Prevalence of functional dependence and chronic diseases in the community-dwelling Brazilian older adults: an analysis by dependence severity and multimorbidity pattern.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advancements in knowledge about health care for older adults, essential gaps persist regarding the effects of chronic diseases as epidemiological markers of the state of functional dependence. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of moderate and severe functional dependence in Brazilian older adults and its association with chronic diseases and verify the multimorbidity patterns by dependence status. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical study used data from 11,177 community-dwelling Brazilian older adults from the 2013 National Health Survey conducted in Brazil. The dependent variables were moderate and severe functional dependence in basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs). The independent variables were defined based on the questions applied to measure each morbidity in a self-reported manner and asked, "Has a doctor ever diagnosed you as having (each disease)? Multimorbidity was simultaneously considered present for older adults with ≥ 2 chronic morbidities. The association between functional dependence on BADLs and IADLs separately by severity and the independent variables was verified from crude and adjusted estimates of the point prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals using the regression model Poisson with robust variance. To group diseases into patterns, exploratory factor analysis was used. RESULTS: The prevalences of moderate and severe BADL dependence were 10.2% (95% CI, 9.6-10.7) and 4.8% (95% CI, 4.4-5.2), respectively. Moderate and severe IADL dependence prevalences were 13.8% (95% CI, 13.1-14.4) and 15.6% (95% CI, 14.9%-16.2), respectively. When changing the condition from moderate to severe dependence in BADLs, in the presence of other mental illnesses and stroke, the probability of dependence increased more than four times in the case of other mental illnesses and more than five times for stroke. There was a linear trend for dependence severity, both moderate and severe, whereas, for severe dependence on IADLs, this same factor maintained a linear trend toward an increase in probability as the number of diseases simultaneously increased. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic diseases are associated with functional dependence, with greater emphasis on mental illnesses and stroke in severe disability, considering their acute adverse effects.

Association between impairment and self-rated heath: a brazilian population study considering type, origin, and degree of limitation.

BACKGROUND: Perceived health is a well-known, low-cost measure in public health, and has been used in several studies on individuals with impairment. Although many studies have related impairment to self-rated health (SRH), few have considered the origin and degree of limitation of the impairment. This study examined whether physical, hearing, or visual impairments-when analyzed according to origin (congenital or acquired) and degree of limitation (with or without)-are associated with the SRH status. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data of 43,681 adult individuals from the Brazilian National Health Survey (NHS, 2013). The outcome SRH was dichotomized into poor (including the regular, poor, and very poor responses) or good (including the good and very good responses). Crude and adjusted (for socio-demographic characteristics and chronic diseases history) prevalence ratios (PR) estimates were evaluated using Poisson regression models with the robust variance estimator. RESULTS: Poor SRH prevalence was estimated at 31.8% (95%CI:31.0-33.0) among the non-impaired population, 65.6% (95%CI:60.6-70.0) among individuals with physical impairment, 50.3% (95%CI:45.0-56.0) for people with hearing impairment, and 55.3% (95%CI:51.8-59.0) for the visually impaired. Individuals with congenital physical impairment-with or without limitations-presented the strongest association with the poorest SRH status. Participants with non-limiting, congenital hearing impairment showed a protective factor to poor SRH (PR = 0.40 95%CI: 0.38-0.52). Individuals with acquired visual impairment with limitations demonstrated the strongest association with poor SRH (PR = 1.48 95%CI:1.47-1.49). Among the impaired population, middle-aged participants showed a stronger association with poor SRH than older adult participants. CONCLUSIONS: Impairment is associated with poor SRH status, especially among people with physical impairment. The origin and degree of limitation of each type of impairment differently impacts SRH among the impaired population.

Frequency and associated factors for swallowing impairment in community-dwelling older persons: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Swallowing impairment (SI) is an underdiagnosed dysfunction frequently seen as an expected condition of aging. However, SI can lead to health complications and considerable social impact. METHODS: The objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the frequency and associated factors with SI in community-dwelling older persons. Searches were performed in 13 electronic databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE (from inception to September 18, 2021). Data extraction and methodological quality assessment of included studies were performed by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis of proportions with 95% confidence interval (CI) and prediction interval (PI) was used to pool estimates. Subgroup analysis by Country and Assessment Method was performed. General meta-analysis was used to pool measures of association between potential risk factors and SI occurrence (odds ratio [OR] or prevalence ratio [PR]). RESULTS: The worldwide estimated frequency of SI in community-dwelling older persons was 20.35% (95%CI 16.61-24.68%, 95%PI 4.79-56.45, I2 99%, n = 33,291). This estimation varied across assessment methods and by country. The main factors associated with SI were a dry mouth (OR 8.1, 95%CI 4.9-13.4), oral diadochokinesis (OR 5.3, 95%CI 1.0-27.3), ≥ 80 years old (OR 4.9, 95%CI 2.6-9.2), genetic factor (SNPrs17601696) (OR 4.8, 95%CI 2.7-8.3), and partial dependence (OR 4.3, 95%CI 2.0-9.3). And the main factors associated with SI estimated by PR were dry mouth sensation (PR 4.1, 95%CI 2.6-6.5), oral sensorimotor alteration (PR 2.6, 95%CI 1.4-4.9), osteoporosis (PR 2.51, 95%CI 1.2-5.3), and heart diseases (PR 2.31, 95%CI 1.1-5.0). CONCLUSION: One in five older adults worldwide are expected to experience SI and factors associated with this underdiagnosed dysfunction included biological and physiological changes related to aging, physical and psychological conditions, and poor oral health. Early assessment is paramount for the prevention of future clinical complications and should be a high priority in health care practices.

Swallowing impairment in older adults: association with sensorimotor peripheral nerve function from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine whether impairments in sensorimotor peripheral nerve function are associated with a higher likelihood of swallowing impairment in older adults. METHODS: Health, Aging and Body Composition participants (n = 607, age = 75.8 ± 2.7 years, 55.8% women, 32.3% black) underwent peripheral nerve testing at Year 4 and 11 with swallowing difficulty assessed at Year 4 and 15. Nerve conduction amplitude and velocity were measured at the peroneal motor nerve. Sensory nerve function was assessed with the vibration detection threshold and monofilament (1.4-g/10-g) testing at the big toe. Symptoms of lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and difficulty swallowing were collected by self-report. Data analysis was performed using a hierarchical approach. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using non-conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: At Year 15 108 (17.8%) participants had swallowing impairments. In fully adjusted models, the peripheral nerve impairments associated with swallowing impairment were numbness (OR 4.67; 95%CI 2.24-9.75) and poor motor nerve conduction velocity (OR 2.26; 95%CI 1.08-4.70). Other peripheral nerve impairments were not related to swallowing. CONCLUSIONS: The association between slow motor nerve conduction velocity and numbness and a higher likelihood of swallowing difficulties a decade later in our prospective study identifies an important area for further investigation in older adults.

Associations between occupational factors and self-rated health in the national Brazilian working population.

BACKGROUND: The literature remains seldom on the topic of self-rated health (SRH) among the national working populations of emerging countries. The objectives of the study were to examine the associations of occupational factors with SRH in a national representative sample of the working population in Brazil. METHODS: This study relied on a cross-sectional sample of 36,442 workers, 16,992 women and 19,450 men. SRH was the studied health outcome. Sixteen occupational factors related to four topics were studied: employment characteristics, working time/hours, psychosocial work factors and physical and chemical work exposures. The associations between occupational factors and SRH were studied using logistic regression models with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics (age, ethnicity and marital status). The analyses were performed for each gender separately and using weights. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor SRH was 26.71%, this prevalence being higher among women (29.77%) than among men (24.23%). The following risk factors for poor SRH were found among men and women: working as a self-employed worker, clerk/service worker, manual worker, part-time (≤ 20 h/week), exposure to work stress, exposure to high physical activity and exposure to sun. The risk factors for poor SRH among women only were: working as a domestic worker and exposure to noise, and among men, working in the agriculture sector. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that occupational factors related to both physical and psychosocial work environment may be associated with SRH in the working population in Brazil. Improving working conditions may be beneficial for health at work in Brazil.

Association between number of teeth, dental prostheses, and self-reported dysphagia in brazilian old people: a population-based study. / Associação entre número de dentes, próteses dentárias e disfagia autorreferida em idosos brasileiros: estudo populacional.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between the number of permanent teeth and the use of removable dental prostheses with self-reported dysphagia occurrence in individuals aged 60 years or older. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 5,432 old individuals who participated in the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Elderly Health (ELSI-Brazil). The outcome "dysphagia" was associated with the number of permanent teeth and the use of removable dental prostheses. Sociodemographic independent variables (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) and clinical history variables (no morbidity, one morbidity, or more than two morbidities) were analyzed using Poisson Regression with robust variance and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported dysphagia in non-institutionalized old individuals was 30%. The group of old individuals with 10 - 19 natural teeth showed a 52% increased risk of self-reported dysphagia complaint (PRadj 1,565 IC95% 1,34;1,826) compared to their counterparts with more teeth. CONCLUSION: An association was found between a lower number of teeth and removable prostheses with the occurrence of dysphagia.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre o número de dentes e uso de prótese dentária removível e a ocorrência de disfagia autorreferida em idosos de 60 anos ou mais. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de base populacional com 5.432 idosos, que participaram da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Idoso (ELSI-Brasil). O desfecho "disfagia" foi associado ao número de dentes permanentes e ao uso de prótese dentária removível. As variáveis independentes sociodemográficas (idade, sexo e cor/raça) e de histórico clínico (nenhuma morbidade, uma morbidade ou mais de duas morbidades) utilizando Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% foram analisados. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de disfagia autorreferida nos idosos não institucionalizados foi de 30%. O grupo de idosos com 10 ­ 19 dentes permanentes apresentou um risco de 52% de queixa de disfagia autorreferida (RPaj 1,565 IC95% 1,34;1,826) se comparado com seus pares com mais dentes. CONCLUSÃO: foi encontrada associação entre o menor número de dentes e próteses removíveis com a ocorrência de disfagia.

Association between self-perceived hearing status and cognitive impairment in the older Brazilian population: a population-based study. / Associação entre autopercepção auditiva e comprometimento cognitivo em idosos brasileiros: estudo populacional.

Cognitive health plays an important role in the quality of life and autonomy of older adults. and it is influenced by hearing ability. This article aims to analyze the association between self-perceived hearing status and cognitive impairment in Brazilian older adults. This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 4,977 older adults who participated in ELSI Brazil 2015. The cognitive impairment status (outcome. categorized as "yes" and "no") and variable of interest (self-perceived hearing status. categorized as "good" "fair" and "poor") were obtained using a self-report method. The following domains were considered for cognition: temporal orientation. memory (short and long term). and language (recent and late). Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to assess the self-perceived hearing status-cognitive impairment association in the crude and adjusted analyses. Sociodemographic. lifestyle. and medical history variables were used to adjust the analyses. We found that 31.8% of the participants reported fair or poor hearing and 42% had cognitive impairment. In the adjusted analysis. older adults with poor hearing were revealed to have a stronger association with cognitive impairment than their peers with good hearing. Therefore. in older Brazilian adults. lower self-perceived hearing status is associated higher levels of cognitive impairment.

Saúde cognitiva é um fator importante para qualidade de vida e a autonomia dos idosos, sendo influenciada pela capacidade auditiva. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a associação entre autopercepção auditiva e comprometimento cognitivo em idosos brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional com 4.977 idosos que participaram do ELSI Brasil 2015. Comprometimento cognitivo (desfecho, categorizado como sim e não) e a variável de interesse (autopercepção auditiva, categorizada como boa, regular e ruim), ambos obtidos de forma autorreferida. Para a cognição foram considerados os domínios orientação temporal, memória (curto e longo prazo) e linguagem (recente e tardia). Foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson com estimativa de variância robusta para aferir a associação nas análises bruta e ajustada. Variáveis sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida e de histórico clínico foram utilizadas para ajuste das análises. Dos participantes, 31,8% relataram audição regular ou ruim e 42% apresentaram comprometimento cognitivo. Na análise ajustada, idosos com audição ruim apresentaram maior força de associação com comprometimento cognitivo, em comparação com seus pares com audição boa. Em idosos brasileiros, quanto pior a autopercepção auditiva, maior a associação com o comprometimento cognitivo.

Self-reported discrimination against adults with hearing loss in Brazilian health services: results of the National Health Survey. / Discriminação social em adultos com deficiência auditiva nos serviços de saúde brasileiro: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde.

This article aims to estimate the prevalence of self-reported discrimination against people with hearing loss in Brazilian health services and analyze associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study using data from the 2013 National Health Survey. The final study sample comprised 1,464 individuals with self-reported hearing loss. Poisson regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals. The overall prevalence of discrimination was 15%. Prevalence was higher among black people and respondents who reported experiencing limitations in activities of daily living. Prevalence of discrimination in Brazilian health services was highest in black people with limitations in activities of daily living. The implementation of policies and actions to address this problem is recommended, including strategies during the education and training of health professionals.

O artigo tem como objetivo estimar a prevalência de discriminação social autorreferida em pessoas com deficiência auditiva nos serviços de saúde brasileiros, verificando fatores associados à discriminação. Estudo transversal de base populacional, com dados de um inquérito epidemiológico domiciliar realizado ponderadamente em todo o território brasileiro no ano de 2013. A amostra final deste estudo compreendeu 1.464 adultos com perda auditiva autorreferida. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para cálculo de razões de prevalência (RP) brutas e ajustadas para a investigação das prevalências de discriminação autorreferida nos serviços de saúde e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. A prevalência de discriminação em adultos com deficiência auditiva nos serviços de saúde brasileiros foi de 15%. Indivíduos de cor/raça preta e que relataram que a perda auditiva limita as suas atividades de vida diária apresentaram maior associação com discriminação. Pessoas com deficiência auditiva de cor/raça preta e que apresentam limitação nas atividades da vida diária em decorrência da perda auditiva relataram maior discriminação nos serviços de saúde. Estratégias de enfrentamento à discriminação de profissionais da área da saúde devem ser implementadas para que esse cenário seja modificado.

[Racial inequalities in access to rehabilitation after a stroke: study of the Brazilian population]. / Iniquidades raciais no acesso à reabilitação após acidente vascular cerebral: estudo da população brasileira.

This article aims to verify the association between race/skin color and access to post-stroke rehabilitation services. It is a cross-sectional population-based study including 966 post-stroke adults (≥18 years) that responded to the National Health Survey (PNS). The outcome, access to rehabilitation, and exposure (race/skin color) were collected in a self-reported manner. Socio-demographic variables, clinical history, healthcare plan and post-stroke limitation were considered for the adjustment. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to estimate the association in the crude and adjusted analyses. Based on the sample, 51.8% are self-declared black and 61.4% require rehabilitation, with only 20% having access to the rehabilitation service. Difficulty in accessing rehabilitation was reported by 57.5% of other self-declared races, 43% blacks, and 35.4% whites. In the adjusted analysis, 4% of self-declared black (PR 1.04, CI95%1.00-1.08) and 17% of self-declared yellow and indigenous (PR 1.17, IC95%1.13-1.20) have less access to rehabilitation than their white peers. In Brazil, self-declared black and yellow and indigenous people have worst access to post-stroke rehabilitation in comparison with self-declared white people, highlighting racial inequities in rehabilitation in stroke survivors.

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a associação raça/cor e acesso a serviços de reabilitação pós-AVC. Estudo transversal de base populacional com 966 adultos (≥18 anos) pós-AVC, respondentes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde. Desfecho, acesso à reabilitação, e exposição (raça/cor) foram coletados de modo autorreferido. Variáveis sociodemográficas, histórico clínico, plano de saúde e limitação pós-AVC foram considerados para o ajuste. Regressão de Poisson com estimativa de variância robusta foi utilizada para estimar a associação nas análises bruta e ajustada. Da amostra total, 51,8% são autodeclarados negros ou outras raças, 61,4% demandam por reabilitação, sendo que apenas 20% têm acesso ao serviço de reabilitação. Dificuldade em acessar reabilitação foi referida por 57,5% dos autodeclarados amarelos ou indígenas, 43% dos negros, e 35,4% dos brancos. Na análise ajustada, negros têm 4% menos acesso à reabilitação se comparados com seus pares brancos (RP 1,04, IC95% 1,00-1,08). Pessoas da raça amarela ou indígena 17% menos acesso que brancos (RP 1,17, IC95% 1,13-1,20). No Brasil, autodeclarados negros, amarelos, indígenas e outros têm pior acesso à reabilitação pós-AVC quando comparados aos autodeclarados brancos, apontando iniquidades raciais na reabilitação em sobreviventes de AVC.

Net Survival in Survival Analyses for Patients with Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Population-based net survival is an important tool for assessing prognostic advances. The unbiased Pohar Perme Estimator (PPE) was suggested in 2012 and soon established itself as the gold standard for estimating net survival. This scoping review aims to know in which context this estimator is being used in the oncology area, what the authors point out as a justification for its use, and the limitations found. We searched PubMed, and the grey literature to answer the question: Have studies involving patients diagnosed with cancer used the PPE to estimate cancer-specific survival? How do they justify the use of the PPE and what are the limitations pointed out? Out of 295 screened, 85 studies were included in this review. The two main characteristics of the PPE mentioned by the studies as justification were the fact that it is an unbiased estimator (83.5%) and that it produces comparable estimates among populations with different mortality rates from causes other than cancer (36.47%). No study pointed to a limitation due to the use of PPE. As a conclusion, the Pohar Perme Estimator is the gold standard for estimating net survival and should be more used in oncology, especially when dealing with population-based studies where the follow-up time is long, making high the probability of death from causes other than cancer.

Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey. / Prevalência de distúrbios fonoaudiológicos em adultos e idosos, segundo sexo e faixa etária: um estudo populacional.

PURPOSE: To verify the distribution of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders and their association to sex and age in a representative sample of the population in southern Brazil. METHODS: Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey based on a household survey on Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP Study). Standardized home interviews were conducted using a questionnaire with residents of the city of Porto Alegre between 2012 and 2014. The study outcome was self-reported "speech-language and hearing disorders", constituted from the variables: language, orofacial motricity, hearing, and balance. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. Multivariable prevalence ratios were estimated in an adjusted analysis using Poisson Regression with robust variation and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 1246 individuals interviewed, 918 participants were eligible for this study. Most of them were female (58.1%), and the average age was 48.9 (± 19.6) years. The outcome of speech-language and hearing disorders was found in 364 (39.4%) individuals, and the most affected age group was 60 years old or more (54.4%), with a higher prevalence in men (58.9%) than in women (51.9%). The multivariate analysis showed a significant prevalence ratio only in elderly individuals aged 60 years or older (PR 1.84; 95% CI 1.50-2.26). CONCLUSION: In this study, we did not find significant differences between sexes in the prevalence of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults. However, elderly and younger adults presented a higher prevalence of these disorders.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a distribuição dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em relação ao sexo e à faixa etária em uma amostra representativa da população do sul do Brasil. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal em adultos e idosos com base em um inquérito populacional domiciliar autodeclarado sobre Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana (DCH-POP). Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares padronizadas com a aplicação de um questionário com residentes da cidade de Porto Alegre entre 2012 e 2014. O desfecho estudado foi "distúrbios fonoaudiológicos", constituído a partir dos dados das variáveis: linguagem, motricidade orofacial, audição e equilíbrio. Foram realizadas análises de frequência absoluta e relativa. Razões de prevalência multivariáveis foram estimadas em análise ajustada pela Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Dos 1246 indivíduos entrevistados, 918 participantes foram elegíveis para este estudo. A maioria é do sexo feminino (58,1%) e a idade média foi de 48,9 (±19,6) anos. O desfecho distúrbio fonoaudiológico foi encontrado em 364 (39,4%) indivíduos, sendo que a faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 60 anos ou mais (54,4%), apresentando maior prevalência no sexo masculino (58,9%), do que no feminino (51,9%). Na análise multivariável ajustada verifica-se que há razão de prevalência significativa apenas em indivíduos idosos com 60 anos ou mais (RP 1,84 IC95% 1,50-2,26). CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os sexos na prevalência dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em adultos e idosos. Entretanto, pessoas mais velhas apresentam maior prevalência destes, especialmente aquelas com idade entre 60 anos ou mais.

Self-rated health and hearing disorders: study of the Brazilian hearing-impaired population.

Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most impacting handicaps related to social life, and 21% have intense limitation compromising daily activities. However, few studies have investigated SRH in HI. This article aims to verify the association between HI and SRH and factors related to hearing characteristics. Cross-sectional study data from National Health Survey (NHS, 2013) conducted with 1,100 hearing impaired adults (≥18 years old). The outcome was SHR, categorized as good or poor. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate Prevalence Ratios. Sociodemographic variables and characteristics of HI, such as congenital or acquired HI, type of HI, wear hearing aids, and limitation were used in adjusted analysis. Poor SRH was more prevalent in acquired HI, limitation of daily activities, sociodemographic characteristics such as aging, female, black or other skin color, and lower schooling. Poor SRH is related to acquired HI, limitation of daily activities and sociodemographic conditions.

Caries experience in caregiver-intellectual deficient pair: Influence of caregiver's psychological morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate how determinants of psychological morbidity were associated with dental caries experience in the caregiver-intellectual deficient pair. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 299 pair, who had their oral health status assessed using the DMFT index (decayed, missing and filled teeth). Symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, quality of sleep, and socioeconomic variables were measured in caregivers. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression with the caregiver and children's caries index as outcome. RESULTS: The average prevalence of DMFT/dmft was 7.48 (SD ± 3.9) for students with ID and DMFT was 14.7 (SD ± 8.1) for their caregivers. For the caregiver's oral health, the following psychic comorbidities were associated with worse oral health condition: anxiety (PR = 1.48; 95%CI 1.07-2.06), depression (PR = 1.39; 95%CI 1.05-1.85), high level of stress (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.17-2.13) and sleep disorders (PR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.18-2.14). For people with ID, the caregiver's psychic comorbidities also showed association with a worse oral health condition, including anxiety (PR = 1.31; 95%CI 1.03-1.74), depression (PR = 1.28; 95%CI 1.01-1.67) and high level of stress (PR = 1.63; 95%CI 1.14-2.32), as well as mother's high level of DMFT (PR = 1.96; 95%CI 1.28-3.03). CONCLUSION: Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with higher levels of dental caries experience for caregivers and for people with intellectual disabilities.

Access and use of speech-language therapy services in Porto Alegre, Brazil: a population-based study. / Acesso e uso de serviços de Fonoaudiologia em Porto Alegre, Brasil: estudo populacional.

To estimate the prevalence of access and use of speech-language therapy services and identify the variables associated with access. Cross-sectional population-based study. The sample consisted of adult individuals living in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The data were collected using an instrument constructed with domains of national research questionnaires, with a module on speech-language therapy. The outcome was the access to a speech-language therapist. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate Prevalence Ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 214 people participated in the study, of which 67.3% (n = 144) were female. The mean age was 54.28 (SD±18.83) years. Fifty-six (26.2%) people mentioned the need for speech-language therapy consultation. All 56 subjects were able to perform speech-language therapy, of which 69.4% (n = 39) in private practice and 19.6% (n=11) used healthcare insurance plans at partnering providers. In the final model, the highest prevalence of access was associated with female (PR=1.09,95%CI1.01-1.18) and had some deficiency (PR = 1.09,95%CI1.03-1.17). Access to a speech-language therapist is more frequent in private services. It is observed that women and the disabled individuals have a higher prevalence of access to speech-language therapist.

O objetivo deste artigo é estimar a prevalência de acesso e uso dos serviços de Fonoaudiologia e identificar as variáveis associadas ao acesso. Estudo transversal de base populacional. A amostra foi composta de indivíduos adultos residentes em Porto Alegre/RS. Os dados foram coletados a partir de um instrumento construído com domínios de questionários de pesquisas nacionais, com um módulo sobre Fonoaudiologia. O desfecho estudado foi o acesso ao fonoaudiólogo. Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foi utilizada para cálculo de Razões de Prevalência com intervalos de confiança de 95%. Aceitaram participar deste estudo 214 pessoas, das quais 67,3% (n = 144) eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 54,28 (±18,83) anos. Referiram necessidade de consulta fonoaudiológica 56 (26,2%) pessoas. Todos os 56 indivíduos conseguiram realizar atendimento fonoaudiológico, dos quais 69,4% (n = 39) em consultório particular e 19,6% (n = 11) em consultório conveniado ao plano de saúde. No modelo final, maior prevalência de acesso foi associada ao sexo feminino (RP = 1,09; IC95% 1,01-1,18) e possuir alguma deficiência (RP = 1,09; IC95% 1,03-1,17). O acesso ao fonoaudiólogo é mais frequente de forma privada. Observa-se que as mulheres e deficientes possuem maior prevalência de acesso ao fonoaudiólogo.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of telehealth in speech-language and hearing therapy for patients at home: an experience report. / Pandemia do COVID-19 e implementação de telefonoaudiologia para pacientes em domicílio: relato de experiência.

We present an experience report on the implementation of real-time telehealth in speech-language and hearing therapy for patients who were previously seen on an outpatient basis in a primary health care service. The Speech-Language Therapy (SLT) team was monitoring twenty-five users when the first cases of COVID-19 were notified in southern Brazil. Of these, it was judged that twelve patients required at least a monitoring call every two weeks. Teleconsultations were available in this first stage, on an emergency basis, during the implementation of the project in this format. The idea was to guarantee, due to the suspension of the SLT sessions, the maintenance of the care service for patients who could suffer worsening of their cases or even comorbidities. The appointments were carried out by video calls by SLT students, therapists of the extension project, and supervised by a speech-language therapist, synchronously. All conversations and orientations during the teleconsultation were conducted as calmly as possible and, in the case of infant patients, permeated by some playful activities. Telehealth has shown to be an efficient resource for the care of patients with SLT demands, enabling remote care with the same quality as face-to-face care. Besides, it has relevant potential, once there is a significant number of patients, who need SLT assessment and live in regions where there is a shortage of qualified professionals.

Apresentamos um relato de experiência de implementação de telefonoaudiologia em tempo real para pacientes que anteriormente eram atendidos em ambulatório em um serviço de atenção primária em saúde. No total, 25 usuários estavam sendo acompanhados pela equipe de fonoaudiologia quando da notificação dos primeiros casos de COVID-19 no sul do Brasil. Destes, julgou-se que 12 pacientes demandavam teleatendimento, pelo menos, quinzenalmente. A teleconsulta disponibilizada nesta primeira etapa, em caráter emergencial na implementação do projeto neste formato, a fim de garantir a manutenção dos atendimentos de pacientes que poderiam sofrer agravamento ou mesmo comorbidades associadas à suspensão da fonoterapia, foram realizadas por telefone, com vídeo, por estudantes de fonoaudiologia, extensionistas do projeto e supervisionadas por um fonoaudiólogo, de forma síncrona. Todas as conversas e orientações durante a teleconsulta são encaminhadas com a maior calma possível e, no caso de pacientes infantis, permeadas por algumas atividades lúdicas. A telessaúde tem se mostrado um recurso eficiente para atendimento de pacientes com demandas fonoaudiológicas, possibilitando o atendimento remoto com a mesma qualidade que o atendimento presencial. Além disso, tem potencial relevante, considerando que há um número significativo de pacientes que precisam de avaliação fonoaudiológica e residem em regiões nas quais há escassez de profissionais qualificados.

Post-stroke rehabilitation: identification of speech-language disorders signs and symptoms by physicians and nurses in Primary Health Care. / Reabilitação pós-AVC: identificação de sinais e sintomas fonoaudiológicos por enfermeiros e médicos da Atenção Primária à Saúde.

PURPOSE: Stroke is a common disease for people and a global public health concern in terms of mortality, disability, and cost demand. This study aims to assess which groups of comorbidities related to speech-language disorders are identified by physicians and nurses of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) as to be referred to post-stroke speech-language rehabilitation at Primary and Secondary Health Care. METHODS: Twenty-two physicians and nurses, from the FHS supported by the Family Health Support Center in southern Brazil, answered a questionnaire developed for this study, exploring socio-demographic variables, education background, professional performance and conduct to post-stroke patients. A descriptive data analysis (absolute and relative frequencies) was performed in SPSS Software 22. RESULTS: Among the participants, 77.3% refer post-stroke patients to physiotherapy and 54.5% to speech-language rehabilitation. None refer to patients to treatment due to cognitive comprehension sequelae; 90.0% refer for significant speech-language disorders. In case of changes in the stomatognathic system, 80.0% of physicians do not refer to speech-language pathologists, and 83.3% of nurses usually do. CONCLUSION: The professionals showed difficulty in identifying speech-language pathological signs and symptoms related to cognition and the stomatognathic system, not referring to speech-language rehabilitation at primary or secondary health care. The results highlight the importance of continuing education and improvement of the knowledge of the primary health care teams, so that speech-language sequelae are properly identified and sent for rehabilitation.

OBJETIVO: O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) é um agravo comum para a população e um problema para a saúde pública global em termos de mortalidade, deficiência e demanda de custos. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar quais grupos de comorbidades ligados aos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos são identificados por médicos e enfermeiros das equipes de Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) para encaminhamento à reabilitação fonoaudiológica e continuidade do cuidado de pacientes pós-AVC nas Atenções Primária e Secundária à Saúde (APS). MÉTODO: Participaram 22 médicos e enfermeiros das equipes de ESF apoiadas pelo Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família, no sul do Brasil. Um questionário desenvolvido para este estudo foi respondido, explorando variáveis sociodemográficas, histórico de formação, atuação profissional e condutas ao paciente com AVC. Análise descritiva dos dados (frequências absoluta e relativa) foi realizada no Software SPSS 22. RESULTADOS: Dos entrevistados, 77,3% encaminham pacientes pós-AVC para fisioterapia e 54,5%, para reabilitação fonoaudiológica. Nenhum profissional realiza encaminhamento por sequelas cognitivas de compreensão; 90,0% encaminham por distúrbios de linguagem expressiva na fala. Para alterações do sistema estomatognático, 80,0% dos médicos não encaminham para fonoaudiólogo e 83,3% dos enfermeiros o fazem. CONCLUSÃO: Os profissionais demonstraram dificuldade em identificar distúrbios fonoaudiológicos ligados à cognição e ao sistema estomatognático, não encaminhando para reabilitação fonoaudiológica nas Atenções Primária e Secundária à Saúde. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de ações que auxiliem no processo de educação permanente e melhorem o conhecimento das equipes de APS, para que as sequelas fonoaudiológicas sejam devidamente identificadas e encaminhadas para reabilitação.

Cross-border healthcare and prognosis of HIV infection in the triple border Brazil-Paraguay-Argentina.

The act of crossing an international border for healthcare is a reality in border areas and the flow is in the direction of the city with more human and healthcare resources. Although several prognostic factors related to HIV+ patients are known, the prognostic value of this type of mobility for long term care is still neglected. This study compares the prognosis of HIV patients from three groups, one involved in regional mobility, another in cross-border mobility in search for healthcare and the reference group which is composed by patients living in the same city of the health facility. This is a retrospective cohort study using medical records from a healthcare service in Brazil. Following survival analysis with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models, overall survival had no significant difference between patients who were involved in regional (HR = 1.03; 95%CI: 0.69-1.54; p = 0.89) or international (HR = 1.07; 95%CI: 0.58-1.97; p = 0.83) mobility and those who were not. This lack of difference was kept when adjusted for known prognostic factors. In this retrospective cohort study, exposure to both regional and international migration did not have a significant association with the risk of death by any cause in crude or adjusted analyses for already known prognostic factors. This is the first study to consider the prognostic role of cross-border healthcare for HIV patients. Despite these findings, the need of monitoring the extent and the clinical and demographic characteristics of healthcare demand originated in the other side of the border and the use of these data for decision making in health management is emphasized.

Causality and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: epidemiological approach. / Causalidade e Fonoaudiologia: abordagem epidemiológica.

PURPOSE: To review the Speech-Language Pathology literature studies from the epidemiology and causality perspective. RESEARCH STRATEGIES: A national and international literature survey was carried out with searches from PubMed, SciELO and gray literature bases, conducted according to the instructions of the Cochrane Collaboration and published until January 9th, 2019. The review guiding question asks if Speech-Language Pathology uses methods in their evidence to infer causality. SELECTION CRITERIA: All studies that presented a causal epidemiological approach in speech therapy were included, as well as excluded those that did not present an appropriate methodological approach for cause and effect analysis. DATA ANALYSIS: Two authors of this study independently reviewed all citations. A priori determined form was used to extract the following data: author, year of publication, country of origin, theoretical conception, application or not of the study and central discussion addressed in the article. RESULTS: From the search performed 3842 articles were found. However, none of them investigated their outcomes from the causality point of view, not allowing cause and effect inference. CONCLUSION: There is a shortage of studies that evidence causality in Speech-Language Pathology, which may alter the effectiveness and reliable handling of diagnosis and speech-language therapy, since it is still based on association and not on cause and effect based on studies designed to that.

OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura dos estudos fonoaudiológicos sob a ótica da epidemiologia, segundo a perspectiva da causalidade. ESTRATÉGIA DE PESQUISA: Realizou-se um levantamento nas literaturas nacional e internacional com buscas realizadas nas bases PubMed, SciELO e literatura cinzenta, conduzido segundo as instruções da Colaboração Cochrane e publicados até 8 de janeiro de 2019. A pergunta norteadora da revisão indaga se a Fonoaudiologia faz uso dos métodos epidemiológicos em suas evidências para inferir causalidade. CRITÉRIOS DE SELEÇÃO: Foram incluídos todos os trabalhos que apresentassem abordagem epidemiológica de causalidade em fonoaudiologia, assim como se excluíram os que não apresentassem abordagem metodológica adequada à análise de causa e efeito. ANÁLISE DOS DADOS: Dois autores deste estudo, de maneira independente, revisaram todas as citações. Utilizou-se um formulário determinado a priori para extrair os seguintes dados: autor, ano de publicação, país de origem, concepção teórica, aplicação ou não do estudo e discussão central abordada no artigo. RESULTADOS: Mediante a busca realizada, foram encontrados 3.842 artigos. Contudo, destes nenhum investigou seus desfechos a partir da ótica da causalidade, não permitindo a inferência de causa e efeito. CONCLUSÃO: Há escassez de estudos que evidenciem a causalidade na Fonoaudiologia, o que pode alterar a efetividade e o manuseio confiável do diagnóstico e a terapêutica fonoaudiológica, visto que ainda se baseia na associação e não na causa nem no efeito de delineamentos apropriados para tal.

Associação entre número de dentes, próteses dentárias e disfagia autorreferida em idosos brasileiros: estudo populacional / Association between number of teeth, dental prostheses, and self-reported dysphagia in brazilian old people: a population-based study

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a associação entre o número de dentes e uso de prótese dentária removível e a ocorrência de disfagia autorreferida em idosos de 60 anos ou mais. Método Estudo transversal de base populacional com 5.432 idosos, que participaram da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Idoso (ELSI-Brasil). O desfecho "disfagia" foi associado ao número de dentes permanentes e ao uso de prótese dentária removível. As variáveis independentes sociodemográficas (idade, sexo e cor/raça) e de histórico clínico (nenhuma morbidade, uma morbidade ou mais de duas morbidades) utilizando Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% foram analisados. Resultados A prevalência de disfagia autorreferida nos idosos não institucionalizados foi de 30%. O grupo de idosos com 10 - 19 dentes permanentes apresentou um risco de 52% de queixa de disfagia autorreferida (RPaj 1,565 IC95% 1,34;1,826) se comparado com seus pares com mais dentes. Conclusão foi encontrada associação entre o menor número de dentes e próteses removíveis com a ocorrência de disfagia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the association between the number of permanent teeth and the use of removable dental prostheses with self-reported dysphagia occurrence in individuals aged 60 years or older. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 5,432 old individuals who participated in the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Elderly Health (ELSI-Brazil). The outcome "dysphagia" was associated with the number of permanent teeth and the use of removable dental prostheses. Sociodemographic independent variables (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) and clinical history variables (no morbidity, one morbidity, or more than two morbidities) were analyzed using Poisson Regression with robust variance and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The prevalence of self-reported dysphagia in non-institutionalized old individuals was 30%. The group of old individuals with 10 - 19 natural teeth showed a 52% increased risk of self-reported dysphagia complaint (PRadj 1,565 IC95% 1,34;1,826) compared to their counterparts with more teeth. Conclusion An association was found between a lower number of teeth and removable prostheses with the occurrence of dysphagia.

Speech-language therapy offer and primary health care in Brazil: an analysis based on socioeconomic development.

PURPOSE: To describe the presence of speech-language therapists (SLT) in the primary health care (PHC) in Brazil and its association with socioeconomic inequalities. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 17,157 PHC services in all Brazilian states. Based on the NASF External Assessment Questionnaire sub-item "speech-language therapist", which was used to answer the question "What NASF professionals support your PHC service?", in addition to contextual data (regional population, number of registered SLP, speech therapy college courses, city HDI and Gini Index). RESULTS: From all the PHC services supported by NASF, 50.8% (8713/17,157) has SLPs as part of the team. Brazil's Southeast region has the higher prevalence of SLP at the team (57.4%; 5,575). South Region has the lower prevalence (28.9%; 625). The presence of SLP support is directly proportional to HDI stratum and Gini Index (average and high). CONCLUSION: There is an important limitation of public care to treat communication and swallowing disorders in Brazil.