[Measurement, monitoring and knowledge of blood pressure: May Measurement Month, Colombia 2017]. / Medición, control y conocimiento de la presión arterial: Iniciativa Mayo Mes de la Medición Colombia 2017.

AIM: To describe the findings of implementing May Measurement Month 2017 in the adult Colombian population to raise awareness of the importance of blood pressure measuring, monitoring, and awareness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: May Measurement Month is a cross-sectional survey that follows the directives of the International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League, which gathers information on cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure readings. Its implementation in Colombia was lead by the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation (FOSCAL) and the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH) with the support of the Colombian Network for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (RECARDI). RESULTS: Data was collected from 11 departments on 21,797 people, 58.7% of whom were female, with an average age of 40.5±17.7 years. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) was 20.8% (self-reported antihypertensive treatment or systolic blood pressure reading [systolic blood pressure≥140mmHg]). Of the total number of hypertensives, 46.5% had systolic blood pressure readings classified as uncontrolled (systolic blood pressure<140mmHg), and 26.4% were unaware that they were hypertensive who, in this report, we consider to be new cases of HBP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of (elevated) blood pressure is high in this young adult population, whose lack of awareness of HBP is also high, and HBP in those aware of their condition is poorly controlled. These results highlight the need to implement effective detection programmes for hypertensive patients and to establish standardised treatments to improve HBP control as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular events.

[Will the new figures from the AHA/ACC guidelines on the definition and treatment of hypertension in Latin America have an impact?] / ¿Repercutirán las nuevas cifras de las guías AHA/ACC en la definición y manejo de la hipertensión en Latinoamérica?

Given the fact that new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) propose important changes in the definition of hypertension, from equal or greater than 140/90mmHg to equal or greater than 130/80mmHg, major debate has been generated about the diagnostic criteria and the treatment of high blood pressure (HBP). In addition, these guidelines recommend that in order to achieve control of hypertension the goal should be a reading lower than 130/80mmHg. These new figures will significantly increase the amount of individuals considered hypertensive, some of whom will need more medication to achieve the new goal. This paradigm has led to questioning the goal's clinical applicability given the enormous financial burden that would result from treating millions of new hypertensive patients. The academic validity of the AHA-ACC guidelines has also been questioned given the fact that the recommendations emerged basically from results obtained from a single study with important methodological differences compared to the majority of studies carried out previously. Furthermore, its outcomes are inconsistent with those of previous studies. This conflict has led to some scientific institutions, such as the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH), continuing to adhere to the previous recommendations.

Antibiotic resistance profile in eye infections in a reference centre in Floridablanca, Colombia. / Perfil de resistencia antibiótica en infecciones oculares en un centro de referencia en Floridablanca, Colombia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In view of the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, it is necessary to determine it locally in order to serve as a guide in clinical management. The purpose of this study was to characterise the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity in cases of eye infections in a third level ophthalmological institution in Floridablanca (Colombia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study in which an analysis was made of the culture and antibiogram reports of specimens taken from cases of conjunctivitis, infectious keratitis, and endophthalmitis between January 2013 and June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 833 specimens were positive for bacteria. Considering both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms gentamicin, tobramycin, and ciprofloxacin showed high resistance rates (64.4%, 40.3%, and 29.1%, respectively). Moxifloxacin, vancomycin, imipenem, and gatifloxacin showed low percentages of resistance: 2.6%, 2.1%, 0.6%, and 0.4%, respectively. When comparing the results with previous studies in our institution, there was a decrease in sensitivity to the fourth-generation quinolones and imipenem, especially within the gram-negative ones. CONCLUSION: Fourth generation quinolones, imipenem and vancomycin continue to have a low in vitro resistance to bacteria that cause eye infections. However, there was a tendency to an increase in the resistance of gram-negative bacteria. Measures should be taken to try to control this phenomenon, and consider possible antimicrobial therapy alternatives to infections caused by these microorganisms.

Bio-environmental factors associated with myopia: An updated review. / Los factores bioambientales asociados a la miopía: una revisión actualizada.

Experimental studies in animals, as well as observational and intervention studies in humans, seem to support the premise that the development of juvenile myopia is promoted by a combination of the effect of genetic and environmental factors, with a complex interaction between them. The very rapid increase in myopia rates in some parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, supports a significant environmental effect. Several lines of evidence suggest that humans might respond to various external factors, such as increased activity in near vision, increased educational pressure, decreased exposure to sunlight outdoors, dietary changes (including increased intake of carbohydrates), as well as low light levels indoors. All these factors could be associated with a higher prevalence of myopia.

Asociación entre obesidad y baja capacidad muscular y función cardiorrespiratoria, factores de riesgo cardiometabólico en niños colombianos / Association between obesity and low muscular and cardiorespiratory capacity, cardiometabolic risk factors in Colombian children

Objetivo: Examinar la asociación entre capacidad cardiorespiratoria y muscular y la presencia de obesidad y otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular y metabólico en escolares. Material y método: Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en 336 niños y niñas escolarizados en los grados 5º y 6º de colegios públicos de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Resultados: Se encontraron correlaciones inversas significativas entre índice de masa corporal (IMC) y fuerza de empuñadura ajustada por peso (-0.532) (P<0.001), salto largo (-0.248) (P<0.001) y la prueba de Yo-Yo (-0.321) (P<0.001). La fuerza de empuñadura máxima se correlacionó de forma inversa con la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) (-0.115) (p<0.05). Conclusión: La obesidad evaluada por el IMC y el porcentaje de grasa corporal se relacionan inversamente con la aptitud muscular y cardiorrespiratoria en escolares (AU)

Objective: To examine the association between cardio respiratory and muscular fitness and the presence of obesity and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in school children. Material and method: Cross-sectional study, conducted in 336 school children (boys and girls) in grade 5º and 6º of public schools in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. Results: Significant inverse correlations were found between body mass index (BMI) and grip strength adjusted for weight (-0532) (P <0.001), long jump (-0248) (P <0.001) and Yo-Yo test (- 0.321) (P <0.001). The maximum grip strength was correlated inversely with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-0115) (p <0.05). Conclusion: Obesity assessed by BMI and body fat percent is inversely related with muscular and cardio respiratory fitness in Colombian school children (AU)