Analysis of modified ilib therapy in patients submitted to plastic surgery.

The sample comprised 44 volunteers who had undergone some surgical procedure and were equally divided into four groups. G1 started the therapy 24 h after the surgical procedure with the device off. G2 followed the same time pattern, 24 h, but with the device turned on. G3 and G4 started therapy three days after the surgical procedure; in G3, the device was turned off, and in G4, the device remained on during therapy; each session lasted 30 min, using 660 nm (red), energy 180 J. For all groups, the therapy started with daily use for seven days and followed the interval use of three times a week until completed 21 days. The revaluation was performed after 7 and 21 days. The results found show changes in HR at rest, systolic and diastolic BP, and in peripheral oxygen saturation, which showed a significant difference in the groups that used on-therapy (p < 0.05). In the MCGILL Scale evaluation, the mean total score showed a more accentuated drop in the groups that used ILIB, (p < 0.05). ILIB may have prevented a more significant evolution of firosis levels; however, no changes were observed in the evaluation of sleep and anxiety. The application of the ILIB in patients undergoing plastic surgery was supported in terms of hemodynamics and pain; in addition, starting the ILIB application 24 h after the procedure proved to be more advantageous.

Escala de Sentido de Competência Parental (PSOC): estudos psicométricos / Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC): Psychometric studies / Escala de Sentido de Competencia Parental (PSOC): estudios psicométricos

O objetivo desta pesquisa consistiu em reforçar os estudos de validade e de precisão da escala de Sentido de Competência Parental (PSOC) com pais de crianças portuguesas, em uma amostra de 436 pais de crianças com 3 a 6 anos. A análise fatorial confirmatória confirmou o ajustamento dos dados a um modelo de dois fatores (Satisfação e Eficácia). As duas subescalas apresentaram bons índices de consistência interna. Os resultados mostraram-se negativamente correlacionados ao nível de atividade motora das crianças e positivamente com o bem-estar psicológico dos pais. Pais de crianças com problemas de comportamento externalizantes apresentaram resultados mais baixos. Não se observaram diferenças em função da idade da criança, mas os pais de meninos, mais velhos e mais escolarizados reportaram sentir-se menos eficazes. O nível de satisfação correlacionou-se positivamente à escolaridade dos pais. Os resultados documentaram as boas características psicométricas da PSOC portuguesa...

The main goal of this research was to reinforce validity and reliability studies of the Parenting Sense of Competence scale (PSOC) with parents of Portuguese children. The study was based on a sample of 436 parents of 3 to 6 year old children. CFA confirmed the data adjustment to a bi-factorial model (Satisfaction and Efficacy). Both subscales had good internal consistency. Results were negatively correlated with children’s activity level and positively with parents’ well-being. Parents of children with externalizing behavior problems scored lower. There were no differences according to children’s age but parents of boys, older and parents who were more educated rated themselves as having lower levels of efficacy, while parent’s education was positively correlated with satisfaction level. Results documented the good psychometric properties of the PSOC Portuguese version...

El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue reforzar los estudios de validez y fiabilidad de la escala de Sentido de Competencia Parental (PSOC) con padres de niños portugueses. Se realizó el estudio con base en una muestra de 436 padres con niños de entre 3 y 6 años. El AFC confirmó el ajuste de los datos a un modelo de dos factores (Satisfacción y Eficacia). Las dos subescalas mostraron buenos índices de consistencia interna. Los resultados reflejaron que índices más elevados en la PSOC correlacionan negativamente con el nivel de actividad motora de los niños y positivamente con el bienestar psicológico de los padres. Los padres de hijos con trastornos de conducta externalizante tuvieron resultados más bajos. No se han encontrado diferencias en función de la edad del niño, pero sí se encontró que los padres de varones, padres de más edad y con mayor nivel académico tienden a percibirse como menos eficaces. Por su parte, el nivel de satisfacción correlaciona positivamente con el nivel académico de los padres. Los resultados indicaron que la PSOC portuguesa tiene buenas características psicométricas...

[Psychosocial characterization of a Portuguese lower limb amputee population]. / Caracterização Psicossocial de uma População Portuguesa de Amputados do Membro Inferior.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe psychosocial status in lower limb amputees referred to a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) department of a central Portuguese Hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 45 consecutive patients with lower limb amputation, referred to PMR consultation after hospital discharge. Of the initial sample, two patients were excluded from the analysis, and four patients refused to participate in the study. The socio-demographic, medical and surgical history were obtained through structured questionnaire, and clinical information regarding the characteristics of the amputation was abstracted from medical records. Functional capacity was assessed with the Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), quality of life through short-form 36 (SF36), and depressive and anxious symptoms by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Out of 39 patients analyzed, 32 (82.1%) were men, aged [average (standard deviation): 67, 6 (12.57)] years, 28 (71.8%) were married, 30 (76.9%) were retired, 3 (7.7%) were unemployed, 4 (10.3%) were on sick leave, and 2 (5.1%) were active. Regarding the cause of amputation, 36 (92.3%) were of vascular etiology, 1 (2.6%) caused by an infection, and 2 (5.1%) due to bone tumours, 23 (59%) had a transfemoral amputation, 10 (25.6%) had a transtibial amputation, and 6 (15.4%) had foot amputations of the foot. In the sample studied, 14 (35.9%) had pathological levels of anxiety (HADS-anxiety ≥ 8) and 15 (38.5%) had clinical depression (HADS-depression ≥ 8). The evaluation of quality of life and general perception of health status, showed lower than average score especially in the physical dimensions with a physical component summary score of the SF36 [P50 (P25-P75): 31.4 (26.8-39.4)], and in the mental component summary of SF36 [P50 (P25-P75): 41.9 (31.8-48.3)]. In this sample, the data showed the AMP score [P50 (P25-P75): 8 (4-16)], ranging from 0 to 27. CONCLUSION: This sample has a high prevalence of depressive/anxious symptoms. Considering that these mood changes have a major impact on the adherence to the rehabilitation program, functional outcome and quality of life, its early identification and treatment should be part of their overall management.

[Evaluation of the toxicity and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy]. / Avaliação da qualidade de vida e toxicidades em pacientes com câncer colorretal tratados com quimioterapia adjuvante baseada em fluoropirimidinas.

BACKGROUND: The colorectal cancer is the fourth cause of cancer in Brazil and 5-fluorouracil is the drug most commonly used in the adjuvant or palliative treatment of this disease. AIM - Evaluating in patients with colorectal cancer and chemotherapy, the toxicity and the quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2001 and May 2003, 45 patients treated with colorectal cancer treated with 5-fluourouracil and folinic acid were followed closely during six cycles. The gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity was analysed making use of the chart "Recommendations for the Graduation of Acute and Subacute Toxicity". After the end of each cycle of chemotherapy, the results were registered according to the respectives degrees that vary from 0 to 4. The quality of life was researched through the WHOQOL bref (World Health Organization Quality of Life) questionary that consists of 26 questions and 4 domains: physical, psychological, social relations and environmental, in the beginning, on the 3rd and 6th cycles of treatment. RESULTS: Among the 45 patients, 28 were male, the average age was 58.4 years old (from 34 to 79 years old). According to the International Union Against Cancer classification, 34 patients (75.6%) had tumors stage II or III and 11 had tumors stage IV (24.4%), 64.4% were in the colon. In 57.7% the chemotherapy was adjuvant and in the others palliative. The toxicities more commonly found were nauseas (42%), diarrhea (38%), and neutropenia (15.7%). There was no significant difference among the degrees of toxicity in the different cycles as well as among the patients in adjuvant or palliative treatment. Significant alterations was found among the quality of life in the physical and psychological domains when the 1st and the 2nd or the 1st and the 3rd application of the test were done. Alterations of the quality of life were also found in the social domain when the first evaluation was compared with the last one. There was no difference between the quality of life and the treatment.

Avaliação da qualidade de vida e toxicidades em pacientes com câncer colorretal tratados com quimioterapia adjuvante baseada em fluoropirimidinas / Evaluation of the toxicity and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy

RACIONAL: O câncer colorretal é a quarta causa de câncer no Brasil e o 5-fluourouracil uma das principais drogas usadas no tratamento adjuvante e paliativo dessa doença. A toxicidade da quimioterapia e as alterações de qualidade de vida, causadas pela própria doença e pelo tratamento, são motivo de muitos estudos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar nos doentes com câncer colorretal em tratamento quimioterápico, a toxicidade e possíveis alterações da qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Durante o período de março de 2001 a maio de 2003 no Ambulatório de Oncologia da Disciplina de Gastroenterologia Clínica da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, foram acompanhados 45 pacientes com câncer colorretal em tratamento quimioterápico adjuvante ou paliativo com 5-fluourouracil e ácido folínico durante seis ciclos. A toxicidade gastrointestinal e hematológica foi analisada utilizando-se as Recomendações para a Graduação da Toxicidade Aguda e Subaguda. Após o término de cada ciclo quimioterápico, os resultados foram anotados de acordo com os respectivos graus que variaram entre 0 e 4. A qualidade de vida foi pesquisada pelo questionário WHOQOL bref (World Health Organization Quality of Life) que consta de 26 questões e é composto por 4 domínios: físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente, no início, no 3° e no 6° ciclo de tratamento. RESULTADOS: Entre os 45 pacientes, 28 eram do sexo masculino, a média de idade foi de 58,4 anos (34 a 79 anos). Segundo a classificação da União Internacional Contra o Câncer, 34 (75,6 por cento) eram estádio II ou III e 11 estádio IV (24,4 por cento). Quanto à localização, 64,4 por cento eram de cólon. Em 57,7 por cento a quimioterapia foi adjuvante e nos demais paliativa. As toxicidades mais comumente encontradas foram náuseas (42 por cento), diarréia (38 por cento) e neutropenia (15,7 por cento). Não houve diferença significante entre os graus de toxicidade nos diferentes ciclos, assim como entre os doentes em tratamento adjuvante ou paliativo. Quanto à qualidade de vida foram observadas alterações significantes nos domínios físico e psicológico quando comparadas a primeira com a segunda ou a primeira com a terceira aplicação do questionário. Não foi encontrada alteração da qualidade de vida entre os doentes em quimioterapia adjuvante quando comparada aos em tratamento paliativo. Independente da indicação terapêutica, a média dos escores de qualidade de vida diminuiu em relação aos domínios físico e social na terceira aplicação do teste. CONCLUSÃO: As toxicidades gastrointestinais foram mais freqüentes que as hematológicas com o esquema utilizado. A qualidade de vida diminuiu após o início da quimioterapia em relação à atividade física e psicológica. No estudo da média dos escores observou-se queda dos mesmos nos domínios físico e social. A análise do questionário não mostrou alteração de qualidade vida quando comparados os doentes em tratamento paliativo com os em adjuvância.

BACKGROUND: The colorectal cancer is the fourth cause of cancer in Brazil and 5-fluorouracil is the drug most commonly used in the adjuvant or palliative treatment of this disease. AIM - Evaluating in patients with colorectal cancer and chemotherapy, the toxicity and the quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2001 and May 2003, 45 patients treated with colorectal cancer treated with 5-fluourouracil and folinic acid were followed closely during six cycles. The gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity was analysed making use of the chart "Recommendations for the Graduation of Acute and Subacute Toxicity". After the end of each cycle of chemotherapy, the results were registered according to the respectives degrees that vary from 0 to 4. The quality of life was researched through the WHOQOL bref (World Health Organization Quality of Life) questionary that consists of 26 questions and 4 domains: physical, psychological, social relations and environmental, in the beginning, on the 3rd and 6th cycles of treatment. RESULTS: Among the 45 patients, 28 were male, the average age was 58.4 years old (from 34 to 79 years old). According to the International Union Against Cancer classification, 34 patients (75.6 percent) had tumors stage II or III and 11 had tumors stage IV (24.4 percent), 64.4 percent were in the colon. In 57.7 percent the chemotherapy was adjuvant and in the others palliative. The toxicities more commonly found were nauseas (42 percent), diarrhea (38 percent), and neutropenia (15.7 percent). There was no significant difference among the degrees of toxicity in the different cycles as well as among the patients in adjuvant or palliative treatment. Significant alterations was found among the quality of life in the physical and psychological domains when the 1st and the 2nd or the 1st and the 3rd application of the test were done. Alterations of the quality of life were also found in the social domain when the first evaluation was compared with the last one. There was no difference between the quality of life and the treatment.