Abstract INTRODUCTION: The transmission of Chagas disease (CD) through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and oral transmission has gained greater visibility as a result of intensified vector control activities in endemic regions and to control CD in non-endemic regions. In Brazil, Ceará is one of the states that perform the most organ transplants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in organ donor candidates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from potential organ donors at the Center of Transplantation of the State of Ceará from 2010 - 2015. RESULTS: Data from a total of 2,822 potential donors were obtained, of which 1,038 were effective donors and 1,784 were excluded, likely due to lack of family authorization or medical contraindication. The prevalence of T. cruzi infection among these potential donors was 1.3% (n = 29). The majority of infected donors were males aged 41 - 60 years, residing in the interior of the state. Interestingly, 72.4% (n = 21) had positive or inconclusive serology for additional infections, such as cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, and toxoplasmosis. Probability analysis revealed that stroke was the most common cause of death among potential donors with CD. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of CD and other coinfections among potential solid organ donors in Ceará, and statistical tests have shown that these individuals are at increased risk of stroke when compared to potential non-reactive donors. This work highlights the importance of screening DC infection in potential donors.

Resumo O Serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica ao paciente com doença de Chagas do estado do Ceará foi criando em 2005, com a finalidade de proporcionar seguimento farmacoterapêutico àqueles com esta morbidade. Decorridos 10 anos de atuação, objetivou-se avaliar a satisfação dos pacientes atendidos no serviço. Tratou-se de um estudo prospectivo, empregando um questionário subdividido nas seções: dados socioeconômicos; infraestrutura, localização e funcionamento; cuidado farmacêutico e importância do serviço. Foram entrevistados 70 pacientes de ambos os sexos e acima de 18 anos, entre agosto de 2014 e maio de 2015. Quanto à infraestrutura, localização e funcionamento, as notas obtidas mostraram que os pacientes estão satisfeitos com os parâmetros analisados. Com relação ao cuidado farmacêutico, a maioria dos pacientes mostrou-se satisfeita, tendo o “ser bem atendido” como aspecto mais importante durante o atendimento. Em relação à importância do serviço, 100% o considerou muito importante e o indicaria para outras pessoas. De modo geral, o estudo demonstrou um alto nível de satisfação com o serviço. Há muito a ser trabalhado neste serviço, como promover maior acesso e qualificação do atendimento, contribuindo para a concretização de um modelo humanizado, centrado nas necessidades do paciente.

Abstract In 2005, a pharmaceutical care service was created in the State of Ceará to provide pharmacotherapeutic follow-up for individuals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas Disease). After 10 years of operation, an evaluation was conducted to assess the degree of satisfaction of patients treated under the service. This prospective study used a questionnaire comprising the following sections: socioeconomic data; infrastructure, facilities and operations; pharmaceutical care; and importance of the service. Seventy patients of both sexes and over 18 years of age were interviewed between August 2014 and May 2015. As for infrastructure, location and operation, the average grades show a high level of patient satisfaction. Regarding pharmaceutical care, most patients reported being satisfied and considered “being well treated” to be the most important aspect during treatment. In addition, all patients (100%) rated the service as very important and would recommend it to other individuals. Overall, the study showed a high level of patient satisfaction with the service. There is, however, still much to work to be done on this service in order to promote greater access and qualified care to fully achieve a humanized model focused on patient needs.

Resumo O Serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica ao paciente com doença de Chagas do estado do Ceará foi criando em 2005, com a finalidade de proporcionar seguimento farmacoterapêutico àqueles com esta morbidade. Decorridos 10 anos de atuação, objetivou-se avaliar a satisfação dos pacientes atendidos no serviço. Tratou-se de um estudo prospectivo, empregando um questionário subdividido nas seções: dados socioeconômicos; infraestrutura, localização e funcionamento; cuidado farmacêutico e importância do serviço. Foram entrevistados 70 pacientes de ambos os sexos e acima de 18 anos, entre agosto de 2014 e maio de 2015. Quanto à infraestrutura, localização e funcionamento, as notas obtidas mostraram que os pacientes estão satisfeitos com os parâmetros analisados. Com relação ao cuidado farmacêutico, a maioria dos pacientes mostrou-se satisfeita, tendo o “ser bem atendido” como aspecto mais importante durante o atendimento. Em relação à importância do serviço, 100% o considerou muito importante e o indicaria para outras pessoas. De modo geral, o estudo demonstrou um alto nível de satisfação com o serviço. Há muito a ser trabalhado neste serviço, como promover maior acesso e qualificação do atendimento, contribuindo para a concretização de um modelo humanizado, centrado nas necessidades do paciente.

Abstract In 2005, a pharmaceutical care service was created in the State of Ceará to provide pharmacotherapeutic follow-up for individuals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas Disease). After 10 years of operation, an evaluation was conducted to assess the degree of satisfaction of patients treated under the service. This prospective study used a questionnaire comprising the following sections: socioeconomic data; infrastructure, facilities and operations; pharmaceutical care; and importance of the service. Seventy patients of both sexes and over 18 years of age were interviewed between August 2014 and May 2015. As for infrastructure, location and operation, the average grades show a high level of patient satisfaction. Regarding pharmaceutical care, most patients reported being satisfied and considered “being well treated” to be the most important aspect during treatment. In addition, all patients (100%) rated the service as very important and would recommend it to other individuals. Overall, the study showed a high level of patient satisfaction with the service. There is, however, still much to work to be done on this service in order to promote greater access and qualified care to fully achieve a humanized model focused on patient needs.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease remains a public health problem in the rural and urban areas of 19 countries in the Americas. METHODS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the Trypanosoma cruzi infection rate of triatomines collected from both intra- and peridomiciliary areas in eleven municipalities of Southeastern Ceará, Brazil, from 2009 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 32,364 triatomine specimens, including nymphs and adults, were collected, and 31,736 (98.06%) of these were examined. More nymphs were collected than adults, and the greatest number of triatomines (n = 8,548) was collected in 2010, for which the infection rate was 1.3%, with the highest rate of infections observed for specimens from Quixere. The species collected during the study were identified as Triatoma pseudomaculata, Triatoma brasiliensis, Panstrongylus megistus, Panstrongylus lutzi, and Rhodnius nasutus, with T. pseudomaculata being the most abundant (n = 19,962). CONCLUSIONS: These results verify the presence of triatomines in both intra- and peridomiciliary areas, thereby ensuring persistence of the pathogen and consequently, the disease, as the presence of infected vectors in households is an important risk factor. According to these findings, the Chagas Disease Control Program should intensify its efforts in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

RESUMO A doença de Chagas é causada pelo Trypanosoma cruzi e atinge cerca de dois a três milhões de pessoas no Brasil, permanecendo como importante problema de saúde pública. Foi realizado um estudo em área rural do município de Limoeiro do Norte - CE, nordeste do Brasil, com o objetivo de conhecer a prevalência da infecção chagásica. Foram examinados 52% dos habitantes, dentre os quais 2,6% (4/154) apresentaram sorologia reagente em pelo menos dois testes sorológicos. Todos os positivos tinham idade superior a 50 anos, eram agricultores, com baixa escolaridade e renda familiar inferior a três salários mínimos. A busca ativa pode ser uma alternativa para o diagnóstico precoce dessa doença.

SUMMARY Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and affects about two to three million people in Brazil, still figuring as an important public health problem. A study was conducted in a rural area of the municipality of Limoeiro do Norte - CE, northeastern Brazil, aiming to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection. Of the inhabitants, 52% were examined, among whom 2.6% (4/154) were seropositive in at least two serological tests. All seropositive individuals were older than 50 years, farmers, with a low education and a family income of less than three minimum wages. Active surveillance may be an alternative for early detection of this disease.

Controlando-se a transmissão da doença de Chagas, surge o desafio de prestar assistência a milhões de pacientes infectados que chegam à velhice. Neste estudo, foram avaliados os registros socioeconômicos, demográficos e de comorbidades de todos os pacientes chagásicos idosos acompanhados no Serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica do Laboratório de Pesquisa em Doença de Chagas. As informações relacionadas à forma clínica da doença foram obtidas a partir de registros médicos disponibilizados pelo Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio. O perfil da população estudada foi de: mulheres (50,5%); idade média de 67 anos; aposentados (54,6%); casados (51,6%); alta taxa de analfabetismo (40,2%); e renda familiar de um salário mínimo (51,5%). As formas clínicas predominantes da doença de Chagas foram a cardíaca (65,3%) e a indeterminada (14,7%). As principais alterações eletrocardiográficas foram o bloqueio de ramo direito (41,0%), associado ou não ao bloqueio ântero superior esquerdo (27,4%). O número médio de comorbidades por paciente foi de 2,23 ± 1,54, sendo a hipertensão arterial sistêmica a principal encontrada (67,0%). Verificou-se que os idosos constituem grupo vulnerável de pacientes que associam o envelhecimento com as alterações cardíacas e/ou digestivas resultantes da evolução da doença de Chagas e outras comorbidades, o que exige atenção especial dos serviços de saúde para um atendimento médico e social mais adequado.

By controlling the transmission of Chagas disease, the challenge of providing assistance to millions of infected patients that reach old age arises. In this study, the socioeconomic, demographic and comorbidity records of all elderly chagasic patients followed at the Pharmaceutical Care Service of the Chagas Disease Research Laboratory were assessed. The information related to the clinical form of the disease was obtained from medical records provided by the Walter Cantídio University Hospital. The profile of the studied population was: women (50.5%); mean age of 67 years; retired (54.6%); married (51.6 %); high illiteracy rate (40.2%); and family income equal to the minimum wage (51.5%). The predominant clinical forms of Chagas disease were cardiac (65.3%) and indeterminate (14.7%). The main electrocardiographic changes were the right bundle branch block (41.0%), associated or not with the anterosuperior left bundle branch block (27.4%). The average number of comorbidities per patient was 2.23 ± 1.54, with systemic arterial hypertension being the main one found (67.0%). It was found that the elderly comprise a vulnerable group of patients that associate aging with cardiac and/or digestive disorders resulting from the evolution of Chagas disease and other comorbidities, which requires special attention from health services to ensure more appropriate medical and social care.

INTRODUÇÃO: Uma das complicações mais frequentes do diabetes mellitus (DM) é a neuropatia diabética (ND), que leva a alterações musculoesqueléticas capazes de causar instabilidade postural e risco de quedas. OBJETIVO: Verificar o equilíbrio dos pacientes diabéticos atendidos no setor de fisioterapia. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 25 indivíduos diabéticos com idade média de 60,88 ± 9,23 anos, da Clínica-Escola de Fisioterapia da Universidade Católica de Brasília. Observou-se o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico desses pacientes por meio do sistema F-Scan e da escala de equilíbrio de Berg (EEB), respectivamente, além das correlações entre elas. RESULTADOS: Os participantes do estudo não apresentaram risco de cair pela EEB; não houve associações entre EEB e oscilações laterolaterais medidas pelo F-Scan e houve diferenças significativas entre EEB e oscilações anteroposteriores. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de não serem verificadas alterações do equilíbrio no F-Scan, os indivíduos avaliados encontram-se fora do alto risco de queda, mesmo que a diminuição da sensibilidade tenha gerado uma tendência baixa na pontuação da EEB. A intervenção fisioterapêutica é benéfica para a manutenção e/ou melhora do equilíbrio corporal, reduzindo, assim, o risco de quedas e aumentando a independência nas atividades de vida diária (AVD).

INTRODUCTION: One of the most frequent complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic neuropathy (DN), which leads to impaired skeletal muscle that can cause postural instability and risk of falls. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the balance of diabetic patients treated at the physical therapy department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 25 diabetic subjects with a mean age of 60.88 ± 9.23 years old, at the Clinical School of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of Brasilia. We observed the static and dynamic balance of these patients through the F-Scan system and the Berg's Balance Scale (BBS), respectively, and to identify correlations between them. RESULTS: The study participants had no risk of falling by BSE, there were no associations between BSE and latero-lateral oscillations measured by the F-Scan and significant differences between BSE and anteroposterior oscillations. CONCLUSION: Although there were no balance changes in the F-Scan, subjects evaluated are out of the high risk of falling, even if the decreased sensitivity has generated a tendency to score lower on the BSE. This result suggests that physical therapy intervention is beneficial for the maintenance and/or improvement of body balance, thus reducing the risk of falls and increasing independence in activities of daily living (ADL).

Nesse artigo é apresentada uma comparação entre o diagnóstico de bloqueios para o Hemisfério Sul, identificados em uma simulação com o modelo de circulação geral do Hadley Centre (HadCM3), e aqueles obtidos das reanálises do NCEP/NCAR, para o período de 1960 a 2000. A definição de bloqueio usada baseia-se no cálculo de dois gradientes meridionais da altura geopotencial em 500 hPa. O ciclo sazonal e as regiões preferenciais de ocorrência dos bloqueios foi bem simulada pelo modelo. Semelhante ao que foi encontrado a partir das reanálises, o modelo identificou como área preferencial de ocorrência de bloqueios o Pacífico Sul e Oceania. A freqüência dos bloqueios simulada pelo modelo foi semelhante à observada, com maior atividade verificada no inverno e início da primavera (junho até setembro).

A comparison of blocking episodes for the Southern Hemisphere obtained from the Hadley Centre (HadCM3) model results and from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis for the period from 1960 to 2000, is discussed in this study. The definition of blocking is obtained by using an objective index based on two, 500 hPa geopotential height, meridional gradients. The seasonal cycle and preferential areas of occurrence are well reproduced by the model. Similar to the reanalysis results, the South Pacific and Oceania were the preferred regions of blocking occurrence. The frequency of blocking episodes simulated by the model was also similar to the observed, with higher blocking occurrences in the winter and beginning of spring (from June to September.