Colorectal cancer in hispanics living near the U.S. - Mexico Border

Background The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the US has declined. The decreasing trend is observed in non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. However, close analysis of the trends demonstrates that the decline among Hispanics is less than other races/ethnicities. We investigate the burden of CRC in Hispanics living near the U.S.–Mexico border, a subpopulation of Hispanics composed primarily of individuals of Mexican origin. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate and compare incidence rates of CRC in non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics living in counties along the U.S.–Mexico border. Methods Data from the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute and State Cancer Profiles were analyzed to obtain CRC incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for persons ≥ 50 years of age residing in counties along the U.S.–Mexico border by race (non-Hispanic White and Hispanic) and gender from 2011 to 2015. Results Incidence rates of CRC in Hispanic men ≥ 50 years of age, living in counties along the U.S.–Mexico border, were higher than the national average for Hispanic men of similar age. In contrast, the incidence of CRC declined or remained stable in non-Hispanic Whites and women. Conclusions Our study unveils a significant disparity in CRC incidence among Hispanics living near the U.S.–Mexico border, disproportionally affecting men ≥ 50 years of age. Socioeconomic and cultural/lifestyle factors are likely contributing to these disparities.

Prevalence of antithyroperoxidase antibodies in a multiethnic Brazilian population: The ELSA-Brasil Study

ABSTRACT Objective In this study, we aimed to describe the prevalence and distribution of positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) according to sex, age strata, and presence of thyroid dysfunction using baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Materials and methods Thyroid hormone tests were obtained from each study participant at baseline. Levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured using a third-generation immunoenzymatic assay. Antithyroperoxidase antibodies were measured by electrochemiluminescence and were considered to be positive when ≥ 34 IU/mL. Results The prevalence of TPOAb among 13,503 study participants was 12%. Of participants with positive TPOAb, 69% were women. Almost 60% of the individuals with positive TPOAb were white. The presence of positive TPOAb was associated with the entire spectrum of thyroid diseases among women, but only with overt hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism in men. Conclusion The distribution of positive TPOAb across sex, race, age, and thyroid function in the ELSA-Brasil study is aligned with the worldwide prevalence of positive TPOAb reported in iodine-sufficient areas. In women, the presence of TPOAb was related to the entire spectrum of thyroid dysfunction, while in men, it was only related to the occurrence of overt thyroid disease.

A dança dos números: aferindo experiências de discriminação em grupos multiplamente marginalizados / Dancing with numbers: measuring experiences with among multiply marginalized groups / Baile de números: evaluando experiencias de discriminación en grupos marginalizados múltiplemente

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a Escala de Discriminação Explícita (EDE), buscando identificar sua capacidade em refletir experiências de discriminação interseccionais sob a perspectiva do cruzamento entre cor/raça, sexo/gênero e posição socioeconômica. Trata-se de estudo baseado em dados de uma pesquisa realizada com uma amostra representativa de estudantes (n = 1.023) da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, regularmente matriculados no primeiro semestre de 2012. A análise estatística incluiu estimação das frequências relativas de cada um dos 18 itens da EDE, bem como de suas principais motivações, estratificadas por sexo/gênero, cor/raça e posição socioeconômica. Modelos de regressão binomial negativa possibilitaram avaliar se sexo/gênero, cor/raça e posição socioeconômica constituem preditores do escore de discriminação obtido com o instrumento, mesmo após o ajuste para covariáveis que potencialmente afetam as relações de interesse. Os resultados da análise de cada um dos 18 itens do instrumento sugerem que a EDE possibilita a mensuração da discriminação dentro de um quadro interseccional, uma vez que traz à tona as experiências discriminatórias vivenciadas por subgrupos minoritários, tais como mulheres negras e de posição socioeconômica baixa. Contudo, tal tendência não foi observada no escore global do instrumento, sugerindo que ele não permite situar os respondentes num espectro de variação de discriminação, que inclui graus menos e mais intensos do fenômeno. Pesquisas futuras são necessárias a fim de enfrentar a limitação observada e, assim, dar maior visibilidade às experiências de discriminação de grupos multiplamente marginalizados.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the Explicit Discrimination Scale (EDS), in order to determine its capacity to reflect intersectional experiences with discrimination among groups subjected to class, race, and gender oppression. The study was based on data from a study conducted in a representative sample of students (n = 1,023) at Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, regularly enrolled during the first semester of 2012. The statistical analysis included estimation of the relative frequencies of each of the 18 items in the EDS, as well as the main reasons, stratified by sex/gender, color/race, and socioeconomic status. Negative binomial regression models allowed assessing whether sex/gender, race/color, and socioeconomic status are predictors of the discrimination score, even after adjusting for covariates that potentially affect the target associations. The results of the analysis of each of the instrument's 18 items suggest that the EDS allows measurement of discrimination in among multiply marginalized groups, since it draws out the experiences with discrimination in minority subgroups, such as low-income black women. Still, this tendency was not observed in the instrument's global score, suggesting that it does not allow positioning the respondent along a spectrum of discrimination that includes less and more intense expressions of the phenomenon. Future studies are needed to deal with this observed limitation and which thus lend greater visibility to the experiences of discrimination in groups exposed to multiple marginalization.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la Escala de Discriminación Explícita (EDE), buscando identificar en su elaboración la interseccionalidad, desde la perspectiva del cruce entre color/raza, sexo/género y posición socioeconómica. Se trata de un estudio basado en datos de una investigación realizada con una muestra representativa de estudiantes (n = 1.023) de la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina, regularmente matriculados en el primer semestre de 2012. El análisis estadístico incluyó una estimación de las frecuencias relativas de cada uno de los 18 ítems de la EDE, así como sus principales motivaciones, estratificadas por sexo/género, color/raza y posición socioeconómica. Los modelos de regresión binomial negativa posibilitaron evaluar si el sexo/género, color/raza y posición socioeconómica constituyen predictores del marcador de discriminación, obtenido con este instrumento, incluso tras el ajuste respecto a las covariables que potencialmente afectan las relaciones de interés. Los resultados del análisis de cada uno de los 18 ítems del instrumento sugieren que la EDE posibilita la medida de discriminación dentro de un cuadro interseccional, ya que pone en tela de juicio las experiencias discriminatorias vividas por subgrupos minoritarios, tales como mujeres negras y de posición socioeconómica baja. No obstante, tal tendencia no se observó en el marcador global del instrumento, sugiriendo que no permite situar a quienes respondieron en un espectro de variación de discriminación, que incluye grados más y menos intensos del fenómeno. Se necesitan investigaciones futuras, con el fin de hacer frente a la limitación observada y, así, dar mayor visibilidad a las experiencias de discriminación de grupos múltiplemente marginalizados.

Raça/cor da pele e transtornos mentais no Brasil: uma revisão sistemática / Race/skin color and mental health disorders in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature

Resumo Transtornos mentais contribuem para uma grande carga de incapacidade. Esta revisão sistemática tem como objetivo resumir a literatura sobre raça/cor da pele e transtornos mentais no Brasil. PubMed e Lilacs foram pesquisados com o uso de descritores sobre transtornos mentais (depressão, ansiedade, etc.) e raça/cor da pele. Estudos sobre grupos não populacionais, que não analisaram raça/cor da pele, ou em que o transtorno mental não foi o objeto de estudo não foram incluídos. Depois da avaliação de qualidade, 14 estudos foram selecionados para inclusão. A tendência foi uma prevalência maior de transtornos mentais nas pessoas não brancas. Das seis análises multivariadas que acharam resultados estatisticamente significantes, cinco mostraram uma maior prevalência ou chance de transtornos mentais nas pessoas não brancas em comparação com pessoas brancas (medida de associação entre 1,18 e 1,85). Essa revisão contribuiu para identificar a tendência na literatura em relação à associação entre raça/cor da pele e transtornos mentais, mas há importantes dificuldades com relação à comparabilidade dos estudos, principalmente, em função das diferenças em relação aos transtornos mentais estudados, as formas de categorizar raça/cor da pele e nos instrumentos utilizados nos estudos analisados.

Abstract Mental health disorders contribute a significant burden to society. This systematic literature review aims to summarize the current state of the literature on race/skin color and mental health disorders in Brazil. Methods: PubMed and Lilacs were searched using descriptors for mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, Common Mental Disorders, psychiatric morbidity, etc.) and race to find studies conducted in Brazil. Studies of non-population groups, that did not analyze race/skin color, or for which the mental disorder was not the object of study were excluded. After evaluation of quality, 14 articles were selected for inclusion. There was an overall higher prevalence of mental health disorders in non-Whites. Of the six multivariate analyses that found statistically significant results, five indicated a greater prevalence or odds of mental health disorder in non-Whites compared to Whites (measure of association between 1.18-1.85). This review identified the trend in the literature regarding the association between race and mental health disorders. However, important difficulties complicate the comparability of the studies, principally in function of the differences in the mental health disorders studied, the method of categorizing race/skin color, and the screening tools used in the studies analyzed.

Depression and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in HIV-positive men in São Paulo, the largest city in South America: Social and psychological implications

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in two groups of individuals: men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with women (MSW). METHODS: Two hundred and sixteen participants (MSM=116; MSW=100) who visited the Clinics Hospital of the School of the Medicine of the University of São Paulo completed two independent surveys (the BECK Depression Inventory and an adherence self-declared questionnaire) to evaluate their depression status and adherence to antiretroviral treatment, respectively. RESULTS: The study highlighted a positive relationship between depression and low adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in these patients regardless of age and sexual orientation. In addition, MSM subjects were two times more prone than MSW subjects to develop depression symptoms. White or mixed race men showed 7.6 times greater adherence to treatment than black men. The probability of complete adherence to treatment was 3.8 times higher in non-depressed subjects than in depressed subjects regardless of their ethnicity. The chance of developing depression was 4.17 times higher for an individual with non-adherent behavior than for an adherent individual. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with low adherence rates have proportionally higher depression rates. Depressed men tend to show less adherence to treatment. Black but not mixed race or white men show less adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and have a greater chance of developing depression, which directly interferes with adherence. The chances of developing depression are four times greater for a patient with non-adherent behavior than for a patient with adherent behavior.

Differential reporting of discriminatory experiences in Brazil and the United States / Relatos diferenciados de experiências com discriminação no Brasil e Estados Unidos / Relatos diferenciados de experiencias con discriminación en Brasil y Estados Unidos

Abstract: There has been little cross-national comparison of perceived discrimination, and few studies have considered how intersectional identities shape perception of discriminatory treatment in different societies. Using data from the ELSA-Brasil, a study of Brazilian civil servants, and the Americans’ Changing Lives Study, a nationally-representative sample of U.S. adults, we compare reports of lifetime discrimination among race-by-gender groups in each society. We also consider whether educational attainment explains any group differences, or if differences across groups vary by level of education. Results reveal higher lifetime discrimination experiences among Black respondents in both countries, especially Black men, than among Whites, and lower reports among White women than White men. Brown men and women also reported higher levels than White men in Brazil. For all race-by-gender groups in both countries, except Brazilian White men, reports of discrimination were higher among the more educated, though adjusting for educational differences across groups did not explain group differences. In Brazil, we found the greatest racial disparities among the college educated, while U.S. Black men were more likely to report discrimination than White men at all levels of education. Results reveal broad similarities across countries, despite important differences in their histories, and an intersectional approach contributed to identification of these similarities and some differences in discrimination experiences. These findings have implications for social and public health surveillance and intervention to address the harmful consequences of discrimination.

Resumo: Há poucos estudos comparativos entre países sobre a experiência com a discriminação percebida, e poucos examinaram a maneira pela qual as identidades interseccionais configuram a percepção do tratamento discriminatório nas diferentes sociedades. Com base em dados do ELSA-Brasil (um estudo de funcionários públicos brasileiros) e do Americans’ Changing Lives Study (em uma amostra nacional representativa de adultos americanos), os autores comparam os relatos de grupos diferentes em relação à discriminação sofrida ao longo da vida, de acordo com raça e gênero, em cada sociedade. O estudo também investiga se o grau de escolaridade explica as diferenças entre grupos, ou se as diferenças dentro do mesmo grupo variam de acordo com a escolaridade. Os resultados mostram uma percepção maior de discriminação entre indivíduos negros em ambos os países, principalmente homens negros, comparado com brancos, além de menos relatos de discriminação sofrida por mulheres brancas comparado com homens brancos. No Brasil, mulheres e homens pardos relataram maiores níveis de discriminação em comparação com homens brancos. Com exceção de homens brancos, para todos os grupos analisados por raça e gênero, os relatos de discriminação foram mais frequentes entre os mais escolarizados, embora o ajuste por diferenças de escolaridade dentro dos grupos não explicasse as diferenças entre grupos. No Brasil, encontramos as maiores disparidades raciais entre indivíduos com nível superior, enquanto nos Estados Unidos, os homens negros relatavam mais discriminação do que os homens brancos, independentemente de grau de escolaridade. Os resultados revelam semelhanças gerais entre os dois países, apesar de importantes diferenças históricas. A abordagem interseccional contribuiu para a identificação dessas semelhanças e de algumas diferenças nas experiências com a discriminação. Os achados do estudo têm implicações importantes para a vigilância social e sanitária, assim como, para intervenções voltadas ao enfrentamento das consequências danosas da discriminação.

Resumen: Existen pocos estudios comparativos entre países sobre la experiencia con la discriminación percibida, y pocos examinaron la manera mediante la cual las identidades interseccionales configuran la percepción del tratamiento discriminatorio en las diferentes sociedades. En base a los datos del ELSA-Brasil (un estudio de funcionarios públicos brasileños) y del Americans’ Changing Lives Study (en una muestra nacional representativa de adultos americanos), los autores comparan los relatos de grupos diferentes, en relación a la discriminación sufrida a lo largo de la vida, de acuerdo con raza y género, en cada sociedad. El estudio también investiga si el grado de escolaridad explica las diferencias entre grupos, o si las diferencias dentro del mismo grupo varían de acuerdo con la escolaridad. Los resultados muestran una percepción mayor de discriminación entre individuos negros en ambos países, principalmente hombres negros, comparado con los blancos, además de menos relatos de discriminación sufrida por mujeres blancas, comparado con hombres blancos. En Brasil, mujeres y hombres mestizos relataron mayores niveles de discriminación, en comparación con los hombres blancos. Con excepción de hombres blancos, para todos los grupos analizados por raza y género, los relatos de discriminación fueron más frecuentes entre los más escolarizados, aunque el ajuste por diferencias de escolaridad dentro de los grupos no explicase las diferencias entre grupos. En Brasil, encontramos las mayores disparidades raciales entre individuos con nivel superior, mientras en los Estados Unidos, los hombres negros relataban más discriminación que los hombres blancos, independientemente del grado de escolaridad. Los resultados revelan semejanzas generales entre los dos países, a pesar de importantes diferencias históricas. El abordaje interseccional contribuyó a la identificación de esas semejanzas y de algunas diferencias en las experiencias con la discriminación. Los hallazgos del estudio tienen implicaciones importantes para la vigilancia social y sanitaria, así como, para intervenciones dirigidas a hacer frente a las consecuencias perniciosas de la discriminación.

Volatilidade classificatória e a (in)consistência da desigualdade racial / Volatilidad clasificatoria y la (in)consistencia de la desigualdad racial / Classificatory volatility and (in)consistency of racial inequality

O monitoramento de desigualdades raciais, seja num plano socioeconômico ou em termos de desfechos de saúde, pressupõe que a declaração da raça apresente estabilidade. Caso contrário, a dinâmica dessas desigualdades poderia resultar da reclassificação racial, e não de processos vinculados a iniquidades socioeconômicas e de saúde. Este estudo propõe uma tipologia da incerteza racial classificatória (contextual - temporal, geográfica, procedimental - e amostral) e discute, com base na literatura e dados secundários nacionalmente representativos, a magnitude da variabilidade racial segundo essas cinco dimensões. Os resultados demonstram que, pelo menos, duas dessas incertezas - geográfica e procedimental - são substanciais, mas têm pouca influência sobre o hiato racial de renda. Abordam-se os impactos desses resultados sobre a existência e a extensão das iniquidades raciais em saúde e conclui-se que a estrutura das desigualdades entre brancos e negros é consistente, ainda que a cor da pele seja volátil.

El monitoreo de desigualdades raciales, sea en un plano socioeconómico o en términos de desenlaces de salud, presupone que la declaración de raza presenta estabilidad. En caso contrario, la dinámica de estas desigualdades podría resultar de una reclasificación racial, y no de procesos vinculados a inequidades socioeconómicas y de la salud. Este estudio propone una tipología de la incertidumbre racial clasificatoria (contextual -temporal, geográfica, procedimental- y muestral) y discute, a partir de la literatura y de datos secundarios nacionalmente representativos, la magnitud de la variabilidad racial, según estas cinco dimensiones. Los resultados demuestran que, por lo menos, dos de esas incertezas -geográfica y procedimental- son sustanciales, pero tienen poca influencia sobre el hiato racial de renta. Se abordan los impactos de esos resultados sobre la existencia y la extensión de las inequidades raciales en salud y se concluye que la estructura de las desigualdades entre blancos y negros es consistente, aunque el color de la piel sea volátil.

Monitoring racial inequalities, whether socioeconomic or health-related, assumes stability in racial classification. Otherwise, the dynamics of these inequalities could result from racial reclassification rather than from processes related to socioeconomic and health inequalities per se. The study proposes a typology of uncertainty in racial classification (contextual - temporal, geographic, procedural - and sampling) and draws on the literature and nationally representative secondary data to discuss the magnitude of racial variability in Brazil according to these five dimensions. The results show that at least two of these uncertainties - geographic and procedural - are substantial, but have little influence on the racial gap in income. We address the impacts of these results on the existence and extent of racial inequalities in health and conclude that the structure of inequalities between whites and blacks is consistent, although skin color classification is volatile.

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Cardiovascular Disease Across Countries and Ethnicities

Despite substantial differences in ethnicities, habits, cultures, the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and affordable therapies, atherosclerosis remains the major cause of death in developing and developed countries. However, irrespective of these differences, inflammation is currently recognized as the common pathway for the major complications of atherosclerosis, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. A PubMed search was conducted for “high-sensitivity C-reactive protein” (hs-CRP) in combination with the terms race, ethnicity, gender, prevalence, geographic, epidemiology, cardiovascular, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, smoking, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and mortality. This review includes the articles that pertained to the topic and additional articles identified from the reference lists of relevant publications. This review describes the marked differences in cardiovascular mortality across countries and ethnicities, which may be attributed to inequalities in the prevalence of the classic risk factors and the stage of cardiovascular epidemiological transition. However, hs-CRP appears to contribute to the prognostic information regarding cardiovascular risk and mortality even after multiple adjustments. Considering the perception of cardiovascular disease as an inflammatory disease, the more widespread use of hs-CRP appears to represent a valid tool to identify people at risk, independent of their ancestry or geographic region. In conclusion, this review reports that the complications associated with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are triggered by the major mechanisms of dyslipidemia and inflammation; whereas both mechanisms are influenced by classic risk factors, hs-CRP contributes additional information regarding cardiovascular events and mortality.

Morphologic Variability of the Shoulder between the Populations of North American and East Asian

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if there were significant differences in glenohumeral joint morphology between North American and East Asian populations that may influence sizing and selection of shoulder arthroplasty systems. METHODS: Computed tomography reconstructions of 92 North American and 58 East Asian patients were used to perform 3-dimensional measurements. The proximal humeral position was normalized in all patients by aligning it with the scapular plane utilizing anatomic landmarks. Measurements were performed on the humerus and scapula and included coronal and axial humeral head radius, humeral neck shaft and articular arc angles, glenoid height and width, and critical shoulder angle. Glenohumeral relationships were also measured and included lateral distance to the greater tuberosity and acromion, abduction lever arm, and acromial index. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were used to compare population metrics. RESULTS: East Asian glenohumeral measurements were significantly smaller for all linear metrics (p < 0.05), with the exception of acromial length, which was greater than in the North American cohort (p < 0.001). The increase in acromial length affected all measurements involving the acromion including abduction lever arms. No difference was found between the neck shaft and articular angular measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The East Asian population exhibited smaller shoulder morphometrics than their North American cohort, with the exception of an extended acromial overhang. The morphologic data can provide some additional factors to consider when choosing an optimal shoulder implant for the East Asian population, in addition to creating future designs that may better accommodate this population.

Migrant nurses in Brazil: demographic characteristics, migration flow and relationship with the training process / Enfermeiros migrantes no Brasil: características demográficas, fluxos migratórios e relação com o processo de formação / Enfermeros migrantes en Brasil: características demográficas, flujos migratorios y relación con el proceso de formación

Objective to analyze the migration of nurses in Brazil, describe the demographic characteristics of migrant nurses, the main migration flows, and establish relationships with the training process. Method a descriptive, exploratory study, based on 2010 Census data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result there were 355,383 nurses in Brazil in 2010. Of these, 36,479 (10.3%) reported having moved compared to the year 2005: 18,073 (5.1%) for intrastate migration, 17,525 (4.8%) interstate migration, and 871 (0.2%) international migration. Females (86.3%), Caucasians (65.2%), and unmarried (48.3%) nurses prevailed in the population, without considerable variation between groups according to migration situation. The findings indicate that the migration flows are driven by the training process for states that concentrate a greater number of courses and positions in undergraduate and graduate studies, and the motivation of employment opportunity in regions of economic expansion in the country. Conclusion it is necessary to deepen the discussion on the movement of nurses in Brazil, their motivations, and international migration.

Objetivo analisar a migração de enfermeiros no Brasil, descrevendo as características demográficas dos enfermeiros migrantes, os principais fluxos migratórios, estabelecendo relações com o processo formativo. Método estudo descritivo exploratório, a partir dos dados do Censo Demográfico do ano 2010. Os dados foram tratados pela estatística descritiva. Resultado havia 355.383 enfermeiros residentes no Brasil no ano 2010. Desses, 36.479 (10,3%) relataram movimentação na comparação com o ano 2005, sendo 18.073 (5,1%) por migração intraestadual, 17.525 (4,8%) por migração interestadual e 871 (0,2%) por migração internacional. Predominou, na população de enfermeiros, o sexo feminino (86,3%), a raça/cor da pele branca (65,2%) e o estado civil solteiro (48,3%), sem variações consideráveis entre os grupos, segundo a situação de migração. Os achados indicam fluxos de migração orientados pelo processo de formação para Estados que concentram número de cursos e vagas na graduação e pós-graduação stricto sensu e a motivação por oportunidade de empregos em regiões de expansão econômica do país. Conclusão é necessário aprofundar a discussão sobre a movimentação de enfermeiros no Brasil, suas motivações e fluxos migratórios internacionais.

Objetivo analizar la migración de enfermeros en Brasil, describiendo las características demográficas de los enfermeros migrantes, los principales flujos migratorios, estableciendo relaciones con el proceso de formación. Método estudio descriptivo exploratorio, a partir de los datos del Censo Demográfico del año 2010. Los datos se analizaron utilizando la estadística descriptiva. Resultado había 355,383 enfermeros residentes en Brasil en el año 2010. De esos, 36,479 (10.3%) reportaron movimiento en comparación con el año 2005, de los cuales 18,073 (5.1%) fue por migración dentro del estado, 17,525 (4.8%) por migración entre los estado y 871 (0.2%) por migración internacional. Ha predominado, en la población de enfermeros, el sexo femenino (86.3%), la raza/color de la piel blanca (65.2%) y el estado civil soltero (48.3%), sin variaciones considerables entre los grupos, según la situación de migración. Los hallazgos indican flujos de migración motivados por el proceso de formación para Estados que concentra un número de cursos y lugares en a nivel licenciatura y postgrado stricto sensu y la motivación por oportunidad de empleos en regiones de expansión económica del país. Conclusión es necesario profundizar la discusión sobre el movimiento de enfermeros en Brasil, sus motivaciones y flujos migratorios internacionales.

Differentials in risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases from the race/color standpoint / Diferenciais dos fatores de risco de Doenças Crônicas não Transmissíveis na perspectiva de raça/cor

This article aims to analyze the differences between the prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable chronic disease by race/color. It is a cross-sectional study using data from a telephone survey of 45,448 adults. Prevalence ratios for chronic disease risk factors by race/color were calculated. After adjustments were made for education and income, race/color differences persisted. Among afro-descendant and mulatto women and mulatto men a higher prevalence ratio was identified of physical activity at work and physical activity at home. Afro-descendant women and mulatto men indulged in less physical inactivity. Mulatto men and women showed a lower prevalence of smoking and consumption of 20 cigarettes daily and lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. A higher consumption of full-fat milk with and beans was observed among afro-descendant and mulatto men. Afro-descendant women had a lower prevalence of drinking and driving. Afro-descendant women and men ate more meat with fat and afro-descendant men suffered more from hypertension. Differences in risk factors by race/color can be explained by cultural aspects, by not fully adjustable socioeconomic differences that determine less access to goods and less opportunities for the afro-descendant population.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as diferenças entre as prevalências de fatores de risco de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis segundo raça/cor. Estudo transversal com dados de inquérito telefônico com 45.448 adultos. Foram calculadas as Razões de Prevalencia dos fatores de risco de doenças crônicas segundo raça/cor. Após ajustes realizados segundo escolaridade e renda, persistiram diferenças de raça/cor. Entre mulheres pretas, pardas e homens pardos foi identificada maior razão de prevalência na atividade física no trabalho e na atividade física doméstica. Mulheres pretas e homens pardos apresentaram menor inatividade física. Mulheres e homens pardos apresentaram menor razão de prevalência de fumo e consumo de 20 cigarros diários, menor consumo de frutas e hortaliças, maior de leite com gorduras, maior consumo de feijão foi observado entre homens pardos e pretos. Mulheres pretas tiveram menor prevalência de consumo de álcool e direção. Mulheres e homens pretos consumiram mais carnes com gorduras, homens pretos referiram mais hipertensão arterial. Diferenças nos fatores de risco segundo raça/cor podem ser explicados por aspectos culturais, por diferenças socioeconômicas não plenamente ajustáveis, que determinam menor acesso a bens e menos oportunidades para a população negra.

Clinical and pathological evaluation of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a single center study of 21 cases

OBJECTIVES: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare primary malignant liver tumor that differs from conventional hepatocellular carcinoma in several aspects. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, surgical and histopathological features of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma and to analyze the factors associated with survival. METHODS: We identified 21 patients with histopathologically diagnosed fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma over a 22-year period. Clinical information was collected from medical records and biopsies, and surgical specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 20 years. Most patients were female (67%) and did not have associated chronic liver disease. Most patients had a single nodule, and the median tumor size was 120 mm. Vascular invasion was present in 31% of patients, and extra-hepatic metastases were present in 53%. Fourteen patients underwent surgery as the first-line therapy, three received chemotherapy, and four received palliative care. Eighteen patients had “pure fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma,” whereas three had a distinct area of conventional hepatocellular carcinoma and were classified as having “mixed fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.” The median overall survival was 36 months. The presence of “mixed fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma” and macrovascular invasion were predictors of poor survival. Vascular invasion was associated with an increased risk of recurrence in patients who underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma was more common in young female patients without chronic liver disease. Surgery was the first therapeutic option to achieve disease control, even in advanced cases. Vascular invasion was a risk factor for tumor recurrence. The presence of macrovascular invasion and areas of conventional hepatocellular carcinoma were directly related to poor survival. .

Screening Colonoscopy among Uninsured and Underinsured Urban Minorities

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Uninsured individuals have lower rates of screening colonoscopy (SC), and little is known regarding the pathology results obtained when they undergo colonoscopies. Since 2004, we have participated in a program that offers SC to uninsured New Yorkers; herein, we report our findings. METHODS: Uninsured, average-risk patients who were at least 50 years of age underwent SC at our institution between April 2004 and June 2011. We analyzed polyp pathology, location, size, incidence of adenomas, and incidence of adenomas with advanced pathology (AAP) with respect to ethnicity, gender, and age. RESULTS: Out of 493 referrals, 222 patients completed the colonoscopies. Polyps were identified in 21.2% of all patients; 14% had adenomas, and 4.5% had AAP. The rates of adenomas among African-Americans, Hispanics, and Whites were 24.3%, 12.1%, and 11.6%, respectively, and the corresponding rates of AAP were 10.8%, 3.5%, and 2.3%. Differences in the polyp type, location, and AAP did not reach statistical significance with respect to ethnicity or gender. Patients aged 60 and older were found to have a higher rate of advanced adenomas compared with younger patients (8.6% vs 2.6%, p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Further efforts to fund screening colonoscopies for uninsured individuals will likely result in the identification of advanced lesions of the colon before they progress to colorectal cancer.

Body fat percentage of urban South African children: implications for health and fitness / El porcentaje de grasa corporal en niños sudafricanos urbanos: implicaciones para la salud y la condición física

OBJECTIVE: To explore gender and racial profiling of percentage body fat of 1136 urban South African children attending public schools in Pretoria Central. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey of 1136 randomly selected children (548 boys and 588 girls) aged 9-13 years in urban (Pretoria Central) South Africa. Body mass, stature, skinfolds (subscapular and triceps) were measured. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations). Differences in the mean body fat percentage were examined for boys and girls according to their age group/race, using independent t-test samples. RESULTS: Girls had a significantly (p = 0.001) higher percentage body fat (22.7 ±5.7% (95% CI = 22.3, compared to boys (16.1 ± 7.7%, 95% CI = 15.5, 16.8). Percentage body fat fluctuated with age in both boys and girls. Additionally, girls had significantly (p = 0.001) higher percentage body fat measurements at all ages compared to boys. Viewed racially, black children (20.1 ± 7.5) were significantly (p = 0.010) fatter than white children (19.0 ± 7.4) with a mean difference of 4.0. Black children were fatter than white children at ages 9, 10, 12 and 13 years, with a significant difference (p = 0.009) observed at age 12 years. CONCLUSION: There was a considerably higher level of excessive percentage body fat among school children in Central Pretoria, South Africa, with girls having significantly higher percentage body fat compared to boys. Racially, black children were fatter than white children. The excessive percentage body fat observed among the children in this study has implications for their health and fitness. Therefore, an intervention programme must be instituted in schools to prevent and control possible excessive percentage body fat in this age group.

OBJETIVO: Explorar la evaluación por perfil de raza y género del porcentaje de grasa corporal de 1136 niños sudafricanos de áreas urbanas, que asisten a escuelas públicas en Pretoria Central. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio transversal de 1136 niños seleccionados aleatoriamente (548 niños y 588 niñas) de 9-13 años de edad en Sudáfrica urbana (Pretoria Central). Se midieron la masa corporal, la estatura, y los pliegues cutáneos (tríceps y subescapular). Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva (medias y desviaciones estándar). Se examinaron las diferencias en el porcentaje degrasa corporal promedio de niñosyniñas según su grupo de edad/raza, utilizando prueba t para muestras independientes. RESULTADOS: Las niñas presentaban un porcentaje de grasa corporal (22.7 ±5.7%, 95% CI= 22.3, 23.2) significativamente mayor (p = 0.001) en comparación con los niños (16.1 ± 7.7%, 95% CI = 15.5, 16.8). El porcentaje de grasa corporal fluctuó con la edad tanto en los niños como en las niñas. Además, las niñas presentaron mediciones de grasa corporal significativamente más altas (p = 0.001) para todas las edades, en comparación con los niños. Racialmente, los niños negros (20.1 ± 7.5) fueron significativamente (p = 0.010) más gordos que los niños blancos (19.0 ± 7.4) con una diferencia media de 4.0. Los niños negros eran más gordos que los niños blancos en las edades de 9, 10, 12 y 13 años, con una diferencia significativa (p = 0.009) observada en la edad de 12 años. CONCLUSIÓN: Hubo un nivel considerablemente superior de porcentaje de grasa corporal excesiva entre los escolares de Pretoria Central, Sudáfrica, poseyendo las niñas un porcentaje de grasa corporal significativamente mayor que los niños. Racialmente, los niños negros eran más gordos que los niños blancos. El porcentaje de grasa corporal excesiva observada entre los niños de este estudio tiene implicaciones para su salud y su condición física. Por lo tanto, un programa de intervención debe ser instituido en las escuelas para prevenir y controlar posibles excesos en ea porcentaje de grasa corporal en este grupo etario.

The prevalence of prostate cancer in Brazil is higher in Black men than in White men: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Black men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer compared with White men in several countries. In Brazil, most studies reported a similar prevalence of prostate cancer between Blacks and Whites as a result of the high race mixture of the population. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of the prevalence of prostate cancer in Black versus White, Brown versus White, and Black versus Brown Brazilian men. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This systematic review included cohort, cross sectional and case-control studies comparing the prevalence of prostate cancer between races in Brazil. It was performed using an electronic search of references in bibliographic databases, and dissertations and theses databases from several Brazilian hospitals, universities, and schools of medicine. Meta-analysis was conducted using the RevMan software from the Cochrane Collaboration. To control for potential confounding variables, sensitivity analyses excluding case-control and cross sectional studies were performed. MEASUREMENTS: The outcomes of interest included the number of participants, prevalence of prostate cancer, and odds ratio of cancer between Black and White men, Brown and White men, and Black and Brown men. Results and Limitations: Twelve studies approaching the prevalence of prostate cancer in Black or Brown vs. White men in Brazil were identified, totalizing 41388 participants. The prevalence of prostate cancer was 9.6% in Black vs. 5.6% in White men (OR 1.58), 10.1% in Black vs. 6.7% in Brown men (OR 1.43), and 6.7% in Brown vs. 6.6% in White men (OR 1.14). Limitations of this review reflect the complexity and ambiguity in the definition of who is Black and who is not in such an heterogeneous population like the Brazilian people. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review with meta-analysis demonstrates a higher prevalence of prostate cancer in Black men compared to White or Brown Brazilian men. The prevalence of prostate cancer is similar in Brown versus White men.

Genotipo y fenotipo de la enzima tiopurina metiltransferasa en población chilena / Phenotype and genotype of thiopurine methyltransferase in Chilean individuals

Background: Thiopurines (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) are highly effective medications but with potential adverse effects. Thiopurine methyltransferase (TMPT) is the key enzyme in their pharmacokinetics and is genetically regulated. A low activity of TPMT is associated with myelotoxicity. The genotype and enzyme activity can vary by ethnicity. Aim: To study the activity and genotype of TPMT in a group of Chilean subjects. Material and Methods: In 200 healthy adult blood donors, TPMT activity was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Deficient, low, normal or high levels were defined when enzymatic activity was < 5, 6-24,25-55 and > 56 nmol/grHb/h, respectively. Genotyping of TPMT (*1, *2, *3A, *3B, *3C) was performed by PCR. Results: Seventy seven women (38.5%) and 123 men (61.5%), with an average age of 34.9 years were studied. Eighteen subjects (9%) had a low enzymatic activity, 178 (89%) had normal activity, 4 (2%) had high activity and no genotype deficient subjects were identified. The wild type genotype (*1) was found in 184 (92%) individuals and 16 (8%) were heterozygous for the variants: *2 (n = 2), *3A (n = 13) and *3C (n = 1). No homozygous subjects for these variants were identified. Wild type genotype had an increased enzymatic activity (40.8 ± 7.2 nmol/gHb/h) compared to heterozygous group (21.2 ± 3 nmol/ gHb/h; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Less than 10% of a Chilean population sample has a low enzymatic activity or allelic variants in the TPMT gene, supporting the use of thiopurines according to international recommendations.

Bens de consumo e insegurança alimentar: diferenças de gênero, cor de pele autorreferida e condição socioeconômica / Household appliances and food insecurity: gender, referred skin color and socioeconomic differences

OBJETIVO: Com base nos dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD, 2004), foram comparadas as diferenças na prevalência de insegurança moderada/grave em relação à segurança alimentar, e insegurança leve quanto à posse de bens de consumo e outras condições socioeconômicas e demográficas. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados os domicílios particulares permanentes, com rendimento domiciliar per capita de até um salário mínimo, utilizando-se a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar respondida por morador do domicílio (n=51.357). A associação entre as variáveis e a variável dependente (segurança alimentar) foi verificada pelo teste do Χ2 com nível de significância de 5 por cento. Foram calculadas razões de prevalência brutas e intervalos de confiança de 95 por cento e a análise ajustada foi conduzida por meio de regressão múltipla de Poisson, utilizando Stata 8.0, que incorpora as ponderações do desenho amostral com delineamento complexo. RESULTADOS: A renda domiciliar mensal per capita foi a variável com maior força de associação com a segurança alimentar. Tanto em áreas urbanas quanto rurais, foram encontradas elevadas razões de prevalência para insegurança alimentar moderada ou grave nos domicílios chefiados por mulheres, de cor negra, presença no domicílio de seis ou mais moradores, localização metropolitana e com ausência de alguns bens específicos (fogão, filtro, geladeira, freezer, máquina de lavar roupa e telefone celular). Em modelo que incluiu, entre os bens, apenas a posse de geladeira, a maior razão de prevalência ocorreu na renda de até » de salário mínimo, seguindo-se a ausência de posse de geladeira, tanto nos domicílios chefiados por homens brancos, como por negros e mulheres brancas ou negras. Embora os domicílios chefiados por mulheres e por negros apresentem maior insegurança alimentar, as diferenças intragrupais foram maiores em domicílios chefiados por homens brancos e menores nos de mulheres negras. CONCLUSÃO: Em nível nacional e em domicílios com renda de até um salário mínimo, condições socioeconômicas mais precárias estão associadas à insegurança alimentar, sendo a situação agravada naqueles chefiados por mulheres e onde residem pessoas de cor autorreferida como negra. A ausência de bens identifica, entre os pobres, a população mais vulnerável à insegurança alimentar e pode se constituir em indicador complementar, sobretudo em estudos locais, onde há escassez de recursos técnicos para coleta de dados e análises mais sofisticadas.

OBJECTIVE: Data from the National Household Survey 2004 was analyzed to compare differences in prevalence among moderate or severe food insecurity. Also, it was compared food security or mild food insecurity households in relation to the assets and other socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the household. METHOD: Private permanent households, with per capita monthly income of up to one minimum wage and with the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale answered by a household resident were studied (n=51,357). Association of variables with the dependent variable (food security) was verified using Χ2 test, with 5 percent significance level. Crude prevalence ratio, respective 95 percent confidence interval and adjusted analyses were carried out using Poisson multiple regression Stata 8.0. It considers the weights of the complex sampling design of the survey. RESULTS: The per capita monthly household income was the variable with strongest association to food security. Both in urban and rural areas, there were higher risk of moderate or severe food insecurity prevalence ratio when the head of the household was a female, black color, presence of six or more members in the household, metropolitan area and with absence of some specific assets (stove, water filter, refrigerator, freezer, washing machine and cellular phone). In a model that, among assets, included just the refrigerator, it was observed the highest prevalence ratio for household income of up to » of a minimum wage and after this, the absence of refrigerator among households headed by white and black males and white or black female. Although female and black headed households have greater food restriction, internal differences among these groups were higher for households headed by white males and lower for those headed by black females. CONCLUSION: At national level and households with monthly income of up to one minimum age, poor socioeconomic conditions are associated to household food insecurity. This situation is worse among those headed by women and black people. Among poor people, the absence of assets identifies the most vulnerable population to food insecurity and may be used as complementary indicator, mainly in local studies with poor technical resources for data collection and more sophisticated analyzes.

Mortalidade por raça/cor: evidências de desigualdades sociais em Vitória (ES), Brasil / Mortality by race/color: evidence of social inequalities in Vitória (ES), Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analisar a mortalidade por causa básica, sexo e raça/cor a partir do sistema de informações sobre mortalidade (SIM), em Vitória (ES), no período de 2003 a 2006. MÉTODOS: Foram calculados e analisados os coeficientes de mortalidade, segundo causa básica e sexo por raça/cor, bem como a idade média e mediana de óbito por causa básica, sexo e raça/cor. Foi calculado o risco relativo (RR) por sexo, idade e causa básica (p<0,05 e IC 95 por cento). RESULTADOS: A completitude da variável raça/cor no SIM variou de 1 por cento em 1996 para 81 por cento em 2006. Foi observado maior RR de óbito entre negros para transtornos mentais e comportamentais (RR=9,29), causas mal definidas (RR=8,71) e causas externas (RR=5,71). Entre mulheres negras, as causas externas apresentaram maior RR (2,38). Foi encontrada uma variação de até 33 anos na idade mediana do óbito entre brancos e negros. Conclusão: Este estudo reitera a existência de desigualdades raciais/étnicas na mortalidade, destacando-se a mortalidade por transtornos mentais e causas externas, além da mortalidade precoce que ocorre na população negra.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze mortality by cause and sex among groups of race or color from the mortality information system (MIS) in Vitória (Brazil), in the period from 2003 to 2006. METHODS: We calculated and analyzed the mortality rates according to underlying cause, sex and race/color, and the mean and median age of death by underlying cause, sex and race. We calculated the relative risk (RR) for age, sex and underlying cause (p<0.05 and CI 95 percent). RESULTS: The completeness of race/color in SIM ranged from 1 percent in 1996 to 81 percent in 2006. There was a greater RR of death among blacks for mental and behavioral disorders (RR=9.29), Ill-defined causes (RR=8.71), and external causes (RR=5.71). For black women, we highlight the external causes (RR=2.38). We found a variation of up to 33 years (nervous system) between whites and blacks. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the existence of unequal racial/ethnic mortality, highlighting the mortality from mental disorders and external causes, in addition to early mortality that occurs in the black population.

Vitimização por homicídios segundo características de raça no Brasil / Homicide victimization according to racial characteristics in Brazil / Victimización por homicidios según características de raza en Brasil

OBJETIVO: Descrever a tendência temporal da mortalidade por homicídio no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo de série temporal dos homicídios no Brasil de 2000 a 2009. As variáveis explicativas foram raça/cor, sexo e escolaridade. Os óbitos foram provenientes do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade. A análise de tendência foi realizada por meio de regressão polinomial para séries históricas (p < 0,05; intervalo de 95 por cento de confiança). RESULTADOS: A população negra representou 69 por cento das vítimas de homicídios em 2009. O número de homicídios aumentou entre a população negra e diminuiu entre a branca, com tendência de crescimento da taxa nos negros e de redução nos brancos no período. As taxas aumentaram nos grupos de maior e menor escolaridade entre negros, enquanto, entre brancos, reduziram para os de menor nível escolar e mantiveram-se estáveis no grupo com maior nível de escolaridade. Em 2009 negros tiveram maior risco de morte por homicídios do que a população branca, independentemente do nível de escolaridade. Entre 2004 e 2009, as taxas de homicídios na população branca diminuíram e aumentaram na negra. CONCLUSÕES: O risco relativo de homicídios cresce na população negra, sugerindo o aumento das desigualdades. A repercussão das medidas antiarmas no Brasil, implantada em 2004, foi positiva na população branca e discreta na população negra. Raça/cor pode predizer a ocorrência de homicídio.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the temporal patterns of mortality by homicide in Brazil. METHODS: A series of homicides in Brazil from 2000 to 2009 were studied. The explanatory variables were race/skin color, gender and education. The death statistics were obtained from the Mortality Information System. A trend analysis was performed by means of a polynomial regression for a historic time series (p < 0.05, 95 percent confidence interval). RESULTS: The black population represented 69 percent of the homicide victims in 2009. The homicide rate increased in the black population, while it decreased in the white population in the period studied. The homicide rate increased in groups with both higher and lower education among blacks; among whites, the rate decreased for those with the lowest level of schooling and remained stable in the group with higher educational levels. In 2009, blacks had a higher risk of death than whites from homicide, regardless of education level. Between 2004 and 2009, the homicide rate decreased in the white population, while it increased in the black population. CONCLUSIONS: The relative risk of falling victim to homicide increased in the black population, suggesting an increase in inequality. The effect of the anti-gun measures implemented in Brazil in 2004 was positive in the white population and less pronounced in the black population. Overall, race/skin color predicted the occurrence of homicide.

OBJETIVO: Describir la tendencia temporal de la mortalidad por homicidio en Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudio de serie temporal de los homicidios en Brasil de 2000 a 2009. Las variables explicativas fueron raza/color, sexo y escolaridad. Los óbitos fueron provenientes del Sistema de Informaciones de Mortalidad. El análisis de tendencia fue realizada por medio de regresión polinomial para series históricas (p<0,05; intervalo de 95 por ciento de confianza). RESULTADOS: La población negra representó 69 por ciento de las víctimas de homicidios en 2009. El número de homicidios aumentó entre la población negra y disminuyó entre la blanca, con tendencia de crecimiento de la tasa en los negros y de reducción en los blancos en el período. Las tasas aumentaron en los grupos de mayor y menor escolaridad entre negros, mientras que, entre blancos, disminuyeron para los de menor nivel escolar y se mantuvieron estables en el grupo con mayor nivel de escolaridad. En 2009 negros tuvieron mayor riesgo de muerte por homicidios, independientemente del nivel de escolaridad. Posterior a 2004, las tasas de homicidios en la población blanca disminuyeron y aumentaron en la negra. CONCLUSIONES: El riesgo relativo de homicidios crece en la población negra, sugiriendo el aumento de las desigualdades. La repercusión de las medidas anti-armas en Brasil, implantada en 2004, fue positiva en la población blanca y discreta en la población negra. Raza/color puede predecir la ocurrencia de homicidio.

Cephalometric norms for Central Indian population using Burstone and Legan analysis.

Background: Lateral cephalometric standards of normal Central Indian adults having class I occlusion and acceptable facial profile were studied using the Burstone and Legan comprehensive cephalometric analyses that are specific for orthognathic surgery. Aim: To study normal dentofacial patterns of adult population belonging to Central India. Materials and Methods: Cephalometric radiographs of 76 Central Indian adults (38 males and 38 females) having class I occlusion with acceptable facial profile were analyzed, and the mean values of their hard and soft tissue measurements were compared with those of Caucasian adults as reported in the literature. Results: The Central Indian males demonstratedgreater anterior cranial base length and ramal length and a reduced chin depth. The inclination of the upper and lower incisors was also greater. The females demonstrated greater posterior cranial base length, increased upper anterior and posterior facial heights, and an increased maxillary length. Both mandibular body and ramal lengths were increased and there was greater mandibular protrusion and a reduced chin depth. The lower incisors were found to be proclinated. Conclusion: This study reveals that some of the cephalometric parameters in the Central Indian population are significantly different than that of the Caucasian population, especially in the females.