Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring can positively affect cognitive performance through decreasing the use of sedative agents. We aimed to evaluate the effect of BIS monitoring on early cognitive performance among patients undergoing sedation for colonoscopy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized, controlled trial in a university hospital. METHODS: 100 patients were randomized into two groups. In the monitored group (n = 50), the depth of anesthesia was monitored using the BIS, and BIS scores were maintained between 60 and 80. In the usual care group (n = 50), BIS monitoring was not performed. To determine the patients’ baseline cognitive performance levels, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Trieger dot test (TDT) and clock drawing test (CDT) were used. The patients’ post-procedure cognitive performance levels were determined when they were classified as ready for discharge. RESULTS: The total volume (mg) of propofol used [median (range) IQR] in the sedation procedure was lower in the monitored group [100 (50-200) 100-140] than in the usual care group [150 (75-200) 100-200] (P < 0.001). The discharge scores [mean (SD)] using MMSE and CDT were higher in the monitored group [26 (3) and 3 (1), respectively] than in the usual care group [23 (3) and 2 (1), respectively] (P = 0.002 and P = 0.002, respectively). The discharge scores using TDT [mean (SD)] were lower in the monitored group [11 (7)] than in the usual care group [15 (11)] (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: BIS monitoring among sedated patients was associated with lower propofol use and smaller decline in cognitive performance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000134325).

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a serious global public health problem that affects a large part of the Brazilian adult population and can cause limitations and losses of quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the association of hypertension and its correlated limitations, with sociodemographic and epidemiological factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study analyzing information on 44,271 adults (30 years or older) from the Brazilian National Health Survey of 2013. METHODS: The prevalence of hypertension and the degree of limitation of the patients’ activities associated with hypertension, according to sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and lifestyles, were calculated for both sexes. To analyze the strength of association, bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression were used. RESULTS: Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor among Brazilian adults aged 30 years or older (40.7%). It was strongly associated with the aging process (prevalence ratio, PR 3.51), obesity (PR 1.73), heart disease (PR 1.67) and stroke (PR 1.86). Furthermore, limitations associated with hypertension were more prevalent among those with comorbidities from noncommunicable diseases relating to hypertension complications (stroke PR 1.47; heart disease PR 1.69) and with incomplete elementary education (PR 1.19). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed sociodemographic inequality in the prevalence of hypertension, especially in the population with some degree of limitation associated with hypertension. It showed that improvements in access to primary care services for controlling hypertension at its initial stages are essential in order to avoid comorbidities of greater severity and limitations and losses of quality of life, especially among socially disadvantaged people.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Brazilian opportunistic screening programs for cervical cancer have limited impact. In the regions of two cities (Campinas and Curitiba) with high human development indices, consistent information from 96-97% of all cervical cancer cases managed within the public healthcare system is available. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence rate (IR) and temporal trends in these regions, covering 2001-2012. DESIGN AND SETTING: A population-based cohort study was conducted under the assumption that all cervical cancer cases were managed in cancer referral center hospitals. METHODS: 3,364 records (1,646 from Campinas; 1,718 from Curitiba) were analyzed to provide estimates of IR, age-standardized IR (ASR) and cervical cancer trends (shown per 100,000 women/year). Longitudinal patterns were analyzed using linear regression and shown as annual percentage change (APC); P < 0.05 for significance. RESULTS: Annual IR and ASR estimates for cervical cancer ranged from 3.8 to 8.0 over 2001-2012, decreasing over more recent years, and were similar for the two regions. The age-specific IR was about 50% lower among women aged 45 years or older (IR-2001/IR-2012: Campinas = 14.8/8.0; Curitiba = 18.7/8.3; P < 0.001). There was an increasing APC trend in Campinas among women aged 15-24 years, and a decreasing IR trend for squamous-cell histology in both regions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cervical cancer incidence estimates showed slowly decreasing trends in both regions, most evidently for women aged 45 years or older and for squamous-cell histology. These findings reflect the opportunistic nature of the population screening program, despite the comparatively high economic development level in the two regions.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of physical activity are clear, adherence to physical activity programs is a challenge, especially during transitional phases of life. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify adolescents who were more likely to drop out from physical activity and sports participation, from childhood to adolescence. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study on retrospective data regarding childhood activity among 803 Brazilian adolescents. The study was conducted at public schools in Londrina, Paraná, in 2011. METHODS: Habitual physical activity, sports participation during childhood, parental physical activity, socioeconomic status and perception of social relationships were self-reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated via a 20-m shuttle-run test and somatic maturation was estimated from the age at peak height velocity. RESULTS: Our results provided evidence that girls (physical activity: odds ratio, OR: 4.37 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.86-10.3]; sports: OR: 2.65 [95% CI: 1.39-5.05]) and adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness (physical activity: OR: 1.77 [95% CI: 1.13-2.78]; sports: OR: 1.62 [95% CI: 1.15-2.26]) were more likely to drop out from active behaviors. Children with inactive mothers and inactive fathers (OR: 3.55 [95% CI: 1.12-11.3]) also showed a higher dropout rate from physical activity. Adolescents with negative perceptions of friendships (OR: 2.33 [95% CI: 1.21-4.47]) were more likely to drop out from sports. CONCLUSIONS: Higher dropout rates from active lifestyles during childhood were observed among girls and adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness. Parental inactivity and negative perceptions of friendships were also potential risk factors for discontinuation of childhood physical activity and sports.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Use of mammary adenectomy for breast carcinoma treatment remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the oncological safety of mammary adenectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for treating selected patients with infiltrating breast carcinoma and to evaluate patients’ satisfaction with the reconstructed breasts. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study conducted among patients treated at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This study was based on 152 selected patients (161 operated breasts) with infiltrating breast carcinoma who underwent mammary adenectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. In all patients, the diameter of the largest focus of the tumor was less than 3.0 cm, the imaging tumor-nipple distance was greater than 2.0 cm and the pathological assessment showed clear margins. The cumulative incidence of local recurrence (LR), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. After at least one year of follow-up, 64 patients were asked about their satisfaction with the reconstructed breast(s). RESULTS: At a mean follow-up time of 43.5 months, seven cases of LR (4.4%), four distant metastases (2.6%) and five deaths (3.3%) were recorded. The five-year actuarial LR-free survival, RFS and OS were 97.6%, 98.3% and 98.3%, respectively. No cases of nipple-areolar complex recurrence were reported. Forty-one patients (64%) indicated a high level of satisfaction with the reconstructed breasts. CONCLUSIONS: Mammary adenectomy is a safe and efficacious procedure for selected patients with early-infiltrating breast carcinoma and results in a high rate of patient satisfaction with the reconstructed breasts.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cell phones have become indispensable for professional activities, including healthcare. Thus, they are possible sources of bacterial contamination. There is a scarcity of data in the literature regarding identification of risk factors for contamination of cell phones with pathogenic bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and/or Enterobacteriaceae on cell phones belonging to hospital healthcare staff and university students in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and to identify variables associated with such contamination. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a public university’s referral hospital and lecture buildings in 2017. METHODS: We sampled the surface of cell phones using the dipslide method, with Baird-Parker agar and Escherichia coli-coliform chromogenic (ECC) agar. We assessed the population’s sociodemographic, behavioral and hygiene characteristics through interviews. Possible presence of S. aureus colonies was confirmed using agglutination tests, with evaluation of methicillin sensitivity. Colonies in ECC medium were counted. Stepwise logistic regression (forward P < 0.15) was performed to identify characteristics associated with bacterial contamination. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of S. aureus, MRSA and Enterobacteriaceae were, respectively, 32%, 4% and 3%. No difference was found between the hospital and university-based populations (P > 0.05). The only variable associated with bacterial contamination was the use of cloth/velvet/leather phone cases (odds ratio: 2.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-7.91). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially pathogenic bacteria were prevalent on the cell phones of this hospital and university population. Use of phone cases made of cloth-like material should be discouraged, especially in hospital settings.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Making the differential diagnosis between central fever and infectious fever is critically important among intracerebral hemorrhage patients followed up in intensive care units (ICUs). Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has been found to be a promising biomarker for the initial diagnosis of infection, even before culturing results. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between PCT and both fever etiologies and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among critically ill patients with suspected intracerebral hemorrhage. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a public university hospital in Elazig, Turkey. METHODS: ICU patients diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhage and normal procalcitonin levels were included in this study. From clinical assessments and cultures, they were classified as presenting either infectious or central fever. The sensitivity and specificity of PCT and CRP for predicting infection were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: There were 98 ICU patients with diagnoses of intracerebral hemorrhage. The median (interquartile range) PCT levels of patients with infectious and central fever were 4 (0.9-11) and 0.1 (0.1-0.4) ng/ml, respectively, with a statistically significant intergroup difference (P < 0.001). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting infectious or central fever PCT and CRP were 0.958 (P < 0.001) and 0.816 (P < 0.001), respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between PCT and CRP levels in patients with infectious fever (rho: 0.461; P = 0.003), but not in patients with central fever. CONCLUSIONS: PCT can possibly be used as a biomarker to differentiate between infectious and central fever among ICU patients.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines on hypertension management recommend new stage 1 hypertension thresholds (130-139/80-89 mmHg) for starting antihypertensive treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines on patients’ diagnoses within daily practice, in comparison with management using the 2018 European hypertension guidelines, regarding the new thresholds. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a hypertension outpatient clinic at a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: The diagnosis of hypertension was defined separately using each guideline. The participants were patients who were attending the hypertension clinic, who were evaluated using the thresholds of two guidelines, based on cardiovascular risk factors, including age, gender, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, osteoporosis, chronic renal failure and family history of hypertension. RESULTS: After adapting the guidelines to the blood pressure values of our sample, 74.5% (n = 277) of the patients were diagnosed as hypertensive according to the blood pressure classification of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines published in 2018, while 91.1% (n = 339) of the patients were hypertensive according to the new 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the significant demographic and cardiovascular risk factors associated with hypertension, based on the 2018 European Society of Hypertension (ESH)/ESC guidelines, were age (odds ratio, OR: 1.027; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.001-1.054; P = 0.042), obesity (OR: 4.534; 95% CI: 1.830-11.237; P = 0.001) and family history of hypertension (OR: 2.199; 95% CI: 1.252-3.862; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with the definition of hypertension may vary through changing the threshold values.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acne needs to be treated early to prevent negative psychosocial impacts. In severe or moderate forms, which tend to leave scars, oral isotretinoin is the first-line therapy. However, concern about its adverse events, especially in developed countries, delays effective treatment. In contrast, isotretinoin is widely prescribed in Brazilian private clinics. OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of isotretinoin for treating acne in a Brazilian public hospital, and to analyze whether its prescription is effective or belated. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study in a public hospital. METHODS: Clinical and therapeutic data were obtained from the medical records of patients who were undergoing or had undergone acne treatment with isotretinoin in this hospital’s general dermatology outpatient clinic over the last seven years, up to April 2018. RESULTS: 1526 medical records from patients with acne were analyzed. Isotretinoin was prescribed for 279 patients (18.28%) with mild (1.19%), moderate (57.37%), severe (35.85%) or conglobata (5.57%) forms of acne vulgaris. Sequelae of acne were present at the start of most of these patients’ treatment. An initial daily dose of 20 mg was usually prescribed. The average initial dose/weight ratio was 0.33 mg/kg/day. The average total dose/weight ratio was 127.61 mg/kg. There were only a few cases of laboratory abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Sequelae of acne at the onset of treatment reveal delayed indication of isotretinoin, which can have negative psychosocial impacts on quality of life. Isotretinoin should be indicated early to prevent this. Its use is supported by its lack of laboratory alterations and controllable adverse events.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Older adults with a range of comorbidities are often prescribed multiple medications, which favors drug interactions. OBJECTIVES: To establish the frequency of potential drug interactions in prescriptions at hospital discharge among older adults and to identify the associated factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a public hospital. METHODS: An initial face-to-face interview, data collection from the electronic medical records (covering sociodemographic, clinical, functional and drug therapy-related variables) and telephone follow-up after discharge were conducted to confirm the medication prescribed at discharge. Drug interactions were identified through the Micromedex DrugReax software, along with interactions that should be avoided among the elderly, as per the 2015 American Geriatric Society/Beers criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Potential for drug interactions was identified in the discharge drug therapy of 67.8% of the 255 older adults evaluated (n = 172), and 54.5% (n = 145) of the drug interactions were major. Among the drug interactions that should be avoided among older adults, those that increase the risk of falls were the most frequent. The drug interactions thus identified were independently associated with polypharmacy (odds ratio, OR = 12.62; 95% confidence interval, CI 6.25-25.50; P = 0.00), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.05-4.44; P = 0.04), hypothyroidism (OR = 7.29; 95% CI 2.03-26.10; P = 0.00), chronic kidney disease (OR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.09-10.64; P = 0.03) and hospitalization in geriatric units (OR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.22-0.89; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The frequency of potential drug interactions in drug therapy prescribed at discharge for these older adults was high. Polypharmacy, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease were positively associated with occurrences of drug interactions, while hospitalization in geriatric units showed an inverse association.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The underlying cause of seasonal infertility in humans is unclear, but is likely to be ­multifactorial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the pregnancy rates among infertile women who underwent induced ovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) with the season in which the fertility treatment was performed. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 466 patients who were treated in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility outpatient clinic of a tertiary-level women’s healthcare and maternity hospital. METHODS: Retrospective demographic, hormonal and ultrasonographic data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Clomiphene citrate or gonadotropin medications were used for induced ovulation. The patients were divided into four groups according to the season (spring, winter, autumn and summer) in which fertility treatment was received. Clinical pregnancy rates were calculated and compared between these four groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the seasonal groups in terms of age, infertility type, ovarian reserve tests, duration of infertility, medications used or length of stimulation. A total of 337 patients (72.3%) were treated with clomiphene citrate and 129 (27.7%) with gonadotropin; no significant difference between these two groups was observed. The clinical pregnancy rates for the spring, winter, autumn and summer groups were 15.6% (n = 24), 8.6% (n = 9), 11.5% (n = 13) and 7.4% (n = 7), respectively (P = 0.174). CONCLUSIONS: Although the spring group had the highest pregnancy rate, the rates of successful IUI did not differ significantly between the seasonal groups.