Argentine Population Research Articles

Ultra-processed food consumption in Argentina according to income level and its association with the intake of healthy foods.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with unhealthy diets and chronic diseases. Hence, knowing the consumption pattern of UPFs in the general population is crucial to design policies to improve public health, such as the recently approved law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating in Argentina (Law N° 27.642). The aim of the study was to characterise the consumption of UPFs according to income level and to assess their association with the intake of healthy foods in the Argentinian population. Healthy foods were defined in this study as those non-UPF groups that have been shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and excluded certain natural or minimally processed foods such as red meat, poultry and eggs. We retrieved data from the 2018-2019 National Nutrition and Health Survey (ENNyS 2), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey performed in Argentina, including 15 595 inhabitants. We classified the 1040 food items recorded by the degree of processing using the NOVA system. UPFs represented nearly 26% of daily energy. The intake of UPFs increased with income, with a difference of up to 5 percentage points between the lowest (24%) and the highest (29%) income levels (p < 0.001). Cookies, industrial pastries, cakes and sugar-sweetened beverages were the most consumed UPF items, accounting for 10% of daily energy intake. We found that UPF intake was associated with a decrease in consumption of healthy food groups, mainly fruits and vegetables, where a difference of -28.3 g/2000 kcal and -62.3 g/2000 kcal between tertile 1 and tertile 3 was estimated, respectively. Therefore, Argentina still maintains a UPF consumption pattern of a low- and middle-income country, where UPF intake increases with income, but these foods also compete with the intake of healthy foods.

Treatment adherence in patients without ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Despite progress during the last decades, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remain with a high residual risk due to multiple reasons. Optimal medical treatment (OMT) provides a decrease of recurrent ischemic events after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, treatment adherence results crucial to reduce further outcomes after the index event. No recent data are available in Argentinian population; the main objective of our study was to evaluate the adherence at 6 and 15 months in post non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS) consecutive patients. Secondary objective was to evaluate the relationship of adherence with 15-month events. A prespecified sub-analysis in the prospective registry Buenos Aires I was performed. The adherence was evaluated using the modified Morisky-Green Scale. A number of 872 patients had information about adherence profile. Of them 76.4% were classified as adherents at month 6 and 83.6% at 15 (P=0.06). We did not find any difference in baseline characteristic between the adherent and non-adherent patients at 6 months. The adjusted analysis showed that non-adherent patients had a rate of ischemic events at 15th month of 20% (27/135) vs. 11.5% (52/452) in adherent patients (P=0.001). The bleeding events defined were of 3.6% in the non-adherent group vs. 5% in the adherent group without a statistical difference (P=0.238). Adherence to treatment is still a major issue as almost 25% of patients should be considered as non-adherent to OMT. No clinical predictor of this phenomenon was identified but our criteria were not exhaustive. Good adherence to treatment was highly associated to a reduction of ischemic events, whereas no impact on bleeding events was found. These data support a better network and collaboration with shared decision between healthcare professionals with patients and family members to improve acceptance and adherence to optimal medical strategies.

Yesavage’s Geriatric Depression Questionnaire(GDS‐VE): Analysis of its internal structure inolder adults living in Buenos Aires, Argentina

AbstractBackgroundDepression represents one of the most frequent and disabling mood disorders in the elderly population. To measure it, one of the most used scales is the Geriatric Depression Questionnaire, developed by Yesavage, in its abbreviated version (GDS‐VE). Despite its ample acknowledgment and frequent use, an analysis of these characteristics has not yet been carried out on the Argentine population. Currently, because of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the isolation context, the American Psychological Association recommends adapting face‐to‐face to virtual practices. Given this need, the present work aims to analyze the internal structure of the GDS‐VE, for pencil/paper and Internet modalities examining the metric equivalence between both of them.MethodA confirmatory factor analysis was carried out and the internal consistency was estimated for both modalities.ResultFactor invariance between both forms of administration was also examined. A total of 696 older adults participated and responded to the questionnaire, using two modes of administration (50% pencil‐paper and 50% Internet). As a result, an adequate adjustment of the model to the empirical data was verified for both versions (pencil‐paper and Internet), as well as an adequate metric invariance between them.ConclusionThese findings provide evidence of validity and reliability of the GDS‐VE instrument on the Argentine population.

Frequency of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer in an Argentinian population.

e15604 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. At diagnosis, about 25% of patients are metastatic (mCRC); also 50% patients will develop metastases during the disease First line treatment (1L) for mCRC is guided by clinical and molecular features and includes the use of chemotherapy combined with monoclonal antibodies, like anti-epidermal growth factor receptor, such as cetuximab and panitumumab, or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, such as bevacizumab. Treatment guidelines advise assessing the mutational status of some oncogenes (KRAS, NRAS and BRAF) prior to the choice of 1L The aim of this study is to analyze the population characteristics of patients with CRC in Argentina and to determine the incidence of mutations in KRAS, NRAS and BRAF in this population. Methods: Tissue (TB) or liquid biopsies (LB) were collected and analyzed from March 2018 to November 2022 from an adult patient population with CRC in Argentina. Mutations in KRAS, NRAS and BRAF were determined using real time PCR (cut-off values TB: KRAS/NRAS 1-5%; BRAF 5%; LB: KRAS 25-75 copies/mL in 64000 copies of normal DNA; RAS/BRAF 100-200 copies/mL in 160000 copies of normal DNA). Also population characteristics (age, sex, and geographic location) were considered for analysis. Only patients having results for the three genes were included. Results: A total of 9150 samples were analyzed, 91% (N = 8326) for TB and 9% (N = 824) for LB; from these, 56.6% came from male (N = 5181) and 43.4% female (N = 3969) patients. The median age was 64 years (range 22-89) Patients tested by TB mainly had stage IV 68.6% (N = 6129), 1.7% (N = 149) stage II and 5.9% (N = 523) stage III disease. For LB patients, also stage IV 79.7% (N = 610) disease was the most common followed by stage III 4.4% (N = 34), and stage II 0.7% (N = 5) For stage IV patients with TB, 81.6% (N = 5060) were tested prior 1L therapy, 10.9% (N = 674) before second line (2L) and 0.6% (N = 34) before third line (3L). For LB patients, 1L was the most common 48.5% (N = 361), followed by 2L 5.0% (N = 37), and 3L 19.1% (N = 142) In stage IV patients tested before 1L by TB, the frequency of mutations in the RAS family genes was 47% (N = 2257), KRAS mutations were found in 91.4% of cases (N = 2084) and 8.7% in NRAS (N = 173). RAS wt patients were 52.9% (N = 2537). Mutations in BRAF were found in 12.1% of cases For those patients tested using LB, mutations in RAS were found in 38.3% (N = 121) of cases, KRAS in 92.6% (N = 112) and NRAS in 7.4% (N = 9). RAS wt patients were 61.7% (N = 195) while BRAF mutated patients were 13.3%. Conclusions: This analysis is the largest cohort showing the molecular profile in CRC patients from Argentinean population. Mutations in RAS genes arose in 38-47% of mCRC patients before 1L. BRAF mutations were found in 12.1-13.3% slightly higher than in other series. Testing rates for RAS and BRAF before starting treatment was high, this reinforces the need of mutational screening before deciding any therapy in mCRC.

Prevalence of KRAS p.G12C mutation in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Argentina.

e21155 Background: KRAS is mutated in ∼30% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most of the mutations involve codon 12 of exon 2, with G12C mutation being the most frequent (~12%). Differences in mutational frequency have been demonstrated in patients of different ethnicities and smoking status. However, the effects of ancestry and environmental factors have not been exhaustively described for the Argentine population. Methods: An observational study was conducted in a cohort of 1810 patients. Specifically, 1510 retrospective tissue samples and 300 prospective tissue samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR(qPCR) using AmoyDx KRAS Mutation Detection Kit. A validation was also performed on 181 tissue samples by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) with the commercial kit PrimePCR ddPCR Mutation Detection Assay Kit: KRAS p.G12C (Biorad). Statistical analyses were performed to address the association of KRAS p.G12C across demographics characteristics such as smoker-ex smoker / no smoker condition, sex, age, geographical distribution, histological subtype, metastasis or primary tumor and organ site of metastasis. Results: A prevalence of 14.48% in KRAS p.G12C was observed comparable with those observed in other populations. A significant association was observed between clinical variables and KRAS p.G12C prevalence: the proportion of KRAS p.G12C is increased in stage IV samples compared to stage III (p = 0.012) and in active smokers/ex-smokers compared to non-smokers (p &lt; 0.0001). The proportion of KRAS p.G12C decreases in samples from the pleura as a biopsy site. Our results suggest that there is a 92.05% concordance between qPCR KRAS p.G12C kit and ddPCR. Conclusions: This study represents a deep understanding of KRAS p.G12C mutational landscape in the Argentine population and its association with demographic and clinical characteristics and demonstrates that qPCR is a feasible methodology for routine testing.

Reference population database for 24 STR loci of selected provinces of Argentina.

Argentinean population is the result of admixture between South Amerindians, Europeans and to a lesser degree, Africans. Since the advent of forensic molecular genetics, the construction of local reference databases became mandatory. Aiming to further extend the technical quality reference database of Argentina, we present herein the allele frequencies for 24 autosomal STRs, including D22S1045, and SE33 (not previously reported for Argentina in STRidER). Genotypes of 6454 unrelated individuals (3761 males and 2694 females) from 13 out of 23 provinces were analysed. Forensic parameters were calculated for each marker. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.661 (TPOX) to 0.941 (SE33). The locus SE33 was revealed to be the most informative marker showing the highest values for PIC (0.955), GD (0.952), TPI (8.455) and PE (0.879). On the other hand, TPOX turned out to be the least informative marker: PIC (0.618), GD (0.669), and PE (0.371). The high number of analyzed individuals allowed detecting low frequency alleles and microvariants in CSF1PO; D16S539 and D21S11 D18S51; PENTA D; PENTA E and at locus D6S1043. This study is the most extensive for Argentina and complements the already reported information concerning the autosomal STRs commonly used in forensic identification. The results were submitted passing STRidER quality control standards (QC), receiving the reference number STR000327 v.2.

As Time goes by: A Longitudinal Study on the Mental Health of Argentinians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 mitigation measures such as lockdown and social distancing could have a negative impact on mental health. Understanding their impact is essential to minimize adverse effects on individuals, families, and communities. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation in the Argentinian population over time. An online survey evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms, positive affect, and negative affect, was completed by 3,833 people at three different time points: immediately after the lockdown began, 12–15 days after the first assessment, and after 47–51 days. Various socio-demographic factors were considered. A series of mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed, with results showing significant increases over time (with small effect sizes) in anxiety, depression, negative affect, and a decrease in positive affect. Some socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, number of children, and educational level differentially affected these changes. These results suggest that mental health and quality of life were negatively affected, making it essential to monitor emotional distress and other mental health problems in the population and encourage the implementation of support and containment devices to cope with these adverse effects.

Incidence and case-fatality rate of stroke in General Villegas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The EstEPA population study

ObjectivesStroke epidemiology varies among different populations. The burden of stroke is high in low- and middle-income countries. Reliable population data is needed to assess the impact of stroke and to develop policies aimed to improve stroke care in our region. EstEPA is a population-based project assessing prevalence, incidence, mortality and burden of stroke in General Villegas Department, Buenos Aires, Argentina (pop=30,864 inhabitants). We determined incidence of stroke (first-ever and recurrent stroke) and stroke case-fatality rate from 2017 to 2020. MethodsFirst-ever strokes, recurrent strokes and transient ischemic attacks were ascertained and case-fatality rate was obtained. Diagnoses were based on standard AHA/WHO definitions. Study population included all persons residing in General Villegas during the three-year period. Hospitals, households, nursing homes, death certificates and several overlapping sources were surveyed. ResultsWe assessed 92,592 person-years. There were 155 cerebrovascular events aged 70 years (SD ± 13 years), of which 115 were first-ever strokes (74%), 21 recurrent strokes (13.5%) and 19 transient ischemic attacks (12.5%). The crude overall incidence rate of first-ever strokes was 124.2 per 100,000 population (86.9 per 100,000 [95% CI 58.5-115.2] when standardized by WHO World population and 109.7 per 100,000 [95% CI 89.7-129.8] when standardized by Argentine population) and 317.0 per 100,000 population in subjects older than 40 years. Case fatality rate at 30 days of first-ever strokes was 27%. ConclusionIn this population-based comprehensive stroke epidemiological study in Argentina, first-ever stroke incidence in an urban population was 124.2 per 100,000 population (86.9 per 100,000 adjusted by the WHO World population). This is lower than the incidence in other countries in the region and similar to a recent incidence study in Argentina. It is also comparable to reported incidence in most middle- and high-income countries. Stroke case-fatality rate was comparable to other population-based Latin-American studies.

Association of IFN-γ +874 A/T SNP and hypermethylation of the -53 CpG site with tuberculosis susceptibility.

Tuberculosis (TB) is now the 2nd leading infectious killer after COVID-19 and the 13th leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, TB is a lethal combination for HIV-patients. Th1 responses and particularly IFN-γ are crucial for immune protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Many gene variants for IFNG that confer susceptibility to TB have been described in multiple ethnic populations. Likewise, some epigenetic modifications have been evaluated, being CpG methylation the major epigenetic mark that makes chromatin inaccessible to transcription factors, thus avoiding the initiation of IFNG transcription. We evaluated both genetic and epigenetic changes involved in IFN-γ production and TB susceptibility in Argentine population. Amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) was performed for the IFN-γ +874 A/T polymorphism (rs2430561) genotyping in 199 healthy donors (HD) and 173 tuberculosis (TB) patients. IFN-γ levels from M. tuberculosis-stimulated PBMCs were measured by ELISA. The methylation status at the -53 CpG site of the IFNG promoter in individuals with latent infection (LTBI), TB and HD was determine by pyrosequencing. Using a case-control study, we found that A allele and, consequently, AA genotype were overrepresented in patients with active disease. Moreover, HD carrying T allele (AT or TT genotype) evidenced an augmented IFN-γ secretion compared to TB patients. Codominance was the genetic model that best fits our results according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). In addition, increased methylation levels at the -53 CpG site in the IFN-γ promoter were observed in whole blood of patients with active TB compared to LTBI individuals. IFN-γ is regulated by genetic variants and epigenetic modifications during TB. Besides, AA genotype of the rs2430561 single nucleotide polymorphism could be considered as a potential TB susceptibility genetic biomarker in Argentina and the methylation of the -53 CpG site could result in a useful predictor of TB reactivation.

Tendencias en la calidad de dieta de los hogares argentinos entre 1996-2018, diferencias según región, tipo de hogar y nivel de ingreso

Introduction: Food is a health determinant, bad quality diets represent one of the main risk factors of morbidity and mortality. Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the tendency in food quality in the last two decades and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics in Argentinian homes in the last period. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study; data collected for the National Survey of Home Expenditure in the periods 1996-97, 2004-05, 2012-13 and 2017-18 were analyzed. The total score and the scores for each component of Argentinian Index of Diet Quality (ICDAr, according to Spanish acronym) were estimated and a bivariate analysis was done to evaluate differences according to region, home type and income level. Results: A significant loss in food quality is observed in Argentinian homes throughout time, especially because of the greater participation of the optional consumption food group. ICDAr went from 58.8±0.1 points in 1996-97 to 52.9±0.1 (p &lt;0.001) in 2017-18, and only 1.7% and 0.8% of the homes reached a score higher than 80 points (p &lt;0.001), respectively. In general, homes in Patagonia and the Metropolitan area, single-owner homes and homes with higher incomes showed worse results. Conclusions: These findings show necessary aspects to be improved regarding eating habits in Argentinian population and contribute to the planning of policies and actions towards better food quality.

Psychometric Analysis of Two Brief Versions of the CERQ in the Argentinean Population: CERQ-18 and CERQ-27

Background. Emotion Regulation (ER) involves any explicit or implicit process that may alter the emotion felt, its duration and expression, and is a transdiagnostic factor of vulnerability involved in the etiology and maintenance of different emotional disorders. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) assesses nine cognitive strategies involved in ER and is a valuable tool. Its popularity and wide use led to the development of two abbreviated versions: a version with 18 items (two items per factor) and a 27-item version (three items per factor). Objective. To analyze the psychometric properties of both versions in the Argentinean population. Design. The research design was instrumental. The factor structure of the CERQ-18 and CERQ-27 as well as the reliability of the scores and the construct of each dimension were evaluated. In addition, we gathered validity evidence for its relationship with other variables by associating the CERQ scores with Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) scores. Results. The CERQ-18 presented more consistent evidence regarding its internal structure (adequate fit indices and factor loadings of moderate magnitude) and reliability. Given that the association of the two versions with the DERS is similar, we recommend that the 18-item version be used. Conclusion. The CERQ-18 has quite similar psychometric properties to the CERQ27 in the general population of Argentina and the findings contribute to an understanding of its internal structure.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory – child/adolescent to Spanish version. Analysis of its application in children

BackgroundThe Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a questionnaire to assess self-perception of disability produced by the effects of vestibular system disorders.It is a tool used by professionals who treat patients with balance disorders, although it is not widely used in children.The aim of this study is to carry out a cross-cultural and linguistic adaptation of the DHI children/adolescent in the Argentine population from a version already published in Portuguese and to evaluate it in a group of patients. Materials and methodsA cross-cultural adaptation was carried out, maintaining semantic, conceptual, content, technical and criteria equivalence; and it was verified that the new Argentinian version of the DHI for children and adolescents maintains the reliability of the original questionnaire. According to Beaton's recommendations, the questionnaire was translated from Portuguese to Spanish (Argentine) by 2 different translators and a back-translation to the original language by 2 other translators. Since this questionnaire is directed at a paediatric population, some terms were adapted to be understood by children from 4 years old. A psychopedagogue and a psychologist joined the team to delve more deeply into the questions that focus on the emotional or psychological aspects of the symptom. ResultsNo difficulties were found in obtaining equivalent expressions from the original questionnaire to Spanish (Argentine). The internal consistency of this cross-culturally adapted questionnaire was like those already published in other languages. Most paediatric patients do not have disabilities in the areas studied. The patients with the highest total scores presented vestibular migraine as a diagnosis. ConclusionsThis questionnaire will be culturally and linguistically adapted for use in the Argentine population. The emphasis was placed on terms and expressions that could be understood by the paediatric population.

Dairy product consumption and type 2 diabetes in an Argentinian population: is there an association?

Introduction: dairy products have long been recommended as part of a healthy eating plan, but there is a controversial opinion about whether or not they should be included in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objective: the aim of this study was to know if there is an association between the intake of total dairy and dairy subgroups and the chance of having T2D, and the status of markers of glucose metabolism. Methods: three hundred and forty-two adult subjects participated in the study. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was applied to establish the dairy intake. Clinical-pathological and anthropometric variables (height, weight, waist circumference and serum concentrations of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], high sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], interleukin [IL] 6 and IL-10) were measured. Consumption tertiles were calculated for each dairy subgroup. Correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to assess the relation between dairy product consumption and markers of glucose metabolism. Results: a negative correlation was observed between the consumption of fermented dairy products and IL-10 (r = -0.27, p = 0.0206). Fermented dairy products were inversely associated with blood glucose, and HbA1c. Total dairy intake was positively associated with a lower chance of having diabetes in tertiles 2 and 3 of consumption, in relation to the reference tertile, adjusted for age, smoking habit, and alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI) and dietary variables. Conclusions: with this study, we broaden our understanding of the role of dairy intake in diabetes risk. However, more long-term studies are needed to confirm the associations and explore different confounding factors.

ANÁLISIS DE BRECHAS EN LA CALIDAD DE DIETA DE LA POBLACIÓN ARGENTINA DE 1 A 69 AÑOS. ESTUDIO ABCDIETA

Introduction: Diet Quality Index represents one way to study food patterns. Some of them are based on the nutritional density of foods. The concept summarizes the relationship between energy and nutrients to promote and limit, making visible nutrient adequacy in line with energy balance. The objective is to study the quality of the diet and its gaps in a sample of the urban population of Argentina and to describe the food pattern according to levels of nutritional quality using the nutritional density approach. Methods: Data from a self-registration dietary survey on 1030 subjects from 11 cities in Argentina were analyzed. It was determined the nutritional density of the reported consumptions through an index (IDN) based on energy, 9 nutrients to promote and 4 to limit. The IDN of the total diet, 5 moments of intake and food groups was analyzed. Results: The average diet quality was half the standard of a healthy pattern (10.6 out of 20 points). The best results were concentrated in children under 3 years of age (17% presented a good quality diet). Compared to the standard, the quality of lunches and dinners exceeded breakfasts and snacks. Legumes, vegetables, fruits and dairy products were the groups with the largest quality gaps. Occasional and starchy foods in general –also meats– reflected excesses. Preparations and fast meals reached up to 21% of the total nutritional density. Conclusions: The nutritional density approach complements the understanding of food gaps in the Argentine population, providing arguments in favor of interventions aimed at a better balance, particularly in protective foods, which are deficient in the conformation of the food pattern. Keywords: diet quality; nutrient density; consumes; consumption; food gaps.

Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala de Tiempo Compartido en la Pareja en una Muestra Argentina

Shared time is understood as the availability of time towards the other member of the couple and the use that is given to it. The objective of the work was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Couple Time Sharing Scale (TCP) in a sample from Entre Ríos, Argentina. Internal consistency was evaluated through Cronbach's Alpha analysis. To confirm internal validity, an Exploratory Factor Analysis was carried out. Convergent validity with satisfaction in the couple was evaluated through Pearson's r Correlation Analysis. The results allow us to affirm that the version obtained presents appropriate reliability and validity properties, and may be a relevant instrument to be administered in the Argentine population.

A comparison of two in vitro bioassays to detect resistance of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus to fipronil.

The aim of this work is to compare the sensitivity of two in vitro bioassays to detect resistant to fipronil in Argentinean populations of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Two different larval bioassays prepared with technical grade (97%) fipronil were compared: larval immersion test (LIT) and larval packet test (LPT). Seven strains from different provinces were treated with both assays. Colonia Tabay, Colonia Benítez, Intiyaco and Quimili strains were considered resistant in both LIT and LPT bioassays. The 95% confidence intervals (IC95) for lethal concentration 50% (LC50) did not overlap with the susceptible reference strain (SRS) and all the values of RR50 obtained were higher than 2. Garabato and Federal strains were considered as susceptible for both techniques because the IC95 for the LC50 overlapped with those of the SRS and the RR50 values were lesser than 2. An ambiguous situation occurs with Reconquista strain. This strain was considered as susceptible with LPT and with incipient resistant after LIT trial. The analysis of the results indicates that both LIT and LPT trials have enough sensibility to differentiate resistant and susceptible strains, but LIT was more sensitive than LPT when the resistance is incipient.

Dual Personality Model: Adjustment Indexes Towards an Integrative View of Personality Traits in a Highly-educated Argentinian Sample

Introduction: Differentiating between normal, pathological, and positive traits may be achieved by conceptualizing personality traits as a continuum in which these aspects could be placed as sickness or health poles. The tendency to focus on one aspect of the continuum to the detriment of the other has prompted the following question: What would be the outcome of studying both aspects conjointly? Aims: This study aimed at assessing the appropriateness of different personality adjustment indexes proposed by the Dual Personality Model. These indexes combine positive and pathological aspects of personality in a single measure. Methods: The sample was composed of 1061 individuals from the general Argentinian population (Mage=39.87, SD=14.68, 51% males). Results: Individuals who scored higher on the personality adjustment index (PAI) had higher positive traits and well-being, and lower pathological traits, psychological symptoms, and lack of personality functioning. Also, higher scores on each trait continuum index were related to favorable outcomes. Conclusions: It was concluded that PAI and trait continuum indexes are potentially useful measures for psychological research and for applied fields. The possibility of combining pathological and healthy aspects in a single measure makes it possible to view individuals in an integrated manner in any personality assessment. The indexes should be considered global measures which could be further complemented with a disaggregated analysis.

Adaptación argentina del Cuestionario de Reserva Cognitiva: CRC-a

Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the level of adaptability of cognition after brain changes. It is based on processes that allow the activation of new synaptic connections after neurodegeneration, which permits to better withstand the consequences. This reserve is constituted by the interaction of innate individual characteristics (intrauterine or genetically determined) and the exposure to different life experiences. It begins its development in early stages of life and continues its transformation up to advances ages. The sociodemographic variables reported as the main ones to build the reserve are education, leisure activities, lifestyle, socioeconomic level and intelligence. Several studies have considered it as a protective factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Subjects with high levels of CR have lower prevalence and incidence of AD in comparison to those with low levels of reserve. CR would lead to a late onset of symptoms, despite not having any effect on the underlying pathophysiological process of the disease. The reserve would not prevent AD from developing, but it would compensate the symptoms and, therefore, delay their onset. In some cases, there is such compensation that the symptoms do not manifest. There is no validated instrument available for the Argentinian region that allows to measure this construct. The aim of this study is to adapt the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire to the Argentinian population, to establish cut-off scores to distinguish between low, medium, high and superior levels of CR and analyze which variables could predict the total reserve score. The modifications introduced in the adaptation were evaluated through an expert judgment process. A total of 177 healthy subjects completed the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire in its Argentinian adaptation (CRQ-a). Through the measure of quartiles, cut-off scores were established to determine low, medium, high and superior levels of the reserve. A lineal regression was made to evaluate if age, education, and sex might predict the level of CR. Three of the eight total dimensions and 16 of the 33 total items that make up the original questionnaire were modified. The mean of the total score obtained by the sample from the questionnaire was 15.06 with SD = 3.42. Scores under 13 reflected low CR levels, scores between 13 and 16 reflected medium levels, scores between 16 and 20 reflected high levels, and scores above 20 reflected superior levels. Education turned out to be the only predictor variable for the level of CR. Although differences were found between groups of different sex, this variable turned out to be not predictive. The CRQ-a is the first instrument for the Argentinian population to measure the level of the reserve. It allows to quickly explore different dimensions, considered as the most relevant for its formation. These are: formal education, courses, parents' formal education, employment, musical training, languages, reading activity and intellectual games. In patients with AD, is particularly important to have a measure for CR to prepare interventions for those subjects whose reserve levels are perceived as low, aiming to delay and, when possible, prevent the clinical manifestation of the disease. Its validation would open future lines of research on possible interventions for the prevention of diseases such as AD. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2023.40.1.8

Una versión reducida y modificada del Inventario de Personalidad para el DSM-5 (PID-5) en la Argentina

The official classification of personality disorders in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) remains categorical. However, a dimensional alternative for personality disorders is presented as an emerging model. The model is organized in five higher order domains (Negative Affectivity, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition and Psychoticism), with relationships with the Big Five Model of Personality, strongly established within the Personality Psychology. The proposal also includes 25 facets or second-order traits, included within the main domains. Domains and facets represent psychopathological traits with clinical relevance. To assess this model, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) was developed. PID-5 has two forms: extensive (220 items) that assesses domains and facets, and brief (25 items) that assesses only the domains. In a previous study, evidence for a short version (31 items) adapted to the Argentine population was provided, that overcomes some of the limitations of the original one. In this work, the psychometric properties of a reduced and modified version of the PID-5 are studied, which allows evaluating five domains and 25 facets, through a reduced number of items (108). We worked with a non-probabilistic sample of n = 525 subjects from the general population, who answered the adapted version of the PID-5 and the Adjectives Checklist to Assess the Big Five Personality Factors (AEP), a Big Five Model measure. The following data analyses were performed: (1) Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis to evaluate the internal structure of PID-5; (2) reliability analysis to assess the internal consistency of the PID-5 scales; (3) item analysis to assess discriminating power; (4) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to examine significant differences due to gender and age; and (5) bivariate correlation analysis to analyze PID-5 convergent validity. The results provided evidence of validity and reliability. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis suggested a five-factor structure. The facets presented factor loadings in the domain theoretically expected, with some exceptions: Suspiciousness (loaded in Psychoticism), Hostility (loaded in Disinhibition), Depressivity (loaded in Detachment) and Insensitivity (loaded in Detachment). CFA also suggested a good model fit (CFI = .98; RMSEA = .04; SRMR = 0.083). Psychoticism, Detachment, and Disinhibition facets had their higher factor loadings in the expected domain. Negative affectivity showed higher correlations with the rest of the scales. Internal consistency was satisfactory, especially at the domain level, and the items had good discrimination indices. Correlations with the corresponding of the Big Five factors were observed, similar to previous studies. The five PID-5 domains were also found positively correlated. Additionally, gender and age differences were found. In line with previous literature, results suggest that some facets scales are “pure” markers of these domains ( e. g. , Psychoticism and Antagonism facets), whereas others ( e. g. , Negative Affectivity facets such as Depressiveness, Suspicion, Hostility), are located “in between” domains since they share features of more than one domain. Psychoticism facets presented higher loadings in their domains and lower in the rest. This is not surprising; although most of psychopathology cannot be understood as categories, schizophyte and Schizotypal Personality Disorder are exceptions, and Psychoticism would be the representation of these categories in the APA model. Findings also provide evidence of convergent validity for the instrument, as well as theorical evidence regarding the relationship between normal and pathological personality traits. This version can be used to evaluate the model, both in research and clinical practice. It has advantages over the original longer version, in terms of administration time and participants' fatigue, while maintaining its psychometric properties. The results are also expected to contribute to the recent literature on the dimensional approach to personality psychopathology. However, complementary studies, particularly with a clinical population, are needed. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2023.40.1.7

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM)

IntroductionThis study analysed the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM) in the Argentinian population. Patients and MethodsThe sample included 232 caregivers, of who 108 were parents of children with chronic diseases (mean, 9.54; standard deviation [SD], 4.43) and 124 parents of children in the general population (mean, 12.37; SD, 4.6). ResultsWe assessed the validity of the instrument with the known-groups method, finding significant differences between the case and control groups in the overall and subscale scores (P < .01). We also assessed test validity by means of exploratory factor analysis, which yielded an 8-factor model that explained 74.03% of the variance. We assessed reliability with the Cronbach alpha and found a high internal consistency (α=0.95). ConclusionThe PedsQL module proved to be a valid and reliable tool to assess the impact of a chronic paediatric condition on caregiver quality of life and family functioning.