María Mercedes Rizo-Baeza

Diagnostic inertia in obesity and the impact on cardiovascular risk in primary care: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Prevalence of diagnostic inertia (DI), defined as a failure to diagnose disease, has not been analysed in patients with obesity. AIM To quantify DI for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in patients with obesity, and determine its association with the cardiovascular risk score. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study of people ≥40 years attending a preventive programme in primary healthcare centres in Spain in 2003-2004. METHOD All patients with obesity attending during the first 6 months of the preventive programme were analysed. Participants had to be free of CVD (myocardial ischaemia or stroke) and aged 40-65 years; the criteria used to measure SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation). Three subgroups of patients with obesity with no personal history of CVRF but with poor control of risk factors were established. Outcome variable was DI, defined as poor control of risk factors and no action taken by the physician. Secondary variables were diabetes, fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI), and SCORE. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) was determined using multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS Of 8687 patients with obesity in the programme, 6230 fulfilled SCORE criteria. Prevalence of DI in the three subgroups was: hypertension, 1275/1816 (70.2%) patients affected (95% CI = 68.1 to 72.3%); diabetes, 335/359 (93.3%) patients affected (95% CI = 90.7 to 95.9%); dyslipidaemia subgroup, 1796/3341 (53.8%) patients affected (95% CI = 52.1 to 55.4%. Factors associated with DI for each subgroup were: for hypertension, absence of diabetes, higher BMI, and greater cardiovascular risk; for dyslipidaemia, diabetes, higher BMI, and greater cardiovascular risk (SCORE); and for diabetes, lower FBG levels, lower BMI, and greater cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSION This study quantified DI in patients with obesity and determined that it was associated with a greater cardiovascular risk.

Anti-adipogenic activity of an olive seed extract in mouse fibroblasts

UNLABELLED The administration of different polyphenols protects against increased body weight and fat accumulation. The aim of the study was to determine the anti-adipogenic activity of an olive-seed polyphenolic extract, by means of mouse fibroblast cell line 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cells were incubated and differentiated (6000 cells/cup) in the presence of olive-seed extract at 10 and 50 mg/l biosecure concentrations of polyphenols, and with no extract in the control sample. After 5 to 7 days mature adipocytes are formed. The fat clusters are quantified by means of red-oil staining, 490 nm absorbance, and the expression of the leptin and PPARg genes, and then compared to the values obtained in the cultures before and after adipocyte differentiation. RESULTS The control samples, with no extract, presented an accumulation of fat of 100%. By contrast, the addition of 50 mg/l of olive-seed extract polyphenols resulted in a 50% accumulation of fat, similar to that of the non-differentiated cells. A 10 mg/l extract concentration had no effect. Anti-adipogenic activity is thus confirmed, as the expression of the PPARg and leptin genes is reduced in adipocyte differentiation in the presence of extract at 50 mg/l. In conclusion, both the formation of fatty substances characteristic of adipogenesis, and the expression of the adipogenic PPARg and leptin genes are found to be inhibited by the prior addition of olive-seed extract polyphenols at a 50 mg/l concentration.

Differences in immunoreactive trypsin values between type of feeding and ethnicity in neonatal cystic fibrosis screening: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWe studied the differences in immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) in neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) associated individually with the age of the newborn, ethnicity and environmental temperature. In this study, we determine the overall influence of environmental temperature at birth, gender, feeding, gestational age, maternal age and ethnic origin on an abnormal IRT result.MethodsCross-sectional observational study. A sample was selected of newborns from Alicante (Spain) who underwent neonatal CF screening in 2012-2013. Primary variable: abnormal IRT levels (≥65 ng/ml). Secondary variables: gender, maternal origin, maternal age (years) (<20, 20-40, >40), gestational age (weeks) (<32, 32-37, >37), type of feeding (natural, formula, mixed and special nutrition), >20 days from birth to blood collection, and average temperature during the month of birth (in C). Using a multivariate logistic regression model the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated to analyze the association between atypical IRT levels and the study variables. The α error was 5% and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the most relevant parameters.ResultsOf a total of 13,310 samples, 199 were abnormal (1.34%). Significant associated factors: feeding method (natural → OR = 1; mixed → OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31-0.89; formula → OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.48-1.07; special → OR = 21.88, 95% CI: 6.92-69.14; p < 0.001).ConclusionsNewborns receiving special nutrition have a 20-fold higher risk for abnormal IRT levels, and screening is advisable once normalized feeding is initiated. It is advisable to consider ethnic variability. Seasonality was not important.Spanish abstractAntecedentesSe ha estudiado la diferencia de tripsina inmunorreactiva (TIR) en el cribado neonatal de fibrosis quística (FQ) relacionados individualmente con edad del recién nacido, etnia y temperatura ambiente. En este estudio nosotros determinamos la influencia global de temperatura ambiente al nacimiento, sexo, alimentación, edad gestacional, edad de la madre y origen étnico sobre la TIR alterada.MétodosEstudio observacional transversal. Se seleccionó una muestra de recién nacidos de Alicante (España) a los que se les realizó cribado neonatal de FQ en 2012-2013. Variable principal: niveles alterados de TIR (≥65 ng/ml). Variables secundarias: sexo, origen de la madre, edad materna (años) (<20; 20-40; >40), semanas de gestación (<32; 32-37; >37), tipo de lactancia (natural, artificial, mixta y nutrición especial), >20 días desde el nacimiento a la extracción de sangre y temperatura media del mes de nacimiento (en°C). Con un modelo multivariante de regresión logística se estimaron las odds ratio ajustadas (ORs) para analizar la relación entre la TIR atípica y las variables del estudio. El error α fue del 5% y se calcularon intervalos de confianza (IC) para los parámetros más relevantes.ResultadosDe un total de 13,310 muestras, 199 estuvieron alteradas (1.34%). Factores asociados significativos: tipo alimentación (Materna → OR = 1; Mixta → OR = 0.53, IC 95%: 0.31-0.89; Fórmula → OR = 0.72, IC 95%: 0.48-1.07; Especial → OR = 21.88, IC 95%: 6.92-69.14; p < 0.001).ConclusionesLos reción nacidos con nutrición especial tienen 20 veces más riesgo de TIR alterada, siendo aconsejable cribarlos una vez inicien alimentación normalizada. Es aconsejable tener presente la variabilidad étnica. La estacionalidad no fue importante.

Impact of prematurity and immigration on neonatal screening for sickle cell disease

Background Others have described a relationship between hemoglobin A levels and gestational age, gender and ethnicity. However, studies are needed to determine normal cut-off points considering these factors. To address this issue we designed a study to determine the percentiles of normality of neonatal hemoglobin A levels taking these factors into account. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 16,025 samples for sickle cell disease screening in the province of Alicante, Spain, which has a high immigration rate. The primary variable was hemoglobin A, and the secondary variables were gender, gestational age (preterm and full term) and maternal origin (Spain, the rest of Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia). Percentiles of normality (1 and 99) were obtained by origin, gender and gestational age using quantile regression models and bootstrap samples. The association between these percentiles of normality and altered levels (≥1%) of hemoglobin E was analyzed. We obtained the percentiles of normality (1 and 99) for each maternal origin, gender and gestational age. Results Of a total of 88 possible E carriers, 65 had above-normal hemoglobin A levels (74%). The levels of normality for hemoglobin A varied greatly according to the maternal origin and gestational age. Conclusion With the levels of normality that we established it is possible to discard samples with unrecorded blood transfusions. Our methodology could be applied to other diseases in the neonatal screening.

Diabetes screening: a pending issue in hypertense/obese patients

The literature about possible cardiovascular consequences of diagnostic inertia in diabetes is scarce. We examined the influence of undetected high fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels on the cardiovascular risk and poor control of cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive or obese patients, with no previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (i.e., diagnostic inertia). A cross-sectional study during a preventive program in a Spanish region was performed in 2003–2004. The participants were aged ≥40 years and did not have diabetes but were hypertensive (n = 5, 347) or obese (n = 7, 833). The outcomes were high cardiovascular risk (SCORE ≥5%), poor control of the blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg) and class II obesity. The relationship was examined between FBG and the main parameters, calculating the adjusted odd ratios with multivariate models. Higher values of FBG were associated with all the outcomes. A more proactive attitude towards the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in the hypertensive and obese population should be adopted.

Fear of becoming pregnant among female healthcare students in Spain

The inconsistent use of hormonal contraceptive methods can result, during the first year of use, in one in twelve women still having an undesired pregnancy. This may lead to women experiencing fear of becoming pregnant (FBP). We have only found one study examining the proportion of FBP among women who used hormonal contraceptives. To gather further scientific evidence we undertook an observational, cross-sectional study involving 472 women at a Spanish university in 2005–2009. The inclusion criteria were having had vaginal intercourse with a man in the previous three months and usual use for contraception of a male condom or hormonal contraceptives, or no method of contraception. The outcome was FBP. The secondary variables were contraceptive method used (oral contraceptives; condom; none), desire to increase the frequency of sexual relations, frequency of sexual intercourse with the partner, the sexual partner not always able to ejaculate, desire to increase the partner’s time before orgasm, age and being in a stable relationship. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the associated factors. Of the 472 women, 171 experienced FBP (36.2%). Factors significantly associated (p < 0.05) with this FBP were method of contraception (condom and none), desire to increase the partner’s ability to delay orgasm and higher frequency of sexual intercourse with the partner. There was a high proportion of FBP, depending on the use of efficient contraceptive methods. A possible solution to this problem may reside in educational programmes. Qualitative studies would be useful to design these programmes.

A scoring system to detect fixed airflow limitation in smokers from simple easy-to-use parameters

No validated screening method currently exists for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in smokers. Therefore, we constructed a predictive model with simple parameters that can be applied for COPD screening to detect fixed airflow limitation. This observational cross-sectional study included a random sample of 222 smokers with no previous diagnosis of COPD undertaken in a Spanish region in 2014–2016. The main variable was fixed airflow limitation by spirometry. The secondary variables (COPD factors) were: age, gender, smoking (pack-years and Fagerström test), body mass index, educational level, respiratory symptoms and exacerbations. A points system was developed to predict fixed airflow limitation based on secondary variables. The model was validated internally through bootstrapping, determining discrimination and calibration. The system was then integrated into a mobile application for Android. Fifty-seven patients (25.7%) presented fixed airflow limitation. The points system included as predictors: age, pack-years, Fagerström test and presence of respiratory symptoms. Internal validation of the system was very satisfactory, both in discrimination and calibration. In conclusion, a points system has been constructed to predict fixed airflow limitation in smokers with no previous COPD. This system can be integrated as a screening tool, though it should be externally validated in other geographical regions.

Physical activity values in two-to-seven-year-old children measured by accelerometer over five consecutives 24-hour days

INTRODUCTION interpretation of accelerometer-derived physical activity in preschool children is confounded by differences in cut-off points. AIM the purpose of this study was to analyze physical activity in 2-to-7-year-old children to establish reference values for daily activity. METHODS observational study in children aged 2-7 years, without chronic diseases and whose parents provided informed consent. The main variable was physical activity, measured continuously over 120 hours (three workdays and two weekend days) by accelerometer. Secondary variables were weight status (body mass index [BMI] Z-score) and gender. The relationship between the main variable and secondary variables was determined through the t-test, ANOVA and the Pearson correlation coefficient. A multivariate model was used to obtain the standard deviation (SD) of all possible combinations of values, constructing percentiles of normality (x ± SD and x ± 2·SD). RESULTS one hundred and thirty-six children (35% of municipality children) were included in the study (54.4% of them were girls). Their weight status distribution was: 25 underweight (18.4%), 54 normal weight (39.7%), 12 risk of overweight (8.8%), 22 overweight (16.2%) and 23 obese (16.8%). The median age was 5.7 years and the mean physical activity was 592 counts/minute. The boys undertook more physical activity (p = 0.031) and the underweight and normal-weight children undertook more physical activity than the overweight and obese children (p = 0.012). There were no significant differences according to age. The multivariate analysis showed significant differences (p < 0.001) according to gender and weight status. In boys, physical activity decreased as weight status increased. In contrast, the girls in the extreme BMI groups obtained higher levels of physical activity. CONCLUSION overweight and obese preschool children had lower levels of physical activity than normal weight children. Physical activity levels were higher in boys.

Características maternas e infantiles asociadas a obesidad en lactantes menores de un año de edad del norte de México

INTRODUCTION despite the fact that childhood obesity is a serious health problem, little is known about its related factors in early childhood. OBJECTIVE to evaluate which maternal, cognitive and infant factors influence the infants energy intake and if these influence their nutritional status before the year. METHODS descriptive study of correlation. Two hundred and sixty-seven dyads (mother/child) participated. The questionnaires consisted of four instruments for the cognitive variables of the mother (maternal self-efficacy, attitude in the diet, perception of signs of hunger, satiety and weight of the child), energy intake through a 24-hour reminder and sociodemographic and anthropometric data of the mother and child, through which maternal body mass index (BMI) and Z-score of infant weight/height have been calculated. RESULTS the model was significant for the intake of kcal/kg weight (F = 8.624, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.104), negatively correlating with the maternal perception of the weight of the child (B = -9.73, p = 0.002), hours of sleep (B = -2.19, p = 0.044) and age of the child (B = -2.26, p = 0.001). Also for the Z-score (weight/length) (F = 68.979, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.564) and explained positively with perception of the weight of the child (B = 1.133, p < 0.001) and age of the child (B = 0.054, p = 0.006) and negatively with hours of sleep of the mother (B = -0.07, p = 0.040) and caloric intake (B = -0.004, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION mothers of nursing infants who underestimate their childs weight and sleep fewer hours provide more caloric intake and their children have a higher Z-score weight/length.

A simple equation to estimate body fat percentage in children with overweightness or obesity: a retrospective study

Background Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provides separate measurements of fat mass, fat-free mass and bone mass, and is a quick, accurate, and safe technique, yet one that is not readily available in routine clinical practice. Consequently, we aimed to develop statistical formulas to predict fat mass (%) and fat mass index (FMI) with simple parameters (age, sex, weight and height). Methods We conducted a retrospective observational cross-sectional study in 416 overweight or obese patients aged 4–18 years that involved assessing adiposity by DXA (fat mass percentage and FMI), body mass index (BMI), sex and age. We randomly divided the sample into two parts (construction and validation). In the construction sample, we developed formulas to predict fat mass and FMI using linear multiple regression models. The formulas were validated in the other sample, calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient via bootstrapping. Results The fat mass percentage formula had a coefficient of determination of 0.65. This value was 0.86 for FMI. In the validation, the constructed formulas had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.77 for fat mass percentage and 0.92 for FMI. Conclusions Our predictive formulas accurately predicted fat mass and FMI with simple parameters (BMI, sex and age) in children with overweight and obesity. The proposed methodology could be applied in other fields. Further studies are needed to externally validate these formulas.