Attitudes toward depression among Ecuadorian physicians using the Spanish-validated version of the Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (R-DAQ).

PURPOSE: Depression is inadequately recognized and managed, and physicians' attitudes toward this condition and its treatment may play a part in this. This study aimed to assess Ecuadorian physicians' attitudes toward depression. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using the validated Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (R-DAQ). The questionnaire was delivered to Ecuadorian physicians, and the response rate was 88.8%. RESULTS: 76.4% of participants had never received previous training in depression, and 52.1% of them indicated neutral or limited professional confidence when dealing with depressed patients. More than two-thirds of the participants reported an optimistic attitude toward the generalist perspective of depression. CONCLUSION: Overall, physicians in Ecuador's healthcare settings were optimistic and held positive attitudes toward patients with depression. However, a lack of confidence in the management of depression and a need for ongoing training were found, especially among medical professionals who are not in daily contact with patients with depression.

The use of information and communication technologies in Latin American dentists: a cross-sectional study from Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide the tools for enabling fast and reliable real-time communications, as well as the transfer of information between dental professionals and their patients. However, little is known about the frequency and preference of ICTs among Latin-American dentists. Our study aims to fill this gap by assessing different aspects related to ICTs, mainly the frequency of use, perceptions, and barriers among Ecuadorian dentists. METHODS: An anonymous, cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among 342 Ecuadorian dentists. The final questionnaire included 13 items related to the frequency of use, perceptions, and barriers of ICTs. Bivariate analysis was performed by using chi-squared testing to explore the association between the independent variables and the intended use of ICTs, as well as to characterize the perceptions and barriers related to ICTs. RESULTS: In general, most participants reported the use of ICTs to communicate with colleagues (99.7%), and patients (96.2%), while only 63.5% reported using ICTs to obtain academic information in their daily practice. WhatsApp was rated as the most used ICT for communicating with colleagues and patients. A majority of participants considered that ICTs can be useful for facilitating continuing dental education (92.1%), searching new work opportunities (91.5%), promoting health (90.1%), working with colleagues and other health professionals (91.2%), promoting their professional services (90.6%), and for resolving clinical cases (87.7%). On the subject of barriers, privacy and security concerns about personal and/or patient information was the biggest concern among dentists (65%), followed by lack of time to learn how to use and/or use ICTs (48%), lack of mobile internet access (28.1%), and lack of internet access at work (24.9%). CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that Ecuadorian dentists had a high usage rate of ICTs, mainly for communicating with other colleagues and patients, while the academic use of technology remains a comparatively underused application. Most of the participants surveyed had a positive perception towards ICTs, while privacy and security concerns were identified as the main barrier. Older age was associated with a less favourable perception toward ICTs, as well as an increased likelihood of reporting barriers related to the use of technology.

Evaluación del impacto en la calidad de vida de pacientes adultos rehabilitados con nuevas prótesis removibles totales / Assessment of the impact on quality of life in adult patients treated with new complete removable dentures

El presente trabajo fue realizado en el marco de la valorización actual que tanto la Medicina como la Odontología hacen de la obtención de mejora en la Calidad de Vida (CV) de los pacientes, con los tratamientos instaurados. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar si existía mejora en la Calidad de Vida en Relación a la Salud Oral (CVRSO) de los pacientes adultos desdentados bimaxilares rehabilitados con nuevos juegos de prótesis totales en una Clínica de Prostodoncia Removible de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de la República, en Uruguay. Se incluyeron 100 pacientes adultos, desdentados bimaxilares, que no presentaron discapacidad intelectual ni enfermedades sistémicas que afectaran sus funciones orales. Para medir la CVRSO se utilizó el instrumento de medición Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Fueron analizadas las puntuaciones antes de la rehabilitación (pre-tratamiento) con resultado de 9,42 ± 7,79, en el momento del alta del paciente (control inmediato) con resultado de 3,13 ± 4,49 y luego de 3 meses de dada el alta (control mediato) con 2,13 ± 3,32. Se observó una disminución entre la primera y segunda medición (p<0,001) que se acentuó al comparar la primera con la tercera medición (p<0,001). Los resultados obtenidos señalan que existió mejoría estadísticamente significativa de la CVRSO percibida por los pacientes encuestados

This work was done under the current appreciation that both medicine and dentistry currently have of improving the quality of life (QL) of patients with finished treatments. The aim of this study was to research whether there was an improvement in the Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQL) on bimaxillary toothless adult patients rehabilitated with new complete dentures in a Clinic of Removable Prosthodontics in the School of Dentistry, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. One hundred bimaxillary edentulous adult patients were included. They did not have an intellectual disability nor a systemic disease affecting their oral functions. To measure the OHRQL, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used. The scores studied were: before the rehabilitation (pretreatment) 9.42 ± 7.79, at the moment of the patient's discharge (immediate follow-up) 3.13 ± 4.49 and three months after the discharge (intermediate follow-up) 2.13 ± 3.32. We observed a reduction between the first and the second measurements (p<0.001), which was greater when comparing the first with the third measurement (p<0.001)

Fitoterapias en lesiones de mucosa oral: propiedades reparativas y aplicación clínica: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Phytotherapies in oral mucosa lesions: reparative properties and clinical application: systematic review of the literature

Dada la exposición constante a injurias, las lesiones de mucosa oral (LMO) y su cicatrización son asunto de importancia para la práctica odontológica, siendo relevante contribuir al restablecimiento de la integridad del área afectada. Se plantea la utilización de fitofármacos como coadyuvantes en la cicatrización de LMO, pero aun cuando los fitofármacos están socialmente valorados, no siempre existe evidencia que los respalde como alternativa terapéutica. Es por esto que consideramos necesario determinar que fitofármacos efectivamente ejercen acción sobre las LMO, para una práctica odontológica basada en evidencia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo exploratoria pre-sistemático (scoping review), para lo cual se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Journal Database, ProQuest Central, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane, CUMED, IBECS y LILACS, utilizando los términos MeSH "phytotherapy", "plant extracts", "medicinal plants", "ethnopharmacology", "mouth mucosa" y "oral mucosa". Se incluyeron artículos de los últimos 15 años escritos en español, inglés o portugués, siendo requisito el estudio de heridas o lesiones ulcerativas de la mucosa oral y la evaluación de fitofármacos como alternativa terapéutica para la resolución de las mismas. Resultados: Se seleccionaron mediante lectura de resumen un total de 21 artículos para revisión, correspondiendo 6 a estudios experimentales realizados en animales, 3 a estudios en cultivos celulares, 11 a ensayos clínicos y 1 a revisión Cochrane. Acorde a lo obtenido, los fitofármacos entregan una amplia gama de evidencia de mejorías clínicas e histológicas; existiendo un gran número de artículos científicos que avalan las propiedades benéficas de las plantas y sus componentes activos, sin embargo en cuanto a la cavidad oral, existe un menor número de ensayos clínicos en donde se observen resultados específicos para la mucosa oral. Es necesario ampliar el estudio e inversión en el campo de la fitoterapia, especilamente en lo que concierne a la cicatrización en cavidad oral y sus efectos en la regeneración celular, con el fin de avalar este tipo de terapias.

Given the constant exposure to injuries, oral mucosal lesions (OML) and their healing are important issues for dental practice, and it is important to contribute to the restoration of the integrity of the affected area. The use of phytopharmaceuticals as adjuvants in the healing of OML is considered, but even when phytopharmaceuticals are socially valued, there is not always evidence to support them as a therapeutic alternative. This is why we consider it necessary to determine that phytopharmaceuticals effectively exert action on the OMLs, for an evidence-based dental practice. A descriptive exploratory scoping study was carried out, for which MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Journal Database, ProQuest Central, SciELO, Cochrane Library, CUMED, IBECS And LILACS, using the terms MeSH "phytotherapy", "plant extracts", "medicinal plants", "ethnopharmacology", "mouth mucosa" and "oral mucosa". We included articles of the last 15 years written in Spanish, English or Portuguese, being required the study of wounds or ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa and the evaluation of phytopharmaceuticals as a therapeutic alternative for the resolution of the same. Results: A total of 21 articles were selected for review, 6 for experimental studies in animals, 3 for studies on cell cultures, 11 for clinical trials and 1 for Cochrane review. According to the obtained, the phytopharmaceuticals deliver a wide range of evidence of clinical and histological improvements; There is a large number of scientific articles that support the beneficial properties of the plants and their active components, however in the oral cavity, there are fewer clinical trials where specific results are observed for the oral mucosa. It is necessary to expand the study and investment in the field of phytotherapy, especially with regard to healing in the oral cavity and its effects on cellular regeneration, in order to support this type of therapies.

Psychometric Validation of the Academic Motivation Scale in a Dental Student Sample.

The Academic Motivation Scale is one of the most frequently used instruments to assess academic motivation. It relies on the self-determination theory of human motivation. However, motivation has been understudied in dental education. Therefore, to address the lack of valid instruments to assess academic motivation in dental education and contribute to future research in the field, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of this instrument in a sample of dental students. Participants were 989 Chilean undergraduate dental students (86% response rate) who completed a survey containing a Chilean face-valid version of the Spanish Academic Motivation Scale and three other motivation-related instruments to assess the survey's construct and criterion validity. Later, 76 of the students (out of 100 invited) took the survey again to assess its test-retest stability. The instrument's construct validity was supported by the superior goodness of fit of the seven-subscale Academic Motivation Scale over competing models through confirmatory factor analysis and by the expected correlations among its subscales. The concurrent criterion validity was supported by the confirmation of correlations between its subscales and external criteria. Adequate internal consistency and test-retest correlations were also found. The evidence from this study suggests that the Academic Motivation Scale is a preliminarily valid and reliable instrument to assess motivation in the predoctoral dental context. Future research in this area is needed to confirm or refute these results.

Anestesia local odontológica y su influencia en anomalías del desarrollo dental: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Dental local anesthesia and its influence on dental developmental abnormalities: systematic review of the literature

La anestesia local odontológica es un procedimiento de rutina en la práctica odontológica pediátrica que, tal como otros sucesos, podría generar anomalías en el desarrollo dental, considerando la susceptibilidad de los gérmenes dentales en desarrollo; por lo anterior consideramos necesario determinar la existencia de asociación entre anomalías del desarrollo dental y el uso de técnicas anestésicas. Para esto se diseñó un estudio descriptivo basado en búsqueda sistemática de literatura en las bases de datos: Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Central, Korean Journal Database y SciELO, utilizando combinación de términos MeSH: ("odontoblasts" OR "ameloblasts" OR "odontogenesis" OR "amelogenesis" OR "dentinogenesis" OR "odontodysplasia" OR "dental enamel hypoplasia" OR "dental sac" OR "dental papilla" OR "enamel organ") AND ("anesthesia" OR "local anesthesia" OR "nerve block" OR "dental anesthesia"). De un total de 96 artículos, se incluyeron para revisión 5 artículos relacionados con los objetivos de esta revisión, excluyéndose las coincidencias. La evidencia presente en la literatura es contradictoria. Existen múltiples diferencias entre los estudios analizados, las que podrían deberse a las técnicas anestésicas involucradas, tipo de anestésico, la no consideración de otros posibles agentes causales (síndromes) o la terapia odontológica. No puede ser determinado una relación entre estos dos aspectos.

The dental local anesthesia is a routine procedure in pediatric dental practice that, as other events could generate abnormalities in dental development, considering the susceptibility of developing tooth germs. From the foregoing it necessary to determine the existence of association between disorders of tooth development and use of anesthetic techniques. A descriptive study based on systematic literature review in databases: Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Central, Korean Journal Database and SciELO data was designed, using the following combination of MeSH terms ("odontoblasts" OR "ameloblasts" OR "odontogenesis" OR "amelogenesis" OR "dentinogenesis" OR "odontodysplasia" OR "dental enamel hypoplasia" OR "dental sac" OR "dental papilla" OR "enamel organ") AND ("anesthesia" OR "local anesthesia "OR" nerve block "OR" dental anesthesia"). A total of 96 articles, were included for review a total of 5 articles related to the objectives of this review, excluding the matches. The present evidence in the literature is contradictory. There are many differences between the studies analyzed, which could be due to the anesthetic techniques involved, type of anesthetic, other possible causative agents (syndromes) or dental treatment are not included. It can not be determined a relationship between these two aspects.

Linfoma no Hodgkin suprarrenal primario / Primary Non Hodgkin´s Lymphoma of the Adrenal Gland

El linfoma no Hodgkin primario de la glándula suprarrenal es una patología muy poco común. Su diagnóstico inicial es difícil siendo este histológico. El linfoma B difuso de células grandes es el tipo histológico más frecuente. Se presenta el caso mujer de 62 años a la que se le realiza tomografía axial computarizada abdominal que muestra una masa de 18 cms dependiente de la glándula suprarrenal y con características de carcinoma. Se realiza exéresis de la tumoración, siendo la anatomía patológica linfoma difuso de célula grande B. Este tipo de linfoma tiene mal pronóstico describiéndose supervivencias medias en torno a los 13 meses. No existe un régimen terapéutico bien definido; aunque el tratamiento más aceptado es el esquema R-CHOP. El papel de la radioterapia y de la exéresis tumoral no está claramente establecido. El linfoma suprarrenal primario debe tenerse en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes que presentan una masa suprarrenal. Ante la sospecha de esta patología es preferible realizar una biopsia con aguja guiada por prueba de imagen para evitar una intervención quirúrgica innecesaria(AU)

Primary non- Hodgkin`s lymphoma of the adrenal gland is very rare. Its initial diagnosis is difficult and needs to be histological. Diffuse large B- cell lymphoma is the most common histological type. This is the report of a 62 years old woman, who was performed abdominal tomography to disclose a 18 cm tumor in the adrenal gland with carcinoma characteristics. The tumor was removed and the final pathologic diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This type of lymphoma has poor prognosis since the average survival rates are roughly 13 months. There is no well-defined therapeutic regimen, although the most widely accepted treatment is R-CHOP scheme. The roles of radiotherapy and tumor resection are not clearly established. Primary adrenal lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with an adrenal mass. When this condition is suspected, then it is advisable to perform a imaging-guided needle biopsy to avoid unnecessary surgery(AU)

Análisis Preliminar de Factores que Influencian las Tazas de Embarazo en Inseminación Intrauterina en la Clínica CIES / Preliminary Analysis of Factors Influencing Pregnancy Rates in Intrauterine Insemination at CIES Clinic

La inseminación intrauterina es una de las modalidades terapéuticas más comúnmente empleadas en fertilidad. Sin embargo, utilizando esta técnica la tasa de embarazo está sujeta a muchas variables. En este análisis preliminar se consideran diferentes variables con el objetivo de determinar posibles factores predictivos de la tasa de embarazo. Se analizaron las variables de edad de la mujer, numero de folículos pre-ovulatorios, tamaño de folículo dominante, grosor del endometrio y conteo espermático de espermatozoides grado A, que según estudios son los más importantes en Inseminación Intrauterina. Los resultados mostraron que nuestra tasa de embarazo general por ciclo fue de 7,1% y no se registraron embarazos múltiples. La mayor tasa de embarazo por ciclo se observó entre las parejas con un conteo de espermatozoides progresivos rápidos [PRR] mayor a 20,1 x 106 [25%] después de la preparación de capacitación, con una edad de la mujer entre 35-39 años [11,1%] y 40-42 años [14,3%] y un grosor de endometrio entre 8,1 y 10 mm [13%]. En conclusión, observamos que la tasa de embarazo es mayor cuando es mayor el tamaño de folículo dominante [>20mm], el grosor del endometrio es mayor a 8mm y el número de espermatozoides progresivos grado A es mayor a 20 millones.

Intrauterine Insemination is one of the most commonly used therapeutic modalities in fertility. Nevertheless, the pregnancy rate using this technique is related to many variables. In this preliminary analysis it was considered different variables in order to determinate predictors of pregnancy rate. Those variables were female age, number of pre-ovulatory follicles, dominant follicle size, thickness of the endometrium and sperm count of grade A sperms, which according to studies are the most important variables for intrauterine insemination. The results showed that our overall pregnancy rate per cycle was 7.5% and no multiple pregnancies were recorded.The high pregnancy rate per cycle was observed between couples with a progressive motility spermatozoa [PR] count above 20.1x106 [25%] after sperm preparation techniques, with a women age of 35 - 39 years old [11.1%] and 39-42 years old [14.3%] and an endometrial thickness between 8.1-10 mm [13%]. In conclusion, we observed that the pregnancy rate is greatest when the size of dominant follicle is larger [>20mm], endometrial thickness is more than 8mm and the number of progressive spermatozoa grade A is more than 20 million.

Estudio de Parámetros Seminales en pacientes que asisten por Infertilidad a la Clínica CIES-La Paz-Bolivia / Study of seminal parameters in patients attending at CIES's Clinic-La Paz-Bolivia

La infertilidad es un problema que afecta tanto a varones como a mujeres y debe ser evaluada para un diagnóstico integral. El análisis seminal es el paso inicial y de mayor importancia en la evaluación de infertilidad y ayuda a definir la severidad del factor masculino de infertilidad. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la frecuencia de las principales anomalías, en base a seminogramas, de pacientes masculinos que asisten a la Clinica CIES por problemas de infertilidad siguiendo los criterios de la OMS 2010 mediante un estudio de tipo descriptivo, de corte transversal. La población de estudio fue 290 pacientes masculinos que asistieron a la Clínica CIES - La Paz entre el año 2013 y 2014 para evaluación de infertilidad, los pacientes se caracterizaron por ser un grupo altamente heterogéneo en edad [19 a 67 años]. Las anomalías más frecuentes fueron la astenozoospermia[20.3%] y la teratozoospermia[18,5%], sin embargo, se encontró que el 6,8 % de los pacientes era normozospermico. Se evidenció una relación entre las alteraciones de motilidad y las morfológicas encontrándose estas anormalidades comúnmente asociadas en un mismo paciente. No se detectaron diferencias significativas de los parámetros seminales entre las categorías de edad establecidas.

Infertility is a problem that affects both men and women and should be evaluated for a comprehensive diagnosis. The semen analysis is the initial and most important in the evaluation of infertility and helps to define the severity of the male factor infertility step. The objective of this study is determining the frequency of the major abnormalities, based on semen analysis, of male patients that was attended at CIES La Paz Clinic for infertility problems according to the WHO criteria 2010. The studied population was 290 male patients who attended the CIES - La Paz Clinic between 2013 and 2014 for evaluation of infertility. The patients were characterized as a highly heterogeneous age group [19 to 67 years]. The most frequent abnormalities were asthenozoospermia[20.3%] and teratozoospermia [18.5%], however, we found that 6.8% of patients were normozospermico. A relationship between alterations of motility and morphological abnormalities found these commonly associated in the same patient was demonstrated. No significant differences in semen parameters between the age categories established were detected.

[Esopheal foreign body impaction]. / Impactación de cuerpo extraño esofágico.

Esophageal ingestion of foreign bodies is a frequent urgency. It occurs more commonly in patients with psychiatric disorders, prisoners and extreme ages of the life. Early upper endoscopy is the method of choice for the treatment of symptomatic patients. Surgery is only considered when a complication is present or the extraction can not be done by the endoscopist. We report a case of a 34-year-old male who voluntarily ingested an uncommon foreign body. Surgical treatment was required because of impaction after endoscopic maneuvers and suspicion of esophageal perforation.

[Thoracic empyema due to subphrenic appendicitis: an infrequent presentation]. / Empiema pleural secundario a apendicitis subdiafragmática: una extraña presentación.

Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency. Atypical presentations lead to a late diagnosis with a higher complication rate. Given its rarity, we report a case of a thoracic empyema due to subphrenic appendicitis.

[Lumbar abscess secundary to retained gallstones]. / Absceso Lumbar Secundario a Colelitiasis Retenida.

Lost gallstones after accidental opening of the gallbladder during cholecystectomy usually under laparoscopy, can cause late complications. Intra-abdominal abscess is the most frequent and the diagnosis is based on imaging techniques (abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan). Surgical drainage with gallstones removal seems to be the best approach, due to the fact that a simple percutaneous drainage has a high failure rate. However, a posterior abdominal wall abscess as the initial manifestation of intra-abdominal abscess due to retained gallstones is uncommon, and this prompted us to report this case.

Absceso lumbar secundario a colelitiasis retenida / Lumbar abscess secundary to retained gallstones

Los cálculos abandonados tras apertura accidental durante una colecistectomía, generalmente laparoscópica, pueden producir complicaciones tardías, siendo el absceso intraabdominal la más frecuente. El diagnóstico se basa en la prueba de imagen (ecografía/tomografía computerizada), siendo el drenaje y la extracción quirúrgica de los cálculos la mejor opción terapéutica, ya que el drenaje percutáneo presenta una elevada tasa de fracasos. Sin embargo, el absceso en pared abdominal posterior como manifestación inicial de un absceso intraabdominal debido a colelitiasis retenida es poco frecuente, por lo que reportamos este caso.

Lost gallstones after accidental opening of the gallbladder during cholecystectomy usually under laparoscopy, can cause late complications. Intra-abdominal abscess is the most frequent and the diagnosis is based on imaging techniques (abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan). Surgical drainage with gallstones removal seems to be the best approach, due to the fact that a simple percutaneous drainage has a high failure rate. However, a posterior abdominal wall abscess as the initial manifestation of intra-abdominal abscess due to retained gallstones is uncommon, and this prompted us to report this case.

Ubicación vestíbulo-lingual de los dientes posteriores en prostodoncia total: relación entre las referencias del centro de cresta alveolar y del centro de registro piezográfico / Posterior artificial teeth in relation to middle alveolar ridge line and the middle line of a simplified piezographic record: a comparative study

En el Uruguay se emplea frecuentemente la técnica piezográfica para construir prótesis inferiores. Con esta técnica se elabora el espacio protético en forma dinámica, utilizando la funcionalidad de los músculos paraprotéticos, mientras que con la técnica convencional dicho espacio se ubica directamente encima del reborde alveolar. El propósito de esta investigación fue realizar un estudio comparativo entre las referencias del centro de cresta alveolar y la línea media de un registro piezográfico simplificado. Para realizar este trabajo se seleccionaron 50 pacientes mayores de 60 años de la clínica de Prostodoncia Removible Total. A todos ellos se les realizó una piezografía simplificada. Cada registro piezográfico fue ubicado sobre su modelo respectivo y luego se realizaron 3 cortes frontales de cada lado, para poder comparar el centro de cresta con la arista piezográfica obtenida. Se midieron las distancias entre ambas referencias y se realizó el análisis estadístico. Se comprobó que no existe coincidencia entre las referencias.