The need for specificity in quantifying neurocirculatory vs. respiratory effects of eucapnic hypoxia and transient hyperoxia.

KEY POINTS: The carotid chemoreceptor mediates the ventilatory and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses to hypoxia and contributes to tonic sympathetic and respiratory drives. It is often presumed that both excitatory and inhibitory tests of chemoreflex function show congruence in the end-organ responses. Ventilatory and neurocirculatory (MSNA, blood pressure and heart rate) responses to chemoreflex inhibition elicited by transient hyperoxia and to chemoreflex excitation produced by steady-state eucapnic hypoxia were measured in a cohort of 82 middle-aged individuals. Ventilatory and MSNA responsiveness to hyperoxia and hypoxia were not significantly correlated within individuals. It was concluded that ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hyperoxia do not predict MSNA responses and it is recommended that tests using the specific outcome of interest, i.e. MSNA or ventilation, are required. Transient hyperoxia is recommended as a sensitive and reliable means of quantifying tonic chemoreceptor-driven levels of sympathetic nervous system activity and respiratory drive. ABSTRACT: Hypersensitivity of the carotid chemoreceptor leading to sympathetic nervous system activation and ventilatory instability has been implicated in the pathogenesis and consequences of several common clinical conditions. A variety of treatment approaches aimed at lessening chemoreceptor-driven sympathetic overactivity are now under investigation; thus, the ability to quantify this outcome variable with specificity and precision is crucial. Accordingly, we measured ventilatory and neurocirculatory responses to chemoreflex inhibition elicited by transient hyperoxia and chemoreflex excitation produced by exposure to graded, steady-state eucapnic hypoxia in middle-aged men and women (n = 82) with continuous positive airway pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnoea. Progressive, eucapnic hypoxia produced robust and highly variable increases in ventilation (+83 ± 59%) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) burst frequency (+55 ± 31%), whereas transient hyperoxia caused marked reductions in these variables (-35 ± 14% and -42 ± 16%, respectively). Coefficients of variation for ventilatory and MSNA burst frequency responses, indicating test-retest reproducibility, were respectively 9% and 24% for hyperoxia and 35% and 28% for hypoxia. Based on statistical measures of rank correlation or even comparisons across quartiles of corresponding ventilatory and MSNA responses, we found that the magnitudes of ventilatory inhibition with hyperoxia or excitation with eucapnic hypoxia were not correlated with corresponding MSNA responses within individuals. We conclude that, in conscious, behaving humans, ventilatory sensitivities to progressive, steady-state, eucapnic hypoxia and transient hyperoxia do not predict MSNA responsiveness. Our findings also support the use of transient hyperoxia as a reliable, sensitive, measure of the carotid chemoreceptor contribution to tonic sympathetic nervous system activity and respiratory drive.

Effects of losartan and allopurinol on cardiorespiratory regulation in obstructive sleep apnoea.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? In sleep apnoea, a putative link between intermittent hypoxia and hypertension is the generation of oxygen radicals by angiotensin II and xanthine oxidase within the chemoreflex arc and vasculature. We tested whether chemoreflex control of sympathetic outflow, hypoxic vasodilatation and blood pressure are altered by angiotensin blockade (losartan) and/or xanthine oxidase inhibition (allopurinol). What is the main finding and its importance? Both drugs lowered blood pressure without altering sympathetic outflow, reducing chemoreflex sensitivity or enhancing hypoxic vasodilatation. Losartan and allopurinol are effective therapies for achieving blood pressure control in sleep apnoea. ABSTRACT: Chemoreflex sensitization produced by chronic intermittent hypoxia in rats is attenuated by angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1 R) blockade. Both AT1 R blockade and xanthine oxidase inhibition ameliorate chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that treatment with losartan and allopurinol would reduce chemoreflex sensitivity and improve hypoxic vasodilatation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Eighty-six hypertensive patients with apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥25 events h-1 and no other cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal or metabolic disease were randomly assigned to receive allopurinol, losartan or placebo for 6 weeks. Treatment with other medications and/or continuous positive airway pressure remained unchanged. Tests of chemoreflex sensitivity and hypoxic vasodilatation were performed during wakefulness before and after treatment. Ventilation (pneumotachography), muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography), heart rate (electrocardiography), arterial oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), blood pressure (sphygmomanometry), forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography) and cerebral flow velocity (transcranial Doppler ultrasound) were measured during eupnoeic breathing and graded reductions in inspired O2 tension. Losartan and allopurinol lowered arterial pressure measured during eupnoeic breathing and exposure to acute hypoxia. Neither drug altered the slopes of ventilatory, sympathetic or cardiovascular responses to acute hypoxia. We conclude that losartan and allopurinol are viable pharmacotherapeutic adjuncts for achieving blood pressure control in hypertensive obstructive sleep apnoea patients, even those who are adequately treated with continuous positive airway pressure.

Effect of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia on Angiotensin II Receptors in the Central Nervous System.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) increases basal sympathetic nervous system activity, augments chemoreflex-induced sympathoexcitation, and raises blood pressure. All effects are attenuated by systemic or intracerebroventricular administration of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists. This study aimed to quantify the effects of CIH on AT1R- and AT2R-like immunoreactivity in the rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), central regions that are important components of the extended chemoreflex pathway. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.10, 1 min at 4-min intervals) for 10 hr/day for 1, 5, 10, or 21 days. After exposure, rats were deeply anesthetized and transcardially perfused with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) followed by 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS. Brains were removed and sectioned coronally into 50 µm slices. Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify AT1R and AT2R in the RVLM and the PVN. In the RVLM, CIH significantly increased the AT1R-like immunoreactivity, but did not alter AT2R immunoreactivity, thereby augmenting the AT1R:AT2R ratio in this nucleus. In the PVN, CIH had no effect on immunoreactivity of either receptor subtype. The current findings provide mechanistic insight into increased basal sympathetic outflow, enhanced chemoreflex sensitivity, and blood pressure elevation observed in rodents exposed to CIH.

Revisiting the Debate: Does Exercise Build Strong Bones in the Mature and Senescent Skeleton?

Traditional exercise programs seem to be less osteogenic in the mature and post-mature skeleton compared to the young skeleton. This is likely because of the decline in sensitivity of bone to mechanical loading that occurs with advancing age. Another factor contributing to the apparently diminished benefit of exercise in older adults is failure of widely used measurement techniques (i.e., DXA) to identify changes in 3-dimensional bone structure, which are important determinants of bone strength. Moreover, although hormonal contributors to bone loss in the elderly are well-recognized, the influence of age-related increases in sympathetic nervous system activity, which impacts bone metabolism, is rarely considered. In this Perspective, we cite evidence from animal and human studies demonstrating anabolic effects of exercise on bone across the lifespan and we discuss theoretical considerations for designing exercise regimens to optimize bone health. We conclude with suggestions for future research that should help define the osteogenic potential of exercise in older individuals.

Oxidative stress augments chemoreflex sensitivity in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia.

Chronic exposure to intermittent hypoxia (CIH) elicits plasticity of the carotid sinus and phrenic nerves via reactive oxygen species (ROS). To determine whether CIH-induced alterations in ventilation, metabolism, and heart rate are also dependent on ROS, we measured responses to acute hypoxia in conscious rats after 14 and 21 d of either CIH or normoxia (NORM), with or without concomitant administration of allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor), combined allopurinol plus losartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist), or apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor). Carotid body nitrotyrosine production was measured by immunohistochemistry. CIH produced an increase in the ventilatory response to acute hypoxia that was virtually eliminated by all three pharmacologic interventions. CIH caused a robust increase in carotid body nitrotyrosine production that was greatly attenuated by allopurinol plus losartan and by apocynin but unaffected by allopurinol. CIH caused a decrease in metabolic rate and a reduction in hypoxic bradycardia. Both of these effects were prevented by allopurinol, allopurinol plus losartan, and apocynin.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia alters ventilatory and metabolic responses to acute hypoxia in rats.

We determined the effects of chronic exposure to intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on chemoreflex control of ventilation in conscious animals. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CIH [nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2), 75%; 15 events/h; 10 h/day] or normoxia (NORM) for 21 days. We assessed the following responses to acute, graded hypoxia before and after exposures: ventilation (V̇e, via barometric plethysmography), V̇o2 and V̇co2 (analysis of expired air), heart rate (HR), and SpO2 (pulse oximetry via neck collar). We quantified hypoxia-induced chemoreceptor sensitivity by calculating the stimulus-response relationship between SpO2 and the ventilatory equivalent for V̇co2 (linear regression). An additional aim was to determine whether CIH causes proliferation of carotid body glomus cells (using bromodeoxyuridine). CIH exposure increased the slope of the V̇e/V̇co2/SpO2 relationship and caused hyperventilation in normoxia. Bromodeoxyuridine staining was comparable in CIH and NORM. Thus our CIH paradigm augmented hypoxic chemosensitivity without causing glomus cell proliferation.

Humans In Hypoxia: A Conspiracy Of Maladaptation?!

We address adaptive vs. maladaptive responses to hypoxemia in healthy humans and hypoxic-tolerant species during wakefulness, sleep, and exercise. Types of hypoxemia discussed include short-term and life-long residence at high altitudes, the intermittent hypoxemia attending sleep apnea, or training regimens prescribed for endurance athletes. We propose that hypoxia presents an insult to O2 transport, which is poorly tolerated in most humans because of the physiological cost.

Effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on allergen-induced airway inflammation in rats.

Obstructive sleep apnea aggravates asthma, but its mechanisms are unknown. Chronic intermittent hypoxia is one hallmark feature of sleep apnea. In this study, we tested the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on allergen-induced inflammation in rats. Four groups (n = 9-11/group) of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized Brown-Norway rats underwent intermittent hypoxia (10% oxygen, 30 cycles/h, 10 h/d) or normoxia for 30 days concurrent with weekly OVA or vehicle challenges. Lung physiology, differential leukocyte counts from bronchoalveolar lavage, and histology (Picro Sirius Red staining for collagen content) were compared between groups 2 days after the last challenge. Gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells was quantified by quantitative PCR. Compared with normoxia, chronic intermittent hypoxia reduced the FEV0.1/FVC ratio (P = 0.005), peak expiratory flow (P = 0.002), and mean midexpiratory flow (P = 0.004), predominantly in medium and large airways; decreased the baseline eosinophil number (P = 0.01) and amplified the effect of OVA on monocyte number (P = 0.02 for the interaction); in proximal airways, increased (P = 0.008), whereas in distal airways it decreased (P = 0.004), collagen density; induced qualitative emphysematous changes in lung periphery; and increased expression of the M2 macrophage marker YM-1 and augmented OVA-induced expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Chronic intermittent hypoxia alters immune response to allergen toward a more TH-1-predominant cellular phenotype with collagen deposition and matrix degradation, leading to airflow limitation. These findings highlight the potential of sleep apnea to aggravate airway dysfunction in patients with preexistent asthma.

Quantifying hypoxia-induced chemoreceptor sensitivity in the awake rodent.

We evaluated several methods for characterizing hypoxic chemosensitivity in the conscious rat. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30) were exposed to normobaric hypoxia [inspired oxygen fraction (Fio2) 0.15, 0.12, and 0.09]. We measured ventilation (V̇e; barometric plethysmography), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2; pulse oximeter), and oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production (V̇o2 and V̇co2; analysis of expired air). Linear regression analysis was used to define stimulus-response relationships. Testing was performed on 2 days to assess day-to-day reproducibility. Exposure to graded, steady-state hypoxia caused progressive reductions in SpO2 that were, for any given Fio2, quite variable (SpO2 range, 20-30%) among individuals. Hypoxia produced progressive increases in V̇e caused by increases in both tidal volume (VT) and breathing frequency. Hypoxia also increased the VT:inspiratory time (Ti) ratio, an indicator of central respiratory "drive." Hypoxia caused consistent, progressive declines in V̇o2, V̇co2, and core temperature (>20% at the lowest SpO2). We propose that optimal quantification of carotid chemoreceptor hypoxic sensitivity in the unanesthetized rodent should employ SpO2 [a surrogate for arterial Po2 (PaO2 )] as the stimulus variable and the ventilatory equivalent for V̇co2 (V̇e/V̇co2) and/or mean inspiratory flow rate (VT/Ti) normalized for V̇co2 as the response variables. Both metrics take into account not only the important influence of a falling metabolic rate, but also SpO2, which represents the hypoxic stimulus at the carotid body. Because of the somewhat curvilinear nature of these responses, exposure to multiple levels of graded hypoxia provides the most complete characterization of hypoxic chemosensitivity.

Mechanical and metabolic reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system in younger adults with metabolic syndrome.

AIM: Based on reports of exaggerated blood pressure responses to whole-body exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), we tested the hypothesis that MetSyn adults would exhibit augmented sympathetic and pressor responses to mechanoreflex and metaboreflex activation when compared with healthy, age-matched control subjects. METHODS: We studied 12 adults with MetSyn (34±3years) and 12 healthy control subjects (34±3years). Heart rate (HR; ECG), blood pressure (BP; finger photoplethysmography), and MSNA (microneurography of the peroneal nerve) were measured during: (1) static handgrip exercise at 15% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and (2) static handgrip exercise at 30% MVC to fatigue, followed by post-exercise ischemia (PEI). Increases in MSNA, HR, and BP were assessed. RESULTS: During static exercise at both 15 and 30% MVC, increases in MSNA, HR, and BP were not different between groups. MSNA remained significantly elevated from baseline during PEI and responses were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Sympathetic and pressor responses to mechanoreflex and metaboreflex activation are not augmented in younger adults with MetSyn.

Neural control of blood flow during exercise in human metabolic syndrome.

α-Adrenergic-mediated vasoconstriction is greater during simulated exercise in animal models of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) when compared with control animals. In an attempt to translate such findings to humans, we hypothesized that adults with MetSyn (n = 14, 35 ± 3 years old) would exhibit greater α-adrenergic responsiveness during exercise when compared with age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 16, 31 ± 3 years old). We measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) and forearm blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) during dynamic forearm exercise (15% of maximal voluntary contraction). α-Adrenergic agonists (phenylephrine and clonidine) and an antagonist (phentolamine) were infused intra-arterially to assess α-adrenergic receptor responsiveness and restraint, respectively. Resting MSNA was ∼35% higher in adults with MetSyn (P < 0.05), but did not change in either group with dynamic exercise. Clonidine-mediated vasoconstriction was greater in adults with MetSyn (P < 0.01). Group differences in vascular responses to phenylephrine and phentolamine were not detected (P > 0.05). Interestingly, exercise-mediated vasodilatation was greater in MetSyn (P < 0.05). Adults with MetSyn exhibit greater resting MSNA and clonidine-mediated vasoconstriction, yet preserved functional sympatholysis and higher exercise blood flow during low-intensity hand-grip exercise when compared with age-matched healthy control subjects. These results suggest that adults with MetSyn exhibit compensatory vascular control mechanisms capable of preserving blood flow responses to exercise in the face of augmented sympathetic adrenergic activity.

Crenças e práticas de saúde no cotidiano de usuários da rede básica de saúde / Everyday health-related beliefs and practices among primary health care users / Creencias y prácticas de salud en el cotidiano de usuarios de la red básica de salud

Trata-se de um estudo de caso qualitativo fundamentado na Sociologia Compreensiva do Cotidiano, como objetivo de compreender as influências culturais sobre os significados e as práticas de saúde-doença para usuários da rede básica de saúde e como estabelecem suas relações com os serviços em municípios de pequeno porte de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Participaram 13 clientes e a coleta de dados foi realizada em Julho/2010, por meio de entrevista individual a partir de um roteiro semiestruturado. Os dados foram organizados em quatro categorias. Os resultados mostram que as práticas de cuidado desenvolvidas são influenciadas pelas crenças. Nota-se que a fé emerge como status de recurso terapêutico. As concepções de saúde e doença são associadas à capacidade de realização das atividades da vida diária e aos aspectos funcionais do corpo. Conclui-se, portanto, que é necessária uma reflexão acerca desses significados para os sujeitos frente às verdades instituídas na prática profissional em saúde.

This qualitative case study based on the Comprehensive Sociology of Everyday Life aimed to understand cultural influences on health-related meanings and practices among users of the primary health care system and how those users establish relations with care services in small towns in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data was collected by individual semi-structured interview of thirteen clients in July, 2010, and organized into four categories. The results show that care practices are influenced by beliefs. Faith was seen to emerge as a therapeutic resource. Users’conceptions of health and disease are associated with their ability to perform daily activities and with body functionality. Accordingly, it was concluded that it is necessary to think about people’s established conceptions as they interact with the instituted truths of professional health practices.

Se trata de un estudio cualitativo basado en la Sociología Comprensiva de la Vida Cotidiana, con el fin de comprender las influencias culturales sobre los significados y las prácticas de los usuarios de la red básica de salud y la forma de establecer relaciones con los servicios en ciudades pequeñas de Minas Gerais – Brasil. Participaron 13 clientes y la recolección de datos fue a través de entrevistas individuales por una guía semiestructurada, en Julio de 2010. Los datos fueron organizados en cuatro categorías. Los resultados muestran que las prácticas de atención desarrolladas son influenciadas por las creencias. Se nota que el estado de la fe surge como un recurso terapéutico. Los entrevistados asocian los conceptos de salud y enfermedad a la capacidad de realizar actividades de la vida diaria y a los aspectos funcionales del cuerpo. Por lo tanto, es necesaria una reflexión sobre los significados para las personas, frente a las verdades establecidas en la práctica profesional en salud.

ML212: A small-molecule probe for investigating fluconazole resistance mechanisms in Candida albicans.

The National Institutes of Health Molecular Libraries and Probe Production Centers Network (NIH-MLPCN) screened >300,000 compounds to evaluate their ability to restore fluconazole susceptibility in resistant Candida albicans isolates. Additional counter screens were incorporated to remove substances inherently toxic to either mammalian or fungal cells. A substituted indazole possessing the desired bioactivity profile was selected for further development, and initial investigation of structure-activity relationships led to the discovery of ML212.

Respiratory influences on muscle sympathetic nerve activity and vascular conductance in the steady state.

In patients with hypertension, volitional slowing of the respiratory rate has been purported to reduce arterial pressure via withdrawal of sympathetic tone. We examined the effects of paced breathing at 7, 14, and 21 breaths/min, with reciprocal changes in tidal volume, on muscle sympathetic nerve activity, forearm blood flow, forearm vascular conductance, and blood pressure in 21 men and women, 8 of whom had modest elevations in systemic arterial pressure. These alterations in breathing frequency and volume did not affect steady-state levels of sympathetic activity, blood flow, vascular conductance, or blood pressure (all P > 0.05), even though they had the expected effect on sympathetic activity within breaths (i.e., increased modulation during low-frequency/high-tidal volume breathing) (P < 0.001). These findings were consistent across subjects with widely varied baseline levels of sympathetic activity (4-fold), mean arterial pressure (78-110 mmHg), and vascular conductance (15-fold), and those who became hypocapnic during paced breathing vs. those who maintained normocapnia. These findings challenge the notion that slow, deep breathing lowers arterial pressure by suppressing steady-state sympathetic outflow.

Cinnamides as selective small-molecule inhibitors of a cellular model of breast cancer stem cells.

A high-throughput screen (HTS) was conducted against stably propagated cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched populations using a library of 300,718 compounds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR). A cinnamide analog displayed greater than 20-fold selective inhibition of the breast CSC-like cell line (HMLE_sh_Ecad) over the isogenic control cell line (HMLE_sh_eGFP). Herein, we report structure-activity relationships of this class of cinnamides for selective lethality towards CSC-enriched populations.

Impaired hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in younger adults with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke; however, its impact on human cerebral circulation remains unclear. Reduced cerebral dilation is also associated with an increased risk of stroke and may occur in MetSyn adults. We hypothesised that MetSyn adults would exhibit reduced cerebral vasodilation to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was insonated with Doppler ultrasound in younger (approximately 35 years) MetSyn and healthy adults. We measured mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), arterial oxygen saturation (S(p)O(2)) and end tidal carbon dioxide (Pet (CO2)). Cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi) was calculated as MCAv*100/MABP. Cerebral vasodilation (ΔCVCi) to hypoxia (S(p)O(2) = 90% and 80%) and hypercapnia (+10 mm Hg Pet (CO2)) was assessed. Baseline MCAv was similar, while adults with MetSyn had lower baseline CVCi. MetSyn adults demonstrated markedly reduced ΔCVCi compared to healthy adults in response to hypoxia (90% S(p)O(2): 1±2 vs 6±2; 80% S(p)O(2): 5±2 vs 15±3 cm/s/mmHg, p<0.05). Both groups demonstrated similar ΔCVCi to hypercapnia (18±2 vs 20±2 cm/s/mmHg). These data are the first to demonstrate that younger MetSyn adults have impaired hypoxia-mediated cerebral vasodilation prior to clinically overt cerebrovascular disease. These findings provide novel insight into cerebrovascular disease onset in MetSyn adults.

Avaliação do monitoramento telefônico na promoção do autocuidado em diabetes na atenção primária em saúde / Evaluation of telephone monitoring in promoting self-care in diabetes in primary health care

O monitoramento telefônico (MT) trata-se de uma estratégia inovadora em saúde que, utilizado na educação em Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 (DM2) têm incentivado a adesão às práticas de autocuidado bem como proporcionado melhora do controle glicêmico. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o MT para a promoção do autocuidado associado à atividade física e dieta em usuários com DM2 na atenção primária à saúde em Belo Horizonte – MG. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo quase experimental, randomizado, desenvolvido com 210 usuários com DM2, sendo 106 pertencentes ao grupo experimental (GE) e 104 ao grupo controle (GC), todos vinculados a oito Unidades Básicas de Saúde do Distrito Leste de Belo Horizonte. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por profissionais da saúde durante os meses de fevereiro a agosto de 2012 e foi divida em três momentos: antes do inicio das atividades educativas (T0), considerado pré-teste, e, logo após o término de cada ciclo educativo, aos 3 (T3) e 6 (T6) meses, compreendendo o pós-teste. Para ambos os grupos, no T0 foram realizadas entrevistas face a face para coleta dos dados sociodemográficos, aplicação do Questionário de Autocuidado com Diabetes – ESM, mensuração das medidas antropométricas e coleta dos exames laboratoriais. Ao final de cada ciclo T3 e T6, foi reaplicado o Questionário de Autocuidado com Diabetes – ESM via telefone. A intervenção educativa para o GE ocorreu de forma sistematizada, a partir de um roteiro contendo questões sobre conhecimentos e dúvidas sobre o DM; as facilidades e barreiras para o autocuidado e características das ligações com relação ao número de tentativas e duração das chamadas. O GC não participou de nenhuma intervenção educativa vinculada ao projeto, apenas manteve o atendimento tradicional recebido nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde. A amostra caracterizou-se pela maioria dos usuários serem do sexo feminino (n= 144), com idade média superior a 62 anos, possuir companheiro (n= 124) e ensino fundamental incompleto...

The Monitoring Telephone (MT) is an innovative approach in health used in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) education, and that have encouraged adherence to self-care practices as well as provided improved glycemic control. It is considered, therefore, a form of effective communication and listening comprehension on the part of the health professional and the user.This study aimed to evaluate the MT for the promotion of self-care associated with physical activity and diet in users with DM2 in primary health care in Belo Horizonte - MG. This is a quasi-experimental study, randomized, developed with 210 users with DM2, with 106 belonging to the experimental group (EG) and 104 to the control group (CG), all linked to eight Basic Health Units in the Eastern District of Belo Horizonte. Data collection was performed by health professionals during the months of February and August 2012 and was divided into three periods: before the start of the educational activities (T0), considered pretest, and shortly after the end of each educational cycle, at 3 (T3) and 6 (T6) months, including the post-test. For both groups, the T0 interviews were conducted face to face for the collection of demographic data, application of Diabetes Self-Care Questionnaire - ESM, notes of anthropometric measurements and collection of laboratory tests. At the end of each cycle T3 and T6, was reapplied with the Diabetes Self-Care Questionnaire - ESM via phone. The educational intervention for GE occurred in a systematic manner, from a script containing questions about knowledge and doubts about the DM, the facilities and barriers to self-care and characteristics of connections with the number of attempts and duration of calls. The GC not participated in any educational intervention linked to the project, just kept the traditional service received in the Basic Health. The sample was characterized by most users are female (n = 144), average aged 62 years, having a partner...

Promoção da saúde e portadores de diabetes mellitus de uma operadora de plano de saúde / Health promotion and diabetes mellitus patients with private health insurance / Promoción de la salud y la diabetes mellitus en un operador de plan de salud

Objetivou-se analisar as ações de promoção da saúde na educação em diabetes e a utilização dos procedimentos de saúde pelos associados. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo abordando a educação em grupo, mediante a teoria freireana, a observação sistematizada e a intervenção orientada/participativa, realizada em uma operadora de plano privado de saúde, em Belo Horizonte/MG, nos anos de 2010 e 2011. O estudo foi dividido em dois momentos: descrição e avaliação das ações de educação em grupo e o uso dos procedimentos de saúde. Percebeu-se que a estratégia em grupo foi efetiva para as orientações das praticas de autocuidado. Observou-se que a maioria é do sexo feminino, com idade acima de 65 anos e realizou exames de hemoglobina glicada e consultas oftalmológicas. As ações educativas descritas poderão servir como modelo para as demais prestadoras de serviço, além de proporcionar reflexão crítica sobre os programas de promoção em saúde em diabetes.

This study aimed to analyze health promotion actions in diabetes education, and insurance holders’ use of health procedures. This descriptive study addressed group education guided by Freirean theory, systematic observation and targeted/participatory intervention and was conducted at a private insurance health care facility in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerias, in 2010 and 2011. The study was divided into two stages: description and evaluation of group education actions and use of health procedures. Group strategy was seen to be effective in guiding the practice of self-care. Most participants were female, 65 years old, and had glycated hemoglobin tests and ophthalmic examinations. The educational activities described could serve as a model for other service providers, in addition to providing critical thinking on health promotion programs in diabetes.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las acciones de promoción de la salud en la educación de la diabetes y el uso de procedimientos de salud por los miembros. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo abordando la educación en grupo através de la teoría de Freire, la observación sistemática y la intervención selectiva / participativa celebrada por plan privado de salud, en Belo Horizonte / MG-Brasil, en los años 2010 y 2011. El estudio se dividió en dos etapas: descripción y evaluaciónde las acciones de educación en grupo y el uso de procedimientos de salud. Se consideró que la estrategia en grupo fue efectiva para las orientaciones de las prácticas de autocuidado. Fue observado que la mayoría es del sexo femenino, arriba de 65 años, y realizaron pruebas de hemoglobina glucosilada y exámenes oftalmológicos. Las actividades educativas descritas podrán servir como un modelo para otros proveedores de servicios, además de proporcionar reflexión crítica sobre los programas de promoción de la salud en la diabetes.