Background: Anthropometric evaluation is an essential feature of geriatric nutritional evaluation for determining malnutrition, being overweight, obesity, muscular mass loss, fat mass gain and adipose tissue redistribution. Anthropometric indicators are used to evaluate the prognosis of chronic and acute diseases, and to guide medical intervention in the elderly. We evaluated anthropometric measurements and nutritional status as they relate to age and gender in healthy elderly people.

Background/Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been found to affect 4–8% of women of reproductive age; however, in Mexican-Americans a prevalence of 12.8% has been reported. This study determines the prevalence of PCOS in a sample of Mexican women. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 150 female Mexican volunteers aged 20–45 years. Menstrual cycles were recorded and hirsutism was graded. Pelvic ultrasound was performed and androgen levels were measured. PCOS was diagnosed by hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia, and oligo-ovulation (NIH 1990 criteria), and also by 2 of 3 findings: oligo-ovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries (PCO) (Rotterdam 2003 criteria), excluding other disorders. Results: Nine of the 150 women were diagnosed with PCOS, a prevalence of 6.0% (95% CI: 1.9–10.1%), according to NIH criteria. The ultrasound morphology added one patient to give ten PCOS patients, a prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI: 2.3–10.9%) according to Rotterdam criteria. All PCOS patients presented oligo-ovulation, 9 had hirsutism and 7 of them had acne. Eight of the 10 PCOS patients had morphologic characteristics of PCO. Conclusion: The prevalence of PCOS in Mexican women is approximately 6.0%, similar to other populations, but lower than 12.8% reported in Mexican-American women.

Objectives The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence and spontaneous clearance rate of Helicobacter pylori infection and the effect of some variables on these outcomes in schoolchildren. Methods From May 2005 to December 2010, 718 schoolchildren enrolled in 3 public boarding schools in Mexico City participated in the follow-up. At the beginning of the study and every 6 months thereafter, breath samples were taken to detect H pylori infection; blood samples and anthropometric measurements were taken to evaluate nutritional status. Data on sociodemographic characteristics were collected. Results The prevalence of H pylori infection was 38%. The incidence rate was 6.36%/year. Schoolchildren with anemia or iron deficiency at the beginning of the study (who received iron supplements) showed a higher infection acquisition rate than those with normal iron nutritional status, hazard ratio (HR) 12.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.01%–39.12%), P <0.001 and HR 2.05 (95% CI 1.09%–3.87%), P = 0.027, respectively. The spontaneous clearance rate of the infection was 4.74%/year. The spontaneous clearance rate was higher in children who had iron deficiency (who received iron supplements), HR 5.02 (95% CI 1.33%–18.99%), P = 0.017, compared with those with normal nutritional iron status. It was lower in schoolchildren with ≥2 siblings compared with schoolchildren with 1 or no siblings, HR 0.23 (95% CI 0.08%–0.63%), P = 0.004. Conclusions H pylori infection status is dynamic in schoolchildren. Variables related to health status and infection transmission, such as iron status and number of siblings, are important for the incidence and spontaneous clearance of H pylori infection.

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to determine the variables associated with postoperative pain and the clinical response of patients with uncomplicated hemorrhoidal disease treated with stapled rectal mucosectomy in the medium term. METHODS Patients with Grade II to IV, uncomplicated hemorrhoidal disease who underwent stapled rectal mucosectomy were prospectively included. The basal characteristics of the population were evaluated and level of stapling and placement of hemostatic suture determined. Histologically, the type of resected epithelium and presence of muscle fibers was evaluated. Postoperative pain was evaluated by means of a visual analog scale. Complications and clinical response were evaluated. RESULTS One hundred patients with a mean age of 43.9 years were included. Only columnar epithelium was resected in 48, transitional epithelium in 47, and squamous epithelium in 5 patients. Smooth muscle fragments were found in 55 patients, and, in 12 of these, fibers from the external muscular layer of rectum were also seen. Follow-up was 12.6 +/- 3.4 (range, 7-24) months. A total of 79 patients were completely asymptomatic at the end of follow-up. Resected squamous epithelium was associated with a higher postoperative pain level in the multivariate analysis (coefficient beta = 1.16 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.08-2.24); P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS Rectal mucosectomy with stapler is an effective method for the treatment of uncomplicated prolapsing hemorrhoidal disease. Intensity of postoperative pain was associated with the type of resected epithelium. This suggests that low transection of hemorrhoids must be avoided.

BackgroundIron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide. It is more prevalent when iron requirements are increased during pregnancy and during growth spurts of infancy and adolescence. The last stage in the process of iron depletion is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin concentration, resulting in iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency, even before it is clinically identified as anemia, compromises the immune response, physical capacity for work, and intellectual functions such as attention level. Therefore, interventions addressing iron deficiency should be based on prevention rather than on treatment of anemia. The aim of this study was to compare short- and medium-term effects on ferritin concentration of daily supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate in schoolchildren with iron deficiency but without anemia.MethodsTwo hundred schoolchildren from public boarding schools in Mexico City who had low iron stores as assessed by serum ferritin concentration but without anemia were randomly assigned to a daily supplement of 30 mg/day of elemental iron as ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate for 12 weeks. Iron status was evaluated at baseline, one week post-supplementation (short term), and 6 months (medium term) after supplementation.ResultsFerritin concentration increased significantly between baseline and post-supplementation as well as between baseline and 6 months after supplementation. One week post-supplementation no difference was found in ferritin concentration between iron compounds, but 6 months after supplementation ferritin concentration was higher in the group that received bis-glycinate chelate iron. However, there is no difference in the odds for low iron storage between 6 months after supplementation versus the odds after supplementation; nor were these odds different by type of supplement. Hemoglobin concentration did not change significantly in either group after supplementation.ConclusionsSupplementing with 30 mg/d of elementary iron, either as ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate for 90 days, showed positive effects on increasing ferritin concentration in schoolchildren with low iron stores, and this effect persisted 6 months after supplementation.

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Abstract. This study evaluated the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and height in a population of schoolchildren of a low socioeconomic level regarding growth-related micronutrient status. It was a cross-sectional study of 685 children 5-13 years of age. Height and weight were recorded, a 13 C urea breath test was performed for detection of H. pylori , and a blood sample was obtained for determination of micronutrient status. Helicobacter pylori infection was found to be associated with the height of children. Children with H. pylori infection are, on average, 1.32 cm lower (95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.22 to -0.42) in height than children without infection. There was an effect modification by age: for every one-year increase in age, height was 0.66 cm less (95% CI = -1.17 to -0.15) in children with H. pylori infection. This finding suggests that H. pylori infection has a negative effect on the growth of children.

Background: In Mexico, as in other developing countries, micronutrient deficiencies are common in infants between 6 and 24 months of age and are an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and of iron, folic acid, and zinc deficiencies in Mexican children under 2 years of age who use the health care services provided by the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS).