High COVID-19 morbidity and mortality risk among smoked drug users in Brazil.

ABSTRACT: In much of the West, including Brazil, drug use has increased since social distancing began in response to the pandemic. Use of smoked and modified drugs, and their impacts on health, may contribute to aggravate the effects of the pandemic. However, studies on the relationship between use of smoked drugs and the new coronavirus are still scarce and have not received enough attention in global health recommendations. This paper aims to briefly review the relationship between use of smoked drugs and acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Recent studies also suggest that drug consumption increases the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 and leads to worse prognosis, particularly consumption of drugs that affect lung function. Use of smoked drugs, especially tobacco, is strongly associated with lung diseases that are risk factors for contamination by SARS-CoV-2. It is essential to develop strategies based on specific characteristics of drug users and for mental health professionals to be included in strategic teams. It is also necessary to invest in information campaigns regarding risks and prevention of harm caused by smoked drugs as well as to design strategies that facilitate access to psychosocial treatment during the pandemic.

High COVID-19 morbidity and mortality risk among smoked drug users in Brazil

Abstract In much of the West, including Brazil, drug use has increased since social distancing began in response to the pandemic. Use of smoked and modified drugs, and their impacts on health, may contribute to aggravate the effects of the pandemic. However, studies on the relationship between use of smoked drugs and the new coronavirus are still scarce and have not received enough attention in global health recommendations. This paper aims to briefly review the relationship between use of smoked drugs and acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Recent studies also suggest that drug consumption increases the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 and leads to worse prognosis, particularly consumption of drugs that affect lung function. Use of smoked drugs, especially tobacco, is strongly associated with lung diseases that are risk factors for contamination by SARS-CoV-2. It is essential to develop strategies based on specific characteristics of drug users and for mental health professionals to be included in strategic teams. It is also necessary to invest in information campaigns regarding risks and prevention of harm caused by smoked drugs as well as to design strategies that facilitate access to psychosocial treatment during the pandemic.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder reinforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is unquestionably impacting on the mental health of the population worldwide. Fear of contamination can both increase levels of stress in healthy individuals and intensify psychiatric symptoms in patients with pre-existing conditions, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the imminent risk of contamination creates a logical need for self-surveillance and hygiene habits. However, this kind of information can have drastic implications for subjects with OCD, since cognitive distortions and compensatory strategies (cleansing rituals) are no longer irrational or oversized - rather, these ideas become legitimate and socially accepted, generating plausible validation for the intensification of compulsive cleaning rituals. Patients who presented remission of OCD symptoms would be more likely to have a relapse, and subclinical patients may scale up and ultimately be diagnosed with OCD due to the reinforcement of their habits, emotions and thoughts.

Accuracy of mRNA HPV Tests for Triage of Precursor Lesions and Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluates the accuracy of the mRNA HPV biomarker in cervical smears to identify cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 and cervical cancer. DATA SOURCE: Eligible studies were identified by performing a search of electronic databases on Medline via Pubmed, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Grey literature for papers published between January 1990 and June 2018. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: As no randomized studies were identified, this review focuses on observational studies in which the mRNA HPV diagnostic test was compared to a histopathology reference standard. We analyzed studies that included women screened for cervical cancer using mRNA HPV. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: After screening, 61 studies including 29,674 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Dichotomization was performed by defining CIN2 or worse (CIN2+) versus CIN1, HPV infection, and normal (CIN 1-). The analysis was discriminated by the following tests: Aptima, PreTect HPV Profeer, NucliSens EasyQ HPV, OncoTect, and Quantivirus. RESULTS: Analyzing by technique, Aptima, with 28 studies, exhibited superior performance, showing for the outcomes CIN2+ and CIN3+ an AUC of 0.88 (0.82-0.95) and 0.91 (0.84-0.99), a pooled sensitivity of 92.8% (95%CI 91.9-93.7) and 95.6% (95%CI 94.5-96.5), and a pooled specificity of 60.5% (95%CI 59.8-61.3) and 61.9% (95%CI 61.1-62.7), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study supports the current hypothesis that the mRNA HPV assay is an adequate tool for secondary cervical cancer screening.

Accuracy of Messenger RNA Human Papillomavirus Tests for Diagnostic Triage of Minor Cytological Cervical Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to specify the accuracy of messenger RNA human papillomavirus (HPV) tests among women with previous minor cervical lesion cytology to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (CIN2+ and CIN3+) compared with a histopathological reference standard. The secondary objective is to compare messenger RNA HPV test accuracies and the DNA high-risk HPV test among these women. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching the electronic databases with medical subject headings. MAIN RESULTS: Among the 2052 studies identified, 20 primary studies were included. Two tests were mainly identified: Aptima and PreTect HPV-Proofer. Aptima, with 10 studies, had better performance, considering atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion together, with a pooled sensitivity of 90.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.1-92.6) and specificity of 55.1% (95% CI, 53.5-56.8) for CIN2+. For the ASC-US sample, Aptima had a pooled sensitivity of 90.1% (95% CI, 87.1-92.7) and specificity of 59.3% (95% CI, 57.5-61.1). CONCLUSIONS: Messenger RNA HPV tests, mainly Aptima assay, can be recommended to triage women with ASC-US and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion because it has higher specificity with a small loss of sensitivity than Hybrid Capture 2 assay; this finding is promising as a means to reduce the overmanagement of minor cytological abnormalities.

Accuracy of mRNA HPV tests as a predictor of recurrence of precursor lesions and cervical cancer after conization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the accuracy of mRNA HPV biomarker for the identification of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer during a follow-up after conization, taking histopathology as reference standard. Methods: A search of electronic databases was performed, for studies published until June 2018. As results, after screening, five studies including 1148 patients met the inclusion criteria. Dichotomization was performed by CIN2+ versus CIN1-. By analyzing all five studies, a sensitivity of 62.4% (95% CI: 54.8-69.7), specificity of 91.9% (95% CI: 90.0-93.5) and area under the curve of 0.5685 were revealed. Conclusion: mRNA HPV assay presents a high specificity and is an adequate tool for cervical cancer screening in the follow-up after conization.

Accuracy of Anal Cytology for Diagnostic of Precursor Lesions of Anal Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anal canal carcinoma is relevant because it commonly occurs in high-risk groups, and its incidence has been increasing. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the accuracy of anal cytology in the screening of precursor lesions of anal cancer, compared with histopathologic examination as the reference, in all subjects and in men who have sex with men, HIV-infected men and women, and men who have sex with men and HIV-infected subgroups. DATA SOURCES: The data included studies identified in the MEDLINE, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, Cochrane Library, and Embase electronic databases, as well as in the grey literature. The search terms included anal cancer, anal dysplasia, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, screening, and anal cytology. STUDY SELECTION: After excluding studies with no histopathological data and those with duplicate and missing data, 34 primary studies were included. INTERVENTION: Cytology of anal smears was studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic OR, and area under the curve were measured. RESULTS: A total of 5093 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity of anal cytology was 85.0% (95% CI, 82.0%-87.0%) and pooled specificity was 43.2% (95% CI, 41.4%-45.1%) for the detection of anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse versus anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and normal when measuring all subjects. The accuracy of anal cytology was higher in the men who have sex with men and HIV-infected and men who have sex with men only subgroups. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The study results support the hypothesis that cytology is a good test for the screening of anal cancer.

Depressive symptoms and neurotrophin levels in ostomy patients / Sintomas depressivos e níveis de neurotrofina em pacientes com ostomia

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the depressive symptoms and changes in neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, NT-3), and cortisol levels in serum of peripheral blood from ostomy patients compared to healthy control group. Methods: We evaluated ostomy (n = 29) and healthy control (n = 30) patients. The neurotrophin (BDNF, NGF, NT-3), and cortisol levels were assessed by ELISA in serum of peripheral blood. Depressive symptoms were defined based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and major depression disorder was based on clinical interviews and was confirmed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Results: The results showed a significant decrease in BDNF levels and, a significant increase in NT-3 levels in serum of peripheral blood from ostomy patients when compared to healthy controls. The levels of NGF and cortisol showed no significant differences between groups. The depressive symptom evaluations by HDRS demonstrated a significant increase in ostomy patients when compared to healthy controls. The major depression disorder diagnosis by SCID-I showed no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest ostomy triggers significant depressive symptoms and alterations in neurotrophins levels in serum of peripheral blood samples collected from these patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os sintomas depressivos e alterações nos níveis de neurotrofinas (BDNF, NGF, NT-3) e cortisol em soro de sangue periférico de pacientes ostomizados em comparação com grupo controle saudável. Métodos: Foram avaliados pacientes ostomizados (n = 29) e controles saudáveis (n = 30). Os níveis de neurotrofinas (BDNF, NGF, NT-3) e cortisol foram avaliados por kit ELISA em soro de sangue periférico. Os sintomas depressivos foram definidos com base na Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), e o transtorno depressivo maior foi baseado em entrevistas clínicas e confirmado pela Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Resultados: Os resultados mostraram diminuição significativa nos níveis de BDNF e aumento significativo nos níveis de NT-3 no soro de sangue periférico de pacientes ostomizados quando comparados com controles saudáveis. Os níveis de NGF e cortisol não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos. As avaliações dos sintomas depressivos pela HDRS demonstraram aumento significativo em pacientes ostomizados quando comparados com controles saudáveis. O diagnóstico de transtorno depressivo maior pela SCID-I não mostrou diferença significativa entre os grupos. Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que a ostomia desencadeia sintomas depressivos significativos e alterações nos níveis de neurotrofinas no soro de sangue periférico coletadas desses pacientes