Increased Prevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis E Virus in Patients with Neurocysticercosis.

We explored the association between serological status for hepatitis E and neurocysticercosis (NCC) in neurologic patients attending a national neurological referral center in Lima, Perú, between the years 2008 and 2012. Anti-hepatitis E antibodies were evaluated in patients with and without NCC, and a control group of rural general population. Anti-hepatitis E IgG was found in 23.8% of patients with NCC, compared with 14.3% in subjects without NCC from a general rural population (P = 0.023) and 14.4% in subjects with neurological complaints without NCC (P = 0.027). Seropositive patients had a median age of 44 years compared with 30 years in seronegative patients (P <0.001). No significant differences in sex, region of residence, or liver enzyme values were found. Seropositivity to hepatitis E was frequent in this Peruvian population and higher in patients with NCC, suggesting shared common routes of infection.

Disability evaluation in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Objective: Several cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described. This study illustrated the demographic, clinical, and neurophysiological characteristics of patients with GBS and COVID-19, as well as associated factors with disability at discharge. Materials and methods: A retrospective analytical observational study was conducted. It included patients diagnosed with GBS admitted in a national reference center in Peru between 2019 and 2021. Epidemiological, clinical, neurophysiological, and cerebrospinal fluid data were analyzed. A multivariate analysis, using the generalized linear model, was performed, considering the presence of disability at discharge as the dependent variable. Results: Eight-one subjects diagnosed with GBS were included. The mean age was 46.8 years (SD: 15.2), with a predominance of males (61.73%). The most frequent clinical presentation was the classic sensory-motor form in 74 cases (91.36%) with AIDP (82.35%) as the most frequent neurophysiological pattern in the group with COVID-19, while AMAN pattern predominated (59.26%) in those without COVID-19 (p = <0.000). The disability prevalence ratio at discharge between subjects with COVID-19 and those without COVID-19 was 1.89 (CI 1.06-3.34), p = 0.030, adjusted for age, sex, and neurophysiological subtype. Conclusion: The neurophysiologic subtype AIDP, and a higher disability were associated with the presence of COVID-19.

Development and psychometric properties of the Attitudes Towards Intellectual Disability Scale in the workplace

ABSTRACT Background: A new instrument was designed to measure attitudes towards intellectual disability in the workplace. This tool provides the opportunity to identify underlying cognitive and emotional patterns that may influence people's interaction and performance in such environments. Objective: To construct, validate, and ensure the reliability of a scale measuring attitudes towards intellectual disability, establishing its suitability in labor inclusion programs. Method: A psychometric design was used that incorporated qualitative techniques, such as focus groups and cognitive interviews, in the instrument construction phase. The content validation of the items involved the participation of 15 experts in the field, which resulted in a reduced version with 10 items distributed in two dimensions: Perception and Social Distance. Subsequently, both the validity of the internal structure and the reliability of the instrument were evaluated in a sample of 255 individuals, composed of 35% (n=88) women and 66% (n=167) men. Result: The third-factor model evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was the one that demonstrated excellent fit indices (CFI= .991; TLI=.988; RMSEA= .076; SRMR =.038), with an adequate inter-factor correlation (0.82) and adequate consistency coefficients (α=0.825; ω=0.916). Conclusion: A tool of invaluable value is presented for planning public health programs aimed at reducing stigma and promoting the socio-labor inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

RESUMEN Introducción: Se diseñó un nuevo instrumento para medir las actitudes hacia la discapacidad intelectual en el lugar de trabajo. Esta herramienta brinda la oportunidad de identificar patrones cognitivos y emocionales subyacentes que pueden influir en la interacción y el desempeño de las personas en dichos entornos. Objetivo: Construir, validar y asegurar la fiabilidad de una escala que mide las actitudes hacia la discapacidad intelectual, estableciendo su idoneidad en programas de inclusión laboral. Método: Se utilizó un diseño psicométrico que incorporó técnicas cualitativas, como grupos focales y entrevistas cognitivas, en la fase de construcción del instrumento. La validación de contenido de los ítems contó con la participación de 15 expertos en la materia, lo que resultó en una versión reducida con 10 ítems distribuidos en dos dimensiones: Percepción y Distancia Social. Posteriormente, se evaluó tanto la validez de la estructura interna como la confiabilidad del instrumento en una muestra de 255 individuos, compuesta por 35% (n=88) mujeres y 66% (n=167) hombres. Resultados: El tercer modelo factorial evaluado con análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) fue el que demostró excelentes índices de ajuste (CFI= .991; TLI=.988; RMSEA= .076; SRMR =.038), con una adecuada correlación interfactorial (0.82). y coeficientes de consistencia adecuados (α=0,825; ω=0,916). Conclusión: Se presenta una herramienta de invaluable valor para la planificación de programas de salud pública dirigidos a reducir el estigma y promover la inclusión sociolaboral de personas con discapacidad intelectual.