Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Who Were Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil: Retrospective Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 in Brazil has already caused, and it still causes, several impacts on health, economy, and education. The risk factors for death involved those with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which were prioritized for the vaccination of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with cardiovascular diseases hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil in the year 2022. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was analyzed from the year 2022, with cases being hospitalized by COVID-19 being drawn from SIVEP-GRIPE surveillance. We compared clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes between CVD carriers and non-carriers, and we also compared vaccinated with two doses vs. those that are unvaccinated in CVD carriers. We performed chi-square, odds ratio, logistic regression, and survival analysis. RESULTS: We included, in the cohort, 112,459 hospital inpatients. An amount of 71,661 (63.72%) of the hospitalized patients had CVD. Regarding deaths, 37,888 (33.69%) died. Regarding vaccination against COVID-19, 20,855 (18.54%) people were not vaccinated with any dose among those with CVD. Death p- < 0.001 (OR 1.307-CI 1.235-1.383) and fever p- < 0.001 (OR 1.156-CI 1.098-1.218) were associated with the unvaccinated CVD carriers, and diarrhea p-0.015 (OR 1.116-CI 1.022-1.218), dyspnea p-0.022 (OR 1.074-CI 1.011-1.142), and respiratory distress p-0.021 (OR 1.070-CI 1.011-1.134) were also recorded. Those patients who possessed predictors of death, including invasive ventilation (p- < 0.001 (OR 8.816-CI 8.313-9.350)), were admitted to the ICU p- < 0.001 (OR 1.754-CI 1.684-1.827), and some had respiratory distress p- < 0.001 (OR 1.367-CI 1.312-1.423), dyspnea p < 0.001 (OR 1.341-CI 1.284-1.400), O2 saturation < 95% p- < 0. 001 (OR 1.307-CI 1.254-1.363), they were unvaccinated against COVID-19 p- < 0.001 (OR 1.258-CI 1.200-1.319), they were of male sex p- < 0.001 (OR 1.179-CI 1.138-1.221), they had diarrhea p-0.018 (OR 1.081-CI 1.013-1.154), and they may have been old p < 0.001 (OR 1.034-CI 1.033-1.035). Survival was shorter for the unvaccinated p-0.003, and p- <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the predictors of death for those unvaccinated against COVID-19 in this research, and we evidenced the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine in reducing deaths in hospitalized CVD patients.

Factors Associated with Tuberculosis Outcome in a Hyperendemic City in the North of Brazil.

Ananindeua city, State of Pará, North of Brazil, is a hyperendemic area for tuberculosis (TB), with a cure rate below the recommendation by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. We aimed to describe: (I) the TB incidence coefficient of Ananindeua municipality comparatively against Brazilian data; (II) TB treatment outcomes; (III) to compare the socioeconomic and epidemiological characteristics of abandonment versus cure outcome; and (IV) to evaluate the risk factors associated with TB treatment abandonment in Ananindeua city, from 2017 to 2021. This is a retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional epidemiological study which used secondary TB entries. Data were analyzed by linear regression, descriptive statistics, and associations were made using the Chi-square test and G-test, followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Cure rates ranged from 28.7% to 70.1%, abandonment between 7.3% and 11.8%, deaths from the disease ranged from 0% to 1.6%, and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB-DR) rates had frequencies from 0% to 0.9%. Patient transfer rates to other municipalities were between 4.9% and 12.5%. The multivariate analysis showed that alcohol is almost 2 times more likely to lead an individual to abandon treatment and use of illicit drugs was almost 3 times more likely. Individuals between 20 and 59 years of age were also more likely to abandon treatment almost twice as often. Finally, data obtained in the present report is of great relevance to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and minimize possible discrepancies between the information systems and the reality of public health in high endemicity areas.

Risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a region of the Brazilian Amazon.

The Brazilian Northern region registered a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the state of Pará. The present study investigated the risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a Brazilian Amazon region of 100,819 cases. An epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical and demographic study, analyzing data on confirmed cases for COVID-19 available at the Brazilian Ministry of Health's surveillance platform, was conducted. Variables such as, municipalities of residence, age, gender, signs and symptoms, comorbidities were included and associated with COVID-19 cases and outcomes. The spatial distribution was performed using the ArcGIS program. A total of 100,819 cases were evaluated. Overall, patients had the mean age of 42.3 years, were female (51.2%) and with lethality reaching 4.79% of cases. Main symptoms included fever (66.5%), cough (61.9%) and sore throat (39.8%). Regarding comorbidities, most of the patients presented cardiovascular disease (5.1%) and diabetes (4.2%). Neurological disease increased risk of death by nearly 15 times, followed by obesity (5.16 times) and immunodeficiency (5.09 time). The municipalities with the highest incidence rate were Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás and Jacareacanga. Similarity between the Lower Amazon, Marajó and Southwest mesoregions of Pará state were observed concerning the highest morbidity rates. The obtained data demonstrated that the majority of cases occurred among young adults, females, with the classic influenza symptoms and chronic diseases. Finally, data suggest that the highest incidences were no longer in the metropolitan region of the state. The higher lethality rate than in Brazil may be associated with the greater impacts of the disease in this Amazonian population, or factors associated with fragile epidemiological surveillance in the notification of cases of cure.

Epidemiological and spatial profile of influenza syndrome confirmed for COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic in the state of Pará-Brazil / Perfil epidemiológico e espacial da síndrome gripal confirmada para COVID-19 no início da pandemia no estado do Pará-Brasil

Introduction: COVID-19 broke out in Wuhan in China in December 2019, soon reached pandemic level causing thousands of deaths worldwide. It presents mostly mild flu cases; however, it can evolve into a severe respiratory syndrome that is responsible for hospitalizations and deaths. Objective: To describe the epidemiological and spatial profile of confirmed cases of influenza-like syndrome (GB) by COVID-19 in the state of Pará. Method: Descriptive and ecological study, referring to cases of COVID-19 reported in the E-SUS VE. From the variables of the epidemiological profile, spatial distribution and temporal trend of the disease. Results: The spatial distribution showed that the concentration of cases is located in the southern municipalities of the state. In the profile variables: female gender (53.16%), age group (61.14%) 30 and 59 years, chronic heart disease represented (41.99%), diabetes (31.22%) and (16.30%) chronic respiratory diseases Health professionals infected (8%). Clinical features: fever (71.99%), cough (64.57%), and sore throat (46.78%). Confirmation criteria: rapid antibody test (84.39%), rapid antigen test (7.61%), and RT-PCR (7.48%). The temporal trend of the disease showed the peak of cases in the 20th epidemiological week. Conclusion: Mostly women, most frequent heart diseases and diabetes, confirmed by rapid test and classical symptoms of GS. A flattening of the curve was observed after the 21st week, possibly due to the lockdown intervention. However, it was shown the high number of cases on 07/07/2020 in several regions, specifically in municipalities of the southern region of the state.

Introdução: A COVID-19 surgiu em Wuhan na China em dezembro de 2019, logo alcançou o nível de pandemia causando milhares de mortes no mundo. Se apresenta em sua maioria casos gripais leves, entretanto pode evoluir para uma síndrome respiratória grave que é responsável pelas hospitalizações e óbitos. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico e espacial dos casos confirmados de Síndrome Gripal (SG) por COVID-19 no estado do Pará. Método: Estudo descritivo e ecológico, referente aos casos de COVID-19 notificados no E-SUS VE. A partir das variáveis do perfil epidemiológico, distribuição espacial e tendência temporal da doença. Resultados: A distribuição espacial mostrou que a concentração dos casos localiza-se nos municípios do Sul do estado. Nas viariáveis do perfil: sexo feminino (53,16%), faixa etária (61,14%) 30 e 59 anos, doenças cardíacas crônicas representou (41,99%), diabetes (31,22%) e (16,30%) doenças respiratórias crônicas Profissionais da saúde infectados (8%). Características clínicas: febre (71,99%),tosse (64,57%) e dor de garganta (46,78%). Critério de confirmação: teste rápido- anticorpo (84.39%), teste rápido antígeno (7.61%) e RT-PCR (7.48%). Na tendência temporal da doença evidenciou-se o pico de casos na 20º semana epidemiológica. Conclusão: A maioria mulheres, doenças cardíacas e diabetes mais evidentes, confirmados a maioria por teste rápido e sintomatologia clássica da SG. Observou-se o achatamento da curva após a 21º semana, possivelmente, por conta da intervenção lockdown. Entretanto mostrou-se a alta de casos na data de 07/07/2020 em diversas regiões, especificamente em municípios da região sul do estado.

Custos da busca pelo diagnóstico da tuberculose: impacto na economia familiar / Costs of the search for tuberculosis diagnosis: impact on the family economy / Costos de la búsqueda de diagnóstico de la tuberculosis: impacto en la economía familiar

Resumo Introdução A tuberculose persiste como um grave problema de saúde pública, o diagnóstico e tratamento ocasiona dificuldade econômica ao cuidado, pois determina relevantes custos ao doente e à família, assim o objetivo foi estimar custos da busca pelo diagnóstico da tuberculose para sintomáticos respiratórios e seus familiares em um Centro de Saúde Escola em Belém, Pará. Materiais e Métodos Estudo quantitativo, transversal, com 40 sintomáticos respiratórios. Utilizado instrumento de coleta de dados socioeconômicos e custos do diagnóstico da doença. Análise descritiva, com distribuição de frequências e medidas sumárias de médias e desvio padrão e testes qui-quadrado, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Houve redução das horas de trabalho/dia após o aparecimento dos sintomas respiratórios e perda do emprego em 20%, repercutindo em redução média da renda. Os custos diretos e indiretos foram responsáveis pela perda de 1 a 20% da renda familiar. Discussão Demonstrando que a busca pelo diagnóstico da tuberculose sobrecarrega os orçamentos familiares, com isso pode haver a demora em procurar os serviços de saúde. Conclusão A busca pelo diagnóstico de tuberculose representa ônus importante para pacientes e familiares. A doença é ligada a vulnerabilidade socioeconômica, embora as ações para diagnóstico sejam ofertadas na rede pública, os custos recaem sobre as famílias.

Abstract Introduction Tuberculosis continues to be a serious public health problem. Its diagnosis and treatment generate economic difficulties as its care requires significant costs for the patient and their family. Therefore, the objective of this study was to calculate the costs of searching for tuberculosis diagnosis for symptomatic respiratory patients and their relatives at a Health School Center in Belém, Pará. Materials and Methods Quantitative, cross-sectional study with 40 symptomatic respiratory patients. Collection of socioeconomic data and costs of disease diagnosis was used as an instrument. A descriptive analysis was conducted, with a distribution of frequencies and measures added to the averages, standard deviation, and chi-squared tests with a significance level of 5%. Results There was a reduction in working hours per day after the onset of respiratory symptoms and loss of employment by 20%, which had an impact on the average reduction in income. Direct and indirect costs were responsible for the loss of 1 to 20% of family income. Discussion The search for tuberculosis diagnosis has been shown to overburden family budgets, which may lead the patient to postpone the search for diagnosis in health services. Conclusions The search for a tuberculosis diagnosis represents a significant expense for patients and their families. This disease is related to a socio-economic vulnerability because although the diagnosis is offered in the public health network, costs are borne by families.

Resumen Introducción La tuberculosis continúa siendo un grave problema de salud pública, el diagnóstico y tratamiento genera dificultad económica, pues su cuidado exige costos importantes al enfermo y a la familia. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio fue calcular los costos de la búsqueda de diagnóstico de la tuberculosis para pacientes sintomáticos respiratorios y sus familiares en un Centro de Salud Escuela en Belém, Pará. Materiales y Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, transversal, con 40 pacientes sintomáticos respiratorios. Se utilizó como instrumento la recolección de datos socioeconómicos y los costos del diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, con distribución de frecuencias y medidas sumadas de los promedios, desviación estándar y pruebas de chi cuadrado, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados Hubo reducción de las horas de trabajo por día después de la aparición de los síntomas respiratorios y pérdida del empleo en un 20%, lo que influyó en la reducción media del ingreso. Los costos directos e indirectos fueron responsables por la pérdida del 1 al 20% del ingreso familiar. Discusión Se demostró que la búsqueda del diagnóstico de la tuberculosis sobrecarga los presupuestos familiares, lo que puede llevar a que el paciente posponga la búsqueda del diagnóstico en los servicios de salud. Conclusiones La búsqueda del diagnóstico de la tuberculosis representa un gasto importante para los pacientes y sus familiares. La enfermedad está relacionada con la vulnerabilidad socioeconómica puesto que, aunque el diagnóstico se ofrece en la red pública de salud, los costos recaen en las familias.