Previous nutritional surveys have been conducted with Puerto Rican families, but extensive analyses of dietary results have been lacking due to databases with insufficient nutrient composition information. Herein, we determine the nutritional status of Puerto Rican families from the results of a survey conducted in 1966 using the Minnesota's Nutritional Data System for Research 2020 from which we report macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, with the results being evaluated for compliance with current dietary recommendations. These data establish eating patterns that could have significance in trends for future nutrition. The survey population totaled 877 families, divided into rural (R) and urban (U) households. Main findings were that total energy intake was 2076 kcal/day in R and 2419 kcal/day in U households. Total fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, exceeded recommendations, while total carbohydrates fell below the recommended amounts. Total sugars and the glycemic load were above guideline levels. Total protein was satisfactory, as was total fiber. Water-soluble vitamins reached recommended levels, but fat-soluble vitamins were below recommendations. The amounts of most minerals were sufficient, with the exception of calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which were low. Sodium was above the recommended levels. We conclude that Puerto Rican families of the mid- 1960s made some beneficial dietary choices but too much fat, especially saturated fat, even more so in U households, resulted in a disproportion of several nutrients having the outcome of an eating pattern that, as expressed by the original authors,"if continued could lead to even greater nutritional imbalances."

This study aimed to examine self-medication among university students by estimating its prevalence, identifying associated risk factors, and assessing its impact on health.

The 1960's were a transitional period in Puerto Rico. Advances in the betterment of the human condition was measurable, especially in highly populated areas but less so in isolated communities. To obtain a more exact picture of conditions in these communities, a committee was established to conduct surveys that would give information on the standard of living with special emphasis on nutrition. Families from barrios in 8 isolated municipalities were selected by random sampling and questioned about their economic situation, home conditions, general health and food consumption. Next, an island-wide survey asked the same questions, but sampling was conducted using a stratified Master Sample so that findings would apply to the population as a whole. This article incorporates combined results from these nine surveys. The Healthy Eating Indices (HEIs) for the isolated municipalities and for the Master Sample averaged 58 and 66, respectively. Both are classified as "Needs Attention" however, caloric intake in the isolated areas was only about three fourths that of the Master Sample and more than one third of these calories came from lard and sugar. Overall, of the 13 components of the HEI, 4 obtained "satisfactory" scores while 4 were scored as "deficient." These scores, although still needing improvement, show a greater compliance with recommendations of the HEI than those found in the 2015 US population where overall score was 57 with only 2 components having a "satisfactory" score while 4 components were also being classified as "deficient."

The authors documented, described, and explained the food insecurity experiences of Puerto Rican elders, particularly how they perceive and give meaning to this phenomenon.

This cross-sectional study assessed the type and frequency of injuries associated with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).

This study aimed to investigate the leading causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness in a low vision clinic from Puerto Rico and to assess the distribution of low-vision devices and rehabilitation approaches prescribed to patients.

Report of a conference held in Puerto Rico, this article highlights how interdisciplinary translational science-anchored in education, public trust, and equity-can accelerate innovation in cancer therapy while empowering underserved communities through inclusive training, collaboration, and research participation.

The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the distribution patterns of fentanyl, morphine, meperidine, and codeine in the continental US compared to Puerto Rico from 2018-2023. Attention was given to meperidine due to its extensive adverse effect profile and irreversible central nervous system toxicity.

This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of impacted maxillary canines in patients seeking treatment from 2016 2020 at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine Orthodontic Graduate Program and compare it to the prevalence of published reports. Additionally, we sought to describe the clinical pattern of impaction using initial photographs and panoramic radiographs.

This study compared the healthcare utilization of and costs for adults (18-64 years) with diabetes mellitus (DM) by plan type in Puerto Rico in 2013. This study is important because understanding disparities in healthcare access and expenditures can inform public health policy decisions aimed at improving diabetes care in Puerto Rico.

This study aimed to create a model to predict pneumoconiosis risk in coal workers using artificial neural networks (ANNs).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in Puerto Rico (PR). Cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF) during pregnancy, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, increase risks for maternal and neonatal health. Limited data exist on CVDRF prevalence among pregnant women in PR.

To determine the association between health literacy, adherence to treatment with quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and potentially life-threatening cause of systolic heart failure that usually arises in the late stages of pregnancy or the early postpartum period. Its clinical presentation can range from moderate symptoms to severe forms of heart failure, such as cardiogenic shock. However, there is scarce data on severe forms of PPCM leading to multiple organ dysfunction and its management. We report a case of a 30-year-old G2P2 previously healthy Puerto Rican woman postpartum day #56 who presented to our Institution with respiratory symptoms. Further evaluation confirmed cardiogenic shock with ischemic hepatitis and acute kidney injury. Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle with an ejection fraction of less than 20%, which suggested PPCM. This case highlights severe manifestations of PPCM, its challenges in management, and the importance of considering it in the differential diagnosis of respiratory symptoms during the peripartum period.

This case report highlights the potential of continuous ST segment monitoring (C-STM) in the emergency department (ED) for identifying transient ischemic changes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We present a case of a 62-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and hypertension who presented with chest pain, that resolved prior to arrival. Despite an initially non-diagnostic ECG, C-STM detected transient hyperacute T waves and mild ST elevations, prompting further investigation, and ultimately leading to successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a critical left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery lesion. Our case emphasizes the importance of high clinical suspicion, continuous monitoring, and timely intervention in patients with ACS, even when initial presentations are atypical. It also raises the question of which ACS patients benefit from C-STM.

In Puerto Rico, two in ten adults aged 18 to 64 (18.7%) are diagnosed with a mental illness (MI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. People with MI diagnosis report higher frequencies of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart diseases) and cigarette smoking than the general population. This study explores associations between smoking, sociodemographic characteristics and health history (i.e. chronic diseases and MI diagnosis) among adults with a MI diagnosis in Puerto Rico.

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with significant morbidity and mortality secondary to pulmonary manifestations. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) has been used in SSc studies to measure respiratory complications, particularly pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we evaluated whether the six-minute walk distance (6MWD), measured during the 6MWT, is associated with clinical SSc symptoms in Puerto Rican patients in a rheumatology clinic.

This study aimed to evaluate implant outcomes, including success or survival, complications, and marginal bone loss (MBL), in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing short versus long implants with sinus augmentation (SA) after 5 or more years of loading. The objective was to update the qualitative and quantitative evidence on this topic and provide a comprehensive analysis of the previously identified implant outcomes. Electronic searches were conducted in 4 scientific databases from 2016 through 2024. Only RCTs with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years were included (7 studies); these were rated using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB 2) tool for main outcomes. The overall risk of bias was "High" in 5 studies, whereas 2 studies were rated as "Some concerns." The risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with Stata software, version 18, for implant success and survival (2.37; 95% CI: 0.83-6.78, P = .11) and for implant complications (0.88; 95% CI: 0.64-1.21, P = .43). The Cohen's d for MBL was -0.41 mm (95% CI: -0.72 to -0.09, P = .01). There was no statistically significant difference in implant success and survival between short and long implants with SA (P = .60). Due to the overall high risk of bias, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the success or survival of short versus long implants. Further RCTs with clear descriptions of implant outcomes, rigorous standardization and calibration protocols, meticulous sample-size calculation, and extended follow-up periods are needed.

To investigate the relationships between pediatric neuroblastoma outcomes, tumor ploidy, and ethnicity, focusing on disparities in overall survival (OS) while also accounting for race and ethnicity.

The objectives of this report were to 1) describe the 2015 and 2020 physical activity (PA) Country Cards of Puerto Rico (PR), including data beyond the 2020 Country Card, and 2) propose recommendations for promoting PA research, surveillance, and policy development.

Malaria is a parasitic disease common in many regions of the world. Cerebral malaria can cause cortical, cerebellar, and pontine infarctions. Although callosal ischemia (CI) due to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and postoperative factors have been described in the literature, isolated CI due to malaria is very rare. We present a patient with isolated corpus callosum ischemia-an unusual complication of cerebral malaria-a case that we believe will contribute to the literature since the woman is 23 years old and has no comorbidities.