Phenomenological variables of autobiographical memory narrativesassociated with healthy habits in children / Variables fenomenológicas de narrativas de memoria autobiográfica asociadas a hábitos saludables en niños

Different studies relateself-defining memories (SDM) to psy-chological well-being and health. This study aims toanalyse the relation be-tween the phenomenological variables (e.g., emotional intensity, vividness etc.) involved in self-defining memories associated with health (HSDMs) and healthy habits in 262 children aged between 9 and 13 years. Partici-pants’ eating habits and physical activity events are associated with the emotionality of their HSDMs. Most of the HSDMs were declared to be experienced with their family members, and greater importance was at-tributed to those memories related to mothers. Significant features of re-trieved HSDM can be detected from construction of autobiographical memories supporting the development of a robust healthy self in children. As such, families and schools should facilitate life experiences that lead to the formation of vivid and detailed HSDMs given that this is likely to promote health-related behaviours.(AU)

Diferentes estudios relacionan los recuerdos autodefinidos (SDM) con el bienestar psicológico y la salud. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre las variables fenomenológicas (p. ej., intensidad emocional, viveza, etc.) implicadas en los recuerdos autodefinidos asociados a la salud (HSDM) y los hábitos saludables en 262 niños de entre 9 y 13 años. Los hábitos alimentarios y los eventos de actividad física de los participantes están asociados con la emotividad de sus HSDM. La mayoría de los HSDM declararon ser vividos con sus familiares, y se atribuyó mayor importancia a aquellos recuerdos relacionados con las madres. Se pueden detectar características significativas del HSDM recuperado a partir de la construcción de recuerdos autobiográficos que respaldan el desarrollo de un yo saludable y robusto en los niños. Como tal, las familias y las escuelas deben facilitar experiencias de vida que conduzcan a la formación de HSDM vívidos y detallados, dado que es probable que esto promueva comportamientos relacionados con la salud.(AU)

Effects of the use of autobiographical photographs on emotional induction in older adults: a systematic review.

There is evidence to support the positive contribution of autobiographical recall based techniques on individuals' quality of life, mood and cognitive functioning. In this review, we analyzed the effects of the use of personal photographs in interventions based on autobiographical memory in older people with and without cognitive impairment. The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The search was carried out in the electronic databases Web of Sciences (WOS), Medline (PubMed), SCIELO and PsycInfo (American Psychological Association). The articles based on clinical trials selected were evaluated using the PEDRo scale, which is specific to this type of article. Of the 1098 articles initially found, 6 met the inclusion criteria. The final articles focused their intervention on the use of autobiographical photographs as a means of stimulation. The results show that the use of photographs in different autobiographical recall stimulation techniques is associated with higher scores on well-being and quality of life, as well as with improvements in personal identity and cognitive functioning. This suggests that using personal photographs shows promise in enhancing the effect of these types of interventions in healthy or cognitively impaired older adults.

[Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a sample of patients diagnosed with Alcohol User Disorder in Albacete (Spain).] / Seroprevalencia del virus de la hepatitis B, del virus de la hepatitis C y del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en una muestra de pacientes diagnosticados de trastorno por consumo de alcohol en Albacete.

OBJECTIVE: Studies report a higher prevalence of HCV, HBV and HIV in the population with Alcohol Use Disorder. Our objective is to determine the seroprevalence for hepatitis B and C and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with alcohol use disorder, as well as to determine if there is a correct serological screening of these. METHODS: Retrospective study of 204 patients with Alcohol Use Disorder followed up in the Addictive Behaviors Unit from Albacete. They started treatment from 2013-2014 onwards, the last patient was recruited in December of 2017. RESULTS: Our sample has 160 men (78.4%) and 44 women (21.6%). The median age is 46.2 years. 161 patients (78.9%) had HIV serology and it was negative in all. 146 patients (71.6%) had negative hepatitis B serology and 12 (5.9%) were vaccinated. 36 patients (17.6%) had no hepatitis B serology performed. In 10 patients, hepatitis B serology was positive (4.9%; 95% CI 1.9-7.9%). 159 patients (77.9%) had negative hepatitis C serology, and 37 patients had not performed it (18.1%). 8 patients had positive serology (prevalence of 3.9%; 95% CI 1.2-6.6%). Excluding patients who did not have serology, seroprevalence was 5.9% (95% CI 2.3-9.6%) and 4.8% (95% CI 1.5-8.1%) respectively. Failure to perform serologies was associated with older age and less weekly Standard Drink Units (SDUs) consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in patients with alcohol use disorder is high. It should be ensured that 100% of patients with alcohol use disorder undergo HCV, HIV, HBV serology, reducing the loss of diagnostic opportunities.

OBJETIVO: Estudios relatan mayor prevalencia de VHC, VHB y VIH en población con Trastorno de Consumo de Alcohol. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia para Virus de Hepatitis B (VHB), Virus de Hepatitis C (VHC) y el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol, así como determinar si existe un correcto cribaje serológico de éstos. METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de 204 pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol seguidos en la unidad de conductas adictivas de Albacete, que iniciaron tratamiento desde el año 2013-2014 en adelante, el último paciente fue reclutado en diciembre de 2017. RESULTADOS: Nuestra muestra tiene 160 hombres (78,4%) y 44 mujeres (21,6%). La mediana de edad es 46,2 años. 161 pacientes (78,9%) tenían serología de VIH y fue negativa en todos. 146 pacientes (71,6%) tenían serología negativa de hepatitis B y 12 (5,9%) estaban vacunados. 36 pacientes (17,6%) no tenían serología realizada de hepatitis B. En 10 pacientes la serología de hepatitis B fue positiva (4,9%; IC95% 1,9-7,9%). 159 pacientes (77,9%) tenían serología negativa de hepatitis C, y 37 pacientes no la tenían realizada (18,1%). 8 pacientes tenían serología positiva (prevalencia de 3,9%; IC95% 1,2-6,6%). Excluyendo a los pacientes que no tenían serología la seroprevalencia fue de 5,9% (IC95% 2,3-9,6%) y de 4.8% (IC95% de 1,5-8,1%) respectivamente. La no realización de serologías se asoció a mayor edad y un menor consumo de Unidades de Bebida Estándar (UBEs) por semana. CONCLUSIONES: La seroprevalencia de VHB y VHC en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol es alta. Debería asegurarse que el 100% de pacientes con trastorno de consumo de alcohol, se realicen serologías de VHC, VIH, VHB disminuyendo pérdida de oportunidades diagnósticas.

Seroprevalencia del virus dela hepatitis B, del virus de la hepatitis Cy del virus de la inmunodeficienciahumana en una muestra de pacientesdiagnosticados de trastorno porconsumo de alcohol en Albacete / Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a sample of patients diagnosed with Alcohol User Disorder in Albacete (Spain)

FUNDAMENTOS: Estudios relatan mayor prevalencia de VHC, VHB y VIH en población con Trastorno de Consumo de Alcohol. Elobjetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia para Virus de Hepatitis B (VHB), Virus de Hepatitis C (VHC) y el Virus dela Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol, así como determinar si existe un correctocribaje serológico de éstos.MÉTODOS : Estudio retrospectivo de 204 pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol seguidos en la unidad de conductas adic-tivas de Albacete, que iniciaron tratamiento desde el año 2013-2014 en adelante, el último paciente fue reclutado en diciembre de 2017.RESULTADOS: Nuestra muestra tiene 160 hombres (78,4%) y 44 mujeres (21,6%). La mediana de edad es 46,2 años. 161 pacientes(78,9%) tenían serología de VIH y fue negativa en todos. 146 pacientes (71,6%) tenían serología negativa de hepatitis B y 12 (5,9%)estaban vacunados. 36 pacientes (17,6%) no tenían serología realizada de hepatitis B. En 10 pacientes la serología de hepatitis B fuepositiva (4,9%; IC95% 1,9-7,9%). 159 pacientes (77,9%) tenían serología negativa de hepatitis C, y 37 pacientes no la tenían realizada(18,1%). 8 pacientes tenían serología positiva (prevalencia de 3,9%; IC95% 1,2-6,6%). Excluyendo a los pacientes que no tenían serolo-gía la seroprevalencia fue de 5,9% (IC95% 2,3-9,6%) y de 4.8% (IC95% de 1,5-8,1%) respectivamente. La no realización de serologíasse asoció a mayor edad y un menor consumo de Unidades de Bebida Estándar (UBEs) por semana.CONCLUSIONES: La seroprevalencia de VHB y VHC en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de alcohol es alta. Debería asegurarseque el 100% de pacientes con trastorno de consumo de alcohol, se realicen serologías de VHC, VIH, VHB disminuyendo pérdida deoportunidades diagnósticas.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Studies report a higher prevalence of HCV, HBV and HIV in the population with Alcohol Use Disorder. Our objectiveis to determine the seroprevalence for hepatitis B and C and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with alcohol usedisorder, as well as to determine if there is a correct serological screening of these.METHODS: Retrospective study of 204 patients with Alcohol Use Disorder followed up in the Addictive Behaviors Unit from Albacete.They started treatment from 2013-2014 onwards, the last patient was recruited in December of 2017.RESULTS: Our sample has 160 men (78.4%) and 44 women (21.6%). The median age is 46.2 years. 161 patients (78.9%) had HIV sero-logy and it was negative in all. 146 patients (71.6%) had negative hepatitis B serology and 12 (5.9%) were vaccinated. 36 patients (17.6%)had no hepatitis B serology performed. In 10 patients, hepatitis B serology was positive (4.9%; 95% CI 1.9-7.9%). 159 patients (77.9%)had negative hepatitis C serology, and 37 patients had not performed it (18.1%). 8 patients had positive serology (prevalence of 3.9%;95% CI 1.2-6.6%). Excluding patients who did not have serology, seroprevalence was 5.9% (95% CI 2.3-9.6%) and 4.8% (95% CI 1.5-8.1%)respectively. Failure to perform serologies was associated with older age and less weekly Standard Drink Units (SDUs) consumption.CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in patients with alcohol use disorder is high. It should be ensured that 100%of patients with alcohol use disorder undergo HCV, HIV, HBV serology, reducing the loss of diagnostic opportunities.(AU)

Common Laboratory Parameters Are Useful for Screening for Alcohol Use Disorder: Designing a Predictive Model Using Machine Learning.

The diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a difficult challenge, and some patients may not be adequately diagnosed. This study aims to identify an optimum combination of laboratory markers to detect alcohol consumption, using data science. An analytical observational study was conducted with 337 subjects (253 men and 83 women, with a mean age of 44 years (10.61 Standard Deviation (SD)). The first group included 204 participants being treated in the Addictive Behaviors Unit (ABU) from Albacete (Spain). They met the diagnostic criteria for AUD specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders fifth edition (DSM-5). The second group included 133 blood donors (people with no risk of AUD), recruited by cross-section. All participants were also divided in two groups according to the WHO classification for risk of alcohol consumption in Spain, that is, males drinking more than 28 standard drink units (SDUs) or women drinking more than 17 SDUs. Medical history and laboratory markers were selected from our hospital's database. A correlation between alterations in laboratory markers and the amount of alcohol consumed was established. We then created three predicted models (with logistic regression, classification tree, and Bayesian network) to detect risk of alcohol consumption by using laboratory markers as predictive features. For the execution of the selection of variables and the creation and validation of predictive models, two tools were used: the scikit-learn library for Python, and the Weka application. The logistic regression model provided a maximum AUD prediction accuracy of 85.07%. Secondly, the classification tree provided a lower accuracy of 79.4%, but easier interpretation. Finally, the Naive Bayes network had an accuracy of 87.46%. The combination of several common biochemical markers and the use of data science can enhance detection of AUD, helping to prevent future medical complications derived from AUD.

The link between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), body image and activity on social networking sites among female adolescents with an eating disorder.

The link between engagement in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)-related activities on SNS (e.g. viewing, commenting, sharing and uploading NSSI content) with body image and NSSI behaviour remains under researched in adolescents with EDs. The main aim of the current research was to examine associations between NSSI-related activities on SNS with body image and NSSI behaviour severity among female adolescents diagnosed with an ED. A total of 52 female adolescents (mean age = 15.35 years, SD = 1.49) diagnosed with an ED completed self-report questionnaires related to NSSI behaviour, SNS usage and body image. Participants were divided into two groups: low NSSI behaviour severity (from 0 to 10 NSSI behaviours; n = 28) and high NSSI behaviour severity (more than ten NSSI behaviours; n = 24). Within the high NSSI severity group, individuals that comment and share NSSI online content significantly reported higher negative body image. A hierarchical binary logistic regression showed that the frequency of NSSI online content on SNS emerged as significant predictor of NSSI behaviour severity within last year after controlling for body image and searching for ED content on SNS. Our findings suggest that not only searching for ED content, but also being daily engaged in NSSI online activities may increase the risk of NSSI behaviour severity in female adolescents with EDs.

Functioning of autobiographical memory specificity and self-defining memories in people with cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive and emotional disturbances have been associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Autobiographical memory is one of the specific cognitive processes affected during this disease. The current study had two main aims: (1) to compare the functioning of autobiographical memory specificity and its related variables (executive functioning, depression and perceived stress) in a group of persons with cancer and a control group; and (2) to analyze whether the experience of cancer evolved into a self-defining memory in the sample of participants diagnosed with this disease. METHOD: The study sample comprised 62 participants, 31 in the group with a cancer diagnosis and 31 in the control group. Autobiographical memory specificity, executive functions, depression, stress and self-defining memory were evaluated in the current study. RESULTS: Depressive symptomatology and reduced executive functioning, but not perceived stress levels, are related and are predictors of autobiographical memory specificity. In addition, the identified characteristics of the self-defining memories were associated with the cancer experience as a threat to physical integrity and an awareness of the meaning of life. CONCLUSION: This emerging research line is especially important in view of its possible impacts on patients' well-being, due to the importance of psychological processes in cancer disease.

How effective are films in inducing positive and negative emotional states? A meta-analysis.

Meta-analyses and reviews on emotion research have shown the use of film clips to be one of the most effective methods of mood induction. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of this method when positive, negative and neutral emotional targets are studied under similar experimental conditions is currently unknown. This comprehensive meta-analysis included only studies that implemented neutral, positive and negative mood inductions to evaluate the effectiveness of the film clip method as a mood induction procedure. In addition, several factors related to the films, sample and experimental procedure used, the number of emotional categories, for example, or the number of film clips watched, were included to study their influence on the effectiveness of this mood induction procedure. Forty-five studies were included with 6675 participants and 12 possible moderator variables according to the sample and the research procedure. Our findings suggest that film clips are especially powerful in inducing negative mood states (Hedges' g for valence = -1.49 and for arousal = -1.77) although they are also effective inducers of positive mood states (Hedges' g for valence of = . -1.22 and for arousal = -1.34). Additionally, this meta-analysis reveals that variables, such as the number of emotional categories or the type of stimulus used to measure the baseline, should be considered.

Ability emotional intelligence in young people and older adults with and without depressive symptoms, considering gender and educational level.

BACKGROUND: There is little research on differences in Emotional Intelligence (EI) ability at different stages of adult development. The few published studies tend not to use older adult samples. Previous studies on EI ability and age have shown contradictory results. Our main objective was to evaluate results in EI ability across different stages of adult development, taking into account gender, depressive symptoms, and educational level. METHODS: We interviewed 166 participants (108 women), 66 of whom were aged 18-30 years, 53 aged 31-60 years, and 40 aged 61-76 years. All were either working or enrolled in colleges at the time of the study. The assessment tools used were the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), a test that assesses performance-based EI, and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, a tool to evaluate depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Young people, women, and participants with a higher educational level achieved higher scores on the MSCEIT. Additionally, depressive symptomatology was only partially associated with the MSCEIT (i.e., with the using emotions branch). However, a subsequent joint analysis of the independent effects of variables age, gender, educational level, and depressive symptomatology and their interactions on MSCEIT total suggests that only educational level and depressive symptomatology were associated with EI ability, with the direct relationship between age and gender with MSCEIT disappearing. Additionally, our study indicated an interaction effect between age and depressive symptoms, showing that participants in age cohorts 18-30 and 31-60 and without depressive symptoms have a higher EI ability. DISCUSSION: Our study suggests that the direct effects of age and gender on EI ability across adult development, using a wide age range, can change or disappear when effects of educational level and depressive symptomatology, and their interactions, are controlled for. Our results also suggest that EI ability is a protective factor against depression in some age cohorts. This novel aspect of our study does not appear in the previous literature. However, prospective studies are needed to verify these findings and examine whether other psychological variables could determine the relations between age, gender and EI ability across adult development.

Higiene del sueño en estudiantes universitarios: conocimientos y hábitos. Revisión de la bibliografía / Sleep hygiene in university students: knowledge and habits. Literature review

Objetivo: Valorar la evidencia existente sobre los conocimientos y la puesta en práctica, por parte de los universitarios, de la higiene del sueño, y si alguno de estos aspectos está relacionada con la calidad del sueño. Diseño: Se ha realizado una revisión bibliográfica utilizando las bases de datos electrónicas PubMed y Google Académico. Inicialmente se localizaron 62 artículos de los cuales, tras realizar un cribado llevado a cabo por dos revisores, permanecieron 12. Se utilizaron como criterios de inclusión que los participantes fuesen universitarios sanos de ambos sexos y que se midiesen la calidad e higiene del sueño, evaluando la asociación entre ambas. Resultados: Los resultados indican que el conocimiento de la higiene del sueño no está relacionado con su práctica (b= 0,04; IC95% -0,03 a 0,11). Sin embargo, el uso de la higiene del sueño sí se ha relacionado con una mejor calidad de este (R2 =0,23; F(1,121)= 36,67; p<0,001). No todos los componentes de la higiene del sueño influyen igualmente sobre la calidad del sueño, relacionándose con una peor calidad los horarios de sueño inapropiados (β=0,27; p<0,001; sr2=0,27) y un ambiente no confortable en el dormitorio (β=0,14; p=0,001; sr2=0,13). Conclusiones: La práctica, y no el conocimiento de la higiene del sueño, es lo que está relacionado con una mejor calidad del sueño. Los componentes que más influyen son el mantenimiento de horarios adecuados y un ambiente más confortable en el dormitorio (AU)

Objective: To assess the existing evidence on university students' knowledge and implementation of sleep hygiene, and whether any of these aspects is related to sleep quality. Design: We conducted a literature review using the electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Initially, 62 papers were located, of which 12 remained in our study after a screening performed by two researchers. The inclusion criteria were: healthy university students (male and female) as study subjects, measures of sleep quality and sleep hygiene, and assessment of the relationship between them. Results: Knowledge of sleep hygiene was not associated with its use (b= 0.04; 95%CI -0.03 to 0.11). However, the use of sleep hygiene was associated with better sleep quality (R2 =0.23; F(1.121)= 36.67; p<0.001). Not all components of sleep hygiene were equally influential on sleep quality. Inappropriate sleep schedules (β=0.27; p<0.001; sr2=0.27) as well as an uncomfortable bedroom environment (β=0.14; p=0.001; sr2=0.13) were related to poorer sleep quality. Conclusions: The implementation of sleep hygiene, rather than knowledge of it, is related to better sleep quality. The most influential components were maintaining appropriate sleep schedules and a comfortable environment in the bedroom (AU)

Older adults' memory for medical information, effect of number and mode of presentation: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze different ways of presenting medical information to older adults, tailoring the information and its presentation to the characteristics of memory function in old age. METHODS: Experimental study. We took into account the following variables: amount of information, type of information and mode of presentation, and time delay. RESULTS: The greater the number of recommendations, the lower the recall; visual presentation does not enhance verbal presentation; lifestyle information is recalled better than medication information; after ten minutes the percentage of memory decreases significantly; the first and last recommendations are better remembered. CONCLUSION: As a whole, these findings show that older adults remember more medical information when very few recommendations are provided in each session. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is inadvisable to overload older adults with a large amount of information: It is better to program more consultations and provide less information.

Age and Gender Differences in Emotion Regulation Strategies: Autobiographical Memory, Rumination, Problem Solving and Distraction.

Our study tested the hypothesis that older adults and men use more adaptive emotion regulatory strategies but fewer negative emotion regulatory strategies than younger adults and women. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that rumination acts as a mediator variable for the effect of age and gender on depression scores. Differences in rumination, problem solving, distraction, autobiographical recall and depression were assessed in a group of young adults (18-29 years) compared to a group of older adults (50-76 years). The older group used more problem solving and distraction strategies when in a depressed state than their younger counterparts (ps .06). Ordinary least squares regression analyses with bootstrapping showed that rumination mediated the association between age, gender and depression scores. These results suggest that older adults and men select more adaptive strategies to regulate emotions than young adults and women with rumination acting as a significant mediator variable in the association between age, gender, and depression.

Age and gender differences in emotion regulation strategies: autobiographical memory, rumination, problem solving and distraction

Our study tested the hypothesis that older adults and men use more adaptive emotion regulatory strategies but fewer negative emotion regulatory strategies than younger adults and women. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that rumination acts as a mediator variable for the effect of age and gender on depression scores. Differences in rumination, problem solving, distraction, autobiographical recall and depression were assessed in a group of young adults (18-29 years) compared to a group of older adults (50-76 years). The older group used more problem solving and distraction strategies when in a depressed state than their younger counterparts (ps < .05). The younger participants reported more rumination (p < .01). Women scored higher in depression scores and lower in distraction than men (ps < .05). There were no significant effects of age, gender, or interaction of age by gender on the recall of specific autobiographical memories (ps > .06). Ordinary least squares regression analyses with bootstrapping showed that rumination mediated the association between age, gender and depression scores. These results suggest that older adults and men select more adaptive strategies to regulate emotions than young adults and women with rumination acting as a significant mediator variable in the association between age, gender, and depression (AU)

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Efecto a largo plazo de los estanoles vegetales en el perfil lipídico de pacientes con hipercolesterolemia. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Long-term effects of plant stanols on the lipid profile of patients with hypercholesterolemia. A randomized clinical trial

Introducción y objetivos. El consumo de estanoles vegetales puede contribuir a un mejor control a largo plazo del colesterol. El objetivo es evaluar la eficacia del aporte de estanoles vegetales, a dosis de 2 g/día, en la reducción de las cifras de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad de los pacientes con hipercolesterolemia. Métodos. Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, a doble ciego y controlado con placebo, en el que se incluyó a 182 sujetos adultos diagnosticados de hipercolesterolemia. Se administró yogur líquido con 2 g de estanoles vegetales a 91 sujetos del grupo intervención y yogur no suplementado a 91 del grupo control. La variable principal fue la variación del perfil lipídico a los 12 meses. Resultados. En comparación con el placebo, a los 12 meses se observó una disminución significativamente superior del colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad en el grupo que tomó estanoles: 13,7 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 3,2-24,1) mg/dl (p = 0,011). En este grupo fue significativamente superior la proporción de sujetos que redujeron en más del 10% sus cifras de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (riesgo relativo = 1,7; intervalo confianza del 95%, 1,1-2,7). En el grupo tratado, el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad descendió, en promedio, un 11,0 ± 23,9%. Conclusiones. Los resultados confirman que la administración de estanoles vegetales en dosis de 2 g/día durante 1 año produce una reducción significativa (ligeramente superior al 10%) de las concentraciones de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad en sujetos con hipercolesterolemia (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Plant stanol consumption may improve long-term cholesterol control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 g/day of plant stanols in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Methods. This randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study included 182 adults diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. A yogurt drink containing 2 g of plant stanols was administered to 91 participants in the intervention group; 91 participants in the control group received unsupplemented yogurt. The primary end point was the change in the lipid profile at 12 months. Results. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 12 months were significantly more reduced in the stanol intervention group than in the control group: 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-24.1) mg/dL (P = .011). A reduction of more than 10% in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was achieved by a significantly higher proportion of participants in the intervention group (relative risk = 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.7). In this group, the mean (standard deviation) level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 11.0% (23.9%). Conclusions. Our results confirm that administration of plant stanols at a dosage of 2 g/day for 12 months significantly reduces (by slightly more than 10%) the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals with hypercholesterolemia (AU)

Group cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia: a meta-analysis / Terapia cognitivo-conductual grupal para el tratamiento del insomnio: metaanálisis

Background: insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder in the general population and in clinical practice. Although pharmacological treatment is the most widespread choice, psychological treatment appears to havelonger lasting effects. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the cognitive-behavioural group therapy treatment for insomnia. Method: a systematic search for cognitive-behavioural therapy clinical trialsin Pubmed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Scielo, WOK, Cochrane, Scopusand Embase. 153 articles were reviewed, of which 9 met inclusion criteria for the metaanalysis. Adding up the data from all 9 trials, a total of 699people completed the post-test phase. Results: after finishing cognitive-behavioural therapy, significant improvements regarding insomnia were found according to the Pittsburgh SleepQuality Index and Insomnia Severity Index, sleep latency, wake after sleeponset and sleep efficiency. There were no significant improvements in total sleep time. Conclusions: the results from experimental studies on cognitive behavioural therapy as an insomnia treatment clearly suggest a positive impact on symptoms, as assessed using both validated scales and sleep diaries

Antecedentes: el insomnio es un trastorno de elevada prevalencia tanto entre la población general como en la práctica clínica. Aunque el tratamiento farmacológico para el insomnio es el más extendido, es el tratamiento psicológico el que mantiene sus efectos a lo largo del tiempo. El objetivo principal de este metaanálisis es evaluar la eficacia de la terapia cognitivo-conductual grupal para el tratamiento del insomnio. Método: búsqueda sistemática de ensayos clínicos de terapia cognitivo-conductual para el insomnio en Medline, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Scielo, WOK, Cochrane, Scopus y Embase. Se revisaron 153 artículos, de los que 9 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión para formar parte del metaanálisis. En estos 9 estudios 692 personas completaron el post-test. Resultados: aparecen mejoras significativas con el tratamiento cognitivo-conductual para el insomnio en las escalas Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index e Insomnia Severity Index, en latencia del sueño, en tiempo despierto después de iniciar el sueño y en eficiencia del sueño. No aparecen mejoras significativas en el tiempo total de sueño. Conclusiones: los resultados de los estudios experimentales sobre terapia cognitivo-conductual para el tratamiento del insomnio sugieren que esta tiene un claro impacto positivo sobre los síntomas, evaluados tanto mediante escalas validadas como mediante diarios del sueño

Long-term Effects of Plant Stanols on the Lipid Profile of Patients With Hypercholesterolemia. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Plant stanol consumption may improve long-term cholesterol control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2g/day of plant stanols in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study included 182 adults diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. A yogurt drink containing 2g of plant stanols was administered to 91 participants in the intervention group; 91 participants in the control group received unsupplemented yogurt. The primary end point was the change in the lipid profile at 12 months. RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 12 months were significantly more reduced in the stanol intervention group than in the control group: 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-24.1) mg/dL (P=.011). A reduction of more than 10% in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was achieved by a significantly higher proportion of participants in the intervention group (relative risk=1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.7). In this group, the mean (standard deviation) level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 11.0% (23.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that administration of plant stanols at a dosage of 2 g/day for 12 months significantly reduces (by slightly more than 10%) the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals with hypercholesterolemia. Trial registration (www.ClinicalTrials.gov): Current Controlled Trials NCT01406106.

Ability of university-level education to prevent age-related decline in emotional intelligence.

Numerous studies have suggested that educational history, as a proxy measure of active cognitive reserve, protects against age-related cognitive decline and risk of dementia. Whether educational history also protects against age-related decline in emotional intelligence (EI) is unclear. The present study examined ability EI in 310 healthy adults ranging in age from 18 to 76 years using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). We found that older people had lower scores than younger people for total EI and for the EI branches of perceiving, facilitating, and understanding emotions, whereas age was not associated with the EI branch of managing emotions. We also found that educational history protects against this age-related EI decline by mediating the relationship between age and EI. In particular, the EI scores of older adults with a university education were higher than those of older adults with primary or secondary education, and similar to those of younger adults of any education level. These findings suggest that the cognitive reserve hypothesis, which states that individual differences in cognitive processes as a function of lifetime intellectual activities explain differential susceptibility to functional impairment in the presence of age-related changes and brain pathology, applies also to EI, and that education can help preserve cognitive-emotional structures during aging.

El reconocimiento de emociones en caras como indicador de depresión subclínica en jóvenes y ancianos: Un estudio preliminar / Emotion recognition in faces as an indicator of subclinical depression in young and elderly people: A preliminary study

El reconocimiento de emociones en las caras desempeña un papel muy importante en la comunicación humana y en la interacción social. Este trabajo pretende estudiar si es posible detectar a través del reconocimiento de emociones en caras los síntomas de depresión, y si esa posibilidad es idéntica en jóvenes y en ancianos. Para ello se evaluó a dos grupos de participantes, uno con síntomas subclínicos de depresión y otro control, utilizando la tarea de reconocimiento de emociones en caras del MSCEIT. El principal hallazgo de este trabajo es que el reconocimiento de una emoción positiva en una cara neutra está relacionado con el nivel de sintomatología depresiva, sobre todo en el grupo de personas mayores de 60 años. Estos resultados van en la línea del “efecto de congruencia del afecto” pues los participantes del grupo de síntomas bajos de depresión valoran más positivamente una cara neutra, al menos en lo que al entusiasmo se refiere. En resumen, este estudio pre-liminar aporta datos de cómo el reconocimiento de emociones en caras puede ser un indicador de la depresión subclínica, sobre todo en personas mayores

Facial emotion recognition plays an important role in human communication and social interaction. This study aims to analyze the possibility of detecting depressive symptoms through facial recognition of emotions and if this possibility is similar in young and elderly people. Two groups of participants were assessed: one with subclinical symptoms of depression, and the control group. The MSCEIT facial emotion recognition task was ad-ministered to both groups. The main result is that there is an association between the recognition of a positive emotion in a neutral face and the level of depressive symptomatology, especially for people over 60 years old. This result is consistent with the mood congruent effect: participants with few depressive symptoms evaluate a neutral face in a more positive way, at least in terms of enthusiasm. In summary, this preliminary study provides data on how facial emotion recognition could be an indicator of subclinical depression, especially in the elderly

El estado de salud de las personas mayores que sufren insomnio / The health status of older people with insomnia

Objetivos: Evaluar el estado de salud percibido por los mayores que sufren insomnio, tanto primario comosecundario a una enfermedad médica o asociado a otro trastorno mental.Métodos: Estudio observacional transversal realizado en una muestra representativa de 926 mayores de65 anos. Mediante una entrevista psiquiátrica se verificó la presencia de insomnio (DSM-IV-TR, Manual ˜diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales, 4.aed., texto revisado), y con una entrevista realizadapor personal sanitario se evaluó el estado de salud percibido (EuroQol-5D), los problemas de salud y lasituación sociodemográfica.Resultados: La prevalencia de insomnio primario fue del 8,9% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 7,1-11,0), la de insomnio relacionado con otro trastorno mental del 9,3% (IC95%: 7,5-11,4) y la de insomniodebido a una enfermedad médica del 7,0% (IC95%: 5,4-8,9). En los pacientes con insomnio que consumíanhipnóticos/sedantes se observó una puntuación menor en la autovaloración del estado de salud (57,6;IC95%: 53,7-61,4) significativamente inferior (p < 0,05) a la de los sujetos con insomnio no consumidores(65,1; IC95%: 53,7-61,4). El valor medio del estado de salud en los individuos sin insomnio fue de 0,87, yen cualquier tipo de insomnio fue significativamente inferior (p < 0,05): 0,80 en insomnio primario, 0,73en insomnio relacionado con otro trastorno mental y 0,76 en insomnio debido a enfermedad médica.Conclusiones: Comprobamos un peor estado de salud en los mayores con insomnio, ya sea primario osecundario a otras enfermedadesmentales u orgánicas, y también cuando consumen hipnóticos/sedantes.La gravedad de las limitaciones es inferior en el insomnio primario (AU)

Objectives: To evaluate the perceived health status of elderly patients with insomnia, whether primary,secondary to a medical illness, or associated with another mental disorder.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 926 persons aged over65 years. A psychiatric interview was used to verify the presence of insomnia (DSM-IV-TR, Diagnosticand Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth ed., revised text). Interviews were conducted by healthprofessionals to assess perceived health status (EuroQol-5D), health problems, and socio-demographiccharacteristics.Results: The prevalence of primary insomnia was 8.9% (95% CI: 7.1-11.0), that of insomnia associated withanother mental disorder was 9.3% (95% CI: 7.5-11.4) and that of insomnia secondary to medical illnesswas 7.0% (95% CI: 5.4-8.9). Patients with insomnia who used hypnotics/sedatives scored lower in selfreported health (57.6; 95% CI: 53.7-61.4), significantly lower (p < 0.05) than participants with insomnianot taking these drugs (65.1; 95% CI: 53.7-61.4). The mean health status score in individuals withoutinsomnia was 0.87 and was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in persons with any type of insomnia: 0.80 inprimary insomnia, 0.73 in insomnia secondary to a mental disorder and 0.76 in insomnia associated withmedical illness.Conclusions: Health status was worse in older people with insomnia, whether primary, secondary to othermental illnesses or organic, and when the elderly patients consumed hypnotics/sedatives. Limitationswere less severe in primary insomnia (AU)

Conocimientos y actitudes de los mayores hacia el documento de voluntades anticipadas / Seniors’ knowledge of and attitudes to advance directive documents

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es determinar los conocimientos y las actitudes que presentan las personas mayores hacia el documento de voluntades anticipadas.MétodosEstudio descriptivo transversal, realizado en atención primaria en las provincias de Albacete y Guadalajara (n = 464).ResultadosEl 86,2% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 83,0-89,5) de los sujetos no conocía el documento y solo el 3,4% (IC95%: 1,7-5,3) lo había formalizado. El 76,7% (IC95%: 72,8-80,7) consideró que la existencia del documento es conveniente. Las variables asociadas mediante regresión logística con una mejor actitud hacia las voluntades anticipadas fueron el nivel de instrucción (odds ratio [OR] = 4,7; IC95%: 2,6-8,4) y haber vivido una experiencia en que el documento hubiese ayudado (OR = 1,9; IC95%: 1,1-3,4).ConclusionesLos mayores muestran una actitud positiva hacia las voluntades anticipadas, pero la proporción de personas que conocen el documento es baja (AU)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine seniors’ knowledge of and attitudes toward advancedirective documents.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study in a primary care setting in the provinces ofAlbacete and Guadalajara, Spain (n = 464).Results: A total of 86.2% (95% CI: 83.0-89.5) of the participants were unaware of advance directive documents and only 3.4% (95% CI: 1.7-5.3) had formalized one. These documents were positively viewedby 76.7% of the participants (95% CI: 72.8-80.7). The variables associated with positive attitudes towardadvance directives in logistic regression were educational level (OR = 4.7; 95% CI: 2.6-8.4) and experienceof a situation in which such a document would have helped (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4).Conclusions: Seniors had positive attitudes toward advance directives, but the proportion of personsaware of these documents was low (AU)