University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus

About: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus is a education organization based out in San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 1711 authors who have published 1496 publications receiving 27756 citations.

Impact of a Pharmacist Conducted Educational Program on Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Rates in a Low Socioeconomic Population in the City of Lares, PR.

Abstract: Objective: To observe whether local vaccination rates are improved by a patient and physician education program on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Farmacia San Jose, Lares. According to the Puerto Rico Immunization Registry, the HPV vaccine is currently underutilized. Methods: Patients within the ages of 18 and 26 years who are current patients of Farmacia San Jose were contacted by phone and approached in person at the pharmacy. Once contacted, patients were provided with educational materials and counseling regarding the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination. The primary outcome for this study is HPV vaccination rates at 4 months after starting the educational program. Results: Only 79 of the 200 attempted patients who were candidates to receive the HPV vaccine were able to be reached by phone. Out of 79 patients, 24 reported they had previously been vaccinated against HPV. After all educational efforts, 4 patients (all insured by government) received vaccination against HPV at the pharmacy. In addition, 16 physicians near the pharmacy were contacted and visited by the pharmacist resident. The physicians agreed to receive educational information regarding the ACIP recommendations for their patients. Conclusion: Although the total number of HPV vaccination administered at the pharmacy during the study period was low, we found an individual patient counseling approach to be much more successful than attempting to coordinate group educational interventions.

Prevalence of Gingivitis in a Group of 35- to 70-Year-Olds Residing in Puerto Rico.

Abstract: Objective: Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingival tissues, typically progresses to periodontitis. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis in 35- to 70-year-olds residing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and assess the differences in gingivitis distribution between age and gender groups. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of patients from a private practice and patients/employees of the Puerto Rico Medical Center. Participants completed a medical history questionnaire and received soft/hard tissue and gingival assessments based on a modified Loe–Silness index. Descriptive statistics were employed to estimate the overall gingivitis prevalence, severity (mild, moderate, severe), and mean gingival index (GI). Bleeding on probing (BOP) prevalence and the mean percentage of BOP sites were calculated by gender and age. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between age, gender, and severity in 3 categories; multivariate logistic regression was used for having ≥40% sites with BOP (vs. having <40% sites with BOP as reference). Odds ratios were also estimated. Results: All 300 participants (52% women; 48% men) had gingivitis. The mean GI was 1.38. Moderate gingivitis was detected in 83% of the participants, mild in 7.3%, and severe in 9.3%. BOP was observed in 99% of the subjects (mean % BOP sites = 34%). After adjusting for age, men had significantly higher odds of moderate (OR = 4.66) and severe gingivitis (OR =10.06), compared to women, as well as 1.76 times higher odds of having 40% or more sites with BOP. Conclusion: Gingivitis was observed in all participants. Men had significantly higher GI, compared to women. The prevalence of gingivitis was higher in Puerto Rico than in the US.

Spontaneous hemothorax: first manifestation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Abstract: Hereditary Hemorrhagio Telangiectasla (HHT) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant disorder characterized by systemic fibrovascular dysplasia making vessel walls more liable to spontaneous ruptures and injuries. Epistaxis is the first and the most common symptom; however patients may have a variety of serious complications due to vascular involvement of internal organs. In this report we present a case of a 39 year-old woman with recurrent epistaxis and family history of HHT who presented with right spontaneous hemothorax. Pulmonary angiography disclosed multiple pulmonary artery aneurysms with subsequent coil embolization. Considering that pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, patients and family members with suspected HHT should be screened for these vascular malformations.

Zika Virus in the Americas: An Environmental Health Perspective

Abstract: Phylogenetic studies suggest that ZIKV may have been introduced to Brazil, and therefore to the Americas, in 2014 during the World Spring Canoe Championship held in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Since then the virus has spread across Latin America, Caribbean, and North America. It seems clear that Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus are the main vectors of the pathogen. ZIKV infection symptoms are similar to other flaviviruses such as a dengue infection and therefore can be easily confounded. Currently, the ZIKV maintains two life cycles. The first, and the original one is the sylvatic/enzootic cycle that occurs in Africa. The second life cycle is the suburban-urban transmission cycle that emerged through natural evolution. ZIKV has gained the ability to maintain this human-endemic cycle in urban and suburban areas. ZIKV has never been isolated from non primates, so it is not clear whether other species can act as reservoir hosts. Several reports have been made of non-vector ZIKV transmission including breast-milk feeding, blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, saliva, urine, and physical contact (sweat, tears). A major global concern with ZIKV infection is the reported increase in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the Americas after the recent ZIKV outbreak. Currently, there is no available vaccine for ZIKV. Therefore, prevention of ZIKV infection must be emphasized by local public health authorities promoting collective responsibility and engagement for integrated vector management through environmental management, biological control, and as a last resource chemical control.

Impact of age on clinical manifestations and outcome in Puerto Ricans with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Introduction Disease expression and outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary among different ethnic groups. There are limited data on the impact of age on disease severity and outcomes among Hispanics. Thus, we determined the demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, pharmacologic profile, and functional status among Puerto Ricans with RA of different age groups.