Duration of face mask exposure matters: evidence from Swiss and Brazilian kindergartners' ability to recognise emotions.

Wearing facial masks became a common practice worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated (1) whether facial masks that cover adult faces affect 4- to 6-year-old children's recognition of emotions in those faces and (2) whether the duration of children's exposure to masks is associated with emotion recognition. We tested children from Switzerland (N = 38) and Brazil (N = 41). Brazil represented longer mask exposure due to a stricter mandate during COVID-19. Children had to choose a face displaying a specific emotion (happy, angry, or sad) when the face wore either no cover, a facial mask, or sunglasses. The longer hours of mask exposure were associated with better emotion recognition. Controlling for the hours of exposure, children were less likely to recognise emotions in partially hideen faces. Moreover, Brazilian children were more accurate in recognising happy faces than Swiss children. Overall, facial masks may negatively impact children's emotion recognition. However, prolonged exposure appears to buffer the lack of facial cues from the nose and mouth. In conclusion, restricting facial cues due to masks may impair kindergarten children's emotion recognition in the short run. However, it may facilitate their broader reading of facial emotional cues in the long run.

Impactos da comunicação de más notícias na assistência de enfermagem em cuidados paliativos oncológicos domiciliares / Impacts of bad news communication on nursing care in home-based oncology palliative care / El impacto de la comunicación de malas noticias en los cuidados de enfermería en oncología paliativa a domicilio

Objetivo: levantar produções científicas sobre os impactos da comunicação de más notícias na assistência de enfermagem domiciliar a pacientes oncológicos sob cuidados paliativos exclusivos. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada nas bases de dados BVS, Scielo e Medline. Os dados foram analisados utilizando o Software IRAMUTEQ e a Classificação Hierárquica Descendente. Resultados: as classes identificadas incluem a importância da assistência domiciliar no cuidado paliativo exclusivo (Classes 3 e 4), os desafios e sucessos da enfermagem nesse contexto (Classes 1 e 6), e a comunicação e envolvimento da família para decisões no cuidado paliativo (Classes 2 e 5). Destaca-se a importância da colaboração entre equipe de enfermagem, outros profissionais e familiares para a eficácia dos cuidados. Considerações finais: uma comunicação eficaz, o engajamento da equipe e a humanização são essenciais para melhorar a qualidade de vida desde o diagnóstico do cuidado paliativo até o fim da vida.

Objective: to gather scientific literature on the impacts of delivering bad news in home nursing care for oncology patients under exclusive palliative care. Method: an integrative literature review was conducted using the databases BVS, Scielo, and Medline. Data were analyzed using the IRAMUTEQ software and Descending Hierarchical Classification. Results: identified classes included the importance of home care in exclusive palliative care (Classes 3 and 4), challenges and successes of nursing in this context (Classes 1 and 6), and communication and family involvement in palliative care decisions (Classes 2 and 5). The importance of collaboration among nursing staff, other professionals, and family members for care effectiveness was emphasized. Conclusion: effective communication, team engagement, and humanization are essential to improve the quality of life from palliative care diagnosis to end-of-life.

Objetivo: recopilar literatura científica sobre los impactos de comunicar malas noticias en la atención domiciliaria de enfermería a pacientes oncológicos bajo cuidados paliativos. Método: se realizó una revisión integrativa de literatura utilizando las bases de datos BVS, Scielo y Medline. Los datos fueron analizados con IRAMUTEQ y la Clasificación Jerárquica Descendente. Resultados: las clases identificadas incluyen la importancia de la atención domiciliaria en cuidados paliativos (Clases 3 y 4), desafíos y éxitos de enfermería en este contexto (Clases 1 y 6), y comunicación y participación de la familia en decisiones de cuidados paliativos (Clases 2 y 5). Se destaca la importancia de la colaboración entre el personal de enfermería, otros profesionales y familiares para la eficacia de los cuidados. Conclusiones: una comunicación efectiva, el compromiso del equipo y la humanización son esenciales para mejorar la calidad de vida desde el diagnóstico de cuidados paliativos hasta el final de la vida.se caracterizaron por tener baja capacidad funcional.

Primary care in supplementary health: assessment of costs in the care of older adult patients with heart diseases.

OBJECTIVES: to identify whether implementing a supplementary Primary Health Care (PHC) system makes it possible to reduce care costs for older adults with heart diseases. METHODS: a retrospective cohort of 223 patients with heart disease aged ≥ 60 years. Data were obtained from medical records and cost databases, assessed for a period of one year before and after PHC implementation. The results were expressed as mean absolute frequencies for number of hospitalizations and as average annual expenses expressed in dollars (US$) in relation to cost data. RESULTS: there was a reduction in hospitalization expenses after implementing supplementary PHC (p=0.01) and a decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations for the entire sample (p=0.006). There was a reduction in the frequency of consultations at the Emergency Room among frail older adults (p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: there was a reduction in hospitalization costs and frequency of visits to the Emergency Room after supplementary PHC.

Primary care in supplementary health: assessment of costs in the care of older adult patients with heart diseases / Atención primaria en salud complementaria: evaluación de costos en el cuidado de ancianos con enfermedades del corazón / Atenção primária na saúde suplementar: avaliação de custos no cuidado de pacientes idosos com cardiopatias

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify whether implementing a supplementary Primary Health Care (PHC) system makes it possible to reduce care costs for older adults with heart diseases. Methods: a retrospective cohort of 223 patients with heart disease aged ≥ 60 years. Data were obtained from medical records and cost databases, assessed for a period of one year before and after PHC implementation. The results were expressed as mean absolute frequencies for number of hospitalizations and as average annual expenses expressed in dollars (US$) in relation to cost data. Results: there was a reduction in hospitalization expenses after implementing supplementary PHC (p=0.01) and a decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations for the entire sample (p=0.006). There was a reduction in the frequency of consultations at the Emergency Room among frail older adults (p=0.011). Conclusions: there was a reduction in hospitalization costs and frequency of visits to the Emergency Room after supplementary PHC.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar si la implementación de un sistema complementario de Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) permite reducir los costos de atención a los ancianos con enfermedades del corazón. Métodos: cohorte retrospectiva de 223 pacientes con cardiopatía de edad ≥ 60 años. Los datos fueron obtenidos de prontuarios y bases de datos de costos, evaluados por un período de un año antes y después de la implementación de la APS. Los resultados se expresaron como frecuencias absolutas medias por número de hospitalizaciones y como gasto anual medio expresado en dólares (US$) en relación con los datos de costes. Resultados: hubo reducción de los gastos de hospitalización después de la implementación de la APS complementaria (p=0,01) y disminución de la frecuencia de hospitalizaciones para toda la muestra (p=0,006). Hubo reducción en la frecuencia de consultas en Emergencia entre los ancianos frágiles (p=0,011). Conclusiones: hubo una reducción en los costos de hospitalización y frecuencia de visitas a la Sala de Emergencia después de la APS complementaria.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar se a implementação de um sistema de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) suplementar possibilita a redução dos custos assistenciais de idosos com cardiopatias. Métodos: coorte retrospectiva de 223 pacientes cardiopatas com idade ≥ 60 anos. Os dados foram obtidos em registros médicos e banco de dados de custos, avaliados por período de um ano antes e após a implementação da APS. Os resultados foram expressos como media das frequências absolutas para número de internações e como gasto médio anual expressos em dólares (US$) em relação aos dados de custos. Resultados: houve redução nas despesas de internação após a implementação da APS suplementar (p=0,01) e diminuição da frequência de internação para toda a amostra (p=0,006). Houve redução na frequência de consultas no Pronto Atendimento entre os idosos frágeis (p=0,011). Conclusões: houve redução nos custos de internação e frequência de consulta no Pronto Atendimento após a APS suplementar.

First-line biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis: a prospective observational study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple joints. It is associated with psoriasis and treated with synthetic and biologic drugs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients who received biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in terms of effectiveness, safety, functionality, and quality of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective observational study was performed at a single center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Patients with PsA who received their first TNF inhibitor treatment were followed up for 12 months. Disease activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Functionality was measured using the Health Questionnaire Assessment (HAQ), and quality of life was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D). Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of the clinical response at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients treated with adalimumab or etanercept were evaluated. Most of the clinical measures were significantly improved at 12 months. However, 31%-51% of the patients did not achieve good clinical control. No differences were observed between adalimumab and etanercept, except for poor functionality at 12 months among patients treated with etanercept. The main predictors of a worse clinical response were female sex, etanercept use, poor functionality, or lower quality of life at baseline. The main adverse reactions were alopecia, headache, injection site reaction, sinusitis, flu, dyslipidemia, and infections. CONCLUSION: TNF inhibitor therapy was effective and safe. However, despite improvements in clinical measures, most patients did not achieve satisfactory control of the disease.

First-line biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple joints. It is associated with psoriasis and treated with synthetic and biologic drugs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients who received biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in terms of effectiveness, safety, functionality, and quality of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective observational study was performed at a single center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Patients with PsA who received their first TNF inhibitor treatment were followed up for 12 months. Disease activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Functionality was measured using the Health Questionnaire Assessment (HAQ), and quality of life was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D). Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of the clinical response at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients treated with adalimumab or etanercept were evaluated. Most of the clinical measures were significantly improved at 12 months. However, 31%-51% of the patients did not achieve good clinical control. No differences were observed between adalimumab and etanercept, except for poor functionality at 12 months among patients treated with etanercept. The main predictors of a worse clinical response were female sex, etanercept use, poor functionality, or lower quality of life at baseline. The main adverse reactions were alopecia, headache, injection site reaction, sinusitis, flu, dyslipidemia, and infections. CONCLUSION: TNF inhibitor therapy was effective and safe. However, despite improvements in clinical measures, most patients did not achieve satisfactory control of the disease.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Quality of Life Among Brazilian Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Treated With Insulin Glargine: Findings and Implications.

This article describes a cross-sectional study involving 401 adults with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin glargine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Health-related quality of life was assessed, and worse scores were found to be associated with a low level of education, self-perceived health reported as poor/very poor, being bedridden and not physically exercised, having seen a doctor more than four times in the past year, and having reported comorbidities and episodes of hypoglycemia.

Functionality assessment in patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing treatment in the Public Health System.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic response (functionality) and its associated factors in patients on biological drugs on the Public Health System for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: An open prospective cohort was carried out from 2011 to 2019, in Belo Horizonte (MG). Functionality was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Factors associated with poor functionality were identified through logistic regression. RESULTS: The median Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index at baseline was 1.5 (interquartile range of 0.8-1.9), with poor functionality observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Improved functionality was seen at 6 months of treatment for the three diseases. The predictors of poor functionality at 6 months for psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis were female sex, low education levels, and high disease activity; and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis were female sex, advanced age, and high disease activity. In 12 months, the three diseases had predictors of worse functionality: female sex, low education, and high disease activity. CONCLUSION: There was a significant improvement in functionality during the follow-up, with better response at 6 months of treatment. Poor functionality was observed in older, female patients, with low education and high disease activity.

Biological therapy in psoriatic arthritis patients with and without previous biologic experience / Terapia biológica em pacientes com artrite psoriásica com e sem experiência prévia no uso de medicamentos biológicos

Objective: this study evaluated the biological therapy effects on disease activity, functionality, quality of life, drug survival, and safety of patients with psoriatic arthritis naïve and experienced in biological therapy. Methods: a one-year prospective observational study was performed. The outcomes assessed were drug survival, disease activity, functionality, quality of life, and safety. Multiple linear regression was used to assess predictive factors for clinical re-sponse. Results: a total of 205 patients were included, 155 of whom were biologic naïve and 50 biologic experienced. Drug survival rate was greater for naïve patients than experienced patients at 6 months, but not at 12 months. Drug survival rates were 71.5% for naïve patients and 70.0% for experienced patients at 12 months. All clinical parameters improved for both biologic naïve and experienced patients. At 12 months, 63% of naïve patients and 52% of expe-rienced patients had an improvement in their quality of life. Besides, 48% of naïve patients and 42% of experienced patients had an improvement in functionality. The axial disease improved in 67% of naïve individuals and 56% of experienced patients. Good control of peripheral disease was achieved by 49% of naïve patients and 44% of experi-enced patients. Female sex, use of etanercept or infliximab, and lower functionality or quality of life at baseline were the main predictors of poor clinical response. Conclusion: Patients' health improved after starting biological therapy. In general, biologic experienced patients had more adverse reactions and lesser effectiveness (AU)

Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos da terapia biológica sobre a atividade da doença, funcionalidade, qualidade de vida, per-sistência no tratamento e segurança em pacientes com artrite psoriásica sem experiência e com experiência prévia em terapia biológica. Métodos: um estudo observacional prospectivo de um ano foi realizado. Os desfechos avaliados foram a persistência no tratamento, atividade da doença, funcionalidade, qualidade de vida e segurança. Um modelo de regressão linear múltipla foi utilizado para avaliar os fatores preditores de resposta clínica. Resultados: foram incluídos 205 pacientes, dos quais 155 não tinham e 50 tinham experiência prévia com medicamentos biológicos. As taxas de persistência no tratamento foram maiores para pacientes sem experiência prévia em comparação aos experientes em seis meses de acompanhamento, mas não em 12 meses. As taxas de persistência no tratamento foram 71,5% em pa-cientes sem experiência prévia e 70% em pacientes com experiência prévia em 12 meses. Todos os desfechos clínicos avaliados melhoraram em ambos os grupos de pacientes. Aos 12 meses, 63% dos pacientes sem experiência prévia e 52% dos pacientes com experiência prévia apresentaram melhora na qualidade de vida. Além disso, 48% dos pacientes sem experiência prévia e 42% dos pacientes com experiência prévia apresentaram melhora na funcionalidade. A do-ença axial melhorou em 67% dos pacientes sem experiência prévia e em 56% dos pacientes com experiência prévia. Um bom controle da doença articular periférica foi observado em 49% dos pacientes sem experiência prévia e em 44% dos pacientes com experiência prévia. Os principais fatores preditores de pior resposta clínica foram sexo feminino, uso de etanercepte ou infliximabe, bem como pior funcionalidade e qualidade de vida no início do estudo. Conclusão:a saúde dos pacientes melhorou após o início do tratamento com os medicamentos biológicos. Em geral, pacientes com experiência prévia com medicamentos biológicos apresentaram mais reações adversas e menor efetividade (AU)

The increasing burden of pancreatic cancer in Brazil from 2000 to 2019: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer is increasing worldwide. The burden of pancreatic cancer in Brazil and its states was analyzed and compared with that from the USA and China. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of the incidence and mortality estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, from 2000 to 2019. The Brazilian states presenting the highest and lowest socio-demographic index (SDI) were selected from each of the five regions. The SDI consists of the per capita income, education, and fertility rate of each population. RESULTS: A significant increase was found in age-standardized incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer in all three countries, with differences in magnitude and annual increases. In Brazil, this incidence rose from 5.33 [95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): 5.06- 5.51] to 6.16 (95% UI: 5.68- 6.53) per 100,000 inhabitants. China and the Brazilian states with the lowest SDI, such as Pará and Maranhão, showed lower incidence and mortality rates, although presenting the highest annual increases. No difference was found between the sexes. A higher mortality rate was observed for those individuals of 70+ years, which was three to four times higher than those aged 50 to 69 years. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing burden of pancreatic cancer in the studied countries, and the higher estimates for the elderly in a fast-aging country such as Brazil, indicates that more resources and health policies will be necessary. The greatest increase in the states with lower SDI reflects inequalities in the access to diagnosis and registries of this cancer.

Economic evaluation of adalimumab versus etanercept for psoriatic arthritis in a Brazilian real-world model.

BACKGROUND: TNF inhibitors are costly drugs supplied generally on health systems or private insurances. Performance analysis is essential to verify the results achieved by health technologies in these systems. The objective of the study was to compare the two most used biological drugs for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Brazil. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis was built using a Markov model, with a five-year time horizon, a discount rate of 5%, and from the perspective of the Unified Health System. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Etanercept was the most cost-effective drug. Adalimumab became the most cost-effective drug in one of the four analysis scenarios with a willingness to pay from one gross domestic product per capita. The deterministic sensitivity analysis identified that the cost parameters had the greatest impact on the most effective drug. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that etanercept is the drug most likely to be cost-effective. CONCLUSION: The difference between the drugs in terms of utility was minimal and the costs were the main factor that impacted the cost-utility ratio, which points to the benefits of price renegotiation for the efficient allocation of resources in the health system.

The increasing burden of pancreatic cancer in Brazil from 2000 to 2019: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer is increasing worldwide. The burden of pancreatic cancer in Brazil and its states was analyzed and compared with that from the USA and China. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of the incidence and mortality estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, from 2000 to 2019. The Brazilian states presenting the highest and lowest socio-demographic index (SDI) were selected from each of the five regions. The SDI consists of the per capita income, education, and fertility rate of each population. RESULTS: A significant increase was found in age-standardized incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer in all three countries, with differences in magnitude and annual increases. In Brazil, this incidence rose from 5.33 [95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): 5.06- 5.51] to 6.16 (95% UI: 5.68- 6.53) per 100,000 inhabitants. China and the Brazilian states with the lowest SDI, such as Pará and Maranhão, showed lower incidence and mortality rates, although presenting the highest annual increases. No difference was found between the sexes. A higher mortality rate was observed for those individuals of 70+ years, which was three to four times higher than those aged 50 to 69 years. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing burden of pancreatic cancer in the studied countries, and the higher estimates for the elderly in a fast-aging country such as Brazil, indicates that more resources and health policies will be necessary. The greatest increase in the states with lower SDI reflects inequalities in the access to diagnosis and registries of this cancer.

A demographic and clinical panorama of a sixteen-year cohort of soft tissue sarcoma patients in Brazil.

Little is known about soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in Brazil, once the federal statistics regarding estimates on incidence and mortality of the most common cancers that affect the Brazilian population currently do not include STS. This study aims to perform a broad evaluation and description of the epidemiological profile, access to treatment and main clinical outcomes of the Brazilian STS patient. A population-based cohort study of 66,825 patients who underwent procedures related to STS treatment registered in the Brazilian public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS) databases. Median age was 57 years, 30% of them older than 65 years and 50.7% of the cohort was female. The majority, 50,383 patients (75.4%), was diagnosed between 2008 and 2015. Most prevalent anatomic sites were upper and lower limbs (12.6%) and the registry of sarcomas without a specific location comprehended 29.7% of the cohort. The majority of patients resided in the Northeast (40.2% of the patients). Surgery was the first treatment modality in 77.7% of the cases. For survival analysis, only patients with stage and histological grade information were included. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate of the patients was, respectively, 75.4% (95% CI = 74.1-76.7%), 43.4% (95% CI = 41.5-45.5%) and 18.6% (95% CI = 14.8-23.3%).

Health-Related Quality of Life in Psoriatic Arthritis: Findings and Implications.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of life (QOL) and its associated factors in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who would start treatment with biologic drugs at the Brazilian Unified Health System. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at a single center pharmacy in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. EQ-5D was used to assess the patients' QOL. The functional status was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, whereas disease activity was evaluated through the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and the Clinical Disease Activity Index. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with QOL. RESULTS: A total of 212 patients with PsA were included, of which 185 (87.3%) reported having some pain/discomfort, and 148 (69.8%) presented some level of anxiety/depression. Patients with PsA had a mean QOL score of 0.651 (SD 0.12) with a significant reduction in female patients, concomitant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, comorbidity, and worse clinical and functional status. Poor QOL was associated with worse functional status by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, disease activity by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and with diagnoses of osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, and depression. CONCLUSION: PsA and its associated comorbidities negatively affect the QOL, evidencing the need for a comprehensive and effective clinical approach.

Medication adherence and persistence of psoriatic arthritis patients treated with biological therapy in a specialty pharmacy in Brazil: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical services in Brazil provide access, supply, and rational use of drugs for all population and an effort has been made to improve the quality of these services. Biological drugs are high-cost drugs supplied in Brazil that can inhibit disease progression and improve the quality of life of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. However, some patients did not achieve therapeutic goals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the medication adherence and persistence of PsA patients treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (anti-TNF) drugs and their associated factors. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed at a single-specialty pharmacy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Medication adherence, persistence, and clinical outcomes were evaluated at 12 months of follow-up. Medication persistence was historically compared to overall PsA patients treated in Brazil. Associated factors were identified through log-binomial regression. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-seven PsA patients were included in the study, of whom 147 (74.6%) and 142 (72.1%) had medication adherence and persistence, respectively. Patients treated with infliximab presented the highest adherence (90.5%) and persistence rate (95.2%) in comparison to patients treated with other drugs, except for adalimumab versus infliximab for adherence outcome. All clinical measures significantly improved in patients with medication adherence and persistence. Medication persistence was higher for patients attended by specialty pharmacy than other PsA patients in Brazil. The associated factors to higher medication adherence were lower disease activity by BASDAI, being non-white race, and intravenous drug use. The associated factors to higher medication persistence were lower disease activity by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI), intravenous drug use, non-use of corticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with medication adherence and persistence had significant improvements in clinical measures, functionality, and quality of life. High medication adherence and persistence to biological therapy were observed and associated with lesser disease activity at baseline. Also, medication persistence to PsA patients attended in specialty pharmacy was higher than the overall PsA population in Brazil, which indicates the importance of pharmaceutical services to provide health care and promote the effectiveness and safety of biological therapies.

Medication adherence and persistence of psoriatic arthritis patients treated with biological therapy in a specialty pharmacy in Brazil: a prospective observational study

Pharmaceutical services in Brazil provide access, supply, and rational use of drugs for all population and an effort has been made to improve the quality of these services. Biological drugs are high-cost drugs supplied in Brazil that can inhibit disease progression and improve the quality of life of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. However, some patients did not achieve therapeutic goals. Objective: To evaluate the medication adherence and persistence of PsA patients treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (anti-TNF) drugs and their associated factors. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at a single-specialty pharmacy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Medication adherence, persistence, and clinical outcomes were evaluated at 12 months of follow-up. Medication persistence was historically compared to overall PsA patients treated in Brazil. Associated factors were identified through log-binomial regression. Results: One hundred ninety-seven PsA patients were included in the study, of whom 147 (74.6%) and 142 (72.1%) had medication adherence and persistence, respectively. Patients treated with infliximab presented the highest adherence (90.5%) and persistence rate (95.2%) in comparison to patients treated with other drugs, except for adalimumab versus infliximab for adherence outcome. All clinical measures significantly improved in patients with medication adherence and persistence. Medication persistence was higher for patients attended by specialty pharmacy than other PsA patients in Brazil. The associated factors to higher medication adherence were lower disease activity by BASDAI, being non-white race, and intravenous drug use. The associated factors to higher medication persistence were lower disease activity by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI), intravenous drug use, non-use of corticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and comorbidity (AU)

Influence of pharmaceutical services organization on the availability of essential medicines in a public health system.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of organizational structure and technical-management activities on the availability of essential medicines in the primary healthcare. Materials & methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory and evaluative study. The availability was evaluated according to parameters established by the WHO. Results: The average availability of standardized essential medicines was 83.3 and 73.3% for medicines purchased centrally by the Brazilian government. Among the therapeutic groups evaluated, the lowest average availability were for the tuberculostatics (24.1%) and psychotropic/special control medicines (30.3%). Conclusion: The availability of essential medicines was positively influenced by the presence of the pharmacist and by the computerized system deployed, and negatively associated with essential medicines purchased centrally by the federal government, especially in the smaller municipalities.

Cost-utility analysis of the anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in a real-world based model.

BACKGROUND: Spending on drugs provided by the Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased substantially with the beginning of the supply of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD). This study aims to perform a cost-utility analysis of the most used biological drugs for the treatment of RA in Brazil. METHODS: a Markov model was used to carry out the cost-utility analysis. The data were obtained from a prospective cohort of RA patients using adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab in Brazil. The BPHS perspective was adopted and the time horizon was five years. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the uncertainty. RESULTS: golimumab was the most cost-effective drug. Etanercept was dominated by golimumab. Adalimumab presented an incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of $95,095.37 compared to golimumab in five years of follow-up. These results were confirmed by sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: the utility among adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab was similar and the cost was the component that most impacted the economic model. Therefore, depending on the agreed price with the drug manufacturers, the incremental cost-utility ratio may vary among them.

Microbiological quality of water from public drinking fountains in northwestern São Paulo, Brazil / Qualidade microbiológica da água de bebedouros públicos no noroeste de São Paulo, Brasil

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of the water and the maintenance and physical structure of public drinking fountains located in the city of Araçatuba ­ SP. Methods: To assess the presence or absence of Escherichia coli and total coliforms in the drinking water 41 samples were randomly collected. Thirteen samples were collected in the year 2018 and 28 samples in 2019. Results: All samples collected in the year 2018 showed no total coliforms and E. coli. However, the samples collected in the year 2019 showed coliforms in 10% (3/28). All the drinking fountains analyzed demonstrated to be inadequate in at least one of the qualitative criteria considered. Conclusion: Our results indicate that are necessary periodic maintenance of the public drinking fountains and the monitoring of its water since these parameters serve as indicators of the integrity of the drinking water distribution system.

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água, a manutenção e estrutura física de bebedouros públicos localizados no município de Araçatuba - SP. Métodos: Para avaliar a presença ou ausência de Escherichia coli e coliformes totais na água de consumo, 41 amostras foram coletadas aleatoriamente. Treze amostras foram coletadas no ano de 2018 e 28 amostras em 2019. Resultados: Todas as amostras coletadas no ano de 2018 não apresentaram coliformes totais e E. coli. Porém, as amostras coletadas no ano de 2019 apresentaram coliformes em 10% (3/28). Todos os bebedouros analisados demonstraram ser inadequados em pelo menos um dos critérios qualitativos considerados. Conclusão: Nossos resultados indicam que são necessários a manutenção periódica dos bebedouros públicos e o monitoramento de sua água, visto que esses parâmetros servem como indicadores da integridade do sistema de distribuição de água potável.

Sintomas depressivos e fatores associados em puérperas de um hospital-escola em Cuiabá/MT / Depressive symptoms and associated factors in postpartum women at a teaching hospital in Cuiabá/MT

A Depressão Pós-Parto (DPP) é um problema de saúde pública mundial. Os fatores de risco para seu desenvolvimento podem variar considerando-se aspectos psicossociais. Este estudo objetivou identificar sintomas depressivos e fatores associados em puérperas no Hospital Universitário Júlio Muller (HUJM), na cidade de Cuiabá - MT. Participaram 30 puérperas, entre 18 anos e 39 anos (M= 26,96 anos). Como instrumentos foram utilizados entrevista semiestruturada e questionário PHQ-9. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e do modelo de regressão linear simples (Teste F), que correlacionou dados da entrevista e escores do PHQ-9. Como resultados, constatou-se que a maioria eram multíparas, com baixa escolaridade e em relacionamento estável. Apresentaram sinais de risco para o desenvolvimento da DPP metade das participantes, sendo o estresse gestacional o principal fator associado. Os resultados evidenciam a importância da identificação precoce dos sintomas depressivos e ressaltam a importância da avaliação psicológica para tal identificação na área da saúde.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a worldwide public health problem. The risk factors for its development can vary considering psychosocial aspects. This study aimed to identify depressive symptoms and associated factors in puerperal women at the Júlio Muller University Hospital (HUJM), in the city of Cuiabá - MT. 30 puerperal women participated, between 18 years and 39 years (M = 26.96 years). As instruments, semi-structured interviews and a PHQ-9 questionnaire were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the simple linear regression model (Test F), which correlated interview data and PHQ-9 scores. As a result, it was found that the majority were multiparous, with low education and in a stable relationship. Half of the participants showed signs of risk for the development of PPD, with gestational stress being the main associated factor. The results show the importance of early identification of depressive symptoms and emphasize the importance of psychological assessment for such identification in the health area.