Purpose: To determine the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in a general population aged from 50 to 70 years. Subjects and Methods: We recruited 76 individuals aged between 50 and 70 years, chosen at random from the electoral census. They were invited to the clinic where a detailed medical history was taken and physical examination, ENT examination, pulmonary function tests and night time recording of respiratory variables performed. Results: The prevalence of SDB (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5) was 28.9%, and there were no differences between men (28%) and women (30%). However, the prevalence of SAS was 6.8%, and there were differences between men (5 cases) and women (0 cases) (p = 0.0521). Subjects in the SDB group had higher systolic blood pressure than in the non-SDB group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SDB and SAS are common among 50- to 70-year olds. The prevalence of SDB was 28.9% and the prevalence of SAS was 6.8%.

<p align="justify"><em>Objetivo</em>: determinar los valores normativos de la amplitud de acomodación (AA) con cuatro procedimientos subjetivos. <em>Materiales y métodos</em>: fueron incluidos 586 estudiantes entre 5 y 19 años de edad, pertenecientes a los colegios públicos de Pereira, a los cuales se les midió la AA a través de los métodos de Donders (<em>push up</em> [PU], <em>push down</em> [PD] y <em>modified push down</em> [MPD]) y de Sheard (<em>minus lens</em> [ML]). <em>Resultados</em>: la mediana por técnica de todo el grupo etario fue: PU: 14,58 D; PD: 9,55 D; MPD: 12,01 D; ML: 11,00 D; adicionalmente, mediante una regresión lineal, se estimó el cambio de la AA respecto a la edad: PU: 0,25 D; PD: 0,03 D; MPD: 0,10 D; ML: 0,09 D. <em>Conclusiones</em>: la AA con cada técnica es diferente, así como al ser comparada con estudios realizados fuera de Colombia; además, la disminución de la AA no es similar en estas pruebas.</p>

The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between snoring, airway disorders and pulmonary function in the general population. We performed a stratified random sampling from the population (n = 92,364). Four hundred subjects agreed to participate and were invited to the clinic, where a detailed medical history, physical examination, spirometric test and maximal respiratory pressures measurements were carried out. Snoring was reported by 152 subjects (38%). Nasal obstruction and the presence of abnormal pharynx exploration were more frequent in subjects with snoring. Age, body mass index and neck circumference were significantly higher in the snorer group. In addition, we found that the non-snoring group had a significantly higher frequency of tonsillectomy during infancy and adolescence than the snorer group. We did not detect any significant difference in spirometric test values or in maximal respiratory pressure values between snorer group and non-snorer group. In conclusion, in the general population snoring is associated with nasal obstruction and abnormal pharynx exploration. Furthermore, snoring appears not to be associated with modifications in spirometric or in maximal respiratory pressure tests.

The CRQ presents evidence of adequate validity and reliability in the Colombian population. Its use is recommended to measure HRQL in patients with COPD, although future validations will be needed to identify the property of sensitivity to change.

IntroductionMost scales for acute respiratory infection (ARI) are limited to healthcare worker (HCW) use for clinical decision-making. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus network (ReSVinet) Scale offers a version for parents that could potentially help as an early warning system.ObjectiveTo determine whether or not the ReSVinet Scale for ARI in infants can be reliably used by HCWs and parents in an emergency service.MethodsA prospective study was done of infants with ARI who were admitted to a paediatric emergency room to assess the ReSVinet Scale when used by faculty (paediatric doctor-professors), residents (doctors doing their first specialty in paediatrics) and parents. Spearman’s correlation and a weighted kappa coefficient were used to measure interobserver agreement. Internal consistency was also tested by Cronbach’s alpha test.ResultsOverall, 188 patients, 58% male, were enrolled. A Spearman’s correlation of 0.92 for faculty and resident scoring and 0.64 for faculty or resident and parent scoring was found. The weighted kappa coefficients were 0.78 for faculty versus residents, 0.41 for faculty versus parents, and 0.41 for residents versus parents. Cronbach’s alpha test was 0.67 for faculty, 0.62 for residents and 0.69 for parents.ConclusionThere was good correlation in the ReSVinet scores between health professionals when used in the paediatric emergency area. Agreement between parents and health professionals was found to be more variable. Future studies should focus on finding ways to improve its reliability when used by parents before the scale is used in the emergency room.