Progression in the Number of Cataract Surgeries in Brazil: 10 Years of Evolution.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the frequency of cataract surgery in Brazil between 2010 and 2019 and determine the impact of public policies on preventing blindness, thereby providing evidence to conduct healthcare programs. METHODS: An analytical epidemiological approach was employed, which used data from public databases, specifically the Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS) and the Outpatient Information System (SIA-SUS). We focused on cataract surgeries conducted via phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction techniques between 2010 and 2019, mainly targeting senile cataracts within the Brazilian public health system. Data were analyzed on an annual basis and stratified by region. Trends over time were assessed using generalized additive models. RESULTS: A statistically significant upward trend in cataract surgeries was observed both nationally and within the South region (p < 0.05). Nationally, there was a 40.22% increase in surgeries between 2010 and 2019. Furthermore, the surgery rate per 1000 individuals aged ≥50 years varied across regions: nationally, it was 10.85, with rates of 9.23 in the Southeast, 13.86 in the Northeast, 9.23 in the South, 11.94 in the Midwest, and 14.2 in the North. CONCLUSION: All regions of the country, a satisfactory number of cataract surgeries were performed at some point. Only the Southern region demonstrated a notable upward trend in the number of cataract surgeries. Conversely, the remaining regions failed to sustain surgical performance, hindering consistent improvement in cataract-related conditions. To accurately gauge the prevalence of blindness in Brazil, it is crucial to examine the population growth among individuals aged ≥50 years.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cataract surgeries in Brazil: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the behavioral patterns of data on cataract surgery performed in the Brazilian public health system before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak and estimate the setbacks generated by the pandemic to guide public policies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, longitudinal, and descriptive epidemiological study based on data retrieved from the public health system's databases of cataract surgeries performed each year and in each region from 2015 to 2022. RESULT: In Brazil, compared with the average of the 5-years preceding the pandemic, a 23 % reduction in the number of cataract surgeries was observed in 2020, followed by a 21 % increase in 2021, compensating for the majority of patients that were not operated on. However, the worsening situation of blindness caused by cataracts due to the pandemic not be avoided in the Central-West region, where unrecovered cases continue to accumulate. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic did not worsen the situation of cataract blindness in Brazil due to the efficacy of the measures taken by the government in resuming elective surgeries. However, the auhtors recommend that the distribution of resources for cataract surgeries should consider regional discrepancies based on epidemiological data.

Influence of lighting on visual performance.

PURPOSE: This review emphasizes the effect of light on visual efficiency, the impact of different lighting focuses, types of lighting, and their influence on vision and productivity. Light sources and standards are intriguing subjects for ophthalmologists. Guidelines regarding the level of lighting influence on visual activities can enhance visual performance.Methods: This article was developed based on literature reviews, with a bibliographic survey conducted in databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO. RESULTS: Provides recommendations for understanding information regarding the influence of lighting on visual performance. CONCLUSION: Proper workplace lighting is crucial for improving visual efficiency, safety, productivity, and worker health. Efficient workplace lighting should avoid light sources directed towards the worker's face, prevent harmful glare, be more intense in the work area, and uniform in the rest of the room. Ophthalmologists should be knowledgeable about and provide guidance on correct lighting to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction with visual correction.

Influence of lighting on visual performance

ABSTRACT Purpose: This review emphasizes the effect of light on visual efficiency, the impact of different lighting focuses, types of lighting, and their influence on vision and productivity. Light sources and standards are intriguing subjects for ophthalmologists. Guidelines regarding the level of lighting influence on visual activities can enhance visual performance.Methods: This article was developed based on literature reviews, with a bibliographic survey conducted in databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO. Results: Provides recommendations for understanding information regarding the influence of lighting on visual performance. Conclusion: Proper workplace lighting is crucial for improving visual efficiency, safety, productivity, and worker health. Efficient workplace lighting should avoid light sources directed towards the worker's face, prevent harmful glare, be more intense in the work area, and uniform in the rest of the room. Ophthalmologists should be knowledgeable about and provide guidance on correct lighting to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction with visual correction.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cataract surgeries in Brazil: A retrospective study

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to describe the behavioral patterns of data on cataract surgery performed in the Brazilian public health system before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak and estimate the setbacks generated by the pandemic to guide public policies. Materials and methods This was an observational, longitudinal, and descriptive epidemiological study based on data retrieved from the public health system's databases of cataract surgeries performed each year and in each region from 2015 to 2022. Result In Brazil, compared with the average of the 5-years preceding the pandemic, a 23 % reduction in the number of cataract surgeries was observed in 2020, followed by a 21 % increase in 2021, compensating for the majority of patients that were not operated on. However, the worsening situation of blindness caused by cataracts due to the pandemic not be avoided in the Central-West region, where unrecovered cases continue to accumulate. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic did not worsen the situation of cataract blindness in Brazil due to the efficacy of the measures taken by the government in resuming elective surgeries. However, the auhtors recommend that the distribution of resources for cataract surgeries should consider regional discrepancies based on epidemiological data.

A double-blinded randomized clinical trial of pain perception during orthodontic treatment / Ensaio clínico randomizado duplo cego de percepção da dor durante tratamento ortodôntico

Introduction: Orthodontic movement can cause painful symptoms, especially in the early stages of treatment. Objective: This study aimed to compare the performance of chewing gum and ibuprofen in pain control during the initial period of orthodontic treatment. Material and method: A randomized blind clinical trial, with an allocation ratio of 1:1, was developed with patients aged ≥18 years old. The sample size was established considering a significance level of 5% and test power of 80%, resulting in a minimum of 30 volunteers per group (n=90). Participants were paired regarding sex, age, the severity of malocclusion, defined by the Dental Health Component (DHC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), and crowding, determined by Little's irregularity index. The sample was randomly allocated to three groups: Group I (control) placebo; Group II chewing gum; and Group III Ibuprofen. Pain perception was evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in the first 24, 36, and 48 hours after activation of the orthodontic appliance. The data were analyzed by generalized linear models for repeated measures in time. Result: No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was observed among the groups for the methods of pain therapy evaluated in 24, 36, and 48 hours post-activation. Conclusion: There was no difference among the method used for pain control during the orthodontic treatment.

Introdução: A movimentação ortodôntica pode causar sintomatologia dolorosa, principalmente nas fases iniciais do tratamento. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desempenho da goma de mascar e do ibuprofeno no controle da dor durante o período inicial do tratamento ortodôntico. Material e método: Foi desenvolvido um ensaio clínico randomizado cego, com razão de alocação de 1:1, com pacientes com idade ≥ 18 anos. O tamanho da amostra foi estabelecido considerando um nível de significância de 5% e poder do teste de 80%, resultando em um mínimo de 30 voluntários por grupo (n=90). Os participantes foram pareados quanto ao sexo, idade, gravidade da má oclusão, definida pelo Componente de Saúde Bucal (DHC) do Índice de Necessidade de Tratamento Ortodôntico (IOTN), e apinhamento, determinado pelo índice de irregularidade de Little. A amostra foi distribuída aleatoriamente em três grupos: Grupo I (controle) placebo; Goma de mascar Grupo II; e Grupo III Ibuprofeno. A percepção da dor foi avaliada pela Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) nas primeiras 24, 36 e 48 horas após a ativação do aparelho ortodôntico. Os dados foram analisados por modelos lineares generalizados para medidas repetidas no tempo. Resultado Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa (p>0.05) entre os grupos para os métodos de terapia da dor avaliados em 24, 36 e 48 horas pós-ativação. Conclusão: Não houve diferença entre o método utilizado para controle da dor durante o tratamento ortodôntico.

The Performance of Colorectal Cancer Screening in Brazil: The First Two Years of the Implementation Program in Barretos Cancer Hospital.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Brazil. Yet, a nationally organized colorectal screening program is not implemented. Barretos Cancer Hospital (BCH) is one of the largest Brazilian institution that cares for underserved patients. BCH developed a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based organized colorectal cancer screening program to improve colorectal cancer outcomes.This study aims to present the quality/performance measures of the first 2 years of the FIT-based colorectal cancer screening program and its impact on the colorectal cancer disease stage. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 6,737 individuals attending the Outpatient Department of Prevention or the Mobile Unit of BCH, which visits 18 cities of Barretos county, ages 50 to 65 years, were personally invited by a health agent/nurse practitioner. Exclusion criteria were personal history of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy performed in the past 5 years. European Union (EU) guidelines for colorectal cancer screening programs were evaluated. Overall, 92.8% returned the FIT, with an inadequate examination rate of 1.5%. Among the 6,253 adequately tested, 12.5% had a positive result. The colonoscopy compliance and completion rates were 84.6 and 98.2%, respectively. The PPVs were 60.0%, 16.5%, and 5.6% for adenoma, advanced adenoma, and cancer, respectively. Stage distribution of screen-detected cancers shows earlier stages than clinically diagnosed colorectal cancer cancers reported at BCH and Brazilian cancer registries. Our colorectal cancer screening program achieved desirable quality metrics, aligned with the EU guidelines. The observed shift toward earlier colorectal cancer stages suggests an exciting opportunity to improve colorectal cancer-related cancers in Brazil.

Tracionamento de canino incluso com a utilização de alça de TMA: relato de caso clínico / Included canine traction with TMA loop: case report

Os tratamentos de pacientes que apresentam caninos retidos ou inclusos podem gerar grande apreensão, já que o prognóstico nem sempre é favorável, envolvendo riscos de ocorrer anquiloses, descoloração, desvitalização, reabsorção radicular dos dentes envolvidos e dentes adjacentes, recessão gengival e deficiência de gengiva inserida. Será apresentado nesse artigo um caso clínico de colagem de acessório para o tracionamento e uso de barra transpalatina associada a alça de TMA (titanium-molibdenum alloy) evitando, assim, o excessivo apoio dentossuportado. Esse dispositivo se mostrou eficiente e confiável.

Rubella vaccination of unknowingly pregnant women during 2006 mass campaign in Argentina.

We report a prospective study of 56 pregnant women inadvertently vaccinated with rubella vaccine during the 2006 campaign performed in Argentina. Of these patients, 48 (87%) were immune, whereas the remaining 9 (16%) were susceptible. In the latter group, 7 presented with a primary reaction to the vaccine confirmed through immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody avidity testing or seroconversion of IgG titers. During the clinical and laboratory follow-up, newborns did not present evidence of infection or malformations compatible with congenital rubella syndrome.

Diagnóstico citogenético prenatal en madre portadora de translocación cromosómica 4;9: seguimiento del recién nacido / Prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in a mother with 4;9 chromosomal translocation

El diagnóstico citogenético prenatal constituye una práctica de rutina en muchos países. La indicación más común es edad materna avanzada; sin embargo, algunos casos se deben a que uno de los padres es portador de una translocación cromosómica. En el presente trabajo se describe un caso de diagnóstico citogenético prenatal en una madre portadora de una translocación cromosómica 4;9, con antecedentes de dos abortos y dos muertes perinatales, uno de los productos con labio y paladar hencido. Se describe el manejo de la paciente embarazada, el diagnóstico citogenético prenatal con la obtención de un carioptipo fetal normal y el seguimiento del embarazo y del recién nacido

Cultivo de células de líquido amniótico: técnicas y resultados / Amniotic fluid cell culture: techniques and results

El cultivo prolongado (más de una semana) de células de líquido amniótico se ha utilizado ampliamente en el diagnóstico prenatal de las cromosomopatías. Las metafases para el análisis del cariotipo fetal pueden obtenerse por dos técnicas, in situ y tripsinización. La primera tiene la ventaja de requerir menor número de células y permitir la diferenciación entre mosaicismos y seudomosicismos. En este artículo se describe la etapa de ejecución de la técnica in situ de diagnóstico citogenético prenatal. Se lograron con éxito 12 cultivos consecutivos de células de líquido amniótico con obtención del cariotipo fetal dentro de los 21 días siguientes a la amniocentesis. Se estudiaron morfología y las características de las células. Siete líquidos amnióticos provinieron de mujeres Rh-isoinmunizadas, cuatro de embarazos con productos anencéfalos y uno de una madre que era portadora de una translocación balanceada