Browsing by Author "Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica"

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    Bile acids synthesis decreases after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
    (2016) Escalona, Alex; Muñoz, R.; Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica; Solari Gajardo, Sandra; Allende, Fidel; Miquel P., Juan Francisco
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    Exploration of barriers to treatment for patients with eating disorders in Chile
    (2024) Castañeda Caro, Felipe; Cerda, Jaime; Jara Latorre, Raúl Hernán; Riestra, Francisca; Urrejola Noguera, Pascuala; Vogel, Melina; Gumucio, María E.; Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica; Álvarez, Jorge; Díaz, María A.; Kompatzki, Paula; Costa, Daniela
    Background Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality, affecting predominantly young people and women. A delay in starting treatment is associated with chronic and more severe clinical courses; however, evidence on barriers and facilitators of access to care in Latin America is scarce. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of ED treatment in Chile from the perspective of patients, relatives, and health professionals. Methods Qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with patients, their relatives, and health professionals. Participants were recruited from two ED centers in Santiago, Chile (one public and one private). Analysis was mainly based on Grounded Theory, using MAXQDA software. Results 40 interviews were conducted (n = 22 patients, 10 relatives, and 8 health professionals). The mean age of patients was 21.8 years, while the mean duration of untreated ED was 91.4 months (median 70 months). Five categories emerged with intersections between them: patient (P), family and social environment (FSE), health professionals (HP), healthcare system (HCS), and social and cultural context (SCC). Relevant barriers appeared within these categories and their intersections, highlighting a lack of professional knowledge or expertise, cultural ignorance or misinformation regarding EDs, and patient’s ego-syntonic behaviors. The main facilitators were patients’ and relatives’ psychoeducation, recognition of symptoms by family members, and parents taking the initiative to seek treatment. Conclusions This study provides information regarding access to treatment for patients living with EDs in Chile. A practical public health approach should consider the multi-causality of delay in treatment and promoting early interventions. Plain English Summary Eating disorders (EDs) may severely affect the daily functioning of people enduring them. A delay in starting treatment is associated with a disease that is more difficult to treat. To our knowledge, there are no published studies carried out in Latin America exploring factors influencing treatment initiation in EDs patients. This study aimed to identify facilitators of and barriers to treating patients with EDs in Chile. We interviewed patients (n = 22), their relatives (n = 10), and health professionals (n = 8) from a private and a public center in Santiago, Chile. Our analysis showed that the main barriers to starting treatment were the lack of professional knowledge in ED, the monetary cost of illness, and cultural misinformation. Facilitators were related to the role of the family in recognizing and addressing the disease while being educated in EDs by professionals. This study helps to provide data about treatment access in developing countries. While facilitators and barriers were similar to others reported in the literature, the untreated ED’s duration was longer. It is essential to address these barriers to provide access to treatment more efficiently and prevent severe and enduring forms of disease.
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    Fisiopatología de la retinopatía y nefropatía diabéticas
    (2009) Olmos Coelho, Pablo Roberto; Araya del Pino, Andrea Paz; González Carvallo, Cristian; Laso Ulloa, Pablo; Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica; Rubio Quiroz, Lorena Alejandra
    Despite the availability of multiple therapeutic approaches, diabetes mellitus with chronic hyperglycemia remains as the main cause of new cases of blindness and chronic renal failure in the western hemisphere. We herein review the molecular mechanisms by which chronic hyperglycemia causes retinopathy and nephropathy in type I and type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetic retinopathy develops silently along years or decades, producing symptoms only in its very late stages. Its slow development starts with the activation of aldose reductase, shortly followed by the destruction of the retinal pericyte cells, and ends in sudden blindness when vitreous hemorrhage ensues. Nephropathy, on the other hand, centers its pathophysiology in the mesangial cell, that starts as a modified smooth-muscle cell, and turns itself into a myo-fibroblast, produces such amounts of cytoplasm and extracellular protein that strangulates the glomerular capillaries and causes renal failure. After a detailed review of the molecular mechanisms of the aforementioned complications, we conclude that, apart from directing our attention to the emerging medications that are being developed to block these molecular pathways, we should never abandon the struggle for improving the glycemic control of our diabetic patients
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    Isolated soy protein improves endothelial function in postmenopausal hypercholesterolemic women
    (2003) Cuevas Marín, Ada Marisa; Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica; Castillo Cádiz, Octavio Augusto; Yañez, M. D.; Germain Aravena, Alfredo M.
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    Virtually Accompanied Eating in the Outpatient Therapy of Anorexia Nervosa
    (2023) Vogel, Melina; Gil, Aurora; Galaz, Camila; Urrejola Noguera, Pascuala; Lacalle, Lucas; Jara, Raúl; Irribarra Pastenes, Verónica; Letelier, Matias; Costa, Daniela; Espinoza, Gabriela
    Background: Normalizing the eating pattern and weight recovery are the main objectives in treating anorexia nervosa (AN). Eating accompaniment through shared mealtimes is a common strategy in eating disorder management programs. This study aims to examine the impact on weight gain of an internet-delivered meal support group on patients with AN who were under ambulatory treatment with the Eating Disorders Unit of the UC Christus Health Network, Chile. Methods: An observational study of 54 female patients with AN diagnosis who participated in Online Meal Support Groups (OMSGs) three times a week was performed. Their weight, BMI and BMI%, was reviewed at the beginning of the sessions and at 45- and 90-day follow-up. Results: Patients showed significant weight gain during follow-up. At the 90-day follow-up, patients had gained 4.41 (SD ± 2.82) kg with an effect size of −1.563. Conclusions: Statistically significant differences were found between the weight at the beginning of the intervention and at the 45- and 90-day follow-up, meaning that eating support online groups may be an effective intervention for weight gain and maintenance in patients with AN. These findings highlight the viability of developing cost-effective and more accessible interventions for AN and thus help reduce the duration of untreated disease and its consequences.