[Alarming signals: Worsening obesity, physical inactivity and high perception of stress in first-year medical and dental students in Chile].

Background: The high prevalence of obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity in Chile despite government-sponsored measures and campaigns, along with others in the last 30 years, suggests additional reinforcement of these efforts at the primary care level.

Objectives: To determine if lifestyles and modifiable health risk factors in first-year students from the University of Chile Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, potential future promoters of healthy lifestyles, show changes throughout their first academic year.

Methods: In a randomized stratified sample of 388 students according to sex and chosen career weight, height, waist circumference, waist circumference-weight ratio, food consumption, smoking prevalence and dependence, alcohol use, perceived stress level, and physical activity were measured at the first week, 3 and 6 months after their admission.

Aspirin desensitization in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory exacerbated respiratory disease: The first prospective cohort in Chile.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is characterized by the Samter triad: chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma, and nonallergic hypersensitivity to NSAIDs. Its diagnosis is based on a complete clinical history and an aspirin (ASA) challenge test. Medical treatments include biological drugs and ASA desensitization.

Clinical, Socioeconomic, and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Control and Adherence: Results from a Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular National Program Providing Universal Coverage in a Developing Country.

Background: Limited information exists on blood pressure (BP) control factors and adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy (Rx) in developing countries.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in randomly selected 992 hypertensive patients under a Chilean national comprehensive Cardiovascular Health Program (CVHP). Association of education, income, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, psychosocial characteristics, smoking, and alcohol abuse with BP control and adherence were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression.

[Analysis of incident reports in an anesthesiology unit of a university hospital].

Background: Incident reporting is an effective strategy used to enhance patient safety. An incident is an event that could eventually result in harm to a patient.

Aim: To classify and analyze incidents reported by an Anesthesiology division at a University hospital in Chile.

Serum cytokeratin-18 fragment levels as noninvasive marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the chilean population.

Unlabelled: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most aggressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and involves the risk of progression to more advanced stages of liver disease. Non-invasive methods are needed to identify patients with NASH.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the determination of serum levels of cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) as a non-invasive marker of NASH in the Chilean population.

[Work activity of medical graduates at the University of Chile: Analysis per campus and graduation year].

Background: The University promotes practices and values that influence their students in the pursuit of their occupational interests.

Aim: To determine working activity features of medical graduates from the University of Chile and their relationship with undergraduate characteristics.

Material And Methods: Medical graduates of the University of Chile were invited to complete a survey using a virtual server.

[Introduction of virtual patients to clinical case portfolios for undergraduate medical students].

Background: In 2007, a Clinical-Case-Portfolio (CCP) was introduced as a new assessment instrument for fourth grade undergraduate medical students. Since then, several changes have been implemented such as reduction on the number of clinical cases, peer review and the introduction of virtual patient to the portfolio.

Aim: To describe the virtual patient model incorporated to the CCP and assess the perception of this change and its effects on the performance of undergraduate students.

[Influence of psychosocial factors on adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy: results from a Cardiovascular Health Program cohort followed in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile].

Background: Inadequate blood pressure control in hypertensive patients remains a persistent health problem in Chile and worldwide. Poor adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy is one of the frequently cited factors.

Objectives: To determine the influence of psychosocial factors in the adherence to drug therapy in hypertensive patients followed through a Cardiovascular Health Program (CHP) that provides free access to primary care centers located in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile.

Overcoming barriers in the management of hypertension: the experience of the cardiovascular health program in chilean primary health care centers.

Objective. To assess the blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in a population of hypertensive patients with access to care under a government-financed program, the Cardiovascular Health Program (CHP). Design.