The Role of GeneXpert® for Tuberculosis Diagnostics in Brazil: An Examination from a Historical and Epidemiological Perspective.

The rapid molecular test (RMT) performed on the GeneXpert® system is widely used as a control strategy and surveillance technique for tuberculosis (TB). In the region of the Americas, TB incidence is slowly increasing owing to an upward trend in Brazil, which is among the high TB-burden countries (HBCs), ranking in the 19th position. In this context, we aimed to (i) describe the implementation and history of RMT-TB (Xpert® MTB/RIF and Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra) in Brazil; (ii) to evaluate the national RMT laboratory distribution, TB, and resistance to RIF detection by RMT; and (iii) to correlate these data with Brazilian TB incidence. The quantitative data of Xpert® MTB/RIF and Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra assays performed in the pulmonary TB investigation from 2014 to 2020 were provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. A spatial visualization using ArcGIS software was performed. The Southeast region constituted about half of the RMT laboratories-from 39.4% to 45.9% of the total value over the five regions. Regarding the federal units, the São Paulo state alone represented from 20.2% to 34.1% (5.0 to 8.5 times the value) of RMT laboratories over the years observed. There were significant differences (p < 0.0001) in the frequency of RMT laboratories between all years of the historical series. There was an unequal distribution of RMT laboratories between Brazilian regions and federal units. This alerts us for the surveillance of rapid molecular detection of TB in different parts of the country, with the possibility of improving the distribution of tests in areas of higher incidence in order to achieve the level of disease control recommended by national and worldwide authorities.

Spatial Analysis of Tuberculosis Patient Flow in a Neglected Region of Northern Brazil.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still considered a priority due to its high incidence rate in Brazil. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the flow of care between the municipalities of patients diagnosed with TB through notification forms of the Information System for Diseases and Notifications (SINAN) in a neglected region of Northern Brazil, Ilha do Marajó, state of Para. For this, we performed a descriptive, retrospective study on data obtained from the National Register of Health Establishments and SINAN from 2013 to 2018. We used Pearson's Chi-square and G Test with p-value < 0.05 for descriptive statistics and spatial analysis technique on flow network analysis. Of the 749 cases, 16.5% were notified in another municipality that was not the patient's residence. Regarding diagnostic methods, a positive bacterioscopy was adopted for 56% of the patients; culture was not performed for 82% of cases. Histopathological examination was not performed in 90% of the individuals. Rapid molecular test (RMT) was performed in only six (5%) cases. The region needs greater attention focused on diagnostic tests, suggesting that the introduction of RMT and culture by Ogawa-Kudoh could improve the region's health network to minimise patient displacement and thus avoid the increase in the transmission chain of TB.

Surveillance Quality Indicators Highlight the Need for Improving Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Monitoring in a Hyperendemic Area of the Brazilian Amazon Region.

The city of Ananindeua, State of Pará, Brazil, is a hyperendemic area for tuberculosis (TB). The present study describes the population characteristics and epidemiological indicators of TB cases from Ananindeua, from 2018 to 2020. The TB cases were screened from the Municipal Health Department of Ananindeua database, and the secondary data were obtained from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). A high percentage of cases did not undergo a rapid molecular test (74.9%) or culture (84.8%) for diagnosis of TB; a chest X-ray examination for diagnosis of TB was performed in 74.47% of new cases. The SINAN form data was incomplete on susceptibility test results (<0.01−92.7). Sputum smear microscopy for monitoring treatment was recorded in the follow-up form in 34.3% and after the 6th month in 61.1% of cases. The cure rate (60.31%) was below the recommendation by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The quality indicators showed many weaknesses: (I) lack of availability of smear microscopy as a diagnostic test in a hyper-endemic area; (II) low availability of specific exams such as culture and rapid molecular test (RMT); (III) low adherence to smear microscopy to monitor the evolution of cases during treatment; (IV) absence of drug susceptibility test data; (V) failure to fill in essential variables for TB surveillance.

Spatial analysis studies of endemic diseases for health surveillance: Application of scan statistics for surveillance of tuberculosis among residents of a metropolitan municipality aged 60 years and above.

Health surveillance aims to monitor adverse health events, and to set disease prevention and control goals, especially for communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB). Older people have a higher risk of TB, due to their specific characteristics, whichpredispose them to infectious disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to demonstrate the importance of scan statistics for detecting spatiotemporal clusters of TB. We conducted a quantitative is an ecological, descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, using the spatial analysis techniques, specifically scan statistics. The study was conducted in the municipality of Belém, Pará, in Brazil using data on 1,134 new cases of TB diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years from 2011 to 2015.The data were analyzed using SaTScan software. The analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of TB in the municipality showed thatthe high-risk areas includedthe most densely populated neighborhoods, highlighting the priority of theseareas for disease control measures. Spatial analysis can be used to guide more effective interventions according to the characteristics of the location and the local population.

Spatial analysis studies of endemic diseases for health surveillance: Application of scan statistics for surveillance of tuberculosis among residents of a metropolitan municipality aged 60 years and above / Atuação da vigilância em saúde para estudos de análises espaciais de doenças endêmicas: aplicação da técnica de varredura para vigilância de tuberculose em maiores de 60 anos

Abstract Health surveillance aims to monitor adverse health events, and to set disease prevention and control goals, especially for communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB). Older people have a higher risk of TB, due to their specific characteristics, whichpredispose them to infectious disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to demonstrate the importance of scan statistics for detecting spatiotemporal clusters of TB. We conducted a quantitative is an ecological, descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, using the spatial analysis techniques, specifically scan statistics. The study was conducted in the municipality of Belém, Pará, in Brazil using data on 1,134 new cases of TB diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years from 2011 to 2015.The data were analyzed using SaTScan software. The analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of TB in the municipality showed thatthe high-risk areas includedthe most densely populated neighborhoods, highlighting the priority of theseareas for disease control measures. Spatial analysis can be used to guide more effective interventions according to the characteristics of the location and the local population.

Resumo A vigilância em saúde tem como objetivo o acompanhamento dos eventos adversos à saúde, estabelecendo metas de prevenção e controle, principalmente para as doenças transmissíveis, como a tuberculose. Quando relaciona a tuberculose com a população idosa, tem-se um fatormais agravante, devido as peculiaridades dessa população que favorecem na transmissão da doença. Desse modo, objetivo do trabalho é demonstrar a importância da técnica de varredura (estatística Scan) para detectar as áreas de aglomerados espaço-temporal da TB. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, com uso da técnica de análise espacial, em especifico a técnica de varredura. O estudo ocorreu no município de Belém-PA, com 1.134 casos novos de TB em idosos no período de 2011 a 2015. Foi utilizado o programa SaTScan. A dinâmica da tuberculose no município mostrou-se que as áreas de riscos coincidiram com os bairros de maior densidade populacional, evidenciando as áreas prioritárias de maior vulnerabilidade que devem servir para nortear as intervenções mais efetivas de acordo com a característica do local e da sua população.

A Clinical-Epidemiological and Geospatial Study of Tuberculosis in a Neglected Area in the Amazonian Region Highlights the Urgent Need for Control Measures.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious communicable disease, which despite global efforts, still needs special attention in regions with difficult access. This study aims to describe the spatial and epidemiological trends of TB incidences from 2013 to 2018 in Marajó Island, the Amazonian region, Pará, Brazil. We have obtained secondary data from the Brazilian TB databases and performed geospatial and statistical analyses on the data for new TB cases, relapses, and re-admissions. From 2013 to 2018, 749 new cases were reported, in which the diagnostics (culture) was not performed for 652 (87.2%) patient samples, the drug resistance test (DST) was performed for nine (1.2%) samples, and one (0.13%) was multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). The rapid molecular testing (RMT) was performed on 40 (5.3%) patient samples, with results indicating that eight (20%) were susceptible to rifampicin and two (5%) were rifampicin resistant. Overall, the cure rate was 449 (66.7%), while relapses and re-admissions were 41 and 44, respectively. On the geospatial distribution, the municipality of Soure stands out with a high number of incidences, relapses, and re-admissions. Spatially, the eight MDR cases were randomly distributed. Our data highlight the urgent need for TB control measures in this region, by introducing the Xpert-Ultra® MTB/RIF (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and Ogawa-Kudoh.

Análise retrospectiva de casos de tuberculose em idosos / Retrospective analysis of tuberculosis cases in older adults / Análisis retrospectivo de casos de tuberculosis en mayores

Objetivo: Relatar o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico epidemiológico de idosos portadores de tuberculose (TB) em uma capital do Norte do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, de caráter descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, realizado em 2018, no município de Belém, Pará, Brasil, constituído por todos os casos novos de idosos com TB (n=1.134) notificados e confirmados ao Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), no período de 2011 a 2015. Utilizou-se o teste quiquadrado de Pearson (x²) associando-se variáveis nominais (idade, sexo, escolaridade, zona de residência e resultado de baciloscopia, forma clínica da doença, tipo de encerramento do caso e os agravos da doença), adotando-se o valor de p<0,05. As variáveis com frequências menores que 5, com as quais não foi possível realizar o teste χ2, ocorreram pelo teste G. Resultados: A maioria dos idosos era do sexo masculino (n=684; 60,32%), na faixa etária de 60 a 69 anos (n=643; 56,70%), com baixa escolaridade (n=499; 44,08%) e residentes em zona urbana (n=1122; 99,12%). Predominaram a forma clínica pulmonar (n=986; 86,95%), a cura (n=783; 73,73%) e o diabetes mellitus (n=269; 23,72%) como comorbidade mais frequente. Houve resultado positivo para baciloscopia (n=693; 61,11%) e os de controle negativaram (n=352; 40,14%) no 1º mês de tratamento. Conclusão: A suspeitade TB em idosos tem fator decisivo para o diagnóstico devido à baixa presença e especificidade das características clínicas dos quadros de TB nessa população.

Objective: To report the clinical and epidemiological profile of older patients with tuberculosis (TB) in a capital city in Northern Brazil. Methods: A quantitative retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, with all new cases of older adults with TB reported and confirmed in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação ­ SINAN) from 2011 to 2015. Pearson's chi-squared test (x²) was used to check for associations between nominal variables (age, sex, education, area of residence and sputum smear microscopy testersults, clinical form of the disease, type of case closure and the complications of the disease), with a value of p<0.05. Variables with frequencies lower than 5, where it was not possible to perform the χ2 Test, were analyzed using the G test. Results: Most of the older adults were male (n=684; 60.32%), in the age range 60 to 69 years (n=643; 56.70%), had low education (n=499; 44.08%), and lived in urban areas (n=1122; 99.12%). There was a predominance of pulmonary clinical form (n=986; 86.95%),cure (n=783; 73.73%), and Diabetes Mellitus (n=269; 23.72%) as the most frequent comorbidity. There was a positive result for sputum smear microscopy (n=693; 61.11%) and controls were negative (n=352; 40.14%) in the first month of treatment. Conclusion: Suspicion of TB in older adults is a decisive factor for the diagnosis due to the low presence and specificity of the clinical characteristics of TB cases in this population group.

Objetivo: Relatar el perfil sociodemográfico y clínico epidemiológico de mayores portadores de tuberculosis (TB) de una capital del Norte de Brasil. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de carácter descriptivo, transversal y cuantitativo realizado en 2018 en el municipio de Belém, Pará, Brasil, constituido por todos los casos nuevos de mayores con TB (n=1.134) que han sido notificados y confirmados en el Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación (SINAN) en el periodo entre 2011 y 2015. Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson (x²) asociándose las variables nominales (edad, sexo, escolaridad, zona de vivienda y resultado de la baciloscopia, forma clínica de la enfermedad, tipo de cierre del caso y los agravios de la enfermedad) con el valor de p<0,05. Las variables con las frecuencias por debajo de 5 con las cuales no ha sido posible realizar la prueba χ2, se dieron por la prueba G. Resultados: La mayoría de los mayores era del sexo masculino (n=684;60,32%), en la franja de edad entre los 60 y 69 años (n=643; 56,70%), con baja escolaridad (n=499;44,08%) y que vivían en la zona urbana (n=1122; 99,12%).El predominio ha sido de la forma clínica pulmonar (n=986;86,95%), la cura (n=783; 73,73%) y la diabetes mellitus (n=269;23,72%) como comorbilidad más frecuente. Hubo un resultado positivo para la baciloscopia (n=693; 61,11%) y negativo para los individuos del grupo control (n=352;40,14%) en el primer mes de tratamiento. Conclusión: La sospecha de TB en mayores tiene el factor decisivo para el diagnóstico debido la baja presencia y especificidad de las características clínicas de los cuadros de TB para esa población.

Spatial analysis on tuberculosis and the network of primary health care / Análisis espacial en tuberculosis y la red de atención primaria en salud / Análise espacial em tuberculose e a rede de atenção primária em saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the spatial distribution of new cases of tuberculosis compared to the location of the Primary Healthcare Units that performed the compulsory notification. Method: ecological study conducted in Belém, Pará, with 5,294 new cases of tuberculosis notified to Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação for the period from 2010 to 2014. The cases were georeferenced using the software applications ArcGis 10.2 and TerraView 4.2.2. The techniques of Kernel density and global Moran geostatistics were used. Results: the incidence of tuberculosis cases did not vary significantly between the years studied, however there was a variation in incidence between neighborhoods. Health units that exhibited higher number of notifications can suffer great influence of migration from nearby neighborhoods. Conclusion: the spatial dynamics of tuberculosis associated with health services allows to know the areas with increased risk of tuberculosis and the density of notifications of health units.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la distribución espacial de los nuevos casos de tuberculosis, relacionándolos con la ubicación de las Unidades de Atención Primaria en Salud que realizaron la notificación obligatoria. Método: estudio ecológico realizado en Belém (Pará, Brasil) con 5.294 nuevos casos de tuberculosis notificados al Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación (Sinan) en el período del 2010 al 2014. Los casos fueron georreferenciados por medio de los programas informáticos ArcGis 10.2 y TerraView 4.2.2. Se emplearon la técnica de densidad Kernel y la técnica geoestadística Moran global. Resultados: la incidencia de casos de tuberculosis no presentó variación significativa entre los años estudiados, sin embargo hubo una variación de la incidencia entre los barrios. Las unidades de salud que presentaron un mayor número de notificaciones pueden sufrir gran influencia de la migración de los barrios vecinos. Conclusión: la dinámica espacial de la tuberculosis asociada a los servicios de salud permite conocer las áreas con mayor riesgo de tuberculosis y la densidad de notificaciones de las unidades de salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial dos casos novos de tuberculose relacionando-os com a localização das Unidades de Atenção Primária em Saúde que realizaram a notificação compulsória. Método: estudo ecológico realizado em Belém, Pará, com 5.294 casos novos de tuberculose notificados ao Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação no período de 2010 a 2014. Os casos foram georreferenciados por meio dos softwares ArcGis 10.2 e TerraView 4.2.2. Foram usadas a técnica de densidade Kernel e a técnica geoestatística Moran global. Resultados: a incidência de casos de tuberculose não variou de forma significativa entre os anos estudados, porém houve uma variação da incidência entre os bairros. As unidades de saúde que exibiram maior número de notificações podem sofrer grande influência da migração dos bairros vizinhos. Conclusão: a dinâmica espacial da tuberculose associada aos serviços de saúde permite conhecer as áreas com maior risco de tuberculose e a densidade de notificações das unidades de saúde.

Spatial analysis on tuberculosis and the network of primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the spatial distribution of new cases of tuberculosis compared to the location of the Primary Healthcare Units that performed the compulsory notification. METHOD: ecological study conducted in Belém, Pará, with 5,294 new cases of tuberculosis notified to Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação for the period from 2010 to 2014. The cases were georeferenced using the software applications ArcGis 10.2 and TerraView 4.2.2. The techniques of Kernel density and global Moran geostatistics were used. RESULTS: the incidence of tuberculosis cases did not vary significantly between the years studied, however there was a variation in incidence between neighborhoods. Health units that exhibited higher number of notifications can suffer great influence of migration from nearby neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: the spatial dynamics of tuberculosis associated with health services allows to know the areas with increased risk of tuberculosis and the density of notifications of health units.

O perfil socioeconômico e clínico de pacientes matriculados no programa hiperdia em Belém (PA) / Social, economic and clinical profile of patients enrolled in the hiperdia program in Belém, Brazil

Analisar o perfil socioeconômico e clínico de pacientes hipertensos matriculados na Estratégia Saúde da Família, do bairro do Parque Verde, no programa HiperDia, em Belém, Pará, Brasil. Estudo transversal, descritivo, observacional, de natureza quantitativa. A amostra do estudo foi selecionada por amostragem não probabilística por conveniência constituída por 75 pacientes cadastrados no programa; foi aplicado um questioná­rio, no período de outubro e novembro/2015, que constou de variáveis de caráter socioeconômico e dados clínicos. Dos 75 hipertensos, 65% são do sexo feminino, 58% se encontram na faixa etária de 60 anos ou mais e 42% na faixa etária de 30 a 59 anos, 45% são casados, 61% recebem até um salário mínimo, 68% com ensino fundamental incompleto. O perfil dos hipertensos da pesquisa não difere de estudos nacionais e locais. Dessa forma, é possível observar a necessidade de implementar ações de promoção à saúde, visando direcionar práticas para melhorar a qualidade de vida da população.

The socio-economic and clinical profile of patients suffering from hypertension enrolled for the Family Health Strategy in the district Parque Verde, in the HiperDia program in Belém PA Brazil, is analyzed. The transversal, descriptive, observational and quantitative study comprised 75 patients enrolled in the program. Sample was selected by non-probabilistic, convenience sampling. A questionnaire, featuring socio-economic variables and clinical data, was applied in October and November 2015. 65% of the 75 hypertensive patients were female; 58% were within the 60-year-old bracket; 42% were within the 30-59-year-old bracket; 45% were married; 61% received minimum wage; 68% had incomplete basic education. The profile of these hypertension patients did not differ from those studied in nation and local research. Implementing activities for health promotion were required to direct practices for the improvement of the population´s life quality.

Análise do grau de autonomia de residentes em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência / Analysis of elderly autonomy degree of residents in Long Term Care / Análisis del grado de autonomía de residentes en una Hogares para Ancianos

Estudo descritivo/quantitativo realizado no período de novembro e dezembro de 2015. A coleta de dados se deu com 22 institucionalizados por meio da aplicação das escalas de Katz e Lawton & Brody. Constatou-se predomínio da independência para AVD (81,8%) na escala de Katz, divergindo da escala de Lawton & Brody, que evidenciou grau moderadamente dependente (81,8%) para atividades instrumentais de vida diária. Haja vista os dados, observa-se que o grau de funcionalidade exige maior atenção visando à qualidade de vida no envelhecimento.

Descriptive/quantitative study accomplished between November and December of 2015. The data collection has been made with 22 institutionalized people by applying of Katz and Lawton & Brody scales. As became evident the independence to Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (81,8%) in Katz scale diverging of Lawton & Brody scale that showed low function, dependent (81,8%) to Activities Of Daily Living (IADL). Considering the data of functionality degree observed that it requires greater attention aiming aging quality.

Estudio descriptivo/cuantitativo cumplido entre noviembre y diciembre de 2015. Los datos fueron recolectados con 22 institucionalizado mediante la aplicación de las escalas de Katz y Lawton y Brody.  Observado predominio de la independencia de las AVD (81,8%) en la escala de Katz que divergen de Lawton y Brody escala que mostraron moderadamente grado dependiente (81,8%) para AIVD. En vista de los datos se observa que el grado de funcionalidad requiere mayor atención que buscan calidad en el envejecimiento.