Impact of a heart failure multidisciplinary clinic on the reduction of healthcare-related events and costs: the GEstIC study.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly in developed countries and significantly impacts public health expenditures. Patients with HF usually have associated comorbidities that require multidisciplinary management. This study aims to demonstrate the benefits of a multidisciplinary clinic in reducing all-cause hospitalizations and HF events (HF hospitalizations and urgent HF visits) in a real-world setting. Finally, the study evaluates the associated costs of HF events. Methods: This observational study included patients admitted to GEstIC, a multidisciplinary Portuguese HF clinic, from January 2013 to February 2019, who had one-year follow-up. Hospitalizations and HF events, total days spent in the hospital during HF hospitalizations, and HF events-related costs, in the year before and the year after GEstIC admission, were compared. Results: Of the 487 patients admitted to the GEstIC, 287 were eligible for the study sample. After one year of HF patients' multidisciplinary management at GEstIC, there was a 53.7% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations (462 vs. 214), a 71.7% reduction in HF hospitalizations (392 vs. 111), and a 39.1% reduction in urgent HF visits (87 vs. 53). As a result, there was a significant decrease of 12.6 days in the length of hospital stay due to HF per patient (15.6 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001). This translated into the release of 9.9 hospital beds in the year following admission to GEstIC. The average total savings associated with the reduction of HF events was €5,439.77 per patient (6,774.15 vs. 1,334.38, p < 0.001), representing a total cost reduction of €1,561,213. Furthermore, the significant reduction in the number of all events was independent of the patient's left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Discussion: Significant reductions in all-cause and HF hospitalizations and urgent HF visits were observed with the implementation of this multidisciplinary clinic for HF patients' management. This was particularly important for patients with LVEF >40%. Before GEstIC, there was no medical intervention to improve the prognosis of these patients. The reduction of over one million euros in health-related costs after only one year of person-centered multidisciplinary management highlights the need to replicate this approach in other national healthcare institutions.

Listening and valuing clients: conceptions and practices in the care management in the Family Health Strategy. / Escuta e valorização dos usuários: concepções e práticas na gestão do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família.

We aimed to analyze the practices of receiving, bonding, and shared responsibility in producing care in the Family Health Strategy. This qualitative, exploratory study in the dimension of hermeneutics-dialectics was conducted from August and November 2021 in Iguatu, Ceará, with 25 professional coordinators of the Family Health Strategy teams. A semi-structured interview was adopted to collect data. We identified different conceptions among the coordinators about reception and bonding. We shared responsibility: conceptual aspects linked to the experimental care practice mode the team experienced, the aspects that intervened in these processes, and the relationships built through care management and production. We evidenced contributions to evaluating and improving care management and production in the Family Health Strategy and the Unified Health System (SUS). Reception, bonding, and shared responsibility were proven potential tools in qualifying care management in the Family Health Strategy. Improving professional skills and investing in relational technologies are required for humanized health practice.

Objetivou-se analisar as práticas de acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização na produção do cuidado da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Estudo exploratório de natureza qualitativa, na dimensão da hermenêutica-dialética, realizado entre agosto e novembro de 2021, em Iguatu, Ceará. Participaram 25 profissionais coordenadores das equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se entrevista semiestruturada para coleta de dados. Identificaram-se diferentes concepções entre os coordenadores sobre acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização, sendo eles: aspectos conceituais ligados ao modo de experienciação das práticas de cuidado vivenciadas pela equipe, e os aspectos intervenientes nesses processos e nas relações construídas na gestão e produção do cuidado. Evidenciaram-se contribuições para a avaliação e o aprimoramento da gestão e produção do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família e no Sistema Único de Saúde. As práticas de acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização mostraram-se como ferramentas potenciais na qualificação da gestão do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Considera-se que o aperfeiçoamento das habilidades profissionais e o investimento nas tecnologias relacionais são exigências para a prática humanizada em saúde.

Role of MRI in the Assessment of Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, and it is divided into 2 main histological types: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Extension of disease as well as the presence of metastases define the prognosis of patients. Accurate tumor staging at diagnosis is essential for adequate planning for treatment. There are several classifications of cervical cancer, and the most used are FIGO and TNM, which help classify the patient and guide the treatment. Imaging has a pivotal role in classifying patients, and MRI plays a decision-maker role both for diagnosis and for treatment planning. In this paper we highlight the role of MRI, alongside guidelines classification, in patients with different stages of cervical tumors.

Structured reporting of computed tomography in the polytrauma patient assessment: a Delphi consensus proposal.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a structured reporting (SR) template for whole-body CT examinations of polytrauma patients, based on the consensus of a panel of emergency radiology experts from the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology. METHODS: A multi-round Delphi method was used to quantify inter-panelist agreement for all SR sections. Internal consistency for each section and quality analysis in terms of average inter-item correlation were evaluated by means of the Cronbach's alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The final SR form included 118 items (6 in the "Patient Clinical Data" section, 4 in the "Clinical Evaluation" section, 9 in the "Imaging Protocol" section, and 99 in the "Report" section). The experts' overall mean score and sum of scores were 4.77 (range 1-5) and 257.56 (range 206-270) in the first Delphi round, and 4.96 (range 4-5) and 208.44 (range 200-210) in the second round, respectively. In the second Delphi round, the experts' overall mean score was higher than in the first round, and standard deviation was lower (3.11 in the second round vs 19.71 in the first round), reflecting a higher expert agreement in the second round. Moreover, Cα was higher in the second round than in the first round (0.97 vs 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Our SR template for whole-body CT examinations of polytrauma patients is based on a strong agreement among panel experts in emergency radiology and could improve communication between radiologists and the trauma team.

Pricing uncertainty in the Brazilian stock market: do size and sustainability matter?

This article analyzes the pricing of innovations in the Brazilian stock market during periods of economic uncertainty. Cross-sectional data were analyzed using the generalized method of moments technique, and our findings indicate that during such periods, innovations negatively impact excess stock returns. Furthermore, our findings suggest that innovations during economic uncertainty improve the pricing of financial assets, making them a significant risk factor. These results are corroborated by those for the Corporate Sustainability Index and the Small Caps Index in the robustness analysis.

Vascular health in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis: assessment of endothelial function indices and serum biomarkers of vascular damage.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular risk (CVD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is 1.5-2 times higher than that in individuals of the same age and sex. AIMS: To analyse the degree of endothelial dysfunction, the atherogenic immunoinflammatory serum background and the relationships among some vascular indices, cardiovascular comorbidities, and cognitive performance in subjects with RA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis admitted to the Rheumatology Ward of "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone" Hospital of Palermo were enrolled from July 2019 to September 2020. We evaluated our patients' cognitive functions by administering the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Reactive Hyperaemia Index (RHI) was evaluated for assessment of endothelial function. Serum levels of angiopoietin 2, osteopontin and pentraxin 3 were assessed by blood collection. RESULTS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with RA and 40 control subjects were analysed. RA patients showed significantly lower mean RHI values, significantly higher mean Augmentation Index (AIX) values and significantly lower mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score values than the control group. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis also showed higher mean serum values of pentraxin 3 and angiopoietin 2 than healthy controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between pentraxin 3 and angiopoietin 2 and the presence of RA. DISCUSSION: Angiopoietin 2 and pentraxin 3 could be considered surrogate biomarkers of endothelial activation and vascular disease, as they could play an essential role in the regulation of endothelial integrity and inflammation.

Processo de trabalho para coordenação do cuidado na Estratégia de Saúde da Família / Proceso de trabajo para la coordinación de la atención en la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia / Work process for coordination of care in the Family Health Strategy

Resumo Objetivo Compreender o processo de trabalho de equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família na coordenação do cuidado, ressaltando fatores intervenientes a essa coordenação. Método Pesquisa com abordagem qualitativa, ancorada nos atributos da coordenação do cuidado, realizada com 18 profissionais da atenção e gestão, entre janeiro e março de 2020. Resultados Emergiram três temas finais: "Plano de cuidados", "Alinhamento de condutas" e "Comunicação dialógica nos distintos níveis de atenção". O padrão de respostas aponta a fragmentação da assistência e fragiliza os mecanismos de coordenação. A exposição de fatores restritivos relativos ao nível meso e macro organizacional do sistema municipal de saúde reverbera na capacidade das equipes de coordenar o cuidado ao usuário. Conclusão e implicações para a prática A coordenação do cuidado enfrenta obstáculos relacionados ao processo de trabalho das equipes e questões estruturais na organização da rede de saúde. As contribuições transpõem a atenção e gestão, alcançam o ensino, pesquisa e extensão na formação profissional. A educação permanente possibilita reorientações para garantir o fluxo dos usuários na rede de atenção e propiciar atenção integral à população.

Resumen Objetivo Comprender el proceso de trabajo de los equipos de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia en la coordinación de la atención, destacando los factores involucrados en esa coordinación. Método Investigación con abordaje cualitativo, anclada en los atributos de la coordinación de la atención, realizada con 18 profesionales asistenciales y gestores, entre enero y marzo de 2020. Resultados Surgieron tres temas finales: "Plan de cuidados"; "Alineación de conductas"; y "Comunicación dialógica en los diferentes niveles de atención". El patrón de respuestas apunta a la fragmentación de la asistencia y debilita los mecanismos de coordinación. La exposición de factores restrictivos relacionados con el nivel meso y macro organizacional del sistema de salud municipal repercute en la capacidad de los equipos para coordinar la atención al usuario. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica La coordinación del cuidado enfrenta obstáculos relacionados con el proceso de trabajo de los equipos y cuestiones estructurales en la organización de la red de salud. Los aportes van más allá de la atención y la gestión, alcanzan la docencia, la investigación y la extensión en la formación profesional. La educación permanente posibilita reorientaciones para garantizar el flujo de usuarios en la red de atención y brindar atención integral a la población.

Abstract Objective To understand the work process of Family Health Strategy teams in the coordination of care, highlighting factors involved in this coordination. Method Qualitative study based on the attributes of care coordination, carried out with 18 care and management professionals between January and March 2020. Results Three final themes emerged: "Care plan"; "Standardization of practices"; and "Dialogical communication at different levels of care". The pattern of responses points to the fragmentation of care and weakens coordination mechanisms. The exposure of restrictive factors related to the meso- and macro-organizational levels of the municipal health system reverberates in the ability of teams to coordinate care. Conclusion and implications for practice The coordination of care faces obstacles related to the work process of teams and structural issues in the organization of the health network. The contributions go beyond care and management, reaching education, research, and extension in professional training. Permanent education enables reorientations to guarantee the flow of users in the care network and provide comprehensive care to the population.

Escuta e valorização dos usuários: concepções e práticas na gestão do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família / Listening and valuing clients: conceptions and practices in the care management in the Family Health Strategy

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar as práticas de acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização na produção do cuidado da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Estudo exploratório de natureza qualitativa, na dimensão da hermenêutica-dialética, realizado entre agosto e novembro de 2021, em Iguatu, Ceará. Participaram 25 profissionais coordenadores das equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se entrevista semiestruturada para coleta de dados. Identificaram-se diferentes concepções entre os coordenadores sobre acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização, sendo eles: aspectos conceituais ligados ao modo de experienciação das práticas de cuidado vivenciadas pela equipe, e os aspectos intervenientes nesses processos e nas relações construídas na gestão e produção do cuidado. Evidenciaram-se contribuições para a avaliação e o aprimoramento da gestão e produção do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família e no Sistema Único de Saúde. As práticas de acolhimento, vínculo e corresponsabilização mostraram-se como ferramentas potenciais na qualificação da gestão do cuidado na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Considera-se que o aperfeiçoamento das habilidades profissionais e o investimento nas tecnologias relacionais são exigências para a prática humanizada em saúde.

Abstract We aimed to analyze the practices of receiving, bonding, and shared responsibility in producing care in the Family Health Strategy. This qualitative, exploratory study in the dimension of hermeneutics-dialectics was conducted from August and November 2021 in Iguatu, Ceará, with 25 professional coordinators of the Family Health Strategy teams. A semi-structured interview was adopted to collect data. We identified different conceptions among the coordinators about reception and bonding. We shared responsibility: conceptual aspects linked to the experimental care practice mode the team experienced, the aspects that intervened in these processes, and the relationships built through care management and production. We evidenced contributions to evaluating and improving care management and production in the Family Health Strategy and the Unified Health System (SUS). Reception, bonding, and shared responsibility were proven potential tools in qualifying care management in the Family Health Strategy. Improving professional skills and investing in relational technologies are required for humanized health practice.

Cardiac Remodeling According to the Nocturnal Fall of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Subjects: The Whole Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Non-Dipper Subjects with Arterial Hypertension (Wacanda) Study.

OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological studies suggest that the preservation of the physiological circadian rhythm of blood pressure or its disruption affects the extent of the organ damage developed by the patient. If we classify the circadian rhythm of blood pressure into four nocturnal profiles, significant differences emerge in terms of organ damage burden and prognosis: reverse dippers have the worst prognosis while dippers and mild dippers fall into an intermediate risk range. The risk profile of extreme dippers is still debated, and the available data are very conflicting and inconclusive. Starting from this gap of knowledge, we aimed to evaluate, retrospectively, in a cohort of hypertensive subjects, the degree of cardiac involvement in relation to the different nocturnal blood pressure profiles. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 900 patients with essential hypertension, of whom 510 met our study criteria. We graded the 510 patients in relation to the percentage of reduction in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at night-time compared with day-time, considering this as a continuous variable, and then compared the extreme quintiles with each other and with the middle quintile (considered as reference). RESULTS: Patients with less (or no) reduction in nocturnal SBP (reverse dipper) showed a higher level of organ damage and comorbidities. With regard to echocardiographic indexes, patients with maximum nocturnal pressure reduction (extreme dipper) showed a lower level of remodeling and/or impairment of E/e' ratio, Right Atrium Area, Basal Right Ventricular Diameter, Inferior Vena Cava Average Diameter, and Tricuspidal Anular Plane Systolic Excursion compared also with hypertensive patients with a physiological nocturnal pressure reduction, even after correction for the main confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that extreme dippers may constitute the subgroup of hypertensive patients with the lowest 24-h pressure load and, therefore, less cardiac remodeling.

Assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic foot: correlations with endothelial dysfunction indices and markers of adipo-inflammatory dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that patients with diabetes and foot complications have worse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk profiles, higher degrees of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness and a higher inflammatory background than patients with diabetes without diabetic foot complications. Patients with diabetes mellitus have an alteration in the sympathovagal balance as assessed by means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, which is also related to the presence of endothelial dysfunction. Other studies suggest a possible role of inflammation coexisting with the alteration in the sympathovagal balance in favor of the atherosclerotic process in a mixed population of healthy subjects of middle and advanced age. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of alteration of sympathovagal balance, assessed by HRV analysis, in a cohort of patients with diabetes mellitus with diabetic foot and in control subjects without diabetic foot compared with a population of healthy subjects and the possible correlation of HRV parameters with inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction indices. METHODS: We enrolled all patients with diabetic ulcerative lesions of the lower limb in the Internal Medicine with Stroke Care ward and of the diabetic foot outpatient clinic of P. Giaccone University Hospital of Palermo between September 2019 and July 2020. 4-h ECG Holter was performed. The following time domain HRV measures were analyzed: average heart rate, square root of the mean of successive differences of NN (RMSSD), standard deviation or square root of the variance (SD), and standard deviation of the means of the NN intervals calculated over a five-minute period (SDANN/5 min). The LF/HF ratio was calculated, reactive hyperemia was evaluated by endo-PAT, and serum levels of vaspine and omentin-1 were assessed by blood sample collection. RESULTS: 63 patients with diabetic foot, 30 patients with diabetes and without ulcerative complications and 30 patients without diabetes were enrolled. Patients with diabetic ulcers showed lower mean diastolic blood pressure values than healthy controls, lower MMSE scores corrected for age, lower serum levels of omentin-1, lower RHI values, higher body weight values and comparable body height values, HF% and LF/HF ratio values. We also reported a negative correlation between the RHI value and HRV indices and the expression of increased parasympathetic activity (RMSDD and HF%) in subjects with diabetic foot and a statistically significant positive correlation with the LF/HF ratio and the expression of the sympathovagal balance. DISCUSSION: Patients with diabetic foot show a higher degree of activation of the parasympathetic system, expressed by the increase in HF values, and a lower LF/HF ratio. Our findings may corroborate the issue that a parasympathetic dysfunction may have a possible additive role in the pathogenesis of other vascular complications in subjects with diabetic foot.

Gestão participativa na Estratégia Saúde da Família: reorientação da demanda à luz do Método Paideia / Participatory management in the Family Health Strategy: reorientation of demand in the light of the Paideia Method

RESUMO Objetivou-se descrever a construção de um plano de ação de corresponsabilização entre gestores, profissionais e usuários, para a reorientação da demanda espontânea em uma Unidade de Saúde da Família, por meio de ferramentas de gestão participativa. Tratou-se de um estudo intervencionista do tipo pesquisa-ação, realizado com uma equipe de Estratégia Saúde da Família do município de Petrolina (PE). Participaram do estudo 11 sujeitos, selecionados pela técnica de amostragem da representatividade qualitativa, sendo 3 gestores da atenção básica do município, 4 profissionais de saúde da Estratégia Saúde da Família envolvida no estudo e 4 líderes comunitários, representantes dos usuários. O referencial teórico adotado para a análise da intervenção foi o método de análise e cogestão de coletivos, o Método Paideia. O estudo evidenciou o despreparo dos coletivos para atuarem na gestão participativa, ao tempo que revelou que as possibilidades de reestruturação dos serviços são otimizadas quando pensadas de maneira democrática e corresponsável. Considerou-se que as principais contribuições deste estudo foram a sensibilização e a mobilização dos sujeitos para atuarem de maneira participante no planejamento e na gestão dos problemas de saúde.

ABSTRACT The objective was to describe the construction of a co-responsibility action plan involving managers, professionals and users, aimed at reorienting spontaneous demand in a Family Health Unity, by means of participatory management tools. This was an interventional research study, the action-research type, carried out with a Family Health Strategy team in the municipality of Petrolina (PE). The study involved eleven participants, who were selected using the qualitative representativeness sampling technique, and included three primary care managers in the municipality, four health professionals from the Family Health Strategy involved in the study and four community leaders, representatives of users. The theoretical framework adopted for the analysis of the intervention was the method of analysis and co-management of collectives - the Paideia method. The study revealed the unpreparedness of collectives to act in participatory management, while showing that possibilities of restructuring services are optimized when thought of in a democratic and co-responsible way. It was considered that the main contributions of this research were the awareness and the mobilization of the subjects to act in a participatory way in the planning and management of health problems.

Necessidades de saúde das pessoas com tuberculose pulmonar / Necesidades de salud de las personas con tuberculosis pulmonar / Health needs of people with pulmonary tuberculosis

Objetivo: analisar as necessidades de saúde das pessoas em tratamento para a tuberculose assistidas pelos serviços de saúde. Método: estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com dez pacientes assistidos pelas equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família e serviço de referência. As entrevistas foram submetidas à técnica de análise temática e analisadas conforme a Taxonomia Operacional de Necessidades de Saúde. Resultados: os pacientes relataram necessidades de alimentação e moradia, mostraram satisfeitos com o tratamento, acessibilidade e cordialidade dos profissionais de saúde, mas insatisfeitos com a investigação dos sintomas e evolução do quadro clínico. O vínculo com o enfermeiro foi positivo. Orientações e busca de informações subsidiaram a autonomia e o modo de andar a vida. Conclusão: os pacientes reconheceram as necessidades de saúde referentes ao acesso às tecnologias que melhoram e prolongam a vida, mas requererem investigação diagnóstica precisa, orientação para autonomia e ordenação da Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Objective: to analyze the health needs of people undergoing treatment for tuberculosis assisted by health services. Method: a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, carried out with ten patients assisted by the Family Health Strategy teams and a reference service. The interviews were submitted to the thematic analysis technique and analyzed according to the Operational Taxonomy of Health Needs. Results: the patients reported needs for food and housing, were satisfied with the treatment, accessibility and cordiality of the health professionals, but dissatisfied with the investigation symptoms and evolution of the clinical picture. The bond with the nurse was positive. Orientations and search for information subsidized the autonomy and the way of living life. Conclusion: patients recognized the health needs related to access to technologies that improve and prolong life, but require precise diagnostic investigation, guidance for autonomy and ordering Primary Health Care.

Objetivo: analizar las necesidades de salud de personas en tratamiento por tuberculosis asistidas por servicios de salud. Método: estudio descriptivo, cualitativo, realizado con diez pacientes asistidos por los equipos de Estrategia Salud de la Familia y servicio de referencia. Entrevistas sometidas a la técnica de análisis temático y analizadas según la Taxonomía Operativa de Necesidades de Salud. Resultados: los pacientes reportaron necesidades de alimentación y residencia, se mostraron satisfechos con el tratamiento, accesibilidad y cordialidad de los profesionales, pero insatisfechos con la investigación sobre los síntomas y evolución del cuadro clínico. El vínculo con el enfermero fue positivo. Orientaciones y búsqueda de información subvencionaban la autonomía y la forma de vivir. Conclusión: los pacientes reconocieron las necesidades de salud relacionadas con el acceso a tecnologías que mejoran y prolongan la vida, pero requieren una investigación diagnóstica precisa, orientación para la autonomía y ordenamiento de la Atención Primaria de Salud.

Optimization of a Low-Cost, Sensitive PNA Clamping PCR Method for JAK2 V617F Variant Detection.

BACKGROUND: The JAK2 V617F variant is diagnostic for myeloproliferative neoplasms, a group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Although several approaches have been developed to detect the variant, a gold standard diagnostic method has not yet been defined. We describe a simple, fast, and cost-effective PCR-based approach that enhances test specificity and sensitivity by blocking the amplification of the large excess of wild-type DNA. METHODS: The method involves using an oligo peptide nucleic acid (PNA) perfectly matching its corresponding DNA sequence. The PCR protocol was optimized by collecting a detailed thermodynamic data set on PNA-DNA wild-type duplexes by circular dichroism melting experiments. The specificity and sensitivity of PNA clamping PCR were assessed by genotyping 50 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm who carried the JAK2 V617F variant and 50 healthy donors. RESULTS: The optimized protocol enabled selective amplification of the variant alleles, achieving maximum sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%). Analytical sensitivity was 0.05% of variant alleles as assessed by serial dilutions of DNA from the HEL cell line (which carries the JAK2 V617F variant) mixed to wild-type DNA from healthy donors. The JAK2 V617F variant test performed according to this method has better diagnostic performance than its 2 main PCR-based competitors, at much lower cost. CONCLUSIONS: High sensitivity and specificity and cost-effectiveness make PNA clamping PCR a useful testing platform for the detection of minor allele variants in small-scale diagnostic laboratories. It promises to improve patient care while enabling significant healthcare savings.

Conselho local de saúde: implantação e dificuldades da formação na Estratégia Saúde da Família / Local Health Council: formation implementation and difficulties in the Family Health Strategy / Consejo local de salud: implantación y dificultades para la formación de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar

Objetivo: Descrever o processo de implantação do Conselho Local de Saúde, incluindo a formação e as dificuldades enfrentadas, por meio da visão dos conselheiros, com ênfase na participação social no território da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Métodos: Estudo de natureza qualitativa, com abordagem crítico-reflexiva, realizado de fevereiro a julho de 2016 no território de uma equipe da Estratégia Saúde da Família no município de Milagres, Ceará, Brasil, com 22 usuários e trabalhadores de saúde integrantes do Conselho Local de Saúde. A pesquisa ocorreu por meio de técnicas de observação sistemática, levantamento documental, entrevista semiestruturada e grupo focal. Emergiram três categorias: Contextualidades na implantação do Conselho Local de Saúde; Formação do Conselho Local de Saúde frente às situações cotidianas da comunidade: necessidades de saúde, participação e renovação; Dificuldades enfrentadas no processo de organização do Conselho Local de Saúde. Resultados: Os problemas locais foram os motivos para a participação e a mobilização da comunidade na implantação e formação do Conselho Local de Saúde. A organização e o funcionamento do conselho envolveram usuários e equipe de saúde em práticas integradas às demandas e necessidades do território. A participação comunitária, o empoderamento para cidadania e a corresponsabilização solidária das pessoas emergiram no processo de planejamento local das ações de saúde e no enfrentamento coletivo das dificuldades cotidianas. Conclusão: As mudanças ocorridas no território da Estratégia Saúde da Família com a implantação e formação do Conselho Local de Saúde evidenciam a potencialidade desse dispositivo de participação social.

Objective: To describe the process of implementation of the Local Health Council, formation and difficulties faced, through the view of the counselors, with an emphasis on social participation in the territory of the Family Health Strategy. Methods: Study of a qualitative nature, with a critical-reflexive approach. Held in the territory of a Family Health Strategy team in the city of Milagres, Ceará, Brazil, with 22 subjects, users and health workers members of the Local Health Council. The survey took place between February and July 2016, through systematic observation techniques, documentary survey and focus group. Data analysis based on hermeneutics and dialectics was chosen. Results: The local problems were the reasons for community participation and mobilization in the implantation and formation of the Local Health Council. The organization and functioning of the council involved users and the health team in practices integrated to the demands and needs of the territory. Community participation, empowerment for citizenship and the joint responsibility of people emerged in the process of local planning of health actions and in the collective confrontation of daily difficulties. Conclusion: The changes that occurred in the Family Health Strategy territory with the implementation and formation of the Local Health Council show the potential of this social participation device. The weaknesses in the council's organization underscore the need for encouragement, support and support at the base of the Unified Health System.

Objetivo: Describir el proceso de implantación del Consejo Local de Salud incluyendo la formación y las dificultades afrontadas a través de la opinión de los consejeros con énfasis en la participación social del territorio de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar. Métodos: Estudio de naturaleza cualitativa de abordaje crítico-reflexivo realizado entre febrero y julio de 2016 en el territorio de un equipo de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar del municipio de Milagres, Ceará, Brasil, con 22 usuarios y trabajadores sanitarios del Consejo Local de Salud. La investigación se dio a través de técnicas de observación sistemática, recogida de documentos, entrevista semiestructurada y grupo focal de los cuales emergieron tres categorías: Los contextos para la implantación del Consejo Local de Salud; Formación del Consejo Local de Salud ante situaciones del cotidiano de la comunidad: necesidades de salud, participación y renovación; Dificultades afrontadas en el proceso de organización del Consejo Local de Salud. Resultados: Los problemas locales han sido la causa de la participación y la movilización de la comunidad para la implantación y la formación del Consejo Local de Salud. La organización y el funcionamiento del consejo han involucrado usuarios y equipos de salud en prácticas integradas según las demandas y las necesidades del territorio. La participación comunitaria, el empoderamiento para la ciudadanía y la co-responsabilidad solidaria de las personas llevaron al proceso de planeamiento local de las acciones de salud y el afrontamiento colectivo de las dificultades del cotidiano. Conclusión: Los cambios ocurridos en el territorio de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar con la implantación y la formación del Consejo Local de Salud han evidenciado la potencialidad de ese dispositivo de participación social.

Práticas de cuidado em saúde mental desenvolvidas por enfermeiros na Estratégia Saúde da Família / Mental health care practices developed by nurses in the Family Health Strategy / Prácticas de salud mental desarrolladas por enfermeras en la Estrategia de Salud Familiar

Objetiva-se compreender as práticas de cuidado em saúde mental desenvolvidas por enfermeiros no âmbito da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Método: pesquisa exploratória, de abordagem qualitativa. Participaram do estudo 10 enfermeiros atuantes nas Estratégias Saúde da Família de um município da região Centro-Sul do Estado do Ceará. Resultados: a partir dos dados emergiram as categorias: Compreensão dos enfermeiros sobre o cuidado em saúde mental na Estratégia Saúde da Família e Práticas do enfermeiro no cuidado à Saúde Mental na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Conclusão: os enfermeiros não se sentem preparados para trabalhar com saúde mental, culminando na oferta de ações superficiais, sem considerar as necessidades reais dos usuários. É apontado, mesmo que poucas vezes, o acolhimento, a escuta, a preocupação com o retorno dos usuários as unidades e o referenciamento dos pacientes para os serviços especializados.(AU)

It aims to understand the mental health care practices developed by nurses within the scope of the Family Health Strategy. Method: exploratory, qualitative approach. A total of 10 nurses working in the Family Health Strategies of a municipality in the Center-South region of the State of Ceará participated in the study. Results: from the data emerged the categories: Nurses' understanding of mental health care in Family Health Strategies and Nurses Practices in Mental Health Care in Family Health Strategies. Conclusion: nurses do not feel prepared to work with mental health, culminating in the offer of superficial actions, without considering the real needs of the users. It is pointed out, even rarely, the reception, listening, concern with the return of users to the units and referencing of patients for specialized services.(AU)

Su objetivo es comprender las prácticas de atención de salud mental desarrolladas por las enfermeras en el ámbito de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar. Método: exploratorio, enfoque cualitativo. Un total de 10 enfermeras que trabajan en las Estrategias de Salud Familiar de un municipio en la región Centro-Sur del estado de Ceará participaron en el estudio. Resultados: de los datos surgieron las categorías: comprensión de las enfermeras sobre la atención de salud mental en estrategias de salud familiar y prácticas de enfermería en la atención de salud mental en estrategias de salud familiar. Conclusión: las enfermeras no se sienten preparadas para trabajar con la salud mental, culminando en la oferta de acciones superficiales, sin considerar las necesidades reales de los usuarios. Se señala, incluso en raras ocasiones, la recepción, la escucha, la preocupación por el regreso de los usuarios a las unidades y la referencia de pacientes a servicios especializados.(AU)

Consulta de enfermagem em puericultura na estratégia saúde da família: revisão integrativa / Nursing consultation in childcare in the family health strategy: integrative review / Consulta de enfermería en puericultura en la estrategia salud de la familia: revisión integrativa

Objetivo: analisar a produção científica sobre consulta de puericultura da enfermagem na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Métodos: revisão integrativa da literatura. Foram consultadas as fontes de dados do período 2008 a 2017, com um levantamento de produções pelos descritores enfermagem, puericultura e atenção básica nas Bases de Dados: LILACS, SciELO e MEDLINE. Na etapa inicial da pesquisa encontrou-se 33 artigos. Após aplicar os filtros ano de publicação, disponibilidade, idioma e leitura dos títulos, a amostra totalizou 14 artigos científicos. Resultados: Os atendimentos de enfermagem à saúde da criança acontecem de forma fragmentada, com foco em dados antropométricos, estado nutricional e, por vezes, a imunização. Conclusão: Assim, averiguou-se a necessidade de os gestores promoverem a capacitação dos profissionais de saúde, a criação de um instrumento de padronização do atendimento ao infante aprimorando a sistematização de enfermagem. O estudo limita-se por ter realizado recorte temporal das publicações e por não ter abrangido todas as bases de dados existentes.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the scientific production about nursing child care consultation in the Family Health Strategy. Methods: integrative literature review. Data sources were consulted from 2008 to 2017, with a survey of production by the descriptors nursing, child care and basic care in the Databases: LILACS, SCIELO and MEDLINE. In the initial stage of the research 33 articles were found. After applying the filters year of publication, availability, language and reading titles, the sample totaled 14 scientific articles. Results: Nursing care for children occurs in a fragmented way, focusing on anthropometric data, nutritional status and, sometimes, immunization. Conclusion: Thus, it was verified the need for managers to promote the qualification of health professionals, the creation of an instrument to standardize infant care, improving nursing systematization. The study is limited by the time-cut of the publications and by not having covered all the existing databases.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la producción científica sobre consulta de puericultura de la enfermería en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia. Métodos: revisión integrativa de la literatura. Se consultaron las fuentes de datos del período 2008 a 2017, con un levantamiento de producciones por los descriptores enfermería, puericultura y atención básica en las Bases de Datos: LILACS, SCIELO y MEDLINE. En la etapa inicial de la investigación se encontraron 33 artículos. Después de aplicar los filtros año de publicación, disponibilidad, idioma y lectura de los títulos, la muestra totalizó 14 artículos científicos. Resultados: Las atenciones de enfermería a la salud del niño ocurren de forma fragmentada, con foco en datos antropométricos, estado nutricional y, a veces, la inmunización. Conclusión: Así, se averiguó la necesidad de que los gestores promover la capacitación de los profesionales de salud, la creación de un instrumento de estandarización de la atención al infante mejorando la sistematización de enfermería. El estudio se limita por haber realizado recorte temporal de las publicaciones y por no haber abarcado todas las bases de datos existentes.(AU)

Overdiagnosis and overimaging: an ethical issue for radiological protection.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the key factors that influence the overimaging using X-ray such as self-referral, defensive medicine and duplicate imaging studies and to emphasize the ethical problem that derives from it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we focused on the more frequent sources of overdiagnosis such as the total-body CT, proposed in the form of screening in both public and private sector, the choice of the most sensitive test for each pathology such as pulmonary embolism, ultrasound investigations mostly of the thyroid and of the prostate and MR examinations, especially of the musculoskeletal system. RESULTS: The direct follow of overdiagnosis and overimaging is the increase in the risk of contrast media infusion, radiant damage, and costs in the worldwide healthcare system. The theme of the costs of overdiagnosis is strongly related to inappropriate or poorly appropriate imaging examination. CONCLUSIONS: We underline the ethical imperatives of trust and right conduct, because the major ethical problems in radiology emerge in the justification of medical exposures of patients in the practice. A close cooperation and collaboration across all the physicians responsible for patient care in requiring imaging examination is also important, balancing possible ionizing radiation disadvantages and patient benefits in terms of care.

Role of Radiology in the Assessment of Skeletons from Archeological Sites.

Radiology is an indispensable investigative tool for physical anthropologists and paleopathologists. Since its birth in 1895, X-ray has been useful in studying archeobiological finds. As a nondestructive technique of investigations, radiology allows for analysis of archeological finds without damaging them. Radiological investigations in anthropology are very important to assist: (1) reconstruction of biological profile (age at death, sex, stature, and ethnicity; (2) diagnosis pathological conditions, and life style (diet, physical stress, etc.); (3) interpretation of postdepositional process (diagenetic or taphonomic factors). We are sure that the importance of radiology in anthropology will continue to increase, and we confident that these disciplines will ultimately fuse and lead to the birth of a new professional branch of research: "Archeoradiology" or "Anthroradiology."

Ferric Carboxymaltose in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia: an effective, safe and cost- sparing alternative to blood transfusion.

Anaemia is highly prevalent in cancer patients, adversely affects quality of life and impacts survival. The pathogenesis is multifactorial, with iron deficiency being a major and potentially treatable contributor. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and economic impact of ferric carboxymaltose in chemotherapy-induced anaemia. This prospective cohort study between 2015-2016 of chemotherapy-treated patients for solid tumours, grade ≥2 anaemia and iron deficiency evaluated hematopoietic response four weeks after ferric carboxymaltose treatment. Transfusion rate of all cancer patients treated at our ambulatory unit during the two-year study period (2015-2016) was compared to a retrospective cohort (2013-2014) who received blood transfusion only. Between 2015-2016, 99 patients were included and treated with ferric carboxymaltose, the majority of whom (n = 81) had relative iron deficiency. Mean haemoglobin concentrations improved from 9.2 [6.7-10.8] g/dL to 10.6 [7.8-14.2] g/dL four weeks after treatment. A 26% reduction in the transfusion rate was observed from control retrospective to the prospective study group including ferric carboxymaltose treated patients [relative risk 0.74 (95% CI:0.66-0.83)]. The cost analysis showed a benefit for the use of ferric carboxymaltose in chemotherapy-induced anaemia. This study shows that ferric carboxymaltose is an effective, cost-saving support treatment, reducing the need for allogeneic transfusions saving blood units which are a limited resource.