Prevalence and likelihood ratio of symptoms in patients with good therapeutic response to Lycopodium clavatum. A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the likelihood ratio (LR) of symptoms has been proposed as a rational means for detecting indicators to homeopathic medicines. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and LR of symptoms commonly attributed to the homeopathic medicine Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc). Secondarily, to answer the question if experienced homeopaths could intuitively infer which the main symptoms of this medicine are. METHODS: The presence of 35 selected symptoms, prescribed medicines and therapeutic response were assessed retrospectively. The symptoms' prevalence in the Lyc responding population and the LR of the symptoms compared to their prevalence in the remainder of the population were calculated. RESULTS: Two hundred and two Lyc and 550 non Lyc cases (total 752) were included for analysis. Twenty-two symptoms were confirmed as pertaining to Lyc's semiology (prevalence %; LR): contemptuous (3.3; 6.7), urinary stones history (2.7; 5.4), egotism (5.6; 3.6), dictatorial (33.3; 3.4), haughty (8.7; 3.3), sleeps on abdomen (3.3; 3.3), intolerance to clothing in abdomen (12.0; 3.1), reproaches (4.0; 3.0), helplessness (24.0; 2.7), fear of failure (10.7; 2.6), irritability on waking in the morning (16.7; 2.5), constipation alternating with diarrhea (8.7; 2.5), intolerant to contradiction (59.3; 2.3), want of self confidence (30.0; 2.4), abdominal distension after eating (23.3; 2.1); ailments from anticipation (32.0; 1.9), irritability before menses (23.3; 1.8), conscientious (26.0; 1.6), desire of sweets (52.0; 1.6), desire of chocolate (16.7; 1.6), lack of vital heat (41.3; 1.3), and flatterer (1.3; ∞). Surveyed homeopaths' intuitive inferences correlated well with symptoms' prevalence but not with their LR. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopodium's main symptoms are well known by homeopaths, but their knowledge correlates well with the symptoms' prevalence and not with their LR. Retrospective assessment of prevalence and LR of symptoms in good responders might be a means for better selection of symptoms for prospective studies.

Representaciones sociales sobre higiene bucal en madres y cuidadores de hogares infantiles / Social representations on oral hygiene in mothers and caregivers at child care centers

Introducción: las investigaciones cualitativas que involucren las percepciones de los pobladores sobre higiene bucal, son necesarias porque permiten reconocer nuevos horizontes conceptuales y metodológicos en el abordaje de esta temática. Objetivo: describir las representaciones sociales sobre higiene bucal en madres y cuidadores de niños en hogares infantiles. Métodos: iinvestigación con enfoque cualitativo que utilizó como método la teoría fundada en 15 madres y 23 cuidadores de hogares infantiles del Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar de Cartagena, Colombia, durante el año 2010. Se aplicaron entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas, entrevistas en grupos focales y la observación no participativa. Los datos se analizaron a través de codificación abierta y se agruparon en categorías axiales y nucleares para avanzar y profundizar conceptualizaciones. En todo este proceso se utilizó la comparación constante con la teoría. Resultados: los cuidadores consideraron a las madres como las principales responsables de la higiene bucal de sus hijos, aunque ellos también pueden ser impulsadores de la educación bucal desde el hogar infantil. Existe un temor generalizado por la atención odontológica, lo que explica la poca asistencia a consultas de control. Conclusiones: las representaciones de madres y cuidadores sobre higiene bucal se dirigen hacia la búsqueda de una mayor interacción entre los odontólogos y la comunidad, lo cual permite la implementación de metodologías de trabajo más acertadas y da a los padres y cuidadores la posibilidad de ejercer un monitoreo continuo de la salud bucal en los niños, quienes tendrán en un futuro la misma responsabilidad para con su núcleo familiar.

Introduction: The design of qualitative research involving the perceptions of the population is necessary in order to recognize new conceptual and methodological horizons in oral health. Objectives: To describe the social representations on oral hygiene in mothers and caregivers at child care centers. Methods: Qualitative approach research using as method the theories based on 15 mothers and 23 caregivers of child care centers of the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar of Cartagena, Colombia during the 2010. Individual semi structured focal group and non participatory observation interviews were made. The data was analyzed with open codification and it was grouped into axial and nuclear categories in order to advance and delve into conceptualizations. During the process there was constant comparison with the theory. Results: The caregivers regarded the mothers as the responsible for the children's oral health, although they can also be promoters of oral health education at the child care center. There was general fear to go to dentist's, which explained the little attendance to dental control visits. Conclusions: The representations of mothers and caregivers on oral hygiene are directed to the search of greater interaction between dentists and the community, allowing the implementation of more assertive working methodologies , and to the empowering of the parents and caregivers to exercise a continuous monitoring of theoral health of children, who in turn would have the same responsibility with their families in the future.

Leucocitosis / Leukocytosis

Se denomina leucocitosis al incremento de la cifra de leucocitos en sangre periférica por encima de los valores normales. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión bibliográfica y presentación de casos clínicos de leucocitosis.