Rotating shift work time is directly associated with excess body adiposity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between changes in body adiposity and length of service on a schedule of rotating shifts. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional investigation conducted during the years 2012, 2015, and 2018, involving individuals engaged in rotating shifts at a company involved in iron ore extraction situated within the Iron Quadrangle region of Minas Gerais and the southeastern region of Pará, Brazil. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected along with anthropometric parameters in order to calculate body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). For data analysis, a multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore potential associations between indicators of body adiposity and the duration of shift work, employing a hierarchical determination model. RESULTS: The findings showed that in the multivariate model, controlling for confounding factors, workers with 5 to 10, 10 to 15, and more than 15 years of shift work had 41 to 96% greater odds of being overweight (BMI > 25.0 kg/m2), 71 to 82% of having altered neck circumference (> 40 cm), 33 to 120% of altered WC (>102 cm), and 57 to 214% of having altered WHtR (> 0.5 cm). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that time spent in work has a significant effect on anthropometric indicators of body adiposity, especially if the worker has a previously established comorbidity such as dyslipidemia or hypertension and is frequently exposed to night work.

Rotating shift workers with vitamin D deficiency have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in shift workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male rotating shift workers in an iron ore extraction company. Participants were classified as VDD when 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL for a healthy population and 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL for groups at risk for VDD. Risk of developing OSA was classified by Berlin questionnaire (BQ) and NoSAS score. Data were compared using chi-square analysis with Cramer's V as effect size, and Bonferroni correction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether or not VDD was associated with OSA risk assessment. RESULTS: Among 1423 male workers, mostly younger, aged 30 to 39 years (53%), worked shifts for more than 5 years (76%). The prevalence of high risk of OSA by BQ was 16%, and 33% by NoSAS score. Additionally, 29% had VDD. In multivariate analysis, controlled for confounding factors, workers with VDD had a 52% increased chance of OSA by BQ (OR 1.52; CI95% 1.06-2.18) and a 64% increased chance of OSA by NoSAS score (OR 1.64; CI95% 1.09-2.48). After subgroup analyses, similar results were not observed in workers aged 20-29 and 30-39 years. CONCLUSION: Rotating shift workers with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, assessed by the Berlin questionnaire and NoSAS score.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Berlin questionnaire and the NoSAS score in detecting risk for obstructive sleep apnea in rotating shift workers.

BACKGROUND: Data on the validity of tools for sleep apnea risk detection in rotating shift workers are limited. The aim was to evaluate the Berlin questionnaire (BQ) and the Neck, Obesity, Snoring, Age, Sex (NoSAS) score for the detection of obstructive sleep apnea risk in shift workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male rotating shift workers, drivers of heavy off-road machinery in an iron ore extraction company. Polysomnography was the gold standard for evaluation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥ 5 events/h. The Shapiro-Wilk test verified the data distribution and comparative analysis was conducted using the chi-square analyses and U Mann-Whitney with Bonferroni correction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and accuracy were used for evaluate BQ and NoSAS with OSA diagnosis by polysomnograph. RESULTS: Among 119 male shift workers, ages 24 to 57 years, polysomnography showed that 84% had obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 5), and 46% had moderate to severe sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 15). For AHI ≥ 5, the NoSAS score had higher sensitivity and specificity than the BQ. For AHI ≥ 15 and AHI ≥ 30, the NoSAS score had a sensitivity higher than 70% while BQ was 60% and 58%, respectively. The accuracy of the NoSAS score was higher for all OSA criteria than that of BQ. CONCLUSION: In rotating shift workers, drivers of heavy off-road machinery, the NoSAS score showed higher accuracy in identifying patients at risk for sleep apnea than the BQ.

Work hours as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infections: cardiometabolic and sleep characteristics in rotating shift workers.

Objective: This study aims to describe the health characteristics of rotating shift mining workers that may be related to a worse course scenario for COVID-19, according to literature data. Methods: Is a cross-sectional from three studies with 1478 shift workers. Social, demographic, clinical, and biochemical variables were analyzed. Risk factors for COVID-19 analyzed: hyperglycemia, altered blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hypovitaminosis D, obesity, presence of pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, and smokers. Results: Evaluating the grouped risk factors for an unfavorable evolution of COVID-19 most workers (91.0%) presented at least one risk factor. Discussion: With coronavirus in pandemic circulation, we noticed that mineworkers are in a vulnerable position. Their exposure to occupational risk factors, to the shift system, which directly affects sleep and negatively influences immunity, added to the conditions of favorable transmissibility by the flow of people from the mines leads us to believe in their greater susceptibility to acquiring the most serious forms of the disease.

Body fat indicators for cardiometabolic risk screening among shift workers.

BACKGROUND: In view of the costly methods currently available for the assessment of body adiposity, anthropometric obesity indicators have proven effective in predicting cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the discriminatory power of body fat indicators for cardiovascular risk screening among shift workers. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with male employees of an iron ore extraction company. The predictive power of body fat indicators relative to cardiovascular risk was analyzed based on the Framingham risk score and metabolic syndrome by means of receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden's index. RESULTS: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk was 14.2% in the metabolic syndrome risk model. According to the Framingham score, 95.0%, 4.1% and 0.9% of the participants exhibited low, moderate and high risk, respectively. All the analyzed body fat indicators exhibited satisfactory discriminatory power for the tested cardiovascular risk models. CONCLUSION: Waist-height ratio exhibited the highest ability to predict cardiometabolic risk in both risk models.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in shift workers: Study protocol for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The present clinical study aims to describe protocol to evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on the cardiovascular risk factors in a population of rotating shift workers. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial testing 2 oral dosages of cholecalciferol (14,000 IU and 28,000 IU per week) for 12 months. SETTING: The primary outcome for evaluation is an 18% reduction in hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL) between pre and postintervention measurements. Baseline characteristics of the study population will be summarized separately within each randomized group, and will use tests for continuous and categorical variables. For all tests, a P < .05 will be considered significant. The analysis of primary and secondary outcomes will use an intention-to-treat population and a per-protocol population. The primary and secondary outcomes will be compared separately between each treatment group and placebo, using binary logistic regression or regressão de Poisson for proportions (for binary outcomes) and using linear regression for differences in means (for continuous endpoints), with 95% confidence intervals. PARTICIPANTS: Rotating shift workers, adults aged between 18 and 60 years, with hypovitaminosis D and alterations in at least 1 of the following parameters: fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial aims to contribute to the gap in knowledge about the potential, dose, and time of vitamin D supplementation to generate beneficial effects on triglycerides in a population at increased risk for hypertriglyceridemia and vitamin D deficiency.

Lipoprotein(a) as a risk factor associated with ischemic heart disease: Ouro Preto Study.

Evidences suggest that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, literature has been controversial in confirming its role as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the association between serum levels of Lp(a) and ischemic heart disease as well as other cardiovascular risk factors in a population-based study conducted on a local cohort of the Brazilian population. Lp(a) serum levels were measured in 400 individuals selected from a larger sample of a populational survey carried out in Ouro Preto, a city in the southeast of Brazil. Lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, anthropometric and clinical parameters were analyzed. Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with the presence of ischemic heart disease. In relation to other cardiovascular risk factors, it was verified that Lp(a) levels were statistically associated with age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and percentage of body fat determined by bioelectric impedance. Lp(a) was also highly associated with the Framingham risk score (p=0.003). In a multivariate analysis two significant interactions were revealed; one involving ischemic heart disease, sex and age and other associating ischemic heart disease, age and total cholesterol. In summary, in the present analysis Lp(a) serum levels were correlated with the occurrence of ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Haul Truck Operators of the Mining Sector Working a Rotational Schedule

Abstract Background: Due to the growing concern about work-related social and health aspects, occupational health and safety has become relevant. Objective: This work aims to develop a model to assist cardiovascular risk management in a team of haul truck operators, who work in rotating shifts at a mining company in Brazil. Methods: This longitudinal study evaluated risk factors for cardiovascular diseases of 191 mineworkers at three times points - 2010, 2012, and 2015. In addition, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases was calculated, and the risk factors were analyzed using the chi-square test, the U Mann-Whitney test, and binary logistic regression. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: In the study period, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides levels of the study group increased. In 2015, there was a high prevalence of alcohol intake, overweight or obesity, central obesity, inadequate WHR, high blood pressure, total cholesterol above 190 mg/dL, and triglycerides above 150 mg/dL. An association was identified between increased cardiovascular risk and age, SBP, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and elevated glucose levels. Conclusion: Intense interventions for reduction and prevention of elevated alcohol intake, blood pressure levels, WHR, metabolic syndrome, blood glucose, and LDL-C levels, and low HDL-C levels are needed. In addition, a close monitoring of mine workers over 38 years of age who smoke, consume alcoholic beverages, and have altered blood glucose levels is important.

Concordância entre cintura hipertrigliceridêmica e cintura estatura hipertrigliceridêmica em trabalhadores em turnos alternantes / Agreement between hypertriglyceridic waist and hypertriplyceridemic waist height in rotation shift workers

Objetivos: Avaliar a concordância entre fenótipo de cintura hipertrigliceridêmica e fenótipo cintura estatura hipertrigliceridêmica, e a associação desses fenótipos com alterações antropométricas, bioquímicas e clínicas em homens adultos com risco metabólico aumentado pela exposição ao turno alternante. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 678 trabalhadores do sexo masculino. O fenótipo de cintura hipertrigliceridêmica foi definido pelo perímetro da cintura ≥ 94 cm e triglicérides ≥ 150 mg/dL; o fenótipo cintura estatura hipertrigliceridêmica pela razão cintura estatura ≥ 0,5; e triglicérides ≥ 150mg/dL. Foram avaliados o índice de massa corporal, pressão arterial, colesterol total, high-density lipoprotein colesterol, low-density lipoprotein colesterol, triglicérides e glicemia de jejum. O teste Kappa foi utilizado para avaliar a concordância entre os fenótipos e o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson, para verificar a associação entre os fenótipos e os componentes de risco para doenças cardiovasculares. Para todos os testes, o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A concordância entre o fenótipo de cintura hipertrigliceridêmica e o fenótipo cintura estatura hipertrigliceridêmica foi significativa e substancial. Ambos fenótipos foram relacionados significativamente com índice de massa corporal, colesterol total, high-density lipoprotein colesterol e pressão arterial aumentados. Conclusões: Sugere-se o uso do fenótipo cintura estatura hipertrigliceridemica, já que demonstrou associações que se mantiveram independentemente da faixa etária e identificou maior proporção de trabalhadores em turnos alternantes com componentes de risco cardiovascular. (AU)

Objective: This study evaluated the agreement between hypertriglyceridemic waist and hypertriglyceridemic waist height phenotypes and the association of these phenotypes with anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical alterations in adult men with increased metabolic risk due to rotating shift exposure. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 678 male workers. The hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was defined as waist circumference ≥ 94 cm and triglyceride concentration ≥150 mg/dL; the hypertriglyceridemic waist height phenotype was defined as a height-waist ratio ≥0.5 and triglyceride concentration ≥ 150mg/dL. Body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels were evaluated. The Kappa test was used to assess the concordance between phenotypes, and the Pearson's chi-square tests were used to verify the association between phenotypes and risk components for cardiovascular diseases. For all tests, the significance level was 5%. Results: The agreement between the hypertriglyceridemic waist and the hypertriglyceridemic waist height phenotypes was significant and substantial. Both phenotypes were significantly related to increased body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure. Conclusion: We propose the use of hypertriglyceridemic waist-toheight ratio as it demonstrated associations that persisted regardless of the age group and also identified a higher proportion of rotating shift workers with cardiovascular risk components. (AU)

Heart rate variability in shift workers: responses to orthostatism and relationships with anthropometry, body composition, and blood pressure.

In order to investigate the response of heart rate variability (HRV) components to postural change and their association with cardiovascular risk factors in shift workers, a cross-sectional study with 438 Brazilian males rotating shift workers was done. Anthropometric, body composition, and clinical measures were collected. Electrocardiogram was recorded for 3 minutes, in the supine and orthostatic position, and HRV components were extracted. Descriptive analyses showed that mean values of body mass index, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio, visceral fat area (VFA), and blood pressure (BP) were higher than the reference values. In the regression model, age, WC, VFA, and systolic BP showed negative association with HRV components. These findings suggest the need for determining effective strategies for the evaluation and promotion of health among shift workers focused on the altered variables.

Qualidade de vida e excesso de peso em trabalhadores em turnos alternantes / Quality of life and overweight in alternating shift workers

Resumo Objetivo: identificar a percepção dos trabalhadores de turnos alternantes de uma mineradora da região dos Inconfidentes, Minas Gerais, sobre sua qualidade de vida (QV) e analisar sua associação com indicadores de excesso de adiposidade corporal. Métodos: estudo transversal com 437 trabalhadores em turnos alternantes com um ou mais fatores de risco cardiovascular. Dados sociodemográficos e clínicos foram analisados. A QV foi avaliada com o questionário SF-36 e a adiposidade corporal estimada a partir das medidas antropométricas e de composição corporal. Resultados: a pontuação para os domínios da QV variou de 67 a 100, no entanto, o aumento de gordura corporal apresentou correlação negativa com os domínios saúde geral, vitalidade e capacidade funcional. Foi observada, por análise de cluster, a formação de dois agrupamentos, um composto pelos domínios da QV e o outro constituído pelos indicadores de composição corporal. Não foi identificada associação entre os escores estimados de QV dos trabalhadores de turno e o tempo de trabalho. Conclusão: o declínio da QV apresentou associação com o excesso de adiposidade corporal. Recomenda-se a adoção de medidas visando reduzir o excesso de adiposidade corporal e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores em turno alternante da mineração.

Abstract Objective: to identify the perception that alternating shift workers from a mining company in the region of Inconfidentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil, have about their quality of life (QoL) and to analyse its association with indicators of excess body adiposity. Methods: cross-sectional study involving 437 alternating shift workers with one or more cardiovascular risk factors. Sociodemographic and clinical data were analyzed. QoL was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. Body adiposity was estimated through anthropometric and body composition measurements. Results: the scores for QoL domains ranged from 67 to 100, however, body fat increasing showed a negative correlation with general health, vitality and functional capacity domains. Through cluster analysis, the authors observed the formation of two groups, one comprising the QoL domains, and a second made up of body composition indicators. No association was found between the shift workers estimated QoL scores and their shift working lifetime. Conclusion: the QoL decline was associated with body adiposity excess. The recommendation is the adoption of measures aimed at reducing excess body adiposity and improving mining alternating shift workers' quality of life.

Indicadores de adiposidade como método de rastreamento para polissonografia em trabalhadores de turno / Adiposity indicators as a screening method for polysomnography in shift workers

Resumo Objetivo: verificar o potencial discriminatório dos indicadores de adiposidade na predição da apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS) em trabalhadores de turnos. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado em uma empresa de extração de minério de ferro, em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Dados antropométricos foram coletados e polissonografia (PSG) foi realizada em 118 trabalhadores de turno do sexo masculino que possuíam ao menos um fator de risco global para doença cardiovascular. Resultados: a prevalência de AOS na amostra foi de 84,7%. Entre os indicadores de adiposidade usados para predizerem a AOS (≥ 5 eventos/hora), o índice de massa corporal (IMC), a circunferência da cintura (CC), a relação cintura/estatura (RCE) e a gordura corporal total (GCT), revelaram valores de sensibilidade acima de 70%. Gordura visceral (GV), circunferência do pescoço (CP) e relação pescoço-estatura (RPE) foram as mais efetivas em identificar corretamente trabalhadores sem AOS (valores de especificidade acima de 70%). As áreas sob a curva de Característica de Operação do Receptor (COR) para CC e RPE foram maiores que 0,7, o que indicou que o teste foi eficaz na discriminação de indivíduos com AOS. Conclusões: alterações nos indicadores de adiposidade abdominal e cervical têm relação significativa com a presença de AOS e demostraram eficácia como método de rastreamento para PSG. CC e RPE são considerados bons indicadores para predizerem a AOS.

Abstract Objective: to verify the discriminatory power of adiposity indicators in the prediction of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in shift workers. Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out in an iron ore extraction company, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anthropometric data were collected and polysomnography (PSG) was performed in 118 male shift workers who owned at least one overall risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Results: the OSA prevalence in the sample was 84.7%. Among the adiposity indicators used to predict OSA (≥ 5 events/hour), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and total body fat (TBF) showed sensitivity values higher than 70%. Visceral fat (VF), neck circumference (NC), and neck-to-height ratio (NHtR) were the most effective in correctly identifying workers without OSA (specificity values higher than 70%). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for WC and NHtR were greater than 0.7, which indicated the test was effective in discriminating individuals with OSA. Conclusions: alterations in abdomen and neck adiposity indicators have a significant relationship with the presence of OSA and showed effectiveness as a screening method for PSG. WC and NHtR are considered good indicators for OSA prediction.

Hipovitaminose D e índices glicêmicos em trabalhadores de turno alternante de empresa de mineração / Hypovitaminosis D and glycemic index in individuals working in rotate shifts of a mining company

Objetivo: Demonstrar a prevalência da hipovitaminose D em trabalhadores de turno de uma empresa de mineração e verificar se, nesta população, há correlação entre as variáveis glicêmicas (hemoglobina glicada e glicemia de jejum) e os níveis séricos de vitamina D. Métodos: Estudo transversal observacional realizado por 2 anos consecutivos com trabalhadores de turno. No primeiro ano, foram analisados os níveis séricos de vitamina D (25(OH)D) e glicemia de jejum, excluindo indivíduos que realizavam tratamento para controle glicêmico, suplementação de vitamina D e/ou participantes do sexo feminino, totalizando 548 trabalhadores. No ano seguinte, foram selecionados da amostra anterior apenas os indivíduos que apresentaram hipovitaminose D (25(OH) D<30ng/mL). Nestes, foram analisados os níveis de 25(OH)D, glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada. Foram aplicados o teste de normalidade Kolmogorov-Smirnov e a correlação de Spearman. Resultados: A idade média dos participantes foi de 38,2 anos. No primeiro ano, 80,8% dos trabalhadores apresentaram hipovitaminose D e 10,8% apresentavam glicemia de jejum fora dos níveis de normalidade. Dentre a amostra do ano seguinte, 81,1% permaneceram com hipovitaminose D, 18,2% apresentaram glicemia de jejum fora dos níveis de normalidade e 15,8% apresentaramhemoglobina glicada alterada. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre a 25(OH)D e a glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada. Conclusão: Foi observada alta prevalência de hipovitaminose nos trabalhadores de turno. Diferentemente de outros estudos, não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre as variáveis glicêmicas e a concentração sérica da vitamina D. (AU)

Objective: To demonstrate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in shift workers of a mining company, and to check whether, in this population, there is a correlation between glycemic variables (glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose)- and serum levels of vitamin D. Methods: These are cross-sectional observational studies performed in two consecutive years with shift workers. In the first year, the serum levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D) and fasting plasma glucose were analyzed, with people who underwent treatment for glycemic control, vitamin D supplementation, and/or female participants being excluded, totalizing 548 workers. In the following year, only those individuals who presented hypovitaminosis D (25 (OH) D <30 ng/dL) were selected from the previous sample. The levels of 25 (OH) D, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1C of these individuals were analyzed. The Kolmorogov-Smirnov normality test and the Spearman correlation were applied. Results: Th e m ean a ge o f participants was 38.2 years. In the first year, 80.8% (n=442) of the workers presented hypovitaminosis D, and 10.8% had fasting plasma glucose out of normal levels. Among the sample of the following year, 81.1% remained with hypovitaminosis D, 18.2% (n=51) had fasting glycemia out of normal levels, and 15.8% (n=44) had altered glycosylated hemoglobin. Conclusion: A high prevalence of hypovitaminosis in shift workers was observed. Differently from other studies, no significant correlations were found between glycemic variables and serum vitamin D concentration. (AU)

Prevalence and risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in the Hearts of Brazil Project.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In Brazil, data on PAD prevalence and risk factors are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and risk factors related to PAD in Brazilian urban centers with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: National, multicenter, cross-sectional study of 1,170 individuals (>18 years), from 72 major Brazilian urban centers participating in the "Hearts of Brazil Project". PAD diagnosis was based on ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Prevalência e fatores de risco associados à doença arterial periférica no projeto corações do Brasil / Prevalence and risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in the hearts of Brazil project

FUNDAMENTO: A doença arterial obstrutiva periférica (DAOP) está associada ao maior índice de risco cardiovascular. No Brasil, faltam dados sobre sua prevalência e fatores de risco. OBJETIVO: Avaliar prevalência e fatores de risco associados à DAOP nas cidades brasileiras com > cem mil habitantes. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, multicêntrico, que avaliou 1.170 indivíduos (>18 anos), em 72 centros urbanos, participantes do Projeto Corações do Brasil. O diagnóstico de DAOP baseou-se na medida do índice tornozelo-braquial (ITB) < 0,90. A análise estatística utilizou teste Qui-quadrado (Pearson) corrigido para amostras complexas e intervalos de confiança. P < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de DAOP foi de 10,5 por cento e apenas 9 por cento dos portadores da doença apresentaram claudicação. A DAOP esteve associada à presença de diabetes, obesidade total e abdominal, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e doença isquêmica do coração (DIC). Houve tendência a maior prevalência de DAOP na presença de hipertensão, insuficiência cardíaca, insuficiência renal dialítica e tabagismo >20 anos/maço. Mulheres coronariopatas apresentaram risco 4,9 vezes maior de ter DAOP, do que aquelas sem coronariopatia e, entre homens diabéticos, o risco de DAOP foi 6,6 maior em comparação aos não diabéticos. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de DAOP foi elevada, considerando-se a baixa média de idade da população avaliada (44±14,7 anos). A minoria dos portadores apresentava claudicação, o que denota o grande contingente de indivíduos assintomáticos. Os fatores mais fortemente associados à doença foram diabetes, obesidade, AVC e DIC. Os autores concluíram que a medida do ITB deve ser considerada na avaliação de pacientes de moderado e alto risco cardiovascular.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In Brazil, data on PAD prevalence and risk factors are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and risk factors related to PAD in Brazilian urban centers with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: National, multicenter, cross-sectional study of 1,170 individuals (>18 years), from 72 major Brazilian urban centers participating in the "Hearts of Brazil Project". PAD diagnosis was based on ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90. The statistical analysis used the corrected Chi-square (Pearson) test for complex samples and confidence intervals. P< 0.05 was considered statitically significant. RESULTS: PAD prevalence was 10.5 percent. Intermittent claudication (IC) was present in only 9 percent of PAD patients. A significant association was found between PAD and the following factors: diabetes, total and abdominal obesity, stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD). There was a trend of higher PAD prevalence among individuals with hypertension, heart failure, chronic renal failure on dialysis, as well as those who had smoked over 20 pack-years. For females, presence of IHD was associated with a 4.9-fold greater risk of PAD. Among males, a 6.6-fold increased risk of PAD was found for diabetic in comparison to non-diabetic individuals. CONCLUSION: PAD prevalence was markedly high, considering the low mean age of the studied population (44±14.7 yrs). IC was detected in a minority of PAD subjects, indicating a considerable number of asymptomatic individuals. Diabetes, obesity, stroke and IHD were the stronger predictors of PAD. The authors concluded that ABI measurement should be considered in the evaluation of moderate to high cardiovascular risk patients.

Monitorizaçäo ambulatorial da pressäo arterial em gestantes normotensas: estudo longitudinal da pressäo arterial e da freqüência cardíaca materna nos três trimestres da gestaçäo / Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive pregnant women: a prospective study of the mother's blood pressure and heart rate in the three trimesters of pregnancy

OBJETIVO: mostrar, longitudinalmente, os perfis e os parâmetros do ritmo pressórico e da freqüência cardíaca (FC) de grávidas normotensas nos três trimestres da gestaçäo pela monitorizaçäo ambulatorial da pressäo arterial (MAPA). MÉTODOS: o estudo, longitudinal e aleatório, incluiu 23 grávidas normotensas com média de idade de 23,3 ± 3,9 anos, recrutadas no pré-natal da Maternidade-Escola Hilda Brandäo da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte/MG. Realizou-se MAPA em cada trimestre (até a 14ª semana, entre a 18ª e a 28ª semana e entre a 32ª e a 40ª semana), utilizando o monitor SpaceLabs, modelo 90207. RESULTADOS: Observou-se aumento significativo (p<0,01) nas pressöes arteriais sistólica (115 e 104 mmHg), diastólica (73 e 61 mmHg) e média (87 e 77 mmHg), diurna e noturna, respectivamente, no terceiro trimestre da gestaçäo. A pressäo arterial média (PAM) e a FC materna diurnas (PAM: 83, 84 e 87 mmHg; FC: 94, 95 e 93 bpm) foram significativamente maiores que as noturnas (PAM: 72, 72 e 77 mmHg; FC: 74, 79 e 79 bpm), nos três trimestres. A freqüência cardíaca materna diária e a diurna näo se alteraram com o evoluir da gravidez. CONCLUSÄO: observamos aumento dos níveis pressóricos no terceiro trimestre da gestaçäo, independente do período do dia avaliado. Quanto à freqüência cardíaca, näo foram constatadas diferenças significativas entre os três trimestres na avaliaçäo diária e na diurna. No período noturno verificou-se freqüência cardíaca significativamente inferior no primeiro trimestre quando comparada com os demais

Hypertension detection and follow-up program (HDFP) / Hypertension detection and follow-up program (HDFP)

Período do estudo: O "Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program" (HDFP) foi realizado no período entre Fevereiro de 1973 e Fevereiro de 1978. Após esse período, seus participantes foram avaliados no estudo de vigilância pós-teste (PTS), realizado entre Julho de 1980 e Julho de 1982. Participantes: Foram selecionados 10.940 pacientes com pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) elevada. Sete mil e oitocentos pacientes tinham PAD classificada no estágio I (PAD entre 90 mmHg e 104 mmHg). Estudo: O estudo foi randomizado para dois grupos em 14 comunidades americanas. Metade dos participantes foi tratada com medicação anti-hipertensiva de forma sistemática ou escalonada ("stepped-care" - SC). A outra metade foi tratada com medicação anti-hipertensiva de forma usual nos ambulatórios das comunidades (RC). Objetivo principal: Avaliação da nortalidade total entre os dois grupos. Principais conclusões: Houve redução estatística significante (p<0,001) da mortalidade total (17 por cento) aos 5 anos, como um todo, para os participantes do Grupo SC em comparação ao grupo RC. Foi demonstrada pela primeira vez, numa grande amostra, a evidência sobre a eficácia do tratamento farmacológico de adultos com hipertensão arterial leve. No pós-teste, apesar do declínio no controle da pressão arterial por vários motivos, a mortalidade no grupo SC, principalmente no estágio I, foi menor que no grupo RC. Os pacientes com idade entre 30 e 49 anos demonstraram, no estudo pós-teste, progressivo benefício na redução da mortalidade aos 6,7 e 8,3 anos em comparação aos 5 anos. Comentário: O HDFP foi um estudo que atingiu seu objetivo científico, demonstrando o inconfundível benefício da redução da pressão arterial em relação à prevenção de mortes cardiovasculares. O tratamento medicamentoso escalonado de pacientes com baixo risco não se justifica, pois estes podem ter pequenas chances de benefício. A individualização da decisão entre risco e benefícios é salutar.