Effects of air pollution on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a descriptive retrospective study (pol-AECOPD).

Purpose: Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is among the most frequent causes for hospital admission, causing morbidity and mortality. Infection is the most frequent cause, and studies on pollution have shown higher hospital admission and mortality with inconsistent results. The objective was to identify if there is a change in levels of particulate matter (PM) during the days leading up to the symptom onset.

Characterization of Low Back Pain in Pilots and Maintenance Technicians on a Commercial Airline.

Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common complaint worldwide and the leading cause of disability in the workplace. In Colombia there are no epidemiological data on low back pain in aviation. This study aimed to characterize lower back pain in pilots and maintenance technicians in a Colombian commercial airline.

[Patients being transported by civil airline companies].

Objective: Colombian aviation operations began in 1919; however, no knowledge is currently available concerning medical air transport in the country. This study involved local companies in Bogota which provided air medical transfer for patients from 2005 to 2007; it was aimed at improving knowledge regarding air transport for patients in Colombia.

Method: This was a descriptive study of patient air transfer by three companies during the aforementioned three-year period.

[Cardiovascular risk factor prevalence in civil aviation pilots in Colombia during 2005].

Objective: The human-flying machine interface relies heavily on flight safety. Coronary disease is the most commonly occurring sudden incapacitation during flight and involves factors described as leading to cardiovascular risk. Pilots probably have risk prevalence different to the rest of the population.

[Prediction scales and infection on surgical sites in 15625 surgeries. 2001-2003].

Objective: Surgical infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality; it accounts for 25% of nosocomial infections. Through a program of intensified monitoring and telephone follow-up we sought to detect infections in the surgical site in ambulatory surgeries.

Methods: A prospective cohort of patients who underwent surgery at the Carlos Lleras Hospital in Bogotá, belonging to the Social Security Institute, between August 2001 and February 2003 was studied.