Impact of obesity on the use of healthcare resources by young adults aged 18-45 years: Results of the 2017 National Health Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Excess weight is a public health problem associated with a greater burden of chronic diseases and increased use of health resources. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A subsample of Spanish adults aged 18-45 from the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey (N=7081) was used. The odds ratios of service utilisation of the group with BMI≥30kg/m2 were compared to the normal-weight group, using a model adjusted for sex, age, education, socioeconomic level, perceived health status and the presence of comorbidities. RESULTS: In all, 12.4% of the sample had obesity. Of these, 24.8% visited their general physician, 37.1% attended emergency services and 6.1% were hospitalised during the last 12 months, which were significantly higher rates than in the normal-weight population (20.3%, 29.2%, 3.8%, respectively). However, 16.1% visited a physiotherapist and 3.1% used alternative therapies, compared to 20.8% and 6.4% in the healthy weight group. After adjusting for confounding factors, people with obesity were more likely to visit emergency services (OR: 1.225 [1.037-1.446]) and less likely to visit a physiotherapist (OR: 0.720 [0.583-0.889]) or use alternative therapies (OR: 0.481 [0.316-0.732]). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish young adults suffering from obesity are more likely to use some health resources than those of normal weight, even after adjusting for socioeconomic variables and comorbidities, but they are less likely to attend physical therapy. The literature shows that these differences are less marked than in older ages, so this stage of life could be a window of opportunity for prevention to achieve better resource management.

Ethnic inequalities in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health interventions in Ecuador: A study of the 2004 and 2012 national surveys.

Background: Analysis of health inequalities by ethnicity is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In Ecuador, similar to other Latin American countries, indigenous and afro-descendant populations have long been subject to racism, discrimination, and inequitable treatment. Although in recent years, Ecuador has made progress in health indicators, particularly those related to the coverage of Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) interventions, little is known as to whether inequalities by ethnicity persist. Methods: Analysis was based on two nationally representative health surveys (2004 and 2012). Ethnicity was self-reported and classified into three categories (Indigenous/Afro-Ecuadorian/Mixed ancestry). Coverage data for six RMNCH health interventions were stratified for each ethnic group by level of education, area of residence and wealth quintiles. Absolute inequality measures were computed and multivariate analysis using Poisson regression was undertaken. Findings: In 2012, 74.4% of women self-identifying as indigenous did not achieve the secondary level of education and 50.7% were in the poorest quintile (Q1); this profile was relatively unchanged since 2004. From 2004 to 2012, the coverage of RMNCH interventions increased for all ethnic groups, and absolute inequality decreased. However, in 2012, regardless of education level, area of residence and wealth quintiles, ethnic inequalities remained for almost all RMNCH interventions. Indigenous women had 24% lower prevalence of modern contraceptive use (Prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.76; 95% IC: 0.7-0.8); 28% lower prevalence of antenatal care (PR = 0.72; 95% IC: 0.6-0.8); and 35% lower prevalence of skilled birth attendance and institutional delivery (PR = 0.65; 95% IC: 0.6-0.7 and PR = 0.65; 95% IC: 0.6-0.7 respectively), compared with the majority ethnic group in the country. Interpretation: While the gaps have narrowed, indigenous people in Ecuador continue in a situation of structural racism and are left behind in terms of access to RMNCH interventions. Strategies to reduce ethnic inequalities in the coverage services need to be collaboratively redesigned/co-designed. Funding: This paper was made possible with funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [Grant Number: INV-007,594/OPP1148933].

Atraso na vacina tetravalente (DTP+Hib) em crianças de 12 a 23 meses de idade: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013 / Delay in quadrivalent vaccine (DTP+Hib) in children 12 to 23 months of age: Brazilian National Health Survey, 2013 / Retraso en la vacuna tetravalente (DTP+Hib) en niños de 12 a 23 meses de edad: Encuesta Nacional de Salud, 2013

Resumo: O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência do atraso nas três doses da vacina tetravalente (DTP+Hib) em crianças de 12 a 23 meses de idade, no Brasil, por meio dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) de 2013 e descrever o atraso em cada uma das doses segundo variáveis sociodemográficas, utilização de serviços e intervenções públicas de saúde. Foram utilizados dados da PNS, estudo transversal realizado em 2013. O desfecho foi o atraso pelo menos em uma das três doses da vacina tetravalente. Considerou-se como atraso a dose recebida pelo menos 30 dias após a data preconizada, segundo informação da caderneta de vacinação. A prevalência do atraso foi descrita segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e utilização de serviços de saúde. Realizou-se análise descritiva obtendo-se frequências absolutas e relativas e seus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Das 2.016 crianças com informações coletadas, 1.843 foram analisadas. A prevalência de atraso de pelo menos uma dose da vacina foi de 44%. Observou-se atraso de 14,8% na primeira, 28,8% na segunda e 45,4% na terceira dose, sendo que 10% das crianças tiveram atraso nas três doses. Maiores prevalências de atraso foram encontradas em crianças do sexo masculino, de cor da pele parda, pertencentes ao quintil mais pobre de riqueza, moradores da zona rural e da Região Norte do Brasil. Evidenciou-se alta prevalência de atraso na vacina tetravalente (DTP+Hib) em crianças de 12 a 23 meses do Brasil, sendo maior na terceira dose.

Abstract: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of delay in the three doses of quadrivalent vaccine (DTP+Hib) in children 12 to 23 months of age in Brazil, based on data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS) of 2013 and to analyze the delay in each of the doses according to sociodemographic variables and use of health services and public health interventions. The data are from the PNS a cross-sectional study performed in 2013. The outcome was delay in at least one of the three doses of the quadrivalent vaccine. Delay was defined as a dose received at least 30 days after the recommended date according to information on the child's vaccination card. Prevalence of delay was analyzed according to sociodemographic variables and use of health services. A descriptive analysis was performed to obtain absolute and relative frequencies and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Of the 2,016 children with information collected, 1,843 were analyzed. The prevalence of delay in at least one dose of the vaccine was 44%. There was a delay of 14.8% in the first dose, 28.8% in the second, and 45.4% in the third, and 10% of the children had delays in all three doses. Higher prevalence of delay was associated with male gender, brown skin color, the poorest income quintile, and residence in rural areas and the North of Brazil. The study revealed high prevalence of delay with the quadrivalent vaccine (DTP+Hib) in children 12 to 23 months of age in Brazil, with the highest delay in the third dose.

Resumen: El objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia del atraso en las tres dosis de la vacuna tetravalente (DTP+Hib) en niños de 12 a 23 meses de edad, en Brasil, mediante los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (PNS) de 2013 y describir el retraso en cada una de las dosis, según variables sociodemográficas, utilización de servicios e intervenciones públicas de salud. Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado en 2013, con datos de la PNS. El resultado fue el retraso por lo menos en una de las tres dosis de la vacuna tetravalente. Se consideró como un atraso la dosis recibida por lo menos 30 días tras la fecha prefijada, según la información de la cartilla de vacunación. La prevalencia del atraso fue descrita según variables sociodemográficas y utilización de servicios de salud. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, obteniéndose frecuencias absolutas y relativas, así como sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza. De los 2016 niños con información recogida, se analizaron 1843. La prevalencia de atraso de por lo menos una dosis de la vacuna fue de un 44%. Se observó un retraso de 14,8% en la primera, un 28,8% en la segunda y un 45,4% en la tercera dosis, siendo que un 10% de los niños sufrieron atraso en las tres dosis. Las mayores prevalencias de atraso se encontraron en niños de sexo masculino, mestizos, pertenecientes al quintil más pobre de riqueza, habitantes de la zona rural y de la Región Norte de Brasil. Se evidenció una alta prevalencia de atraso en la vacuna tetravalente (DTP+Hib) en niños de 12 a 23 meses de Brasil, siendo mayor en la tercera dosis.

[Mental health in Spain and differences by sex, and by autonomous communities]. / Salud mental en España y diferencias por sexo y por comunidades autónomas.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of psychological distress in the adult Spanish population in 2006, 2011 and 2017. To study the mental health status of the population in 2017 analyzing the prevalence of psychological distress, prescription of psychiatric drugs, diagnosis and self-perceived health, in Spain and in the autonomous regions, and differentiating between men and women. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, using data from the 2006, 2011 and 2017 National Health Surveys in Spain. VARIABLES: psychological distress (GHQ-12), self-perceived health, mental disorder diagnosis, prescription of psychiatric drugs, sex and autonomous community. The frequencies, percentages and confidence intervals at 95% were calculated. The statistical significance level for the chi-square test was p <0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological distress in Spain was 22.2% in 2006, 22.1% in 2011 and 19.1% in 2017. With the exception of Cantabria in 2011, in all cases the prevalence of psychological distress was higher in women than men. In 2017, most of the autonomous communities showed prevalence of diagnosis and poor self-perceived health near the Spanish average (15.4% and 33.6%, respectively). The Spanish average of tranquilizer prescription was 9.2%. The highest prevalence was found in Galicia while the lowest was found in Cantabria (overall population and men) and Ceuta and Melilla (women). The Spanish average of antidepressant prescription was 3.6%. The highest prevalence was found in Asturias (overall population and women) and in Galicia (men), while the lowest was found in Ceuta and Melilla. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress is a prevalent phenomenon although its prevalence in Spain has decreased slightly. There are big differences in the prescription of psychiatric drugs between each autonomous community. Women showed poorer outcomes on each mental health indicator analyzed.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors in older adults in Spain: Data from the National Health Survey 2017. / Prevalencia de polifarmacia y factores asociados en adultos mayores en España: datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2017.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy in non-institutionalised older adults in Spain and assess the associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a cross-sectional study based on data from the National Health Survey of Spain 2017, with participants aged 65 and over. The prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and hyperpolypharmacy (≥10) were estimated, as well as the association with several factors through multivariate logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis was carried out considering the possible consumption of more than one drug for the same indication (polytherapy). RESULTS: 7023 participants were included, with a mean age of 76.0 (SD 7.6), 59.4% female and average consumption of 3.3 (SD 2.2) drugs per person. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 27.3% (95% CI 26.2-28.3) and of hyperpolypharmacy 0.9% (95% CI 0.7-1.1). The sensitivity analysis showed that the prevalence could be at least 37.5% and the average 3.9 (SD 2.5) when considering polytherapy. The factors most associated with polypharmacy were the number of chronic diseases, degree of dependence for the basic activities of daily living, self-perceived health or contacts with the health system; and negatively, sensory deficits and incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of polypharmacy in the elderly in primary care continues to increase and could be widely underestimated. In addition to multimorbidity, factors such as functional capacity or geriatric syndromes, fundamental in elderly people, modulate the habits of consumption and prescription of drugs in this population.

[Prevalence trends of high risk of mental disorders in the Spanish adult population: 2006-2012]. / Evolución de la prevalencia de alto riesgo de trastornos mentales en población adulta española: 2006-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of high risk of psychiatric morbidity in the Spanish adult population and its changes between 2006 and 2012. METHODS: Data from 47,905 participants obtained from the National Health Surveys in 2006 and 2012 were used. Mental health status was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire score. Adjusted logistic regression models were fitted. RESULTS: The prevalence of high risk of psychiatric morbidity was 20.5% in 2012 and 21.3% in 2006. Using 2006 as the reference, the odds ratio (OR) for these problems in 2012 was 0.84 (0.79-0.89) in women and 1.10 (1.02-1.18) in men. In women, it decreased for all ages. In men, these ORs were 1.15 (1.04-1.27) in the aged 16-44 group, 1.23 (1.08-1.40) in the aged 45-64 group and 0.81 (0.68-0.96) in the aged ≥ 65 group. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high risk of psychiatric morbidity decreased except in males <65 years of age, who are more sensitive to the economic crisis.

Prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Spanish adults 1987-2012. / Prevalencia de obesidad y diabetes en adultos españoles, 1987-2012.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased worldwide. Our objective was to examine trends in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, morbid obesity and DM in Spain from 1987 to 2012. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from 8 waves of the national health surveys which are cross-sectional studies conducted in representative samples of the Spanish adult population. Self-reported data of 156,440 adults (≥16 years) from 1987 to 2012 were used. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported weight and height. Overweight was defined as a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9kg/m2, obesity as a BMI≥30kg/m2 and morbid obesity as a BMI≥40kg/m2. DM was considered present if the participant reported having been diagnosed. Age-adjusted prevalence was adjusted by the direct standardisation method to the 2003 survey population. RESULTS: From 1987 to 2012 age-adjusted prevalence of overweight increased from 34.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 33.2-34.8) to 35.8% (95% CI 35.0-36.6), prevalence of obesity from 8.0% (95% CI 7.5-8.5) to 16.5% (95% CI 15.7-17.1%) and DM prevalence from 4.2% (95% CI 3.9-4.5) to 7.1% (95% CI 6.7-7.4%). Morbid obesity increased from 0.20% (95% CI 0.13-0.27) in 1993 to 0.88% (95% CI 0.70-1.05) in 2012. The growth rate was greater among males. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing trend of the prevalence of overweight, obesity, morbid obesity and DM was found in Spain from 1987 to 2012, particularly in males.

[Sociodemographic characteristics as risk factors for obesity and overweight in Spanish adult population]. / Características sociodemográficas como factores de riesgo para la obesidad y el sobrepeso en la población adulta española.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the adult Spanish sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of excess weight and obesity. As a second aim, we analyze if there are gender differences regarding the development of overweight and obesity in different age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transversal study of the National Health Survey of 2012. Body mass index was calculated and a number of sociodemographic variables were analyzed. An analysis of multinomial logistic regression was conducted. RESULTS: In 2012 the prevalence of obesity in Spain was 18.5% for obesity and 39.0% for being overweight. The greatest risk of being overweight or obese versus being of normal weight corresponded to men, married, between 65 and 74 years old, in social classes where unskilled work is performed, in the autonomous city of Ceuta, and the autonomous communities of Extremadura and Andalucía, and in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. On the other hand, obesity risk is 2 times higher in men versus women between 25 and 64 years while overweight risk is higher in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese in Spain have changed compared to those published previously. In the year 2012, obesity was more common in males, the maximum peak was between 65 and 74 years and the area with the highest prevalence of obesity was the autonomous city of Ceuta.

[Health-related quality-of-life in the smoking general population of Spain: An approach from the National Health Survey]. / Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la población general española fumadora: una aproximación desde la Encuesta Nacional de Salud.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking has been associated with an important health risk. The aim was to analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) status of the adult Spanish general population included in the National Health Survey according to its smoking status. METHODS: Data were included from National Health Survey for the year 2011-2012 with information of HRQoL status in general population over 15 years of age. Adult male and female, 18 years of age or above, were categorized into 3 exclusive groups according to their current smoking status: smokers (daily smokers of any form of tobacco, at least the previous 12 months), ex-smokers of one or more years since quitting smoking and people who have never smoked (non smokers). HRQoL was assessed with the Spanish version of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire included into the National Health Survey. RESULTS: A total of 19,604 records were analyzed: 4,723 (24.09%) smokers, 3,797 (19.37%) ex-smokers, and 11,084 (56.54%) non smokers, male and female with 18 years of age or above. Smokers showed significantly adjusted mean scores (95% CI) in utility of 0.903 (0.899-0.908) and 75.36 (74.06-76.69) in the visual analogue scale of current state of health, ex-smokers 0.924 (0.919-0.929) and 76.85 (76.67-78.07), and non smokers 0.902 (0.899-0.905) and 76.25 (75.02-77.51), P<.01 between groups in both variables. CONCLUSIONS: In the Spanish general population, subjects who are ex-smokers showed better utility values and state health scores, supporting the hypothesis that quitting smoking could be associated with a discreet improvement of HRQoL.

Anthropometric characteristics and body composition in Mexican older adults: age and sex differences.

Anthropometric reference data for older adults, particularly for the oldest old, are still limited, especially in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to describe sex- and age-specific distributions of anthropometric measurements and body composition in Mexican older adults. The methods included in the present study were assessment of height, weight, BMI, calf circumference (CC), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) as well as knee height in a sample of 8883 Mexican adults aged 60 years and above and the estimation of sex- and age-specific differences in these measures. Results of the study (n 7865, 54% women) showed that men are taller, have higher BMI, and larger WC than women, whereas women presented higher prevalence of obesity and adiposity. Overall prevalence of underweight was 2·3% in men and 4·0% in women, with increasing prevalence with advancing age. Significant differences were found by age group for weight, height, WC, HC, CC, BMI and knee height (P<0·001), but no significant differences in waist-hip circumference were observed. Significant differences between men and women were found in height, weight, circumferences, BMI and knee height (P<0·001). These results, which are consistent with studies of older adults in other countries, can be used for comparison with other Mexican samples including populations living in the USA and other countries with similar developmental and socio-economic conditions. This information can also be used as reference in clinical settings as a tool for detection of individuals at risk of either underweight or overweight and obesity.

El nivel educativo como factor asociado al bienestar subjetivo y la salud mental en la población española / Educational Level as a Member of the Subjective Well-Being and Mental Health in the Spanish Population

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la asociación entre el nivel educativo alcanzado con el bienestar emocional y la salud mental de los españoles. Un total de 29.478 personas adultas participaron en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de España 2006, encontrándose que un nivel educativo bajo se asocia con peor salud mental (OR 1.65 hombres y OR 2.36 mujeres), valoración mala o muy mala de la salud (OR 2.10 hombres y OR 2.53 mujeres), menor apoyo social (OR 1.31 hombres y OR 1.66 mujeres) y sedentarismo (OR 2.09 hombres y OR 1.80 mujeres). En la muestra estudiada, el nivel educativo es un factor asociado a diferentes dimensiones de la salud relacionadas con el bienestar subjetivo y la salud mental.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the educational level with the perceived emotional well-being and the mental health of the Spanish population. In a total of 29,478 adults, participating in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006, we found that low education level is related with poor mental health (OR 1.65 in men and OR 2.36 in women), poor or very poor self-perceived health (OR 2.10 OR 2.53 for men and women), less social support (OR 1.31 OR 1.66 for men and women) and inactivity (OR 2.09 OR 1.80 for men and women). In the Spanish population the educational level is an associated factor related with different health dimensions and to the subjective well-being and mental health perceptions.

Detección del cáncer de mama en México: síntesis de los resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Reproductiva / Breast cancer examination in Mexico: summary of the results from the National Survey of Reproductive Health

OBJETIVO: Presentar una síntesis de los resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Reproductiva 2003 sobre la práctica de revisión y examen clínico de los senos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Por medio de estadísticas descriptivas y modelos de regresión múltiple se identificaron las principales características sociodemográficas y sitios de información sobre la práctica de revisión y el examen clínico de los senos en cerca de 20 000 mujeres, de 15 a 49 años, residentes en áreas rurales y urbanas del país. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres jóvenes con menor escolaridad y estrato socioeconómico, residentes de áreas urbanas, informaron un práctica significativamente baja tanto de la revisión como del examen clínico de los senos. La frecuencia de mujeres con cáncer de mama (CaMa) fue mayor en el área rural respecto de la urbana. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario establecer medidas para la estandarización y control de la calidad del examen clínico de los senos y coadyuvar a la prevención y control del CaMa en México.

OBJECTIVE: To present a summary of the results of the National Survey of Reproductive Health 2003 regarding the practice of self and clinical breast examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The main sociodemographic characteristics and site of information about self and clinical breast examination, in 20 000 women 15 to 49 years of age residing in rural and urban areas, were identified by simple statistics and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Younger women with lower scholarity and socioeconomical status residing in rural areas informed a statistically lower self and clinical breast examination. A higher frequency of breast cancer was found in rural vs. urban area. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies for standardization and quality control for the clinical breast examination are needed to contribute in the prevention and control of breast cancer in Mexico.

Encuesta serológica nacional del sarampión en niños: evidencias para su eliminación / Measles serologic survey in Mexican children: evidence for its elimination in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Analizar la distribución y frecuencia de anticuerpos protectores contra sarampión en una muestra representativa estatal en niños de 1-9 años, así como contribuir a la evaluación de los programas de vacunación contra este agente. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudió la presencia de anticuerpos contra el virus del sarampión en una muestra de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2000. Los sueros se recolectaron de noviembre de 1999 a junio de 2000. La muestra consta de 6 270 niños y se utilizó la técnica de reducción de placas por neutralización. RESULTADOS: La seropositividad (>120 UI/L) de los niños de 1-4 años fue menor que la de los niños de 5-9 años, 98.3 por ciento (IC95 por ciento 97.7-98.8) contra 99.4 por ciento (IC95 por ciento 99.2-99.6, p<0.001). Los niveles de seropositividad se incrementaron con el número de dosis de vacuna de sarampión o sarampión-rubeola-parotiditis y no dependen de género, residencia o nivel socioeconómico. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados muestran que existe una cobertura adecuada en la vacunación; sin embargo, al expandir los datos se observó que existen 417 000 niños que presentaron títulos negativos de anticuerpos, por lo que son susceptibles de adquirir, transmitir el virus y contribuir a la generación de brotes de la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency and distribution of protective antibodies against measles in a sample of children from 1-9 years old representative of each of the 32 states in Mexico; to contribute to the evaluation of the measles vaccination programs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measles antibodies (plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) assay) were studied in 6 270 sera selected from the 24 232 sera from children 1-9 years of age, collected by the 2000 National Health Survey (ENSA 2000) that was conducted from November 1999 to June 2000. RESULTS: Proportion of seropositive samples (>120 IU/L) among 1-4 year-old children (98.3 percent [95 percentCI: 97.7-98.8]) was less than that of 5-9 year-old children (99.4 percent [95 percentCI: 99.2-99.6]; p<0.001). Seropositivity was associated with the number of measles and/or measles-rubella-mumps vaccine doses and was not associated with gender, place of residence or socio-economic status. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that there is adequate vaccination coverage. However, the expansion of data revealed that there are 417 000 children with negative antibody titers who are susceptible to acquiring the disease, transmitting the virus and causing outbreaks.

Methodology of the fasting sub-sample from the Mexican Health Survey, 2000

OBJECTIVE: To report the comparative results of the sub-sample of fasting adults selected for the biochemical measurement of cardiovascular risk factors and the rest of the Mexican Health Survey (MHS) (2000) participants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The nationally representative, cross-sectional Mexican Health Survey (2000) was analyzed. Survey participants reporting a fasting state period of 9- to 12-h were included in a sub-sample (n= 2 535) and compared with all other participants (n= 41 126). Prevalence and 95 percent confidence intervals (95 percentCI) were calculated for socio-demographic, anthropometric, health and personal background characteristics and compared between groups using Pearson chi2 to determine significant differences. Mean and 95 percentCI and a T-test were calculated to analyze continuous variables. RESULTS: From the 45 294 adults participating in the MHS, 5.59 percent were at fasting state. The fasting sub-sample (FS) had a higher male-to-female ratio and was on average 3.5 years younger than the non-fasting participants (NF) and had a 1.5cm wider average waist circumference. No differences were found in location, country region, socio-economic status, indigenous population, or literacy. Also, no differences were found in weight, height, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, previous medical diagnosis of dislypidemias, or tobacco or alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: This paper documents the characteristics of the fasting sub-sample from the Mexican Health Survey (MHS). Overall, the non-fasting participants had no relevant differences that can contribute to generate biased results in the analysis of biochemical indicators of cardiovascular risk.

OBJETIVO: Reportar los resultados comparativos de la sub-muestra de adultos en ayuno, seleccionados para la medición bioquímica de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el resto de los participantes de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENSA) 2000. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó la ENSA, una encuesta transversal y representativa a nivel nacional. Los participantes que reportaron un período de ayuno de 9- a 12-h se incluyeron en la submuestra (n= 2,535) y se compararon con el resto de los participantes (n= 41,126). Se calculó la prevalencia e intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento (IC95 por ciento) para las características sociodemográficas, antropométricas, de salud y antecedentes personales, y se compararon entre los grupos utilizando ² de Pearson para determinar diferencias significativas. Asimismo, se calcularon medianas con su IC95 por ciento y prueba de T para analizar las variables continuas. RESULTADOS: De los 45 294 adultos que participaron en la ENSA, 5.59 por ciento estuvieron en ayuno. La submuestra de ayuno (SA) tuvo una razón hombre-mujer más alta y fue en promedio 3.5 años más joven que el resto de los participantes (NA). Asimismo, tuvieron una cintura promedio 1.5cm más grande. No se encontraron diferencias en localidad, región, nivel socioeconómico, población indígena o educación. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias en peso, talla, IMC, presión sistólica ni diastólica, prevalencia de diabetes mellitus, diagnóstico previo de dislipidemias, y consumo de tabaco y alcohol. CONCLUSION: Esta comunicación documenta las características de la muestra de ayuno de la ENSA. En general, los participantes en ayuno no tuvieron diferencias relevantes que puedan contribuir a generar resultados sesgados en el análisis de indicadores bioquímicos de riesgo cardiovascular.