Evaluating the performance of WHO and CDC case definitions for influenza-like illness in diagnosing influenza during the 2022-2023 flu season in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definitions for influenza-like illness (ILI) in diagnosing influenza during the 2022-2023 flu season in Mexico. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of national epidemiological surveillance data in Mexico, focusing on respiratory viral pathogens. METHODS: We analyzed data from 6027 non-hospitalized patients between 5 and 65 years old who underwent molecular testing for respiratory viral pathogens. The performance of both case definitions was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. RESULTS: Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of the evaluated ILI definitions in identifying influenza patients was low, particularly among older patients. When compared to the CDC, the WHO definition had a lower sensitivity but a higher specificity, resulting in a higher AUROC (P = 0.031) for the WHO criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the WHO and CDC ILI case definitions have limited accuracy for diagnosing influenza in non-hospitalized patients and highlight the need for more specific diagnostic tools to improve the detection of influenza cases during the flu season.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection: survival experience in a cohort of children inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the survival experience of children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection due to bronchiolitis. STUDY DESIGN: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study conducted in Mexico. METHODS: We analyzed data from 436 children aged 5 years and younger, with symptom onset between August 2021 and November 2022. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compute survivor functions and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: High survival rates were observed, particularly within the first three weeks of hospital admission. The 3-day survival rate was 99.8% (CI 98.4-99.9%), which decreased to 98.9% (CI 96.5-99.7%), 97.5% (CI 91.9-99.3%), 86.7% (CI 48.2-97.2%), and 69.4% (CI 24.2-91.0%) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of hospital stay, respectively. We documented a total of 5 fatal outcomes, resulting in a mortality rate of 2.1 (95% CI 0.9-5.1) per 1,000 person-days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study analyzed a large cohort of pediatric patients with bronchiolitis caused by RSV infection, providing valuable insights into the in-hospital progression of this disease.

First-generation BNT162b2 and AZD1222 vaccines protect from COVID-19 pneumonia during the Omicron variant emergence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify factors predicting pneumonia in adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) emergence. We also evaluated, in fully vaccinated (BNT162b2 or AZD1222) individuals, if the time (<6 or ≥6 months) elapsed since the last shot was received was associated with the risk of severe illness. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Mexico. METHODS: Data from 409,493 were analyzed, and risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed through generalized linear models. RESULTS: We documented a total of 3513 COVID-19 pneumonia cases (69.5 per 100,000 person-days). In multiple analyses, a protective effect was observed in vaccinated adults (RR = 0.996, 95% CI 0.995-0.997). Male gender, increasing age, and smoking were associated with a greater risk of pneumonia. Individuals with chronic comorbidities (pulmonary obstructive disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, kidney disease, and immunosuppression) were also at higher risk. Among fully vaccinated subjects (n = 166,869), those who had received the last shot at 6 more months were at increased risk for developing pneumonia (RR = 1.002, 95% CI 1.001-1.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the first-generation BNT162b2 and AZD1222 vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia during the Omicron emergence. We also found that adults with longer interval from the administration of the second shot to illness onset were at increased risk of severe manifestations.

Decreased risk of COVID-19 pneumonia in children and adolescents during the Delta variant emergence.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia in children (aged <10 years) and adolescents (aged 10-19 years) before (March 2020-April 2021) and during (May-July 2021) the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant emergence. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective and nationwide cohort study was conducted in Mexico. METHODS: Data from 26,961 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were analyzed. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the association of the evaluated exposures with the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of pneumonia was 23.0 per 10,000 person-days, and it was lower during the Delta variant emergence (30.3 vs. 9.4 person-days, p < 0.001). In multiple analysis, a decreased risk of pneumonia was observed among those cases occurring in May 2021 or later (vs. March 2020-April 2021, RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) and among older patients (RRper year = 0.998, 95% CI 0.996-0.998). Other comorbidities (namely, obesity, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, or malignant tumors) were associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that during the Delta variant emergence, children and adolescent patients were at reduced risk of COVID-19 pneumonia in Mexico. Further research is needed to identify factors determining the observed scenario.

Anthropometric and dietary differences among Mexican older adults with and without adequate body image perception.

OBJECTIVE: We compared anthropometric and dietary indicators between groups of older Mexican adults with accurate or inaccurate body image perception (BIP). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 201 older adults (age ≥ 60 years) of both sexes who completed the Stunkard scale for BIP, which consists of nine silhouettes with an equivalent of body mass index (BMI) status, then, the accuracy with their real BMI was calculated and reported energy and macronutrient intake through a 24-h dietary recall directed by different geriatric centers in Colima, Mexico. Basic anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analyses were performed. RESULTS: We found that 71.1% of the older adults had inaccurate BIP; 66.6% underestimated their body mass and 4.5% overestimated their body mass, the other 28.9% hat accurate BIP. The overall concordance between the real nutritional status and BIP was poor (kappa coefficient = 0.03). The inaccurate BIP group had a significantly higher mean body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and arm and calf circumference compared to the accurate BIP group (p < .001); only 4.3% of the older adults who were overweight and 6.2% who were obese had an accurate BIP. Regarding dietary consumption, we found significant differences only in energy and carbohydrate intake between the two groups. Finally, excess body fat was associated with an inaccurate BIP (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.5). CONCLUSION: In older adults, an inaccurate BIP is generally associated with high anthropometric values and less than adequate dietary intake.

Effects of chronic caffeine administration on blood glucose levels and on glucose tolerance in healthy and diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of chronic caffeine use on risk reduction and prognosis of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this 60-day study, five groups of 11 healthy male Wistar rats were selected to receive one of four doses (37.5, 56.2, 75.0 or 93.0 mg/kg per day) of caffeine orally or no caffeine (control). The effect of caffeine on glycaemia and glucose tolerance was evaluated. After 15 days, each group was treated with 60 mg/kg of streptozotocine to induce diabetes mellitus, and glycaemia and glucose tolerance were assessed for a further 45 days. RESULTS: In nondiabetic rats, caffeine had no effect on blood glucose. Compared with controls, the fasting blood glucose levels declined significantly in two caffeine-treated groups (93.0 mg/kg per day and 56.2 mg/kg per day) during the first 15 days following diabetes induction. Glucose tolerance was significantly improved 120 min after glucose loading in all caffeine-treated groups. The mean ± SE half-maximal effective concentration of caffeine was 35.79 ± 2.44 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Blood glucose levels decreased, and glucose tolerance improved, in diabetic rats administered increasing doses of caffeine.

Frequency of, indications for and clinical epidemiological characteristics of first time cesarean section, compared with repeated cesarean section.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of, indications for and clinical epidemiological characteristics in patients having their first cesarean section (FCS) and then to compare the data with that found in patients with repeated cesarean section (RCS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out. 493 pregnant patients who gave birth by cesarean section or vaginal delivery were seen. Some of the variables analyzed were: age, prenatal care consultations, gyneco-obstetric antecedents, cesarean section indication and neonate weight. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, chi(2) and OR, with a 95% CI. Significance was p<0.05. RESULTS: 66% of the patients had vaginal births (VB) and 33.4% had cesarean sections, with a FCS frequency of 61%. The three most frequent indications for FCS were dystocias and cephalopelvic disproportion (45%), fetal distress (12.8%), and pelvic presentation (9.9%). Meanwhile, those for RCS were previous cesarean section (51%), dystocias (20%) and pelvic presentation (6.2%). The variables significantly associated with FCS were: first pregnancy, antecedent of labor room induction and a neonate weight above 3500 g. The remaining variables were not associated with FCS. Percentages of nulliparity, secondgravidity and multigravidity were greater in RCS patients. CONCLUSION: The frequency of FCS is still high in Mexico. Adequate following of programs to diminish the percentage of FCS and increase the number of VB, would significantly reduce the prevalence of cesarean section.

[Risk factors for cesarean section: epidemiologic approach]. / Factores de riesgo para cesárea: un enfoque epidemiológico.

The increase in frequency of cesareans that has been noted through 70's, not diminished--like it was expected--perinatal morbidity and mortality. The most important indications to cesarean are distocias, previous cesarean and fetal stress. In 1998 frequency of cesarean deliveries in our hospital was 35% of the pregnancy attended. The claim of this study was to determine risks factors to cesarean in our hospital. A case-control study was performed, selecting 165 cases (cesareans) and 328 controls (via vaginal). It was determined OR of the risks factors and atribuible fraction. Data were analyzed by X2. The most important indications to cesarean delivery were: distocias (39%, n = 64); previous cesarean (23%, n = 41) and fetal stress (11%, n = 21). There was not significative differences in age, height and rupture membrane time in both groups. History of cesarean delivery gave major risk to another surgical intervention (OR = 12.7, p = < 0.0001, atribuible fraction 92%). Nuliparous (OR = 6.6, p < 0.00000, atribuible fraction 85%), second gestation (OR = 1.8, p = 0.002) or history of abortion (OR = 1.8, p = 0.04) were factors mainly associated to cesarean delivery. We concluded that the precise 'medications of this surgical intervention specially in nuliparous or previous cesarean delivery cases must be replanteated to diminish its elevated frequency.