Prognostic factors for incomplete response in thyroid microcarcinoma: an analysis of initial response to therapy in 517 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Although thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) usually has a favorable prognosis, some patients present a higher risk of disease recurrence or persistence. Thus, we aimed at identifying possible risk factors associated with an incomplete response to therapy in TMC. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 517 patients with TMC treated with total thyroidectomy, with or without radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, reclassified after 1.1 ± 0.4 years according to the response to treatment into "favourable" (excellent/indeterminate) or "unfavorable" (biochemical/structural incomplete) responses. We evaluated participants' age, sex, tumor size, histological variants, multifocality, presence of vascular/lymphatic/perineural invasion, extrathyroidal extension, metastatic lymph nodes (LN), and distant metastasis. The effect of RAI therapy on the response range was analyzed in a given subgroup. RESULTS: The mean age observed was 46.4 ± 12.0 years, and 89.7% were female. We noted 97.5% with papillary carcinoma, 27.8% with multifocality and 11.2% with LN metastasis. Although the majority of patients had a low risk of recurrence/persistence (78%), 75% were submitted to RAI therapy. Incomplete response (20.7%) was associated with multifocality (p=0.041; OR=1.619) and metastatic LN (p=0.041; OR=1.868). These variables were strongly correlated (p=0.000; OR=3.283). No cut-off of tumor size was identified as a predictor of incomplete response by the receiver operating curve analysis. RAI treatment did not influence the response of patients with multifocality or LN metastasis. CONCLUSION: Multifocality and LN metastasis are independent risk factors for incomplete response in TMC patients and are strongly correlated. Additional RAI therapy was not associated with a more favorable response in these subgroups.

Prognostic factors for incomplete response in thyroid microcarcinoma: an analysis of initial response to therapy in 517 patients

ABSTRACT Objective: Although thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) usually has a favorable prognosis, some patients present a higher risk of disease recurrence or persistence. Thus, we aimed at identifying possible risk factors associated with an incomplete response to therapy in TMC. Subjects and methods: This was a retrospective study of 517 patients with TMC treated with total thyroidectomy, with or without radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, reclassified after 1.1 ± 0.4 years according to the response to treatment into "favorable" (excellent/indeterminate) or "unfavorable" (biochemical/structural incomplete) responses. We evaluated participants' age, sex, tumor size, histological variants, multifocality, presence of vascular/lymphatic/perineural invasion, extrathyroidal extension, metastatic lymph nodes (LN), and distant metastasis. The effect of RAI therapy on the response range was analyzed in a given subgroup. Results: The mean age observed was 46.4 ± 12.0 years, and 89.7% were female. We noted 97.5% with papillary carcinoma, 27.8% with multifocality and 11.2% with LN metastasis. Although the majority of patients had a low risk of recurrence/persistence (78%), 75% were submitted to RAI therapy. Incomplete response (20.7%) was associated with multifocality (p=0.041; OR=1.619) and metastatic LN (p=0.041; OR=1.868). These variables were strongly correlated (p=0.000; OR=3.283). No cut-off of tumor size was identified as a predictor of incomplete response by the receiver operating curve analysis. RAI treatment did not influence the response of patients with multifocality or LN metastasis. Conclusion: Multifocality and LN metastasis are independent risk factors for incomplete response in TMC patients and are strongly correlated. Additional RAI therapy was not associated with a more favorable response in these subgroups.

Perfil epidemiológico e clínico de uma amostra populacional de pacientes com acromegalia no estado de Alagoas / Clinical and epidemiological profile of a sample population of patients with acromegaly in the state of Alagoas

Objetivo: determinar o perfil epidemiológico e clínico de pacientes com acromegalia no Estado de Alagoas. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, observacional, que foi realizado na Farmácia de Medicamentos Excepcionais do Estado de Alagoas, abrangendo 12 pacientes com acromegalia dessa instituição, correspondendo a 85% dos acromegálicos do Estado de Alagoas. Resultados: dos 12 pacientes estudados, a média de idade foi de 50,8 +/- 12,1 anos e, no momento do diagnóstico, uma média de idade de 44,5 +/- 11,6 anos. Foram realizados exames de imagem em 91,6% dos pacientes, em que se evidenciou macroademona hipofisário no momento do diagnóstico. A octreotida foi o medicamento principal, utilizado em 92% dos pacientes. Conclusão: O estudo corrobora, em boa parte dos dados, a literatura atual e revela a necessidade de maior precocidade de diagnóstico e início de terapêutica adequada, evitando o surgimento de comorbidades e complicações típicas da doença. (AU)

Objective: to determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with acromegaly in the state of Alagoas. Method: This is a descriptive and observational study, which was held at the Exceptional Drug Pharmacy of the State of Alagoas. This study included 12 patients with acromegaly of this institution, corresponding to 85% of acromegaly in the State of Alagoas. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.8 +/- 12.1 year and the mean age at diagnosis was 44.5 +/- 11, 6 years. Medical imaging exams were performed in 91.7% of patients, showing pituitary macroadenoma at the moment of diagnosis. Octreotide was the main medication, used in 91,7% of patients. Conclusion: The study corroborates, in most of the data, the current literature and reveals the need for earlier diagnosis and appropriate therapy, which avoids the appearance of typical comorbidities and complications of this disease. (AU)

A atenção primária na formação médica: a experiência de uma turma de medicina / Primary care in medical training: the experience of a medicine class

A partir da criação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e da implantação do Programa Saúde da Família (PSF), exige-se que os novos profissionais da saúde pública desenvolvam, desde os cursos de graduação, visão integral do paciente e olhar crítico para a realidade da comunidade e para sua própria atuação no PSF. Com esse objetivo, a Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Alagoas (Famed-Ufal), em 2005, introduziu modificações curriculares que permitem aos estudantes uma vivência mais ampla no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Este relato discorre, por meio da análise qualitativa de diários de campo, sobre as experiências de 22 acadêmicos de Medicina do segundo período durante as aulas práticas em uma comunidade coberta pelo PSF. Oitenta e seis por cento dos alunos observaram algum tipo de dificuldade enfrentada pela Unidade de Saúde; 95% destacaram a correspondência entre aulas práticas e o processo de aprendizagem; e 59% apontaram a importância da relação médico-paciente. Desta forma, o contato inicial do estudante de Medicina com os serviços de APS deve ser vivenciado de forma ativa e crítica, com estímulos para que investigue aspectos desconhecidos para ele até então.

Since the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the implementation of the Family Health Program (PSF), a requirement has emerged for new public health professionals to develop, since their undergraduate courses, the capacity to have a holistic understanding of the patient and a critical vision of the community and performance in the PSF. Thus, in 2005 the Federal University of Alagoas medical course introduced some curricular reforms to provide students broader experience in Primary Health Care settings. This article describes, through qualitative analysis of log-books, the experiences of 22 first year students during their practical classes in a community covered by the PSF. 86% of the students observed some degree of difficulty faced by the Health Unit; 95% stressed the correspondence between practical classes and the learning process; and 59% indicated the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. Thus, the medical student's initial contact with primary health care services should be experienced in an active and critical manner, with encouragement to investigate aspects previously unknown to him or her .