Stress as worsening of the signs and symptoms of the geographic tongue during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Geographic Tongue (GT) is a benign inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, which is characterized by the loss of epithelium due to the atrophy of filiform papillae. It usually occurs on the dorsum of the tongue and may extend to its lateral edges. It appears as an erythematous area surrounded by whitish and slightly elevated margins. In most cases, the condition is asymptomatic, although some individuals may report symptoms that include a burning sensation of the tongue. OBJECTIVE: Assess whether there was a change in the clinical aspect of Geographic Tongue (GT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Thirty-two participants were recruited from Dentistry School Universidade Federal Fluminense. Anamnesis and oral examination were performed to collect medical history. The participants were split into two groups: control group (no GT) n = 20 and test group (with GT) n = 12. In the second step, nine participants from a 12 (75%) of the test group were contacted by phone and answered a questionnaire about changes in the signs and symptoms of GT during the pandemic. The subjects were subdivided into two groups: GT with and without signs and symptoms exacerbation. RESULTS: In the first phase of the research, no statistical difference between control and test groups was observed regarding clinical criteria such as age (p + 0.72), gender (p = 0.24), and systemic diseases (p = 0.58). In the second phase, there was a statistical difference between GT groups with or without symptom exacerbation in terms of age and stress as a factor of the oral symptoms (p = 0.3 and 0.2), respectively. Younger patients showed a worsening of the oral lesions related to GT (p = 0.3) and reported stress during the pandemic (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Younger patients were more susceptible to stress and presented more exacerbation of the oral lesions related to GT.

Absenteísmo na equipe de enfermagem: um panorama geral / Absenteeism in the Nursing Team: a General Overview

Introdução: Os profissionais de enfermagem constituem grupo que se destaca por suas características relacionadas a gênero, hierarquia e sobrecarga física e emocional. Suas atividades são frequentes: tarefas e ações repetitivas, jornadas de trabalhos prolongadas e número insuficiente de pessoal sobrecarregam estes profissionais. Essa rotina pode gerar desgaste físico e mental podendo causar afastamento do trabalho por doenças. Objetivo: A finalidade deste estudo foi avaliar as causas do absenteísmo na equipe de enfermagem. Metodologia: Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados com descritores definidos. Resultados: Oito estudos foram incluídos nesta pesquisa contabilizando um total de 8.336 ocorrências de afastamento do trabalho em equipes de enfermagem considerando o Código Internacional de Doenças (CID), sendo as principais: 1) doenças do sistema osteomuscular e do tecido conjuntivo (19,86%), 2) doenças do aparelho respiratório (10,74%), 3) transtornos mentais e comportamentais (9,72%). Conclusão: Observou-se que os profissionais de enfermagem são acometidos por inúmeros problemas de saúde podendo gerar incapacidade temporárias e até permanente. Ações preventivas com produção de conhecimento e estratégias de prevenção, reorganização do processo de serviços podem ser necessárias para promover melhorias nas condições trabalho e promover a diminuição do absenteísmo na equipe de enfermagem.

Introduction: Nursing professionals constitute a group that stands out for its characteristics related to gender, hierarchy and physical and emotional overload. Their activities are frequent: repetitive tasks and actions, prolonged working days and insufficient personnel overwhelm these professionals. This routine can cause physical and mental exhaustion and may cause absence from work because of diseases. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the absenteeism causes in the nursing team. Methodology: Searches were performed in databases with defined descriptors. Results: Eight studies were included in this work, accounting a total of 8.336 occurrences of work leave in nursing teams considering the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The main findings were: 1) musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases (19.86%); 2) respiratory system diseases (10.74%), 3) mental and behavioral disorders (9.72%). Conclusion: It was observed that nursing professionals are affected by numerous health problems and may generate temporary and even permanent disability. Preventive actions with knowledge production and prevention strategies, reorganization of the service process may be necessary to promote improvements in working conditions and promote the reduction of absenteeism in the nursing team.