Background: There is substantial evidence about comorbidity between eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Aim: To compare thepresence ofobsessions and/or compulsions and its prevalence in eating disordered patients and normal subjects. Subjects and methods: A structured clinical interview, the Eating Altitudes Test (EAT-40), the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were administered to 54 patients who fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and to 54 normal female students. Results: Patients with eating disorders scored significantly higher on the EAT-40 and on the EDI and its factors, induding the comorbidity scale (p<0.001). Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms within a modérate and/or severe degree was significantly higher in eating disordered patients (26% versus 1. 9%) (p<0.001), particularly among anorexic patients (33.3%) (p= 0.009). Y-BOCS and its subscale Y-BCS emerge as the best indicators of eating disorders and correlated significantly with the EDI items drivefor thinness, interoceptive awareness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction and ineffectiveness (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Obssesive-compulsive symptoms and their prevalence rates are confirmed according to the evidence in eating disordered patients, mainly among patients suffering from anorexia nervosa that scored higher within modérate and severe degrees

Antecedentes: Existe considerable evidencia sobre la comorbilidad entre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo. Objetivo: Comparar la presencia de trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo y sus prevalencia, en mujeres con y sin patologías alimentarias. Sujetos y Métodos: Se administró una entrevista clínica estructurada, el Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-40), el Inventario de Desórdenes Alimentarios (EDI), la Escala de Obsesividad-Compulsividad de Yale-Brown (Y-BOCS) a 54 pacientes que satisficieron los criterios diagnósticos según el DSM-IV para trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y a 54 estudiantes sin problemas alimentarios. Resultados: Los puntajes de todos los indicadores, incluidas las escalas de comorbilidad, fueron más altos en las pacientes (p < 0,001). La prevalencia síntomas obsesivo-compulsivos de grado moderado y/o superior fue significativamente mayor en las pacientes alimentarias (26% versus 1, 9%) (p < 0,001), particularmente en las pacientes anorécticas (33,3%) (p = 0,009). La escala Y-BOCS y la subescala Y-BCS emergen como los mejores indicadores para discriminar patologías alimentarias y se correlacionaron significativamente con los ítems motivación por la delgadez, consciencia interoceptiva, bulimia, insatisfacción corporal y sentimientos de ineficacia personal (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Se confirma la presencia y la prevalencia de trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo en los desórdenes alimentarios según la evidencia, principalmente en las pacientes portadoras de anorexia nerviosa que obtuvieron puntajes más altos en los niveles moderado y severo

Background: In a previous study we reported that healthy children born at 34 or fewer gestational weeks, with adequate weight for gestational age, had not completed their bone catch-up at mean age of 6.3 years. Aim: This is a follow up report, performed on the same population one year later to determine at which age premature - born children achieve their bone mineral density (BMD) catch-up, compared to term-born controls. Material and methods: Fifteen children mean age 7years 3 months, born at 25 to 34 weeks of gestation, with a birth weight of 740 to 2.200 g were studied Radius, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density, whole body bone mineral content and body composition were assessed by DEXA. Results: Height, body mass index, peripheral BMD, axial BMD, fat and lean body mass in these children were not different from term born controls. Conclusions: Premature born children with adequate weight for gestational age, achieved peripheral and axial bone mineral density catch-up at the age of 7 to 8 years

Background: There is substantial evidence about comorbidity between eating disorders, depression and social anxiety. Aim: To compare the presence of social anxiety and depression and its prevalence in eating disordered patients and normal subjects. Subjects and Methods: A structured clinical interview, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were administered to 54 patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and to 54 normal female students. Results: Patients with eating disorders ranked significantly higher on the EAT-40 and on the EDI and its factors, including comorbidity scales (p < 0.001). Prevalence of social anxiety was significantly higher in eating disordered patients (40. 7% versus 3.7%) (p < 0.001), particularly among anorexics (66.6%) (p < 0,001) and 14.8% of the eating disordered patients ranked within the severe range (p < 0.001). Theriskfor moderate to very severe social anxiety was 5.5 times higher among them. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher in eating disordered patients (7& 5% versus 0%) (p < 0.001), specially among anorexics (66.6%) (p < 0,001) and 18.5% of the eating disordered patients ranked within the severe or very severe range (p < 0.001). The risk for moderate to very severe depression was 23.7 times higher among them. Conclusions: Depressive and/or social anxiety disorders and their prevalence rates are confirmed according to the evidence in eating disordered patients, mainly among patients suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Antecedentes: Existe considerable evidencia sobre la comorbilidad entre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, depresión y fobia social. Objetivo: Comparar la presencia de ansiedad social y depresión y sus prevalencias, en mujeres con y sin patologías alimentarias. Sujetos y Métodos: Se administró una entrevista clínica estructurada, el Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-40), el Inventario de Desórdenes Alimentarios (EDI), la Escala de Ansiedad Social de Liebowitz (LSAS) y la Escala de Hamilton para Depresión (HDRS) a 54 pacientes que satisficieron los criterios diagnósticos según el DSM-IVpara trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y a 54 estudiantes sin problemas alimentarios. Resultados: Los puntajes de todos los indicadores, incluidas las escalas de comorbilidad, fueron más altos en las pacientes (p < 0,001). La prevalencia de ansiedad social fue significativamente mayor en las pacientes alimentarias (40,7% versus 3,7%) (p < 0,001), particularmente en las anorécticas (66,6%) (p < 0,001) y el 14,8% de las pacientes con patologías alimentarias obtuvo puntajes en los rangos severo o muy severo (p < 0,001). El riesgo de presentar ansiedad social moderada a muy severa en las pacientes alimentarias fue 5,5 veces mayor. La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue significativamente mayor en las pacientes alimentarias (18,5% versus 0%) (p < 0,001), especialmente en las anorécticas (66,6%) (p < 0,001) y 18,5% de las pacientes con trastornos alimentarios obtuvo puntajes en el rango severo (p < 0,001). El riesgo de presentar depresión moderada a muy severa en las pacientes alimentarias fue 23,7 veces mayor. Conclusiones: Se confirma la presencia y la prevalencia de trastornos depresivos y de ansiedad social en los desórdenes alimentarios según la evidencia, principalmente en las pacientes portadoras de anorexia nerviosa

Background: Low self-assertion has been noted as an important feature among patients with eating disorders. Aim: To verify, in a female population, if assertiveness is related or has a predictive capacity for the development of eating disorders. Subjects and methods: An structured clinical interview, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and the Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS) were administered to 62 patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and to 120 female students without eating problems. Results: Patients with eating disorders ranked significantly higher on the EAT-40 and its factors (p <0.001) and showed a lower level of assertiveness on the RAS (p <0.001). Assertiveness measured by RAS and its factors was inversely related to EAT-40 and its items (r= -0.21). The predictive capability of the lack of self-assertion in the development of an eating disorder reached 53%, when patients with eating disorders and subjects at risk were considered together and compared to students without such disorder. Conclusions: Lack of assertiveness is a significant trait in patients with eating disorders; it may worsen its outcome and even perpetuate symptoms. Low self-assertion may be considered a predictive factor in the development of an eating disorder and must be managed from a preventive or therapeutic point of view

Background: The relationship between eating disorders and affective disorders still remains unclear. Eating disordered patients may have affective disorders and vice versa, depressed and maniac patients may experience eating problems. Aim: To compare eating symptoms, attitudes and behaviors in patients with affective disorders and normal subjects. Subjects and methods: A structured clinical interview, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) were administered to 194 patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, to 45 patients with affective disorders and to 82 normal female students. Results: Patients with eating disorders ranked significantly higher on the EAT-40 and on the EDI and its factors (p <0.001). Patients with affective disorders ranked between eating disordered patients and the students (p <0.001). Compulsive-purgative type of anorectics and purgative type of bulimics showed the highest scores on these measures (p <0.001). Restrictive type of anorectics scored significantly highest on EDI maturity fears item (p <0.001). Not significant difference was observed on the EDI ineffectiveness item, between purgative bulimics and depressive patients and between the latter and compulsive-purgative anorexics, on the EDI interpersonal distrust item. Conclusions: Compulsive-purgative type of anorectics and purgative type of bulimics showed the more severe psychological and behavioral disturbances. Restrictive types of anorectics were the most immature. Both purgative bulimics and depressive patients showed feelings of general inadequacy, and both compulsive-purgative anorexics and depressive patients displayed an interpersonal distrust. As a whole, patients with affective disorders did not show the core eating disordered behaviors and attitudes as seen in patients suffering from eating problems (Rev Méd Chile 2005; 133: 1407-14)

Background: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics increases the appearance of bacterial resistance and forces the use of more expensive alternatives. The Chilean Ministry of Health is regulating the consumption of antibiotics since September 1999. These regulatory measures restricted the sale of antibiotics only when these were prescribed by an MD or an DS. Aim: To study the impact of these regulatory measures on antibiotics sales in pharmacies. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of antibiotics sales in pharmacies from 1996 to 2000. The information was obtained from the International Marketing System (IMS Health), an auditing system of pharmacy sales. The consumption unit used was the Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants/day (DDD). Results: There was an important reduction in DDD, after the introduction of regulatory measures, for amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, trimethoprim/sulpha, chroramphenicol, cloxacillin and phenoxymethylpenicillin. There was also a important fall in sales, expressed in dollars. Conclusions: The regulatory measures of the Ministry of Health, had an immediate and great impact on antibiotics sales in Chile (Rev Méd Chile 2002; 130: 1265-72).