Acessibilidade / Reportar erro
Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, Volume: 67, Número: 3, Publicado: 2021
  • Editorial policies of Brazilian journals about guidelines Editorial

    Teixeira, Renan Kleber Costa; Pimentel, Antonio Leonardo Jatahi Calvalcanti; Vasconcelos, Maria Eduarda dos Santos Lopes; Santana Neto, Dario; Calvo, Faustino Chaves; Santos, Deivid Ramos dos; Araujo, Nayara Pontes de
  • Spontaneous Perforation of the Colon - A possible Third Classification Letter To The Editor

    Prado, Amanda; Cruz, Ricardo Pedrini
  • Stress management in Medicine Point Of View

    Chakr, Valentina Coutinho Baldoto Gava

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY Stress and burnout can result in errors, reduction in patient safety, and decreased productivity. They can cause absenteeism, depression, destructive behavior, alcohol, drug abuse, and even suicide. Several factors lead to professional stress, many of which are out of one’s control, thus making intervention impossible. Physicians often neglect their health and ignore stress and burnout. They often deny the existence of stress as a way of adapting to it, which is an ineffective method of coping with this problem that can lead to negative coping strategies. For managing stress and burnout, it is paramount to recognize situations/conditions that may trigger them, identify their signs, and invest in well-being strategies. In this article, well-being promotion is addressed with a focus on strategies that can be used at the individual level. Topics such as stress management and resilience should be valued in medical training and profession. As long as they form a part of the “hidden curriculum”, well-being will continue to be undervalued, when in fact it should be seen as fundamental to the health of professionals and patients.
  • Eruptive vellus hair cyst syndrome or exuberant atypical keratosis pilaris? Short Communication

    Rocha, Bruno de Oliveira; Siqueira, Humberto Vieira Calmon de; Fernandes, Juliana Dumêt
  • The impact of COVID-19 and social avoidance in urgent and emergency surgeries – will a delay in diagnosis result in perioperative complications? Original Article

    Piltcher-da-Silva, Rodrigo; Castro, Tiago Lima; Trapp, Artur Gehres; Bohnenberger, Simoni; Kroth, Eduardo Castelli; Pinto, Jorge Armando Reyes; Grehs, Caroline; Tomasi, Danielle Cristina; Diemen, Vinicius Von; Cavazzola, Leandro Totti

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The sudden COVID-19 outbreak has changed our health system. Physicians had to face the challenge of treating a large number of critically ill patients with a new disease and also maintain the essential healthcare services functioning properly. To prevent disease dissemination, authorities instructed people to stay at home and seek medical care only if they experienced respiratory distress. However, there are concerns those patients did not seek necessary health care because of these orientations. This study aims to see how the pandemic has influenced the severity of the disease, complication, and mortality of patients undergoing emergency cholecystectomy and appendectomy. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted to the emergency department and undergoing to cholecystectomy and appendicectomy in the periods from March to May 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: We observed that COVID-19 did not change the severity of presentation or the outcome of patients with gallbladder disease, but caused a 24.2% increase in the prevalence of complicated appendicitis (p<0.05). However, disagreeing with what was expected, we did not identify a greater number of perioperative complications in patients undergoing an appendectomy. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it seems that in a university tertiary referral center COVID-19 did not influence the management and outcome of inflammatory diseases treated in the surgical emergency department.
  • The effect of treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on overactive bladder symptoms Original Article

    Deger, Mutlu; Surmelioglu, Ozgur; Kuleci, Sedat; Akdogan, Nebil; Dagkiran, Muhammed; Tanrisever, Ilda; Yucel, Sevinc Puren; Izol, Volkan

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on overactive bladder symptoms. METHODS: All patients who applied to the outpatient clinic with complaints of snoring and apnea were evaluated by polysomnography between years 2017 and 2019. obstructive sleep apnea syndrome severity was evaluated according to the apnea-hypopnea-index. All patients were filled with questionnaire form as overactive bladder symptoms score, international quality of life, international consultation on incontinence questionnaire short-form, and 3-day bladder diary before polysomnography and three months after continuous positive airway pressure therapy and surgical treatment. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients, 34 (27.2%) patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, 27 (21.6%) patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and 64 (51.2) patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included in the study. The prevalence of overactive bladder symptoms in three obstructive sleep apnea syndrome groups were 67.6, 53.8, and 48.4%, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the groups (p=0.190). obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treatment such as surgical treatment or continuous positive airway pressure therapy was applied to 45.5% (31 patients) patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and overactive bladder. Three months after treatment, the overactive bladder symptoms score significantly decreased from 16.1±7.9–12.80±9.82, international quality of life was significantly increased from 105.0±23.2–110.4±22.2, and incontinence questionnaire short-form decreased from 11.9±4.0–10.4±5.6 (p=0.009, p=0.023, and p=0.248, respectively). There was a significant decrease between before and after treatment in terms of mean day-time frequency and mean urgency episodes of patients (p=0.007, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgery and continuous positive airway pressure treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome improved overactive bladder symptoms, overactive bladder symptoms score, international quality of life, day-time frequency, and urgency episodes.
  • Recommendation and physical activity practice in Brazilians with chronic diseases Original Article

    Silva, Paulo Sergio Cardoso da; Lima, Tiago Rodrigues de; Botelho, Lúcio José; Boing, Antonio Fernando

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with professional recommendation and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in Brazilian individuals diagnosed with hypertension (HBP), diabetes, and/or hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional population-based study with a representative sample of the Brazilian population (aged ≥20 years) in 2013, with self-reported HBP (n=11.098), diabetes (n=3.176), and/or hypercholesterolemia (n=7.252). Prevalence and gross odds ratios were estimated and adjusted for both outcomes. RESULTS: Professional recommendation and LTPA were more prevalent in individuals who received recommendation and presented with hypercholesterolemia (85.9 and 23.4%, respectively). Adjusted analysis showed an association in people 40 to 59 years of age and public programs in most diseases. Higher educational level was associated with receiving recommendations in all non-communicable diseases (NCDs). LTPA was associated in people 40 to 59 years of age for HBP and diabetes and in all investigated NCDs, higher educational level, positive perception of health, and a favorable environment in those who received recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Education presented the greatest magnitude in the associations, clearly showing the need for equitable methods to increase recommendation and LTPA levels for the most vulnerable population. Further studies analyzing other variables and NCD are needed, corroborating the Ministry of Health.
  • The effect of the use of a physical-activity mobile application on body composition and sleep quality of overweight children Original Article

    Freitas, Fábio de; Silva, Cleliani de Cassia da; Mendes, Roberto; Antonio, Maria Ângela; Zambon, Mariana

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of a mobile physical activity application and its influence on body composition and sleep quality in overweight children. METHODS: Prospective study with 37 patients from the Child and Adolescent Obesity Clinic at Unicamp Hospital das Clínicas, between 2018 and 2019. Anamnesis and anthropometry were performed. We oriented the use of the application for six weeks, five days/week for ten minutes. RESULTS: Among 37 patients, 28 (mean age 10.7±2.0 years, 50% boys) used the application. The average use of the application ranged from 1.93±2.18 to 3.25±1.84 times/week, with a peak in the second week and a progressive decrease during follow-up. The paired t-test showed, on average, lean mass (t (27)=-2.91), weight (t (27)=-3.11) and height (t (27)=-3.79). After using the application, these were higher than before (all p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the proportion of children who presented difficulty sleeping (χ2 (1)=5.143) and insomnia (χ2 (1)=4.167). CONCLUSIONS: There was an improvement in sleep quality and an increase in lean mass, but no significant changes in BMI z-score, waist circumference, and body fat percentage.
  • Platelet/Lymphocyte ratio independently predicts the outcome of severe aplastic anemia patients treated with antithymocyte globulin Original Article

    Dong, Peiyuan; Ge, Meili; Wu, Hongfei; Ren, Xiang; Huo, Jiali; Li, Xingxin; Zheng, Yizhou

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical role of platelet/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in severe aplastic anemia patients treated with antithymocyte globulin. METHODS: The outcomes of consecutive severe aplastic anemia patients treated with rabbit or swine antithymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine (n=159, from January 2012 to December 2018) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In a total of 159 patients, the actuarial 5-year survival rate was 85.6%. Low platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR≤55) was significantly associated with less complications at 1 month and 24 months after the antithymocyte globulin treatment (p=0.048 and 0.028, respectively). The univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that low platelet/lymphocyte ratio was an independent predictor of overall survival (p=0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Patients with low neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR≤0.18) had shorter survival time, but there was no significant difference (p=0.056). PLR was positively correlated with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r=0.38, p<0.0001) and age (r=0.17, p=0.0379), while it was negatively correlated with IgG level (r=-0.18, p=0.0309). The ratio of CD4/CD8 was significantly higher in low platelet/lymphocyte ratio group (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The platelet/lymphocyte ratio reflects the immune abnormality of SAA. Notably, low platelet/lymphocyte ratio is an independently positive prognostic factor for severe aplastic anemia patients treated with antithymocyte globulin.
  • The evaluation of patients with essential thrombocythemia in terms of risk of thrombosis Original Article

    Sunu, Cenk; Gunes, Ahmet Kursad; Akat, Gulten Korkmaz; Kalpakci, Yasin; Ceran, Funda; Dagdas, Simten; Ozet, Gulsum

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of factors associated with an increased risk of thrombosis in patients with essential thrombocythemia. METHODS: A total of 200 patients followed-up in our unit with a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia in 13 years were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the study participants, 60.5% were females and 39.5% were males, with an overall mean (±SD) age of 54.93 (±14.21) years. In 119 patients, Janus Kinase 2 was positive with 56.3% of cases. When two patient categories were defined as those with or without history of thrombosis, no significant differences were found in terms of Janus Kinase 2 positivity, mean age, as well as white blood cells and platelet counts (p>0.05). Also, no significant differences in thrombotic event incidence were found between patient categories defined on the basis of cut-off values for white blood cells (cut-off values of 15×103/mm3 and 8.7×103/mm3) and platelets (cut-off values of 1500×103/mm3) (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although our results are generally in line with the published data, some divergence from previous results has been observed with respect to risk factors for thrombotic events. Absence of a correlation between leukocytosis and thrombosis may be related with the significant decline in white blood cells after treatment. Also, a significant reduction in platelet counts occurring in association with treatment is linked with a lowered incidence of thrombosis. Janus Kinase 2-positive patients had a similar thrombosis frequency with that reported in the literature.
  • Relations of heart-type and brain-type fatty acid-binding proteins with postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery Original Article

    Jiang, Minbo; Li, Yang; Cao, Lei; Tian, Jiwei; Wang, Deguo

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the relations of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and brain-type fatty acid-binding protein (B-FABP) with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled in this study. According to whether patients had POCD within 5 days after surgery, the participants were divided into POCD group and non-POCD group. Before surgery and 6 h after surgery, the serum H-FABP and B-FABP contents were detected. RESULTS: There were 33 (26.4%) patients in POCD group, and 92 (73.60%) patients in non-POCD group. After surgery, the serum H-FABP and B-FABP contents in POCD group were significantly higher than those before surgery, respectively (p<0.05), and those in non-POCD group were significantly lower than those before surgery, respectively (p<0.05). After surgery, the serum H-FABP and B-FABP contents in POCD group were significantly higher than those in non-POCD group, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The serum H-FABP and B-FABP contents are positively related to the occurrence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery.
  • Effects of four types of chinese medicines as concomitant drugs with azithromycin for the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia in children in China: a network meta-analysis Original Article

    Jin, Lairun; Chen, Ping; Xu, Yan

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the use of four concomitant Chinese medicines with azithromycin in the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia in children (MPC) by using network meta-analysis (NMA) and ranking them according to their performances. METHODS: There were a total of 130 randomly controlled trials of four different concomitant Chinese medicines with azithromycin for the treatment of MPC in many databases, and an NMA was conducted in them by using Stata (version 13.0) software to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and sequence of the different combinations. The included studies were divided into two groups: control group (azithromycin alone) and observation group (one of four azithromycin combinations). RESULTS: A total of 13119 cases were included in this study, and the results showed that the pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) of MPC improvement compared with azithromycin alone were 4.76 (3.18–7.14) for azithromycin and Reduning, 5.66 (4.50–7.12) for azithromycin and Tanreqing, 4.84 (3.35–7.01) for azithromycin and Xiyanping, and 4.58 (3.59–5.83) for azithromycin and Yanhuning, respectively. This study shows the significant efficacy of Chinese concomitant drug. The combination of azithromycin with Tanreqing is the best candidate of concomitant drug in terms of clinical efficacy. Its surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) score was 85.5, while the SUCRA score for the azithromycin and Yanhuning combination was the worst, which is 48.4. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of azithromycin with Tanreqing is the most promising group among four combinations for the treatment of MPC.
  • Judicialization of coagulation factors in severe hemophilia: compliance with the care protocol and associated factors Judicialization and severe hemophilia Original Article

    Soares, Beatriz Mac Dowell; Simeoni, Luiz Alberto; de Almeida, Karlo Jozefo Quadros; de Souza, Jaqueline Lima; Braverman, Melina Swain; Alves Pinto, Alex Renner; Lopes Cavaion, Juliana Camilo; Bezerra, Lucas Barbosa; Costa, Ana Maria; Amorim, Fábio Ferreira

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the compliance with the assistance protocol and factors associated with the judicialization of coagulation factors in severe hemophilia patients. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2015 to May 2016 in adults with severe hemophilia in the Federal District, Brazil using data from their medical records and the Hemovida Web Coagulopathies System. RESULTS: One-hundred and three patients from Federal District, the capital of Brazil, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 34.6±10.1. Ninety-three received prophylactic treatment (90.3%) and 53 received recombinant coagulation factors (51.7%). Judicialization occurred in 21 cases (20.4%), 13 of whom disagreed with the assistance protocol (12.6%). In the univariate analysis, an association was observed between reduced judicialization and treatment (4.8 vs. 47.6%; p<0.001) in the hemophilia treatment center and an increase that was associated with use of the recombinant coagulation factor in disagreement with the protocol (38.1 vs. 6.1%; p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for judicialization was 0.081 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.010–0.055) for treatment at the hemophilia treatment center and 5.067 (95%CI 1.392–18.446) for the use of recombinant coagulation factor not in compliance with the protocol. More inhibitor development in judicialized patients (33.3 vs. 4.9%; p<0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of judicialization should be questioned, especially regarding coagulation factor prescriptions that are not in compliance with the protocol. The expense resulting from judicialization has not shown any benefit, and an even greater development of inhibitors during treatment in judicialized patients was found.
  • Smoking prevalence and effects on treatment outcomes in patients with tuberculosis Original Article

    de Vargas, Kellyn Rocha; Freitas, Alana Ambos; Azeredo, Ana Cláudia Vasconcellos; Silva, Denise Rossato

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: More than 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide are attributable to smoking, and it is associated with an increased risk of latent and active TB, recurrence, and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the smoking prevalence and the effects on treatment outcomes in TB patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with a recent TB diagnosis. The smoking status was defined, in addition to the patients’ knowledge and attitudes toward smoking. The patients were followed up until the end of the treatment, and the treatment result was recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included in this study. The prevalence of active smoking was 31.5%. Active smokers had less chance for cure (62.1% versus 82.5%; p=0.032) and more treatment dropout (31.0% versus 12.7%; p=0.035) than non-active smokers. Patients demonstrated positive attitudes and good knowledge about smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Active smokers had less chance for cure and more abandonment than non-active smokers. These results can be useful for the proper planning of actions that impact TB control, especially in the treatment results, such as cognitive-behavioral approaches to smoking cessation.
  • The importance of inflammation markers in polycystic ovary syndrome Original Article

    Özay, Ali Cenk; Özay, Özlen Emekçi

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine inflammation markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare them with healthy women. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted by examining patients who applied to the Near East University Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic between January 2019 and January 2020. A total of 110 PCOS patients with 135 control groups were compared in terms of metabolism, hormonal factors, and inflammation markers. RESULTS: The neutrophil count, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet, platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelecrit (PCT), erythrocyte cell distribution width, platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with PCOS. There was a positive correlation between inflammation markers and serum androgens. Also, a positive correlation was observed between inflammation markers and cardiovascular risk parameters. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the most valuable parameter in distinguishing PCOS patients from healthy controls was serum CRP levels [areas under the curve (AUC)=0.928, 95%CI 0.894–0.963, p<0.001, 92.6% sensitivity, and 82.7% specificity]. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP, neutrophil count, and PCT and NLR levels are valuable markers that show the inflammatory process in PCOS patients.
  • Preliminary study: myocardial T1 relaxation time in patients with ischemic findings and normal findings on coronary angiography Original Article

    Dereli Bulut, Safiye Sanem; Nurili, Fuad; Öztürkeri, Burak; Sakci, Zakir; Bukte, Yasar; Aras, Ömer

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the myocardium structure in patients with chest pain who were determined to have moderate and/or high risk for cardiac ischemic heart disease (IHD) but who had normal findings on conventional coronary angiography by using native cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) T1 mapping and comparing with healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 50 patients and 30 healthy volunteers who underwent CMRI were included in our prospective study. Patients whose clinical findings were compatible with stable angina pectoris, with moderate and/or high risk for IHD, but whose conventional coronary angiography was normal, were our patient group. Native T1 values were measured for 17 myocardial segments (segmented based on American Heart Association recommendations) by two radiologists independently. The data obtained were statistically compared with the sample t-test. RESULTS: Myocardial native T1 values were found to be significantly prolonged in the patient group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Inter-observer reliability for native T1 value measurements of groups was high for both patient and control groups (α = 0.92 for the patient group and 0.96 for the control group). CONCLUSION: Findings suggestive of ischemia were detected by T1 mapping in the myocardium of our patients. For this reason, it is recommended that this patient group should be included in early diagnosis and close follow-up assessments for IHD.
  • Technique to reduce blood loss during open abdominal myomectomy: transverse or vertical incision? Original Article

    Uzunlar, Ozlem; Ibanoglu, Mujde Can; Kaplan, Asli

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference between uterine incision techniques (vertical vs. transversal) in terms of clinical results. METHODS: All women with leiomyomas who underwent open abdominal myomectomy (n=61) between March and August 2016 at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at the Women’s Health Research and Training Hospital Zekai Tahir Burak were included, and the clinical results were included and prospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss during myomectomy increased in the transversal group compared with the vertical group (809.33±483.34 versus 405.32±180.95 mL, p<0.001). The average operation duration was 60 min, and the patients got discharged on the second day after surgery. No intergroup statistical differences were observed in the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should give preference to the most viable incision depending on the size and location of the leiomyoma.
  • The value of C-reactive protein/albumin, fibrinogen/albumin, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios in predicting the severity of CoVID-19 Original Article

    Torun, Ayşe; Çakırca, Tuba Damar; Çakırca, Gökhan; Portakal, Reyhan Derya

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to determine the predictive values of the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR), fibrinogen/albumin ratio (FAR), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) parameters, which reflect the systemic inflammatory status, for the severity of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 188 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 118 were in the severe group, and 70 were in the non-severe group. Levels of albumin, CRP, D-dimer, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, and hemoglobin; leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts; and the FAR, CAR, and NLR were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The CAR, FAR, and NLR values were significantly higher in the severe group compared to the non-severe group. CAR, FAR, and NLR were positively correlated with leukocyte and neutrophil counts and CRP, procalcitonin, and fibrinogen levels. On the other hand, they were inversely correlated with monocyte (except for NLR) and lymphocyte counts. Receiver operator characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for CAR, FAR, and NLR was 0.841, 0.737, and 0.802, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation revealed that the CAR, FAR, and NLR indices can be used to predict the severity of COVID-19, among which CAR was the best predictor of severe COVID-19.
  • Mean serum D-dimer level to predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 Original Article

    Hayıroğlu, Mert İlker; Çiçek, Vedat; Kılıç, Şahhan; Çınar, Tufan

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The prognostic effect of the mean serum D-dimer levels, which was calculated from the first five days of hospitalization of the patients, has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mean D-dimer level about in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODS: In this observational retrospective study, we examined the in-hospital prognostic value of mean D-dimer [D-dimerfirst day+D-dimerthird day+D-dimerfifth day)/3 on 240 consecutive adult patients with COVID-19. Patients were stratified into tertiles according to their mean D-dimer starting from the lowest one. In-hospital mortality rates were compared between tertiles and the power of the mean D-dimer level was also presented by a receiver operating curve analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding baseline variables, mean D-dimer in tertile 3 was associated with 4.2-fold hazard ratio of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–20.1, p<0.001). A receiver-operating curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value of the mean D-dimer to predict in-hospital mortality was 779 μg/L with 77% sensitivity and 83% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87; 95%CI 0.81–0.94; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with a higher mean D-dimer level should be followed-up more closely as they may be a candidate for a more aggressive treatment modality, such as biologic agents or convalescent plasma.
  • The ATRIA score is superior to the m-CHA2DS2-Vasc score in predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 Original Article

    Abacioglu, Ozge Ozcan; Yildirim, Arafat

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a health and social problem all over the world. Most of the deaths occur from embolism and thrombus formation. We aimed to compare the predictive value of the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation (ATRIA) and m-CHA2DS2-Vasc scores in in-hospital mortality in COVID-19. METHODS: Three-hundred and ninety-four patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 between 10 June 2020 and 10 September 2020 were included. Three-hundred and sixty patients who survived were defined as the non-mortality group and the remaining 34 whose hospitalizations resulted in death were defined as the mortality group. The anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation and m-CHA2DS2-Vasc scores of the patients were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 394 patients, mean age 66.2±9.7 (221 male [56.1%]) were included in this retrospective study. The median values of the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation and m-CHA2DS2-Vasc scores were different between the groups (p<0.000 for both). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both the m-CHA2DS2-Vasc and anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation scores were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p=0.024, 95%CI 1.039–1.704 for anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation and p=0.043, 95%CI 1.012–2.088 for m-CHA2DS2-Vasc). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation score was superior to the m-CHA2DS2-Vasc score with an AUC 0.774 and SE:0.037, and p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we showed that the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation and m-CHA2DS2-Vasc scores can be used as predictors of thrombosis and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the predictive value of the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation score was higher than that of m-CHA2DS2-Vasc. The use of the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation score to assess high-risk patients in COVID-19 may be recommended.
  • Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 as pediatric sepsis biomarker Review Article

    Cabral, João Victor; Silveira, Maria Mariana Barros Melo da; Xavier, Amanda Tavares; Assunção, Norma de; Sobral Filho, Dário Celestino; Oliveira, Dinaldo Cavalcanti de

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 concentration can be used as a predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic marker in patients with sepsis. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 levels as a biomarker of sepsis in pediatric patients. METHODS: This was an integrative literature review. PubMed, ScienceDirect, LILACS, MEDLINE, and VHL databases were searched for papers published between 2015 and 2020, using the keywords triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1, sepsis, and child. RESULTS: The review included ten studies, of which four used triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 as a predictive biomarker; four, as a diagnostic biomarker; and two, as a prognostic biomarker. A total of 1,409 and 1,628 patients were included in primary and review studies, respectively. There was a predominance of significant results for the validity of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 levels in the prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis of sepsis in pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 is a valid predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic biomarker of sepsis with good sensitivity and specificity in the pediatric population.
  • Telehealth in audiology: an integrative review Review Article

    Lima, Thales Rafael Correia de Melo; Santos, Larissa Menezes; Muniz, Marcella Cristina Halliday; Araújo, Brenda Carla Lima; Santos, Mario Adriano dos; de Oliveira, Adicinéia Aparecida; Simões, Silvia de Magalhães

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY We performed an integrative review on the scientific literature about the use of telehealth in audiology care. Through high criteria search of published studies on the “Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde” – Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, nine articles were selected. It was possible to verify that the use of telehealth in audiology is feasible and efficient, because it could promote audiological care for patients from away places. This process reaches more patients and communities by breaking down geographic barriers, and it offers a specific service not available with less cost and more quickly when compared with traditional speech therapy care.
  • Depression and dry eye: a narrative review Review Article

    Vieira, Gabriela César Falcão; Rodrigues, Bruna Rachel de Oliveira; Cunha, Carlos Eduardo Ximenes da; Morais, Gabriella Bento de; Ferreira, Luiz Henrique Ribeiro de Moraes; Ribeiro, Marina Viegas Moura Rezende

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease affecting tear quality and/or production and eye surface and is one of the most common eye disorders found in clinical practice. The association between psychiatric disorders and dry eye has been the subject of several studies since patients with this syndrome present a tendency toward a depressive mood. This narrative review aims to demonstrate the relationship between depression and DED, which is due to the side effects of psychotropic drugs or the tendency of the low pain threshold of the depressive patient. The work was produced from the analysis of 13 articles published during the last decade on this subject and demonstrated that the depressive state is linked to the appearance or worsening of DED resulting from chronic eye pain. Also, the treatment of depression with selective inhibitors of serotonin receptors causes inflammatory cytokine secretion with subsequent inflammation and apoptosis of cells on the ocular surface. The need for new studies on optimization of psychiatric treatment in patients with ophthalmic diseases, such as DED, was verified, aiming at the relief of symptoms and the reduction of psychological and eye damage caused by them.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents with obesity Review Article

    Fu, Leyi; Qu, Fan; Pan, Jiexue; Wang, Tian; Wang, Fangfang

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age with the prevalence from 5% to 15%, and the prevalence of PCOS in adolescents with obesity seems even higher. The weight status is significantly associated with the quality of life in adolescents with PCOS. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to summarize the latest findings of pathogenesis, diagnosis, comorbidity, and management in PCOS adolescents with obesity. METHODS: This is a narrative review of articles published in PubMed from June 2013 to June 2020 Data were searched using the key words of “polycystic ovary syndrome” AND “adolescent” AND “obesity.” RESULTS: Pubertal obesity, particularly central obesity, could have a negative impact on the pathophysiology of PCOS. In adolescents with obesity, a review of medical history and a long-term follow-up for PCOS symptoms are essential to avoid misdiagnosis. There is a link between obesity and comorbidities of PCOS in adolescents. Holistic treatment and concern for related comorbidities should ideally begin as early as possible in obese adolescents once the diagnosis of PCOS is confirmed. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with PCOS and obesity need more attention from physicians and researchers, and the effective interventions in the early stage are critical to improve their life quality.
  • Efficacy and landscape of Covid-19 vaccines: a review article Review Article

    Azevedo, Thomás Cavalcanti Pires de; Freitas, Pedro Vianna de; Cunha, Pedro Henrique Padilha da; Moreira, Eraldo Abillio Pereira; Rocha, Thiago José Matos; Barbosa, Fabiano Timbó; Sousa-Rodrigues, Célio Fernando de; Ramos, Fernando Wagner da Silva

    Resumo em Inglês:

    SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: The rapid advance of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has led to the incessant search for therapeutic and prophylactic measures to fight the pandemic. Because it is a viral infection, the safest long-term prophylactic form, in addition to social distance and hygiene, is the vaccine. OBJECTIVE: Thus, this study aimed at conducting a review of the efficacy and landscape of Covid-19 vaccines. METHODS: The following electronic databases were used MEDLINE via PubMed, SCIELO, LILACS, NEJM, and Clinical Trials. Our study includes the 7 vaccines (phase 3) that reported an efficacy rate for Covid-19, including characteristics inherent to each one of them. RESULTS: Preliminary studies have shown that, although an efficacy ≥70% is necessary to eliminate the infection, a prophylactic vaccine with efficacy <70% will still have an important impact and can contribute to the elimination of the virus, provided that appropriate measures of social distancing remain. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the vaccines obtained in this study varied between 50.38 and 95%, data that may represent a reduction in serious cases, hospitalizations, sequels, and deaths caused by Covid-19, respecting the panorama presented in this article.
  • The relationship between intermittent fasting and weight loss Commentary

    Lo, Shih-Ching
Associação Médica Brasileira R. São Carlos do Pinhal, 324, 01333-903 São Paulo SP - Brazil, Tel: +55 11 3178-6800, Fax: +55 11 3178-6816 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: ramb@amb.org.br