The respiratory oxygenation index for identifying the risk of orotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients receiving high-flow nasal cannula oxygen.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the respiratory oxygenation index (ROX index) measured after the start of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy can help identify the need for intubation in patients with acute respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted at the intensive care units of six Brazilian hospitals from March to December 2020. The primary outcome was the need for intubation up to 7 days after starting the high-flow nasal cannula. RESULTS: A total of 444 patients were included in the study, and 261 (58.7%) were subjected to intubation. An analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) showed that the ability to discriminate between successful and failed high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy within 7 days was greater for the ROX index measured at 24 hours (AUROC 0.80; 95%CI 0.76 - 0.84). The median interval between high-flow nasal cannula initiation and intubation was 24 hours (24 - 72), and the most accurate predictor of intubation obtained before 24 hours was the ROX index measured at 12 hours (AUROC 0.75; 95%CI 0.70 - 0.79). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a greater probability of intubation within 7 days in patients with a ROX index ≤ 5.54 at 12 hours (hazard ratio 3.07; 95%CI 2.24 - 4.20) and ≤ 5.96 at 24 hours (hazard ratio 5.15; 95%CI 3.65 - 7.27). CONCLUSION: The ROX index can aid in the early identification of patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 who will progress to the failure of high-flow nasal cannula supportive therapy and the need for intubation.

Effect of Reintubation Within 48 Hours on Mortality in Critically Ill Patients After Planned Extubation.

BACKGROUND: Re-intubation is necessary in 2% to 30% of cases of patients receiving a planned extubation. This procedure is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, a greater need for tracheostomy, a higher incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and higher mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of re-intubation within 48 h on mortality after planned extubation by using a randomized controlled trial database. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized trial, which evaluated the effect of reconnection to mechanical ventilation for 1 h after a successful spontaneous breathing trial, followed by extubation. The study included adult subjects who received invasive mechanical ventilation for > 12 h. The subjects were divided into an extubation failure group and an extubation success group. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. Two multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to identify independent factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Among the 336 subjects studied, extubation failed in 52 (15.4%) and they were re-intubated within 48 h. Most re-intubations occurred between 12 and 24 h after planned extubation (median [interquartile range] 16 [6-36] h). Mortality of the extubation failure group was higher both in the ICU (32.6% vs 6.6%; odds ratio [OR] 6.77, 95% CI 3.22-14.24; P < .001) and in-hospital (42.3% vs 14.0%; OR 4.47, 95% CI 2.34-8.51; P < .001) versus the extubation success group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that re-intubation within 48 h was independently associated with both ICU mortality (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.84-13.07; P < .001) and in-hospital mortality (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.67-6.73; P = .001). In-hospital mortality was also associated with rescue noninvasive ventilation after extubation (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.25-4.75; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Re-intubation within 48 h after planned extubation was associated with mortality in subjects who were critically ill.

Incidence of Delirium in Critically Ill Patients With and Without COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: It is known that patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of developing delirium. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of delirium between critically ill patients with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted in a southern Brazilian hospital from March 2020 to January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: the COVID-19 group consisted of patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or serological tests who were admitted to specific ICUs. The non-COVID-19 group consisted of patients with other surgical and medical diagnoses who were admitted to non-COVID ICUs. All patients were evaluated daily using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). The two cohorts were compared in terms of the diagnosis of delirium. RESULTS: Of the 649 patients who remained more than 48 h in the ICU, 523 were eligible for the study (COVID-19 group: 292, non-COVID-19 group: 231). There were 119 (22.7%) patients who had at least one episode of delirium, including 96 (32.9%) in the COVID-19 group and 23 (10.0%) in the non-COVID-19 group (odds ratio [OR] 4.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69 to 7.26; p < 0.001). Among patients mechanically ventilated for two days or more, the incidence of delirium did not differ between groups (COVID-19: 89/211, 42.1% vs non-COVID-19: 19/47, 40.4%; p = 0.82). Logistic regression showed that the duration of mechanical ventilation was the only independent factor associated with delirium (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 can be associated with a higher incidence of delirium among critically ill patients, but there was no difference in this incidence between groups when mechanical ventilation lasted two days or more.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with community-acquired and hospital-acquired sepsis. / Características e desfechos de pacientes com sepse adquirida na comunidade e no hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with community-acquired and hospital-acquired sepsis. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study that included all patients with a diagnosis of sepsis detected between January 2010 and December 2015 at a private hospital in southern Brazil. Outcomes (mortality, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay) were measured by analyzing electronic records. RESULTS: There were 543 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of sepsis, with a frequency of 90.5 (85 to 105) cases/year. Of these, 319 (58%) cases were classified as hospital-acquired sepsis. This group exhibited more severe disease and had a larger number of organ dysfunctions, with higher hospital [8 (8 - 10) versus 23 (20 - 27) days; p < 0.001] and intensive care unit [5 (4 - 7) versus 8.5 (7 - 10); p < 0.001] lengths of stay and higher in-hospital mortality (30.7% versus 15.6%; p < 0.001) than those with community-acquired sepsis. After adjusting for age, APACHE II scores, and hemodynamic and respiratory dysfunction, hospital-acquired sepsis remained associated with increased mortality (OR 1.96; 95%CI 1.15 - 3.32, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The present results contribute to the definition of the epidemiological profile of sepsis in the sample studied, in which hospital-acquired sepsis was more severe and was associated with higher mortality.

OBJETIVO: Comparar as características clínicas e os desfechos de pacientes com sepse adquirida na comunidade ou no hospital. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo de coorte, que incluiu todos os pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse detectada entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2015 em um hospital privado localizado na Região Sul do Brasil. Os desfechos (mortalidade, tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital) foram avaliados por meio da análise dos registros eletrônicos. RESULTADOS: Foram hospitalizados, no total, 543 pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse, com frequência de 90,5 (85 a 105) casos por ano. Destes, 319 (58%) casos foram classificados como sepse adquirida no hospital. Este grupo apresentava doença mais grave e tinha um maior número de disfunções de órgãos, assim como teve um tempo maior de permanência no hospital [8 (8 - 10) versus 23 (20 - 27) dias; p < 0,001] e na unidade de terapia intensiva [5 (4 - 7) versus 8,5 (7 - 10); p < 0,001] do aqueles que apresentavam sepse adquirida na comunidade. Após ajustar quanto à idade, escore APACHE II e disfunção hemodinâmica e respiratória, a sepse adquirida no hospital persistiu associada com maior mortalidade (OR 1,96; IC95% 1,15 - 3,32, p = 0,013). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados contribuem para a definição do perfil epidemiológico da sepse na amostra estudada, na qual a sepse adquirida no hospital foi mais grave e associada com mortalidade mais alta.

Características e desfechos de pacientes com sepse adquirida na comunidade e no hospital / Characteristics and outcomes of patients with community-acquired and hospital-acquired sepsis

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar as características clínicas e os desfechos de pacientes com sepse adquirida na comunidade ou no hospital. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo de coorte, que incluiu todos os pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse detectada entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2015 em um hospital privado localizado na Região Sul do Brasil. Os desfechos (mortalidade, tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital) foram avaliados por meio da análise dos registros eletrônicos. Resultados: Foram hospitalizados, no total, 543 pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse, com frequência de 90,5 (85 a 105) casos por ano. Destes, 319 (58%) casos foram classificados como sepse adquirida no hospital. Este grupo apresentava doença mais grave e tinha um maior número de disfunções de órgãos, assim como teve um tempo maior de permanência no hospital [8 (8 - 10) versus 23 (20 - 27) dias; p < 0,001] e na unidade de terapia intensiva [5 (4 - 7) versus 8,5 (7 - 10); p < 0,001] do aqueles que apresentavam sepse adquirida na comunidade. Após ajustar quanto à idade, escore APACHE II e disfunção hemodinâmica e respiratória, a sepse adquirida no hospital persistiu associada com maior mortalidade (OR 1,96; IC95% 1,15 - 3,32, p = 0,013). Conclusão: Nossos resultados contribuem para a definição do perfil epidemiológico da sepse na amostra estudada, na qual a sepse adquirida no hospital foi mais grave e associada com mortalidade mais alta.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with community-acquired and hospital-acquired sepsis. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included all patients with a diagnosis of sepsis detected between January 2010 and December 2015 at a private hospital in southern Brazil. Outcomes (mortality, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay) were measured by analyzing electronic records. Results: There were 543 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of sepsis, with a frequency of 90.5 (85 to 105) cases/year. Of these, 319 (58%) cases were classified as hospital-acquired sepsis. This group exhibited more severe disease and had a larger number of organ dysfunctions, with higher hospital [8 (8 - 10) versus 23 (20 - 27) days; p < 0.001] and intensive care unit [5 (4 - 7) versus 8.5 (7 - 10); p < 0.001] lengths of stay and higher in-hospital mortality (30.7% versus 15.6%; p < 0.001) than those with community-acquired sepsis. After adjusting for age, APACHE II scores, and hemodynamic and respiratory dysfunction, hospital-acquired sepsis remained associated with increased mortality (OR 1.96; 95%CI 1.15 - 3.32, p = 0.013). Conclusion: The present results contribute to the definition of the epidemiological profile of sepsis in the sample studied, in which hospital-acquired sepsis was more severe and was associated with higher mortality.

An electronic warning system helps reduce the time to diagnosis of sepsis. / Um sistema eletrônico de alerta ajuda a reduzir o tempo para diagnóstico de sepse.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the improvements of an early warning system for the identification of septic patients on the time to diagnosis, antibiotic delivery, and mortality. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study that describes the successive improvements made over a period of 10 years using an early warning system to detect sepsis, including systematic active manual surveillance, electronic alerts via a telephonist, and alerts sent directly to the mobile devices of nurses. For all periods, after an alert was triggered, early treatment was instituted according to the institutional sepsis guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 637 patients with sepsis were detected over the study period. The median triage-to-diagnosis time was reduced from 19:20 (9:10 - 38:15) hours to 12:40 (2:50 - 23:45) hours when the manual surveillance method was used (p = 0.14), to 2:10 (1:25 - 2:20) hours when the alert was sent automatically to the hospital telephone service (p = 0.014), and to 1:00 (0:30 - 1:10) hour when the alert was sent directly to the nurse's mobile phone (p = 0.016). The diagnosis-to-antibiotic time was reduced to 1:00 (0:55 - 1:30) hours when the alert was sent to the telephonist and to 0:45 (0:30 - 1:00) minutes when the alert was sent directly to the nurse's mobile phone (p = 0.02), with the maintenance of similar values over the following years. There was no difference in the time of treatment between survivors and non-survivors. CONCLUSION: Electronic systems help reduce the triage-to-diagnosis time and diagnosis-to-antibiotic time in patients with sepsis.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os efeitos de melhorias sucessivas nos sistemas de alerta precoce para identificação de pacientes com sepse, no que se refere ao tempo até o diagnóstico, à administração de antibióticos e à mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional de coorte, que descreve as sucessivas melhorias implantadas em um período de 10 anos no sistema de alerta precoce para detecção de sepse, incluindo vigilância ativa manual sistemática, alertas eletrônicos via telefonista, e alertas enviados diretamente a dispositivos móveis da enfermagem. Para todos os períodos, após o desencadeamento do alerta, o tratamento foi realizado segundo as diretrizes institucionais para sepse. RESULTADOS: Durante estes anos, detectaram-se 637 pacientes com sepse. O tempo mediano entre a triagem e o diagnóstico foi reduzido de 19:20 (9:10 - 38:15) horas para 12:40 (2:50 - 23:45) horas quando se utilizou o método manual de vigilância (p = 0,14), para 2:10 (1:25 - 2:20) horas quando o alerta foi enviado automaticamente ao serviço telefônico do hospital (p = 0,014) e para 1:00 (0:30 - 1:10) horas quando o alerta foi enviado diretamente ao telefone celular da enfermagem (p = 0,02), com manutenção de valores similares nos anos que se seguiram. Não houve diferença no tempo até o tratamento em relação aos pacientes sobreviventes e não sobreviventes. CONCLUSÃO: Sistemas eletrônicos auxiliam na redução do tempo entre a triagem e o diagnóstico e entre o diagnóstico e o início da antibioticoterapia em pacientes com sepse.

Um sistema eletrônico de alerta ajuda a reduzir o tempo para diagnóstico de sepse / An electronic warning system helps reduce the time to diagnosis of sepsis

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever os efeitos de melhorias sucessivas nos sistemas de alerta precoce para identificação de pacientes com sepse, no que se refere ao tempo até o diagnóstico, à administração de antibióticos e à mortalidade. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional de coorte, que descreve as sucessivas melhorias implantadas em um período de 10 anos no sistema de alerta precoce para detecção de sepse, incluindo vigilância ativa manual sistemática, alertas eletrônicos via telefonista, e alertas enviados diretamente a dispositivos móveis da enfermagem. Para todos os períodos, após o desencadeamento do alerta, o tratamento foi realizado segundo as diretrizes institucionais para sepse. Resultados: Durante estes anos, detectaram-se 637 pacientes com sepse. O tempo mediano entre a triagem e o diagnóstico foi reduzido de 19:20 (9:10 - 38:15) horas para 12:40 (2:50 - 23:45) horas quando se utilizou o método manual de vigilância (p = 0,14), para 2:10 (1:25 - 2:20) horas quando o alerta foi enviado automaticamente ao serviço telefônico do hospital (p = 0,014) e para 1:00 (0:30 - 1:10) horas quando o alerta foi enviado diretamente ao telefone celular da enfermagem (p = 0,02), com manutenção de valores similares nos anos que se seguiram. Não houve diferença no tempo até o tratamento em relação aos pacientes sobreviventes e não sobreviventes. Conclusão: Sistemas eletrônicos auxiliam na redução do tempo entre a triagem e o diagnóstico e entre o diagnóstico e o início da antibioticoterapia em pacientes com sepse.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the improvements of an early warning system for the identification of septic patients on the time to diagnosis, antibiotic delivery, and mortality. Methods: This was an observational cohort study that describes the successive improvements made over a period of 10 years using an early warning system to detect sepsis, including systematic active manual surveillance, electronic alerts via a telephonist, and alerts sent directly to the mobile devices of nurses. For all periods, after an alert was triggered, early treatment was instituted according to the institutional sepsis guidelines. Results: In total, 637 patients with sepsis were detected over the study period. The median triage-to-diagnosis time was reduced from 19:20 (9:10 - 38:15) hours to 12:40 (2:50 - 23:45) hours when the manual surveillance method was used (p = 0.14), to 2:10 (1:25 - 2:20) hours when the alert was sent automatically to the hospital telephone service (p = 0.014), and to 1:00 (0:30 - 1:10) hour when the alert was sent directly to the nurse's mobile phone (p = 0.016). The diagnosis-to-antibiotic time was reduced to 1:00 (0:55 - 1:30) hours when the alert was sent to the telephonist and to 0:45 (0:30 - 1:00) minutes when the alert was sent directly to the nurse's mobile phone (p = 0.02), with the maintenance of similar values over the following years. There was no difference in the time of treatment between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusion: Electronic systems help reduce the triage-to-diagnosis time and diagnosis-to-antibiotic time in patients with sepsis.

[Myocardial bridging: therapeutic and clinical development].

BACKGROUND: The myocardial bridge constitutes one of the main differential diagnoses of coronary artery disease. However, it remains an underdiagnosed condition and its physiopathological mechanisms and therapeutics are yet to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and describe the clinical and therapeutic evolution of patients with an angiographic diagnosis of myocardial bridge, comparing the data with that in the current literature, in order to clarify the patients' clinical profile and prognosis. METHODS: The results of coronary angiographies carried out from 2003 to 2007 in a Laboratory of Hemodynamics were reviewed; the analysis of patients' files was carried out and selected patients were interviewed. RESULTS: The frequency of myocardial bridge diagnosis was 3.6%. The mean age of patients was 56.8 years (SD = 11.83; CI = 0.73). The anterior descending artery was affected in isolation in 100% of the cases. After the selection, the analysis and interview of 31 patients were carried out. There was no correlation between symptoms and degree of angiographic narrowing observed in the studied patients. The drug treatment included the use of beta-blockers, calcium-channel antagonists, platelet antiaggregants and/or nitrates and resulted in clinical improvement in 30%, absence of alterations in the clinical picture in 60% and symptom worsening in 10% of the patients. One patient presented sudden death; two patients underwent angioplasty followed by significant clinical improvement and none of the patients underwent surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients with myocardial bridge have a good prognosis, but in the long term, there are not enough data, obtained from a large sample of symptomatic patients, to draw definitive conclusions.

Ponte miocárdica: evolução clínica e terapêutica / Puente miocárdico: evolución clínica y terapéutica / Myocardial bridging: therapeutic and clinical development

FUNDAMENTO: A ponte miocárdica constitui um dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais de doença arterial coronariana. Entretanto, ainda é subdiagnosticada e tem seus mecanismos fisiopatológicos e sua terapêutica não completamente elucidados. OBJETIVO: Analisar e descrever a evolução clínica e terapêutica de pacientes com diagnóstico angiográfico de ponte miocárdica, comparando os dados com a literatura atual, a fim de elucidar o perfil clínico e o prognóstico destes pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os resultados de cineangiocoronariografias realizadas no período de 2003 a 2007, em um laboratório de hemodinâmica, efetuando-se análise de prontuários e entrevista de um grupo de pacientes selecionados. RESULTADOS: A frequência de diagnósticos de pontes miocárdicas foi de 3,6 por cento. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 56,8 anos (DP = 11,83; IC = 0,73). A artéria descendente anterior foi acometida isoladamente em 100 por cento dos casos. Após a seleção, realizou-se análise e entrevista de 31 pacientes. Não houve correlação entre os sintomas e o grau de estreitamento angiográfico obtido nos pacientes estudados. O tratamento medicamentoso incluiu o uso de agentes? bloqueadores, antagonistas do canal de cálcio, antiagregantes plaquetários e/ou nitratos, tendo, como resultado, melhora clínica em 30 por cento, ausência de alterações no quadro clínico em 60 por cento e piora dos sintomas em 10 por cento dos pacientes. Um paciente apresentou morte súbita, dois pacientes realizaram angioplastia com melhora clínica significativa e nenhum paciente realizou procedimento cirúrgico. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos pacientes com ponte miocárdica tem um bom prognóstico, mas em longo prazo não há dados suficientes, realizados em um grande grupo de pacientes sintomáticos, para conclusões definitivas.

BACKGROUND: The myocardial bridge constitutes one of the main differential diagnoses of coronary artery disease. However, it remains an underdiagnosed condition and its physiopathological mechanisms and therapeutics are yet to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and describe the clinical and therapeutic evolution of patients with an angiographic diagnosis of myocardial bridge, comparing the data with that in the current literature, in order to clarify the patients' clinical profile and prognosis. METHODS: The results of coronary angiographies carried out from 2003 to 2007 in a Laboratory of Hemodynamics were reviewed; the analysis of patients' files was carried out and selected patients were interviewed. RESULTS: The frequency of myocardial bridge diagnosis was 3.6 percent. The mean age of patients was 56.8 years (SD = 11.83; CI = 0.73). The anterior descending artery was affected in isolation in 100 percent of the cases. After the selection, the analysis and interview of 31 patients were carried out. There was no correlation between symptoms and degree of angiographic narrowing observed in the studied patients. The drug treatment included the use of beta-blockers, calcium-channel antagonists, platelet antiaggregants and/or nitrates and resulted in clinical improvement in 30 percent, absence of alterations in the clinical picture in 60 percent and symptom worsening in 10 percent of the patients. One patient presented sudden death; two patients underwent angioplasty followed by significant clinical improvement and none of the patients underwent surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients with myocardial bridge have a good prognosis, but in the long term, there are not enough data, obtained from a large sample of symptomatic patients, to draw definitive conclusions.

FUNDAMENTO: El puente miocárdico constituye uno de los principales diagnósticos diferenciales de la enfermedad arterial coronaria. No obstante, aún está subdiagnosticado y sus mecanismos fisiopatológicos y su tratamiento no están completamente esclarecidos. OBJETIVO: Analizar y describir la evolución clínica y terapéutica de pacientes con diagnóstico angiográfico de puente miocárdico, comparando los datos con la literatura actual, a fin de clarificar el perfil clínico y el pronóstico de estos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Se revisaron los resultados de cinecoronariografias realizadas entre los años 2003 y 2007, en un laboratorio de hemodinamia, conjuntamente con el análisis de historias clínicas y la realización de entrevistas a un grupo de pacientes seleccionados. RESULTADOS: La frecuencia del diagnóstico de puente miocárdico fue del 3,6 por ciento. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 56,8 años (DE = 11,83; IC = 0,73). La arteria descendente anterior fue afectada aisladamente en el 100 por ciento de los casos. Tras la selección, se realizaron análisis y entrevistas a 31 pacientes. No existió correlación entre los síntomas y el grado de estrechamiento angiográfico obtenido en los pacientes estudiados. El tratamiento medicamentoso incluyó el uso de betabloqueantes, antagonistas de los canales de calcio, antiagregantes plaquetarios y/o nitratos, obteniendo, como resultado, mejoría clínica en el 30 por ciento, ausencia de alteraciones en el cuadro clínico en el 60 por ciento y empeoramiento de los síntomas en el 10 por ciento de los pacientes. Un paciente presentó muerte súbita; en dos pacientes se practicó una angioplastia con mejoría clínica significativa y ningún paciente fue sometido a un procedimiento quirúrgico. CONCLUSIÓN: La mayoría de los pacientes con puente miocárdico tiene un buen pronóstico, pero no hay datos suficientes a largo plazo, que permitan sacar conclusiones definitivas, mediante el seguimiento de un grupo numeroso de pacientes ...

Hiperreatividade brônquica em uma população de adolescentes asmáticos de Criciúma-SC / Bronchial Hyperreactivity in a Population of Asthmatic Adolescents of Criciúma -SC

A hiperreatividade brônquica (HRB) é um dos principais fatores envolvidos na patogênese da asma. Existem poucos estudos que avaliam a HBR em adolescentes asmáticos. Objetivo: avaliar a HRB e identificar fatores de risco associados à asma em uma população de adolescentes asmáticos de Criciúma-SC. População: 49 adolescentes escolares de Criciúma com critérios clínicos de asma. Métodos: Entrevista clínica e realização de prova de função pulmonar; aqueles que apresentaram função pulmonar normal realizaram teste de broncoprovocação (TBP) com metacolina para avaliação da HRB. Resultados: 42 adolescentes asmáticos concluíram o estudo, sendo que, 26 apresentaram função pulmonar normal. Destes, 16 realizaram TBP com metacolina e 56% deles tiveram uma HRB branda. A média da PC20M foi de 4,36 mg/ml. Houve correlação direta significativa entre o valor de PC20M e o fluxo aéreo nas vias de médio e pequeno calibres (r= 0,51 e r= 0,52, respectivamente e p<0,05). Entre os asmáticos com função pulmonar mostrando síndrome obstrutiva houve maior freqüência de história familiar de asma e entre aqueles com função pulmonar normal houve maior freqüência de história pessoal de rinite (p<0,05 e p<0,01, respectivamente). Nesses adolescentes houve elevada freqüência de história de exposição à poeira e animais domésticos, assim como habitação próxima a indústrias (p<0,05, p<0,001 e p<0,001, respectivamente). Conclusão: A maioria dos asmáticos apresentou HRB branda e houve correlação entre HRB e valores do fluxo expiratório nas vias aéreas. Fatores de risco como história familiar de asma e exposição a poluentes e aeroalérgenos foram freqüentemente relatados.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is one of the main factors enrolled in the pathogenesis of asthma. There are few studies about HBR in asthmatic adolescents. Objective: to evaluate the BHR and to identify some risk factors associated to asthma in a population of asthmatic adolescents from Criciúma-SC. Population: 49 school adolescents from Criciúma with clinical criteria of asthma. Methods: Clinical history and lung function test were performed to all asthmatics; those that had presented a normal lung function had carried through methacholine challenge to evaluate the BHR. Results: 42 adolescents concluded this study, which 26 presented normal lung function. Of these, 16 had carried through methacholine challenge and 56% of them had a mild BHR. The average of the PC20M was of 4,36 mg/ml. There was a direct correlation between the PC20M and the airflow in medium and small airways (r= 0.51 and r= 0,52, respectively and p<0,05). In asthmatics whose lung function demonstrated an obstructive syndrome there was a high frequency of familiar history of asthma, and between adolescents with normal lung function there was a high frequency of personal history of rhinitis (p<0,05 and p<0,01, respectively). Additionally, these asthmatics had an elevated frequency of history of aeroallergens exposition and habitation next to industries (p<0,05, p<0,001 and p<0,001, respectively). Conclusion: The majority of the asthmatics presented mild BHR and there was correlation between BHR and values of the expiratory flow in the airways. Risk factors such as familiar history of asthma and exposition to pollutants and aeroallergens were frequently reported.