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Purpose: To conduct a review of the current state of the evidence for rehabilitation strategies post-fragility fracture., Methods: Narrative review conducted by the Rehabilitation Working Group of the International Osteoporosis Foundation Committee of Scientific Advisors characterizing the range of rehabilitation modalities instrumental for the management of fragility fractures., Results: Multi-modal exercise post-fragility fracture to the spine and hip is strongly recommended to reduce pain, improve physical function, and improve quality of life. Outpatient physiotherapy post-hip fracture has a stronger evidence base than outpatient physiotherapy post-vertebral fracture. Appropriate nutritional care after fragility fracture provides a large range of improvement in morbidity and mortality. Education increases understanding of osteoporosis which in turn increases utilization of other rehabilitation services. Education may improve other health outcomes such as pain and increase a patient's ability for self-advocacy., Conclusion: Rehabilitation interventions are inter-reliant, and research investigating the interaction of exercise, nutrition, and other multi-modal therapies may increase the relevance of rehabilitation research to clinical care., (© 2021. International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.)

Frida Kahlo's medical history shows sequelae of polio, a severe traumatic event that caused multiple fractures and a penetrating pelvic injury, as well as a history of countless surgeries. In her biographical accounts and her works, chronic disabling pain always appears for long periods. Besides, a chronic foot ulcer, gangrene that required amputation of the right leg, a history of abortions, and a positive Wasserman reaction suggest that the artist could have suffered from antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. This joint position statement of Latin American Medical Societies provides an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis., Background: Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. Characterized by high contagiousness, significative morbidity, and mortality in a segment of those infected, it has overwhelmed health services and forced to redirect resources to the emergency while impacting the attention of acute non-COVID-19 and many chronic conditions., Objective: The objective of this study is to provide an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis., Methods: A task force, of bone specialists with a wide range of disciplines in the field of osteoporosis and fragility fracture, was convened with the representation of several professional associations, namely, the Mexican Association of Bone and Mineral Metabolism (AMMOM), the National College of Geriatric Medicine (CONAMEGER), the Latin American Federation of Endocrinology (FELAEN), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FEMECOG), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Orthopedics and Traumatology (FEMECOT), and the Institute of Applied Sciences for Physical Activity and Sports of the University of Guadalajara (ICAAFYD). Clinical evidence was collated, and an evidence report was rapidly generated and disseminated. After finding the gaps in the available evidence, a consensus opinion of experts was made. The resulting draft was reviewed and modified accordingly, in 4 rounds, by the participants., Results: The task force approved the initial guidance statements, with moderate and high consensus. These were combined, resulting in the final guidance statements on the (1) evaluation of fracture risk; (2) stratification of risk priorities; (3) indications of bone density scans and lab tests; (4) initiation and continuation of pharmacologic therapy; (5) interruptions of therapy; (6) treatment of patients with incident fracture; (7) physical therapy and fall prevention; and (8) nutritional interventions., Conclusion: These guidance statements are provided to promote optimal care to patients at risk for osteoporosis and fracture, during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the low level of available evidence and the rapidly evolving literature, this guidance is presented as a "living document" and future updates are anticipated.

Frida Kahlo's medical history shows sequelae of polio, a severe traumatic event that caused multiple fractures and a penetrating pelvic injury, as well as a history of countless surgeries. In her biographical accounts and her works, chronic disabling pain always appears for long periods. Besides, a chronic foot ulcer, gangrene that required amputation of the right leg, a history of abortions, and a positive Wasserman reaction suggest that the artist could have suffered from antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Clinical trial results have shown that, in glucocorticoid-treated patients, treatment with denosumab 60 mg subcutaneously once every 6 months (Q6M) increased spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) at month 12 significantly more than treatment with risedronate 5 mg orally once daily (QD). The present analysis was performed to compare efficacy and characterize safety through month 24., Methods: This phase III study enrolled men and women ≥18 years old who had received ≥7.5 mg daily prednisone or equivalent for <3 months (glucocorticoid-initiating) or for ≥3 months (glucocorticoid-continuing) before screening. All patients <50 years old had a history of osteoporotic fracture. Glucocorticoid-continuing patients ≥50 years old had T scores of -2.0 or less (or -1.0 or less with fracture history). Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive denosumab 60 mg subcutaneously Q6M or risedronate 5 mg orally QD for 24 months, with daily calcium and vitamin D., Results: Of 795 patients, 590 (74.2%) completed the study (in the glucocorticoid-initiating group, 109 of 145 patients treated with denosumab and 117 of 145 patients treated with risedronate; in the glucocorticoid-continuing group, 186 of 253 patients treated with denosumab and 178 of 252 patients treated with risedronate). Denosumab was superior to risedronate in increasing lumbar spine and total hip BMD at all time points assessed, among glucocorticoid-initiating patients (24-month lumbar spine: BMD increase of 6.2% versus 1.7%, respectively [P < 0.001]; 24-month total hip: BMD increase of 3.1% versus 0.0% [P < 0.001]) and among glucocorticoid-continuing patients (24-month lumbar spine: BMD increase of 6.4% versus 3.2% [P < 0.001]; 24-month total hip: BMD increase of 2.9% versus 0.5% [P < 0.001]). Adverse events, serious adverse events (including infections), and fractures were similar between treatment groups., Conclusion: Denosumab was superior to risedronate in terms of increases in spine and hip BMD through month 24, and the safety profile was similar between treatment groups. Denosumab may offer a new osteoporosis treatment option for glucocorticoid-treated patients., (© 2019 The Authors. Arthritis & Rheumatology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Rheumatology.)

Objective: To measure the impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of a sample of Mexicans with vertebral fractures., Material and Methods: One hundred fifteen subjects with vertebral fractures were interviewed and compared with 135 subjects similar in age without the fracture. Subjects were men and women > 50 years of age with osteoporosis confirmed by bone mineral densitometry and with at least 1 vertebral fracture verified by vertebral morphometry and Xrays. The sample was recruited from two sources: The Clínica de Osteoporosis at the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación and a random sample from the Latin American Osteoporosis Study. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO) validated in Spanish for the Mexican population was applied. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical aspects of the sample, as well as χ2 for categorical variables and Student t test for independent samples for continuous variables. A multiple linear regression (LR) was conducted to characterize predictive variables related to quality of life., Results: Two hundred fifty subjects were interviewed; 64% of them were women. The average age of those interviewed was 73.4 ± 11.4 years; 46% of the sample had vertebral fractures; of them 43% of were lumbar and 57% thoracic; the most frequent site was L1-T12. Significant changes were found in the group with fractures in pain, physical function, social function, and mental function (p < 0.05); in women, pain and social function were different between groups (p < 0.05); and those over 70 years also presented differences in physical, social, and mental function (p < 0.05); differences were found associated with the place of recruitment being worse in their quality of life those coming from the Clínica de Osteoporosis. Two or more fractures, age, being female and widowed were significant predictors for greater deterioration of HRQoL with the LR., Conclusion: This is the first study looking at the HRQoL in osteoporosis related fractures in Mexicans were quality of life deterioration on physical, social, and emotional functioning was demonstrated in subjects with two vertebral fractures. Age is a determining factor for greater deterioration in all studied domains. Differences between the samples obtained at the Clínica de Osteoporosis at the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación and the random population exemplifying that asymptomatic fractures are common and not diagnosed. It is important to scrutinize vertebral fractures at the first level because their timely detection allows for their evaluation and treatment and diminishes the probability of a second fracture. Our results can be generalized to men and women over 50 who live in the central megalopolis and in other states of the Valley of México.

Objective: Data on when to stop use of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are scant. We assessed the length of remission and the rate of clinical relapse in patients with RA who had to discontinue treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ) because of the ending of longterm (5 yrs) open-label clinical trials., Methods: All patients at 2 participating centers in Mexico were in remission, defined as Disease Activity Score 28 ≤ 2.6, with no swollen joints at the time of the last TCZ infusion. Patients were followed thereafter every 8 weeks for 12 months or until relapse. Relapse was defined as the presence of ≥ 1 swollen joint. Doses of methotrexate and antiinflammatory drugs were not changed during the followup period., Results: Forty-five patients were analyzed, 87% were women (mean age 52 yrs, mean disease duration 14 yrs). During the 12 months of followup, 44% of patients maintained remission. Relapses occurred in 56% of patients: 14 during the first 3 months after the last TCZ administration. Retreatment using other agents achieved low disease activity or remission., Conclusion: Longterm clinical remission is possible in a number of patients with RA after suspension of TCZ. This effect has also been reported with other biologic agents. Additional data are required to support recommendations for discontinuing a biological agent after achieving remission.

Muscle strength plays an important role in determining risk for falls, which result in fractures and other injuries. While bone loss has long been recognized as an inevitable consequence of aging, sarcopenia-the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that occurs with advancing age-has recently received increased attention. A review of the literature was undertaken to identify nutritional factors that contribute to loss of muscle mass. The role of protein, acid-base balance, vitamin D/calcium, and other minor nutrients like B vitamins was reviewed. Muscle wasting is a multifactorial process involving intrinsic and extrinsic alterations. A loss of fast twitch fibers, glycation of proteins, and insulin resistance may play an important role in the loss of muscle strength and development of sarcopenia. Protein intake plays an integral part in muscle health and an intake of 1.0-1.2 g/kg of body weight per day is probably optimal for older adults. There is a moderate [corrected] relationship between vitamin D status and muscle strength. Chronic ingestion of acid-producing diets appears to have a negative impact on muscle performance, and decreases in vitamin B12 and folic acid intake may also impair muscle function through their action on homocysteine. An adequate nutritional intake and an optimal dietary acid-base balance are important elements of any strategy to preserve muscle mass and strength during aging.

Fostamatinib (R788) is a prodrug rapidly converted to its active metabolite on oral administration. This (known as R406) is a potent inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase, required for the expression of a number of proinflammatory cytokines. Fostamatinib has shown significantly superior efficacy (when compared with placebo) in the control of patients with rheumatoid arthritis not responding to methotrexate in Phase II clinical trials. Treatment emergent adverse events with a higher frequency than in those on placebo included diarrhea, hypertension, urinary tract infections, neutropenia and elevated transaminases. The studied doses have shown a linear pharmacokinetic pattern and the administration of methotrexate does not affect it. Fostamatinib may have a role in the therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with poor response to conventional therapy. If these results are confirmed once Phase III studies are completed, it may find a place in the evolving treatment algorithm for rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoporosis is a generalized disease of bone that increases fracture risk. Multiple factors influence this risk, besides low bone mass. To decrease osteoporotic fractures, those patients who require preventive management should be readily identified. This paper aims to review current information on the use of the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in Latin America. Bone mineral density measurement is currently the method of reference for evaluating the fracture risk and opting for treatment; but, it misses a notable proportion of individuals who have clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures. FRAX was designed to predict the 10-year absolute risk of sustaining a major osteoporotic fracture or a hip fracture. Although data is available for several countries, from Latin America, only Argentina appears in the current version of the tool. Its present use in other Latin American countries is possible with some adaptations based in similarities of epidemiological information of each country with some of the existing databases. The cutoff value beyond which treatment should be initiated needs to be determined, based not only on clinical criteria, but also on economic considerations.

This position paper of the International Osteoporosis Foundation makes recommendations for vitamin D nutrition in elderly men and women from an evidence-based perspective.

Unlabelled: This review describes the vitamin D status in different regions of the world with the objective of understanding the scope of hypovitaminosis D and the factors related to its prevalence that may contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and fragility fractures., Introduction: Vitamin D status has been linked to the pathogenesis of hip fractures as well as other skeletal and non-skeletal disorders. The purpose of this review is to provide a global perspective of vitamin D status across different regions of the world and to identify the common and significant determinants of hypovitaminosis D., Methods: Six regions of the world were reviewed-Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, and Oceania-through a survey of published literature., Results: The definition of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, as well as assay methodology for 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D, vary between studies. However, serum 25(OH)D levels below 75 nmol/L are prevalent in every region studied whilst levels below 25 nmol/L are most common in regions such as South Asia and the Middle East. Older age, female sex, higher latitude, winter season, darker skin pigmentation, less sunlight exposure, dietary habits, and absence of vitamin D fortification are the main factors that are significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D levels., Conclusion: Reports from across the world indicate that hypovitaminosis D is widespread and is re-emerging as a major health problem globally.

Unlabelled: In the first population-based study of vertebral fractures in Latin America, we found a 11.18 (95% CI 9.23-13.4) prevalence of radiographically ascertained vertebral fractures in a random sample of 1,922 women from cities within five different countries. These figures are similar to findings from studies in Beijing, China, some regions of Europe, and slightly lower than those found in the USA using the same standardized methodology., Introduction: We report the first study of radiographic vertebral fractures in Latin America., Methods: An age-stratified random sample of 1,922 women aged 50 years and older from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico were included. In all cases a standardized questionnaire and lateral X-rays of the lumbar and thoracic spine were obtained after informed consent., Results: A standardized prevalence of 11.18 (95% CI 9.23-13.4) was found. The prevalence was similar in all five countries, increasing from 6.9% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) in women aged 50-59 years to 27.8% (95% CI 23.1-32.4) in those 80 years and older (p for trend < 0.001). Among different risk factors, self-reported height loss OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.18-2.25), and previous history of fracture OR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.14-2.03) were significantly (p < 0.003 and p < 0.04 respectably) associated with the presence of radiographic vertebral fractures in the multivariate analysis. In the bivariate analyses HRT was associated with a 35% lower risk OR = 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46-0.93) and physical activity with a 27% lower risk of having a vertebral fracture OR = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.55-0.98), but were not statistically significant in multivariate analyses, Conclusion: We conclude that radiographically ascertained vertebral fractures are common in Latin America. Health authorities in the region should be aware and consider implementing measures to prevent vertebral fractures.

The frequency of osteoporosis and fragility fractures has been studied to a very limited extent in few developing countries. The aim of this paper is to review briefly the burden of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in these countries and to propose some strategies for the prevention and control of those conditions, considering barriers and facilitators for their implementation. The evolution of the demographic composition in most regions with developing countries shows a considerable increase in life expectancy and therefore, a significant growth in elderly population can be expected. Reports on the incidence of fragility fractures show figures in many of those countries that are comparable to those found in developed nations. Health resources (for acute treatment of fractures, their rehabilitation and chronic management, for diagnostic centers and drug therapy for osteoporosis) are limited in most of those regions and are allocated to other health priorities. Internationally accepted guidelines can be adapted to the realities of developing nations and may be promoted by organizations of health professionals and patients, but require endorsement and support by health authorities. The steps should include: (a) campaigns to increase awareness, both among the population at risk and relevant health workers; (b) the promotion of a preventive lifestyle in the general population; (c) the development of national or regional, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis; (d) development and implementation of guidelines for the treatment of fragility fractures, their rehabilitation and prevention of falls; (e) collection of economic data on fractures and osteoporosis; and (f) development of country-specific fracture databases. These steps may help in reducing the increasing burden of osteoporotic fractures. Their implementation will require solid scientific basis and commitment from policy makers, health professionals, patient organizations, and ultimately the general population.

Objective: To develop a simple and easy-to-use tool for identifying osteoporotic women (femoral neck bone mineral density [BMD] T-scoresor=50 in Latin America who had femoral neck BMD measurements., Measurements and Main Results: A risk index was developed from 1,547 patients based on least square regression using age, weight, history of fractures, and other variables as predictors for BMD T-score. The final model was simplified by reducing the number of predictors; sensitivity and specificity were evaluated before and after reducing the number of predictors to assess performance of the index. The final model included age, weight, country, estrogen use, and history of fractures as significant predictors for T-score. The resulting scoring index achieved 91% sensitivity and 47% specificity. Simplifying the index by using only age and weight yielded similar performance (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 45%). Three risk categories were identified based on OsteoRisk, the index using only age and body weight: high-risk patients (index <=-2; 65.6% were osteoporotic), moderate-risk patients (-2< index <=1; 26.7% were osteoporotic), and low-risk patients (index>1; 8% were osteoporotic). Similar results were seen in a validation sample of 279 women in Brazil., Conclusion: Age and weight alone performed well for predicting the risk of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. The OsteoRisk is an easy-to-use tool that effectively targets the vast majority of osteoporotic patients in Latin America for evaluation with BMD.

Osteoporosis causes considerable morbidity, mortality and resource utilization in industrialized nations. Its burden is relatively well known in United States and Canada, but poorly studied in the rest of America. This study aimed to discover the burden of osteoporosis in Latin America through a review of literature and publicly available information. In this transversal and descriptive study, information from 20 countries in Latin American region was collected from diverse published and electronic sources. Rheumatologists and bone specialists were asked for additional information through a questionnaire created by consensus. In the year 2000, the population of the Latin America and Caribbean region was 524 million from diverse ethnic origins. On average, 5.5% of the population is 65 years and older. However, with life expectancy higher than 70 years in most countries, a significant growth in the elderly population is anticipated. Studies using World Health Organization's criteria for osteoporosis report 12-18% of women 50 years and older with vertebral osteoporosis and 8-22% with proximal femur osteoporosis. Community based studies in Argentina reported between 263 and 331 hip fractures per 100,000 people 50 years and older. Hospital based studies in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela reported between 40 and 362 hip fractures per 100,000 persons aged 50 and more. Between 17 and 37% of hip fracture sufferers die in the year following fracture. Prevalence of vertebral fractures in community-dwelling women aged 50 and more in Mexico is 19.35%. Data on other fractures are rare. Direct costs of a hip fracture ranged from $4500 to $6000. National gross income per capita in the region ranges from $410 to $7550. The burden of osteoporosis varies across countries with differences in populations and health resources. Considerable support for research is required, since numerous gaps in knowledge need to be filled to face the anticipated explosive growth in osteoporotic fractures.

Background: The "burnout syndrome" is characterized by emotional exhaustion, despersonalization and decrease of the feeling of personal accomplishment, above all, in the field of professional achievement. It appears to be frequent in the helping professions and the human services workers, and in its origin labour factors seem to intervent., Hypothesis: The "burnout syndrome" can be affecting to the collective of spanish pediatric surgeons since the profession presents risk factors., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of "burnout" and level of work satisfaction among spanish pediatric surgeons, and related factors. METHODS., Design: [corrected] Crossover descriptive study., Subjects: Random sample of members of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Surgery., Measurements: A survey for self-administration with social and demographic variables, a spanish version of the Maslach Bournout Inventory (MBI), and the Font Roja questionnaire was used. The MBI consists of 22 items and the Font Roja of 24. Respectively, they explore the components of the syndrome and the factors of satisfaction with the work. It is considered "burnout" when it is scoring high in emotional exhaustion and despersonalization and low in personal achievement., Results: 85 people responded (response rate: 45.5%. Male: 81.2%. Mean age: 49.8 years. Burnout scores were in the average range (43.88 +/- 5.59). The emotional exhaustion subscale of the MBI averaged 19.16 +/- 5.35, with 75.3% in the moderate range. The despersonalization score averaged 11.79 +/- 3.68, with 45.9% of respondents scoring in the high range. The personal achievement subscore averaged 12.93 +/- 3.68, with 82.4% scoring in the low range. The overall mean satisfaction: 70.46 +/- 11.23. The factors that promote a greater satisfaction level are: intrinsic occupational satisfaction, social relationship in the work and appropriateness for the task., Conclusions: It exists a moderate level of "burnout syndrome" with a middle level of work satisfaction. Though contradictory this circumstance is possible, since it is considered professional satisfied with their profession (vocational election) that at the same time lives some difficult work conditions that generate a situation of high exhaustion professional.

Background: The written information that is provided to the patient must gather a series of characteristics, quantitative and qualitative, so that fulfill the ethical criteria that govern the theory of the Informed Consent., Aims: To evaluated the degree of exhaustivity and readability of a series of Informed Consents forms in Pediatric Surgery units., Material and Methods: 1. Forms: We evaluated 118 consent forms submitted by 17 pediatric surgery units. 2. Exhaustivity: The studied variables have been: name of the hospital, name of the patient, name of the physician, date, description of the procedure, objectives, risks mention, personalized risks, possibility of recovery, benefits of the procedure, alternatives, possibility from withdrawing the assent, arrangement to widen the information, comprehension of the document, express assent and signatures. All the variables are dichotomics, being collected your presence or absence. 3. Readability: Each document has been introduced in the program "Corel Word Perfect". It was applied to the usefulness "Grammatik" and were collected: number of words, number of phrases, Flesch/Kincaid index, Orational Complexity index and LEGIN index., Results: 1. Exhaustivity: The paragraphs presence in the different forms by order of frequency were: physician signature (100%), express assent (100%), signatures (100%), date (98%), name of the patient (97%), comprehension of the forms (97%), name of the physician (94%), risks mention (92%), name of the hospital (85%), description of the procedure (78%), possibility from withdrawing the assent (70%), personalized risks (67%), arrangement to widen information (43%), to explain alternatives (41%), objectives of the procedure (36%), benefits (36%), and possibility of the recovery (16%). 2. Readability: 11.1% of the forms fulfills the Flesch index, 27.9% the Orational Complexity index, and 22.1% LEGIN index., Conclusions: Most of the documents offer sufficient quantity of information with respect to the formal aspect and the risks an less with respect to the benefits. This seems to indicate your defensive character. Equally, they are difficult to reading and by difficult to understanding.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that, between 30-60% of the cases, the urgent attention demand is considered inappropriate. This situation causes an increase in the sanitary costs and supposes for the patient a partial medical care. In the area of the Pediatric Surgery we have not found any work accomplished to such effect., Design: Transverse observational study., Setting: Emergency Service of a University Hospital., Patients: a sample random (alpha: 0.05; precision: 0.05) of the patients attended during 1998., Main Outcome Measures: Dependent: appropriateness. Independent: age, gender, proximity, diagnostic, studies of the parents, previous assistance, if attends by own initiative and motives that induce to demand. It was considered hospital emergency, continuing the criteria of the WHO, when it is considered vital emergency or when there is using of therapeutic or diagnostic means nor available in an primary level of health care. The statistic treatment consisted of a relative frequencies analysis, test x2 and t Student., Results: Of 2,226 cases attended in emergency service, they have 441 reviewed (age: 5.54 years; 63% male). The most frequent diagnoses have been: injuries and small traumatisms (39.7%), abdominal pain (22.2%), burns (3.6%), appendicitis (3.2%) and hernias (3.2%); 86.2% attended by own initiative. The proximity (19.9%), the alarm by the symptoms (13.1%) and the ignorance of the existence of other level of health care (10%) have been the causes by the parents for attention demand. The 63.9% of the visits were considered inappropriate. It has been found relationship between inappropriate use and age (p < 0.02), proximity (p < 0.003), to attend by own initiative (p < 0.001), and expectation of the parents (p < 0.02). It does not exist relationship to the gender or the studies level of the parents., Conclusions: These data suggest that in the Emergency Services exists a high appropriateness. The accessibility, the availability of means, the rapidity of the attention and who takes the decision of attending are variable associated to the appropriateness.

The aim of this study was to generate standard curves for normal spinal and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) in Mexican women using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to analyze geographic differences and to compare these with 'Hispanic' reference data to determine its applicability. This was a cross-sectional study of 4460 urban, clinically normal, Mexican women, aged 20-90 years, from 10 different cities in Mexico (5 in the north, 4 in the center and 1 in the southeast) with densitometry centers. Women with suspected medical conditions or who had used drugs affecting bone metabolism, were excluded. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly higher (1.089 +/- 0.18 g/cm2) in women from the northern part of Mexico, with intermediate values in the center (1.065 +/- 0.17 g/cm2) and lower values (1.013 +/- 0.19 g/cm2) in the southeast (p < 0.0001). Similarly, femoral neck BMD was significantly higher in women from the north (0.895 +/- 0.14 g/cm2), intermediate in the center (0.864 +/- 0.14 g/cm2) and lower (0.844 +/- 0.14 g/cm ) in the southeast part of Mexico (p < 0.0001). Northern Mexican women tend to be taller and heavier than women from the center and, even more, than those from the southeast of Mexico (p < 0.0001). However, these differences in BMD remained significant after adjustment for weight (p < 0.0001). A significant loss (p < 0.0001) in BMD was observed from 40 to 69 years of age at the lumbar spine and up to the eighth decade at the femoral neck. Higher and lower lumbar spine values, as compared with the 'Hispanic' population, were observed in Mexican mestizo women from the northern and southeastern regions, respectively. In conclusion, there are geographic differences in weight and height of Mexican women, and in BMD despite adjustment for weight.

Background: There is wide-spread consensus that a part of the use of hospital resources is inadequate in the sense that the patients receive services that do not provide them with any significant benefits, or that could be more beneficial, or less costly, with a lower care standard., Objective: The main aim of this work is to determine the percentage of inadequate stays in a pediatric surgery service and to identify the causes that provoke them., Method: It was a concurrent study in pediatric patients entered, at least 24 hours, by different disease for surgery, observation or study. Revising trained applied the pediatric version of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol on the medical records of these patients. It has been measured if the stay was appropriated or not, and the cause., Results: The studied patients (279) caused a total of 1,001 stays of those which 373 (37.3%) were deemed to be unnecessary. The diseases with greater number of inappropriate stays were cryptorchidia (97.3%), hernia (88.9%), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (50%), and soft tissues surgery (43.1%). A 68.2% of the unnecessary stays were responsibility of the hospital-service-surgeon, a 22.6% to the associated environment-familiar, and a 9.2% to the lack of alternative resources to the hospital., Conclusions: A meaningful proportion by day of hospital stay would be avoided. The unnecessary stays search facilitates the weak points identification on those which to develop improvement actions.