Effect of phthalates exposure during perinatal period on hormonal profile in Mexican males during their first months of life.

Phthalates affect development of male reproductive system acting as an antiandrogenic agents. We sought to explore if perinatal exposure to phthalates could alter male hormone levels in humans during the first months of life. A cohort of 83 pregnant women and their male infants were studied. Five phthalate metabolites were measured in the mother's urine during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and during the first, third, and sixth months of life in the infants. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and inhibin B were analyzed. Association between phthalate exposure and hormone variation was assessed using regression models for longitudinal data. Mono-butyl phthalate reduced FSH concentration (ß = -0.0012 international units [IU]/L, p < 0.01), mono-ethylhexyl phthalate reduced inhibin B (ß = -0.0094 pg/mL, p = 0.02), monoethyl phthalate reduced testosterone (ß = -0.0071 ng/L, p = 0.07), mono-ocytl phthalate reduced LH (ß = -0.0041 IU/L, p = 0.13). No effects were observed for exposure to mono-methyl phthalate. Our results are consistent with the findings in animal and human studies. Special precaution should be taken when measuring phthalate exposure in susceptible populations such as pregnant women and infants.

Phthalates exposure during pregnancy a study in a Mexican cohort.

A prospective cohort study was conducted to measure the concentration levels of three primary phthalate metabolites (MBP, MEHP, MEP) during pregnancy in a group of women from the State of Mexico. The urinary concentration levels of the three phthalate primary metabolites were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The geometric mean and 95 % CI for MBP was 20.38 µg/mL (15.35-27.09); for MEHP 13.43 µg/mL (8.93-20.20), and MEP 52.47 µg/mL (39.88-69.04) adjusted to one g of creatinine. No significant trends were observed among the studied metabolites during the pregnancy period. MBP was higher in less educated women, while women who resided in industrialized zones showed higher levels of MEHP and MEP than women from non-industrialized zones. Consumption of plastic bottled beverages was associated with MBP and MEHP phthalate exposure. Women who used non-registered brands of plastic food containers for storage or for microwave oven use showed the highest levels of MBP and MEP phthalates. The pregnant women in our study were exposed to the three studied primary phthalate metabolites, and this could present a risk to their newborns. To better integrate public health policies, major exploration of potential exposure sources and effects at the regional level is required.

Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity, Major Risk Factors for Death in Patients with COVID-19 in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Mexico has reported high death and case fatality rates due to COVID-19. Several comorbidities have been related to mortality in COVID-19, as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and chronic kidney disease. AIMS: To describe the main clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in the major social security institution in Mexico, as well as the contribution of chronic comorbidities and the population attributable fraction related to them. METHODS: Data for all patients with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in the institutional database was included for analysis. Demographic information, the presence of pneumonia and whether the patient was hospitalized or treated at home as an outpatient as well as comorbidities were analyzed. Case fatality rate was estimated for different groups. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals from a logistic regression model were estimated, as well as the population attributable fraction. RESULTS: By November 13, 2020, 323,671 subjects with COVID-19 infection have been identified. Case fatality rate is higher in males (20.2%), than in females (13.0%), and increases with age. Case fatality rate increased with the presence of obesity, hypertension and/or diabetes. Age and sex were major independent risk factors for mortality, as well as the presence of pneumonia, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, immunosuppression, and end-stage kidney disease. The population attributable fraction due to obesity in outpatients was 16.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Major cardiovascular risk factors and other comorbidities increase the risk of dying in patients with COVID-19. Identification of populations with high fatality in COVID-19, provides insight to deal with this pandemic by health services in Mexico.

Night Shift Work and Risk of Breast Cancer in Women.

BACKGROUND: Night shift work involving circadian disruption has been associated with increased breast cancer rates in some epidemiological studies, but the evidence is still on debate. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study is to assess the association between night shift work and breast cancer in Mexican women. METHODS: A Case-control study was conducted with incident cases of breast cancer at the Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México y Municipios. Cases were interviewed about past exposures prior to the final diagnosis. Controls were women without breast cancer matched on multiple sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: 101 cases and 101 matched controls were interviewed; this small sample size provided consistent, but wide estimates of the assessed associations. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that breast-feeding was associated with reduced risk for breast cancer (OR 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02-0.60); women who experienced early menarche (12 years) were more likely to develop breast cancer (OR 18.58; 95% CI 18: 2.19-148). Women who worked at night were more likely to develop breast cancer compared to women who never did (OR = 8.58; 95% CI: 2.19-33.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with studies from other countries, which positively associated night shift work with breast cancer.

Caracterización de la mortalidad por malaria en el Valle del Cauca, 2005-2006 / Characterization of malaria mortality in Valle del Cauca, 2005-2006

Introducción. El Valle del Cauca es uno de los departamentos que mayor número de muertes por paludismo reporta en Colombia. El análisis de estas muertes permite una aproximación diagnóstica al funcionamiento del sistema de salud y contribuye a generar propuestas tendientes a disminuir la mortalidad por esta enfermedad. Objetivo. Caracterizar demográficamente y explorar posibles factores determinantes de muertes por malaria ocurridas en el Valle del Cauca. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo de 25 de las 29 muertes por malaria identificadas en el Valle del Cauca entre 2005 y 2006. Resultados. El promedio de edad fue de 31,3 años (rango: 2 a 71), 11 fueron mujeres (una embarazada), 11 procedían de Buenaventura y 5 de los otros departamentos de la Costa Pacífica. Al ingreso a la primera consulta, no se ordenó gota gruesa o se solicitó tardíamente en 7 casos. En quienes se realizó gota gruesa en la primera consulta, 11 fueron reportados positivos y 5 negativos. La complicación más frecuentemente diagnosticada al ingreso al sitio de remisión fue paludismo cerebral (7/18), seguida de falla renal aguda (6/18). Después del ingreso, 13/18 individuos presentaron alguna otra complicación, principalmente edema agudo de pulmón (8/18) y choque (5/18). Conclusiones. Se identificaron fallas operativas en el cuidado primario de los pacientes con malaria. Esta información ha permitido implementar acciones de mejoramiento de la atención de las personas con malaria en el Valle del Cauca. Se espera que otros departamentos se unan a los esfuerzos para reducir la mortalidad por malaria en el país.

Introduction. Valle del Cauca is one of the states in Colombia that reports a high number of deaths due to malaria. Understanding the basis of malarial deaths is useful for assessing the efficacy of the health system and to identify areas where improvements are necessary to decrease malaria mortality. Objective. Potential determinants of mortality in malaria cases are characterized in a demographic study centered in Valle del Cauca. Materials and methods. A descriptive analysis was directed to 25 cases of malaria death occurring in Valle del Cauca during 2005 and 2006. Results. The mean age was 31.3 years (range, 2 to 71 yr), 11 were women (1 pregnant), 11 were from the malaria-endemic port of Buenaventura, and 5 from other Pacific coastal states. After entering the health system facility, the standard malaria diagnostic, the thick smear, was not ordered for 7 cases at any time during the treatment period. In cases where a thick smear was taken at first contact, 11 had a positive and 5 had a negative initial report. Cerebral malaria (7/18 cases) and renal failure (6/18 cases) were the most frequent complications. During hospitalization, 13/18 cases developed other complications, mainly acute lung edema (8/18 cases) and shock (5/18 cases). Conclusions. Failures in primary health care of patients with malaria were recognized. This information has been used to implement actions aimed at improving initial care of malaria subjects in the health services of Valle del Cauca. The study recommends that other states in Colombia increase their efforts to decrease malaria mortality.

[Characterization of malaria mortality in Valle del Cauca, 2005-2006]. / Caracterización de la mortalidad por malaria en el Valle del Cauca, 2005-2006.

INTRODUCTION: Valle del Cauca is one of the states in Colombia that reports a high number of deaths due to malaria. Understanding the basis of malarial deaths is useful for assessing the efficacy of the health system and to identify areas where improvements are necessary to decrease malaria mortality. OBJECTIVE: Potential determinants of mortality in malaria cases are characterized in a demographic study centered in Valle del Cauca. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis was directed to 25 cases of malaria death occurring in Valle del Cauca during 2005 and 2006. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.3 years (range, 2 to 71 yr), 11 were women (1 pregnant), 11 were from the malaria-endemic port of Buenaventura, and 5 from other Pacific coastal states. After entering the health system facility, the standard malaria diagnostic, the thick smear, was not ordered for 7 cases at any time during the treatment period. In cases where a thick smear was taken at first contact, 11 had a positive and 5 had a negative initial report. Cerebral malaria (7/18 cases) and renal failure (6/18 cases) were the most frequent complications. During hospitalization, 13/18 cases developed other complications, mainly acute lung edema (8/18 cases) and shock (5/18 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Failures in primary health care of patients with malaria were recognized. This information has been used to implement actions aimed at improving initial care of malaria subjects in the health services of Valle del Cauca. The study recommends that other states in Colombia increase their efforts to decrease malaria mortality.

Perfil sociodemográfico del aborto inducido / Sociodemographic profile of induced abortion

Objetivo. Identificar características sociodemográficas y su fuerza de asociación con el aborto inducido del primer embarazo. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio analítico con la información de una encuesta realizada en el municipio de Diez de Octubre, de la ciudad de la Habana, en Cuba, durante todo el año de 1991 y el primer semestre de 1992. La población de estudio se dividió en dos grupos de comparación: uno formado por las mujeres cuyo primer embarazo terminó en un aborto inducido y el otro constituido por aquellas cuyo embarazo llegó a término. De las variables estudiadas que mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas se obtuvieron las razones de momios crudas y ajustadas por la variable que se consideró como confusora: la edad. Para esta última fase del análisis se utilizó la regresión logística multivariada. Resultados. Las características sociodemográficas identificadas como factores de riesgo asociados al aborto inducido del primer embarazo fueron la edad menor de 24 años (aunque el riesgo se incrementa en las menores de 20 años) y ser solteras o unidas. Conclusiones. El riesgo de recurrir a la práctica del aborto inducido en el primer embarazo es elevado en mujeres muy jóvenes que aún no han cumplido sus expectativas profesionales, laborales y relacionadas con el matrimonio. Estas razones parecen incompatibles con la maternidad en el grupo de mujeres estudiadas