Demystifying Obesity: Understanding, Prevention, Treatment, and Stigmas.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There is still significant stigma associated with it, which can lead to discrimination and create additional barriers for people who are already in treatment. On the other hand, it is noted that it can have serious implications for health and predisposition to noncommunicable chronic diseases. In this sense, the objective of this study was to carry out a narrative review involving all current elements for understanding, prevention, treatment, and debate of stigmas related to obesity. A search was conducted in 2024 for original articles, randomized or nonrandomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and guidelines in the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo, Web of Science, CrossRef, and Google Scholar. The publication period was from 2014 to 2024. Obesity is influenced by a complex combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. It is encouraging to see that various emerging points have been identified across different fields such as histology, physiology, genetics, weight loss, and public policy. These obesity areas certainly warrant attention and future studies. Researchers can delve into these topics to deepen their understanding and potentially uncover novel insights. The management should be multifactorial and individualized for each patient. Public policies also play a crucial role in combating obesity, including health promotion, prevention of excessive weight gain, early diagnosis, and proper care of patients. It is crucial that society begins to see the disease as an extremely complex element and not as a moral failure or lack of willpower. This requires a change in the way people talk about obesity, as well as practices that support people instead of stigmatizing them. Obesity does not have a specific address, color, or race. It belongs to everyone and should be regarded as a global public health problem.

Assessment of intrinsic capacity in the Brazilian older population and the psychometric properties of the WHO/ ICOPE screening tool: a multicenter cohort study protocol / Avaliação da capacidade intrínseca da população idosa brasileira e das propriedades psicométricas do instrumento de triagem do ICOPE/OMS: protocolo de estudo de coorte multicêntrico

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed to monitor intrinsic capacity (IC) in the older population as a public health strategy through the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) program. Although the program has been developed based on solid concepts, scientific evidence on its practical applicability is still scarce. Objectives: To evaluate IC in Brazilian older adults, its progress over time, and its association with sociodemographic and health factors and outcomes. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the WHO/ICOPE screening tool. Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study with a 36-month follow-up. We will recruit 3838 people aged ≥60 years, registered in the health care units included in the study by the participating centers. We will collect sociodemographic and health data and will administer tools to assess IC domains, both those provided for in the ICOPE screening tool and the sequence of confirmatory assessments provided for in the program. Participants will be reassessed every 6 months for 36 months. Expected results: To establish the profile of IC in the study population and to understand its progress and the variables associated with the clinical outcomes of interest. To reveal the diagnostic and psychometric properties of the WHO/ICOPE screening tool. The project is funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Relevance: Understanding the potential use of the ICOPE public health strategy proposed by the WHO within the scope of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) by integrating several research centers in the field of Geriatrics and Gerontology throughout Brazil. (AU)

Introdução: A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) propõe o monitoramento da capacidade intrínseca (CI) da população idosa como estratégia de saúde pública por meio do Programa ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People). Embora construído com base em conceitos sólidos, a evidência científica sobre a aplicabilidade prática da proposta ainda é escassa. Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade intrínseca da população idosa brasileira, sua trajetória e sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e desfechos. Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da ferramenta de triagem da estratégia ICOPE da OMS. Metodologia: Coorte multicêntrica prospectiva com seguimento de 36 meses. Serão recrutadas 3.838 pessoas com 60 anos ou mais, cadastradas nas unidades de saúde incluídas no estudo pelos centros participantes. Serão coletados dados sociodemográficos e de saúde e aplicados instrumentos para avaliação dos domínios da CI, tanto aqueles previstos no instrumento de triagem do ICOPE quanto a sequência de avaliações confirmatórias previstas no programa. Os participantes serão acompanhados semestralmente ao longo de 36 meses. Resultados esperados: Estabelecer o perfil da CI na população estudada, entender a sua trajetória e as variáveis associadas aos desfechos clínicos avaliados. Revelar as propriedades diagnósticas e o perfil psicométrico da ferramenta de triagem do ICOPE da OMS. O projeto tem financiamento do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Relevância: Compreensão sobre o potencial de utilização da estratégia ICOPE de saúde pública proposta pela OMS no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) pela integração de diversos centros de pesquisa científica na área de Geriatria e Gerontologia de todo o Brasil. (AU)

Frailty and brain changes in older adults without cognitive impairment: A scoping review.

Little is known about changes in the brain associated with frailty, in particular, which brain areas could be related to frailty in older people without cognitive impairment. This scoping review mapped evidence on functional and/or structural brain changes in frail older adults without cognitive impairment. The methodology proposed by the JBI® was used in this study. The search in PubMed, PubMed PMC, BVS/BIREME, EBSCOHOST, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PROQUEST was conducted up to January 2023. Studies included following the population, concepts, context and the screening and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 9,912 records were identified, 5,676 were duplicates and were excluded. The remaining articles were screened; 31 were read in full and 17 articles were included. The results showed that lesions in white matter hyperintensities, reduced volume of the hippocampus, cerebellum, middle frontal gyrus, low gray matter volume, cortical atrophy, decreased connectivity of the supplementary motor area, presence of amyloid-beta peptide (aß) in the anterior and posterior putamen and precuneus regions were more frequently observed in frail older adults, compared with non-frail individuals. Studies have suggested that such findings may be of neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular origin. The identification of these brain alterations in frail older adults through neuroimaging studies contributes to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of frailty. Such findings may have implications for the early detection of frailty and implementation of intervention strategies.

Effects of Mindful Eating in Patients with Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Binge eating disorder (BED) is a psychiatric illness related to a high frequency of episodes of binge eating, loss of control, body image dissatisfaction, and suffering caused by overeating. It is estimated that 30% of patients with BED are affected by obesity. "Mindful eating" (ME) is a promising new eating technique that can improve self-control and good food choices, helping to increase awareness about the triggers of binge eating episodes and intuitive eating training. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of ME on episodes of binge eating, body image dissatisfaction, quality of life, eating habits, and anthropometric data [weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist circumference] in patients with obesity and BED. METHOD: This quantitative, prospective, longitudinal, and experimental study recruited 82 patients diagnosed with obesity and BED. The intervention was divided into eight individual weekly meetings, guided by ME sessions, nutritional educational dynamics, cooking workshops, food sensory analyses, and applications of questionnaires [Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ); Binge Eating Scale (BES); Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF)]. There was no dietary prescription for calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber. Patients were only encouraged to consume fewer ultra-processed foods and more natural and minimally processed foods. The meetings occurred from October to November 2023. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: To carry out inferential statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify the normality of variable distribution. All variables were identified as non-normal distribution and were compared between the first and the eighth week using a two-tailed Wilcoxon test. Non-Gaussian data were represented by median ± interquartile range (IQR). Additionally, α < 0.05 and p < 0.05 were adopted. RESULTS: Significant reductions were found from the first to the eighth week for weight, BMI, waist circumference, episodes of binge eating, BSQ scale score, BES score, and total energy value (all p < 0.0001). In contrast, there was a significant increase in the WHOQOL-BREF score and daily water intake (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ME improved anthropometric data, episodes of binge eating, body image dissatisfaction, eating habits, and quality of life in participants with obesity and BED in the short-term. However, an extension of the project will be necessary to analyze the impact of the intervention in the long-term.

Dependência funcional dentro e fora de casa em pessoas idosas com 75 anos ou mais: diferenças entre os sexos / Functional disability inside and outside of home of older adults aged 75 years and older: differences between males and females / Dependencia funcional dentro y fuera del hogar en ancianos de 75 años o más: diferencias entre sexos

O sexo é um importante fator a ser considerado na compreensão da dependência de cuidados na velhice. Objetivo:Verificar fatores associados à dependência, dentro e fora de casa, em pessoas idosas com 75 anos ou mais, com ênfase na diferença entre os sexos. Metodologia:Pesquisa transversal com dados do estudo FIBRA. A capacidade funcional nas Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária (AIVD) foi dividida em atividades realizadas dentro de casa (uso do telefone, manejo da medicação, tarefas domésticas e preparo da refeição) e atividades realizadas fora de casa (fazer compras, utilizar transporte e manejo do dinheiro). As variáveis independentes incluíram aspectos sociodemográficas e de saúde. Foram estimadas razões de prevalência por meio de modelos de regressão múltipla de Poisson a fim de verificar as variáveis associadas com dependência dentro e fora de casa. Resultados:A amostra foi composta por 804 idosos. Dentro de casa, não houve fatores associados à dependência para o sexo masculino. Enquanto para o sexo feminino, os fatores associados foram fragilidade (RP = 1,99; 95%IC: 1,26-3,15) e 80 anos e mais (RP = 1,41; 95%IC: 1,05-1,89). Quanto à dependência fora de casa, a fragilidade destacou-se como um fator associado a ambos os sexos, masculino (RP = 2,80 95%IC: 1,17-6,64) e feminino (RP = 1,98 95%IC: 1,24-3,17). Conclusões:Para o sexo feminino, a idade avançada e a fragilidade foram os fatores de maior associação com dependência, tanto para o ambiente dentro quanto fora de casa. Para o sexo masculino, a fragilidade foi o único e grande determinante de dependência nas atividades fora de casa, apresentando prevalência maior do que a encontrada na amostra do sexo feminino (AU).

Sexis an important factor to be considered tocomprehendoldage care dependencyObjective:Verify associated factors to dependency, in and out of home, in persons with 75 years or more, with emphasis on sexdifferences. Methodology:Cross-sectional research with data from the FIBRA Study. The functional dependence in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) was divided in activities performed inside home (using telephone, managing medicine, housework and meal preparation) and activities performed outside home (shopping, transportation and managing finances).The independent variable included health and sociodemographic aspects. Estimates on prevalence ratios were made using multiple Poisson regression models to verify the many variables associated with dependency inside and outside home. Results:The sample was composed of 804 older people. Inside home there were not any factors associated with dependency in the males. However, in the females the associated factors were frailty (PR = 1.99; 95%CI: 1.26-3.15) and 80 and older (PR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.05-1.89). As to dependency outside home, frailty was a factor that stood out in both sexes, male (PR = 2.80 95%CI: 1.17-6.64) and female (PR = 1.98 95%CI: 1.24-3.17). Conclusions:To women, older age and frailty were the strongest factors of dependency, to both inside and outside home. To men, frailty was the strongest and single dependency factor for dependency in outside activities, showing a higher prevalence than that of the female sex (AU).

El sexo es un factor importante queconsiderar en la comprensión de la dependencia del cuidado en la vejez. Objetivo:Verificar los factores vinculados a la dependencia, dentro y fuera del hogar, en ancianos de 75 años o más, con énfasis en la diferencia entre los sexos. Metodología:Investigación transversal con datos del estudio FIBRA. La capacidad funcional en las Actividades Instrumentales de la Vida Diaria (AIVD) se dividió en actividades realizadas dentro del hogar (uso del teléfono, administración de medicamentos, tareas domésticas y preparación de comidas) y actividades realizadas fuera del hogar (hacer compras, uso del transporte y manejo del dinero). Las variables independientes incluyeron aspectos sociodemográficos y de salud. Las razones de prevalencia se estimaron utilizando modelos de regresión múltiple de Poisson con el fin de verificarlas variables vinculadas con la dependencia dentro y fuera del hogar. Resultados:El muestreofue constituidopor 804 ancianos. Dentro del hogar, no hubo factores asociados con la dependencia de los hombres. Mientras que, para las mujeres, los factores asociados fueron fragilidad (RP = 1,99; IC95%: 1,26-3,15) y 80 años y más (RP = 1,41; IC95%: 1,05-1,89). En cuanto a la dependencia fuera del hogar, la fragilidad se destacó como un factor asociado a ambos sexos, masculino (RP = 2,80 IC95%: 1,17-6,64) y femenino (RP = 1,98 IC95%: 1,24-3,17). Conclusiones: Para el sexo femenino, la edad avanzada y la fragilidad fueron los factores más vinculados a la dependencia, tanto para el ambiente dentro como fuera del hogar. Para los varones, la fragilidad fue el único determinante importante de dependencia en actividades fuera del hogar, con una prevalencia mayor que la encontrada en elmuestreofemenino (AU).

The Role of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Different Hypertensive Syndromes.

Cardiac innervation by the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) modulates the heart rate (HR) (chronotropic activity) and the contraction of the cardiac muscle (inotropic activity). The peripheral vasculature is controlled only by the SNS, which is responsible for peripheral vascular resistance. This also mediates the baroreceptor reflex (BR), which in turn mediates blood pressure (BP). Hypertension (HTN) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are closely related, such that derangements can lead to vasomotor impairments and several comorbidities, including obesity, hypertension, resistant hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Autonomic dysfunction is also associated with functional and structural changes in target organs (heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels), increasing cardiovascular risk. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a method of assessing cardiac autonomic modulation. This tool has been used for clinical evaluation and to address the effect of therapeutic interventions. The present review aims (a) to approach the heart rate (HR) as a CV risk factor in hypertensive patients; (b) to analyze the heart rate variability (HRV) as a "tool" to estimate the individual risk stratum for Pre-HTN (P-HTN), Controlled-HTN (C-HTN), Resistant and Refractory HTN (R-HTN and Rf-HTN, respectively), and hypertensive patients with chronic renal disease (HTN+CKD).

Weight loss severity and functional decline among the oldest old in a middle-income country: The FIBRA study longitudinal findings.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nutritional status is a key modifiable risk factor associated with disability, and further evidence suggests that weight change is also linked to this adverse outcome. Thus, this study aims to evaluate weight loss severity and functional decline in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in a seven-year period among a sample of Brazilian oldest-old adults. METHODS: Longitudinal prospective study using data from the FIBRA study (Frailty in Older Brazilians), a population-based investigation carried out in 2008/2009, with follow-up data collected in 2016/2017 from participants who were 80 years and older in the follow-up in Campinas, Brazil. Of the 167 participants with complete data in 2016-2017, 16 had improved their functional status and were excluded, so the final sample was restricted to 151 participants who maintained or declined functional status. We considered functional decline when a subject had greater IADL dependencies at follow-up than baseline. Logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of weight loss, according to severity (moderate weight loss: 5-10% of body weight; severe weight loss >10%) in increasing the number of disabilities than the group with stable weight, controlling for covariates (gender, age, education, and morbidity). An alpha level of <5% was adopted. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 60.3% of the participants kept stable weight, 21.8% had moderate weight loss, and 17.9% had severe weight loss. During the follow-up, only severe weight loss was associated with a higher risk of functional decline (OR = 2.74; p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Severe weight loss was associated with functional decline. This finding reinforces the importance of early identification of weight loss among older adults.

"PCATool version to professionals in the primary care of the elderly": adaptation, content analysis and first results. / "PCATool versão profissionais cuidando da saúde do idoso": adaptação, análise de conteúdo e desempenho do instrumento.

The objective of this study was to adapt the instrument "Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)-professional version" to measure the performance of the care provided by Primary Health Care (PHC) to the health of the elderly, from the perspective of professionals. The original instrument was critically analyzed by specialists with experience in Gerontology and PHC in relation to the health specificities of the elderly, with 64 syntactic-semantic adaptations and 28 inclusions of new parameters. The adapted instrument was applied to 105 health professionals from PHC in Campinas-SP and, compared to the original instrument, the adaptation proved to be able to distinguish the new parameters with statistically significant differences, and in the sample of the analyzed professionals the performance obtained was better avaliated in relation to "Accessibility" and "Comprehensiveness" attributes, and worse avaliated in the attributes "Longitudinality", "Coordination", "Essential and General Scores". In the adapted instrument, it was verified adequate results in terms of content validity and reliability, good discriminative capacity in relation to the specificities of the elderly population, and potential to become a national instrument for evaluating PHC in care to the elderly.

O objetivo do trabalho foi adaptar o instrumento "Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)-versão profissionais" para medir o desempenho do cuidado prestado pela Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) à saúde do idoso, na ótica dos profissionais. O instrumento original foi criticamente analisado por especialistas com experiência em Gerontologia e APS em relação às especificidades de saúde do idoso, sendo realizadas 64 adaptações sintático-semânticas e 28 inclusões de novos parâmetros. O instrumento adaptado foi aplicado em 105 profissionais de saúde da APS em Campinas-SP e, comparativamente em relação ao instrumento original, a adaptação mostrou-se capaz de observar parâmetros distintos com diferenças estatisticamente significativas, sendo que na amostra de profissionais analisada o desempenho verificado foi melhor nos atributos "Acessibilidade" e "Integralidade", e pior em "Longitudinalidade", "Coordenação", "Escores Essencial e Geral". O instrumento adaptado obteve resultados adequados de validade de conteúdo e confiabilidade, boa capacidade discriminativa em relação às especificidades da população idosa e potencial para se constituir em instrumento nacional de avaliação da APS no cuidado ao idoso.

The combined effect of anemia and dynapenia on mortality risk in older adults: 10-Year evidence from the ELSA cohort study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Anemia and dynapenia can occur simultaneously. Separately, both conditions increase the mortality risk with advancing age. However, there is no epidemiological evidence on the combined effect of these conditions on mortality in older adults. We investigated whether combined anemia and dynapenia increase the mortality risk, and whether there are gender differences. METHODS: A 10-year follow-up study was conducted involving 5,310 older adults from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). According to the diagnosis of anemia (hemoglobin concentration < 13.0 g/dL in men and < 12.0 g/dL in women) and dynapenia (grip strength < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women), individuals at baseline were categorized as "non-anemic/non-dynapenic", "dynapenic", "anemic" and "anemic/dynapenic". The outcome was all-cause mortality during the follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 984 deaths were computed during the follow-up (63.7% in non-anemic/non-dynapenic, 22.8% in dynapenic, 7.5% in anemic and 6.0% in anemic/dynapenic). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models stratified by sex showed that anemia and dynapenia combined was associated with an increased mortality risk in men (HR: 1.64; 95% IC 1.08 - 2.50) and women (HR: 2.17; 95% CI 1.44 - 3.26). Anemia in men (HR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.22 - 2.32) and dynapenia in women (HR: 1.37; 95% CI 1.09 - 1.72) were also risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of anemia and dynapenia increases the mortality risk, highlighting the need for early identification, prevention, and treatment of these conditions to reduce their complications and the mortality risk.

ACUTE TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION (tDCS) IMPROVES VENTILATORY VARIABILITY AND AUTONOMIC MODULATION IN RESISTANT HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS.

Here, we assessed the impact of one session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or SHAM (20 min, each) on ventilatory responses to cardiopulmonary exercise test, central and peripheral blood pressure (BP), and autonomic modulation in resistant hypertensive (RHT) patients. RHT subjects (n = 13) were randomly submitted to SHAM and tDCS crossing sessions (1 week of "washout"). Patients and a technician who set the tDCS/Sham room up were both blind. After brain stimulation, patients were submitted to a cardiopulmonary exercise test to evaluate ventilatory and cardiovascular response to exercise. Hemodynamic (Finometer®, Beatscope), and autonomic variables were measured at baseline (before tDCS/Sham) and after incremental exercise. RESULTS: Our study shows that tDCS condition improved heart rate recovery, VO2 peak, and vagal modulation (after cardiopulmonary exercise test); attenuated the ventilatory variability response, central and peripheral blood pressure well as sympathetic modulation (after cardiopulmonary exercise test) in comparison with SHAM. These data suggest that acute tDCS sessions prevented oscillatory ventilation behavior during the cardiopulmonary exercise test and mitigated the increase of systolic blood pressure in RHT patients. After the exercise test, tDCS promotes better vagal reentry and improved autonomic modulation, possibly reducing central blood pressure and aortic augmentation index compared to SHAM. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8n7c9p.

How Do the Factors Associated With Frailty Change With Sex? An Exploratory Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is important to study multiple social, physical, and psychosocial factors associated with frailty in populations characterized by social and health disparities, such as men and women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study with older adults 65 years or older from the FIBRA (Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults) 2008-2009 study. We carried out a comparative analysis of the factors associated with the frailty phenotype in older men (N = 706) and women (N = 1 251) using networks based on mixed graphical models according to sex. RESULTS: In the male network, frailty was most strongly associated with years of schooling, overall satisfaction with life, and falls; in the female network, the syndrome was associated with satisfaction with problem-solving, depression, and diabetes in addition to years of schooling. Furthermore, permutation tests showed that the networks for males and females were statistically different in terms of their structure, the global strength of the relationships, and the strength of the relationships between frailty and diabetes; frailty and falls; frailty and depression; frailty and overall satisfaction with life; and frailty and satisfaction with problem-solving (p < .05). The walktrap network cluster detection algorithm revealed that in men, frailty was in a physical and social dimension while in women the syndrome was in a cardiometabolic and psychosocial dimension. CONCLUSIONS: Network analysis showed that different factors are associated with frailty for each sex. The findings suggest that different strategies for dealing with frailty should be adopted for men and women so that care and prevention efforts can be directed appropriately.

"PCATool versão profissionais cuidando da saúde do idoso": adaptação, análise de conteúdo e desempenho do instrumento / "PCATool version to professionals in the primary care of the elderly": adaptation, content analysis and first results

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi adaptar o instrumento "Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)-versão profissionais" para medir o desempenho do cuidado prestado pela Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) à saúde do idoso, na ótica dos profissionais. O instrumento original foi criticamente analisado por especialistas com experiência em Gerontologia e APS em relação às especificidades de saúde do idoso, sendo realizadas 64 adaptações sintático-semânticas e 28 inclusões de novos parâmetros. O instrumento adaptado foi aplicado em 105 profissionais de saúde da APS em Campinas-SP e, comparativamente em relação ao instrumento original, a adaptação mostrou-se capaz de observar parâmetros distintos com diferenças estatisticamente significativas, sendo que na amostra de profissionais analisada o desempenho verificado foi melhor nos atributos "Acessibilidade" e "Integralidade", e pior em "Longitudinalidade", "Coordenação", "Escores Essencial e Geral". O instrumento adaptado obteve resultados adequados de validade de conteúdo e confiabilidade, boa capacidade discriminativa em relação às especificidades da população idosa e potencial para se constituir em instrumento nacional de avaliação da APS no cuidado ao idoso.

Abstract The objective of this study was to adapt the instrument "Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)-professional version" to measure the performance of the care provided by Primary Health Care (PHC) to the health of the elderly, from the perspective of professionals. The original instrument was critically analyzed by specialists with experience in Gerontology and PHC in relation to the health specificities of the elderly, with 64 syntactic-semantic adaptations and 28 inclusions of new parameters. The adapted instrument was applied to 105 health professionals from PHC in Campinas-SP and, compared to the original instrument, the adaptation proved to be able to distinguish the new parameters with statistically significant differences, and in the sample of the analyzed professionals the performance obtained was better avaliated in relation to "Accessibility" and "Comprehensiveness" attributes, and worse avaliated in the attributes "Longitudinality", "Coordination", "Essential and General Scores". In the adapted instrument, it was verified adequate results in terms of content validity and reliability, good discriminative capacity in relation to the specificities of the elderly population, and potential to become a national instrument for evaluating PHC in care to the elderly.

Single nucleotide variants in immune-response genes and the tumor microenvironment composition predict progression of mantle cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence to consider that the tumor microenvironment (TME) composition associates with antitumor immune response, and may predict the outcome of various non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes. However, in the case of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a rare and aggressive disease, there is lacking a detailed study of the TME components, as well as an integrative approach among them in patients' samples. Also, from the genetic point of view, it is known that single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in immune-response genes are among important regulators of immunity. At present, it is uncertain whether SNVs in candidate immune-response genes and the TME composition are able to alter the prognosis in MCL. METHODS: We assessed a detailed TME composition in 88 MCL biopsies using immunohistochemistry, which was automatically analyzed by pixel counting (Aperio system). We also genotyped SNVs located in candidate immune-response genes (IL12A, IL2, IL10, TGFB1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, IL17A, IL17F) in 95 MCL patients. We tested whether the SNVs could modulate the respective protein expression and TME composition in the tumor compartment. Finally, we proposed survival models in rituximab-treated patients, considering immunohistochemical and SNV models. RESULTS: High FOXP3/CD3 ratios (p = 0.001), high IL17A levels (p = 0.003) and low IL2 levels (p = 0.03) were individual immunohistochemical predictors of poorer survival. A principal component, comprising high quantities of macrophages and high Ki-67 index, also worsened outcome (p = 0.02). In the SNV model, the CC haplotype of IL10 (p < 0.01), the GG genotype of IL2 rs2069762 (p = 0.02) and the AA+AG genotypes of TGFBR2 rs3087465 (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of outcome. Finally, the GG genotype of TGFB1 rs6957 associated with lower tumor TGFß levels (p = 0.03) and less CD163+ macrophages (p = 0.01), but did not modulate patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the TME composition has relevant biological roles in MCL. In this setting, immunohistochemical detection of T-reg cells, IL17A and IL2, coupled with SNV genotyping in IL10, TGFBR2 and IL2, may represent novel prognostic factors in this disease, following future validations.

An integrative microenvironment approach for follicular lymphoma: roles of inflammatory cell subsets and immune-response polymorphisms on disease clinical course.

The study of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in follicular lymphoma (FL) has produced conflicting results due to assessment of limited TME subpopulations, and because of heterogeneous treatments among different cohorts. Also, important genetic determinants of immune response, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), remain underexplored in this disease. We performed a detailed study of the TME in 169 FL biopsies using immunohistochemistry, encompassing lymphocytes, macrophages, and cytokines. We also genotyped 16 SNPs within key immune-response genes (IL12A, IL2, IL10, TGFB1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, IL17A, and IL17F) in 159 patients. We tested associations between SNPs, clinicopathological features and TME composition, and proposed survival models in R-CHOP/R-CVP-treated patients. Presence of the IL12A rs568408 "A" allele associated with the follicular pattern of FOXP3+ cells. The IL12A AA haplotype included rs583911 and rs568408 and was an independent predictor of worse survival, together with the follicular patterns of T-cells (FOXP3+ and CD8+) and high IL-17F tumor levels. The patterns of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells, displayed as a principal component, also associated with survival. Hierarchical clustering of the TME proteins demonstrated a cluster that was associated with worse prognosis (tumors enriched in IL-17A, IL-17F, CD8, PD1, and Ki-67). The survival of FL patients who were treated in the rituximab era shows a strong dependence on TME signals, especially the T-cell infiltration patterns and IL-17F tumor levels. The presence of the AA haplotype of IL12A in the genome of FL patients is an additional prognostic factor that may modulate the composition of T-reg cells in this disease.

Relationships Between Social, Physical, and Psychological Factors in Older Persons: Frailty as an Outcome in Network Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Frailty is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by social, physical, and psychological stressors. Network analysis is a graphical statistical technique that can contribute to the understanding of this complex, multifactorial phenomenon. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between social, physical, and psychological factors and frailty in older persons. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2588 community-dwelling older persons from the FIBRA (Frailty in Brazilian Older Persons) 2008 to 2009 study. MEASURES: Participants were assessed for sociodemographic variables, physical and mental health, and the frailty phenotype. Partial correlation network analysis with the Graphical Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (glasso) estimator was performed to determine the relationships between social, physical, and psychological factors and frailty. RESULTS: Mean participant age was 72.31 years, 7.0% were frail, and 50.6% were prefrail. In the network structure, frailty correlated most strongly with physical and psychological factors such as diabetes and depression and exhibited greater proximity to physical factors such as disability, urinary incontinence, and cardiovascular risk as measured by waist-to-hip ratio. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The analytical strategy used can provide information for specific subpopulations of interest and here confirmed that frailty is not uniformly determined but associated with different psychological and physical health factors, thereby allowing better understanding and management of this condition.

Influência do desempenho físico na mortalidade, funcionalidade e satisfação com a vida de idosos: dados do estudo FIBRA / Influence of physical performance on elderly mortality, functionality and life satisfaction: FIBRA's study data

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a influência do desempenho físico na mortalidade, funcionalidade e satisfação com a vida de idosos. Foi realizado o seguimento de 900 idosos brasileiros não hospitalizados entre os anos de 2008 e 2016, no qual foram incluídos na análise de sobrevivência 154 óbitos por causas naturais. Os piores desempenhos de força de preensão manual (R.R. = 1,60; IC 95% = 1,15-2,23; p = 0,005) e de velocidade usual de marcha (R.R. = 1,82; IC 95% = 1,30-2,55; p < 0,001) associaram-se com o aumento do risco de mortalidade. A idade foi um fator de confusão para a força (R.R. = 1,06; IC 95% = 1,03-1,09; p < 0,001) e a artrite reumatoide foi um fator de confusão para a velocidade (R.R. = 2,02; IC 95% = 1,36-3,01; p < 0,001). Os idosos com bom desempenho físico faziam mais atividades instrumentais e avançadas da vida diária, e o bom desempenho de marcha apresentou efeito significativo na satisfação com a vida (F = 6,87; p = 0,009). O bom desempenho físico parece ser fundamental para a longevidade e para a realização de tarefas do cotidiano. Além disso, a boa mobilidade pode afetar mecanismos relacionados à satisfação com a vida.

Abstract Objective: To verify the influence of physical performance on elderly mortality, functionality and life satisfaction. Materials and methods: A follow-up was performed on 900 Brazilian non-hospitalized elderly in the period 2008-2016, in which 154 deaths from natural causes were included in the survival analysis. Results: the worst grip strength (RR = 1.60; CI 95% = 1.15-2.23, p = 0.005) and gait speed (RR = 1.82; CI 95% = 1.30-2.55, p < 0.001) performances were associated with increased mortality risk. Age was a confounding factor for strength (RR = 1.06; CI 95% = 1.03-1.09, p < 0.001) and rheumatoid arthritis was a confounding factor for speed (RR = 2.02; CI 95% = 1.36-3.01, p < 0.001). The elderly with good physical performance realized more instrumental and advanced activities of daily living, and good gait performance had a significant effect on life satisfaction (F = 6.87, p = 0.009). Conclusions: good physical performance seems to be fundamental for longevity and for accomplishing daily tasks. Furthermore, good mobility can affect life satisfaction-related mechanisms.

Influence of physical performance on elderly mortality, functionality and life satisfaction: FIBRA's study data. / Influência do desempenho físico na mortalidade, funcionalidade e satisfação com a vida de idosos: dados do estudo FIBRA.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of physical performance on elderly mortality, functionality and life satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A follow-up was performed on 900 Brazilian non-hospitalized elderly in the period 2008-2016, in which 154 deaths from natural causes were included in the survival analysis. RESULTS: the worst grip strength (RR = 1.60; CI 95% = 1.15-2.23, p = 0.005) and gait speed (RR = 1.82; CI 95% = 1.30-2.55, p < 0.001) performances were associated with increased mortality risk. Age was a confounding factor for strength (RR = 1.06; CI 95%  =  1.03-1.09, p < 0.001) and rheumatoid arthritis was a confounding factor for speed (RR = 2.02; CI 95% = 1.36-3.01, p < 0.001). The elderly with good physical performance realized more instrumental and advanced activities of daily living, and good gait performance had a significant effect on life satisfaction (F = 6.87, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: good physical performance seems to be fundamental for longevity and for accomplishing daily tasks. Furthermore, good mobility can affect life satisfaction-related mechanisms.

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a influência do desempenho físico na mortalidade, funcionalidade e satisfação com a vida de idosos. Foi realizado o seguimento de 900 idosos brasileiros não hospitalizados entre os anos de 2008 e 2016, no qual foram incluídos na análise de sobrevivência 154 óbitos por causas naturais. Os piores desempenhos de força de preensão manual (R.R. = 1,60; IC 95% = 1,15-2,23; p = 0,005) e de velocidade usual de marcha (R.R. = 1,82; IC 95% = 1,30-2,55; p < 0,001) associaram-se com o aumento do risco de mortalidade. A idade foi um fator de confusão para a força (R.R. = 1,06; IC 95% = 1,03-1,09; p < 0,001) e a artrite reumatoide foi um fator de confusão para a velocidade (R.R. = 2,02; IC 95% = 1,36-3,01; p < 0,001). Os idosos com bom desempenho físico faziam mais atividades instrumentais e avançadas da vida diária, e o bom desempenho de marcha apresentou efeito significativo na satisfação com a vida (F = 6,87; p = 0,009). O bom desempenho físico parece ser fundamental para a longevidade e para a realização de tarefas do cotidiano. Além disso, a boa mobilidade pode afetar mecanismos relacionados à satisfação com a vida.

Arterial hypertension diagnostic and drug therapy failure among Brazilian elderly - FIBRA Study. / Falha no diagnóstico e no tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial em idosos brasileiros ­ Estudo FIBRA.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of failure in hypertension diagnosis, antihypertensive drug use and drug therapy efficacy and the association of these parameters with sociodemographic, health-related and access to health services variables in community-dwelling elderly. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 3,478 elderly from different Brazilian regions. We used Pearson's chi-square test to verify associations between outcomes and independent variables, and Poisson multiple regression to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios. Of the total, 29.6% of the elderly evidenced failure in the diagnosis, 4.6% in the use of antihypertensives and 65.3% in drug efficacy. Diagnostic failure was associated with males, presence of morbidity, having a partner, white skin color/ethnicity, having access to the health covenant or private health service, with low/medium personal income and working. Antihypertensive use failure was associated with low/medium personal income and work. Hypertension management failures are prevalent in community-dwelling elderly. There is a need for actions that minimize the negative impact of these health shortcomings, in a country burdened by social, economic and ethnic differences.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar prevalências de falhas no diagnóstico, no uso de anti-hipertensivos e na eficácia do tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão, e a associação destes parâmetros com variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e acesso ao serviço de saúde em idosos não institucionalizados. O estudo foi descritivo, transversal, com 3478 idosos, analisados separadamente em regiões Norte/Nordeste e Sul/Sudeste. Utilizou-se a regressão múltipla de Poisson para estimar razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas pelo tipo de serviço de saúde utilizado. Do total, 29,6% dos idosos apresentaram falhas no diagnóstico, 4,6% no uso de anti-hipertensivos e 65,3% na eficácia medicamentosa. A falha no diagnóstico associou-se ao sexo masculino, menos morbidades, ter um companheiro, raça/cor branca, ter acesso ao convênio ou serviço privado de saúde, possuir renda pessoal inferior/média e ainda trabalhar. A falha no uso de anti-hipertensivos esteve associada à renda pessoal inferior/média e trabalhar. As falhas no manejo da hipertensão são prevalentes em idosos não institucionalizados. Há necessidade de ações que minimizem os impactos negativos destas insuficiências em saúde, em um país com diferenças sociais, econômicas e étnicas.

Falha no diagnóstico e no tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial em idosos brasileiros - Estudo FIBRA / Arterial hypertension diagnostic and drug therapy failure among Brazilian elderly - FIBRA Study

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar prevalências de falhas no diagnóstico, no uso de anti-hipertensivos e na eficácia do tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão, e a associação destes parâmetros com variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e acesso ao serviço de saúde em idosos não institucionalizados. O estudo foi descritivo, transversal, com 3478 idosos, analisados separadamente em regiões Norte/Nordeste e Sul/Sudeste. Utilizou-se a regressão múltipla de Poisson para estimar razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas pelo tipo de serviço de saúde utilizado. Do total, 29,6% dos idosos apresentaram falhas no diagnóstico, 4,6% no uso de anti-hipertensivos e 65,3% na eficácia medicamentosa. A falha no diagnóstico associou-se ao sexo masculino, menos morbidades, ter um companheiro, raça/cor branca, ter acesso ao convênio ou serviço privado de saúde, possuir renda pessoal inferior/média e ainda trabalhar. A falha no uso de anti-hipertensivos esteve associada à renda pessoal inferior/média e trabalhar. As falhas no manejo da hipertensão são prevalentes em idosos não institucionalizados. Há necessidade de ações que minimizem os impactos negativos destas insuficiências em saúde, em um país com diferenças sociais, econômicas e étnicas.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of failure in hypertension diagnosis, antihypertensive drug use and drug therapy efficacy and the association of these parameters with sociodemographic, health-related and access to health services variables in community-dwelling elderly. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 3,478 elderly from different Brazilian regions. We used Pearson's chi-square test to verify associations between outcomes and independent variables, and Poisson multiple regression to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios. Of the total, 29.6% of the elderly evidenced failure in the diagnosis, 4.6% in the use of antihypertensives and 65.3% in drug efficacy. Diagnostic failure was associated with males, presence of morbidity, having a partner, white skin color/ethnicity, having access to the health covenant or private health service, with low/medium personal income and working. Antihypertensive use failure was associated with low/medium personal income and work. Hypertension management failures are prevalent in community-dwelling elderly. There is a need for actions that minimize the negative impact of these health shortcomings, in a country burdened by social, economic and ethnic differences.

Survival of elderly outpatients: effects of frailty, multimorbidity and disability. / Estudo do impacto da fragilidade, multimorbidade e incapacidade funcional na sobrevida de idosos ambulatoriais.

This study aims to analyze the impact of frailty, multimorbidity and disability on the survival of elderly people attended in a geriatric outpatient facility, and identify the clinical risk factors associated with death. It is a longitudinal study, with 133 elderly people initially evaluated in relation to frailty, multimorbidity (simultaneous presence of three or more chronic diseases) and disability in Daily Life Activities. The Kaplan Meier method was used to analyze survival time, and the Cox regression was used for association of the clinical factors with death. In follow-up over six years, 21.2% of the participants died, survival being lowest among those who were fragile (p < 0.05). The variables frailty (HR = 2.26; CI95%: 1.03-4.93) and Chronic Renal Insufficiency (HR = 3.00; CI95%: 1.20-7.47) were the factors of highest risk for death in the multivariate analysis. Frailty had a negative effect on the survival of these patients, but no statistically significant association was found in relation to multimorbidity or disability. Tracking of vulnerabilities in the outpatient geriatric service is important, due to the significant number of elderly people with geriatric syndromes that use this type of service, and the taking of decisions on directions for care of these individuals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto da fragilidade, da multimorbidade e da incapacidade funcional na sobrevida de idosos assistidos em ambulatório de geriatria e identificar os fatores clínicos de risco associados ao óbito. Estudo longitudinal, com 133 idosos avaliados inicialmente em relação à fragilidade, multimorbidade (presença simultânea de 3 doenças crônicas ou mais) e perda funcional nas Atividades de Vida Diária. Utilizou-se o método Kaplan Meier, para a análise de sobrevida, e a regressão de Cox, para a associação dos fatores clínicos com o óbito. Após seguimento de seis anos, 21,2% dos participantes faleceram, sendo a sobrevida menor entre os idosos frágeis (p < 0,05). As variáveis fragilidade (HR = 2,26; IC95%: 1,03-4,93) e Insuficiência Renal Crônica (HR = 3,00; IC95%: 1,20-7,47) foram fatores de maiores riscos para óbito na análise multivariada. A fragilidade impactou negativamente na sobrevida desses pacientes, porém não foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa em relação à multimorbidade e perda funcional. O rastreio de vulnerabilidades no serviço ambulatorial de geriatria é relevante, em virtude do número expressivo de idosos portadores de síndromes geriátricas que utilizam este tipo de atendimento e do direcionamento dos cuidados desses indivíduos.