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Benzodiazepines in Anxiety: A Literature Review on Therapeutic Effects and Risks

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed drugs for anxiety disorders due to their anxiolytic, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant effects; however, their long-term use involves clinically relevant risks. Objective: To analyze the role of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorders, considering their clinical efficacy and associated adverse effects. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic review was conducted of the literature published between 2019 and 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. A total of 42 scientific articles were identified, including 25 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 10 clinical trials, and 7 observational studies, prioritizing those with high methodological quality and clinical relevance. Results: Benzodiazepines showed efficacy in the rapid relief of acute anxiety symptoms (90% of the studies) and in the management of insomnia and seizure disorders. However, chronic use was associated with dependence in up to 60% of reported cases, progressive cognitive impairment, and increased risk of falls among older adults, especially in the presence of polypharmacy. Conclusions: Rational, short-term, and medically supervised use—combined with non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy—is essential to optimize the safety and effectiveness of benzodiazepines in contemporary clinical practice.

Biosafety protocol in dentistry Latin America: proposals and challenges

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: Dental biosafety is essential for public health, especially in Latin America, where structural, economic, and educational inequalities hinder the effective implementation of the protocols recommended by the WHO and the CDC. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in the implementation of preventive measures, although with uneven results between countries. Objective: To analyze dental biosafety protocols in Latin America, identifying challenges, proposals for improvement, and gaps in their implementation during the period 2021–2025. Materials and methods: A descriptive systematic review was conducted using a positivist approach, analyzing 30 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 in the Scielo, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. DeCS descriptors related to dental biosafety were used, applying Boolean operators “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT.” Studies more than four years old or that did not directly address the biosafety variable were excluded. Results: Most Latin American countries have national biosafety regulations, but compliance is limited by high costs, lack of supplies, and insufficient training. Although professionals have adequate knowledge, practical adherence remains low. The pandemic led to temporary improvements such as the use of N95 respirators and teledentistry, but these have not been institutionalized in a sustainable manner. Conclusion: Biosafety protocols in Latin America need to be strengthened through comprehensive public policies, institutional oversight, continuous training, and a sustained culture of prevention. Consolidating biosafety beyond emergency contexts is key to ensuring safe and equitable care.

Teaching from Nursing Care: A phenomenological perspective of hospital experience

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: This study sought to understand, from the experience of the Nursing Care professional, how the exercise of the teaching role is configured, with the purpose of evidencing the complexity inherent to this function. Objective: To reveal how the construction of the teaching role in care nurses is from a phenomenological-hermeneutical perspective. Materials and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic study was conducted with 15 nurses from a level I-2 public hospital in Lambayeque, Peru. In-depth semi-structured interviews and interpretive analysis were used with the support of the Atlas Ti software. Data collection was carried out in the immunization, hospitalization and emergency units, following the phenomenological reduction phases: bracketing, horizontal and vertical thematic analysis, and essence synthesis. Results: Four categories emerged: pedagogical competence, the professional updating cycle, communicative competencies in nursing teaching and emotional management in the training process. The findings reveal that the teaching role derives from a non-formalized experiential construction, developed through daily practice. It manifests itself in inherent pedagogical competencies, construction of experiential knowledge, and intuitive development of communicative and emotional skills. A cycle of professional updating based on reflective practice, identification of gaps, active research and integration of new knowledge was identified. Conclusions: The teaching role of nursing care personnel represents a situated pedagogy that emerges naturally from the act of caregiving. Its constitution is based on an ontological dimension of the nurse-being. This "pedagogy of care" has its own epistemological characteristics that require formal recognition and institutional structuring, in order to optimize its formative and transformative potential in health systems.

Psychosocial Risk Factors and Emotional Impact in University Workplaces: A Correlational Study Using ISTAS-21 and DASS-21

Washington David Alfaro León, Marisela Jazmin Jaramillo López — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: The university work environment represents a space where diverse organizational, academic, and personal demands converge, potentially affecting workers’ mental health. In this context, psychosocial risks become highly relevant, as they are closely linked to the emergence of emotional symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Objective: This study analyzes the relationship between occupational psychosocial risks and the emotional affectation of administrative personnel under the Labor Code regime at the State University of Milagro (UNEMI) during 2025. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design was employed, applying the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (CoPsoQ-ISTAS21) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to a sample of 97 workers. Results: The ISTAS-21 results showed high levels of demand in dimensions such as work pace, job insecurity, and emotional burden, accompanied by positive perceptions in recognition, meaning of work, and vertical trust. Conclusions: The DASS-21 indicated an overall stable emotional tendency, with anxiety within the normal range, mild depression, and moderate stress. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed significant associations between psychosocial conditions and emotional indicators, highlighting a strong relationship between perceived insecurity and stress, as well as negative correlations in protective variables such as social support and leadership. These findings reflect an organization with high institutional commitment and organizational resilience, where well-being factors act as buffers against workplace demands. The study provides novel empirical evidence in the Ecuadorian university context, strengthening the scientific understanding of occupational mental health and its integration into industrial safety and occupational well-being policies.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Physical and Cognitive Factors in University Faculty: A Study of Musculoskeletal and Psychosocial Risks in the Academic Workplace

Pavel Omar Defranc-Balanzategui, Yoenia Portilla-Castell — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: Ergonomics plays a fundamental role in promoting healthy work environments, particularly in university teaching, where prolonged use of computer equipment and the mental demands of academic roles generate musculoskeletal and psychosocial risks. In contexts such as Ecuador, the limited application of systematic ergonomic assessments has contributed to an increase in these conditions among faculty members. Objectives: To identify and analyze the physical and cognitive ergonomic risk factors present in the workstations of university professors, as well as associated psychosocial risks, in order to propose intervention strategies aimed at improving occupational health and well-being. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Three standardized and validated instruments were applied: the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method for postural evaluation, and the Psychosocial Risk Questionnaire from the Ministry of Labor. The sample consisted of six full-time university professors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and variable cross-tabulations. Results: All evaluated professors (100%) reported musculoskeletal discomfort, mainly in the lumbar region (83.3%), cervical area (66.7%), and wrists (50%). ROSA scores ranged from 7 to 8, indicating a high level of ergonomic risk that requires immediate intervention. In the psychosocial dimension, 83.3% presented a medium level of risk, particularly in workload, skill development, and leadership domains. Conclusions: The ergonomic and organizational conditions of university teaching workstations do not meet appropriate standards, negatively impacting the physical and mental health of academic staff. It is recommended to implement ergonomic intervention programs, provide specific training in applied ergonomics, and adopt institutional measures to improve the teaching work environment.

Interpersonal Bonding and Psychopathological Symptoms in Patients with Cervical Cancer

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: Mental health can be severely affected following a medical diagnosis, particularly in oncological diseases. This impact, together with interpersonal attachment factors, may predispose individuals to the development of psychopathological symptoms. Objective: To identify the relationship between interpersonal attachment and psychopathological symptomatology in patients with cervical cancer at the Regional Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (IREN). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, non-experimental, and descriptive-correlational study was conducted. The Test for the Evaluation and Assessment of Interpersonal Bonds in Adults (VINCULATEST) was used to assess types of interpersonal attachment, and the Brief Symptom Inventory (LSB-50) was applied to detect the presence of psychopathological symptoms. The sample consisted of 100 female outpatients diagnosed with cervical cancer. Results: A significant positive correlation of moderate magnitude was found between interpersonal attachment and psychopathological symptomatology (Rho = .561, p < .001). Anxious-depressive symptomatology predominated among the evaluated patients, who exhibited hostility toward their life situation. Higher levels of symptoms were identified in patients who were alone or accompanied only by their children. Conclusions: The findings suggest that interpersonal attachment and psychopathological symptomatology are significantly related, indicating that insecure attachment styles increase emotional vulnerability. These results highlight the need to integrate psychological care into oncological programs to promote patients’ emotional well-being and quality of life.

Digital health in the efficiency and quality of Latin American health systems: A literature review

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses of healthcare systems worldwide, especially in Latin America, intensifying the need for solutions that ensure the continuity and quality of medical care. In this context, digital health emerged as a key strategy. Objective: To analyze the impact of digital health on the efficiency and quality of healthcare systems in the region. Materials and methods: A systematic review of scientific literature was conducted between 2019 and 2025, following the PRISMA approach. The search was conducted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Results: Significant improvements were evident in cost reduction, optimization of clinical processes, and expanded access. Advances were also seen in diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic adherence, and patient safety. However, barriers such as institutional fragmentation, technological gaps, and the absence of robust regulatory frameworks persist. Evidence suggests that while digital health has great potential, its implementation requires comprehensive, sustainable, and equitable strategies. Conclusion: The future of health systems in Latin America will depend on their ability to integrate these solutions with inclusive, patient-centered public policies.

Post-traumatic stress disorder following the CENEPA conflict: A case study

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Introduction: The Alto Cenepa conflict between Ecuador and Peru in 1995 caused deep psychological consequences among veterans, with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) being one of the most significant. Objective: To analyze the impact of PTSD on a Cenepa war veteran, identifying his emotional, social, and occupational sequelae, as well as the coping strategies he employed. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method approach with a qualitative predominance was applied, based on grounded theory and a phenomenological design, using semi-structured interviews, behavioral observation, and the Coping with Stress Questionnaire (CAE) by Sandín and Chorot (2002), organizing the findings into three categories: social, family, and work-related. Results: The participant showed a maladaptive coping style, with high scores in avoidance and passive coping, and low scores in active and problem-focused coping. Symptoms of hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, isolation, irritability, survivor’s guilt, and difficulty maintaining stable social, family, and work relationships were observed. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that PTSD profoundly affects the veteran’s emotional, social, and occupational functioning, leading to significant deterioration in his quality of life. It also highlights the lack of institutional support in Ecuador and the urgent need to implement public policies and psychological intervention programs that provide adequate care and improve the well-being of veterans.