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Resumen Introducción. El pueblo hitnü vive en condiciones sanitarias precarias, con inseguridad alimentaria y víctima de la violencia sociopolítica en Arauca (Colombia). Además, se sospecha que pueden estar afectados por la exposición a los hidrocarburos del petróleo. Objetivo. Identificar los eventos de salud del perfil de morbilidad y mortalidad de los indígenas hitnü que podrían asociarse con la exposición a petróleo crudo. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal con indígenas hitnü, durante febrero y marzo de 2021, época de sequía. Se aplicó un cuestionario de hogares y uno individual para recolectar datos del ambiente peridomiciliario, ocupaciones y otras actividades, así como datos sociodemográficos, signos, síntomas y hallazgos de un examen médico. La potencial asociación con los hidrocarburos se exploró considerando tres grupos, según su localización: cabecera de Arauca, resguardo Aspejená (no expuestos) y resguardos de San José del Lipa y La Vorágine (expuestos por su cercanía al río Ele y afluentes). Con listados libres, se exploraron las causas de muerte. El estudio incorporó un riguroso manejo intercultural en todos sus componentes. Resultados. Participaron 576 indígenas de 16 asentamientos. El agua consumida pudo servir como medio de exposición a los hidrocarburos. Los problemas de salud fueron muy variados e incluían enfermedades infecciosas y crónicas, malnutrición y trauma. Las masas en el cuello se asociaron con residir en los resguardos ancestrales (RP=3,86; IC95% 1,77-8,39), territorios potencialmente expuestos al petróleo. Las causas de muerte más relevantes fueron el homicidio, los tumores y la tuberculosis. Conclusión: Por su posible asociación con los hidrocarburos, es prioritario el estudio intercultural de linfoadenopatías entre indígenas potencialmente expuestos al petróleo. Abstract Introduction: The Hitnü indigenous people live in precarious sanitary conditions, with food insecurity and being victims of sociopolitical violence in Arauca, Colombia. In addition, it is possible that they may be affected by exposure to hydrocarbons found in oil. Objective: To identify the health outcomes of morbidity and mortality profiles of the Hitnü people that could be associated with the exposure to crude oil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with Hitnü indigenous people, during February and March, 2021, time of drought. A household questionnaire was applied, and one individual to collect data from the environment around the house, occupations and other activities, as well as data from sociodemographic, signs, symptoms, and findings of a medical examination. The potential association with hydrocarbons was explored considering three groups: inhabitants in Arauca city, Aspejaná reserve (not exposed), and San José del Lipa and La Vorágine reserves (exposed by the Ele river and tributaries). With free listings, causes of death were explored. The study incorporated a rigorous intercultural management in all its components. Results: A total of 576 indigenous people from 16 settlements participated. The water consumed could serve as means of exposure to hydrocarbons. Health problems were very varied, including infectious and chronic diseases, malnutrition, and trauma. The masses on the neck were associated with residing in the ancestral reserves (PR = 3.86; CI95% 1.77-8.39), territories with potential exposure to crude-oil. The most relevant causes of death were homicide, tumors, and tuberculosis. Conclusion: For its possible association with exposure to hydrocarbons, it is a priority to start the intercultural study of lymphadenopathies in indigenous communities potentially exposed to crude oil.

Background: Topical treatments and botulinum toxin injections are valid options for the management of patients with chronic anal fissures (CAF) but little is known about the efficacy in a long-term follow-up. The aim of this meta-analysis was evaluate the effectiveness, given to clinical outcomes of medical treatments in adults. Method: this manuscript was developed according to PRISMA [23, 25] and registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42020120386). A systematic literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized control trials that compared medical treatment were identified; publications had to have a clinical definition of CAF with at least one of the following signs or symptoms: visible sphincter fibers at the base of the fissure, anal papillae, sentinel piles, and indurated margins. The symptoms had to be chronic for at least 4 weeks. Results: 17 randomized trials met the inclusion criteria. Diltiazem showed a superior effect compared with glycerin (RR = 1.16 [95% CI = 1.05-1.30]; I2 = 18%), and with fewer adverse effects (RR = 0.13 [95% CI = 0 , 04-0.042]; I2 = 87%). Similar results were evidenced with the use of nifedipine compared with lidocaine (RR = 4.53 [95% CI = 2.99-6.86]; I2 = 28%). Botulinum toxin did not show statistically significant differences compared to glycerin (RR = 0.81 [95% CI = 0.02-29.36]; I2 = 93%) or isosorbide dinitrate (RR = 1.45 [CI 95% = 0.32-6.54]; I2 = 85%). Regarding recurrence, nifedipine was superior to lidocain (RR = 0.18 [95% CI = 0.08-0.44]; I2 = 31%). Conclusions: Calcium channel blockers performed well regarding the healing of CAF when compared to others in long-term follow-up. The superiority of botulinum toxin was not evidenced compared to topical treatments. More studies are needed to better assess recurrence rates.

espanolEn los ultimos anos, la prevalencia de la miopia en el mundo ha aumentado significativamente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la prevalencia combinada de la miopia en America segun las siguientes categorias: edad, raza, genero y region. Se realizo una revision sistematica de la literatura en las bases de datos Medline, Embase y Lilacs, con el objetivo de buscar estudios transversales con informacion sobre la prevalencia de miopia. Para encontrar la prevalencia combinada se utilizo el metodo de doble arco sinusoidal de efectos fijos o aleatorios de Freeman-Tukey. Se analizaron 15 estudios que incluyeron a 45.349 personas de Estados Unidos, Brasil y Paraguay, de 0 a 96 anos. El rango de prevalencia vario del 1,2 % al 48 % con diferencias entre hombres y mujeres del 18,4 % [IC del 95 %: 13,9-22,8] y el 19,8 % [IC del 95 %: 18,9-20,7], respectivamente. La prevalencia global en las zonas rurales fue del 1,4% [IC del 95 %: 1,3-1,5] y en las zonas urbanas del 14,3 % [IC del 95 %: 13,3-15,2]. Al mismo tiempo, se identificaron algunas diferencias basadas en la raza. En el caso de la raza blanca 15,4 % [IC 95 %: 14,4-16,3], raza negra 20,6 % [IC 95 %: 19,6-21,5] y otras razas (espanola, no espanola y afroamericana) 2,9 % [95 % CI: 1,97-3,82]. Las cifras mas bajas de prevalencia de miopia se identificaron en areas rurales en ninos en edad preescolar; Es probable que exista una relacion en el uso y el tiempo de exposicion a elementos electronicos como pantallas en contraste con el desarrollo de otras actividades en interiores. EnglishIn recent years, prevalence of myopia in the world has increased significantly. The aim of this research work is to consider the combined prevalence of myopia in America, according to the following categories: age, race, gender, and region. Such research will be done also in harmony with the reports found in scientific literature. A systematic review of the literature found in the following databases was carried out: medline, embase, and lilacs. The aim was searching cross-sectional studies containing myopia prevalence information. To find the combined prevalence, the double arc sine method of fixed or random effects by Freeman-Tukey was used. 15 research studies that included 45.349 individuals from the United States, Brazil, and Paraguay, were identified in the literature; studies of subjects aged 0-96 years old. The prevalence of myopia varied from 1,2% to 48% with differences between male and female of 18,4% [95% CI: 13,9-22,8] and 19,8% [95% CI: 18,9-20,7], respectively. The global prevalence of myopia in rural areas was 1,4% [95% CI: 1,3-1,5], and in urban areas 14,3% [95% CI: 13,3-15,2]. At the same time, some differences were identified based on race. In the case of the white race 15,4% [95% CI: 14,4-16,3], Afrodescendants 20,6% [95% CI: 19,6-21,5] and other races (Spanish, non-Spanish, and African American) 2,9% [95% CI: 1,97-3,82]. The lowest figures of myopia prevalence were identified in rural areas in pre-school children (14,1%). There is, probably, a relationship in use and exposure time to electronic items such as screens, in contrast with the development of other indoor activities as outdoor exposure as an environmental factor to slow myopia.

Introduction: Rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody tests can play an important role in the COVID-19 surveillance by supporting the diagnosis of infection, assessing the immune response, and verifying the progress towards herd immunity. Objective: To evaluate the performance of rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody tests in COVID-19 occupational surveillance in a group of Colombian enterprises. Materials and methods: We used the occupational surveillance data from companies that had performed periodic serological tests on all personnel from the end of April to the beginning of July, 2020. Workers were organized in small groups (“social bubbles”) to prevent outbreaks and optimize surveillance. The sensitivity was estimated as if the sampling had a prospective design. We describe here the changes in serological testing through periodic rounds. Results: Data were obtained from 4,740 workers, of whom only 23 were symptomatic showing changes from IgM(-)/IgG(-) to IgM(+) and then to IgM(+)/IgG(+) and IgG(+). The sensitivity was 40.94% for IgM(+) and 47.95% for IgM(+)/IgG(+). This implies that a little less than half of the cases can be detected. Conclusion: Antibody rapid tests have a role in the diagnostic process of infection and they must be evaluated taking into account the moment of the epidemic, the type of test purchased, and the populations at risk since their results depend on the number of infections and cases. In the context of a health crisis, they can be optimized by organizing workers into “social bubbles”Introducción. Las pruebas combinadas de IgM e IgG rápidas pueden tener un papel importante en la vigilancia de la COVID-19 y en su diagnóstico, así como en la evaluación de la respuesta inmunológica y la verificación de los avances hacia la inmunidad de rebaño. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño de las pruebas rápidas de anticuerpos en la vigilancia ocupacional de la COVID-19 en un grupo de empresas colombianas. Materiales y métodos. Se usaron datos de la vigilancia ocupacional de empresas que hicieron pruebas serológicas periódicas a todo el personal desde finales de abril hasta comienzos de julio de 2020. Los trabajadores laboraban en grupos pequeños ("burbujas sociales") para evitar brotes y optimizar la vigilancia. La sensibilidad se estimó como si el muestreo respondiera a un diseño prospectivo. Se describieron, asimismo, los cambios en las pruebas serológicas por medio de rondas periódicas. Resultados. Se obtuvieron datos de 4.740 trabajadores, de los cuales solo 23 eran sintomáticos. En ellos se evidenciaron cambios de IgM(-)/IgG(-) a IgM(+), y luego a IgM(+)/IgG(+) e IgG(+). La sensibilidad fue de 40,94 % para las IgM(+) y 47,95 % para las IgM(+)/IgG(+), lo que implica que se pudo detectar un poco menos de la mitad de los casos. Conclusión. Las pruebas rápidas de anticuerpos tienen un papel en el proceso diagnóstico de la infección y deben evaluarse teniendo en cuenta el momento de la epidemia, el tipo de prueba comprada y las poblaciones de riesgo, dado que sus resultados dependen del número de contagios y de casos. En el contexto de la presente crisis sanitaria pueden optimizarse si se organizan los trabajadores en "burbujas sociales".

BackgroundThe current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has especially affected individuals living in conglomerate settings having poverty as common characteristic. However, evidence of the association between COVID-19 severity and social determinants is still scarce, particularly, for Latin American countries. The objective was to assess the effect of socioeconomic deprivation in the clinical severity of COVID-19 infection among different localities of Bogotá, Colombia.MethodsSecondary analyses using data of SARS-CoV-2 infected cases in Bogotá from 6 March 2020 to 19 April 2020 were carried out. Direct and indirect indicators of deprivation at area level and individual demographic characteristics (age, sex and type of case) were included in the analyses.Findings1684 COVID-19 cases were included in the study. There were 217 (12.9%; 95% CI 11.3 to 14.5) serious cases, of which 32.6% (95% CI 26.4 to 38.8) cases were deceased. In the multilevel logistic regression, age, sex (female), type of case (different of imported case), number of serious cases recorded the previous day and multidimensional poverty were associated with serious cases (median OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.87).InterpretationThis paper explored the association between COVID-19 severity and social determinants. Expressions of poverty were associated with more severe cases during first 2 months of pandemic. It is a clear syndemic for the joint presentation of COVID-19 and other comorbidities among more serious cases.

Introduction: Public health surveillance together with good sanitary decisions is essential for the proper management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objective: To compare the performance of Colombian departments based on the quality of the data and to build the national ranking. Materials and methods: We analyzed the accumulated cases published between March 6 and September 1, 2020, by the Instituto Nacional de Salud. To achieve comparability, the analyses considered the day the first case was diagnosed as the first analysis date for each department. The fulfillment of Benford’s law was assessed with p-values in the log-likelihood ratio or chi-square tests. The analysis was completed with the lethality observed in each department and then the performance ranking was established. Results: Bogotá and Valle del Cauca had optimal public health surveillance performance all along. The data suggest that Antioquia, Nariño, and Tolima had good containment and adequate public health surveillance after the economic opening beginning on June 1, 2020. Conclusion: We obtained the ranking of the departments regarding the quality of public health surveillance data. The best five departments can be case studies to identify the elements associated with good performance.Introducción. La vigilancia en salud pública y las decisiones sanitarias recomendadas son fundamentales para el manejo adecuado de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo. Hacer una evaluación comparativa del desempeño de los departamentos colombianos de este atributo del sistema de vigilancia con base en la calidad de los datos y construir la clasificación nacional según el desempeño. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron los casos acumulados publicados por el Instituto Nacional de Salud entre el 6 de marzo y el 1° de septiembre de 2020. Para la comparación, los análisis consideraron el día en que se diagnosticó el primer caso como la primera fecha de análisis de cada departamento. El cumplimiento de la ley de Benford se evaluó con los valores de p en las pruebas de razón del logaritmo de la verosimilitud o ji al cuadrado. Se completó el análisis del atributo de calidad del dato con la letalidad observada en cada departamento, y se estableció la clasificación según el desempeño. Resultados. La ciudad de Bogotá y el departamento del Valle del Cauca tuvieron un desempeño óptimo en la vigilancia en salud pública durante todo el periodo observado. Los datos sugieren que los departamentos de Antioquia, Nariño y Tolima tuvieron una buena contención y una adecuada vigilancia en salud pública después de la apertura económica iniciada el 1° de junio de 2020. Conclusión. Se obtuvo una clasificación de los departamentos y de Bogotá según la calidad de los datos de vigilancia en salud pública. Los mejores cinco entes territoriales pueden ser casos de estudio para determinar los elementos asociados con el buen desempeño.

ResumenInvestigar factores asociados al resultado visual después de tres meses de cirugía refractiva con LASEK.Materiales y métodosEstudio retrospectivo observacional, analítico de casos y controles de base hospitalaria, realizado en el Instituto de Córnea, en Bogotá, Colombia, con un total de 140 pacientes con cirugía refractiva LASEK distribuidos en 70 casos y 70 controles. Los parámetros evaluados en el prequirúrgico fueron sexo, edad, presión intraocular, histéresis corneal, grosor corneal, equivalente esférico, en el quirúrgico como ablación corneal y en el posquirúrgico equivalente esférico, presión intraocular, queratometría y complicaciones oculares.ResultadosEl 66.43% (n=93) de los pacientes eran mujeres y el 33.57% (n=47) hombres; la edad promedio fue de 33 años, con un mínimo de 20 años y un máximo de 54 años. Se diagnosticó miopía en el 17.86% (n=25) de los casos y astigmatismo miópico en el 82.14% (n=115). Equivalente esférico −2.82 DE 1.18 en el prequirúrgico. Durante la intervención se ocluyó el punto lagrimal al 92.14% (n=129). Al siguiente día de la intervención el 16.43% (n=23) de los pacientes presentaron dolor, con una epitelización corneal completa al siguiente día del 14.29% (n=20). El 1.43% (n=2) presentó turbidez epitelial (haze) y el 10.71% (n=15) complicaciones oculares relacionadas con ardor ocular y sensación de sequedad ocular. El modelo de regresión logística reveló que, después de ajustar por oclusión del punto lagrimal, presión intraocular y cantidad de cilindro prequirúrgico, las variables se mantuvieron significativas (p˂0.05).ConclusionesLa oclusión del punto lagrimal durante la intervención con LASEK puede mejorar el resultado visual transcurridos tres meses después de la cirugía. La presión intraocular y la cantidad de cilindro son factores asociados a este desenlace.AbstractTo investigate factors associated with visual result after three months of refractive surgery LASEK.Materials and methodsobservational, analytical retrospective case-control study of hospital-based, conducted at the Institute of Cornea in Bogota - Colombia, with a total of 140 patients with refractive surgery LASEK in 70 cases and 70 controls. Parameters in the presurgical as sex, age, intraocular pressure, corneal hysteresis, corneal thickness, spherical equivalent, in the surgical corneal ablation and as postsurgical spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, eye complications keratometry and were evaluated.Results66.43% (n=93) were female and 33.57% (n=47) men, the average age was 33 years, a minimum of 20 years and maximum of 54 years. Diagnosed with myopia in 17.86% (n=25) and myopic astigmatism in 82.14% (n=115). -2.82 Spherical equivalent of 1.18 in the preoperative. During the intervention the punctal occluded was to 92.14% (n=129). The day after surgery the 16.43% (n=23) had pain with a full corneal epithelialization the day after the 14.29% (n=20). The 1.43% (n=2) had epithelial turbidity (haze) and 10.71% (n=15) related eye complications and ocular burning sensation of dry eye. The logistic regression model revealed that after adjusting for punctal occlusion, intraocular pressure and amount of preoperative cylinder, these variables remained significant (p

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) has led to the elaboration of multiple studies to increase knowledge and understanding, hence, having the ability to accomplish an adequate and timely diagnosis and give an optimal treatment according to the patient's condition. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 pose a series of challenges both in understanding and delimiting the disease secondary to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is due to the fact that the main axis of this disease is the endothelial compromise and the production of a "cytokine storm," triggering multiple organ failure and death. Given that a complete understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical behavior has not yet been achieved, we wondered if coinfection with other respiratory viruses modifies its performance and outcomes described so far. A literature search was performed, obtaining 68 articles, of which 25 were analyzed. The analysis showed us that there is a high variety both in the types of associated infections and in the clinical behavior of patients and their outcomes. Therefore, we consider that the search for other infections should be performed exhaustively, especially in those cases that may be susceptible to treatment such as Influenza A, human immunodeficiency virus, or bacterial infections. As well as optimize the analysis of these cases and establish if there are characteristics that allow establishing the possibility of carrying an additional infection to that of SARS-CoV-2 and the implications for the management and prognosis of the patient.

Introduction: The COVID pandemic is a challenge for public health surveillance and an opportunity to assess its strengths and weaknesses to improve the response. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the Colombian public health surveillance system during the first 50 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Materials and methods: We analyzed the data published between March 6 and April 24, 2020, by the Instituto Nacional de Salud and the World Health Organization (WHO). We evaluated: i) the quality of the data according to the fulfillment of Benford’s law, and ii) the timeliness of the information measured as the difference in dates between the data generated by the Instituto Nacional de Salud and WHO’s situational reports. We assessed the fulfillment of Benford’s law using the p values of the log-likelihood ratio, the chi square or Moreno’s exact tests. Results: Until April 24 there were 4,881 cases of COVID-19 in Colombia. During most of the first 50 days of the pandemic, Benford’s law was fulfilled except the first days of the epidemic. The difference between Instituto Nacional de Salud and WHO reports largely depends on the different reporting times. Conclusion: In general, the Colombian public health surveillance system fulfilled Benford’s law suggesting that there was quality in the data. Future studies comparing the performance of the departments and districts will improve the diagnosis of the Colombian surveillance system.Introducción. La pandemia de COVID es un desafío para la vigilancia en salud pública y una oportunidad para evaluar sus fortalezas y debilidades en aras de mejorar la respuesta. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema de vigilancia en salud pública colombiano durante los primeros 50 días de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el país. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron los datos publicados entre el 6 de marzo y el 24 de abril de 2020 por el Instituto Nacional de Salud y la Organización Mundial de Salud (OMS). Se consideraron en la evaluación: i) la calidad de los datos según la ley de Benford y ii) la oportunidad de la información, medida como la diferencia en fechas entre los datos generados en el Instituto Nacional de Salud y los recogidos en el informe situacional de la OMS. La variabilidad en el cumplimiento de la ley de Benford se evaluó con los valores de p en las pruebas de razón del logaritmo de la verosimilitud, ji al cuadrado o exacta de Moreno. Resultados. Hasta el 24 de abril hubo 4.881 casos de COVID-19 en Colombia. En la mayoría de los primeros 50 días se cumplió la ley de Benford, excepto en los primeros días de la epidemia. La diferencia entre los informes del Instituto Nacional de Salud y la OMS ha dependido, en gran medida, de la diferencia en los horarios de cierre de la información. Conclusión. En general, el sistema de vigilancia en salud pública colombiano cumplió con la ley de Benford, lo cual sugiere que hubo calidad en los datos. En futuros estudios que comparen el desempeño de los departamentos y distritos se podrá mejorar el diagnóstico de la vigilancia en salud pública del país.

Objectives The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of different clinical signs of trachoma and identify possible factors associated with TF. Methodology Following the approval of the study protocol by the ethics committee, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Vaupes, a department of the Colombian Amazon, between the years 2012 and 2013 in two districts. Based on the records obtained from a standardized format for the clinical evaluation of the participants and the factors associated with follicular trachoma, an excel database was built and debugged, which was analyzed using IBM SPSS, Statistics Version 23 and Stata STATA (Version 14, 2015, StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA). Results The records of 13,091 individuals was collected from 216 rural indigenous communities, of which 12,080 were examined (92.3%); 7,274 in the Western and 4,806 in the Eastern districts. A prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) of 21.7% (n = 599; 95% CI 20.2–23.3) in the Western and 24.9% (n = 483; 95% CI 23.1–26.9) in the Eastern district was found in children aged 1 to 9 years. Regarding trachomatous trichiasis (TT), 77 cases were found, of which 14 belonged to the Western district (prevalence 0.3%, CI 95% 0.2–0.5) and 63 to the Eastern district (1.8%, CI 95% 1.4–2.4). Children aged between 1 to 9 years were significantly more likely to have TF when there was the presence of secretions on the face (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.6–3.9). Conclusions Trachoma is a public health problem in Vaupes that requires the implementation of the SAFE strategy (S = Surgery, A = Antibiotics, F = Face Washing, E = Environment) in the Eastern and Western districts, for at least 3 consecutive years, in accordance with WHO recommendations.

espanolLa ley de Benford o de los “primeros digitos” ha sido usada exitosamente para evaluar los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiologica, en especial durante epidemias. Los metodos estadisticos convencionales para la evaluacion (x2y razon de log-verosimilitud) son controversiales cuando los datos son poco (n EnglishBenford or “first digit” law has been used successfully to evaluate epidemiological surveillance systems, especially during epidemics. Conventional statistical methods for evaluation (x2 and log-likelihood ratio) are controversial when the number of data is small (n

The great concern stemming from the current COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for governments and international organizations around the world. Likewise, the diagnosis has played an important role in the prioritization processes, in particular, for the identification and follow-up of cases. In this context, PCR and serological tests have become the international standard; however, some limitations, as well as the scope of these techniques, must be understood in terms of population numbers. This comment seeks to clarify the interpretation of the results of these tests from a public health perspective.

Objective To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination coverage in Colombia by age group, rural/urban residence, state and vaccine type. Design Ecological study of official monthly vaccination records. Setting Vaccination records from the Colombian Ministry of Health (March–October 2019 and 2020). Participants Aggregated data for Colombian children (, This population-based study showed that during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 14% absolute reduction in early childhood immunizations among Columbian children compared to the same period during 2019. Children living in rural regions of Columbia were disproportionately affected.

Background Whereas most studies have focused on how the religious beliefs positively interfere with the presence or execution of suicidal behaviors, few have identified differences among religious beliefs and how these can not only be consider as a protective factor for suicide, but also as a variable that influences the expression of the suicidal related behaviors. Objective To provide evidence about the effect of religious practices and beliefs on suicidal behavior in cancer patients in Colombia. Methods This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 132 patients with cancer. Socio-demographic data were measured, in which the religious affiliation was included. The instruments used include the Scale of Suicidal Ideation (SSI), the item 9 of Beck Depression Scale (BDI-IA) and the Beck Hopelessness Inventory (BHS). Results In our study, 93% of the patients had advanced stages of cancer, where 51.52% of them were in stage IV. Cancer patients who reported non-Catholic Christians were 3 and 4 times more likely to have some manifestation of suicidal behavior. Conclusions It is recognized in non-Catholic Christians patients a greater chance to express suicidal ideation, which could be related to their level of suicide acceptability. It is considered that religion and their perception of death affects the expression and acceptance of suicidal ideation, reason why it is necessary more research on the effect of different religions on suicidal behavior, in order to include these aspects in the patient intervention.

ResumenLa prevalencia de miopía varía en las diferentes poblaciones del mundo y la incidencia aumenta de una forma acelerada, motivo por el cual los defectos refractivos se convierten en un problema de salud pública, con un impacto económico y social.La progresión de la miopía puede desencadenar cambios patológicos en el globo ocular que afectan estructuras como el cristalino, la retina, la coroides y la mácula. Estos cambios degenerativos constituyen la causa más frecuente de pérdida de visión y se relacionan con un incremento en los valores refractivos, que ascienden desde la infancia hasta la adultez.El desarrollo y progresión se relacionan con un componente genético y hereditario, sin embargo, hay una compleja interacción con factores externos, los cuales podrían explicar el incremento de casos en algunas poblaciones, en donde se perciben aumentos de urbanización y la necesidad por alcanzar altos niveles de educación. Además, otros factores ambientales como destinar mayor tiempo a actividades al aire libre puede ser un hábito favorable para evitar la aparición de la enfermedad.AbstractThe prevalence of myopia varies in different populations in the world and the incidence increases in an accelerated manner, why refractive defects becomes a public health problem, with an economic and social impact.The progression of myopia can trigger pathological changes in the eyeball, affecting structures such as the lens, retina, choroid and macula. These degenerative changes are the most common cause of vision loss and are associated with an increase in refractive values that rise from childhood to adulthood.The development and progression are related to a genetic and hereditary component, however there is a complex interaction with external factors, which could explain the increase in cases among some populations, where increased urbanization and the need is perceived to achieve high levels of education. In addition, other environmental factors such as spend more time in the outdoors can be a favorable habit to prevent the onset of disease.

Introduction: People living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries tend to have a lower quality of life and less social support compared with those in developed countries. Objective: To explore the association between affective social support or social support generating confidence and each dimension of the quality of life related to health among people with HIV/AIDS from Bogota. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of people living with HIV/AIDS using convenience sampling of a care program in a hospital network in Bogota. The quality of life questionnaire SF36 and the generic social support questionnaire Duke-UNC-11 were used, along with linear regression models for the analyses. Results: There was a direct relationship between the emotional well-being dimension of quality of life and the social support systems of affectivity (s =7.36;95% CI: 1.04; 13.68) and those generating confidence (s =11.63;95% CI: 5.30; 17.96). There was a correlation between the dimensions of physical function, emotional performance, pain, and perceived affective social support. Likewise, we detected relations between the perception of social support generating confidence and the dimensions of vitality and social function. Contrarily, we found an inverse relationship between the averages of the dimension of emotional performance and the perceived affective social support, as well as between the dimension of physical performance and general health with social support generating confidence. Conclusions: Subjects with higher levels of social support had higher levels of quality of life related to health. This finding offers an opportunity for the design and implementation of healthcare plans that incorporate clinical, para-clinical and environmental variables of the patient.

This study aimed to identify the main regional factors associated with variations in the prevalence of functional limitation on the older adult in Colombia adjusted by individual characteristics. This multilevel study used cross-sectional data from 23,694 adults over 60 years of age in the SABE, Colombia nationwide survey. State-level factors (poverty, development, inequity, violence, health coverage, and access to improved water sources), as well as individual health related, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, were analyzed. The overall prevalence of functional impairment for the basic activities of daily living (ADL) was 22%. The presence of comorbidities, low educational level, physical inactivity, no participation in social groups, mistreatment and being over 75 years old were associated with functional limitation. At the group level, the analysis showed significant differences in the functional limitation prevalence across states, particularly regarding the socioeconomic status measured according to the Human Development Index (median OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.13-1.30; p = 0.011). This study provides evidence on the impact of socioeconomic variation across states on FL prevalence in the Colombian elderly once adjusted for individual characteristics. The findings of this study, through a multilevel approach methodology, provide information to effectively address the conditions that affect the functionality in this population through the identification and prioritization of public health care in groups with economic and health vulnerability. Resumen: Este estudio tuvo por objetivo identificar los principales factores regionales, asociados con variaciones en la prevalencia de la limitación funcional en adultos mayores en Colombia, ajustados por características individuales. Este estudio multinivel usó datos transversales de 23.694 adultos, con más de 60 años de edad, en el SABE, encuesta nacional colombiana. Los factores nacionales (pobreza, desarrollo, inequidad, violencia, cobertura sanitaria, y acceso a fuentes mejoradas de agua), así como en relación con su salud individual, al igual que se analizaron las características socioeconómicas y demográficas. La prevalencia general de discapacidad funcional para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria (ABVD) fue de un 22%. La presencia de comorbilidades, bajo nivel educacional, inactividad física, la no participación en grupos sociales, maltrato y tener más de 75 años de edad estuvo asociado con la limitación funcional. En el nivel del grupo, el análisis mostró significativas diferencias respecto a la prevalencia de limitación funcional, a través de los diferentes estados, particularmente en lo referente al estatus socioeconómico, medido según el Índice de Desarrollo Humano (OR mediano = 1,22; IC95%: 1,13-1,30; p = 0,011). Este estudio proporciona evidencia sobre el impacto de la variación socioeconómica a través de los estados sobre la prevalencia de limitación funcional en los ancianos colombianos, una vez ajustadas las características individuales. Los resultados de este estudio, mediante una metodología de aproximación multinivel, proporcionan información con el fin de orientar efectivamente sobre las condiciones que afectan la funcionalidad de este tipo de población, mediante la identificación y priorización de los cuidados en la salud pública con grupos vulnerables económicamente y desde la perspectiva de la salud. Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo identificar os principais fatores regionais associados a variações na prevalência de limitação funcional na população idosa colombiana, ajustada por fatores individuais. O estudo multinível usou dados transversais de 23.694 adultos com mais de 60 anos de idade do estudo SABE colombiano. Foram analisados fatores de nível estadual (índices de pobreza, desenvolvimento, inequidade, violência, cobertura de saúde e acesso a água potável) e fatores individuais (sociodemográficos e de saúde). A prevalência global de comprometimento funcional nas atividades de vida diária (AVD) foi de 22%. A presença de comorbidades, escolaridade baixa, sedentarismo, falta de participação em grupos sociais, maus tratos e idade acima de 75 anos estiveram associados à limitação funcional. Em nível de grupo, a análise mostrou diferenças significativas na prevalência de limitação funcional entre os estados, particularmente quanto à condição socioeconômica, medida pelo Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (OR médio = 1,22; IC95%: 1,13-1,30; p = 0,011). O estudo oferece evidências do impacto da variação socioeconômica entre estados na prevalência de limitação funcional nos idosos colombianos depois de ajustar por fatores individuais. Através de uma metodologia multinível, os achados fornecem informações para tratar efetivamente as condições que afetam a funcionalidade dessa população idosa através da identificação e priorização dos cuidados de saúde em grupos com vulnerabilidade econômica e sanitária.

Objectives To determine, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of back pain (BP) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in the adult general population and explore the heterogeneity between studies in and out Latin America (LATAM). Methods MEDLINE, Embase, BIREME, LILLACS and Web of Science were searched using a strategy combining key words and related database-specific subject terms to identify relevant cross-sectional studies based on COPCORD methodology published since 2006. Included articles were assessed for risk of bias and quality based on the STROBE statement. Prevalence figures for BP and SpA (European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria) were analyzed according to female percentage of sampled individuals, mean age and sample size. A mixed effect model was used to obtain the combined prevalence and a meta-regression to estimate the effects of these variables. Prevalence stratified values were obtained according to its geographical location. Results 44 out of 127 papers in English, Spanish or Portuguese were selected. Of them, 16 contained BP or SpA prevalence data. Estimates for any Spa prevalence ranged from 0,1% to 2%, with an average of 0,3% (95% CI: 0,01%>0,05%). The random-effects pooled prevalence was 0,18% (0,06%>0,36%). The prevalence of BP was 6.54% (3.8%>9.2%) with a pooled value of 5.24% (2.6%>8.7%). In both cases the heterogeneity was significant (p 8.5%, p=0.9); on the contrary, for Spa, for non-LATAM studies, the pooled proportion was significant bigger (prevalence in LATAM 0.05%, 0.01%>0.012%; non-LATAM: 0.35%, 0.09%>0.78%, p=0.03) Conclusions We found significant variations in prevalence across this review. In particular, they related to sample size of BP studies. Similarly, there was a significant variation between LATAM versus other latitudes respect to the prevalence of SpA. The limited number of studies included in this meta-analysis however, prevents clear explanations of the mechanisms underlying these results. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Objectives To determine the impact of individual and regional variables on the geographic distribution of RD across six Latin-American countries Methods This is a secondary multilevel analysis of cross-sectional data of COPCORD studies that investigated the prevalence of RD in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Individual factors were sex, age, comorbidities, job status, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score. Contextual level variables were country and subject9s identification as indigenous. RD predictors, including individual and regional variables, particularly indigenous status were identified with logistic regression models. The effect of contextual variables was estimated with median odds ratio9s (OR) estimation. Results Most individuals included in this analysis came from urban areas (82.40%); their mean age was 43.12 years (95% CI 43.01–43.35); and 56.0% were women. Nearly all of them reported >1 comorbidity (94.70%) and 72.19% were economically active. The prevalence of any RD varied from 1.55% in Peru to 26.09% in Argentina. The mean prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was 1.58 (range 0.64 to 2.47) (table 1). Aside comorbidities, individual level variables associated to any RD were sex (OR: 1.35; 95% CI 1.28–1.43), age (OR: 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 -1.03), and HAQ score (OR: 3.71; 95% CI 3.22–4.28). Crude comparisons showed significant variations among countries (p Conclusions There common factors associated to the prevalence of RD in the region, however, the estimation of its impact varies in significant way across countries and related to the fact of belong to an indigenous group indicating an increase in the estimated ORs. Acknowledgements National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT);Colegio Mexicano de Reumatologia (Mexico). EsSalud (Peru). Universidad de Cuenca (Ecuador).ASOREUMA (Colombia). Federico Wilhelm Agricola Foundation (Argentina). PDVSA East, SUELOPETROL and Bristol-Myers Laboratory (Venezuela) Disclosure of Interest None declared

Objetivo Priorizar los grupos de enfermedades, población y métodos de análisis en salud pública según las preferencias de los actores de la red de conocimiento del Observatorio Nacional de Salud.Método Se utilizó el método de Análisis Conjunto (AC), que consiste en la construcción de un modelo factorial completo tomando una muestra aleatoria de sujetos que deben, según un orden de importancia pre-establecido, identificar las preferencias delos atributos de determinado constructo. Los actores de la red de conocimiento que participaron fueron profesionales de universidades públicas, miembros de EPS, IPS, secretarias de salud departamental, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro enfocadas ensalud, centros de investigación especializados, de alcaldías, y corporaciones.Resultados Los grupos de enfermedades prioritarios fueron: trastornos mentales y del comportamiento (13,8 %), enfermedades cardiovasculares y circulatorias (13 %), neoplasmas (10 %) Diarrea, infecciones respiratorias, meningitis y otras enfermedadesinfecciosas comunes (6,7 %) y deficiencias nutricionales (6,3 %). Los criterios de priorización preferidos fueron la carga de enfermedad derivada y la dinámica epidemiológica del alto impacto. La información prioritaria de análisis fue la de determinantessociales. El grupo poblacional de mayor preferencia fue la población general.Conclusiones Se evidenció que los participantes perciben como prioritarias tanto las enfermedades crónicas como infecciosas concordante con la transición epidemiológica del país. La prioridad más sentida del sistema sanitario colombiano es la construcciónde capacidad del recurso humano y el fortalecimiento del Objective To prioritize diseases, population and methods of analysis in public health according to the preferences of the stakeholders of the knowledge network of the NationalHealth Observatory.Method The Conjoint Analysis methodology (AC) was used; it consists on the construction of a complete factorial model taking a random sample of subjects that must identify the preferences of the attributes of a given construct according to a pre-establishedorder of importance. The stakeholders of the knowledge network who participated were professionals from public universities, members of health promotion entities, health provision services, health departments, non-profit health organizations, specialized research centers, mayor’s offices, and corporations.Results The groups of priority diseases were mental and behavioral disorders (13.8 %), cardiovascular and circulatory diseases (13 %), neoplasms (10 %), diarrhea, respiratory infections, meningitis and other common infectious diseases (6.7 %), and nutritional deficiencies (6.3 %). The preferred prioritization criteria were the burden of disease and high-impact epidemiological dynamics. The analysis of priority information was the analysis of social determinants. The most preferred population was the general population.Conclusions Participants perceive both chronic and infectious diseases as a priority, which is consistent with the epidemiologicaltransition of the country. The priority for the Colombian health system is to strengthen the capacity of human resourcesand the surveillance system in different areas to have a better decision-making process in relation to public health.

Introduction: People living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries tend to have a lower quality of life and less social support compared with those in developed countries. Objective: To explore the association between affective social support or social support generating confidence and each dimension of the quality of life related to health among people with HIV/AIDS from Bogotá. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of people living with HIV/AIDS using convenience sampling of a care program in a hospital network in Bogotá. The quality of life questionnaire SF36 and the generic social support questionnaire Duke-UNC-11 were used, along with linear regression models for the analyses. Results: There was a direct relationship between the emotional well-being dimension of quality of life and the social support systems of affectivity (ß =7.36;95% CI: 1.04; 13.68) and those generating confidence (ß =11.63;95% CI: 5.30; 17.96). There was a correlation between the dimensions of physical function, emotional performance, pain, and perceived affective social support. Likewise, we detected relations between the perception of social support generating confidence and the dimensions of vitality and social function. Contrarily, we found an inverse relationship between the averages of the dimension of emotional performance and the perceived affective social support, as well as between the dimension of physical performance and general health with social support generating confidence. Conclusions: Subjects with higher levels of social support had higher levels of quality of life related to health. This finding offers an opportunity for the design and implementation of healthcare plans that incorporate clinical, para-clinical and environmental variables of the patient.Introducción. En estudios llevados a cabo en países desarrollados se ha establecido que las personas con HIV/sida refieren tener una menos calidad de vida y menor apoyo social.Objetivo. Explorar la asociación entre la percepción del apoyo social afectivo o de personas de confianza y cada dimensión de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con HIV/sida en Bogotá.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal en personas con HIV/sida seleccionadas por conveniencia, en el marco de un programa de atención en una red hospitalaria de Bogotá. Se utilizaron los cuestionarios de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud SF36 y el cuestionario genérico de apoyo social funcional Duke-UNC-11. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal en el análisis.Resultados. Se evidenció una relación directa entre la dimensión del bienestar emocional de la calidad de vida, el apoyo social afectivo (ß=7,36; IC95% 1,04-13,68) y el de personas de confianza (ß=11,63; IC95% 5,30-17,96), así como entre las dimensiones de la función física, el desempeño emocional y el dolor corporal y la percepción del apoyo social de tipo afectivo, y entre el apoyo social de personas de confianza y las dimensiones de la vitalidad y la función social. Se encontró una relación inversa entre los promedios de los puntajes de las dimensiones de desempeño emocional, desempeño físico y salud general y la percepción del apoyo social de tipo afectivo con la primera dimensión y el de personas de confianza con las dos últimas.Conclusiones. Los sujetos con una mejor percepción del apoyo social reportaron una mejor calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, lo cual puede servir de base para la planeación, el diseño y la implementación de planes de atención médica que incorporen variables clínicas, paraclínicas y del entorno del paciente.

El capital social se considera un determinante estructural de desarrollo y bienestar social. Su componente cognitivo evalúa el grado de confianza de la población en sus sistemas de organización social, así como las interacciones comunitarias que estructuran respuestas sociales a los problemas sociales. Existen pocas escalas disponibles para la medición de este constructo. Este trabajo presenta los resultados de la adaptación al español y validación psicométrica de una escala para la medición de capital social en contextos rurales. Se adaptó al español la escala de capital social cognitivo de Wang. Se aplicaron 1200 cuestionarios a adultos en 12 veredas de Tierralta (Colombia) seleccionados con muestreo aleatorio simple estratificado. Se realizó análisis factorial de la escala a partir de una matriz de correlación policórica. El análisis factorial exploratorio sugiere la existencia de dos factores principales distribuidos así: 7 ítems para el factor 1 (confianza) (valor propio 3.23.) y 2 ítems para el factor 2 (desconfianza) (valor propio 1.40). Como fue observado por Wang, Q9 y Q10 parecen preguntas ambiguas que no aportan suficiente a ninguno de los factores. Se presenta la primera validación factorial al español de la escala de capital social de Wang en el contexto social de la Colombia rural. Social capital is considered a structural determinant of social development and wellbeing. Its cognitive component assesses the degree of confidence of the population in their systems for social organization, as well as community interactions to coordinate social responses to social problems. There are few available scales for measuring this construct. This work presents the adaptation to Spanish and psychometric validation of a scale for measuring social capital in a rural setting. The Wang Social Cognitive Scale was also adapted to Spanish. 1200 questionnaires were applied to adults in 12 villages of the municipality of Tierra Alta, (Colombia) recruited by random sampling. Factor analysis of the scale was performed based on a polychoric correlation matrix. Exploratory factor analysis suggests the existence of two principal factors distributed as follows: 7 items for factor 1, trust (eigenvalue 3.23) and 2 items, for factor 2, distrust (eigenvalue 1.40). As observed by Wang, Q9 and Q10 could be ambiguous questions which do not contribute enough to either of the factors. The first factor validation to Spanish language of the Wang Social Capital Scale is presented in the social context of rural Colombia.

To prioritize diseases, population and methods of analysis in public health according to the preferences of the stakeholders of the knowledge network of the National Health Observatory.The conjoint analysis methodology (AC) was used; it consists on the construction of a complete factorial model taking a random sample of subjects that must identify the preferences of the attributes of a given construct according to a pre-established order of importance. The stakeholders of the knowledge network who participated were professionals from public universities, members of health promotion entities, health provision services, health departments, non-profit health organizations, specialized research centers, mayor's offices, and corporations.The groups of priority diseases were mental and behavioral disorders (13.8%), cardiovascular and circulatory diseases (13%), neoplasms (10%), diarrhea, respiratory infections, meningitis and other common infectious diseases (6.7%), and nutritional deficiencies (6.3 %). The preferred prioritization criteria were the burden of disease and high-impact epidemiological dynamics. The analysis of priority information was the analysis of social determinants. The most preferred population was the general population.Participants perceive both chronic and infectious diseases as a priority, which is consistent with the epidemiological transition of the country. The priority for the Colombian health system is to strengthen the capacity of human resources and the surveillance system in different areas to have a better decision-making process in relation to public health.Priorizar los grupos de enfermedades, población y métodos de análisis en salud pública según las preferencias de los actores de la red de conocimiento del Observatorio Nacional de Salud.Se utilizó el método de análisis conjunto (AC), que consiste en la construcción de un modelo factorial completo tomando una muestra aleatoria de sujetos que deben, según un orden de importancia pre-establecido, identificar las preferencias de los atributos de determinado constructo. Los actores de la red de conocimiento que participaron fueron profesionales de universidades públicas, miembros de EPS, IPS, secretarias de salud departamental, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro enfocadas en salud, centros de investigación especializados, de alcaldías, y corporaciones.Los grupos de enfermedades prioritarios fueron: trastornos mentales y del comportamiento (13,8%), enfermedades cardiovasculares y circulatorias (13%), neoplasmas (10%) Diarrea, infecciones respiratorias, meningitis y otras enfermedades infecciosas comunes (6,7%) y deficiencias nutricionales (6,3%). Los criterios de priorización preferidos fueron la carga de enfermedad derivada y la dinámica epidemiológica del alto impacto. La información prioritaria de análisis fue la de determinantes sociales. El grupo poblacional de mayor preferencia fue la población general.Se evidenció que los participantes perciben como prioritarias tanto las enfermedades crónicas como infecciosas concordante con la transición epidemiológica del país. La prioridad más sentida del sistema sanitario colombiano es la construcción de capacidad del recurso humano y el fortalecimiento del sistema de vigilancia en las regiones para la toma de decisiones en salud pública.

Introducción. El dengue es la principal arbovirosis en el mundo. En Paraguay reapareció en 1988-1989, y en el 2011 se produjo uno de los mayores brotes epidémicos. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica del dengue en Paraguay entre 2009 y 2011. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio ecológico basado en datos secundarios de la vigilancia epidemiológica. Con base en la distribución esperada según la ley de Benford, se analizaron los casos notificados de la enfermedad; para tal fin, se usaron los primeros y segundos dígitos de los registros globales y estratificados por regiones, estaciones, densidad poblacional, indicadores de las condiciones de la vivienda y número de cabezas de ganado bovino. Resultados. El sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica se desempeñó mejor durante los periodos no epidémicos, y en los departamentos donde existen mejores condiciones de vivienda y pocas cabezas de ganado bovino. Conclusión. Dadas las diferencias de desempeño, se recomendó que el sistema mantenga la alerta incluso cuando no se espere un mayor número de casos. El método propuesto para evaluar la notificación de casos es fácil de transferir al personal operativo. RESUMEN Introduction: Dengue is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide. In Paraguay, it reappeared in 1988-1989, with one of the largest epidemic outbreaks occurring in 2011. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the dengue epidemiological surveillance system in Paraguay between 2009 and 2011. Materials and methods: We conducted an ecological study with secondary epidemiological surveillance data. We analyzed notified cases of the disease based on the distribution expected by Benford's law. To this end, we used the first and second digits from the global records stratified by region, season, population density, indicators of housing conditions and heads of cattle. Results: The epidemiological surveillance system performed better during non-epidemic periods and in the states with better housing conditions and fewer heads of cattle. Conclusion: Given that a difference in the performance existed, we recommended that the system remains operating at the same high alert level even during periods when fewer cases are expected. The technology used by the method proposed to monitor the notification of cases is easy to transfer to operational staff.

SUMMARYThe A(H1N1) influenza pandemic has been a challenge for public health surveillance systems in all countries. An objective evaluation has not been conducted, as yet, of the performance of those systems during the pandemic. This paper presents an algorithm based on Benford's Law and the mortality ratio in order to evaluate the quality of the data and the sensitivity of surveillance systems. It analyses records of confirmed cases reported to the Pan American Health Organization by its 35 member countries between epidemiological weeks 13 and 47 in 2009. Seventeen countries did not fulfil Benford's Law, and mortality exceeded the regional average in 40% of the countries. The results suggest uneven performance by surveillance systems in the different countries, with the most frequent problem being low diagnostic coverage. Benford's Law proved to be a useful tool for the evaluation of a public health surveillance system's performance.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el exceso de mortalidad potencialmente atribuible a los virus de la influenza A y B y al virus sincitial respiratorio humano (VSRH) en las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza en Bogotá, Colombia entre 1997 y 2005. MÉTODOS: Se relacionaron las tasas mensuales de mortalidad general, por neumonía en menores de 5 años y por neumonía y afecciones cardiovasculares en mayores de 60 años, en Bogotá, Colombia, con las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza en esa ciudad. Los datos de mortalidad se obtuvieron del Departamento Nacional de Estadísticas de Colombia; las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus se definieron como los meses contiguos en los que el número de aislamientos era igual o superior a la mitad del total de los aislamientos del año. Se calcularon las razones de tasas de incidencia (RTI) y sus intervalos de confianza de 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS: El virus de la influenza A mostró un patrón de circulación estacional, pero no el de la influenza B y el VSRH. La mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza se asoció con un incremento promedio anual de 5% en la mortalidad general durante el período estudiado (RTI = 1,05; IC95%: 1,046 a 1,064). En las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza, la mortalidad combinada por neumonía e influenza en todas las edades fue mayor en 11% que en el resto del período (RTI = 1,11; IC95%: 1,051 a 1,178). CONCLUSIONES: En las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza en Colombia puede aumentar la mortalidad, en particular por neumonía y afecciones cardiovasculares en mayores de 60 años. Deben emprenderse acciones de prevención específicas para prevenir la influenza, especialmente en estos dos grupos de edad.OBJECTIVE: To estimate potential excess mortality attributable to influenza viruses A and B and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) during peak seasons of influenza virus circulation in Colombia from 1997 to 2005. METHODS: A comparison of monthly, general mortality rates from pneumonia in children under 5 years of age and from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease in those more than 60 years of age in Bogota, Colombia, were compared to the city's peak seasons of influenza virus circulation. Mortality data were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics of Colombia; peak seasons of virus circulation were defined as contiguous months in which the number of isolates was equal to or greater than half the total number of isolates for the year. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were determined. RESULTS: Influenza A demonstrated a pattern of seasonal circulation, but influenza B and HRSV did not. The increased circulation of influenza virus was associated with an average annual increase of 5% in overall mortality during the study period (IRR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.046-1.064). During seasons of increased circulation of influenza viruses, the combined mortality from pneumonia and influenza for all ages was 11% higher than it was at other times (IRR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.051-1.178). CONCLUSIONS: During peak seasons of influenza virus circulation in Colombia, there can be increased mortality, particularly from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease among those more than 60 years of age. Preventive actions specific to protecting against influenza should be taken, especially in these two age groups.