Abstract Background: Chromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that take the form of muriform cells in the tissue. It mainly manifests as verrucous plaques on the lower limbs of rural workers in tropical countries. Objectives: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic methods for the identification of chromoblastomycosis, considering the histopathological examination as the reference test. Methods: MEDLINE, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted using the terms ‟chromoblastomycosis” AND ‟diagnosis”. The eligibility criteria were: studies that evaluated the accuracy of tests for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis. Eleven studies were selected. Statistical analysis included the calculation of sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic methods. Results: Considering the histopathological examination as the reference test, the culture showed a sensitivity (S) of 37.5% - 90.9% and a specificity (Sp) of 100%; while direct mycological examination showed S = 50% - 91.6% and Sp of 100% . Considering the culture as the reference test, the serology (precipitation techniques) showed S of 36% - 99%; and Sp of 80% - 100%; while the intradermal test showed S of 83.3% - 100% and Sp of 99.4% - 100%. Study limitations: The small number of studies and very discrepant sensitivity results among them do not allow the calculation of summary measures through a meta-analysis. Conclusions: Direct mycological examination, culture, intradermal test and serology show sensitivity and specificity values for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis with no significant difference between the studies.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a melhora da lombalgia crônica nos pacientes osteoporóticos em tratamento com teriparatida (TPTD). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, com amostra por conveniência de 21 pacientes com osteoporose em uso de TPTD, 20 mcg/dia, entre 2006 e 2010, portadores de lombalgia crônica (mais de três meses). Foram realizadas radiografias dorso-lombares e densitometria óssea (DXA), antes e após o tratamento e, para a mensuração da dor, foi usada a Escala EVA. Os dados foram aplicados no Excel e as análises processadas no STATA / SE 8.0, com Qui2 ou Fisher (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: De vinte e um pacientes, com idade entre 40 e 90 anos (média 70 anos), oito deles (40%) apresentavam osteoporose senil e treze (60%) osteoporose secundária a medicações. Dezessete (80%) tinham fraturas dorso-lombares prévias. Dez (47,5%) utilizaram TPTD por 24 meses, seis (27,5%) por 18, quatro (20%) por 12 e um (5%) por seis. Oito (40%) usaram previamente antirreabsortivos. Treze pacientes (60%) apresentaram ganho de massa óssea entre 0% e 9% e oito (40%), entre 10% e 15%. A média final da EVA foi de 2,6, correspondendo a uma melhora de 4,7 (p< 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Ocorreu uma redução significativa na severidade da lombalgia com uso de TPTD (EVA inicial média: 7,3; final: 2,6; melhora: 4,7).

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the improvement of chronic low back pain in osteoporotic patients treated with teriparatide (TPTD). METHODS: This was an observational study with a convenience sample of 21 patients with osteoporosis using TPTD, 20 mcg/day, between 2006 and 2010, with chronic low back pain (more than three months). Dorsolumbar radiographs and bone densitometry (DXA) were performed before and after treatment. For pain measurement the VAS pain scale was used. Data were entered in Excel and processed in STATA/SE 8.0 with Chi2 square or Fisher (p < 0.05). RESULTS: twenty-one patients aged 40-90 (mean 70 years), eight (40%) had senile osteoporosis and thirteen (60%) had osteoporosis secondary to medications. Seventeen (80%) had previous dorsolumbar fractures. Ten (47.5%) used TPTD for 24 months, six (27.5 %) used the medication for 18 months, four (20%) for 12 months and one (5%) for six months. Eight patients (40%) received previous anti-reabsortive therapy. Thirteen patients (60%) exhibited bone mass gain between 0% and 9% while eight (40%), between 10% and 15%. The final average VAS was 2.6 representing an improvement of 4.7 (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant reduction in the severity of low back pain with the use of TPTD (initial mean VAS: 7.3, final VAS: 2.6, improvement: 4.7).

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la mejoría del dolor lumbar crónico en pacientes con osteoporosis tratados con teriparatida (TPTD). MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, con una muestra de conveniencia de 21 pacientes con osteoporosis en uso de TPTD, 20 mcg/día, entre 2006 y 2010, portadores de dolor lumbar crónico (más de tres meses). Se realizaron radiografías dorsolumbares y densitometría ósea (DXA) antes y después del tratamiento y, para la mensuración del dolor, se utilizó la Escala EVA. Los datos fueron exportados al Excel y el análisis procesado en STATA/SE 8.0, con Qui² o Fisher (p < 0,05). RESULTADO: De veintiún pacientes, con edad entre 40 y 90 años (media 70 años), ocho (40%) presentaban osteoporosis senil y trece (60%) osteoporosis secundaria a medicaciones. Diecisiete (80%) tuvieron fracturas dorsolumbares previas. Diez (47,5%) utilizaron TPTD por 24 meses, seis (27,5%) por 18, cuatro (20%) por 12 y uno (5%) por seis meses. Ocho (40%) usaron previamente antirreabsortivos. Trece pacientes (60%) presentaron aumento de masa ósea entre 0% y 9 % y ocho (40%), entre 10% y 15%. La media final del EVA fue de 2,6, correspondiendo a una mejora de 4,7 (p< 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Una reducción significativa en la gravedad del dolor lumbar se produjo con el uso de TPTD (EVA inicial media: 7,3; final: 2,6; mejora: 4,7).