Derivation of a risk assessment model for hospital-acquired venous thrombosis: the NAVAL score.

Venous thrombosis (VT) is a preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. The main strategy to decrease VT incidence is timely thromboprophylaxis in at-risk patients. We sought to evaluate the reliability of risk assessment model (RAM) data, the incremental usefulness of additional variables and the modelling of an adjusted score (the NAVAL score). We used the RAM proposed by Caprini for initial assessment. A 5 % systematic sample of data was independently reviewed for reliability. We evaluated the incremental usefulness of six variables for VT during the score modelling by logistic regression. We then assessed the NAVAL score for calibration, reclassification and discrimination performances. We observed 11,091 patients with 37 (0.3 %) VT events. Using the Caprini RAM, high-risk and moderate-risk patients were respectively associated with a 17.4 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.1-49.9) and 4.2 (95 % CI 1.6-11.0) increased VT risk compared with low-risk patients. Four independent variables were selected for the NAVAL score: "Age", "Admission clinic", "History of previous VT event" and "History of thrombophilia". The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for the NAVAL score was 0.72 (95 % CI 0.63-0.81). The Net Reclassification Index (NRI) for the NAVAL score compared with the Caprini RAM was -0.1 (95 % CI -0.3 to 0.1; p = 0.28). We conclude that the NAVAL score is a simplified tool for the stratification of VT risk in hospitalized patients. With only four variables, it demonstrated good performance and discrimination, but requires external validation before clinical application. We also confirm that the Caprini RAM can effectively stratify VT risk in hospitalized patients in our population.

Combined oral contraceptives: venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use has been associated with venous thrombosis (VT) (i.e., deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). The VT risk has been evaluated for many estrogen doses and progestagen types contained in COC but no comprehensive comparison involving commonly used COC is available. OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive overview of the risk of venous thrombosis in women using different combined oral contraceptives. SEARCH METHODS: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier and ScienceDirect) were searched in 22 April 2013 for eligible studies, without language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We selected studies including healthy women taking COC with VT as outcome. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The primary outcome of interest was a fatal or non-fatal first event of venous thrombosis with the main focus on deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Publications with at least 10 events in total were eligible. The network meta-analysis was performed using an extension of frequentist random effects models for mixed multiple treatment comparisons. Unadjusted relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were reported.Two independent reviewers extracted data from selected studies. MAIN RESULTS: 3110 publications were retrieved through a search strategy; 25 publications reporting on 26 studies were included. Incidence of venous thrombosis in non-users from two included cohorts was 0.19 and 0.37 per 1 000 person years, in line with previously reported incidences of 0,16 per 1 000 person years. Use of combined oral contraceptives increased the risk of venous thrombosis compared with non-use (relative risk 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 4.3). The relative risk of venous thrombosis for combined oral contraceptives with 30-35 µg ethinylestradiol and gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, or drospirenone were similar and about 50-80% higher than for combined oral contraceptives with levonorgestrel. A dose related effect of ethinylestradiol was observed for gestodene, desogestrel, and levonorgestrel, with higher doses being associated with higher thrombosis risk. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: All combined oral contraceptives investigated in this analysis were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The effect size depended both on the progestogen used and the dose of ethinylestradiol. Risk of venous thrombosis for combined oral contraceptives with 30-35 µg ethinylestradiol and gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate and drospirenone were similar, and about 50-80% higher than with levonorgestrel. The combined oral contraceptive with the lowest possible dose of ethinylestradiol and good compliance should be prescribed-that is, 30 µg ethinylestradiol with levonorgestrel.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism and adequacy of thromboprophylaxis in 2380 acutely-ill hospitalized patients: Results from the PROFMiG cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of preventable deaths. Incidence of VTE and adequacy of thromboprophylaxis have rarely been reported in low-resourced countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of VTE and to evaluate the adequacy of thromboprophylaxis in acutely-ill medical hospitalized patients. METHODS: The PROFMiG is a prospective cohort study conducted in Brazil. We consecutively enrolled adult (> 18 years) acutely-ill hospitalized medical patients at admission. Risk assessment for VTE was evaluated by the IMPROVE7 (International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism). Outcomes were death and VTE events during hospital stay up to 90 days after discharge. All VTE and death events were adjudicated. We also evaluated pulmonary embolism-related death and adequacy of thromboprophylaxis. VTE incidence was estimated by competing risk methods. RESULTS: A total of 2380 participants was included. Median age was 70 years, 56.1 % women, median length of hospital stay was 10 days. A total of 2052 (86.3 %) patients were classified as low-risk for VTE, 30 (1.3 %) patients had objectively confirmed VTE, and 1449 (60.8 %) received inadequate thromboprophylaxis. The overall mortality rate was 14.0 %. Cumulative incidence of VTE was 2.0 % (95 % confidence interval 0.9 %-3.8 %) at 130 days after admission when considering death as competing risk. CONCLUSION: The cumulative incidence of VTE in this cohort corroborates with that reported in high-resourced countries. Despite recommendation, thromboprophylaxis was mostly inadequate. We suggest the adoption of competing risk analysis to estimate the cumulative incidence of VTE in hospitalized patients.

Evidence of plastics contamination and sewage-derived residues in a Brazilian Hope Spot for conservation of marine biodiversity - Cagarras Islands and surrounding waters.

Cagarras Islands Archipelago, a no-take MPA in Southeast Brazil, was designated as Natural Monument (MONA Cagarras) and, more recently, recognized as Hope Spot for biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to assess plastic contamination by analyzing marine litter and microplastics in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters. Marine litter (34.12 kg) was caught by artisanal fishermen in MONA Cagarras proximities, and plastics represented ∼79 %. Personal hygiene items and strains of hair were found, suggesting sewage-derived contamination from Ipanema SSO. Microplastics were detected in MONA Cagarras surface waters. Fragments and black particle were the most frequently found microplastic shape and color, respectively. µ-FTIR analysis identified, in descending order of occurrence, polystyrene-PS, polyethylene-PE, polyvinyl chloride-PVC, polypropylene-P, and polyamide-PA. Our integrated results of macro and microplastic contamination highlight an issue of effective conservation and health of marine biodiversity in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters and a concern for better management of Brazilian MPAs.

Unmet definitions in thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized medical patients: An appraisal for the need of recommendation.

Up to about 60% of venous thromboembolic events in a community are associated with hospitalization, and most can be prevented by appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Several randomized clinical trials and guidelines have addressed the issue of thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients and recommended strategies to assess patients' risk and thromboprophylaxis. Simple and validated risk assessment models are available to assist physicians in selecting patients who are at high risk for VTE, in whom thromboprophylaxis should be used. However, some concepts employed are imprecise or not appropriately defined. Indeed, there has been wide variation in the onset, duration, and adequacy of thromboprophylaxis, as well as in the definition of some risk factors. In this article, we highlight these issues and the unmet definitions in thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients mainly by addressing selected randomized clinical trials and guidelines.

[Thromboprophylaxis: medical recommendations and hospital programs]. / Tromboprofilaxia: recomendações médicas e programas hospitalares.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. Hospital-related VTE is associated with more than half of the VTE burden in a community, either in-hospital or after discharge. Selective thromboprophylaxis is recommended for patients at risk. Patient selection for thromboprophylaxis requires proper VTE risk stratification. VTE stratification may be achieved by either risk assessment models (RAM) or by models based on patient's illness and associated risk factors. Whatever the model, a thromboprophylatic recommendation should be formulated for each VTE risk category. VTE thromboprophylaxis may include general measures, mechanic compression procedures, pharmacological intervention or a combined approach. After many decades of consensus statements, a large proportion of at risk patients (20% to 75%) still does not receive proper thromboprophylaxis. This study aims to alert to the relevance of thromboprophylaxis and to suggest hospital thromboprophylatic strategies in a Brazilian setting.

Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Ankle and Foot Surgeries.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the most feared complications by orthopedists both for due to its potentially lethal outcome and the uncertainties related to its prevention. Despite the vast literature on VTE prevention in major orthopedic surgeries, little is known about it in ankle and foot procedures. In orthopedics, adequate thromboprophylaxis requires a careful assessment of the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks based on the procedure to be performed, as well as and knowledge on anticoagulant agents. The presentis review has the goal of assessing the risk of developingdiscusses VTE risk assessment, the modalities of thromboprophylaxis modalities, and the drugs used, with an emphasis on foot and ankle surgeries.

Inter-observer reliability of a risk assessment model for venous thromboembolism in acutely-ill medical hospitalized patients: Results from a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the inter-observer reliability of risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a population of adult acutely-ill medical patients. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we collected risk factors and risk classification for VTE using RAM IMPROVE7. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate inter-observer reliability between lead clinicians and trained researchers. We evaluated occurrence of VTE in patients with mismatched classification. RESULTS: We included 2,380 patients, median age 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-79), 56.2% female. Adjusted Kappa for VTE risk factors ranged from substantial (0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.67) for "immobilization", to almost perfect (0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) for "thrombophilia"; risk classification was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60-0.67). Divergent risk classification occurred in 434 patients (18.2%) of whom seven (1.6%) developed VTE. CONCLUSION: Despite substantial to almost perfect reliability between observers for risk factors and risk classification, lead clinicians tended to underestimate the risk for VTE.

Managing suspected venous thromboembolism in a mixed primary and secondary care setting using standard clinical assessment and D-dimer in a noninvasive diagnostic strategy.

Venous thromboembolism is a potentially lethal disease if not properly treated. Noninvasive strategies have become an attractive clinical option for effective diagnosis. There has been controversy, however, regarding the use of standard clinical rules in a primary care setting. The objective of the present study was to validate a noninvasive diagnostic strategy in an emergency unit giving assistance to patients with primary and secondary care needs. A total of 291 outpatients (primary and secondary care needs) with suspected venous thromboembolism attending the emergency unit of a general hospital from August 2002 to 2004 were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnostic strategy included assessment of risk for venous thromboembolism and a rapid quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay D-dimer test. Venous thromboembolism was ruled out in patients with a low-probability or intermediate-probability risk (or an unlikely diagnosis) and a negative D-dimer. The prevalence of venous thromboembolism was 8.2%. Patients with an unlikely diagnosis comprised 93.8% of the evaluations for deep venous thrombosis, and those with a low probability for pulmonary embolism comprised 81.4%. Proportions of patients with venous thromboembolic events observed were 7.2% in patients with an unlikely diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and 3.0% in those with low probability for pulmonary embolism. The percentage of patients with a thrombotic event excluded using this strategy was 37% (positive predictive value 13%, negative predictive value 100%). In conclusion, this noninvasive clinical strategy is safe for ruling out venous thromboembolism, and excludes the need for imaging tests in about one-third of the patients in the population studied.

Monocytes and plasma tissue factor levels in normal individuals and patients with deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs: potential diagnostic tools?

INTRODUCTION: Tissue factor (TF) is the main physiological initiator of blood coagulation; it is membrane-bound on monocytes (mTF) and free in plasma (pTF). Abnormal expression of TF by monocytes has been implicated in various diseases. We therefore quantified monocytes expressing TF and pTF levels in patients with lower-limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DVT was confirmed by Duplex Scan. Blood mTF levels under resting condition (baseline), after incubation without (unstimulated) and with (stimulated) lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and total mTF levels were determined by flow cytometry using two analytical methods (Histogram and Quadrant-Statistics). Plasma TF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Results were compared with age-matched controls. RESULTS: Histogram analysis in patients with DVT showed significantly elevated mTF levels for baseline, unstimulated and total mTF over controls. For Quadrant-Statistics, DVT patients also showed significantly raised baseline, unstimulated, stimulated and total mTF. Similarly, pTF levels were significantly raised in subjects with DVT compared to controls. Baseline mTF levels correlated with pTF levels by Histogram and Quadrant-Statistics analysis. Using the relative operating characteristic (ROC) curve, baseline mTF and pTF assays displayed sensitivity and specificity in detecting DVT. Quadrant-Statistics baseline mTF and pTF gave the best discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: The TF assays used in this study showed acceptable sensitivity and specificity and are cost-effective and practical. Therefore, they should be considered in patients with, or at risk of, DVT.

Hypercoagulability markers in young asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden (G1691A) or prothrombin (G20210A) variant.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in factor V (factor V Leiden-G1691A) and prothrombin (G20210A) genes are important risk factors for thrombophilia due to their high incidence in patients with thromboembolic events, especially among the young. However, it is not clear if levels of hypercoagulability markers are significantly altered in asymptomatic young carriers of factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A. METHODS: Hemostatic status of 32 asymptomatic young individuals carrying these mutations and of 18 normal control individuals was investigated through the determination of plasma thrombomodulin (TM), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and D-dimer. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in these hemostatic markers when comparing groups of individuals carrying mutations and the control group. CONCLUSION: Analysis of these results leads to the conclusion that the presence of these mutations, in the absence of acquired risk factors, does not constantly predispose these young carriers to a state of hypercoagulability.

Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Ankle and Foot Surgeries / Profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso nas cirurgias do tornozelo e do pé

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the most feared complications by orthopedists both for due to its potentially lethal outcome and the uncertainties related to its prevention. Despite the vast literature on VTE prevention in major orthopedic surgeries, little is known about it in ankle and foot procedures. In orthopedics, adequate thromboprophylaxis requires a careful assessment of the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks based on the procedure to be performed, as well as and knowledge on anticoagulant agents. The presentis review has the goal of assessing the risk of developingdiscusses VTE risk assessment, the modalities of thromboprophylaxis modalities, and the drugs used, with an emphasis on foot and ankle surgeries.

Resumo O tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) é uma das complicações mais temidas pelos ortopedistas, tanto pelo seu desfecho potencialmente letal quanto pelas incertezas relacionadas à sua prevenção. Apesar da vasta literatura existente sobre a prevenção de TEV nas grandes cirurgias ortopédicas, pouco se sabe sobre sua prevenção nas cirurgias do tornozelo e do pé. Uma adequada prescrição da tromboprofilaxia em ortopedia exige criteriosa avaliação dos riscos trombóticos e hemorrágicos com base no tipo de cirurgia a ser realizada, além do conhecimento sobre os anticoagulantes. Esta revisão tem como objetivos abordar a avaliação do risco de desenvolver TEV, as modalidades de tromboprofilaxia, e os fármacos utilizados, tendo como ênfase as cirurgias do pé e do tornozelo.

Incremental value of hormonal therapy for deep vein thrombosis prediction: an adjusted Wells score for women.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) management includes prediction rule evaluation to define standard pretest DVT probabilities in symptomatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incremental usefulness of hormonal therapy to the Wells prediction rules for DVT in women. We studied women undertaking compressive ultrasound scanning for suspected DVT. We adjusted the Wells score for DVT, taking into account the ß-coefficients of the logistic regression model. Data discrimination was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The adjusted score calibration was assessed graphically and by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Reclassification tables and the net reclassification index were used for the adjusted score comparison with the Wells score for DVT. We observed 461 women including 103 DVT events. The mean age was 56 years (±21 years). The adjusted logistic regression model included hormonal therapy and six Wells prediction rules for DVT. The adjusted score weights ranged from -4 to 4. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a nonsignificant P value (0.69) and the calibration graph showed no differences between the expected and the observed values. The area under the ROC curve was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90-0.95] for the adjusted model and 0.87 (95% CI 0.84-0.91) for the Wells score for DVT (Delong test, P value < 0.01). Net reclassification index for the adjusted score was 0.22 (95% CI 0.11-0.33, P value < 0.01). Our results suggest an incremental usefulness of hormonal therapy as an independent DVT prediction rule in women compared with the Wells score for DVT. The adjusted score must be evaluated in different populations before clinical use.

Assessment of characteristics associated with pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis use in hospitalized patients: a cohort study of 10,016 patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate patient characteristics associated with pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (PTP) use/nonuse in a general tertiary hospital cohort. Eligible patients were classified according to venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk category by trained nurses. Either standard or low-molecular weight heparin was recommended to intermediate or high-risk VTE patients. Adopting the recommended PTP was at the physician's discretion. At discharge, PTP use was recorded. PTP was recommended to 10,016 patients, of whom 2165 (21.6%) received the recommended thromboprophylaxis. In the multivariate logistic regression, PTP use/nonuse remained independently associated with female sex [odds ratio (OR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.84], age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03-1.04), being admitted to the Gynecology-Obstetrics (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.25-0.39) or surgery (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.12-1.42), thrombophilia (OR 5.15; 95% CI 2.04-12.98), previous VTE event (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.78-4.98), diabetes (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.61-2.10), acute myocardial infarction (OR 5.87; 95% CI 4.81-7.17), and admission to a major orthopedic surgery (OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.98-4.64). PTP in this hospital population was grossly underused. Eight independent variables predicted use/nonuse of PTP. Targeting variables related to the use and nonuse of PTP is important to direct the application of thromboprophylaxis.

Different combined oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thrombosis: systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive overview of the risk of venous thrombosis in women using different combined oral contraceptives. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Academic Search Premier, and ScienceDirect up to 22 April 2013. REVIEW METHODS: Observational studies that assessed the effect of combined oral contraceptives on venous thrombosis in healthy women. The primary outcome of interest was a fatal or non-fatal first event of venous thrombosis with the main focus on deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Publications with at least 10 events in total were eligible. The network meta-analysis was performed using an extension of frequentist random effects models for mixed multiple treatment comparisons. Unadjusted relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were reported. The requirement for crude numbers did not allow adjustment for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: 3110 publications were retrieved through a search strategy; 25 publications reporting on 26 studies were included. Incidence of venous thrombosis in non-users from two included cohorts was 1.9 and 3.7 per 10,000 woman years, in line with previously reported incidences of 1-6 per 10,000 woman years. Use of combined oral contraceptives increased the risk of venous thrombosis compared with non-use (relative risk 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 4.3). The relative risk of venous thrombosis for combined oral contraceptives with 30-35 µg ethinylestradiol and gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, or drospirenone were similar and about 50-80% higher than for combined oral contraceptives with levonorgestrel. A dose related effect of ethinylestradiol was observed for gestodene, desogestrel, and levonorgestrel, with higher doses being associated with higher thrombosis risk. CONCLUSION: All combined oral contraceptives investigated in this analysis were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The effect size depended both on the progestogen used and the dose of ethinylestradiol.

Prognostic value of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography and the pulmonary embolism severity index in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism is a serious and potentially fatal disorder. Pulmonary embolism risk stratification may allow early hospital discharge and outpatient treatment for low-risk patients. Also, it may prevent death by early medical intervention in high-risk groups. We evaluated objectively confirmed pulmonary embolism in 126 patients by multidetector computed tomographic pulmonary angiography at a single center from January 2008 to January 2010. The Pulmonary Severity Embolism Index (PESI), the right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) diameter (RV/LV) ratio and the vascular obstruction index (VOI) were derived from data extracted from electronic hospital records and image database. A total of six out of 96 patients (6.3%) died during follow-up. There was an association between PESI and mortality (P-value < 0.001 χ² test). PESI class I-II had a 100% negative predictive value for death in 90 days. No association was found between the RV/LV ratio, the VOI and mortality (P-value > 0.05 χ² test). Also, no association was found between the RV/LV ratio and the VOI and PESI (P-value > 0.05 χ² test). PESI is an accurate tool for pulmonary embolism prognostic stratification. It safely discriminates low-risk from high-risk patients regarding death outcome. We were unable to demonstrate an association between image scores and mortality.

Impacto da hormonioterapia associada ao escore de predição de Wells no diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda em mulheres submetidas a ecografia vascular / Impact of hormone therapy linked to wells prediction score in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in women submitted to vascular ultrasound

Introdução: A trombose venosa profunda (TVP) apresenta elevada morbimortalidade. O escore de Wells foi elaborado para melhorar a capacidade diagnóstica pré-teste para TVP. O objetivo deste estudo foi ajustar o escore de Wells para pacientes brasileiras e incluir a variável hormonioterapia (HT), comparando acurácia e poder de reclassificação do novo escore com o original de Wells. Método: Estudo observacional transversal em que foi realizada regressão logística para incluir a variável hormonioterapia (HT) ao Escore de Wells, criando um novo escore (escore HT), que foi calibrado e ajustado para a população estudada. A qualidade dos dados foi avaliada pela estatística Kappa. Resultados: Foram estudadas 461 pacientes com idade de 56,1 ± 20,8, das quais 103 tiveram diagnóstico ecográfico de TVP. O escore HT incluiu sete variáveis, pacientes que obtiveram pontuação de -4 a 0 foram consideradas de baixo risco; de 1 a 3, moderado risco; e de 4 a 11, alto risco para TVP, com calibração adequada (valor p = 0,59). A área sob a curva ROC para o escore HT foi 0,92 (IC 95% 0,90 - 0,95) e para o escore de Wells foi de 0,87 (IC 95% 0,84 – 0,91), mostrando diferença estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05).Conclusão: A inclusão da hormonioterapia a um modelo de predição clínica demonstrou maior acurácia comparativamente ao modelo de Wells.

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) presents high morbidity and mortality. The Wells score is designed to improve the pretest diagnosing capacity for DVT. The purpose of this study was to adjust the Wells score for Brazilian patients and include the variable hormone therapy (HT), comparing accuracy and power of reclassification of the new score with Wells’ original score.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study in which logistic regression was performed to include the variable hormone therapy (HT) to the Wells score, creating a new score (HT score), which has been calibrated and adjusted for the population studied. Data quality was evaluated by the Kappa statistics.Results: We studied 461 patients aged 56.1 ± 20.8, of which 103 had sonographic diagnosis of DVT. The HT score included seven variables: patients who achieved a score of -4 to 0 are considered low risk; 1 to 3, moderate risk; and 4 to 11, high risk for DVT, withproper calibration (p = 0.59). The area under the ROC curve for the HT score was 0.92 (95% CI 0.90 — 0.95) and for the Wells score it was 0.87 (95% CI 0.84 — 0.91), showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The inclusion of hormone therapy into a clinical prediction model showed higher accuracy compared to the model of Wells.

Anticorpos antifosfolípides em adultos com púrpura trombocitopênica imune / Assessment of antiphospholipid antibodies in adult patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Introdução: a púrpura trombocitopênica imune (PTI) é doença autoimune adquirida, caracterizada por trombocitopenia. A PTI em adultos usualmente apresenta evolução crônica e o diagnóstico é sugerido pela exclusão de outras causas de trombocitopenia. Anticorpos antifosfolípides (AAF) com perda fetal ou trombose vascular definem a síndrome antifosfolípide (SAF). AAFs também podem ser identificados em portadores adultos de PTI. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as associações entre AAF e PTI e entre PTI AAF positivo e TV. Método: trata-se de estudo de coorte incluindo pacientes com PTI atendidos em um ambulatório de um hospital público em Belo Horizonte, entre 1981 e 2006. Os dados relativos ao diagnóstico e ao acompanhamento foram extraídos de prontuários médicos, de laudos laboratoriais e por pesquisa telefônica. Resultados: foram diagnosticados 65 adultos com PTI, dos quais 28 (43,1%) foram avaliados para AAF. Cinco pacientes foram AAF positivo (18% dos pacientes avaliados, intervalo de confiança de 95% - 7,3% a 33,9%). Não houve diferença entre os grupos AAF positivo e AAF negativo em relação à idade e evolução clínica. Houve tendência ao predomínio de pacientes masculinos no grupo AAF positivo (valor p 0,08, teste qui- -quadrado). Nenhum evento trombótico foi observado em 956 meses acumulados de observação. Conclusão: observou-se AAF em 18% dos pacientes com PTI de adultos, mas não se constatou evento trombótico em pacientes com PTI.

Introduction: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by low-platelet counts. ITP in adults usually runs a chronic course and the diagnosis is suggested by ruling out other diseases that may cause thrombocytopenia. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) may be associated with vascular thrombosis or fetal loss as defined by the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). aPL may also be found in adul ITP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between aPL and ITP between aPL and venous thrombosis. Material and methods: The study is a cohort comprising adult IPT patients who attended a large public hematological unit in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, from 1981 to 2006. Data on diagnosis and follow-up were abstracted from medical record, laboratory databases and by telephone interviews. Results and discussion: A total of 65 adults were identified with adult ITP of whom 28 (43,1%) had aPL tested. Five ITP patients were aPL positive (18%, 95% CI 7.3 to 33.9). There was no difference between aPL positive and negative ITP patients regarding age and clinical evolution but there was a tren towards male overrepresentation in aPL positive ITP patients (p value 0.08, chi-squared test). No venous thromboembosis was observed in 956 cumulative months of observation. Conclusion: We observed aPL in 18% of adult ITP patients but no thrombosis in adult ITP patients.

Avaliação dos efeitos adversos da tromboprofilaxia medicamentosa em pacientes hospitalizados com delineamentos de coorte e caso-controle aninhado / Assessment of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis side-effects in hospital-admitted patients in a nested case-control design

Introdução: pacientes hospitalizados apresentam risco aumentado de 10 vezes para trombose venosa (TV) em relação a pacientes comunitários. A tromboprofilaxia (TP) visa a reduzir o risco trombótico de pacientes selecionados, podendo ser medicamentosa ou não medicamentosa (mecânica). A TP medicamentosa associa-se a efeitos adversos como a trombocitopenia induzida por heparina (HIT) ou hemorragias. Este trabalho visou mensurar os efeitos adversos da TP medicamentosa e identificar os determinantes de efeitos adversos. Material e método: o estudo apresenta delineamento de caso- -controle aninhado em uma coorte. Foram selecionados quatro controles (pacientes sem efeitos adversos associados à TP medicamentosa) para cada caso índice (paciente comefeito adverso), pareados por idade, data do desfecho e gênero. Razões de chances (OR) ou riscos relativos (RR) com respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% foram calculados. As ORs foram ajustadas para confundimento utilizando-se regressão logística multivariada. Resultados: foram estudados 21.158 pacientes no delineamento de coorte. O RR para qualquer evento adverso em participantes que receberam TP medicamentosa foi de 5,02 (IC 95% 2,91-8,64). Após ajuste para confundimento, a OR foi de 3,94 (IC 95% 2,01-7,71). No delineamento de caso-controle, a TP medicamentosa esteve associada à OR de 2,4 (IC 95% 1,28-4,63) para evento adverso. Participantes na clínica ginecológico- obstétrica apresentaram risco aumentado para eventos adversos (OR ajustada 4,72, IC 95% 1,60-11,62). Conclusão: o risco de evento adverso com TP medicamentosa foi quatro vezes mais alto do que o risco em participantes com TP mecânica ou sem TP, estando a hospitalização na clínica ginecológico-obstétrica associada a elevado risco.

Introduction: Hospital admissions are associated with a ten-fold increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with community patients. Thromboprophylaxis (TP) in selected at-risk patients reduces the thrombotic risk by two thirds either by pharmacological or mechanical means. Pharmacological TP may also be associated with side effects such as heparininduced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or bleeding. The objectives of this study were to measure the side effect risks of pharmacological TP and to identify side effects determinants. Material and methods: This is a nested case-control study including cohort and case-control analysis. Four controls (patients without a side effect associated with pharmacological TP) were matched by age, gender and date of event to each index case (patient with a side effect associated with pharmacological TP). The results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) or relative risks (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: A total of21,158 patients were enrolled in the cohort design. The RR for any side effect in participants who received pharmacological TP was 5.02 (95% CI 2.91- 8.64) compared with those who did not. After adjusting for confounders, OR was 3.94 (95% CI 2.01-7.71). In the case-control analysis, pharmacological TP was associated with OR of 2.44 (95% CI 1.28-4.63) for adverse event. Participants from the Gynecological-Obstetrical Clinic were at higher risk for side effects (adjusted OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.60-11.62). Conclusion: Pharmacological TP increases the side effect risk four-fold when compared with participants with mechanical TP or no TP. Gynecological-Obstetrical patients are at increased risks for side effects

Qualidade de registros de hanseníase em centro de referência no estado deMinas Gerais, no período de 2006 a 2010 / Quality of data on leprosy at a refernce center in the Minas Gerais state from 2006 to 2010

Introdução: a hanseníase é uma doença de impacto mundial. No Brasil, o Sistema de Informação de Agravos Notificáveis (SINAN) registra dados referentes ao controle da hanseníase. Poucos trabalhos analisaram a qualidade dos registros desse sistema em relação à hanseníase. Neste estudo, avaliou-se a qualidade do preenchimento das fichas de notificação da hanseníase. Material e método: trata-se de estudo de banco de dados de variáveis de fichas do SINAN para hanseníase e registros de prontuários médicos. Analisaram-se 147 fichas de notificação de pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase no Centro de Referência de Minas Gerais, de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2010. Construiu-se questionário com dados relativos ao prontuário e à ficha do SINAN com dupla coleta e entrada de dados no banco de dados. Para avaliar a qualidade dos registros, verificaram-se a completitude e consistência dos registros e aplicou-se o coeficiente Kappa para confiabilidade. Resultados: foram avaliados o grau de completitude de 12 variáveis em 147 fichas; 74 (50,3%) apresentaram pelo menos um campo em branco; oito entre 12 variáveis (66,7%) apresentaram percentual superior a 90% de preenchimento. Para a análise da concordância, foram consideradas sete variáveis categóricas, com coeficiente Kappa variando de 0,86 a 1,0. Conclusão: a análise de completitude foi similar à de outros trabalhos, porém a confiabilidade dos registros foi diferente de estudos anteriores, que encontraram graus de concordância inferiores ao estudo atual. Mais estudos são necessários para confirmar a qualidade de registros em outros centros e em etapas diferentes do fluxo de informações do SINAN.

Introduction: Leprosy is a disease of worldwide impact. In Brazil, the Information System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) records data relating to leprosy control. Few studies have analyzed data quality of the records of this system in relation to leprosy. In this study, we evaluated the quality of the information reporting forms on leprosy. Methods: This is a study of Database variables evaluating data quality from SINAN forms on leprosy and medical records. We analyzed 147 forms with records of patients diagnosed with leprosy at the Reference Center of Minas Gerais from January 2006 to December 2010. We developed a questionnaire based on selected variables extracted from the SINAN form. Data collection and data entry into the database was performed twice. To assess the quality of the records, we evaluated the completeness and consistency of records and applied kappa statistics for data reliability. Results: We evaluated the completeness of twelve variables in 147 forms; half of the records showed at least one not filled in. Eight out of twelve variables (66.7%) showed more than 90 % coverage. The kappa statistics ranged from 0.86 to 1.0 (almost perfect to perfect agreement). Conclusion: Analysis of completeness was similar to other studies, but the reliability of the records was different from previous studies that found lower degrees of agreement than the current study. More studies are needed to confirm the quality of records in other centers and in different stages of the SINAN information flow.