This research aims to estimate the psychometric properties of the neuropsychological assessment instrument – Neuropsi in patients treated in the Neurology area of a public hospital in Peru. The study is of a technological, psychometric type, of a non-experimental and cross-sectional design and is oriented through a quantitative approach. We worked with a non-probabilistic sample of 432 medical records of elderly patients who were diagnosed with or without cognitive disorders or dementia, to whom the brief neuropsychological assessment instrument in Spanish – Neuropsi was applied. A factor analysis was found that reports a good fit in a 6-factor model with X2 = 2.825, CFI = 0.990, GFI = 0.986, PNFI = 0.460, AIC = 47.774, SRMR = 0.0196, RMSEA = 0.065 and the Cognitive performance differs according to the age range of the patient. In addition, it has a Cronbach’s alpha reliability of .863. These findings suggest that the instrument is valid, short, accurate, and adequate for measuring cognitive performance.
Artículos Originales
Práctica de la neuropsicología en Ecuador. Practice of neuropsychology in Ecuador
Objectives: To explore the current state of neuropsychology practice in Ecuador through the administration of an online survey.
Methods: A total of 48 professionals working in the field of neuropsychology completed an online survey between August 2018 and December 2019.
Results: The majority of the participants were female (62.5%), with a mean age of 37.23. 87.5% report having received postgraduate neuropsychology training. Most are employed in private practice, universities and/or clinics, and report being satisfied with their work. The most commonly treated diagnoses are Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities and language disorders. The three main barriers identified for the development of neuropsychology are the lack of academic training programs, the lack of clinical training programs and the lack of willingness to collaborate among professionals.
Conclusions: The practice of neuropsychology in Ecuador is on par with that of Latin America. However, certain changes are needed, such as increasing academic and clinical training programs in the area, formalizing regulations that guarantee quality and standards in practice, and continuing to standardize and validate neuropsychological tests in the country.
Leer artículo completo
Cerebro, hormonas y genes: conocimientos biológicos de la homosexualidad y transexualidad en una muestra chilena. Brain, hormones, and genes: biological knowledge of homosexuality and transsexuality in a Chilean sample
Introduction: Sexual orientation and gender identity have some biological bases based on genes, perinatal hormones and brain dimorphisms that have been studied in recent decades. The objectives of this study are to know the psychometric properties of a questionnaire to evaluate biological knowledge of homosexuality and transsexuality and to investigate such knowledge in a Chilean sample.
Methodology: 144 people from three regions of Chile were surveyed. A sociodemographic survey and the Biological Knowledge of Homosexuality and Transsexuality Questionnaire (BKHT) were applied. The results show that the instrument is valid and reliable for the sample used. It is also noted that 75,7% of the respondents obtained between 1 and 6 correct answers out of a maximum of 18. Of the sociodemographic variables, only religious beliefs and having dealt with homosexuality and transsexuality in their sex education classes are predictors of the BKHT scores.
Conclusions and Recommendations: BKTH is valid and reliable to be applied in Chilean population samples. The sample evaluated has low levels of knowledge about the biological basis of homosexuality and transsexuality. It is recommended to replicate this research in larger samples, in other regions of Chile and in other Latin American countries.
Leer artículo completo
Test de Lectura de la Mente a través de la Mirada: Primera aproximación a las propiedades psicométricas en población peruana. Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test: A first approximation to the psychometric properties in the Peruvian Population
Theory of mind (ToM) is a central cognitive process of social cognition, with great importance in neuroscience and neuropsychiatric disorders. One method used to evaluate advanced ToM in adults is the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), which despite being widely known in Peru, still lacks standardized and adequately validated measures for its application in the clinical area and not clinical. Objectives: 1. Explore the psychometric properties of RMET in Peruvians, as well as the percentage of precision for each item among the different versions of the RMET; 2. Evaluate the test-retest reliability after one year of follow-up. Two hundred eighty-eight participants between 17 and 55 years old, of both sexes, were recruited. Results: The RMET shows a medium validity and consistency according to the KR-20, Cronbach’s Alpha, and Omega tests (0.645 – 0.666). Women perform better than men (p <0.041*), and scores remain stable after one year of follow-up. Conclusions: The RMET shows good psychometric properties, similar to other versions and different countries, with women showing better mental capacity.
Leer artículo completo
Drip and ship: Una práctica usual en el tratamiento de ictus isquémico por oclusión de arterias proximales en países de altos ingresos pero anecdótica en Colombia. Drip and ship: a prevalent practice in acute stroke with large vessel occlusion in high-income countries but anecdotal in Colombia
The Drip and Ship consists of giving intravenous thrombolysis in the primary center and referral for mechanical thrombectomy.
Objective: To describe the experience of Drip and Ship in acute ischemic stroke in two regions of Colombia.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series study of patients undergoing Drip and Ship from 2019 to first quartile of 2021. We compared times: door-to-image, door-to-needle, door-to-groin and clinical outcomes. Measures of central tendency and descriptive statistics were calculated.
Results: Six patients with ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion were registered. Median of 60 minutes of the onset of symptoms, 75 minutes for door-to-needle, 167.5 minutes for door-in door-out time, and 91.5 minutes for travel time referred from another city. Five patients received mechanical thrombectomy with TICI 2c-3. 50% of patients with favorable modified Rankin scale at discharge and 84% at three months.
Conclusions: According to the RES-Q registry, between 2019 and the first quartile of 2021, there were 5954 cases of ischemic stroke cases in Colombia, and 20 patients received Drip and Ship strategy (0.33%). In agreement to international guidelines, door-to-needle and remission times were longer than recommended, especially in patients from other cities. It is necessary to structure care networks to improve treatment times and the number of patients treated.
Leer artículo completo
The association between pineal gland calcification and intracranial atherosclerotic disease in older adults. Asociación entre calcificaciones de la glándula pineal y enfermedad aterosclerótica intracraneal en adultos mayores
Background: This study assesses whether pineal gland calcification (PGC) – a surrogate for reduced endogenous melatonin production – is associated with significant stenosis of large intracranial arteries – a biomarker of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD).
Methods: Individuals aged ≥60 years enrolled in the Three Villages Study received head CT to assess PGC and MRA to estimate stenosis of large intracranial arteries. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between PGC and ICAD, after adjusting for relevant confounders. Inverse probability of exposure weighting was used to estimate the effect of PGC on ICAD.
Results: A total of 581 individuals were enrolled. PGC and ICAD were associated in a fully-adjusted logistic regression model (p=0.032). Inverse probability of exposure weighting showed an estimate for the proportion of ICAD among those without PGC of 3.7% and the adjusted-effect coefficient was 5.7% higher among those with PGC (p=0.031).
Conclusions: PGC is associated with ICAD. Study results provide grounds for evaluating the role of melatonin deficiency in ICAD progression.
Leer artículo completo
Niveles altos de hemoglobina glicosilada se asocian a hemorragia intracerebral espontánea: Estudio de casos y controles. High levels of glycated hemoglobin are associated with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A case control study
Introduction: Evidence shows that glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) is associated with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, reports in Latin-American patients are scarce.
Objective: To determine if HbA1C is a risk factor for ICH.
Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Cases were hospitalized patients with ICH, whereas the controls were diabetic patients within the same age range. Logistics regression was calculated to identify risk factors associated with ICH.
Results: A total of 45 cases and 45 controls were included. HbA1C values were higher in the ICH group (median 6.8%, IQR=5.8– 7.5) compared to the control group (median 5.8%, IQR=5.5–6.2%; P<0.001). High HbA1C values were identified as a risk factor for ICH (OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.41-5.41). Among the ICH patients, barely 29% had a confirmed previous diagnosis of diabetes. The hospital mortality rate in the ICH patients was 37.8%, while mortality was 15% in the patients with diabetes and 46% in those without a previous diabetes diagnosis.
Conclusions: High HbA1C levels were associated with the development of ICH. It is paramount to improve public policies for early detection of diabetes due to the potential to reduce the impact of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the general population.
Leer artículo completo
Uso de la Escala de Inteligencia de Adultos de Wechsler-IV para la evaluación neuropsicológicas en Ecuador. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV for use in Neuropsychological Assessments in Ecuador
An important part of cognitive status evaluation is the determination of general cognitive ability. However, the most common tests are not standardized for use in Ecuador. This has limited the extent and accuracy of clinical neuropsychological assessments within the country. We used the 7-subtest Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) with 155 mainly city-living Ecuadorian adults, recruited from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds around 4 different sites in Ecuador. The sample was matched to the Ecuadorian urban population for gender, education, and ethnicity. We show that this version of the WAIS-IV is a reliable and valid assessment for this context. In addition, we provide a method to adjust standard scores derived from the Spanish population, and used in the WAIS-IV manual, so that they are more appropriate for use in Ecuador. These can potentially be used to calculate full IQ scores. We also describe methods of comparing the Ecuador-adjusted standard scores so that they can be used in clinical neuropsychological evaluations of Ecuadorian adults.
Leer artículo completo
Cognición, afectividad y resiliencia en el perdón de una transgresión en la pareja. Cognition, affectivity and resilience in the forgiveness of a transgression in the couple
The transgression of the agreements between the couple is a current problem that generates discomfort on a personal, family and social level. In this article, an investigation is reported that analyzes a model that proposes the interaction between the variables positive cognition, positive affect and resilience as predictive factors that contribute to the understanding of the process of forgiveness of a transgression in the couple. 203 adults (103 women 60%, 88 men 40%) between 18 and 26 years of age participated in the research (Mage = 20.4, SD = 1.68). The hypothesized model was tested through the process of structural equations, finding adequate levels of goodness of fit x2 = 113.87, GL = 84, p = .02, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .04 (.03 – .06), CFI = .97. The results found contribute to two essential levels in the line of investigation of the interaction between couples, firstly, at a theoretical level, it is provided with an innovative theory that allows us to understand the process of forgiveness in the couple and, secondly, to clinical level, for psychotherapeutic intervention in variables such as cognition and positive affect that would benefit a couple to overcome a conflict and reach a forgiveness.
Leer artículo completo
Estudio piloto sobre el funcionamiento sexual en mujeres con Esclerosis Múltiple en México. Pilot Study on Sexual Functioning in Women with Multiple Sclerosis in Mexico
Introduction: Sexual dysfunction in women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is frequent. The way it is approached by physicians and communication with patients has not been widely explored.
Objective: Describe the sexuality of women with MS, their satisfaction with their relationship and communication with doctors.
Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out in the MS Clinic in the main concentration center in Mexico, with self-administered questionnaires through an online survey, on mental health, couple relationships, doctor-patient interaction on the subject of health sexual and reproductive, female sexual functioning, intimacy and sexuality.
Results: 37 women participated, average age 35.0 ± 8.25 years. They have been with the disease for 4.3 ± 3.8 years and the main course is relapsing remitting MS (79.2%). 89.1% report sexual intercourse and 43.8% used contraceptives in their first relationship. Out of self-interest, 40% spoke to a doctor about sexuality. Women who are not in a relationship and have not spoken to a doctor about sexuality score low in the domains of sexual functioning.
Discussion and Conclusions: Communication about sexual health is fundamental and for this the doctor-patient relationship is central.
Leer artículo completo
Índice leucoglucémico alto como predictor de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes con ictus isquémico agudo. High leuko-glycemic index as an in-hospital mortality predictor in patients with acute ischemical ictus
Objective: To demonstrate that the high leuko-glycemic index was a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the Neurology Department at Belen of Trujillo Hospital in the period from January 2014 to December 2018.
Material and method: Observational, analytical, cohort and retrospective research, conducted at Belen of Trujillo Hospital, with a census sample of patients hospitalized in the Neurology department with diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke in the period from January 2014 to December 2018 , who met the selection criteria.
Results: 281 medical records were analyzed, where 18 were of deceased patients, of which 56% died with a leuko-glycemic index greater than 1600, the association being statistically significant (RRa: 6.33, CI: 95% [1.35 – 29.64]; p = 0.019). In addition, in the multivariate analysis, age greater than or equal to 80 years, admission moderate awareness disorder and in-hospital pneumonia were also relevant.
Conclusion: The high leuko-glycemic index was a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the Neurology Department at Belen of Trujillo Hospital in the period from January 2014 to December 2018.
Leer artículo completo
Prevalencia de neuromitos en académicos universitarios de Chile. Neuromyth prevalence in university academics in Chile
Introduction: A neuromyth is an interpretation error derived from a misunderstanding or mistaken belief about scientific findings, being frequent in educational contexts, but also in the area of neurology and other neurosciences. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of neuromyths among Chilean university scholars.
Methodology: Quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study. The instrument used was the Neuromyth Prevalence Questionnaire, Spanish version. The sample considered 64 scholars from six Chilean universities.
Results: Among university teachers of education careers, four neuromyths had a prevalence higher than 70% in the items related to the relevance of the stimuli in the preschool stage and that individuals learn better when they receive information according to a learning style (visual, auditory or kinesthetic, VAK).
Conclusions and Recommendations: In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of neuromyths among the Chilean university scholars studied. As a challenge of scholar performance, they should adequately disseminate neuroscience research, as this impacts student training and their professional future. Furthermore, the awareness about neuromyths that prevail among them will allow us to address the dismissal of misconceptions that have lasted for a long time in the complex scenario of the interaction between educational sciences and neurosciences.
Leer artículo completo
Función cognitiva en adultos mayores con y sin dedos de Dawson relacionados con enfermedad de pequeño vaso cerebral. Cognitive performance in older adults with and without Dawson’s fingers-related cerebral small vessel disease
Background/objective: Dawson’s fingers have been traditionally associated with multiple sclerosis. However, this imaging biomarker has also been linked to white matter hyperintensities related to cerebral small vessel disease. In the latter, Dawson’s fingers could represent damage of small venules in subjects with severe small vessel disease and could theoretically be associated with cognitive decline. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between Dawson’s fingers and cognitive performance in a population of older adults.
Methods: Population-based study conducted in individuals aged 60 years or older, residing in three rural villages of coastal Ecuador (Atahualpa, El Tambo and Prosperidad). Of 712 older adults identified by means of a door-to-door survey, 590 underwent a brain MRI. Of them, 575 also had the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We selected the 157 individuals with moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities to assess the presence of Dawson’s fingers. The independent association between Dawson’s fingers and cognitive performance (as the dependent variable) was assessed by means of a linear regression model, after adjusting for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and the other biomarkers of cerebral small vessel disease.
Results: Of 157 individuals with moderate-to-severe White matter hyperintensities, 17 (11%) had Dawson’s fingers on MRI. The mean MoCA score in subjects with Dawson’s fingers was 14.5±6.4 points and that of those without this neuroimaging biomarker was 17.3±6.2 points. The association between Dawson’s fingers and the MoCA score was marginal in univariate models (p=0.082), but it completely vanished in a multivariate linear regression model adjusted for relevant covariates (β:-0.31; 95% C.I.: -3.23 – 2.60; p=0.833). A mediation model disclosed that 83.5% of the effect of Dawson’s finger on cognitive performance was mediated by age.
Conclusion: Dawson’s fingers are not independently associated with cognitive performance in individuals with cerebral small vessel disease. Most of the effect of this association is mediated by age.
Leer artículo completo
Síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en la población general ecuatoriana durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms experienced by the ecuadorian general population during the pandemic for COVID-19
Objective: To describe the mental health state of Ecuadorian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to August 2020. Data from a larger study involving several Spanish-speaking countries were analyzed. This research was non-experimental, quantitative, and cross-sectional, conducted through an anonymous online survey used as the collection tool.
Results: A total of 766 people participated, 64.23% were women and the mean age was 32.35 (SD = 12.54). Around 8% of the participants declared having presented a diagnosis of COVID-19, and 12.9% having experienced associated symptoms. Most participants (77.4%) indicated not having had mental health problems in the past, and 87.6% did not have these problems during the pandemic. However, 41% acknowledged having experienced greater psychological distress. Participants presented low levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Women and young adults were the most affected groups by the assessed symptoms.
Conclusions: In pandemic and confinement situations, providing mental health care services for the general population is essential, especially for women and young adults.
Leer artículo completo
Music therapy intervention for memory, attention, and language in children with dyslalia. Intervención musicoterapéutica para mejorar la memoria, atención y lenguaje in niños con dislalia
Dyslalia is a language disorder that is present in a wide percentage of children. This work proposes an intervention protocol in music therapy to improve attention, memory, and language for children with the dyslalia disorder. A confirmatory mixed-method design composed of two studies was conducted: the first included a quantitative and pre-experimental design with a sample of 20 children aged between 5 and 8 years (Mage=6.45, SD=1.23) diagnosed with dyslalia. The second study used a qualitative confirmatory methodology, where participants’ parents and therapists participated. Wepman’s and the initial Luria pre- and post-tests measurements were applied. The results of the pre-experiment found statistically significant improvements in verbal regulation t(19)=-5.03, p=<.001, d=.76, attention t(19)=-5.05, p=<.001, d=.76, and memory t(19)=-2.88, p=.009, d=.55. In the qualitative phase, narratives were found that affirmed the positive results of the pre-experiment. Moreover, data surrounding the benefits of the music therapy intervention protocol in the improvement of cognitive processes and the relationship with previous literature that found positive results with this type of intervention are discussed.
Leer artículo completo
Ronquido, Eventos Respiratorios y Cardíacos Después de la Colocación de un Dispositivo de Avance Mandibular. Snoring, Respiratory And Cardiac Events After The Placement Of A Mandibular Advancement Device.
Objective: To compare snoring levels, respiratory and cardiac events before and after the placement of a new mandibular advancement device (MAD) designed for snoring control, placed as an option for the control of pathological mechanisms respiratory disorders that have been associated with cognitive dysfunction, excessive daytime sleepiness and as an aggravator of the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Methodology: Study of a case series that considered 12 snoring adults initially identified with the Roncolab® App. A clinical history of sleep and initial (A) and final (D) polysomnography (PSG) was performed. A new design of intra-oral mandibular advancement device for snoring control was placed, which was reviewed every 20 days for two months. Neurophysiological, cardio-pulmonary and sleep parameters were analyzed. The statistical differences between the variables were established according to the distribution of the data with tests of t-student or Mann-Whitney U.
Results: The average snoring events according to PSG were (A: 198; D: 260) with p> 0.05; according to Roncolab® (A: 73.6; D: 22.6) with a p <0.05. There were no differences between the oximetry averages (A: 0.84; D: 0.83) or heart rate (A: 65; D: 66.9).
Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in respiratory, cardiac events, oximetry nor apnea episodes according to PSG, after the placement of the manufactured DAM. Roncolab® registered a significant decrease in snoring events.
Leer artículo completo
Evaluación de la Utilidad de las Escalas Pronósticas del Status Epiléptico Convulsivo en el Status Epiléptico no Convulsivo. Usefulness Of Status Convulsive Score In Prognosis Of Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus
Introduction: The Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) is a rare clinical entity. As of today, a predictive mortality scale has not been developed. Moreover, the risk factors that contribute to the prognosis have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the prognostic scores for status epilepticus (SE): the epileptic status severity score (STESS), the modified RANKIN scale STESS (mRSTESS) and the epileptic status mortality score based on epidemiology (EMSE-EACEG) applied in patients diagnosed with NCSE.
Results: The sample analyzed for this study consisted of 66 patients with an average age of 59 years (SD 18.5).
The STESS and mRSTESS were significantly associated with higher odds for poor prognosis at the time of discharge in patients with NCSE (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). However, none of the three was associated with mortality.
Conclusion: Considering that the scores used to predict prognosis in patients with SE have not shown equal diagnostic accuracy in the NCSE, we believe that a validated predictive scale of morbidity and mortality would be of great help for these patients.
Leer artículo completo
Estructura Factorial del Funcionamiento Neuropsicológico en la Discapacidad Intelectual Leve en Niños. Factorial Structure Of Neuropsychological Functioning In Mild Intellectual Disability In Children.
An exploratory factor analysis was performed to establish the factor structure of neuropsychological functioning in mild intellectual disability in children. It was a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Eighty children with a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability were included. An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests was applied. An Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed to identify the main factors. The results showed that mild intellectual disability in children has a structure in which the neuropsychological functions associated with executive functioning explain 56% of the variance and have a factor priority over 13%, which explains the variables associated with two traditional tests for assess intelligence. Each factor is analyzed and discussed from clinical and experimental neuropsychology. The study findings have theoretical and clinical implications for differential diagnosis.
Leer artículo completo
Epilepsia Como Factor Pronóstico de Refractariedad y Funcionalidad en Estado Epiléptico en Pacientes Mexicanos. Epilepsy As Prognostic Factor Of Refractoriness And Functionality In Status Epilepticus In Mexican Patients.
Introduction: Status epilepticus is a medical condition which could lead to a great disability and be mortal. Background of epilepsy could prevent a progression to a refractory status epilepticus and predict a good functional prognosis. Nevertheless, in Mexican population there are no studies about that.
Materials and methods: An observational, analytic, retrospective, cohort study was performed with patients with status epilepticus in Specialities Hospital of “Siglo XXI” National Medical Center, in Mexico. It was evaluated the probability of presenting refractory status epilepticus and a good functional outcome in patients with a background of epilepsy, performing Pearson Chi-square.
Results: 40 patients with status epilepticus were included, 32 with refractory status epilepticus and 14 with a background of epilepsy. The probability of presenting a refractory status epilepticus with a background of epilepsy was OR 1.29 (p 0.53), and for a good functional outcome was OR 3.63 (p 0.10).
Conclusions: Background of epilepsy is not a protective factor for preventing the progression to a refractory status epilepticus, neither a factor for predicting a good functional outcome in our study with Mexican population. Nevertheless, further studies with a bigger sample are needed in order to prove these results.
Leer artículo completo
Magnetic Resonance Poor Prognostic Factors In Mexican Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Factores de Mal Pronóstico Por Resonancia Magnética en Pacientes Mexicanos Con Esclerosis Múltiple.
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the main causes of disability in young people. It has characteristic lesions in magnetic resonance images which are part of diagnosis criteria, and some of them could predict a long-term disability. In mexican population there is no description about multiple sclerosis imaging characteristics.
Materials and methods: We performed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrolective study at the Neurology Service of Specialties Hospital of Siglo XXI National Medical Center of Mexican Social Security Institute, in Mexico, evaluating magnetic resonance images characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis diagnosis between January 2017 and January 2020.
Results: 75 patients were included, 8% had 1-3 T2-weighted lesions, 18.6% had 4-9 T2-weighted lesions, and 73.3% had 10 or more T2-weighted lesions. 50.6% had infratentorial lesions and 61.3% had spinal cord lesions. Gadolinium enhancing lesions were found in 48%, with a median of lesions 2 (IQR 1,3).
Conclusions: Mexican patients with multiple sclerosis have a great incidence of magnetic resonance image poor prognosis factors, which should lead to a closer follow-up and influence treatment options.
Leer artículo completo
Prescription Patterns Of Antimigraine Drugs. Patrones de Utilización de Antimigrañosos.
Introduction: The objective was to determine the prescription patterns of antimigraine drugs in a Colombian population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of a population database that recorded all patients diagnosed with migraine and the drugs used for crisis and prophylaxis treatment for at least three months during 2018. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with the use of prophylaxis.
Results: A total of 5973 patients diagnosed with migraine were identified, with a mean age of 37.7±14.5 years and female predominance (81.3%). The most common diagnosis was migraine without aura (36.9%), followed by migraine with aura (28.4%). Overall, 7.3% of patients were treated by neurologists and 92.8% by general practitioners, and 85.4% (n=5101) received treatment for acute episodes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (52.1%) were the most prescribed drugs, followed by ergotamine (42.1%). The 46.3% of patients were receiving prophylactic therapy. Women older than 35 years and patients treated by neurologists were more likely to receive prophylactic therapy.
Conclusions: The use of medications for acute migraine management prevailed, with a very low proportion of triptans. Despite the significant undesirable effects, ergotamine continues to be used frequently. Physicians should evaluate the need for prophylaxis, focusing on finding an effective therapy that reduces disabilities.
Leer artículo completo
Prevalence Of Major Depressive Disorder In Portoviejo, Ecuador. Prevalencia del Trastorno Depresivo Mayor en Portoviejo, Ecuador.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 300 million people, causing enormous socioeconomic burden. Little data has been known about prevalence of MDD in Ecuador. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of MDD in the population in a highly populated city in Ecuadorian Coast. This population-based study was accomplished in Portoviejo, Manabí. Here, we analyzed 114.239 records about MDD using Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnosis of DSM-IV Disorders in younger, adults, and older peoples. We observed that the MDD score of 8.6% of the studied population. There was a suitable agreement between mild MDD and residence location scores (urban or rural zone). Both models had a good standard of fit (R2 = 0.91 and 0.95) and a mean p-value of 0.04 for both locations. A significant positive correlation between marital status and MDD scores, particularly for single (p = 0.001361, r = 0.94), and education levels (p = 0.00102, r = 0.95) was also demonstrated. Moreover, both age (p = 0.001067, r = -0.94) and widowed (p = 0.009662, r = -0.87) were negatively correlated with MDD scores. Collectively, our results revealed a high prevalence of MDD in the Portoviejo population, an effect more prominent in man, living alone, young and resident of the urban zone.
Leer artículo completo
Adaptación Lingüística de la Batería de Evaluación Neuropsicológica “BREV” en Una Población de Escolares Ecuatorianos. Linguistic Adaptation Of The Neuropsychological Evaluation Battery “BREV” In A Population Of Ecuadorian Schoolchildren.
This article reports the process followed for the linguistic adaptation of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery “BREV” in a population of Ecuadorian school children. The translation-back-translation method was used. The final version of the test was applied to a pilot sample of 100 schoolchildren from the city of Cuenca – Ecuador. The piloting revealed results similar to the original version in most of the subtests, however, there are still certain adaptation errors at the level of some terms and stimuli of the test that must be corrected. The statistical results demonstrated a significance of 5% (p <0.05) in the correlations between the performance of each subtest and the age of the Ecuadorian children. It was concluded that the final version of the linguistic adaptation of the Battery “BREV” obtained in this first part of the investigation similar results to the original version; but a statistical analysis by retest is necessary to ensure the equivalence and reliability of the adapted instrument with respect to the original French test.
Leer artículo completo
Correlación Entre Calidad de Sueño y Calidad de Vida en Estudiantes de Medicina. Correlation Between Quality Of Sleep And Quality Of Life In Medical Students.
Introduction: Sleep is important for the proper performance of the individual since it participates in many biological processes. Medical students often do not get the recommended amount of sleep per day, this affects their quality of sleep, with repercussions on their quality of life.
Objective: To identify the association between sleep quality according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and quality of life according to the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL–BREF) questionnaire of the World Health Organization (WHO) and describe the most prevalent risk factors for sleep disorders in medical students from the Catholic University Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG).
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study in UCSG medical students.
Results: The questionnaires were completed by 211 students; the mean age was 20,8 ± 2,6 years; 62,1% were women. The mean BMI was 23,1 ± 3,8, 20,4% of the students were overweight and 4,3% were obese. The mean score in the PSQI obtained in the study population was 7,2 ± 3,1 and in the WHOQOL – BREF was 60,9%. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r2, between both variables was -0.33 (p: <0.01).
Conclusion: Poor quality of sleep is inversely correlated with quality of life. The quality-of-life domain most associated with poor sleep quality was the physical domain. The most frequent risk factor for poor quality sleep was snoring.
Leer artículo completo
Funcionamiento Ejecutivo en Adolescentes Embarazadas Del Departamento de Sucre-Colombia: Una Respuesta Desde la Cognición. Executive Functioning In Pregnant Adolescents In The Department Of Sucre-Colombia: A Response From Cognition.
Introduction: Teen pregnancy changes the way of life of girls and their families, sometimes they can be the product of poor decision-making when having sex.
Objective: To describe the executive functioning of adolescents in a state of pregnancy in the department of Sucre.
Method: Quantitative, observational, descriptive level and cross-sectional approach; a sample of 72 adolescents, 36 of them pregnant in the department of Sucre, Colombia. Sample: selection and rejection method, applying a simple analysis of variance, using the R-Studio program. Instruments: a test protocol was applied containing: Controlled word association test, Wisconsin classification test (WCST), Stroop test, Trail Making Test (TMT).
Results: Adolescent girls in pregnancy presented greater difficulty in making decisions, failures in problem solving, organization and planning of information, as well as poor self-monitoring, slow learning, and low speed of information processing.
Conclusion: The maturation of brain areas with changes occurred in adolescence is consistent with the difficulties found in this executive functioning and the appearance of risk behaviors resulting in possible pregnancies during adolescence.
Leer artículo completo
Puntaje Global de Potenciales Evocados Multimodales Sensoriales en el Estudio de Pacientes Con Esclerosis Múltiple. Global Score Of Sensory Multimodal Evoked Potentials In The Study Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Multimodal sensory evoked potentials (MSEP) have been used to evaluate the integrity of sensory pathways but have not been globally considered as a tool to MS diagnose.
Objective: to evaluate the relationship between the global score of MSEP with the degree of disability and the presence of structural lesions in MS patients.
Methods: Thirty-five patients with relapsing-remitting MS were studied in the International Center for Neurological Restoration. The score of the MSEP was correlated to the disability scale of Kurtzke and the degree of lesions evidenced in magnetic resonance images.
Results: A significant correlation was found between the global score and disability scale (R=0.33, p<0.05) and between the global score and the number of lesion levels detected in the resonance images (R=0.42, p< 0.05).
Conclusion: The relationship between the global score of the MSEP and the structural lesions and degree of disability confirms its utility to study MS patients, even though they aren’t part of the diagnostic criteria.
Leer artículo completo
Exámenes no Costo-Efectivos En Pacientes Con Lumbalgia Inespecífica en un Hospital Referencial. Non-Cost-Effective Tests In Patients With Unspecified Lumbalgia In A Referential Hospital.
Introduction: Low back pain has become a serious health problem due to its high frequency and social, labor and economic impact. 90% of them correspond to non-specific low back pain, and in them routine examinations have proved to be non-cost-effective.
Objective: To identify the frequency of the use of non-cost-effective tests in patients with a diagnosis of non-specific low back pain treated at The Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo National Hospital, in 2014-2015.
Material and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study in patients aged 18 to 49 years with a diagnosis of non-specific low back pain (ICD-10 M54.5) attended by an outpatient clinic at The Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo National Hospital in 2014-2015. Census sampling was used, including a clinical history of patients without a serious or specific underlying condition or who did not show any signs of alarm to suspect them. Excluded psychiatric comorbidities or fibromyalgia, obtaining 177 patients. A collection form validated by experts was used. The data was analyzed with SPSS v.22.
Results: A frequency of non-cost-effective exams of 53,11% was found. The occupations with the highest physical load (60,64%) and the clinical services (47,87%) were the most frequent. The radiodiagnosis exams represent approximately 75% of the exams requested. A total unnecessary expense of s / .32125,21 equivalent to USD 9 818.32 was obtained.
Conclusions: There is a high frequency of the use of non-cost-effective tests in patients with non-specific low back pain, with radiodiagnosis being the most prescribed.
Leer artículo completo
Propiedades Psicométricas del Inventario CABI Para la Determinación del TDAH. Psychometric Properties Of The Cabi Inventory In The Determination Of ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent mental health issues among children and adolescents
worldwide. Current literature shows that ADHD could affect both academic and work performances of those who present it. The aim of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Child and Adolescence Behavior Inventory (CABI) through an exploratory study, based on the report of 350 Chilean parents. Results indicated a three-dimensional model (sluggish cognitive tempo, inattention and hyperactivity) with adequate fit of the data (RMSEA=0.065; CFI= 0.954; TLI=0.941; PL=207) that explained 61.76% of the total variance with an Alpha of 0.961. Results show that the subscales analyzed have acceptable psychometric properties, an adequate internal consistency and that their indicators have a correct discriminatory power.
Therefore, according to these preliminary results, CABI can be considered a useful assessment tool for the diagnosis of ADHD. Implications for practice, policy and future research are discussed.
Leer artículo completo
Propuesta De Una Escala De Valoración De Las Funciones Ejecutivas En Universitarios. Proposal For An Evaluation Scale Of Executive Functions In University Students.
Introduction. The executive functions constitute a set of cognitive, affective and motivational processes, which allow the conscious control of thought, development of highly complex tasks, that is going to facilitate the adaptation to new situations, it is therefore necessary the contribution of new evaluation methodologies of executive functions centered on the university population, this is going to facilitate the access to check the cognitive processes of the pre-frontal cortex.
Objective. Evaluate executive functions in university students between 18 and 25 years of age using a self-report scale.
Subjects and method. 752 university students from Quito-Ecuador participated, aged between 18 and 25 years old, of whom 498 (66.2%) were female and 254 (33.8%) were male. As measuring reagent, the scale used to evaluate the executive functions in self-report was proposed in the project: Neuropsychological Systems for Supervision of Cognition and Behavior for the Benefit of Managing the Learning of Higher Education Students.
Results. Exploratory factor analysis reported an organization of 8 executive functions that explain 57% of the variance of the construct (p = <.001). An adequate level of reliability was obtained between α = .70 and .86, a factor was eliminated since its level of reliability was very low and did not improve under any statistical procedure. The correlation between the proposed factors was adequate at a median magnitude r = .67 and .39.
Conclusion. The results show that the proposed scale is based on situations in the student’s daily life, this scale design allows identifying both pathological situations and conditions that affect the quality of life and development in the university environment. Furthermore, psychometric indicators provide evidence in favor of their reliable use in the university context.
Leer artículo completo
Relación Entre Uricemia y El Estado Funcional Neurológico En El Ictus Isquémico Agudo – Estudio Multicéntrico. Relationship Between Uricemia And The Neurological Functional State In Acute Ischemic Stroke – Multicenter Study
INTRODUCTION: Various biomarkers are studied as a prognostic factor in ischemic stroke, the results obtained about uric acid are controversial.
OBJETIVE: To determine if there is a relationship between uricemia and the neurological functional state in acute ischemic stroke.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study was carried out that included 151 patients diagnosed with acute isquemic stroke from the neurology department of the Victor Lazarte Echegaray Hospital and Alta Complejidad Virgen de la Puerta Hospital that met the selection criteria, the relationship between uricemia and neurological functional prognosis using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), using the Eta statics.
RESULTS: 55.6% of the patients had a poor neurological functional prognosis (mRS>2) reporting acid uric levels with a mean of 4.13 mg/dl. An Eta coefficient of 0.940 was obtained.
CONCLUSION: There is a direct relationship between uricemia and neurological functional state in patients with acute ischemic stroke, associating more extreme values with the worst functional prognosis at hospital discharge.
