[Analysis of short-term time off of health workers in a health area].

Objective: To describe the characteristics of short-term time off work (STT): duration, causes and distribution by age, and sex.

Design: Descriptive, observational study.

Setting: Area 1, Madrid, Spain.

Cognitive assessment of the non-demented elderly community dwellers in Spain.

Objective: The prevalence of cognitive impairment and population normative values for cognitive function were assessed, for the first time, in 2,630 subjects representative of the non-demented community dweller population > or =65 years in Spain, a southern European country with a sizable proportion of illiterate senior citizens.

Methods: Data were collected cross-sectionally by interview, using a structured questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC; Spanish-validated version of the Mini-Mental State Examination).

Long-term use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of miscarriage.

In this prospective, case-control study, a step-wise logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between the consumption of oral contraceptives before pregnancy and the potential increase in the risk of miscarriage. Consumption of oral contraceptives for more than 2 years before pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.

Risk factors for low birth weight: a review.

Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main predictors of infant mortality. The global incidence of LBW is around 17%, although estimates vary from 19% in the developing countries (countries where it is an important public health problem) to 5-7% in the developed countries. The incidence in Spain in the decade 1980-1989 was about 5.

[Influence of the diet on the development of colorectal cancer in a population of Madrid].

Objective: Although the genetic component in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is well established, some environmental factors, mainly dietary, can favor its development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between daily consumption of specific food groups and development of CRC.

Methods: We carried out a case-control study in an area of Madrid; 196 patients with diagnosis of CRC with confirmed histology and registered to May 1998 in the Community of Madrid tumor register were included, and they were compared with 196 controls matched by age, sex, and geographical area.

[Vaccine storage cold chain at primary care centers in one area of Madrid: keeping the chain intact and degree of knowledge].

Background: Vaccines are heat-labile medications, and to guarantee their immunogenicity and safeguarding effectiveness as part of immunization programs, it is absolutely essential that the "Cold Chain" go unbroken. Fundamental thereto is the personnel responsible for the vaccines, who must know the stability-related characteristics of each preparation so as to prevent handling errors. The purpose of this study was that of ascertaining how the cold chain is kept intact in primary care systems in one healthcare area of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, as well as determining the degree of information possessed by those responsible for vaccines as far as their heat-stability is concerned.

Risk factors in miscarriage: a review.

Miscarriage is one of the most frequent problems in human pregnancy. The most widely accepted definition is that proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1977. The incidence among clinical pregnancies is about 12-15% but including early pregnancy losses it is 17-22%.

Changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their risk factors in Spain, 1987-1997.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of the changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity with the changes in some of their risk factors in Spain from 1987 to 1997.

Methods: Data were obtained from three interview-based health surveys, covering representative samples of the noninstitutionalized Spanish population aged 16 years and over and undertaken in 1987 (n = 17,434), 1995 (n = 4,736), and 1997 (n = 4,678). To compensate for the different sample sizes, the 1995 and 1997 surveys were combined.

[Five-year analysis of extrahospital consumption of betalactams in Spain].

We carried out a qualitative and quantitative study to determine extrahospital consumption of both broad-spectrum penicillins and cephalosporins in Spain in the period 1993-1997. Penicillins were the most consumed group, followed by macrolides and cephalosporins. Units and value (ptas.

[Incidence of dental caries in a child population from Mostoles: evaluation of a preventive program after 2 years].

Objective: To know the efficacy and effectivity od dental health program after 2 years.

Design: The study of prospective cohorts not aleatorized.

Population And Methods: The exposed cohort is composed of 583 school children, 296 girls and 287 boys, the non-exposed cohort is composed of 261 school children, 132 girls and 129 boys.

Risk of oral cancer associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and oral hygiene: a case-control study in Madrid, Spain.

Oral cancer is a disease whose principal etiological factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption, which if controlled could help avoid many tumors. However, consumption has continued to grow for years. We have studied the risk of the principal factors established in the development of oral cancer and the influence of the oral hygiene level on the appearance of these tumors.

[Functional deterioration secondary to hospitalization for an acute disease in the elderly. An analysis of its incidence and the associated risk factors].

Objective: To determine the incidence of functional impairment at hospital admission and after hospital discharge, and to identify those factors that could be predictors of such impairment in a cohort of elderly people with high level of independence in the basic activities of daily living (BADL).

Design: Epidemiologic, longitudinal and prospective study.

Setting: Acute unit in a geriatric department.

[Seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps and varicella among school children in Madrid].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against MMR and varicella in a population of children between 6 and 7 years of age vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella at 15 months of age.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of healthy children (6-7 years of age) of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain. Vaccination against MMR at 15 months of age was documented for all children included in the study.

Familial aggregation of cardiovascular disease risk factors: the Cuenca Study.

Objective: The familial aggregation of lipid levels, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) was studied in schoolchildren in Cuenca, Spain.

Methods: A cross-sectional observation study was made of 307 schoolchildren of both sexes, age range 9-12 years, from three schools in Cuenca, Spain, and of 346 parents. Social and demographic variables, weight, height, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were evaluated.

[Familial aggregation of arterial pressure figures and weight indices: study in Cuenca].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the familial aggregation of blood pressure and body mass index levels in schoolchildren of Cuenca city, Spain.

Subjects And Methods: A cross sectional study was made including 307 both sexes schoolchildren 9-12 years old recruited in three schools of Cuenca city, and 346 of their parents. There were determined sociodemographics variables, weight, height, body mass index, SBP, DBP and fasting plasma total cholesterol, cLDL, cHDL and triglyceride concentrations.

[Familial aggregation of lipid and lipoprotein levels: the Cuenca study].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the familial aggregation of lipid levels in schoolchildren of Cuenca city, Spain.

Subjects And Methods: A cross sectional study was made including 307 both sexes schoolchildren 9-12 years old recruited in three schools of Cuenca city, and 346 of their parents. Sociodemographics variables, weight, height, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and fasting plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride concentrations were determined.

Adherence of mouse peritoneal macrophages following exposure to lead.

Lead is a toxin widely used in industry. Recently, medical investigation into lead exposure has turned to testing organ systems, such as the immune system, that historically were not associated with lead poisoning. We evaluated the effects of doses of 13, 130 or 1,300 ppm of lead on the adherence of mouse peritoneal cells, and particularly on macrophages.

[The evaluation of the mutagenic activity of public drinking water by the Ames test].

Background: The sources of potential mutagens in our environment are many, but the most important of these is water for public consumption. This is a result of the chlorinating process which is the main reason for the appearance of these mutagens. With this in mind, the aim of our study was to check a possible mutagenic activity, using the Ames test, in organic concentrates taken from water for public consumption in Madrid.

Spontaneous abortion in a hospital population: are tobacco and coffee intake risk factors?

The objective of this study was to examine the possible relationships between spontaneous abortion and caffeine, tobacco and alcohol intake in a well-controlled group of hospital workers. A retrospective cohort study design including 711 women, 20 to 41 years old, was used. All data regarding the purpose of this study were extracted from clinical histories registered at the Preventive Medicine Service.

[Periodontal disease in juvenile diabetics and non-diabetics].

Background: Knowing the prevalence of periodontal disease, to identify some associated variables in youth population. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DMID) has been included as a common variable.

Methods: Cross-sectional study over 383 individuals, 11 to 18 years old.

Analysis of several risks factors involved in dental caries through multiple logistic regression.

Through multiple logistic regression an epidemiological study was undertaken of the following factors: age, gender, socio-economic status, dental care, toothbrushing, chewing gum, snacking, fluoride, and of their influence on the development of tooth decay. The factors are analysed individually and globally (global model). An initial model was constructed, establishing the interactions, and developing a final model.

How much benefit could be obtained from cardiovascular disease intervention programs?

To estimate the potential benefits of cardiovascular disease intervention programs in Spain, we have computed cardiovascular population mortality fractions and deaths attributable to the main risk factors by using relative risks from international studies and Spanish prevalence and mortality data (subjects of both sexes, aged 25-64). As many as 71% of the cardiovascular deaths studied in men and 44% in women might be delayed every year in Spain if it were possible to eliminate the current exposure of the population to smoking, obesity, sedentariness, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. With the eradication of tobacco exposure 31% of coronary deaths and 16% of stroke deaths in men (7% in both cases for women) might be avoided.