Periventricular leukomalacia in very low birth weight preterm neonates with high risk for neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). METHODS: We studied VLBWI with a clinical suspicion of infection who had been born at our institution between the 1st of August, 2005 and the 31st of July, 2007. Children were excluded if they died before reaching 14 days, had malformations of the central nervous system or congenital infections. Ultrasound brain scans were carried out on the third day and weekly up until the sixth week of life or discharge. Periventricular leukomalacia was diagnosed by persistent diffuse periventricular hyperechogenecity for more than 7 days, or by periventricular cysts. The VLBWI were separated into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of PVL. Sepsis was defined as clinical manifestation plus a positive culture. The Mann-Whitney, chi-square and t tests were applied followed by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 88 VLBWI were studied. Of these, 62 (70.5%) survived and 51 (57.8%) had PVL. Both groups were similar in terms of birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, type of delivery, SNAPPE-II score, presence of necrotizing enterocolitis, persistent ductus arteriosus and deaths. Sepsis and mechanical ventilation were more common in the group with PVL (23.5 and 2.7%, p = 0.005; 86 and 59%, p = 0.004, respectively). Both of these were identified as, independent risk factors for PVL by logistic regression (p = 0.027 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Chorioamnionitis has been defined as a risk factor for PVL. We have demonstrated that neonatal sepsis is also an important risk factor. We believe that the systemic inflammatory response is the principal factor involved in the etiopathogenesis of PVL among VLBWI.

[Annual cost of ischemic heart disease in Brazil. Public and private perspective]. / Custo anual do manejo da cardiopatia isquêmica crônica no Brasil. Perspectiva pública e privada.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the annual cost of coronary artery disease (CAD) management in Public Health Care System (SUS) and HMOs values in Brazil. METHODS: Cohort study, including ambulatory patients with proven CAD. Clinic visits, exams, procedures, hospitalizations and medications were considered to estimate direct costs. Values of appointments and exams were obtained from the SUS and the Medical Procedure List (LPM 1999) reimbursement tables. Costs of cardiovascular events were obtained from admissions in public and private hospitals with similar diagnoses-related group classifications in 2002. The price of medications used was the lowest found in the market. RESULTS: The 147 patients (65 +/- 12 years old, 63% men, 69% hypertensive, 35% diabetic and 59% with previous AMI) had an average follow-up of 24 +/- 8 months. The average estimated annual cost per patient was R$ 2,733.00, for the public sector, and R$ 6,788.00, for private and fee-for-service plans. Expenses with medications (R$ 1,154.00) represented 80% and 55% of outpatient costs, and 41% and 17% of total expenses, in public and non-public sectors, respectively. The occurrence of cardiovascular event had a great impact (R$ 4,626.00 vs. R$ 1,312.00, in SUS, and R$ 13,453.00 vs. R$ 1,789.00, for HMOs, p<0.01) on the results. CONCLUSION: The average annual cost of CAD management was high, being the pharmacological treatment the main determinant of public costs. Such estimates may subsidize economical analyses in this area, and foster related healthcare policies.

Sepse neonatal como fator de risco para leucomalácia periventricular em pré-termos de muito baixo peso / Periventricular leukomalacia in very low birth weight preterm neonates with high risk for neonatal sepsis

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação de leucomalácia periventricular (LPV) e sepse neonatal em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso (RNMBP). MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos RNMBP com suspeita clínica de infecção nascidos na instituição de 01/08/2005 a 31/07/2007. Foram excluídos óbitos antes dos 14 dias, malformações do sistema nervoso central e infecções congênitas. Foi realizado ultra-som cerebral no terceiro dia e semanalmente até a sexta semana de vida ou alta. LPV foi diagnosticada por hiperecogenicidade difusa periventricular persistente por mais de 7 dias, ou por cistos periventriculares. RNMBP foram divididos em grupos com e sem LPV. Sepse foi definida por manifestação clínica com cultura positiva. Os testes t, Mann-Whitney, qui-quadrado e regressão logística foram usados. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 88 RNMBP, sendo que 62 (70,5 por cento) sobreviveram e 51 (57,8 por cento) tiveram LPV. Os grupos foram semelhantes no peso de nascimento, idade gestacional, escore de Apgar, tipo de parto, SNAPPE-II, presenças de enterocolite necrosante, persistência de canal arterial e óbitos. Sepse e ventilação mecânica foram mais freqüentes no grupo com LPV (23,5 e 2,7 por cento, p = 0,005; 86 e 59 por cento, p = 0,004, respectivamente). Na regressão logística, ambos foram fatores de risco independentes para LPV (p = 0,027 e 0,015, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Corioamnionite é fator de risco definido para LPV. Demonstramos que sepse neonatal também é fator de risco importante. Acreditamos que a resposta inflamatória sistêmica seja o principal fator envolvido na etiopatogenia da LPV em RNMBP.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). METHODS: We studied VLBWI with a clinical suspicion of infection who had been born at our institution between the 1st of August, 2005 and the 31st of July, 2007. Children were excluded if they died before reaching 14 days, had malformations of the central nervous system or congenital infections. Ultrasound brain scans were carried out on the third day and weekly up until the sixth week of life or discharge. Periventricular leukomalacia was diagnosed by persistent diffuse periventricular hyperechogenecity for more than 7 days, or by periventricular cysts. The VLBWI were separated into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of PVL. Sepsis was defined as clinical manifestation plus a positive culture. The Mann-Whitney, chi-square and t tests were applied followed by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 88 VLBWI were studied. Of these, 62 (70.5 percent) survived and 51 (57.8 percent) had PVL. Both groups were similar in terms of birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, type of delivery, SNAPPE-II score, presence of necrotizing enterocolitis, persistent ductus arteriosus and deaths. Sepsis and mechanical ventilation were more common in the group with PVL (23.5 and 2.7 percent, p = 0.005; 86 and 59 percent, p = 0.004, respectively). Both of these were identified as, independent risk factors for PVL by logistic regression (p = 0.027 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Chorioamnionitis has been defined as a risk factor for PVL. We have demonstrated that neonatal sepsis is also an important risk factor. We believe that the systemic inflammatory response is the principal factor involved in the etiopathogenesis of PVL among VLBWI.

Custo anual do manejo da cardiopatia isquêmica crônica no Brasil: perspectiva pública e privada / Annual cost of ischemic heart disease in Brazil: public and private perspective

OBJETIVO: Estimar o custo anual do manejo da doenca arterial coronária (DAC) em valores do SUS e convênios. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte, incluindo pacientes ambulatoriais com DAC comprovada. Considerou-se para estimar custos diretos: consultas, exames, procedimentos, internacões e medicamentos. Valores de consultas e exames foram obtidos da tabela SUS e da Lista de Procedimentos Médicos (LPM). Valores de eventos cardiovasculares foram obtidos de internacões em hospital público e privado com estas classificacões diagnósticas em 2002. O preco dos fármacos utilizado foi o de menor custo no mercado. RESULTADOS: Os 147 pacientes (65n12 anos, 63 por cento homens, 69 por cento hipertensos, 35 por cento diabéticos e 59 por cento com IAM prévio) tiveram acompanhamento médio de 24n8 meses. O custo anual médio estimado por paciente foi de R$ 2.733,00, pelo SUS, e R$ 6.788,00, para convênios. O gasto com medicamentos ($ 1.154,00) representou 80 por cento e 55 por cento dos custos ambulatoriais, e 41 por cento e 17 por cento dos gastos totais, pelo SUS e para convênios, respectivamente. A ocorrência de evento cardiovascular teve grande impacto (R$ 4.626,00 vs. R$ 1.312,00, pelo SUS, e R$ 13.453,00 vs. R$ 1.789,00, para convênios, p<0,01). CONCLUSAO: O custo médio anual do manejo da DAC foi elevado, sendo o tratamento farmacológico o principal determinante dos custos públicos. Essas estimativas podem subsidiar análises econômicas nesta área, sendo úteis para nortear políticas de saúde pública.