Influence of pharmacotherapy complexity on compliance with the therapeutic objectives for HIV+ patients on antiretroviral treatment concomitant with therapy for dyslipidemia: INCOFAR Project

Objectives: To analyze the relationship between pharmacotherapeutical complexity and compliance of therapeutic objectives in HIV+ patients on antiretroviral treatment and concomitant dyslipidemia therapy. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study including HIV patients on stable antiretroviral treatment during the past 6 months, and dyslipidemia treatment between January and December, 2013. The complexity index was calculated with the tool developed by McDonald et al. Other variables analyzed were: age, gender, risk factor of HIV, smoking, alcoholism and drugs, psychiatric disorders, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and lipid lowering drugs, and clinical parameters (HIV viral load, CD4 count, plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides). In order to determine the predictive factors associated with the compliance of therapeutic objectives, univariate analysis was conducted through logistical regression, followed by a multivariate analysis. Results: The study included 89 patients; 56.8% of them met the therapeutic objectives for dyslipidemia. The complexity index was significantly higher (p = 0.02) in those patients who did not reach the objective values (median 51.8 vs. 38.9). Adherence to lipid lowering treatment was significantly associated with compliance of the therapeutic objectives established for dyslipidemia treatment. A 67.0% of patients met the objectives for their antiretroviral treatment; however, the complexity index was not significantly higher (p = 0.06) in those patients who did not meet said objectives. Conclusions: Pharmacotherapeutical complexity represents a key factor in terms of achieving health objectives in HIV+ patients on treatment for dyslipidemia.

Desarrollo y validación de la Escala de Expectativas de Futuro en la Adolescencia (EEFA)

El objetivo de este estudio es diseñar y validar el instrumento Escala de Expectativas de Futuro en la Adolescencia (EEFA). Se analizó una muestra compuesta por 1125 participantes de ambos sexos procedentes de la provincia de Cádiz, con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y 15 años. A partir del Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE), realizado con la submuestra 1 (n=551), se identificaron cuatro factores: Expectativas económico/ laborales, Expectativas académicas, Expectativas de bienestar personal y Expectativas familiares. Mediante un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC), usando la submuestra 2 (n=574), se confirmó la estructura factorial de la escala, cuyo modelo presentaba un buen ajuste. Los análisis de los ítems y de fiabilidad demostraron una aceptable consistencia interna de la escala. Para la obtención de otras evidencias de validez, los datos obtenidos mediante el instrumento EEFA se contrastaron con otros instrumentos que evalúan autoestima y satisfacción vital, esperando obtener relaciones positivas entre los mismos. Se concluye que el instrumento EEFA, compuesto por 14 ítems, posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, considerándose un instrumento válido para evaluar las expectativas de futuro que presentan los adolescentes.

Implantes dentales en pacientes adultos postrauma dentoalveolar: estudio descriptivo

Objetivo: Realizar un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo para analizar el éxito de la rehabilitación dentaria con o sin aumento óseo alveolar. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo mediante la revisión de historias clínicas de pacientes que concurrieron al Servicio de Cirugía Máxilofacial del Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad, Chile, en el período de 3 años (enero 2003 - diciembre 2005). Resultados: Un total de 135 pacientes ingresaron al estudio en los cuales se instalaron 246 implantes dentales. Se registraron 8 pérdidas de implantes en el seguimiento. Conclusiones: En este estudio se presenta un protocolo establecido y se establece la necesidad de un diagnóstico detallado para planificar la rehabilitación mediante implantes dentales posterior a un trauma con un equipo multidisciplinario.

"Family Education and Support" program for families at psychosocial risk: the role of implementation process

This paper analyses the implementation characteristics of the Family Education and Support program, a theory-driven, needs-based, and evidence-based positive parenting program originally developed for the Andalusian family preservation services. The implementation process of 34 trials of the FAF program with 155 participants was analyzed. Cluster analyses were also performed to explore variability in implementation conditions from a comprehensive perspective. Results showed different implementation profiles that moderated the FAF effectiveness (namely lengthier interventions, higher program fidelity, and practitioners' positive perceptions and satisfaction with the program). The relevance of examining implementation process across several trials is discussed in order to distinguish core and non-core FAF components, as well as the need for combining faithful and adaptable implementations that guarantee the ecologic validity of evidence-based positive parenting programs.

Therapeutic failure with thalidomide in patients with recurrent intestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasias

Angiodysplasias are one of the reasons of gastrointestinal bleeding, whose origin is usually due to vascular malformations. There are different types of therapies for angiodysplasia such as endoscopic, angiographic and pharmacological techniques. Among the last ones, there is little variety of effective drugs to treat the disease. We describe the therapeutic failure with thalidomide in a male with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasias. A thorough diagnostic work-up, including gastroscopy, enteroscopy, angiography and capsule endoscopy were performed. Despite treatment with high-dose somatostatin analogues and oral iron, the patient continued bleeding. The patient was administered then thalidomide for three months with no clinical response. Thalidomide had to be withdrawn owing to adverse effects.