Hospital admissions due to suicide attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic, a 3-year longitudinal study.

The appearance of the SARS CoV-2 virus and the associated COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with the onset of mental disorders in healthy people and the worsening in those with pre-existing mental conditions. One of the areas that has raised the greatest concern is that of suicidality. Most of the published studies have been carried out cross-sectional or with small samples, without stratifying by age and gender. Thus, the aim of this longitudinal research is to study, in a large population sample of around 6,700,000 inhabitants belonging to the entire region of Madrid (Spain), the admissions in psychiatric hospitalization units due to suicidal attempts along 2019, 2020 and 2021. No clear increase in the number of admissions due to suicidality in the total population have been found. In addition, a higher prevalence in admissions among women is verified. Moreover, stratifying by age and gender, a striking and significant increase in hospital admissions due to suicidality has been observed in the group up to 17 years old, from September 2020 until the end of the study. These results highlight the special vulnerability of children and adolescents, specifically girls, and the need for preventive measures in the face of future pandemics.

Spanish Validation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research Interview for Assessing Patients' Mental Capacity to Consent to Clinical Research.

The aim of the study was to assess a Spanish adaptation of a method that determines the categorical capacity status of potential participants in research projects. The sample consisted of 120 subjects (40 general medicine inpatients, 40 psychiatric inpatients, and 40 healthy controls). The MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR) interview and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used. A feasibility study was carried out and reliability and validity calculations were made against the expert-judgment gold standard. The mean duration of the MacCAT-CR was 13 min. For the MacCAT-CR understanding, appreciation, reasoning, and expressing a choice subscales, the intraclass coefficient correlation (interrater reliability) was .93, .88, .90, and .50, respectively, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was .96, .94, and .95, respectively. Patients considered to be incompetent for expert-judgment obtained lower scores in the MacCAT-CR interview. The Spanish version of the MacCAT-CR is feasible, reliable, and valid for assessing the capacity of patients to give consent in research.

Validación española de la entrevista MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment para evaluar la capacidad de los pacientes para consentir tratamiento / Spanish validation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment interview to assess patients competence to consent treatment

Fundamento y objetivo: Validar al español la entrevista MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T), que valora la capacidad de los pacientes para consentir tratamiento examinando 4 áreas (comprensión, apreciación, razonamiento y expresión de una elección). Pacientes y método: La muestra se componía de 160 sujetos (80 ingresados en Medicina Interna, 40 ingresados en Psiquiatría y 40 controles sanos). Se utilizaron los instrumentos MacCAT-T y Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Se llevó a cabo un estudio de factibilidad, cálculo de fiabilidad y validez (contragold standard del experto clínico). Resultados: La duración media de la entrevista MacCAT-T fue de 18 min. Respecto a la fiabilidad interobservador, el coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue para Comprensión = 0,98, Apreciación = 0,97, Razonamiento = 0,98 y Expresión de una elección = 0,91. La consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach) fue: Comprensión = 0,87, Apreciación = 0,76 y Razonamiento = 0,86. Los pacientes considerados incapaces (gold standard) obtienen puntuaciones menores en todas las áreas de la MacCAT-T. Un rendimiento bajo en la MacCAT-T se relaciona con el deterioro cognitivo evaluado por MMSE. Conclusiones: La versión española de la MacCAT-T es fiable, factible y válida para la evaluación de la capacidad de los pacientes para consentir tratamiento (AU)

Background and objective: To validate the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T) Spanish version, which assesses the mental capacity of patients to consent treatment, by examining 4 areas (Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning and Expressing a choice). Patients and method: Sample: 160 subjects (80 Internal Medicine inpatients, 40 Psychiatric inpatients and 40 healthy controls). Instruments: MacCAT-T, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Procedure: Feasibility study, reliability and validity calculations (against to gold standard of clinical expert). Results: Mean duration of the MacCAT-T interview was 18 min. Inter-rater reliability: Intraclass correlation coefficient for Understanding = 0.98, Appreciation = 0.97, Reasoning = 0.98, Expressing a choice = 0.91. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha): Understanding = 0.87, for Appreciation = 0.76, for Reasoning = 0.86. Patients considered to be incapable (gold standard) scored lower in all the MacCAT-T areas. Poor performance on the MacCAT-T was related to cognitive impairment assessed by MMSE. Conclusions: Spanish version of the MacCAT-T is feasible, reliable, and valid for assessing the capacity of patients to consent treatment (AU)

El uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de adolescentes / Piercing Use in the Oral Cavity of Adolescents

Introducción: el uso del piercing intraoral en los adolescentes constituye una amenaza para la salud bucal. Objetivo: caracterizar el uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de los adolescentes desde el punto de vista clínico y epidemiológico. Material y método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el policlínico Dr. "Modesto Gómez Rubio" del municipio San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río, en el período comprendido de septiembre del 2011 a enero del 2013. El universo estuvo conformado por 400 adolescentes que acudieron al servicio del policlínico de los cuales 250 constituyeron la muestra, seleccionada a través del método aleatorio simple. Se les realizó el examen bucal, como medida de resumen se utilizaron el número absoluto y el porcentaje. Resultados: se pudo constatar que de 250 adolescentes examinados 34 presentaban perforaciones intraorales para un 13,6%, de ellos 24 son masculinos para un 70,59% y 10 femeninas representando el 29,41%, la edad de mayor uso de 15 y 18 años con 31 para un 21,85, los efectos nocivos de mayor frecuencia la gingivitis crónica con el 52,94% , seguidas por las fracturas dentarias con el 47,06%, el 97% respondieron que su motivación era la moda. Conclusiones: el uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de los adolescentes estudiados se caracteriza por manifestarse con mayor frecuencia en las edades entre 15 y 18 años, con predominio del sexo masculino y el efecto nocivo más frecuente la enfermedad gingivitis crónica, seguidas por las fracturas dentarias, motivación la moda.

Introduction: the use of intraoral piercing in adolescents constitutes a threat to oral health. Objective: to clinically and epidemiologically characterize the use of piercing in the oral cavity by adolescents. Material and method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Modesto Gomez Rubio Outpatient Clinic from the municipality of San Juan y Martinez, Pinar del Rio, in the period September 2011 to January 2013. The universe consisted of 400 adolescents who presented to the clinic, out of which 250 were sampled, and selected through the simple random method. They underwent oral examination, as a summary measure the absolute number and percentage were used. Results: it was found that 34 out of 250 adolescents examined had intraoral drilling (13.6%), out of which 24 are male (70.59%) and 10 were female (29.41%), of ages 15-18 being of higher prevalence, with 31 individuals (21.85%), the more frequent harmful effects were chronic gingivitis with 52.94%, followed by dental fractures with 47.06 %; 97% answered that their motivation was fashion. Conclusions: the use of piercing in the oral cavity by adolescents studied occurs more often at ages 15-18, predominantly in male individuals, while the most common adverse effect is chronic gingivitis disease, followed by dental fractures, with fashion as a motivation.

El uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de adolescentes / Piercing Use in the Oral Cavity of Adolescents

El uso del piercing intraoral en los adolescentes constituye una amenaza para la salud bucal. El objetivo fue caracterizar el uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de los adolescentes desde el punto de vista clínico y epidemiológico. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el policlínico Dr. Modesto Gómez Rubio del municipio San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río, en el período comprendido de septiembre del 2011 a enero del 2013. El universo estuvo conformado por 400 adolescentes que acudieron al servicio del policlínico de los cuales 250 constituyeron la muestra, seleccionada a través del método aleatorio simple. Se les realizó el examen bucal, como medida de resumen se utilizaron el número absoluto y el porcentaje. Se pudo constatar que de 250 adolescentes examinados 34 presentaban perforaciones intraorales para un 13,6 por ciento, de ellos 24 son masculinos para un 70,59 por ciento y 10 femeninas representando el 29,41 por ciento, la edad de mayor uso de 15 y 18 años con 31 para un 21,85, los efectos nocivos de mayor frecuencia la gingivitis crónica con el 52,94 por ciento , seguidas por las fracturas dentarias con el 47,06 por ciento, el 97 por ciento respondieron que su motivación era la moda. El uso del piercing en la cavidad bucal de los adolescentes estudiados se caracteriza por manifestarse con mayor frecuencia en las edades entre 15 y 18 años, con predominio del sexo masculino y el efecto nocivo más frecuente la enfermedad gingivitis crónica, seguidas por las fracturas dentarias, motivación la moda(AU)

The use of intraoral piercing in adolescents constitutes a threat to oral health. The objective was to clinically and epidemiologically characterize the use of piercing in the oral cavity by adolescents. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Modesto Gomez Rubio Outpatient Clinic from the municipality of San Juan y Martinez, Pinar del Rio, in the period September 2011 to January 2013. The universe consisted of 400 adolescents who presented to the clinic, out of which 250 were sampled, and selected through the simple random method. They underwent oral examination, as a summary measure the absolute number and percentage were used.Results: it was found that 34 out of 250 adolescents examined had intraoral drilling (13.6 per cent), out of which 24 are male (70,59 ) and 10 were female (29,41 per cent), of ages 15-18 being of higher prevalence, with 31 individuals (21,85 per cent), the more frequent harmful effects were chronic gingivitis with 52,94 per cent, followed by dental fractures with 47.06 per cent; 97 per cent answered that their motivation was fashion. The use of piercing in the oral cavity by adolescents studied occurs more often at ages 15-18, predominantly in male individuals, while the most common adverse effect is chronic gingivitis disease, followed by dental fractures, with fashion as a motivation(AU)

[Spanish validation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment interview to assess patients competence to consent treatment]. / Validación española de la entrevista MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment para evaluar la capacidad de los pacientes para consentir tratamiento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To validate the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T) Spanish version, which assesses the mental capacity of patients to consent treatment, by examining 4 areas (Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning and Expressing a choice). SAMPLE: 160 subjects (80 Internal Medicine inpatients, 40 Psychiatric inpatients and 40 healthy controls). INSTRUMENTS: MacCAT-T, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). PROCEDURE: Feasibility study, reliability and validity calculations (against to gold standard of clinical expert). RESULTS: Mean duration of the MacCAT-T interview was 18min. Inter-rater reliability: Intraclass correlation coefficient for Understanding=0.98, Appreciation=0.97, Reasoning=0.98, Expressing a choice=0.91. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha): Understanding=0.87, for Appreciation=0.76, for Reasoning=0.86. Patients considered to be incapable (gold standard) scored lower in all the MacCAT-T areas. Poor performance on the MacCAT-T was related to cognitive impairment assessed by MMSE. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish version of the MacCAT-T is feasible, reliable, and valid for assessing the capacity of patients to consent treatment.

[Brief Suicide Questionnaire. Inter-rater reliability]. / Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio: fiabilidad interexaminadores.

INTRODUCTION: Inter-rater agreement is a crucial aspect in the planning and performance of a clinical trial in which the main assessment tool is the clinical interview. The main objectives of this study are to study the inter-rater agreement of a tool for the assessment of suicidal behavior (Brief Suicide Questionnaire) and to examine whether the inter-examiner agreement when multiple ratings are made on a single subject is an efficient method to assess the reliability of an instrument. METHOD: In the context of designing a multicenter clinical trial, 32 psychiatrists assessed a videotaped clinical interview of a patient with suicidal behavior. In order to identify those items in which a greater level of discordance existed and detect the examiners whose ratings differed significantly from the average ratings, we used the DOMENIC method (Detecion of Multiple Examiners Not in Consensus). RESULTS: Inter-rater agreement was between poor (<70%) to excelent (90-100%. Inter-rater agreement in Brugha's list of threatening experiences ranged from 75.5 and 100%; in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale was 82.58%; in the Beck's Suicidal Intent Scale, ranged from 67.5 and 97%; in the Beck's Scale for Suicide Ideation, ranged from 63.5 and 100%; and in the Lethality Rating Scale was 88.39%. On the whole, the level of agreement among raters, both in general scores and in particular items, was appropriate. CONCLUSION: The proposed design allows the assessment of the inter-rater agreement in an efficient way (only in one session). In addition, regarding the Brief Suicide Questionnaire, inter-raters agreement was appropriate.

Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio: fiabilidad interexaminadores / Brief Suicide Questionnaire. Inter-rater reliability

Introducción. El acuerdo entre-examinadores es un aspecto fundamental en la planificación de cualquier trabajo de investigación donde la principal herramienta diagnóstica es la entrevista clínica. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar el acuerdo entre-examinadores de un instrumento de evaluación de la conducta suicida (Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio) utilizando las valoraciones de múltiples observadores en una sola sesión. Método. Durante la fase piloto de un estudio clínico multicéntrico centrado en la monitorización de intentos de suicidio, 32 examinadores evaluaron el vídeo de la entrevista clínica a un paciente simulado con conducta suicida. Para identificar los ítems en los que existía una mayor discordancia y a los examinadores cuyo criterio se alejaba más del acuerdo general, se utilizó el método Detection Of Multiple Examiners Not In Consensus (DOMENIC). Resultado. El acuerdo interexaminadores osciló entre pobre (<70%) y excelente (90-100%). En la escala de acontecimientos vitales estresantes el nivel de acuerdo osciló entre 48,4 y 97%; en la escala problemas psicosociales del DSM-IV, entre 75,5 y 100%; en la escala de evaluación de la actividad global fue de 82,58%; en la escala de intencionalidad suicida, osciló entre 67,5 y 97%; en la escala de ideación suicida, entre 63,5 y 100% y en la escala de letalidad del intento de suicidio fue de 88,39%. En general, los examinadores mostraron un nivel de acuerdo adecuado tanto en las puntuaciones globales de cada escala como en cada ítem en particular. Conclusiones. El diseño propuesto permite evaluar el acuerdo entre-examinadores de una forma eficiente (en una única sesión). Además, con respecto al Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio, el acuerdo entre-examinadores fue apropiado(AU)

Introduction. Inter-rater agreement is a crucial aspect in the planning and performance of a clinical trial in which the main assessment tool is the clinical interview. The main objectives of this study are to study the inter-rater agreement of a tool for the assessment of suicidal behaviour (Brief Suicide Questionnaire) and to examine whether the inter-examiner agreement when multiple ratings are made on a single subject is an efficient method to assess the reliability of an instrument. Method. In the context of designing a multicenter clinical trial, 32 psychiatrists assessed a videotaped clinical interview of a patient with suicidal behaviour. In order to identify those items in which a greater level of discordance existed and detect the examiners whose ratings differed significantly from the average ratings, we used the DOMENIC method (Detecion of Multiple Examiners Not in Consensus). Results. Inter-rater agreement was between poor (<70%) to excellent (90-100%. Inter-rater agreement in Brugha's list of threatening experiences ranged from 75.5% to 100%; in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale was 82.58%; in Beck's Suicidal Intent Scale, ranged from 67.5% to 97%; in Beck's Scale for Suicide Ideation, ranged from 63.5% to 100%; and in the Lethality Rating Scale was 88.39%. On the whole, the level of agreement among raters, both in general scores and in particular items, was appropriate. Conclusion. The proposed design allows the assessment of the inter-rater agreement in an efficient way (only in one session). In addition, regarding the Brief Suicide Questionnaire, inter-raters agreement was appropriate(AU)

La educación en valores en el contexto de la formación profesional de Enfermería / Values education in the context of the nursing professional training

El trabajo destaca cómo los problemas actuales en el orden político-económico que afectan a la humanidad, están incidiendo notablemente en la formación y educación de valores. La responsabilidad que tiene la Universidad para con la sociedad referente a los cambios y transformaciones que son necesarios en el ámbito educativo en las dimensiones de moralidad y espiritualidad. Se hace referencia a las tendencias de desarrollo actual en el ámbito educativo declaradas en la Conferencia Mundial sobre Educación Superior donde se señala la relevancia de un aprendizaje permanente con el fin de formar ciudadanos con calidad no solo en el orden científico técnico sino en la formación de valores humanos. Se argumenta sobre los valores de la profesión de Enfermería que permiten al profesional la resolución de problemas con responsabilidad, ética y autonomía

The aim of present paper is emphasize the current problems in the political-economic order affecting the mankind are having a remarkable impact on values training and education. University is responsible in the face of society for the changes and transformations needed in the educational scope in relation to morality and spirituality. To make reference to the trends of current development in the educational scope stated in the World Lecture on Higher Education where it is indicated the relevance of a permanent learning to train quality citizens not only in the scientific-technical order but in human values training. It is argued on the values of the Nursing profession allowing that the professional staff overcomes the problems with responsibility, ethics and autonomy

La educación en valores en el contexto de la formación profesional de Enfermería / Values education in the context of the nursing professional training

El trabajo destaca cómo los problemas actuales en el orden político-económico que afectan a la humanidad, están incidiendo notablemente en la formación y educación de valores. La responsabilidad que tiene la Universidad para con la sociedad referente a los cambios y transformaciones que son necesarios en el ámbito educativo en las dimensiones de moralidad y espiritualidad. Se hace referencia a las tendencias de desarrollo actual en el ámbito educativo declaradas en la Conferencia Mundial sobre Educación Superior donde se señala la relevancia de un aprendizaje permanente con el fin de formar ciudadanos con calidad no solo en el orden científico técnico sino en la formación de valores humanos. Se argumenta sobre los valores de la profesión de Enfermería que permiten al profesional la resolución de problemas con responsabilidad, ética y autonomía(AU)

The aim of present paper is emphasize the current problems in the political-economic order affecting the mankind are having a remarkable impact on values training and education. University is responsible in the face of society for the changes and transformations needed in the educational scope in relation to morality and spirituality. To make reference to the trends of current development in the educational scope stated in the World Lecture on Higher Education where it is indicated the relevance of a permanent learning to train quality citizens not only in the scientific-technical order but in human values training. It is argued on the values of the Nursing profession allowing that the professional staff overcomes the problems with responsibility, ethics and autonomy(AU)

Differences in maternal and paternal age between schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.

Advanced parental age has been shown to increase offspring risk for a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and Down's syndrome. Other psychiatric disorders have been less studied with respect to the effect of parental age on offspring risk. In this study we examine if advanced parental age increased risk for ICD-10 diagnoses. We hypothesized that advanced parental age would increase risk for offspring psychotic disorders and mental retardation but not other ICD-10 diagnoses. We examined follow-up data for 30,965 subjects treated in outpatient psychiatric facilities between 1980 and 2007. Subjects were younger than 18 years of age at their first outpatient visit. A comparison group was obtained from data on registered births in Spain from 1975. We compared parental age (maternal, paternal, combined) across diagnostic categories using ANOVA and logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of psychopathology in the offspring with advanced parental age (maternal, paternal, combined). Maternal and paternal ages were higher for subjects diagnosed with mental retardation. Risk for psychotic disorders showed a significant linear increase only with advancing maternal age, and not paternal age as is more often reported.

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Response to SSRIs suggests the implication of the serotonergic system in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, biological studies on serotonergic function in OCD have yielded contradictory results. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity has been proposed as an index of cerebral serotonin activity. The aim of this study was to examine platelet MAO activity in 29 OCD patients and 29 healthy controls matched by age, sex and tobacco use. We also explored the relationship between platelet MAO activity and aggressive obsessions in OCD patients. There were no differences in platelet MAO activity between OCD patients and healthy controls. We found a significant correlation between platelet MAO activity and Y-BOCS scores in the group of patients with Y-BOCS scores >15. OCD patients with aggressive obsessions had significantly lower levels of platelet MAO activity than patients without aggressive obsessions. Our results suggest that platelet MAO activity may be a marker of OCD severity, and that low platelet MAO activity may be associated with aggressive obsessions in OCD patients.

Valoracion etia del modelo de dorotaa orem / Ethical values fo D-E.Orem model

La respuesta a los conflictos éticos a los que nos enfrentamos los profesionales de la enfermería diariamente están mediados por el marco de referencia adoptado por el profesional, por su base conceptual de los fenómenos de la profesión en dependencia de nuestra concepción sobre la salud, entorno. Persona y cuidado como centro de interés de la enfermería, así será nuestro modelo de responsabilidad ética. En este trabajo se realizó una identificación sobre la dimensión ética de los cuidados de enfermería según los valores profesionales del modelo de D.E.Orem. La teoría de Orem nos orienta cómo deben ser las relaciones entre el profesional de enfermería y el individuo, demostrando valores éticos como son el respeto a la autonomía, derecho de la salud y la vida, y la responsabilidad de los profesionales a brindar atención de enfermería.

The response to ethical problems faced by nursing professionals in their everyday practice are medaled by the reference framework assumed by the professional, and also by the conceptual background of the phenomena related to the profession, defending upon our ideas about health and environment. Our model of ethical responsibility is devoted to persons and care as focus of interest of nursing. In this paper, we made the identification of the ethical dimension of nursing care according to the professional values stated by the model of D.E.Orem. The Orem's theory orients us about how must be the relations hips between nursing staff and persons, showing ethical values such as the respect to autonomy, the right to health care, to life; as well as the responsibility of nursing professionals providing a proper assistance.

Valoración ética del modelo de Dorotea Orem / Appraisal ethics of the model of Dorotea Orem

La respuesta a los conflictos éticos a los que nos enfrentamos los profesionales de la enfermería diariamente están mediados por el marco de referencia adoptado por el profesional, por su base conceptual de los fenómenos de la profesión en dependencia de nuestra concepción sobre la salud, entorno. Persona y cuidado como centro de interés de la enfermería, así será nuestro modelo de responsabilidad ética. En este trabajo se realizó una identificación sobre la dimensión ética de los cuidados de enfermería según los valores profesionales del modelo de D.E.Orem. La teoría de Orem nos orienta cómo deben ser las relaciones entre el profesional de enfermería y el individuo, demostrando valores éticos como son el respeto a la autonomía, derecho de la salud y la vida, y la responsabilidad de los profesionales a brindar atención de enfermería(AU)

The response to ethical problems faced by nursing professionals in their everyday practice are medaled by the reference framework assumed by the professional, and also by the conceptual background of the phenomena related to the profession, defending upon our ideas about health and environment. Our model of ethical responsibility is devoted to persons and care as focus of interest of nursing. In this paper, we made the identification of the ethical dimension of nursing care according to the professional values stated by the model of D.E.Orem. The Orem's theory orients us about how must be the relations hips between nursing staff and persons, showing ethical values such as the respect to autonomy, the right to health care, to life; as well as the responsibility of nursing professionals providing a proper assistance(AU)

Perceived quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder: related factors.

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects young adults and has great impact on the social, emotional and work spheres. METHODS: We measured perceived quality of life (QOL) in OCD patients, in order to analyse socio-demographic and clinical factors that may be associated with QOL perception. 64 OCD outpatients were assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for DSM-IV, the Yale-Brown Obsessions and Compulsions scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton's depression scale and the SF-36 self-administered global QOL perception scale. RESULTS: We found a correlation among Hamilton's scale scores and all SF-36 subscales. The severity of the obsessive-compulsive disorder was correlated with all SF-36 subscales and with the highest scores in Hamilton's scale. The obsessions subscale was correlated to all SF-36 subscales, while the compulsions subscale was correlated only to social functioning, emotional role, mental health and vitality. Compulsions were not related to general health perception. There were significant differences between OCD patients and the Spanish general population in all SF-36 subscales except those related to physical health and pain. Gender, age, age of onset of the disorder, years of evolution and marital status of the patients did not significantly affect quality of life perception. Being employed was related to better scores in the subscale of physical role. Patients with medical comorbidity scored lower in the subscales of general health, social functioning and mental health. Patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders had worse scores in the subscales of pain, general health, social functioning and mental health. CONCLUSION: Quality of life perception was different in OCD patients and the general population. Quality of life perception was related to severity of the disorder, physical and psychiatric comorbidity and employment status.

A pilot genetic study of the continuum between compulsivity and impulsivity in females: the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism.

According to some authors the obsessive-compulsive (OC) spectrum includes on one extreme, the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and on the other extreme the most impulsive behaviors. This is a controversial idea and other authors define the OC spectrum in different ways. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is one of the main genes that control serotonergic function. A polymorphism in the promoter area of this gene classifies subjects with low expression as S individuals (s/s or s/l) and subjects with high expression as L individuals (l/l). This polymorphism was studied in female OCD patients (n = 24), non-impulsive controls (n = 112) and impulsive suicidal patients (n = 118) to support the OC spectrum hypothesis from a genetic perspective. A linear association exists among the serotonin transporter promoter functional genotypes (S versus L individuals) (chi2 linear by linear association = 8.9; df = 1; p = 0.003). The frequency of S individuals (s/l or s/s) was lowest in OCD (54%, 13/24); intermediate in non-impulsive controls (71%, 80/112) and highest in impulsive suicide attempters (82%, 96/117). More importantly, future studies need to consider that genetics may be related to behavioral dimensions (compulsivity to impulsivity) instead of to specific psychiatric disorders defined in clinical terms.

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactones from Lourteigia ballotaefolia.

Three sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from Lourteigia ballotaefolia (H. B. K.). 9beta-hydroxy-atripliciolide-8- O-tiglate ( 1) was isolated for the first time from this plant and was previously reported in Conocliniopsis prasiifolia (DC) K. et R., 9beta-hydroxy-atripliciolide-8- O-(5'-acetoxytiglate) ( 2) had been already reported in this species. The minor component, 9beta-(tigloyloxy)-atripliciolide, is a new compound. The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1 and 2 was evaluated using the croton oil ear test in mice.

Influencia del desayuno sobre la función cognositiva de escolares de una zona urbana de Valenci-Venezuela / Breakfast influence on cognitive functions of children from an urban area, Valencia-Venezuela

Está bien establecido que el estado nutricional influye no solamente en el desarrollo físico del individuo sino también sobre su conducta y actividad intelectual. Con el objeto de evaluar los efectos del ayuno sobre la función cognoscitiva, fueron evaluados 68 escolares de ambos sexos, de entre 9 y 10 años de edad que asistían a una escuela privada en el lapso escolar 1998-99. Les fue realizada: a)Evaluación del estado nutricional mediante mediciones antropométricas, y b)Bajo condiciones de ayuno y con desayuno fue evaluada la función cognoscitiva a través del razonamiento lógico (test de Raven) y la efectividad en el trabajo escolar por la medición de velocidad, precisión, atención y fatiga (test de Lepez). Los resultados mostraron que: a)La mayoría (80 por ciento) de los niños se encontraba desde el punto de vista antropométrico dentro de la norma, un 20 por ciento presentó malnutrición por exceso, b)En condiciones de desayuno el puntaje obtenido para razonamiento lógico (Raven) en todos los niños (32.6 ñ 2.86) estuvo por encima del percentil 50, c)El desayuno influyó significativamente en el razonamiento lógico (p>0.001) y en la efectividad en el trabajo escolar (p<0.01) en todos sus parámetros. Se concluye que en estos niños considerados normales desde el punto de vista nutricional antropométrico, el desayuno influyó positivamente en los resultados obtenidos al evaluar la función cognositiva a través del razonamiento lógico y la efectividad del trabajo escolar

Efecto de la Ozonoterapia en la Gingivitis Herpetica Aguda / Effect of the ozonotherapy in the Acute Herpetic Gingivo Stomatitis

Se realizo un estudio clinico prospectivo con una muestra aleatoria de 50 pacientes afectados por Gingivoestomatitis Herpetica Aguda (GEHA) que asistieron a la Clinica Estomatologica Dopcente "Ormani Arenado" de Pinar del Rio desde marzo de 1998 hasta mayo de 1999, con edades comprendidas entre 0 y 15 annos. Se conformaron dos grupos, uno de estudio (I) y otro (II) con 25 casos cada uno, al primero se aplico aceite de girasol ozonizado (Oleozon) y al segundo colutorios de manzanilla, llanten y crema de sabila. Nos propusimos determinar el efecto del oleozon en el tratamiento de la GEHA, se calculo las medidas e intervalos de confianz, se aplico la prueba de Chi cuadrado para determinar homogeneidad e independencia y Kolmogorov Smirnov para determinar dependencia de los signos y sintomas. Los resultados del grupo estudio fueron superiores a los del grupo control con significacion estadistica al ser comparados...(AU)

Estimación de talla y peso en niños de 9 a 14 años a partir de la altura de la rodilla y de la circunferencia media del brazo / Estimating stature and body weight from knee height and mid arm circunference for children 9 to 14 years old

En algunos individuos con limitaciones funcionales y/o en ciertas áreas de trabajo, la determinación precisa de talla y peso presenta dificultades. Existe sin embargo, la alternativa de estimar estas variables a través de mediciones de segmentos corporales como la altura de la rodilla (AR) y la circunferencia media del brazo (CMB). En una muestra de 113 niños venezolanos de ambos sexos, clínicamente normales, de edades entre 9 y 14 años, se evaluaron las ecuaciones sugeridas por los Laboratorios Ross para estas estimaciones. Se evidenció la necesidad de ajustar estas ecuaciones a la población en estudio mediante análisis de regresión múltiple. Esto permitió generar tablas de talla y peso estimados a partir de AR y CMB para niños venezolanos.