Cancer survival in people with AIDS: A population-based study from São Paulo, Brazil.

Cancer survival among people with AIDS (PWA) has been described in developed countries, but there is lack of data from developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival after cancer diagnosis in PWA and compare it with people without AIDS (non-PWA) in São Paulo, Brazil. A probabilistic record linkage was carried out between the databases of the Population-based Cancer Registry of São Paulo (PBCR-SP) and the AIDS registry of SP (SINAN) to identify PWA who developed cancer. For comparison, non-PWA were frequency matched from the PBCR-SP by cancer site/type, sex, age, and period. Hazard ratio (HR) stratified by matching variables was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 1,294 PWA (20 patients with two primary site tumors) were included in the site/type-specific analyses. AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) comprised 51.9% of cases assessed. The all-cancer 5-year overall survival in PWA was 49.4% versus 72.7% in non-PWA (HR = 2.64; 95%CI = 2.39-2.91). Survival was impaired in PWA for both ADC (HR = 2.93; 95%CI = 2.49-3.45) and non-ADC (HR = 2.51; 95%CI = 2.21-2.84), including bladder (HR = 8.11; 95% CI = 2.09-31.52), lung (HR = 2.93; 95%CI = 1.97-4.36) and anal cancer (HR = 2.53; 95%CI = 1.63-3.94). These disparities were seen mainly in the first year after cancer diagnosis. The overall survival was significantly lower in PWA in comparison with non-PWA in São Paulo, as seen in high-income countries. Efforts to enhance early diagnosis and ensure proper cancer treatment in PWA should be emphasized.

The role of the local retail food environment in fruit, vegetable and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the local retail food environment and consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in São Paulo, Brazil, as well as the moderation effects of income in the studied relationships. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design that drew upon neighbourhood- and individual-level data. For each participant, community (density and proximity) and community food environment (availability, variety, quality and price) measures of FV and SSB were assessed in retail food stores and specialized fresh produce markets within 1·6 km of their homes. Poisson generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to model the associations of food consumption with food environment measures, adjusted by individual-level characteristics. SETTING: São Paulo, Brazil. SUBJECTS: Adults (n 1842) residing in the same census tracts (n 52) in São Paulo, Brazil as those where the neighbourhood-level measures were taken. RESULTS: FV availability in neighbourhoods was associated with regular FV consumption (≥5 times/week; prevalence ratio=1·41; 95 % CI 1·19, 1·67). Regular FV consumption prevalence was significantly lower among lower-income individuals living in neighbourhoods with fewer supermarkets and fresh produce markets (P-interaction <0·05). A greater variety of SSB was associated with a 15 % increase in regular SSB consumption (≥5 times/week) prevalence, after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the local retail food environment is associated with FV and SSB consumption in a Brazilian urban sample.

Comparison of application times for ice packs used to relieve perineal pain after normal birth: a randomised clinical trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of an ice pack applied for 10, 15 and 20 minutes to relieve perineal pain after birth. BACKGROUND: Perineal pain after vaginal birth, with or without vaginal trauma, is one of the most common morbidities reported for postnatal women. Cryotherapy has been used in postpartum period to relieve perineal pain and investigated in several studies. However, cryotherapy treatment protocols in perineal care vary widely regarding temperature, frequency and duration of the application. DESIGN: A controlled trial, randomised for two groups and with a third group as a historical control. METHOD: The intervention was carried out in a maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The study population consisted of three groups of 38 women who used an ice pack on the perineum, in a single application: group A-10 minutes; group B-15 minutes; group C-20 minutes (historical control from another clinical trial). Participants' perineal pain magnitude was evaluated through a numerical scale (0-10), at four different points: before the cryotherapy; immediately after and at 20 and 40 minutes after cryotherapy. RESULTS: After application of the ice pack, there was no statistical difference when comparing the perineal pain among groups in the second, third and fourth evaluations. Most of the postnatal women reported pain relief, with 72.8% reporting a decrease in pain >50%; 21.9% reported a decrease between 30-50%. All postnatal women subjected to cryotherapy were favourable to the procedure. CONCLUSION: There is no difference in pain scores following ice pack application in three different times (10, 15 and 20 minutes) in women who report moderate or intense perineal pain after normal delivery. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Ice treatment is safe, and application times of 10 or 15 minutes are as beneficial as an application time of 20 minutes to relieve perineal pain.

Incidence of rare cancers in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION:: Rare cancers are a challenge for clinical practice as well as for epidemiology and public health. Studies on this subject are few and limited to the study of cases with scarce epidemiologic information. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of rare cancers and to compare the demographic, anatomic, and histologic characteristics of rare and nonrare (common) cancers. METHODS:: Incidence data were obtained from the Population-based Cancer Registry of São Paulo, Brazil. Rare neoplasms were those defined in the RARECARE list, which takes into account an incidence lower than 6/100,000/year. RESULTS:: In São Paulo, 20.4% of tumors had an incidence lower than 6/100,000/year from 1997 to 2012, being therefore considered as rare tumors. We identified 11 entities with an incidence greater than 6/100,000/year (common neoplasms) and 186 entities with an incidence lower than 6/100,000/year (rare neoplasms). The mean annual incidence of all cancers was 365 per 100,000 in São Paulo between 1997 and 2012, and the incidence of all rare tumors was 74.5 per 100,000. CONCLUSIONS:: This study presents the burden of rare cancers in Brazil. It is expected to be an incentive for further studies of these entities in order to know the epidemiologic profile of rare tumors in Brazil and to provide a more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Factors associated with parental underestimation of child's weight status.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of parental misperception of child weight status, and identify socioeconomic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary factors associated with underestimation. METHOD: Cross-sectional study. Data was collected in 14 Brazilian private schools. Parents of children aged 2-8 years (n=976) completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing their perception of their child's weight status, and sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary information. To measure the agreement between parental perception about child weight status and actual child weight status, the Kappa coefficient was estimated, and to investigate associations between parental underestimation and independent variables, chi-squared tests were performed, followed by multiple logistic regression, considering p≤0.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall, 48.05% of the parents incorrectly classified their child's weight. Specifically, 45.08% underestimated their child's weight status, with just 3% of parents overestimating. Children with higher body mass index (OR=2.03; p<0.001) and boys (OR=1.70; p<0.001) were more likely to have their weight status underestimated by parents. CONCLUSION: Since awareness of weight problems is essential for prevention and treatment, clinical practitioners should help parents at high risk of misperception to correctly evaluate their child's weight status.

Incidence and mortality risk for respiratory tract cancer in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: Bayesian analysis of the association with traffic density.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is related to the incidence of and mortality associated with lung cancer. The aim of this study was to perform a spatial analysis, with a Bayesian approach, to test the hypothesis that high traffic density is associated with increased respiratory tract cancer incidence and mortality risk among individuals over 20 years of age residing in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: We employed data from two different databases: the São Paulo Municipal Population-Based Cancer Registry (2002-2011 cancer incidence data); and the Mortality Database of the São Paulo Municipal Health Department (2002-2013 cancer mortality data). The relationships between the number of cases of respiratory tract cancer in each area analyzed and the standardized covariates-traffic density and the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI)-were evaluated with a Besag-York-Mollié ecological model with relative risks (RRs) estimates. RESULTS: Per 1-unit standard-deviation increase in traffic density and in the MHDI, the RR for respiratory tract cancer incidence was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02-1.13) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.18-1.32), respectively, whereas the RR for mortality was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.99-1.09) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.16-1.30), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that residing in areas with high traffic density is associated with increased respiratory tract cancer incidence and mortality risk in the city of São Paulo.

Classical osteoblastoma, atypical osteoblastoma, and osteosarcoma: a comparative study based on clinical, histological, and biological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological behavior of classical and atypical osteoblastomas in comparison to osteosarcomas. METHODS: Based on histological parameters, 30 osteoblastomas were subclassified as classical osteoblastomas (23/30) or atypical osteoblastoma (high cellularity, prominent blue osteoid, and epithelioid osteoblasts--7/30). Comparative immunohistochemical and clinical analysis was performed in 17 cases of patients with high-grade osteosarcoma. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue was immunostained for p53 and proliferation cell nuclear antigen. Tumors with positive p53 stain underwent molecular analyses for fragments of exon 10. RESULTS: The mean proliferating cell nuclear antigen indexes for classical osteoblastoma, atypical osteoblastoma, and osteosarcoma were 33%, 61%, and 79%, respectively. The atypical subgroup showed similar results to those of the osteosarcoma group (P < 0.001). p53 protein was detected in 4 (13%) osteoblastomas (3 of these were atypical osteoblastoma), and 4 osteosarcomas (23%) also showed p53 positivity. DNA mutation performed in p53-positive cases was confirmed in exon 10 in 2 atypical osteoblastomas (2/3), 1 classical osteoblastoma (1/1), and 1 osteosarcoma (1/4). Disease recurrence was correlated with p53 expression (P = 0.009), atypical subtype (P = 0.031), spiculated blue bone on histology (P = 0.018), and proliferating-cell nuclear antigen labeling index > or =40 (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: These results validate atypical osteoblastoma as an entity, with p53 and proliferation cell nuclear antigen immuno-expression closer to that of osteosarcoma than of classical osteoblastoma. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index and p53 may be useful predictors of recurrence.

Lower heart rate variability is associated with higher serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in healthy individuals aged 46 years or more.

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis of an association between cardiac autonomic activity evaluated by heart rate variability and systemic inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, we studied the correlation of the indices of heart rate variability relative to serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in a healthy Brazilian population. METHODS: Four hundred twenty-one healthy individuals aged 15-82 years (mean 40.4 years), 184 men (43.7%) and 237 women (56.3%) were enrolled between July 1998 and July 2001. The relationship between the log-transformed indices of the heart rate variability and the serum concentration of hs-CRP were analyzed stratified by age tertile using the Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The log standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals over 24 h (SDNN) (r = -0.801; p = 0.024) was independently correlated with log hs-CRP in the individuals with age in the oldest tertile (> or = 46 years). In addition, the body mass index (BMI) was independently correlated with hs-CRP in all of the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the healthy subjects aged 46 years or more the lower heart rate variability correlated with higher concentration of hs-CRP.

[Job control, job demands, social support at work and health among adolescent workers]. / Controle, exigências, apoio social no trabalho e efeitos na saúde de trabalhadores adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physical and psychological dimensions of adolescent labor (such as job demands, job control, and social support in the work environment), and their relation to reported body pain, work injuries, sleep duration and daily working hours. METHODS: A total of 354 adolescents attending evening classes at a public school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, answered questionnaires regarding their living and working conditions (Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, 1998), and their health status. Data collection took place in April and May 2001. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine relations among variables. RESULTS: Psychological job demands were related to body pain (OR=3.3), higher risk of work injuries (OR=3.0) and reduced sleep duration in weekdays (Monday to Thursday) (p<0.01). Lower decision authority in the workplace (p=0.03) and higher job security (p=0.02) were related to longer daily working hours. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that besides physical stressors, psychological factors are to be taken into account when studying adolescent working conditions, as they may be associated with negative job conditions and health effects.

[Lipidic profile of individuals without cardiopathy with overweight and obesity]. / Perfil lipídico de indivíduos sem cardiopatia com sobrepeso e obesidade.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the lipidic profile of overweight and obese individuals submitted to cardiologic assessment and who did not show evidences of cardiopathy. METHODS: Sample with 684 individuals, 389 (56.9%) women and 295 (43.1%) men, with age ranging from 14 to 74 (average of 40.6) years old, without evidences of cardiopathy after clinical assessment and analysis of electrocardiogram, thorax radiography, ergometric test on treadmill and two-dimensional Doppler echocardiogram. The serum profile of lipids and glucose regarding sex and ranges of body mass index (BMI) -- eutrophic up to 24.9 Kg/m2, overweight 25-29.9 Kg/m2 and obese > 30 Kg/m2, was studied. RESULTS: The following means showed a significant statistic difference between the sexes: glucose (mg/dL) in women 90.21+/-23.13 and men 95.28+/-28.64 (p < 0.001); triglycerides (mg/dL) in women 97.27+/-55.24 and men 141.47+/-57.06 (p < 0.001) and HDL-C (mg/dL) in women 52.63+/-13.92 and men 43+/-10.88 (p < 0.001). The average BMI in women was 26.15 and in men 26.33 (p = ns). In the analysis through BMI ranges there was a significant difference between the sexes (p = 0.037). In the categories of overweight and obesity, only the means of triglycerides in women showed a significant statistic difference: overweight women with 102.25+/-60.68 mg/dL and obese 121.64+/-63.57 mg/dL (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Women without cardiopathy showed serum levels of glucose, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol lower than men's. In both sexes, the means are lower in the comparison with eutrophic and overweight, and only the triglycerides average of women with overweight and obesity showed significant statistic difference.

Evaluating the use of in-store measures in retail food stores and restaurants in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of retail food store, open-air food market, and restaurant observation tools adapted to the Brazilian urban context. METHODS: This study is part of a cross-sectional observation survey conducted in 13 districts across the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2010-2011. Food store and restaurant observational tools were developed based on previously available tools, and then tested it. They included measures on the availability, variety, quality, pricing, and promotion of fruits and vegetables and ultra-processed foods. We used Kappa statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients to assess inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities in samples of 142 restaurants, 97 retail food stores (including open-air food markets), and of 62 restaurants and 45 retail food stores (including open-air food markets), respectively. Construct validity as the tool's abilities to discriminate based on store types and different income contexts were assessed in the entire sample: 305 retail food stores, 8 fruits and vegetable markets, and 472 restaurants. RESULTS: Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were generally high, with most Kappa values greater than 0.70 (range 0.49-1.00). Both tools discriminated between store types and neighborhoods with different median income. Fruits and vegetables were more likely to be found in middle to higher-income neighborhoods, while soda, fruit-flavored drink mixes, cookies, and chips were cheaper and more likely to be found in lower-income neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: The measures were reliable and able to reveal significant differences across store types and different contexts. Although some items may require revision, results suggest that the tools may be used to reliably measure the food stores and restaurant food environment in urban settings of middle-income countries. Such studies can help .inform health promotion interventions and policies in these contexts.

Association of CYP3A4 genotype with detection of Vgamma/Jbeta trans-rearrangements in the peripheral blood leukocytes of pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy for ALL.

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are exposed to high doses of cytotoxic and genotoxic drugs which, in some cases, can lead to treatment related leukemia. Since this only occurs in a minority of patients, however, it is possible some individuals are predisposed due to genetic polymorphisms in genes for enzymes that mediate drug metabolism. To address this possibility we measured the genotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in patients receiving treatment for ALL by the frequency of the Vgamma/Jbeta trans-rearrangement in their peripheral blood leukocytes and compared this with CYP3A4 genotype. CYP3A4 is the most abundant of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme in the liver and intestine which contains a common -392A>G substitution in the promoter region (CYP3A4*1B allele). We found a significant increase in the frequency of rearrangements during chemotherapy only in patients homozygous for the wild type CYP3A4*1A allele. This provides a direct link between CYP3A4 genotype and susceptibility to drug genotoxicity thus strengthening the possibility that predisposition to treatment related leukemia may be measurable by simple genetic testing.

Upper respiratory symptoms associated with aging of the ventilation system in artificially ventilated offices in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The increase of work-related respiratory complaints in artificially ventilated buildings has multiple causes, and the role of allergen exposure and symptoms is still controversial. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze the risk factors and the association of work-related symptoms with allergen exposure and different conditions of the same air conditioning system in São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN: Workers were classified according to characteristics of the air conditioning system: the first group (group 1) with ventilation machinery and ducts with > 20 years of use, the second group (group 2) with ventilation machinery with > 20 years of use and ventilation ducts with < 2 years of use, and the third group (group 3) with ventilation machinery and ducts with < 2 years of use. Logistic regression was performed to check the associations between air conditioning groups, allergen exposure (fungi, mites, animal dander, and cockroach), and symptoms. RESULTS: There was a higher prevalence of building-related worsening of respiratory symptoms (p = 0.004; odds ratio [OR], 8.53) and symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (p = 0.01; OR, 8.49) in group 1. There was a lower relative humidity (p = 0.05) and nonsignificant lower temperature in group 1, when compared to the other groups. The viable mold spores totals were higher outdoors than in the indoor samples (n = 45, p = 0.017). There were higher levels of Der p 1 in group 2 (p = 0.032). All allergen levels were considered low. CONCLUSION: There was a strong association of building-related upper-airway symptoms with places having ventilation systems with > 20 years of use.

Past and present habitual physical activity and its relationship with bone mineral density in men aged 50 years and older in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between habitual physical activity (HPA) during life and bone mineral density (BMD) in men aged 50 years and older. METHODS: A total of 326 men aged 50 years and older, volunteers living in São Paulo city, Brazil, were studied. BMD was measured in the whole body, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter, and lumbar spine (L2-L4) with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer. The HPA data were collected with questionnaires inquiring about physical exercise and occupational physical activity in the past and during the past 12 months and leisure and locomotor physical activity in the preceding 12 months. The relationship between BMD and HPA was analyzed using multiple linear regression models adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Practice of physical exercise in the past 10-20 years and leisure and locomotor physical activity in the preceding 12 months showed a significant positive correlation with BMD of whole body, femoral neck, trochanter, and lumbar spine, and this association was independent of age and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: HPA can contribute to preserving BMD in men aged 50 years and older in Brazil, when it is practiced in the past 10-20 years and even in the present.

The influence of tumor necrosis factor -308 and C-reactive protein G1059C gene variants on serum concentration of C-reactive protein: evidence for an age-dependent association.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) synthesis and activity are modulated both by genetic and environmental factors. Data about the influence of genetic factors upon CRP concentration are sparse. We evaluated the hypothesis that allele variations in the genes encoding the CRP and TNF-alpha genes could modulate hs-CRP serum concentration in the general population. METHODS: Six hundred and eighty-four asymptomatic Brazilian individuals, selected between July 1998 and July 2001, 295 men (43.1%) and 389 women (56.9%) were studied. Laboratory assessment included: serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid-stimulating hormone, uric acid and CRP measured by a high-sensitivity assay (hs-CRP). TNF -308 and CRP G1059C genotypes were obtained through PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of hs-CRP were distributed into population quartiles. There was no significant difference of hs-CRP serum concentration regarding CRP gene G1059C polymorphism. However, there was a tendency for higher hs-CRP serum levels in individuals harboring the TNFA2 allele in quartile 4. In addition, ANOVA factorial modeling using log-transformed hs-CRP serum level as the dependent variable disclosed a significant association between hs-CRP and the TNFA2 allele following stratification for age quartiles (p=0.01). Finally, the presence of TNFA2 allele in this age group increased the odds of being in the fourth quartile of hs-CRP concentration (p<0.05, OR=5.1). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an association between a functional genetic variant of the TNF-alpha gene and hs-CRP levels at particular age groups.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in a healthy Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The use of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) for cardiovascular risk profiling requires knowledge of the distribution in different populations. We studied serum hs-CRP in a healthy Brazilian population, with no evidence of heart disease, relative to gender and smoking status as well as other clinical and laboratory variables. METHODS: 684 healthy Brazilian individuals, aged 14-74 years (mean 40.6 years), 295 men (43.1%) and 389 women (56.9%), were enrolled between July 1998 and July 2001. The relationship between the log-transformed hs-CRP, stratified by gender and smoking status (non-smokers, smokers), and clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In a multiple linear regression model age (beta=1.0069, p=0.03), body mass index (BMI) (beta=1.0093, p<0.01), total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) (beta=1.1015, p<0.01) and heart rate (beta=1.0139, p<0.01) were independently correlated with hs-CRP. Stratification according to gender and smoking was able to disclose different interactions between these variables and hs-CRP. Variables significantly correlated in each stratum were as follows: in smoker men, age (beta=1.0236, p=0.04) and TC/HDL-C (beta=1.2065, p<0.01); in non-smoker men, BMI (beta=1.0786, p<0.01) and TC/HDL-C (beta=1.1397, p=0.01); in smoker women, BMI (beta=1.1006, p=0.03); and in non-smoker women, BMI (beta=1.0873, p<0.01), TC/HDL-C (beta=1.1405, p=0.01) and heart rate (beta=1.0165, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and laboratory variables studied influenced the concentration of hs-CRP according to gender and smoking. In assessing the risk of cardiovascular events in relation to serum hs-CRP level, stratification by gender and smoking status is indicated.

[Delayed diagnosis in retinoblastoma]. / Atraso diagnóstico do retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the main symptoms of retinoblastoma and to determine the mean time between symptom onset and diagnosis (lag time). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of the patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma between January 1991 and June 2000, at the Pediatric Department of the Hospital do Cancer, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Statistical analyses performed were: Student's t test, ANOVA, Tukey-HSD test (honest significant differences), Levene's test, multiple regression, ROC curve, logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier, and log rank. RESULTS: 327 medical records (171 males) were reviewed. The mean age was 25 months. Localized disease was identified in 269 patients. The most frequent symptoms were leukocoria (79%), strabismus (10.7%) and tumor mass (3.4%). Mean lag time was 5.8 months. Patients older than 2 years old had longer lag time in comparison to infants (7.2 vs 4.7 months; p = 0.001). Lag time was longer among patients with strabismus (8.8 months) in comparison to patients with tumor mass (2.3 months) and leukocoria (5.6 months); p = 0.014. Patients with metastatic disease had longer lag time (10.6 months; p < 0.001). Lag time was influenced by advanced disease (OR = 3.25/CI = 1.61:6.55), metastatic disease (OR=3.52/ CI = 1.21:10.21) and strabismus (OR = 2.84/IC = 1.36:5.92). Five-year overall survival rates were higher among patients with localized disease (94.6% ) and among patients with lag time less than 6 months (91%), in comparison to patients with longer lag time (78%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most frequent symptoms of retinoblastoma were leukocoria, strabismus and tumor mass. Mean lag time was 5.8 months. Strabismus and advanced disease were associated to longer lag time. Patients with advanced disease and lag time longer than 6 months had worse prognosis.

Neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and differences in the availability of healthy food stores and restaurants in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Differential access to healthy foods has been hypothesized to contribute to health disparities, but evidence from low and middle-income countries is still scarce. This study examines whether the access of healthy foods varies across store types and neighborhoods of different socioeconomic statuses (SES) in a large Brazilian city. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010-2011 across 52 census tracts. Healthy food access was measured by a comprehensive in-store data collection, summarized into two indexes developed for retail food stores (HFSI) and restaurants (HMRI). Descriptive analyses and multilevel models were used to examine associations of store type and neighborhood SES with healthy food access. Fast food restaurants were more likely to be located in low SES neighborhoods whereas supermarkets and full service restaurants were more likely to be found in higher SES neighborhoods. Multilevel analyses showed that both store type and neighborhood SES were independently associated with in-store food measures. We found differences in the availability of healthy food stores and restaurants in Sao Paulo city favoring middle and high SES neighborhoods.

Factors associated with parental underestimation of child's weight status / Fatores associados à subestimação do status do peso da criança pelos pais

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of parental misperception of child weight status, and identify socioeconomic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary factors associated with underestimation. Method Cross-sectional study. Data was collected in 14 Brazilian private schools. Parents of children aged 2-8 years (n = 976) completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing their perception of their child's weight status, and sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioral and dietary information. To measure the agreement between parental perception about child weight status and actual child weight status, the Kappa coefficient was estimated, and to investigate associations between parental underestimation and independent variables, chi-squared tests were performed, followed by multiple logistic regression, considering p ≤ 0.05 for statistical significance. Results Overall, 48.05% of the parents incorrectly classified their child's weight. Specifically, 45.08% underestimated their child's weight status, with just 3% of parents overestimating. Children with higher body mass index (OR = 2.03; p < 0.001) and boys (OR = 1.70; p < 0.001) were more likely to have their weight status underestimated by parents. Conclusion Since awareness of weight problems is essential for prevention and treatment, clinical practitioners should help parents at high risk of misperception to correctly evaluate their child's weight status.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a prevalência de percepção errônea dos pais sobre o status do peso infantil e identificar fatores socioeconômicos, antropométricos, comportamentais e dietéticos associados à subestimação. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Os dados foram coletados em 14 escolas particulares brasileiras. Pais de crianças de dois a oito anos de idade (n = 976) preencheram um questionário autoaplicável sobre sua percepção do estado nutricional do seu filho e informações sociodemográficas, antropométricas, comportamentais e dietéticas. Para medir o grau de concordância entre a percepção dos pais do peso do filho e o peso real do filho, estimamos o coeficiente Kappa e investigamos as associações entre subestimação do pai e variáveis independentes, calculamos o qui-quadrado seguido do modelo de regressão logística múltipla considerando p≤0,05 para significância estatística. Resultados Em geral, 48,05% dos pais classificaram incorretamente o peso de seus filhos; particularmente, 45,08% subestimaram o peso do seu filho e apenas 3% subestimaram o peso infantil. A regressão logística demonstrou que as crianças com maior índice de massa corporal (OR = 2,03; p < 0,001) e os meninos (OR = 1,70; p < 0,001) tinham maior probabilidade de ter seu peso subestimado pelos pais. Conclusão Médicos clínicos devem concentrar suas intervenções nessas crianças para ajudar os pais a avaliar corretamente o seu peso. A consciência dos pais sobre um problema de peso em crianças é essencial para a prevenção e tratamento da obesidade infantil e estilos de vida saudáveis.

Evaluating the use of in-store measures in retail food stores and restaurants in Brazil / Validade e confiabilidade de instrumentos de avaliação do microambiente alimentar no Brasil

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To assess inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of retail food store, open-air food market, and restaurant observation tools adapted to the Brazilian urban context.METHODS This study is part of a cross-sectional observation survey conducted in 13 districts across the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2010-2011. Food store and restaurant observational tools were developed based on previously available tools, and then tested it. They included measures on the availability, variety, quality, pricing, and promotion of fruits and vegetables and ultra-processed foods. We used Kappa statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients to assess inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities in samples of 142 restaurants, 97 retail food stores (including open-air food markets), and of 62 restaurants and 45 retail food stores (including open-air food markets), respectively. Construct validity as the tool's abilities to discriminate based on store types and different income contexts were assessed in the entire sample: 305 retail food stores, 8 fruits and vegetable markets, and 472 restaurants.RESULTS Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were generally high, with most Kappa values greater than 0.70 (range 0.49-1.00). Both tools discriminated between store types and neighborhoods with different median income. Fruits and vegetables were more likely to be found in middle to higher-income neighborhoods, while soda, fruit-flavored drink mixes, cookies, and chips were cheaper and more likely to be found in lower-income neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS The measures were reliable and able to reveal significant differences across store types and different contexts. Although some items may require revision, results suggest that the tools may be used to reliably measure the food stores and restaurant food environment in urban settings of middle-income countries. Such studies can help .inform health promotion interventions and policies in these contexts.

RESUMOOBJETIVO Avaliar a confiabilidade intra- e inter-indivíduo e validade de construto de instrumentos de avaliação do microambiente alimentar em mercados, supermercados, feiras-livres e restaurantes adaptados ao contexto urbano brasileiro.MÉTODOS Estudo transversal conduzido em 2010-2011 em 13 distritos do município de São Paulo, Brasil. Instrumentos de avaliação do microambiente alimentar, utilizados em outros países, foram adaptados e testados para o contexto brasileiro. Foram coletadas medidas de disponibilidade, variedade, qualidade, preço e promoção de frutas, hortaliças e alimentos ultraprocessados. Estatísticas Kappa e Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse foram utilizados para avaliar as confiabilidades inter- e intra-avaliador em amostra de 142 restaurantes e 97 mercados, supermercados e feiras livres e em 62 restaurantes e 97 mercados, supermercados e feiras livres, respectivamente. A validade de construto, definida como a capacidade dos instrumentos em discriminar diferentes contextos, foi avaliada na totalidade da amostra: 305 mercados e supermercados, oito feiras livres e 472 restaurantes.RESULTADOS Os instrumentos foram considerados confiáveis, com coeficientes Kappa para as medidas inter- e intra-avaliadores, variando de 0,49 a 1,00. Eles também foram capazes de discriminar diferentes tipos de estabelecimentos e diferentes contextos socioeconômicos. Frutas e hortaliças foram mais encontradas em bairros de médio e alto nível socioeconômico, enquanto refrigerantes, refrescos em pó, biscoitos e salgadinhos foram mais encontrados em áreas de menor nível socioeconômico e apresentaram menores preços.CONCLUSÕES As medidas são confiáveis e capazes de discriminar diferentes estabelecimentos e contextos. Embora alguns itens ainda requeiram revisão, os resultados sugerem que os instrumentos podem ser utilizados para avaliar o ambiente alimentar em áreas urbanas de países de renda média. Tais estudos podem informar políticas e intervenções para promoção da saúde nesses contextos.