Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Children (PWI-SC) in Chilean School Children

Child and adolescent measures of the quality of life or subjective well-being are scarce in Latin American countries. Chile is no exception to this situation that represents a gap in the literature for South American countries research. Thus, the aim was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Personal Well-being Index for School Children (PWI-SC) of Cummins et al. Social Indicators Research, 64(2), 159–190, (2003) in a sample of Chilean school children. We use a sample of 1096 pupils between 10 and 12 years old (M?=?11.03; SD?=?0.89) and residents of three major Chilean cities. Results of Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis provided evidence for only one single factor solution. Moreover, an acceptable level of internal reliability was observed (α?=?0.77). The discussion of results considers other internationals applications of PWI-SC.     

Differential diagnosis and treatment of enchondromas and atypical cartilaginous tumours of the pelvis: analysis of 21 patients

Introduction

Studies focusing on enchondroma and atypical cartilaginous tumour (ACT) of the pelvis are lacking. The purpose of this study was to verify possible clinical and radiological findings with regard to distinguishing enchondromas from ACT of the pelvis. In addition, this study analysed functional and oncological outcomes in patients with enchondromas or ACT of the pelvis treated with curettage or resection.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 patients with confirmed enchondroma or ACT of the pelvis treated by curettage or resection from 1985 to 2018. The minimum follow-up was 18 months. The relationship between clinical and radiological factors and tumour type or local recurrence was assessed using Fisher exact test and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Endosteal scalloping (p = 0.039), tumour size (0.005) and age (0.006) were shown to statistically favour ACT over enchondroma; by contrast, enchondroma and ACT patients had no difference in pain frequency (p = 0.5528). All patients with enchondroma had no local recurrence; in contrast, local recurrence occurred in one patient with ACT, initially treated with resection. The patient with local recurrence had a disease progression with a higher histological grade than the original tumour. Patients treated with curettage had better functional outcomes than patients treated with resection (p = 0.001).

Discussion

Endosteal scalloping, tumour size and age could be helpful in the differential diagnosis between enchondroma and ACT of the pelvis. In addition, our study showed that ACT of the pelvis can be safely treated with curettage due to a low risk of local recurrence and better functional results compared with resection. In case of recurrence, we suggest to treat these patients with resection for the risk of disease progression.

     

Perspectivas futuras del tratamiento de la hepatitis C, ¿sin interferón y sin ribavirina?

The hepatitis C virus is an important health problem worldwide. Currently, the standard treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C is the combination of pegylated interferon, ribavirin and a first-generation protease inhibitor: telaprevir or boceprevir. This triple therapy has improved the efficacy of treatment but has also increased regimen complexity, costs, and the number of adverse effects (mainly hematological and cutaneous). Unfortunately, viral response rates are still suboptimal in patients with cirrhosis, particularly those with a prior null response. Moreover, studies carried out in clinical practice have shown that the presence of advanced fibrosis confers a high risk of developing severe adverse effects during treatment (infection, decompensation and even death). It is therefore essential to select candidates for triple therapy according to their risk of complications and possibilities for cure. In this scenario, interferon (and ribavirin)-free combinations are very safe and well tolerated first-line treatments.     

Residual Periodontal Ligament in Extracted Teeth – Is It Associated With Indication for Extraction?

BackgroundPeriodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss. Few studies have evaluated the residual area of the periodontal ligament in extracted teeth and, to the best of our knowledge, none from Latin America have done so regarding indications for extraction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the residual periodontal ligament (RPL) with respect to indication for extraction in a sample of teeth from a Brazilian Public Health Service district.Materials and methodsAll teeth extracted within the Public Health Service district of Santa Maria, Brazil, over a 5-month period were requested for analysis. A total of 414 teeth eligible for measurement were stained and evaluated for RPL using a stereo microscope. Participating Public Health Service dentists completed a questionnaire detailing demographic variables and indication for each extracted tooth. The percentage of RPL was determined for each tooth. Comparisons of RPL between teeth extracted on periodontal versus other indications were made using the Mann-Whitney test.ResultsRPL averaged 34.8% for teeth extracted on periodontal indications versus 79.5% for other teeth (P ≤ 0.001). When considering teeth with an RPL ≥ 30% as possible to maintain, 189 (76%) of the teeth extracted on periodontal indications could have been maintained. When RPL cut-off limits of ≥ 40% or ≥ 50% are applied, 93 (37%) and 43 (17%) teeth, respectively, could have been maintained.ConclusionThis study suggests that strictly based on RPL, a large number of teeth extracted on periodontal indications conceivably could be maintained.Key words: Cross-sectional studies, Prognosis, Tooth extraction, Tooth loss     

Anxiety,depression, and stress in caregivers of children and adolescents with mental disorders in Ghana and implications for medication adherence

ObjectiveThis study assessed levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among family caregivers of children and adolescents with mental disorders in Ghana and the implication on medication adherence.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThe study was conducted at the outpatient departments of the three main public psychiatric hospitals in Ghana.ParticipantsTwo hundred and ten non-paid family caregivers of children and adolescents with mental disorders were recruited for this study.Main Outcome MeasureThe study assessed symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress among the caregivers and estimated caregiver-reported medication adherence.ResultsAbout 56.2%, 66.2% and 78% of the caregivers experienced severe anxiety, severe depression and moderate to severe stress symptoms respectively. From the multiple logistic regression model, while anxiety was significantly affected by religion and education, depression was influenced by sex, age, marital status, proximity to facility, and employment status. Female caregivers had about four times higher odds of being depressed compared to male caregivers (aOR: 3.81, 95% CI: 1.66 – 8.75). The caregiver-reported medication adherence was 11.9%. Anxiety was significantly predictive of medication adherence.ConclusionMost family caregivers of children and adolescents with mental disorders experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress with anxiety having implications for medication adherence. The study findings underscore the need to consider psychological characteristics of caregivers and the provision of mental health support for them, as part of the routine health care for children and adolescents with mental disorders.FundingNone indicated