Circulating Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells, a Potential Prognostic Marker in Patients with Carcinoma.

Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells (PGCCs) have been recognized as tumor cells that are resistant to anticancer therapies. However, it remains unclear whether their presence in the bloodstream can be consistently detected and utilized as a clinical marker to guide therapeutic anticancer regimens. To address these questions, we conducted a retrospective study involving 228 patients diagnosed with six different types of carcinomas (colon, gastric, NSCLC, breast, anal canal, kidney), with the majority of them (70%) being non-metastatic. Employing a highly sensitive liquid biopsy approach, ISET®, and cytopathological readout, we isolated and detected circulating PGCCs in the patients' blood samples. PGCCs were identified in 46 (20.18%) out of 228 patients, including in 14.47% of 152 non-metastatic and 29.85% of 67 metastatic cases. Patients were subsequently monitored for a mean follow up period of 44.74 months (95%CI: 33.39-55.79 months). Remarkably, the presence of circulating PGCCs emerged as a statistically significant indicator of poor overall survival. Our findings suggest that circulating PGCCs hold promise as a reliable prognostic indicator. They underscore the importance of further extensive investigations into the role of circulating PGCCs as a prognostic marker and the development of anti-PGCC therapeutic strategies to improve cancer management and patient survival.

Barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening among high-risk women: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Women with greater than 20-25% lifetime breast cancer risk are recommended to have breast cancer screening with annual mammogram and supplemental breast MRI. However, few women follow these screening recommendations. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators of screening among women at high risk for breast cancer, guided by the Health Services Utilization Model (HSUM). METHODS: Unaffected high-risk women (N=63) completed semi-structured qualitative interviews exploring their experiences with breast cancer screening. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a combined deductive and inductive approach. RESULTS: Most participants (84%) had received a screening mammogram; fewer (33%) had received a screening breast MRI. Only 14% had received neither screening. In line with the HSUM, qualitative analysis identified predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors associated with receipt of breast cancer screening. Enabling factors - including financial burden, logistic barriers, social support, and care coordination - were most frequently discussed. Predisposing factors included knowledge, health beliefs, and self-advocacy. Need factors included healthcare provider recommendation, family history of breast cancer, and personal medical history. Although HSUM themes were consistent for both mammography and breast MRI, participants did highlight several important differences in barriers and facilitators between the two screening modalities. CONCLUSION: Barriers and enabling factors associated with supplemental screening for high-risk women represent possible intervention targets. Future research is needed to develop and test multilevel interventions targeting these factors, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to supplemental screening for high-risk women.

Differences in Smoking Behavior by Nativity, Race/Ethnicity, and Education among Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated smoking differences across nativity and race/ethnicity among women diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS: In our Northern Californian pooled population of 5,653 [670 Asian, 690 Hispanic, and 4,300 non-Hispanic White (White)] women diagnosed with breast cancer, we evaluated smoking differences across nativity, race/ethnicity, and acculturation and effect modification of nativity by race/ethnicity and education. RESULTS: Foreign-born women currently smoked less than US-born women [odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95% confidence limit (CL): 0.29-0.72]. Hispanic (OR = 0.50; 95% CL: 0.32-0.78) women currently smoked less than White women. Among those who ever smoked (n = 2,557), foreign-born women smoked 5.23 fewer pack-years (PY) than US-born women (95% CL: -2.75 to -7.70). Furthermore, Asian (-4.60, 95% CL: -0.81 to -8.39) and Hispanic (-6.79, 95% CL: -4.14 to -9.43) women smoked fewer PY than White women. Associations were generally suggestive of greater smoking with greater acculturation (immigration age, US years, survey language). Finally, associations for nativity differed by education but not race/ethnicity, with a higher likelihood of smoking in US-born women only among those with less than a bachelor's degree (OR = 2.84, 95% CL: 2.15-3.77; current smoking: P = 0.01, PY: P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Asian and Hispanic (vs. White) and foreign-born (vs. US-born) breast cancer survivors reported fewer smoking behaviors. Smoking differences across nativity and education were driven by higher rates of smoking in US-born women with lower educational attainment. IMPACT: Smoking behavioral patterns were similar among breast cancer survivors and the general population, informing potential smoking interventions.

Circulating tumor cells as a predictor and prognostic tool for metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma: An immunocytochemistry and genomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, without improvement in the development of biomarkers. Recently, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been validated as a prognostic and predictive tool for many solid tumors. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated CTCs in blood samples obtained from patients diagnosed with mccRCC. Comparisons of CTC counts, protein expression profiling, and DNA mutants were made in relation to overall survival and progression-free survival. METHODS: CTCs were isolated from 10 mL blood samples using the ISET® system (Isolation by SizE of Tumor Cells; Rarecells, France) and counted. Protein expression was evaluated in immunocytochemistry assays. DNA mutations were identified with next generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: Blood samples (10 mL) were collected from 12 patients with mccRCC before the start of first-line systemic therapy, and again 30 and 60 days after the start of treatment. All 12 patients had CTCs detected at baseline (median, 1.5 CTCs/mL; range: 0.25-7.75). Patients with CTC counts greater than the median had two or more metastatic sites and exhibited worse progression-free survival (19.7 months) compared to those with CTC counts less than the median (31.1 months). Disease progression was observed in 7/12 patients during the study. Five of these patients had baseline CTC counts greater than the median, one had higher CTC levels at the second blood collection, and one patient had CTCs present at 1 CTC/mL which positively stained for PD-L1, N-cadherin, VEGF, and SETD2. CTC DNA from six patients with worse outcomes was subjected to NGS. However, no conclusions could be made due to the low variant allele frequencies. CONCLUSION: Detection of CTCs in patients with mccRCC receiving first-line treatment is a feasible tool with prognostic potential since increased numbers of CTCs were found to be associated with metastasis and disease progression.

CD47 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor Microemboli from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Is a Poor Prognosis Factor.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and/or circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be a non-invasive tool for prognosis, acting as liquid biopsy. CTCs interact with platelets through the transforming growth factor-ß/transforming growth factor-ß receptor type 1 (TGF-ß/TGFßRI) forming clusters. CTCs also may express the Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) protein, responsible for the inhibition of phagocytosis, the "don't eat me" signal to macrophages. OBJECTIVES: To isolate, quantify and analyze CTCs/CTMs from metastatic NSCLC patients, identify TGFßRI/CD47 expression in CTCs/CTMs, and correlate with progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS: Blood (10 mL) was collected at two time-points: T1 (before the beginning of any line of treatment; T2 (60 days after initial collection). CTCs were isolated using ISET®. Immunocytochemistry was conducted to evaluate TGFßRI/CD47 expression. RESULTS: 45 patients were evaluated. CTCs were observed in 82.2% of patients at T1 (median: 1 CTC/mL; range: 0.33-11.33 CTCs/mL) and 94.5% at T2 (median: 1.33 CTC/mL; 0.33-9.67). CTMs were observed in 24.5% of patients and significantly associated with poor PFS (10 months vs. 17 months for those without clusters; p = 0.05) and disease progression (p = 0.017). CTMs CD47+ resulted in poor PFS (p = 0.041). TGFßRI expression in CTCs/CTMs was not associated with PFS. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that CTC/CTM from NSCLC patients express the immune evasion markers TGFßRI/CD47. The presence of CTMs CD47+ is associated with poor PFS. This was the first study to investigate CD47 expression in CTCs/CTM of patients with NSCLC and its association with poor PFS.

Mammography prevalence in Mexico from 2001-2018: Results from the Mexican Health and Aging study.

After introducing guidelines for breast cancer screening in 2003, Mexico began to prioritize the implementation of mammography screening nationally. Since then, there have been no studies assessing changes in mammography in Mexico using the two-year prevalence interval that corresponds to national guidelines for screening frequency. The present study analyzes the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a national population-based panel study of adults aged 50 and older, to evaluate changes in 2-year mammography prevalence among women aged 50 to 69 across five survey waves from 2001 to 2018 (n = 11,773). We calculated unadjusted and adjusted mammography prevalence by survey year and health insurance type. Overall prevalence increased substantially from 2003 to 2012 and leveled off in the period from 2012 to 2018 (2001: 20.2 % [95 % CI 18.3, 22.1]; 2003: 22.7 % [20.4, 25.0]; 2012: 56.5 % [53.2, 59.7]; 2015: 62.0 % [58.8, 65.2]; 2018: 59.4 % [56.7,62.1]; unadjusted prevalence). Prevalence was higher among respondents with social security insurance, who are more likely to work in the formal economy, than among respondents without social security, who are more likely to work in the informal economy or be unemployed. The overall prevalence estimates observed were higher than previously published estimates of mammography prevalence in Mexico. More research is needed to confirm findings regarding two-year mammography prevalence in Mexico and to better understand the causes of observed disparities.

HPV virus and biomarkers of resistance to chemoradiation in circulating tumor cells from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

Localized anal cancer is mostly represented by squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) and is cured in ≥80 % of cases by chemoradiation (CRT). Development of techniques for detection/evaluating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for diagnosis/ prognosis/response to therapy can change the manner we treat/follow SCCA patients. OBJECTIVE: to detect CTCs from patients with SCCA and evaluate the presence of HPV virus, p16 expression and markers related to resistance to CRT (RAD23B/ ERCC1/ TYMS) in CTCs at baseline and after CRT. METHODS: CTCs were isolated/quantified by ISET®, protein expressions were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and HPV DNA was detected by chromogenic in situ hybridization. RESULTS: We enrolled 15 patients: median age was 61 (43-73) years, the majority was women (10/15). CTCs were detected in all patients at baseline (median= 0.4 (0.4-3.33) CTCs/mL) and in 8/9 patients, after CRT (median= 2.33 (0-7.0) CTCs/mL). DNA from HPV was found in CTCs in 14/15 patients (93.33 %) at baseline and in 7/9 (77.7 %) after treatment. At a median follow-up of 22.20 (1.45-38.55) months, three patients expressed ERCC1 in CTCs after treatment, with one of them having disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: We showed that detection of HPV in CTCs from patients with non-metastatic SCCA is feasible and appears to be a sensitive diagnostic method. These results may be clinically useful for better monitoring these patients. However, future larger cohorts may demonstrate whether there is any correlation between the presence of HPV and the expression of screening markers for CRT in SCCA.

Fusion Cell Markers in Circulating Tumor Cells from Patients with High-Grade Ovarian Serous Carcinoma.

Cancer is primarily a disease in which late diagnosis is linked to poor prognosis, and unfortunately, detection and management are still challenging. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a potential resource to address this disease. Cell fusion, an event discovered recently in CTCs expressing carcinoma and leukocyte markers, occurs when ≥2 cells become a single entity (hybrid cell) after the merging of their plasma membranes. Cell fusion is still poorly understood despite continuous evaluations in in vitro/in vivo studies. Blood samples from 14 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil) were collected with the aim to analyze the CTCs/hybrid cells and their correlation to clinical outcome. The EDTA collected blood (6 mL) from patients was used to isolate/identify CTCs/hybrid cells by ISET. We used markers with possible correlation with the phenomenon of cell fusion, such as MC1-R, EpCAM and CD45, as well as CEN8 expression by CISH analysis. Samples were collected at three timepoints: baseline, after one month (first follow-up) and after three months (second follow-up) of treatment with olaparib (total sample = 38). Fourteen patients were included and in baseline and first follow-up all patients showed at least one CTC. We found expression of MC1-R, EpCAM and CD45 in cells (hybrid) in at least one of the collection moments. Membrane staining with CD45 was found in CTCs from the other cohort, from the other center, evaluated by the CellSearch® system. The presence of circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) in the first follow-up was associated with a poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) (5.2 vs. 12.2 months; p = 0.005). The MC1-R expression in CTM in the first and second follow-ups was associated with a shorter RFS (p = 0.005). CEN8 expression in CTCs was also related to shorter RFS (p = 0.035). Our study identified a high prevalence of CTCs in ovarian cancer patients, as well as hybrid cells. Both cell subtypes demonstrate utility in prognosis and in the assessment of response to treatment. In addition, the expression of MC1-R and EpCAM in hybrid cells brings new perspectives as a possible marker for this phenomenon in ovarian cancer.

Increased adult child schooling and older parents' health behaviors in Europe: A quasi-experimental study.

There is growing evidence that adult child educational attainment is associated with older parents' physical health and longevity. Scholars have hypothesized that these associations may be driven by health-behavior pathways, whereby adult children with more education may share information about healthy lifestyles, role-model healthier behaviors, and/or have more economic resources to support leisure-based physical activity or the purchase of healthy foods for older parents. However, this relationship has not been comprehensively evaluated with methods capable of addressing the confounding bias expected for observational studies on this topic. We estimated the association between increased adult child schooling and older parents' health behaviors using data from the Survey for Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (n = 8195). We leveraged changes to compulsory schooling laws that would have impacted respondents' adult children as quasi-experiments and estimated the association between increased schooling among oldest adult children and respondents' (parents') body mass index, obesity, physical inactivity, excessive drinking, and current smoking using two-stage least squares regression. Each year of increased schooling among oldest adult children was associated with a lower risk of current smoking ( ß : -0.029, 95% CI: -0.056, -0.003), physical inactivity ( ß : -0.034, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.077, 0.009), obesity ( ß : -0.038, 95% CI: -0.065, -0.011) and lower body mass index ( ß : -0.37, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.02). The direction of associations with excessive drinking varied by parent gender ( ß : -0.027, 95% CI: -0.046, -0.007 for mothers; ß : 0.068, 95% CI: -0.011, 0.148 for fathers). Increases in adult child schooling may have upward influences on parents' late-life health behaviors, although there may be some differences by parent gender. Findings should be replicated across other global settings and studies should directly evaluate parent health behaviors as mediators of the relationship between increased adult child schooling and older parents' longevity.

Socioeconomic status and colorectal cancer screening behaviors in a vulnerable multiethnic population.

OBJECTIVE: Despite some progress in recent years, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening adherence in the United States is still suboptimal, particularly among disadvantaged groups. In this study, we assessed the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-reported screening non-adherence (SNA) in a sample of racial/ethnic minorities living in San Francisco, California. DESIGN/METHODS: A total of 376 participants of the San Francisco version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (SF-HINTS) with ages 50-75 years were included in this cross-sectional study. SNA was defined as not reporting blood stool test within the past year and not reporting sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy within the past 10 years. Poisson regression models with robust variance estimators were used to evaluate the relation of SES with SNA, adjusting for measured confounders. Results are reported as prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Overall SNA was 40%. In multivariable models including all respondents, retired participants had significantly lower SNA prevalence than employed participants (PR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.26 0.83). In stratified analyses by race/ethnicity, Black respondents with less than high school (PR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.09, 3.43) and those with high school or equivalent (PR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.16, 3.04) had significantly higher SNA prevalence than those with at least some college. Among non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders, those disabled had significantly higher prevalence of SNA as compared to employed people (PR = 4.26, 95% CI = 2.11, 8.60). None of the SES indicators were significantly associated to SNA among Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with lower SES characteristics were less likely to adhere to CRC screening guidelines and being retired was a predictor of compliance. There was evidence of heterogeneity in associations between SES and CRC screening by race/ethnicity. Life circumstances of retired people could provide insights for designing interventions aimed to improve CRC screening uptake in these priority groups. Future efforts should consider mechanisms underlying differences by race/ethnicity.

Individual- and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status and risk of aggressive breast cancer subtypes in a pooled cohort of women from Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer (BC) subtypes, but few studies have examined the independent effects of both neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (nSES) and individual-level SES measures. METHODS: This study included 5547 women from the Pathways and Life After Cancer Epidemiology cohorts who were diagnosed with invasive BC. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine associations of nSES (a composite score based on income, poverty, education, occupation, employment, rent, and house value) and individual-level SES (income and education) with BC subtypes: luminal B (LumB), Her2-enriched (Her2-e), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) relative to luminal A (LumA). Models controlled for age, race, nativity, stage, days from diagnosis to survey, and study cohort and simultaneously for nSES and individual-level SES. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, low nSES was significantly associated with the LumB (odds ratio for quartile 1 vs quartile 4 [ORQ1vQ4 ], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.54; P for trend = .005) and TNBC subtypes (ORQ1vQ4 , 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.71; P for trend = .037) relative to LumA. Conversely, individual education was significantly associated with only the Her2-e subtype (odds ratio for high school degree or less vs postgraduate, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.03-2.75; P for trend = .030) relative to LumA. Individual income was not significantly associated with any BC subtype. CONCLUSIONS: nSES and individual-level SES are independently associated with different BC subtypes; specifically, low nSES and individual-level education are independent predictors of more aggressive BC subtypes relative to LumA.

Utilização de serviços de saúde ambulatoriais no pós-parto por puérperas e recém-nascidos: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil / Use of outpatient health services by postpartum women and newborns: data from the Birth in Brazil study / Utilización de servicios de salud ambulatorios en el posparto por parte de puérperas y recién nacidos: datos del estudio Nacer en Brasil

Este trabalho tem por objetivo estimar a utilização de serviços de saúde ambulatoriais no pós-parto e verificar os fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos e obstétricos associados a este uso. Estudo nacional de base hospitalar, realizado em 2011-2012, com entrevistas de 23.894 mulheres. Foram calculadas as estimativas pontuais e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de oito indicadores de utilização de serviços de saúde com desempenho avaliado como "satisfatório" (75%-100%); "parcial" (50%-74%) e "insatisfatório" (< 50%). Foi realizada regressão logística múltipla para verificar a associação entre as características das mulheres e cada um dos indicadores analisados. Quatro indicadores - "procura de serviço para consulta de revisão do parto" (73,9%; IC95%: 72,4-75,3); "procura de serviço para consulta do recém-nato" (91,6%; IC95%: 90,6-92,5); "vacinação com BCG" (99%; IC95%: 98,7-99,2); e "vacinação contra hepatite B" (96,8%; IC95%: 96,0-97,5) foram considerados satisfatórios. A "coleta do teste de triagem neonatal na primeira semana de vida" foi considerada parcial (60,1%; IC95%: 57,6-62,6), e "consulta da mulher nos primeiros 15 dias após o parto" (37%; IC95%: 35,0-39,0), "consulta do recém-nato nos primeiros sete dias de vida" (21,8%; IC95%: 20,2-23,5) e "recebimento do resultado da triagem neonatal no primeiro mês de vida" (29,8%; IC95%: 27,6-32,2) foram considerados insatisfatórios. Desigualdades regionais e sociais foram identificadas, com o pior desempenho de todos os indicadores nas regiões Norte e Nordeste e em mulheres mais vulneráveis, apontando para a necessidade de uma melhor organização e oferta dos serviços visando à redução de iniquidades.

This study aims to estimate postpartum use of outpatient health services and verify the demographic, socioeconomic, and obstetric factors associated with use. A nationwide hospital-based study in 2011-2012 interviewed 23,894 women. Point estimates and respective confidence intervals were calculated for eight indicators of health services use, with performance assessed as "satisfactory" (75%-100%); "partial" (50%-74%), or "unsatisfactory" (< 50%). Multiple logistic regression was performed to verify the association between women's characteristics and each target indicator. Four indicators ("visit to health service for postpartum follow-up" (73.9%; 95%CI: 72.4-75.3), "visit to health service for neonatal follow-up" (91.6%; 95%CI: 90.6-92.5), "BCG vaccination" (99%; 95%CI: 98.7-99.2), and "HBV vaccination" (96.8%; 95%CI: 96.0-97.5) were considered satisfactory. "Neonatal screening test in the first week of life" was considered partial (60.1%; 95%CI: 57.6-62.6), while "woman's consultation in the first 15 days postpartum" (37%; 95%CI: 35.0-39.0), "neonatal consultation in the first seven days of life" (21.8%; 95%CI: 20.2-23.5), and "neonatal screening test result in the first month of life" (29.8%; 95%CI: 27.6-32.2) were considered unsatisfactory. Regional and social inequalities were identified, with worse performance for all the indicators in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil and in more vulnerable women, revealing the need for better organization and supply of services to reduce iniquities.

El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la utilización de los servicios de salud ambulatorios durante el posparto, así como verificar los factores demográficos, socioeconómicos y obstétricos, asociados a esta utilización. Estudio nacional de base hospitalaria, realizado en 2011-2012, con una entrevista a 23.894 mujeres. Se calcularon las estimaciones puntuales y los respectivos intervalos de confianza de ocho indicadores de utilización de servicios de salud con desempeño evaluado como "satisfactorio" (75%-100%); "parcial" (50%-74%) e "insatisfactorio" (< 50%). Se realizó una regresión logística múltiple para verificar la asociación entre las características de las mujeres y cada uno de los indicadores analizados. Cuatro indicadores -"búsqueda del servicio para consulta de revisión del parto" (73,9%; IC95%: 72,4-75,3), "búsqueda del servicio para consulta del recién nacido" (91,6%; IC95%: 90,6-92,5), "vacunación con BCG" (99%; IC95%: 98,7-99,2) y "vacunación contra hepatitis B" (96,8%; IC95%: 96,0-97,5) se consideraron satisfactorios. La "recogida del test de clasificación neonatal en la primera semana de vida" se consideró parcial (60,1%; IC95%: 57,6-62,6), mientras que "consulta de la mujer durante los primeros 15 días tras el parto" (37%; IC95%: 35,0-39,0), "consulta del recién nacido en los primeros siete días de vida" (21,8%; IC95%: 20,2-23,5) y "recepción del resultado de la clasificación neonatal durante el primer mes de vida" (29,8%; IC95%: 27,6-32,2) fueron considerados insatisfactorios. Las desigualdades regionales y sociales se identificaron con un peor desempeño de todos los indicadores en las regiones Norte y Nordeste, y en mujeres más vulnerables, apuntando la necesidad de una mejor organización y oferta de los servicios, con el fin de reducir de inequidades.

Nascer no Brasil: continuity of care during pregnancy and postpartum period for women and newborns / Nascer no Brasil: continuidade do cuidado na gestação e pós-parto à mulher e ao recém-nato

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the adequacy of health care during pregnancy and the postpartum period in puerperal women and newborn users of the Unified Health System and verify the factors associated with greater adequacy. METHODS We used data obtained in the hospital interview, the prenatal card and the first telephone interview of 12,646 women participating in the study Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil), conducted in 2011 and 2012. In the first stage of the analysis, the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of women and the estimation of adequacy of prenatal and postpartum care indicators are described. In the second stage, the cascade of care for actions related to puerperal women and their newborns is presented. Finally, maternal factors associated with the adequacy of the line of care are verified by means of multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Only two of the four prenatal indicators were considered satisfactory: initiation up to the 16th week of pregnancy and adequate number of appointments. The guidance on which maternity to go for delivery, as well as the guidance to perform the puerperal appointment and the performance of the heel prick test have reached partial level of adequacy. The puerperal appointment, the first routine appointment of the newborn and the obtaining of the heel prick test results presented unsatisfactory adequacy. In the joint analysis of indicators regarding the effective use of services, only 1.5% of mothers and their babies received all recommended health care. Multiparous women living in the North, Northeast and Midwest, with lower schooling, presented the lowest chances of continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS The indicators evaluated indicate that almost all women and their children presented partial and disjointed care, showing that the coordination of care is still a challenge in the health care of women and children in the puerperal pregnancy period.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a adequação da linha de cuidado da atenção à saúde durante a gestação e o pós-parto em puérperas e recém-natos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde e verificar os fatores associados à maior adequação. MÉTODOS Foram utilizados os dados obtidos na entrevista hospitalar, no cartão de pré-natal e na primeira entrevista telefônica de 12.646 mulheres participantes do estudo Nascer no Brasil, realizado em 2011 e 2012. Na primeira etapa da análise, descrevem-se as características sociodemográficas e obstétricas das mulheres e a estimativa de adequação de indicadores de cuidado pré-natal e pós-parto. Na segunda etapa, apresenta-se a cascata de cuidados das ações relativas ao cuidado da mulher e do recém-nascido. Por último, verificam-se os fatores maternos associados à adequação da linha de cuidado, por meio de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS Apenas dois dos quatro indicadores do pré-natal foram considerados satisfatórios: início até a 16ª semana de gestação e número adequado de consultas. Atingiram patamar parcial de adequação a orientação sobre qual maternidade procurar para ter o parto, a orientação para comparecer ao serviço de saúde para realizar a consulta de puerpério e a realização do teste do pezinho. A consulta de puerpério, a primeira consulta de rotina do recém-nascido e o recebimento do teste do pezinho apresentaram adequação insatisfatória. Na análise conjunta dos indicadores que dizem respeito à efetiva utilização dos serviços, apenas 1,5% das mães e seus bebês receberam todos os cuidados em saúde recomendados. Mulheres residentes no Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste, com menor escolaridade e multíparas apresentaram as menores chances de continuidade do cuidado. CONCLUSÕES Os indicadores avaliados sinalizam que quase a totalidade das mulheres e seus filhos apresentaram uma assistência parcial e desarticulada, indicando que a coordenação do cuidado ainda é um desafio na atenção à saúde de mulheres e crianças no período gravídico puerperal.

Associations between unstable housing, obstetric outcomes, and perinatal health care utilization.

BACKGROUND: While there is a growing interest in addressing social determinants of health in clinical settings, there are limited data on the relationship between unstable housing and both obstetric outcomes and health care utilization. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between unstable housing, obstetric outcomes, and health care utilization after birth. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. Data were drawn from a database of liveborn neonates linked to their mothers' hospital discharge records (2007-2012) maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The analytic sample included singleton pregnancies with both maternal and infant data available, restricted to births between the gestational age of 20 and 44 weeks, who presented at a hospital that documented at least 1 woman as having unstable housing using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition, codes (n = 2,898,035). Infants with chromosomal abnormalities and major birth defects were excluded. Women with unstable housing (lack of housing or inadequate housing) were identified using International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition, codes from clinical records. Outcomes of interest included preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestational age), early term birth (37-38 weeks gestational age), preterm labor, preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis, small for gestational age, long birth hospitalization length of stay after delivery (vaginal birth, >2 days; cesarean delivery, >4 days), emergency department visit within 3 months and 1 year after delivery, and readmission within 3 months and 1 year after delivery. We used exact propensity score matching without replacement to select a reference population to compare with the sample of women with unstable housing using a one-to-one ratio, matching for maternal age, race/ethnicity, parity, prior preterm birth, body mass index, tobacco use during pregnancy, drug/alcohol abuse during pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes, mental health condition during pregnancy, adequacy of prenatal care, education, and type of hospital. Odds of an adverse obstetric outcome were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 2794 women with unstable housing identified, 83.0% (n = 2318) had an exact propensity score-matched control. Women with an unstable housing code had higher odds of preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.4, P < .05), preterm labor (odds ratio, 1.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.6, P < .001), long length of stay (odds ratio, 1.6, 95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.8, P < .001), emergency department visits within 3 months (odds ratio, 2.4, 95% confidence interval, 2.1-2.8, P < .001) and 1 year after birth (odds ratio, 2.7, 95% confidence interval, 2.4-3.0, P < .001), and readmission within 3 months (odds ratio, 2.7, 95% confidence interval, 2.2-3.4, P < .0014) and 1 year after birth (odds ratio, 2.6, 95% confidence interval, 2.2-3.0, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Unstable housing documentation is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and high health care utilization. Housing and supplemental income for pregnant women should be explored as a potential intervention to prevent preterm birth and prevent increased health care utilization.

Identifying Food Insecurity in Health Care Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Evidence.

This systematic scoping review explores evidence on food insecurity (FI) screening measures, acceptability, and program implementation in health care settings. Validation studies on brief screening tools suggest that instruments exist that adequately measure the construct of FI. Patients and clinicians found FI screening acceptable in a range of clinical settings, though studies are not high quality and rarely reflect substantial patient diversity. Targeted interventions successfully increased screening rates and reduced screening barriers. More research is needed to understand implementation and effectiveness of FI screening in diverse populations to ensure that evolving practices in this area do not widen health inequities.

Avanços na assistência ao parto no Brasil: resultados preliminares de dois estudos avaliativos / Avances en la asistencia al parto en Brasil: resultados preliminares de dos estudios evaluativos / Progress in childbirth care in Brazil: preliminary results of two evaluation studies

Resumo: Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever os primeiros resultados de dois estudos avaliativos, um sobre a Rede Cegonha e outro sobre o projeto Parto Adequado, denominados, respectivamente, de avaliação da Rede Cegonha e Nascer Saudável, e identificar possíveis melhorias em comparação ao estudo Nascer no Brasil. Ambos os estudos têm desenho seccional, realizados em 2017. O estudo avaliação da Rede Cegonha incluiu todas as 606 maternidades públicas e mistas envolvidas na Rede Cegonha e um total de 10.675 puérperas. O estudo Nascer Saudável incluiu uma amostra de conveniência de 12 hospitais da rede privada e um total de 4.798 mulheres. Os indicadores de atenção ao parto e nascimento avaliados foram: presença de acompanhante, atendimento por enfermeira obstétrica, preenchimento de partograma, uso de métodos não farmacológicos, deambulação, alimentação, uso de cateter venoso periférico, analgesia, posição da mulher para o parto, episiotomia e manobra de Kristeler. Esses indicadores foram comparados aos encontrados no Nascer no Brasil, estudo de base nacional realizado em 2011-2012, antes do início dos dois programas de intervenção. Para as comparações utilizamos o teste do qui-quadrado para amostras independentes e nível de 95% de confiança. Houve um aumento significativo do número de mulheres com acesso à tecnologia apropriada ao parto entre os anos de 2011 e 2017 e redução de práticas consideradas prejudiciais. No setor privado, observou-se também redução nas taxas de cesariana e aumento da idade gestacional ao nascer. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que políticas públicas bem conduzidas podem mudar o cenário da atenção ao parto e nascimento, promovendo a redução de desfechos maternos e neonatais negativos.

Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es describir los primeros resultados de dos estudios evaluativos, uno sobre la Red Cigüeña y otro sobre el proyecto Parto Adecuado, denominados respectivamente como evaluación de la Red Cigüeña y Nacer Sano, e identificar posibles mejorías en comparación con el estudio Nacer en Brasil. Ambos estudios tienen un diseño transversal, realizados en 2017. El estudio evaluación de la Red Cigüeña incluyó todas las maternidades públicas (606) y mixtas implicadas en la Red Cigüeña y a un total de 10.675 puérperas. El estudio Nacer Sano incluyó una muestra de conveniencia de 12 hospitales privados y a un total de 4.798 mujeres. Los indicadores de atención al parto y nacimiento evaluados fueron: presencia de acompañante, atención por enfermera obstetra, cumplimentación de partograma, uso de métodos no farmacológicos, deambulación, alimentación, uso de catéter venoso periférico, analgesia, posición de la mujer para el parto, episiotomía y maniobra de Kristeler. Estos indicadores se compararon con los encontrados en Nacer en Brasil, un estudio a nivel nacional, realizado en 2011-2012, antes del inicio de los dos programas de intervención. Para las comparaciones utilizamos el test del chi-cuadrado para muestras independientes y nivel de confianza de un 95%. Hubo un aumento significativo del número de mujeres con acceso a la tecnología apropiada para el parto entre los años de 2011 y 2017 y una reducción de las prácticas consideradas perjudiciales. En el sector privado, se observó también una reducción en las tasas de cesárea y aumento de la edad gestacional al nacer. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que las políticas públicas bien dirigidas pueden cambiar el escenario de la atención al parto y nacimiento, promoviendo la reducción de desenlaces maternos y neonatales negativos.

Abstract: This article aims to describe the preliminary results of two evaluations studies, one about the Stork Network program and the other about the Adequate Birth program, called Stork Network Assessment and Healthy Birth, and to identify possible improvements in comparison to the Birth in Brazil study. Both studies used a cross-sectional design and were conducted in 2017. The Stork Network Assessment study included all 606 public and mixed maternity hospitals from the Stork Network and a total of 10,675 postpartum women. The Healthy Birth study included a convenience sample of 12 private hospitals and 4,798 women. Indicators of labour and childbirth care were: presence of a companion person, care by obstetric nurse, use of partograph, use of non-pharmacological methods, walking during labor, eating, use of peripheral venous catheter, position for delivery, episiotomy, and Kristeller maneuver. The indicators were compared to those verified in Birth in Brazil, a nationwide population-based study in 2011-2012, before the start of the two intervention programs. Comparisons used the chi-square test for independent samples and 95% confidence interval. There was a significant increase in the number of women with access to appropriate technology for labour and childbirth from 2011 to 2017 and a reduction in harmful practices. The private sector also showed a decrease in cesarean rates and an increase in gestational age at birth. The study's results show that properly conducted public policies can change the scenario of care for labor and childbirth, helping to reduce in negative maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Cross-border ties, nativity, and inflammatory markers in a population-based prospective study of Latino adults.

Even after migration, immigrants and their descendants may continue to have ties to family and friends who remain in places of origin. Recent research suggests that these cross-border social ties have implications for health, although this scholarship has been limited to self-reported outcomes. Using data from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA), we estimate associations between cross-border social ties and inflammatory biomarkers among Latino adults (n = 1786). We find that immigrants who maintained any cross-border connection to family and friends in Latin America had significantly lower levels of baseline interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to their US-born counterparts with no cross-border ties. These results held for values of CRP at five-year follow-up for men only. In contrast, US-born women with cross-border ties to family and friends in Latin America had both significantly higher levels of CRP and significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) at five-year follow-up relative to their US-born counterparts with no cross-border ties. We find descriptively that men who have cross-border ties are also less likely to be socially isolated within local contexts. Considering place-of-origin social connections may contribute critical nuance to studies of immigrant health, including disparities in inflammatory markers that may serve as indicators of underlying chronic disease.

Adequação da assistência pré-natal segundo as características maternas no Brasil / Adequacy of prenatal care according to maternal characteristics in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Verificar o grau de adequação da assistência pré-natal no Brasil e sua associação com características sociodemográficas das mulheres. MÉTODOS: Este estudo nacional de base hospitalar foi realizado com 23 894 mulheres em 2011 e 2012. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de entrevistas com a puérpera e dos cartões de pré-natal. Considerou-se assistência pré-natal adequada aquela iniciada até a 12 semana gestacional, com realização de no mínimo seis consultas (número de consultas corrigido para a idade gestacional no momento do parto), registro no cartão de pré-natal de pelo menos um resultado de cada um dos exames preconizados na rotina de pré-natal e recebimento de orientação para maternidade de referência. Realizou-se regressão logística multivariada para verificar a associação entre características maternas e o grau de adequação da assistência pré-natal. RESULTADOS: Início precoce da atenção pré-natal foi observado em 53,9% das gestantes, número adequado de consultas em 73,2%, registro de pelo menos um exame preconizado em 62,9%, orientação para maternidade de referência em 58,7% e assistência pré-natal global adequada em 21,6%. Menor adequação do pré-natal foi observada em mulheres mais jovens, de pele preta, multíparas, sem companheiro, sem trabalho remunerado, com menos anos de estudo, de classes econômicas mais baixas e residentes nas regiões Norte e Nordeste do país. Após ajuste para características maternas, não foram observadas diferenças entre serviços públicos e privados quanto ao grau de adequação do cuidado pré-natal. CONCLUSÕES: A assistência pré-natal no Brasil alcançou cobertura praticamente universal, mas persistem desigualdades regionais e sociais no acesso a um cuidado adequado. Estratégias para facilitar o ingresso precoce no pré-natal são essenciais.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the degree of adequacy of prenatal care in Brazil and to determine whether it is associated with sociodemographic characteristics of women. METHODS: This nationwide hospital-based study was performed with 23 894 women in 2011 and 2012. Data were obtained from interviews with puerperal women and from the prenatal card recording prenatal care appointments. Adequate prenatal care was defined as that started no later than the 12th gestational week, with performance of at least six consultations (with number of consultations adjusted for gestational age at delivery), record in the prenatal card of at least one result for each of the recommended routine prenatal tests, and guidance regarding the maternity hospital for delivery. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to verify the association between maternal characteristics and the adequacy of prenatal care. RESULTS: Early onset of prenatal care was observed in 53.9% of participants, adequate number of consultations in 73.2%, record of at least one of each recommended test in 62.9%, guidance regarding maternity hospital in 58.7%, and overall adequate prenatal care in 21.6%. Less adequate prenatal care was observed in women who were younger, black, multiparous, who did not have a partner, without paid employment, having fewer years of formal schooling, belonging to lower socioeconomic classes, and living in the North and Northeast of Brazil. After adjustment of maternal characteristics, no differences were observed between public or private health care services regarding adequacy of prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the coverage of prenatal care is virtually universal in Brazil, regional and social differences in the access and adequacy of care still persist. The implementation of strategies to facilitate early access to prenatal care is essential.

Processo de decisão pelo tipo de parto no Brasil: da preferência inicial das mulheres à via de parto final / Decisión del tipo de parto en Brasil: de la preferencia inicial de las mujeres, al parto final / Process of decision-making regarding the mode of birth in Brazil: from the initial preference of women to the final mode of birth

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os fatores referidos para a preferência pelo tipo de parto no início da gestação e reconstruir o processo de decisão pelo tipo de parto no Brasil. Dados de uma coorte de base hospitalar nacional com 23.940 puérperas, realizada em 2011-2012, foram analisados, segundo fonte de pagamento do parto e paridade, com utilização do teste χ2. A preferência inicial pela cesariana foi de 27,6%, variando de 15,4% (primíparas no setor público) a 73,2% (multíparas com cesariana anterior no setor privado). O principal motivo para a escolha do parto vaginal foi a melhor recuperação desse tipo de parto (68,5%) e para a cesariana o medo da dor do parto (46,6%). Experiência positiva com parto vaginal (28,7%), parto cesáreo (24,5%) e realização de laqueadura tubária (32,3%) foram citadas por multíparas. Mulheres do setor privado apresentaram 87,5% de cesariana, com aumento da decisão pelo parto cesáreo no final da gestação, independentemente do diagnóstico de complicações. Em ambos os setores, a proporção de cesariana foi muito superior ao desejado pelas mulheres.

El propósito de este artículo es describir los factores de preferencia en el tipo de parto durante el embarazo temprano, y estudiar el proceso de decisión en la opción de parto en Brasil. Los datos de una cohorte de base hospitalaria nacional, con 23.894 mujeres, durante el período 2011-2012, se analizaron de acuerdo a la fuente de los fondos para el parto y la paridad, mediante la prueba de χ2. La preferencia inicial por cesárea fue de un 27,6%, desde el 15,4% (sector público primíparas) al 73,2% (sector privado multíparas con cesárea). La principal razón para la elección de parto vaginal era la mejor recuperación de este tipo de parto (68,5%), y para la cesárea, el temor al dolor durante el parto (46,6%). La experiencia positiva con el parto vaginal (28,7%); parto por cesárea (24,5%) y la esterilización femenina (32.3%) fueron citados por multíparas. Las mujeres en el sector privado tuvieron un 87,5% de cesárea con una mayor decisión hacia este tipo de parto a finales del embarazo, independientemente del diagnóstico de las complicaciones. En ambos sectores, la proporción de la cesárea fue mucho mayor de lo deseado.

The purpose of this article is to describe the factors cited for the preference for type of birth in early pregnancy and reconstruct the decision process by type of birth in Brazil. Data from a national hospital-based cohort with 23,940 postpartum women, held in 2011-2012, were analyzed according to source of funding for birth and parity, using the χ2 test. The initial preference for cesarean delivery was 27.6%, ranging from 15.4% (primiparous public sector) to 73.2% (multiparous women with previous cesarean private sector). The main reason for the choice of vaginal delivery was the best recovery of this type of birth (68.5%) and for the choice of cesarean, the fear of pain (46.6%). Positive experience with vaginal delivery (28.7%), cesarean delivery (24.5%) and perform female sterilization (32.3%) were cited by multiparous. Women from private sector presented 87.5% caesarean, with increased decision for cesarean birth in end of gestation, independent of diagnosis of complications. In both sectors, the proportion of caesarean section was much higher than desired by women.

Implementação da presença de acompanhantes durante a internação para o parto: dados da pesquisa nacional Nascer no Brasil / Implementación de la presencia de acompañantes durante el internamiento para el parto: datos de la encuesta nacional Nacer en Brasil / Implementation of the presence of companions during hospital admission for childbirth: data from the Birth in Brazil national survey

As evidências sobre os benefícios do apoio contínuo durante o parto levou à recomendação de que este apoio deve ser oferecido a todas as mulheres. No Brasil, ele é garantido por lei desde 2005, mas os dados sobre a sua implementação são escassos. Nosso objetivo foi estimar a frequência e fatores sociodemográficos, obstétricos e institucionais associados à presença de acompanhantes durante o parto na pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. Foi feita análise estatística descritiva para a caracterização dos acompanhantes (em diferentes momentos do tempo da internação), fatores maternos e institucionais; as associações foram investigadas em modelos bi e multivariada. Vimos que 24,5% das mulheres não tiveram acompanhante algum, 18,8% tinham companhia contínua, 56,7% tiveram acompanhamento parcial. Preditores independentes de não ter algum, ou parcial, foram: menor renda e escolaridade, cor parda da pele, usar o setor público, multiparidade e parto vaginal. A implementação do acompanhante foi associada com ambiência adequada e regras institucionais claras sobre os direitos das mulheres ao acompanhante.

La evidencia de los beneficios del apoyo continuo durante el parto llevó a la recomendación de que fuera ofrecido a todas las mujeres. En Brasil, se les garantiza a las mujeres por ley desde 2005, pero hay escasos datos sobre su aplicación. El objetivo fue estimar la frecuencia y factores asociados (socio-demográficas, obstétricos e institucionales) de las mujeres que tienen acompañantes durante el parto en la encuesta Nacer en Brasil. Una vez realizado el análisis estadístico descriptivo para la caracterización de los acompañantes (en diferentes momentos del parto), factores maternos e institucionales; las asociaciones investigaron los modelos bivariados y multivariados. El 24,5% de las mujeres no tenía ningún acompañante, el 18,7% tenían acompañantes continuos y el 56,7% los tenía parcialmente. Predictores independientes de no tener acompañantes o tenerlos parcialmente fueron: bajos ingresos y educación, color moreno de piel, usar el sector público de sanidad, la multiparidad y el parto vaginal. La implementación de acompañantes se asoció con un ambiente adecuado, y normas institucionales claras sobre los derechos de las mujeres al acompañante.

Robust evidence of the benefits of continuous support during childbirth led to the recommendation that it should be offered for all women. In Brazil, it has been guaranteed by law since 2005, but scarce data on implementation is available. We aimed to estimate the frequency and associated socio-demographic, obstetric and institutional predictors of women having companionship during childbirth in the Birth in Brazil survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was done for the characterization of companions (at different moments of hospital stay), maternal and institutional factors; associations were investigated in bivariate and multivariate models. We found that 24.5% of women had no companion at all, 18.8% had continuous companionship and 56.7% had partial companionship. Independent predictors of having no or partial companionship at birth were: lower income and education, brown color of skin, using the public sector, multiparity, and vaginal delivery. Implementation of companionship was associated with having an appropriate environment, and clear institution al rules about women’s rights to companionship.