The research, conducted by members of the Anesthesiology Research Group (SINAN), won first place in the oral presentation category at the 22nd Congress of the UNAB 2026 School of Health Sciences and the 12th International Congress, whose central theme was “New Ways of Understanding and Experiencing Aging.”
Academic excellence and a commitment to research continue to stand out in the region’s scientific circles. On this occasion, Laura Valentina Carrascal Jaimes, a medical student, won first place in the oral presentation category during the 22nd Congress of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB) and the 12th International Congress 2026.
The academic conference, held under the theme “New Ways of Understanding and Experiencing Aging,” encouraged reflection on aging as a complex and multidimensional process that requires comprehensive approaches from scientific, social, cultural, ethical, and human perspectives, with the aim of contributing to the well-being and quality of life of older adults.
In this context, the student presented a research paper titled “Tolerability and Treatment Discontinuation with Tramadol Compared to Control Groups in Adults with Osteoarthritis,” a systematic review and meta-analysis whose objective was to evaluate the tolerability of oral tramadol compared to placebo, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and other opioids in adults with osteoarthritis, based on treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.
The research included studies of adult populations diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis and identified consistent results regarding tramadol discontinuation due to adverse events, with a relative risk (RR) of 2.5 and no statistical heterogeneity for this outcome. Additionally, secondary outcomes related to treatment discontinuation due to constipation, nausea, and dizziness were analyzed.
This work was carried out in collaboration with Juanita Valentina Pinzón Munar, a member of the Anesthesiology Research Group (SINAN); Paula Andrea Acuña Camacho; Juan Daniel Pérez González; and Jorge Alejandro Laguna Duarte, under the guidance of Professor of Anesthesiology Andrés Felipe Mantilla Santamaría, a member of the ANESTIDOC research group and advisor to the SINAN research group.
For Laura Valentina Carrascal Jaimes, this recognition represents a significant contribution to her university education and an incentive to continue strengthening her research skills. “Participating in the conference was a very enriching experience. Winning first place is a valuable acknowledgment of the dedication and hard work that went into our research. This achievement strengthens my skills in scientific communication, critical thinking, and methodological justification; it reaffirms the importance of academic excellence in my education and motivates me to continue on the path of research,” the student noted.
With this result, the UIS reaffirms the importance of promoting educational research, critical thinking, and student participation in academic and scientific settings—forums that foster the dissemination of knowledge, the exchange of experiences, and the development of contributions that advance scientific progress and improve healthcare.
