Although we know chronic pain (CP) affects approximately 30% of people in developed countries, data from Latin America are scarce. Moreover, prevalence of specific CP conditions, such as chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), fibromyalgia (FM), and neuropathic pain (NP), is unknown. To estimate them in Chile, we prospectively enrolled 1945 participants (61.4% women and 38.6% men), aged 38 to 74 years, from an agricultural town who answered a Pain Questionnaire, the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire, and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) to identify CNCP, FM, and NP, respectively. The estimated prevalence of CNCP was 34.7% (95% CI 32.6; 36.8), with an average duration of 32.3 months (SD ± 56.3), producing deep impairments in daily activities, sleep, and mood. We estimated a prevalence of 3.3% for FM (95% CI 2.5; 4.1) and 12% for NP (95% CI 10.6; 13.4). Female sex, fewer school years, and depressive symptoms were associated with FM and NP, whereas diabetes was only associated with NP. We standardized the results from our sample against the whole Chilean population and found no significant difference to our crude estimates. This is in line with studies from developed countries, highlighting the idea that despite genetic and environmental differences, the conditions that confer risk to CNCP remain stable.

Background: Chile, presents one of the highest incidences of Covid-19 infection in the world. Primary care can play a key role in early detection and contention of the disease. There is lack of information on the clinical profile of suspected Covid-19 primary care patients and controversy on the effectiveness of rapid serologic tests in the diagnosis and surveillance of the disease. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of rapid serologic testing in detection and surveillance of Covid-19 cases in primary care. Design and Setting: Longitudinal study based on non-random sample of 522 participants including 304 symptomatic patients and 218 high-risk asymptomatic individuals receiving care at four primary health clinics in an underserved area in Santiago. Method: Participants were systematically assessed and tested for Covid-19 with RT-PCR and serology at baseline and followed clinically and serologically for a three weeks period. Results: The prevalence rate of RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 cases was 3.5 times higher in symptomatic patients (27.5% (22.1-32.8; 95% CI) compared to asymptomatic participants (7.9% (4.3-11.6; 95% CI). Similarly, the immune response was significantly different between both groups. Sensitivity of serologic testing was 57.8% (44.8-70.1; 95% CI) during the third week of follow-up and specificity was 98.4% (95.5-99.7; 95% CI). Conclusion: Rapid serologic testing is ineffective for detecting asymptomatic or non-severe cases of COVID-19 at early stages of the disease but can be of value for surveillance of immunity response in primary care. The clinical profile and immune response of Covid-19 patients in primary care differ from those in hospital-based populations.

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Background We aim to describe the prevalence, distribution and factors associated to processed meat (e.g. sausages, bacon) consumption (PMC) in a Chilean population-based cohort. This is the first study to explore this exposure in Chile. Methods We studied 7841 participants of the Maule Cohort, 4358 women, 3483 men aged 37 to 77 years, who answered an epidemiological survey (diet, alcohol, health, socioeconomic), had a medical examination, and provided fasting blood. We stratified them in five groups by weekly frequency of PMC from (1) none, (2) <1/week, (3) 1/week, (4) 2-4/week to (5) >5/week. We analyzed MAUCO cohort baseline data in association with PMC. We estimated Prevalence ratios (PR) with Poisson regression (age, schooling & sex adjusted) and with multinomial logistic regression we modelled PMC using group 1 as reference. Results High consumers were 8% (7% women, 9% men). Binge drinking was more common among participants in groups 2, 3 & 4 (Relative Risk Ratio, RRR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.52; 1.28, CI 1.0-1.55 & 1.32, CI 1.08-1.6). As for diet, participants consuming red meat (>4 /week, 2.79; CI 2.13-3.66), butter/cream (>4 times/week, 2.07; CI 1.62-2.64), sugary snacks/sweets (≥1 time/day, 2.26; 1.81-2.83) and sugary drinks (≥1 time/day, 1.85; CI 1.48-2.31) were more likely to be in the high PMC group. Cardiovascular diseases (1.72, 1.17-2.52) and large waist circumference (1.01, 1.0 - 1.02) were more common in participants in the high PMC group. Conclusions High consumption of processed meat is accompanied by other behaviors and risk factors that can potentiate adverse health effects in this population. Key messages In Chile, little attention has been given to potential health impacts of processed meat. This work aims to bring focus to this issue. High processed meat consumption was associated with other non-healthy foods, risky alcohol intake and unhealthy weight, all of which can increase the risk of chronic diseases.