Partial recovery of tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil after pandemic drawback.

Brazil was heavily affected by COVID-19 both with death toll and economically, with absence of a centralized Federal Government response. Tuberculosis (TB) notifications decreased in 2020 but partial recovery was observed in 2021. We have previously shown a sharp (93%) reduction in TB preventive treatment notifications among five Brazilian cities with more than 1,000 notifications in 2021. We hypothesized TB preventive treatment would also recover. We updated the previous analysis by adding other cities that hold more than a 1,000 notifications until 2022. Data aggregated by 2-week periods were extracted from the Information System for Notifying People Undergoing Treatment for LTBI (IL-TB). Biweekly percentage change (BPC) of notifications until October 2022 and outcomes until July 2022 (in the two weeks of TB preventive treatment initiation) were analyzed using Joinpoint software. A total of 39,701 notifications in 11 cities were included, 66% from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We found a significant increase of TB preventive treatment notifications in the beginning of 2021 (BPC range 1.4-49.6), with sustained progression in seven out of the 11 cities. Overall, median completion rates were 65%. In most cities, a gradual and steady decrease of treatment completion rates was found, except for Rio de Janeiro and Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil), where a BPC of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively, was followed by a sustained increase. Notifications and completion proportions of TB preventive treatment were heterogeneous, which partly reflects the heterogeneity in local response to the pandemic. We found that notifications were recovered, and that the sharp 2021 decrease was no longer observed, which suggests delays in notification. In conclusion, the sharp reductions in TB preventive treatment completion rates in most cities might have been caused by delays in reporting; however, the sustained and progressive decrease are a concern.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative diagnostic test result. Understanding factors associated with clinicians' decisions to initiate treatment for individuals with negative test results is critical for predicting the potential impact of new diagnostics. Methods: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January/2010 and December/2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613). We included trials or cohort studies that enrolled individuals evaluated for TB in routine settings. In these studies participants were evaluated based on clinical examination and routinely-used diagnostics, and were followed for ≥1 week after the initial test result. We used hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression to identify factors associated with treatment initiation following a negative result on an initial bacteriological test (e.g., sputum smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF). Findings: Multiple factors were positively associated with treatment initiation: male sex [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.61 (1.31-1.95)], history of prior TB [aOR 1.36 (1.06-1.73)], reported cough [aOR 4.62 (3.42-6.27)], reported night sweats [aOR 1.50 (1.21-1.90)], and having HIV infection but not on ART [aOR 1.68 (1.23-2.32)]. Treatment initiation was substantially less likely for individuals testing negative with Xpert [aOR 0.77 (0.62-0.96)] compared to smear microscopy and declined in more recent years. Interpretation: Multiple factors influenced decisions to initiate TB treatment despite negative test results. Clinicians were substantially less likely to treat in the absence of a positive test result when using more sensitive, PCR-based diagnostics.

Long-Term Protective Effect of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy in a Medium/High Tuberculosis Incidence Setting.

BACKGROUND: The duration of the protective effect of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) is controversial. Some studies have found that the protective effect of TPT is lost after cessation of therapy among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in settings with very high tuberculosis incidence, but others have found long-term protection in low-incidence settings. METHODS: We estimated the incidence rate (IR) of new tuberculosis disease for up to 12 years after randomization to 4 months of rifampin or 9 months of isoniazid, among 991 Brazilian participants in a TPT trial in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with an incidence of 68.6/100 000 population in 2022. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of independent variables for incident tuberculosis were calculated. RESULTS: The overall tuberculosis IR was 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01- 2.7) per 1000 person-years (PY). The tuberculosis IR was higher among those who did not complete TPT than in those who did (2.9 [95% CI, 1.3-5.6] vs 1.1 [.4-2.3] per 1000 PY; IR ratio, 2.7 [1.0-7.2]). The tuberculosis IR was higher within 28 months after randomization (IR, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.6-6.6] vs 1.1 [.5-2.1] per 1000 PY between 28 and 143 months; IR ratio, 3.1 [1.2-8.2]). Treatment noncompletion was the only variable associated with incident tuberculosis (aHR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.1-9.7]). CONCLUSIONS: In a mostly HIV-noninfected population, a complete course of TPT conferred long-term protection against tuberculosis.

Interleukin-6 and -27 as potential novel biomarkers for human pleural tuberculosis regardless of the immunological status.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of pleural exudative effusions. Inflammatory markers, such as IFNγ and ADA, have been used as proxies for its diagnosis. We evaluated ex vivo levels of several cytokines in 83 pleural effusion specimens from patients with TB (including 10 with HIV co-infection) and 26 patients with other pleuritis using multiplex and ELISA assays. IL-6 and IL-27 levels were higher (p ≤ 0.04) in TB patients, regardless of the HIV status and the approach. IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IFNγ, TNF and G-CSF showed variable results depending on the assay. This warranty these markers to be further validated.

Association of indicators of extensive disease and rifampin-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Indicators of extensive disease-acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear positivity and lung cavitation-have been inconsistently associated with clinical rifampin-resistant/multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) outcomes. We evaluated the association of these indicators with end-of-treatment outcomes. METHODS: We did an individual participant data meta-analysis of people treated for RR/MDR-TB with longer regimens with documented AFB smear and chest radiography findings. We compared people AFB smear-negative without cavities to people: (1) smear-negative with lung cavities; (2) smear-positive without lung cavities and (3) AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. Using multivariable logistic regression accounting for demographic, treatment and clinical factors, we calculated adjusted ORs (aOR) for any unfavourable outcome (death, lost to follow-up, failure/recurrence), and mortality and treatment failure/recurrence alone. RESULTS: We included 5596 participants; included participants significantly differed from excluded participants. Overall, 774 (13.8%) were AFB smear-negative without cavities, 647 (11.6%) only had cavities, 1424 (25.4%) were AFB smear-positive alone and 2751 (49.2%) were AFB smear-positive with cavities. The median age was 37 years (IQR: 28-47), 3580 (64%) were male and 686 (12.5%) had HIV. Compared with participants AFB smear-negative without cavities, aOR (95% CI) for any unfavourable outcome was 1.0 (0.8 to 1.4) for participants smear-negative with lung cavities, 1.2 (0.9 to 1.5) if smear-positive without cavities and 1.6 (1.3 to 2.0) if AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. Odds were only significantly increased for mortality (1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1) and failure/recurrence (2.2, 95% CI 1.5 to 3.3) among participants AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. CONCLUSION: Only the combination of AFB smear-positivity and lung cavitation was associated with unfavourable outcomes, suggesting they may benefit from stronger regimens.

Racial inequalities in mental healthcare use and mortality: a cross-sectional analysis of 1.2 million low-income individuals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2010-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health inequalities across racial and ethnic groups are large and unjust in many countries, yet these inequalities remain under-researched, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries such as Brazil. This study investigates racial and socioeconomic inequalities in primary healthcare usage, hospitalisation and mortality for mental health disorders in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A cohort of 1.2 million low-income adults from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with linked socioeconomic, demographic, healthcare use and mortality records was cross-sectionally analysed. Poisson regression models were used to investigate associations between self-defined race/colour and primary healthcare (PHC) usage, hospitalisation and mortality due to mental disorders, adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Interactions between race/colour and socioeconomic characteristics (sex, education level, income) explored if black and pardo (mixed race) individuals faced compounded risk of adverse mental health outcomes. RESULTS: There were 272 532 PHC consultations, 10 970 hospitalisations and 259 deaths due to mental disorders between 2010 and 2016. After adjusting for a wide range of socioeconomic factors, the lowest PHC usage rates were observed in black (adjusted rate ratio (ARR): 0.64; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.68; compared with white) and pardo individuals (ARR: 0.87; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92). Black individuals were more likely to die from mental disorders (ARR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.37; compared with white), as were those with lower educational attainment and household income. In interaction models, being black or pardo conferred additional disadvantage across mental health outcomes. The highest educated black (ARR: 0.56; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.66) and pardo (ARR: 0.75; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.87) individuals had lower rates of PHC usage for mental disorders compared with the least educated white individuals. Black individuals were 3.7 times (ARR: 3.67; 95% CI 1.29 to 10.42) more likely to die from mental disorders compared with white individuals with the same education level. CONCLUSION: In low-income individuals in Rio de Janeiro, racial/colour inequalities in mental health outcomes were large and not fully explainable by socioeconomic status. Black and pardo Brazilians were consistently negatively affected, with lower PHC usage and worse mental health outcomes.

[Asylum seekers' self-reported health conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2010 to 2017]. / Condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 2010 a 2017.

From 2011 to 2022, 348,067 people applied for a refugee status in Brazil. The reasons that resulted in their migration, the risks during their journey, and the cultural transition upon arrival may be associated with different health problems. This study aimed to analyze the self-reported health conditions of asylum seekers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from 2010 to 2017. This is a cross-sectional study with secondary data. Data were collected from asylum application forms at the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (Conare) from 2010 to 2017 and from social interviews in the Archdiocesan Caritas of Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). The prevalence rates of health conditions, their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated in a simple logistic regression model according to sociodemographic and migration variables. This study included 1,509 individuals. Upon arrival in Brazil, 620 (41%) reported having one or more health conditions. The chances of showing health problems were higher in people from the Congo (OR = 18.7) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OR = 9.5), in undocumented individuals (OR = 4.4), women (OR = 2.1), in people with elementary education (OR = 1.9), aged ≥ 45 years (OR = 1.8), and among those who live/lived maritally (OR = 1.8 and 2.5, respectively). Of those who reported a health condition, more than half claimed experiencing pain (52%). Physical pain may be related to post-traumatic stress and other mental health distress, manifesting itself by somatic pain symptoms.

No Brasil, entre 2011 e 2022, 348.067 pessoas solicitaram o reconhecimento da condição de refugiado no país. Os motivos que resultaram na migração, os riscos durante o trajeto e a transição cultural ao chegar podem estar associados a diferentes problemas de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Município do Rio de Janeiro no período de 2010 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de dados secundários. Foram coletadas informações preenchidas nos formulários de solicitação de refúgio do Comitê Nacional para os Refugiados (Conare) de 2010 a 2017 e da entrevista social da Cáritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Calcularam-se as taxas de prevalência de condições de saúde e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) e a razão de chances (RC) e IC95% em um modelo de regressão logística simples segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e de migração. O estudo incluiu 1.509 indivíduos. Na chegada ao Brasil, 620 (41%) relataram ter uma ou mais condições de saúde. As chances de apresentar problemas de saúde foram maiores em pessoas oriundas do Congo (RC = 18,7) e República Democrática do Congo (RC = 9,5), nos indocumentados (RC = 4,4), nas mulheres (RC = 2,1), em pessoas com Ensino Fundamental (RC = 1,9), com idade ≥ 45 anos (RC = 1,8) e entre os que vivem/viveram maritalmente (RC = 1,8 e 2,5, respectivamente). Entre as pessoas que relataram alguma condição de saúde, mais da metade informaram sentir dores (52%). É possível que as dores físicas tenham relação com estresse pós-traumático e outros sofrimentos em saúde mental, que podem se manifestar por meio de sintomas de dores somáticas.

En Brasil, entre el 2011 y el 2022, 348.067 personas solicitaron el reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado en el país. Los motivos que dieron lugar a la migración, los riesgos durante el trayecto y la transición cultural al llegar pueden estar asociados a diferentes problemas de salud. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las condiciones de salud autoinformadas de los solicitantes de refugio en el municipio de Río de Janeiro en el período del 2010 al 2017. Se trata de un estudio transversal de datos secundarios. Los datos se recopilaron de los formularios de solicitud de asilo del Comité Nacional para Refugiados de Brasil (Conare) del 2010 al 2017 y de la entrevista social de Caritas Arquidiocesana de Río de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Se calcularon las tasas de prevalencia de las condiciones de salud y sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%) y la razón de posibilidades (RP) y el IC95% en un modelo de regresión logística simple según variables sociodemográficas y de migración. El estudio incluyó a 1.509 sujetos. A su llegada a Brasil, 620 (41%) informaron tener una o más condiciones de salud. Las posibilidades de presentar problemas de salud fueron mayores en personas procedentes de Congo (RP = 18,7) y República Democrática del Congo (RP = 9,5), en personas indocumentadas (RP = 4,4), mujeres (RP = 2,1), en personas con educación primaria (RP = 1,9), en ≥ 45 años (RP = 1,8), y entre los que viven/han vivido en una relación estable (RP = 1,8 y 2,5, respectivamente). Entre las personas que reportaron alguna condición de salud, más de la mitad relató sentir dolores (52%). Los dolores físicos pueden estar relacionados con el estrés postraumático y otros sufrimientos en salud mental que pueden presentarse mediante síntomas de dolores somáticos.

Associations between primary healthcare and infant health outcomes: a cohort analysis of low-income mothers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: Expanding primary healthcare to urban poor populations is a priority in many low-and middle-income countries and is essential to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). Between 2008 and 2016 the city of Rio de Janeiro undertook an ambitious programme to rapidly expand primary care to low-income areas through the family health strategy (FHS). Infant health impacts of this roll out are unknown. This study examines associations between maternal FHS utilisation and birth outcomes, neonatal and infant mortality. Methods: A cohort of 75,339 live births (January 2009-December 2014) to low-income mothers in Rio de Janeiro was linked to primary care, birth, hospital and death records. The relationship between maternal FHS use and infant health outcomes was assessed through logistic regression with inverse probability treatment weighting and regression adjustment. Socioeconomic inequalities in the associations between FHS use and outcomes were explored through interactions. Primary outcomes were neonatal and infant death. Thirteen secondary outcomes were also examined to explore other important health outcomes and potential mechanisms. Results: A total of 9002 (12.0%) infants were born to mothers in the cohort who used FHS services either before pregnancy or in the first two trimesters. There was a total of 527 neonatal and 893 infant deaths. Maternal FHS usage during the first two trimesters was associated with substantial reductions in neonatal [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.527, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.345; 0.806] and infant mortality (aOR: 0.672, 95% CI: 0.48; 0.924). Infants born to lower-income mothers and those without formal employment had larger reductions in neonatal and infant mortality associated with FHS use. Maternal FHS in the first two trimesters use was also associated with more antenatal care consultations and a lower risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. Interpretation: Expanding primary care to low-income populations in Rio de Janeiro was associated with improved infant health and health equity benefits. Funding: DFID/MRC/Wellcome Trust/ESRC.

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to "train" the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19 METHODS: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of "severe" above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74-93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI - 44-71%) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil: a retrospective cohort study using secondary data.

Background: Disruptions in tuberculosis services have been reported around the world since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic's effect on tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) has been poorly explored. We compared TPT-notified prescriptions and outcomes before and during the pandemic in Brazil. Methods: Retrospective cohort using secondary data from the Brazilian TPT information system in five cities with over 1000 notifications. The number of TPT prescriptions was analysed from 6 months after healthcare workers' training, in 2018, to July 2021. The proportion of TPT outcomes by the date of treatment initiation was analysed up to the end of 2020, as most outcomes of TPT started in 2021 were still unknown in July 2021. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate trends. Findings: 14,014 TPT prescriptions were included, most from São Paulo (8032) and Rio de Janeiro (3187). Compared to the same epidemiological weeks in 2019, the number of TPT prescribed in 2020 increased in Rio de Janeiro (82%) and São Paulo (14%) and decreased in Recife (65%), Fortaleza (31%) and Manaus (44%). In 2021, however, there was a 93% reduction in TPT prescriptions in all cities. The proportion of completed TPT remained constant (median = 74%). Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil was associated with a dramatic decrease in TPT prescriptions in 2021. Treatment adherence remained constant, suggesting that health services were able to keep people on treatment but did not perform well in providing opportunities for people to enter care. Efforts are needed to expand access to TPT. Funding: Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, CNPq.

Violências relatadas por solicitantes de refúgio atendidos na Cáritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro de 2010 a 2017 / Violence reported by asylum seekers assisted by the Archdiocesan Caritas of Rio de Janeiro from 2010 to 2017 / Violencias relatadas por solicitantes de asilo asistidos por la Cáritas Arquidiocesana de Río de Janeiro desde 2010 hasta 2017

Resumo Estima-se que no mundo, atualmente, haja 89,3 milhões de pessoas em deslocamentos forçados, incluindo 27,1 milhões de refugiados. Entre as razões para essas migrações forçadas estão a tortura e outras formas de violência, embora a prevalência de violências antes e durante a migração ainda seja pouco conhecida. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a prevalência e alguns fatores associados às violências relatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Rio de Janeiro. Foram coletados dados preenchidos nos formulários de solicitação de refúgio do Comitê Nacional para Refugiados de 2010 a 2017 e em entrevistas adicionais conduzidas na Cáritas Arquiocesana-RJ. Foram incluídos 1.546 solicitantes de refúgio com idade mediana de 30 anos (faixa 15-72 anos), dos quais 65% eram homens. Um terço informou ter sofrido violência antes de chegar ao Brasil, com chances de violência relatada entre 20 e 40 vezes maiores entre migrantes oriundos de Paquistão, Congo, Colômbia, República Democrática do Congo e Guiné. Violência física/tortura, ameaça e violência psicológica foram as mais frequentes (relatadas por 10%, 7% e 6% da população estudada, respectivamente). Entre as mulheres, a violência sexual foi a modalidade mais frequente (9%). Conclui-se que a história de violência entre os solicitantes de refúgio no Brasil é frequente, em particular para alguns grupos nacionais, aspecto a ser considerado no acolhimento e na prestação de serviços a essa população em situação de extrema vulnerabilidade.

Abstract Currently, the world has 89.3 million forcibly displaced people, including 27.1 million refugees. Among the reasons for displacement are torture and other forms of violence, but the real prevalence of violence before and during migration is poorly reported. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of reported violence among asylum seekers in Rio de Janeiro and its associated factors. We collected secondary data from individuals who filled out the National Committee for Refugees' asylum application forms from 2010 to 2017 and responded to the social interview at Cáritas-RJ. We included 1,546 asylum seekers with a mean age of 30 (range 15-72), 65% of whom were men. One third reported experiencing violence before arriving in Brazil. Chances of experiencing violence were 20 to 40 times higher among refugees arriving from Pakistan, Congo, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea. Physical violence/torture and psychological threats were the most frequent forms (10%, 7% and 6% of the population, respectively). Among women, sexual violence was the most frequent form of violence (9% of women). We conclude that asylum seekers in Brazil frequently suffered violence before their arrival, particularly some groups. This needs to be addressed when providing services to this extremely vulnerable population.

Resumen Actualmente, hay en el mundo 89,3 millones de personas desplazadas por la fuerza, incluidos 27,1 millones de refugiados. Entre las razones de desplazamiento forzado están la tortura y otras formas de violencia, pero la prevalencia real de la violencia antes y durante la migración ha sido poco estudiada. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la prevalencia de violencia reportada entre los solicitantes de asilo en Río de Janeiro y los factores asociados a esta. Recolectamos datos secundarios de personas que completaron los formularios de solicitud de asilo del Comité Nacional para Refugiados desde 2010 hasta 2017 y de entrevistas adicionales en Cáritas RJ. Incluimos a 1546 solicitantes de asilo con una edad media de 30 (15-72) años, de los cuales 65 % eran hombres. Un tercio informó haber experimentado violencia antes de llegar a Brasil, con posibilidades de violencia de entre 20 a 40 veces mayores para entre migrantes oriundos de Pakistán, Congo, Colombia, República Democrática del Congo y Guinea. Violencia/tortura física, amenazas y violencia psicológica son las formas más frecuentes (10 %, 7 % y 6 % respectivamente) relatadas. Entre las mujeres, la más frecuente fue la violencia sexual (9 % de los relatos). Concluimos que la historia de violencia entre los solicitantes de asilo en Brasil es frecuente, sobre todo en algunos grupos nacionales en particular, aspecto que se debe considerar al prestarle servicios a esta población extremadamente vulnerada.

Condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 2010 a 2017 / Asylum seekers' self-reported health conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2010 to 2017 / Condiciones de salud autoinformadas por solicitantes de refugio en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, del 2010 al 2017

No Brasil, entre 2011 e 2022, 348.067 pessoas solicitaram o reconhecimento da condição de refugiado no país. Os motivos que resultaram na migração, os riscos durante o trajeto e a transição cultural ao chegar podem estar associados a diferentes problemas de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Município do Rio de Janeiro no período de 2010 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de dados secundários. Foram coletadas informações preenchidas nos formulários de solicitação de refúgio do Comitê Nacional para os Refugiados (Conare) de 2010 a 2017 e da entrevista social da Cáritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Calcularam-se as taxas de prevalência de condições de saúde e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) e a razão de chances (RC) e IC95% em um modelo de regressão logística simples segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e de migração. O estudo incluiu 1.509 indivíduos. Na chegada ao Brasil, 620 (41%) relataram ter uma ou mais condições de saúde. As chances de apresentar problemas de saúde foram maiores em pessoas oriundas do Congo (RC = 18,7) e República Democrática do Congo (RC = 9,5), nos indocumentados (RC = 4,4), nas mulheres (RC = 2,1), em pessoas com Ensino Fundamental (RC = 1,9), com idade ≥ 45 anos (RC = 1,8) e entre os que vivem/viveram maritalmente (RC = 1,8 e 2,5, respectivamente). Entre as pessoas que relataram alguma condição de saúde, mais da metade informaram sentir dores (52%). É possível que as dores físicas tenham relação com estresse pós-traumático e outros sofrimentos em saúde mental, que podem se manifestar por meio de sintomas de dores somáticas.

From 2011 to 2022, 348,067 people applied for a refugee status in Brazil. The reasons that resulted in their migration, the risks during their journey, and the cultural transition upon arrival may be associated with different health problems. This study aimed to analyze the self-reported health conditions of asylum seekers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from 2010 to 2017. This is a cross-sectional study with secondary data. Data were collected from asylum application forms at the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (Conare) from 2010 to 2017 and from social interviews in the Archdiocesan Caritas of Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). The prevalence rates of health conditions, their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated in a simple logistic regression model according to sociodemographic and migration variables. This study included 1,509 individuals. Upon arrival in Brazil, 620 (41%) reported having one or more health conditions. The chances of showing health problems were higher in people from the Congo (OR = 18.7) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OR = 9.5), in undocumented individuals (OR = 4.4), women (OR = 2.1), in people with elementary education (OR = 1.9), aged ≥ 45 years (OR = 1.8), and among those who live/lived maritally (OR = 1.8 and 2.5, respectively). Of those who reported a health condition, more than half claimed experiencing pain (52%). Physical pain may be related to post-traumatic stress and other mental health distress, manifesting itself by somatic pain symptoms.

En Brasil, entre el 2011 y el 2022, 348.067 personas solicitaron el reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado en el país. Los motivos que dieron lugar a la migración, los riesgos durante el trayecto y la transición cultural al llegar pueden estar asociados a diferentes problemas de salud. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las condiciones de salud autoinformadas de los solicitantes de refugio en el municipio de Río de Janeiro en el período del 2010 al 2017. Se trata de un estudio transversal de datos secundarios. Los datos se recopilaron de los formularios de solicitud de asilo del Comité Nacional para Refugiados de Brasil (Conare) del 2010 al 2017 y de la entrevista social de Caritas Arquidiocesana de Río de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Se calcularon las tasas de prevalencia de las condiciones de salud y sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%) y la razón de posibilidades (RP) y el IC95% en un modelo de regresión logística simple según variables sociodemográficas y de migración. El estudio incluyó a 1.509 sujetos. A su llegada a Brasil, 620 (41%) informaron tener una o más condiciones de salud. Las posibilidades de presentar problemas de salud fueron mayores en personas procedentes de Congo (RP = 18,7) y República Democrática del Congo (RP = 9,5), en personas indocumentadas (RP = 4,4), mujeres (RP = 2,1), en personas con educación primaria (RP = 1,9), en ≥ 45 años (RP = 1,8), y entre los que viven/han vivido en una relación estable (RP = 1,8 y 2,5, respectivamente). Entre las personas que reportaron alguna condición de salud, más de la mitad relató sentir dolores (52%). Los dolores físicos pueden estar relacionados con el estrés postraumático y otros sufrimientos en salud mental que pueden presentarse mediante síntomas de dolores somáticos.

The incorporation of the 3HP regimen for tuberculosis preventive treatment in the Brazilian health system: a secondary-database nationwide analysis.

Introduction: The recommendation of rifampin-based shorter - and safer - regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) is progressively replacing monotherapy with isoniazid by different countries. The Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) approved the incorporation of the Rifapentine + isoniazid regimen (3HP) at the end of 2020, with free distribution in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) started from the last quarter of 2021. The objectives were to describe the implementation of the IL-TB System (Information System of TPT Notification) and uptake of Rifapentine + isoniazid (3HP) and Isoniazid (6H or 9H) in Brazil. Methods: A quantitative observational and descriptive was performed using the IL-TB National System as the main data source, from January 2018 to December 2022. Results and discussion: There was a steady increase of the number of TPT prescription quarterly throughout the period, which reflects the implementation of the system itself and the progressive adherence of the health system to the non-compulsory notification of new TPT. The substitution of isoniazid (6H or 9H) by 3HP is progressing. The 3HP regimen represented less than 4% of the total administered by the end of 2021, reaching around 30% in the second half of 2022 and 40% in the last quarters of 2022. The study points not only to the need to expand TPT in the country, but also to accelerate 3HP uptake and to encourage the municipalities to notify to the IL-TB system, since there is still a high level of underreporting.

GeneXpert or chest-X-ray or tuberculin skin testing for household contact assessment (GXT): protocol for a cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) for all people living with HIV (PLH) and household contacts (HHC) of index TB patients. Tests for TB infection (TBI) or to rule out TB disease (TBD) are preferred, but if not available, this should not be a barrier if access to these tests is limited for high-risk people, such as PLH and HHC under 5 years old. There is equipoise on the need for these tests in different risk populations, especially HHC aged over 5. METHODS: This superiority cluster-randomized multicenter trial with three arms of equal size compares, in Benin and Brazil, three strategies for HHC investigation aged 0-50: (i) tuberculin skin testing (TST) or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) for TBI and if positive, chest X-Ray (CXR) to rule out TBD in persons with positive TST or IGRA; (ii) same as (i) but GeneXpert (GX) replaces CXR; and (iii) no TBI testing. CXR for all; if CXR is normal, TPT is recommended. All strategies start with symptom screening. Clusters are defined as HHC members of the same index patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary TBD. The main outcome is the proportion of HHC that are TPT eligible who start TPT within 3 months of the index TB patient starting TBD treatment. Societal costs, incidence of severe adverse events, and prevalence of TBD are among secondary outcomes. Stratified analyses by age (under versus over 5) and by index patient microbiological status will be conducted. All participants provide signed informed consent. The study was approved by the Research Ethic Board of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Brazilian National Ethical Board CONEP, and the "Comité Local d'Éthique Pour la Recherche Biomédicale (CLERB) de l'Université de Parakou," Benin. Findings will be submitted for publication in major medical journals and presented in conferences, to WHO and National and municipal TB programs of the involved countries. DISCUSSION: This randomized trial is meant to provide high-quality evidence to inform WHO recommendations on investigation of household contacts, as currently these are based on very low-quality evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04528823.

Efficacy and effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for death prevention: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is consistent evidence that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have statistical and clinical significant efficacy to prevent incident and severe cases of COVID-19, although different outcomes were analyzed and different risk reductions were observed. However, randomized control trials (RCT) were not designed or powered to assess whether the vaccines prevent deaths, even though this was a secondary or exploratory outcome across many studies. Early real-world observational data suggest that these vaccines are highly effective in reducing hospitalization and all-cause mortality. Our objective is to summarize and appraise-the existing evidence on the efficacy and real-world effectiveness of all SARS-CoV-2 vaccines currently approved for full or limited use to prevent all-cause and COVID-19-attributed mortality. METHODS: The population consists of persons with a record of vaccination status and the outcome of interest. Randomized controlled trials, comparative cohort and case-control studies reporting vaccination with any of the vaccines approved (intervention) will be eligible. The primary outcome will be all cause deaths. COVID-19-attributed deaths and deaths attributable to the vaccination (adverse event deaths) will be secondary outcomes. We will compare deaths occurring in vaccinated persons versus those non-vaccinated or having received placebo. Studies in any language will be eligible. Two independent reviewers will screen for inclusion and assess quality of studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and the ROBINS-1 tool, as appropriate. Hazard ratios will be calculated. Assessment of statistical heterogeneity amongst the studies will be done using I2 and prediction intervals, as well as visual inspection of the forest plots. Publication bias will be assessed using a funnel plot and Egger statistical test if we have more than 10 studies in a forest plot. We have followed the PRISMA-Protocol checklist for the current protocol, which is registered at Prospero (York University, CRD42021262211).

Scaling up target regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil and South Africa: An analysis of costs and cost-effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Shorter, safer, and cheaper tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) regimens will enhance uptake and effectiveness. WHO developed target product profiles describing minimum requirements and optimal targets for key attributes of novel TPT regimens. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis addressing the scale-up of regimens meeting these criteria in Brazil, a setting with relatively low transmission and low HIV and rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) prevalence, and South Africa, a setting with higher transmission and higher HIV and RR-TB prevalence. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We used outputs from a model simulating scale-up of TPT regimens meeting minimal and optimal criteria. We assumed that drug costs for minimal and optimal regimens were identical to 6 months of daily isoniazid (6H). The minimal regimen lasted 3 months, with 70% completion and 80% efficacy; the optimal regimen lasted 1 month, with 90% completion and 100% efficacy. Target groups were people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment and household contacts (HHCs) of identified TB patients. The status quo was 6H at 2019 coverage levels for PLHIV and HHCs. We projected TB cases and deaths, TB-associated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and costs (in 2020 US dollars) associated with TB from a TB services perspective from 2020 to 2035, with 3% annual discounting. We estimated the expected costs and outcomes of scaling up 6H, the minimal TPT regimen, or the optimal TPT regimen to reach all eligible PLHIV and HHCs by 2023, compared to the status quo. Maintaining current 6H coverage in Brazil (0% of HHCs and 30% of PLHIV treated) would be associated with 1.1 (95% uncertainty range [UR] 1.1-1.2) million TB cases, 123,000 (115,000-132,000) deaths, and 2.5 (2.1-3.1) million DALYs and would cost $1.1 ($1.0-$1.3) billion during 2020-2035. Expanding the 6H, minimal, or optimal regimen to 100% coverage among eligible groups would reduce DALYs by 0.5% (95% UR 1.2% reduction, 0.4% increase), 2.5% (1.8%-3.0%), and 9.0% (6.5%-11.0%), respectively, with additional costs of $107 ($95-$117) million and $51 ($41-$60) million and savings of $36 ($14-$58) million, respectively. Compared to the status quo, costs per DALY averted were $7,608 and $808 for scaling up the 6H and minimal regimens, respectively, while the optimal regimen was dominant (cost savings, reduced DALYs). In South Africa, maintaining current 6H coverage (0% of HHCs and 69% of PLHIV treated) would be associated with 3.6 (95% UR 3.0-4.3) million TB cases, 843,000 (598,000-1,201,000) deaths, and 36.7 (19.5-58.0) million DALYs and would cost $2.5 ($1.8-$3.6) billion. Expanding coverage with the 6H, minimal, or optimal regimen would reduce DALYs by 6.9% (95% UR 4.3%-95%), 15.5% (11.8%-18.9%), and 38.0% (32.7%-43.0%), respectively, with additional costs of $79 (-$7, $151) million and $40 (-$52, $140) million and savings of $608 ($443-$832) million, respectively. Compared to the status quo, estimated costs per DALY averted were $31 and $7 for scaling up the 6H and minimal regimens, while the optimal regimen was dominant. Study limitations included the focus on 2 countries, and no explicit consideration of costs incurred before the decision to prescribe TPT. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that scale-up of TPT regimens meeting minimum or optimal requirements would likely have important impacts on TB-associated outcomes and would likely be cost-effective or cost saving.