Questionnaires are frequently used for measuring physical activity. The aim of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) in Spanish men. Healthy men (n = 187) aged 20-60 years were recruited. The MLTPAQ was administered to assess the quantity (total activity metabolic index) and quality (heavy, moderate, and light) of physical activity performed in the last year, quarter, month, and week. Fitness was assessed with an exercise test. Spearman's correlation coefficients between the total activity metabolic index and exercise test duration, time to maximal theoretical heart rate, and caloric intake were 0.57, 0.46, and 0.40, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients between the total activity metabolic indexes in the last year and in the last quarter, month, and week were 0.62, 0.46, and 0.35, respectively. In multiple linear regression, the heavy, moderate, and light activity metabolic index, age, body mass index, and basal heart rate explained 40% of the variability of time to the maximum theoretical heart rate. The Spanish version of the MLTPAQ is a valid instrument to measure the quantity and quality of physical activity performed in the last year (also in periods shorter than 1 year) by Spanish men aged 20-60 years. Only heavy physical activity is related to cardiorespiratory fitness.

The prevalence of ICH is between 15 and 29%, depending on the defining criterion used. The 24-h ICH criteria are not affected by awake/sleep biases, and should be preferred. Clinical capacity for predicting ICH is low.

The prevalence of negative mood states in adolescent boys and girls was high. Differences were observed between genders in the factors related to these health states. The variability observed in the prevalence of negative mood states among distinct schools could not be explained by the study variables. Our results emphasize the association between the use of tranquilizers and negative mood states.

Objective-Echocardiographic and Doppler analysis of myocardial mass and diastolic function in patients infected with HIV. Design-Case-control study. Setting-Tertiary referral centre, Huelva, Spain. Patients-61 asymptomatic patients with HIV infection and 32 healthy controls. Main outcome measures-Time motion, cross sectional, and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed, and left ventricular mass and diastolic function variables determined (peak velocity of early and late mitral outflow and isovolumic relaxation time). Results-Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was decreased in patients compared with healthy controls (mean (SD): 76.7 (23.6) v 118.8 (23.5) g/m 2 , p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a correlation between LVMI and brachial fat and muscle areas. The ratio of peak velocities of early and late mitral outflow was decreased in HIV infected patients compared with controls (1.19 (0.44) v 1.58 (0.38), p < 0.001). This ratio was exclusively related to haemodynamic variables (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures). HIV infected patients had a prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (103.0 (10.5) v 72.9 (12.9) ms, p < 0.001). Isovolumic relaxation time was correlated only with brachial muscle area on multivariate analysis. Conclusions-HIV infected patients had a reduced left ventricular mass index and diastolic functional abnormalities. These cardiac abnormalities are predominantly related to nutritional status. (Heart 2000;84:620-624)

The aim of this study was to determine concordance between physician and patient blood pressure (BP) measurements in an ambulatory setting. A diagnostic intervention cross-sectional study using a convenience sample was employed. A total of 106 hypertensive patients were included in the study. Patients who were unable to perform their self-measurement or those with cardiac arrhythmia were excluded. BP was determined nine times in each subject in the medical office in a randomised order: BP was taken three times by the physician using a mercury sphygmomanometer (SPHHg), three times by the physician using a validated, automated oscillometer (Omron HEM 705 CP), and three times by the patient himself with the same device. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated. In all, 59 women and 47 men aged 65.7 (10) years were analysed. Mean BP measurements for the physician using the mercury sphygmomanometer, the physician using the Omron, and the patient using the same device were: 136 (15.8)/80 (11), 137 (17.9)/80 (10), and 139* (17.6)/80 (10) mmHg, respectively. BP control was 48.1, 48.1, and 36.8*% (*Po0.05), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for systolic/diastolic pressures were: 0.77/0.65 (physicianFsphygmomanometer Hg, physicianFOmron;Po0.001), 0.75/0.64 (physicianFsphygmomanometer Hg, patientFOmron, Po0.001), and 0.83/0.83 (physicianFOmron, patientFOmron; Po0.001). In conclusion, the three types of measurement in the medical office were significantly concordant. Patient office self-measurement showed a tendency to increase systolic BP and worsen BP control.