The structure of qualitative studies: a bibliometric pattern of biomedical literature.

The lack of knowledge in the biomedical literature regarding the validity of qualitative studies might be related to the lower number of qualitative studies that have been published. The criticisms range from a lack of theoretical depth to the superficial discussions of empirical findings. The aim of this study was to explore the bibliometric entities and the trends in the structure of qualitative research in the biomedical literature. A bibliometric analysis and mapping of the biomedical literature were used. The number of studies selected was 1,725. The heath themes with the most publications included Health Management (12%) and Women's Health (9.8%), while the authors of the studies had academic affiliation in 76 different countries. The sample sizes were between 11 and 20 participants (27.13%) and the Grounded Theory framework (9.04%) stood out. The improved structuring of a qualitative research extends the effective communication between health providers and researchers, and support in the management of clinical situations.

Twin pregnancy after kidney transplantation: case report and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is associated with fertility restoration in more than 50% of women with chronic kidney disease. Pregnancy after transplantation may affect women's health and fetal development, with higher rates of abortion, fetal growth restriction, and neonatal deaths. Twin pregnancy is a condition of high-risk for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, and its occurrence in women with previous kidney transplantation is rare. CASE: 32-year-old woman, recipient of living donor kidney transplantation, with a history of one pregnancy prior to transplantation, with current normal allograft function and no use of contraceptive method. At ten weeks of amenorrhea, ultrasound investigation showed a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. The following evaluation showed Chiari type II features in one fetus, and no detectable abnormality in the other one. There was appropriate blood pressure control with no need for an antihypertensive drug, and renal function remained normal without proteinuria. Calcium and a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid were used as preeclampsia prophylaxis. At 33 weeks of gestation, she presented premature rupture of membranes with spontaneous preterm labor. A cesarean section was performed due to the breech presentation of the first fetus. The patient persisted with normal graft function and without graft rejection during follow-up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancies after kidney transplantation are rare, and it is most frequently associated with preterm birth. We reported a successful twin pregnancy after kidney transplantation, with good perinatal and maternal outcomes, and without graft rejection or dysfunction.

Emotional Experiences of Obese Women with Adequate Gestational Weight Variation: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the growth of the obese population, the number of obese women of fertile age has increased in the last few years. Obesity in pregnancy is related to greater levels of anxiety, depression and physical harm. However, pregnancy is an opportune moment for the intervention of health care professionals to address obesity. The objective of this study was to describe how obese pregnant women emotionally experience success in adequate weight control. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Using a qualitative design that seeks to understand content in the field of health, the sample of subjects was deliberated, with thirteen obese pregnant women selected to participate in an individual interview. Data was analysed by inductive content analysis and includes complete transcription of the interviews, re-readings using suspended attention, categorization in discussion topics and the qualitative and inductive analysis of the content. The analysis revealed four categories, three of which show the trajectory of body care that obese women experience during pregnancy: 1) The obese pregnant woman starts to think about her body;2) The challenge of the diet for the obese pregnant woman; 3) The relation of the obese pregnant woman with the team of antenatal professionals. The fourth category reveals the origin of the motivation for the change: 4) The potentializing factors for change: the motivation of the obese woman while pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, obese women are more in touch with themselves and with their emotional conflicts. Through the transformations of their bodies, women can start a more refined self-care process and experience of the body-mind unit. The fear for their own and their baby's life, due to the risks posed by obesity, appears to be a great potentializing factor for change. The relationship with the professionals of the health care team plays an important role in the motivational support of the obese pregnant woman.

[Physical exercise, weight gain, and perinatal outcomes in overweight and obese pregnant women: a systematic review of clinical trials]. / Exercício físico no ganho de peso e resultados perinatais em gestantes com sobrepeso e obesidade: uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on weight gain and perinatal outcomes among overweight and obese pregnant women, through a systematic review in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO. We included ten clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of exercise with or without combined diet in the control of gestational weight gain. Three studies were randomized, and methodological quality was assessed using the CONSORT 2010 Checklist, but none met all the criteria. Four studies showed weight gain differences between groups. The majority (60%) of studies showed no differences in perinatal outcomes (mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, birth weight). In conclusion, few studies confirmed the positive effect of exercise in controlling weight gain during pregnancy, thus requiring more research in this direction. Regarding perinatal outcomes, mild to moderate exercise does not appear to be decisive for perinatal outcomes, and is safe for pregnant women with overweight and obesity.

Exercício físico no ganho de peso e resultados perinatais em gestantes com sobrepeso e obesidade: uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos / Physical exercise, weight gain, and perinatal outcomes in overweight and obese pregnant women: a systematic review of clinical trials

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on weight gain and perinatal outcomes among overweight and obese pregnant women, through a systematic review in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO. We included ten clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of exercise with or without combined diet in the control of gestational weight gain. Three studies were randomized, and methodological quality was assessed using the CONSORT 2010 Checklist, but none met all the criteria. Four studies showed weight gain differences between groups. The majority (60 percent) of studies showed no differences in perinatal outcomes (mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, birth weight). In conclusion, few studies confirmed the positive effect of exercise in controlling weight gain during pregnancy, thus requiring more research in this direction. Regarding perinatal outcomes, mild to moderate exercise does not appear to be decisive for perinatal outcomes, and is safe for pregnant women with overweight and obesity.

Esta revisão objetivou avaliar os efeitos do exercício físico no ganho de peso e nos resultados perinatais de gestantes com sobrepeso e obesidade, através de revisão sistemática da literatura em bases de dados específicas: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, SciELO e LILACS. Foram incluídos dez ensaios clínicos que avaliaram a efetividade do exercício combinado ou não com dieta no controle do ganho de peso gestacional. Três estudos são randomizados e a qualidade metodológica foi avaliada através do CONSORT 2010 Checklist, porém nenhum deles cumpriu todos os critérios. Quatro estudos obtiveram diferença quanto ao ganho de peso entre os grupos. A maioria dos estudos (60 por cento) não demonstrou diferença quanto aos resultados perinatais (via de parto, idade gestacional ao nascer, peso do recém-nascido). Poucos estudos confirmam o efeito positivo do exercício no controle do ganho de peso gestacional, necessitando mais pesquisas neste sentido. O exercício em intensidade leve a moderada parece não ser determinante nos resultados perinatais, sendo uma prática segura para gestantes com sobrepeso e obesidade.

Comparação entre dois métodos para investigação da mortalidade materna em município do Sudeste brasileiro / Comparison of two methods for the investigation of maternal mortality in a municipality of the Brazilian Southeast

OBJETIVO: comparar a mortalidade materna declarada pelo Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) com a investigação pela pesquisa de óbitos de mulheres em idade reprodutiva (RAMOS), de 10 a 49 anos; identificar a subnotificação e investigar as causas de morte materna (MM) no período de 1999 a 2006. MÉTODOS: série temporal e de base populacional a partir das informações das declarações de óbito (DO), fornecidas em banco de dados pela Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados (SEADE) e com as causas de morte codificadas pela Classificação Internacional de Doenças (CID), décima revisão e o número de nascidos vivos (NV). Os óbitos foram categorizados em MM declarada, presumível e não-materna. A identificação dos casos foi feita a partir de listagem com a data de nascimento e de óbito no velório municipal, e as informações complementares ao estudo foram obtidas no Setor de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Comitê Municipal de Investigação da MM (CMIMM). Foram levantadas informações sobre MM contidas no SIM. Nos casos de MM declaradas e não-declaradas, foi identificado o percentual de subnotificação; foram calculadas as razões de mortalidade materna (RMM) oficial e corrigida e o fator de ajuste para o período, e as causas de MM foram revisadas e classificadas. RESULTADOS: foram identificadas 12 MM, sendo seis declaradas e seis não-declaradas. A subnotificação foi de 50 por cento, o que correspondeu a um fator de ajuste igual a dois. A RMM oficial foi 14,7 e a corrigida de 29,4 mortes por 100.000 NV. As causas básicas foram mal atribuídas na maioria dos casos. As causas obstétricas diretas foram mais prevalentes, dentre elas a eclâmpsia e a síndrome HELLP, seguida por infecções. CONCLUSÕES: são necessárias medidas políticas e administrativas para a efetiva atividade dos Comitês de Investigação das MM. A prevalência de causas obstétricas diretas é indicativa de falhas na assistência materna e perinatal.

PURPOSE: to compare maternal death data from the National Death Information System (DIS), with a death survey of 10 to 49 year-old women at reproductive age (RAMOS), in order to identify sub-notification and to search for causes of maternal death (MD) from 1999 to 2006. METHODS: population based temporal series taken from death certificate (DC) information from Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados (SEADE) database, with the death causes codified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), tenth revision, and the number of born alive babies (BA). Death was categorized into declared, presumptive MD and non-maternal. The identification of cases was done from a list with both the birth and death dates in the municipal morgues, and further information was obtained in the epidemiological sector of the Municipal Committee of Surveillance of Maternal Death (MCSMD). Information on MD was raised in the DIS. Sub-notification rates in cases of declared and non-declared MD were identified, maternal official death rates (MDR) and the adjusted factor for the period were calculated and corrected, and MD cases were reviewed and classified. RESULTS: twelve MD were identified, six of them declared and six non-declared. Sub-notification rate was 50 percent, giving an adjusting factor equal to 2. The official MDR was 14.7 and the corrected one was 29.4 deaths by 100,000 born alive. In most of the cases, the basic causes of death were mistaken. Direct obstetric causes were more prevalent, among them eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, followed by infections. CONCLUSIONS: political and administrative measures are needed for the effective action of MD survey committees. The prevalence of direct obstetric causes indicates failures in maternal and perinatal care.

[Comparison of two methods for the investigation of maternal mortality in a municipality of the Brazilian southeast]. / Comparação entre dois métodos para investigação da mortalidade materna em município do Sudeste brasileiro.

PURPOSE: to compare maternal death data from the National Death Information System (DIS), with a death survey of 10 to 49 year-old women at reproductive age (RAMOS), in order to identify sub-notification and to search for causes of maternal death (MD) from 1999 to 2006. METHODS: population based temporal series taken from death certificate (DC) information from Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados (SEADE) database, with the death causes codified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), tenth revision, and the number of born alive babies (BA). Death was categorized into declared, presumptive MD and non-maternal. The identification of cases was done from a list with both the birth and death dates in the municipal morgues, and further information was obtained in the epidemiological sector of the Municipal Committee of Surveillance of Maternal Death (MCSMD). Information on MD was raised in the DIS. Sub-notification rates in cases of declared and non-declared MD were identified, maternal official death rates (MDR) and the adjusted factor for the period were calculated and corrected, and MD cases were reviewed and classified. RESULTS: twelve MD were identified, six of them declared and six non-declared. Sub-notification rate was 50%, giving an adjusting factor equal to 2. The official MDR was 14.7 and the corrected one was 29.4 deaths by 100,000 born alive. In most of the cases, the basic causes of death were mistaken. Direct obstetric causes were more prevalent, among them eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, followed by infections. CONCLUSIONS: political and administrative measures are needed for the effective action of MD survey committees. The prevalence of direct obstetric causes indicates failures in maternal and perinatal care.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy: clinical evolution, maternal and perinatal outcomes and placental findings.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic disease that is more frequent in women of reproductive age. The relationship between lupus and pregnancy is problematic: maternal and fetal outcomes are worse than in the general population, and the management of flare-ups is difficult during this period. The aim here was to compare the outcomes of 76 pregnancies in 67 women with lupus, according to the occurrence or absence of flare-ups. DESIGN AND SETTING: An observational cohort clinical study evaluating the evolution of pregnant women with lupus who were receiving care at the prenatal outpatient clinic, Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM/Unicamp), between 1995 and 2002. METHODS: Data were collected on a precoded form. The women were divided into two groups according to the occurrence or absence of flare-ups, as defined by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). The presence or absence of flare-ups and renal involvement was considered to be the independent variable and the other results were dependent variables. RESULTS: Flare-ups occurred in 85.3% of cases, and were most significant when there was renal involvement. This was related to greater numbers of women with preeclampsia and poor perinatal outcome. Intrauterine growth restriction was more common in the women with active disease. Placental weight was significantly lower in the women with renal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Flare-ups and renal involvement in lupus patients during pregnancy are associated with increased maternal and perinatal complications.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy: clinical evolution, maternal and perinatal outcomes and placental findings

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic disease that is more frequent in women of reproductive age. The relationship between lupus and pregnancy is problematic: maternal and fetal outcomes are worse than in the general population, and the management of flare-ups is difficult during this period. The aim here was to compare the outcomes of 76 pregnancies in 67 women with lupus, according to the occurrence or absence of flare-ups. DESIGN AND SETTING: An observational cohort clinical study evaluating the evolution of pregnant women with lupus who were receiving care at the prenatal outpatient clinic, Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM/Unicamp), between 1995 and 2002. METHODS: Data were collected on a precoded form. The women were divided into two groups according to the occurrence or absence of flare-ups, as defined by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). The presence or absence of flare-ups and renal involvement was considered to be the independent variable and the other results were dependent variables. RESULTS: Flare-ups occurred in 85.3 percent of cases, and were most significant when there was renal involvement. This was related to greater numbers of women with preeclampsia and poor perinatal outcome. Intrauterine growth restriction was more common in the women with active disease. Placental weight was significantly lower in the women with renal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Flare-ups and renal involvement in lupus patients during pregnancy are associated with increased maternal and perinatal complications.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico é uma doença crônica que acomete preferencialmente mulheres em idade reprodutiva. A associação entre lúpus e gravidez é problemática e os resultados maternos e perinatais são piores que na população geral. O objetivo foi determinar os resultados de 76 gestações de 67 mulheres lúpicas segundo a atividade da doença. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo clínico descritivo avaliando a evolução de gestantes lúpicas seguidas no Ambulatório de Pré-Natal Especializado do Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM/Unicamp), no período de 1995 a 2002. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram coletados a partir de uma ficha pré-codificada. As mulheres foram divididas em dois grupos segundo atividade do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) na gestação, conforme o índice de atividade de doença lúpica SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index). A presença ou não de atividade de doença e de envolvimento renal foram consideradas variáveis independentes e os demais resultados as variáveis dependentes. RESULTADOS: A doença em atividade durante a gestação ocorreu em 85,3 por cento dos casos, sendo o acometimento renal o mais importante, relacionando-se a um maior número de mulheres que tiveram pré-eclâmpsia e pior evolução perinatal. Restrição do crescimento intra-uterino foi mais freqüente nas mulheres com doença ativa. O peso da placenta também foi significativamente menor nas mulheres com envolvimento renal. CONCLUSÕES: A atividade da doença e o envolvimento renal do LES na gestação associam-se com o aumento de complicações maternas e perinatais.

Resultados maternos e perinatais em portadoras de anemia falciforme / Maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with anemia sickle cell

Avaliar as complicações materno-fetais apresentadas pelas gestantes portadoras de anemia falciforme acompanhadas no ambulatório de pré-natal especializado do Centro de Atendimento Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, no período de janeiro 2002 a julho de 2004. Os dados coletados em ficha auxiliar pré-codificada foram posteriormente analisados no programa Epi Info 6.0. Das sete mulheres portadoras de anemia falciforme, seis apresentam forma homozigota e uma apresenta dupla heterozigose; seis mulheres eram negras e uma parda. As setes mulheres apresentaram alterações no quadro clínico durante a gestação contudo não foram registradas mortes maternas ou perinatais.Conclui-se que a ocorrência de complicações maternas é maior nessa população, porém o pré-natal cuidadoso e o bom controle da doença podem melhorar o quadro.

Tumores renais na gestação / Renal tumours and pregnancy

O câncer renal é uma doença infrequente, raramente associada à gravidez. Com o aumento do uso da ultra-sonografia obstétrica, mais casos estão sendo diagnosticados incidentalmente. Exemplificamos esta situação descrevendo um caso de uma gestante com diagnóstico de tumor renal, cujo tratamento cirúrgico foi realizado durante a gravidez, com excelentes resultados maternos e neonatais. A partir deste exemplo, foi revisado os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, obstétricos e terapêuticos do câncer renal durante a gravidez, com ênfase no diagnóstico e no planejamento do tratamento dessas mulheres.

Renal cancer is an infrequent disease, rarely associated with pregnancy. Withincreasing use of routine obstetric ultrasonography, more cases will be incidentally diagnosed. We describe a case that illustrates this situation in a pregnant women with a diagnosis of renal tumor, whose surgical treatment was performed during pregnancy, with excellent maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this paper we also revise the epidemiological, clinical, obstetrical and therapeutic aspects of renal cancer during pregnancy, with emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment planning for these women.

Hemoglobinúria paroxística noturna e gravidez / Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in pregnancy

A hemoglobinúria paroxística noturna é doença rara, causada por mutação adquirida de um gene no sistema hematopoético com 16-18 por cento dos casos diagnosticados durante a gravidez. Descrevemos dois casos de gestantes portadoras de hemoglobinúria paroxística noturna com diagnóstico anterior à gestação. A mortalidade materna é de 8-10 por cento, devido principalmente a tromboembolismo e, em menor escala, transformação leucêmica. As perdas fetais chegam a 30 por cento das gestações. Estes dois casos ilustram situação grave e extremamente complexa, que é a conduta obstétrica em mulheres portadoras de doença hematológica muito rara, grave e potencialmente fatal. Com uma abordagem multidisciplinar em serviços terciários é possível obter bons resultados maternos e perinatais.