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.
Prevalence
El Perfil Epidemiológico y Clínico de la Esclerosis Múltiple en el Ecuador. The Clinical And Epidemiological Profile Of Multiple Sclerosis In Ecuador.
In recent years, the number of publications on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) from Ecuador has seen a significant increase. As a result, the research on the clinical and epidemiological behaviour of the disease has allowed us to make comparisons with other cohorts of patients with MS that come from regions where the prevalence of the disease is high. Nevertheless, Ecuador is still a country in which the prevalence of MS is low with a prevalence that fluctuates between 3 to 5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The epidemiological behaviour of MS is very similar to that of european cohorts, for example female patients are the most affected. However, the clinical behaviour of multiple sclerosis differs in terms of cognitive impairment and fatigue being less frequent. The impact of vitamin D on patients with MS is still unknown as only one study has been carried out. This study show that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in ecuadorian patients, but this does not translate into an increase in prevalence or disability as it does in european populations. Although we have a better understanding of the disease in the country, more studies are necessary, and it is imperative that all ecuadorian patients with MS be included in future studies in order to improve our knowledge about the behaviour of this disease in our region.
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Prevalencia de la Enfermedad de Parkinson: Estudio Puerta-Puerta en la Provincia de Manabí-Ecuador. Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease: Door-to-door Study in Manabi-Ecuador.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most frequent neurodegenerative disorders after dementias, with a worldwide prevalence of more than 1% in patients older than 65 years. In Ecuador, there are not direct statistical data on this disease. The aim of our research lies in establishing for the first time, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in the province of Manabi. For that, a door-to-door study was designed in two phases. They were selected 116,983 people, over forty years old. During the first phase, they were evaluated by survey, according to the London Brain Bank criteria for diagnosis. In the second phase, patients who met the criteria were referred to a neurologist for a definitive diagnosis. A total of 285 people (0.24%) were positive for Parkinson’s disease, predominating those aged over 61 years (33.33%), and with a slightly higher prevalence among males (56.14%) than in women (43.86%).
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Prevalencia y Tendencia de Trastornos Mentales en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía.
A mental disorder is the result of an imbalance between biological and social aspects that reflect an alteration of cerebral functions which intervene in the life and productiveness of each individual. In this study the prevalence and trend of mental disorders were estimated in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. This was a transversal study. The information was obtained during 1995 to 2004 of clinical records of patients admitted by first time in the Institute with diagnosis of mental disorder according to ICD-10, and different epidemiological variables were identified.
One thousand four hundred eighty three cases were identified. 56% were woman. The more frequent group of age was 20-29 years. In first place was Schizophrenia (22%), followed by Depressive Episode (16.5%) and in third place Bipolar Affective Disorder (8.6%). The prevalence was higher in 1995. In general, a tendency to decrease of mental disorders was observed, although it was not statistically significant.
Previous reports affirm that the number or patients with neuropsychiatric disorders will increase around the world in next years. Because most patients are assisted in the beginning by general or alternative medicine, it is essential for cases to be promptly identified and be addressed to specialized institutions for their attention.
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Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño y accidentes de tráfico.
In recent years many studies have shown that Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is one of the biggest risk factors for drivers. The most severe patients report that they become sleepiness not only while driving on the highway or over long distances – during which the driver may stop the vehicle to sleep for a short time – but also during short distances around town. The interest raised by this problem has caused several studies to centre their objective on identifying the factors that are responsible for this increase in traffic accidents. Polysomnographic testing has verified that the sleep of these patients is fragmented which causes an excessive daily sleepiness and a sensation of tiredness and fatigue, which, up to a point can cause traffic accidents. Current work is revising some the studies which have been undertaken in order to evaluate the prevalence of traffic accidents in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome according to the statistics. At present the nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is the treatment of choice of this syndrome. For that reason and in relation to the problem that we are studying, the traffic accidents in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, we have recently revised some of the studies that have been undertaken to evaluate up to what point the therapy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure diminishes the frequency of traffic accidents in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
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Violencia en la díada cuidador-paciente en la Enfermedad de Parkinson: Tres métodos de medición.
Background: Violence between caregivers and patients is common and little studied. Their identification and assessment is complex considering the various types available and how they are perceived and reported. The instruments vary in the number of items, level and frequency of acts that constitute a case.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of violence in the caregiver-patient dyad in the context of Parkinson’s disease through three measurement methods, describe the correlation between them and demonstrate the complexity of the assessment of violence.
Methods: Descriptive study, on 46 caregiver-patient dyads selected INNN. They were given a battery composed of: 1. National Survey of Violence against Women (ENVIM), 2. Scale of Abuse Older Adults (EMA). 3. Perception Questionnaire Exercise of Power in Dyads (PEPD).
Results: the average age of participant patients was 62 years, with 50% women. The average age of caregivers was 50 years, with 80% women. Violence prevalence of patients according to ENVIM is 43.5%, patient or caregiver (any) is 60.9%; EMA reports 71.7% and the PEPD 60.9%. Mutual violence is present in 26% of dyads according to ENVIM. Correlations were found between the scales ranging from 0.32 to 0.78.
Conclusions: Prevalence of violence is higher than what is reported in international literature and the ENVIM. Correlations between the instruments utilized in this study are sensitive and show that multiple question assessments avoid underreports.
