RESUMEN
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the establishment of preventive measures against contagion during the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic tests in gastroenterology. Digestive tract motility tests involve an intermediate and elevated risk for the transmission of COVID-19 infection. Given their elective or non-urgent indication in the majority of cases, we recommend postponing those tests until significant control of the infection rate in each Latin American country has been achieved during the pandemic. When the health authorities allow the return to normality, and in the absence of an effective treatment for or preventive vaccine against COVID-19 infection, we recommend a strict protocol for classifying patients according to their infectious-contagious status through the appropriate use of tests for the detection of the virus and the immune response to it, and the following of protective measures by the healthcare personnel to prevent contagion during the performance of a gastrointestinal motility test.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Gastroenterología/normas , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/diagnóstico , Control de Infecciones/normas , Neurología/normas , Pandemias/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Pruebas Respiratorias , COVID-19 , Prueba de COVID-19 , Técnicas de Laboratorio Clínico , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , Monitorización del pH Esofágico/normas , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/terapia , Motilidad Gastrointestinal , Humanos , Control de Infecciones/métodos , Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa de Paciente a Profesional/prevención & control , América Latina , Manometría/normas , Selección de Paciente , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , Sociedades MédicasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The development and validation of questionnaires for evaluating quality of life (QoL) has become an important area of research. However, there is a proliferation of non-validated measuring instruments in the health setting that do not contribute to advances in scientific knowledge. AIMS: To present, through the analysis of available validated questionnaires, a checklist of the practical aspects of how to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of QoL questionnaires (generic, or disease-specific) so that no step is overlooked in the evaluation process, and thus help prevent the elaboration of insufficient or incomplete validations. METHODS: We have consulted basic textbooks and Pubmed databases using the following keywords quality of life, questionnaires, and gastroenterology, confined to «validation studies¼ in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and with no time limit, for the purpose of analyzing the translation and validation of the questionnaires available through the Mapi Institute and PROQOLID websites. RESULTS: A checklist is presented to aid in the planning and carrying out of the cross-cultural adaptation of QoL questionnaires, in conjunction with a glossary of key terms in the area of knowledge. The acronym DSTAC was used, which refers to each of the 5 stages involved in the recommended procedure. In addition, we provide a table of the QoL instruments that have been validated into Spanish. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides information on how to adapt QoL questionnaires from a cross-cultural perspective, as well as to minimize common errors.
Asunto(s)
Comparación Transcultural , Calidad de Vida , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Lenguaje , Psicometría , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , TraduccionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: obstructed defecation is one of the most common subtypes of constipation, and it is frequently responsive to biofeedback treatment. AIMS: since a history of sexual and physical abuse may be present in patients with obstructed defecation, we assessed the incidence of abuse history in patients with obstructed defecation referred to a general gastroenterology practice, and whether such a history may lead to a different outcome of biofeedback training in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: one hundred and twenty-one patients (17 men, 104 women, age 53 +/- 15 years) with obstructed defecation were studied by retrospective chart review. Their history of sexual, physical and psychological abuse was obtained by a standard interview, and biofeedback training was carried out by means of a three-balloon technique. RESULTS: a history of sexual/physical or psychological abuse was present in 12.4% patients. Biofeedback training yielded a successful improvement of obstructed defecation in 93% patients without abuse and in 100% of patients with abuse; this difference was not statistically different (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of sexual/physical or psychological abuse in a population of patients with obstructed defecation referred to a general gastroenterology practice is relatively low; such a history seems not to affect the outcome of biofeedback training in these patients.
Asunto(s)
Biorretroalimentación Psicológica , Estreñimiento/etiología , Estreñimiento/terapia , Delitos Sexuales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Obstructed defecation is one subtype of constipation, and may be due to functional or mechanical causes. Here, we report an unusual cause, never described before, of obstructed defecation due to a large uterine myoma that reverted to normal bowel habits after surgery. The importance of an accurate evaluation of the causes of constipation is highlighted, to recognize potential curable factors.