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Dementia is a significant decline in cognition that interfere with independent, daily functioning. Dementia is a syndrome caused by a myriad and include primary neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and medical conditions. It has been projected that the prevalence of dementia will triple in the elderly population by the year 2050. Despite the benefits of early diagnosis, there is an effective under-detection of around 62% of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. One of the factors associated with this problem is that diagnostic techniques are affected by the educational level of those evaluated. This is an important aspect to consider in the use of brief cognitive tests for the detection of dementia. This review presents and critically analyzes the available evidence regarding the effect of educational level on the diagnostic utility of three of the most widely used tools in the clinical setting: the Mini-mental Test Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE). Previous evidence shows that the tasks that require reading, writing, calculation, phonological fluency, and visuoconstruction are affected by educational level. These results lead to discourage the use of these tests in older people with less than 6 years of schooling. The development of brief cognitive tests appropriate for people with a low educational level is recommended. We posit that adequate cognitive tests should not consider tasks or items that resemble characteristics of academic contexts and should be more analogous to daily activities situations.

Resumen El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Confianza Diádica (ECD, Larzelere & Huston, 1980) en personas gays y lesbianas de Chile. Para ello, se evaluó una muestra de 360 personas chilenas gay o lesbianas involucradas en una relación de pareja. Los datos obtenidos proporcionan evidencia de que el instrumento se ajusta de manera aceptable a una estructura unidimensional y que es invariante entre personas gay y lesbianas. Adicionalmente, se identificó que posee una consistencia interna adecuada, así como una asociación inversa entre los niveles de confianza diádica y la ansiedad y evitación del apego. En conclusión, la ECD posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para la evaluación de la confianza diádica en personas gays y lesbianas en el contexto chileno. Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chilean version of the Dyadic Trust Scale (DTS, Larzelere & Huston, 1980). For this purpose, a sample of 360 Chilean gay or lesbian people involved in a couple relationship was evaluated. The data obtained provide evidence that the instrument conforms acceptably to a unidimensional structure and scores are invariant between gay and lesbian persons. Additionally, it has adequate internal consistency, as well as an inverse association between levels of dyadic trust and attachment anxiety and avoidance. In conclusion, the ECD has adequate psychometric properties for the assessment of dyadic trust in gay and lesbian persons in the Chilean context.

Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (LSI) continues to generate a great debate among researchers, given the contradictory evidence resulting from its psychometric properties. One primary criticism focuses on the artificiality of the results derived from its internal structure because of the ipsative nature of the forced-choice format. This study seeks to contribute to the resolution of this debate. A short version of Kolb’s LSI with a forced-choice format and an additional inventory scored on a Likert scale was completed by a sample of students of the University Católica del Norte in Antofagasta, Chile. The data obtained from the two forms of the reduced version of the LSI were compared using principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the Thurstonian Item Response Theory model. The results support the hypothesis of the existence of four learning mode dimensions. However, they do not support the existence of the learning styles as proposed by Kolb, indicating that said reports are the product of the artificial structure generated by the ipsative forced-choice format .

Mantener un adecuado control de la diabetes se relaciona con variables como autocuidado y sentido de coherencia que reducen las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad. El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto mediador del sentido de coherencia en la relación entre autocuidado y niveles de glucosa en sangre de personas con diabetes. A 220 sujetos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 se les aplicó un instrumento para autocuidado y otro para sentido de coherencia, mientras que la hemoglobina glucosilada se obtuvo del expediente médico, posteriormente se analizaron los datos por medio de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados muestran que tanto el autocuidado ( c’ = −0.33; p < 0.05), como el sentido de coherencia ( b = −0.34; p < 0.05) tienen un efecto directo sobre los niveles de glucosa, así como también un efecto indirecto significativo (−0.168; p < 0.05). El efecto total de AC sobre A1c corresponde a −0.498. En consecuencia, este modelo estimado corresponde a un modelo de mediación simple parcial. Los resultados confirman la hipótesis de que el sentido de coherencia en personas con diabetes media la relación entre AC y HbA1c. El enfoque salutogénico mejora la adherencia a las conductas de autocuidado, lo que puede facilitar el control glucémico de la enfermedad.

Background: The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) is widely used for evaluation of dementia. Aim: To assess the psychometric properties of ACE-III, analyzing its factor structure, its reliability (from an Item Response Theory [TRI] model) and its diagnostic usefulness. Material and Methods: We studied 1101 older people without cognitive impairment and 63 currently having a diagnosis and receiving treatment for dementia. Results: The presence of two factors for the Attention subscale (Orientation and Attention, separately) was suggested. The factorial analysis showed adequate adjustment in all the subscales, except for the new Attention subscale. In the TRI analysis, the Attention subscale presented a greater number of items with lack of fit compared to the other subscales. Using a proposed threshold of 66 points or less to identify cognitive impairment related to dementia, a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.81 was obtained. Conclusions: ACE-III is a valid, reliable, and useful measure for the clinical detection of dementia. The combined use of Orientation and Memory subscales is proposed as an alternative and time-saving ACE-III indicator.

AIM: The study presents the results of the adaptation of an academic self-efficacy scale. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to analyse the internal structure of the translation and adaptation of the ASES scale by Chemers, Hu y Garcia (2001). METHOD: 4950 Chilean university students participated. Additionally, to study the Equivalence/Invariance of Measurement between different groups of students, we have performed a factorial invariance analysis. RESULTS: The results indicate that the scale has adequate psychometric properties; they also show the existence of a two-factor structure consistent from the substantive point of view and with an adequate statistical adjustment. Factorial invariance analysis shows the existence of metric invariance between the compared groups, CONCLUSIONS: The evidence shows the validity of the scores and their equivalence among groups of students.

The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) is widely used for evaluation of dementia.To assess the psychometric properties of ACE-III, analyzing its factor structure, its reliability (from an Item Response Theory [TRI] model) and its diagnostic usefulness.We studied 1101 older people without cognitive impairment and 63 currently having a diagnosis and receiving treatment for dementia.The presence of two factors for the Attention subscale (Orientation and Attention, separately) was suggested. The factorial analysis showed adequate adjustment in all the subscales, except for the new Attention subscale. In the TRI analysis, the Attention subscale presented a greater number of items with lack of fit compared to the other subscales. Using a proposed threshold of 66 points or less to identify cognitive impairment related to dementia, a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.81 was obtained.ACE-III is a valid, reliable, and useful measure for the clinical detection of dementia. The combined use of Orientation and Memory subscales is proposed as an alternative and time-saving ACE-III indicator.

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la estructura interna de la version breve del Parental Sense of Competence (PSOC) en una muestra chilena. El analisis de los datos se ha llevado a cabo a traves del Analisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC) y el Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales Exp loratoria (ESEM). Adicionalmente hemos estudiado la invarianza de medida entre madres y padres a traves del Analisis Factorial Confirmatorio Multi - grupo (AFCM). Los resultados muestran la presencia de dos factores, reportados en estudios previos. Ademas, l os resultados del AFCM soportan existencia de Equivalencia/Invarianza de Medida. Estos resultados son una importante evidencia que apoya la validez de las puntuaciones de la version reducida del PSOC. EnglishThe aim of this study is to evaluate the internal structure of the short version of the parental sense of competence (PSOC) in a Chilean sample. Data analysis has been carried out through Factorial Co nfirmatory Analysis (AFC) and the Exploratory Structural Equations Model (ESEM). Additionally we have assessed the measurement invariance among mothers and fathers through the Multi - group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (AFCM). The results show the presence o f two factors, which are reported in previous studies. In addition, the results of the AFCM support the existence of Equivalence/Measurement Invariance. These results are important evidence supporting the scale validity of the reduced version of the PSOC.

El presente estudio presenta los resultados psicometricos de la escala para evaluar los factores estructurales de la clase propuestos por Ames (1992) relacionados con la adquisicion por parte de los estudiantes de Metas de Dominio. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 275 estudiantes universitarios de 1o a 4o anos de carreras de Ingenieria y Periodismo. El instrumento obtuvo una alta consistencia interna y el analisis factorial mostro una estructura coherente con la propuesta teorica. Finalmente la existencia de correlaciones significativas con la orientacion de metas de Dominio se transforma en importantes evidencias de validez convergenteThis study presents the results of psychometric scale to assess the structural factors of lassroom proposed by Ames (1992) related to the acquisition by students of mastery goals. The sample of 275 college students from 1st to 4th year of Engineering and Journalism. The instrument had a high internal consistency and factor analysis showed a structure consistent with the theoretical proposal. Finally, the existence of significant correlations with mastery goals orientation becomes strong evidence of convergent validity

Esta investigacion tuvo como objetivo la validacion de la escala de nacionalismo de Terhune. Para el desarrollo del estudio participaron 852 personas de Chile. Los resultados nos muestran un instrumento con importantes bondades psicometricas. La escala corresponde a una medida con una alta fiabilidad. Los analisis revelan una estructura interna coherente, corroborada por medio del Analisis Factorial del Tipo Exploratorio, asi como por el Analisis Factorial del Tipo Confirmatorio. Ademas se encontro una correlacion significativa con patriotismo, una de las variables que mejor predice la actitud nacionalista.This research aimed to validate the level of Terhune scale of nationalism. To develop the study involved 852 people of Chile. The results show a psychometric instrument with significant benefits. The scale corresponds to a measure with high reliability. The analysis reveals a consistent internal structure, supported by the Exploratory Factor Analysis, and by the Confirmatory Factor Analysis. In addition we found a significant correlation with patriotism, one of the variables that baste predicts the nationalist attitude.

Los test de respuesta forzada son ampliamente utilizados para reducir el efecto de los diferentes tipos de sesgo en la respuesta asociados a los test psicológicos (por ejemplo, la aquiescencia o la deseabilidad social). Sin embargo, este tipo de test genera los denominados datos ipsativos, los cuales poseen propiedades que hacen desaconsejable la aplicación de las técnicas clásicas de análisis factorial para su evaluación psicométrica. Pese a ello, en la práctica, muchos investigadores siguen empleando estos procedimientos para analizar los ítems de repuesta forzada; esto lleva necesariamente a conclusiones erróneas. El presente trabajo expone las propiedades analíticas de los ítems de respuesta forzada, así como un ejemplo que ilustra cómo afectan estas propiedades a la aplicación de las técnicas estadísticas clásicas y conducen a interpretaciones erróneas. Adicionalmente, se presenta una de las principales alternativas para analizar este tipo de datos basada en el modelo de juicio comparativo de Thurstone, así como los resultados de un estudio de simulación que ilustra su aplicación y efectividad en la recuperación de la estructura factorial original, Factor analysis of forced-choice items: A review and an example. Forced-choice tests are widely used in order to reduce the impact of different response set biases typically associated to psychological tests (e.g. acquiescence or social desirability). However, these tests produce ipsative data which have undesirable properties, thereby making an inappropriate application of classical factor analysis techniques for psychometric evaluation commonly used by researchers. This paper explains the analytical properties of forced-choice tests, along with an example that illustrates how these properties have an impact on the application of conventional statistical techniques and produce improper results. Additionally, one of the current proposals is presented in order to analyze these data based on the comparative judgment model by Thurstone, along with the results of a simulation study which illustrates its implementation and effectiveness in recovering the original factor structure, Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente financiado por el proyecto 2012-31958 del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España.

This paper introduces a summary on how to proceed to conduct a factor analysis when the input data are ipsative. The classical factor analysis procedures cannot be used because the covariance matrix is singular. Additionally, previous research on the optimal conditions to conduct factor analysis for ipsatized data is reviewed, and the results of a simulation study are presented. The study includes conditions of sample size, model complexity, and model specification (correct vs. incorrect). The results suggest that researchers should be careful when factor analyzing ipsatized data, particularly if they suspect that the model is incorrectly specified and includes a smaller number of factors.

We report a 46-year-old woman, subjected to a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, that had to be converted to open surgery due to the presence of adherences. She required an immediate new intervention due to a hemoperitoneum caused by a liver tear and venous bleeding from the splenic hilus. Both lesions were successfully repaired. In the postoperative period the patient had fever, leukocytosis and sialorrhea. A CAT scan showed a splenic infarction and a huge intra abdominal collection that communicated with the stomach. Streptococcus anginosus was isolated from the collection. The patient was managed with antimicrobials and percutaneous drainage with a favourable evolution and closure of the communication with the stomach.

Background: Objective structured clinical examination has advantages over traditional oral examinationt of medical student. However, it is not routinely used in Chile. Aim: To describe the objective structured clinical examination system and report the results of its first use with Chilean medical students. Material and methods: Thirteen interns ware evaluated at the end of their surgical rotation, using the objective structured clinical examination. Thirteen stations were structured for this examination: one for history taking, two for physical examination, four for problem solving and knowledge, one for radiological interpretation, one for instrumental recognition, one for skills and one for text comprehension. There were a total of 88 questions. Results: All students exceeded 60% of requirements. Mean approval score was 73%. The higher score was 80% and the lower 61%. Ten students had a score over 70%. The method was well accepted by teachers and students. Conclusions: This first local experience with the objective structured clinical examination was successful (Rev Med Chile 2000; 128: 1039-44).