A cluster-randomised clinical trial comparing two cardiovascular health education strategies in a child population: the Savinghearts project.

Background: This paper describes a methodology for comparing the effects of an eduentertainment strategy involving a music concert, and a participatory class experience involving the description and making of a healthy breakfast, as educational vehicles for delivering obesity-preventing/cardiovascular health messages to children aged 7-8 years.

Methods/design: This study will involve a cluster-randomised trial with blinded assessment. The study subjects will be children aged 7-8 years of both sexes attending public primary schools in the Madrid Region.

Second trimester amniotic fluid adiponectin level is affected by maternal tobacco exposure, insulin, and PAPP-A level.

Objectives: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived plasma protein with insulin-sensitizing and antiatherosclerotic properties. The objectives of the present study were to determine the amniotic fluid (AF) concentration of adiponectin during the second trimester of pregnancy and to demonstrate its association with maternal and fetal variables and AF concentrations of insulin, leptin, and pregnancy-associated-plasma-protein A (PAPP-A).

Study Design: We performed a cross-sectional study of 222 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis at 15-18 weeks for genetic reasons.

Malformations of the craniocervical junction (Chiari type I and syringomyelia: classification, diagnosis and treatment).

Chiari disease (or malformation) is in general a congenital condition characterized by an anatomic defect of the base of the skull, in which the cerebellum and brain stem herniate through the foramen magnum into the cervical spinal canal. The onset of Chiari syndrome symptoms usually occurs in the second or third decade (age 25 to 45 years). Symptoms may vary between periods of exacerbation and remission.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterised by intense fatigue, with duration of over six months and associated to other related symptoms. The latter include asthenia and easily induced tiredness that is not recovered after a night's sleep. The fatigue becomes so severe that it forces a 50% reduction in daily activities.

[Sociosanitary impact on patients with rare diseases (ERES study)].

Background And Objective: The impact and burden of disease of the rare diseases (RD) is not known, also the type of disability that entail. The objective of the work is to analyze the socio-sanitary impact of the RD in Spain.

Patients And Method: This is a nationwide study.

[Need for primary care training in rare diseases].

Objectives: The problem of the need for primary care (PC) training in rare diseases (RD) is approached through a qualitative research study that tries to define its relevance and to identify the need for RD training in PC.

Methods: By means of naturalistic research methods (in-depth interviews and group dynamics), we tried to discover the personal and professional connotations of PC training in RD in the rural and urban areas of the Community of Madrid, Spain. The areas explored by means of structured interview were: challenges and RD definition; professional experience with RD; relevance of PC for RD; training and information in RD; needs and demands for RD in PC.

[Pulmonary hypertension during exercise in toxic oil syndrome].

Background And Objective: Toxic oil syndrome is a risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and new cases of this entity are emerging after more than 20 years since the initial toxic oil epidemic. Abnormal elevation of pulmonary systolic pressure with exercise may be considered an early marker of PAH in populations at risk. We aimed to analyze the pulmonary systolic pressure with exercise echocardiography in toxic oil syndrome patients.

Characteristics of disability and handicap among Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS) cohort patients: a cross-sectional study, 17 years after the original food intoxication.

Purpose: In 1981, a progressive multi-systemic disease called Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS) appeared in Spain as an epidemic that affected 20,000 people. The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) was chosen to characterize the health status of patients more severely affected by TOS.

Methods: A random sample of 292 with permanent disability was selected.