ABSTRACT Aims: To evaluate autonomic activity in children/adolescents with isolated overactive bladder. Materials and Methods: Descriptive, analytical, non-interventional, cross-sectional study conducted between February 2017 and January 2018 with individuals aged between 5 and 17 years old, with overactive bladder (OAB group) or asymptomatic (control). Neurological or anatomical abnormalities, diabetes mellitus and kidney failure constituted exclusion criteria. The DVSS and the Rome III questionnaire were applied, and heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed. The chi-square test, Student's t-test, ANOVA and the Mann Whitney U test were used in the statistical analysis. Results: 41 patients with OAB and 20 controls were included. In the OAB group, there were more girls (p=0.23), more overweight/obese and constipated patients. The DVSS score was higher in the OAB group. HRV showed a higher heart rate variability at the frequency domain and LF/HF variation in the control group (p=0.02 and p=0.05 respectively). In the intergroup evaluation, LF (Hz) was predominant in the control group at the post-voiding evaluation moment (p=0.03). Conclusion: The control group demonstrated a physiological heart rate variation during the voiding process, with a predominance of sympathetic activity during urinary storage.

This article informs on the process and the results of an instrument aimed at measuring the level of computer competencies in first-year university students. The new instrument, which was constructed from an existing questionnaire (originally for an English-speaking population), measures six competencies using 45 items in which students express their familiarity with specific computer tasks. Data included responses from two cohorts of medical students (for a total of 2 389 participants): Based on the results for the first cohort, items were selected for the questionnaire's final version, which subsequently was evaluated in a cross-validation study on the second cohort. The analyses were based on (a) a variant of the common factor model and a novel variant of the generalized partial credit model that accounts for local item dependencies, and (b) structural equation modeling which examines the relations among the six abilities measured by the instrument. The psychometric results showed good fit of the models to the data and adequate reliability and validity indices. The structural analysis revealed prerequisite relations among the abilities. The results lend support to the instrument as a functional tool in the students' formative evaluation process.

Se describen el proceso y resultado de una validación psicométrica de un instrumento para estimar el nivel de las competencias de informática en estudiantes universitarios de nuevo ingreso. El nuevo instrumento, que se construyó a partir de un cuestionario existente (para una población anglófona), mide seis competencias a través de 45 ítems en los cuales los estudiantes expresan su grado de familiaridad con tareas concretas de cómputo. Los datos incluyeron las respuestas de dos cohortes de estudiantes de medicina (2 389 participantes, en total): la primera cohorte sirvió para seleccionar los ítems de la versión final del cuestionario; la segunda para una validación cruzada del nuevo instrumento. Se realizaron (a) análisis psicométricos basados en una variante del modelo del factor común y una nueva variante del modelo de crédito parcial generalizado, que da cuenta de dependencias locales entre los ítems y (b) análisis de ecuaciones estructurales para investigar las relaciones entre sí de las seis competencias. Los resultados psicométricos indicaron un buen ajuste a los modelos y mostraron adecuados valores para la fiabilidad y validez. El análisis estructural reveló relaciones de prerrequisito entre las habilidades. Los resultados fomentan el uso del instrumento para la evaluación formativa de los estudiantes.

Background: There is little published evidence regarding the computer literacy of students entering medical schools in Mexico. Several authors argue that a low level of computer literacy prevents students from using technology to its fullest potential and is detrimental to their education. Additionally, there are still a large number of physicians that lack computer skills. Some variables that have been linked to low computing skill levels include the following: inappropriate training and support by teachers, lack of student motivation, socioeconomic level, gender, and no personal computer. Objective: The objective of this paper is to identify the level of computer literacy of students and the time of admission into the bachelor of medicine program at UNAM. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in first-year students of the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM in the city of Mexico. The inclusion criteria included students who were enrolled in their first year of the program in 2010 and who agreed to participate in the study. We applied a questionnaire with proven validity and reliability created by a group of researchers that was based on a review of the literature and included eight categories of computer literacy. We adjusted a hierarchical linear model to investigate how the school of origin and personal variables such as age and sex were related to knowledge and computer skills. The research protocol for this study was approved by the committee of ethics and research of the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM. Results: We assessed 1135 students and obtained a response rate of 94.4% of students enrolled in first-year bachelor of medicine program in 2010. The average was 77%. Conclusions: The reported knowledge and computer skill of the students was sufficient, suggesting that students have the necessary competencies for academic success in undergraduate medical courses that require computer literacy.

Introducción: Existe escasa evidencia publicada sobre las habilidades en computación de los estudiantes que ingresan a las escuelas de medicina en México. Varios autores sostienen que un bajo nivel de conocimientos en computación, impide que los estudiantes usen la tecnología con todo su potencial, perjudicando su formación académica. Algunas variables asociadas con las habilidades en computación son las siguientes: motivación de los estudiantes, nivel socioeconómico, género, poseer computadora personal y apoyo e interés de los maestros. Objetivo: Identificar el grado de conocimientos y habilidades en computación de los estudiantes que ingresaron al Plan de estudios 2010, de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en estudiantes de primer año de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM. Criterios de inclusión: estudiantes que se inscribieron al primer año del plan de estudios 2010, y que aceptaron participar. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura, se aplicó un cuestionario con evidencia de validez y confiabilidad que incluye ocho categorías. Se ajustó un modelo lineal jerárquico para investigar cómo la escuela de procedencia y las variables personales como edad y sexo, se relacionaban con los conocimientos y habilidades en computación. El protocolo fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética e Investigación de la Facultad de Medicina. Resultados: Se evaluaron 1 135 estudiantes que representa el 94.4% de los estudiantes matriculados, en el primer año de la licenciatura en el ciclo 2010. El promedio global obtenido por los estudiantes fue de 77%. Conclusiones: El nivel de conocimientos y habilidades en computación de los estudiantes es suficiente, y sugiere que los estudiantes tienen las bases necesarias para el éxito académico en las asignaturas de la licenciatura, que requieren competencias en computación.