Cross-sectional study of HPV-16 infection in a population-based subsample of Hispanic adults

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of seropositivity to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 in a subsample of adults who participated in the parent study Epidemiology of Hepatitis C in the adult population of Puerto Rico (PR).

SETTING

The parent study was a population-based household survey aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis C and other viral infections (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HIV, and herpes simplex type 2) in PR (n=1654) between 2005 and 2008.

PARTICIPANTS

A subsample of the last 450 consecutive adults aged 21-64 years, recruited between February 2007 and January 2008, who participated in the parent study and agreed to participate in HPV testing.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The samples were tested by ELISA for HPV-16 viral-like particle-specific immunoglobulin G. Information on sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics was collected. Logistic regression modelling was used to estimate the prevalence odds ratio (POR) to assess factors associated to HPV-16 seropositivity.

RESULTS

Prevalence of seropositivity to HPV-16 was 11.3%. Seroprevalence was higher in women (15.8%) than men (5.6%; p=0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, ever smokers (POR 2.06, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.92) and participants with at least five lifetime sexual partners (POR 2.91, 95% CI 1.24 to 6.81) were more likely to be HPV-16 seropositive.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV-16 seropositivity is similar to that reported in the USA (10.4%) for NHANES 2003-2004 participants, although different assays were used in these studies. While future studies should evaluate HPV seroprevalence using a larger population-based sample, our results highlight the need to further understand the burden of HPV infection and HPV-related malignancies in PR, population with a low vaccine uptake.

Prevalence of sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea in 50- to 70-year-old individuals. A survey

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in a general population aged from 50 to 70 years.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We recruited 76 individuals aged between 50 and 70 years, chosen at random from the electoral census. They were invited to the clinic where a detailed medical history was taken and physical examination, ENT examination, pulmonary function tests and night time recording of respiratory variables performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of SDB (apnea-hypopnea index >/= 5) was 28.9%, and there were no differences between men (28%) and women (30%). However, the prevalence of SAS was 6.8%, and there were differences between men (5 cases) and women (0 cases) (p = 0.0521). Subjects in the SDB group had higher systolic blood pressure than in the non-SDB group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SDB and SAS are common among 50- to 70-year olds. The prevalence of SDB was 28.9% and the prevalence of SAS was 6.8%.

[Symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome in the general population]

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features of patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the general population. One hundred ten individuals were selected randomly from the census and given hospital appointments. Case histories were taken and complete physical examinations were made. Nighttime respiratory polysomnograms were performed. Twenty-two (20%) of the 110 subjects presented SAS. In the SAS group, 59.1% were habitual snorers and 22.7% reported daytime hypersomnolence. The SAS patients has a mean age of 59.6 +/- 8.8 years and 45.4% showed alterations of the pharynx. No differences in spirometric variables were observed. Only age and daytime hypersomnolence predicted SAS in the multivariate analysis. We conclude that the prevalence of snoring, daytime hypersomnolence, pharyngeal alterations are higher in patients with SAS. The patients are also older. Only age and daytime hypersomnolence predicted of SAS.

[The clinical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly]

Pulmonary tuberculosis remains as a significant clinical problem in the elderly. To describe age-related differences in disease manifestations, a comparison was made taking in consideration predisposing factors, clinical features, radiographic findings and diagnostic approaches in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis between two groups: equal o higher of 60 years and lower of 60 years. Elderly patients had a higher number of antecedents of previous tuberculosis and underlying diseases than younger patients. At admission, symptoms like fever and hemoptysis were more frequent in the younger group. Radiographic findings revealed that upper lung infiltrates were still common in both groups, and that elderly patients presented less pleural effusions and cavitary lesions than younger patients. Since there were differences in the clinical presentations of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly group, a high index of suspicion for the disease should be maintained.

[Epidemiological study of tuberculosis in the health area of Santiago de Compostella in 1992, 1993 and 1994]

An exhaustive search for the clinical records of patients diagnosed with tuberculous disease was done in the hospitals of the area under study, which involves 392,000 population. During the years 1992, 1993 and 1994. There were included: 1) patients who had positive bacilloscopy and/or positive Lowenstein's culture in any specimen: 2) patients younger than 35-years-old who had pleural effusion, significant Mantoux and adenosine deaminase (ADA) over 47 U/I in the pleural effusion. In total 814 patients remained in the study with an average age of 38.39(19.39 DE) in 1992, 39.02 (20.04 DE) in 1993, and 34.1 years-old (19.2 DE) in 1994, with extreme ages of 2 months and 87 years-old. The incidence/100,000 H was: in 1992: 67.86, in 1993: 66.58 and in 1994: 73.2. The contagious forms incidence/100,000 H was: 1.5 in 1992 and 1993; and 1.79 in 1994. The hospital mortality incidence/100,000 H was 2.04 in 1992, 2.30 in 1993 and 2.6 in 1994. We conclude that tuberculosis is endemic in our area with moderately high and stationary incidence.