Models for predicting the risk of illness in leprosy contacts in Brazil: Leprosy prediction models in Brazilian contacts.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop and validate predictive models that assess the risk of leprosy development among contacts, contributing to an enhanced understanding of disease occurrence in this population. METHODS: A cohort of 600 contacts of people with leprosy treated at the National Reference Center for Leprosy and Health Dermatology at the Federal University of Uberlândia (CREDESH/HC-UFU) was followed up between 2002 and 2022. The database was divided into two parts: two-third to construct the disease risk score and one-third to validate this score. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to construct the disease score. RESULTS: Of the four models constructed, model 3, which included the variables anti-phenolic glycolipid I immunoglobulin M positive, absence of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine scar and age ≥60 years, was considered the best for identifying a higher risk of illness, with a specificity of 89.2%, a positive predictive value of 60% and an accuracy of 78%. CONCLUSIONS: Risk prediction models can contribute to the management of leprosy contacts and the systematisation of contact surveillance protocols.

Early and Frequent Psychiatric Readmissions in a Brazilian Cohort of Hospitalized Patients Between 2001 and 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the profile of patients who were readmitted for mental and behavioral disorders, in the Brazilian Unified Health System, from 2001 to 2014, and the factors associated with early and frequent readmission. METHOD: A retrospective, non-concurrent cohort study of patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of mental or behavioral disorders, from 2001 to 2014. This study selected demographic variables and clinical variables, as well as variables related to the characteristics of the hospitals. Poisson Regression methods with a robust variance estimator were used to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for each of the outcomes. RESULTS: Early readmission occurred for 6.8% of the patients and frequent readmission for 8.3%. Characteristics such as being male, younger, with a diagnosis of a bipolar disorder, and admitted to a specialized hospital show a higher IRR for early readmission. The occurrence of early readmission was the most heavily associated characteristic with an increased rate of early readmission, and the magnitude of this increase depends on the patient's age. CONCLUSION: Early and frequent readmissions are linked to patients' demographics, clinical information and health system's organization. Early readmission should be a priority in treatment planning to prevent frequent readmissions due to its strong association.

Health-related quality of life associated with risk of death in Brazilian dialysis patients: an eight-year cohort.

PURPOSE: Despite the advancements in renal replacement therapy, patients with end-stage renal disease face several limitations, with significant impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mortality. This study aims to examine associations between quality of life and risk of death in Brazilian patients who underwent dialysis therapy between 2007 and 2015. METHODS: Observational, prospective, non-concurrent cohort study of patients who underwent dialysis therapy at the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) and were followed up for 8 years. Semi-structured questionnaires interrogating socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, as well as HRQoL measures (36 Item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36), were employed. The Cox proportional risk model was used to investigate associations between HRQoL and risk of death. RESULTS: Our sample comprised 1162 patients; of these, 884 were on hemodialysis (HD) and 278 on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Among the HD patients, death was associated with the physical (HR: 0.993; 95% CI: 0.989-0.997) and physical summary component (HR: 0.994; 95% CI: 0.989-0.999) domains of HRQoL. Regarding the PD patients, death was associated with the bodily pain (HR: 0.994; 95% CI: 0.990-0.998), mental health (HR: 0.094; 95% CI: 0.990-0.998), emotional problems (HR: 0.993; 95% CI: 0.987-0.998), social functioning (HR: 1.012; 95% CI: 1.002-1.023), physical problems (HR: 0.992; 95% CI: 0.986-0.998) and mental summary component (HR: 0.989; 95% CI: 0.981-0.997) domains of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that early and timely intervention measures aiming to enhance the HRQoL of dialysis patients are an essential component of professional practice and may contribute to improving the management of factors associated with dialysis patients' mortality.

Modality transition on renal replacement therapy and quality of life of patients: a 10-year follow-up cohort study.

PURPOSE: Despite advance in renal replacement therapy (RRT), patients with chronic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) face various limitations, and renal transplantation (Tx) is the treatment that impacts most on quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess changes in QoL in a cohort of ESRD dialysis patients. METHODS: Sociodemographic, clinical, nutritional, lifestyle, and QoL data were collected from 712 patients at baseline (time 1) and after 10 years of follow-up (time 2) for patients surviving. The QoL was assessed through the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with change in QoL. RESULTS: A total of 205 survivors were assessed and distributed into three groups according to current RRT (Dialysis-Dialysis, Dialysis-Tx, and Dialysis-Tx-Dialysis). At time 1, only age was significantly different among groups; at time 2, transplant patients sustained greater social participation, job retention, and improvement in SF-36 scores. The factors associated with change in QoL were more time on dialysis interfering negatively on physical functioning (p = 0.002), role-physical limitations (p  = 0.002), general health (p  = 0.007), social functioning (p = 0.02), role-emotional (p = 0.003), and physical components ( p = 0.002); non-participation in social groups at times 1 and 2 reducing vitality (p = 0.02) scores; and having work at time 2, increasing vitality (p = 0.02) and mental health (p  = 0.02) scores. CONCLUSIONS: QoL was shown to be dynamic throughout the years of RRT, transplantation being the treatment with more benefits to the ESRD. More time on dialysis and limited social and occupational routine were associated with a reduction in QoL.

Leishmania infantum: illness, transmission profile and risk factors for asymptomatic infection in an endemic metropolis in Brazil.

To evaluate the distribution of asymptomatic infection by Leishmania infantum in a metropolis in Brazil with different relative risks (RRs) for disease and risk factors associated with the infection, an ecological study was conducted using a Bayesian approach to estimate the RR of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) based on cases between 2008 and 2011. The areas were categorized and selected according to disease incidence: low (area-1), medium (area-2) and high (area-3). Cross-sectional study enrolling 935 children was used to estimate the prevalence of infection by L. infantum. Volunteers from these three areas were tested for L. infantum infection by ELISA (rK39 and soluble antigens). Infection prevalence rates were estimated and compared with the RR of disease. Multilevel logistic regression model evaluated the relationship between infection and the analysed variables. The RR of HVL was distributed heterogeneously in the municipality. The infection prevalence rates were: 34·9% in area-1; 29·3% in area-2; and 33·6% in area-3, with no significant differences between these areas. The variables 'Presence of backyards in the neighbourhood' and 'Younger children' were associated with L. infantum infection. We conclude that infection by L. infantum affects a significant proportion of the infant population regardless of the RR of disease.

Evaluating the effectiveness of an empowerment program for self-care in type 2 diabetes: a cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing substantially worldwide, leading to serious economic effects, complications and deaths. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an empowerment program providing support for psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical aspects of diabetes to help Brazilian users of public health services obtain metabolic control of this condition. METHODS: In this cluster randomized trial, participants aged 30-80 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were recruited from ten Brazilian public health units in 2014 and 2015. Five units were randomly assigned to receive the empowerment program based on a behavior change protocol, and five continued to receive only conventional treatment. The primary outcome was the biochemical and anthropometric parameters, and the secondary outcomes were self-care, attitude, knowledge and empowerment related to diabetes. The effect of the experiment was defined as the percentage variation between the values at the initial and final periods. To evaluate this effect and to compare it in the two groups, tests were used for paired and independent samples, respectively. RESULTS: There were 238 participants: 127 and 111 in the intervention and control group, respectively. For glycated hemoglobin, the mean effect in the control and intervention groups was 3.93 and -5.13, respectively (p < 0.001). Levels of glycated hemoglobin and other metabolic indicators, as well as the most part of the secondary outcomes showed a significant difference in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The empowerment program improved metabolic control of type 2 diabetes in Brazilian users. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02132338 - April 22, 2014.

Adherence to self-care practices and empowerment of people with diabetes mellitus: a randomized clinical trial. / Adesão e empoderamento de usuários com diabetes mellitus para práticas de autocuidado: ensaio clínico randomizado.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adherence to self-care and glycemic control and empowerment of people with diabetes mellitus in group education. METHOD: Cluster-randomized clinical trial, with participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All people in the sample were linked to Family Health Strategy Units from Divinópolis, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during 2014 and 2015. Data regarding adherence to self-care practices, empowerment and glycated hemoglobin were collected for comparison of groups in the baseline and of intergroup results before and after interventions. The chosen level of significance was 0.05. RESULTS: The sample had 183 people, with 72 in the intervention group and 111 in the control group. A statistically significant decrease (< 0.001) in the value of glycated hemoglobin and an increase in the scores of adherence to self-care and empowerment scales were found for participants in the intervention group (< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Group education caused an increase in the scores of the scales of adherence to self-care practices and empowerment, in addition to an improvement in glycemic levels, as shown by glycated hemoglobin results. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-92j38t.

Abundance of Lutzomyia longipalpis in urban households as risk factor of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.

Urban occurrence of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is linked to households with characteristics conducive to the presence of sand flies. This study proposes an ad hoc classification of households according to the environmental characteristics of receptivity to phlebotominae and an entomological study to validate the proposal. Here we describe the phlebotominae population found in intra- and peridomiciliary environments and analyse the spatiotemporal distribution of the VL vector Lutzomyia longipalpis of households receptive to VL. In the region, 153 households were classified into levels of receptivity to VL followed by entomological surveys in 40 of those properties. Kruskal-Wallis verified the relationship between the households' classification and sand fly abundance and Kernel analysis evaluated L. longipalpis spatial distribution: of the 740 sand flies were captured, 91% were L. longipalpis; 82% were found peridomiciliary whilst the remaining 18% were found intradomiciliary. No statistically significant association was found between sandflies and households levels. L. longipalpis counts were concentrated in areas of high vulnerability and some specific households were responsible for the persistence of the infestation. L. longipalpis prevails over other sand fly species for urban VL transmission. The entomological study may help target the surveillance and vector control strategies to domiciles initiating and/or maintaining VL outbreaks.

[Relationship between the users' contact time in educational programs on diabetes mellitus and self-care skills and knowledge]. / Associação do tempo de contato no programa educativo em diabetes mellitus no conhecimento e habilidades de autocuidado.

OBJECTIVE: Check the relationship between the users' contact time in educational programs and self-care and knowledge variables in diabetes mellitus. METHOD: A longitudinal study with a quantitative approach with the participation, in the initial phase, of 263 users linked to Basic Health Units in Belo Horizonte, Brazil during the years 2012 and 2013. The data were collected with respect to the total contact time of the users' participation in the educational program as regards knowledge and self-care in acquired diabetes mellitus. The data were analyzed using the Student t-test for comparison of means, considering a 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The final sample included 151 users. The analysis showed that the improvement in self-care scores was statistically higher during an educational intervention of eight hours or more (p-value <0.05). In relation to the scores for knowledge, there was a statistically significant improvement at the end of the educational program. It was not possible to identify a value for the contact time from which there was an increase in mean scores for the ability of knowledge. CONCLUSION: To improve the effectiveness of the promotion of skills related to knowledge and self-care in diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to consider the contact time as a relevant factor of the educational program.

[Beneficiaries of private health plans that used the public outpatient hemodialysis network in Brazil between 2012 and 2019]. / Beneficiários de planos privados de saúde que utilizaram a rede pública de hemodiálise ambulatorial no Brasil entre 2012 e 2019.

Reimbursement to Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) is the most visible interface of the public-private relationship and its analysis can expand our understanding of the use of SUS by the supplementary sector. The study aims to characterize the beneficiaries of private health plans who underwent hemodialysis in the SUS, from 2012 to 2019, in relation to: gender, age group, region of residence, characteristics of the private health plans and the operators and of the care provided to them. The characteristics of the private health plans and the modality of the operators of the beneficiaries where then compared with data of the other beneficiaries in Brazil. An individual-centered database was constructed based on data from the Brazilian National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS); information on beneficiaries in Brazil was consulted in Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS). Frequency distributions were used to summarize the data, standardization by age and sex for characteristics of the private health plans and modality of the operators and ratio to compare frequencies. A total of 31,941 beneficiaries underwent hemodialysis in the SUS, 11,147 (34.9%) outside their municipality of residence, and 6,423 (20.11%) used the SUS for 25 months or more. When compared with other beneficiaries in Brazil, those who underwent hemodialysis in the SUS were more frequently linked to old private health plans (ratio, r = 2.41), collective by adherence (r = 1.76), individual/family (r = 1.36), outpatient (r = 4.66), municipal (r = 3.88), and/or philanthropic (r = 7.32). Private health plans with restrictive characteristics may have hindered the access of beneficiaries who performed hemodialysis in SUS to the networks of their operators and have represented one more among the factors that may have influenced the use of SUS by those beneficiaries, even with coverage provided for in their contracts.

O ressarcimento ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) é a interface mais visível da relação entre saúde pública e privada, e sua análise pode ampliar o conhecimento sobre o uso do SUS pelo setor suplementar. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar os beneficiários de planos privados de saúde que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS entre 2012 e 2019 em relação a: sexo, faixa etária, região de residência, características dos planos privados de saúde e das operadoras e a assistência prestada a eles. Visou também comparar características dos planos privados de saúde e modalidade das operadoras daqueles beneficiários com dados dos demais beneficiários do Brasil. Construiu-se uma base centrada no indivíduo a partir de dados da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS); informações sobre beneficiários do Brasil foram consultadas no Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS). Utilizou-se distribuições de frequências para resumir os dados, padronização por idade e sexo para características dos planos privados de saúde e modalidade das operadoras, e razão para comparar frequências. Um total de 31.941 beneficiários realizou hemodiálise no SUS, 11.147 (34,9%) destes fora de seu município de residência, e 6.423 (20,11%) utilizaram o SUS por 25 meses ou mais. Comparados aos demais beneficiários do Brasil, aqueles que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS estavam vinculados mais frequentemente a planos privados de saúde antigos (razão, r = 2,41), coletivos por adesão (r = 1,76), individuais/familiares (r = 1,36), ambulatoriais (r = 4,66), municipais (r = 3,88) e/ou a filantropias (r = 7,32). Planos privados de saúde com características restritivas podem ter dificultado o acesso dos beneficiários que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS às redes de suas operadoras, e representado mais um fator que pode ter influenciado o uso do SUS por aqueles beneficiários, mesmo com a cobertura prevista em seus contratos.

El resarcimiento al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) es la interfaz más visible de la relación público-privada y su análisis puede ampliar el conocimiento sobre el uso del SUS por el sector suplementario. El estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar a los beneficiarios de planes privados de salud que realizaron hemodiálisis en el SUS, entre 2012 y 2019, con relación a: género, rango de edad, región de residencia, características de los planes privados de salud y de los operadores y a la asistencia prestada a ellos; y comparar características de los planes privados de salud y modalidad de los operadores de aquellos beneficiarios con datos de los demás beneficiarios de Brasil. Se construyó una base centrada en el individuo a partir de datos de la Agencia Nacional de Salud Suplementaria (ANS); las informaciones sobre los beneficiarios en Brasil fueron consultadas en el Departamento de Informática del SUS (DATASUS). Se utilizaron distribuciones de frecuencia para resumir los datos, la estandarización por edad y género para las características de los planes privados de salud y la modalidad de los operadores y la relación para comparar frecuencias. Un total de 31.941 beneficiarios se sometieron a hemodiálisis en el SUS, 11.147 (34,9 %) fuera de su municipio de residencia y 6.423 (20,11 %) utilizaron el SUS por 25 meses o más. Comparados a los demás beneficiarios de Brasil, los beneficiarios que se sometieron a hemodiálisis en el SUS estaban vinculados más frecuentemente a planes privados de salud antiguos (razón, r = 2,41), colectivos por adhesión (r = 1,76), individuales/familiares (r = 1,36), ambulatorios (r = 4,66), municipales (r = 3,88) y/o a filantropías (r = 7,32). Planes privados de salud con características restrictivas pueden haber dificultado el acceso de los beneficiarios que realizaron hemodiálisis en el SUS a las redes de sus operadores y pueden haber representado un factor más entre los que pueden haber influido en el uso del SUS por aquellos beneficiarios, incluso con cobertura prevista en sus contratos.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the sickle cell self-efficacy scale (SCSES).

OBJECTIVE: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale for application in the Brazilian cultural context. METHODS: This is a methodological study performed in 6 steps: 1- Forward translation; 2- Translation synthesis; 3- Back-translation; 4- Assessment by expert committee, with computation of the Content Validity Index (CVI); 5- Cultural adequacy (pre-test); 6- Reproducibility. A pre-test was performed with the participation of 10 adolescents/young adults with sickle cell disease through a telephone call and their responses were recorded on a form in a web platform. The instrument validation step was carried out with 55 adolescents/young adults with sickle cell disease, 43 of them having participated in the retest. The analysis of internal consistency and reproducibility was calculated using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), in the R statistical programming environment. RESULTS: The translated instrument had good acceptance among the experts, reaching an average CVI of 1.0. In assessing reliability, the scale showed acceptable internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84. In the agreement analysis, the ICC was 0.923 (95% CI: 0.857 to 0.958), which indicates good temporal reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: Following the process of translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation, we obtained the Brazilian version of the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale, considered valid and reliable to be applied to adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease in Brazil.

[Evaluation of the behavioral program in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized clinical trial]. / Avaliação do programa comportamental em diabetes mellitus tipo 2: ensaio clínico randomizado.

The scope of this article was to evaluate the effect of the behavioral group education program and telephone intervention in modifying psychological attitudes, enhancing empowerment, and self-care practices aimed at improving clinical control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. It involved a randomized cluster clinical trial, carried out with 199 people with diabetes. In order to perform intragroup comparisons (final and initial phases) and between groups with respect to the indices of the psychological attitude, empowerment, self-care and glycated hemoglobin level variables, the Generalizing Estimating Equation (GEE) approach was used. In all analyses, a 5% significance level and 95% confidence interval were used. When compared to the CG, the IG showed a significant reduction in the mean values of glycated hemoglobin (95%CI: -1.49 to -0.45), a statistically significant increase in the change in psychological attitude scores (95%CI: 9.70 to 15.40), on the empowerment scale (95%CI: 0.81 to 2.72) and adherence to self-care practices (95%CI: 1.44 to 2.10) at the end of the study. The behavioral program proved to be capable of modifying psychological attitudes, improving empowerment, self-care practices and clinical control.

O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o efeito do programa comportamental educação em grupo e intervenção telefônica na modificação das atitudes psicológicas, melhora do empoderamento e das práticas de autocuidado visando à melhora do controle clínico em diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico com cluster randomizado, realizado em 199 pessoas com diabetes. Para realizar as comparações intragrupos (tempos final e inicial) e entre grupos quanto aos valores das variáveis atitudes psicológicas, empoderamento, autocuidado e medidas da hemoglobina glicada, foi utilizada a abordagem das Generalizing Estimating Equations (GEE). Em todas as análises, utilizou-se um nível de significância de 5% e intervalos de 95% de confiança. Quando comparado ao GC, o GI apresentou uma redução significativa nos valores médios de hemoglobina glicada (IC95%: -1,49 a - 0,45), aumento estatisticamente significativo na modificação dos escores de atitudes psicológicas (IC95%: 9,70 a 15,40), na escala do empoderamento (IC95%: 0,81 a 2,72) e na adesão às práticas de autocuidado (IC95%: 1,44 a 2,10) ao final do estudo. O programa comportamental se mostrou capaz de modificar as atitudes psicológicas, melhorar o empoderamento, as práticas de autocuidado e o controle clínico.

The effect of ß-hydroxy ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) with nutritional counselling on anthropometric muscle mass markers, strength, functionality, and quality of life in patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation: A double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LTx) usually lose muscle mass. Supplementation with ß-hydroxy ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) may have a promising effect on this clinical condition. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HMB on muscle mass, strength, functionality, and quality of life in patients on the LTx waiting list. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized study was conducted of 3g supplementation of HMB or 3g supplementation of maltodextrin (active control) with nutritional counselling for 12 wk in patients >18 y, evaluated at five points or timepoints. Body composition and anthropometric data (resistance, reactance, phase angle, weight, body mass index, arm circumference [AC], arm muscle area, and adductor pollicis muscle thickness) were collected, and muscle strength was assessed through dynamometry and muscle function by the frailty index (FI). Quality of life was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were enrolled (HMB: 23 and active control: 24). There was a significant difference in both groups for AC (P = 0.03), dynamometry (P = 0.02), and FI (P = 0.01). There was an increase in dynamometry between weeks 0 and 12 in both groups (HMB [Δdynamometry: 10.1% ± 16.4%; P < 0.05] and active control [Δdynamometry: 23.0% ± 70.3%; P < 0.05]). The AC increased in both groups between weeks 0 and 4 (HMB [ΔAC: 0.9% ± 2.8%; P < 0.05] and active control [ΔAC: 1.6% ± 3.6%; P < 0.05]) and between weeks 0 and 12 (HMB [ΔAC: 3.2% ± 6.7%; P < 0.05] and active control [ΔAC: 2.1% ± 6.6%; P < 0.05]). The FI decreased in both groups, between weeks 0 and 4 (HMB [ΔFI: -4.2% ± 6.9%; P < 0.05) and active control [ΔFI: -3.2% ± 9.6%; P < 0.05]) and between weeks 0 and 12 (HMB ΔFI: -4.4% ± 11.2%; P < 0.05] and active control [ΔFI: -5.5% ± 11.3%; P < 0.05]). The other variables did not change (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional counselling with supplementation with HMB or active control in patients on the LTx waiting list improved AC, dynamometry, and the FI in both groups.

Blood donor candidates and blood donations performed between 2005 and 2019 in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A time series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Time series studies related to blood donor candidates and blood donations are rare in Brazil. Population aging suggests a better understanding of the context related to blood donor candidates and blood donations performed. OBJECTIVE: The monthly series of candidates eligible to donate blood and actual donations between 2005 and 2019 at the Hemominas Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were described and analyzed. METHODS: Ten time series were constructed of blood donor candidates and blood donations. Each series covered the period from January 2005 to December 2019. The stationarity of the series was verified by the unit root test; the data distribution, by the Shapiro-Wilk test; the trend, by the Cox-Stuart test, and; the seasonality, by the Fisher's test (significance levels of 10% for the first test and 5% for the last three). RESULTS: All series were identified as non-stationary and presented trend and seasonality components. The rate of blood donor candidates and the rate of blood donations performed evidenced a positive upward trend until the last two-year analysis, when a drop occurred, from 1.75% and 1.42% in 2017 to 1.64% and 1.35% in 2019, respectively. The rate of blood donations trended downward, from 0.054% in 2005 to 0.046% in 2019. The proportion of unsuitable or unretained candidates reduced. CONCLUSION: The study emphasized the need to stimulate blood donation by specific groups and increase ways to reduce the demand for blood components through the implementation of programs that expand alternatives to blood transfusions.

Climacteric symptoms and quality of life in yoga practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Yoga is among the most commonly studied complementary therapies for managing climacteric symptoms. However, it is unclear whether yoga practices in premenopause can affect the occurrence of symptoms when women reach menopause. OBJECTIVE: To assess climacteric symptoms and quality of life in regular yoga practitioners and to determine whether yoga practices before menopause may avoid or mitigate climacteric-related symptoms. DESIGN: This study of 108 women between 40 and 65 years old included 28 women who started to practice yoga in premenopause and had already practiced for at least five years, and as controls 30 physical activity practitioners (PA) who had practiced for at least five years, and 50 sedentary women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Climacteric symptoms were evaluated with the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) and the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ). Moreover, we measured the quality of life with the WHQ. RESULTS: The KMI showed that 39.3% of yoga practitioners had no menopausal symptoms, and none reported severe symptoms. The WHQ indicated a few symptoms and a good quality of life for yoga practitioners (3.56; 3.35-3.80). In addition, we found that the yoga group had significantly less moderate and severe symptoms (p = 0.002) compared with the sedentary group. We also observed that yoga practitioners had less vasomotor symptoms and memory/concentration disorders than PA practitioners (p = 0.010 and p = 0.047) and sedentary women (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001) and also used fewer drugs than the PA (p < 0.001) and the sedentary groups (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga practitioners who started to practice in premenopause had satisfactory results on the frequency and intensity of climacteric symptoms and quality of life. Although further research is required to support our findings, we conclude that yoga practice may represent an efficient non-pharmacological approach to manage and prevent climacteric symptoms.

Influence of nutrition claims on different models of front-of-package nutritional labeling in supposedly healthy foods: Impact on the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers.

Nutrition claims are positive information about foods, which are widely used as a marketing strategy on labels. On the contrary, front-of-package nutritional labeling (FoPNL) aims to make it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional composition of foods and favor healthy food choices. However, the concomitant presence of nutrition claims and FoPNL may hinder the understanding, judgment, and choices of consumers at the moment of purchase. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nutrition claims on the efficacy of FoPNL models in the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. It was an experimental cross-sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire, with a total of 720 participants randomly divided into four FoPNL conditions: control, octagon, triangle, and magnifying glass. Each participant looked at 12 food packages, which were produced following the factorial design: (i) food category (cereal bar, whole grain cookies, and snacks); (ii) product type (containing one critical nutrient × containing two critical nutrients); and (iii) nutrition claims (present × absent). The comprehension of nutritional information was evaluated through the identification of excessive nutrients, and the healthfulness perception and purchase intention were evaluated using a seven-point scale. The results indicated that the presence of FoPNL increased the understanding of the information and reduced healthfulness perception and purchase intention. The presence of nutrition claims influenced the three outcomes, decreasing the probability of understanding information about food composition by 32% (OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.78, p < 0.01) and significantly increasing (p < 0.05) average health scores (1.95-2.02) and purchase intention (2.00-2.05). Nonetheless, the interaction "FoPNL × claims" was not significant, which indicated that claims act independently. All FoPNL models were more effective than the control. For the least healthful type of product (two nutrients in excess), the octagon and triangle models were superior to the magnifying glass, regarding the outcome of healthfulness perception. The results prove the efficacy of FoPNL in consumer understanding and judgment. Despite the positive effects of FoPNL, it did not cancel the positivity bias generated by the claims.

[Timely outpatient treatment of cervical cancer: the influence of region of residence for women in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Tratamento ambulatorial do câncer do colo do útero em tempo oportuno: a influência da região de residência de mulheres no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil.

This study aimed to investigate whether there is an association between the Extended Health Regions (EHR) of residence in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the interval between diagnosis and start of treatment for women who underwent outpatient treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) for cervical cancer by the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), between 2001 and 2015. This is a cross-sectional study, part of a cohort with 8,857 women. Negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate the association of EHR of residence and the interval between diagnosis and start of treatment (in days), considering a significance level of 5%. The models were constructed using blocks of sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related covariates. It was found that the EHR of residence of women is associated with the interval between diagnosis and start of treatment. The northern EHR was the region of the state where the average time to start treatment was lower, and not residing in this EHR increases the average time to start treatment between 24% and 93% compared to other EHRs in the state. The disparity in the interval between diagnosis and start of treatment between the regions of Minas Gerais is evident. The availability of services enabled for the treatment of cancer in the EHRs does not necessarily results in a greater agility for the start of treatment. Understanding the flows of Oncology Care Networks and their regional differences is essential to improve public policies that ensure compliance with current laws, such as Law n. 12,732/2012, which recommends the start of treatment for cancer patients within 60 days after diagnosis.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar se há associação entre as Regiões Ampliadas de Saúde (RAS) de residência de Minas Gerais, Brasil, e o intervalo entre diagnóstico e início de tratamento de mulheres que realizaram tratamento ambulatorial (quimioterapia ou radioterapia) para câncer do colo do útero pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), entre 2001 e 2015. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, recorte de uma coorte, com 8.857 mulheres. Para avaliar a associação da RAS de residência e o intervalo entre diagnóstico e início de tratamento (em dias), foram utilizados modelos de regressão binomial negativa, considerando nível de significância de 5%. Os modelos foram construídos usando blocos de covariáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e relacionadas ao tratamento. Foi determinado que a RAS de residência das mulheres está associada ao intervalo entre o diagnóstico e o início de tratamento. A RAS Norte foi a região do estado onde a média de tempo para iniciar o tratamento foi menor, e não residir nessa RAS aumenta a média de tempo para iniciar o tratamento entre 24% e 93% em comparação com outras RAS do estado. Fica evidente a disparidade no intervalo entre diagnóstico e início de tratamento entre as regiões do Estado de Minas Gerais. A disponibilidade de serviços habilitados para o tratamento do câncer nas RAS não reflete necessariamente em maior agilidade para início de tratamento. Compreender os fluxos das Redes de Atenção Oncológica e suas diferenças regionais é fundamental para aprimorar políticas públicas que garantam o cumprimento de leis vigentes, como a Lei nº 12.732/2012, que preconiza o início do tratamento de pacientes com câncer em até 60 dias após o diagnóstico.

El objetivo de este estudio es investigar si existe una asociación entre las Regiones Ampliadas de Salud (RAS) de residencia en Minas Gerais, Brasil, y el intervalo entre el diagnóstico y el inicio del tratamiento para mujeres que realizaron tratamiento ambulatorio (quimioterapia o radioterapia) para cáncer de cuello uterino por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) entre 2001 y 2015. Se trata de un estudio transversal, recortado de una cohorte, con 8.857 mujeres. Para evaluar la asociación entre la RAS de residencia y el intervalo entre el diagnóstico y el inicio del tratamiento (en días), se utilizaron modelos de regresión binomial negativa, considerando el nivel de significancia del 5%. Los modelos se construyeron utilizando bloques de covariables sociodemográficas, clínicas y relacionadas con el tratamiento. Se encontró una asociación entre la RAS de residencia de las mujeres y el intervalo entre el diagnóstico y el inicio del tratamiento. La región de la RAS Norte tuvo tiempo promedio más corto para el inicio del tratamiento, pero si las mujeres no residen en esta RAS el tiempo promedio para el inicio del tratamiento puede aumentar entre el 24% y el 93% en comparación con otras RAS del estado. Queda evidente la disparidad del intervalo entre el diagnóstico y el inicio del tratamiento entre las regiones de Minas Gerais. La disponibilidad de servicios habilitados para el tratamiento del cáncer en la RAS no necesariamente refleja la mayor rapidez para el inicio del tratamiento. Es fundamental comprender los flujos de las Redes de Atención Oncológica y sus diferencias regionales para buscar mejorar las políticas públicas que garantizan el cumplimiento de la legislación vigente, como la Ley nº 12.732/2012, que recomienda que el tratamiento de los pacientes con cáncer debe empezar dentro de los 60 días posteriores al diagnóstico.

Evaluation of group education strategies and telephone intervention for type 2 diabetes. / Avaliação das estratégias de educação em grupo e intervenção telefônica para o diabetes tipo 2.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate group education strategies and telephone intervention regarding the variables empowerment, self-care practices, and glycemic control of people with diabetes. METHOD: Clinical trial with eight randomized clusters, conducted between 2015 and 2016, with 208 users with type 2 diabetes mellitus allocated for group education, telephone intervention, or control group. Sociodemographic data, glycated hemoglobin, empowerment, and self-care practices were collected. RESULTS: The user mean age was of 63.5 years (SD = 8.9 years), with the participation of 124 women, which amounts to 59.6% of these users. The strategies led to a statistically significant reduction in the levels of glycated hemoglobin (p < 0.001). The telephone intervention was also observed to present statistically significant results regarding self-care practices (p < 0.001) and empowerment in diabetes (p < 0.001) when compared to group education. CONCLUSION: The telephone intervention presented statistically significant results for empowerment and practices of self-care when compared to group education. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos): RBR-7gb4wm.

The scope of practice of primary health care physicians in rural and urban areas in Brazil.

This study aimed to identify differences in the scope of practice of primary care physicians and find the main factors associated with expanded practice in rural and urban areas of Brazil. Data from an online survey with 2,277 primary care physicians, conducted between January and March 2016, were used. Differences regarding activities and procedures performed by physicians per area were verified using Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's post hoc and chi-square tests. Multivariate linear regression analyses were done using a bootstrap technique to identify the main factors associated with an expanded scope of practice. Regardless of the location, the results showed that the practices of the primary care physicians are below their competences. Rural physicians performed a higher number of procedures and activities compared with their peers from intermediate and urban municipalities. Within the overall sample, the variables related to a broader scope of practice included: male gender, work in rural municipalities, participation in training and continuing education programs and consultation of clinical protocols, articles and books. This study contributes with evidence that the medical scope of practice varies according to location. Recognizing and understanding the differences and associated factors for an expanded scope of practice is necessary to determine the skills and resources required for practice in rural and urban areas, collaborating in proposals of strategies to improve quality and access of health care services.

Quality of life of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: does individual characteristics matter?

This study aims to evaluate changes in quality of life of cancer patients at the beginning of the first and the second cycle of chemotherapy (CT) in hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Longitudinal, prospective, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. We enrolled 230 patients, from a broader cohort, diagnosed with the five most frequent types of cancer (breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, and head and neck), aged 18 years or older, who were initiating CT for the first time. quality of life was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3, applied at the beginning of the first and second chemotherapy cycle. The paired Wilcoxon test was used to identify differences in quality of life between the two time points. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed using the bootstrap method to investigate potential predictors of global health Status/quality of life. There was a significant increase in patients' emotional function scores (p < 0.001) as well as symptom scores for pain (p = 0.026), diarrhea (p = 0.018), and nausea/vomiting (p < 0.001) after initiation of CT. Widowhood was associated with improvements in the global health Status/quality of life (p = 0.028), whereas the presence of cervical cancer (p = 0.034) and being underweight (p = 0.033) were related to poorer global health status/quality of life scores. CT has detrimental effects on patients' physical health but, on the other hand, it leads to improvements in the emotional domain. Patients' individual characteristics at the beginning of CT are associated with changes in their quality of life. Our study could help identify these characteristics.