Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2024
[Association of the 5HTTLPR/rs25531 Genetic Variant with Depression in a Cohort of Primary Care Patients].
Serotonin plays a central role in mood regulation and the development of depressive disorders. The serotonin transporter, the primary regulator of serotonin levels, presents genetic variants that affect its functionality. ⋯ In this study, 5HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphisms, independent of the bi- or tri-allelic analysis performed, did not prove to be risk factors for depression. In turn, we corroborated that female sex and childhood traumatic events are associated with an increased risk of developing a major depressive episode.
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2024
[Experience in Implementing an Integrated Cardiometabolic Practice Unit in a Private Healthcare Provider: A Value-Based Care Model].
Cardiovascular diseases, in addition to being a health problem for Chile, ranking as the second leading cause of death, also impose a significant economic burden on the country. Aiming to reduce these diseases' health and economic impact, we decided to structure a Cardiometabolic Integrated Practice Unit (UPI) at the FUSAT Clinical Hospital. Unlike the current organization of healthcare systems in Chile, a UPI is structured throughout the entire cycle of care (from promotion and prevention to rehabilitation), with a multidisciplinary team (both clinical and administrative) organized around closely related medical conditions or a set of health conditions. ⋯ After 6 months of collaborative work, we successfully implemented the UPI at the FUSAT Clinical Hospital. This achievement demonstrates that projects of this nature can be carried out through a defined organization and governance, a strategic definition and prioritization of objectives, and an adaptation of the methodology to the local reality. The successful implementation of the UPI inspires confidence in its potential impact on healthcare in Chile.
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2024
Practice Guideline[Consensus Recommendations for Lung Cancer Screening in Chile].
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, also in Chile, where the main risk factor is smoking. Early detection using low-dose computed tomography has been shown to reduce mortality from this cause, but there are still no formal screening recommendations in Chile. ⋯ Experts expressed concerns about the feasibility and acceptability of implementing screening programs in the local context, noting possible barriers, such as lack of awareness and costs. Local evidence needs to be generated to address the regional particularities and ensure the feasibility and effectiveness of lung cancer screening programs in Chile.
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2024
Comparative Study[Characteristics of Hospitalized Adults with Severe Hyponatremia: A Comparison of Patients with Severe and Very Severe Hyponatremia in Terms of Etiology, Symptoms, Treatment Response, and Mortality].
Hyponatremia is the most common hydroelectrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients. It is unclear whether there are differences between severe hyponatremia (<125 mEq/L) and very severe hyponatremia (<115 mEq/L) in terms of etiology, response to therapy, and mortality. ⋯ Differences related to etiology, response to treatment, and mortality were observed between patients with severe and very severe hyponatremia. These findings may generate hypotheses for prospective studies of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients.