Utilizing synchronous care to improve cardiovascular and renal health among patients with type 2 diabetes: Proof-of-concept results from the DECIDE-CV clinical programme.

AIM: The management of patients with type 2 diabetes is asynchronous, i.e. not coordinated in time, resulting in delayed access to care and low use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed consecutive patients assessed in the 'synchronized' DECIDE-CV clinic. In this outpatient clinic, patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease are simultaneously assessed by an endocrinologist, cardiologist and nephrologist in the same visit. The primary outcome was use of GDMT before and after the assessment in the clinic, including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, renin-angiotensin system blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Secondary outcomes included the baseline-to-last-visit change in surrogate laboratory biomarkers. RESULTS: The first 232 patients evaluated in the clinic were included. The mean age was 67 ± 12 years, 69% were men and 92% had diabetes. In total, 73% of patients had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, 65% heart failure, 56% chronic kidney disease and 59% had a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. There was a significant increase in the use of GDMT:sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (from 44% to 87% of patients), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (from 8% to 45%), renin-angiotensin system blockers (from 77% to 91%) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (from 25% to 45%) (p < .01 for all). Among patients with paired laboratory data, glycated haemoglobin, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide levels significantly dropped from baseline (p < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Joint assessment of patients with diabetes in a synchronized cardiometabolic clinic holds promise for enhancing GDMT use and has led to significant reductions in surrogate cardiovascular and renal laboratory biomarkers.

Impact of lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Restricted outdoor activity during COVID-19 related lockdown may accelerate heart failure (HF) progression and thereby increase cardiac arrhythmias. We analyzed the impact of March/April 2020 lockdown on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices with daily, automatic remote monitoring (RM) function. METHODS: The study cohort included 405 HF patients enrolled in Observation of Clinical Routine Care for Heart Failure Patients Implanted with BIOTRONIK CRT Devices (BIO|STREAM.HF) registry in 16 countries, who had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% (mean 28.2 ± 6.6%) and NYHA class II/III/IV (47.9%/49.6%/2.5%) before CRT pacemaker/defibrillator implantation. The analyzed RM data comprised physical activity detected by accelerometer, mean heart rate and nocturnal rate, PP variability, percentage of biventricular pacing, atrial high rate episode (AHRE) burden, ventricular extrasystoles and tachyarrhythmias, defibrillator shocks, and number of implant interrogations (i.e., follow-ups). Intraindividual differences in RM parameters before (4-week period) versus during (4-week period) lockdown were tested for statistical significance and independent predictors were identified. RESULTS: There was a significant relative change in activity (mean -6.5%, p < .001), AHRE burden (+17%, p = .013), and follow-up rate (-75%, p < .001) during lockdown, with no significant changes in other RM parameters. Activity decreased by ≥8 min/day in 46.5% of patients; predictors were higher LVEF, lower NYHA class, no defibrillator indication, and more activity before lockdown. AHRE burden increased by ≥17 min/day in 4.7% of patients; predictors were history of atrial fibrillation, higher LVEF, higher body mass index, and activity decrease during lockdown. CONCLUSION: Unfavorable changes in physical activity, AHRE burden, and follow-up rate were observed during lockdown, but not in ventricular arrhythmia.

Contributing Factors for (Non)Adherence to a Physical Exercise Program for People With Neurocognitive Disorder From the Caregivers' Perspective.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To explore the perception of informal caregivers about the barriers, motivators, and facilitators toward the participation of care recipients with neurocognitive disorder (NCD) in a physical exercise program. METHODS: This is an exploratory qualitative study, including 20 informal caregivers (67.5 ± 13.94 years old; age range: 37-86; 65% male) from the "Body & Brain" community intervention project. Semistructured interviews were performed by a trained researcher; data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis guidelines, under the socioecological framework. RESULTS: Two main barriers, 3 motivators, and 5 facilitators to participation in a physical exercise program were perceived by caregivers, illustrating the relationship between the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community levels toward individuals' participation. Care recipients' reluctance to participate and physical environment constraints emerged as the main barriers to participation, whereas the health professionals' advice, the need for a stimulating activity, and the potential physical and mental health benefits emerged as motivators. Factors facilitating the involvement and maintenance in the program included care recipients' satisfaction and enjoyment, benefits on their general health, routine, and social connectedness; an overall positive evaluation of the physical exercise program's structure and organization was also highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise interventions targeting people with NCD should promote a welcoming environment that facilitates individuals' well-being and social interaction. Caregivers have a key role in promoting care recipients' motivation. Health professionals play an important role in recommending participation by raising awareness of potential benefits to recipients and caregivers. Future interventions should be conducted in appropriate community settings and implemented by a specialized professional in small groups. These findings provide insights into the factors that may increase the success rate of exercise interventions specifically designed for individuals with NCD.

Planificação da atenção à saúde: implantação dos macroprocessos de trabalho em quatro localidades brasileiras / Health care planning: implementation of work macroprocesses in four Brazilian locations / Planificación de la atención en salud: implementación de macroprocesos de trabajo en cuatro lugares brasileños

RESUMO: A insuficiente articulação entre a Atenção Primária à Saúde e a Atenção Ambulatorial Especializada é vista como um dos principais obstáculos para a organização de sistemas integrados de saúde. Este estudo objetivou analisar a implantação dos macroprocessos da Atenção Primária à Saúde e da Atenção Ambulatorial Especializada nos municípios de Caxias (Maranhão) e Ji-Paraná (Rondônia) e na Região Leste do Distrito Federal, e apenas da Atenção Primária à Saúde no município de Cristalina (Goiás). As dimensões consideradas foram: Planejamento e Gestão; Promoção e Cuidado à Saúde; Apoio Diagnóstico e Terapêutico; e Articulação entre Níveis Assistenciais. O índice de implantação da Atenção Primária à Saúde de Caxias foi 'satisfatório', o de Cristalina, 'intermediário'; e o de Ji-Paraná e da Região Leste, 'incipiente'. Na Atenção Primária à Saúde, os melhores resultados foram de Planejamento e Gestão e Promoção e Cuidado à Saúde; e o mais frágil, de Articulação entre Níveis Assistenciais. Em relação à Atenção Ambulatorial Especializada, os melhores resultados foram de Planejamento e Gestão, e as maiores fragilidades foram encontradas em Apoio Diagnóstico e Terapêutico. Este estudo pode contribuir para mudanças nos casos estudados, bem como apresentar as lições aprendidas para outros cenários cuja planificação esteja em fase de implantação atual ou futura.

ABSTRACT: The insufficient articulation between Primary Health Care and Specialized Ambulatory Care has been seen as one of the main obstacles to the organization of integrated health systems. This study aimed to evaluate of the implementation of Primary Health Care macro-processes was carried out in the municipalities of Caxias (Northern Brazil), Cristalina and Ji-Paraná (both Central-Western Brazil) and in the East Region of the Brazilian Federal District; and the Specialized Ambulatory Care in two municipalities - Caxias and Ji-Paraná - and in the East Federal District Region. Were considered the dimensions: Planning and management; Health promotion and care; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Support; and Articulation between care levels. The index of implementation of the Primary Health Care of Caxias was 'satisfactory' (8.54), Cristalina 'intermediate' (7.83) and Ji-Paraná and East Region 'incipient' (7.18 and 7.24, respectively). In Primary Health Care, the best results came from 'Planning and management' and 'Health promotion and care'; and the most fragile, the 'Articulation between levels of care'. Regarding Specialized Ambulatory Care, the best results were from 'Planning and management' and greater weaknesses were found in 'Diagnostic and therapeutic support'. This study can contribute to changes in the cases presented, as well as offer lessons learned for other scenarios whose planning is in the implementation phase or will be implemented.

RESUMEN: La insuficiente articulación entre la Atención Primaria de Salud y la Atención Ambulatoria Especializada ha sido vista como uno de los principales obstáculos para la organización de sistemas integrados de salud. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la implementación de los macroprocesos de Atención Primaria de Salud en los municipios de Caxias (Norte de Brasil), Cristalina y Ji-Paraná (ambos en Centro-Oeste de Brasil) y en la Región Este del Districto Federal Brasileño; y la Atención Ambulatoria Especializada en dos municipios - Caxias y Ji-Paraná - y en la Región Este del Districto Federal. Se consideraron las dimensiones Planificación y gestión; Promoción y atención de la salud; Apoyo Diagnóstico y Terapéutico; y Articulación entre niveles de atención. El índice de implementación del Atención Primaria de Salud de Caxias fue 'satisfactorio' (8,54), Cristalina 'intermedio' (7,83) y Ji-Paraná y Región Este 'incipiente' (7,18 y 7,24, respectivamente). En APS, los mejores resultados provinieron de 'Planificación y gestión' y 'Promoción y atención de la salud'; y la más frágil, la 'Articulación entre niveles de asistencia'. En cuanto a la AAE, los mejores resultados fueron de 'Planificación y gestión' y las mayores debilidades se encontraron en 'Apoyo diagnóstico y terapéutico'. Este estudio puede contribuir a cambios en los casos presentados, así como ofrecer lecciones aprendidas para otros escenarios cuya planificación se encuentra en fase de implementación o será implementada.

Continuidade da gestão clínica entre níveis assistenciais: experiências dos usuários de uma rede municipal de saúde / Continuity of care between care levels: experiences of users in a municipal health network / Continuidad de la atención entre niveles asistenciales: experiencias de usuarios de una red municipal de salud

Este estudo analisa as experiências dos usuários sobre a continuidade da gestão clínica entre níveis assistenciais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, quantitativo, que utiliza dados de um inquérito realizado com 407 usuários de uma rede pública de saúde de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, nos anos de 2017 e 2018. As experiências sobre a continuidade da gestão clínica foram exploradas a partir de duas dimensões: coerência da atenção e acessibilidade entre níveis assistenciais. Os usuários apresentaram opiniões mais positivas sobre a coerência da atenção que sobre a acessibilidade. Quanto à coerência da atenção, a maioria dos usuários referiu que os médicos da atenção primária e da especializada concordam entre si quanto a diagnóstico, tratamento e recomendações, e que o médico da atenção primária encaminha ao especialista quando necessário. Apenas 43% dos usuários relataram existir colaboração entre os médicos para resolução dos seus problemas de saúde. Quanto à acessibilidade, a maioria dos usuários (77,2%) referiu um longo tempo de espera para a consulta com o especialista e menos da metade (48,9%) referiu demora para atendimento na atenção primária. Os resultados deste estudo coincidem com outras investigações e evidenciam a necessidade de fomentar estratégias para alcançar uma integração efetiva das redes assistenciais e assim conferir ao usuário uma maior continuidade dos cuidados em saúde.

This study analyzes the experiences of users on the continuity of clinical management between care levels. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study that uses data from a survey conducted with 407 users of a public health network in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 2017 and 2018. The experiences on the continuity of clinical management were explored from two dimensions: coherence of care and accessibility between levels of care. Users presented more positive opinions about coherence of care than accessibility. Regarding coherence of care, most users reported that primary and specialized care physicians agree on diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations, and that the primary care physician refers them to a specialist when necessary. Only 43% of users reported collaboration between physicians to solve their health problems. Concerning accessibility, most users (77.2%) reported a long waiting time for the consultation with a specialist and less than half (48.9%) reported delay for primary care. The results of this study coincide with other investigations and highlight the need to promote strategies for achieving effective integration of care networks and thus provide users with greater continuity of health care.

Este estudio analiza las experiencias de los usuarios sobre la continuidad de la gestión clínica entre los niveles asistenciales. Se trata de un estudio transversal, de carácter cuantitativo, realizado con datos de una encuesta aplicada a 407 usuarios de una red pública de salud en Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, en los años de 2017 y 2018. Las experiencias sobre la continuidad de la gestión clínica fueron exploradas desde dos dimensiones: la consistencia de la atención y la accesibilidad entre niveles asistenciales. Los usuarios tenían opiniones más positivas sobre la consistencia de la atención que sobre la accesibilidad. En cuanto a la consistencia de la atención, la mayoría de los usuarios reportó que los médicos de atención primaria y de la atención especializada concuerdan entre sí en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y recomendaciones, y que los médicos de atención primaria realizan la derivación al especialista cuando necesario. Solamente el 43% de los usuarios reportaron percibir una colaboración entre los médicos para la búsqueda de soluciones a sus problemas de salud. Respecto a la accesibilidad, la mayoría de los encuestados (77,2%) refirió un largo tiempo de espera para la consulta con el especialista y menos de la mitad (48,9%) mencionó que tardaba la atención primaria. Los resultados de este estudio coinciden con el de otras investigaciones y muestran la necesidad de promover estrategias para lograr una efectiva integración de las redes de atención y, así, brindarle al usuario una mayor continuidad de la atención en salud.

Remarkable response to radioiodine therapy in a case of metastatic macrofollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Macrofollicular variant is a rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Although they are usually associated with a good prognosis, aggressive forms have been described. Distinction from an adenomatous goiter or follicular adenoma is often difficult and can lead to misdiagnosis. We report a metastatic macrofollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma with a remarkable clinical, biochemical, and structural response to radioiodine treatment.