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Biomedical subjects

Salvador Sarrá

Publications and source records attributed to Salvador Sarrá.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Influence of psycho-social factors on climacteric symptoms.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that psycho-social factors may be crucial in the development of climacteric symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the effect of psycho-social and biological factors on menopausal symptoms, Greene (climacterical symptoms), Cooper (psychosomatic symptoms of stress), Smilkstein (family dysfunction), Duke-UNC (social support) and Israel (life events) tests were passed to 300 Chilean women between 40 and 59 years of age. Data were evaluated with ANOVA, chi2 and logistic regression using the Epi-info package. RESULTS: Perimenopausal women had a significant increase in stress and climacteric symptoms; however comparing with pre and postmenopausal women, tests for life events, family dysfunction or social support did not show any differences. A history of premenstrual syndrome was the main risk predictor f or climacteric symptoms (OR: 3.6, IC: 1.5-8.5; P < 0.03 ), followed by perimenopausal state (OR: 2.9, IC: 1.4-6.0; P < 0.001 ) and negative life events (OR: 2.3, IC: 1.0-5.3; P < 0.05 ). The psycho-social factors were predictors for anxiety and depression; on the other hand, perimenopausal state was a risk factor for somatic and vasomotor symptoms. During premenopause, women with regular cycles and vasomotor symptoms have more psychological symptoms and stress. CONCLUSION: Climacteric symptoms that appear in the perimenopause are more intense in those women who have a biological predisposition such as premenstrual syndrome and are modulated by psycho-social factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Prediction of the pressure ulcer development in elderly women using the Braden scale].

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a common complication among elderly patients confined to bed for long periods. The Braden scale is a commonly used risk assessment tool. AIM: To evaluate the use of Braden scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy women aged 61 to 96 years, admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of Barros Luco-Trudeau Hospital, were studied. Their risk was evaluated using the Braden scale. The presence of pressure ulcer was diagnosed according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel on admission, two weeks later and at discharge. RESULTS: On admission, mean Braden scale score was 16.6+/-2.8 and 34 women had a score of 16 or less, that is considered of risk. Twenty five women (20 with a score of 16 or less) developed pressure ulcers, mostly superficial. The odds ratio of a score of 16 or less for the development of ulcers was 4.2 (95% CI 1.8-11.7, p <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of such score were 80 and 69% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Braden scale predicts the risk of developing pressure ulcers with a good sensitivity and specificity in female elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of middle-aged women].

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that menopause significantly modifies cardiovascular risk. The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on this risk remain controversial. AIM: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in middle-aged women and their changes with aging, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 576 women aged 40 to 59 years in 1991-92. Five years later, 467 of these women were reassessed. RESULTS: Sedentarism (87.2%), dyslipidemias (71.5%), high blood pressure (13.5%), obesity (13.1%), smoking (12.4%) and diabetes (2.8%) were the most prevalent RF. Five years later, the prevalence of hypertension increased to 20.9%, the prevalence of obesity increased to 27.3%, smoking increased to 20.8% and diabetes to 5.9%. The prevalence of dyslipidemia did not change, although triglycerides levels rose from 125.9 +/- 56.4 to 136.8 +/- 63.5 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Sedentarism dropped to 58.8%. Menopause did not deteriorate any of these RF. The use of HRT increased during the 5 years follow-up from 3.8% to 35%. Women on HRT experienced 3% decrease in LDL-cholesterol and 9% increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Middle aged women included in this cohort have a high prevalence of RF. There is a deterioration with age, but not with menopause. HRT improves the lipid profile.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Sexual function in postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy].

BACKGROUND: The loss of sexuality observed in the climacteric period is difficult to evaluate. An important advance has been the development of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a test based on the norms of the International Consensus Development Conference on Sexual Female Dysfunctions. AIM: To study the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on sexuality, applying the FSFI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FSFI was applied to 300 healthy women between 45-64 years, sexually active, beneficiaries of the Southern Metropolitan Health Service. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample studied was 51 +/- 5 years, 27% were HRT users, 21% had had an hysterectomy and 98% had a stable couple. The total score of the FSFI decreased from 27.3 +/- 5.8 in women between 45 and 49 years of age to 19.3 +/- 7.0 in women between 60 and 64 years (p < 0.01). A significantly better sexuality was observed in HRT users, with FSFI scores of 28.1 +/- 5.5 and 24.6 +/- 6.8 in HRT users and non users, respectively (p < 0.01). Women on HRT obtained a higher score in all of the test domains, especially in lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Female sexuality decreases with aging. HRT users have a better sexual function than non users.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influences of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal women's health perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the beliefs of climacteric women regarding their health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). DESIGN: Medical students asked to interview 526 healthy women, ranging from 40 to 64 years of age, between January and February of 2002. Of that number, 26 (4.9%) declined to participate in the interview. Thus, 500 women were interviewed about their beliefs and perceptions regarding their quality of life and health risks, as well as their opinions on menopause and HRT. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 53.3 +/- 6.2 years; 83.4% were postmenopausal, and 18.8% were HRT users. Of the women interviewed, 38.6% believed that their health was good. Although 78.8% thought that cancer is the main cause of death, 64% of them considered themselves to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Most (64%) believed that menopause deteriorates the quality of life and that it increases cardiovascular risk (52.4%) and osteoporosis (72.0%). The HRT users perceived that they had better health status (48.9% v 36.2%, P < 0.02) and smaller cardiovascular risk (54.3% v 66.3%, P < 0.04) than did the nonusers; however, they ignored the preventive effect of estrogens in osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Women believe that menopause deteriorates their health. The HRT users perceived themselves to be healthier and to have a smaller risk for cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impairment of sexual activity in middle-aged women in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that approximately 40% of women between 40 and 64 years of age cease their sexual activity. Our objective was to examine the reasons that sexual activity has stopped and to determine the effect that this behavior has on the marital stability of those middle-aged women. DESIGN: A total of 534 healthy women between 40 and 64 years of age who were attending the Southern Metropolitan Health Service in Santiago, Chile, were asked to take part in the study. RESULTS: The main reasons for sexual inactivity in middle-aged women were sexual dysfunction (49.2%), unpleasant personal relationship with a partner (17.9%), and lack of a partner (17.7%). These reasons vary with aging; in women younger than 45 years, the most frequent reason was erectile dysfunction (40.7%); in those between 45 and 59, low sexual desire (40.5%); and, in women older than 60 years, the lack of a partner (32.4%). Sexual inactivity did not affect marital stability because women without sexual relationships (68.2% of the entire sample) were married. Among the divorced women, female sexual dysfunction was responsible for only 11.7% of the separations. CONCLUSION: Low sexual desire is the main reason for ceasing sexual activity. Nevertheless, stopping sexual relationships does not seem to be important in marital stability.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patients' and clinicians' attitudes after the Women's Health Initiative study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on patients' and physicians' attitudes in relation to hormone therapy (HT). DESIGN: A survey focused on the degree of knowledge and on the reactions to the WHI study was administered to 600 women allocated in two groups according to their socioeconomic status, high (HSES) or low (LSES). Additionally, 283 physicians were surveyed to determine their attitudes regarding HT after the publication of the WHI study. The rates of HT prescription before and after publication of the study were compared. RESULTS: Among patients, HT use and knowledge of the WHI study were less common among women of lower socioeconomic status (LSES 16.7% v HSES 47.3%, and LSES 15.7% v HSES 67.3%; P < 0.0001). Of the women in the LSES group who were HT users and had knowledge on the subject of the WHI study (n = 30), 56.7% contacted their physicians and 6.6% abandoned HT. These rates were similar for women in the HSES group. Among physicians, 97.2% of physicians referred to being aware of the WHI study, and 64.7% modified their clinical approach. The main changes were that 21.5% applied more rigorous risk/benefit assessment, 20.1% lowered hormone dosage, 18.8% decreased continuous-combined therapy use, 12.1% shortened the duration of HT, 7.7% abandoned medroxyprogesterone or conjugated estrogen use, and 5.0% increased the use of transdermal estrogens, tibolone, or other alternatives. As for prescriptions, after the publication of the WHI study, there was an 8.6% drop in the rate of HT prescriptions. This decrease was more pronounced for prescriptions based on conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate. In contrast, prescription of transdermal estrogens and tibolone increased 5.2% and 16%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant change in physicians' and patients' attitudes toward HT after publication of the WHI study.

Adult↗