Objective: To determine the association between the consumption of energy drinks and symptoms of insomnia in medical students of a university in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods: This study is cross-sectional analytical. The target population was the second-and fifth-year medical students of a private Peruvian university in southern Lima. There were 289 participants in this study. For this study, a survey composed of a questionnaire about the consumption of energy drinks and the Insomnia Severity Index were used, from which a cut-off point of 15 was determined to consider the presence of insomnia symptoms. The multivariate crude and adjusted analysis were done with Poisson regression with robust variance adjusted for sex, age, coffee consumption, previous diagnosis of depression and previous diagnosis of anxiety; to calculate the PR (Prevalence Ratio) with a 95% CI. Results and discussion: The prevalence of insomnia symptoms in the sample studied was 21,80%, while the consumption of energy drinks was 39,45%. A significant association was found (p = 0.008) between the consumption of this type of drinks and the presence of insomnia symptoms. In addition, it was found that students who consumed energy drinks were 1,78 times more likely to have symptoms of insomnia (95% CI: 1,13-2,82), compared to those who did not consume energy drinks (p=<0,013). Conclusions: There is an association between the consumption of energy drinks and symptoms of insomnia.

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y síntomas de insomnio en estudiantes de medicina de una universidad en Lima, Perú. Materiales y Método: El tipo de estudio realizado es transversal analítico. La población objetivo fueron los estudiantes de medicina de una universidad peruana ubicada en Lima sur de segundo y quinto año. Hubo 289 participantes en el estudio. Se utilizó una encuesta compuesta por un cuestionario sobre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y el Insomnia Severity Index, del cual se determinó un punto de corte de 15 para considerar la presencia de síntomas de insomnio. El análisis multivariado crudo y ajustado se realizó usando la regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta ajustado para sexo, edad, consumo de café, y antecedente de ansiedad y depresión, para obtener el PR (Razón de Prevalencias) con un intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados y discusión: La prevalencia de síntomas de insomnio en la muestra estudiada fue de 21,80%, mientras que la de consumo de bebidas energizantes fue de 39,45%. Se encontró asociación significativa (p=0,008) entre el consumo de este tipo de bebidas y la presencia de síntomas de insomnio. Además, se encontró que los estudiantes que consumen bebidas energizantes tuvieron 1,78 veces más probabilidad de presentar síntomas de insomnio (IC95%: 1,13-2,82), en comparación con los que no consumieron bebidas energizantes (p=0,013). Conclusiones: Existe asociación entre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y síntomas de insomnio.

Abstract Elevation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in biological fluids indicates a deficiency in the branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, which causes maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). Detection of increased levels of alloisoleucine confirms the diagnosis, while routine monitoring of leucine concentration is crucial for preventing metabolic decompensation and neurological dysfunction. In the metabolic center at Universidad de Chile, we have confirmed and monitored more than fifty MSUD patients in the last 20 years. Most diagnoses were made by clinical and sibling diagnosis, as MSUD is not included in the Chilean national newborn screening program. Shortening diagnosis time has a fundamental impact on the outcome of patients, therefore we focused on implementing detection of BCAAs in dried blood spot by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) for disease confirmation as well as for biochemical monitoring. Retrospective analysis of samples from 9 diagnosed MSUD patients were performed; BCAAs values were determined via MSMS and LC-MSMS conducted in parallel. Leucine and alloisoleucine levels were positively correlated with patient’s diagnosis age. Alloisoleucine was significatively elevated as early as 24 hr after birth. A predictable variation in BCAAs levels after nutritional intervention among diagnosed MSUD patients was found.

Abstract It has been shown that there is a decrease in the concentrations of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in their follow-up. Our objective was to determine concentrations of 25-OHD in subjects with PKU and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA). Transversal analytical study considered three groups: G1-PKU with neonatal diagnosis and formula intake without Phe; G2-HPA, without specific treatment and G3-C control group. Sixteen patients per group (aged 6-23) were included. Levels of 25-OHD, lumbar spine (L2-L4), femur and total BMD, intact parathormone (PTH) and vitamin D (VitD) and calcium intake were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis statistical test was applied (p-value<0,05). Significant differences were detected in concentrations of 25-OHD between G1-PKU and G2-HPA (38.9 ng/mL; 28 ng/mL, respectively) (NV: >30 ng/mL). G1-PKU had a higher intake of VitD, with differences among groups. There were no significant differences among groups in relation to BMD and intact PTH. In conclusion, G1-PKU under treatment and with good adherence, does not present VitD deficiency and no BMD alterations are observed. In contrast, G2-HPA had a lower intake of VitD and decreased 25-OHD concentrations which could affect the bone architecture in the long term. Further studies on the G2-HPA are suggested.

Abstract Since 1992, Chile has had a Newborn Screening Program for Phenylketonuria (PKU), which currently has an incidence of 1:18,916 newborns. The objective of the current study was to describe the 2020 follow up of the Chilean PKU cohort. The variables analyzed were: nutritional status, dietary compliance and neuropsychological functioning. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional statistical analysis. The 271 subjects with PKU had an average age of diagnosis of 17±8 days and a phenylalanine (Phe) level of 1122±546 umol/L. Approximately 80% of protein requirement came from a protein substitute. For those <18 years of age, 80% had good dietary compliance with Phe level between 120-360 umol/L and those >18 years had a median of 522 umol/L (95%CI 468 - 636). Forty-four percent of the active PKU cohort had overweight/obesity. Eighty-five percent of the cohort >4 years of age had a normal intelligence quotient (IQ) (score 80-120). We observed a negative correlation (p <0.001; 95% CI: - 0.5, -0.2) between IQ score and Phe level. The Chilean protocol and protein substitute subsidy for life, together with the follow-up and continuous education carried out by the clinical team has encouraged compliance.