The role of Nigerian medical students in the HIV response: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study seeks to understand how medical students' involvement in the HIV response during the COVID-19 pandemic - as well as before and after it - has influenced their decision to specialise in HIV care and their participation in HIV-related activities in the future.Method: Quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised among medical students from Ambrose Alli University in their fourth, fifth and sixth years of study respectively. Data from this study was analysed using the SPSS version 21 module for descriptive statistics.Results: Medical students were more involved in community-based HIV awareness campaigns (48.6%) during the pre-COVID era, but then became more involved in online awareness campaigns (55%). Only 8.6% were involved in HIV research and evaluation activities. Over 31.2% of respondents were interested in specialising in HIV-related fields, with 23.6% attributing their decision to the COVID-19 pandemic. 92.3% of the respondents were of the opinion that medical students need to become more involved in HIV-related activities. There was statistical significance between the year of study of respondents and awareness of HIV-related activities (p < 0.007). Focused discussions revealed that all students felt that medical students should be more involved in HIV-related activities.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic marginally boosted the number of medical students involved in online awareness campaigns for HIV and AIDs, but there was decreased involvement in community campaigns and participation in community HIV testing. The impact of these findings on the lives of people living with HIV needs further investigation.

Efficacy of Handwashing with Soap and Nail Clipping on Intestinal Parasitic Infections in School-Aged Children: A Factorial Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections are highly endemic among school-aged children in resource-limited settings. To lower their impact, preventive measures should be implemented that are sustainable with available resources. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of handwashing with soap and nail clipping on the prevention of intestinal parasite reinfections. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this trial, 367 parasite-negative school-aged children (aged 6-15 y) were randomly assigned to receive both, one or the other, or neither of the interventions in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Assignment sequence was concealed. After 6 mo of follow-up, stool samples were examined using direct, concentration, and Kato-Katz methods. Hemoglobin levels were determined using a HemoCue spectrometer. The primary study outcomes were prevalence of intestinal parasite reinfection and infection intensity. The secondary outcome was anemia prevalence. Analysis was by intention to treat. Main effects were adjusted for sex, age, drinking water source, latrine use, pre-treatment parasites, handwashing with soap and nail clipping at baseline, and the other factor in the additive model. Fourteen percent (95% CI: 9% to 19%) of the children in the handwashing with soap intervention group were reinfected versus 29% (95% CI: 22% to 36%) in the groups with no handwashing with soap (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.62). Similarly, 17% (95% CI: 12% to 22%) of the children in the nail clipping intervention group were reinfected versus 26% (95% CI: 20% to 32%) in the groups with no nail clipping (AOR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.95). Likewise, following the intervention, 13% (95% CI: 8% to 18%) of the children in the handwashing group were anemic versus 23% (95% CI: 17% to 29%) in the groups with no handwashing with soap (AOR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.78). The prevalence of anemia did not differ significantly between children in the nail clipping group and those in the groups with no nail clipping (AOR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.04). The intensive follow-up and monitoring during this study made it such that the assessment of the observed intervention benefits was under rather ideal circumstances, and hence the study could possibly overestimate the effects when compared to usual conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Handwashing with soap at key times and weekly nail clipping significantly decreased intestinal parasite reinfection rates. Furthermore, the handwashing intervention significantly reduced anemia prevalence in children. The next essential step should be implementing pragmatic studies and developing more effective approaches to promote and implement handwashing with soap and nail clipping at larger scales.

The application of augmented reality for improving clinical skills: a scoping review.

Augmented reality technology had developed rapidly in recent years and had been applied in many fields, including medical education. Augmented reality had potential to improve students' knowledge and skills in medical education. This scoping review primarily aims to further elaborate the current studies on the implementation of augmented reality in advancing clinical skills. This study was conducted by utilizing electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in June 2022 for articles focusing on the use of augmented reality for improving clinical skills. The Rayyan website was used to screen the articles that met the inclusion criteria, which was the application of augmented reality as a learning method in medical education. Total of 37 articles met the inclusion criteria. These publications suggested that using augmented reality could improve clinical skills. The most researched topics explored were laparoscopic surgery skills and ophthalmology were the most studied topic. The research methods applied in the articles fall into two main categories: randomized control trial (RCT) (29.3%) and non-RCT (70.3%). Augmented reality has the potential to be integrated in medical education, particularly to boost clinical studies. Due to limited databases, however, any further studies on the implementation of augmented reality as a method to enhance skills in medical education need to be conducted.

Relationship between anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and dietary lifestyle of the older adults attending a primary care clinic in Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and severity of anaemia and assess the relationship between dietary lifestyle, hypoalbuminaemia, and anaemia of older persons. Design: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. Setting: This study was conducted in the General Outpatient Clinic, the primary care unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Participants: A total of 378 patients aged ≥ 60 years who presented to the General Out-patient Clinic. Main outcome measures: Prevalence and severity of anaemia, relationship between anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia, and dietary lifestyle of the participants. Results: A total of 348 respondents completed the study. The mean age of respondents was 67.83 ±7.53 years, with female (60.9%) predominance. The prevalence of anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were 42.2% and 17.8%, respectively. Hypoalbuminaemia (ß=0.335, 95%CI=0.131-0.229, P<0.001), long duration of comorbidities (ß= -0.179, 95%CI= -0.165-0.047, P<0.001), one full meal/day (ß=0.130, 95%CI=0.224-1.879, P=0.013), and low monthly income (ß=0.122, 95%CI=0.179-1.543, P=0.026) were the predictors of anaemia among the older persons in this study. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of anaemia among older adults. The identified predictors, such as hypoalbuminaemia, long duration of comorbidities, reduced food intake and low monthly income, will be useful in developing guidelines and strategies for managing the condition in primary care settings and other similar sites. Funding: None declared.

Redefining diagnostic symptoms of depression using Rasch analysis: testing an item bank suitable for DSM-V and computer adaptive testing.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to redefine the optimal self-report symptoms of depression suitable for creation of an item bank that could be used in computer adaptive testing or to develop a simplified screening tool for DSM-V. METHOD: Four hundred subjects (200 patients with primary depression and 200 non-depressed subjects), living in Iraqi Kurdistan were interviewed. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to define the presence of major depression (DSM-IV criteria). We examined symptoms of depression using four well-known scales delivered in Kurdish. The Partial Credit Model was applied to each instrument. Common-item equating was subsequently used to create an item bank and differential item functioning (DIF) explored for known subgroups. RESULTS: A symptom level Rasch analysis reduced the original 45 items to 24 items of the original after the exclusion of 21 misfitting items. A further six items (CESD13 and CESD17, HADS-D4, HADS-D5 and HADS-D7, and CDSS3 and CDSS4) were removed due to misfit as the items were added together to form the item bank, and two items were subsequently removed following the DIF analysis by diagnosis (CESD20 and CDSS9, both of which were harder to endorse for women). Therefore the remaining optimal item bank consisted of 17 items and produced an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987. Using a bank restricted to the optimal nine items revealed only minor loss of accuracy (AUC = 0.989, sensitivity 96%, specificity 95%). Finally, when restricted to only four items accuracy was still high (AUC was still 0.976; sensitivity 93%, specificity 96%). CONCLUSIONS: An item bank of 17 items may be useful in computer adaptive testing and nine or even four items may be used to develop a simplified screening tool for DSM-V major depressive disorder (MDD). Further examination of this item bank should be conducted in different cultural settings.

Associations between intestinal parasitic infections, anaemia, and diarrhoea among school aged children, and the impact of hand-washing and nail clipping.

OBJECTIVE: In marginalized setting, under-nutrition and illnesses due to infectious agents create a vicious circle. In our previous study, we reported that easy-to-do hand hygiene interventions were effective in preventing intestinal parasite infections (IPIs) and reduce the rate of anaemia among school-aged children. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of associations between IPIs, anaemia and diarrhoea among the school-aged children and to explore if the observed impact of hand-washing and nail clipping interventions in our findings was similar across children with different baseline demographic and disease characteristics. The study was based on the analysis of data that was collected during the randomized controlled trial and hence have used the same study participants and study area. RESULTS: Children with IPIs had a much higher chance of also being anaemic (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.15-3.80), having diarrhoea (AOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.57-5.09), and vice versa. Anaemia and diarrhoea were very strongly related (AOR 9.62, 95% CI 5.18-17.85). Overall, hand-washing with soap at key times and weekly nail clipping were efficacious in preventing intestinal parasite re-infection among children despite the differences in baseline demographic characteristics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01619254 (June 09/2012).

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of "Transfer Out" TB Patients after Crosschecking Registers at Four Hospitals of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia: 2011-2015.

Globally, transferring TB patients to another health unit for treatment continuation is common trend while posing challenges for proper treatment outcomes monitoring. National guidelines indicated the importance of incorporating the treatment outcomes of those cases by the transferring unit when performing annual cohort analysis. However, in most instances, this is not taken into account. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics and treatment outcomes of 'transfer out' TB cases during the time period between 2011 and 2015 at four Hospitals of Tigray: Ethiopia. Initial data was extracted from TB treatment logbooks of transferring units using standardize checklist that were followed by a visit to each of the receiving units. The generated data were entered and analyzed using SPSS v. 22.0. Descriptive statistics were computed. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 143 TB patients were transferred out during the specified time period whereas 73.4% (105/143) patients were traced and classified as "arrivals". From these, more than three-quarters, 87.6% (92/105), of patients had a successful treatment outcome (5.7% cured and 81.9% completed treatment) while 13/105 (12.3%) had an unsuccessful outcome (2.8% defaulted, 5.7% died, 1.9% failed, and 1.9% transferred out). However, none of the transferring unit received and traced status of the cases. Therefore, regular monitoring is needed to improve the existing communication gap.

Bacterial contaminants of stored blood and blood components ready for transfusion at blood banks in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial contamination of donated blood and blood components is a major public health problem globally. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate and spectrum of bacterial contaminations and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of contaminants in stored blood and blood components. RESULTS: A total of 196 blood and blood components (concentrated red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets) were included. Bacterial contamination was observed in 18 (9.2%) of the blood and blood components, of which 14 (77.8%) and 4 (22.2%) were gram positive and gram negative bacteria, respectively. The predominantly isolated bacteria were Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Majority of isolated gram-negative bacteria isolates showed resistance to tetracycline and doxycycline. Multidrug resistance was observed in 12 (66%) of the isolates.

[Relationship between adverse neural tension and nerve conduction studies in patients with symptoms of the carpal tunnel syndrome]. / Relação entre tensão neural adversa e estudos de condução nervosa em pacientes com sintomas da sídrome do túnel do carpo.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, through a series of cases, the relationship between the adverse neural tension of median nerve (ANTm) and the electrophysiological involvement in 38 patients with symptoms of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), submitted to nerve conduction studies (NCS). The main measures had been ANTm (in degrees) obtained through the test of neural tension provocation (TNTP) and parameters of the NCS, divided into three groups: normal, without severe electrophysiological alteration and with severe electrophysiological alteration. Significant correlations were found between ANTm and parameters of the NCS (p<0.05), as well as between ANTm and the three groups defined by the electrophysiologic alteration (rs=+0.437, p=0.002). The TNAm values were significantly higher in the arms with electrophysiologic diagnoses (p=0.007). It is suggested that the ANTm does have a participation in the physiopathology of the CTS, and the use of therapeutical procedures that diminish the development of neural tension.

Risk factors for intestinal parasitosis among antiretroviral-treated HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia.

Summary A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Socio-demographic information was collected and faecal samples were analysed from 384 randomly selected patients on ART. Data on CD4+ T-cell counts and World Health Organization clinical staging were obtained from the medical records at the hospital. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51% to 61%). No opportunistic intestinal parasites or Schistosoma haematobium eggs were detected. Unavailability of latrine and lack of hand washing with soap were associated with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.75; 95% CI: 1.77 to 4.27 and AOR, 2.67; 95% CI: 1.60 to 4.44, respectively) and Giardia lamblia (AOR, 2.08; 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.99 and AOR, 2.46; 95% CI: 1.06 to 5.75, respectively) infections. Intestinal parasitosis was significantly associated with low CD4 cell count (p = 0.002). In contrast, intestinal parasitic infections were not associated (p > 0.05) with the World Health Organization disease staging. In summary, poor personal hygiene and sanitation practice contributed to the high prevalence of intestinal parasitosis. Routine diagnosis for intestinal parasitic infections should be performed in patients attending ART clinics in this setting.

Profile of patients using nasoenteric probe at the adult emergency service in a public hospital

Introduction: Part of the prognosis of hospitalized patient depends on nutritional status and the safety and efficacy of the feeding administration route. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify data on the indication of nasoenteric tube (NET) prescription to analyze the profile of these patients. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with data collection in medical records of patients over 18 years of age, of both sexes, treated at the Emergency Adult Service (EAS), using NET. Results: there was a predominance of females (51.9%); neurological disease was the most prevalent underlying disease, and 57.8% had more than one diagnosed disease. Malnutrition, bronchopneumonia, and dysphagia were present in 23.6%, 27% and 40% of the cases, respectively. There was a request for speech-language evaluation in only 8.7% of the patients. And 80.7% did not use NET prior to emergency care. Regarding the indications for the use of NET by group of underlying disease, low food intake was the most prevalent clinical reason described in the medical records, followed by dysphagia, with a higher prevalence of patients taking NET for nutritional reasons. There was no justification for prescription in 15.2% of the sample. There was an association between the variables bronchopneumonia and dysphagia (p = 0.01). Conclusion: It was verified that in the studied population there are risk factors for dysphagia. The analysis of the population profile in the present study contributed to increased knowledge and information about this population regarding the criteria for indication of the use of the alternative route. (AU)

Risk factors for intestinal parasitosis, anaemia, and malnutrition among school children in Ethiopia.

Research on associated risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition in various geographic regions is needed for the development of appropriate control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections, anaemia, and malnutrition in school children, living in urban and rural areas of northern Ethiopia. Six hundred school children, aged 6-15 years, were randomly selected in a cross-sectional survey from 12 primary schools. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected. Faecal samples were examined using direct, concentration, and the Kato-Katz methods. Urine specimens were analysed for Schistosoma haematobium ova. Haemoglobin was measured using a HemoCue spectrometer. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 72% (95% confidence interval (CI): 66-76%). The prevalence of anaemia, stunting, and thinness were 11% (95% CI: 8-13%), 35% (95% CI: 31-38%), and 34% (95% CI: 30-38%), respectively. Poor personal hygiene habits were generally associated with anaemia and nutritional deficiency (low body mass index). Multivariate logistic regression models related Schistosoma mansoni infection with boys. Boys were also more likely to be malnourished. Hookworm infection was associated with anaemia and unhygienic finger nails. Access to clean water and latrines, with some hygiene and sanitation communication activities, could improve health of children in Ethiopia. The use of smartphone technology in demographic data collection proved to be successful. The potential advantage offered by this technology for parasitological field surveys merits further investigation.

The diagnostic validity of depression scales and clinical judgement in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

We aimed to find the depression rating scale with the greatest accuracy when applied by psychiatrists in Iraqi Kurdistan. We recruited 200 patients with primary depression and 200 controls living in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The Mini International Neuropsychiatry Inventory (MINI) was used as a gold standard for DSM-IV depression. We also used: the two-item and the nine-item versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ2, PHQ9), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Interviews were performed by psychiatrists who also rated their clinical judgement using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and other mental health practitioners. All scales and tools performed with high accuracy and reliability. The least accurate tool was the PHQ2; however, with only two items it was efficient. Sensitivity and specificity for all tools were above 90%. Clinicians using the CGI were accurate in their clinical judgement. The CDSS appeared to be the most accurate scale for DSM-IV major depression and the PHQ2 the most efficient. However, only the CDSS appeared to offer an advantage over psychiatrists' judgement.

Changes in functional capacity of patients two years after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To check changes in the functional capacity of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by testing six-minute walk test (6MWT) following two years. METHODS: A prospective cohort study where 215 patients were enrolled who underwent CABG, 13 did not meet the criteria for inclusion. 202 patients were evaluated preoperatively, 13 died during hospitalization and 6 in the follow up of two years. Four patients were considered lost follow up. This study followed 179 patients for two years classified into active and sedentary, according to physical activity in leisure time and to the 6MWT preoperatively and 2 years later. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were evaluated in the day before CABGS, being 67% male with an average age of 63 (+/- 9.75) years. Before surgery and 2 years later, 52 were active and the 6MWT distances performed had been 359m (+/- 164.47) and 439m (+/- 171.34), respectively; P= 0.016. Forty five patients were classified as sedentary before and 2 years after surgery. The 6MWT distances walked before and after surgery had been 255m (+/- 172.15) and 376m (+/- 210.92), respectively; P < 0.001. Eighty two patients transited between these two groups, 71 passed from sedentary to active and had walked before and after surgery 289m (+/- 157.15) and 380m (+/- 125.44), respectively; P= 0.001. The 11 patients who were active and passed to the sedentary group walked 221m (+/- 191.91) and 384m (+/- 63.73), respectively; P= 0.007. CONCLUSION: The functional capacity of the patients submitted to CABGS had a significant improvement in a medium period of follow-up.

Comparison of two risk stratification models in elective coronary artery bypass patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Cleveland Clinical Score and EuroSCORE when evaluating patients submitted to elective CABGS in Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil. METHODS; This was a cohort study of 202 patients given CABGS between January 2006 and March 2007. Surgical risk was categorized according to the Cleveland Clinic Score and the EuroSCORE as low, medium or high. The incidence of deaths was measured over a 60-day period. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 62 ± 10 years and 134 (66%) of them were men. A correlation was observed between the scores for classifying patients into different levels of risk. According to the Cleveland Clinic score and the EuroSCORE, respectively, patients were categorized as follows: 142(70.3%) and 155(76.7%) low risk patients, 56(27.7%) and 43(21.3) intermediate risk patients and 4(2%) and 4(2%) high risk patients; with a Kaplan correlation coefficient of 0.432; p0.001. Thirteen (13, 6.4%) patients died during the first 60 days after surgery. There was a correlation between greater incidence of death and higher risk categories for both the Cleveland Clinic score and the EuroSCORE. Deaths occurred in the Cleveland and EuroSCORE risk groups, respectively, as follows: 6 (4.4%) and 7 (4.5%) in the low risk group; 5 (8.9%) and 5 (11.6%) in the intermediate risk group and 2 (50%) 3 1(25%) in the high risk group. Observed sensitivity for surgical mortality prediction was 72.5% and 66.5% for the Cleveland score and EuroSCORE respectively. CONCLUSION: The Cleveland Clinic and EuroSCORE surgical risk prediction instruments are both moderately effective for predicting mortality among elective CABGS patients.

Prevalência de dor osteomuscular em profissionais de enfermagem de equipes de cirurgia em um hospital universitário / Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among surgical nursing teams

Dentre as profissões da área da saúde, a enfermagem, em particular, tem sido afetada pelos distúrbios musculoesqueléticos produzindo alterações na vida desses trabalhadores, impossibilitando-os de realizarem atividades cotidianas e laborais. Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência de dor osteomuscular e a associação com a qualidade de vida em profissionais de enfermagem que atuam em equipes de cirurgia no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Método: Estudo transversal realizado entre março de 2011 ejaneiro de 2012, em um hospital universitário terciário do sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados 110 trabalhadores de enfermagem das equipes de cirurgia. Foram excluídos os trabalhadores em licença saúde, fériasou outro tipo de afastamento durante o período de coleta dos dados. A dor osteomuscular foi avaliada através do questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares e a qualidade de vida foi avaliada atravésdo questionário Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). As relações entre dor osteomuscular e qualidade de vida foram analisadas através do Teste U de Mann-Whitney, utilizandonível de significância de 95%. Resultados: A prevalência de dor osteomuscular encontrada neste estudo foi de 91,81%. Com relação às regiões anatômicas, considerou-se as queixas de dor osteomuscular retroativo há doze meses, onde o predomínio foi de dor no pescoço (56%) e ombros (56%). Quando consideramos afastamento por dor osteomuscular encontramos a prevalência de dor lombar (34%). O grupo que não relatou dor osteomuscular apresentou melhores índices de qualidade de vida nos domínios de capacidade funcional, aspectos físicos, dor, vitalidade, aspectos sociais e saúde mental. Conclusão: A dor osteomuscular apresenta maior prevalência nas regiões do pescoço e ombros. Além disso, o maior número de afastamentos ocorre por prevalência de dor lombar entre os trabalhadores de enfermagem das equipes de cirurgia. A dor influenciou na qualidade de vida afetando seis dos domínios avaliados

Among the health professions, nursing, in particular, has been affected by musculoskeletal disorders. The WMSD produce changes in the lives of these workers, impossible of them held daily activities andlabour. Objective: Investigating the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated with the quality of life in nursing professionals who work in surgery teams. Method: Cross-sectional study conductedbetween March 2011 and January 2012 in a tertiary university hospital in southern Brazil. We evaluated 110 workers nursing teams. It was excluded workers on sick leave, vacation or other absence duringthe period of data collection. The musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire the quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). The relationship between musculoskeletal pain and quality of life were analyzed by the U of Mann-Whitney test, using a significance level of 95%. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain found in this study was 91.81%. With respect to anatomic regions, it was consideredthe complaints of musculoskeletal pain retroactive twelve months ago, where there was the predominance of neck pain (56%) and shoulders (56%). When we consider sick leaving for musculoskeletal painwe found the prevalence of low back pain (34%). The group who reported no musculoskeletal pain showed better indices of quality of life in the areas of physical functioning, physical aspect, bodily pain,vitality, social and mental health aspect. Conclusion: the higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulder regions. Moreover, the largest number of sick leaves occurs because of the prevalenceof low back pain among nursing staff of the surgical teams. The pain influenced the quality of life affecting six of the areas assessed.

Influence of the practice physical activity in the coronary artery bypass graft surgery results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency changes of physical activity practice in pre- and postoperative of the patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and the frequency influence on the physical activity practice in the patients' preoperative prognosis. METHODS: Cases studies of 55 patients submitted to CABG divided into active and sedentary regarding physical activity practices. RESULTS: After CAGB, 14 (47%) patients classified as sedentary before surgery were practicing exercises (p = 0.03). Seventeen (59%) sedentary patients in the preoperative period presented complications after the surgery compared to 8 (31%) active patients (p = 0.04). The hospital length of stay among sedentary patients versus active patients before surgery was 15 (SD=8) and 12 (SD=5) days; p=0.03, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the importance of physical activity practice in the preoperative stage on the outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery. The patients physically active had a shorter hospital length of stay and a lower number of both trans- and postoperative complications within 1 year. The cardiac surgery promoted the patients' change of habits, increasing the number of physically active patients during the 1-year follow-up.

Comparação de dois modelos de estratificação de risco em pacientes eletivamente submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica / Comparison of two models of risk stratification in patients submitted to elective coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJETIVO: Comparar o Cleveland Clinical Score eo EuroSCORE na avaliação de pacientes submetidos eletivamente à CRM no Rio Grande do Sul (RS). MÉTODOS: Coorte com 202 pacientes submetidos à CRM entre janeiro de 2006 e março de 2007. O risco cirúrgico foi determinado por meio dos escores da Cleveland Clinic e do EuroSCORE como de baixo, médio e alto risco. A incidência de óbito foi aferida no intervalo de 60 dias. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes foi 62 (± 10) anos, 134 (66 por cento) eram homens. Houve correlação entre os escores da Cleveland Clinic e EuroSCORE em categorizar, respectivamente os pacientes em baixo: 142 (70,3 por cento) e 155 (76,7 por cento); médio 56 (27,7 por cento) e 43 (21,3); e alto risco 4 (2 por cento) e 4 (2 por cento) conforme o coeficiente de concordância de Kappa 0,432; P 0,001. No pós-operatório de 60 dias, 13 (6,4 por cento) pacientes morreram. Observou-se uma correlação com percentual crescente da incidência de óbitos com o aumento da categoria de risco em ambos os escores, 6 (4.4 por cento) e 7 (4,5 por cento) no baixo; 5 (8,9 por cento) e 5 (11,6 por cento) no médio; 2 (50 por cento) e 1 (25 por cento) no alto risco nos escore de Cleveland e EuroSCORE respectivamente. Observou-se sensibilidade na previsão de mortalidade cirúrgica de 72,5 por cento e 66,5 por cento para o Cleveland e EuroSCORE respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os escores de risco, da Cleveland Clinic e EuroSCORE, mostraram-se eficazes em prever mortalidade de pacientes submetidos eletivamente à CRM de forma moderada.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Cleveland Clinical Score and EuroSCORE when evaluating patients submitted to CABGS electively in Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: Cohort study with 202 patients submitted to CABGS between January 2006 and March 2007. Surgical risks were categorized by the Cleveland Clinic and EuroSCORE as low, medium and high risks. The incidence of deaths was measured in a 60 days interval. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 62±10 years and 134(66 percent) were men. A correlation was observed between both scores to classify patients at different levels of risk. Patients were categorized using the Cleveland Clinic and EuroSCORE respectively: 142(70.3 percent) and 155(76.7 percent) as low, 56(27.7 percent) and 43(21,3) as medium and 4(2 percent) and 4(2 percent) as high risks, with a Kaplan correlation coefficient of 0.432; p0.001. In the first sixty days after surgery, 13(6.4 percent) patients had died. A correlation between the higher incidences of death with increased category of risk was observed in the Cleveland Clinic and EuroSCORE. Deaths occurred respectively in the Cleveland and EuroSCORE: 6(4.4 percent) and 7(4.5 percent) in the low; 5(8.9 percent) and 5(11.6 percent) in the medium and 2(50 percent) 3 1(25 percent) in the high risks. Noted sensitivity in surgical mortality forecast was of 72.5 percent and 66.5 percent Cleveland and EuroSCORE respectively. CONCLUSION: The Cleveland Clinic and EuroSCORE risk scores have proven effective to evaluate risk of death in patients electively submitted to CABGS.

Alterações na capacidade funcional de pacientes após dois anos da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio / Changes in functional capacity of patients two years after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

OBJETIVO: Verificar alterações na capacidade funcional dos pacientes que se submetem à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) por meio do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) no seguimento de dois anos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo, no qual foram arrolados 215 pacientes submetidos a CRM, 13 não preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Foram 202 pacientes avaliados no pré-operatório, 13 morreram no período da internação e seis no seguimento de dois anos. Quatro pacientes foram considerados perdas de seguimento. Foram acompanhados 179 pacientes no período de 2 anos, classificados em ativos e sedentários, conforme a prática de atividade física no tempo livre e submetidos ao TC6 no préoperatório e 2 anos depois. RESULTADOS: Dos 202 pacientes avaliados no pré-operatório da CRM, 67 por cento eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 63 (± 9,75) anos. Pré e após 2 anos da CRM, 52 pacientes se mantiveram ativos e as distâncias caminhadas foram 359m (± 164,47) e 439m (± 171,34), respectivamente, P= 0,016. A distância caminhada no pré e pós-operatório, dos 45 pacientes que permaneceram sedentários, foi, respectivamente, 255m (± 172,15) e 376m (± 210,92) P<0,001. Oitenta e dois pacientes transitaram entre estes dois grupos, 71 passaram de sedentários para ativos e caminharam 289m (± 157,15) no pré e 380m (± 125,44) no pós-operatório, P= 0,001; os 11 pacientes que eram ativos e passaram a sedentários caminharam no pré 221m (± 191,91) e, no pós-operatório, 384m (± 63,73) P= 0,007. CONCLUSÃO: A capacidade funcional dos pacientes submetidos à CRM melhorou de forma importante no seguimento de médio prazo.

OBJECTIVE: To check changes in the functional capacity of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by testing six-minute walk test (6MWT) following two years. METHODS: A prospective cohort study where 215 patients were enrolled who underwent CABG, 13 did not meet the criteria for inclusion. 202 patients were evaluated preoperatively, 13 died during hospitalization and 6 in the follow up of two years. Four patients were considered lost follow up. This study followed 179 patients for two years classified into active and sedentary, according to physical activity in leisure time and to the 6MWT preoperatively and 2 years later. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were evaluated in the day before CABGS, being 67 percent male with an average age of 63 (± 9.75) years. Before surgery and 2 years later, 52 were active and the 6MWT distances performed had been 359m (± 164.47) and 439m (± 171.34), respectively; P= 0.016. Forty five patients were classified as sedentary before and 2 years after surgery. The 6MWT distances walked before and after surgery had been 255m (± 172.15) and 376m (± 210.92), respectively; P < 0.001. Eighty two patients transited between these two groups, 71 passed from sedentary to active and had walked before and after surgery 289m (± 157.15) and 380m (± 125.44), respectively; P= 0.001. The 11 patients who were active and passed to the sedentary group walked 221m (± 191.91) and 384m (± 63.73), respectively; P= 0.007. CONCLUSION: The functional capacity of the patients submitted to CABGS had a significant improvement in a medium period of follow-up.

Influência da prática da atividade física no resultado da cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica / Influence of the practice physical activity in the coronary artery bypass graft surgery results

Objetivo: Avaliar a modificação da freqüência da prática da atividade física no pré e pós-operatório dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) e influência da freqüência da prática da atividade física no prognóstico dos mesmos...