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Objetivo: Estimar la sobrevida al año de los recién nacidos con cardiopatías congénitas diagnosticadas prenatalmente y el perfil epidemiológico de sus madres. Método: Cohorte dinámica retrospectiva de 825 pacientes, ingresados entre el 1 de abril de 2003 y el 31 de marzo de 2019, con tiempo de seguimiento de 1 año, que se elaboró utilizando la base de datos del Centro de Referencia Perinatal Oriente (CERPO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile. Resultados: Se estimó la función de supervivencia global de la muestra, obteniendo una supervivencia del 70% al año de seguimiento (error estándar (ES): 0,0164; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 0,66-0,73). Los recién nacidos con edad gestacional < 30 semanas tuvieron una menor sobrevida (hazard ratio [HR]: 4,17; IC95%: 1,52-11.44; p < 0,01). Los recién nacidos con un peso < 3000 g tuvieron una menor sobrevida (HR: 1,41; IC95%: 1,09-1,84; p < 0,01). La distribución de las cardiopatías congénitas según la gravedad en esta cohorte fue: riesgo vital 64%, clínicamente relevante 34% y clínicamente no relevante 2%. La menor sobrevida fue para la categoría riesgo vital (HR: 6,005; IC95%: 3,97-9,08; p < 0,01). Conclusiones: La prematuridad, el bajo peso al nacer y la gravedad de la cardiopatía se correlacionaron con una menor sobrevida.

Objective: To estimate the survival at one year of newborns with prenatally diagnosed congenital heart diseases and the epidemiological profile of their mothers. Method: Dynamic retrospective cohort of 825 patients, admitted between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2019, with a follow-up time of 1 year, which was elaborated using the database of the Centro de Referencia Perinatal Oriente (CERPO), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile. Results: The overall survival function of the sample was estimated, resulting in a survival of 70% at one year follow-up (standard error (SE): 0.0164; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.66-0.73). Newborns with gestational age < 30 weeks had a lower survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.52-11.44; p < 0.01). Newborns with a birth weight < 3000 g had a lower survival (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.09-1.84; p < 0.01). The distribution of congenital heart disease according to severity in this cohort was: life-threatening 64%, clinically relevant 34% and clinically not relevant 2%. With a lower survival for the life-threatening category (HR: 6.005; 95% CI: 3.97-9.08; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Prematurity, low birth weight and severity of congenital heart correlated with a lower survival rate.

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Objectives: To assess the impact of the initial two-dose-schedule mass vaccination campaign in Chile toward reducing adverse epidemiological outcomes due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Publicly available epidemiological data ranging from 3 February 2021 to 30 September 2021 were used to construct GAMLSS models that explain the beneficial effect of up to two doses of vaccination on the following COVID-19-related outcomes: new cases per day, daily active cases, daily occupied ICU beds and daily deaths. Results: Administered first and second vaccine doses, and the statistical interaction between the two, are strong, statistically significant predictors for COVID-19-related new cases per day (R2 = 0.847), daily active cases (R2 = 0.903), ICU hospitalizations (R2 = 0.767), and deaths (R2 = 0.827). Conclusion: Our models stress the importance of completing vaccination schedules to reduce the adverse outcomes during the pandemic. Future work will continue to assess the influence of vaccines, including booster doses, as the pandemic progresses, and new variants emerge. Policy Implications: This work highlights the importance of attaining full (two-dose) vaccination status and reinforces the notion that a second dose provides increased non-additive protection. The trends we observed may also support the inclusion of booster doses in vaccination plans. These insights could contribute to guiding other countries in their vaccination campaigns.

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INTRODUCTION: Clinical research broadly aims to influence decision-making in order to promote appropriate healthcare. Funding agencies should prioritise research projects according to needed research topics, methodological and cost-effectiveness considerations, and expected social value. In Chile, there is no local diagnosis regarding recent clinical research that might inform prioritisation for future research funding. This research aims to comprehensively identify and classify Chilean health research studies, elaborating evidence gap maps for the most burdensome local conditions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search in electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS and WoS) and perform hand searches to retrieve, identify and classify health research studies conducted in Chile or by authors whose affiliations are based in Chile, from 2000 onwards. We will elaborate evidence matrices for the 20 conditions with the highest burden in Chile (according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019) selected from those defined under the General Regime of the Health Guarantees Act. To elaborate the evidence gap maps, we will consider prioritised interventions and core outcome sets. To identify knowledge gaps and estimate redundant research, we will contrast these gap maps with the available international evidence of high or moderate certainty of evidence, for each specific clinical question. For this purpose, we will search systematic reviews using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required to conduct this project. We will submit our results in both peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. We will aim to disseminate our findings through different academic platforms, social media, local press, among others. The final results will be communicated to local funding agencies and government stakeholders. DISCUSSION: We aim to provide an accurate and up-to-date picture of the research gaps-to be filled by new future findings-and the identification of redundant research, which will constitute relevant information for local decision-makers.

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INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes are well established, and their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are proven. In spite of this, CR remains underused, especially in lower-resource settings such as Latin America. There is an urgent need to create more accessible CR delivery models to reach all patients in need. This trial aims to evaluate if the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events is not inferior in a hybrid CR programme compared with a standard programme. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: A non-inferiority, pragmatic, multicentre, parallel (1:1), prospective, randomised and open with blinded endpoint assessment clinical trial will be conducted. 308 patients with coronary artery disease will be recruited consecutively. Participants will be randomised to hybrid or standard rehabilitation programme. The hybrid CR programme includes 10 supervised exercise sessions and individualised lifestyle counselling by a physiotherapist, with a transition after 4-6 weeks to unsupervised delivery via text messages and phone calls. The standard CR consists of 18-22 supervised exercise sessions, as well as group education sessions about lifestyle. Intervention in both groups is between 8 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisations due to cardiovascular causes. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life, exercise capacity, muscle strength, heart-healthy behaviour, return-to-work, cardiovascular risk factor, adherence, and exercise-related adverse events. The outcomes will be measured at the end of intervention, at 6 months and at 12 months follow-up from recruitment. The primary outcome will be tracked through the end of the trial. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis will be undertaken.Cox regression model will be used to compare primary outcome among study groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics committees at the sponsor institution and each centre where participants will be recruited approved the study protocol and the Informed Consent. Research findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals; additionally, results will be disseminated among region stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03881150; Pre-results. DATE AND VERSION: 01 October 2019.

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OBJECTIVES: To design and validate a scale to assess Latin American medical students' perception on first level of health care (FLHC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, analytic and multicentre study was carried out in two phases: i) A self-administered questionnaire regarding perceptions on FLHClabor was designed. ii) This questionnaire was applied to to medical students from 18 universities of eight Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed through a principal components analysis with orthogonal varimax rotation. Sample adequacy was evaluated. Factor extraction was based on Kaiser's criteria, Cattell's Scree test and the explained variance (>5%). Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: 423 students were included in the analysis; 53.4% were from Peruvian universities. After the EFA, the questionnaire conserved 11 items, which were distributed in three domains, that explaining together 55.47% of the total variance: i) Perceptions concerning the FLHC physician; ii) Perceptions concerning the FiLC labor and iii) Perceptions about the economic consequences of working in FLHC. CONCLUSION: The scale is composed by three domains and can be used to assess the perceptions of the medical work on first level of health care of Spanish-speaking Latin American medical students.

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Objetivos. Diseñar y validar una escala para evaluar la percepción sobre el primer nivel de atención (PNA) en estudiantes de medicina latinoamericanos. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico, observacional, en dos fases: i) Se diseñó un cuestionario autoaplicado referente a la percepción sobre la labor del médico en el PNA, y ii) Se aplicó el cuestionario en estudiantes de medicina de 18 universidades de ocho países hispanohablantes latinoamericanos. Se desarrolló un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) por medio de un análisis de componentes principales con rotación ortogonal varimax. Se evaluó la adecuación y el ajuste de la muestra. La extracción de factores fue hecha en base a los criterios de Kaiser, la pendiente de Catell y la varianza explicada (>5%). La consistencia interna fue medida con el alfa de Cronbach. Resultados. Se incluyeron 423 estudiantes, el 53,4% pertenecían a universidades peruanas. Tras el AFE el cuestionario quedo constituido por 11 ítems, los cuales se distribuyen en tres dominios que, en su conjunto, explican el 55,47% de la varianza total. i) Percepciones sobre el médico que trabaja en PNA, ii) Percepciones sobre el trabajo asistencial en PNA y iii) Percepciones sobre las consecuencias económicas de trabajar en PNA. Conclusiones. La escala presenta tres dominios y constituye un instrumento que puede ser usado para medir las percepciones sobre el trabajo médico en el primer nivel de atención en estudiantes de medicina latinoamericanos de habla hispana.

Objectives. To design and validate a scale to assess Latin American medical students’ perception on first level of health care (FLHC). Materials and methods. An observational, analytic and multicentre study was carried out in two phases: i) A self-administered questionnaire regarding perceptions on FLHClabor was designed. ii) This questionnaire was applied to to medical students from 18 universities of eight Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed through a principal components analysis with orthogonal varimax rotation. Sample adequacy was evaluated. Factor extraction was based on Kaiser’s criteria, Cattell’s Scree test and the explained variance (>5%). Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach’s alpha. Results. 423 students were included in the analysis; 53.4% were from Peruvian universities. After the EFA, the questionnaire conserved 11 items, which were distributed in three domains, that explaining together 55.47% of the total variance: i) Perceptions concerning the FLHC physician; ii) Perceptions concerning the FiLC labor and iii) Perceptions about the economic consequences of working in FLHC. Conclusion. The scale is composed by three domains and can be used to assess the perceptions of the medical work on first level of health care of Spanish-speaking Latin American medical students.

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OBJECTIVE: To generate and validate a scale to measure the Informed Choice of contraceptive methods among women attending a family health care service in Chile. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The study follows a multimethod design that combined expert opinions from 13 physicians, 3 focus groups of 21 women each, and a sample survey of 1,446 women. Data analysis consisted of a qualitative text analysis of group interviews, a factor analysis for construct validity, and kappa statistic and Cronbach alpha to assess scale reliability. RESULTS: The instrument comprises 25 items grouped into six categories: information and orientation, quality of treatment, communication, participation in decision making, expression of reproductive rights, and method access and availability. Internal consistency measured with Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.75 to 0.89 for all subscales (kappa, 0.62; standard deviation, 0.06), and construct validity was demonstrated from the testing of several hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mixed methods contributed to developing a scale of Informed Choice that was culturally appropriate for assessing the women who participated in the family planning program.

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OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the three blood cell series and identify the presence of hypochromia, macrocytosis, leucopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia in a group of workers exposed to the mixture of benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study which included 97 workers from a paint factory in Mexico. The participants underwent conventional blood count and tests for potential cumulative daily dose of BTX fumes, to estimate exposure. RESULTS: From the total of workers, 19.6% showed macrocytosis, 18.6%, lymphopenia, hypochromia 10.3%, 7.2% and 5.2% thrombocytopenia leukopenia. The crude association of macrocytosis with exposure to high doses of BTX mixture was the only with statistical significance (OR: 3.6, 95% CI 1.08 to 13.9, P = 0.02), and the base for a logistic regression model (OR: 6.7, 95% CI 1.33 to 13.55, P = 0.02) adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: All blood cytological components analyzed demonstrated mild changes, potentially associated with exposure to the mixture of BTX. Macrocytosis could constitute an early manifestation worthy for surveillance.

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Objetivos. Evaluar las tres series celulares sanguíneas e identificar la presencia de hipocromía, macrocitosis, leucopenia, linfocitopenia y trombocitopenia en un grupo de trabajadores expuestos a la mezcla de benceno-tolueno-xileno (BTX). Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal donde se incluyó a 97 trabajadores de una empresa de pinturas de México a los que se les realizó una biometría hemática convencional y les fue estimada la exposición a través de la dosis diaria potencial acumulada para vapores de BTX. Resultados. Del total de trabajadores, 19,6%, mostró macrocitosis, 18,6%, linfocitopenia, 10,3% hipocromía, 7,2% trombocitopenia y 5,2% leucopenia. La asociación cruda de macrocitosis con exposición a dosis alta de mezcla de BTX fue la única significativa (OR:3,6; IC95%: 1,08 - 13,9; p=0,02) y en la que se estructuró un modelo de regresión logística (OR:6,7; IC95%: 1,33 - 13,55; p:0,02) ajustada por edad, consumo de alcohol y tabaquismo. Conclusiones. Todos los componentes citohemáticos analizados mostraron cambios leves; que podrían estar asociados con la exposición a la mezcla de BTX. De ellos, la macrocitosis podría constituirse en una manifestación precoz que merece ser vigilada.

Objectives. Evaluate the three blood cell series and identify the presence of hypochromia, macrocytosis, leucopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia in a group of workers exposed to the mixture of benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX). Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study which included 97 workers from a paint factory in Mexico. The participants underwent conventional blood count and tests for potential cumulative daily dose of BTX fumes, to estimate exposure. Results. From the total of workers, 19.6% showed macrocytosis, 18.6%, lymphopenia, hypochromia 10.3%, 7.2% and 5.2% thrombocytopenia leukopenia. The crude association of macrocytosis with exposure to high doses of BTX mixture was the only with statistical significance (OR: 3.6, 95% CI 1.08 to 13.9, P = 0.02), and the base for a logistic regression model (OR: 6.7, 95% CI 1.33 to 13.55, P = 0.02) adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Conclusions. All blood cytological components analyzed demonstrated mild changes, potentially associated with exposure to the mixture of BTX. Macrocytosis could constitute an early manifestation worthy for surveillance.

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The World Studies of Abuse in the Family Environment (WorldSAFE) designed and implemented a study of family violence--intimate partner violence and child abuse and neglect--using standardized methods to cover over 12,000 women in eighteen communities within five lesser-developed countries. The rationale, process and methods for developing the population-based survey are described. Standardized methods included common training of investigators and field staff, sampling strategies, eligibility criteria, instruments, data collection methods, operational definitions, analysis strategies and data management. Special features of the WorldSAFE model are described--namely an ecological conceptual framework, an extensive and broad-based dissemination strategy, and community advisory boards. The World Studies of Abuse in the Family Environment (WorldSAFE) Steering Committee and principal investigators are as follows: Bhopal (India): Gandhi Medical College, S.S. Bhambal (MD) and A.K. Upadhyaya (MD). Chapel Hill (USA): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shrikant Bangdiwala (PhD); Wanda Hunter (MPH); Desmond K. Runyan (MD, DrPH); and Laura S. Sadowski (MD, MPH). Chennai (India): Chennai Medical College, Saradha Suresh (MD) and Shuba Kumar (PhD). Delhi (India): All India Institute of Medical Sciences, R.M. Pandey (PhD). Ismailia (Egypt): Suez Canal University Faculty of Medicine, Fatma Hassan (MD, PhD). Lucknow (India): King George's Medical College, M.K. Mitra (MD) and R.C. Ahuja (MD). Manila (the Philippines): University of the Philippines School of Medicine, Laurie Ramiro (PhD); M. Lourdes Amarillo (MS); Bernadette Madrid (MD). Nagpur (India): Government Medical College, Dipty Jain (MD). São Paulo (Brazil): Escola Paulista de Medicina, Isabel Bordin (MD) and Christine Silvestre De Paula. Temuco (Chile): Universidad de La Frontera, Sergio R. Muñoz (PhD) and Beatriz Vizcarra. Thiruvananthapuram (India) formerly Trivandrum: Government Medical College, M.K.C. Nair (MD) and Rajamohanan Pillai (MD). Vellore (India): Christian Medical College, L. Jeyaseelan (PhD) and Abraham Peedicayil (MD).

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Although studies have documented the associations between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and mental health, few have been done in developing countries. In this study, the association between IPV and mental health in women from different developing countries was established. Women, 15 to 49 years old with at least one child 18 years old or younger, were randomly selected from communities in Chile, Egypt, India, and the Philippines (N = 3974). The Self Report questionnaire (SRQ) was used to assess mental health. Women with a score on the SRQ of 8 or more, or who reported ever attempting suicide, were classified as having poor mental health. Physical IPV was defined as being slapped, hit, kicked, beaten or threatened by a male partner during the past year. Psychological violence included being insulted or belittled, threatened or abandoned. Between 22.5% (in Egypt) to 41% (in Chile) of participating women reported a score of eight or more on the SRQ. High score on the SRQ were significantly associated with current physical and psychological IPV in the samples from all participating countries except Chile. Twelve percent of women in Chile, 2.6%, in Egypt, 7.5% in India and 1.6% in the Philippines reported attempting suicide. Suicide attempts were also associated with current physical IPV in the Philippines, Egypt, and India, and with psychological violence in Egypt and India. IPV is significant risk factor for poor mental health in these developing countries. Efforts to reduce IPV should be considered as part of a mental health program.

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A well-conducted multicenter study needs to assure standardization, uniformity of procedures, high data quality, and collaboration across sites. This manuscript describes the organization and dynamics of multicenter studies, focusing on governance and administrative structures among countries of diverse cultures. The organizational structure of a multicenter study is described, and a system for oversight and coordination, along with roles and responsibilities of participants in the multicenter study, are presented. The elements of a governance document are also reviewed, along with guidelines and policies for effective collaboration. The experience of an ongoing multi-country collaboration, the World Studies of Abuse in the Family Environment (WorldSAFE), illustrates the implementation of these guidelines. It is essential that multicenter studies have an objective coordinating center and that the investigators jointly develop a written governance document to enable collaboration and preserve collegiality among participating investigators.

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A well-conducted multicenter study needs to assure standardization, uniformity of procedures, high data quality, and collaboration across sites. This manuscript describes the organization and dynamics of multicenter studies, focusing on governance and administrative structures among countries of diverse cultures. The organizational structure of a multicenter study is described, and a system for oversight and coordination, along with roles and responsibilities of participants in the multicenter study, are presented. The elements of a governance document are also reviewed, along with guidelines and policies for effective collaboration. The experience of an ongoing multi-country collaboration, the World Studies of Abuse in the Family Environment (WorldSAFE), illustrates the implementation of these guidelines. It is essential that multicenter studies have an objective coordinating center and that the investigators jointly develop a written governance document to enable collaboration and preserve collegiality among participating investigators

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Presentamos un marco teórico-práctico de la metodología de los estudios de casos y controles incluyendo diseño y análisis. El propósito es mostrar elementos conceptuales prácticos al personal de salud interesado en la investigación, que provengan del área clínica, de servicios de salud o que se encuentren en una etapa de formación académica. Hacemos referencia a la versatilidad en la aplicación de este tipo de diseño en la investigación en salud. En el diseño destacamos los aspectos más importantes en la selección de los casos y los controles y hacemos consideraciones sobre la determinación de tamaño de muestra. Mostramos algunos aspectos del análisis estadístico con ejemplos concretos, con estimación de razones de momios y sus intervalos de confianza, así como los métodos para evaluar si una asociación encontrada puede estar afectada por la presencia de una covariable o factor confusor, para lo cual se revisa la prueba de homogeneidad y la prueba de Mantel-Haeszel ajustada. Por último revisamos el análisis de regresión logística que permite el ajuste simultáneo por varios factores de interés en este tipo de estudios

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