Browsing by Author "Valdivia C, Gonzalo"
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- ItemEpidemiological transition. The other side of the coin(SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2006) Valdivia C, GonzaloThe model of epidemiological transition proposed by Omram explains the changes in disease patterns in communities. In societies with a high level of development this model has been complemented with the study of the post transition process. In this context, the emergence of allergic diseases, asthma and subsequently, of autoimmune diseases, has reached worrisome proportions in some countries, and no model can explain these changes. The hygiene theory supported by Strachan gives a reasonable explanation to this phenomenon. It postulates that the reduction of early exposure to biological agents, along with an improvement of sanitation conditions, immunizations and medical therapies, causes an asymmetrical immunological response, favoring the expression of Th2 response. The hygiene theory does not fully explain by itself what is happening in developed countries and it is not universally accepted. Chile is experiencing an epidemiological transition from a high burden of infectious diseases to a growing prevalence of non communicable diseases. In a previous similar setting in developed countries, there is some evidence to suspect that asthma, allergic and autoimmune diseases are becoming pan of the epidemiological situation of Chile.
- ItemNew spirometric reference equations for healthy Chilean adults(SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2014) Gutierrez C, Monica; Valdivia C, Gonzalo; Villarroel D, Luis; Contreras T, Gustavo; Cartagena S, Claudia; Lisboa B, CarmenBackground: To correctly interpret spirometric results, reference values should come from the same population. Current spirometric reference equations have been under scrutiny due to deficiencies to fit adequately for Chilean population, specially, for those aged over 65 years old. Aim: To develop new spiro metric reference values for Chilean adults, based on national studies in which spirometries were performed in healthy non-smoker adults. Material and Methods: A standardized database of spirometric values was developed combining spirometric data collected from five population-based studies, in which healthy nonsmoker adults participated. Spirometries from 448 males aged 19 to 84 years and from 726 females aged 19 to 94 years, obtained according to guidelines from the American Thoracic and European Respiratory Societies, were analyzed. Using multiple regression models, which included height, gender, and age, the theoretical value and inferior limits of normality were calculated for 1st second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (PVC), FEV1/FVC, and forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75). Results: Reference values and lower limits of normality (LLN) were constructed for Chilean adults of both genders. The new proposed set of equations had a better fit, when compared with the current reference values used in Chile. Conclusions: The new spirometric references values derived from this study, fit better than currently used ones. Therefore, they should be used as new references values for Chilean adults.
- ItemStrategies for dealing with cholera disease. A public health perspective of the Chilean experience(SOC CHILENA INFECTOLOGIA, 2010) Valenzuela B, M. Teresa; Salinas P, Hugo; Carcamo, Marcela, I; Cerda L, Jaime; Valdivia C, GonzaloDuring the latest Latin American epidemic of cholera (1991), more than 70,000 cases were identified and over 6,000 deaths occurred. Cholera started in Peru and expanded to the rest of Latin American countries, including Chile. Compared to Peru, the epidemic in Chile had minor consequences due to the strategies adopted by the National System of Health Services, together with other public institutions. These strategies included the establishment of a National Committee for Cholera, strategic planning of health services, strengthening of epidemiologic surveillance systems and of clinical and environmental laboratories, education of the population, and preventive strategies, among others. Maintenance of environmental health measures and the population's collaboration are essential to avoid future emergence of this disease.
- ItemVertebral fractures, osteoporosis and vitamin D levels in Chilean postmenopausal women(SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2007) Rodriguez P, Jose A.; Valdivia C, Gonzalo; Trincado M, PatricioBackground Approximately one-third of vertebral fractures can be clinically diagnosed. Aim: To study the. frequency of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Patients and methods: We recruited 555 postmenopausal women from Santiago, Chile, aged 5584 years, who manifested interest in their bone health. All were healthy by self-declaration and by general clinical and laboratory tests and bad not taken any bone-active therapy. They all underwent a spine and femoral neck (FN) densitometry and a digital lateral spine X-ray from T4 to L4 was obtained. PTH, calcidiol, and other parameters of calcium metabolism were also measured. Results: Overall, 142 of 478 patients with a complete study (29.7%) had at least one vertebral fracture. The proportion of women with fractures increased with age. A T score below -2.5 in the spine and hip was found in 32% and 14% of women, respectively. The proportion of women with spinal opeoporosis doubled between ages 55-70 and remained constant afterwards. In contrast, at the femoral neck, this proportion increased progressively reaching 53.3% at age 80-85. However, 56% of patients with vertebral fractures did not have densitometric osteoporosis in any location. Calcidiol levels were 16.8 +/- 6.8 ng/mL. With a cutoff point of 17 ng/mL, 47.5 +/- 16 of the patients had hypovitaminosis D. There was no association between calcidiol levels and vertebral fractures or bone density at the spine or femoral neck. Patients with fractures differed from those without fractures in that they had significantly lower bone density at the spine and hip and were older (p <0.001). However they did not dyer in weight, body mass index, or calcidiol levels. Conclusions: Thirty percent of postmenopausal women in this series had a vertebral fractures. Osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency were also common. Most vertebral fractures were observed in women without osteoporosis by densitometric criteria.