Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Cefaleias primárias podem ser causa de absenteísmo, e de queda no rendimento e na produtividade do trabalho. O objetivo do estudo foi estabelecer a presença e frequência de cefaleia primária em funcionários de uma empresa de solados de borracha,e sua relação com absenteísmo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal realizado com a ajuda do pessoal do departamento médico e social de uma empresa localizada no município de Franca, São Paulo. MÉTODO: Um questionário sobre as características da cefaleia foi distribuído a todos os funcionários. Os questionários devolvidos e preenchidos foram divididos em dois grupos: com e sem relato de cefaleia. As cefaleias foram classificadas em quatro grupos principais: migrânea, cefaleia do tipo tensional (CTT), cefaleia em salvas e outras cefaleias. Através da frequência da cefaleia, foi possível a classificação em cefaleia crônica diária (CCD). RESULTADOS: O número de questionários válidos foi de 392 (59%), 80,9% questionários eram de funcionários do gênero masculino, e 19,1%, do gênero feminino. Cento e vinte (30,6%) dos funcionários relataram apresentar cefaleia, sendo que 17,4% pertenceram ao grupo migrânea e 8,93% ao grupo CTT. O diagnóstico de migrânea foi o mais frequente (p < 0,001) dentre todos, e também entre as mulheres (p < 0,05). O diagnóstico de CTT foi mais frequente entre os homens (p < 0,05). CCD foi identificada em 14 indivíduos (3,6%). CONCLUSÕES: Cefaleia é um problema frequente entre os funcionários da empresa participante da pesquisa sendo a causa de absentismo em 8,7% dos que responderam o questionário.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Primary headaches may be responsible for absenteeism and a fall in the yield and productivity of work. The aim of this study was to establish the presence and frequency of primary headache among employees of a rubber shoe sole company, and its link to absenteism. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study carried out with help from the staff of the medical and social department of a rubber factory located in the municipality of Franca, São Paulo. METHOD: A questionnaire on headache characteristics was distributed to all employees. The returned and completed questionnaires were divided into two groups: with and without reports of headache. The headaches were classified into four main groups: migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), cluster headache and others. In terms of the reported frequency, headaches were also classified as chronic daily headache (CDH). RESULTS: The number of valid questionnaires was 392 (59%); 80.9% were from male and 19.1% from female employees. Headaches were reported by 120 subjects (30.6%), with 17.4% belonging to the migraine group and 8.9% to the TTH group. Migraine was more frequent (p < 0.001) among all participants and also among the women (p < 0.05). TTH was more frequent among the men (p < 0.05). CDH was identified in 14 individuals (3.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Headache was a common problem among the employees of this company and was a cause of absenteeism for 8.7% of the respondents to the questionnaire.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A pré-eclâmpsia é um distúrbio que ocorre apenas durante a gravidez e as alterações pós-parto relacionadas ao metabolismo lipídico podem contribuir para a lesão endotelial observada nessa afecção. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o perfil lipídico em pacientes que apresentaram pré-eclâmpsia e correlacionar estes parâmetros com a proteinúria de 24 horas. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal analítico, incluindo 77 pacientes grávidas atendidas no Hospital Dório Silva. MÉTODOS: Este estudo envolveu 42 mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia e 35 gestantes saudáveis no terceiro trimestre de gravidez como controle. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas de todas as pacientes e os níveis séricos de triglicérides, colesterol total, lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) e lipoproteínas de muito baixa densidade (VLDL) foram determinados. Casos e controles foram pareados por idade materna, semana gestacional e índice de massa corporal. RESULTADOS: Os valores de VLDL e triglicérides, obtidos de mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia foram significativamente maiores quando comparados com mulheres saudáveis. Houve uma correlação positiva entre o aumento da proteinúria e concentrações elevadas de VLDL e triglicérides, em pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia. CONCLUSÃO: Nas pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia foram observadas as maiores concentrações de VLDL e os níveis de triglicérides estão correlacionados positivamente com proteinúria. Estas observações indicam que as mulheres grávidas que apresentam níveis elevados de lipídios, são mais suscetíveis a doenças cardiovasculares e, consequentemente, a pré-eclâmpsia.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Pre-eclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy. Postpartum changes relating to lipid metabolism may contribute towards the endothelial lesions observed in preeclampsia. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the lipid profile among patients who present preeclampsia and correlate these parameters with 24-hour proteinuria. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study including 77 pregnant patients seen at Hospital Dório Silva. METHODS: This study involved 42 women with preeclampsia and 35 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy as controls. Blood samples were obtained from all the patients, and the serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were determined. Cases and controls were matched for maternal age, gestational week and body mass index. RESULTS: The VLDL and triglyceride values from the women with preeclampsia were significantly higher than those of the healthy women. There was a positive correlation between increased proteinuria and higher VLDL and triglyceride levels in patients with preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Among the patients with preeclampsia, higher VLDL and triglyceride levels were positively correlated with proteinuria. These observations indicate that the pregnant women who presented elevated lipid levels were more susceptible to cardiovascular disorders and, consequently, pre-eclampsia.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Investimentos em saúde deveriam considerar as demandas de curto e longo prazo. Os objetivos foram comparar o tempo médio no cargo dos ministros da saúde no Brasil e em outros 22 países e avaliar a relação entre o tempo médio dos ministros no cargo e alguns indicadores. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo descritivo realizado no Centro Paulista de Economia da Saúde (CPES). MÉTODOS: Vinte e dois países com os Índices de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDHs) mais altos e o Brasil foram incluídos. O número de ministros da saúde nos últimos 20 anos foi pesquisado na página eletrônica do Ministério da Saúde de cada país. Coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (CCP) foi utilizado para comparar o número de ministros em cada país com os indicadores daquele país. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi usado para comparar o tempo de permanência do ministro da saúde no Brasil com os outros países. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio (desvio padrão, DP) no cargo dos ministros brasileiros foi de 15 (12) meses, um período estatisticamente significante menor do que a média observada nos outros 22 países, 33 (18) meses (P < 0,05). Foi observada uma moderada e também estatisticamente significante correlação positiva entre o número de ministros e taxas de mortalidade para várias condições. Houve uma moderada e significante correlação negativa entre o número de ministros e o investimento em saúde per capita total (r = -0.567) e o investimento em saúde público per capita (r = -0.530). CONCLUSÃO: O ministro da saúde permanece, na média, pouco tempo no cargo. Há uma premente necessidade de se pensar e planejar o sistema de saúde para o longo prazo.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Healthcare investments should consider short and long-term demands. The objectives here were to compare the average tenures of ministers of health in Brazil and in another 22 countries and to evaluate the relationship between ministers' tenures and a number of indicators. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted at Centro Paulista de Economia da Saúde (CPES). METHODS: Twenty-two countries with the highest Human Development Indices (HDIs) and Brazil were included. The number of ministers over the past 20 years was investigated through each country's Ministry of Health website. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to compare the number of ministers in each country with that country's indicators. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare ministers' tenures in Brazil and other countries. RESULTS: The mean tenure (standard deviation, SD) of Brazilian ministers of health was 15 (12) months, a period that is statistically significantly shorter than the mean tenure of 33 (18) months in the other 22 countries (P < 0.05). There was a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation between the number of ministers and mortality rates for several conditions. The number of ministers also presented moderate and statistically significant negative correlations with per capita total healthcare expenditure (r = -0.567) and with per capita government healthcare expenditure (r = -0.530). CONCLUSION: On average, ministers of health have extremely short tenures. There is an urgent need to think and plan healthcare systems from a long-term perspective.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Ensaios controlados randomizados (ECRs) bem conduzidos representam o mais alto nível de evidência quando a pergunta de pesquisa é sobre o efeito de intervenções terapêuticas ou preventivas. No entanto, o grau de controle de viés entre os ECRs apresenta grande variabilidade entre estudos. Por esta razão, com o aumento do interesse e produção das revisões sistemáticas e metanálises, foi necessário desenvolver metodologia suportada por evidência empírica, para incentivar e valorizar a produção de ECRs válidos e com baixo risco de viés. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma análise metodológica da área de odontologia quanto ao risco de viés de ECRs de acesso aberto, disponibilizados no banco de dados do Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Trata-se de um estudo sobre metodologia conduzido na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) que avaliou o risco de viés dos ECRs, utilizando as seguintes dimensões: geração da sequência de alocação, sigilo da alocação, cegamento e dados sobre desfechos incompletos. RESULTADOS: Dos 4.503 artigos classificados somente 10 (0,22%) estudos foram considerados verdadeiros ECR e, destes, somente um estudo foi classificado como sendo de baixo risco de viés. Os itens mais frequentemente controlados pelos autores dos ECR foram cegamento e dados sobre desfechos incompletos. CONCLUSÃO: A presença efetiva de viés enfraqueceu seriamente a confiança nos resultados dos estudos de odontologia avaliados, sendo pouco úteis para clínicos e gestores como suporte a processos de decisão.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Well-conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) represent the highest level of evidence when the research question relates to the effect of therapeutic or preventive interventions. However, the degree of control over bias between RCTs presents great variability between studies. For this reason, with the increasing interest in and production of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, it has been necessary to develop methodology supported by empirical evidence, so as to encourage and enhance the production of valid RCTs with low risk of bias. The aim here was to conduct a methodological analysis within the field of dentistry, regarding the risk of bias in open-access RCTs available in the Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) database. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a methodology study conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) that assessed the risk of bias in RCTs, using the following dimensions: allocation sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, and data on incomplete outcomes. RESULTS: Out of the 4,503 articles classified, only 10 studies (0.22%) were considered to be true RCTs and, of these, only a single study was classified as presenting low risk of bias. The items that the authors of these RCTs most frequently controlled for were blinding and data on incomplete outcomes. CONCLUSION: The effective presence of bias seriously weakened the reliability of the results from the dental studies evaluated, such that they would be of little use for clinicians and administrators as support for decision-making processes.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Não há uma avaliação sistemática da qualidade da produção científica na especialidade de cirurgia da mão em nosso meio. Este estudo objetiva analisar o status da geração de evidências em cirurgia da mão, por meio de avaliação sistematizada, além de avaliar a reprodutibilidade da classificação baseada na pirâmide das evidências. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo secundário realizado pela Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) e Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de Marília (Famema). MÉTODOS: De forma independente, dois pesquisadores promoveram uma busca eletrônica dos trabalhos envolvendo cirurgia da mão, no período de 2000-2009, para duas principais revistas na literatura ortopédica nacional (Acta Ortopédica Brasileira e Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia). Os trabalhos identificados foram subsequentemente classificados pelo tipo de delineamento metodológico (revisões sistemáticas da literatura, estudos clínicos randomizados, estudos de coorte, estudos caso-controle, séries de casos e outros estudos) e nível de evidência (I a V). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 1.150 artigos, sendo 83 (7,2%) considerados para a análise final. Estudos com nível de evidência IV (séries de caso) correspondem a 41 (49%) das publicações. Estudos nível de evidência V (outros estudos), corresponderam a 12 (14,5%) da amostra. Apenas dois estudos (2,4%) foram identificados como nível I ou II. A reprodutibilidade interobservadores foi excelente (k = 0.94). CONCLUSÕES: Os artigos de cirurgia da mão correspondem a menos de um décimo da produção ortopédica nacional. Estudos nível de evidência IV foram os mais encontrados na literatura nacional. A classificação estratificada por níveis de evidência apresenta reprodutibilidade quase perfeita.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: There is no systematic assessment of the quality of scientific production in the specialty of hand surgery in our setting. This study aimed to systematically assess the status of evidence generation relating to hand surgery and to evaluate the reproducibility of the classification method based on an evidence pyramid. DESIGN AND SETTING: Secondary study conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) and Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de Marília (Famema). METHODS: Two researchers independently conducted an electronic database search for hand surgery studies published between 2000 and 2009 in the two main Brazilian orthopedic journals (Acta Ortopédica Brasileira and Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia). The studies identified were subsequently classified according to methodological design (systematic review of the literature, randomized clinical trial, cohort study, case-control study, case series and other studies) and evidence level (I to V). RESULTS: A total of 1,150 articles were evaluated, and 83 (7.2%) were included in the final analysis. Studies with evidence level IV (case series) accounted for 41 (49%) of the published papers. Studies with evidence level V (other studies) accounted for 12 (14.5%) of the papers. Only two studies (2.4%) were ranked as level I or II. The inter-rater reproducibility was excellent (k = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Hand surgery articles corresponded to less than one tenth of Brazilian orthopedic production. Studies with evidence level IV were the commonest type. The reproducibility of the classification stratified by evidence level was almost perfect.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Com o aumento da expectativa de vida tem-se visto incremento nas cirurgias cardíacas em idosos. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar variações da capacidade funcional em idosos submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte, prospectivo e observacional realizado em um hospital privado nível IV, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Trinta e três pacientes foram avaliados pelas escalas de Katz e Lawton pela Medida de Independência Funcional na pré-internação, alta hospitalar e um mês pós-alta. Análise de variância para medidas repetidas foi utilizada. RESULTADOS: Dois óbitos ocorreram durante a hospitalização. Entre os 31 pacientes incluídos, a Medida de Independência Funcional variou de 121,7 ± 7,4 (pré-internação) a 91,1 ± 20,5 (alta) e 109,0 ± 21,7 (um mês pós-alta); Katz de 5,92 ± 0,32 a 4,18 ± 1,04 e 5,13 ± 1,30; e Lawton de 24,3 ± 4,6 a 12,8 ± 2,0 e 16,5 ± 4,6 (P = 0,0001). Quando comparados subgrupos com (18) e sem complicações (13), a Medida de Independência Funcional (P = 0,085) apresentou tendência, embora não significativa, de recuperação um mês pós-alta. Delirium e transfusão sanguínea foram intercorrências encontradas. Houve correlação entre as escalas com idade (P = 0,008), APACHE II (P = 0,051), EuroSCORE (P = 0,064), e tempos de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva (P = 0,024) e no hospital (P = 0,040). CONCLUSÃO: A medida de independência funcional mostrou-se promissora para o acompanhamento da funcionalidade de idosos após a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, destacando-se subgrupo com complicações.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Increased life expectancy has resulted in growing numbers of elderly patients undergoing heart surgery. This study aimed to identify changes in functional status among older adults undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational cohort study conducted at a level IV private hospital in Brazil. METHODS: Patients were assessed using the Katz and Lawton scales and the Functional Independence Measure before admission, at hospital discharge and one month after discharge. Repeated-measurement analysis of variance was used. RESULTS: Two patients died during hospitalization. Among the 31 patients included, the Functional Independence Measure ranged from 121.7 ± 7.4 (pre-admission) to 91.1 ± 20.5 (discharge) and 109.0 ± 21.7 (one month after discharge); the Katz scale from 5.92 ± 0.32 to 4.18 ± 1.04 and 5.13 ± 1.30; and the Lawton scale from 24.3 ± 4.6 to 12.8 ± 2.0 and 16.5 ± 4.6 (P = 0.0001). When subgroups with (18) and without (13) complications were compared, the Functional Independence Measure (P = 0.085) showed a trend, although not significantly, toward recovery one month after discharge. Delirium and blood transfusion were the intercurrent events found. There was a correlation between the scales and age (P = 0.008), APACHE II (P = 0.051), EuroSCORE (P = 0.064), intensive care unit stay (P = 0.024) and overall hospital length of stay (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: The Functional Independence Measure proved to be a promising tool for monitoring the functional status of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, especially in the subgroup with complications.

Resumo em Português:

O risco de pacientes com doença de Behçet desenvolverem várias complicações trombóticas já foi descrito. Apesar de complicações vasculares na síndrome de Budd-Chiari associada à doença de Behçet terem sido descritas, os mecanismos patogenéticos ainda são desconhecidos. Complicações vasculares graves presentes na síndrome de Budd-Chiari associada à doença de Behçet são muito mais comuns no adulto jovem do sexo masculino. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de revisar a literatura e apresentar a associação da síndrome de Budd-Chiari com a doença de Behçet.

Resumo em Inglês:

The risk that patients with Behçet's disease may develop various thrombotic complications has been previously described. Although vascular complications from Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with Behçet's disease have been described, the pathogenic mechanisms are still unknown. Severe vascular complications present in Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with Behçet's disease are very common among young male adults. The objective of this study was to review the literature and present the association of Budd-Chiari syndrome with Behçet's disease.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO: Neurofibromatose tipo 1 (NF-1) é a doença genética autossômica dominante mais prevalente no ser humano. A doença de moyamoya é uma vasculopatia cerebral que raramente se encontra associada à NF-1, particularmente na faixa etária pediátrica. Este estudo descreve a ocorrência desta associação em um lactente. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente feminina, aos oito meses de idade, apresentou quadro de crise convulsiva com movimentos clônicos. Evoluiu com acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico e com hemiparesia à direita. Ressonância nuclear magnética mostrou achados compatíveis com a doença de moyamoya. O diagnóstico de NF-1 foi realizado aos 20 meses de vida. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da raridade desta associação na faixa etária infantil, crianças com sintomas neurológicos focais e diagnóstico de NF-1 merecem ser investigadas para síndrome de moyamoya.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is the most prevalent autosomal dominant genetic disorder among humans. Moyamoya disease is a cerebral vasculopathy that is only rarely observed in association with NF-1, particularly in the pediatric age range. The present study reports an occurrence of this association in an infant. CASE REPORT: An eight-month-old female presented convulsive seizures with clonic movements. The patient suffered an ischemic stroke with hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed radiological findings compatible with moyamoya disease. The diagnosis of NF-1 was made at the age of 20 months. CONCLUSION: Despite the rarity of this association in childhood, children with focal neurological symptoms and a diagnosis of NF-1 deserve to be investigated for moyamoya syndrome.

Resumo em Português:

CONTEXTO: Edema e coloração azulada do escroto do recém-nascido podem sugerir uma série de doenças, incluindo torção dos testículos, orquite, edema escrotal e testicular, hidrocele, hérnia inguinal, peritonite meconial, hematocele, tumor testicular e hematoma traumático. Quarenta e dois casos de alterações escrotais como sinal de hemorragia da glândula adrenal foram encontrados na literatura. RELATO DE CASO: Apresentamos um caso de hematoma escrotal devido a hemorragia da glândula adrenal em um recém-nascido. O tratamento adotado foi conservador, com acompanhamento clínico, com resolução completa em 10 dias. Os possíveis diagnósticos diferenciais são revisados e discutidos.

Resumo em Inglês:

CONTEXT: Bluish discoloration and swelling of the scrotum in newborns can arise from a number of diseases, including torsion of the testes, orchitis, scrotal or testicular edema, hydrocele, inguinal hernia, meconium peritonitis, hematocele, testicular tumor and traumatic hematoma. Forty-two cases of scrotal abnormalities as signs of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage were found in the literature. CASE REPORT: We present a case of scrotal hematoma due to adrenal hemorrhage in a newborn. Conservative treatment with clinical follow-up was adopted, with complete resolution within 10 days. The possible differential diagnoses are reviewed and discussed.

Resumo em Inglês:

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea causes around two million child deaths annually. Zinc supplementation could help reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea, and is recommended by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral zinc supplementation for treating children with acute or persistent diarrhoea. CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING STUDIES FOR THIS REVIEW: In November 2007, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 4), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL, mRCT, and reference lists. We also contacted researchers. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing oral zinc supplementation (≥ 5 mg/day for any duration) with placebo in children aged one month to five years with acute or persistent diarrhoea, including dysentery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both authors assessed trial eligibility and methodological quality, extracted and analysed data, and drafted the review. Diarrhoea duration and severity were the primary outcomes. We summarized dichotomous outcomes using risk ratios (RR) and continuous outcomes using mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Where appropriate, we combined data in meta-analyses (using the fixed- or random-effects model) and assessed heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen trials enrolling 6165 participants met our inclusion criteria. In acute diarrhoea, zinc resulted in a shorter diarrhoea duration (MD -12.27 h, 95% CI -23.02 to -1.52 h; 2741 children, 9 trials), and less diarrhoea at day three (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.81; 1073 children, 2 trials), day five (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.95; 346 children, 2 trials), and day seven (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98; 4087 children, 7 trials). The four trials (1458 children) that reported on diarrhoea severity used different units and time points, and the effect of zinc was less clear. Subgroup analyses by age (trials with only children aged less than six months) showed no benefit with zinc. Subgroup analyses by nutritional status, geographical region, background zinc deficiency, zinc type, and study setting did not affect the results' significance. Zinc also reduced the duration of persistent diarrhoea (MD -15.84 h, 95% CI -25.43 to -6.24 h; 529 children, 5 trials). Few trials reported on severity, and results were inconsistent. No trial reported serious adverse events, but vomiting was more common in zinc-treated children with acute diarrhoea (RR 1.71, 95% 1.27 to 2.30; 4727 children, 8 trials). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In areas where diarrhoea is an important cause of child mortality, research evidence shows zinc is clearly of benefit in children aged six months or more. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In developing countries, millions of children suffer from severe diarrhoea every year. This is due to infection and malnutrition, and many die from dehydration due to the diarrhoea. Giving fluids by mouth (using an oral rehydration solution) has been shown to save children's lives, but it seems to have no effect on the length of time the children suffer with diarrhoea. Children in developing countries are often zinc deficient. Zinc supplementation is a possible treatment for diarrhoea though it can have adverse effects if given in high doses. The review of trials identified 18 trials involving 6165 children of all ages. Zinc reduced the time that children over the age of six months suffered from symptoms of acute or persistent diarrhoea. However, there were insufficient data to see any impact on the number of children who died. More children vomited when given zinc, but it was considered that the benefits outweighed these adverse effects. Zinc seemed to have no impact on children aged less than six months. In areas where diarrhoea is an important cause of child mortality, research evidence shows zinc is clearly of benefit in children aged six months or more with diarrhoeal diseases.

Resumo em Inglês:

BACKGROUND: Surgery for anorectal fistula may result in recurrence, or impairment of continence. The ideal treatment for anorectal fistulae should be associated with low recurrence rates, minimal incontinence and good quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and morbidity of operative procedures for chronic anal fistula, primary outcomes being recurrence and incontinence. CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING STUDIES FOR THIS REVIEW: The following databases were searched: EMBASE (Webspirs 5.1, Silver Platter version 2.0, 1950-2009); Medline (Webspirs 5.1, Silver Platter version 2.0, 1950-2009); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2009 issue 4)and the IndMed ( Indian Medline, www.indmed.nic.in) database. We restricted our search to the English literature. The Indian Journal of Surgery was electronically searched (issues between 2003 and vol 71, Oct 2009). We also searched all primary trial registers (Indian, Australian, Chinese, WHO, ISRCTN and American). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing operative procedures for anorectal fistulae were considered. Non randomised trials and cohort studies were examined where data on recurrence and function were available. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers (TJ and BP) independently selected the trials for inclusion in the review. Disagreements were solved by discussion. Where disagreement persisted and published results made data extraction difficult, we obtained clarification from the authors. REVMAN 5 was used for statistical analysis. Quality of the trials were assessed and allowances made for subgroup analysis and prevention of publication bias, using funnel plots if needed. MAIN RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials were available for analysis. The quality of included studies was adequate, though in some trials the numbers were small and they were inadequately powered for equivalence or to detect significant differences. Comparisons were made between various modalities of treatments. There were no significant difference in recurrence rates or incontinence rates in any of the studied comparisons except in the case of advancement flaps. There were more recurrences in the glue plus flap group, a significant difference that favoured the flap only technique. It was also noted that Fibrin glue and advancement flap procedures report low incontinence rates. In the review of literature of non-randomized trials, most trials on fibrin glue indicate good healing in simple fistulae with low incontinence rates. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There are very few randomized controlled trials comparing the various modalities of surgery for fistula in ano. While post operative pain, time to healing and discharge from hospital affect quality of life, recurrence and incontinence are the most important. As it turns out, there seems to be no major difference between the various techniques used as far as recurrence rates are concerned.