Mental health and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures among young adults in Bogotá, Colombia.

We sought to explore mental health and psychosocial impact among young people (18 to 24 years old) in Bogotá during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We carried a cross sectional study using a web-based survey to assess mental health and personal impact among 18 to 24 years old living in Bogotá during the first 4 months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The depressive symptoms were measured with PHQ-8 and anxiety symptoms with (GAD-7). We also designed a questionnaire exploring changes in personal, family and social life. Results: Overall, 23% of the sample (n = 834) reported mild depressive symptoms (males 24% and females 23%); 29% reported moderate depressive symptoms (males 28%, females 30%); 22% moderate-severe symptoms (males 20%, females 23%) and 17% severe symptoms (males 15%, females 17%). Mild anxiety symptoms were reported by 29% of the sample (males 30%, females 29%); moderate anxiety symptoms by 29% (males 26%, females 30%); moderate-severe 18% (males 15%, females 20%) and severe anxiety by 6.0% (males 6.0% and females 6.0%). High symptoms of depression (PHQ-8 ≥ 10) were associated with being female, considering that the quarantine was stressful, having one member of the family losing their job, worsening of family relationships, decrease of physical activity and having a less nutritious diet. Having high anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10) were associated with sometimes not having enough money to buy food. Conclusions: The first months of the pandemic lockdown were associated with high depressive and anxiety symptoms among young persons living in Bogotá, Colombia. Increasing public health measures to provide support for young people is needed during lockdowns and it is necessary to further explore the long-term mental health impact due to personal, family and social changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficacy and safety of sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAPT) with predictive low-glucose management in patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus previously treated with SAPT and low glucose suspend.

BACKGROUND: Sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy (SAPT) with low-glucose suspend (LGS) is an effective and safe alternative for treating patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). New predictive low-glucose management (PLGM) systems decrease the severity and duration of hypoglycemic events. However, evidence of benefits in patients previously treated with SAPT-LGS is limited. METHODS: A prospective before-after study was conducted in patients with T1DM treated with SAPT-LGS, who were switched to the Minimed® 640G system with SmartGuard® to assess the impact on A1c levels, severe hypoglycemia (SH), hypoglycemia unawareness (HU), and area under the curve (AUC) <70mg/dL after three months of follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with T1DM with a mean age of 37.9 (IQR 6, 79) years and a mean baseline A1c level of 7.52±1.11% were enrolled. After three months under PLGM, A1c levels significantly decreased to 7.18±0.91% (p=0.004). SH rate decreased from 2.47 (CI 0.44, 4.90) to 0.87 (CI 0.22, 1.52) events/patient-year (Incidence rate ratio 0.353, 95% CI 0.178, 0.637), AUC <70mg/dL decreased from 0.59±0.76 to 0.35±0.65mg/dL x minute (p=0.030). HU determined by Clarke questionnaire resolved in 23 out of 30 patients (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SAPT with PLGM decreases the frequency of SH, HU, exposure to glucose levels below 70mg/dL, and A1c levels. Based on these results, this therapy should be considered in T1DM patients previously treated with SAPT-LGS with persistent SH and HU. Further clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of these features are required.

Prevalence of sleep complaints in Colombia at different altitudes.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of sleep complaints in adults in Colombia at different altitudes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, population-based and observational study. SETTING: Urban areas in three cities (Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Santa Marta) located between 15 and 2640 masl. Subjects Over 18 years old. INTERVENTIONS: Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Berlin questionnaire, STOP-Bang questionnaire and diagnostic criteria for restless leg syndrome (IRLSSG). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The overall prevalence of sleep complaints was 59.6% (CI 95%: 57.3; 61.8%). According to the Pittsburgh scale, 45.3% (CI 95%: 43.0; 47.5) required medical assistance. The Berlin questionnaire indicated that 19.0% (CI 95%: 17.3; 20.8%) had a high risk of sleep apnea (OSA) compared to 26.9% (CI 95%: 24.9; 29.0%) according to STOP-Bang. Among the subjects, 13.7% (CI 95%: 12.3; 15.3%) had excessive daytime sleepiness and 37.7% (CI 95%: 35.5; 39.8%) had a restless leg syndrome. When comparing cities, significant differences in the overall frequency of subjects requiring care were found between Santa Marta (higher frequency) and the other two cities. Differences in sleep problem frequency (Pittsburgh) were observed between Bogota (higher frequency) and Bucaramanga and also between Santa Marta (higher frequency) and the other two cities. The high risk of OSA (STOP-Bang) was different between Bogota (higher frequency) and Bucaramanga and also between Santa Marta (high frequency) and Bucaramanga. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of sleep complaints with significant differences among the cities, indicating a need to pay a greater attention to these problems.

Introducción al análisis factorial exploratorio / Introduction to exploratory factor analysis (EFA)

Introducción: El análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) se ha convertido en una de las técnicas estadísticas más utilizadas en la actualidad, especialmente en las áreas médicas y sociales. Dada esta popularidad, es fundamental conocer y, a la vez, profundizar en los conceptos básicos necesarios para su correcta aplicación, considerando las principales fortalezas y debilidades que presenta esta técnica. Objetivo: Presentar de una manera clara y concisa cuáles son las principales aplicaciones de esta técnica, así como determinar los requisitos básicos para su utilización, hacer una descripción paso a paso de su metodología y establecer cuáles son los elementos que se deben tener en cuenta durante su elaboración, con el fin de no incurrir en resultados e interpretaciones erróneas. Metodología: Revisión narrativa. Desarrollo: En esta revisión se identificaron los conceptos básicos y se hizo una breve descripción de los objetivos, diseño, supuestos, metodología para derivar los factores y evaluar el ajuste global, así como de la adecuada interpretación de los resultados…

Introduction: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has become one of the most frequently used statistical techniques, especially in the medical and social sciences. Given its popularity, it is essential to understand the basic concepts necessary for its proper application and to take into consideration the main strengths and weaknesses of this technique. Objective: To present in a clear and concise manner the main applications of this technique, to determine the basic requirements for its use providing a description step by step of its methodology, and to establish the elements that must be taken into account during its preparation in order to not incur in erroneous results and interpretations. Methodology: Narrative review. Development: This review identifies the basic concepts and briefly describes the objectives, design, assumptions, and methodology to achieve factor derivation, global adjustment evaluation, and adequate interpretation of results…

[Introduction to Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)]. / Introducción al análisis factorial exploratorio.

INTRODUCTION: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has become one of the most frequently used statistical techniques, especially in the medical and social sciences. Given its popularity, it is essential to understand the basic concepts necessary for its proper application and to take into consideration the main strengths and weaknesses of this technique. OBJECTIVE: To present in a clear and concise manner the main applications of this technique, to determine the basic requirements for its use providing a description step by step of its methodology, and to establish the elements that must be taken into account during its preparation in order to not incur in erroneous results and interpretations. METHODOLOGY: Narrative review. DEVELOPMENT: This review identifies the basic concepts and briefly describes the objectives, design, assumptions, and methodology to achieve factor derivation, global adjustment evaluation, and adequate interpretation of results.