Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy using Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire: A validation study.

OBJECTIVE: Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC) is the most severe clinical form of Chagas disease and, in association with psychosocial factors, can compromise the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected patients. To date, there is no specific instrument to assess the HRQoL of these patients, and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLwHFQ), specific for heart failure, is being used both in research and current clinical practice. Therefore, we aimed to verify the validity of the MLwHFQ in the assessment of HRQoL of patients with ChC. METHODS: Fifty patients with ChC (50.6 ± 10.1 years, NYHA I-III) were evaluated. The MLwHFQ, Short-Form of Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Human Activity Profile (HAP) were applied. All patients underwent echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET). RESULTS: The MLwHFQ score correlated with almost all SF-36 domains (with r-value ranging from -0.38 to -0.69), except pain (p = 0.118). The MLwHFQ score also correlated with the BDI score (r = 0.748; p < 0.001), HAP score (r = -0.558; p = 0.001), peak oxygen uptake (r = -0.352; p = 0.01), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.329; p = 0.021). There was no significant difference in the score found on the MLwHFQ among NYHA classes (p = 0.101), as well as between patients with systolic dysfunction (n = 30) and preserved cardiac function (n = 20) (p = 0.058). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the score found on the physical (p = 0.423) and mental (p = 0.858) components of SF-36 between patients with systolic dysfunction and preserved cardiac function (p = 0.271 and p = 0.609, respectively). There was also no difference in the mental component of SF-36 among NYHA classes (p = 0.673). However, the HRQoL using the physical component of SF-36 was worse in advanced NYHA classes (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: MLwHF correlated with most SF-36 HRQoL domains, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and systolic function and seems to be valid in assessing the HRQoL of ChC patients.

Functional predictors of poor outcomes in Chagas cardiomyopathy: The value of end-tidal carbon dioxide at peak exercise.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairment can be detected from the onset of heart disease in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC) and the prognostic value of the end-tidal carbon dioxide at peak exercise (PETCO2 peak) should be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To verify the prognostic value of PETCO2 peak in patients with ChC. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with ChC (49.2 ± 9.8 years, NYHA I-III) were evaluated by echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing. Patients were followed up to four years and the end-point was defined as cardiovascular death, stroke, or cardiac transplantation. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up period (29.0 ± 16.0 months), 16 patients (21%) had experienced adverse events. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to identify the risk of adverse events by PETCO2 peak in patients with ChC was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.69 to 0.97), and the value of 32 mmHg was the optimal cut point (70% of sensitivity and 85% of specificity). In the Kaplan-Meier diagram, there was a significant difference (p<0.001) between patients with reduced (≤ 32 mmHg) and preserved PETCO2 peak (>32 mmHg). In the final Cox multivariate model, only reduced PETCO2 peak (HR 4.435; 95% CI: 1.228 to 16.016, p = 0.023) and VO2peak (HR 0.869; 95% CI: 0.778 to 0.971, p = 0.013) remained as independent predictors of poor outcome in ChC patients. CONCLUSION: Reduced PETCO2 peak and VO2peak demonstrated valuable prognostic value in patients with ChC. The cutoff points for both functional variables can be used during risk stratification and may help in the development of therapeutic strategies in ChC patients.

Spending trends on neuropsychiatric drugs in Minas Gerais, Brazil: is the offer of anti-parkinson drugs increasing? / Tendência nos gastos com medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos em Minas Gerais, Brasil: há aumento da oferta de antiparkinsonianos?

Neuropsychiatric drugs are used for a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions. This article aims to analyze the trend and determinants of public expenditure of these medicines in Minas Gerais, from 2010 to 2017. Data from the Integrated Materials and Services Administration System (SIAD) database were used to estimate volumes of acquisition and expenditure. A breakdown analysis was performed, and the list of purchased drugs was reviewed, and the Drug Utilization technique (DU90%) applied concerning anti-Parkinson drugs. Annual expenditure dropped by 36%, from R$ 111.7 million in 2010 to R$ 40.9 million in 2017, and the determinant factors were the falling prices and volume, associated with changes in the drug mix, which favored the acquisition, on average, of more expensive products. Higher levels of expenditure for anti-Parkinson drugs stand out, however, with a significant change in the list purchased. This study contributed to a better understanding of public spending on neuropsychiatric drugs. A reduced volume can increase the risk of shortages. Regarding anti-Parkinson drugs, there is no evidence to suggest an increased supply to the population.

Medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos são utilizados para variadas condições neurológicas e psiquiátricas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar evolução e determinantes dos gastos públicos com esses medicamentos em Minas Gerais de 2010 a 2017. Dados do Sistema Integrado de Administração de Materiais e Serviços (SIAD) foram usados para estimar volumes de aquisição e gastos. Realizou-se análise de decomposição e, para os medicamentos antiparkinsonianos foi avaliado o elenco adquirido, aplicando-se, ainda, a técnica de Drug Utilization (DU90%). O gasto anual diminuiu 36%, passando de R$ 111,7 milhões em 2010 para R$ 40,9 milhões em 2017, tendo como fatores determinantes a queda de preços e de volume, associada às mudanças do drugmix, optando-se pela aquisição de produtos, em média, mais caros. Destaca-se o aumento dos gastos para a classe dos antiparkinsonianos, porém, com significativa mudança no elenco adquirido. Esse estudo contribuiu para um melhor entendimento dos gastos públicos com medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos. A redução do volume pode elevar o risco de desabastecimento. Com relação aos antiparkinsonianos, não há evidências que sugiram aumento da oferta para a população.

Tendência nos gastos com medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos em Minas Gerais, Brasil: há aumento da oferta de antiparkinsonianos? / Spending trends on neuropsychiatric drugs in Minas Gerais, Brazil: is the offer of anti-parkinson drugs increasing?

Resumo Medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos são utilizados para variadas condições neurológicas e psiquiátricas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar evolução e determinantes dos gastos públicos com esses medicamentos em Minas Gerais de 2010 a 2017. Dados do Sistema Integrado de Administração de Materiais e Serviços (SIAD) foram usados para estimar volumes de aquisição e gastos. Realizou-se análise de decomposição e, para os medicamentos antiparkinsonianos foi avaliado o elenco adquirido, aplicando-se, ainda, a técnica de Drug Utilization (DU90%). O gasto anual diminuiu 36%, passando de R$ 111,7 milhões em 2010 para R$ 40,9 milhões em 2017, tendo como fatores determinantes a queda de preços e de volume, associada às mudanças do drugmix, optando-se pela aquisição de produtos, em média, mais caros. Destaca-se o aumento dos gastos para a classe dos antiparkinsonianos, porém, com significativa mudança no elenco adquirido. Esse estudo contribuiu para um melhor entendimento dos gastos públicos com medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos. A redução do volume pode elevar o risco de desabastecimento. Com relação aos antiparkinsonianos, não há evidências que sugiram aumento da oferta para a população.

Abstract Neuropsychiatric drugs are used for a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions. This article aims to analyze the trend and determinants of public expenditure of these medicines in Minas Gerais, from 2010 to 2017. Data from the Integrated Materials and Services Administration System (SIAD) database were used to estimate volumes of acquisition and expenditure. A breakdown analysis was performed, and the list of purchased drugs was reviewed, and the Drug Utilization technique (DU90%) applied concerning anti-Parkinson drugs. Annual expenditure dropped by 36%, from R$ 111.7 million in 2010 to R$ 40.9 million in 2017, and the determinant factors were the falling prices and volume, associated with changes in the drug mix, which favored the acquisition, on average, of more expensive products. Higher levels of expenditure for anti-Parkinson drugs stand out, however, with a significant change in the list purchased. This study contributed to a better understanding of public spending on neuropsychiatric drugs. A reduced volume can increase the risk of shortages. Regarding anti-Parkinson drugs, there is no evidence to suggest an increased supply to the population.

Antidepressivos, ansiolíticos, hipnóticos e sedativos: uma análise dos gastos em Minas Gerais / Antidepressive, anti-anxiety and hypnotics and sedatives agents: an analysis of public expenditure in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Resumo A alocação de recursos com a aquisição de medicamentos é um dos maiores desafios para a efetivação da assistência farmacêutica no SUS. No entanto, poucos estudos avaliam a evolução desses gastos no nível estadual, especialmente com as classes dos antidepressivos, ansiolíticos e hipnótico-sedativos. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e identificar os determinantes dos gastos com essas classes terapêuticas em Minas Gerais. Foram utilizados dados de compras públicas do Sistema Integrado de Administração de Materiais e Serviços (SIAD-MG) entre 2010 e 2015. Estimaram-se os gastos e volumes totais, além dos gastos com medicamentos não constantes nas listas de medicamentos essenciais. As análises de "Top 10" e de "Drug Cost 90%" identificaram os medicamentos responsáveis pelo maior gasto, e a análise de decomposição estabeleceu os determinantes da variação das despesas. Os gastos com as três classes totalizaram R$ 81 milhões e aumentaram 2,5 vezes entre 2010 e 2015, passando de R$ 7,5 milhões para R$ 18,7 milhões. Os antidepressivos representaram 89% dos gastos e 71% do volume adquirido. O preço foi o principal fator determinante do aumento das despesas, especialmente na classe dos antidepressivos. Os aumentos dos gastos ressaltam a necessidade de aprimoramento dos procedimentos de compra adotados pelo estado.

Abstract The allocation of financial resources on medicines procurement is one of the greatest challenges to the effectiveness of the Pharmaceutical Services in the Brazilian National Health System. However, there are few studies evaluating this expenditure trends at state level, especially with antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives. The study evaluated public expenditure trends and drivers for these therapeutic classes in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, by using data from SIAD database [Sistema Integrado de Administração de Materiais e Serviços] from 2010 to 2015. Total expenditure, volume and also expenditures with medicines not included in the essential lists were estimated. The top 10 medicines in terms of expenditure and drugs accounting for 90% of the total cost were identified. Decomposition analysis was conducted to assess the drivers of expenditure. Expenditure in the period totaled R$ 81 million and increased 2.5 times from 2010 to 2015. Antidepressants accounted for 89% of expenses and 71% of volume. Price contributed positively to the expenditure variation during the period, especially in antidepressants. The results highlight the need of improvement of public procurement procedures adopted by Minas Gerais state.

Construindo idéias sobre a juventude envolvida com a criminalidade violenta / Building ideas on youth involved in violent crimes

Revisando a bibliografia atual sobre o tema da violência urbana entre jovens, verificamos que o contexto nacional de convivência com a desigualdade social acirra a violência entre jovens moradores de aglomerados urbanos. Essa violência é potencializada pela experiência da adolescência - transição que marca a perda do corpo e dos pais infantis, bem como o encontro com o outro sexo -, bem como pela experiência errante de desfiliação histórica, que caracteriza a subjetividade na contemporaneidade. Dessa maneira, supomos que, diante da precariedade de significação social da cultura contemporânea, o jovem tenta encontrar novas formas de estabelecer-se no laço social, buscando alguma amarra coletiva pela via do crime. Assim, a entrada numa gangue ou num circuito criminoso pode oferecer, diante dessa carência simbólica, uma promessa de sentido social e uma ilusão afetiva, favorecendo a violência

Reviewing the current literature on the theme of urban violence among young people, we see that the national context of coexistence with the social inequality increases violence among young people from urban areas. This violence is reinforced by the experience of adolescence - transition that marks the loss of the children's body and children’s parents, and the meeting with the other sex - as well as the experience of historical helplessness, which characterizes the subjectivity in contemporaneity. Thus, we suppose that, given the precariousness of social significance of the contemporary culture, the young people tries to find new ways to establish themselves in the social link, seeking some collective ties through the crime. So, the entry into a criminal gang or circuit can offer, face this symbolic grace, a promise to a social sense and an affective illusion, encouraging violence

Construindo idéias sobre a juventude envolvida com a criminalidade violenta / Building ideas on youth involved in violent crimes

Revisando a bibliografia atual sobre o tema da violência urbana entre jovens, verificamos que o contexto nacional de convivência com a desigualdade social acirra a violência entre jovens moradores de aglomerados urbanos. Essa violência é potencializada pela experiência da adolescência - transição que marca a perda do corpo e dos pais infantis, bem como o encontro com o outro sexo -, bem como pela experiência errante de desfiliação histórica, que caracteriza a subjetividade na contemporaneidade. Dessa maneira, supomos que, diante da precariedade de significação social da cultura contemporânea, o jovem tenta encontrar novas formas de estabelecer-se no laço social, buscando alguma amarra coletiva pela via do crime. Assim, a entrada numa gangue ou num circuito criminoso pode oferecer, diante dessa carência simbólica, uma promessa de sentido social e uma ilusão afetiva, favorecendo a violência.(AU)

Reviewing the current literature on the theme of urban violence among young people, we see that the national context of coexistence with the social inequality increases violence among young people from urban areas. This violence is reinforced by the experience of adolescence - transition that marks the loss of the children's body and children’s parents, and the meeting with the other sex - as well as the experience of historical helplessness, which characterizes the subjectivity in contemporaneity. Thus, we suppose that, given the precariousness of social significance of the contemporary culture, the young people tries to find new ways to establish themselves in the social link, seeking some collective ties through the crime. So, the entry into a criminal gang or circuit can offer, face this symbolic grace, a promise to a social sense and an affective illusion, encouraging violence.(AU)