Biological responses of Chironomus sancticaroli to exposure to naturally aged PP microplastics under realistic concentrations.

Microplastic (MP) is yet another form of chronic anthropogenic contribution to the environment. MPs are plastic particles (<5 mm) that have been widely found in the most diverse natural environments, but their real impacts on ecosystems are still under investigation. Here, we studied the toxicity of naturally aged secondary polypropylene (PP) MPs after constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation (26 µm) to the third instar larvae of Chironomus sancticaroli, a dipteran species. The concentrations tested were 13.5; 67.5; and 135 items g-1 of dry sediment. C. sancticaroli organisms were investigated for fragment ingestion, mortality and changes in enzymatic biomarkers after 144 h of exposure. The organisms were able to ingest MPs from the first 48 h, and the amount of items internalized was dose-dependent and time-dependent. Overall, the results show that mortality was low, being significant at the lowest and highest concentrations (13.5 and 135 items g-1). Regarding changes in biochemical markers, after 144 h MDA and CAT activities were both significantly altered (increased and reduced, respectively), while SOD and GST levels were unchanged. In the present study, naturally aged polypropylene MPs induced biochemical toxicity in C. sancticaroli larvae, with toxicity being higher according to exposure time and particle concentration.

Cognition, emotion, and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome before and after severe weight loss treatment.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the results of a conservative method and the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure for weight loss on the cognitive-emotional performance of severely obese women assessed for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Material and methods: Two samples consisting of females, approved for Sleeve Gastrectomy (n = 21) and Conservative Treatment (n = 21) underwent night polysomnography and completed a battery of neuropsychological and emotional tests before and 6 months after the interventions. We compared intra- and inter-sample results, post interventions result to controls, and treated patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Results: Anthropometry, immediate memory, attention, executive functions, and emotional maladjustment improved after the interventions. The conservative method showed better results for inhibitory control, and surgery showed better results for cognitive flexibility, speed of information processing and general cognitive and emotional performance for women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Learning decreased following both interventions. Memory and cognitive flexibility were lower in the comparison group than in control groups. Discussion: Treatments impacted different cognitive domains with probable influence on the objectives achieved. Lower middle pressure for behaviour modification may have reduced learning after interventions. The reduction of depression/anxiety in women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea may result from the improvement of the social effects of both conditions. Although with better results for the surgical method, anthropometric reductions in both methods, positively influenced the cognitive/emotional domains. The maintenance of cognitive weaknesses implies longer and more focused interventions to avoid the regression of results like the worsening of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Health risk behaviors before and during COVID-19 and gender differences.

Changes in routines and habits, fear of contamination from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus, and economic crisis have resulted in significant impacts upon individuals' lives, health, and risk behaviors. The present study aims to analyze health risk behaviors and gender differences of Portuguese adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative analysis using SPSS v. 26 software presents the evaluation of 5746 responses (M = 48.5 years, SD = 14.3), of which 67.7% were female. t Test was used to study differences in means before and during the pandemic and analysis of variance test to analyze gender differences. In the comparative study before and during the pandemic showed a decrease in the number of meals per day, physical activity and perception of sleep quality; an increase in tobacco use, beer consumption, and media use (TV, mobile phone, social networks, and online games). Gender differences study demonstrated that the number of meals per day suffered a decrease from pre to pandemic in women, while increasing in men, becoming prominent in the second moment under study. Both genders had an increase in consumption behaviors and substance use, but women revealed a decrease in the consumption of wine during the pandemic, while men revealed more consumption behaviors in the variables under study. The use of media also changed, with men showing a higher level in TV hours per day, social networks and online games before the pandemic and in TV hours per day and games/online during the pandemic. Women stand out in the use of mobile phone per day during the pandemic. Daily physical activity decreased during the pandemic, as did sleep quality. Males revealed a higher practice of physical activity at both periods, as well as sleep quality. Based on the results presented, it is expected that considerations and actions in the scope of public health policies and health prevention and promotion, will be rethought and adapted to the specificities of each gender.

Avaliação da eficiência de um índice de estado trófico na determinação da qualidade da água de reservatórios para abastecimento público / Assessment of the efficiency of a trophic state index in determining the water quality of public water supply reservoirs

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo consiste na avaliação da eficácia do uso de um índice de estado trófico (IET) como ferramenta na análise da qualidade das águas de três reservatórios. O IET foi calculado baseado na transparência do reservatório e nas concentrações de clorofila-a e fósforo total (P total). Para identificar a correlação do uso do solo com a poluição aquática das represas, o IET calculado para cada represa foi comparado ao mapeamento temático de cobertura do solo com base em imagens do satélite Landsat TM 5 do ano de 2010. A análise dos componentes principais (ACP), focada na correlação dos dados, foi realizada utilizando o software PAST®, versão 2.16. Inicialmente, o comportamento dos parâmetros associados ao IET foi avaliado de forma isolada (P total, clorofila-a e transparência) sobre os reservatórios. Em seguida, foram aplicados à ACP os demais parâmetros físicos e químicos associados à qualidade da água dos reservatórios (sem o IET). Por fim, todos os parâmetros foram submetidos à ACP (IET e todos os outros parâmetros em conjunção). O IET utilizado nesta pesquisa demonstrou ser autossuficiente na predição da qualidade de água com a utilização de apenas três parâmetros (P total, clorofila-a e transparência). A análise das imagens de satélite, em conjunto com os dados provenientes do IET, foi suficiente para apontar a redução da qualidade das águas por fontes pontuais de poluição, mesmo em ambientes com maior cobertura vegetal preservada.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study consists in the evaluation of the trophic state index (IET) efficacy as a tool in the water quality analysis of three reservoirs. The IET was calculated based on water transparency in the reservoir and on the surface concentrations of chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus (total P). To identify the correlation of the soil use with the reservoir aquatic pollution, the IET calculated for each reservoir was compared to the thematic mapping of land cover based on Landsat TM 5 satellite images from 2010. The main components analysis (ACP), focused on data correlation, was made using the software PAST®, version 2.16. Initially, the behavior of the parameters associated with the IET was evaluated alone (total P, chlorophyll-a and transparency) on the reservoirs. Then, the other chemical and physical parameters associated with the reservoirs water quality (without the IET) were applied to the ACP. Finally, all the parameters underwent the ACP (IET and all the other parameters in conjunction). The IET used in this research seemed to be self-sufficient in the prediction of water quality using only three parameters (total P, chlorophyll-a and transparency). The satellite images analysis, in conjunction with the IET data, was sufficient to point out the water quality reduction by punctual sources of pollution even in environments with larger preserved vegetal coverage.

Sleep duration, lifestyles and chronic diseases: a cross-sectional population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Adequate sleep is essential for health. Both, short and long sleep durations are associated to worse quality of life and poor health outcomes. Portugal represents a specific population model, since according to European statistics it has high rates of chronic diseases like depression, hypertension, diabetes and stroke; and low quality of life as well as low index of physical activity, while in parallel it has some other good health indicators such as: low age-standardized mortality for both genders, nutrition in terms of energy and fruit consumption, smoking and alcohol, obesity and overweight prevalence. The aim of this study was to characterize health and chronic diseases, lifestyles and quality of life in subjects with short and long sleep duration. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional evaluation of the third wave of follow-up of the EpiDoC Cohort was carried between 2015-2016. A sample of 5,436 adults ≥18 years, representative of the national population, self-reported their daily total sleep time. Associations between short sleep duration (SSD ≤5h), long sleep duration (LSD≥9h) and independent variables were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence for SSD was high (20.7%) and the LSD (5.9%) was low. Being older, with lower education, retired and unemployed were associated to SSD and LSD (p<0.01). Being obese was associated to SSD as well as hypertension, gastrointestinal disease and hypercholesterolemia (p<0.01). SSD and LSD, were associated with diabetes (p<0.01 and p=0.03) and depression (p<0.01 and p=0.02) respectively. Cardiovascular disease (p<0.01) was associated to LSD. Multimorbidity (p<0.01) was associated to SSD. Worse quality of life and bad physical function were associated to SSD and LSD, as well as being hospitalized in the previous 12 months (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic, physical activity and chronic diseases were associated to reduction and extension of sleep duration. There was no association between rheumatic diseases and cancer with sleep duration, as found in other studies. This study emphasizes the burden of self-reported SSD for Portugal, its consequences to health and the need to increase sleep awareness campaigns enhancing the importance of sleep in health. Furthermore, it emphasizes that chronic diseases risks are dependent on multiple parameters which varying in different countries or regions, imply the need of regional studies and interventions.

Smajor Hemorrahage During Mediastinoscopy: Do You Panic or Do you Have a Protocol?

INTRODUCTION: Although uncommon, major vessel hemorrhage is the most feared complication of mediastinoscopy. Our goal was to determine the optimal management strategy and to develop a simple and accessible protocol for optimizing care in these situations. METHODS: Data collection after reviewing the relevant literature. A literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Medline, Embase and ScienceDirect. RESULTS: The protocol consists of three distinct parts - initial checklist, considerations in minor bleeding and performance in major bleeding. In this last section we propose an initial approach based mainly on fluid resuscitation and immediate surgical correction if the former has not been successful. CONCLUSION: Mediastinoscopy continues to be an important and effective diagnostic tool. However, it can cause important iatrogenic lesions which the anesthesiologist and surgical team must be prepared to diagnose early and treat properly.

Anaesthetic Management in a Duchennne Muscle Dystrophy Patient for Treatment of Recurrent Pneumothorax.

INTRODUCTION: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an x linked recessive disorder. Long term prognosis is ominous, with development of respiratory distress and cardiomyopathy in advanced stage of the disease and expected death in the teens-to-mid 20s due to respiratory or cardiac failure. Peri-operative management of this patients is challenging due to difficult airway anatomy (macroglossia, limited neck and mandibular mobility). Additionally, they are at risk of developing malignant hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis and hyperkalemic cardiac arrest when exposed to halogenated inhalational anaesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. METHODS: We describe a case of DMD proposed to a thoracotomy for treatment of recurrent pneumothorax and its anaesthetic approach. RESULTS: A 22-year-old male patient with DMD presented at emergency department due dyspnoea starting at 3 days associated with right scapular pain, enhanced by breathing. The patient already presents with mild cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction of 55%, mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation), severe restrictive respiratory defect, requiring continuous BiPAP. The patient was markedly denourished (BMI of 12 kg/m2) and presented with nearly absent breathing sounds on the right side. Chest radiography showed large pneumothorax on the right side with no signs of tension. Drainage was performed. Despite initial success, recurrence of pneumothorax occurred on the several attempts of clamping. A bronchopleural fistula was suspected and operative treatment was considered. Considering the comorbidities, he was graded ASA IV with a difficult airway due to macroglossia, limited neck and mandibular mobility. Oro-tracheal intubation was performed with slight sedation (propofol, without neuromuscular blocks). Difficult airway anatomy (direct laryngoscopy - Cormack 4) successfully approached with a bougie and Mccoy blade. Fibreoptic intubation approach was immediately available in the operating room, if required. Total intravenous anaesthesia was decided (remifentanil and propofol, administered by continuous infusion, without neuromuscular blockers). Volume controlled protective ventilation as used (tidal volume 6-8ml/kg, respiratory frequency of 14-16/ min; FiO2: 0,5). No bronchopleural fistula was detected and pleurodesis was performed with biologic glue. Patient remained intubated and was transferred to the ICU for monitoring, having been discharged on the 2nd day to the ward. Despite this, pneumothorax recurrence occurred, and surgery was performed again, using the same anaesthetic approach, this time with successful closure of the bronchopleural fistula. CONCLUSION: Total intravenous anaesthesia, without neuromuscular blockers, is a safe and effective option for DMD patients. Anaesthesiologists must consider the possibility of cardio-pulmonary disabilities, difficult airway management, as well as the high risk of malignant hyperthermia in these patients.

Mutual relations between sleep deprivation, sleep stealers and risk behaviours in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to evaluate the mutual influences between sleep duration/sleep deprivation (SD) and the sleep stealers/adolescent risk behaviours. METHODS: The national survey is a component of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study, it is based on a school-based self-completed questionnaire; 3476 students were randomly selected from 139 randomly chosen Portuguese schools using as an unit the class, 53.8% were girls; 45.9% attended the 8th grade and 54.1% the 10th grade; the mean age was 14.9 years. The measured variables were: 1) gender and age; 2) sociodemographics; 3) sleep duration during the week and during weekends and computed SD; 4) screen time (computer use during the week and during the week end (PC use); watching TV and mobile phone use; 5) earlier sexual behaviour; 6) violent behaviours: fights, use of weapons; 7) use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. The statistical analysis included Pearson chi-square tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: Excessive use of mobile phone, of computer use during weekdays, and internet facilities; substance use; violence and earlier sexual relations had significantly higher prevalence in sleep deprived adolescents. By logistic regression only using PC during weekdays, tobacco, drugs and weapons were associated to SD, while SD was associated to PC use during weekdays, tobacco use and drugs' use. Computer uses tend to be associated among themselves. Mobile phone is associated with computer practices and with alcohol and tobacco use. Tobacco is associated with most risk behaviours. Alcohol use is associated with other substance use, computer use and violent behaviours. Violence behaviours, earlier sex and drugs use tend to be associated among themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep stealers use and risk behaviours are more prevalent in sleep deprived adolescents, but, in spite of significant individual associations, models of risk behaviours are still lacking.

24-hour rhythmicity of seizures in refractory focal epilepsy.

The occurrence of seizures in specific types of epilepsies can follow a 24-hour nonuniform or nonrandom pattern. We described the 24-hour pattern of clinical seizures in patients with focal refractory epilepsy who underwent video-electroencephalography monitoring. Only patients who were candidates for epilepsy surgery with an unequivocal seizure focus were included in the study. A total of 544 seizures from 123 consecutive patients were analyzed. Specific time of seizures were distributed along 3- or 4-hour time blocks or bins throughout the 24-hour period. The mean age of the subjects was 37.7 years, with standard deviation of 11.5 years, median of 37. The majority were females (70/56%). The majority of patients had a seizure focus located in the mesial temporal lobe (102/83%) and in the neocortical temporal lobe (13/11%). The remaining patients had a seizure focus located in the extratemporal lobe (8/6%). The most common etiology was mesial temporal sclerosis (86/69.9%). Nonuniform seizure distribution was observed in seizures arising from the temporal lobe (mesial temporal lobe and neocortical temporal lobe), with two peaks found in both 3- and 4-hour bins: 10:00-13:00/16:00-19:00 and 08:00-12:00/16:00-20:00 respectively (p=0.004). No specific 24-hour pattern was identified in seizures from extratemporal location. The 24-hour rhythmicity of seizure distribution is recognized in certain types of epilepsy, but studies on the topic are scarce. Their replication and validation is therefore needed. Our study confirms the bimodal pattern of temporal lobe epilepsy independently of the nature of the lesion. However, peak times differ between different studies, suggesting that the ambient, rhythmic exogenous factors or environmental/social zeitgebers, may modulate the 24-hour rhythmicity of seizures. Characterization of these 24-hour patterns of seizure occurrence can influence diagnosis and treatment in selected types of epilepsy, such as the case of temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common drug-resistant epilepsy.

Acute toxicity and ecotoxicological risk assessment of rice pesticides to Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles.

The objective of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of some pesticides used in irrigated rice farming to Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles. The LC 50-96h for commercial formulations containing bentazon, penoxsulam, vegetable oil, permethrin and carbofuran, separately and their mixtures, were determined at the proportions commonly used in the field. The limits of risk concentrations of these products for the studied species were also established. The LC 50-96h for tadpoles was 4,530 mg L(-1) for bentazon; 7.52 mg L(-1) for penoxsulam + 145.66 mg L(-1) of vegetable oil; 81.57 mg L(-1) for vegetable oil; 0.10 mg L(-1) for permethrin; 29.90 mg L(-1) for carbofuran (active ingredients), and 38.79 times the dose used in the field for the mixture of these products. The environmental risk was determined only for permethrin, and care should be taken when using the vegetable oil.

Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related syndromes.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of breathing cessation due to complete or partial collapse of the upper airway therefore affecting ventilation. It is quite common, with a prevalence of about 2-4%, has a strong genetic component, and creates a proinflammatory state with elevated TNFα and other cytokines. If untreated, OSA can lead to significant neurological problems that include stroke, cognitive decline, depression, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, and nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Treatment reverses some of these neurological problems. Treatment includes continuous positive airway pressure and its variants, oral appliances, weight loss, upper airway surgery, and rarely maxillofacial procedures. Other sleep breathing disorders such as hypoventilation, central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea, and Cheyne-Stokes respiration are less common and are sometimes associated with neuromuscular disorders causing diaphragmatic paralysis, but can also be seen in opiate exposure and severe obesity.

Tratamentos integrados em efluente metal-mecânico: precipitação química e biotratamento em reator do tipo air-lift / Integrated treatments for metalworking effluent: chemistry precipitation and biotreatment in air-lift reactor type

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: realizar a caracterização físico-química de um efluente metal-mecânico e efetuar o tratamento integrado (precipitação química e biotratamento), utilizando micro-organismos autóctones do efluente (FI e FV) e uma referência (A. niger). A caracterização indicou pH de 1,7; cor de 1.495 mg Pt.L-1; demanda química de oxigênio de 9.147 mgO2.L-1; 887 mg.L-1 de óleo e graxa, além de 2,5 mgO2.L-1 de oxigênio dissolvido. Com o tratamento por precipitação química, obteve-se, em pH = 7,5, a redução de todos os íons metálicos investigados. Após o biotratamento, a cor foi reduzida em 95 por cento, utilizando o micro-organismos FV. As reduções da demanda química de oxigênio e de óleo e graxa foram mais significativas utilizando FI, que reduziu os mesmos em 52 e 62 por cento, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicaram que os micro-organismos autóctones do efluente foram mais eficazes no tratamento do mesmo do que o organismo de referência A. niger.

The objectives of this paper were: to perform the physical-chemical characterization of a metalworking effluent and to carry out the integrated treatment (chemical precipitation and biotreatment), using effluent autochthonous microorganisms (FI and FV) and a reference (A. niger). The characterization indicated pH of 1.7; color, 1,495 mg Pt.L-1; chemical oxygen demand, 9,147 mgO2.L-1; oil and grease, 887 mg.L-1, and dissolved oxygen with 2.5 mgO2.L-1. With the chemical precipitation treatment, in pH = 7.5, the reduction of all the investigated metallic ions was obtained. The color was reduced 95 percent after the biotreatment using the FV microorganism. The chemical oxygen demand and oil and grease reductions were more significant when using FI, which reduced the same in 52 and 62 percent, respectively. These results indicated that the autochthonous microorganisms were more efficient in the effluent treatment than the reference organism A. niger.

Optimization of Brazilian TNT industry wastewater treatment using combined zero-valent iron and fenton processes.

This work explores the optimization of combined zero-valent iron and fenton processes for the treatment of TNT industry wastewater, a residue with recognized polluting potential due to its high concentration of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and extremely acidic pH due of the nature of the product purification process. The results of the optimization study indicate that the most efficient condition for reducing the concentration of TNT also generates sufficient amounts of iron(II)for the subsequent oxidative treatment through the Fenton reaction. In general, it was observed that the treatment was highly efficient in terms of meeting the main associated environmental parameters, since it reduced acute toxicity, removed 100% of TNT, 100% of the organic nitrogen and 95.4% of the COD.

Combined zero-valent iron and fenton processes for the treatment of Brazilian TNT industry wastewater.

The environmental impact caused by the production of explosives made from nitroaromatic compounds such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is currently a major concern, mainly due to their toxic nature, a fact that makes these compounds highly harmful. This work evaluated a continual system treatment reactor (CSTR) consisting of column zero-valent iron and a system to promote a fenton reaction in order to create possible definitive routines for treating effluents originating from the TNT production process. The spectrophotometric results demonstrated that this combination of processes was highly efficient in promoting the removal of all the absorbed species at 290 nm and the visible region of the specter. The results also revealed that the combination of treatments was significantly efficient in terms of correcting the effluent's main parameters of relevance, mainly COD (95.5% reduction) and TNT concentration, whose total was converted into nitrous and phenolic compounds and, additionally, the acute toxicity was also significantly reduced (95%). These results indicate that the strategy can serve as an efficient option for effluent treatment, for release into the receiving body, or eventually for use as industrial reuse water.

Sono, qualidade de vida e acidentes em caminhoneiros brasileiros e portugueses / Sleep, quality of life and accidents in the lives of Brazilian and Portuguese truck drivers / Sueño, la calidad de vida y accidentes en brasileños y portugueses conductores de camiones

Avaliaram-se os distúrbios do sono, trabalho em turnos, sonolência excessiva diurna (SDE) e qualidade de vida (QV) de 206 caminhoneiros brasileiros e 200 portugueses. Aplicaram-se a Escala de Sonolência de Epworth, o SF-36 e o PSQI. Os portugueses dormem mais nos dias de trabalho (p<0,0001) e folga (p=0,0720); os brasileiros acordam mais cedo nos dias de trabalho (p<0,0001) e folga (p<0,0001). Em Portugal há mais trabalho em turnos (37,50 por cento). Houve distúrbios do sono em 35,40 por cento dos brasileiros e 21,50 por cento dos portugueses (p=0,0019); entre os brasileiros (32,00 por cento) e os portugueses (21,00 por cento) tinham SDE (p=0,0015). Entre os brasileiros 43,20 por cento dirigem mais que 16h/dia; 73,50 por cento dos portugueses consomem álcool (p<0,0001); fazem uso de anfetamina 11,10 por cento dos brasileiros (p<0,0001). Em Portugal a QV foi melhor na saúde mental (p<0,0001) e dores (p<0,0001). No Brasil no desempenho físico (p<0,0001), vitalidade (p=0,0002) e função social (p<0,0001). É alta a prevalência de distúrbios do sono nos dois países.

Sleep disorders, shift work, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and quality of life (QL) were evaluated by Epworth sleepiness scale, SF-36 and PSQI in 206 Brazilian and 200 Portuguese truck drivers. Portuguese drivers sleep more on working days (p<0.0001) and on non-working days (p=0.0720) and do more shift work (37.50 percent), whereas Brazilian drivers wake up earlier on working days (p<0.0001) and on non-working days (p<0.0001). Sleep disorders affected 35.40 percent of Brazilian drivers and 21.50 percent of Portuguese drivers (p=0.0019), whereas 32.00 percent and 21.00 percent had respectively EDS (p=0.0015). Brazilian truck drivers drive over 16 hours a day (43.20 percent) and use more amphetamines (11.10 percent) (p<0.0001), while Portuguese drivers consume more alcohol (73.50 percent) (p<0.0001). QL scores were better for Portuguese drivers regarding mental health (p<0.0001) and pain (p<0.0001) and better for Brazilian drivers regarding physical function (p<0.0001), vitality (p=0.0002) and social function (p<0.0001). Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in both countries.

Se evaluaron disturbios del sueño, trabajo en turnos, somnolencia diurna excesiva (SDE) y calidad de vida (CV), de 206 camioneros brasileños y 200 portugueses. Se aplicaron la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth, SF-36 y PSQI. Los portugueses duermen más los días de trabajo (p<0,0001) y descanso (p=0,0720); los brasileños despiertan antes los días de trabajo (p<0,0001) y descanso (p<0,0001). En Portugal, hay más trabajo en turnos (37,50 por ciento). 35,40 por ciento de los brasileños y 21,50 por ciento de los portugueses (p=0,0019) tenían disturbios del sueño; 32,00 por ciento de los brasileños y 21 por ciento de los portugueses presentaban SDE (p=0,0015). Entre brasileños, 43,20 por ciento conduce más que 16h/día; 73,50 por ciento de los portugueses consume alcohol (p<0,0001). El 11,10 por ciento de los brasileños usa anfetamina (p<0,0001). En Portugal, la CV fue mejor en salud mental (p<0,0001) y dolores (p<0,0001). En Brasil, en desempeño físico (p<0,0001), vitalidad (p=0,0002) y función social (p<0,0001). Existe alta prevalencia de disturbios del sueño en ambos países.

Qualidade de vida de caminhoneiros / Quality of life of road truck drivers

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) de caminhoneiros brasileiros. MÉTODOS: O método foi exploratório-descritivo, comparativo e de corte transversal. Aplicaram-se um questionário sociodemográfico e o Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36). A amostra foi seqüencial e os sujeitos entrevistados em postos de gasolina ou restaurantes. A população incluiu 206 caminhoneiros em atividade nas rodovias federais brasileiras. A análise estatística foi feita com testes t de Student, análise de variância, análise de contingência pelo teste do qui-quadrado (χ²), análise de correlação simples de Pearson e teste exato de Fisher. O nível de significância foi de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: As médias dos preditores de QV foram melhores no desempenho físico (p < 0,0001), na vitalidade (p = 0,0002) e na função social (p < 0,0001). Não houve diferença significativa quanto à função física, saúde geral e desempenho emocional. A redução do tempo de sono, o despertar antes das 5 horas e o longo tempo de direção afetaram negativamente o SF-36. CONCLUSÃO: Em relação aos caminhoneiros avaliados neste estudo, as médias dos preditores de qualidade de vida de acordo com o SF-36 foram melhores para desempenho físico, vitalidade e função social. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto aos subitens de função física, saúde geral e desempenho emocional.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Brazilian road truck drivers' quality of life. METHODS: The research method used was descriptive-exploratory, comparative and cross-sectional. The assessment instruments used were: a demographic questionnaire; the generic quality of life questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36). The total population studied was 206 road truck drivers active in the Brazilian federal roads. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test, the means comparison by variance analysis, qui-square (χ²)contingency analysis, the Pearson simple correlation analysis, and the Fisher exact test. The significance level was 5 percent. RESULTS: The drivers showed better scores on physical (p < 0.0001), vitality (p = 0.0002) and social function (p < 0.0001) sub-scales. There was no significant difference between physical function, general health and emotional aspects. Furthermore sleep duration reduction, too early awakenings and prolonged driving affected negatively the SF-36 scores. CONCLUSION: According to SF-36 scores, the truck drivers assessed in this study showed the best quality of life predictors for physical function, vitality and social function. No significant differences were found in terms of physical function, general health and emotional aspects.

Sleep habits, sleepiness and accidents among truck drivers

OBETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade do sono, trabalho em turnos, consumo de álcool e psicoestimulantes, e a prevalência de acidentes, entre caminhoneiros. MÉTODO: Foram aplicados questionários demográficos, a Escala de Epworth e o Índice de Pittsburgh. A análise estatística foi feita com os testes t de Student, qui-quadrado, Pearson e Fisher.RESULTADOS: 43,2% dirigiam mais que 16 h/dia; 2,9% faziam trabalho por turnos. A média de horas de sono foi 5,97 +/- 1,47. 23,8% dormiam menos de 5 horas. 50,9% faziam uso de bebida alcoólica; usavam cafeína 95,6% e anfetaminas 11,1%. A média do PSQI foi 4,95 +/- 2,56; 35,4% tinham o PSQI maior que 5; 23 sujeitos ressonavam mais que 3 vezes por semana (11,1%). A ESE teve uma média de 6,56 +/- 4,2; 21.7% um escore superior a 10. Nos últimos cinco anos 27 motoristas (13,1%) estiveram envolvidos em acidentes, 5 com feridos e 3 com mortos. CONCLUSÃO: Foi alta a prevalência de distúrbios do sono, uso de álcool e estimulantes, e de acidentes.