Effects of caffeine on cerebral blood flow.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate whether, after caffeine ingestion, there are variations in blood velocity of the middle cerebral arteries in clinically healthy young people as well as to evaluate whether this variation is dependent on the administered dose. METHODS: We used transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to record blood velocities of the middle cerebral arteries in three groups of 15 clinically healthy young adults each: no caffeine, a45 mg, and 120 mg of caffeine groups. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography provided simultaneous bilateral velocity of the middle cerebral arteries measurements while participants performed functional tests (hyperventilation and hypoventilation orders) and three cognitive activities (test 1, short-term memory; test 2, solving a vocabulary problem; and test 3, solving a math problem) each in 31-s tests with 1-min rests between them. Participants were assessed before and 30 min after caffeine ingestion. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in mean velocity, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and heart rate after high caffeine intake, except in hyperventilation, which was only observed in peak systolic velocity. With the intake of a lower dose, significant decreases were seen with hypoventilation and with test 1. In hyperventilation, there was only a significant decrease in end-diastolic velocity and heart rate; in test 2, it was found in mean velocity and peak systolic velocity; and in test 3, only in heart rate. CONCLUSION: With this study, we conclude that caffeine influences the cardiovascular system acutely, interfering with the velocity of the middle cerebral arteries, causing its decrease. We also conclude that this acute effect causes vasodilation of the cerebral arteries, more accentuated with higher doses of caffeine.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Response to RedBull® Energy Drink Intake in Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: Energy drinks contain caffeine, taurine, sucrose, vitamins, and other amino acids. The dosage of these varies depending on the drink chosen. Several studies on energy drinks have been carried out, but the results obtained are still inconsistent as well as the risk associated with consumption. This study analyzed the cardio- and cerebrovascular responses after consumption of an energy drink - RedBull® - under standardized pre- and post-ingestion conditions and its impact on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system. METHODS: A sample of 30 healthy young adult females was recruited and subjected to 3 moments of evaluation: at baseline, 30 minutes after ingesting the energy drink, and 60 minutes after ingesting it according to a non-randomized pre-post intervention study design. RESULTS: It is found that over time there are significant changes in peak systolic velocity (P =.006) and endodiastolic velocity (P <.001) of common carotid artery, peak systolic velocity (P =.007), and endodiastolic velocity (P <.001) of internal carotid artery, peak systolic velocity (P =.004), end endodiastolic velocity (P =.013) of the external carotid artery, endodiastolic velocity (P =.042) of the middle cerebral artery, cardiac output (P =.004), and heart rate (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: After the consumption of Redbull®, there was a decrease in the velocities of the carotid arteries and the middle cerebral artery as well as a decrease in cardiac output accompanied by a decrease in heart rate and a slight, although not significant, increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. However, it is still unclear which pathophysiological mechanisms are responsible for these changes.

Burnout in Pharmacy professionals during COVID-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant global impact on the economic, social, and public health sectors. The most severe consequences were felt firsthand in health systems and by their professionals, exposing them to greater physical and mental health risks, which need to be properly evaluated.  This study aims to assess burnout levels in pharmacy professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We collected data (N = 250), from pharmacy professionals (mean age of 34.24 years) (SD=8.99) who worked in different areas during the pandemic period using the Burnout Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). RESULTS: There was an increase in weekly working hours after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in the number of rest days per month. Most participants believe that their health status after the start of the pandemic is a little worse (44.4%). According to the CBI, the dimension with the highest average value of the Burnout subscale is related to the customer/user dimension (53.07), followed by the Work (44.60) and Personal (44.22) dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of Burnout of pharmacy professionals are more accentuated in the Burnout dimension related to the client/user and the average values ​​of the various Burnout subscales are higher in Pharmacy Technicians than in Pharmacists.

Prevalence of Self-Medication in Portuguese Adolescents.

Self-medication is considered one of the health-risk behaviours found among adolescents. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of self-medication for Portuguese adolescents. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample comprised 420 adolescents, of whom 343 (81.7%; 95% CI: 77.8-85.2) had already self-medicated and 277 (66.0%; 95% CI: 61.4-70.5) self-medicated in the last 6 months. The main health problems that motivated self-medication were headache (76.7%), flu (70.6%), sore throat (56%), and fever (54.5%). Paracetamol was the most consumed drug (86.9%) followed by ibuprofen (83.1%). The pharmacy (87.8%) was the preferred place to purchase drugs; however, 221 adolescents (64.4%) reported that they self-medicated with the medicines they had at home. Of the adolescents who resorted to self-medication, only 59.6% sought additional information about the drug and 53.9% referred to the package leaflet of the medicinal product as the main source of clarification. A significant portion of the respondents (84.3%) believed that self-medication might be acceptable to treat minor illnesses. It was observed that self-medication is a very common practice among adolescents, making it an extremely important issue to carry out more studies on this section of the Portuguese population due to the scarcity of existing ones. These data can be used to define strategies for the dissemination of the rational use of the drug in the adolescent population.

A automedicação é considerada um dos comportamentos de risco para a saúde encontrado entre os adolescentes. Este estudo teve como principal objetivo determinar a prevalência da automedicação de adolescentes portugueses. Foi realizado um estudo observacional de coorte transversal. A amostra compreende 420 adolescentes, dos quais 343 (81.7%; 95% CI: 77.8­85.2) já se automedicaram e 277 (66.0%; 95% CI: 61.4­70.5) automedicaram-se nos últimos 6 meses. Os principais problemas de saúde que motivaram a automedicação foram a dor de cabeça (76.7%), gripe/constipações (70.6%), dor de garganta (56%) e febre (54.5%). O paracetamol foi o medicamento mais consumido na auto-medicação (86.9%) seguido do Ibuprofeno (83.1%). O local mais referido para a aquisição de medicamentos foi a farmácia (87.8%), no entanto, 221 adolescentes (64.4%) referiram que se automedicam com os medicamentos que têm em casa. Dos adolescentes que recorreram à automedicação, 59.6% procuraram informações ou esclarecimentos adicionais do medicamento e 53.9% referiram a bula como a principal fonte. Uma parte significativa dos inquiridos (84.3%) acredita que a auto-medicação poder ser aceitável para tratar doenças menores. Observou-se que a automedicação é muito comum nos adolescentes portugueses com idades entre 14 e 19 anos, tornando-se importante a definição de estratégias para a divulgação do uso racional do medicamento nesta população.

Study of Acute and Sub-Acute Effects of Auditory Training on the Central Auditory Processing in Older Adults with Hearing Loss-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Impairment in speech perception is a common feature of older adults. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and sub-acute (after three months) effects of auditory training on central auditory processing in older people with hearing loss. METHODS: A nonrandomized study was conducted enrolling 15 older adults with hearing loss and an average age of 78.6 ± 10.9 years. All participants underwent a baseline otoscopy, tympanogram, audiogram and speech-in-noise test with a signal-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 and 15 dB. Afterwards, auditory training intervention was implemented consisting of 10 training sessions over 5 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) underwent auditory training based on a speech-in-noise test; group 2 (G2) underwent a filtered-speech test. Auditory processing was evaluated at baseline (T0) immediately after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2). RESULTS: Group 1 were quite efficient regardless of the SNR in the right ear with statistically significant differences from T0 to T1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively) and T0 to T2 (p = 0.011 and 0.015 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively). As for the left ear, the increase of success was statistically significant for the SNR of 10 dB and 15 dB from T0 to T1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003). In G2, there was a significant variation only from T0 for T1 in the left ear for an SNR of 10 dB (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Speech perception in noise significantly improved after auditory training in old adults.

Effects of A Personalized Intervention Program on the Biochemical and Hematological Profile in Community Dwelling Old Adults-The AGA@4life Intervention Model.

Aging is a social and economic challenge of the highest importance and a multidisciplinary intervention seems to be a promising approach for improving the quality of life of elderly individuals. This project was designed aimed at promoting an active and healthy aging through the implementation of an intervention program based on the comprehensive geriatric assessment model (AGA@4life), focused on promoting health and wellbeing, independence and autonomy, mobility, and social inclusion. A non-randomized interventional study was designed to evaluate the effect of only a dietetic and nutritional approach (control group (CG)) and the combination of a tailored exercise program and a dietetic and nutritional approach (intervention group (IG)) in the biochemical and hematological profile of older adults in the framework of AGA@4life. The 34 participants enrolled, aged 65 years or over, were subject to a thorough baseline (T0) multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation, including the gathering of clinical information and a battery of biochemical and hematological determinations, and reevaluated after eight weeks of intervention (T1). Between T0 and T1, an increase in albumin and total proteins serum levels were observed in both groups (p < 0.01); the hematological profile in CG and IG showed an increase in red cell count and hemoglobin (p < 0.05). In IG, an increase of HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) and a decrease of triglycerides (p = 0.001) were still observed. The AGA@4life multidisciplinary intervention improved the hematological and biochemical profile of old adults, potentially contributing to delay the development of several aging comorbidities and increase the quality of life of participants.

FORSCells: 40-days fixed prepared reagent for detection of anti-Forssman in humans.

In 2012, the FORS system was accepted by the International Society of Blood Transfusion as the 31st blood group system. Forssman (Fs) antigen (Ag) expression is most commonly found on sheep red blood cells (RBC) but rare in human RBC. Anti-Fs antibodies (Ab) are naturally occurring in human sera and are predominantly IgM but they can also be IgG. To this day, the global prevalence of the FORS system is unknown. Currently, there is a lack of natural FORS1-positive RBC available to use for anti-Fs screening in large populations. This study was designed to produce FORS1-positive cells viable for 40 days use in the anti-Fs screening. Three to 5% FORS1-positive cells were produced using sheep's blood and CellStab stabilizer solution. The quality of the FORS1-positive cells was investigated in more than three independent experiments of ABO titration, osmotic fragility test and supernatant haemolysis. For each batch of FORS1-positive cells produced, an extended antibody panel was performed. To demonstrate that the FORS1-positive cells can be used for up to 40 days, anti-Fs screening and classification were carried out in a patient and donor population. Antigenic expression and membrane integrity of FORS1-positive cells remained stable for 40 days. Good FORS1 Ag preservation was established, and minimal haemolysis was observed. In conclusion, a novel and easy-to-produce reagent has been developed and submitted to a patent with stable FORS1 Ag expression. With this FORS1-positive cell suspension, it is now possible to screen and classify anti-Fs Ab in large populations.

Portal Venous Pressure Variation during Hepatectomy: A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive portal venous pressure in the liver remnant is an independent factor in the occurrence of posthepatectomy liver failure and small-for-size syndrome. The baseline portal pressure prior to hepatectomy was not considered previously. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of portal pressure change during hepatectomy on the patient outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study including 30 patients subjected to intraoperative measurement of portal pressure before and after hepatectomy. This variation was related to the patient outcome. Control group evaluation was assessed. Patient, disease and procedure features were considered. The optimal cut-off of portal pressure variation was determined. Linear regression or logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of the outcome. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that portal pressure increase after hepatectomy was associated with coagulation impairment in the first 30 postoperative days (p < 0.05), and with the occurrence of major complications (p = 0.01), namely hepatic failure (p = 0.041). The multivariate analysis showed that portal venous pressure increase ≥ 2 mmHg is an independent factor for worse outcomes. DISCUSSION: As in previous studies, this study concludes that, after hepatectomy, in addition to the functional liver remnant, other factors are responsible for deterioration of liver function and patient outcome, such as the portal pressure increase and the exposure to chemotherapy prior to hepatectomy. This work may influence the definition of future indications for portal influx modulation. CONCLUSION: Patient outcomes are influenced by the portal venous pressure increase: an increment ≥ 2 mmHg after hepatectomy seems to increase the risk of major complications.

Introdução: O aumento da pressão venosa portal para o remanescente hepático é um fator independente para falência hepática após hepatectomia e síndrome small-for-size. Estudos anteriores não consideram o valor de pressão portal prévio à hepatectomia. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o impacto da variação da pressão portal durante a hepatectomia na evolução clínica pós-operatória. Material e Métodos: Estudo observacional prospetivo, incluindo 30 doentes submetidos a medição intraoperatória da pressão portal antes e após hepatectomia, relacionando esta variação com a evolução clínica pós-operatória. Avaliação similar foi efetuada num grupo de controlo. Fatores relacionados com o doente, doença e procedimento foram considerados. Determinou-se o valor ideal de variação da pressão portal. Regressão linear ou logística foram aplicadas para identificar fatores preditores de evolução clínica. Resultados: A análise univariada mostrou que um aumento de pressão portal após hepatectomia associa-se a deterioração da coagulação nos primeiros 30 dias após hepatectomia (p < 0,05), a complicações major (p = 0,01) como a falência hepática após hepatectomia (p = 0,041). A análise multivariada mostrou que um aumento de pressão portal ≥ 2 mmHg é um fator independente para a evolução clínica pós-operatória desfavorável. Discussão: Após hepatectomia, para além do remanescente hepático funcional, outros fatores são responsáveis pela deterioração da função hepática e pela morbimortalidade, como o aumento da pressão portal e a exposição prévia a quimioterapia. Este trabalho contribui para a definição futura das indicações para modulação do influxo portal. Conclusão: Um aumento de pressão portal ≥ 2 mmHg após hepatectomia parece agravar o risco de complicações major.

Multifactorial Screening Tool for Determining Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 50 Years or Over (FallSensing): Protocol for a Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major health problem among older adults. The risk of falling can be increased by polypharmacy, vision impairment, high blood pressure, environmental home hazards, fear of falling, and changes in the function of musculoskeletal and sensory systems that are associated with aging. Moreover, individuals who experienced previous falls are at higher risk. Nevertheless, falls can be prevented by screening for known risk factors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to develop a multifactorial, instrumented, screening tool for fall risk, according to the key risk factors for falls, among Portuguese community-dwelling adults aged 50 years or over and to prospectively validate a risk prediction model for the risk of falling. METHODS: This prospective study, following a convenience sample method, will recruit community-dwelling adults aged 50 years or over, who stand and walk independently with or without walking aids in parish councils, physical therapy clinics, senior's universities, and other facilities in different regions of continental Portugal. The FallSensing screening tool is a technological solution for fall risk screening that includes software, a pressure platform, and 2 inertial sensors. The screening includes questions about demographic and anthropometric data, health and lifestyle behaviors, a detailed explanation about procedures to accomplish 6 functional tests (grip strength, Timed Up and Go, 30 seconds sit to stand, step test, 4-Stage Balance test "modified," and 10-meter walking speed), 3 questionnaires concerning environmental home hazards, and an activity and participation profile related to mobility and self-efficacy for exercise. RESULTS: The enrollment began in June 2016 and we anticipate study completion by the end of 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The FallSensing screening tool is a multifactorial and evidence-based assessment which identifies factors that contribute to fall risk. Establishing a risk prediction model will allow preventive strategies to be implemented, potentially decreasing fall rate. REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER: RR1-10.2196/10304.

Reaching 100 in the Countryside: Health Profile and Living Circumstances of Portuguese Centenarians from the Beira Interior Region.

The interest in studying a specific population of centenarians who lives in the country's interior region (PT100-BI) emerged during the first Portuguese systematic study about centenarians (PT100 Oporto Centenarian Study). This region of Portugal is predominantly rural and is one of the regions with the largest number of aged people. The aim of this study is to provide information on the centenarians who live in the Beira Interior region, specifically in terms of their health status and the health services they use. A total of 101 centenarians (mean age: 101.1 years; SD = 1.5 years), 14 males and 87 females, were considered. Most centenarians lived in the community, and 47.6% lived in nursing homes. Nearly half (47.5%) presented cognitive functioning without deficits. A noteworthy percentage presented conditioned mobility and sensory problems. The most common self-reported diseases include urinary incontinence (31.7%), high blood pressure (23.8%), and heart conditions (19.8%). Despite these health and functional characteristics, formal support services and technical assistance were found to be scarcely used. Further research is needed to understand how the role of contextual variables and the countryside environment contribute to the centenarians' adaptation to advanced longevity.

Prevalence of antibodies to a new histo-blood system: the FORS system.

BACKGROUND: In 1987, three unrelated English families were reported with a putative blood subgroup called Apae. Swedish researchers later found evidence leading to abolishment of the Apae subgroup and establishment instead of the FORS blood group system (System 31 - ISBT, 2012). It is important to know the prevalence of antibodies in order to make the best decisions in transfusion medicine. Cells expressing the Forssman saccharide, such as sheep erythrocytes, are needed to detect the anti-Forssman antibody. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of human anti-Forssman antibody. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma samples from 800 individuals were studied. Sheep erythrocytes or Forssman "kodecytes" were mixed with the plasma samples using the tube technique. Plasma from an Apae individual was used as a negative control and monoclonal anti-Forssman antibody (M1/22.25.8HL cell line supernatant) was used as the positive control. RESULTS: Of the 800 individuals tested, one was negative for the presence of anti-Forssman antibody. We compared the anti-Forssman antibody reaction pattern between genders and found that males have weaker reactions than females, both at room temperature (p=0.026) and at 37 °C (p=0.043). We also investigated the reaction pattern of anti-Forssman antibody in relation to ABO and Rh blood group types without finding any significant differences. DISCUSSION: Sheep erythrocytes are suitable for searching for human anti-Forssman antibody. The quantity of anti-Forssman antibodies in plasma is higher in females than in males. In the population (n=800) studied here, we found one individual lacking the anti-Forssman antibody. These results contribute to the data already published, confirming that FORS is a rare blood group.

Impact of splenic artery ligation after major hepatectomy on liver function, regeneration and viability.

It was reported that prevention of acute portal overpressure in small-for-size livers by inflow modulation results in a better postoperative outcome. The aim is to investigate the impact of portal blood flow reduction by splenic artery ligation after major hepatectomy in a murine model. Forty-eight rats were subjected to an 85% hepatectomy or 85% hepatectomy and splenic artery ligation. Both groups were evaluated at 24, 48, 72 and 120 post-operative hours: liver function, regeneration and viability. All methods and experiments were carried out in accordance with Coimbra University guidelines. Splenic artery ligation produces viability increase after 24 h, induces a relative decrease in oxidative stress during the first 48 hours, allows antioxidant capacity increment after 24 h, which is reflected in a decrease of half-time normalized liver curve at 48 h and at 72 h and in an increase of mitotic index between 48 h and 72 h. Splenic artery ligation combined with 85% hepatectomy in a murine model, allows portal inflow modulation, promoting an increase in hepatocellular viability and regeneration, without impairing the function, probably by inducing a less marked elevation of oxidative stress at first 48 hours.

Effects of X-radiation on lung cancer cells: the interplay between oxidative stress and P53 levels.

Lung cancer (LC) ranks as the most prevalent and deadliest cause of cancer death worldwide. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, depending on LC staging, without specific highlight. The aim was to evaluate the effects of X-radiation in three LC cell lines. H69, A549 and H1299 cell lines were cultured and irradiated with 0.5-60 Gy of X-radiation. Cell survival was evaluated by clonogenic assay. Cell death and the role of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, BAX, BCL-2 and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Total and phosphorylated P53 were assessed by western blotting. Ionizing radiation decreases cell proliferation and viability in a dose-, time- and cell line-dependent manner, inducing cell death preferentially by apoptosis with cell cycle arrest. These results may be related to differences in P53 expression and oxidative stress response. The results obtained indicate that sensibility and/or resistance to radiation may be dependent on molecular LC characteristics which could influence response to radiotherapy and treatment success.

Influence of complaints and singing style in singers voice handicap.

The aim of this research was to verify whether the difference of singing styles and the presence of vocal complaints influence the perception of voice handicap of singers. One hundred eighteen singing voice handicap self-assessment protocols were selected: 17 popular singers with vocal complaints, 42 popular singers without complaints, 17 classic singers with complaints, and 42 classic singers without complaints. The groups were similar regarding age, gender and voice types. Both protocols used--Modern Singing Handicap Index (MSHI) and Classical Singing Handicap Index (CSHI)--have specific questions to their respective singing styles, and consist of 30 items equally divided into three subscales: disability (functional domain), handicap (emotional domain) and impairment (organic domain), answered according to the frequency of occurrence. Each subscale has a maximum of 40 points, and the total score is 120 points. The higher the score, the higher the singing voice handicap perceived. For statistical analysis, we used the ANOVA test, with 5% of significance. Classical and popular singers referred higher impairment, followed by disability and handicap. However, the degree of this perception varied according to the singing style and the presence of vocal complaints. The classical singers with vocal complaints showed higher voice handicap than popular singers with vocal complaints, while the classic singers without complaints reported lower handicap than popular singers without complaints. This evidences that classical singers have higher perception of their own voice, and that vocal disturbances in this group may cause greater voice handicap when compared to popular singers.

Pain in popular singers.

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize the presence of body pains in popular singers, to observe the differences in the reported pains according to gender, and to relate with data regarding vocal behavior and usage in this population. METHODS: A self-explanatory questionnaire was applied to 100 popular singers (50 men and 50 women), in order to collect information about personal identification, voice use and presence of pains. Pains were divided into two groups: proximal pains (TMA, tongue, throat, nape, shoulders, neck, and pain during speech), and distal pains (arms, back/column, chest, hands, ear, and headache). RESULTS: The mean value of pain presence referred by popular singers was 2.9. There was no difference in reported pain according to gender. Predominant pains were on the throat (66%), during speech (41%) and on the neck (35%), all classified as proximal to the larynx. The least predominant pains were in arms, hands and chest (4%), all classified as distal pains. CONCLUSION: Popular singers reported presence of body pains mainly proximal to the larynx. There is no difference in reported pain according to gender. The presence of body pain is related to the presence of voice disorders, the need to stop singing, the absence of vocal training, and search for professional advice (otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologist) due to vocal problems. These data justify the investigation and attention to body pain symptoms by the professionals responsible for the treatment of this population.

Dor em cantores populares / Pain in popular singers

OBJETIVO: Identificar e caracterizar a presença de dores corporais em cantores populares, verificar se há diferença no relato de dor de acordo com o gênero e relacionar com dados referentes a questões vocais e de uso da voz desta população. MÉTODOS: Aplicou-se um questionário autoexplicativo em 100 cantores populares (50 homens e 50 mulheres) que investigou questões referentes a identificação pessoal, uso de voz e presença de dor. As dores foram divididas em dois grupos: dores proximais (ATM, língua, garganta, nuca, ombros, pescoço e para falar) e dores distais (braços, costas/coluna, peito, mãos, ouvido e dor de cabeça). RESULTADOS: A média da presença de dor referida entre os cantores populares foi de 2,9 dores. Não houve diferença no relato de dor de acordo com o gênero. As dores predominantes foram dor de garganta (66%), dor ao falar (41%) e dor no pescoço (35%), todas classificadas como proximais à laringe. As dores menos predominantes foram dor nos braços, mãos e peito (4%), sendo todas estas classificadas como distais. CONCLUSÃO: Cantores populares referem presença de dores corporais, principalmente proximais à região da laringe. Não há diferença no relato de dor de acordo com o gênero. Há relação entre a presença de dor corporal e presença de problemas vocais, necessidade de parar de cantar, falta de treinamento vocal e procura de otorrinolaringologista e fonoaudiólogo por problemas de voz. Estes dados justificam uma investigação e valorização de sintomas de dor pelos profissionais que atendam a esta população.

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize the presence of body pains in popular singers, to observe the differences in the reported pains according to gender, and to relate with data regarding vocal behavior and usage in this population. METHODS: A self-explanatory questionnaire was applied to 100 popular singers (50 men and 50 women), in order to collect information about personal identification, voice use and presence of pains. Pains were divided into two groups: proximal pains (TMA, tongue, throat, nape, shoulders, neck, and pain during speech), and distal pains (arms, back/column, chest, hands, ear, and headache). RESULTS: The mean value of pain presence referred by popular singers was 2.9. There was no difference in reported pain according to gender. Predominant pains were on the throat (66%), during speech (41%) and on the neck (35%), all classified as proximal to the larynx. The least predominant pains were in arms, hands and chest (4%), all classified as distal pains. CONCLUSION: Popular singers reported presence of body pains mainly proximal to the larynx. There is no difference in reported pain according to gender. The presence of body pain is related to the presence of voice disorders, the need to stop singing, the absence of vocal training, and search for professional advice (otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologist) due to vocal problems. These data justify the investigation and attention to body pain symptoms by the professionals responsible for the treatment of this population.

Desvantagem vocal no canto: análise do protocolo Índice de Desvantagem para o Canto Moderno - IDCM / Voice handicap in singing: analysis of the Modern Singing Handicap Index - MSHI questionnaire

OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade do protocolo italiano Modern Singing Handicap Index - MSHI, traduzido e culturalmente adaptado para o Português Brasileiro como Índice de Desvantagem para o Canto Moderno - IDCM, comparando os escores de coralistas amadores com e sem queixas vocais e de indivíduos não-cantores, de acordo com gênero, classificação vocal e atividades de canto. MÉTODOS: Duzentos e vinte e seis indivíduos adultos, com idades entre 16 e 66 anos, foram distribuídos em três grupos: 58 cantores com queixas vocais - CCQ; 112 cantores sem queixas vocais - CSQ e 56 indivíduos não cantores e sem queixas vocais - GNC. Os cantores foram selecionados em cinco coros universitários de música popular brasileira, a capella, regidos pelo mesmo maestro. Os indivíduos não cantores foram recrutados nas mesmas instituições dos cantores, com características demográficas semelhantes. Os indivíduos preencheram individualmente o IDCM, questionário com 30 itens divididos em três subescalas: incapacidade (domínio funcional), desvantagem (domínio emocional) e defeito (domínio orgânico). Os cantores também realizaram uma auto-avaliação de suas atividades de canto. RESULTADOS: A média dos escores do IDCM do CCQ (26,91) foi maior que a do o CSQ (16,61), e ambas maiores que a do GNC (7,79). Para os três grupos, a subescala defeito apresentou as maiores médias de escores, seguida por incapacidade e desvantagem. Não houve diferenças dos escores em relação ao gênero, classificação vocal e atividades de canto. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo mostrou-se sensível para cantores modernos com problemas de voz. Coralistas com queixas vocais apresentaram maior desvantagem auto-relatada em relação aos sem queixas e não cantores. Aspectos de natureza orgânica destacaram-se com maiores desvios.

PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity of the Italian self-assessment questionnaire Modern Singing Handicap Index - MSHI, translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese as Índice de Desvantagem para o Canto Moderno - IDCM, comparing scores of amateur choir singers with or without voice complaints and non-singers according to gender, singing voice classification and singing activities. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-six adults with ages between 16 and 66 years were divided into three groups: 58 singers with vocal complaints - SC; 112 singers without vocal complaints - SwC and 56 non-singers without vocal complaints - NS. The singers were selected from five university choirs of a capella Brazilian popular music, lead by the same conductor. The non-singers were recruited at the same institutions of the singers with similar demographic characteristics. The subjects filled the IDCM individually. The IDCM is a questionnaire with 30 items divided into three subscales: disability (functional domain), handicap (emotional domain) and impairment (organic domain). The singers also did a self-assessment of their singing activities. RESULTS: The mean IDCM score of the SC group (26.91) was higher than the that of the SwC (16.61), and both were higher than that of the NS group (7.79). For the three groups, the impairment subscale showed higher scores, followed by disability and handicap. There were no score differences regarding gender, singing voice classification and singing activities. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire proved to be sensitive for modern singers with vocal complaints. Choir singers with vocal complaints had higher self-reported handicap in comparison to choir singers without vocal complaints and non-singers. Aspects of organic nature were highlighted with larger deviations.