Self-sampling for human papillomavirus DNA detection: a preliminary study of compliance and feasibility in BOLIVIA.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Bolivia are among the highest in Latin America. This investigation aims to evaluate the possibility of using simple devices, e.g. a cotton swab and a glass slide, for self-sampling in order to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by PCR in cervico-vaginal cells. METHODS: In the first phase of our study we evaluated the use of a glass slide as a transport medium for cervical cells. A physician took paired-cervical samples from 235 women. One sample was transported in Easyfix® solution and the other sample was smeared over a glass slide. Both were further analyzed and compared for human DNA recovery and HPV detection. A kappa value was determined to evaluate the agreement between the HPV DNA detection rates. In the second phase of the study, 222 women from the urban, peri-urban and rural regions of Cochabamba were requested to perform self-sampling using the following devices: a cotton swab combined with a glass slide, and a vaginal tampon. Women gave their opinion about the self-sampling technique. Finally, the agreement for high risk-HPV detection between self- and physician-collected samples was performed in 201 samples in order to evaluate the self-sampling technique. RESULTS: Firstly, the comparison between Easyfix® solution and the glass slide to transport clinical samples gave a good agreement for HPV DNA detection (κ = 0.71, 95% CI 0.60-0.81). Secondly, self-sampling, especially with cotton swab combined with glass slide, would generally be preferred over clinician sampling for a screening program based on HPV detection. Finally, we showed a good agreement between self- and physician collected samples for high risk-HPV detection (κ = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Simple devices such as a cotton swab and a glass slide can be used to perform self-sampling and HPV DNA detection. Furthermore, most Bolivian women preferred self-sampling over clinician-sampling for cervical cancer screening.

Síndrome metabólico, factores de riesgo en niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso / Metabolic syndrome, risk factors in children and adolescents with overweight

INTRODUCCIÓN: se asocia al Síndrome Metabólico, la probabilidad de contraer enfermedad cardiovascular, hipertensión, resistencia a la insulina, diabetes y muerte prematura. OBJETIVO: evaluar la presencia de Síndrome Metabólico en niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y establecer la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo asociados al Síndrome Metabólico. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal, descriptivo y analítico en niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso que acudieron a consulta de Endocrinología de los Hospitales Manuel Ascencio Villarroel y Albina Patiño de la ciudad de Cochabamba entre mayo a julio de 2015. Un total de 41 niños y adolescentes de 7 a 16 años de edad (24 hombres y 17 mujeres), fueron sometidos a evaluación antropométrica y laboratorial. RESULTADOS: la prevalencia de Síndrome Metabólico en niños y adolescentes fue de 41%; el componente más frecuente de SM fue el HDL bajo que alcanzó el 78%, seguido de hipertrigliceridemia con un 48.8 %. Se observa la existencia de una asociación altamente significativa (Sig. 0.021) en la determinación del Índice de HOMA con el sobrepeso y obesidad. De igual forma entre la Insulina y el Índice de HOMA (Sig. 0,009). Al relacionar los criterios para la determinación de Síndrome metabólico, el 41,7% de los pacientes con sobrepeso presenta un solo factor de riesgo, al igual que el 44,83% de los que presentan obesidad, los que presentan 2 factores de riesgo, los valores son similares entre la población que presenta sobrepeso y obesidad (41,7% y 41,4 % respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: desarrollar hábitos y estilo de vida saludables a una edad temprana, para evitar las consecuencias del Síndrome Metabólico, además de reducir los costos de atención a pacientes con enfermedades cardiovasculares o Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2. De ahí la importancia de realizar estudios que confirmen el diagnóstico precoz.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic Syndrome (SM) is associated with the probability developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes and premature death. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of Metabolic Syndrome in overweight children and adolescents and besides to establish the prevalence of risk factors associated with the Metabolic Syndrome. METHOD: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study about overweight children and adolescents who were attended at Endocrinology service of the Manuel Ascencio Villarroel and Albina Patiño Hospitals in Cochabamba city during May to July 2015. A total of 41 children and adolescents of 7 to 16 years old (24 men and 17 women) were submitted to anthropometric and laboratory evaluation. RESULTS: The MS prevalence in children and adolescents was 41%; the most frequent component was low HDL, which reached 78%, followed by hypertriglyceridemia with 48.8%. It was observed the existence highly significant association (Sig. 0.021) in the determination of the HOMA Index with overweight and obesity. In the same way were between Insulin and the HOMA Index (Sig. 0.009). Relating the criteria for the determination of metabolic syndrome, 41.7% of the overweight patients presented a single risk factor, it is similar the 44.83% obesity patients, they presented 2 risk factors, The values are similar between the population that is overweight and obese (41.7% and 41.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to developing healthy habits and lifestyle at an early form, to avoid the consequences of the Metabolic Syndrome, in addition to reducing the costs of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It is imperative to perform studies to confirming early diagnostic.