Abstract Background Neurology is a medical specialty that deals with prevalent diseases such as stroke, headache, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Many countries, such as Brazil, struggle to provide neurological care for their populations, but the inadequacy and unequal distribution of the neurologist workforce are real challenges. Objective To analyze the demographic evolution of neurologists and the first-year Neurology residency positions in Brazil during the last decade (2010–2020) and the distribution imbalance between regions. Methods The demographic and geographic distribution of neurologists was calculated based on data extracted from the Brazilian Federal Medical Council reports, and the number of Neurology residency positions was based on the Brazilian National Commission of Medical Residency reports. Indicators of wealth were associated with demographic data. Results The number of neurologists per 100,000 population has increased since 2011, with a similar increase in the geographic distribution of neurologists. However, there was a marked inequality of distribution of neurologists through regions, with a gap between the Northern (lowest) and Southeastern (highest) regions. Furthermore, the imbalance of distribution of neurologists strongly correlated with social inequality. The number of Neurology residency positions increased, but with an imbalance between North and Southeast regions. Conclusions Brazil has advanced in providing neurologists. However, instead of a shortage, inequality between regions is the greatest challenge regarding the neurological workforce. The training of new neurologists is unequal between regions and occurs at a slower rate than needed. Neurologists, public health authorities, and patients should discuss solutions for these issues.

Resumo Antecedentes A Neurologia é uma especialidade médica que lida com doenças prevalentes, como acidente vascular cerebral, cefaleia, epilepsia e doenças neurodegenerativas. Muitos países, como o Brasil, se esforçam para oferecer assistência neurológica à população, mas a distribuição insuficiente e desigual da força de trabalho de neurologistas são desafios. Objetivo Analisar a evolução demográfica dos médicos neurologistas e das vagas de Programas de Residência Médica em Neurologia no Brasil durante a última década (2010-2020) e o desequilíbrio de distribuição entre as regiões. Métodos A distribuição demográfica e geográfica de neurologistas foi calculada com base nos dados extraídos de relatórios do Conselho Federal do Medicina do Brasil, e o número de vagas em Programas de Residência Médica em Neurologia foi extraído de dados da Comissão Nacional de Residência Médica. Os indicadores de riqueza foram associados aos dados demográficos. Resultados O número de neurologistas por 100.000 habitantes aumentou desde 2011, com um aumento similar na distribuição geográfica de neurologistas. Entretanto, houve uma nítida desigualdade na distribuição de neurologistas entre as regiões, com um hiato entre as regiões Norte e a Sudeste. Além disso, a desigualdade da distribuição de neurologistas se correlacionou fortemente com a desigualdade social. O número de vagas em Programas de Residência Médica aumentou, porém com desigualdade entre as regiões Norte e Sudeste. Conclusões O Brasil tem avançado na geração de neurologistas. Porém, ao invés de uma escassez, a desigualdade entre regiões é o maior desafio em relação à força de trabalho neurológica. O treino de novos neurologistas é desigual entre regiões e ocorre em um ritmo mais lento do que o necessário. Neurologistas, autoridades em saúde pública e pacientes devem discutir soluções para estes problemas.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate fresh medical graduates’ perceptions regarding the general aspects of ethics teaching in Brazilian medical schools. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied to 4,601 participants among the 16,323 physicians who registered in one of the 27 Regional Medical Councils of Brazil in 2015. Answers to four questions regarding general aspects of ethics education in medical school were analyzed. Sampling procedures involved two stratification variables: legal nature (public vs. private) of medical schools and monthly household income higher than 10 minimum wages. RESULTS: A large percentage of the participants had witnessed unethical behaviors during contact with patients (62.0%), toward coworkers (51.5%), and in relationships with patients’ families (34.4%) over the course of their medical training. Even though most of the responders (72.0%) totally agreed that patient-physician relationship and humanities education were part of their medical school curriculum, important topics such as conflicts of interest and end-of-life education were not satisfactorily addressed in the participants’ medical training. Statistically significant differences were found between the answers of public and private school graduates. CONCLUSION: Despite great efforts to improve medical ethics education, our findings suggest the persistence of deficits and inadequacies in the ethics training currently given in medical schools in Brazil. Further modifications in ethics training must be made to address the deficiencies shown in this study. This process should be accompanied by continuous evaluation.

Objective: to identify the evidence related to the risks of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in healthcare workers and the interventions adopted. Method: systematic literature review in eight scientific databases and three gray literature repositories. Results: 26 studies identified as risk factors: scarcity, inadequate use or reuse of personal equipment; low adherence to precautionary measures; working in intensive care and COVID-19 sectors; long stay in a closed work environment; sharing eating areas without the use of masks and distance; low knowledge and unpreparedness for disease management. 12 studies identified as interventions: health surveillance programs with early detection, diagnosis and early withdrawal; organization of care flows; double triage; telemedicine; limitation of visits; creation of exclusive sectors for care to COVID-19; qualification and training with virtual tools and simulation. Conclusion: besides the risk of infection, individual, psychosocial and organizational factors made the healthcare work environment unsafe. Interventions should be adopted to mitigate the risks and decrease the professionals' morbidity and mortality.

Objetivo: identificar as evidências relacionadas aos riscos de exposição ao SARS-CoV-2 em profissionais de saúde e as intervenções adotadas. Método: revisão sistemática de literatura em oito bases de dados científicas e três repositórios de literatura cinzenta. Resultados: 26 estudos identificaram como fator de risco: escassez, uso inadequado ou reuso de equipamentos individuais; baixa adesão às medidas de precaução; atuação em terapia intensiva e setores COVID-19; longa permanência em ambiente de trabalho fechado; compartilhamento de espaços para alimentação sem uso de máscara e distanciamento; baixo conhecimento e despreparo para atendimento à doença. 12 estudos identificaram como intervenções:  programas de vigilância em saúde com detecção precoce, diagnóstico e afastamento precoce; organização de fluxos de atendimento; triagem dupla; telemedicina; limitação de visitas; criação de setores exclusivos para atendimento à COVID-19; capacitações e treinamentos com ferramentas virtuais e simulação. Conclusão: além do risco de infecção, fatores individuais, psicossociais e organizacionais tornaram o ambiente de trabalho em saúde inseguro. Intervenções devem ser adotadas para mitigar os riscos e diminuir a morbimortalidade dos profissionais.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: A survey among medical students in a Brazilian public university was performed to investigate the acceptance of organ donation in Brazil, particularly donation after circulatory death (DCD). METHODS: A questionnaire including 26 objectives and Likert scale questions was validated and sent to all medical students of our institution. The answers were analyzed considering the whole set of individuals as well as by dividing the medical students into two groups: less graduated students and more graduated students. RESULTS: From 1050 students, 103 spontaneous answers (9.8%) were retrieved after 3 weeks. A total of 89.3% agreed totally with deceased donor organ donation and 8.7% agreed partially. However, only 50.5% of the students agreed totally and 31.1% agreed partially to living donation. Students revealed that 82.6% know the concept of brain death. On the other hand, 71.8% of them declared not knowing the concept of planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy, mainly cardiorespiratory support. A total of 85.4% of students agreed totally with donation after brain death and 11.7% agreed partially. However, when questioned about donation in awaiting circulatory death after a planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy, only 18.4% agreed totally and 32% agreed partially. Both groups of less and more graduated students showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a clear lack of information and consequently in acceptance of DCD. Education in the field of end-of-life management may improve not only the acceptance of DCD donation but also the whole understanding of planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy.

Objetivo: traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 para o contexto brasileiro e elaborar e avaliar um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica e ocupacional para compor o questionário adaptado. Método: cinco etapas foram realizadas para adaptação do questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19: tradução, síntese das traduções, avaliação por comitê de juízes, retrotradução e pré-teste. Quanto ao questionário complementar, foi construído e avaliado por um comitê de juízes e realizado pré-teste. Resultados: os questionários foram validados e a etapa de pré-teste foi realizada com trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde. Conclusão: a versão final adaptada para o contexto brasileiro foi denominada Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 e está disponibilizada para uso, juntamente com a versão final do questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional: avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde no contexto da covid-19. Estes questionários podem auxiliar na mitigação dos riscos de infecção, adoecimento e morte de trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde pela covid-19.

Objective: to translate and culturally adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context and to develop and evaluate a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire to compose the adapted questionnaire. Method: five stages were conducted to adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire, namely: translation, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of judges, back translation and pre-test. As for the complementary questionnaire, it was elaborated and evaluated by a committee of judges and a pre-test was carried out. Results: the questionnaires were validated and the pre-test stage was conducted with health workers and students. Conclusion: the final version adapted to the Brazilian context was called Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 and is available for use, together with the final version of the Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire: Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers and students in the context of covid-19. These questionnaires may assist in mitigating the risks of infection, illness and death of health workers and students due to covid-19.

Objetivo: traducir y adaptar culturalmente el cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 al contexto brasileño y elaborar y evaluar un cuestionario de caracterización sociodemográfica y ocupacional para formular el cuestionario adaptado. Método: se llevaron a cabo cinco pasos para adaptar el cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19: traducción, síntesis de traducciones, evaluación por un comité de jueces, retrotraducción y pretest. En cuanto al cuestionario complementario, fue elaborado y evaluado por un comité de jueces y se realizó una prueba previa. Resultados: se validaron los cuestionarios y se realizó la etapa de pretest con trabajadores y estudiantes del área de la salud. Conclusión: la versión final adaptada al contexto brasileño se denominó Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 y está disponible para su uso, junto con la versión final del Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da COVID-19. Estos cuestionarios pueden ayudar a disminuir los riesgos de infección, enfermedad y muerte de los trabajadores y los estudiantes del área de la salud por covid-19.

OBJECTIVES: Several predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission after metabolic surgery have been proposed and used to develop predictive scores. These scores may not be reproducible in diverse geographic regions with different baseline characteristics. This study aimed to identify predictive factors associated with T2DM remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in patients with severe obesity. We hypothesized that the body composition alterations induced by bariatric surgery could also contribute to diabetes remission. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients with severe obesity and T2DM who underwent RYGB between 2014 and 2016 for preoperative factors (age, diabetes duration, insulin use, HbA1c, C-peptide plasma level, and basal insulinemia) to identify predictors of T2DM remission (glycemia<126 mg/dL and/or HbA1c<6.5%) at 3 years postoperatively. The potential preoperative predictors were prospectively applied to 20 other patients with obesity and T2DM who underwent RYGB for validation. In addition, 81 patients with severe obesity (33 with T2DM) underwent body composition evaluations by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770®) 1 year after RYGB for comparison of body composition changes between patients with and those without T2DM. RESULTS: The retrospective analysis identified only a C-peptide level >3 ng/dL as a positive predictor of 3-year postoperative diabetes remission, which was validated in the prospective phase. There was a significant difference in the postoperative body composition changes between non-diabetic and diabetic patients only in trunk mass. CONCLUSION: Preoperative C-peptide levels can be useful for predicting T2DM remission after RYGB. Trunk mass is the most important difference in postoperative body composition changes between non-diabetic and diabetic patients.

In this study, we obtained and characterized a piezoelectric composite with 1-3 connectivity from castor oil polyurethane (PUR) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) rods. Two samples were obtained, one with 15% PZT volume and the other with 34% PZT volume. The ac electrical properties of the 1-3 piezoelectric composite samples demonstrated the frequency-dependence behavior of disordered solids. The piezoelectric coefficient (d33) was greatly influenced by the number of PZT rods and the matrix curing process. The sample with 34% PZT volume showed a higher d33 value, (246 pC/N measured after 30 d of polarization). The composites were evaluated for use in acoustic emission wave sensors for application in structural health monitoring.

ABSTRACT Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased AIDS incidence and mortality, rendering comorbidities, such as hepatitis B more relevant for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since antiretroviral drugs may also inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, analyzing the impact of ART on management of hepatitis B in this population is important. Objective: To assess HBV viremia among HIV/HBV coinfected individuals on ART and its associated factors. Method: For this cross-sectional study, HIV/HBV-coinfected individuals, aged over 18 years, who were on ART for over six months and receiving care at an outpatient clinic in São Paulo were recruited. Sociodemographic characteristics, information about viral exposure, clinical and laboratory data, including evaluation of liver fibrosis were obtained. Plasma HBV DNA was measured by polymerase chain reaction. Viral genome sequencing was conducted for genotyping and identification of drug resistance-conferring mutations if viral load exceeded 900 IU/mL. Results: Out of 2,946 patients who attended the clinic in 2015, 83 were eligible and 56 evaluated. Plasma HBV DNA was detected in 16 (28.6%) (95% CI: 18.0-41.3%), all on lamivudine and tenofovir treatment. HBV DNA detection was associated with lower education (p = 0.015), higher international normalized ratios (p = 0.045), history of an AIDS-defining illness [OR: 3.43 (95% CI: 1.10-11.50)], and HBeAg detection [OR: 6.60 (95% CI: 1.84-23.6)]. In contrast, a last CD4+ count above 500 cells/mm3 in the year prior to inclusion [OR: 0.18 (95% CI: 0.04-0.71)] and detection of anti-HBe [OR: 0.21 (95% CI: 0.04-0.99)] were negatively associated. Patients with HBV DNA above 900 IU/mL were infected with subgenotypes A1 (n = 3) and D2 (n = 1), and exhibited viral mutations associated with total resistance to lamivudine and partial resistance to entecavir. Conclusions: Despite being on ART, a significant proportion of HIV/HBV-coinfected individuals present HBV viremia. Characterization of factors that are associated with this finding may help professionals provide better management to these patients.

Alport syndrome is an inherited progressive form of glomerular disease that is often associated with sensorineural hearing loss and ocular abnormalities. We report two men with Alport syndrome. Both had chronic kidney disease and consulted for long-term loss of visual acuity. One had auditory abnormalities. On the ophthalmological examination, both had anterior lenticonus and one had dot or fleck retinopathy. Those findings are described in up to 50% and 70% of men with X-linked Alport syndrome, respectively. Both patients had a family history of Alport syndrome or suggestive signs and symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a complex-care-based medical school in the context of the Brazilian health care system on students’ career choices. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on medical regulatory organization records. It included records for 7,419 physicians who graduated from FMUSP. Geographic data were analyzed using Kernel maps, and the statistical analysis was performed with SPSS® version 24.0. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the 7,419 physicians, 68.6% (95% CI 67.5-69.7) were male, and 20.7% (95% CI 19.8%-21.7%) had no medical specialty, compared to 46.4% nationwide. Internal medicine and surgery-based specialties were more popular, accounting for 39.4% (95% CI 38.3%-40.5%) and 16.8% (95% CI 15.5%-17.6%) of our study group, compared to the Brazilian averages of 25.9% and 13.5%. Our graduates also had a higher probability of staying in São Paulo City, especially when born outside the city. CONCLUSION: We believe that FMUSP remains an interesting model for studying the impact of a highly specialized center on the education and career choices of medical students.

RESUMO A disfunção respiratória (DR) é um quadro respiratório caracterizado por padrões respiratórios irregulares que ocorrem na ausência de doenças concomitantes ou secundariamente a doenças cardiopulmonares. Embora o principal sintoma seja frequentemente dispneia ou “fome por ar”, a DR também está associada a sintomas não respiratórios, como vertigem e palpitações. A DR pode ser identificada em todas as idades. Sua prevalência entre adultos na atenção primária no Reino Unido é de aproximadamente 9,5%. Além disso, entre indivíduos com asma, um diagnóstico positivo de DR é encontrado em um terço das mulheres e um quinto dos homens. Embora a DR tenha sido investigada por décadas, ela permanece pouco compreendida devido a uma escassez de ensaios clínicos de alta qualidade e de variáveis de desfecho validadas especificamente para essa população. Assim, a DR é frequentemente subdiagnosticada ou diagnosticada incorretamente, devido à similaridade de seus sintomas associados (dispneia, taquicardia e vertigem) aos de outras doenças cardiopulmonares comuns, como DPOC e asma. As altas taxas de diagnóstico incorreto de DR sugerem que os profissionais de saúde não entendam completamente esse quadro e possam, portanto, não fornecer aos pacientes um tratamento adequado. Dada à natureza multifatorial e psicofisiológica da DR, uma avaliação holística e multidimensional parece ser a maneira mais apropriada de melhorar a compreensão e a precisão do diagnóstico. A presente revisão foi desenvolvida como um meio de resumir as evidências disponíveis sobre DB, bem como de melhorar a compreensão do quadro por pesquisadores e profissionais.

ABSTRACT Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is a respiratory condition characterized by irregular breathing patterns that occur either in the absence of concurrent diseases or secondary to cardiopulmonary diseases. Although the primary symptom is often dyspnea or “air hunger”, DB is also associated with nonrespiratory symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations. DB has been identified across all ages. Its prevalence among adults in primary care in the United Kingdom is approximately 9.5%. In addition, among individuals with asthma, a positive diagnosis of DB is found in a third of women and a fifth of men. Although DB has been investigated for decades, it remains poorly understood because of a paucity of high-quality clinical trials and validated outcome measures specific to this population. Accordingly, DB is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, given the similarity of its associated symptoms (dyspnea, tachycardia, and dizziness) to those of other common cardiopulmonary diseases such as COPD and asthma. The high rates of misdiagnosis of DB suggest that health care professionals do not fully understand this condition and may therefore fail to provide patients with an appropriate treatment. Given the multifarious, psychophysiological nature of DB, a holistic, multidimensional assessment would seem the most appropriate way to enhance understanding and diagnostic accuracy. The present narrative review was developed as a means of summarizing the available evidence about DB, as well as improving understanding of the condition by researchers and practitioners.

Background: Primary care units of ophtalmology (UAPO) were incorporated in 2003 into the healthcare system of the Ministry of Health, in response to the high demand for hospital care. Three of these primary care units were incorporated to provide a network care with the ophthalmology service of a tertiary care hospital. Aim: To report the public health impact of networking. Material and Methods: A descriptive-prospective study was carried out analyzing all the healthcare attentions carried out between June and August 2016. An epidemiological characterization of the sample was made. We recorded: clinical diagnoses, decisions, resolution of the clinical problem at the primary care or referral to the hospital. Results: A total of 2,096 ophthalmologic attentions were carried out in the three UAPOs during the study period. The main diseases attended were disorders of refraction, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The resolution index was 84% of attentions. Only 16% of attentions required referral and consisted mainly of cataracts (covered by a special health care system), diabetic retinopathy, capsulotomies, iridotomies, uveitis, pterygium and lacrimal duct obstruction. Conclusions: This model of care allowed an efficient management of the high demand for hospital referral. This is expressed in the high-resolution index and low derivation, resulting in a decrease in waiting lists at the tertiary level. This system should be implemented by other tertiary centers of our country.

Abstract Background The infectious diseases specialist is a medical doctor dedicated to the management of infectious diseases in their individual and collective dimensions. Objectives The aim of this paper was to evaluate the current profile and distribution of infectious diseases specialists in Brazil. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using secondary data obtained from institutions that register medical specialists in Brazil. Variables of interest included gender, age, type of medical school (public or private) the specialist graduated from, time since finishing residency training in infectious diseases, and the interval between M.D. graduation and residency completion. Maps are used to study the geographical distribution of infectious diseases specialists. Results A total of 3229 infectious diseases specialist registries were counted, with 94.3% (3045) of individual counts (heads) represented by primary registries. The mean age was 43.3 years (SD 10.5), and a higher proportion of females was observed (57%; 95% CI 55.3–58.8). Most Brazilian infectious diseases specialists (58.5%) practice in the Southeastern region. However, when distribution rates were calculated, several states exhibited high concentration of infectious diseases specialists, when compared to the national rate (16.06). Interestingly, among specialists working in the Northeastern region, those trained locally had completed their residency programs more recently (8.7 yrs; 95% CI 7.9–9.5) than physicians trained elsewhere in the country (13.6 yrs: 95% CI 11.8–15.5). Conclusion Our study shows that Brazilian infectious diseases specialists are predominantly young and female doctors. Most have concluded a medical residency training program. The absolute majority practice in the Southeastern region. However, some states from the Northern, Northeastern and Southeastern regions exhibit specialist rates above the national average. In these areas, nonetheless, there is a strong concentration of infectious diseases specialists in state capitals and in metropolitan areas.

A urbanização é um processo irreversível em escala mundial e estima-se que o número de pessoas que vivem em cidades deverá atingir 67% da população do planeta até 2050. Os países de baixa ou média renda, por sua vez, possuem 30% a 40% da população urbana vivendo atualmente em favelas, em situação de risco para diversos agravos de saúde. No Brasil, embora 84,3% da população residissem em áreas urbanas já em 2010, não se verificam no momento ações consistentes voltadas ao enfrentamento das questões de saúde urbana. Neste artigo discute-se a situação epidemiológica de agravos infecciosos de interesse para a saúde pública (dengue, infecção por HIV/aids, leptospirose, hanseníase e tuberculose) a partir do ano 2000 nas 17 metrópoles do país, de modo a esclarecer o papel atual das doenças infecciosas no contexto da saúde urbana brasileira.

Urbanization is an irreversible global process and the number of people living in cities is estimated to reach 67% of the world population by 2050. In low- and middle-income countries, 30% to 40% of the population currently lives in slum areas, under risk of several diseases. Even though 84.3% of the Brazilian population already lived in urban areas in 2010, no consistent initiatives have been implemented to address urban health issues. We discuss here the epidemiological features of communicable diseases that are relevant to public health (dengue, HIV/aids, leptospirosis, leprosy and tuberculosis) in Brazil's 17 metropolitan areas since 2000 to help clarify the current role of infections in the context of Brazilian urban health.