Prognosis of patients with heart disease with acute kidney injury undergoing dialysis treatment.

OBJECTIVES: to verify the relationship of cardiovascular diseases with acute kidney injury and assess the prognosis of patients in renal replacement therapy. METHODS: a cohort study, carried out in a public hospital specialized in cardiology. Treatment, comorbidities, duration of treatment, laboratory tests, discharge and deaths were analyzed. RESULTS: of the 101 patients, 75 (74.3%) received non-dialysis treatment. The most frequent cardiological diagnoses were hypertension, cardiomyopathies and coronary syndrome. Hospitalization in patients undergoing dialysis was 18 days, hemoglobin <10.5g/dl and anuria in the first days of hospitalization contributed to the type of treatment. Each increase in hemoglobin units from the first day of hospitalization decreases the chance of dialysis by 19.2%. There was no difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: the main cardiological diseases were not predictive of dialysis indication, and clinical treatment was the most frequent. Anuria and anemia were predictors for dialysis treatment.

Approach to nursing care in arterial hypertension: recommendations from the Brazilian (DBHA), American (AHA), international (ISH) and European (ESC) guidelines / Abordagem dos cuidados de enfermagem na hipertensão arterial: recomendações das diretriz Brasileira (DBHA), Americana (AHA), internacional (ISH) e Europeia (ESC)

RESUMO. A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é condição clínica multifatorial considerada um problema de saúde pública mundial; portanto, para o manejo adequado da doença, a cada quatro anos são revisadas as metas e revistos os valores adotados para determinar o seu diagnóstico. Este artigo tem por objetivo a revisão das principais diretrizes quanto aos cuidados da equipe multiprofissional, em especial em relação às ações de enfermagem. Ao analisar as diretrizes internacionais e a Diretriz Brasileira de Hipertensão, verificou-se que os cuidados de enfermagem no manejo da doença e no seu controle estão centrados principalmente na realização da medição da pressão arterial com técnica adequada, na orientação e direcionamento na mudança do estilo de vida e em promover a educação em saúde.

ABSTRACT. The arterial hypertension is a multifactorial clinical condition and a worldwide health problem, so, for the proper management of the disease, as the goals and values adopted to determine its diagnosis are reviewed. This article aims to review the main guidelines regarding the care of the multiprofessional team, especially in relation to nursing actions. When analyzing International Guidelines and National Guidelines on Hypertension, it was found that nursing care and management of the disease was based mainly on blood pressure measurement with appropriate technique, guidance and direction in lifestyle change and in promoting health education.

Leprosy Relapse: A Retrospective Study on Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects at a Brazilian Referral Center.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize the profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy relapse and understand the influence of different multidrug therapy (MDT) treatments and initial disease presentation. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with leprosy relapse at a referral center in Brazil from 2013 to 2018. We analyzed their clinico-epidemiologic characteristics, laboratory data, and bacilloscopic tests. Survival analysis was used to determine the time elapsed until relapse according to the previous treatment and clinical forms of the disease. RESULTS: A total of 126 cases of relapse were analyzed, which comprised 11.89% (126/1059) of the cases. The median time elapsed until a relapse was 10 years, and most patients had previously undergone 12 doses of MDT (40.48%; 51/126). Undergoing 24 doses of MDT was associated with a better prognosis regarding relapse over time compared with 6 or 12 doses of MDT therapy. Most cases of relapse were classified as multibacillary (96.03%; 121/126). CONCLUSION: The incidence of relapse was greater than observed in other studies. The high percentage of multibacillary patients who had negative bacillary indices demonstrated that the bacillary index cannot be considered to be an essential criterion for relapse, especially concerning making an early diagnosis.

Prognosis of patients with heart disease with acute kidney injury undergoing dialysis treatment / Pronóstico de los pacientes con cardiopatías con insuficiencia renal aguda en tratamiento de diálisis / Prognóstico de pacientes cardiopatas com injuria renal aguda submetidos a tratamento dialítico

ABSTRACT Objectives: to verify the relationship of cardiovascular diseases with acute kidney injury and assess the prognosis of patients in renal replacement therapy. Methods: a cohort study, carried out in a public hospital specialized in cardiology. Treatment, comorbidities, duration of treatment, laboratory tests, discharge and deaths were analyzed. Results: of the 101 patients, 75 (74.3%) received non-dialysis treatment. The most frequent cardiological diagnoses were hypertension, cardiomyopathies and coronary syndrome. Hospitalization in patients undergoing dialysis was 18 days, hemoglobin <10.5g/dl and anuria in the first days of hospitalization contributed to the type of treatment. Each increase in hemoglobin units from the first day of hospitalization decreases the chance of dialysis by 19.2%. There was no difference in mortality. Conclusions: the main cardiological diseases were not predictive of dialysis indication, and clinical treatment was the most frequent. Anuria and anemia were predictors for dialysis treatment.

RESUMEN Objetivos: verificar la relación de las patologías cardíacas con la insuficiencia renal aguda y evaluar el pronóstico del paciente en terapia de reemplazo renal. Métodos: estudio de cohorte, realizado en un hospital público especializado en cardiología. Se analizó el tratamiento, las comorbilidades, la duración del tratamiento, los exámenes de laboratorio, el alta y las muertes. Resultados: de los 101 pacientes, 75 (74,3%) recibieron tratamiento no dialítico. Los diagnósticos cardiológicos más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial, miocardiopatías y síndrome coronario. La hospitalización en pacientes en diálisis fue de 18 días, la hemoglobina <10,5 g/dl y la anuria en los primeros días de hospitalización contribuyeron al tipo de tratamiento. Cada aumento de unidades de hemoglobina desde el primer día de hospitalización disminuye la posibilidad de diálisis en un 19,2%. No hubo diferencia en la mortalidad. Conclusiones: las principales enfermedades cardiológicas no fueron predictoras de indicación de diálisis, siendo el tratamiento clínico el más frecuente. La anuria y la anemia fueron predictores para el tratamiento de diálisis.

RESUMO Objetivos: verificar a relação de patologias cardíacas com injuria renal aguda e avaliar o prognóstico do paciente em terapia de substituição renal. Métodos: estudo de coorte, realizado em hospital público especializado em cardiologia. O tratamento, comorbidades, tempo de tratamento, exames laboratoriais, alta e óbitos foram analisados. Resultados: dos 101 pacientes, 75 (74,3%) receberam tratamento não dialítico. Os diagnósticos cardiológicos mais frequentes foram hipertensão arterial, miocardiopatias e síndrome coronariana. A internação nos pacientes dialíticos foi de 18 dias, a hemoglobina <10,5g/dl e a anuria nos primeiros dias de internação contribuíram para o tipo de tratamento. Cada aumento de unidade de hemoglobina a partir do primeiro dia de internação diminui em 19,2% a chance de diálise. Não houve diferença na mortalidade. Conclusões: as principais doenças cardiológicas não foram preditivas de indicação de diálise, e o tratamento clínico foi o mais frequente. Anuria e anemia foram preditores para o tratamento dialítico.

Late follow-up of peripheral neural decompression in leprosy: functional and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neural surgical decompression (PNSD) is used as a complementary therapy to the clinical treatment of neuritis to preserve neural function. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term (≥ 1 year) clinical and functional results for PNSD in leprosy neuritis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included leprosy patients who were in late postoperative period (LPO) of surgical decompression of ulnar, median, tibial, and fibular nerves. Socioeconomic, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected. The following instruments were used in this evaluation: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), SALSA scale, and simplified neurological assessment protocol. The preoperative (PrO) and 180-day postoperative (PO180) results were compared. RESULTS: We evaluated 246 nerves from 90 patients: 56.6% were on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 43.3% discharged from MDT. Motor scores and pain intensity showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.01). There was an increase in sensory scores only for bilateral ulnar nerves (p<0.05). Of the operated cases, 26.0% of patients were referred for surgery of ulnar neuritis and 23.6% of tibial neuritis. Neuropathic pain was reported in 41% of cases. Daily dose of prednisone reduced from 39.6 mg (±3.0) in PrO, 16.3 mg (±5.2) in PO180, to 1.7 mg (±0.8) in LPO. The SALSA scale results showed mild activity limitation in 51% and moderate in 34% of patients. Eighty percent of individuals reported that the results reached their expectations. CONCLUSIONS: PNSD in leprosy was effective in the long term to decrease the prevalence and intensity of pain, improve motor function, and reduce the dose of corticosteroids, which is reflected in the patients' satisfaction.

Late follow-up of peripheral neural decompression in leprosy: functional and clinical outcomes / Seguimento tardio da descompressão neural periférica na hanseníase: resultados funcionais e clínicos

ABSTRACT Background: Peripheral neural surgical decompression (PNSD) is used as a complementary therapy to the clinical treatment of neuritis to preserve neural function. Objective: To evaluate the long-term (≥ 1 year) clinical and functional results for PNSD in leprosy neuritis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included leprosy patients who were in late postoperative period (LPO) of surgical decompression of ulnar, median, tibial, and fibular nerves. Socioeconomic, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected. The following instruments were used in this evaluation: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), SALSA scale, and simplified neurological assessment protocol. The preoperative (PrO) and 180-day postoperative (PO180) results were compared. Results: We evaluated 246 nerves from 90 patients: 56.6% were on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 43.3% discharged from MDT. Motor scores and pain intensity showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.01). There was an increase in sensory scores only for bilateral ulnar nerves (p<0.05). Of the operated cases, 26.0% of patients were referred for surgery of ulnar neuritis and 23.6% of tibial neuritis. Neuropathic pain was reported in 41% of cases. Daily dose of prednisone reduced from 39.6 mg (±3.0) in PrO, 16.3 mg (±5.2) in PO180, to 1.7 mg (±0.8) in LPO. The SALSA scale results showed mild activity limitation in 51% and moderate in 34% of patients. Eighty percent of individuals reported that the results reached their expectations. Conclusions: PNSD in leprosy was effective in the long term to decrease the prevalence and intensity of pain, improve motor function, and reduce the dose of corticosteroids, which is reflected in the patients' satisfaction.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A descompressão cirúrgica neural periférica (DCNP) é usada como uma terapia complementar ao tratamento clínico da neurite hansênica para preservar a função neural. Objetivo: Avaliar a longo prazo (≥ 1 ano) os resultados clínicos e funcionais da DCNP na neurite hansênica. Métodos: Este estudo transversal incluiu pacientes que estavam no pós-operatório tardio (POT) de cirurgia de descompressão dos nervos ulnares, medianos, tibiais e fibulares. Foram coletados dados socioeconômicos, epidemiológicos e clínicos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: escala visual analógica de dor (EVA), questionário de dor neuropática 4 (DN4), escala SALSA e protocolo de avaliação neurológica simplificada. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os do pré-operatório (PrO) e pós-operatório de 180 dias (PO180). Resultados: Foram avaliados 246 nervos de 90 pacientes: 56,6% estavam em poliquimioterapia (PQT) e 43,3% em alta da PQT. Escores motores e intensidade da dor apresentaram melhora significante (p<0,01). Houve aumento nos escores sensitivos nos nervos ulnares bilaterais (p<0,05). Neurite ulnar foi indicação cirúrgica em 26,0% dos casos operados, seguida pela neurite tibial (23,6%). Dor neuropática foi relatada em 41% dos casos. Dose diária de prednisona reduziu de 39,6 mg (±3,0) na PrO, 16,3 mg (±5,2) na PO180, para 1,7 mg (±0,8) na POT. Escala SALSA mostrou limitação leve da atividade em 51% e moderada em 34% dos pacientes. 80% dos indivíduos relataram que os resultados atingiram suas expectativas. Conclusão: DCNP na hanseníase foi eficaz a longo prazo na redução da prevalência e intensidade da dor, na melhora da função motora e redução da dose de corticosteroides, refletindo na satisfação do paciente.

Predictors of complications related to venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a complex technology associated with risks and complications. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of complications related to VA-ECMO in adults. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, including 63 adult patients undergoing VA-ECMO, performed at two institutions in Brazil, from the time both centers implemented VA-ECMO (1999 in Institution A and 2012 in Institution B) treatment through March of 2018. The association between independent variables (institution, demographic, indications for ECMO, and pre-ECMO clinical characteristics) and the outcomes (neurological, renal, vascular, hemorrhagic, infectious, and mechanical complications) was investigated by means of multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: Predictors of neurological complications were refractory cardiogenic shock following cardiotomy (OR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.00-1.01; p = 0.049) and following heart or lung transplant (OR = 0.04; 95% CI 0.00-0.42; p = 0.018). The use of inotropes/vasopressors was a predictor of vascular complications (OR = 7.72; 95% CI 1.83-39.87; p = 0.008). The levels of CK-MB were a predictor of renal complications (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.72-0.97; p = 0.046). Predictors of infectious complications were total bilirubin (OR = 0.02; 95% CI 0.00-0.26; p = 0.038) and body weight odds (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.08-1.61; p = 0.028). Class III heart failure was a predictor of mechanical complications (OR = 0.07; 95% CI 0.00-0.66; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Identifying predictors of complications may contribute to the indications for VA-ECMO.

Impact of anxiety and depression on morbidity and mortality of patients with coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of anxiety and depression on morbidity and mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study, with follow-up of two years, conducted with 94 patients. The morbidity and mortality (readmission, myocardial revascularization, and death) was evaluated immediately after discharge and after one and two years. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and by Beck's Depression Inventory. The Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Logrank test were used. The significance level adopted was 0.05. RESULTS: We observed that 76.6% of the patients did not present symptoms of depression or had mild signs, while 78.8% had low to moderate anxiety. The symptoms of depression and anxiety were not related to morbidity (need for MR p=0.098 and 0.56, respectively; readmission p=0.962 and 0.369, respectively) and mortality (p=0.434 and 0.077, respectively). CONCLUSION: No relationship was found between levels of anxiety and depression with the morbidity and mortality of patients.

Impact of anxiety and depression on morbidity and mortality of patients with coronary syndrome / Impacto de la ansiedad y depresión en la morbimortalidad de pacientes con síndrome coronaria / Impacto da ansiedade e depressão na morbimortalidade de pacientes com síndrome coronariana

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the impact of anxiety and depression on morbidity and mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome. Method: Retrospective cohort study, with follow-up of two years, conducted with 94 patients. The morbidity and mortality (readmission, myocardial revascularization, and death) was evaluated immediately after discharge and after one and two years. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and by Beck's Depression Inventory. The Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Logrank test were used. The significance level adopted was 0.05. Results: We observed that 76.6% of the patients did not present symptoms of depression or had mild signs, while 78.8% had low to moderate anxiety. The symptoms of depression and anxiety were not related to morbidity (need for MR p=0.098 and 0.56, respectively; readmission p=0.962 and 0.369, respectively) and mortality (p=0.434 and 0.077, respectively). Conclusion: No relationship was found between levels of anxiety and depression with the morbidity and mortality of patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la ansiedad y de la depresión en la morbimortalidad de pacientes con síndrome coronaria aguda. Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, con seguimiento de dos años, ha sido realizado con 94 pacientes. La morbimortalidad (la readmisión, la revascularización del miocardio y del óbito) ha sido evaluada inmediatamente después del alta hospitalaria y después de uno y dos años. La ansiedad y la depresión han sido evaluadas por el Inventario de Ansiedad Trazo y por el Inventario de Depresión de Beck. Se ha utilizado de los gráficos de Kaplan-Meier y de la prueba Logrank. El nivel de significancia que ha sido adoptado ha sido de 0,05. Resultados: Se ha observado que el 76,6% de los pacientes no presentaban síntomas de depresión o presentaban señales leves y el 78,8% tenían ansiedad de baja a moderada. Los síntomas de depresión y de ansiedad no se han relacionado a la morbilidad (necesidad de RM p=0,098 y 0,56, respectivamente; readmisión p=0,962 y 0,369, respectivamente) y a la mortandad (p=0,434 y 0,077, respectivamente). Conclusión: No hubo relación entre niveles de ansiedad y depresión con la morbimortalidad de los pacientes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da ansiedade e depressão na morbimortalidade de pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda. Método: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, com seguimento de dois anos, realizado com 94 pacientes. A morbimortalidade (readmissão, revascularização do miocárdio e óbito) foi avaliada imediatamente após a alta hospitalar e depois de um e dois anos. A ansiedade e a depressão foram avaliadas pelo Inventário de Ansiedade Traço e pelo Inventário de Depressão de Beck. Utilizou-se dos gráficos de Kaplan-Meier e do teste Logrank. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05. Resultados: Observou-se que 76,6% dos pacientes não apresentavam sintomas de depressão ou apresentavam sinais leves e 78,8% tinham ansiedade baixa a moderada. Os sintomas de depressão e ansiedade não se relacionaram à morbidade (necessidade de RM p=0,098 e 0,56, respectivamente; readmissão p=0,962 e 0,369, respectivamente) e à mortalidade (p=0,434 e 0,077, respectivamente). Conclusão: Não houve relação entre níveis de ansiedade e depressão com a morbimortalidade dos pacientes.

Identification of clinical, epidemiological and laboratory risk factors for leprosy reactions during and after multidrug therapy.

This cross-sectional retrospective study evaluated 440 leprosy patients; 57% (251/440) had leprosy reactions during and/or after multidrug therapy, 80.5% (202/251) of whom presented with multibacillary leprosy. At diagnosis, positive bacterial index (BI) [odds ratio (OR) = 6.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-10.1)] or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (OR = 9.15; 95% CI: 5.4-15.5) in skin smears, anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 (anti-PGL-1) ELISA (OR = 4.77; 95% CI: 2.9-7.9), leucocytosis (OR = 9.97; 95% CI: 3.9-25.7), thrombocytopenia (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 2.3-14.0) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.4-4.0) were potential markers for the development of reactions during treatment. After treatment, positive BI (OR = 8.47; 95% CI: 4.7-15.3) and PCR (OR = 6.46; 95% CI: 3.4-12.3) in skin smears, anti-PGL-1 ELISA (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.3-3.9), anaemia (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.2-4.5), leucocytosis (OR = 4.14; 95% CI: 1.5-11.6) and thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) were risk factors for the occurrence of reactions during the study period. The identification of groups with an increased risk for developing reactions will allow for the timely development of a treatment plan to prevent nerve damage and, therefore, the appearance of the disabling sequelae associated with the stigma of leprosy.

Identification of clinical, epidemiological and laboratory risk factors for leprosy reactions during and after multidrug therapy

This cross-sectional retrospective study evaluated 440 leprosy patients; 57% (251/440) had leprosy reactions during and/or after multidrug therapy, 80.5% (202/251) of whom presented with multibacillary leprosy. At diagnosis, positive bacterial index (BI) [odds ratio (OR) = 6.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-10.1)] or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (OR = 9.15; 95% CI: 5.4-15.5) in skin smears, anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 (anti-PGL-1) ELISA (OR = 4.77; 95% CI: 2.9-7.9), leucocytosis (OR = 9.97; 95% CI: 3.9-25.7), thrombocytopenia (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 2.3-14.0) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.4-4.0) were potential markers for the development of reactions during treatment. After treatment, positive BI (OR = 8.47; 95% CI: 4.7-15.3) and PCR (OR = 6.46; 95% CI: 3.4-12.3) in skin smears, anti-PGL-1 ELISA (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.3-3.9), anaemia (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.2-4.5), leucocytosis (OR = 4.14; 95% CI: 1.5-11.6) and thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) were risk factors for the occurrence of reactions during the study period. The identification of groups with an increased risk for developing reactions will allow for the timely development of a treatment plan to prevent nerve damage and, therefore, the appearance of the disabling sequelae associated with the stigma of leprosy.

Unveiling healthy carriers and subclinical infections among household contacts of leprosy patients who play potential roles in the disease chain of transmission

Leprosy transmission still occurs despite the availability of highly effective treatment. The next step towards successfully eliminating leprosy is interrupting the chain of transmission of the aetiological agent, Mycobacterium leprae. In this investigation, we provide evidence that household contacts (HHCs) of leprosy patients might not only have subclinical infections, but may also be actively involved in bacilli transmission. We studied 444 patients and 1,352 contacts using anti-phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) serology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to test for M. leprae DNA in nasal swabs. We classified the patients according to the clinical form of their disease and the contacts according to the characteristics of their index case. Overall, 63.3% and 34.2% of patients tested positive by ELISA and PCR, respectively. For HHCs, 13.3% had a positive ELISA test result and 4.7% had a positive PCR test result. The presence of circulating anti-PGL-I among healthy contacts (with or without a positive PCR test result from nasal swabs) was considered to indicate a subclinical infection. DNA detected in nasal swabs also indicates the presence of bacilli at the site of transmission and bacterial entrance. We suggest that the concomitant use of both assays may allow us to detect subclinical infection in HHCs and to identify possible bacilli carriers who may transmit and disseminate disease in endemic regions. Chemoprophylaxis of these contacts is suggested.

Unveiling healthy carriers and subclinical infections among household contacts of leprosy patients who play potential roles in the disease chain of transmission.

Leprosy transmission still occurs despite the availability of highly effective treatment. The next step towards successfully eliminating leprosy is interrupting the chain of transmission of the aetiological agent, Mycobacterium leprae. In this investigation, we provide evidence that household contacts (HHCs) of leprosy patients might not only have subclinical infections, but may also be actively involved in bacilli transmission. We studied 444 patients and 1,352 contacts using anti-phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) serology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to test for M. leprae DNA in nasal swabs. We classified the patients according to the clinical form of their disease and the contacts according to the characteristics of their index case. Overall, 63.3% and 34.2% of patients tested positive by ELISA and PCR, respectively. For HHCs, 13.3% had a positive ELISA test result and 4.7% had a positive PCR test result. The presence of circulating anti-PGL-I among healthy contacts (with or without a positive PCR test result from nasal swabs) was considered to indicate a subclinical infection. DNA detected in nasal swabs also indicates the presence of bacilli at the site of transmission and bacterial entrance. We suggest that the concomitant use of both assays may allow us to detect subclinical infection in HHCs and to identify possible bacilli carriers who may transmit and disseminate disease in endemic regions. Chemoprophylaxis of these contacts is suggested.

Comparison of three immunological tests for leprosy diagnosis and detection of subclinical infection.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the performance of three serological assays in leprosy patients and their household contacts utilising two quantitative ELISA tests using native PGL-I (PGL-1 ELISA), synthetic ND-O-HSA (ND-O-HSA ELISA), and the semi-quantitative lateral flow test (ML Flow). METHODS: Comparisons among three immunological assays, PGL-I ELISA, ND-O-HSA ELISA, and ML Flow were performed in 154 leprosy patients, 191 household contacts and 52 health subjects. RESULTS: The sensitivity results of the PGL-1, ND-O-HSA, and ML Flow were 68.83%, 63.84%, and 60.65%, respectively, with specificity of 98% for both ELISA assays. The native and synthetic PGL-I ELISA assays detected antibodies in 22.73% and 31.82% of the paucibacillary (PB) patients, respectively and the ML Flow test did not detect antibodies in this group. The ML Flow test was able to discriminate patients into PB or multibacillary (MB) forms, while the native PGL-I and ND-O-HSA was correlated with the bacillary load and the Ridley-Jopling clinical forms. In household contacts, the native PGL-I, ND-O-HSA, and ML Flow assays detected seropositivity of 25%, 17%, and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ELISA and ML Flow tests are thus recommended as additional tools in the diagnosis and classification of the clinical forms, aiding in prescribing the correct treatment regimen to prevent subsequent nerve damage and disability, and besides, the PGL-I ELISA may be used to detect subclinical infection in leprosy.

Comparing levels of anxiety during bed and shower baths in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

This study compared the levels of anxiety presented by patients with acute myocardial infarction in bed and shower baths and the influence of antecedent variables: age, gender, medications, previous hospitalization and/or bed bath, patients' preference regarding the professional's gender, risk factors and anxiety-traits. This crossover study was conducted between February and August 2007 in coronary units. The sample was composed of 71 patients with acute myocardial infarction. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied before the baths (bed and shower baths), immediately after the baths and twenty minutes after the second evaluation. Results revealed that patients were more anxious in the bed bath than in the shower in the three assessments (p <0.0001) and the only variable that interfered with state-anxiety was high blood pressure.

Comparing levels of anxiety during bed and shower baths in patients with acute myocardial infarction / Comparação do nível de ansiedade entre o banho de aspersão e o de leito em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio / Comparación del nivel de ansiedad entre el baño de aspersión y el realizado en la cama en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio

This study compared the levels of anxiety presented by patients with acute myocardial infarction in bed and shower baths and the influence of antecedent variables: age, gender, medications, previous hospitalization and/or bed bath, patients' preference regarding the professional's gender, risk factors and anxiety-traits. This crossover study was conducted between February and August 2007 in coronary units. The sample was composed of 71 patients with acute myocardial infarction. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied before the baths (bed and shower baths), immediately after the baths and twenty minutes after the second evaluation. Results revealed that patients were more anxious in the bed bath than in the shower in the three assessments (p <0.0001) and the only variable that interfered with state-anxiety was high blood pressure.

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar os níveis de ansiedade, gerados no banho no leito e naquele de aspersão, em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio, bem como a influência de variáveis antecedentes: idade, sexo, medicações, internação e/ou banho no leito prévio, preferência do paciente quanto ao sexo do profissional, fatores de risco e ansiedade-traço. Esta pesquisa é um estudo cross-over, realizado entre fevereiro e agosto de 2007, em Unidades Coronárias. A amostra foi constituída por 71 pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio. O instrumento utilizado foi o IDATE-estado, sendo aplicado antes dos banhos (leito e aspersão), imediatamente após os banhos e vinte minutos após a segunda avaliação. Os resultados mostraram que os pacientes ficaram mais ansiosos quando realizaram seu banho no leito do que quando realizaram o banho de aspersão, nas três avaliações (p<0,0001) e a única variável que interferiu na ansiedade-estado foi a hipertensão arterial.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar los niveles de ansiedad, generados en el baño en la cama y en el de aspersión, en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio, así como la influencia de las variables antecedentes: edad, sexo, medicaciones, internación y/o baño en la cama previo, preferencia del paciente en cuanto al sexo del profesional, factores de riesgo y la ansiedad de trazo. Esta investigación es un estudio cross-over, realizado entre febrero y agosto de 2007, en Unidades Coronarias. La muestra fue constituida por 71 pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio. El instrumento utilizado fue el IDATE-estado, siendo aplicado antes de los baños (cama y aspersión), inmediatamente después de los baños y veinte minutos después de la segunda evaluación. Los resultados mostraron que los pacientes quedaron más ansiosos cuando realizaron su baño en la cama que cuando realizaron el baño de aspersión, en las tres evaluaciones (p<0,0001) y la única variable que interfirió en la ansiedad estado fue la hipertensión arterial.

Avaliação da função renal em pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca: a classificação AKIN prediz disfunção renal aguda? / Evaluation of the renal function in patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery: does AKIN classification predict acute kidney dysfunction?

OBJETIVOS: Identificar a freqüência de lesão renal aguda e comparar a aplicação da classificação AKIN com o uso isolado da creatinina sérica no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi desenvolvido prospectivamente em um hospital de ensino e pesquisa especializado em cardiologia da rede pública do estado de São Paulo. Foram acompanhados 44 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva, desde o pós-operatório imediato até o 2º pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se que dos 44 pacientes, 75 por cento eram hipertensos, 27 por cento diabéticos e eram majoritariamente do sexo masculino (64 por cento), com média de idade de 55±16 anos. Observou-se que a idade avançada e o índice de massa corpórea elevado apresentaram correlação significativa para disfunção renal (p<0,05). De acordo com a classificação AKIN, o critério fluxo urinário identificou mais disfunção renal do que o critério creatinina. Foi verificado que a disfunção renal ocorreu com maior freqüência no 1º pós-operatório e na maioria (82 por cento) dos 63,6 por cento dos pacientes que foram submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos pacientes (75 por cento) evoluiu inicialmente com disfunção renal sinalizada principalmente pelo critério fluxo urinário da classificação AKIN, número bem superior ao revelado pela creatinina isoladamente. Tal fato confirma que a associação da creatinina sérica com o fluxo urinário tem um desempenho discriminatório superior para a identificação precoce dessa síndrome comparativamente com o rotineiro uso isolado da creatinina.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency of the Acute Kidney Injury and to compare the application of the AKIN classification with the separate use of the serum creatinine in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study was prospectively developed in a teaching and specialized research hospital in cardiology of the public health system of the state of São Paulo. Forty-four patients submitted to the elective cardiac surgery since the immediate post-surgical period up to the 2nd post-surgical period were followed. RESULTS: It was possible to verify that from the forty-four patients, 75 percent were hypertensive, 27 percent were diabetic and mostly were male (64 percent), with an average age of 55+16 years old. It was observed that advanced age and the elevated body mass index shows a significant correlation to renal dysfunction (p<0, 05). According to the AKIN classification, the urinary flow criterion identified more renal dysfunction than creatinine criterion. It was verified that the renal dysfunction occurred more frequently in the postsurgery period and the majority (82 percent) from the 63,6 percent of the patients which were submitted to the revascularization of the myocardium surgery. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients (75 percent) evolved initially with renal dysfunction signaled it mainly by the urinary flow criterion from the AKIN classification, a higher number compared to the separated creatinine. This fact confirms that the serum creatinine association with the urinary flow has a higher discriminatory performance for the early identification of this syndrome comparatively with the routinely use of the isolated creatinine.

Evaluation of the renal function in patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery: does AKIN classification predict acute kidney dysfunction? / Avaliação da função renal em pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca: a classificação AKIN prediz disfunção renal aguda?

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency of the Acute Kidney Injury and to compare the application of the AKIN classification with the separate use of the serum creatinine in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study was prospectively developed in a teaching and specialized research hospital in cardiology of the public health system of the state of São Paulo. Forty-four patients submitted to the elective cardiac surgery since the immediate post-surgical period up to the 2nd post-surgical period were followed. RESULTS: It was possible to verify that from the forty-four patients, 75% were hypertensive, 27% were diabetic and mostly were male (64%), with an average age of 55+16 years old. It was observed that advanced age and the elevated body mass index shows a significant correlation to renal dysfunction (p<0, 05). According to the AKIN classification, the urinary flow criterion identified more renal dysfunction than creatinine criterion. It was verified that the renal dysfunction occurred more frequently in the postsurgery period and the majority (82%) from the 63,6% of the patients which were submitted to the revascularization of the myocardium surgery. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients (75%) evolved initially with renal dysfunction signaled it mainly by the urinary flow criterion from the AKIN classification, a higher number compared to the separated creatinine. This fact confirms that the serum creatinine association with the urinary flow has a higher discriminatory performance for the early identification of this syndrome comparatively with the routinely use of the isolated creatinine.

Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA in skin lesions of leprosy patients by PCR may be affected by amplicon size.

Despite the high sensitivity and specificity of PCR for infectious disease diagnostics, it has presented low sensitivity for Mycobacterium leprae DNA detection in the tuberculoid pole (TT and BT) of leprosy. In order to demonstrate the effect of amplicon size on the efficacy of PCR detection of M. leprae DNA in skin lesions of leprosy patients, two pairs of primers targeting the M. leprae genomic DNA, RLEP3 (X17153), were used to amplify fragments of 372 and 130-bp until their PCR end-points were reached after 40 reaction cycles. Skin biopsies of leprosy lesions in 110 non-treated patients were used for bacilloscopy index (BI) analysis and PCR tests. The 130-bp fragment was detected in 73.6% of samples (81/110), and classified as TT (40%), BT (55.5%), and 100% of BB, BL and LL. The 372-bp fragment was detected in 52.7% and classified as TT (13.3%), BT (33.3%), BB (64.7%), BL (83.3%), and LL (95.2%). The BI of biopsies was positive in 39.1% of samples, classified as TT (0%), BT (2.2%), BB (64.7%), BL (91.6%), and LL (95.2%). The shorter amplicon (130-bp) has improved diagnosis by 20.9 and 34.5% in relation to the 372-bp fragment and the BI, respectively, and has shown a superior sensitivity (73.6%), specificity (100%) and accuracy (86.2%). The 130-bp amplicon could not detect % of positive BI of biopsies in BT cases. Therefore, for confirmatory diagnosis, we propose the use of PCR detection of the 130-bp genomic target, especially when the tuberculoid pole forms are considered, which has reached 51.6% of positivity in this group.