Gynaecological cancer incidence and mortality trends in a Brazilian State with medium human development index: A 22-year analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse trends in incidence and mortality rates of gynaecological cancer (GC) in Sergipe, a medium Human Development Index (HDI) state in northeastern Brazil during 1996-2017. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Population-based Cancer Registry of Aracaju and Brazilian Mortality Information System database. We included vulvar (VUC), vaginal (VAC), cervical (CC), uterine (UC; C54-C55), ovarian (OC), placental (PC), and unspecified female genital organ cancers. Crude rates, and age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (ASIR and ASMR, respectively) were calculated using a denominator of 100,000 women. We assessed changes in trends using the annual percentage change (APC) and the average APC (AAPC), using the Joinpoint Regression Program. RESULTS: From 1996-2017, GC ASIR exhibited a declining trend (AAPC: -3.1), while ASMR increased (AAPC: 2.1). CC had the highest ASIR and ASMR over the years, ranging from 11.6 to 34.3 cases and 4.2-9.0 deaths per 100,000, respectively. Annual decreases in ASIR were observed for CC (AAPC: -5.2) and VAC (AAPC: -5.5). OC saw an increase in mortality rates (AAPC: 1.9; 1996-2017), and CC experienced an increase during 1996-2003 (APC: 6.9). VUC displayed a substantial rise in ASMR from 2001 to 2009 (APC: 27.1), followed by a decrease (APC: -11.3). An increase in mortality trends for UC was observed during 1996-2004 (APC: 10.0), while its ASIR remained relatively unchanged over the years. CONCLUSION: While overall GC incidence trends declined, mortality rates either increased or failed to decrease significantly. Therefore, additional efforts are required to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, aimed at reducing and managing the burden of GC in the future.

Aesthetic assessment instrument for breasts reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Few validated aesthetic assessment instruments in breast reconstruction use discrete scales to facilitate studies with multiple evaluators. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to propose an aesthetic assessment scale for reconstructed breasts. METHODOLOGY: A scale was suggested using discrete variables, with responses ranging from 1 to 10, and the responses for each category could be summed to obtain an average that could be used in studies with multiple evaluators. To test the instrument suggested in this study, 5 experienced plastic surgeons assessed 46 patients. For all the analyses, a rejection level for the null hypothesis of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted. RESULTS: The suggested scale obtained valid intraclass correlation coefficients, with 0.9 for the overall aesthetic evaluation of the breast and the lowest being 0.77 for defining the inframammary fold. We observed good diagnostic accuracy in all comparisons, with the area under the curve ranging from 0.85 to 0.97. Regarding convergent validity, we observed correlations of 0.77 (p < 0.001) between breast volume and volume symmetry, 0.66 (p < 0.001) between breast shape and contour naturalness. The test-retest reliability was 0.708, which is considered good. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the effectiveness of the proposed new aesthetic evaluation scale, revealing consistency among different evaluators and over time. Convergent validation strengthens the relationship between the variables of the new scale and those of the Garbay scale. Furthermore, the robust diagnostic accuracy highlights the clinical utility of the new scale in assessing aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstructions.

Aesthetic assessment of breast reconstruction in the eyes of plastic surgeons versus nonplastic physicians.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of the aesthetic result of breast reconstruction surgery from the perspective of plastic surgeons compared with physicians who are not specialists in plastic surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy had their aesthetic results evaluated by 16 plastic surgeons and 16 nonplastic physicians, yielding a total of 620 ratings (320 ratings from plastic surgeons and 320 ratings from other specialists). For all analyses, the level of rejection adopted for the null hypothesis was 5% (p-value <0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the two groups. On average, medical professionals who specialized in plastic surgery always obtained higher scores than other physicians. However, no significant differences were found in the assessment of the aesthetic outcome of breast reconstruction according to the sex of the rating medical professional for any of the assessments considered in this study. A strong positive linear correlation between the time since training in the medical specialty of plastic surgery (r=0.750, p=0.001) and the mean aesthetic outcome score was observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Plastic surgeons assessed the aesthetic results of breast reconstruction more positively than nonplastic physicians.

Analysis of breast cancer survival in a northeastern Brazilian state based on prognostic factors: A retrospective cohort study.

Breast cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Analysis of breast cancer epidemiology in emerging countries enables assessment of prognostic factors, cancer care quality, and the equity of resource distribution. We aimed to estimate the overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (SS) of breast cancer patients in the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe to identify independent prognostic factors. We analyzed a cohort for the factors age at diagnosis, place of residence, time to treatment, staging, and molecular classification, using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Pearson's chi-squared test and Cox regression model. The outcome was the vital status at the end of the study. Our analysis showed an OS probability of 0.72 and an SS probability of 0.75. In multivariate analysis, time to treatment within 60 days, stage IV, and triple-negative classification remained independent prognostic factors for both OS [unadjusted hazard ratio (HRp) 1.50 (1.21; 1.86), HRp 16.56 (8.35; 32.85), and HRp 2.73 (1.73; 4.29), respectively] and SS [HRp 1.43 (1.13; 1.81), HRp 20.53 (9.45; 44.56), and HRp 3.14 (1.88; 5.26), respectively]. Better survival was demonstrated for the following patients: those receiving their first treatment after 60 days, with an OS of 52.5 months (51.2; 53.8) and SS of 53.5 months (52.3; 54.7); stage I patients, with an OS of 58.8 months (57.7; 60.0) and SS of 59.2 months (58.1; 60.3); patients without nodal metastasis, with an OS of 54.2 months (53.0; 55.4) and SS of 55.6 months (54.5; 56.7); and patients with luminal A classification, with an OS of 56.8 months (55.0; 58.5) and SS of 57.8 months (56.2; 59.4). This study identified independent prognostic factors and that OS and SS were lower for patients from Sergipe than for patients in high-income areas. Therefore, determining the profiles of breast cancer patients in this population will inform specific cancer care.

Temporal trend of cancer mortality in a Brazilian state with a medium Human Development Index (1980-2018).

Emerging economy countries in epidemiological transition have been especially challenged in the fight against cancer. This was an ecological study that aimed to describe the temporal trend of cancer mortality in a Brazilian northeastern state with a medium Human Development Index using official Brazilian mortality data from 1980 to 2018. We calculated the mortality crude rate (CR) and age-standardized rate (ASR) based on official population counts and estimates. The Joinpoint Regression Program, National Cancer Institute, USA, was used to calculate time trends of cancer mortality. There were 34,214 deaths from cancer, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer, in Sergipe. The overall cancer mortality ASR was 70.1 and 57.9 per 100,000 men and women, respectively. For the last five years, the leading causes of cancer deaths were prostate (21.3), trachea, bronchus and lung (11.7), stomach (6.5), oral cavity (5.4) and liver and intrahepatic bile ducts (5.1) in males and breast (13.8), trachea, bronchus and lung (6.6), cervix (6.4), colon/rectum (5.8) and central nervous system (3.6) in females. In addition, there was a significant reduction in deaths from ill-defined causes in the series. Our results show that although there has been an increase in cancer mortality rates associated with Western lifestyles, such as prostate, breast and colon/rectum, high rates of cancer related to poverty and infections, such as stomach and cervix, still persist in Sergipe.

Trends in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in a brazilian city.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil, between 1996 and 2015 with Joinpoint Regression Program 4.7.0.0 and to identify the geographical distribution of CRC in the municipality. RESULTS: A total of 1322 cases of CRC and 467 CRC-related deaths during the study period were included. In total, 40% of the incident cases and 43% of the deaths occurred in men, while 60% of the incident cases and 57% of the deaths occurred in women. Males who were 20 to 44 years old had the most significant trend in growth. Among women, those in the group aged 45 to 64 years had the highest observed annual percent change (APC). In both sexes, mortality was stable. Regarding the geographic distribution, there were constant hotspots in the northeast region of the municipality. This study showed a significant increase in incidence, mainly in young men between 20 and 44 years of age, but stable mortality in Aracaju.

Patient satisfaction and quality of life in breast reconstruction: assessment of outcomes of immediate, delayed, and nonreconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted aiming to assess the quality of life and satisfaction of women who had mastectomy treated with and without breast reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 81 women who had mastectomy were included, of whom 53 (65.4%) underwent breast reconstruction. Quality of life was not significantly better in the reconstruction group than the nonreconstruction group. Satisfaction with the surgically operated breast, whether reconstructed or not, was positively correlated with quality of life (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in quality of life between women with immediate and late reconstruction. This study showed that the satisfaction of patients with the operated breast, reconstructed or not, is more important in quality of life than whether the breast was reconstructed or not. When we analyzed the quality of life of women who had mastectomy who were dissatisfied with their unreconstructed breasts, we observed that nonreconstruction had a negative impact on the quality of life.

Assessing trends of breast cancer and carcinoma in situ to monitor screening policies in developing settings.

There have been arguments about the role of breast cancer screening at the population level, and some points of controversy have arisen, such the establishment of organized screening policies and the age at which to begin screening. The real benefit of screening has been questioned because the results of this practice may increase the diagnosis of indolent lesions without decreasing mortality due to breast cancer. The authors have proposed a study of incidence and mortality trends for breast cancer in a developing setting in Brazil to monitor the effectiveness of the official recommendations that prioritize the age group from 50 to 69 years. The database of the Cancer Registry and the Mortality Information System was used to calculate age-standardized and age-specific rates, which were then used to calculate incidence and mortality trends using the Joinpoint Regression Program. The results showed stability in trends across all ages and age-specific groups in both incidence and mortality. In conclusion, we found that incidence and mortality rates are compatible with those in regions with similar human development indexes, and trends have demonstrated stabilization. Thus, we do not endorse changes in the official recommendations to conduct screening for ages other than 50 to 69 years, nor should policy makers implement organized screening strategies.

Aesthetic assessment of breast reconstruction in the eyes of plastic surgeons versus nonplastic physicians

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of the aesthetic result of breast reconstruction surgery from the perspective of plastic surgeons compared with physicians who are not specialists in plastic surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy had their aesthetic results evaluated by 16 plastic surgeons and 16 nonplastic physicians, yielding a total of 620 ratings (320 ratings from plastic surgeons and 320 ratings from other specialists). For all analyses, the level of rejection adopted for the null hypothesis was 5% (p-value <0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the two groups. On average, medical professionals who specialized in plastic surgery always obtained higher scores than other physicians. However, no significant differences were found in the assessment of the aesthetic outcome of breast reconstruction according to the sex of the rating medical professional for any of the assessments considered in this study. A strong positive linear correlation between the time since training in the medical specialty of plastic surgery (r=0.750, p=0.001) and the mean aesthetic outcome score was observed in this study. CONCLUSION: Plastic surgeons assessed the aesthetic results of breast reconstruction more positively than nonplastic physicians.

Quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease using immunobiological therapy / Qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal em uso de terapia imunobiológica

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the quality of life of patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using immunobiological therapy and to relate the general and domain scores of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) to the immunobiological drug in use and the clinical and sociodemographic variables. Methods: This was a descriptive observational cross-sectional study, conducted from June to September 2018 in a tertiary hospital in Sergipe, which included 47 patients with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The IBDQ questionnaire was applied together with a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the clinical data and the history of the disease were analyzed. Results: Female, mixed-race, married patients from the countryside of the state of Sergipe, Brazil, who had never undergone any intestinal surgery, represented most of the study participants. 24 patients were on infliximab and 23 were on adalimumab. Variables such as gender, type of immunobiological drug and duration of its use, and association of therapy with other medications were shown to statistically significantly influence the report quality of life (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Further studies with larger samples are necessary to allow a more accurate delimitation of the impact of clinical and sociodemographic variables on the quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

RESUMEN Objectivos: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes diagnosticados com doença inflamatória intestinal (DII) em uso de terapia imunobiológica e relacionar o escore geral e por domínios do "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire" (IBDQ) com o imunobiológico em uso e as variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas. Métodos: Estudo observacional descritivo analítico transversal, realizado no período de junho a setembro de 2018, em hospital terciário de Sergipe, que incluiu 47 pacientes com diagnóstico de Doença de Crohn. Foi aplicado o questionário IBDQ, associado a um questionário sociodemográfico e analisados os dados clínicos e da história da doença. Resultados: Pacientes do sexo feminino, pardos, casados, procedentes do interior de Sergipe e que nunca foram submetidos a nenhuma cirurgia intestinal representaram a maioria dos participantes do estudo. 24 pacientes estavam em uso de Infliximabe e 23 em uso de Adalimumabe. Variáveis como o gênero, tipo de imunobiológico e duração de seu uso e associação da terapêutica com outras medicações mostraram influenciar a qualidade de vida relatada, com significância estatística (p-valor < 0,05). Conclusão: Novos estudos com amostras maiores são necessários para que se possa permitir uma delimitação mais acurada do impacto de variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas na qualidade de vida dos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of 4% formalin in the treatment of hemorrhagic actinic proctitis

Radiotherapy is an important discovery as to the treatment of pelvic tumors. Proctitis is frequently observed nowadays, and can be divided into acute and chronic. Treatment with 4% formalin solutions has been used with positive results in literature. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and morbidity rates related to the use of 4%formalin in hemorrhagic chronic actinic proctitis. Methods: We evaluated the sigmoidoscopy records and reports of 11 patients with chronic hemorrhagic actinic proctitis from February to December 2010, coming from the Serbian colorectal University Hospital of the State of Sergipe. Results: The study was comprised of 11 patients (36.36% were females and 63.63% were males). Mean age was 67.7 years. Mean time between the end of radiotherapy and the onset of symptoms was 6.6 months. The treatment was completely effective in 27.27% of the cases, and reduced rectal bleeding in 100% of patients. The following main complications were observed: chills (9%), tenesmus (18.18%) and mild stenosis (9%). Conclusions: The 4%formalin solution has fewer side effects, and its administration is very inexpensive. The treatment is effective and reduces bleeding in almost 100% of cases. (AU)

A radioterapia foi uma importante descoberta, no que tange o tratamento das neoplasias de pelve. A proctite é uma das complicações bastante observadas atualmente, podendo ser dividida em aguda e crônica. O tratamento com solução de formalina a 4% vem sendo utilizado com resultados positivos na literatura. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e morbidade do uso da formalina a 4% na retite actínica crônica hemorrágica. Métodos: Foram avaliados os prontuários e laudos das retossigmoidoscopias de 11 pacientes portadores de retite actínica crônica hemorrágica entre o período de fevereiro a dezembro de 2010, oriundos do Serviço de Coloproctologia do Hospital Universitário do Estado de Sergipe. Resultados: O estudo foi composto de 11 pacientes (36,36% feminino e 63,63% masculino). A média das idades foi de 67,7 anos. O tempo médio entre o término da radioterapia e o início dos sintomas foi de 6,6 meses. O tratamento foi completamente efetivo em 27,27%, sendo reduzido sangramento retal em 100% dos pacientes. Como principais complicações foram observadas: calafrio (9%), tenesmo (18,18%) e estenose leve (9%). Conclusão: A solução de formalina a 4% apresenta poucos efeitos colaterais, sendo muito barata a sua administração. O tratamento é efetivo, reduzindo, em praticamente 100% dos casos, o sangramento. (AU)

Doenças inflamatórias intestinais no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe: manifestações extraintestinais / Intestinal inflammatory diseases in the Hospital Universitario of Universidade Federal de Sergipe: extraintestinal manifestations

A doença inflamatória intestinal idiopática (DII) representa um grupo de condições inflamatórias crônicas, resultantes de ativação persistente e inadequada do sistema imune mucoso. Além dos sintomas intestinais característicos, as DII podem se manifestar através de uma série de manifestações extraintestinais (MEI). Objetivos: Avaliar a incidência das MEI das doenças inflamatórias intestinais no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe; diagnosticar as MEI das DII; instituir o tratamento adequado dos pacientes portadores dessas manifestações. Métodos: Foi aplicado um protocolo para diagnóstico das MEI; quando necessário os pacientes foram encaminhados para as respectivas especialidades. Resultados: Foram catalogados 49 pacientes portadores de DII; destes, 41 (83,6 por cento) apresentaram MEI. As MEI reumatológicas foram as mais frequentes, acometendo 35 pacientes. O restante das MEI foram assim distribuídas: um caso de MEI dermatológica; um caso de MEI urológica; um caso MEI pneumológica; quatro casos de MEI oftalmológicas; oito casos de MEI hepáticas. Conclusões: As MEI têm alta incidência (I=83,6 por cento) entre os pacientes portadores de DII; as MEI tiveram incidência semelhante entre os pacientes portadores de retocolite ulceratica idiopática e de Crohn; o início das MEI foi mais comum após o diagnóstico da DII; a classe de MEI mais prevalente foi a reumatológica (P=71,4 por cento).

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a group of chronic inflammatory conditions, resulting from persistent and inappropriate activation of mucosal immune system. Besides the typical intestinal symptoms, the IBD can manifest itself through a series of extraintestinal manifestations (EIM). Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of EIM in the Hospital Universitario of Universidade Federal de Sergipe; to diagnose EIM of IBD; to institute the appropriate treatment of patients with these manifestations. Methods: We applied a protocol for diagnosis of EIM; when necessary, patients were referred to their specialities. Results: We categorized 49 patients with IBD, whose 41 (83.6 percent) had EIM. The rheumatologics EIM were the most frequent, affecting 35 patients. The others EIM were distributed as follows: one case of dermatological EIM; one case of urologic EIM, one case of pulmonology EIM, four cases of ophthalmic EIM; eight cases of hepatic EIM. Conclusions: The EIM have a high incidence (I=83.6 percent) among patients with IBD; the EIM had similar incidence among patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The beginning of EIM was more common after the diagnosis of IBD; the rheumatologic EIM was most prevalent (P=71.4 percent).

Tratamento da doença hemorroidária com ligadura elástica: estudo prospectivo com 59 pacientes / Rubber band ligation for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease: prospective study with 59 patients

A ligadura elástica (LE) é considerada um método minimamente invasivo para o tratamento da doença hemorroidária (DH) e apresenta vantagens em relação à hemorroidectomia, como: simplicidade de execução e realização ambulatorial sem o emprego de anestesia. Trata-se de um método eficaz, principalmente nos portadores de DH grau II. Porém, apresenta complicações, sendo as mais frequentes: dor, tenesmo, hematoquezia e retenção urinária. Alguns trabalhos mostram complicações mais graves, como sangramentos vultosos que necessitaram de hemotransfusão. Assim, este trabalho avaliou a eficácia e a morbidade do tratamento da DH pelo método da LE. Foi um estudo prospectivo, com 59 pacientes. Destes, cinco (8,5 por cento) eram portadores de DH grau I, 33 (55,9 por cento) de DH grau II e 21 (35,6 por cento) de DH grau III. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos pelo menos a duas sessões. Nas 135 sessões realizadas, encontramos: hematoquezia em 62 (45,9 por cento), dor intensa em 39 (28,9 por cento), sintomas vagais em 10 (7,4 por cento) e pseudoestrangulamento em um (0,7 por cento) sessão. A taxa de cura do prolapso hemorroidário entre os portadores de DH grau II foi de 87,9 por cento e entre aqueles com DH grau III, de 76,2 por cento. O tratamento da DH pelo método da ligadura elástica mostrou-se seguro e com boa taxa de cura.

Rubber band ligation (RB) is considered a minimally invasive method for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) and has advantages in relation to hemorrhoidectomy whereby: simplicity of execution, outpatient realization and no need of anesthesia. It is an effective method, especially in the HD grade II. However, shows complications, and the most frequents are: anal pain, tenesmus, hematochezia and urinary retention. Some studies have shown severe complications as major bleeding that needs blood transfusion. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness and the morbidity of the treatment of HD by the method of RB. It was a prospective study with 59 patients. Five (8,5 percent) patients had HD graded in the first degree, 33 (55,9 percent) in the second degree and 21 (35,6 percent) in the third. All patients were submitted to at least two sessions. In the 135 sessions performed, we found: hematochezia in 62 (45.9 percent), severe pain in 39 (28.9 percent), vagal symptoms in 10 (7.4 percent) and pseudostrangulation in 1 (0.7 percent) session. The cure rate of hemorrhoidal prolapse among patients with HD grade II was 87.9 percent and among those with HD grade III, 76.2 percent. The treatment of HD by the method of RB proved to be safe and with good cure rate.

Anus neoplasm: study of a case series

Anus neoplasm accounts for 2 to 4% of colorectal tumors, being more prevalent around the seventh and the eighth decades. Females are mostly affected, and the ratio is 3:1. Its increased prevalence amongst the population in the past years is probably related to the higher number of people that are affected by sexually transmitted diseases, mainly human papillomavirus (types 16 and 18, mostly) and/or the human immunodeficiency virus. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and anatomopathological tests. The treatment of choice is radiochemotherapy, and the rescue surgery with abdominoperineal resection is used for recurrence and persistence cases. A retrospective and prospective longitudinal observational study was performed with 11 patients diagnosed with anal neoplasm from 2004 to 2010. Six (54.5%) were females and five (45.5%) were males. The incidence was higher in the sixth decade, at the mean age of 54.45 years. The most frequent histological type observed was the epidermoid carcinoma, and the most frequent cell differentiation type was the moderately differentiated. Chemotharapy associated with radiotherapy was used in 81.9% of the patients, and abdominoperineal resection was necessary as a rescue surgery in 18.2% of the patients. (AU)

Neoplasias do ânus correspondem de 2 a 4% dos tumores de intestino grosso, sendo predominante nas sétima e oitava décadas. A maior prevalência é em gênero feminino, com proporção de 3:1. O aumento da prevalência na população nos últimos anos provavelmente está relacionado ao número maior de pessoas com doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, principalmente o papilomavírus humano (tipos 16 e 18, mais comumente) e/ou o vírus da imunodeficiência humana. O diagnóstico é feito a partir de achados clínicos somados ao exame anatomopatológico. O tratamento de escolha baseia-se na radioquimioterapia, sendo a cirurgia de resgate com amputação abdominoperineal utilizada para casos de recidiva ou persistência. Foi feito um estudo observacional longitudinal retrospectivo e prospectivo, com 11 pacientes diagnosticados com neoplasia anal no período de 2004 a 2010. Seis (54,5%) eram do gênero feminino e 5 (45,5%) do masculino. O pico de incidência foi em sexta década, com média de idade de 54,45 anos. O tipo histológico mais encontrado foi o carcinoma epidermoide (72,7%), sendo o moderadamente diferenciado o mais frequente grau de diferenciação. A quimioterapia associada à radioterapia foi instituída em 81,9% dos pacientes, sendo necessária a cirurgia de amputação abdominoperineal como terapia de resgate em 18,2% dos pacientes. (AU)