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Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the true frequency of primary insomnia (PI), sleep disorder related to another mental disorder (SDMD) and sleep disorder due to a general medical condition (SDMC) in older adults and to establish their differentiating characteristics. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were randomly selected samples of 951 subjects who are 65 years or older. Main measures were as follows: presence (according to DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria) of PI, SDMD, SDMC or other sleep disorders, co-morbidity and psychotropic consumption. Results: Of the subjects, 36.1% reported having sleep problems (95%CI:33.0–39.2) and 37.0% reported regularly consuming a psychotropic drug. The prevalence of PI was 8.9% (95%CI: 7.1–11.0), and according to the criteria for differential diagnosis, the prevalence of SDMD was 9.3% (95%CI: 7.5–11.4) and that of SDMC was 7.0% (95%CI: 5.4–8.9). A higher percentage of PI subjects had problems in falling asleep on most days (52.5%), had frequent night-time awakenings (66.3%) and early awakenings (51.3%). In subjects with any type of insomnia, the variables that showed a statistically significant association were female gender (OR: 2.21), consumption of psychotropic drugs (OR: 1.83), presence of four or more health problems (OR: 1.88) and being single, widowed or divorced (OR: 1.43). Conclusions: Our results provide a true picture of the prevalence of insomnia in older adults on the basis of diagnostic criteria and indicate that it is a widespread, significant health problem. The peculiarities of PI, SDMD and SDMC need to be appropriately differentiated in clinical practice, and each needs a different approach to obtain the best outcome. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ResumenObjetivoDeterminar conocimientos y actitudes hacia la violencia de género de la población consultante en Atención Primaria y su relación con factores sociodemográficos y experiencias personales.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo transversal.EmplazamientoCentros de Salud urbanos.ParticipantesPacientes ≥ 18 años que acuden a consulta de Atención Primaria.Mediciones principalesSe utilizó un cuestionario que incluía preguntas relativas a conocimientos, actitudes y experiencias vividas en relación con la violencia de género y en el ámbito doméstico, y que también recogía edad, sexo, nivel de estudios, estado civil y detección de experiencias personales de violencia de género mediante la versión corta del Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST).ResultadosRespondieron 673 personas, de 18-86 años, con un 68% de mujeres. Solo un 18,2% tenía un adecuado conocimiento sobre quién se considera que ejerce la violencia de género. La mitad de los participantes consideraban que la violencia de género incluía lesiones físicas, psicológicas, cohibición de libertad y violación. A través de un análisis de regresión logística se encontró una asociación independiente con el conocimiento de la respuesta correcta sobre qué es la violencia de género del estado civil, siendo menos probable en los casados con respecto a los viudos (OR: 0,28; IC 95%: 0,11-0,72) considerar que la violencia de género implica lesión física (OR: 2,55; IC 95%: 1,28-5,08), pero no lesiones psicológicas (OR: 0,52; IC 95%: 0,28-0,96), y no dar la respuesta correcta sobre qué es la violencia doméstica (OR: 0,06; IC 95%: 0,03-0,12).ConclusionesExiste una gran dispersión en las respuestas con relación a qué consideran los pacientes que es la violencia de género y qué aspectos abarca.AbstractObjectiveTo determine the knowledge and attitudes towards gender-based violence in the Primary Care patient population and their relationship with sociodemographic factors and personal experience.DesignA descriptive, cross-sectional study.SettingUrban Health Centres.ParticipantsPatients ≥18 years-old who were seen in a Primary Care clinic.Materials and methodA questionnaire was used that included questions associated with knowledge, attitudes and experience of gender-based violence in the domestic environment. Variables such as, age, sex, education level, marital state were recorded, as well as the detection of personal experiences of Gender-Based Violence using the short Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST).ResultsA total of 673 people, from 18- 86 years, responded, of which 68% were women. Only 18.2% had sufficient knowledge on who is considered to exercise gender-based violence. Half of the participants believed that gender-based violence included physical and psychological injuries, inhibition of freedom and rape. In the logistic regression analysis an independent relationship was found with the knowledge of the correct response on what is gender-based violence by marital state, being less likely in married people as regards widowers (OR: 0.28; CI 95%: 0.11-0.72), to consider that gender-based violence involves physical injury (OR: 2.55; CI 95%: 1.28-5.08), but not psychological injury (OR: 0.52; CI 95%: 0.28-0.96), and not giving the correct response on what is domestic violence (OR:0.06; CI 95%: 0.03-0.12).ConclusionsThere is a wide variation in the results as regards what patients believe gender-based violence is and what aspects it covers.

ResumenObjetivosEstablecer la prevalencia y las características del insomnio y su relación con otros problemas de salud, consumo de fármacos, situación sociosanitaria y hábitos higiénicos en mayores de 65 años.DiseñoEstudio de prevalencia y asociación cruzada.EmplazamientoAlbacete (Castilla-La Mancha), 2004–2005.ParticipantesPoblación mayor de 65 años no institucionalizada (n=424).MétodoEntrevista semiestructurada. Variables de estudio: características del sueño, repercusiones sociofamiliares, hábitos higiénicos del sueño, problemas de salud, medicación, utilización de servicios sanitarios y variables sociodemográficas. Insomnio primario (IP) diagnosticado con criterios DSM-IV.ResultadosDeclaró problemas para dormir el 34,2%; en el 95,7% la alteración era crónica. La repercusión más frecuente fue sensación de descanso nocturno insuficiente (62,1%) y cansancio o somnolencia diurna (52,2%). El 20,3% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 16,5–24,1) cumplía criterios de IP. El insomnio fue mayor en las mujeres, en los que tenían horarios irregulares e insatisfacción con las condiciones ambientales del dormitorio. El 26,9% (IC del 95%, 22,7–31,1) consumía de forma habitual psicofármacos. El número medio de problemas de salud fue superior en sujetos con insomnio (2,4±1,6 frente a 1,7±1,5; p

The objective is to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in people over 65 years of age, to describe the functional status of people with hearing loss and to identify the need for hearing aid use. In a cross-sectional study, a random sample of 1387 people aged 65 years and over was selected. The primary study variables were: hearing level by audiometric assessment, self-perceived hearing loss, screening for hypoacusia using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening (HHIE-S) and physical, cognitive and emotional functional status. Using the HHIE-S it was determined that 11.3% of the subjects had severe hearing handicap. According to the Ventry/Weinstein criteria 43.6% had hearing handicap. When asked about the use of hearing aids, 4.5% of the study subjects said they used them, although 41.9% had hearing loss of 35 dB or more in their better ear. The variables associated with the need for a hearing aid were age >75 years (odds ratio=OR=3.2), ADL dependence (OR=2.7), cognitive impairment (OR=2.0), multiple health problems (OR=1.8), male sex (OR=1.6) and single/widowed (OR=1.5). In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of hearing loss associated with other functional limitations. Of those people who would benefit from a hearing aid (more than a third of people over 65 years old), 89.3% do not own one. The screening of hearing loss needs to be improved.

Family Medicine (FM) is regarded as one of the specialities less interesting to those who choose for resident physicians (MIR) in Spain. Our objective is to know the priority given to the choice of FM in 2011 and 2013 MIR exams, and what factors might be associated with this choice.We obtained information on the website of the Ministry of Health for the graduates who could choose a speciality (11552 y 9182). The variables analyzed were: number obtained in the opposition, sex, speciality chosen, chosen city, medical school where they studied (for 117 and 155 students of a previous cohort study). We calculated the probability of choice of FM in relation to the order number in the exam and the other variables (Kaplan-Meier).1963 and 1772 chose FM, respectively in 2011 and 2013. The median of the order number to choose FM was 7894 (95%CI:7720-8068) and 6561 (95%CI:6442-6680). There were gender differences, as women chose FM with fewer number and a higher proportion (p0.00001).Graduates enrolled in the MIR exam have not special preference for FM. Women show a greater interest in this speciality.Introducción: la Medicina Familiar (MF) está considerada entre las especialidades que menos interesan a quienes optan por ser médicos internos residentes (MIR) en España. Nuestro objetivo es describir la prioridad concedida a la elección de MF en las convocatorias MIR 2011 y 2013, y qué factores podrían estar asociados con esta elección. Métodos: de la web del Ministerio de Sanidad de España se obtuvo información de los opositores que optaron a plaza (11552 y 9182). Las variables analizadas han sido: número obtenido en la oposición, sexo, especialidad elegida, ciudad elegida, facultad donde estudiaron (para 117 y 155 en un estudio de cohorte previo). Se calculó la probabilidad de elección de MF en relación con el número de orden en la oposición y otras variables (Kaplan-Meier). Resultados: la MF fue elegida por 1963 y 1772, respectivamente en 2011 y 2013. La mediana del número en la oposición para elegir MF fue 7894 (IC 95 % 7720-8068) y 6561 (IC 95 % 6442-6680). Existían diferencias por sexo: las mujeres elegían MF con menor número y en mayor proporción (p0.00001). Conclusiones: los opositores MIR no tienen una especial preferencia por la MF. Las mujeres muestran un mayor interés por esta especialidad.

Objetivo. Conocer la prevalencia de violencia de género padecida por la población consultante en Atención Primaria y su relación con factores sociodemográficos y otras experiencias personales. Diseño. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Emplazamiento. Centros de Salud urbanos. Participantes. Pacientes de 18 o más años que acuden a consulta de Atención Primaria. Mediciones principales. Se utilizó un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc, que incluía preguntas relativas a las experiencias vividas en relación con la violencia de género y en el ámbito doméstico, junto a la versión corta del Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). También recogía edad, sexo, nivel de estudios y estado civil, así como conocimientos y actitudes con respecto a este tema. Resultados. Respondieron al cuestionario 673 personas. De las 662 personas que respondieron a la pregunta sobre si ha sufrido algún tipo de violencia en sus relaciones sentimentales, 76 dieron una respuesta afirmativa (11,48%; IC 95%: 8,98-13,98%). Esta respuesta era más probable encontrarla en viudos y separados (p

La gripe es una enfermedad infecciosa aguda provocada por el virus de la influenza A, B y C, que afecta principalmente al aparato respiratorio, se transmite con gran facilidad por secreciones y objetos contaminados, presenta riesgo potencial de complicaciones, especialmente en grupos susceptibles, y es una de las causas más frecuentes de absentismo laboral. Con el objetivo de actualizar el abordaje del síndrome gripal y recopilar información que ayude al clínico en la toma de decisiones, revisamos las recomendaciones presentadas en diferentes guías de práctica clínica. Realizamos una búsqueda en las bases bibliográficas habitualmente utilizadas en el ámbito internacional seleccionando las que sustentan sus recomendaciones en niveles de evidencia y han sido actualizadas en los tres últimos años. Decidimos incluir otras guías que no mencionan niveles de evidencia pero están avaladas por sociedades científicas o instituciones de prestigio internacional. Comparamos las recomendaciones presentadas en cinco aspectos clave: diagnóstico, manejo en los centros sanitarios, tratamiento, consejos e información a la población y vacunación.

PURPOSE We wanted to design and validate the Hearing-Dependent Daily Activities (HDDA) Scale as a means of identifying the impact of hearing loss in older persons by measuring capacity to carry out hearing-dependent activities. METHODS We undertook a cross-sectional, observational study to validate a scale administered during a personal interview with 1,160 participants aged 65 years and older. When using the instrument to identify patients with hearing impairment, sensitivity and specificity were determined using an audiogram with Ventry and Weinstein criteria as the criterion standard. Standardized audiometries were performed blindly, without knowledge of results of the HDDA Scale. RESULTS According to the criterion standard, 506 participants had hearing impairment (43.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40.8%–46.5%). The HDDA scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α =0.91). Regarding hearing impairment criteria, the HDDA scale obtained a sensitivity of 80.0% (95% CI, 76.3%–83.3%) and a specificity of 70.2% (95% CI, 66.5%–73.5%). CONCLUSIONS The HDDA scale constitutes a clinically useful instrument for identifying the impact of hearing loss on daily life in the elderly, a condition frequently overlooked during routine medical check-ups. This tool has acceptable psychometric properties and high internal consistency.

Insomnia causes psychological distress in the elderly. Besides primary insomnia (PI), illness, medications and psychosocial factors contribute to development of sleep disorders. Although elderly insomniacs usually complain of poorer daytime functioning, it is unknown whether the disorder affects capacity to carry out activities. To assess the relationship in the elderly between PI, level of physical functioning, depression and anxiety symptoms, state of psychological well-being and consumption of psychopharmaceuticals. Cross-sectional, observational study. Populational. About 424 non-institutionalized elderly patients. Subjects were interviewed at public Health Centres or at home. They were considered to have PI if DSM-IV criteria were met. The remaining variables measured were: depression and anxiety symptoms (The Goldberg’s Depression and Anxiety Scale), cognitive state (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), physical functioning (The Katz Index and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale), life satisfaction (The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale), health problems, consumption of pharmaceuticals and sociodemographic variables. About 34.2% of the elderly admitted to having problems with sleep, but only 20.3% (CI: 95%: 16.5–24.1) fulfilled the criteria for PI. The existence of an anxiety disorder, a score below the 50th percentile on The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (lower life satisfaction) and consumption of psychopharmaceuticals were variables associated with insomnia. Amongst the most common illnesses reported, only diabetes appeared with significantly higher frequency in the elderly with insomnia (24.4% vs. 14.7%) (p < 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between insomnia and level of dependence in carrying out basic or instrumental activities. Approximately one fifth of the non-institutionalized elderly meet the criteria for PI. Those affected present a poorer state of psychological and social well-being, although level of autonomy for conducting basic and instrumental activities does not appear to be modified by the disorder. The existence of an anxiety disorder, low life satisfaction and consumption of psychopharmaceuticals constitute variables associated with PI in the population we studied.