was used. It was developed in three phases: an initial phase of selection of the panel of experts, an exploratory phase in two rounds of voting using a Likert scale of 1 to 5, and statistical and qualitative analysis of the experts' contributions. The criteria for the choice of items were: average >3.5 and factor V of Aiken ≥0.7. Reliability was assessed with the Cronbach alpha coefficient. A pilot test was carried out to assess the understanding of the instrument. RESULTS: 21 experts agreed to participate. Their participation was 100% in the first round and 95.2% in the second one. Seven items did not meet the criteria. The final questionnaire included 93 questions and 11 dimensions: data of the student, father, mother, physical activity in the educational center, transportation, free time, psychosocial aspects of physical activity, attitude towards physical activity, food, other habits and health perception. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.974 was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The Delphi method proved to be a useful technique for the proposed objective.

OBJETIVO: La inactividad física y el sedentarismo son un problema de salud pública emergente, tanto a nivel individual como familiar y social. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar un nuevo cuestionario para conocer la actitud ante la actividad física y otros hábitos de los adolescentes. METODOS: Se utilizó el método Delphi. Se llevó a cabo una fase inicial de selección del panel de expertos, una fase exploratoria en dos rondas de votación mediante escala tipo Likert (de 1 a 5), y un análisis estadístico y cualitativo de las aportaciones de los expertos. Los criterios para la elección de ítems fueron un promedio mayor a 3,5 y V de Aiken mayor o igual a 0,7. La fiabilidad se valoró con el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Se realizó una prueba piloto para valorar la comprensión del instrumento. RESULTADOS: Aceptaron participar 21 expertos. Su participación fue del 100% en la primera ronda y del 95,2% en la segunda. Siete ítems incumplieron los criterios. El cuestionario final contó con 93 preguntas y 11 dimensiones: datos sobre el alumno, el padre, la madre, la actividad física en el centro educativo, en el transporte y en el tiempo libre, sobre los aspectos psicosociales de la práctica de actividad física, la actitud ante la actividad física, la alimentación y otros hábitos, y sobre la percepción de salud. Se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0,974. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados avalan la fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario. El método Delphi resultó ser una técnica útil para el objetivo propuesto.

Validación de un cuestionario sobre actitudes y práctica de actividad física y otros hábitos saludables mediante el método Delphi / Validation of a questionnaire on attitudes and practice of physical activity and other healthy habits through the Delphi method

OBJETIVO: La inactividad física y el sedentarismo son un problema de salud pública emergente, tanto a nivel individual como familiar y social. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar un nuevo cuestionario para conocer la actitud ante la actividad física y otros hábitos de los adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Se utilizó el método Delphi. Se llevó a cabo una fase inicial de selección del panel de expertos, una fase exploratoria en dos rondas de votación mediante escala tipo Likert (de 1 a 5), y un análisis estadístico y cualitativo de las aportaciones de los expertos. Los criterios para la elección de ítems fueron un promedio mayor a 3,5 y V de Aiken mayor o igual a 0,7. La fiabilidad se valoró con el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Se realizó una prueba piloto para valorar la comprensión del instrumento. RESULTADOS: Aceptaron participar 21 expertos. Su participación fue del 100% en la primera ronda y del 95,2% en la segunda. Siete ítems incumplieron los criterios. El cuestionario final contó con 93 preguntas y 11 dimensiones: datos sobre el alumno, el padre, la madre, la actividad física en el centro educativo, en el transporte y en el tiempo libre, sobre los aspectos psicosociales de la práctica de actividad física, la actitud ante la actividad física, la alimentación y otros hábitos, y sobre la percepción de salud. Se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0,974. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados avalan la fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario. El método Delphi resultó ser una técnica útil para el objetivo propuesto

OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle are an emerging individual, familiar and social public health problem. The aim of this work was to validate a new questionnaire to know the attitude towards physical activity and other habits in adolescents. METHODS: The Delphi method was used. It was developed in three phases: an initial phase of selection of the panel of experts, an exploratory phase in two rounds of voting using a Likert scale of 1 to 5, and statistical and qualitative analysis of the experts' contributions. The criteria for the choice of items were: average >3.5 and factor V of Aiken ≥0.7. Reliability was assessed with the Cronbach alpha coefficient. A pilot test was carried out to assess the understanding of the instrument. RESULTS: 21 experts agreed to participate. Their participation was 100% in the first round and 95.2% in the second one. Seven items did not meet the criteria. The final questionnaire included 93 questions and 11 dimensions: data of the student, father, mother, physical activity in the educational center, transportation, free time, psychosocial aspects of physical activity, attitude towards physical activity, food, other habits and health perception. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.974 was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The Delphi method proved to be a useful technique for the proposed objective

[Design and validation of an oral health questionnaire for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation]. / Projeto e validação de um questionário de saúde oral para avaliação pré­anestésica no pré­operatório.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dental injuries incurred during endotracheal intubation are more frequent in patients with previous oral pathology. The study objectives were to develop an oral health questionnaire for preanaesthesia evaluation, easy to apply for personnel without special dental training; and establish a cut-off value for detecting persons with poor oral health. METHODS: Validation study of a self-administered questionnaire, designed according to a literature review and an expert group's recommendations. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of patients evaluated in a preanaesthesia consultation. Rasch analysis of the questionnaire psychometric properties included viability, acceptability, content validity and reliability of the scale. RESULTS: The sample included 115 individuals, 50.4% of men, with a median age of 58 years (range: 38-71). The final analysis of 11 items presented a Person Separation Index of 0.861 and good adjustment of data to the Rasch model. The scale was unidimensional and its items were not biased by sex, age or nationality. The oral health linear measure presented good construct validity. The cut-off value was set at 52 points. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire showed sufficient psychometric properties to be considered a reliable tool, valid for measuring the state of oral health in preoperative anaesthetic evaluations.

Design and validation of an oral health questionnaire for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dental injuries incurred during endotracheal intubation are more frequent in patients with previous oral pathology. The study objectives were to develop an oral health questionnaire for preanaesthesia evaluation, easy to apply for personnel without special dental training; and establish a cut-off value for detecting persons with poor oral health. METHODS: Validation study of a self-administered questionnaire, designed according to a literature review and an expert group's recommendations. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of patients evaluated in a preanaesthesia consultation. Rasch analysis of the questionnaire psychometric properties included viability, acceptability, content validity and reliability of the scale. RESULTS: The sample included 115 individuals, 50.4% of men, with a median age of 58 years (range: 38-71). The final analysis of 11 items presented a Person Separation Index of 0.861 and good adjustment of data to the Rasch model. The scale was unidimensional and its items were not biased by sex, age or nationality. The oral health linear measure presented good construct validity. The cut-off value was set at 52 points. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire showed sufficient psychometric properties to be considered a reliable tool, valid for measuring the state of oral health in preoperative anaesthetic evaluations.

[Hospital Emergencies Associated with the Consumption of Hypnotics and Sedatives, 2009-2013,Castilla y León, Spain]. / Urgencias hospitalarias asociadas al consumo de hipnóticos y sedantes, Castilla y León, 2009-2013.

OBJECTIVE: Household Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs shows the progressive increase in the consumption of hypnotics, alone or in combination with other substances. The aim of the research was to obtain information about the consumption of hypnotics and sedatives in population of Castilla y León treated in emergency medical services of four monitored hospitals between 2009-2013, describing clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the emergencies and what drugs were consumed, to provide information for future interventions. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done by analyzing 3,089 emergencies related to consumption of hypnotics and sedatives, obtained from Emergency Indicator related to the use of psychoactive substances of the National Observatory on Drugs. There were used χ2 test for comparing proportions and t Student test for means. RESULTS: The total number of emergencies was 3,089, ranging in years of study. In 1,814 cases they were consumed only hypnosedatives; 64.7% women and average age of 41 years. The most frequent diagnosis was overdose/attempted suicide with benzodiazepines (29.3%), being lorazepam the most consumed. In 23.3% of cases it was consumed more than one hypnosedative and 9% was associated with psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The number of emergencies related to the consumption of at least one hypnosedative in the monitored hospitals in the period studied presented high levels especially in middle-aged women with no psychiatric disorder to justify their use. Benzodiazepines were the most consumed hypnotics, cause of overdose/attempted suicide episodes.

Brote de tuberculosis resistente a isoniacida en una comunidad de inmigrantes en España / Outbreak of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis in an immigrant community in Spain

Introducción: La tuberculosis (TB) continúa siendo un importante problema de salud pública. En 2013 se declararon 9 millones de casos nuevos de TB activa a nivel mundial, siendo la proporción de nuevos casos de TB multirresistente del 3,5%. Método: Se realizó un estudio de contactos de un caso de TB pulmonar en una paciente de nacionalidad boliviana. Las pruebas diagnósticas se realizaron según los protocolos establecidos a nivel nacional y local. Resultados: Se detectaron 5 casos a partir del caso índice y se constató la existencia de un brote de TB en una comunidad inmigrante. El resultado del genotipado y del antibiograma ampliado de las muestras de esputo fue crecimiento de Mycobacterium tuberculosis (KatG-msp no mutado/inhA C-T 5RBS) resistente a isoniacida. Se realizó la búsqueda activa de convivientes y contactos con un censo total de 39 personas. La incidencia de infección latente fue de 71,43%. Discusión: El estudio de este brote como otros en la literatura constata la importancia de la búsqueda activa de la localización de contactos y su estudio, de la investigación de laboratorio para lograr la mejora en la detección precoz de la TB. Un diagnóstico precoz del enfermo, el cumplimiento de un tratamiento adecuado y la vigilancia de la farmacorresistencia se consideran pilares fundamentales para la prevención y el control de la TB

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem. In 2013, 9 million new cases of active TB were estimated globally and the proportion of reported new cases with multi-drug resistance (MDR) was 3.5%. Methods: Contact tracing of a case of pulmonary tuberculosis was performed in a Bolivian patient. Diagnostic tests were performed according to national and local protocols. Results: An outbreak of tuberculosis in an immigrant community was detected, with 5 cases originating from one index case. Genotyping and drug susceptibility testing of the sputum samples determined Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid (KatG-msp unmutated/inhA 5RBS CT). Active case finding revealed a total of 39 contacts with an incidence of latent infection of 71.43%. Conclusions: The present study confirms the importance of active case finding through contact tracing as well as rapid laboratory diagnosis to achieve improvements in early detection of TB. Early diagnosis of the patient, compliance with appropriate treatment protocols and monitoring of drug resistance are considered essential for the prevention and control of TB

Outbreak of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis in an immigrant community in Spain. / Brote de tuberculosis resistente a isoniacida en una comunidad de inmigrantes en España.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem. In 2013, 9 million new cases of active TB were estimated globally and the proportion of reported new cases with multi-drug resistance (MDR) was 3.5%. METHODS: Contact tracing of a case of pulmonary tuberculosis was performed in a Bolivian patient. Diagnostic tests were performed according to national and local protocols. RESULTS: An outbreak of tuberculosis in an immigrant community was detected, with 5 cases originating from one index case. Genotyping and drug susceptibility testing of the sputum samples determined Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid (KatG-msp unmutated/inhA 5RBS CT). Active case finding revealed a total of 39 contacts with an incidence of latent infection of 71.43%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the importance of active case finding through contact tracing as well as rapid laboratory diagnosis to achieve improvements in early detection of TB. Early diagnosis of the patient, compliance with appropriate treatment protocols and monitoring of drug resistance are considered essential for the prevention and control of TB.

Urgencias hospitalarias asociadas al consumo de hipnoticos y sedantes, Castilla y León, 2009-2013 / Hospital Emergencies associated with the consumption of hypnotics and sedatives, Castilla y León, 2009-2013

Fundamentos: La Encuesta Domiciliaria sobre Alcohol y otras Drogas muestra el progresivo aumento del consumo de hipnosedantes, solos o en combinación con otras sustancias. El objetivo de la investigación fue obtener datos sobre el consumo de fármacos hipnosedantes en la población castellano-leonesa atendida de urgencia en cuatro hospitales monitorizados entre 2009-2013, describiendo sus características clínico-epidemiológicas y los fármacos consumidos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal mediante el análisis de 3.089 urgencias hospitalarias relacionadas con consumo de hipnose dantes obtenidas del Indicador de Urgencias relacionadas con el consumo de ustancias psicoactivas del Observatorio Nacional sobre Drogas. Se utilizó el test χ2 para comparación de proporciones y la prueba t de Student para medias. Resultados: La cifra total de urgencias fue de 3.089. En 1.814 casos solo se consumieron hipnosedantes. El 64,7% fueron mujeres y la edad media fue de 41 años. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue sobredosis/intento autolítico con benzodiacepinas (29,3%), siendo lorazepam la más consumida. En 23,3% de los casos se consumió más de un hipnosedante y el 9% se asoció a trastornos psiquiátricos. Conclusiones: El número de urgencias hospitalarias por consumo de al menos un hipnosedante en los hospitales y tiempo monitorizados presentó cifras elevadas, especialmente en mujeres de mediana edad. Las benzodiacepinas fueron los hipnosedantes más consumidos (AU)

Background: Household Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs shows the progressive increase in the consumption of hypnotics, alone or in combination with other substances. The aim of the research was to obtain information about the consumption of hypnotics and sedatives in population of Castilla y León treated in emergency medical services of four monitored hospitals between 2009-2013, describing clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the emergencies and what drugs were consumed, to provide information for future interventions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done by analyzing 3,089 emergencies related to consumption of hypnotics and sedatives, obtained from Emergency Indicator related to the use of psychoactive substances of the National Observatory on Drugs. There were used χ2 test for comparing proportions and t Student test for means. Results: The total number of emergencies was 3,089, ranging in years of study. In 1,814 cases they were consumed only hypnosedatives; 64.7% women and average age of 41 years. The most frequent diagnosis was over-dose/attempted suicide with benzodiazepines (29.3%), being lorazepam the most consumed. In 23.3% of cases it was consumed more than one hypnose-dative and 9% was associated with psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: The number of emergencies related to the consumption of at least one hypnosedative in the monitored hospitals in the period studied presented high levels especially in middle-aged women with no psychiatric disorder to justify their use. Benzodiazepines were the most consumed hypnotics, cause of overdose/attempted suicide episodes (AU)

Developing countries: health round-trip.

International travel can pose various risks to health, depending both on the health needs of the traveller and on the type of travel to be undertaken. Travellers intending to visit a destination in a developing country should consult a travel medicine clinic or medical practitioner before the journey. General precautions can greatly reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents. Vaccination is a highly effective method of preventing certain infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to know the risks involved and the best way to prevent them.