Background We performed a systematic review of studies conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to assess the impact of oral diseases on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and methods Searches were performed of the following PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and LILACS databases. Randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, case and control studies, and cross-sectional studies which included at least 100 participants evaluating the impact of oral diseases on OHRQoL were included. PROSPERO registry number: CRD42020156098. Results After exclusion of duplicates, 3310 articles were identified, 40 of which were included in this review. 90% of the studies were conducted in Brazil. The most commonly used OHRQoL measuring instruments were CPQ 11–14 (n = 9), ECOHIS (n-8) and B-ECOHIS (n = 8). The study designs included 32 cross-sectional, 2 cohort and 6 case and control studies. Most of the studies were conducted in children (n = 25) and adolescents (n = 9). Most studies identified an impact on OHRQoL in children, adolescents and adults with oral diseases. Moreover, greater oral disease severity had a greater impact on OHRQoL. Conclusions Most studies in LAC report a negative impact of diseases on OHRQoL. More longitudinal studies are required to confirm the results of these studies.

The goal of this study was to identify chronic conditions and multimorbidity patterns in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to examine their associations with pneumonia and death. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the official data of COVID-19 patients in Mexico through May 18, 2020 (released by the Secretaría de Salud de México). Adjusted logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations of comorbidities with pneumonia and death. The marginal effects were estimated, and the probability of pneumonia or death according to the number of comorbidities was graphed for each year of age. Results: Of the 51 053 COVID-19 patients enrolled in the final analysis, 27 667 (54.2%) had no chronic conditions, while 13 652 (26.7%), 6518 (12.8%) and 3216 (6.3%) were reported to have 1, 2, and 3 or more simultaneous conditions, respectively. Overall, a significant incremental gradient was observed for the association between multimorbidity and pneumonia (p<0.001); for 2 chronic conditions, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 2.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.95 to 2.20), and for ≥3 conditions, the aOR was 2.40 (95% CI, 2.22 to 2.60). A significant incremental gradient was also found for the relationship between multimorbidity and death (p<0.001); an aOR of 2.51 (95% CI, 2.30 to 2.73) was found for 2 chronic conditions and an aOR of 3.49 (95% CI, 3.15 to 3.86) for ≥3 conditions. Conclusions: Underlying chronic conditions and multimorbidity are associated with pneumonia and death in Mexican COVID-19 patients. Future investigation is necessary to clarify the pathophysiological processes behind this association, given the high burden of chronic diseases in various countries, including Mexico.

Background: Understanding problems of access to oral health services requires knowledge of factors that determine access. This study aimed to evaluate factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru between 2014 and 2015. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of 71,614 Peruvian children aged <12 years and their caregivers. Data were obtained from the Survey on Demography and Family Health 2014-2015 (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar - ENDES). Children’s access to oral health services within the previous 6 months was used as the dependent variable (i.e. Yes/No), and the Andersen and col model was used to select independent variables. Predisposing (e.g., language spoken by  tutor or guardian, wealth level, caregivers’ educational level, area of residence, natural region of residence, age, and sex) and enabling factors (e.g. type of health insurance) were considered. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed using generalized linear models (Poisson family). Results: Of all the children, 51% were males, 56% were aged <5 years, and 62.6% lived in urban areas. The most common type of health insurance was Integral Health Insurance (57.8%), and most respondents were in the first quintile of wealth (31.6%). Regarding caregivers, the most common educational level was high school (43.02%) and the most frequently spoken language was Spanish (88.4%). Univariate analysis revealed that all variables, except sex and primary educational level, were statistically significant. After adjustment, sex, area of residence, and language were insignificant, whereas the remaining variables were statistically significant. Conclusions: Wealth index, caregivers’ education level, natural region of residence, age, and type of health insurance are factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru. These factors should be considered when devising strategies to mitigate against inequities in access to oral health services.

Objectives To determine the optimal anthropometric cut-off points for predicting the likelihood ratios of hypertension and diabetes in the Peruvian population. Design A cross-sectional study was performed to establish cut-off values for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference [WC], waist-height ratio [WHtR], and Conicity index [C-index]) associated with increased risk of hypertension and diabetes. Youden’s index (YIndex), area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were considered. Settings Peruvian households. Participants Peruvian population over the age of 18 years. Results 31,553 subjects were included; 57% being women. Among the women, 53.06% belonged to the 25 to 44-year-old age group [mean age: 41.66 in men and 40.02 in women]. The mean BMI, WHtR and C-index values were higher in women 27.49, 0.61, 1.30 respectively; while the mean WC value was higher in men 92.12 cm (SD±11.28). The best predictors of hypertension in men were the WHtR (AUC=0.64) and the C-index (AUC=0.64) with an optimal cut-off point of 0.57 (YIndex=0.284) and 1.301 (YIndex=0.284), respectively. Women showed an AUC of 0.63 and 0.61 in the WHtR and C-index, respectively, with an optimal cut-off of 0.61 (YIndex=0.236) and 1.323 (YIndex=0.225). The best predictor for diabetes was the C-index: with an AUC=0.67 and an optimal cut-off of 1.337 (YIndex=0.346) for men, and an AUC=0.66 and optimal cut-off of 1.313 (YIndex=0.319) for women. Conclusions Our findings show that in Peruvian adults, the WHtR and the C-index have the strongest association with hypertension in both sexes. Likewise, the C-index had the strongest association with diabetes.

Correspondence COVID-19 in Peru: the need to pay attention to the high number of police deaths due to the pandemic We have read with great interest the editorial titled "Facing the future-what lessons could we learn from Covid-19?" 1 and we agree with the message of learning the lessons of this pandemic, looking ahead and planning for the future. Likewise, the future could refer to months and even years later, however in such a changing scenario and where immediate needs are urgent, we are not allowed to wait and we are forced to learn and share experiences with other countries to face the near future.With more than 80 000 cases, 2267 deaths and only 1031 ICU beds for 33 million inhabitants, Peru is one of the Latin American countries with the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the early measures taken by the government. 2 Through a national emergency declaration, the Peruvian government established a quarantine from March 16, 3 which will run until May 24, however, to date there is still no stabilization and reduction in the number of new cases and deaths. Despite this, on May 11 the gradual reactivation of economic activities began in the national territory approved by Supreme Decree No. 080-2020-PCM. 4 According to experts, this should not only be allowed gradually but also by deploying extraordinary preventive measures to mitigate the progression of the disease and prevent the collapse of our precarious health system.With the declaration of a state of emergency, the police and armed forces were displaced to the streets to ensure order and internal security in order to avoid the spread of the disease in the population. However, even under quarantine, it has been possible to observe scenarios in which disorder, crowding and non-compliance with the social distance between the population prevail in places such as markets, public transport and groups of people returning from the cities to the countryside. This not only increases the risk of transmission between citizens but also puts at risk the police who, in carrying out their work, try to enforce the government's regulations with inadequate precautionary measures and insufficient protection.On April 25, 1300 positive cases and 11 deaths from COVID-19 were reported in police officers nationwide. On May 6, the number of infections in this group amounts to 4098 and 82 deaths, and the figures continue to grow. 2 These

Background Oral health inequalities are profound worldwide. Despite major improvements in oral health, inequalities exist for many racial and ethnic groups, by socioeconomic status, gender, age, and geographic location. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate trends of socio-economic inequalities in access to oral health services in Peru before and after the implementation of Universal Health Assurance (AUS). Methods Analytical cross-sectional study based on the National Household Survey on Living Conditions and Poverty (ENAHO) 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2017. Two periods were defined before and after the AUS Law (2009). Use of oral health services was the dependent variable, for the general population and according to ages, the area of residence, and natural region. Measurements of inequality in the use of health services were made based on the concentration curves (CC), dominance test and concentration index (CI). Results We included a number of 85,436 (2004), 88,673 (2008), 87,074 (2010) and 124,142 (2017) participants. The proportion of people who used oral health services was 8.4% (2014), 10.1% (2008), 10.6% (2010) and 10.4% (2017). Use of oral health services showed an increase in different age groups, urban and rural areas, and natural regions of residence during the study period. The CC were distributed below the line of equality, indicating an inequality of use of oral health services, in favor of the richest groups and dominance of the CC in 2017 over the previous years. Changes in the CI were statistically significant for < 5 years and in the rural area, and for the period 2010-2017 they were also significant in the general population, children aged 5-17 years, urban area, and Andean and Jungle regions, which indicates a reduction in the concentration of use of these services in these groups. Conclusions The use of oral health services in Peru increased and inequality decreased in the period 2004-2017, coinciding with the implementation of the AUS. However, the use of these services continue having a distribution in favor of the richest populations. It requires the introduction of new strategies and oral health programs in the Peruvian population, with the aim of closing the gap currently mediated by the economic possibilities.

Objetivos. Establecer las prevalencias regionales e identificar conglomerados distritales con altas prevalencias de anemia en gestantes atendidas en los establecimientos de salud públicos del Perú en el 2015. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico de datos de gestantes con anemia, registrados en el Sistema de Información del Estado Nutricional (SIEN), que fueron atendidas en 7703 establecimientos públicos de salud durante el 2015. Se calcularon prevalencias de anemia gestacional regionales y distritales. Mediante el índice de Moran se identificaron conglomerados distritales con alta prevalencia de anemia gestacional. Resultados. Se recolectó información de 311 521 gestantes, distribuidas en 1638 distritos del Perú. La prevalencia nacional de anemia fue de 24,2% (IC 95%: 24,0-24,3) y 30,5% en el área rural vs. 22,0% en el área urbana. Las regiones de Huancavelica (45,5%; IC 95%: 44,2-46,7), Puno (42,8%; IC 95%: 41,9-43,7), Pasco (38,5%; IC 95%: 36,9-40,0), Cusco (36,0%; IC 95%: 35,8) y Apurímac (32,0%; IC 95%: 30,8-33,1) tuvieron las mayores prevalencias de anemia. El índice local de Moran identificó 202 distritos (12,3%) (44 urbanos y 158 rurales) de alta prioridad (alto-alto o hot spots) situados en Ancash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Junín, La Libertad, Lima, Pasco y Puno, que muestran conglomerados distritales con altas prevalencias. Conclusiones. La anemia gestacional en Perú concentra sus mayores prevalencias en las áreas rural y sur de la sierra. Los conglomerados distritales con altas prevalencias de anemia gestacional coinciden con las zonas de alta prevalencia regional. Palabras clave: Sistemas de Información Geográfica; Anemia; Mujeres Embarazadas; Embarazo; Perú (fuente: DeCS BIREME). SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF GESTATIONAL ANEMIA IN PERU, 2015 ABSTRACTObjectives. To establish regional prevalences of anemia in pregnant women receiving care at public clinics in Peru in 2015 and identify high-prevalence district conglomerates. Materials and Methods. An ecological study was carried out on data from pregnant women with anemia registered on the Nutritional Status Information System (SIEN) who received care in 7703 public clinics in 2015. Regional and district prevalences of gestational anemia were calculated. District conglomerates with a high prevalence of gestational anemia were identified using the Moran Index. Results. Information was gathered from 311,521 pregnant women distributed in 1638 districts in Peru. The national prevalence of anemia was 24.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 24.0-24.3%), the rural prevalence was 30.5%, and the urban prevalence was 22.0%. The regions of Huancavelica (45.5%; 95% CI: 44.2-46.7%), Puno (42.8%; 95% CI: 41.9-43.7%), Pasco (38.5%; 95% CI: 36.9-40.0%), Cusco (36.0%; 95% CI: 35.3-36.8%), and Apurímac (32.0%; 95% CI: 30.8-33.1%) had the highest prevalences of anemia. The local Moran Index identified 202 high-priority districts (hot spots) (12.3% of total; 44 urban and 158 rural) located in Ancash, Apurímac, Arequipa, ...

Objetivos. Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados al uso de servicios de salud oral en adultos mayores (AM) peruanos durante el 2018. Materiales y métodos. Análisis secundario de los datos de 4874 AM peruanos de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2018. Se consideró el uso de servicio de salud oral (sí/no) en razón de los seis meses previos a la aplicación de la encuesta como variable dependiente, las variables independientes fueron: sexo, edad, área de residencia, nivel educativo, estado civil, dominio geográfico, limitación física, afiliación a un seguro de salud, lengua hablada y quintil de bienestar. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo usando frecuencias absolutas y proporciones ponderadas, y un análisis multivariado empleando modelos lineales generalizados (familia Poisson). Resultados. Del total de AM, 52,6% fueron mujeres, 52,9% pertenecían al grupo de 60 a 69 años de edad, 77% pertenecían al área urbana y 81,1% estuvieron afiliados a un seguro de salud. La prevalencia del uso de servicios odontológicos durante los últimos seis meses fue 24,9%. El análisis multivariado encontró asociación con el área de residencia (p0,001), el nivel educativo superior (p=0,001), la afiliación a un seguro de salud (p0,001), el dominio geográfico (p=0,019) y todos los quintiles de bienestar (p0,001). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de uso de servicios de salud oral en AM fue baja, y sus factores asociados fueron el área de residencia, el nivel educativo, la afiliación a un seguro de salud, el dominio geográfico y los quintiles de bienestar.