ABSTRACT
Resumen La reserva cognitiva (RC) se refiere al nivel de adaptabilidad de la cognición frente a cambios cerebrales. Varios estudios la han considerado un factor de protección de la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). En la región argentina no se cuenta con un instrumento validado que permita medir este constructo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es adaptar el Cuestionario de Reserva Cognitiva (CRC) a la población argentina, establecer puntajes de corte para determinar desde niveles bajos a superiores de RC y analizar qué variables predicen el puntaje total de la reserva. Las modificaciones introducidas a la adaptación fueron evaluadas a través de un proceso de juicio de expertos. Un total de 177 sujetos sanos completaron el Cuestionario de Reserva Cognitiva en su adaptación argentina (CRC-a). Mediante la medida de cuartiles, se establecieron puntajes de corte para determinar niveles bajos, medios, altos y superiores de la reserva. Se realizó una regresión lineal para evaluar si el sexo, la edad y la escolaridad predicen el nivel de RC. En la adaptación argentina del CRC se modificaron 3 de las 8 dimensiones totales y 16 de los 33 ítems totales con respecto al cuestionario original. La media del puntaje total obtenido por la muestra a partir del cuestionario fue de 15.06 con DS = 3.42. Puntajes menores a 13 reflejaron niveles bajos de RC, puntajes entre 13 y 16, niveles medios, puntajes entre 16 y 20, niveles altos, y puntajes superiores a 20, niveles superiores. La escolaridad resultó ser la única variable de predicción del nivel de RC. Si bien se encontraron diferencias entre grupos respecto a la variable sexo, esta no demostró ser predictiva. El CRC-a es el primer instrumento desarrollado en esta región para medir el nivel de RC. Contar con su validación abriría futuras líneas de investigaciones sobre posibles intervenciones para la prevención de enfermedades, tales como la EA.
Abstract Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the level of adaptability of cognition after brain changes. It is based on processes that allow the activation of new synaptic connections after neurodegeneration, which permits to better withstand the consequences. This reserve is constituted by the interaction of innate individual characteristics (intrauterine or genetically determined) and the exposure to different life experiences. It begins its development in early stages of life and continues its transformation up to advances ages. The sociodemographic variables reported as the main ones to build the reserve are education, leisure activities, lifestyle, socioeconomic level and intelligence. Several studies have considered it as a protective factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Subjects with high levels of CR have lower prevalence and incidence of AD in comparison to those with low levels of reserve. CR would lead to a late onset of symptoms, despite not having any effect on the underlying pathophysiological process of the disease. The reserve would not prevent AD from developing, but it would compensate the symptoms and, therefore, delay their onset. In some cases, there is such compensation that the symptoms do not manifest. There is no validated instrument available for the Argentinian region that allows to measure this construct. The aim of this study is to adapt the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire to the Argentinian population, to establish cut-off scores to distinguish between low, medium, high and superior levels of CR and analyze which variables could predict the total reserve score. The modifications introduced in the adaptation were evaluated through an expert judgment process. A total of 177 healthy subjects completed the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire in its Argentinian adaptation (CRQ-a). Through the measure of quartiles, cut-off scores were established to determine low, medium, high and superior levels of the reserve. A lineal regression was made to evaluate if age, education, and sex might predict the level of CR. Three of the eight total dimensions and 16 of the 33 total items that make up the original questionnaire were modified. The mean of the total score obtained by the sample from the questionnaire was 15.06 with SD = 3.42. Scores under 13 reflected low CR levels, scores between 13 and 16 reflected medium levels, scores between 16 and 20 reflected high levels, and scores above 20 reflected superior levels. Education turned out to be the only predictor variable for the level of CR. Although differences were found between groups of different sex, this variable turned out to be not predictive. The CRQ-a is the first instrument for the Argentinian population to measure the level of the reserve. It allows to quickly explore different dimensions, considered as the most relevant for its formation. These are: formal education, courses, parents' formal education, employment, musical training, languages, reading activity and intellectual games. In patients with AD, is particularly important to have a measure for CR to prepare interventions for those subjects whose reserve levels are perceived as low, aiming to delay and, when possible, prevent the clinical manifestation of the disease. Its validation would open future lines of research on possible interventions for the prevention of diseases such as AD.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: la población argentina exhibe una elevada prevalencia de enfermedad celíaca (1/100) y la alimentación es su único tratamiento, por ende, el costo de la dieta es un factor clave para la adherencia. Objetivos: calcular el costo diferencial de la dieta de una mujer adulta celíaca vs. no celíaca basado en la Canasta Básica de Alimentos (CBA) y en el patrón alimentario propuesto por las Guías Alimentarias para la Población Argentina (GAPA). Estimar la proporción que representa en base al Salario Mínimo Vital y Móvil (SMVM) en ambos casos. Materiales y método: se tomaron alimentos trazadores extraídos de la plataforma digital de un hipermercado durante el mes de septiembre y diciembre del 2018 para realizar los cálculos de costo de la dieta, considerando los alimentos de más bajo precio. Resultados: el costo de la alimentación propuesta por las GAPA arrojó una diferencia de un 55,27% superior para la población celíaca (+ $1410,08) para septiembre y de un 48,60% (+ $1537,63) para el mes de diciembre. El costo mensual representó un incremento de 13,18% del SMVM para septiembre y de 13,61% para diciembre para la población celíaca. Tomando la CBA, el costo diferencial de la dieta mensual fue mayor (89,27% más cara, equivalente a 1182,76 pesos más) para el mes de septiembre, y 46,81% que equivalen a $886,10 para diciembre. Representó un incremento de 11,06% del SMVM para septiembre y de 7,84% para diciembre. Conclusiones: la alimentación para una mujer adulta celíaca representa un costo mayor que para una mujer adulta no celíaca en la CABA. Este es uno de los factores que contribuye a la no adherencia al tratamiento de la enfermedad, siendo la alimentación la única estrategia para tratarla(AU).
Introduction: Argentinian population exhibits a high prevalence of celiac disease (1/100) and feeding is the only treatment; therefore, the cost of diet is a key factor for adherence. Objectives: to calculate the differential cost of the diet of an adult celiac woman vs. non-celiac one, based on the Basic Food Basket (BFB) and on the dietary pattern proposed by the Dietary Guidelines for the Argentine Population (GAPA). Estimate the proportion that represents based on the Minimum Living Wage (MLW) in both cases. Materials and method: tracers extracted from the digital platform of an hypermarket were taken during September and December 2018 to calculate the cost of the diet, considering the lowest-priced foods. Results: the cost of food proposed by GAPA showed a difference of 55.27% higher for the celiac population ($ 1410.08 more) in September and of 48.60% ($ 1537.63 more) in December. The monthly cost represented an increase of 13.18% for the MLW in September and 13.61% in December for the celiac population. Taking the BFB, the differential cost of the monthly diet was higher (89.27% more expensive, equivalent to 1182.76 pesos more) in September, and 46.81%, equivalent to $ 886.10, in December. It represented an increase of 11.06% for the MLW in September and of 7.84% in December. Conclusions: the food for a celiac adult woman is higher than for a nonceliac adult woman in CABA. This is one of the factors that contributes to non-adherence to the treatment of the disease; food being the only strategy to treat it(AU).
Subject(s)
Celiac Disease , Costs and Cost Analysis , FoodABSTRACT
Abstract The aim of this work was to describe the phenotypic and genotypic variability related to iris color for the population of Buenos Aires province (Argentina), and to assess the usefulness of current methods of analysis for this country. We studied five Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) included in the IrisPlex kit, in 118 individuals, and we quantified eye color with Digital Iris Analysis Tool. The markers fit Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the whole sample, but not for rs12913832 within the group of brown eyes (LR=8.429; p=0.004). We found a remarkable association of HERC2 rs12913832 GG with blue color (p < 0.01) but the other markers did not show any association with iris color. The results for the Buenos Aires population differ from those of other populations of the world for these polymorphisms (p < 0,01). The differences we found might respond to the admixed ethnic composition of Argentina; therefore, methods of analysis used in European populations should be carefully applied when studying the population of Argentina. These findings reaffirm the importance of this investigation in the Argentinian population for people identification based on iris color.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are drug-metabolising enzymes involved in biotransformation of carcinogens, drugs, xenobiotics and oxygen free radicals. Polymorphisms of GST genes contribute to inter-individual and population variability in the susceptibility to environmental risk factors, cancer predisposition and pharmacotherapy responses. However, data about GST variability in Argentina are lacking. AIM: The purpose was to determine the prevalence of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms in the general population from a central region of Argentina and to perform inter-population comparisons. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions and GSTP1 c.313A > G were genotyped by PCR assays in 609 healthy and unrelated Argentinians. RESULTS: The frequencies of variant genotypes in Argentinians were GSTM1-null (45%), GSTT1-null (17%) and GSTP1-GG (11%). GSTM1-present genotype was significantly associated with GSTP1-AG or GSTP1-GG variants (p = 0.037; p = 0.034, respectively). Comparison with worldwide populations demonstrated that the GST distributions in Argentina are similar to those reported for Italy and Spain, whereas significant differences were observed regarding Asian and African populations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has determined, for the first time, the normative profile of three pharmacogenetically relevant polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) in the largest Argentinian cohort described to date, providing the basis for further epidemiological and pharmacogenetic studies in this country.
