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E López García

Publications and source records attributed to E López García.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Social network and health-related quality of life in older adults: a population-based study in Spain.

This study examined the association between social network and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older adults and compared this against the association between HRQL and a disabling disease such as osteoarthritis. A cross-sectional survey was done on 3600 subjects representative of the Spanish non-institutionalised population aged 60 years and over. Data were collected through home-based personal interview and physical examination. HRQL was measured with the SF-36 health questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with multiple linear regression models with adjustment for the main confounders. Of the total sample, 38.6% of subjects were unmarried, 17.6% were living alone, 4.7% saw their family seldom or never, and 2.9% saw their friends seldom or never. Unmarried status and living alone were associated with lower scores in the social and mental quality-of-life components, though statistical significance was not in general attained (p > 0.05). Seeing family members seldom or never was associated (p < 0.05) with worse scores in the following scales of SF-36 questionnaire: role-physical, body pain, general health and mental health. HRQL was lower among those who saw friends seldom or never, and the reduction in HRQL proved similar to that associated with osteoarthritis, on the physical functioning (coefficients -8.4 vs. -8.1) and general health scales (-7.8 vs. -6.6); the reduction in HRQL was even greater than that associated with osteoarthritis for other scales, such as vitality (-9.6 vs. -6.7; p > 0.05) and social functioning (-14.5 vs. -3.7; p < 0.05). We conclude that only a small proportion of Spain's elderly population lack frequent social relationships, yet low frequency of relationships with friends is associated with a decline in quality of life similar to or greater than that associated with osteoarthritis.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Dietary patterns among children aged 6-7 y in four Spanish cities with widely differing cardiovascular mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Classic cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, cannot explain a substantial part of the geographic differences in cardiovascular mortality. Anthropometric and nutritional factors in early stages of life may contribute to adult cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this work examines certain anthropometric variables and diet among children aged 6-7 y, living in four Spanish cities with widely differing ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional anthropometric and dietary survey in four cities in Spain. SUBJECTS: A total of 1112 children (50.1% males, 49.9% females) attending public and private schools in Cadiz and Murcia, cities with a relatively high IHD mortality, and Madrid and Orense, cities with a relatively low IHD mortality. A standardized method was used to measure anthropometric variables, and a food-frequency questionnaire completed by subjects' mothers, to measure diet. OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI), overweight (BMI>17.6 kg/m(2)), obesity (BMI>20.1 kg/m(2)) and intake of food and nutrients. RESULTS: Children in the four cities showed a high prevalence of overweight (range across cities, 28.9-34.5%) and obesity (8.5-15.7%). They also had a moderately hypercaloric diet (range, 2078-2218 kcal/day), marked by an excessive intake of lipids (45.0-47.3% kcal), particularly saturated fats (16.6-16.9% kcal), proteins (17.0-17.3% kcal), sugars (20.0-21.9% kcal) and cholesterol (161.6-182.9 mg/1000 kcal/day), and a low intake of complex carbohydrates (17.5-18.1% kcal) and fibre (19.6-19.9 g/day). Compared with children in the two low-IHD-mortality cities, those in the two high-IHD-mortality cities had a greater BMI (mean difference, 0.61 kg/m(2); P=0.0001) and ponderal index (0.58 kg/m(3); P=0.0001) and a higher intake of energy (104 kcal/day; P=0.007), cholesterol (16.00 mg/1000 kcal/day; P=0.0001) and sodium (321 mg/day; P=0.0001). Inter-city differences in anthropometric variables remained after adjustment for birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of fats, especially saturated fats, and cholesterol should be reduced among Spanish children. It could contribute to a needed reduction of the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. If the differences in anthropometric variables and diet between children from the cities with high and low coronary mortality are maintained in future or continue into adulthood, this could contribute to consolidate or even increase the IHD mortality gradient across cities. The finding that differences in anthropometric variables are independent of birthweight suggests that the childhood, rather than intrauterine environment, is involved in the development of such differences. SPONSORSHIP: This study was partly funded by grants from the International Olive Oil Board (Consejo Oleícola Internacional), Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza, and Fundación Eugenio Rodríguez Pascual.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2002

Self-perception of being overweight in Spanish adults.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency, distribution and trend in misperceived overweight and obesity. DESIGN: Three independent cross-sectional studies carried out in 1987, 1995 and 1997 over representative samples of Spanish adult population. SETTING: Spanish adult population aged 20 y and over. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 11 496 men and women aged 20 y and over with a body mass index (BMI) >or=25 kg/m(2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and time trend of misperceived overweight and obesity based on self-perceived weight and height. RESULTS: Some 28.4% of the population did not perceive themselves to be overweight or obese in 1987 (26.9% in 1995/97). Overweight was more frequently misperceived among men, persons over 64 y of age, those residing in rural areas and those with an elementary educational level. The largest percentages of misperceived overweight were in the more moderate levels of BMI: 50% of men and 30% of women with a BMI of 25-26.9 kg/m(2) in 1995/1997 did not perceive themselves to be overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Misperceived overweight and obesity is frequent in the adult population in Spain. Some social and cultural factors may explain its higher frequency in men, older individuals and those with elementary level of education. The fact that most of those who do not perceive themselves to be overweight are in the moderate levels of overweight should be taken into account when designing strategies for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The relationship of overweight and obesity with subjective health and use of health-care services among Spanish women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of overweight and obesity with subjective health and use of health-care services among women in Spain. METHODS: Data were drawn from the 1993 Spanish National Health Survey, covering a 13 244-woman sample representative of the non-institutionalised Spanish population aged 16 y and over. Information was collected through home-based interviews. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios for suboptimal health (fair, poor or very poor) and utilisation of health-care services by women with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI>or=30 kg/m(2)). Analyses were adjusted for age, education level, occupation, civil status, social support, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity at work and during leisure time, job status and town of residence. RESULTS: Frequency of suboptimal health was higher in women with overweight (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.5-1.9) and obesity (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.8-2.5) than in those with normal weight. Overweight and obese women visited the physician, used hospital emergency services and took medication with greater frequency than did women of normal weight. There was a positive dose-response relationship (P<0.05) of BMI>or=18.5 kg/m(2) with suboptimal health and utilisation of health-care services. These associations were not wholly explained by BMI-related risk factors and chronic diseases, since their statistical significance remained unchanged and their magnitude was only slightly reduced after adjustment for those factors. The association of overweight and obesity with the use of health-care services did not vary with age, educational level or presence of chronic disease. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obese women have worse subjective health and make greater use of health-care services. This finding is an additional argument for implementing weight-control programmes in Spain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Acute inter-hemispheric subdural hematoma].

Interhemispheric subdural hematoma in adults is a rare complication of head injury with no more than 100 cases reported since 1940. The classical presentation of this disorder is a contralateral monoparesis of the leg or a hemiparesis more pronounced in the leg. We report three cases of interhemispheric subdural hematoma following closed head injuries and the review of the literature with an analysis and of the therapeutic possibilities. Conservative management under close supervision may be a proper attitude in those patients without alterations of consciousness. Surgical treatment is necessary in patients with progressive deterioration.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Lupus nephropathy treated with cyclosporine A. Report of 3 cases].

Three patients are reported who had systemic lupus erythematosus and membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis. These patients failed to respond to intravenous cyclophosphamide and steroids and were then changed to receive oral cyclosporine A, at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day. The three patients showed remission of disease, symptoms, and renal and immunological parameters, with minimal secondary effects. The medical literature was reviewed and cyclosporine A is suggested to be a therapeutical choice for patients with lupus nephropathy even when they do not respond to other immunosuppressive regimes, such as pulse cyclophosphamide.

Adult↗