Ocular complications in adults with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in a referral center in Brazil.

PURPOSE: There is limited literature on the ocular manifestations in patients with psoriasis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with ocular manifestations in adults with psoriasis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included Brazilian adults with psoriasis. The dermatological evaluation included diagnosis, clinical form, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) measurement, and location of the lesions. Patients underwent a full ophthalmological examination, including the Schirmer I test, Rose Bengala staining, and tear breakup time tests. The results were analyzed using chi-square and Pearson's linear correlation tests. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients assessed, 118 (90.8%) exhibited ocular abnormalities, with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) being the most prevalent (59.2%), followed by dry eye disease (DED) (56.2%). A significant correlation was observed between MGD and PASI (p = 0.05), and between MGD and certain treatment modalities. DED was significantly associated with PASI (p < 0.05). Concurrent use of acitretin was identified as an independent predictor of MGD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, p < 0.05), whereas PASI was a protective factor against DED (OR = 0.39, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of eye disease among individuals with psoriasis, routine ophthalmological assessments are recommended to prevent possible ocular complications.

Urbanization and cardiovascular health among Indigenous groups in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: We described the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in groups of Brazilian Indigenous people at different degrees of urbanization. METHODS: The Project of Atherosclerosis among Indigenous populations (Projeto de Aterosclerose em Indígenas; PAI) is a cross-sectional study conducted in Northeast Brazil between August 2016-June 2017. It included three populations: Fulni-ô Indigenous people (lowest degree of urbanization), Truká Indigenous people (greater urbanization), and a highly urbanized non-Indigenous local cohort (control group). Participants were assessed to register sociodemographic, anthropometric, as well as clinical and laboratory-derived cardiovascular (CV) risk parameters. Age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was also computed. Nonparametric tests were used for group comparisons. RESULTS: Here we included 999 participants, with a predominance of females in all three groups (68.3% Control group, 65.0% Fulni-ô indigenous group, and 60.1% Truká indigenous group). Obesity was present in 45.6% of the urban non-Indigenous population, 37.7% Truká and in 27.6% Fulni-ô participants. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.1% (n = 297) with lower prevalence in the less urbanized Fulni-ô people (Fulni-ô - 18.2%; Truká - 33.9%; and Control - 33.8%; p < 0.001). In the elderly male population, the prevalence of hypertension was 18.7% in the Fulni-ô, 45.8% in the Truká, and 54.5% in the control group. Of the 342 participants that self-reported hypertension, 37.5% (n = 68) showed uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). Uncontrolled BP was more prevalent among Truká people when compared to Fulni-ô people and non-Indigenous participants (45.4%, 22.9%, and 40.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher cardiovascular risk in communities with a higher degree of urbanization, suggesting that living in towns and cities may have a negative impact on these aspects of cardiovascular health.

The lifestyles and environments of traditional indigenous and city-living communities differ. We compared rates of obesity and hypertension in members of two under-studied Indigenous groups in Northeast Brazil and a nearby urbanized group. We found higher rates of obesity and hypertension amongst members of the more urbanized community, suggesting that living in towns and cities may have a negative impact on these aspects of cardiovascular health. These results suggest those living in the city should modify their lifestyle and monitor their cardiovascular health more carefully if possible.

The inductor role of cardiac consultation in the pre-anesthetic evaluation of asymptomatic patients submitted to non-cardiac minor and intermediate-risk surgery: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic patients with moderate functional capacity do not require Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) workup in the preoperative period of non-cardiac surgeries, especially when scheduled for minor and intermediate-risk surgeries. The workup is inappropriate because it promotes over diagnosing and pointless treatments. Moreover, those patients usually undergo cardiology assessment, in addition to pre-anesthetic evaluation. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the role of cardiology consultation as mediator in inappropriate assessment of CAD for preoperative of non-cardiac surgeries. METHOD: Retrospective study performed in a private anesthesia service using medical charts of asymptomatic patients with a history of controlled systemic disease and moderate functional capacity, submitted to pre-anesthetic consultation for minor and intermediate risk surgeries. Cardiology consultations were identified by the presence of a consultation report by a cardiologist. CAD workup was defined as undergoing cardiac stress tests. RESULTS: We included 390 medical charts of patients with mean age of 48.6 ± 15.4 years, 67% women and 69% intermediate risk surgeries. CAD workup was infrequent and performed in 3.9% of patients. Besides, pre-anesthetic evaluation, 93 (24%) patients had a cardiology consultation. Among those patients, 15.1% were submitted to CAD workup, compared to 0.34% of patients without cardiology assessment (p < 0.001; RR = 4.4; 95% CI: 3.5-5.6). CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate testing for CAD investigation is infrequent for asymptomatic individuals submitted to minor and intermediate risk surgeries. However, cardiology consultation increases substantially the likelihood of a patient undergoing CAD workup, suggesting that, unlike the anesthesiologist, the cardiologist is a major mediator of this kind of management.

Does Advanced Age Reduce the Typicality of Clinical Presentation in Patients with Acute Chest Pain Related to Coronary Artery Disease? / Idade Avançada Reduz a Tipicidade da Apresentação Clínica em Pacientes Com Dor Torácica Aguda Relacionada a Doença Coronária Obstrutiva?

BACKGROUND: According to traditional diagnosis thinking, very elderly individuals are more predisposed to develop atypical symptoms in acute coronary syndromes. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that very elderly individuals are more predisposed to atypical chest pain manifestations due to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The Registry of Thoracic Pain includes patients admitted with acute chest pain. Firstly, the typicality index of this clinical manifestation was constructed: the sum of 12 symptom characteristics (8 typical and 4 atypical symptoms). In the subgroup of patients with coronary etiology, the typicality index was compared between octogenarian and non-octogenarian individuals. Statistical significance was defined by p<0.05. RESULTS: 958 patients were included in the registry, and 486 (51%) had a supposedly coronary etiology. In this group, 59 (12%) octogenarians (age 84±3.5, 50% men) were compared to 427 patients aged <80 (60±12 years, 71% men). The typicality index in octogenarians was 3.42±1.92, which is similar to that of non-octogenarians (3.44±1.74; p=0.92 in univariate analysis and p=0.80 after adjustment for sex by analysis of variance - ANOVA). There was also no statistically significant difference when the sample was divided into median age (62 years; 3.41±1.77 vs. 3.49 ± 1.77; p=0.61). There was no statistically significant linear association between age and typicality index (r=- 0.05; p=0.24). Logistic regression analysis for prediction of CAD in the general sample of 958 patients showed no interaction of typicality index with numeric age (p=0.94), octogenarians (p=0.22) or age above median (p=0.74). CONCLUSION: In patients with acute chest pain of coronary etiology, advanced age does not influence the typical clinical presentation.

FUNDAMENTO: De acordo com o pensamento diagnóstico tradicional, indivíduos muito idosos estão mais predispostos a desenvolver sintomas atípicos em síndromes coronarianas agudas. OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que indivíduos muito idosos estão mais predispostos a manifestações de dor torácica atípica devido à doença arterial coronariana obstrutiva (DAC). MÉTODOS: O Registro de dor torácica inclui pacientes internados com dor torácica aguda. Primeiramente, foi construído o índice de tipicidade dessa manifestação clínica: a soma de 12 características de sintomas (8 sintomas típicos e 4 sintomas atípicos). No subgrupo de pacientes com etiologia coronariana, o índice de tipicidade foi comparado entre octogenários e não octogenários. A significância estatística foi definida por p<0,05. RESULTADOS: 958 pacientes foram incluídos no registro, sendo que 486 (51%) tinham etiologia supostamente coronariana. Nesse grupo, 59 (12%) octogenários (idade 84±3,5; 50% homens) foram comparados a 427 pacientes com idade <80 (60±12 anos; 71% homens). O índice de tipicidade em octogenários foi 3,42±1,92, que é semelhante ao de não octogenários (3,44±1,74; p=0,092 na análise univariada e p=0,80 após ajuste para sexo pela análise de variância ­ ANOVA). Também não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa quando a amostra foi dividida em idade mediana (62 anos; 3,41±1,77 vs. 3,49 ± 1,77; p=0,61). Não houve associação linear estatisticamente significativa entre idade e índice de tipicidade (r=- 0,05; p=0,24). A análise de regressão logística para predição de DAC na amostra geral de 958 pacientes não mostrou interação do índice de tipicidade com a idade numérica (p=0,94), octogenários (p=0,22) ou idade acima da mediana (p=0,74). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com dor torácica aguda de etiologia coronariana, a idade avançada não influencia o quadro clínico típico.

Idade Avançada Reduz a Tipicidade da Apresentação Clínica em Pacientes Com Dor Torácica Aguda Relacionada a Doença Coronária Obstrutiva? / Does Advanced Age Reduce the Typicality of Clinical Presentation in Patients with Acute Chest Pain Related to Coronary Artery Disease?

Resumo Fundamento De acordo com o pensamento diagnóstico tradicional, indivíduos muito idosos estão mais predispostos a desenvolver sintomas atípicos em síndromes coronarianas agudas. Objetivo Testar a hipótese de que indivíduos muito idosos estão mais predispostos a manifestações de dor torácica atípica devido à doença arterial coronariana obstrutiva (DAC). Métodos O Registro de dor torácica inclui pacientes internados com dor torácica aguda. Primeiramente, foi construído o índice de tipicidade dessa manifestação clínica: a soma de 12 características de sintomas (8 sintomas típicos e 4 sintomas atípicos). No subgrupo de pacientes com etiologia coronariana, o índice de tipicidade foi comparado entre octogenários e não octogenários. A significância estatística foi definida por p<0,05. Resultados 958 pacientes foram incluídos no registro, sendo que 486 (51%) tinham etiologia supostamente coronariana. Nesse grupo, 59 (12%) octogenários (idade 84±3,5; 50% homens) foram comparados a 427 pacientes com idade <80 (60±12 anos; 71% homens). O índice de tipicidade em octogenários foi 3,42±1,92, que é semelhante ao de não octogenários (3,44±1,74; p=0,092 na análise univariada e p=0,80 após ajuste para sexo pela análise de variância — ANOVA). Também não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa quando a amostra foi dividida em idade mediana (62 anos; 3,41±1,77 vs. 3,49 ± 1,77; p=0,61). Não houve associação linear estatisticamente significativa entre idade e índice de tipicidade (r=- 0,05; p=0,24). A análise de regressão logística para predição de DAC na amostra geral de 958 pacientes não mostrou interação do índice de tipicidade com a idade numérica (p=0,94), octogenários (p=0,22) ou idade acima da mediana (p=0,74). Conclusão Em pacientes com dor torácica aguda de etiologia coronariana, a idade avançada não influencia o quadro clínico típico.

Abstract Background According to traditional diagnosis thinking, very elderly individuals are more predisposed to develop atypical symptoms in acute coronary syndromes. Objective To test the hypothesis that very elderly individuals are more predisposed to atypical chest pain manifestations due to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The Registry of Thoracic Pain includes patients admitted with acute chest pain. Firstly, the typicality index of this clinical manifestation was constructed: the sum of 12 symptom characteristics (8 typical and 4 atypical symptoms). In the subgroup of patients with coronary etiology, the typicality index was compared between octogenarian and non-octogenarian individuals. Statistical significance was defined by p<0.05. Results 958 patients were included in the registry, and 486 (51%) had a supposedly coronary etiology. In this group, 59 (12%) octogenarians (age 84±3.5, 50% men) were compared to 427 patients aged <80 (60±12 years, 71% men). The typicality index in octogenarians was 3.42±1.92, which is similar to that of non-octogenarians (3.44±1.74; p=0.92 in univariate analysis and p=0.80 after adjustment for sex by analysis of variance — ANOVA). There was also no statistically significant difference when the sample was divided into median age (62 years; 3.41±1.77 vs. 3.49 ± 1.77; p=0.61). There was no statistically significant linear association between age and typicality index (r=- 0.05; p=0.24). Logistic regression analysis for prediction of CAD in the general sample of 958 patients showed no interaction of typicality index with numeric age (p=0.94), octogenarians (p=0.22) or age above median (p=0.74). Conclusion In patients with acute chest pain of coronary etiology, advanced age does not influence the typical clinical presentation.

Consensus on evidence-based medicine curriculum contents for healthcare schools in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare professionals need to take into account their knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop a focused clinical question, perform an effective search of the literature, critically appraise the evidence, and apply to the clinical context and evaluate the effectiveness of the process. To date, there is a lack of consensus on evidence-based medicine (EBM) curriculum for undergraduate healthcare students in Brazil. The aim of this study was to develop a consensus on EBM curriculum contents for healthcare schools in Brazil considering expert opinion. DESIGN: Modified three-round Delphi methodology. SETTING: Online survey. PARTICIPANTS: The expert panel was composed of 40 healthcare professionals from different specialties. Most of the participants (n=24; 60%) were female with the age between 30 and 44 years. Participants were also experts in the field of epidemiology, biostatistics or public health. The mean experience of experts in teaching EBM was 9.5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An online questionnaire consisting of 89 items related to EBM was sent to the experts. The experts ranked each item of EBM curriculum considering the importance of each item as omitted, mentioned, explained or practised. The last section of the questionnaire was composed of 'additional content' where the experts evaluated only if an item should be included or not, the form of offering the EBM contents and the total workload (in hours/semester). Open-ended questions were present in each section to give the opportunity to experts to insert suggestions. Items that reached values greater than or equal to 70% of agreement among experts was considered definitive for the curriculum. Items between 51% and 69% of agreement were included for the next round and those items with less than or equal to 50% of agreement were considered unnecessary and were excluded. In the third round, the EBM contents were classified according to the degree of consensus as follow: strong (≥70% of agreement), moderate (51%-69% of agreement) and weak (50% of agreement) based on the maximum consensus reached. RESULTS: Of the 89 initial contents, 32 (35.9%) reached a strong degree of consensus, 23 (25.8%) moderate degree of consensus, two (2.2%) weak degree of consensus and 35 items were not recommended (≤50% of agreement). The workload suggested by experts should be between 61 and 90 hour/semester and an EBM curriculum should be offered with epidemiology and biostatistics as prerequisites. Regarding the importance of each item, 29 (72.5%) should be explained and 25 (27.5%) should be practised with exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The consensus on an EBM curriculum for Brazilian healthcare schools consists of 54 items. This EBM curriculum also presents the degree of consensus (strong, moderate and weak), the importance of each item (mentioned, explained and practised with exercises). A total workload of between 60 and 90 hours per semester was suggested and the EBM curriculum should be offered with epidemiology and biostatistics as prerequisites, but also EBM contents should be included within other disciplines throughout the entire undergraduate course.

Strain Longitudinal e Acidente Vascular Encefálico Isquêmico na Ausência de Cardiopatia Conhecida / Longitudinal Strain and Ischemic Stroke in the Absence of Known Heart Disease

Fundamento: O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é prevalente no mundo. Reconhecimento precoce da doença cardiovascular subclínica pode predizer um primeiro episódio de AVE isquêmico; o speckle tracking associado à ecocardiografia (STE) permite detecção precoce da disfunção miocárdica subclínica. Objetivo: Provar a associação entre deformação miocárdica avaliada pelo STE e primeiro episódio de AVE em indivíduos saudáveis. Método: Incluímos participantes entre 40-80 anos com primeiro episódio de AVE isquêmico sem cardiopatia conhecida, pareados por sexo, idade e hipertensão com grupo controle saudável na proporção 1:2. STE avaliou strain longitudinal (SL) do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), e ecocardiografia tradicional foi realizada. Análises univariada e multivariada avaliaram as relações do AVE com fatores de risco cardiovasculares e parâmetros derivados da ecocardiografia. Resultado: 29 casos e 62 controles foram incluídos. Média etária foi 60 ± 12 anos; 54% eram homens. Tabagismo foi mais prevalente em casos do que em controles (34% vs. 9%; p=0.001). Nenhum outro fator de risco evidenciou diferença estatística. Casos tiveram menor deformação miocárdica comparados aos controles (SL -16.7 ± 3.4% vs. -19.2 ± 2.8%; p < 0.001). Não houve diferença em relação aos parâmetros ecocardiográficos tradicionais. Após ajuste para tabagismo e hiperlipidemia, SL manteve-se independentemente associado com AVE (OR=1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 ­ 1.6; p=0.005). A área abaixo à curva ROC para AVE aumentou significativamente após adicionar SL ao tabagismo (0.65 para 0.78, respectivamente; p=0.009). Conclusão: SL tem independente associação com o primeiro episódio de AVE isquêmico em adultos de média idade com corações geralmente normais. SL pode ser potencial marcador de risco nesta população

Background: Stroke is prevalent worldwide, and early recognition of subclinical cardiovascular (CV) disease could predict a first ischemic stroke (IS) episode. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) allows the detection of early subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Aim: To examine the association between myocardial deformation, evaluated by STE, and first episode of IS in a sample of otherwise healthy patients. Methods: We included individuals between 40­80 years old, with a first incidence of IS, with no known CV disease, matched to healthy controls by sex, age, and hypertension at a 1:2 ratio. STE was used to assess LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), and traditional echocardiography was performed. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the relationship among stroke, CV risk factors, and echocardiographyderived parameters. Results: A total of 29 cases and 62 controls were included. The mean age of the patients was 60 ± 12 y/o, and 54% were males. Smoking was more prevalent in cases compared to controls (34% vs. 9%; p = 0.001), and there were no significant differences in the other examined risk factors. Cases had less myocardial deformation compared to controls (GLS: -16.7% ± 3.4% vs. -19.2 ± 2.8%; p < 0.001), and there was no

Implementation of the Choosing Wisely Campaign at a Medical Clinic Internship / Implementação da Campanha Choosing Wisely no Internato de Clínica Médica

Abstract: Objective: to evaluate the implementation of the Choosing Wisely (CW) campaign strategies at a medical clinic internship. Methods: This interventional study involved internship teachers and students, using online questionnaires on the SurveyMonkey platform, and face-to-face activities. Using the Delphi technique, teachers identified three unnecessary situations that commonly occur in practice. The recommendations were grouped by frequency and subject, adapted to the CW format. A Likert scale was used to classify the specialists' opinion aiming to obtain the final list of recommendations. Before the introduction of the CW campaign, we conducted an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Two groups of students were compared: one group that underwent the same OSCE evaluation before the implementation of the CW campaign (110), and another group that participated of all educational actions (n = 98). The CW campaign was implemented by developing educational actions using the recommendations during workshops, banners, and theoretical evaluation, in addition to an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Results: after grouping the recommendations, 24 items remained. The specialists selected eight recommendations by frequency, addressing unnecessary behaviors such as requesting multiple exams, overuse of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, the indication of digestive endoscopy in younger patients with dyspepsia, excessive chest X-rays in intensive care unit, prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis for longer than recommended, routine indication of allergic tests, inadequate initial screening for thyroid assessment, and spirometry in asymptomatic patients. The educational actions resulted in a process of awareness and discussion among the participants, evidenced by theoretical evaluation (> 95%), as well as in the OSCE, where the level of successes was higher in the exposed group when compared to the nonexposed group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: the implementation of the CW campaign improved the clinical skills of medical clinic internship students and allowed positive discussions about cost-consciousness in health.

Resumo: Objetivo: avaliar a implementação de estratégias da campanha Choosing Wisely (CW) no internato de clínica médica. Métodos: Este estudo de intervenção envolveu professores e alunos do internato, por meio de questionários on-line na plataforma SurveyMonkey e atividades presenciais. Usando a técnica Delphi, os professores identificaram três situações desnecessárias que geralmente ocorrem na prática. As recomendações foram agrupadas por frequência e assunto e adaptadas ao formato CW. Utilizou-se uma escala Likert para classificar a opinião dos especialistas, obtendo-se a lista final de recomendações. Antes da introdução da campanha da CW, realizamos um Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (OSCE). Foram comparados dois grupos de estudantes: um grupo que realizou a avaliação OSCE antes da implantação da campanha CW (110) e outro que participou de todas as ações educativas (n = 98). Implementamos a campanha da CW, desenvolvendo ações educativas usando as recomendações durante oficinas, banners e avaliação teórica, além de um Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (OSCE). Resultados: após o agrupamento das recomendações, restaram 24 itens. Os especialistas selecionaram oito recomendações, abordando comportamentos desnecessários como solicitação de vários exames, uso excessivo de anti-inflamatórios não hormonais, indicação de endoscopia digestiva para pacientes mais jovens com dispepsia, excesso de radiografia de tórax em unidade de terapia intensiva, prescrição de profilaxia antibiótica por mais tempo do que o recomendado, indicação de rotina de testes alérgicos, triagem inicial inadequada para avaliação da tireóide e espirometria em pacientes assintomáticos. As ações educativas resultaram em conscientização e discussão entre os participantes, evidenciado por meio de avaliação teórica (> 95%), bem como no OSCE, onde o nível de sucessos foi maior no grupo exposto quando comparado ao grupo não exposto (p = 0,001). Conclusão: a implementação da campanha CW melhorou as habilidades clínicas dos estudantes do internato em clínica médica e permitiu discussões positivas sobre custo-consciência em saúde.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcome After Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy in Patients With Chagas Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this analysis was to pool data from published studies on outcomes after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with Chagas heart disease (CHD). BACKGROUND: CHD is characterized by a high burden of ventricular arrhythmias and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The indications for ICD are not well established. METHODS: An extensive literature search without language restrictions was performed to identify all studies on ICD therapy in patients with CHD. A random effects model was used to calculate percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Of 397 articles screened, 13 studies (all observational) were included. There were 1,041 patients (mean age at implantation 57 ± 11 years; 64% men), most of whom (92%) received an ICD for secondary prevention. Antiarrhythmic medication consisted of amiodarone (79%) and beta-blockers (44%). Overall, the annual all-cause mortality rate was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.9 to 11.7) in 2.8 ± 1.9 years of follow-up, and the annual sudden cardiac death rate was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.3 to 3.3) in 2.6 ± 1.9 years. In addition, 24.8% (95% CI: 15.7 to 37.0) of patients received 1 or more appropriate interventions (shocks or antitachycardia pacing), 4.7% (95% CI: 3.2 to 6.9) received inappropriate shocks, and 9.1% (95% CI: 5.5 to 14.7) had electric storms annually. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an ICD, annual all-cause mortality rate was 9%. Appropriate ICD interventions and electric storms were frequent, occurring at a rate of 25% and 9% per year, respectively. Inappropriate ICD shocks were not infrequent (5% per year). The benefits and risks of ICD therapy in patients with CHD should be carefully weighed until data from better studies become available.

Behavioral Influence of Known Prognostic Markers on the Cardiologist's Decision following Acute Coronary Syndrome: the GRACE Score Paradox / Influência comportamental da predição de risco no processo de decisão do cardiologista: o paradoxo do Escore GRACE

Abstract Background: Behavioral scientists consistently point out that knowledge does not influence decisions as expected. GRACE Score is a well validated risk model for predicting death of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, whether prognostic assessment by this Score modulates medical decision is not known. Objective: To test the hypothesis that the use of a validated risk score rationalizes the choice of invasive strategies for higher risk patients with non-ST-elevation ACS. Methods: ACS patients were consecutively included in this prospective registry. GRACE Score was routinely used by cardiologists as the prognostic risk model. An invasive strategy was defined as an immediate decision of the coronary angiography, which in the selective strategy was only indicated in case of positive non-invasive test or unstable course. Firstly, we evaluated the association between GRACE and invasiviness; secondly, in order to find out the actual determinants of the invasive strategy, we built a propensity model for invasive decision. For this analysis, a p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: In a sample of 570 patients, an invasive strategy was adopted for 394 (69%). GRACE Score was 118 ± 38 for the invasive group, similar to 116 ± 38 for the selective group (p = 0.64). A propensity score for the invasive strategy was derived from logistic regression: positive troponin and ST-deviation (positive associations) and hemoglobin (negative association). This score predicted an invasive strategy with c-statistics of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.63-0.73), opposed to GRACE Score (AUC 0.51; 95%CI: 0.47-0.57). Conclusion: The dissociation between GRACE Score and invasive decision in ACS suggests that the knowledge of prognostic probabilities might not determine medical decision.

Resumo Fundamento: Cientistas behavioristas ressaltam consistentemente que conhecimento não influencia decisão como esperado. O escore GRACE é um modelo de risco bem validado para prever morte de pacientes com síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCA). Todavia, não se sabe se a avaliação prognóstica pelo GRACE modula decisão médica. Objetivo: Testar a hipótese de que a utilização de escore de risco validado racionaliza a escolha de estratégias invasivas para pacientes de alto risco com SCA sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. Métodos: Pacientes com SCA foram consecutivamente incluídos neste registro prospectivo. O escore GRACE foi rotineiramente utilizado pelos cardiologistas como modelo de risco prognóstico. Estratégia invasiva foi definida como decisão imediata de cinecoronariografia, que na conservadora só era indicada se teste não invasivo positivo ou curso instável. Primeiro, avaliamos a associação entre GRACE e invasividade; segundo, a fim de descobrir atuais determinantes da estratégia invasiva, construímos um modelo de propensão para ela. Foi considerado significante um valor de p < 0,05 para esta análise. Resultados: Em amostra de 570 pacientes, estratégia invasiva foi adotada para 394 (69%). O escore GRACE foi de 118 ± 38 para o grupo invasivo, semelhante a 116 ± 38 do conservador (p = 0,64). O escore de propensão para estratégia invasiva foi derivado da regressão logística: troponina positiva e desvio de ST (associações positivas) e hemoglobina (associação negativa). Esse escore predisse estratégia invasiva com estatística-c de 0,68 (IC95%: 0,63-0,73), contrariando o Escore GRACE (AUC 0,51; IC95%: 0,47-0,57). Conclusão: A dissociação observada entre o valor do Escore GRACE e decisão invasiva em SCA sugere que o pensamento probabilístico pode não ser um importante determinante da decisão médica.

Behavioral Influence of Known Prognostic Markers on the Cardiologist's Decision following Acute Coronary Syndrome: the GRACE Score Paradox.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral scientists consistently point out that knowledge does not influence decisions as expected. GRACE Score is a well validated risk model for predicting death of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, whether prognostic assessment by this Score modulates medical decision is not known. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the use of a validated risk score rationalizes the choice of invasive strategies for higher risk patients with non-ST-elevation ACS. METHODS: ACS patients were consecutively included in this prospective registry. GRACE Score was routinely used by cardiologists as the prognostic risk model. An invasive strategy was defined as an immediate decision of the coronary angiography, which in the selective strategy was only indicated in case of positive non-invasive test or unstable course. Firstly, we evaluated the association between GRACE and invasiviness; secondly, in order to find out the actual determinants of the invasive strategy, we built a propensity model for invasive decision. For this analysis, a p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: In a sample of 570 patients, an invasive strategy was adopted for 394 (69%). GRACE Score was 118 ± 38 for the invasive group, similar to 116 ± 38 for the selective group (p = 0.64). A propensity score for the invasive strategy was derived from logistic regression: positive troponin and ST-deviation (positive associations) and hemoglobin (negative association). This score predicted an invasive strategy with c-statistics of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.63-0.73), opposed to GRACE Score (AUC 0.51; 95%CI: 0.47-0.57). CONCLUSION: The dissociation between GRACE Score and invasive decision in ACS suggests that the knowledge of prognostic probabilities might not determine medical decision.

Option for the radial versus femoral access in coronary intervention in acute coronary syndromes: a risk-treatment paradox / Opção para o acesso radial versus femoral na intervenção coronária em síndromes coronárias agudas: um paradoxo de tratamento de risco

Background: In coronary procedures, although the radial approach protects patients from hemorrhagic complications, it is technically more complex than the femoral approach. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that the radial approach is the procedure of choice in ACS patients due to the high risk of bleeding; and to identify independent predictors of the choice for radial access. Methods: Patients admitted for ACS who underwent invasive coronary procedure were included. We registered the type of access (femoral or radial) chosen by the physician for the first angiography; the investigators did not interfere with this choosing process. Student's t-test was used for comparisons between the CRUSADE and ACUITY scores. Predictors of radial access were compared between the groups. Statistical significance was defined by p < 0,05.Results: Radial access was chosen in 67% of 347 consecutive patients. Patients who underwent radial approach had lower risk of bleeding determined by CRUSADE (30 ± 14 vs. 37 ± 15; p < 0.001) as compared with femoral access. In multivariate analysis, four variables were identified as independent predictors negatively associated with radial access ­ age (OR = 0.98; 95%CI = 0.96 ­ 0.99), creatinine (OR = 0.54; 95%CI = 0.3 ­ 0.98), signs of left ventricular failure (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.22 ­ 0.92) and previous CABG (OR = 0.022; 95%CI = 0.003 ­ 0.166). Conclusion: The propensity to choose radial over femoral access in coronary intervention was not primarily influenced by patients' bleeding risk. Predictors of this decision, identified in the study, indicated less complex patients, suggesting that the difficulty in performing the technique was a stronger determinant than its potential antihemorrhagic effect