Incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the world between 1985 and 2020: A systematic review.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system. The study aimed to describe the incidence of GBS in the world up to the year 2020. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were done in four databases, PUBMED, EMBASE, EBSCO and Biblioteca virtual em Saude (BVS), and in grey literature and manual search in the reference lists of eligible studies. Results: A total of 72 studies were included. The incidence of GBS among the cohort studies varied from 0.30 to 6.08 cases per 100.000 habitants and 0.42 to 6.58 cases per 100.000 person-years. Among the self-controlled studies, the risk incidence ranged from 0.072 to 1 case per 100.000 habitants and 1.73 to 4.30 cases per 100.000 person-years. Conclusions: The reported incidence of GBS in the world among the studies included in the review is slightly higher than that reported in previous studies. The highest incidence rates were associated with public health events of international concern.

Frequency and clinical characteristics of hypophysitis and hypopituitarism in patients undergoing immunotherapy - A systematic review.

Objective: To describe the frequency of hypophysitis and hypopituitarism in cancer patients who are undergoing antineoplastic treatment with immunotherapy, as well as to describe the clinical, epidemiological, and demographic characteristics of these patients. Methods: A systematic search of the literature in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials took place on May 8 and 9, 2020. Randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, case series and case reports were included. Results: A total of 239 articles were obtained, in which 963 cases of hypophysitis and 128 cases of hypopituitarism were found in a treated population of 30,014 individuals (3.20% and 0.42% of the evaluated population, respectively). In the cohort studies, the incidence of hypophysitis and hypopituitarism ranged from 0% to 27.59% and from 0% to 17.86%, respectively. In the non-randomized clinical trials, the incidence of hypophysitis and hypopituitarism ranged from 0% to 25% and from 0% to 14.67%, and in randomized clinical trials from 0% to 16.2% and from 0% to 33.33%. The most common hormonal changes were in the corticotrophic, thyrotrophic and gonadotrophic axes. The main magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were enlargement of the pituitary gland and enhanced contrast uptake. The main symptoms presented by patients with hypophysitis were fatigue and headache. Conclusion: The present review reported a frequency of hypophysitis and hypopituitarism of 3.20% and 0.42%, respectively, in the evaluated population. The clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients affected by hypophysitis were also described. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42020175864.

Snakebites caused by the genera Bothrops and Lachesis in the Brazilian Amazon: a study of factors associated with severe cases and death.

BACKGROUND: Snakebites are a major problem in developing countries owing to their high morbidity rates, severity, and sequelae. In Brazil, most cases of envenomation are caused by Bothrops and Lachesis snakes. The present study aimed to evaluate variables associated with death, systemic complications, and amputations in victims of envenomation due to Bothrops or Lachesis snake. METHODS: An analytical epidemiological study was performed with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]) relating to the Brazilian Amazon for the period 2010-2015. A hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was performed with three aspects, namely, individual characteristics, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical conditions. RESULTS: The following associations were observed: i) advanced age (>65 years), sepsis, renal failure, and hemorrhagic manifestations were related to two outcomes - death due to snakebite and death from all causes; ii) more advanced age (≥46 years), time to health care longer than 6 hours, renal and hemorrhagic manifestations, and region of occurrence being rural areas were associated with systemic complications; and iii) children (up to 12 years old) were associated with amputations. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the characteristics associated with severe outcomes in snakebites may help identify patients who will require more intensive care or longer follow-up and may provide the physician with counseling rationale for their possible prognosis.

Incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the world between 1985 and 2020: a systematic Review

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system. The study aimed to describe the incidence of GBS in the world up to the year 2020. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were done in four databases, PUBMED, EMBASE, EBSCO and Biblioteca virtual em Saude (BVS), and in grey literature and manual search in the reference lists of eligible studies.  Results: A total of 72 studies were included. The incidence of GBS among the cohort studies varied from 0.30 to 6.08 cases per 100.000 habitants and 0.42 to 6.58 cases per 100.000 person-years. Among the self-controlled studies, the risk incidence ranged from 0.072 to 1 case per 100.000 habitants and 1.73 to 4.30 cases per 100.000 person-years. Conclusions: The reported incidence of GBS in the world among the studies included in the review is slightly higher than that reported in previous studies. The highest incidence rates were associated with public health events of international concern.

Proposal of a Quality Assessment tool for the Evaluation of the Methodological Quality of Self-Controlled Case Series and Self-Controlled Risk Interval Study Designs / Uma proposta de instrumento para avaliação da qualidade metodológica dos desenhos de estudos autocontrolados

Self-Controlled Case Series (SCCS) and Self-Controlled Risk Interval (SCRI) study designs are types of studies where cases act as their controls. They are commonly used  by pharmacovigilance to study rare events. There is no existing tool for the assessment of the methodological quality of such studies. Critical appraisal in primary and secondary studies is crucial as it enables the reader to evaluate how the study was elaborated and take this into consideration while analyzing the evidence presented. This paper presents a proposal of an instrument that has been adapted from an already existing tool used for cohort studies and it combines the elements of this tool and the premises of the SCCS and SCRI study designs. It is expected that the tool will help researchers and readers in critically appraising SCCS and SCRI study designs.

Accuracy of rapid point-of-care serological tests for leprosy diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, still endemic in many countries that may lead to neurological, ophthalmic, and motor sequelae if not treated early. Access to timely diagnosis and multidrug therapy (MDT) remains a crucial element in the World Health Organization's strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of rapid point-of-care (POC) tests for diagnosis of leprosy. METHODS: Searches were carried out in electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CRD, Cochrane Library and LILACS) in April 2021 for patients with suspicion or confirmatory diagnostic of leprosy, classified in multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) cases, performing rapid POC serological tests compared to clinical evaluation, smear microscopy and immunohistochemistry analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). A meta-analysis was undertaken to generate pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters, presenting sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, CRD # 42014009658. FINDINGS: From 893 potentially relevant references, 12 articles were included reporting 16 diagnostic tests accuracy studies with 5395 individuals enrolled. Meta-analysis of NDO-LID and PGL-I tests data in MB patients showed sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.83 (0.71-0.91), 0.91 (0.72-0.97); and 0.92 (0.86-0.96), 0.93 (0.78-0.98); respectively, with high heterogeneity among the studies. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Our results can inform policymakers regarding the possibility of implementing accurate, rapid POC tests for leprosy in public health services, especially within primary health care.

Accuracy of rapid point-of-care serological tests for leprosy diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, still endemic in many countries that may lead to neurological, ophthalmic, and motor sequelae if not treated early. Access to timely diagnosis and multidrug therapy (MDT) remains a crucial element in the World Health Organization's strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of rapid point-of-care (POC) tests for diagnosis of leprosy. METHODS Searches were carried out in electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CRD, Cochrane Library and LILACS) in April 2021 for patients with suspicion or confirmatory diagnostic of leprosy, classified in multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) cases, performing rapid POC serological tests compared to clinical evaluation, smear microscopy and immunohistochemistry analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). A meta-analysis was undertaken to generate pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters, presenting sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, CRD # 42014009658. FINDINGS From 893 potentially relevant references, 12 articles were included reporting 16 diagnostic tests accuracy studies with 5395 individuals enrolled. Meta-analysis of NDO-LID and PGL-I tests data in MB patients showed sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.83 (0.71-0.91), 0.91 (0.72-0.97); and 0.92 (0.86-0.96), 0.93 (0.78-0.98); respectively, with high heterogeneity among the studies. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results can inform policymakers regarding the possibility of implementing accurate, rapid POC tests for leprosy in public health services, especially within primary health care.

Snakebites caused by the genera Bothrops and Lachesis in the Brazilian Amazon: a study of factors associated with severe cases and death

ABSTRACT Background: Snakebites are a major problem in developing countries owing to their high morbidity rates, severity, and sequelae. In Brazil, most cases of envenomation are caused by Bothrops and Lachesis snakes. The present study aimed to evaluate variables associated with death, systemic complications, and amputations in victims of envenomation due to Bothrops or Lachesis snake. Methods: An analytical epidemiological study was performed with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]) relating to the Brazilian Amazon for the period 2010-2015. A hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was performed with three aspects, namely, individual characteristics, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical conditions. Results: The following associations were observed: i) advanced age (>65 years), sepsis, renal failure, and hemorrhagic manifestations were related to two outcomes - death due to snakebite and death from all causes; ii) more advanced age (≥46 years), time to health care longer than 6 hours, renal and hemorrhagic manifestations, and region of occurrence being rural areas were associated with systemic complications; and iii) children (up to 12 years old) were associated with amputations. Conclusions: Knowledge of the characteristics associated with severe outcomes in snakebites may help identify patients who will require more intensive care or longer follow-up and may provide the physician with counseling rationale for their possible prognosis.

Burden of Disease of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Brazil before and during the Zika virus epidemic 2014-2016.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of disease of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Brazil in 2014, 1 year before the Zika virus epidemic, and in 2015 and 2016 during the epidemic. METHODS: The burden of disease of GBS was estimated using the summary measure of population health: Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), that combines both mortality (Years of Life Lost YLLs) and morbidity (Years Lived with Disability) components. The study population was composed of GBS hospitalised cases and deaths from the information systems of the Brazilian Unified Health System. RESULTS: The GBS incidence rate in 2014, 2015 and 2016 was 0.74, 0.96, 1.02/100 000 respectively, and the mortality rate in the same period was 0.08, 0.009 and 0.11/100 000 habitants. The DALYs calculated using the point estimate of GBS disability weight and its values of the confidence interval (0.198 and 0.414) were 5725.90 (5711.79-5742.89) in 2014, 6054.61 (6035.57-6077.54) in 2015 and 7588.49 (7570.20-7610.51) in 2016. The DALYs were high among the male population and in age groups between 20 and 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in DALYs in the years 2015 and 2016 compared to 2014 probably resulted from the introduction of ZIKV in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of investments in the prevention of ZIKV infection and in the care of GBS patients.

OBJECTIF: Estimer la charge de morbidité du syndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) au Brésil en 2014, un an avant l'épidémie du virus Zika (ZIKV) et en 2015 et 2016 pendant l'épidémie. MÉTHODES: La charge de la maladie du SGB a été estimée à l'aide de la mesure récapitulative de la santé de la population: années de vie ajustées en fonction de l'incapacité (AVCI), qui combine à la fois les composantes de la mortalité (années de vie perdues AVP) et de la morbidité (années vécues avec une incapacité). La population de l'étude était composée de cas hospitalisés du SGB et de décès provenant des systèmes d'information du système de santé unifié brésilien. RÉSULTATS: Le taux d'incidence du SGB en 2014, 2015 et 2016 était de 0,74 ; 0,96 et 1,02/100.000 respectivement et le taux de mortalité au cours de la même période était de 0,08 ; 0,009 et 0,11/100.000 habitants. Les AVCI calculées à l'aide des points d'estimation du poids de l'incapacité du SGB et de ses valeurs de l'intervalle de confiance (0,198 et 0,414) étaient de 5.725,90 (5.711,79-5.742,89) en 2014 ; 6.054,61 (6.035,57-6.077,54) en 2015 et 7.588,49 (7.570,20 - 7.610,51) en 2016. Les AVCI étaient élevés parmi la population masculine et dans les groupes d'âge entre 20 et 50 ans. CONCLUSIONS: L'augmentation des AVCI en 2015 et 2016 par rapport à 2014 résulte probablement de l'introduction du ZIKV au Brésil, renforçant l'importance des investissements dans la prévention de l'infection par le ZIKV et dans la prise en charge des patients atteints de SGB.

Ten Epidemiological Parameters of COVID-19: Use of Rapid Literature Review to Inform Predictive Models During the Pandemic.

Objective: To describe the methods used in a rapid review of the literature and to present the main epidemiological parameters that describe the transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and the illness caused by this virus, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This is a methodological protocol that enabled a rapid review of COVID-19 epidemiological parameters. Findings: The protocol consisted of the following steps: definition of scope; eligibility criteria; information sources; search strategies; selection of studies; and data extraction. Four reviewers and three supervisors conducted this review in 40 days. Of the 1,266 studies found, 65 were included, mostly observational and descriptive in content, indicating relative homogeneity as to the quality of the evidence. The variation in the basic reproduction number, between 0.48 and 14.8; and the median of the hospitalization period, between 7.5 and 20.5 days stand out as key findings. Conclusion: We identified and synthesized 10 epidemiological parameters that may support predictive models and other rapid reviews to inform modeling of this and other future public health emergencies.

Snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon: a cost-of-illness study.

BACKGROUND: Snakebites account for significant morbidity and mortality. Their occurrence in the Brazilian Amazon warrants an analysis that will enable better understanding of their economic impact and thus contribute to their management and prevention. This study aimed to estimate the cost of snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon in 2015. METHODS: We conducted a cost-of-illness study of snakebite in the Brazilian Amazon in 2015 based on official surveillance data to estimate burden from a societal, patient and public health system perspective. Direct medical costs were estimated via a top-down approach. Loss of productivity was estimated by a human capital approach. RESULTS: The study included 11 503 cases and 56 deaths. The estimated cost to the health system was US$3.115.861,28. The estimated cost due to premature death caused by snakebite was US$3031 300.38. The cost attributed to the loss of productivity due to absence from work was US$1539 518.62. The estimated cost from the patient's perspective was US$268 914.18. Therefore the total cost of snakebite in the Brazilian Amazon was estimated to be almost than US$8 million in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of snakebite in Brazilian Amazon is notably high. Snakebites cause loss of productivity through inpatient treatment or deaths.

Tuberculosis and diabetes: association with sociodemographic characteristics and diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Brazil, 2007-2011. / Tuberculose e diabetes: associação com características sociodemográficas e de diagnóstico e tratamento. Brasil, 2007-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis and diabetes comorbidity remains a challenge for global public health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the sociodemographic profile and the diagnostic and treatment characteristics of tuberculosis cases with and without diabetes in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System and the Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Primary Care Clinical Management System, from 2007 to 2011. We adopted a Poisson regression model with robust variance to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective confidence intervals. RESULTS: We found the studied comorbidity in 7.2% of cases. The hierarchical model showed a higher PR among women (PR=1.31; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.27-1.35); a greater association in the age groups 40-59 years and ≥ 60 years (PR=11.70; 95%CI 10.21-13.39, and PR=17.49; 95%CI 15.26-20.05), and in those with positive sputum smear microscopy results - 1st sample (PR=1.40; 95%CI 1.35-1.47). Return after treatment discontinuation and treatment discontinuation were inversely associated with comorbidity (PR=0.66; 95%CI 0.57-0.76 and PR=0.79; 95%CI 0.72-0.87). CONCLUSION: The findings, such as the inverse relationship with tuberculosis treatment discontinuation in the group of people with comorbidity, reinforce the importance of integrated actions in health services to change the scenario of this challenging comorbidity.

INTRODUÇÃO: A comorbidade tuberculose e diabetes ainda continua um desafio para a saúde pública mundial. OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil sociodemográfico e as características do diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos de tuberculose com e sem diabetes no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e do Sistema de Gestão Clínica de Hipertensão Arterial e Diabetes Mellitus da Atenção Básica, no período de 2007 a 2011. Modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foi utilizado para estimar a razão de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança. RESULTADOS: A comorbidade estudada foi encontrada em 7,2% dos casos. Modelo hierárquico mostrou maior RP entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (RP = 1,31; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 1,27 - 1,35); maior associação nas faixas etárias 40-59 anos e ≥ 60 anos (RP = 11,70; IC95% 10,21 - 13,39 e RP = 17,49; IC95% 15,26-20,05) e com resultado positivo da baciloscopia - primeira amostra (RP = 1,40; IC95% 1,35 - 1,47). Reingresso após abandono e abandono foram inversamente associados na comorbidade (RP = 0,66; IC95% 0,57 - 0,76 e RP = 0,79; IC95% 0,72 - 0,87). CONCLUSÃO: Os achados, como a relação inversa do abandono ao tratamento da tuberculose no grupo das pessoas com comorbidade, reforçam a importância de ações integradas nos serviços para mudar o cenário dessa desafiadora comorbidade.

Tuberculose e diabetes: associação com características sociodemográficas e de diagnóstico e tratamento. Brasil, 2007-2011 / Tuberculosis and diabetes: association with sociodemographic characteristics and diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Brazil, 2007-2011

RESUMO: Introdução: A comorbidade tuberculose e diabetes ainda continua um desafio para a saúde pública mundial. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil sociodemográfico e as características do diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos de tuberculose com e sem diabetes no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e do Sistema de Gestão Clínica de Hipertensão Arterial e Diabetes Mellitus da Atenção Básica, no período de 2007 a 2011. Modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foi utilizado para estimar a razão de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança. Resultados: A comorbidade estudada foi encontrada em 7,2% dos casos. Modelo hierárquico mostrou maior RP entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (RP = 1,31; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 1,27 - 1,35); maior associação nas faixas etárias 40-59 anos e ≥ 60 anos (RP = 11,70; IC95% 10,21 - 13,39 e RP = 17,49; IC95% 15,26-20,05) e com resultado positivo da baciloscopia - primeira amostra (RP = 1,40; IC95% 1,35 - 1,47). Reingresso após abandono e abandono foram inversamente associados na comorbidade (RP = 0,66; IC95% 0,57 - 0,76 e RP = 0,79; IC95% 0,72 - 0,87). Conclusão: Os achados, como a relação inversa do abandono ao tratamento da tuberculose no grupo das pessoas com comorbidade, reforçam a importância de ações integradas nos serviços para mudar o cenário dessa desafiadora comorbidade.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Tuberculosis and diabetes comorbidity remains a challenge for global public health. Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic profile and the diagnostic and treatment characteristics of tuberculosis cases with and without diabetes in Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System and the Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Primary Care Clinical Management System, from 2007 to 2011. We adopted a Poisson regression model with robust variance to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective confidence intervals. Results: We found the studied comorbidity in 7.2% of cases. The hierarchical model showed a higher PR among women (PR=1.31; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.27-1.35); a greater association in the age groups 40-59 years and ≥ 60 years (PR=11.70; 95%CI 10.21-13.39, and PR=17.49; 95%CI 15.26-20.05), and in those with positive sputum smear microscopy results - 1st sample (PR=1.40; 95%CI 1.35-1.47). Return after treatment discontinuation and treatment discontinuation were inversely associated with comorbidity (PR=0.66; 95%CI 0.57-0.76 and PR=0.79; 95%CI 0.72-0.87). Conclusion: The findings, such as the inverse relationship with tuberculosis treatment discontinuation in the group of people with comorbidity, reinforce the importance of integrated actions in health services to change the scenario of this challenging comorbidity.

Epidemiological features, echocardiographic findings, and parasite load in patients with Chagas disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is a major public health problem that is endemic in Brazil and Latin America. This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 171 patients (mean age, 45 years; female, 65%) with Chagas disease at Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. METHODS: We implemented this cross-sectional study using a clinical epidemiological questionnaire, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and quantitative detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood using qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Among the patients, 26.3% had a full elementary education, and 13.2% were illiterate. Most (63.6%) were economically classified as class C, and 51.5% were born in Bahia state. A total of 62.0% participants reported previous contact with the triatomine bug. The clinical forms of the disease were indeterminate (69.51%), cardiac (15.24%), digestive (10.37%), and mixed (4.88%). The most common electrocardiographic abnormality was complete right bundle branch block in association with a divisional anterosuperior block. Only 14.6% of the patients complied with benznidazole medication for at least 60 days, and 164 of them were assessed by echocardiography. The parasite load was positive in 56% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chagas disease affected mostly women, with the indeterminate chronic form of the disease.

Treatment for human visceral leishmaniasis: a cost-effectiveness analysis for Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of strategies for the treatment of VL in Brazil. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness study comparing three therapeutic options: meglumine antimoniate (MA), liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) and a combination of LAMB plus MA (LAMB plus MA), from public health system and societal perspectives. An analytical decision-making model was used to compare strategies for the following outcomes: early therapeutic failure avoided at 30 days, days of hospitalisation avoided and VL cure at 180 days. The efficacy and safety parameters of the drugs came from a randomised, open-label trial and the cost data came from a cost-of-illness study, both carried out in Brazil. RESULTS: For all outcomes analysed, the LAMB strategy was more effective. The MA strategy was inferior to the LAMB plus MA strategy for the outcomes early therapeutic failure avoided and cure. When only LAMB and MA were compared from a societal perspective, a cost of US$ 278.56 was estimated for each additional early therapeutic failure avoided, a cost of US$ 26.88 for each additional day of hospitalisation avoided and a cost of US$ 89.88 for each additional case of cured VL, for the LAMB strategy vs. MA. CONCLUSION: In Brazil, the LAMB strategy proved to be cost-effective for treating VL, considering a GDP per capita as the willingness-to-pay threshold, for all of the outcomes analysed in comparison to MA.

OBJECTIF: Estimer la rentabilité des stratégies de traitement de la leishmaniose viscérale (LV) au Brésil. MÉTHODES: Etude coût-efficacité comparant trois options thérapeutiques: l'antimoniate de méglumine (AM), amphotéricine B liposomale (LAMB) et une combinaison de LAMB et MA (LAMB plus AM), du point de vue du système de santé publique et sociétal. Un modèle décisionnel analytique a été utilisé pour comparer les stratégies pour les résultats suivants: échec thérapeutique précoce évité à 30 jours, jours d'hospitalisation évités et guérison de la LV à 180 jours. Les paramètres d'efficacité et de sécurité des médicaments provenaient d'un essai randomisé ouvert et les données relatives aux coûts, d'une étude sur le coût de la maladie, toutes deux menées au Brésil. RÉSULTATS: Pour tous les résultats analysés, la stratégie LAMB était plus efficace. La stratégie AM était inférieure à la stratégie LAMB plus AM pour les résultats: échec thérapeutique précoce évité et guérison. Lorsque seules les stratégies LAMB et AM ont été comparées d'un point de vue sociétal, un coût de 278,56 USD a été estimé pour chaque échec thérapeutique précoce additionnel évité, un coût de 26,88 USD pour chaque jour d'hospitalisation additionnel évité et un coût de 89,88 USD pour chaque cas additionnel de LV guéri, pour la stratégie LAMB par rapport à AM. CONCLUSION: Au Brésil, la stratégie LAMB s'est avérée rentable pour traiter la LV, considérant un PIB par habitant comme seuil de volonté de payer, pour tous les résultats analysés par rapport à l'AM.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with Zika virus infection in Brazil: a cost-of-illness study.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious, acute paralytic neuropathy of autoimmune aetiology, usually associated with a previous infection. The current study aims to estimate the costs of GBS associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Brazil. METHODS: A cost-of-illness study was conducted from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) and Brazilian society for the year 2016. Direct and indirect costs were estimated by a mixed macrocosting and microcosting approach. RESULTS: The total cost of ZIKV-associated GBS in Brazil was US$11 997 225.85, consisting of the costs of symptomatic ZIKV infection before onset of GBS (direct costs US$2011.51, indirect costs US$19 780.53) and the costs that followed development of GBS (direct costs US$4 722 980.89, indirect costs US$7 252 452.92). The cost of treatment with human immunoglobulin (US$3 263 210.50) and the cost of productivity losses associated with potential years of working life lost due to early mortality (US$4 398 551.72) were particularly noteworthy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ZIKV-associated GBS is costly to Brazil, especially due to productivity losses and hospitalization. This highlights the importance of investing in the prevention of ZIKV infection and in the care of patients with GBS.

The cost of a disease targeted for elimination in Brazil: the case of schistosomiasis mansoni.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis mansoni is a poverty-related parasitic infection that has a variety of clinical manifestations. We consider the disability and deaths caused by schistosomiasis unacceptable for a tool-ready disease. Its condition in Brazil warrants an analysis that will enable better understanding of the local health losses and contribute to the complex decision-making process. OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the cost of schistosomiasis in Brazil in 2015. METHODS: We conducted a cost of illness study of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil in 2015 based on a prevalence approach and from a societal perspective. The study included 26,499 schistosomiasis carriers, 397 hepatosplenic cases, 48 cases with the neurological form, 284 hospitalisations, and 11,368.26 years of life lost (YLL) of which 5,187 years are attributable to economically active age groups. RESULTS: The total cost of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil was estimated to be US$ 41,7million in 2015 with 94.61% of this being indirect costs. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil is high and results in the loss of productivity. Its persistence in Brazil is a challenge to public health and requires inter-sectorial interventions in areas such as indoor water supply, basic sanitation, and education.

Snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon: a descriptive study.

Snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon is a recognized public health problem that does not receive the appropriate attention from key stakeholders. The morbidity rate is relevant, but still underestimated. Thus, the present study updates the current state of knowledge on snakebite envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon. It follows a descriptive method and contributes new knowledge about the dynamics of snakebites and the associated morbidity and mortality reported in the Brazilian Amazon. The study is based on information from cases registered and retrieved from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação-SINAN). The registers we studied covers a period of six years, 2010-2015. Most snakebites occurred in the states of Pará (30 693 cases, 43.34%) and Amazonas (9386 cases, 13.25%), with a higher prevalence in males of an economically active age. The main genus involved in bites was Bothrops sp. The mortality rate was 0.24 per hundred thousand and the case fatality rate was 0.51%. Although low case fatality and mortality rates were observed, much can still be done to prevent snakebites as they continue to be a serious public health problem considering the severity and potentially high economic impact for the individual and to society.

Systematic review of factors associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome 2007-2017: what has changed?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the factors associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome, both infectious and non-infectious, during and after the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic in 2009 and the recent Zika virus epidemic in the Americas. METHOD: Systematic review of literature on factors associated with the development of the Guillain-Barré syndrome published between 2007 and 2017 listed in EBSCO, MEDLINE and LILACS databases. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Thirty-four articles met inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Their quality was considered good in relation to most of the items evaluated. Many aetiological agents had the results of association with Guillain-Barré syndrome, among them Campylobacter jejuni, influenza vaccine - both pandemic and seasonal vaccines, respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection among others. The aetiological agents found are, in most part, the same reported prior to the study period. The association with surgeries, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus and quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine stand out as new aetiological agents in the list of the various possible agents that trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in the study period. There were no Brazilian studies identified during this period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the review reaffirmed C. jejuni as the major trigger of GBS, whereas the association of influenza vaccines and GBS is less clear; Zika virus infection in association with GBS was found in only one study.

Epidemiological features, echocardiographic findings, and parasite load in patients with Chagas disease

Abstract INTRODUCTION Chagas disease is a major public health problem that is endemic in Brazil and Latin America. This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 171 patients (mean age, 45 years; female, 65%) with Chagas disease at Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. METHODS We implemented this cross-sectional study using a clinical epidemiological questionnaire, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and quantitative detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood using qRT-PCR. RESULTS Among the patients, 26.3% had a full elementary education, and 13.2% were illiterate. Most (63.6%) were economically classified as class C, and 51.5% were born in Bahia state. A total of 62.0% participants reported previous contact with the triatomine bug. The clinical forms of the disease were indeterminate (69.51%), cardiac (15.24%), digestive (10.37%), and mixed (4.88%). The most common electrocardiographic abnormality was complete right bundle branch block in association with a divisional anterosuperior block. Only 14.6% of the patients complied with benznidazole medication for at least 60 days, and 164 of them were assessed by echocardiography. The parasite load was positive in 56% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chagas disease affected mostly women, with the indeterminate chronic form of the disease.