El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer la distribución del consumo de psicofármacos en una población de 91 personas de 65 años y más, usuarias del Centro de Salud Sayago. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, durante los meses de junio a setiembre de 1998, se utilizaron instrumentos específicamente diseñados para conocer algunas características de los consumidores como el test de Cage y el SRQ test. En nuestra investigación comprobamos una prevalencia mensual de consumo de psicofármacos de 67%, anual de 75% y de vida de 81%. En la población de mujeres se encontraron valores de prevalencia mensual de consumo de psicofármacos mayores que entre la población de hombres estudiada. El 96% de la población no presentó dependencia al alcohol medida con el test de Cage. Los consumidores de tranquilizantes menores en el último mes resultaron ser en 56% de los casos portadores de trastornos psiquiátricos menores. Se encontró que 85% de los consumidores utilizaron psicofármacos por un tiempo igual o superior a un año. El agente prescriptor fue el médico general en 95% de los casos y el fármaco más utilizado fue diazepam con 52% de las prescripciones

Résumé Le but de ce travail a été de connaître la distribution de la consommation de médicaments psychiatriques dans une population composée de 91 personnes de 65 ans, membres du Centre de la Santé Sayago. On a fait une étude descriptive transversale, entre juin et septembre 1998, en se servant d'instruments spécifique-ment conçus dans ce but, tels que le test de Cage et le Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). Dans notre recherche, on a remarqué une prévalence mensuelle dans la consommation de médicaments psychia-triques de 67%, annuelle de 75% et de vie de 81%. Ces va-leurs sont plus élevées chez les femmes. 96% de la popula-tion étudiée n'avait pas de dépendance alcoolique selon le test de Cage. Les consommateurs de tranquillisants moindres pendant le dernier mois représentent 56% des cas porteurs de troubles psychiques mineurs. On a constaté que 85% des consommateurs ont utilisé des médica-ments pendant un an ou plus. La prescription avait été faite par le médecin généraliste à 95% des cas et la drogue la plus utilisée était le diazépam (52% des prescriptions).

Summary The objective of the present work was to address the distribution of psychotropics intake by a population composed of 91 persons that were 65 years old or older, all users of the Sayago Health Centre. A transversal descriptive study was performed between June to September of 1998 and specifically designed tools were used such as the test of Cage and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) test. Monthly, annual and life prevalence of psychotropics intake was 67%, 75%, and 81% respectively. Monthly prevalence of psychotropic consumption between women was higher than between men. 96% of the whole population did not exhibit alcohol-dependence, measured by the Test of Cage. 56% of the whole of consumers of minor tranquillizers during the last month carried minor psychiatric disorders. It was found that 85% of the total of consumers used psychotropics for at least a year. Prescription was decided by general practitioners in 95% of all cases. The drug that was most frequently prescribed was diazepam representing 52% of all prescriptions.

Objectives. To explore some of the demographic risk factors that are associated with the risk of behavioral or emotional problems in children, and to examine the possibility of an association between psychological stress in the parents and psychological problems in their children. Methods. In this study, the presence of psychological stress in the parents and certain psychosocial characteristics that increase the risk of mental problems in childhood were examined in a sample of Uruguayan children from three communities, two urban and one rural. The study, which was carried out in Ciudad Vieja and Barrio Sur, in the city of Montevideo, and in Colonia de Sacramento, a rural town, comprised 115 children between the ages of 5 and 15. Mothers answered the Child Psychiatric Morbidity Questionnaire (QMPI), an instrument for the detection of behaviors pointing to the presence of emotional problems in children. Both parents also supplied the demographic information requested in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview Demoralization Scale; they answered the CAGE questionnaire, a screening tool for alcoholism; they responded to the Social Support Network Inventory; and they answered questions about their self-perceived mental health. Results. Fifty-three percent of the children had scores greater than 6 on the QMPI, which indicates the possible presence of behavioral or emotional problems. Fathers' self-perception of emotional problems and mothers' feeling of being demoralized showed a statistically significant association with a greater risk of behavioral or emotional problems in their children. Conclusions. In light of our results, mental health in childhood is a social and public health problem that warrants further epidemiologic study in Uruguay.

Objetivos. Explorar algunos de los factores de riesgo demográficos que se asocian con la presencia de problemas conductuales o emocionales en los niños, y examinar la posibilidad de una relación entre el estrés psicológico en los padres y trastornos psicológicos en los hijos. Materiales y métodos. En el presente estudio la presencia de estrés psicológico en los padres y ciertas características psicosociales que aumentan el riesgo de sufrir trastornos mentales en la niñez fueron examinados en una muestra de niños uruguayos de dos comunidades urbanas y una rural. La investigación, que se llevó a cabo en Ciudad Vieja y Barrio Sur, en Montevideo, y en el pueblo de Colonia de Sacramento, abarcó a 115 niños entre las edades de 5 y 15 años. Las madres contestaron por sus hijos el Cuestionario de Morbilidad Psiquiátrica Infantil (QMPI), instrumento para la detección de problemas conductuales que podrían ser indicio de trastornos emocionales en los niños. Adicionalmente, ambos padres proporcionaron la información demográfica solicitada en la Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview Demoralization Scale (PERI-D) [Escala de Desmoralización para la Investigación Epidemiológica en Psiquiatría]; contestaron el cuestionario CAGE5 para el tamizaje del alcoholismo; se sometieron al Social Support Network Inventory [Inventario de la Red de Apoyo Social], y respondieron preguntas sobre su propio estado de salud mental. Resultados. Cincuenta y tres por ciento de los niños tuvieron puntajes mayores de 6 en el QMPI, resultado que señala la presencia de problemas conductuales o emocionales. La autopercepción de un trastorno emocional y de desmoralización en las madres mostró una asociación significativa con un mayor riesgo de problemas conductuales o emocionales en los hijos. Discusión. A juzgar por nuestros resultados, la salud mental del niño es un problema social y sanitario cuya epidemiología debe explorarse más a fondo en el Uruguay.

O estudo de quatro anos de duração (1987-1990) abarcou as principais características clínico-epidemiológicas de pneumonia em crianças, tal como foi diagnosticado no serviço de emergência do Hospital Infantil, e também as etiologias e fatores implicados nos casos mais severos. Determinou-se a etiologia em 47.7% dos 541 casos de pneumonia, que incluíam 283 patógenos, dos quais 38.6% eram virus e 12.6% bactérias. Observou-se etiologia viral e mista mais freqüentemente nas crianças de menos de 12 meses. A etiologia bacteriana prevaleceu nas idades entre 6 e 23 meses. Com relação aos virus, a predominância foi de RSV com prevalência de 66% do total de virus. Os mais importantes agentes bacterianos foram S. pneumoniae (64%) e H. influenzae (19%). O H. influenzae e as infecções mistas incidiram significativamente durante 1988 assinalando variações anuais na severidade das doenças. Observou-se correlação entre a gravidade dos casos e a alta porcentagem de diagnóstico etiológico: pacientes com ritmos respiratórios mais altos que 70rpm, derrame pleural ou com comprometimento extenso de parênquima pulmonar, apresentaram maior índice de positividade laboratorial. Reconheceu-se vários fatores de risco individuais e familiares ao comparar crianças com pneumonia com controles sadios.

The 4-year study (1987-1990) covered the major clinical-epidemiological characteristics of pneumonia in children as diagnosed at the emergency service of the Children's Hospital, as well as etiologies, and factors involved in the most severe cases. Etiology was determined in 47.7% of the 541 pneumonia cases, involving 283 pathogens of which 38.6% were viruses and 12.6% bacteria. Viral and mixed etiologies were more frequent in children under 12 months of age. Bacteria predominated in ages between 6 and 23 months. Among the viruses, respiratory syncytial virus predominated (66%). The bacterial pneumonias accounted for 12.2% of the recognized etiologies. The most important bacterial agents were S. pneumoniae (64%) and H. influenzae (19%). H. influenzae and mixed infections had a relevant participation during the 1988 season, pointing to annual variations in the relative participation of pathogens and its possible implication in severity of diseases. Correlation of severity and increased percentage of etiological diagnosis was assessed: patients with respiratory rates over 70 rpm, or pleural effusion and/or extensive pulmonary parenchyma compromise yielded higher positive laboratory results. Various individual and family risk factors were recognized when comparing pneumonia children with healthy controls.

Para obter informação básica sobre a incidência, duração, características clínicas e etiologia das infecções respiratórias agudas (IRA), foram observadas 276 crianças de famílias pobres que moram em Montevidéo durante 32 meses. A população alvo foi dividida em dois grupos para análise dos resultados: Crianças com menos de 12 meses e acima dessa idade. Durante o período de seguimento foram registrados 1056 episódios de IRA. A incidência de IRA foi 5.2 por criança/ano. Foi 87% mais alta nos lactentes do que nos grupos de mais idade, com duração maior dos episódios. A maioria das infecções foi pouco grave. Observaram-se poucos casos com taquipnéia e retrações, mas 12 crianças foram hospitalizadas e dois lactentes morreram. Etiologia viral foi identificada em 15.3% dos episódios. RSV foi o agente predominante, produzindo epidemias anuais. Registrou-se durante os episódios de IRA a colonização moderada até alta no trato respiratório superior de S. pneumoniae (32.3%) e Hemophilus sp. (18.9%). Este estudo de comunidade forneceu informações originais sobre IRA no Uruguai. Permitiu avaliar o impacto destas infecções nas crianças.

To obtain base line data on incidence, duration, clinical characteristics and etiology of acute respiratory infections (ARI), 276 children from deprived families living in Montevideo were followed during 32 months. The target population was divided into two groups for the analysis of the results: children aged less than 12 months and those older than this age. During the follow-up period 1.056 ARI episodes were recorded. ARI incidence was 5.2 per child/year. It was 87% higher in infants than in the older group, as was the duration of the episodes. Most of the diseases were mild. Tachypnea and retractions were seldom observed, but 12 children were refered to the hospital, and 2 infants died. Viral etiology was identified in 15.3% of the episodes. RSV was the predominant agent producing annual outbreaks. Moderate to heavy colonization of the upper respiratory tract by Streptococcus pneumoniae (32.3%) and Hemophilus sp. (18.9%) was recorded during ARI episodes. This community-based study furnish original data on ARI in Uruguay. It enabled to asses the impact of these infections on childhood.