The CCR5Δ32 polymorphism in Brazilian patients with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) suggested that the CCR5Δ32 allele, which is responsible for the production of truncated C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), could confer a selective advantage on patients with SCD because it leads to a less efficient Th1 response. We determined the frequency of the CCR5Δ32 polymorphism in 795 Afro-Brazilian SCD patients followed up at the Pernambuco Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, in Northeastern Brazil, divided into a pediatric group (3 months-17 years, n = 483) and an adult group (18-70 years, n = 312). The adult patients were also compared to a healthy control group (blood donors, 18-61 years, n = 247). METHODS: The CCR5/CCR5Δ32 polymorphism was determined by allele-specific PCR. RESULTS: No homozygous patient for the CCR5Δ32 allele was detected. The frequency of heterozygotes in the study population (patients and controls) was 5.8%, in the total SCD patients 5.1%, in the children 5.4%, in the adults with SCD 4.8%, and in the adult controls 8.1%. These differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings failed to demonstrate an important role of the CCR5Δ32 allele in the population sample studied here.

Como se Sentem Pacientes Quando Examinados por Estudantes de Medicina? Um Misto entre Ambiguidades e Satisfações Encontradas em Estudo Qualitativo / How do Patients Feel when Examined by Medical Students? A Cross Between Ambiguities and Satisfaction Found in a Qualitative Study

No contexto do ensino médico, pacientes são habitualmente convidados a colaborar se submetendo ao exame clínico para serem observados. Como pacientes se sentem nessa situação? Para discutir significados psicológicos atribuídos a esta experiência, usamos o método clínico-qualitativo, conduzido com amostra intencional de dez pacientes de um hospital público de ensino, com entrevistas semidirigidas de questões abertas em profundidade. Os resultados foram interpretados segundo conceitos tradicionais da Psicologia Médica. Pacientes manifestam uma relação um tanto ambígua com os alunos, às vezes fortalecendo a relação médico-paciente-equipe, outras vezes a desconstruindo. A presença dos alunos é importante devido ao vínculo gerado, mas pode originar dúvidas sobre como lidar com situações mobilizadoras. As construções sociais são diferentes em um hospital de ensino em comparação com outros hospitais, visto que naqueles os pacientes têm um papel de agentes educadores. Pacientes podem perceber essa dinâmica, ainda que com pouca sistematização, ou não ter qualquer consciência social.

As part of medical training, patients are often invited to cooperate by allowing student observation of their medical examination. How do patients feel in this situation? To discuss the psychological meanings assigned to this experience we used the clinical-qualitative study method on an intentional sample of 10 patients from a teaching hospital, using in-depth semi-directed interviews. The results were interpreted according to concepts of Medical Psychology. We found that patients have an ambiguous relationship regarding the students. For example, the presence of students sometimes strengthens the doctor-patient-team relationship, but sometimes might undermine it. Student presence is important due to the bond generated, but students may act indecisively when dealing with certain situations. The social constructions within a teaching hospital differ to those in other hospitals, since in the former the patients also act as an educational agents. Some patients are aware of this dynamic albeit without it being systemized, whereas others display no such social awareness.