Effect of SGLT2-Inhibitors on Polygraphic Parameters in Elderly Patients Affected by Heart Failure, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apneas (OSAs) and central sleep apneas (CSAs) are the most common comorbidities in Heart Failure (HF) that are strongly associated with all-cause mortality. Several therapeutic approaches have been used to treat CSA and OSA, but none have been shown to significantly improve HF prognosis. Our study evaluated the effects of a 3-months treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on polygraphic parameters in patients with sleep apnea (SA) and HF, across the spectrum of ejection fraction, not treated with continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). A group of 514 consecutive elderly outpatients with HF, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and SA, eligible for treatment with SGLT2i, were included in the investigation before starting any CPAP therapy. The two groups were compared with the t-test and Mann-Whitney test for unpaired data when appropriate. Then, a simple logistic regression model was built using 50% reduction in AHI as the dependent variable and other variables as covariates. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was constructed using the variables that linked with the dependent variable to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for the independent predictors associated with the reduction of 50% in AHI. The treated group experienced significant improvements in polygraphic parameters between baseline values and follow-up with reduction in AHI (28.4 ± 12.9 e/h vs. 15.2 ± 6.5 e/h; p < 0.0001), ODI (15.4 ± 3.3 e/h vs. 11.1 ± 2.6 e/h; p < 0.0001), and TC90 (14.1 ± 4.2% vs. 8.2 ± 2.0%; p < 0.0001), while mean SpO2 improved (91. 3 ± 2.3 vs. 93.8 ± 2.5); p < 0.0001. These benefits were not seen in the untreated population. The use of SGLT2i in patients suffering from HF and mixed-type SA not on CPAP therapy significantly contributes to improving polygraphic parameters.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on comprehensive geriatric assessment and cognitive function in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) can lead to cognitive impairment and depression affecting memory, attention, and executive functions. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment seems to be able to revert changes in brain networks and neuropsychological tests correlated to OSAS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-month treatment with CPAP on functional, humoral and cognitive parameters in a cohort of elderly OSAS patients with several comorbidities. We enrolled 360 elderly patients suffering from moderate to severe OSAS and indication for nocturnal CPAP. At baseline the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) revealed a borderline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score that improved after 6-month treatment with CPAP (25.3 ± 1.6 vs 26 ± 1.5; p < 0.0001), as well as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) showed a mild improvement (24.4 ± 2.3 vs 26.2 ± 1.7; p < 0.0001). Moreover, functionality activities increased after treatment, as documented by a short physical performance battery (SPPB) (6.3 ± 1.5 vs 6.9 ± 1.4; p < 0.0001). Reduction of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) from 6.0 ± 2.5 to 4.6 ± 2.2 (p < 0.0001) was also detected. Changes of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), sleep-time spent with saturation below 90% (TC90), peripheral arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), contributed, respectively, to 27.9%, 9.0%, 2.8%, 2.3%, 1.7% and 0.9% of MMSE variability for a total of 44.6% of MMSE variations. GDS score changes were due to the improvement of AHI, ODI and TC90, respectively, for 19.2%, 4.9%, 4.2% of the GDS variability, cumulative responsible for 28.3% of GDS modifications. The present real-world study shows that CPAP treatment is able to improve cognition and depressive symptoms in OSAS elderly patients.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Integrase Inhibitors in Antiretroviral-Naive Patients.

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors are a new class of antiretroviral agents recently licensed for the treatment of both naive and experienced HIV-infected patients. They inhibit the catalytic activity of the HIV-encoded enzyme integrase and prevent the integration of the HIV genome into the host cell genome, so slowing the propagation of the infection. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors cause a rapid drop in viral load, exhibit very low drug interactions (except elvitegravir/cobicistat), and have low pill burden and convenient dosing frequency. Drugs in this class have been compared to others in antiretroviral-naive patients with efavirenz and with protease inhibitors. Final results of the STARTMRK trial highlighted the better virologic and immunologic performance of raltegravir over efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil co-formulation. Raltegravir was also superior to atazanavir/ritonavir and darunavir/ritonavir in the ACTG 5257 study for the combined virologic/tolerability endpoint. Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir was non-inferior to efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and to atazanavir/ritonavir plus emtricitabine/tenofovir in terms of confirmed virologic response in the GS-US-236-0102 and GS-US-236-0103 studies, respectively. Finally, dolutegravir showed non-inferiority compared to raltegravir in the SPRING-2 study and was superior to efavirenz and darunavir/ritonavir in the SINGLE and FLAMINGO trials, respectively. The aim of this review is to analyze the data on efficacy and safety of integrase strand transfer inhibitors in antiretroviral-naive HIV patients and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of drugs within this class.

Revelação diagnóstica do HIV/Aids para crianças: um relato de experiência / Diagnostic disclosure of HIV/Aids to children: an experience report / Revelación diagnóstica del VIH/SIDA para Niños: un testimonio de experiencia

Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre a condução e manejo do processo de revelação diagnóstica em crianças vivendo com o HIV/Aids, em dois centros de referência localizados no município de São Paulo, Brasil. O modelo utilizado para compartilhar as informações sobre a doença e tratamento à população pediátrica foi iniciado no ano de 2003 e envolve 5 etapas: captação dos pacientes desconhecedores de sua condição sorológica; encaminhamento para avaliação psicológica; entrevistas com os familiares para o planejamento do processo de revelação; abertura diagnóstica e acompanhamento pós-revelação. A experiência tem demonstrado que após o conhecimento da doença as crianças participam e colaboram com o tratamento, os pais sentem-se aliviados e os profissionais ficam à vontade, durante as consultas, para conversarem abertamente com os pequenos pacientes sobre os exames, acompanhamento clínico e tratamento. A descrição detalhada do trabalho desenvolvido poderá auxiliar outros serviços no desenvolvimento de ações para que a prática da revelação diagnóstica possa ser integrada de forma mais efetiva no contexto do cuidado das crianças que vivem com o HIV/Aids...

This is an experience report on the conduct and management of the process of revealing the diagnosis of children living with HIV/AIDS in two leading centers located in São Paulo, Brazil. The model used to share information about the disease and treatment in the pediatric population was initiated in 2003 and involves 5 steps: gathering patients unaware of their HIV status; referrals for psychological assessment; interviews with family members to plan the disclosure process; open diagnostic and monitoring after the disclosure. Experience has shown that after knowledge of the disease, the children participate and cooperate with treatment, parents feel relieved and professionals are comfortable during consults, to talk openly with young patients about the exams, clinical monitoring and treatment. A detailed description of the work may assist other services in developing actions so that the practice of diagnostic disclosure can be more effectively integrated in the context of the care of children living with HIV/AIDS...

Se trata de un testimonio de experiencia acerca de la conducción y manejo del proceso de revelación diagnóstica en niños que conviven con el VIH/SIDA en dos centros de referencia ubicados en el municipio de San Pablo, Brasil. El modelo utilizado para compartir las informaciones acerca de la enfermedad y tratamiento a la población pediátrica ha sido iniciado en el año de 2003 e involucra 05 etapas: captación de los pacientes que desconocen su condición de serología; encaminamiento para evaluación psicológica; entrevistas con los familiares para la planeación del proceso de revelación; apertura diagnóstica y acompañamiento pos revelación. La experiencia ha demostrado que luego del conocimiento de la enfermedad los niños participan y colaboran con el tratamiento, los padres se sienten aliviados y los profesionales se sienten a gusto, durante las consultas, para hablar abiertamente con los pequeños pacientes acerca de los exámenes, del acompañamiento clínico y del tratamiento. La descripción detallada del trabajo desarrollado podrá auxiliar otros servicios en el desarrollo de acciones para que la práctica de la revelación diagnóstica pueda ser integrada de manera más efectiva en el contexto del cuidado de los niños que conviven con el VIH/SIDA...

Avaliação de empatia em residentes de especialidades clínicas e cirúrgicas da Universidade Federal de São Paulo / assessment of empathy in medical residents of clinic and surgical specialties at the Federal University of São Paulo

No campo da saúde, a empatia é definida como um atributo com dimensões emocionais e cognitivas que possibilita uma compreensão das experiências interiores e da perspectiva do paciente como um indivíduo singular, somada à capacidade de comunicar esse entendimento ao paciente. A função da empatia médica seria identificar e compreender os sentimentos do doente, promovendo aumento na confiança, na lealdade e no respeito entre médico e paciente. Este estudo teve como meta avaliar a empatia de residentes entre o terceiro e o quinto ano da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, buscando verificar as possíveis diferenças entre a empatia dos clínicos e cirurgiões e sua relação com o perfil profissional.

In the field of health, empathy is defined as an attribute with cognitive and emotional dimensions that enables an understanding of inner experience and a perspective of the patient as a unique individual, plus the ability to communicate this understanding to the patient. The role of empathy is to identify and understand the patient's feelings, thus promoting an increase in trust, loyalty and respect between doctor and patient. Therefore, the following study was aimed at evaluating the empathy 3rd to 5th year medical residents from the Federal University of São Paulo to verify any possible differences between the empathy of physicians and surgeons and their relationship with the professional profile.

Validation of the Brazilian version of Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to validate the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for use in Brazilian population. METHOD: A total of 200 patients with chronic liver disease and varying disease severity answered a socio-demographic questionnaire, t CLDQ, and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Patients returned in 1-15 days to answer CLDQ again. The Cronbach's alpha of the total CLDQ score was 0.95 and fluctuated between 0.69 and 0.83 in its six domains. RESULTS: The intra-class correlation between total CLDQ scores in two evaluations was 0.97 and in all domains was >0.93. CLDQ was moderately correlated with the SF-36, 0.63 (total CLDQ vs. vitality, SF-36), 0.62 (CLDQ and mental health, SF-36), 0.62 (preoccupation, CLDQ, vs. General Health, SF-36), 0.59 (fatigue, CLDQ, vs. vitality, SF-36), 0.59 (activity, CLDQ, vs. vitality, SF-36), and 0.59 (fatigue, CLDQ, vs. mental health, SF-36). The highest scores were found in non-cirrhotic group. Child A patients had higher average scores than Child B and C groups in all domains, while patients with MELD <15 scored higher than patients with MELD ≥15. CONCLUSION: CLDQ-BR was validated in Brazilian population and was appropriate for use in patients with liver disease of different etiologies and degrees of severity.

[Interviews with family members: a fundamental tool for planning the disclosure of a diagnosis of HIV/aids for children and adolescents]. / Entrevista com os familiares: um instrumento fundamental no planejamento da revelação diagnóstica do HIV/Aids para crianças e adolescentes.

The scope of this study was to present the participation of caregivers in creating strategies for disclosure of their condition to HIV-positive children, as well as discussing the interventions that might contribute to overcoming the difficulties that commonly prevent family members from accepting this process. The participants included 23 caregivers of 18 patients referred for diagnosis disclosure, monitored at two pediatric AIDS units in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. This is a qualitative study and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The results showed that legitimating reasons why caregivers are reluctant to disclose the diagnosis to the children, as well as their motivations, are interventions that contribute to reduce resistance, facilitating the acceptance of disclosure. The collaboration of caregivers has provided valuable insights for conducting the work, and has enabled the establishment of a receptive and supportive relationship minimizing inhibitions that could be harmful to the continuity of the process.

Entrevista com os familiares: um instrumento fundamental no planejamento da revelação diagnóstica do HIV/Aids para crianças e adolescentes / Interviews with family members: a fundamental tool for planning the disclosure of a diagnosis of HIV/aids for children and adolescents

O estudo teve como objetivo apresentar a participação dos cuidadores na construção de estratégias para a comunicação do HIV às crianças soropositivas, assim como, discutir as intervenções que contribuiriam para a superação das dificuldades que comumente impedem os familiares a aceitarem esse processo. Participaram 23 cuidadores de 18 pacientes com indicação para revelação diagnóstica, acompanhados em dois serviços de Aids pediátrica no município de São Paulo, Brasil. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa e os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas semidirigidas. Os resultados demonstraram que legitimar os motivos pelos quais os cuidadores relutam em divulgar o diagnóstico às suas crianças, assim como suas motivações, são intervenções que contribuem para diluir resistências, facilitando a aceitação da revelação. A colaboração dos responsáveis forneceu subsídios valiosos para o direcionamento do processo de revelação diagnóstica, além de ter possibilitado o estabelecimento de um vínculo receptivo e favorável, capaz de minimizar inibições que poderiam ser prejudiciais à continuidade do processo.

The scope of this study was to present the participation of caregivers in creating strategies for disclosure of their condition to HIV-positive children, as well as discussing the interventions that might contribute to overcoming the difficulties that commonly prevent family members from accepting this process. The participants included 23 caregivers of 18 patients referred for diagnosis disclosure, monitored at two pediatric AIDS units in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. This is a qualitative study and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The results showed that legitimating reasons why caregivers are reluctant to disclose the diagnosis to the children, as well as their motivations, are interventions that contribute to reduce resistance, facilitating the acceptance of disclosure. The collaboration of caregivers has provided valuable insights for conducting the work, and has enabled the establishment of a receptive and supportive relationship minimizing inhibitions that could be harmful to the continuity of the process.

Medical residency: factors relating to "difficulty in helping" in the resident physician-patient relationship.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have attempted to understand what leads physicians to label patients as 'difficult'. Understanding this process is particularly important for resident physicians, who are developing attitudes that may have long-term impact on their interactions with patients. The aim of this study was to distinguish between patients' self-rated emotional state (anxiety and depression) and residents' perceptions of that state as a predictor of patients being considered difficult. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey conducted in the hospital of Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: The residents completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and rated their patients using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Difficulty in Helping the Patient Questionnaire (DTH). The patients completed HADS independently and were rated using the Karnofsky Performance Status scale. RESULTS: On average, the residents rated the patients as presenting little difficulty. The residents' ratings of difficulty presented an association with their ratings for patient depression (r = 0.35, P = 0.03) and anxiety (r = 0.46, P = 0.02), but not with patients' self-ratings for depression and anxiety. Residents from distant cities were more likely to rate patients as difficult to help than were residents from the city of the hospital (mean score of 1.93 versus 1.07; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding what leads residents to label patients as having depression and anxiety problems may be a productive approach towards reducing perceived difficulty. Residents from distant cities may be more likely to find their patients difficult.

Quality of life and adherence to HAART in HIV-infected patients.

A review on adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy and the quality of life of patients living with HIV in the scientific literature, indexed in MEDLINE between 1998 and 2008, was performed. Studies published in Portuguese, Spanish or English with patients over 18 years of age were included. Reviews, case reports and letters were excluded. Of the 21 studies found, 12 were included (three clinical trials, three prospective cohorts and six cross-sectional studies). The relationship between quality of life and treatment adherence remains controversial, despite descriptive studies indicating the possibility of a positive association. The results may have been influenced by the specific characteristics of the described clinical trials and do not show a consensus regarding the impact of treatment adherence on patients' quality of life.

Qualidade de vida e adesão ao tratamento anti-retroviral de pacientes portadores de HIV: [revisão] / Calidad de vida y adhesión al tratamiento antiretroviral de pacientes portadores de VIH: [revisión] / Quality of life and adherence to HAART in HIV-infected patients: [review]

Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura científica sobre adesão terapêutica à highly active antiretroviral therapy e sobre a qualidade de vida dos pacientes portadores do HIV, indexada no MEDLINE no período entre 1998 e 2008. Foram incluídos estudos em pacientes maiores de 18 anos, publicados em português, espanhol ou inglês. Foram excluídos estudos de revisão, relatos de caso e cartas. Dos 21 estudos encontrados, 12 foram incluídos (três ensaios clínicos, três coortes prospectivos, seis transversais). A relação entre qualidade de vida e adesão terapêutica permanece controversa, embora estudos descritivos apontem a possibilidade de uma relação positiva. Os resultados podem ter sido influenciados por características específicas dos ensaios clínicos descritos e mostram não haver consenso sobre o impacto da adesão terapêutica sobre a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

A review on adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy and the quality of life of patients living with HIV in the scientific literature, indexed in MEDLINE between 1998 and 2008, was performed. Studies published in Portuguese, Spanish or English with patients over 18 years of age were included. Reviews, case reports and letters were excluded. Of the 21 studies found, 12 were included (three clinical trials, three prospective cohorts and six cross-sectional studies). The relationship between quality of life and treatment adherence remains controversial, despite descriptive studies indicating the possibility of a positive association. The results may have been influenced by the specific characteristics of the described clinical trials and do not show a consensus regarding the impact of treatment adherence on patients' quality of life.

Se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica sobre adhesión terapéutica a la terapia antirretroviral altamente activa y sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes portadores de VIH, indexados en el MEDLINE en el período entre 1998 y 2008. Se incluyeron estudios en pacientes mayores de 18 años, publicados en portugués, español o inglés. Se excluyeron estudios de revisión, relatos de caso y cartas. De los 21 estudios encontrados, 12 fueron incluidos (tres ensayos clínicos, tres cohortes prospectivas, seis transversales). La relación entre calidad de vida y adhesión terapéutica permanece controversial a pesar de que estudios descriptivos señalen la posibilidad de una relación positiva. Los resultados pueden haber sido influenciados por características específicas de los ensayos clínicos descritos y muestran no haber consenso con relación al impacto de la adhesión terapéutica sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Humanização e processos comunicacionais: reflexões sobre a relação entre o profissional de saúde e o usuário / Humanization and communication processes: reflections on the relationship between health professional and the user

Este artigo tem como objetivo básico contribuir para as reflexões a respeito dos processos comunicacionais para os trabalhadores do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), especificamente no que tange à Humanização, tomando como base a vivência da autora como participante do processo de implantação do Programa Nacional de Humanização da Assistência Hospitalar (PNHAH) na Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo (2000-2002) e a experiência como pesquisadora e assessora a serviços de saúde nos últimos anos. Em primeiro lugar, é feita uma revisão sintética sobre os documentos oficiais relativos ao PNHAH e à Política Nacional de Humanização (PNH). A seguir, colocam-se alguns aspectos relativos à problemática da comunicação nos serviços de saúde. Em continuidade, relacionamos a competência comunicativa com a formação e desenvolvimento de atitudes, a partir de contribuições de autores da área da Psicologia. E, finalmente, são tecidas recomendações para os processos de sensibilização/capacitação dos trabalhadores do SUS...

[Cross-cultural adaptation of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) to the Brazilian population]. / Adaptação cultural do Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) para população brasileira.

The aims of this study were the English-to-Portuguese translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for use in Brazil. The instrument was translated from the original language, English, to Portuguese by the authors, and was subsequently reviewed and evaluated as to the degree of difficulty of the translation and equivalence, by bilingual translators. The questionnaire was then applied to 20 randomly selected patients with chronic liver disease. Patients had no difficulty understanding the questionnaire and considered all the questions applicable. The cultural equivalence of the CLDQ was demonstrated, without requiring changes in the original translation. The translation into Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation of the CLDQ successfully completed this important stage for its validation and use in Brazil.

Laboratório de comunicação: ampliando as habilidades do estudante de medicina para a prática da entrevista / Communication laboratory: expanding medical students' skills for interview practice / Laboratorio de comunicación: ampliando las habilidades del estudiante de medicina para la práctica de la entrevista

O trabalho apresenta a atividade denominada "laboratório de comunicação" na qual, utilizando gravação e discussão de dramatizações de entrevistas (técnica de "vídeo feedback interativa") objetiva-se capacitar os estudantes de medicina nas habilidades comunicacionais necessárias para o exercício da tarefa médica. A atividade está inserida no segundo ano do curso médico, fazendo parte do programa de psicologia médica. O exame cuidadoso e detalhado das imagens registradas tem se revelado um instrumento muito poderoso para a detecção e a evolução das capacidades relacionais e comunicacionais. Ainda estamos em fase de realização de avaliações sistematizadas que nos permitirão verificar a eficácia da atividade e mensurar a repercussão que terá sobre o desempenho dos estudantes em sua atividade na prática médica.

This paper presents an activity named "communication laboratory", in which, through recording and discussing simulated interviews ("interactive video feedback" technique), the aim is to capacitate medical students with the communicational skills needed for performing medical tasks. This activity is included in the second year of the medical course, and is part of the medical psychology program. Careful and detailed observation of the recorded images has revealed this to be a very powerful instrument for detecting and developing the relational and communicational capacities. We are still at the phase of performing systematized evaluations that will allow us, in the future, to verify the efficacy of the activity and to measure the repercussion that it will have on the development of students in their medical practice activities.

El trabajo presenta la actividad denominada "laboratorio de comunicación", en la cual, utilizando grabación y discusión de dramatizaciones de entrevistas (técnica de vídeo feedback interactiva"), se trata de capacitar a los estudiantes de medicina en las habilidades de comunicabilidad necesarias al ejercicio de la tarea médica. La actividad se insiere en el segundo año del curso medico, formando parte del programa de psicología médica. El examen cuidadoso y detallado de las imágenes registradas se ha revelado instrumento muy poderoso para la detección y la evolución de las capacidades de relación y comunicación. Estamos aún en fase de realización de evaluaciones sistematizadas que nos permitirán comprobar la eficacia de la activad y medir la repercusión que tendrá sobre el desempeño de los estudiantes en su actividad en la práctica médica.

Adaptação cultural do Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) para população brasileira / Cross-cultural adaptation of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) to the Brazilian population

Nesse estudo realizaram-se a tradução para o português e a adaptação cultural do instrumento Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) para uso no Brasil. O instrumento foi traduzido da versão original (inglês) para a língua portuguesa pelos autores e, posteriormente, revisado e avaliado quanto ao grau de dificuldade das traduções e equivalência por tradutores bilíngües. O instrumento foi, então, aplicado em 20 pacientes com hepatopatia crônica selecionados aleatoriamente. Não houve dificuldade na compreensão do instrumento, todas as questões foram consideradas aplicáveis pelos pacientes, e a equivalência cultural do CLDQ foi demonstrada sem que mudanças na tradução original precisassem ser feitas. A tradução e a adaptação cultural do CLDQ para o português, no Brasil, foram realizadas, tendo sido cumprida esta importante etapa para sua validação e utilização em nosso meio.

The aims of this study were the English-to-Portuguese translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for use in Brazil. The instrument was translated from the original language, English, to Portuguese by the authors, and was subsequently reviewed and evaluated as to the degree of difficulty of the translation and equivalence, by bilingual translators. The questionnaire was then applied to 20 randomly selected patients with chronic liver disease. Patients had no difficulty understanding the questionnaire and considered all the questions applicable. The cultural equivalence of the CLDQ was demonstrated, without requiring changes in the original translation. The translation into Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation of the CLDQ successfully completed this important stage for its validation and use in Brazil.

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in a sample of Brazilian medical students / Fatores associados a sintomas depressivos entre estudantes de medicina da UNILUS

OBJECTIVES: 1 - Verify the prevalence of depressive symptoms in first to fourth-year medical students using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). 2 - Establish correlations between target factors and higher or lower BDI scores. 3 - Investigate the relationship between the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the demand for psychological care offered by the Centro Universitário Lusíada. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 290 first to fourth-year medical students; implementation of the BDI, socio-demographic survey, and evaluation of satisfaction with progress. RESULTS: The study sample was 59 percent female and 41 percent male. Mean BDI was 6.3 (SD 5.8). Overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 23.1 percent. The following associations were statistically significant (p<0.05): among students for whom the course failed to meet original expectations, who were dissatisfied with the course, or who came from the interior of the State (20.5 percent, 12.5 percent, and 24.4 percent of the total sample, respectively), for 40 percent, 36.1 percent and 36.4 percent, respectively, the BDI was consistent with some degree of depression. CONCLUSION: The study showed that there is higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in medical students than in the general population

OBJETIVOS: 1- Verificar prevalência de sintomas depressivos nos estudantes de medicina do 1º a 4º ano através do Inventário de Depressão de Beck (IDB). 2- Estabelecer correlações entre os fatores questionados e a incidência de maior ou menor pontuação no IDB. 3- Investigar relação entre a prevalência de sintomas depressivos e a procura por atendimento psicológico oferecido pela Universidade Lusíada. MÉTODO: Desenho transversal realizado com 290 acadêmicos do curso de medicina, do 1º ao 4º ano. Realizada aplicação do IDB, questionário sócio-demográfico e avaliação sobre satisfação com curso. RESULTADOS: Da amostra estudada, 59 por cento sãomulheres e 41 por cento homens. O escore médio do IDB foi de 6,3 com DP de 5,8. Aprevalência total desintomas depressivos foi de 23,1 por cento. As seguintes relaçõesapresentaram significância estatística (P<0,05): Dosestudantes queafirmam que o curso não corresponde às expectativas iniciais,dosestudantes insatisfeitos com o curso e dosestudantes procedentes do Interior do Estado(20,5 por cento; 12,5 por centoe 24,4 por cento da amostra total, respectivamente), 40 por cento, 36,1 por cento e 36,4 por cento respectivamente, tem escore compatível com algum grau de depressão. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostrou que há maior prevalência de sintomas depressivos nos estudantes de Medicina que na população geral