Azahara Ruger Navarrete

Prof. Dr. Azahara Ruger Navarrete

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 June 2025 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
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MLMaría Dolores Vazquez Lara
María Dolores Vazquez Lara
ANAzahara Ruger Navarrete
Azahara Ruger Navarrete
SASamia Mohamed Abdel-lah
Samia Mohamed Abdel-lah
Jose L. Gómez-UrquizaJose L. Gómez-Urquiza
Jose L. Gómez-Urquiza
FCFrancisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
Francisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
JLJuana María Vázquez Lara
Juana María Vázquez Lara
Background: Mental health problems that can appear in women during pregnancy include fear, anxiety, feelings of vulnerability, stress, and depression. Mindfulness (MF) is a specific meditation technique that can help during treatment for prenatal mood disorders, emotional distress, and psychological strains. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a specific meditation approach in women during pregnancy on these mental health problems. Methods: This systematic review analysed data from PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL. The search equation used was “mindfulness [title] AND pregnancy [title] AND (trial OR clinical trial OR RCT OR quasi-experimental OR experimental OR randomised clinical trial OR randomised controlled trial OR quasi-experimental study)”. This analyses experimental studies published in the last 10 years that include interventions based on MF, applying cognitive behavioural therapies to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety and in which the participants completed a questionnaire related to these variables. Standardised means effect size meta-analysis was performed with RevMan Web. Results: All the included studies (n = 13) reported that the intervention led to a decrease in negative symptoms related to prenatal pressure, apprehension, and melancholy. The duration of the MF programmes was 6 to 8 weeks. The meta-analysis showed that MF during pregnancy is an effective approach, with a standardised mean difference of −0.73 for anxiety, −0.67 for depression, and −0.74 for stress. Conclusions: Mindfulness programmes during pregnancy are a useful and effective means of reducing maternal stress, anxiety, and depression. Including MF programmes during pregnancy should be considered depending on resources availability. In person vs. online effectiveness should be investigated.

27 September 2024 in Biomedicines
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Journal Article
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MMMaria Montiel-Troya
Maria Montiel-Troya
HMHiman Mohamed-Mohamed
Himan Mohamed-Mohamed
TMTeresa Pardo Moreno
Teresa Pardo Moreno
AGAna González-Díaz
Ana González-Díaz
ANAzahara Ruger Navarrete
Azahara Ruger Navarrete
VMVictoria Garcia Morales
Victoria Garcia Morales
(1) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which the patient suffers from an affection of both upper and lower motor neurons at the spinal and brainstem level, causing a progressive paralysis that leads to the patient’s demise. Gender is also considered a predisposing risk factor for developing the disease. A brief review of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease is also described in this work. Despite the fact that a cure for ALS is currently unknown, there exists a variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies that can help reduce the progression of the disease over a certain period of time and alleviate symptoms. (2) We aim to analyze these pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies through a systematic review. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment is necessary. (3) Drugs such as riluzole, edaravone, and sodium phenylbutyrate, among others, have been investigated. Additionally, it is important to stay updated on research on new drugs, such as masitinib, from which very good results have been obtained. (4) Therapies aimed at psychological support, speech and language, and physical therapy for the patient are also available, which increase the quality of life of the patients.

25 January 2024 in Healthcare
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Journal Article
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RPRocío Palomo-Gómez
Rocío Palomo-Gómez
ANAzahara Ruger Navarrete
Azahara Ruger Navarrete
IAIrene Antúnez-Calvente
Irene Antúnez-Calvente
JVJuana María Vázquez-Lara
Juana María Vázquez-Lara
LRLuciano Rodríguez-Díaz
Luciano Rodríguez-Díaz
FCFrancisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
Francisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
Pregnancy is one of the most complex periods in a woman’s life, not only because of the biological changes involved but also because of the psychological aspects. Stress during pregnancy refers to the concerns and distress that arise during pregnancy and that can be assessed by means of psychological and physiological scales. The aim of this study was to analyse prenatal stress and to evaluate its consequences on the health of both the mother and the foetus. A descriptive longitudinal study was carried out on a sample of 398 pregnant women being followed up during their entire pregnancy, who gave birth at the Punta de Europa University Hospital in Algeciras (Spain) between September 2021 and August 2023. The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) was used, as well as serum cortisol levels in each trimester of pregnancy and birth experience using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire in its validated Spanish version, CEQ-E. Demographic and obstetric variables were included. One of the main findings was that experiencing more stress in late pregnancy had a negative impact on obstetric outcomes. Women who had higher levels of prenatal distress had higher blood cortisol levels and increased risk of having a caesarean section at delivery. A significant negative correlation was also found between stress and Apgar test values in the first minute of life. It is concluded that interventions promoted by the health system that provide comprehensive prenatal care contribute to decreased stress as perceived by these pregnant women, thus reducing the risk of maternal and foetal morbidity.

22 September 2025 in Diabetology
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Journal Article
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PRPascual Brieba del Río
Pascual Brieba del Río
AAANA MARÍA ANTOLÍ
ANA MARÍA ANTOLÍ
JLJuana María Vázquez Lara
Juana María Vázquez Lara
ANAzahara Ruger Navarrete
Azahara Ruger Navarrete
MLMaría Dolores Vazquez Lara
María Dolores Vazquez Lara
FCFrancisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
Francisco Javier Fernández Carrasco
Diabetes mellitus constitutes a significant global public health problem. It is a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, which is a consequence of inadequate insulin secretion, deficient insulin action, or a combination of both factors. A crucial component in the effective management of this pathology is therapeutic adherence, as it helps prevent complications, improve patient quality of life, reduce associated mortality, and decrease the need for hospitalization. In this context, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive care model that offers continuous support and a multidisciplinary approach. Primary care should be central, coordinating the entire care process. Understanding the clinical and social characteristics of people with diabetes is key to guiding more effective interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, degree of metabolic control, and treatment adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled in primary care programs in Ceuta. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted during the second half of 2024. The study population included individuals enrolled in the primary care diabetes program in Ceuta. We analyzed sociodemographic variables with a self-administered questionnaire, the level of therapeutic adherence using the MMAS-8 scale, and glycemic control through glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. Results: The sample consisted of 370 individuals, with 50.3% being men. The average age was 62.82 years (SD = 13.46). A significant portion of participants, 61.07%, had no formal education or had only received primary education. Additionally, 84.9% of the participants had at least one other associated chronic pathology. Regarding adherence, 36.8% of the patients showed a high level, and for all patients, the mean HbA1c value was 7.5% (SD = 1.55). Furthermore, our analysis revealed statistically significant associations between cultural background and both therapeutic adherence (weak positive correlation: r = 0.213, p ≤ 0.001; multivariate significance: sig: <0.001; Exp(B) = 2.448) and glycemic control (multivariate significance: sig: <0.001; Exp(B) = 2.686). Conclusions: We observed high treatment adherence in the study population, with HbA1c values within the limits recommended by the World Health Organization for older adults. Furthermore, a relationship between cultural background and both treatment adherence and glycemic control was identified. This suggests a need for further research into these and other social determinants, like study level or monthly income, in future studies.

22 April 2026 in Safety Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AMAntonio J. Moreno-Moreno
Antonio J. Moreno-Moreno
Juan Jesús García-IglesiasJuan Jesús García-Iglesias
Juan Jesús García-Iglesias
ACAntonio Castaño-Seiquer
Antonio Castaño-Seiquer
DPDAVID Ribas Pérez
DAVID Ribas Pérez
JFJavier Fagundo-Rivera
Javier Fagundo-Rivera
Juan Gómez-SalgadoJuan Gómez-Salgado
Juan Gómez-Salgado

19 March 2026 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Piedad Gómez-TorresPiedad Gómez-Torres
Piedad Gómez-Torres
ANAzahara Ruger Navarrete
Azahara Ruger Navarrete
LLLaura Lasso-Olayo
Laura Lasso-Olayo
IOIsabel Blázquez Ornat
Isabel Blázquez Ornat
David Peña-OteroDavid Peña-Otero
David Peña-Otero
SGSergio Galarreta-Aperte
Sergio Galarreta-Aperte
Background: Fixed night work and rotating schedules including nights may contribute to migraine via sleep disruption and circadian misalignment, but evidence is inconsistent and definitions vary. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared past-year migraine prevalence in nurses working night-inclusive schedules versus day-only or non-night schedules. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261304288), we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 3 February 2026 (English/Spanish). Observational studies in nurses (≥18 years) reporting past-year migraine prevalence by shift pattern were eligible. All included studies assessed past-year prevalence; pooled PRs reflect 1-year prevalence. Crude prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated from contingency tables and pooled quantitatively. Risk of bias was assessed with the JBI prevalence checklist. Results: We identified 54 records; 4 studies were included (N = 3843) of which 3323 participants contributed to the comparative meta-analysis because complete disaggregated data were available to construct contingency tables. The pooled association between night-inclusive schedules and migraine prevalence was not statistically significant (PR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.82–1.10; I2 = 0%). Secondary intensity contrasts were inconclusive (high vs. low: PR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.46–3.36; high vs. zero nights: PR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.38–1.93). Conclusions: Current nurse-specific evidence does not show a statistically significant difference in migraine prevalence between night-inclusive and non-night schedules; however, the small evidence base and limited generalizability preclude firm conclusions. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify this association.