Evaluation of Anxiety and Vital Signs in Adults Undergoing Different Dental Procedures: A Prospective Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vital signs related with different dental treatments, and correlate with demographic data and participants' anxiety level. This is a prospective clinical study with 60 participants, divided into 3 groups of dental procedures: (1) restorative treatment, (2) extractions and biopsies, and (3) gingival treatment. A level of anxiety questionnaire before dental procedure proposed by Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale was collected. Respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, temperature and oxygenation were measured before, during and after the procedures. 31 (51.7 %) women and 29 (48.3 %) men were included, with mean age of 41.75 years old. Most participants (50 %) were classified as very little anxious. Diastolic pressure before the procedure was higher for slightly anxious patients when compar ed with very little anxious patients (p=0.028). Systolic pressure before, during and after the procedure was higher for participan ts above 40 years old (p=0,001). Heart rate (p=0,050) and temperature (p=0,041) was higher before the restorative treatment. Anxiety can promote changes in vital signs in the dental environment. Vital signs, sex, age and level of anxiety do influence the blood pressure at different clinical moments. Dental procedures have association with variations in temperature, heart and respiratory rate.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los signos vitales relacionados con diferentes tratamientos dentales y correlacionarlos con datos demográficos y el nivel de ansiedad de los participantes. Este es un estudio clínico prospectivo con 60 participantes, divididos en 3 grupos de procedimientos dentales: (1) tratamiento restaurador, (2) extracciones y biopsias, y (3) tratamiento gingival. Se recogió un cuestionario de nivel de ansiedad antes del procedimiento odontológico propuesto por la Escala de Ansiedad Dental de Corah. Se midieron la frecuencia respiratoria, la presión sistólica y diastólica, la temperatura y la oxigenación antes, durante y después de los procedimientos. Se incluyeron 31 (51,7 %) mujeres y 29 (48,3 %) hombres, con edad media de 41,75 años. La mayoría de los participantes (50 %) fueron clasificados como muy poco ansiosos. La presión diastólica antes del procedimiento fue mayor en los pacientes ligeramente ansiosos en comparación con los pacientes muy poco ansiosos(p=0,028). La presión sistólica antes, durante y después del procedimiento fue mayor para los participantes mayores de 40 años (p=0,001). La frecuencia cardíaca (p=0,050) y la temperatura (p=0,041) fueron mayores antes del tratamiento restaurativo. La ansiedad puede promover cambios en los signos vitales en el entorno dental. Los signos vitales, el sexo, la edad y el nivel de ansiedad sí influyen en la presión arterial en los diferentes momentos clínicos. Los procedimientos dentales tienen asociación con variaciones de temperatura, frecuencia cardíaca y respiratoria.

Infodemia de COVID-19 e estresse percebido em idosos que utilizam as mídias sociais / COVID-19 infodemic and perceived stress in elderly people who use social media

Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre infodemia de COVID-19 e estresse percebido em idosos que utilizam as mídias sociais. Métodos: Estudo transversal por web-based survey, 470 idosos respondentes a questões sociodemográficas, de exposição a informações sobre COVID-19, e sinais e sintomas associados ao sofrimento psíquico. Variável de desfecho avaliada pela Escala de Estresse Percebido e pontuação média segundo variáveis independentes comparada por teste t, análise de variância ou correlação de Pearson e construído modelo final por regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: As variáveis significativas no modelo final (p < 0,05) foram: exposição pela TV (β = -0,144; IC95 porcent= -11,195 - -1,609); exposição pelas redes sociais (β = -0,175; IC95 porcent= -8,117 - -0,837); rastreio positivo para sofrimento psíquico devido à exposição a informações sobre COVID-19 (β = -0,380; IC95 porcent= -16,033 - -8,975). Conclusão: A infodemia pode potencializar o estresse em idosos, demandando cuidados específicos para essa população e o fortalecimento de sua rede social(AU)

Objective: To analyze the relationship between COVID-19 infodemic and perceived stress in elderly people who use social media. Methods: Cross-sectional study using a web-based survey, 470 aged respondents to sociodemographic questions, exposure to information about COVID-19, and signs and symptoms associated with psychological distress. Outcome variable evaluated by the Perceived Stress Scale and mean score according to independent variables compared by t-test, analysis of variance or Pearson's correlation and final model constructed by multiple linear regression. Results: The significant variables in the final model (p < 0.05) were: TV exposure (β = -0.144; 95percentCI= -11.195 - -1.609); exposure through social networks (β = -0.175; CI95percent = -8.117 - -0.837); positive screening for psychological distress due to exposure to information about COVID-19 (β = -0.380; 95percentCI= -16.033 - -8.975). Conclusion: infodemic can increase stress in the elderly, demanding specific care for this population and the strengthening of their social network(AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la infodemia de COVID-19 y el estrés percibido en ancianos usuarios de redes sociales. Métodos: Estudio transversal mediante una encuesta basada en la web; 470 ancianos que respondieron preguntas sociodemográficas, exposición a la información sobre la COVID-19 y los signos y síntomas asociados con la angustia psicológica. La variable se evaluó por la escala de estrés percibido y la puntuación media según las variables independientes, comparadas por t-test, análisis de variación o correlación de Pearson y el modelo final construido por regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Las variables significativas en el modelo final (p < 0,05) fueron: exposición a la televisión (β = -0,144; IC95 por ciento = -11,195 - -1,609); exposición a través de redes sociales (β = -0,175; IC95 por ciento = -8,117 - -0,837); cribado positivo de malestar psicológico por exposición a información sobre la COVID-19 (β = -0,380; IC95 por ciento= -16,033 - -8,975). Conclusiones: La infodemia puede aumentar el estrés en los ancianos, lo que exige cuidados específicos para esa población y el fortalecimiento de su red social(AU)

Fast, simple and cheap: method modified from conventional cultivation for tuberculosis diagnosis allows seeding on Löwenstein-Jensen of any swab-embedded pulmonary samples decontaminated with sodium hydroxide.

BACKGROUND: Few tuberculosis (TB) control programmes in low-income countries have access to culture facilities in their primary care diagnostic centres and this scenario may have worsened with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Thus the aim was to develop and evaluate a simpler TB test that allows seeding on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium of several swab-embedded samples decontaminated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). METHODS: A cotton swab containing each sample was decontaminated in NaOH before being dipped into a slightly acidic solution to neutralize the pH in order to allow the culture to develop on LJ medium. Samples (n=543) from suspected or confirmed pulmonary TB were analysed in two phases: standardization (n=167) and evaluation of the study method (n=376). RESULTS: The study method showed sensitivity >95% and specificity >93% using Ogawa-Kudoh (OK) and modified Petroff (MP) as standards and was comparable to MP-LJ (p>0.05) and slightly superior to OK (p=0.03) for sputum culture and more comprehensive than the latter for other pulmonary specimens. CONCLUSIONS: This article reports a more comprehensive, simpler and less costly method for diagnosing TB in the laboratory with fewer economic resources and biosafety equipment. Thus a patent application was filed (BR1020190103841).

Repercussões da infodemia associada ao COVID-19 na saúde mental do idoso no Brasil / Repercusiones de la infodemia asociada al COVID-19 en la salud mental de los ancianos en Brasil / Repercussions of infodemia associated with COVID-19 on the mental health of the elderly in Brazil

O fenômeno denominado infodemia refere-se ao aumento do volume informacional sobre um tema em específico, que se multiplica rapidamente em um curto período de tempo, e tem-se destacado frente ao contexto da crise sanitária desencadeada pela pandemia de COVID-19. O excesso de informações pode suscitar sentimentos de medo, ansiedade, estresse e outras condições de sofrimento mental. O estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil de exposição a informações sobre COVID-19 e suas repercussões na saúde mental de idosos brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 1924 idosos brasileiros. Coletaram-se dados por meio de web-based survey enviada aos idosos por redes sociais e e-mail, no período de julho a outubro de 2020. Os resultados da análise descritiva dos dados demonstram que a maioria dos idosos apresentou idade entre 60 e 69 anos (69,02por cento), é do sexo feminino (71,26por cento), casados (53,79 por cento) e de cor branca (75,57por cento). Cerca de 21,67por cento (n = 417) concluíram a graduação, 19,75por cento (380) concluíram especialização e 16,63por cento (320) concluíram mestrado ou doutorado. Foram reportados como fontes frequentes de exposição às notícias ou informações sobre a COVID-19, a televisão 862 (44,80por cento) e as redes sociais 651 (33,84por cento). Os participantes assinalaram que a televisão (46,47por cento; n = 872), as redes sociais (30,81por cento; n = 575) e o rádio (14,48por cento; 251) os afetavam psicológica e/ou fisicamente. Receber notícias falsas sobre a COVID-19 pela televisão (n = 482; 19,8por cento) e pelas redes sociais (n = 415; 21,5por cento) repercutiu, principalmente, estresse e medo. As informações disseminadas contribuem para conscientização, mas, também, afetam física e/ou psicologicamente muitos idosos, principalmente gerando medo e estresse(AU)

El fenómeno denominado infodemia hace referencia al aumento del volumen de información sobre un tema específico, que se multiplica rápidamente en un corto período, y ha destacado en el contexto de la crisis sanitaria desencadenada por la pandemia de la COVID-19. Demasiada información puede desencadenar sentimientos de miedo, ansiedad, estrés y otras condiciones de angustia mental. El estudio tiene como objetivo describir el perfil de exposición a la información sobre la COVID-19 y sus repercusiones en la salud mental de los ancianos brasileños. Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado con 1924 ancianos brasileños. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de una encuesta web enviada a los ancianos a través de redes sociales y correo electrónico, de julio a octubre de 2020. Los resultados del análisis descriptivo de los datos muestran que la mayoría de los ancianos tenían entre 60 y 69 años (69,02 por ciento), mujer (71,26 por ciento), casada (53,79 por ciento) y blanca (75,57 por ciento). El 21,67 por ciento (n = 417) concluyó su graduación, el 19,75 por ciento (380) concluyó especialización y el 16,63 por ciento (320) concluyó maestría o doctorado. La televisión 862 (44,80 por ciento) y las redes sociales 651 (33,84 por ciento) se reportaron como fuentes frecuentes de exposición a noticias o información sobre el COVID-19. Los participantes indicaron que la televisión (46,47 por ciento; n = 872), las redes sociales (30,81 por ciento; n = 575) y la radio (14,48 por ciento; 251) les afectaban psicológica y/o físicamente. Recibir noticias falsas sobre el COVID-19 en la televisión (n = 482; 19,8 por ciento) y en las redes sociales (n = 415; 21,5 por ciento) resultó principalmente en estrés y miedo. La información difundida contribuye a la sensibilización, pero también afecta física y/o psicológicamente a muchas personas mayores, generando principalmente miedo y estrés(AU)

The phenomenon called infodemia refers to the increase in the volume of information on a specific topic, which multiplies rapidly in a short period of time, and has stood out in the context of the health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Too much information can trigger feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, and other conditions of mental distress. The study aims to describe the profile of exposure to information about COVID-19 and its repercussions on the mental health of elderly Brazilians. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 1924 elderly Brazilians. Data were collected through a web-based survey sent to the elderly via social networks and email, from July to October 2020. The results of the descriptive analysis of the data show that most of the elderly were aged between 60 and 69 years (69.02percent), female (71.26percent), married (53.79percent) and white (75.57percent). About 21.67percent (n = 417) concluded their graduation, 19.75percent (380) concluded their specialization and 16.63percent (320) concluded their master's or doctoral degrees. Television 862 (44.80percent) and social networks 651 (33.84percent) were reported as frequent sources of exposure to news or information about COVID-19. Participants indicated that television (46.47percent; n = 872), social networks (30.81percent; n = 575) and radio (14.48percent; 251) affected them psychologically and/or physically. Receiving fake news about COVID-19 on television (n = 482; 19.8percent) and on social media (n = 415; 21.5percent) mainly resulted in stress and fear. The disseminated information contributes to awareness, but also affects physically and/or psychologically many elderly people, mainly generating fear and stress(AU)

A Cross-sectional Study of Nutritional Status, Diet, and Dietary Restrictions Among Persons With an Ileostomy or Colostomy.

Little is known about the nutritional status and dietary habits of persons with an intestinal stoma, and no specific dietary guidelines have been established. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients of a Stoma Patient Health Care Service in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to compare the nutritional status of persons with an ileostomy or colostomy and to evaluate which foods are avoided most frequently and why. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, arm circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness) and body fat were assessed. Habitual dietary intake (energy, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B3 [niacin], and vitamin B12) was assessed using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods avoided and reasons for avoidance (increased odor, increased gas, increased output, constipation, appliance leakage, and feelings regarding leaving home) were assessed. All data were collected without personal identifiers and stored in electronic files. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups. Chi-squared analysis with Yates' continuity correction or Fisher's exact test was employed to examine the differences in the frequency of avoided foods by reasons for avoidance between the 2 groups. Of the 103 participants (52 [50.5%] men, 51 [49.5%] women; mean age 60.5 ± 12.9 years); 63 (61.2%) had a colostomy and 40 (38.8%) had an ileostomy. For both groups combined, time since surgery ranged from 1 to 360 months. Anthropometric measurements and body composition did not suggest nutritional deficiencies and did not differ significantly between groups. Persons with an ileostomy had a significantly lower fat and niacin intake than persons with a colostomy (P <.05). No other dietary intake differences were observed. Avoiding foods due to appliance leakage was more common among participants with an ileostomy (8, 20%) than a colostomy (3, 4.8%), and vegetables and fruits were reported as the most problematic foods. None of the other cited reasons was significantly different. The results of this study confirm that many persons with a stoma adjust their dietary intake and avoid certain foods which, especially in persons with an ileostomy, may increase their risk for nutritional deficiencies. Additional research to assess dietary intake and nutritional status variables as well as patient needs is needed to facilitate the development of specific nutritional status monitoring and dietary recommendations for persons with an ileostomy or colostomy.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Stoma Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patients With a Colostomy or Ileostomy in Brazil: A Cross-sectional Study.

Many studies examining the quality of life of stoma patients utilize questionnaires that have not been validated specifically for these patients in their native language. Owing to the large and increasing prevalence of intestinal stomas, a cross-sectional study was conducted among patients of a stoma patient health care service in Juiz de Fora, Brazil between September 2014 and August 2015 to validate the Stoma Quality of Life (Stoma-QoL) questionnaire in Portuguese (Brazilian variant). In addition, the effect of sociodemographic, clinical, and eating habit variables on the quality of life of people with a colostomy or ileostomy was assessed. Eating habit variables included eating comfort in the postoperative period, excluding foods for a period of time, fear of eating, and excluding foods that may cause odor, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. All patients with a colostomy or ileostomy served by 1 ostomy care center were invited to participate. Patients who were at least 18 years of age, provided signed informed consent, and had the physical and mental capacity to complete the questionnaire were eligible to participate. The sociodemographic, clinical history, eating behavior, and Stoma-QoL questionnaires were administered by trained researchers as part of patient nutritional care. A sample of 11 (10% of all study participants) also completed the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which includes a Mental Component Summary (MCS) and a Physical Component Summary (PCS), to establish convergent validity. All participant response data were collected using a standardized form developed for this study and stored in electronic files. The identities of patients were kept anonymous, and patients had the option to refuse to participate during the assessment. Data were analyzed descriptively; the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze associations among the variables collected. Normal distribution of the Stoma-QoL total scores was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Internal consistency was assessed as a whole using Cronbach's alpha, and agreement and reproducibility were determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Relationships between the Stoma-QoL and the SF-12 items were examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The majority of the 111 participants were men (57, 51.4%), most (94, 84.7%) were 50 years of age or older, 70 (63.1%) had a colostomy, and 41 (36.9%) had an ileostomy. Most stomas (79, 71.2%) were created to treat cancer of the colon and rectum. The mean overall Stoma-QoL score for study participants was 58.7 ± SD 12.0 (range 32.0-78.0). The internal consistency of the translated Stoma-QoL was .87, demonstrating a high degree of reliability. The convergent validity of the Stoma-QoL with the SF-12 confirmed higher correlation among the items regarding emotional aspects, mental health, social aspects, and vitality, with a higher correlation with the MCS (r = .52; P = .02) and lower correlation between the PCS and the items that assess general health, functional capacity, physical aspects, and pain (r = .38; P = .04), although both were significant. A moderate and significant association was noted between the questionnaires. Women (P = .02) and patients who deprived themselves of food for a certain period of time had a lower quality of life (P = .05). Persons who excluded foods out of fear of repercussions also had significantly lower QoL scores (P <.001). Colostomy and ileostomy patients had a similar quality of life. This study confirms the Stoma-QoL is a valid research tool for colostomy and ileostomy patients in Brazil. Further studies are recommended in the field of food and nutrition to verify observed concerns related to the eating behavior of intestinal stoma patients and the relationship to their quality of life.

Anthropometric indicators of obesity as predictors of cardiovascular risk in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Various anthropometric indicators can be used as predictors of cardiovascular risk in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the predictive capacity of anthropometric measurements in identifying cardiovascular risk in elderly patients at the Family Health Strategy of Viçosa-MG. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study with 349 elderly persons. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the ratio of triglyceride levels with HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) levels. The anthropometric variables measured were waist circumference, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and conicity index. A biochemical assessment of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol was performed. The anthropometric measurements were also related to cardiovascular risk using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The observed results suggest that all these anthropometric indexes can be used to predict cardiovascular risk in males. However, in females, only BMI showed predictive capacity. The cutoff points identified appeared very close to the cutoffs recommended and recognized in other studies, with the exception of waist circumference measured at the midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest, which showed a considerable difference. CONCLUSION: All anthropometric indices can be used to predict cardiovascular risk in males and females. Waist circumference at the midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest was the best anthropometric measure to predict cardiovascular risk in males and smaller waist circumference and waist-height were the best anthropometric measures in females.

Introducción: diversos indicadores antropométricos se pueden utilizar como predictores de riesgo cardiovascular en los ancianos. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad predictiva de las medidas antropométricas en la identificación de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes ancianos en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia de Viçosa-MG. Metodología: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico transversal con 349 ancianos. El riesgo cardiovascular se calculó mediante la relación de los niveles de triglicéridos con niveles de HDL-colesterol (TG / HDL-c). Las variables antropométricas medidas fueron: circunferencia de la cintura, índice de masa corporal, relación cintura-altura e índice de conicidad. Se realizó una evaluación bioquímica de triglicéridos y HDL-colesterol. Las mediciones antropométricas también estaban relacionados con el riesgo cardiovascular utilizando la característica (ROC) Curvas Receiver Operating. Resultados: los resultados observados indican que todos estos índices antropométricos se pueden usar para predecir el riesgo cardiovascular en los hombres. Sin embargo, en las mujeres, solo el IMC mostró capacidad predictiva. Los puntos de corte identificados aparecieron muy cerca de los puntos de corte recomendados y reconocidos en otros estudios, con la excepción de la circunferencia de la cintura, que se mide en el punto medio entre la última costilla y la cresta ilíaca, que mostró una diferencia considerable. Conclusión: todos los índices antropométricos se pueden usar para predecir el riesgo cardiovascular en hombres y mujeres. La circunferencia de la cintura en el punto medio entre la última costilla y la cresta ilíaca era la mejor medida antropométrica para predecir el riesgo cardiovascular en los varones y la circunferencia de cintura más pequeña y cintura-altura fueron las mejores medidas antropométricas en las mujeres.