Ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality in Mexico: A cross-sectional study based on national data.

INTRODUCTION: Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities. How ethnicity affects Indigenous peoples in Mexico is unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the mortality associated with ethnicity, particularly of Indigenous peoples, in a large sample of patients with COVID-19 in Mexico. METHODS: We used open access data from the Mexican Ministry of Health, which includes data of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. We used descriptive statistics to compare differences among different groups of patients. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios while adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: From February 28 to August 3, 2020, a total of 416546 adult patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Among these, 4178 were Indigenous peoples. Among all patients with COVID-19, whether hospitalized or not, a higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died compared to non-Indigenous people (16.5% vs 11.1%, respectively). Among hospitalized patients, a higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died (37.1%) compared to non-Indigenous peoples (36.3%). Deaths outside the hospital were also higher among Indigenous peoples (3.7% vs 1.7%). A higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died in both the private and public health care sectors. The adjusted odds ratio for COVID-19 mortality among Indigenous peoples with COVID-19 was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.24). The adjusted odds ratio for COVID-19 mortality among Indigenous peoples with COVID-19 was higher among those who received only ambulatory care (1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.92). DISCUSSION: In this large sample of patients with COVID-19, the findings suggest that Indigenous peoples in Mexico have a higher risk of death from COVID-19, especially outside the hospital. These findings suggest Indigenous peoples lack access to care more so than non-Indigenous people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

Mexico and the COVID-19 Response.

Mexico has been one of the most affected countries in the world by the COVID-19 pandemic. The true impact of the pandemic has probably been underestimated, and President López Obrador, as well as the Ministry of Health, has struggled to lead the country since the beginning. While cases and deaths continue to rise, stronger leadership and unity are needed to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the health of millions of Mexicans.

Enhanced influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel prevents cases despite community burden.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza vaccination for healthcare personnel is not obligatory in Mexico, and compliance relies on promotion and persuasion. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of influenza vaccination compliance on the reduction of influenza and influenza-like illness among healthcare personnel throughout two consecutive influenza seasons. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study comparing cases of influenza and influenza-like illness among vaccinated and unvaccinated healthcare personnel registered in a Mexican 500-bed University Hospital surveillance and immunization registry during seasons 2015-16 and 2016-17. RESULTS: Total influenza immunization compliance was 21.3% and 42.7%, respectively. Reduction of the number of influenza-like illness (58 in 2015-16 and 15 in 2016-17; P = 0.0001) and confirmed influenza cases (28 in 2015-16 and 13 in 2016-17; P = 0.036) was evident. During 2016-17, influenza activity in the community was higher than 2015-16 (4800 and 1338 cases, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased influenza vaccination compliance among healthcare personnel was associated with reduction of the overall number of influenza and influenza-like illness cases, even in the setting of high activity of the disease in the community through 2016-17 and reported suboptimal vaccine effectiveness during both seasons.

[Relationship among anthropometric and gluco-metabolic parameters, bone mineral density and endometriosis]. / Parámetros antropométricos y glucometabólicos, densidad mineral ósea y endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: women with endometriosis may have a decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Several studies have shown that accumulation of adipose tissue profoundly affects BMD. It has also been documented that excess body fat is associated with risk of developing endometriosis. The aim was to analyze the relationship between BMD, fat mass, and the insulin-glucose axis in women with endometriosis. METHODS: thirty women with a diagnosis of endometriosis established by surgery were enrolled to participate in an observational prospective study. Anthropometry was performed to determine body mass index, and a dual X-ray densitometry to collect data on body composition and BMD. Glucose and insulin determinations were performed. Women were divided in two groups: with normal weight (n = 18) or overweight (n = 12). For the analysis of the results, we used descriptive statistics and Pearson's test. RESULTS: normal weight/overweight: mean age 32.5/35.2 years; body mass index 21.5/30.2; adiposity index: 27.7 %/36.1 %; fat mass index: 35.4/45.8 %; overweight women showed a significant value with p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: overweight, high values of adiposity index and fat mass index were related to endometriosis. This could support the hypothesis about a common pathogenesis among endometriosis, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity.

Introducción: las mujeres con endometriosis cursan con una densidad mineral ósea (DMO) disminuida. Varios estudios han demostrado que la acumulación del tejido adiposo afecta profundamente la DMO. También se ha documentado que un exceso de grasa corporal se asocia con el desarrollo de endometriosis. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la relación entre la DMO, la masa grasa corporal y el eje insulina-glucosa en mujeres con endometriosis. Métodos: treinta mujeres con diagnóstico laparoscópico de endometriosis aceptaron participar en este estudio. Se les efectuó antropometría y densitometría dual de rayos X para determinar su índice de masa corporal, su composición corporal y su DMO. Se les determinaron mediciones de insulina y glucosa en ayuno y posprandiales. Resultados: para el análisis de los resultados, se utilizaron metodologías de estadística descriptiva y prueba de Pearson. Existió un patrón entre cada fenotipo caracterizado y el T-score de la DMO en nuestras participantes con endometriosis.Conclusiones: la importancia de encontrar correlaciones clínico-observacionales entre enfermedades prevalentes que afectan la composición corporal en la población femenina (endometriosis, osteoporosis, diabetes y obesidad) podría dar lugar a hipótesis sobre una génesis causal común entre estas condiciones patológicas.