Subclinical progression of systemic sclerosis-related cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is frequent and represents a negative prognostic factor. Recent studies have described subclinical heart involvement of both the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) via speckle-tracking-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS). It is currently unknown if SSc-related cardiomyopathy progresses through time. Our aim was to assess the progression of subclinical cardiac involvement in patients with SSc via speckle-tracking-derived GLS. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study enrolling 72 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of SSc and no structural heart disease nor pulmonary hypertension. A standard echocardiographic exam and GLS calculations were performed at baseline and at follow-up. RESULTS: Traditional echocardiographic parameters did not differ from baseline to 20-month follow-up. LV GLS, despite being already impaired at baseline, worsened significantly during follow-up (from -19.8 ± 3.5% to -18.7 ± 3.5%, p = .034). RV GLS impairment progressed through the follow-up period (from -20.9 ± 6.1% to -18.7 ± 5.4%, p = .013). The impairment was more pronounced for the endocardial layers of both LV (from -22.5 ± 3.9% to -21.4 ± 3.9%, p = .041) and RV (-24.2 ± 6.2% to -20.6 ± 5.9%, p = .001). A 1% worsening in RV GLS was associated with an 18% increased risk of all-cause death or major cardiovascular event (p = .03) and with a 55% increased risk of pulmonary hypertension (p = .043). CONCLUSION: SSC-related cardiomyopathy progresses over time and can be detected by speckle-tracking GLS. The highest progression towards reduced deformation was registered for the endocardial layers, which supports the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction is the main determinant of heart involvement in SSc patients and starts well before overt pulmonary hypertension.

Global longitudinal strain measured by speckle tracking identifies subclinical heart involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background Systemic sclerosis is characterised by progressive cutaneous and organ fibrosis. Among all organs, a subclinical heart involvement is difficult to detect through conventional imaging. Design We evaluated whether speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain could help detect early subclinical systolic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis patients without overt clinical involvement. Methods A case-control, single-centre study on 52 systemic sclerosis patients and 52 age and gender-matched controls. Patients with structural heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension were excluded. For every patient, standard echocardiographic and speckle tracking-derived variables for the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle and right ventricle were acquired. Results Traditional parameters of left and right systolic function did not differ between systemic sclerosis patients and controls (all P = ns). Left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain was significantly impaired in patients with systemic sclerosis when compared to controls (-19.2% vs. -21.1%; P = 0.009 and -18.2% vs. -22.3%; P = 0.012, respectively). Systemic sclerosis patients had a 2.5-fold increased risk of subclinical left ventricular systolic impairment (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-5.5; P = 0.027) and a 3.3-fold increased risk of subclinical right ventricular systolic impairment when compared to controls (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4-7.7; P = 0.004). Alterations in the myocardial deformation pattern of systemic sclerosis patients were homogeneous in the right ventricle and eccentric in the left ventricle. Conclusions While traditional echocardiographic parameters are ineffective in detecting subclinical systolic impairment, reduced global longitudinal strain is common in patients with systemic sclerosis and significant for both ventricles. Global longitudinal strain could become a low-cost, non-invasive and reliable tool in order to detect early cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.

Variations in the body mass index in Brazilian women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate variations in the body mass index in patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, and to associate these changes with patient's age and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in order to correlate any variation in the body mass index before and after adjuvant chemotherapy with patient's age and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Patients who received any form of prior hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, were excluded. We selected data for 196 patients with stage I to III breast cancer who were treated by radical or conservative surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy at the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Before adjuvant chemotherapy, 67.8% of patients were classified as overweight or obese according to their body mass indices. Around 66.3% (95% CI 59.7-73.0) of the patients exhibited an increase in the body mass index after adjuvant chemotherapy. The average age of all patients was 56.3±11.3 years. Participants whose body mass index increased were younger than those with no increase (54.7±11.1 versus 59.3±11.2 years; p=0.007). Patients were treated with the following adjuvant chemotherapy regimens: doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel (AC-T, 129 patients, 65.8%); 5-fluoracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (36 patients, 18.4%); cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluoracil (16 patients, 8.2%); docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (7 patients, 3.6%); and other regimen (8 patients, 4.1%). The AC-T regimen showed a statistically significant association with increase in the body mass index (p<0.001 by ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with breast cancer showed an increase in the body mass index after adjuvant chemotherapy, especially after the AC-T chemotherapy regimen.

[Evaluation of factors related to the occurrence of female urinary incontinence]. / Avaliação dos fatores relacionados à ocorrência da incontinência urinária feminina.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors related to occurrence of female urinary incontinence. METHODS: A case-control study that included 253 women (102 continent and 151 incontinent) invited to respond to an epidemiological questionnaire on possible risk factors for urinary incontinence. They were age, hormone status, race, body mass index, parity, types of deliveries (normal, forceps or cesarean), weight of largest newborn, use of episiotomy and/or analgesia during labor, history of hysterectomy, physical activity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, constipation, history of bronchial asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of diuretics and/or antidepressants. RESULTS: After application of binary logistic regression model we found, as risk factors for occurrence of urinary incontinence: age [OR = 1.07 (CI 1.03 to 1.1)], vaginal delivery [OR = 1.5 (CI 1.1 to 12.0)], forceps delivery [OR = 35.0 (CI 3.7 to 327)] and weight of largest newborn [OR = 1.001 (CI 1-1.002)]. Furthermore, we identified as a protective factor cesarean delivery [OR = 0.39 (CI 0.23 to 0.65)]. CONCLUSION: The independent risk factors for occurrence of urinary incontinence included age, vaginal delivery, forceps delivery and weight of largest infant and as a protective factor, cesarean section delivery.

Variations in the body mass index in Brazilian women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer / Variações no índice de massa corpórea em mulheres brasileiras submetidas à quimioterapia adjuvante por câncer de mama

PURPOSE: To evaluate variations in the body mass index in patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, and to associate these changes with patient's age and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in order to correlate any variation in the body mass index before and after adjuvant chemotherapy with patient's age and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Patients who received any form of prior hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, were excluded. We selected data for 196 patients with stage I to III breast cancer who were treated by radical or conservative surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy at the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Before adjuvant chemotherapy, 67.8% of patients were classified as overweight or obese according to their body mass indices. Around 66.3% (95% CI 59.7–73.0) of the patients exhibited an increase in the body mass index after adjuvant chemotherapy. The average age of all patients was 56.3±11.3 years. Participants whose body mass index increased were younger than those with no increase (54.7±11.1 versus 59.3±11.2 years; p=0.007). Patients were treated with the following adjuvant chemotherapy regimens: doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel (AC-T, 129 patients, 65.8%); 5-fluoracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (36 patients, 18.4%); cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluoracil (16 patients, 8.2%); docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (7 patients, 3.6%); and other regimen (8 patients, 4.1%). The AC-T regimen showed a statistically significant association with increase in the body mass index (p<0.001 by ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with breast cancer showed an increase in the body mass index after adjuvant chemotherapy, especially after the AC-T chemotherapy regimen. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar variações no índice de massa corpórea em pacientes que estão passando por quimioterapia devido ao câncer de mama, e relacionar tais alterações com a idade da paciente e o regime de quimioterapia. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo que correlacionou variações no índice de massa corpórea pré- e pós-quimioterapia com a idade da paciente e o regime de quimioterapia. Foram excluídas as pacientes que receberam terapia hormonal prévia, seja como tamoxifeno ou inibidores da aromatase. Os dados de 196 pacientes com estágio I a III de câncer de mama foram selecionados, e elas foram tratadas por cirurgia radical ou conservadora que receberam quimioterapia adjuvante no Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Antes da quimioterapia adjuvante, 67,8% das pacientes foram classificadas com sobrepeso ou obesas de acordo com seus índices de massa corpórea. Aproximadamente 66,3% (IC95% 59,7–73,0) das pacientes exibiram aumento no índice de massa corpórea após a quimioterapia adjuvante. A média de idade das pacientes foi de 56,3± 11,3 anos. Pacientes que apresentaram aumento no índice de massa corpórea eram mais jovens do que aquelas que não apresentaram aumento algum (54,7±11,1 versus 59,3±11,2 anos; p=0,007). As pacientes foram tratadas com os seguintes regimes de quimioterapia: doxorrubicina, ciclofosfamida e paclitaxel (AC-T, 129 pacientes, 65,8%); 5-fluoracil, doxorrubicina e ciclofosfamida (36 pacientes, 18,4%); ciclofosfamida, metotrexato e 5-fluoracil (16 pacientes, 8,2%); docetaxel e ciclofosfamida (7 pacientes, 3,6%) e outros regimes (8 pacientes, 4,1%). O regime AC-T mostrou uma relação significativa com o aumento do índice de massa corpórea (p<0,001 por ANOVA). CONCLUSÕES: A maioria das pacientes ...

[Evaluating the use of the tobin index when weaning patients from mechanical ventilation after general anesthesia.]. / Avaliação da aplicação do índice de tobin no desmame da ventilação mecânica após anestesia geral.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The predictive index for discontinuing mechanical ventilation is a prognostic parameter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the Tobin index before tracheal extubation in patients undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty patients, 40 (50%) men and 40 (50%) women undergoing cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 57.7 +/- 12.4 (33 to 82 years) and mean body weight was 70.85 +/- 11.07 (48 to 90 kg). Thirty-seven patients (46.2%) were smokers. The Tobin index was obtained through the relationship between respiratory rate and tidal volume in cycles/Liter/minute (c.L-1.min-1). Age, weight, smoking, anesthetic-surgical risk, duration of the procedure, expired tidal volume, and postoperative respiratory rate, length of time in the recovery room, intraoperative clinical intercurrences and severity of the clinical intercurrences after extubation were studied. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, and analysis of univariate and multiple logistic regression were used. RESULTS: Age (p = 0.019), body weight (p = 0.006), smoking (p = 0.014), anesthetic risk (p = 0.0001), tidal volume (p < 0.0001), respiratory rate (p < 0.0001), length of time in the recovery room (p < 0.0001), and post-extubation clinical intercurrences (p < 0.0001) had a significant influence in the Tobin index. The independent variables with risk of failure to wean included advanced age and elevated body weight (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Weaning patients off mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period with a Tobin Index > 80 c.L-1.min-1 and < 100 c.L-1.min-1 was associated with elevated risk of postoperative clinical intercurrences after extubation. Patients with a Tobin index > 80 c.L-1.min, advanced age and increased body weight were independent variables of risk of failure to discontinue mechanical ventilation.

Avaliação dos fatores relacionados à ocorrência da incontinência urinária feminina / Evaluation of factors related to the occurrence of female urinary incontinence

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os fatores de risco relacionados à ocorrência da incontinência urinária feminina. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle que incluiu 253 mulheres (102 incontinentes e 151 continentes) convidadas a responder a um questionário epidemiológico sobre possíveis fatores de risco para a incontinência urinária como: idade, estado hormonal, raça, Índice de Massa Corporal, paridade, tipos de partos (normais, fórcipes ou cesarianas), peso do maior recém-nascido, utilização de episiotomia e ou analgesia durante o parto, história de histerectomia, prática de atividade física, tabagismo, diabetes mellitus, constipação intestinal, história de asma brônquica e ou doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, uso de diuréticos e ou antidepressivos. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados, após a aplicação do modelo de regressão logística binária, como fatores de risco para a ocorrência de incontinência urinária: a idade [OR = 1,07 (IC 1,03 - 1,1)], o parto normal [OR = 1,5 (IC 1,1 - 12,0)], o parto fórcipe [OR = 35,0 (IC 3,7 - 327)] e o peso do maior recém-nascido [OR = 1,001 (IC 1 - 1,002)]. Além disso, identificamos como fator de proteção a cesariana [OR = 0,39 (IC 0,23 - 0,65)]. CONCLUSÃO: Os fatores de risco independentes para a ocorrência da incontinência urinária foram idade, parto normal, parto fórcipe e peso do maior recém-nascido e, como fator de proteção, a cesariana.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors related to occurrence of female urinary incontinence. METHODS: A case-control study that included 253 women (102 continent and 151 incontinent) invited to respond to an epidemiological questionnaire on possible risk factors for urinary incontinence. They were age, hormone status, race, body mass index, parity, types of deliveries (normal, forceps or cesarean), weight of largest newborn, use of episiotomy and / or analgesia during labor, history of hysterectomy, physical activity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, constipation, history of bronchial asthma and / or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of diuretics and / or antidepressants. RESULTS: After application of binary logistic regression model we found, as risk factors for occurrence of urinary incontinence: age [OR = 1.07 (CI 1.03 to 1.1)], vaginal delivery [ OR = 1.5 (CI 1.1 to 12.0)], forceps delivery [OR = 35.0 (CI 3.7 to 327)] and weight of largest newborn [OR = 1.001 (CI 1 - 1.002)]. Furthermore, we identified as a protective factor cesarean delivery [OR = 0.39 (CI 0.23 to 0.65)]. CONCLUSION: The independent risk factors for occurrence of urinary incontinence included age, vaginal delivery, forceps delivery and weight of largest infant and as a protective factor, cesarean section delivery.

Avaliação da aplicação do índice de tobin no desmame da ventilação mecânica após anestesia geral / Evaluating the use of the tobin index when weaning patients from mechanical ventilation after general anesthesia

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: O índice preditivo de descontinuação da ventilação mecânica é parâmetro de prognóstico de desmame. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a aplicação do índice de Tobin antes da extubação traqueal em pacientes submetidos à anestesia geral. MÉTODO: Foram analisados 80 pacientes, 40 (50 por cento) homens e 40 (50 por cento) mulheres submetidos a colecistectomia sob anestesia geral. A média de idade foi 57,7 ± 12,4 (33 a 82 anos) e a média do peso corpóreo foi 70,85 ± 11,07 (48 a 90 kg). Trinta e sete (46,2 por cento) pacientes eram tabagistas. O índice de Tobin foi obtido pela relação entre freqüência respiratória e volume corrente em ciclos/litro/minuto (c.L-1.min-1). Foram estudadas as variáveis: idade, peso, tabagismo, risco anestésico-cirúrgico, duração do procedimento, volume corrente expirado e freqüência respiratória pós-operatória, tempo de permanência na recuperação pós-anestésica, ocorrências clínicas intra-operatórias e gravidade das ocorrências clínicas após extubação. Foram utilizados testes estatísticos paramétricos e não-paramétricos, e análise de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. RESULTADOS: A idade (p = 0,019), peso corpóreo (p = 0,006), tabagismo (p = 0,014), risco anestésico (p = 0,0001), volume corrente (p < 0,0001), freqüência respiratória (p < 0,0001), tempo de permanência na recuperação pós-anestésica (p < 0,0001) e ocorrências clínicas pós-extubação (p < 0,0001) influenciaram de forma significativa o índice de Tobin. As variáveis independentes com risco de insucesso do desmame ventilatório foram idade avançada e o peso corpóreo elevado (p = 0,023). CONCLUSÕES: O desmame ventilatório pós-operatório com índice de Tobin > 80 c.L-1.min-1 e < 100 c.L-1.min-1 apresentou risco elevado de ocorrências clínicas pós-extubação traqueal. Nos pacientes com índice de Tobin > 80 c.L-1.min-1, a idade avançada e o peso corpóreo elevado constituíram variáveis independentes de risco para...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The predictive index for discontinuing mechanical ventilation is a prognostic parameter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the Tobin index before tracheal extubation in patients undergoing general anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty patients, 40 (50 percent) men and 40 (50 percent) women undergoing cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 57.7 ± 12.4 (33 to 82 years) and mean body weight was 70.85 ± 11.07 (48 to 90 kg). Thirty-seven patients (46.2 percent) were smokers. The Tobin index was obtained through the relationship between respiratory rate and tidal volume in cycles/Liter/minute (c.L-1.min-1). Age, weight, smoking, anesthetic-surgical risk, duration of the procedure, expired tidal volume, and postoperative respiratory rate, length of time in the recovery room, intraoperative clinical intercurrences and severity of the clinical intercurrences after extubation were studied. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, and analysis of univariate and multiple logistic regression were used. RESULTS: Age (p = 0.019), body weight (p = 0.006), smoking (p = 0.014), anesthetic risk (p = 0.0001), tidal volume (p < 0.0001), respiratory rate (p < 0.0001), length of time in the recovery room (p < 0.0001), and post-extubation clinical intercurrences (p < 0.0001) had a significant influence in the Tobin index. The independent variables with risk of failure to wean included advanced age and elevated body weight (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Weaning patients off mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period with a Tobin Index > 80 c.L-1.min-1 and < 100 c.L-1.min-1 was associated with elevated risk of postoperative clinical intercurrences after extubation. Patients with a Tobin index > 80 c.L-1.min, advanced age and increased body weight were independent variables of risk of failure to discontinue mechanical ventilation.

JUSTIFICATIVAS Y OBJETIVOS: El índice de predicción de descontinuación de la ventilación mecánica es parámetro de pronóstico de destete. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la aplicación del índice de Tobin antes de la extubación traqueal en pacientes sometidos a la anestesia general. MÉTODO: Fueron analizados 80 pacientes, 40 (50 por ciento) hombres y 40 (50 por ciento) mujeres sometidos a colecistectomía bajo anestesia general. El promedio de edad fue 57,7 ± 12,4 (33 a 82 años) y la media del peso corporal fue 70,85 ± 11,07 (48 a 90 kg). Treinta y siete (46,2 por ciento) pacientes eran tabaquistas. El índice de Tobin se obtuvo por la relación entre frecuencia respiratoria y volumen corriente en ciclos/litro/minuto (c.L-1.min-1). Fueron estudiadas las variables edad, peso, tabaquismo, riesgo anestésico-quirúrgico, duración del procedimiento, volumen corriente expirado y frecuencia respiratoria postoperatoria, tiempo de permanencia en la recuperación post anestésica, incidencias clínicas intraoperatorias y gravedad de las incidencias clínicas después de la extubación. Fueron utilizados pruebas estadísticas paramétricos y no paramétricos, y análisis de regresión logística variada y múltiple. RESULTADOS: La edad (p = 0,019), peso corpóreo (p = 0,006), tabaquismo (p = 0,014), riesgo anestésico (p = 0,0001), volumen corriente (p < 0,0001), frecuencia respiratoria (p < 0,0001), tiempo de permanencia en la recuperación post anestésica (p < 0,0001) e incidencias clínicas pos extubación (p < 0,0001) influyeron significativamente en el índice de Tobin. Las variables independientes con riesgo de fracaso del destete por ventilación fueron edad avanzada y el peso corpóreo elevado (p = 0,023). CONCLUSIONES: El destete por ventilación postoperatorio con índice de Tobin > 80 c.L-1.min-1 y < 100 c.L-1.min-1 presentó riesgo elevado de incidencias clínicas después de la extubación traqueal. En los pacientes con índice de Tobin...