Carmen Saiz

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis remains a major public health concern due to its severity, lethality, and long-term sequelae. To address the rise in serogroups W and Y in Spain, the Community of Madrid implemented a catch-up campaign in 2019–2021, targeting adolescents (ages 13–18) alongside routine tetravalent meningococcus vaccine (MenACWY) at age 12. This study evaluated MenACWY catch-up vaccination uptake in routine practice by describing vaccine coverage, temporal trends, and associated factors in adolescents born between 2001 and 2006. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Community of Madrid’s vaccination registry (SISPAL Vacunas). Vaccination coverage was calculated for adolescents with at least one recorded MenACWY dose from age 10 onwards. Temporal trends were analyzed by birth cohort and calendar time, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with vaccination uptake. Results: Among 424,059 adolescents, overall vaccination coverage by December 2021 was 63.8%, ranging from 54.4% to 78.2% across birth cohorts. Coverage was highest in the 2006 cohort, likely due to co-administration with the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster. A slightly higher uptake was observed among females and adolescents with chronic conditions, while foreign-born adolescents consistently showed lower coverage. COVID-19 disruptions led to temporal variability, with sharp declines during lockdowns and partial recoveries thereafter, with persistent sociodemographic differences in uptake. Conclusions: By December 2021, coverage was incomplete, with marked variability across birth cohorts. Higher uptake was observed when vaccination was integrated into routine visits, while persistent sociodemographic disparities remained evident. These observational findings are consistent with the programmatic value of combined catch-up and routine strategies and the need for targeted actions to ensure equitable MenACWY coverage.

Las drogas de abuso alteran el estado de ánimo, percepción y funcionamiento, generando dependencia y síndrome de abstinencia. En España, el consumo de drogas ilegales es un problema de salud pública. Factores socioeconómicos, el nivel educativo de los progenitores pueden influir en el consumo. Analizar el consumo de drogas en universitarios y su relación con edad, sexo y nivel educativo de los progenitores. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal en estudiantes universitarios. Se aplicó una encuesta de salud para evaluar el consumo de sustancias y datos sociodemográficos. Se utilizó IBM-SPSS-25 para análisis estadístico. Se incluyeron 498 estudiantes (mediana de edad: 19 años; 68.7% mujeres). El 23% reportó consumo de drogas, siendo la marihuana la más frecuente (54.5%). Se hallaron diferencias significativas en el consumo de marihuana y hachís según el sexo, siendo mayor en hombres (p<0.001). El consumo de cocaína fue mayor en estudiantes de mayor edad (p=0.003). El consumo de marihuana se asoció con mayor nivel educativo materno, mientras que cocaína y benzodiacepinas fue más frecuente en estudiantes con progenitores de menor nivel educativo (p<0.05). El consumo de drogas en universitarios varía según sexo, edad y nivel educativo de progenitores. Es fundamental diseñar estrategias preventivas focalizadas.

Background and aims: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a healthy dietary pattern associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases. However, adherence is declining, particularly among younger populations. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the main aspects that affect its adherence, particularly food preferences and sensory function, which have received insufficient attention. Our aims were to investigate the impact of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors on adherence to the MedDiet among young individuals; to assess the association of taste preferences and food liking with MedDiet adherence; and to evaluate the associations between taste perception modalities, taste and food preferences, and adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study on young adults (aged 20.5 ± 4.7 years) in a Mediterranean country (n = 879) was carried out. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle characteristics, MedDiet adherence, taste preferences, and food preferences were assessed. Taste perception for bitter, salty, sweet, sour, and umami was determined by rating different concentrations of prototypical tastants. We computed a total taste perception score and three scores to combine food preferences. Results: We identified several socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with adherence to the MedDiet, as well as food preferences, taste preferences, and taste perception determinants. Food preferences were significantly associated with total adherence to the MedDiet. Higher preference for olive oil, oranges, broccoli, fish, and legumes was associated with higher MedDiet adherence (p < 0.05 for all). Conversely, higher preference for sweet foods, red meat, and butter was associated with lower adherence (p < 0.05 for all). The combined positive score for food preference was strongly associated with higher MedDiet adherence (p = 1.4 × 10⁻²³) in the multivariate adjusted model. The combined negative food preference score was inversely associated (p = 1.9 × 10⁻⁸). Likewise, taste preferences were significantly associated with adherence to the MedDiet (strong inverse association for sweet taste preference and direct association for bitter taste preference; both p < 0.001). Moreover, bitter taste perception was inversely associated with adherence to the MedDiet and with bitter foods (p < 0.05). In conclusion, future precision nutrition studies should measure food liking and taste preferences, which are crucial determinants of MedDiet adherence, especially in young people.

La asignatura de Salud Pública en la Universitat de València tienen como objetivo capacitar al alumnado con competencias que le permitan identificar las necesidades en salud de la sociedad para prevenir, proteger, promover y recuperar la salud a nivel comunitario. Uno de los factores esenciales en la salud, es el estilo de vida formado por la dieta, actividad física, el sueño y el consumo de drogas legales e ilegales. El estilo de vida se ha descrito como el principal factor determinante en la salud de un individuo. Diversos estudios en nuestro país han analizado el estilo de vida de estudiantes universitarios y han determinado la presencia de una dieta desequilibrada, falta de actividad física y un consumo más elevado de alcohol, tabaco o drogas que en otros grupos poblacionales. Con este proyecto de innovación educativa, se pretende la participación del alumnado en la elaboración de encuestas y procesado e interpretación de los datos del estilo de vida de población universitaria, para incorporarlo dentro del material docente, participando de forma activa en ellos, y proponer medidas de prevención individuales y grupales en el segundo periodo lectivo y en otros cursos académicos

Introducción: El tabaquismo es una de las principales causas de muerte prematura y de pérdida de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Objetivo: La finalidad de este trabajo consistió en explorar y evaluar las respuestas formuladas a una pregunta de examen en los conocimientos adquiridos en mitos sobre el tabaco y su desmitificación, después de haber impartido una práctica de Epidemiología y Salud Pública a 344 alumnos de 1º curso Grado en Medicina (2019-2020). Método: Se realizó en una muestra de 344 alumnos de la Universidad de Valencia (curso 2019-2020), a los que se impartió una práctica en la que se dieron a conocer algunos de los mitos más populares sobre el tabaco, que consultan con frecuencia los pacientes. En la práctica se elegía, comentaba y exponía por parejas un mito de un manual, por elección libre de los alumnos y sin repetir los ya elegidos. La pregunta formulada en el examen versaba en exponer un mito de forma libre y redactar la respuesta que le darían a sus pacientes. Resultados: El grupo de mito más redactado fue el referido a los mitos de tabaco y salud, donde destacó “dejar de fumar engorda”. Menos del 1% de los alumnos eligieron el grupo de mitos relacionados con la economía. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos nos indican que los conocimientos sobre mitos presentados a los alumnos pueden trasladarse al resto de la sociedad dificultando la labor de los profesionales sanitarios en la deshabituación tabáquica. Además, la mayoría de alumnos manifiestan preocupación por temas de salud e imagen en relación al consumo de tabaco.

Adiponectin is gaining renewed interest since, in addition to its possible protective role against insulin resistance and arteriosclerosis, recent studies suggest other additional favorable effects. However, the influence of gene-diet interactions on plasma adiponectin levels is still little understood. We analyzed the association between plasma adiponectin levels and various metabolic traits in a high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, as well as the genetic effect of four candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and their interactions with the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Additionally, we explored, at the genome-wide level, the SNPs most associated with plasma adiponectin levels, as well as gene–diet interactions with the Mediterranean diet. In the 954 participants studied (aged 55–80 years), plasma adiponectin levels were strongly associated with plasma HDL-C concentrations (p = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁶) and inversely related to triglycerides (p = 4.7 × 10⁻¹⁸), fasting glucose (p = 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁶) and type 2 diabetes (p = 1.4 × 10⁻⁷). Of the four pre-selected ADIPOQ candidate SNPs, the one most associated with plasma adiponectin was the −11391G > A (rs17300539) promoter SNP (p = 7.2 × 10⁻⁵, in the multivariable adjusted model). No significant interactions with the Mediterranean diet pattern were observed for these SNPs. Additionally, in the exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS), we found new SNPs associated with adiponectin concentrations at the suggestive genome-wide level (p < 1 × 10⁻⁵) for the whole population, including the lead SNP rs9738548 (intergenic) and rs11647294 in the VAT1L (Vesicle Amine Transport 1 Like) gene. We also found other promising SNPs on exploring different strata such as men, women, diabetics and non-diabetics (p = 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ for rs2850066). Similarly, we explored gene–Mediterranean diet interactions at the GWAS level and identified several SNPs with gene–diet interactions at p < 1 × 10⁻⁵. A remarkable gene–diet interaction was revealed for the rs2917570 SNP in the OPCML (Opioid Binding Protein/Cell Adhesion Molecule Like) gene, previously reported to be associated with adiponectin levels in some populations. Our results suggest that, in this high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, and even though adiponectin is favorably associated with metabolic traits and lower type 2 diabetes, the gene variants more associated with adiponectin may be population-specific, and some suggestive gene–Mediterranean diet interactions were detected.

Gene-age interactions have not been systematically investigated on metabolic phenotypes and this modulation will be key for a better understanding of the temporal regulation in nutrigenomics. Taking into account that aging is typically associated with both impairment of the circadian system and a decrease in melatonin secretion, we focused on the melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B)-rs10830963 C>G variant that has been associated with fasting glucose concentrations, gestational diabetes, and type-2 diabetes. Therefore, our main aim was to investigate whether the association between the MTNR1B-rs10830963 polymorphism and fasting glucose is age dependent. Our secondary aims were to analyze the polymorphism association with type-2 diabetes and explore the gene-pregnancies interactions on the later type-2 diabetes risk. Three Mediterranean cohorts (n = 2823) were analyzed. First, a cross-sectional study in the discovery cohort consisting of 1378 participants (aged 18 to 80 years; mean age 41 years) from the general population was carried out. To validate and extend the results, two replication cohorts consisting of elderly individuals were studied. In the discovery cohort, we observed a strong gene-age interaction (p = 0.001), determining fasting glucose in such a way that the increasing effect of the risk G-allele was much greater in young (p = 5.9 × 10⁻¹⁰) than in elderly participants (p = 0.805). Consistently, the association of the MTNR1B-rs10830963 polymorphism with fasting glucose concentrations in the two replication cohorts (mean age over 65 years) did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05 for both). However, in the elderly cohorts, significant associations between the polymorphism and type-2 diabetes at baseline were found. Moreover, in one of the cohorts, we obtained a statistically significant interaction between the MTNR1B polymorphism and the number of pregnancies, retrospectively assessed, on the type-2 diabetes risk. In conclusion, the association of the MTNR1B-rs10830963 polymorphism with fasting glucose is age-dependent, having a greater effect in younger people. However, in elderly subjects, associations of the polymorphism with type-2 diabetes were observed and our exploratory analysis suggested a modulatory effect of the number of past pregnancies on the future type-2 diabetes genetic risk.

One-year dietary quality change according to the preceding maximum weight in a lifestyle intervention program (PREDIMED-Plus trial, 55–75-year-old overweight or obese adults; n = 5695) was assessed. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. A total of 3 groups were made according to the difference between baseline measured weight and lifetime maximum reported weight: (a) participants entering the study at their maximum weight, (b) moderate weight loss maintainers (WLM), and (c) large WLM. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model. All participants improved average lifestyle. Participants entering the study at their maximum weight were the most susceptible to improve significantly their dietary quality, assessed by adherence to Mediterranean diet, DII and both healthful and unhealthful provegetarian patterns. People at maximum weight are the most benefitted in the short term by a weight management program. Long term weight loss efforts may also reduce the effect of a weight management program.

Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m² (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589). Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a 17-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by the validated Minnesota-REGICOR and the validated Spanish version of the Nurses’ Health Study questionnaire. Results. Participants reporting higher percentages of desired weight loss (Q3 and Q4) were younger, had higher real and perceived BMI and were more likely to have abdominal obesity. Desired weight loss correlated inversely to physical activity (Q1: 2106 MET min/week; Q4: 1585 MET min/week. p < 0.001) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (Q1: 8.7; Q4: 8.3. p < 0.001). Conclusions. In older Mediterranean individuals with weight excess, desired weight loss was inversely associated with Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. Deeply rooted aspects of the MedDiet remained similar across groups. Longitudinal research is advised to be able to establish causality.

Objective Explore potential changes in the characteristics of patients requesting smoking cessation treatment at an outpatient setting in Spain before and after Law 42/2010 was enacted. Design This is a cross-sectional study with convenience sampling. The information was obtained from the medical records of patients receiving smoking cessation treatment from January 2008 to December 2014. Setting Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia. Participants 423 patients who sought smoking cessation treatment 36 months before or 48 months after the enactment of the law. Results After the enactment of a comprehensive smoke-free law in Spain, the patients seeking smoking cessation treatment were older (p=0.003), had lower values of exhaled CO (pConclusion Our findings support the idea that society–nation level interventions could have an impact at the individual level, reflected by the change of patients’ characteristics. It seems that the Law 42/2010 mobilised certain group of patients to seek treatment.