Quality of life among schoolchildren with acne: results of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a common problem in adolescent children and has a considerable impact on their quality of life. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Serbian adolescents with acne, using 2 questionnaires: The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) and to provide a cross validation of 2 scales. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the pupils of the secondary railway-technical school in Belgrade, Serbia. 478 pupils (aged 15 - 18 years) completed 2 HRQoL questionnaires: CDLQI and CADI. We used t-test for differences between mean values of CDLQI and CADI and Spearman's rho coefficient for correlation between 2 questionnaires. RESULTS: Self-reported acne was present in 71.6% of pupils (64.3% boys and 35.7% girls). The overall mean CDLQI score (4.35 of max. 30) and the overall mean CADI score (3.57 of max. 15) were low, indicating a mild impairment of HRQoL among adolescants. There was good correlation between the 2 questionnaires (Spearman' rho = 0.66). CONCLUSION: The CADI and the CDLQI questionnaires represent simple and reliable instruments for the assesment of HRQoL among schoolchildren with acne. In this study, we identified 17% of boys and 18% of girls perceived their acne as a major problem. It is important to detect and treat such adolescents on time to reduce the psychosocial burden associated with acne.

Assessment of quality of life of patients with leprosy reactional states treated in a dermatology reference center.

BACKGROUND: Disabilities and deformities resulting from reactive outbreaks of leprosy can cause many problems for the patients, interfering with their quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of life of patients with leprosy reactional states identified at the Reference Center in Belo Horizonte - MG. METHODS: This was an epidemiological cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, involving 120 patients in treatment for leprosy reactional states, from December 2007 to March 2008, held at the Dermatology outpatients clinic of the Hospital Eduardo de Menezes from FHEMIG, BH. We used two instruments for the socio-demographic, economic and clinical variables and a generic instrument WHOQOL WHO. The data were tabulated in SPSS and analyzed using the mean score with the application of statistical tests (p <0.05). RESULTS: We found that the median age of the patients was 48 years, most were males, married, from cities around BH, with incomplete elementary school, retired or pensioner, and with a family income of two minimum wages. Most of them reported that the disease interfered a great deal with their professional activities and leisure. In the assessment of QoL, the lowest rating was observed in the physical domain and the highest was observed in the psychological and social relations. The internal consistency of WHO-QOL-bref was acceptable to the facets and domains. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy causes suffering that goes beyond the pain and discomfort strictly related to the physical damage, with great social and psychological impact.

Assessment of quality of life of patients with leprosy reactional states treated in a dermatology reference center / Avaliação da qualidade de vida de pacientes em surto reacional de hanseníase tratados em centro de referência

BACKGROUND: Disabilities and deformities resulting from reactive outbreaks of leprosy can cause many problems for the patients, interfering with their quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of life of patients with leprosy reactional states identified at the Reference Center in Belo Horizonte - MG. METHODS: This was an epidemiological cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, involving 120 patients in treatment for leprosy reactional states, from December 2007 to March 2008, held at the Dermatology outpatients clinic of the Hospital Eduardo de Menezes from FHEMIG, BH. We used two instruments for the socio-demographic, economic and clinical variables and a generic instrument WHOQOL WHO. The data were tabulated in SPSS and analyzed using the mean score with the application of statistical tests (p <0.05). RESULTS: We found that the median age of the patients was 48 years, most were males, married, from cities around BH, with incomplete elementary school, retired or pensioner, and with a family income of two minimum wages. Most of them reported that the disease interfered a great deal with their professional activities and leisure. In the assessment of QoL, the lowest rating was observed in the physical domain and the highest was observed in the psychological and social relations. The internal consistency of WHO-QOL-bref was acceptable to the facets and domains. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy causes suffering that goes beyond the pain and discomfort strictly related to the physical damage, with great social and psychological impact.

FUNDAMENTOS: As incapacidades e deformidades decorrentes dos surtos reacionais de hanseníase podem acarretar inúmeros problemas aos pacientes, interferindo na qualidade de vida. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores de hanseníase em estado reacional identificados em centro de referência de Belo Horizonte, MG. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico transversal, descritivo e analítico, envolvendo 120 pacientes em tratamento de surto reacional de hanseníase, no período de dezembro de 2007 a março de 2008, realizado no ambulatório de dermatologia do Hospital Eduardo de Menezes da Fhemig. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos referentes às variáveis sociodemográficas, econômicas e clínicas e o instrumento genérico WHOQOL-bref da OMS. Os dados foram tabulados no SPSS e analisados por meio do escore médio com aplicação de testes estatísticos (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: Constatou-se que a mediana da idade dos pacientes estudados foi de 48 anos, sendo a maioria deles do sexo masculino, casada, de cidades circunvizinhas a BH, com primeiro grau incompleto, aposentada ou gozando de licença saúde e com renda familiar de um a dois salários mínimos vigentes. A maioria deles relatou que a doença interferiu muito nas atividades profissionais e de lazer. Na avaliação da QV, o índice mais baixo foi observado no domínio físico e os mais altos foram observados nos domínios psicológico e das relações sociais. A consistência interna do WHOQOL-bref foi aceitável para as facetas e domínios. CONCLUSÕES: A hanseníase causa sofrimento que ultrapassa a dor e o mal-estar estritamente vinculados ao prejuízo físico, com grande impacto social e psicológico.

Programas de prevención de ocio alternativo / Prevention programs on alternative activities

Los programas de ocio alternativo han cobrado un gran interés en España, durante los últimos seis años, como consecuencia de la rápida expansión de los nuevos patrones de uso recreativo de las drogas entre importantes sectores de la población juvenil. Aunque bajo ese epígrafe se reúnen muy diversos tipos de intervenciones, puede afirmarse que se trata de un tipo de programas de base comunitaria que se ejecuta en horarios y espacios de ocio y que tienen como objetivo primordial el desarrollo de actividades incompatibles a la vez que alternativas al uso de drogas. Sin embargo, existe poca evidencia en investigaciones rigurosas que nos indiquen exactamente qué tipo de programas, qué tipo de actividades dentro de ellos o con qué poblaciones específicas son más efectivos. En Estados Unidos, donde estos programas se vienen aplicando durante las dos últimas décadas, autores como Hansen y Tobler han llevado a cabo revisiones sistemáticas y aplicaciones de metaanálisis que sí nos permiten acceder a una evaluación de resultados e identificar algunas claves para garantizar su buen funcionamiento. De igual modo, en España existe una evaluación de resultados de dos conocidos programas -Abierto hasta el Amanecer (Gijón) y La noche más Joven (Ayuntamiento de Madrid)- así como diversas fuentes de información que recogen programas de este tipo–Idea Prevención y OED-. De su revisión se extrae la necesidad de mejorar la fundamentación científica de estos programas así como su adecuación a una definición de necesidades más precisas y unas expectativas más realistas respecto a los resultados de su aplicación (AU)

Alternative leisure programmes have aroused widespread interest in Spain in the last six years as a consequence of the rapid expansion of the new recreational drug use patterns in significant sectors of the juvenile population. Although this heading can cover many kinds of different interventions, it can be said that it includes a type of programme with a community basis that is carried out in leisure hours and spaces. Their overall priority objective is to organise activities which are both incompatible with drug use and as an alternative to it. Nonetheless, there is little evidence of any rigorous research that would indicate exactly which kind of programme, which of their activities or on which of their specific populations these are the most effective. In the United States, where these programmes have been operating for the last twenty years, authors such as Hansen and Tobbler have carried out systematic reviews and used metaanalysis, enabling us to make an assessment of the results and identify certain keys to guarantee their good operation. Similarly, in Spain, there is an evaluation of the results of two well-known programmes Abierto hasta el Amanecer (Gijón) and La Noche más Joven (Madrid City Council) as well as a database- - Idea Prevención, which has accumulated and analysed a total of 73 programmes. One result of the investigation is the need to improve the scientific foundation of these programmes in addition to adjusting them to a definition of more precise needs and to more realistic expectations from the results of their application (AU)

Os melhores anos de nossas vidas / The best years of our lives

Histórias de preconceito, abandono e superação contadas pelos moradores de Santo Angelo, uma cidade erguida para o tratamento de hansenianos. O testemunho humano revela as marcas do tempo em que a internação era compulsória. Condenados ao isolamento, encontraram no amor e na revolução, na música e no cinema as principais armas para enfrentar seus dramas pessoais.